Patents Assigned to Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
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Patent number: 7255247Abstract: A brush for a pill handling apparatus and an associated pill handling apparatus and method are provided. The brush defines a non-circular profile and agitates the pills when rotated. For example, the brush can be rotatably mounted proximate a rotary slat of the pill handling apparatus so that the brush is configured to seat the pills into the receptacles of the apparatus, such as into receptacles defined by one or more rotary slats. Multiple brushes can be provided in a single pill handling apparatus, e.g., to define therebetween a reservoir for holding the pills.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 7124912Abstract: A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 7066350Abstract: A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 7007821Abstract: A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 6925782Abstract: A packaging device for a pill packaging apparatus is provided, the packaging device cooperating with a plurality of pill receptacles, defined by a web and conveyed by a conveyor under the packaging device in a packaging direction, to manipulate pills deposited in the receptacles into a laid-down position. A first wiper device extends across the web, non-perpendicularly to the packaging direction, to engage pills protruding from the receptacles. A second wiper device downstream of the first wiper device extends across the web, substantially perpendicularly to the packaging direction, to engage any pills still protruding from the receptacles following engagement with the first wiper device. The first and second wiper devices oscillate substantially transversely to the packaging direction so as to vibrate laterally with respect to the web.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Patent number: 6799413Abstract: There is provided an automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers. The packaging apparatus includes a plurality of independently rotatable rotary slats. Each rotary slat includes an outer peripheral edge portion and the rotary slats are configured so that the outer peripheral edge portions define a common interior space. Each outer peripheral edge portion also defines an inner surface and a plurality of pill apertures. The pill apertures are configured to receive one of the pills from the common interior space at a first position and transmit the pill outside the rotary slats at a second position. A conveyor is configured to move a plurality of open containers along a predetermined path of travel and position each of the containers adjacent a respective rotary slat to define a delivery path that extends between the second position of the rotary slat and the container. At least one drive motor is in driving engagement for rotating the rotary slats.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Publication number: 20040128955Abstract: There is provided an automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers. The packaging apparatus includes a plurality of independently rotatable rotary slats. Each rotary slat includes an outer peripheral edge portion and the rotary slats are configured so that the outer peripheral edge portions define a common interior space. Each outer peripheral edge portion also defines an inner surface and a plurality of pill apertures. The pill apertures are configured to receive one of the pills from the common interior space at a first position and transmit the pill outside the rotary slats at a second position. A conveyor is configured to move a plurality of open containers along a predetermined path of travel and position each of the containers adjacent a respective rotary slat to define a delivery path that extends between the second position of the rotary slat and the container. At least one drive motor is in driving engagement for rotating the rotary slats.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Publication number: 20040035878Abstract: A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 6681550Abstract: There is provided an automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers. The packaging apparatus includes a plurality of independently rotatable rotary slats. Each rotary slat includes an outer peripheral edge portion and the rotary slats are configured so that the outer peripheral edge portions define a common interior space. Each outer peripheral edge portion also defines an inner surface and a plurality of pill apertures. The pill apertures are configured to receive one of the pills from the common interior space at a first position and transmit the pill outside the rotary slats at a second position. A conveyor is configured to move a plurality of open containers along a predetermined path of travel and position each of the containers adjacent a respective rotary slat to define a delivery path that extends between the second position of the rotary slat and the container. At least one drive motor is in driving engagement for rotating the rotary slats.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 6625955Abstract: Methods of forming a thermoformed recloseable flat package for a pill-like product are provided. A first enclosure portion having a closing member is first operably engaged with a second enclosure portion so as to form an enclosure for containing the product therein. One or more components of a locking mechanism are then formed, following formation of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism generally comprises a first component operably engaging the closing member and a cooperable second component operably engaging the second enclosure portion. The components of the locking mechanism are further configured to be separable so as to allow separation thereabout of the closing member from the second enclosure portion to thereby define the recloseable package capable of selectively allowing the product to be extracted from the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Patent number: 6505460Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Publication number: 20020194815Abstract: An assembly for handling and packaging pharmaceutical dosage forms includes an infeed structure, a laning structure, and a plenum structure extending from the infeed structure to the laning structure. The infeed, laning and plenum structures guide dosage forms as they are carried in a downstream direction by a surface movable with downstream direction. A guide portion guides the dosage forms into the laning structure to avoid jamming of tablets. A form handling device receives dosage forms and transports the dosage forms to a packaging device. A timed controller and dump gate operate so that debris is carried out of the assembly. The assembly is particularly useful for fragile dosage forms. A packaging device having a bottom plate with floatably supported blocks is provided for sealing dosage forms into packages.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Aylward, C. Frederick DeMey
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Patent number: 6494022Abstract: A packaging device for a pill packaging apparatus is provided, wherein the packaging device is used for inserting pills into a series of pill receptacles being conveyed generally horizontally thereunder. The packaging device generally comprises a resilient pad driven in an orbital motion. The orbitally driven resilient pad is brought into engagement with pills protruding from the pill receptacles. The orbital motion of the resilient pad imparts a rotational motion to the pills in contact with the pad and thereby urges the protruding pills into the receptacles. An associated method of packaging pills is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Publication number: 20020166790Abstract: A thermoformed package for a pill-like product is provided. Such a package comprises a first enclosure portion defining a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adapted to house the product therein. A sealing layer operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to seal each of the receptacles. A second enclosure portion operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to form a plurality of cells, wherein the second enclosure portion defines a plurality of caps corresponding to the plurality of receptacles. Each cell comprises one of the plurality of receptacles sealed by the sealing layer and the corresponding one of the plurality of caps operably engaged with the receptacle. The plurality of receptacles and/or the plurality of caps are separably engaged so as to allow the cells to be separated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Publication number: 20020108356Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Patent number: 6401429Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Publication number: 20020023414Abstract: Methods of forming a thermoformed recloseable flat package for a pill-like product are provided. A first enclosure portion having a closing member is first operably engaged with a second enclosure portion so as to form an enclosure for containing the product therein. One or more components of a locking mechanism are then formed, following formation of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism generally comprises a first component operably engaging the closing member and a cooperable second component operably engaging the second enclosure portion. The components of the locking mechanism are further configured to be separable so as to allow separation thereabout of the closing member from the second enclosure portion to thereby define the recloseable package capable of selectively allowing the product to be extracted from the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
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Publication number: 20010045081Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Patent number: 6269612Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward
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Patent number: 6266946Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: John T. Aylward