US 5,638,417 AGranted

System for pill and capsule counting and dispensing

AssigneeInnovation Associates, Inc.

InventorsJoseph H. Boyer, James P. Boyer, John Pellegrini

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

There is provided a method for counting and dispensing pills, tablets, and capsules which depends on a simple vibrating, sloped, concave-shaped (e.g., V-shaped) trough, having a number of descending steps. The vibration of the trough is controlled and adjusted by a microprocessor. The vibration of the trough is patterned to provide a greater vibratory amplitude at its dispensing end than at its intake end. The difference at each end of the trough in vibratory amplitude is achieved by elastomeric supports that are differently spring dampened. The microprocessor electronically adjusts the input vibration to the trough, such that the flow of materials is adjusted for different types of materials (i.e., tablets of different shapes and/or sizes). This causes the tablets to align accurately within the trough, and sequentially pass a pill detector mechanism in single file. This ensures that the device can handle an extremely varied range of tablet or capsule sizes and shapes.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A processor-controlled tablet, capsule or pill counting and dispensing system that counts and dispenses a wide variety of tablets, capsules and pills of different sizes and shapes, the steps comprising:

means for loading a platform with tablets, capsules, or pills of different sizes and shapes;
a platform in operative relationship to said loading means for receiving tablets, capsules, or pills, said platform having an upper end for receiving said tablets, capsules or pills from said loading means, and a lower end for dispensing singulated tablets, capsules, or pills to a counting means;
first vibratory means connected to said platform for imparting vibratory pulses to said platform in order to cause singulation of said tablets, capsules, or pills along said platform, thereby separating them so that they can be counted one at a time;
means for respectively supporting said platform at said upper end and said lower end, said means having a spring constant at said upper end that is higher than the spring constant at said lower end, whereby said platform is caused to vibrate under the influence of said vibratory means, more strongly at said lower end;
and
counting means disposed adjacent said lower end of said platform for counting said tablets, capsules, or pills, as they drop from said platform one at a time.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/643,679Filed 6 May 1996
Granted: 10 Jun 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A61J 7/02
Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons ; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine:…
B65B 37/04
Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged: by vibratory feeders
B65B 57/20
Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices: applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles
A61J
Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes