System and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers

• US 5,638,657 A
• Filed: 03/01/1996
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Archer, John R., Gray, Richard H., Cumpstey, David E., Owen, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Coan, James F.
• Application Number:
  US08/609,406
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 53/249, 53/250, 53/253, 53/244, 53/240, 53/237, 53/272
• US Class Current: 53/253
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/342 according to optical properties, e.g. colour according to radiation transmittivity B07C5/3416
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/38 Collecting or arranging articles in groups
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/14 and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 Capsules; Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/66 Trinkets, e.g. shirt buttons or jewellery items recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/92 Vibratory feed conveyor

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.

Claims

1. A device for filling individual containers in a moving stream of containers with a continuous stream of discrete items comprising:

a) a body having;

i) a first opening, a first recess sized to receive said container and a first chute interconnecting said first opening and said first recess;

ii) a second opening, a second recess sized to receive said container and a second chute interconnecting said second opening and second recess; and

b) means on said body for connecting said body to a drive that rotates said body in 180°

segments;

c) wherein said first recess and said second recess are located in said body on a line of said body intersecting a longitudinal axis thereof;

d) wherein said first and second openings are sized and said first and second chutes are configured to receive said continuous stream of discrete items so that a container in either said first or said second recess can be continually filled with said discrete items traveling through respective said first or second chutes while said body is rotated said 180°

segment.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a means for diverting flow of said continuous stream of discrete items between said first and second openings.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a device for rotating said body in said 180°

segments.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first opening is aligned with said longitudinal axis of said body and said second opening surrounds said first opening and extends around a peripheral portion of said body.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for delivering a continuous stream of tablets as said discrete items.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for directing said individual container into an empty first or second recess.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said body is cylindrical in shape, said first and second recesses are diametrically opposed on a side surface of said body and said first and second openings are located on one end of said cylindrical body.