Motorized tablet dispenser

Abstract

A motorized tablet dispenser provides a tablet hopper mechanism suitable for storage of an entire prescription of tablets. A disk-like loading plate is carried at the base of the tablet hopper, and provides radially arrayed tablet voids and a spur gear perimeter. The loading plate is rotated by means of a high torque, low speed, geared motor. Each major type, size and shape of tablet is associated with a loading plate having voids sized to fit that tablet, and any loading plate may be installed in a dispenser. An easily operated pushbutton mechanism translates linear motion along a vertical axis into angular motion about a horizontal axis of a tablet transfer mechanism. A single tablet is moved from the loading plate into a recess in the tablet transfer mechanism. The interface between the cylindrical surface on the tablet transfer mechanism and the planar loading plate prevents jamming. Rotation of the tablet transfer mechanism causes the tablet to be dropped onto a slide where it falls into a receptacle accessible to a user. Movement of the tablet transfer mechanism also contacts an electrical switch, causing the motor to rotate the loading plate which has a stirring post which moves the tablets, causing the voids in the loading plate to be filled. A sensor monitors the quantity of tablets in the tablet hopper. This information is processed, possibly resulting in a signal to indicate the need to refill the dispenser.