Kirby-lester, Inc.

Capsa Solutions LLC

Vladimir Gershman

Aleksandr R Geltser

Michael R Gomez

A vibratory tablet feeder includes a reservoir for storing a supply of tablets with a pathway that leads to an exit opening for discharging tablets therefrom. Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening. The feeder can include a wiper spaced vertically from the pathway. The wiper has a wiping surface that is configured to guide at least one vertically-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening. A portion of the pathway may define a chamfered edge that is configured to guide at least one horizontally-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening.

Discrete object singulation

A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. During fill operations, a preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated storage compartments. Dispensing operations are performed in response to dispense request commands. The fill operations are performed in a manner independent from the quantity of tablets identified by the dispense request commands. During the dispensing operations for a particular dispense request command, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated storage compartments, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Moreover, the fill operations and the dispensing operations may be performed in parallel for high-throughput dispensing applications.

Method and system for high-speed tablet counting and dispensing

A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.

An improved tablet feeder includes a rotating body defining multiple chambers that are arranged in fluid communication with one another in a serial manner. Tablets flow through the multiple chambers for discharge from the tablet feeder. The rotating body has a rotational axis that is oriented at an inclination angle less than 60 degrees from horizontal. The chambers preferably include a primary chamber that holds a large number of tablets, a secondary chamber (which may have a frusto-conical sector or wedge shape) that is disposed at a position offset from the rotational axis, and a third chamber and exit tube disposed along the rotational axis. The device may be adapted to provide for singular and/or non-singular discharge of tablets from the exit tube during rotation of the rotating body.

Rotating multi-chamber tablet feeder

A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, without a substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.

Method and system for high-speed discrete object counting and dispensing

A medicament tablet dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of tablets, up to a maximum number, with minimal dispensing delays. A preset number of tablets are counted and stored in dedicated chambers. During dispensing operations, the preset number of tablets are emptied from one or more of the dedicated chambers, thereby avoiding delays associated with counting all of the dispensed tablets. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing (and subsequent dispensing) tablets which are fed to and counted by the counter after the chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.

A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a delay associated with counting the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated chambers, the combination of the numbers of objects within the chambers being known to comprise any number of objects which is desired for dispensing. According to a preferred system, n chambers are provided, with 2 , 2 , 2 , . . . , 2 tablets provided respectively in the individual chambers. The chambers which together add up to the selected number for dispensing are emptied. Only those chambers which are emptied after dispensing need to be refilled and, as such, only the number of tablets in those storage locations need to be counted. The system may include a plurality of cells, each including a plurality of chambers for a different solid dose medication.

A high capacity cassette for an object counting and dispensing system includes a substantially horizontal base including an exit hole, a peripheral wall about the base and having an internal periphery, the base and the peripheral wall defining a reservoir adapted to store a plurality of the discrete objects, and a structure about the internal periphery which feeds the discrete objects single file toward said exit hole.

Cassettes for systems which feed, count and dispense discrete objects

A cassette for an object counting and dispensing system includes a base and a stepped side wall which together define a central open reservoir portion and at least one peripheral covered tray portion having an exit. Each cassette is adapted to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of tablets toward the exit. Only a few standard sizes of cassettes are needed to accommodate all discrete objects, e.g., tablets and capsules.

Cassette for storing and feeding discrete objects

An object counting and dispensing system includes a vibration system, a mounting assembly for coupling a cassette to the vibration system, a chute configured to receive discrete objects from the cassette, and an object sensing system which senses and counts objects fed from the cassette. Each cassette includes a base and a stepped side wall which together define a central open reservoir portion and a peripheral covered tray portion. Cassettes are mounted to the mounting assembly in manner which permits rapid and secure coupling and decoupling. A preferred coupling and decoupling system includes an electromagnet. Each cassette is able to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of tablets toward the exit. Only a few standard sizes of cassettes are needed to accommodate all discrete objects, e.g., tablets and capsules, for which the counter is adapted. A universal hopper can be attached to the mounting assembly.

Cassette systems for feeding, counting and dispensing discrete objects

A discrete object counting and dispensing system includes an object counter, a funnel couplable relative to the object counting system such that when discrete objects are provided in the funnel, the discrete objects are counted by the object counting system. The system also includes a vibration system which vibrates in a substantially horizontally circular plane in a rotational direction, a mounting assembly rigidly coupled to the vibration system, and a discrete object container couplable to the mounting assembly. The container has a reservoir and an exit, and is adapted to feed discrete objects from the reservoir to the exit when the container is vibrated by the vibration system. When the discrete objects are exited from the exit, the discrete objects are counted by the object counting system and then dispensed.

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Stamford, CT, United States of America

Vladimir Gershman