# US 11,305,898 B2 · Universal feed mechanism for automatic packager > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,898 B2 - Document ID: US11305898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/777,336 - Filed: 2020-01-30 - Published: 2020-05-28 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-13 - Assignees: Rxsafe LLC - Applicants: Rxsafe LLC - Inventors: William K. Holmes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305898B2 ## CPC - B65B 1/30: Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled - A61J 1/035: {Blister-type containers (blisters in general B65D75/36)} - A61J 7/0076: {Medicament distribution means (with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00)} - B65B 5/103: {for packaging pills or tablets} - B65B 35/12: by gravity - B65B 35/18: by suction-operated grippers - B65B 57/14: and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged - B65B 57/20: Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles (other applications B65B65/08) - A61J 2200/70: Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means - A61J 2205/60: using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract An automatic packager including a cartridge and a cartridge mechanism is provided. The cartridge for the automatic packager includes a reservoir for storing a plurality of medications and a wheel including a bottom portion placed in the reservoir. The cartridge also includes a scooping member provided on the wheel to rotate with the wheel and singulate a medication from the reservoir. The cartridge mechanism for the automatic packager includes a platform configured to receive a medication from a cartridge and a camera system. The cartridge mechanism also includes an electronic processor coupled to the camera system configured to dispense the medication from the cartridge in response to determining that the expected medication is delivered to the platform and return the medication to the cartridge in response to determining that the expected medication is not delivered to the platform. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge for an automatic packager, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir for storing a plurality of medications; a wheel including a bottom portion placed in the reservoir, the wheel being rotatable with respect to the reservoir; a scooping member provided on the wheel to rotate with the wheel and singulate a medication from the reservoir; and a holding pin extending through the wheel and into the scooping member, wherein the medication is singulated by pinching a single medication between a surface of the wheel and the holding pin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the scooping member includes an inward projection extending inward into the wheel, and wherein the reservoir includes a curved shape to direct the plurality of medications toward the inward projection when the scooping member is within the reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the scooping member includes a stopper along a circumferential end of the inward projection to hold the medication as the wheel is rotated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the single medication is pinched between the holding pin, the stopper, and the circumferential end of the scooping member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a cam and follower mechanism coupled to the holding pin and configured to advance and retract the holding pin in the scooping member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the cam and follower mechanism is configured to advance the holding pin when the scooping member is rotated past the bottom portion of the wheel and retract the holding pin when the scooping member is rotated past a top portion of the wheel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the wheel includes teeth provided on an outer circumferential surface of the wheel, wherein the teeth interlock with teeth of a motor assembly, and wherein the motor assembly rotates the wheel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a spout portion provided above the reservoir to guide medications from a bulk container of medications to the reservoir. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The cartridge of claim 8, further comprising a reservoir cover pivotably coupled to the spout portion to pivot between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an RFID tag configured to store information of the cartridge.