Device for dispensing caps useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
First Claim
1. A device for singulating open-ended caps, the device comprising:
- a housing configured to retain a plurality of open-ended caps, the housing having an open lower end;
an outer ring positioned below the housing;
a drum fixed to and positioned within the outer ring to form a drum assembly, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall and a platform that extends radially outwardly from the wall to contact the outer ring, the hub and outer ring forming a circular gap therebetween, the platform being positioned below much of the gap and including a discontinuity;
a mounting structure with an exit aperture fixed relative to the housing; and
a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum assembly about an axis of rotation;
wherein the outer ring includes first and second mating structures, the first mating structure being positioned on the outer ring above the second mating structure, wherein the first mating structure is positioned to mate with a mating structure of a drum having a platform located a first distance from the lowermost edge of the hub wall, and the second mating structure is positioned to mate with a mating structure of a drum having a platform located a second distance from the lowermost edge of the hub wall.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for singulating open-ended caps includes: a housing configured to retain a plurality of open-ended caps, the housing having an open lower end; an outer ring positioned below the housing; a drum fixed to and positioned within the outer ring to form a drum assembly, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall and a platform that extends radially outwardly from the wall to contact the outer ring, the hub and outer ring forming a circular gap therebetween, the platform being positioned below much of the gap and including a discontinuity; a mounting structure with an exit aperture fixed relative to the housing; and a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum assembly about an axis of rotation.
70 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A device for singulating open-ended caps, the device comprising:
-
a housing configured to retain a plurality of open-ended caps, the housing having an open lower end; an outer ring positioned below the housing; a drum fixed to and positioned within the outer ring to form a drum assembly, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall and a platform that extends radially outwardly from the wall to contact the outer ring, the hub and outer ring forming a circular gap therebetween, the platform being positioned below much of the gap and including a discontinuity; a mounting structure with an exit aperture fixed relative to the housing; and a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum assembly about an axis of rotation; wherein the outer ring includes first and second mating structures, the first mating structure being positioned on the outer ring above the second mating structure, wherein the first mating structure is positioned to mate with a mating structure of a drum having a platform located a first distance from the lowermost edge of the hub wall, and the second mating structure is positioned to mate with a mating structure of a drum having a platform located a second distance from the lowermost edge of the hub wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification