METHOD FOR DISPENSING TABLETS INTO A MULTI-COMPARTMENT CLINICAL REAGENT CONTAINER
First Claim
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1. A method for dispensing a desired number of tablets into individual wells within a reagent container, the method comprising:
- dispensing a plurality of tablets from a bulk source onto a linear vibrating table;
orienting the tablets to a flat position;
moving the tablets by vibration into a number of loading chutes;
moving the tablets by vibration into a number of transfer chutes;
displacing the desired number of tablets from the transfer chutes into a drop chute aligned over the well, wherein displacing the desired number of tablets from the transfer chutes comprises lifting a first tablet within the transfer chute and moving said first tablet to urge tablets into the drop chute and thereafter, releasing said first tablet into the drop chute, whereby the tablets are deposited into the wells.
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Abstract
A method for dispensing a desired number of oriented tablets from a bulk source into a well within a reagent container by moving the tablets by vibration into a number of parallel loading chutes and transfer chutes and displacing the desired number of tablets into a drop chute aligned over the well.
35 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing a desired number of tablets into individual wells within a reagent container, the method comprising:
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dispensing a plurality of tablets from a bulk source onto a linear vibrating table; orienting the tablets to a flat position; moving the tablets by vibration into a number of loading chutes; moving the tablets by vibration into a number of transfer chutes; displacing the desired number of tablets from the transfer chutes into a drop chute aligned over the well, wherein displacing the desired number of tablets from the transfer chutes comprises lifting a first tablet within the transfer chute and moving said first tablet to urge tablets into the drop chute and thereafter, releasing said first tablet into the drop chute, whereby the tablets are deposited into the wells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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3. (canceled)
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12. A method for dispensing a desired number of tablets into individual wells within a reagent container, the method comprising:
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dispensing a plurality of tablets from a bulk source onto a linear vibrating table; orienting the tablets to a flat position; moving the tablets by vibration into a number of loading chutes; moving a full complement of tablets greater than said desired number of tablets by vibration into transfer chutes; retaining by vacuum all tablets in the transfer chute except said desired number of tablets; and
then,displacing the desired number of tablets from the transfer chutes into a drop chute aligned over the well, whereby the tablets are deposited into the wells.
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Specification