APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL ARTICLES
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising:
- 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles includes a housing, a drive mechanism and a sensor system. The housing defines a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet. The drive mechanism serves to force the articles along a path through the dispensing passage between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet. The sensor system includes first and second sensors operative to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage and a controller to receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus. The first and second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor.
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Citations
20 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 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification