Automated vial hopper and feeder assembly
US10322885B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0235
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vial hopper and feeder assembly is used in conjunction with automated prescription filling devices and systems, wherein the vial hopper and feeder assembly is configured to allow an operator to dump a large number of vials into a hopper in a random orientation, and the hopper/feeder assembly has the capability of selecting individual vials, orienting them in the proper direction, and delivering them individually in assembly line fashion, and in proper orientation, to the next step of the prescription filling process. A rotatable singulator receives the vials, feeds each vial individually to a pocket within a rotating turnstile. Sensors detect the presence and orientation of the vial, upright or upside down, and the turnstile rotates either clockwise or counterclockwise, based on the orientation of the vial within the pocket, to release each vial in one single direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.