Vibratory motion conveyor system for syringe plungers

A vibratory motion conveyor system including a plurality of syringe plungers, the system comprising:

• a vibration frequency generator;
• and
• a track operatively coupled to the vibration frequency generator, the track having a length configured to support the plurality of syringe plungers, each syringe plunger of the plurality of syringe plungers having a top, a bottom, a main body, and a contact feature extending from the main body defining a circumferential rib feature having a width, and the contact feature being positioned between the top and the bottom of the syringe plunger, the track including,
• a first shoulder portion extending along the length of the track, the first shoulder portion having a first support surface defining a first inner edge, and
• a second shoulder portion extending along the length of the track opposite to the first shoulder portion, the second shoulder portion having a second support surface defining a second inner edge, the first and second inner edges being arranged opposite one another such that the first and second support surfaces are configured to support the contact feature of each syringe plunger such that a portion of each syringe plunger passes between the first and second inner edges of the first and second support surfaces, respectively, and the bottom of each syringe plunger does not contact the track,
• wherein each of the first and second inner edges are radiused such that the first inner edge defines a first radius of curvature and the second inner edge defines a second radius of curvature that is not greater than the width of the contact feature.

A method of conveying a plurality of syringe plungers with a vibratory motion conveyor system, the method comprising:

• feeding the plurality of syringe plungers into a track operatively coupled to a vibration frequency generator, each syringe plunger of the plurality of syringe plungers having a contact feature extending from a main body of the syringe plunger that is a circumferential rib feature having a width, the track having a first shoulder portion extending along the track and a second shoulder portion extending along the track opposite to the first shoulder portion;
• supporting the contact feature of each of the plurality of syringe plungers with a first support surface of the first shoulder portion and a second support surface of the second shoulder portion such that each syringe plunger extends between first and second inner edges of the first and second support surfaces, respectively and a bottom of each of the syringe plungers does not contact the track, wherein each of the first and second inner edges are radiused such that the first inner edge defines a first radius of curvature and the second inner edge defines a second radius of curvature that is not greater than the width of the contact feature;
• and
• vibrating the track with the vibration frequency generator such that the plurality of syringe plungers travel along the track.

A vibratory motion conveyor system including a plurality of plungers and a track, the track configured to support the plurality of syringe plungers, each syringe plunger of the plurality of syringe plungers having a top surface, a bottom surface, a main body, and a contact feature extending from the main body, the contact feature being positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface of the syringe plunger, the track comprising:

• a first shoulder portion extending along a length of the track, the first shoulder portion having a first support surface defining a first inner edge;
• and
• a second shoulder portion extending along the length of the track opposite to the first shoulder portion, the second shoulder portion having a second support surface defining a second inner edge, the first and second inner edges being arranged opposite one another such that the first and second support surfaces are configured to support the contact feature of each syringe plunger,
• wherein each of the first and second inner edges are radiused such that the first inner edge defines a first radius of curvature and the second inner edge defines a second radius of curvature that is not greater than the width of the contact feature.

A vibratory motion conveyor system including a plurality of plungers and a track, the track configured to support the plurality of syringe plungers, each syringe plunger of the plurality of syringe plungers having a contact feature with one or more points of contact with the track, each syringe plunger of the plurality of syringe plungers having a center of mass between a top surface and a bottom surface of the syringe plungers, and the contact feature being between the top surface and the bottom surface, the track comprising:

• a first shoulder portion extending along a length of the track, the first shoulder portion having a first support surface defining a first inner edge;
• and
• a second shoulder portion extending along the length of the track opposite to the first shoulder portion, the second shoulder portion having a second support surface defining a second inner edge, the first and second inner edges being arranged opposite one another such that the first and second support surfaces are configured to support each syringe plunger at the at least one point of contact,
• wherein each of the first and second inner edges are radiused such that the first inner edge defines a first radius of curvature and the second inner edge defines a second radius of curvature that is not greater than the contact feature.