Method and system for high-speed tablet counting and dispensing
US6899148B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61J7/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. A preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated chambers. During dispensing operations, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated chambers, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing (and subsequent dispensing) tablets which are fed to and counted by the counter after the chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.