METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL ARTICLES
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a housing defining a dispensing passage;
b) a flow generator operable to generate a first flow of gas to force the articles along a first path through the dispensing passage;
c) a sensor positioned to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage; and
d) a port defined in the housing adjacent the sensor and configured to direct a second flow of gas along a second path to agitate dust adjacent the sensor and thereby remove dust from the sensor and/or prevent dust from depositing on the sensor.
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Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles includes a housing, a flow generator and a sensor. The housing defines a dispensing passage. The flow generator is operable to generate a first flow of gas to force the articles along a first path through the dispensing passage. The sensor is positioned to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage. A port is defined in the housing adjacent the sensor and configured to direct a second flow of gas along a second path to agitate dust adjacent the sensor and thereby remove dust from the sensor and/or prevent dust from depositing on the sensor.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a housing defining a dispensing passage; b) a flow generator operable to generate a first flow of gas to force the articles along a first path through the dispensing passage; c) a sensor positioned to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage; and d) a port defined in the housing adjacent the sensor and configured to direct a second flow of gas along a second path to agitate dust adjacent the sensor and thereby remove dust from the sensor and/or prevent dust from depositing on the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing defining a dispensing passage, a flow generator, and a sensor positioned to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage, the method comprising:
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generating a first flow of gas using the flow generator to force the articles along a first path through the dispensing passage; detecting articles passing through the dispensing passage using the sensor; and directing a second flow of gas along a second path through a port defined in the housing adjacent the sensor to agitate dust adjacent the sensor and thereby remove dust from the sensor and/or prevent dust from depositing on the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification