Method and system for high-speed discrete object counting and dispensing

• US 6,684,914 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Capsa Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Kirby Lester LLC (Capsa Solutions LLC)
• Inventors: Gershman, Vladimir, Geltser, Aleksandr
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/975,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20030070725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1,2,18,83,94,100-107,129,130,192,198 221/7,9,123,129,133 53/52,493,495,501,168
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/20 Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles other applications B65B65/08

Abstract

A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a delay associated with counting the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated chambers, the combination of the numbers of objects within the chambers being known to comprise any number of objects which is desired for dispensing. According to a preferred system, n chambers are provided, with 2⁰, 2¹, 2², . . . , 2ⁿ⁻¹ tablets provided respectively in the individual chambers. The chambers which together add up to the selected number for dispensing are emptied. Only those chambers which are emptied after dispensing need to be refilled and, as such, only the number of tablets in those storage locations need to be counted. The system may include a plurality of cells, each including a plurality of chambers for a different solid dose medication.

Claims

1. A discrete object dispensing system for dispensing discrete objects, comprising:

a) a plurality of chambers, each including a discrete and predetermined number of objects;

b) means for inputting a number of said objects to be dispensed; and

c) means for releasing the predetermined number of discrete objects from a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers for supply to a container, the addition of the predetermined number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers equalling said number of objects to be dispensed.

2. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein:

n chambers are provided, with 2⁰, 2¹, 2², . . . , 2<sup>n−

1</sup> objects provided respectively in said n chambers.

3. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said chambers are vertically stacked.

4. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) a fill chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to receive objects into said plurality of chambers; and

e) an exit chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to empty the objects from the subset of chambers.

5. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) a hopper which stores bulk quantities of the objects;

e) a feeder which feeds objects from said hopper to said plurality of chambers; and

f) a counter which counts the objects fed by the feeder.

6. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein:

each said chamber is provided with a fill gate which can be selectively opened to receive objects fed by the feeder.

7. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for releasing includes exit gates which can be selectively opened to release objects from said subset of chambers and a controller which determines which exit gates to open to release and dispense the number of objects to be dispensed.

8. A discrete object dispensing system for dispensing discrete objects, comprising:

a) n chambers, where n is greater than five, with 2⁰, 2¹, 2², . . . , 2<sup>n−

1</sup> objects provided respectively in said n chambers;

b) means for selecting a number of said objects to be dispensed from said n chambers; and

c) control means for determining a combination of said n chambers from which the objects therein add up to the selected number of objects to be dispensed.

9. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein:

said n chambers are vertically stacked.

10. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein:

said n chambers are each at an incline.

11. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein:

each of said n chambers includes a fill gate and an exit gate and said discrete object dispensing system includes means for opening and closing said fill and exit gates of said n chambers.

12. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, further comprising:

d) a hopper which stores bulk quantities of the objects;

e) a feeder which feeds objects from said hopper to said n chambers; and

f) a counter which counts the objects fed by the feeder.

13. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein:

said control means is hardwired to automatically select a predetermined combination of said n chambers to dispense a selected number of said objects.

14. A discrete object dispensing system according to claim 8, wherein:

said control means is adapted to perform a computational process to determine a combination of said n chambers necessary to dispense a selected number of said objects.

15. A discrete object dispensing system, comprising:

a) a plurality of cells including,

i) a plurality of chambers provided with a discrete and predetermined number of objects,

ii) a bulk object storage location, and

iii) means for feeding said objects from said bulk storage location to said plurality of chambers,

wherein said bulk object storage location of each of said cells stores a different type of object;

b) means for inputting a type and number of said objects to be dispensed; and

c) means for releasing the predetermined number of discrete objects of the input type from a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers of a respective cell from supply to a container, the addition of the predetermined number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers from said respective cell equalling said number of objects to be dispensed.

16. An object dispensing system, comprising:

a) a plurality of chambers each having a fill gate at an upper portion of said chamber and an exit gate at a lower end of said chamber, said fill and exit gates movable between open and closed positions;

b) a fill chute in communication with any of said plurality of chambers having a fill gate in an open position;

c) an exit chute in communication with any of said plurality of chambers having an exit gate in an open position;

d) gate control means for individually opening and closing said fill and exit gates of said plurality of chambers;

e) a bulk storage means for storing bulk quantities of discrete objects;

f) a feeder means for feeding discrete objects from said bulk storage means to said fill chute;

g) a counter means for counting discrete objects fed by the feeder;

h) means for inputting a number of said objects to be dispensed; and

i) dispensing control means for controlling said gate control means to release a predetermined number of discrete objects from a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers for supply to a container, wherein the addition of the predetermined number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers equalling said number of objects to be dispensed.

17. An object dispensing system according to claim 16, wherein:

said chambers are inclined.

18. An object dispensing system according to claim 17, wherein:

said chambers are vertically stacked.

19. A method of dispensing objects, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of chambers, each including a discrete and predetermined number of objects;

b) inputting a number of said objects to be dispensed;

c) selecting a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers which together contain the input number;

d) emptying the predetermined number of discrete objects from the subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers;

e) dispensing the released objects into a container; and

f) refilling the emptied subset of said plurality of chambers.

20. A discrete object dispensing system for dispensing descrete objects, comprising:

a) a plurality of chambers, each including a discrete and predetermined number of objects;

b) means for inputting a number of said to be dispensed; and

c) means for releasing the predetermined number of discrete objects from a subset of said plurality of chambers, the addition of the predetermined number of objects from sdaid subset of said plurality of chambers equalling said number of objects to be dispensed;

d) a fill chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to receive objects into said plurality of chambers; and

e) an exit chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to empty the objects from the subset of chambers.