System and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers
First Claim
1. A system for automatically filling bottles with tablets comprising:
- a) a hopper for storing tablets;
b) a feeder for diverting said stored tablets into a plurality of tablet streams;
c) a conveyor for continuously conveying said plurality of tablet streams from said feeder past an inspection station, said inspection station comprising a means for inspecting each tablet passing said inspection station by color, shape and size and producing a first signal indicating whether each tablet satisfies predetermined target values as well as a tablet count;
d) a tablet diverter receiving said tablets passing said inspection system, said tablet diverter including flaps to divert a said tablet into a stream for recycling, rejection, or bottle filling each said flap responsive to said first signal from said inspection station for diverting a tablet to a said stream;
e) a bottle filling station for receiving tablets satisfying said predetermined target values and diverted to said bottle filling stream, said bottle filling station including;
i) bottle escapement device positioning at least one empty bottle for filling;
ii) an in-feed bottle conveyor feeding a stream of empty bottles to said bottle escapement device; and
iii) an out-feed bottle conveyor receiving filled bottles from said bottle escapement device and directing a stream of filled bottles away from said bottle escapement device;
f) a controller regulating said feeder, said inspection station, said tablet diverter such that tablets can be fed automatically from said hopper to said inspection system, inspected, and diverted into one of said recycle, reject or bottle filling streams and further regulating said bottle filling system such that empty bottles can be continuously filled by tablets diverted to said bottle filling stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers includes a tablet conveyor system which divides the tablets in a plurality of tablet streams for inspection by color, size and shape. Following the tablet inspection, each tablet passes through a tablet diverter which diverts the tablets to a recycle stream, reject stream or one of two bottle filling positions based upon instruction from the inspection. A bottle conveyor system is provided which feeds empty bottles into a bottle escapement mechanism which positions the empty bottles for filling. Filled bottles are moved from the bottle escapement mechanism to an exit conveyor. The entire system is computer controlled by various control mechanisms to enable the system to be fully operational without operator assistance.
163 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for automatically filling bottles with tablets comprising:
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a) a hopper for storing tablets; b) a feeder for diverting said stored tablets into a plurality of tablet streams; c) a conveyor for continuously conveying said plurality of tablet streams from said feeder past an inspection station, said inspection station comprising a means for inspecting each tablet passing said inspection station by color, shape and size and producing a first signal indicating whether each tablet satisfies predetermined target values as well as a tablet count; d) a tablet diverter receiving said tablets passing said inspection system, said tablet diverter including flaps to divert a said tablet into a stream for recycling, rejection, or bottle filling each said flap responsive to said first signal from said inspection station for diverting a tablet to a said stream; e) a bottle filling station for receiving tablets satisfying said predetermined target values and diverted to said bottle filling stream, said bottle filling station including; i) bottle escapement device positioning at least one empty bottle for filling; ii) an in-feed bottle conveyor feeding a stream of empty bottles to said bottle escapement device; and iii) an out-feed bottle conveyor receiving filled bottles from said bottle escapement device and directing a stream of filled bottles away from said bottle escapement device; f) a controller regulating said feeder, said inspection station, said tablet diverter such that tablets can be fed automatically from said hopper to said inspection system, inspected, and diverted into one of said recycle, reject or bottle filling streams and further regulating said bottle filling system such that empty bottles can be continuously filled by tablets diverted to said bottle filling stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27)
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11. A method of automatically filling bottles with tablets comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a source of tablets; b) separating said source of tablets into a plurality of tablet streams; c) feeding said plurality of tablet streams such that each said tablet stream comprises a continuous stream of discrete tablets; d) inspecting each discrete tablet for at least one of size, shape, color and count; e) diverting said inspected tablets based on said inspection step into a recycle stream, reject stream and an accept stream; f) providing a continuous stream of empty bottles; g) positioning at least one empty bottle to receive diverted tablets from said accept stream to fill said empty bottle; h) recovering said filled bottle; and i) controlling said separating, feeding inspecting, diverting, providing, positioning and recovering steps to automatically fill said empty bottles with a predetermined number and type of tablet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28)
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Specification