Method for counting and dispensing tablets, capsules, and pills
First Claim
1. A processor-controlled method for counting and dispensing tablets, capsules, or pills of different sizes and shapes, the steps comprising:
- a) loading a platform with tablets, capsules, or pills of different sizes and shapes, said platform having an upper end for receiving said tablets, capsules or pills and a lower end for dispensing singulated tablets, capsules, or pills to a counting means;
b) imparting vibratory pulses to said platform in order to cause singulation of said tablets, capsules, or pills along said platform, said vibratory pulses having parameters of vibration that are dependent upon tablet, capsule, or pill characteristics;
c) supporting said platform at said upper end and said lower end with a spring constant at said upper end that is higher than the spring constant at said lower end, in order to cause said platform to vibrate more strongly at said lower end; and
d) counting said tablets, capsules, or pills, as they drop from said platform one at a time.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a method for counting and dispensing pills, tablets, and capsules which depends on a simple vibrating, sloped, concave-shaped (e.g., V-shaped) trough, having a number of descending steps. The vibration of the trough is controlled and adjusted by a microprocessor. The vibration of the trough is patterned to provide a greater vibratory amplitude at its dispensing end than at its intake end. The difference at each end of the trough in vibratory amplitude is achieved by elastomeric supports that are differently spring dampened. The microprocessor electronically adjusts the input vibration to the trough, such that the flow of materials is adjusted for different types of materials (i.e., tablets of different shapes and/or sizes). This causes the tablets to align accurately within the trough, and sequentially pass a pill detector mechanism in single file. This ensures that the device can handle an extremely varied range of tablet or capsule sizes and shapes.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A processor-controlled method for counting and dispensing tablets, capsules, or pills of different sizes and shapes, the steps comprising:
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a) loading a platform with tablets, capsules, or pills of different sizes and shapes, said platform having an upper end for receiving said tablets, capsules or pills and a lower end for dispensing singulated tablets, capsules, or pills to a counting means; b) imparting vibratory pulses to said platform in order to cause singulation of said tablets, capsules, or pills along said platform, said vibratory pulses having parameters of vibration that are dependent upon tablet, capsule, or pill characteristics; c) supporting said platform at said upper end and said lower end with a spring constant at said upper end that is higher than the spring constant at said lower end, in order to cause said platform to vibrate more strongly at said lower end; and d) counting said tablets, capsules, or pills, as they drop from said platform one at a time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A processor-controlled method for counting and dispensing tablets, capsules, and pills irrespective of the shapes and sizes thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) loading information relative to characteristics of tablets, capsules, or pills into a processor; b) releasing tablets, capsules, or pills onto a platform; c) vibrating said platform in accordance with parameters of vibration dependent on said loaded information, and varying vibration to different portions of said platform in order to enhance singulation of said tablets, capsules, or pills; and d) counting said tablets, capsules, or pills as they drop from said platform. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A processor-controlled method for counting and dispensing tablets, capsules or pills of different sizes and shapes, the steps comprising:
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a) loading a platform with tablets, capsules or pills of different sizes, shapes and flow characteristics, said platform having an upper end for receiving said tablets, capsules or pills and a lower end for dispensing singulated tablets, capsules or pills to a counting means; b) imparting vibratory pulses to said platform in order to cause singulation of said tablets, capsules or pills along said platform, said vibratory pulses having parameters of vibration that are dependent upon tablet-, capsule- or pill-flow characteristics along said platform; c) varying said vibratory pulses to said platform in order to cause said platform to vibrate in accordance with the flow characteristics of the particular tablet, capsule or pill being loaded thereonto; and d) counting said tablets, capsules or pills, as they drop from said platform one at a time.
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Specification