Method and apparatus for transporting and processing on-edge tablets
US8037992B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/9508
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tablet conveying apparatus for transporting tablets includes a conveyer. Each of the tablets includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a generally flat, circumferential belly band that interconnects the first and second sides. The conveyer includes a plurality of carrier bars to convey a plurality of tablets along a predetermined conveyer path. Each carrier bar has at least one pocket to receive and transport a tablet in a vertical orientation along the predetermined conveyer path. The pocket may be configured to allow rotation of the tablet about its central axis that extends transverse to the first and second sides. The pocket may be configured to establish line contact between two flat portions of the pocket and two corresponding circumferential portions along the belly band.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.