Tablet dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
- a first chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the first chute having an outlet;
a first passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the first passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed into a receptacle positioned below the first passive dispensing unit;
the first passive dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position; and
,a second dispensing unit located immediately below the first passive dispensing unit;
the second dispensing unit having a second chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed;
wherein a lower portion of the first chute overlaps with an upper portion of a second chute positioned immediately below the first chute such that the second chute physically contacts and guides placement of a container into which tablets are dispensed from the first chute.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tablet dispenser includes a device body and a plurality of tablet cassettes disposed on one face of the device body. Each tablet cassette is capable of accommodating a plurality of types of tablets and of dispensing the tablets contained therein in a lateral direction. A plurality of chutes are in communication with the plurality of tablet cassettes. Each chute is disposed on the one face of the device body, adjacent to a corresponding tablet cassette. Each chute retains tablets dispensed from the corresponding tablet cassette and dispenses the tablets in a downward direction into a container.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
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a first chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the first chute having an outlet; a first passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the first passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed into a receptacle positioned below the first passive dispensing unit; the first passive dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position; and
,a second dispensing unit located immediately below the first passive dispensing unit;
the second dispensing unit having a second chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed;wherein a lower portion of the first chute overlaps with an upper portion of a second chute positioned immediately below the first chute such that the second chute physically contacts and guides placement of a container into which tablets are dispensed from the first chute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
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a first chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the first chute having an outlet; a first passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the first passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed via gravity into a receptacle positioned below the first passive dispensing unit; the first passive dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position; a spout positioned downstream of the staging portion that is attached to the release member; and
,a second dispensing unit located below the first passive dispensing unit;
the second dispensing unit having a second chute overlapping the first chute;
said second chute positioned to physically contact and guide placement of a container into which tablets are dispensed from the first chute. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification