Method and system for high-speed tablet counting and dispensing
US7073544B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B5/103
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, without a substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary 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.