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;
wherein the controller is configured to;
signal the drive mechanism to force articles through the dispensing channel in a forward direction toward the dispensing outlet; and
identify a preload dispensing fault condition responsive to detecting the presence of a preloaded article in the dispensing channel adjacent the dispensing inlet using the first sensor prior to signaling the drive mechanism to force the articles through the dispensing channel in the forward direction.
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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
15 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; wherein the controller is configured to; signal the drive mechanism to force articles through the dispensing channel in a forward direction toward the dispensing outlet; and identify a preload dispensing fault condition responsive to detecting the presence of a preloaded article in the dispensing channel adjacent the dispensing inlet using the first sensor prior to signaling the drive mechanism to force the articles through the dispensing channel in the forward direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. 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; wherein the controller is configured to compare the detection signals from the first and second sensors to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification