Positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods
First Claim
1. An automated method of depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers comprising the steps of:
- allowing a plurality of pills to be positioned in individual pill receptacles formed in a plurality of rotary slats;
rotating the rotary slats to a position where the pills are released from the receptacles thereby allowing the pills to fall from the receptacles into the containers and define a delivery path;
constantly sensing for pills falling along the delivery path of a rotary slat; and
counting each pill sensed in said sensing step which falls along the delivery path of a rotary slat to positively determine the number of pills deposited into the respective container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.
59 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An automated method of depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers comprising the steps of:
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allowing a plurality of pills to be positioned in individual pill receptacles formed in a plurality of rotary slats;
rotating the rotary slats to a position where the pills are released from the receptacles thereby allowing the pills to fall from the receptacles into the containers and define a delivery path;
constantly sensing for pills falling along the delivery path of a rotary slat; and
counting each pill sensed in said sensing step which falls along the delivery path of a rotary slat to positively determine the number of pills deposited into the respective container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification