Vacuum pill dispensing cassette and counting machine
US7789267B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0092
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for storing and dispensing medications. A medication storing and dispensing cassette is comprised of a housing defining at least a portion of a bulk storage chamber for storing a medication, defining at least a portion of a pick-up area, and defining at least a portion of a discharge chute sized to temporarily store a quantity of the medication. A divider wall is positioned between the bulk storage chamber and the pick-up area. A gate is positioned to control an exit end of the discharge chute. A rotatable conveying wheel having openings proximate to the periphery thereof is positioned such that a portion of the wheel is in communication with the pick-up area while another portion of the wheel is adjacent to an entrance end of the discharge chute. A calibration arm is positioned adjacent the openings of the rotatable wheel. A baffle is positioned to block those openings in that portion of the rotatable wheel adjacent to the discharge chute. An air agitation system is provided so that pills may be moved from the bulk storage chamber to the pick-up area. In one embodiment, air agitation is used to move pills from the bulk storage chamber to the pick-up area, for…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.