Apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles
US8813997B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0092
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles includes a housing, a drive mechanism and a sensor system. The housing defines a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet. The drive mechanism serves to force the articles along a path through the dispensing passage between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet. The sensor system includes first and second sensors operative to detect articles passing through the dispensing passage and a controller to receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus. The first and second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.