Solid dose feeder and operating method thereof

The solid dose feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid dose discharging portion comprises a plurality of adjacent discharge channels.

The solid dose feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface forms part of a plate, with the plate comprising a recess that extends transversely across the plate, the recess being located to separate the solid dose retaining portion from the solid dose discharging portion.

The solid dose feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gate is elongate and comprises a plurality of adjacent gate channels that are regularly spaced therealong and in parallel alignment.

The solid dose feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the gate is configured for coupling to a drive which is arranged to act on the gate and cause it to reciprocate with respect to the surface whilst it is disposed between the solid dose retaining and discharging portions.

The solid dose feeder of any preceding claim further comprising a channel discontinuity device adapted to selectively render at least one feed channel discontinuous such that, in use, dispensing of at least one solid dose from the at least one feed channel is controlled.

A solid dose feeder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

A blister packaging system for solid dose pharmaceuticals comprising a solid dose feeder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

A method of operating a solid dose feeder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

A solid dose feeder comprising a channel discontinuity device adapted to selectively render at least one feed channel discontinuous such that, in use, dispensing of at least one solid dose from the at least one feed channel is controlled.

A solid dose feeder comprising:

• a plate member surface having a solid dose retaining portion capable of retaining a plurality of solid doses in an array of rows and a solid dose discharging portion spaced apart from the solid dose retaining portion and configured, in use, to dispense a row of solid doses into a plurality of receptacles;
• and
• a gate disposed between the solid dose retaining portion and the solid dose discharging portion, the gate being moveable between a loading position wherein the gate is positioned to receive a row of solid doses from the solid dose retaining portion and a discharging position wherein the gate is positioned to discharge the received row of solid doses into the solid dose discharging portion.