×

Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles

  • US 7,837,061 B2
  • Filed: 05/18/2007
  • Issued: 11/23/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for dispensing pharmaceutical articles, the apparatus comprising:

  • a) a housing defining;

    a hopper chamber to hold the articles;

    a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber, the dispensing channel having an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path therebetween;

    a drive jet outlet; and

    an agitation outlet; and

    b) a gas source to provide a positive pressure supply gas flow, wherein the gas source is fluidly connected to each of the drive jet outlet and the agitation outlet to provide;

    a pressurized drive jet gas flow through the drive jet outlet to convey articles through the dispensing channel along the flow path; and

    a pressurized agitation gas flow through the agitation outlet to agitate articles in the hopper chamber;

    wherein the agitation gas flow has a greater mass flow rate than the drive jet gas flow; and

    wherein the apparatus is configured to generate the drive jet gas flow and the agitation gas flow simultaneously using the same gas source.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×