Method and Apparatus for the Counting and Dispensing of Tablets
First Claim
1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted and dispensed, the tablet feeder having an output opening;
b) at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening;
c) an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder, wherein the optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel; and
d) an electronic controller configured to control vibration amplitude of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system and the cumulative number of tablets counted by the optical system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.
29 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted and dispensed, the tablet feeder having an output opening; b) at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening; c) an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder, wherein the optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel; and d) an electronic controller configured to control vibration amplitude of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system and the cumulative number of tablets counted by the optical system. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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2-4. -4. (canceled)
Specification