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

• US 6,899,144 B1
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• 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 L.
• Application Number:
  US10/430,117
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/2, 141/18, 141/83, 141/94, 141100-107, 141/129, 141/130, 141/192, 141/198, 221/7, 221/9, 221/123, 221/129, 221/133, 53/52, 531/68, 534/93, 534/95, 535/01
• 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 substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing discrete objects, comprising:

a) a plurality of chambers, each for holding a respective predetermined number of objects;

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

c) an output;

d) means for releasing a first number of discrete objects from a subset of said plurality of chambers to said output, the addition of the number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers not exceeding said number of objects to be dispensed;

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

f) a feeder which feeds objects from said hopper;

g) a counter which counts the objects fed by the feeder;

h) at least one path extending between said feeder and said plurality of chambers; and

i) a bypass path extending between said feeder and said output and bypassing said plurality of chambers,

wherein said feeder feeds a second number of objects through said bypass path, said first and second numbers together summing the input number of objects to be dispensed.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of chambers each hold a different number of objects.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein:

said plurality of chambers includes n chambers, and a number of tablets in a particular chamber i is 2i+2, where i=1 . . . n.

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

an overflow chamber for holding a variable number of objects.

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

a gateway system, wherein said at least one path comprises discrete paths between said feeder and each of plurality of paths, and at any one time said gateway system selects at most a single path between said feeder and one of said plurality of chambers.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

each said chamber comprises a plurality of subchambers, each for holding said respective predetermined number of tablets.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein:

each said subchamber includes an opening, and said chamber has a first rotational position in which said first subchamber is oriented for receiving objects through said opening, and a second rotational position in which said first subchamber is oriented for emptying objects contained within said first subchamber through said opening.

8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

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

9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control means adapted to perform a computational process to determine a combination of said plurality of chambers to dispense a selected number of the objects.

10. A system for dispensing discrete object, comprising:

a) means for inputting a number relating to the number of objects to be dispensed;

b) a plurality of chambers, each for holding a respective predetermined number of objects;

c) a dispensing output;

d) means for releasing a first number of discrete objects from a subset of said plurality of chambers to said output, the sum of the number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers not exceeding said number of objects to be dispensed; and

e) a feeder for feeding individual objects outside of said plurality of chambers,

wherein said feeder feeds a second number of objects to said dispensing output, said first and second numbers together summing the input number of objects to be dispensed.

11. A method of dispensing objects, comprising:

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

b) user inputting a number of the objects to be dispensed;

c) selecting a subset of said plurality of chambers which together have a second number of objects which does not exceed the input number;

d) dispensing the second number of objects from the selected subset of the plurality of chambers; and

e) feeding a third number of objects in a manner which bypasses the plurality of chambers,

wherein said second and third number together sum the number of the objects to be dispensed.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein:

dispensing said second number of objects and said third number of objects into a common container.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

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

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein:

said objects are tablets.