Device for counting and loading small items into containers
First Claim
1. A device for counting and loading a predetermined number of items into containers, comprising:
- (A) a hopper for holding a plurality of items to be counted and loaded, the hopper having an adjustable feed gate to vary flow rate of items from the hopper, first vibrating means to cause the items to flow from the feed gate;
(B) V-guide sorting trough positioned beneath the feed gate, the trough having a slot at the bottom of the trough to hold a single row of items, second vibrating means attached to the trough to funnel items into a single row moving along the slot;
(C) Moving belt means for receiving items from the slot, the belt means having two vertical stationary guides positioned above the belt means to maintain the single row of items therebetween on the belt means;
(D) electronic counting means to count a predetermined number of items moving in the single row on the belt means;
(E) diverter means to direct the predetermined number of items into one of at least two diverter streams, and(F) loading position under each of the diverter streams with means for positioning and removing containers into each loading position independently.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A counting and batching device for items such as tablets, capsules or caplets is faster than the electronic radial feeder counters, and is more easily adjustable for different quantities, sizes and shapes of items than slat counters or disk counters. The device has a hopper with an adjustable feed gate and a first vibrator to cause items to flow from the feed gate. A V-guide sorting trough is positioned beneath the feed gate having a slot at its base to hold a single row of items, and a second vibrator funnels items into a single row moving along the slot. A moving belt receives items from the trough and transports them in a single row between stationary guides past an electronic counter to a diverter where a predetermined number of items are diverted into at least two diverter streams. Loading positions are provided under each diverter stream with provision for positioning and removing containers independently into each loading position.
76 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for counting and loading a predetermined number of items into containers, comprising:
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(A) a hopper for holding a plurality of items to be counted and loaded, the hopper having an adjustable feed gate to vary flow rate of items from the hopper, first vibrating means to cause the items to flow from the feed gate; (B) V-guide sorting trough positioned beneath the feed gate, the trough having a slot at the bottom of the trough to hold a single row of items, second vibrating means attached to the trough to funnel items into a single row moving along the slot; (C) Moving belt means for receiving items from the slot, the belt means having two vertical stationary guides positioned above the belt means to maintain the single row of items therebetween on the belt means; (D) electronic counting means to count a predetermined number of items moving in the single row on the belt means; (E) diverter means to direct the predetermined number of items into one of at least two diverter streams, and (F) loading position under each of the diverter streams with means for positioning and removing containers into each loading position independently. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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7. are caplets.
Specification