The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 07, 2011
Darcy Clarke, Kent, WA (US);
Kameron Bumb, Snoqualmie, WA (US);
Michael Sherrod, Maple Valley, WA (US);
Geoffrey Wathen, Corvallis, OR (US);
Darcy Clarke, Kent, WA (US);
Kameron Bumb, Snoqualmie, WA (US);
Michael Sherrod, Maple Valley, WA (US);
Geoffrey Wathen, Corvallis, OR (US);
Talyst Inc., Bellevue, WA (US);
Abstract
The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted within a canister, such that screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the canister. Upon rotation of the screw, the articles to be dispensed travel along a sidewall, pass under a singulation ramp, and exit from an aperture on the proximal end of the canister. A rotational driver-coupling is mounted to the proximal end of the screw, allowing for activation of the canister by engaging the screw. The present invention further describes methods of dispensing articles.