Feeder tube for filling containers with pills

• US 7,124,912 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2005
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aylacqco, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Aylward, John Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/033,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20050189373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 221/75, 221/30, 221/200, 221/236, 221/277, 221/232, 193/46, 535/01
• US Class Current: 221/236
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/12 by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/56 Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/08 by rotary feeders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/08 with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device B65H1/02 takes precedence

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.

Claims

1. A pill delivery apparatus comprising:

a tray having an upper surface adapted to contain a plurality of pills thereon, the tray defining an inner tray aperture; and

a feeder tube extending from the inner tray aperture of the tray and adapted to deliver the pills from the tray to a container, the feeder tube comprising an inlet side proximate to the tray and an exit side opposite to the inlet side, the feeder tube defining a delivery chute extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute defining one of the group consisting of a twisted linear shape and a helically exaggerated shape such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, the delivery chute being configured to rotate each pill at least one revolution while the pill proceeds between the inlet and exit sides, and the feeder tube being configured such that the rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute.

2. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the delivery chute defines a twisted linear shape, such that a centerline extending through a cross section of the twisted linear shape defines a straight line that is collinear with a central axis of the delivery chute.

3. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the delivery chute defines a helically exaggerated shape, such that a centerline through the helically exaggerated shape defines a path of a helix that spirals about and is offset from a central axis of the delivery chute.

4. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the delivery chute defines a circular helix having a uniform offset distance between the centerline of the helically exaggerated shape and the central axis of the delivery chute.

5. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the delivery chute defines a cross-sectional shape of a closed polygon such that the delivery chute defines a closed path between the inlet and exit sides.

6. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a drop chute extending from the delivery chute at the exit side of the feeder tube for receiving the pill from the delivery chute and directing the pill toward the container.

7. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an upper pin and a lower pin operably engaged with the feeder tube, wherein the upper pin and the lower pin are independently extendable and retractable with respect to the delivery chute such that extension of each of the pins into the delivery chute prevents movement of the pills therethrough.

8. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a controller configured to selectively control the extension and retraction of the upper and the lower pins and thereby release the pills from the delivery chute in a predetermined number.

9. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tray further comprises an outer tray and a rotatable inner tray rotatably engaged with the outer tray, the feeder tube defining an outer surface extending from the inlet side to the exit side and the rotatable inner tray defining an inner tray aperture corresponding to the outer surface of the feeder tube, the outer surface further defining a helical contour corresponding to the inner tray aperture such that axial movement of the feeder tube with respect to the inner tray aperture causes rotation of the rotatable inner tray.

10. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the outer tray defines a circular aperture, the rotatable inner tray defines a circular perimeter corresponding to the outer tray aperture, and the rotatable tray is rotatably disposed within the outer tray aperture.

11. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the inner tray aperture tapers from an upper surface to a lower surface of the inner tray and the outer surface of the feeder tube is configured to operably engage the inner tray aperture at the lower surface of the inner tray.

12. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the feeder tube is formed by fused deposition modeling.

13. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the delivery chute has a cross-sectional size substantially corresponding to transverse dimensions of the pills so that the feeder tube is configured to deliver each pill therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to a major dimension of the pill.

14. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the delivery chute defines a rectangular cross-section.

15. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a frame configured to support the feeder tube; and

a conveyor adapted to convey a series of pill receptacles adjacent to the frame at a predetermined speed along a path of travel.

16. A feeder tube adapted to deliver pills to a container, the tube comprising:

an inlet side;

an exit side opposed to the inlet side; and

a delivery chute defined by the feeder tube and extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute defining one of the group consisting of a twisted linear shape and a helically exaggerated shape, and the delivery chute being configured to rotate each pill at least one revolution while the pill proceeds between the inlet and exit sides such that each of a plurality of pills successively disposed in the delivery chute is oriented at a successive rotational position along the delivery chute so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute.

17. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute defines a twisted linear shape, such that a centerline extending through a cross section of the twisted linear shape defines a straight line that is collinear with a central axis of the delivery chute.

18. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute defines a helically exaggerated shape, such that a centerline through the helically exaggerated shape defines a path of a helix that spirals about and is offset from a central axis of the delivery chute.

19. A feeder tube according to claim 18 wherein the delivery chute defines a circular helix having a uniform offset distance between the centerline of the helically exaggerated shape and the central axis of the delivery chute.

20. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute has a rectangular cross section having a first transverse dimension and a second transverse dimension, the first transverse dimension being shorter than the second transverse dimension.

21. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute has a lead length of between about one inch and about four inches.

22. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute has a lead length of about two inches.

23. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the feeder tube further comprises an outer surface defining a helical contour.

24. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the feeder tube further defines an access slot having access slot walls extending from the outer surface to the delivery chute and from the inlet side to the exit side, the access slot facilitating the manufacture of the feeder tube and providing access to the delivery chute for maintenance thereof.

25. A feeder tube according to claim 24 wherein the access slot walls each define a retaining slot extending between the inlet side and the exit side and parallel with the access slot, the retaining slots being configured to cooperate to retain an elongate member, the elongate member preventing the pills from exiting the delivery chute through the access slot.

26. A feeder tube according to claim 16 further comprising an upper pin and a lower pin operably engaged with the feeder tube, wherein the upper pin and the lower pin are independently extendable and retractable with respect to the delivery chute such that extension of each of the pins into the delivery chute prevents movement of the pills therethrough.

27. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the feeder tube is formed by plasticizing a thermoplastic polymer and depositing the polymer in successive layers.

28. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the transverse dimensions of the delivery chute substantially correspond to transverse dimensions of the pills so that the feeder tube is configured to deliver each pill therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to a major dimension of the pill.

29. A feeder tube according to claim 16 wherein the delivery chute defines a cross-sectional shape of a closed polygon such that the delivery chute defines a closed path between the inlet and exit sides.

30. A pill delivery apparatus comprising:

a tray having an upper surface adapted to contain a plurality of pills thereon, the tray defining an inner tray aperture;

a feeder tube extending from the inner tray aperture of the tray and adapted to deliver the pills from the tray to a container, the feeder tube comprising an inlet side proximate to the tray and an exit side opposite to the inlet side, the feeder tube defining a delivery chute extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute defining one of the group consisting of a twisted linear shape and a helically exaggerated shape such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, the feeder tube being configured such that the rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute;

an upper pin and a lower pin operably engaged with the feeder tube, wherein the upper pin and the lower pin are independently extendable and retractable with respect to the delivery chute such that extension of each of the pins into the delivery chute prevents movement of the pills therethrough; and

a controller configured to selectively control the extension and retraction of the upper and the lower pins and thereby release the pills from the delivery chute in a predetermined number.

31. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the delivery chute defines a twisted linear shape, such that a centerline extending through a cross section of the twisted linear shape defines a straight line that is collinear with a central axis of the delivery chute.

32. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the delivery chute defines a helically exaggerated shape, such that a centerline through the helically exaggerated shape defines a path of a helix that spirals about and is offset from a central axis of the delivery chute.

33. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the delivery chute defines a circular helix having a uniform offset distance between the centerline of the helically exaggerated shape and the central axis of the delivery chute.

34. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the delivery chute defines a cross-sectional shape of a closed polygon such that the delivery chute defines a closed path between the inlet and exit sides.

35. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 further comprising a drop chute extending from the delivery chute at the exit side of the feeder tube for receiving the pill from the delivery chute and directing the pill toward the container.

36. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the tray further comprises an outer tray and a rotatable inner tray rotatably engaged with the outer tray, the feeder tube defining an outer surface extending from the inlet side to the exit side and the rotatable inner tray defining an inner tray aperture corresponding to the outer surface of the feeder tube, the outer surface further defining a helical contour corresponding to the inner tray aperture such that axial movement of the feeder tube with respect to the inner tray aperture causes rotation of the rotatable inner tray.

37. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the outer tray defines a circular aperture, the rotatable inner tray defines a circular perimeter corresponding to the outer tray aperture, and the rotatable tray is rotatably disposed within the outer tray aperture.

38. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the inner tray aperture tapers from an upper surface to a lower surface of the inner tray and the outer surface of the feeder tube is configured to operably engage the inner tray aperture at the lower surface of the inner tray.

39. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the feeder tube is formed by fused deposition modeling.

40. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the delivery chute has a cross-sectional size substantially corresponding to transverse dimensions of the pills so that the feeder tube is configured to deliver each pill therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to a major dimension of the pill.

41. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the delivery chute defines a rectangular cross-section.

42. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising:

a frame configured to support the feeder tube; and

a conveyor adapted to convey a series of pill receptacles adjacent to the frame at a predetermined speed along a path of travel.

43. A pill delivery apparatus comprising:

a tray having an upper surface adapted to contain a plurality of pills thereon, the tray defining an inner tray aperture;

a feeder tube extending from the inner tray aperture of the tray and adapted to deliver the pills from the tray to a container, the feeder tube comprising an inlet side proximate to the tray and an exit side opposite to the inlet side, the feeder tube defining a delivery chute extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute defining one of the group consisting of a twisted linear shape and a helically exaggerated shape such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, the feeder tube being configured such that the rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute;

a frame configured to support the feeder tube; and

a conveyor adapted to convey a series of pill receptacles adjacent to the frame at a predetermined speed along a path of travel.

44. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the delivery chute defines a twisted linear shape, such that a centerline extending through a cross section of the twisted linear shape defines a straight line that is collinear with a central axis of the delivery chute.

45. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the delivery chute defines a helically exaggerated shape, such that a centerline through the helically exaggerated shape defines a path of a helix that spirals about and is offset from a central axis of the delivery chute.

46. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the delivery chute defines a circular helix having a uniform offset distance between the centerline of the helically exaggerated shape and the central axis of the delivery chute.

47. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the delivery chute defines a cross-sectional shape of a closed polygon such that the delivery chute defines a closed path between the inlet and exit sides.

48. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 further comprising a drop chute extending from the delivery chute at the exit side of the feeder tube for receiving the pill from the delivery chute and directing the pill toward the container.

49. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the tray further comprises an outer tray and a rotatable inner tray rotatably engaged with the outer tray, the feeder tube defining an outer surface extending from the inlet side to the exit side and the rotatable inner tray defining an inner tray aperture corresponding to the outer surface of the feeder tube, the outer surface further defining a helical contour corresponding to the inner tray aperture such that axial movement of the feeder tube with respect to the inner tray aperture causes rotation of the rotatable inner tray.

50. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the outer tray defines a circular aperture, the rotatable inner tray defines a circular perimeter corresponding to the outer tray aperture, and the rotatable tray is rotatably disposed within the outer tray aperture.

51. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the inner tray aperture tapers from an upper surface to a lower surface of the inner tray and the outer surface of the feeder tube is configured to operably engage the inner tray aperture at the lower surface of the inner tray.

52. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the feeder tube is formed by fused deposition modeling.

53. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the delivery chute has a cross-sectional size substantially corresponding to transverse dimensions of the pills so that the feeder tube is configured to deliver each pill therethrough in a direction substantially parallel to a major dimension of the pill.

54. A pill delivery apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the delivery chute defines a rectangular cross-section.