Method of delivering pills through a feeder tube
First Claim
1. A method of delivering pills comprising:
- delivering the pills through a helical delivery chute defined by a feeder tube and in a delivery direction; and
rotating the pills about an axis along the delivery direction such that pills successively delivered through the helical delivery chute are positioned at successive rotational positions so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
42 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of delivering pills comprising:
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delivering the pills through a helical delivery chute defined by a feeder tube and in a delivery direction; and rotating the pills about an axis along the delivery direction such that pills successively delivered through the helical delivery chute are positioned at successive rotational positions so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of delivering pills comprising:
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delivering the pills through a helical delivery chute defined by a feeder tube and in a delivery direction; and rotating the pills about an axis along the delivery direction such that pills successively delivered through the helical delivery chute are positioned at successive rotational positions so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute, each pill being rotated at least about 90 degrees per inch along the helical delivery chute. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification