Vacuum Apparatus and Methods for Handling Pills

a technology of vacuum apparatus and pill, applied in the direction of liquid handling, transportation and packaging, packaging goods types, etc., can solve the problem that pills may occasionally fail to be captured, and achieve the effect of accurately filling and facilitating the entry of pills
US20070289660A1Inactive Publication Date: 2007-12-20AYLWARD ENTERPRISES
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
AYLWARD ENTERPRISES
Publication Date
2007-12-20
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A pill handling apparatus having a plurality of rotary slats delivers pills from a reservoir to a number of containers. The rotary slats have receptacles in fluid communication with a vacuum assembly and the pills are drawn into the receptacles by vacuum. The pill may be released into containers by expelled air from a blower assembly. Pills entering containers may be individually counted to assure accurate filling of the containers. A conveyor may position the containers at filling stations to receive pills. The rotary slats may be independently rotatable for delivering accurate pill counts to the containers. Optical devices may inspect the pills as they travel toward the containers.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to pill handling apparatus and methods and, more particularly, relates to an apparatus and associated methods for handling pills with a vacuum assembly.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pharmaceutical medicines and associated packaging apparatuses are subject to high expectations from consumers and guidelines and dictates from regulatory entities. For example, pills, capsules, and the like are produced and packaged to meet various regulations including sterility requirements. In addition, pills should be accurately counted and packaged so that each package includes exactly a predetermined number of units as labeled. Cost effective automated counting and packaging systems address these challenges.

[0003] A typical conventional pill counting and packaging machine includes a hopper having a reservoir of pills in contact with a pill-capturing assembly such as an array of rotary slats. The rotary slats capture pills and drop or guide...

Claims

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