Apparatus and methods for a semi-automatic pill counting tray
US10238578B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61J2200/74
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention relates to modifications to the traditional manually operated pill counting tray that is broadly used throughout the world to provide features that permit semi-automatic operation that is faster and more accurate than manual-only operation when counting pharmaceutical pills. The tray modifications are based on electronic weight-based sensing technology including the addition of (1) a weighing load sensor to determine the weight of the pills to be counted, (2) a motion sensor and latch for the trough lid to aid operation and performance, (3) a microprocessor that can convert the measured weight of the pills to a pill count, and (4) an output display to show the number of pills counted. This apparatus includes novel features to improve pill counting speed and accuracy, as well as ease of use, that are only possible when employing electronic counting.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.