METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL ARTICLES
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor, the method comprising:
- forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing channel;
generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and
using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. The method includes: forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing passage; generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor, the method comprising:
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forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet; b) a drive mechanism to force the articles along a path through the dispensing channel between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet; and c) a sensor system including; first and second sensors operative to detect articles passing through the dispensing channel; and a controller to receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus; wherein the first and second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors positioned along the dispensing channel, the method comprising:
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forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and comparing the detection signals from the first and second sensors to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has occurred.
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41. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including at least one sensor positioned along the dispensing channel, the method comprising:
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forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating detection signals using the at least one sensor responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using a duration of at least one of the detection signals from the at least one sensor to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has occurred.
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Specification