Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for dispensing vials

US7100796B1 · kind B1 · utility

15Cited by
145References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 2, 2004
Grant dateSep 5, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07F17/0092
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for guiding the movement of a flanged vial (10) during an automated process to prevent the flange (50) from disrupting the movement of the vial (10) during the process. The apparatus (100) includes a receptacle (120) with a narrowing peripheral wall (130) adapted to receive the vial (10) during a vertical drop and direct the movement of the vial (10) toward a slide (160). A weighted flap (170) contacts the vial (10) as the vial (10) moves along the slide (160), slowing the descent of the vial (10), holding the vial (10) against the slide (160), and pivoting to accommodate the flange (50). A platform (190) catches the vial (10).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.