Apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation, comprising:
- a) a hopper for containing a plurality of pills;
b) a feed chute proximate said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said feed chute having a feed chute vibrator operatively connected thereto for preventing pills therein from jamming, and having a feed chute outlet;
c) a transport tube proximate said feed chute outlet and having an inlet aperture proximate thereto for receiving pills therefrom;
d) a vibrating plate proximate said transport tube, said vibrating plate comprising a vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor for imparting vibration at a controlled speed and a sense magnet;
e) a detector chute proximate said vibrating plate, said detector chute comprising means for detecting pills moving relative thereto;
f) a microcontroller operatively connected to said hopper, said transport tube, said feed chute vibrator, said inlet aperture, and said vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor.
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Abstract
A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The feed chute has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism has a mechanism for abruptly stopping the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the drive mechanism.
37 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation, comprising:
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a) a hopper for containing a plurality of pills; b) a feed chute proximate said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said feed chute having a feed chute vibrator operatively connected thereto for preventing pills therein from jamming, and having a feed chute outlet; c) a transport tube proximate said feed chute outlet and having an inlet aperture proximate thereto for receiving pills therefrom; d) a vibrating plate proximate said transport tube, said vibrating plate comprising a vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor for imparting vibration at a controlled speed and a sense magnet; e) a detector chute proximate said vibrating plate, said detector chute comprising means for detecting pills moving relative thereto; f) a microcontroller operatively connected to said hopper, said transport tube, said feed chute vibrator, said inlet aperture, and said vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation, the steps comprising:
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a) providing a housing, a hopper for containing a plurality of pills, said hopper having a hopper door release and a hopper door switch, said hopper being supported by said housing, a feed chute operatively connected to said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said feed chute having a feed chute vibrator and a feed chute outlet, a transport tube proximate said feed chute outlet for receiving pills therefrom, said transport tube having an inlet aperture, a vibrating plate proximate said transport tube, said vibrating plate having a flap door connected thereto, and a drive mechanism connected to said vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto, a detector chute proximate said vibrating plate, said detector chute comprising means for detecting pills moving relative thereto, and a microcontroller operatively connected to said hopper, said feed chute vibrator, said inlet aperture, said drive mechanism, and said means for detecting pills; b) performing a rapid phase operation on said pills; and c) performing a singulation phase operation on said pills. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification