Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 20, 21, 22, . . . , 2n−1 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 20, 21, 22, . . . , 2n−1 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An object feeding, counting, and dispensing device is provided which includes a feeding funnel having a pathway having an entrance into which discrete objects are provided and an exit, an object sensing system at the exit of the pathway, a dispensing funnel having an upper opening into which the objects are gravity fed after passing through the object sensing system and a relatively smaller lower opening, a vibration system which substantially silently vibrates the dispensing funnel in a horizontal plane, and preferably not a vertical plane, and a display indicating the number of object counted. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the vibration system includes a weight, a motor coupled to the dispensing funnel which eccentrically rotates the weight through XY plane such that rotation of the weight creates forces in X and Y directions, and a system which cancels the force in one of the X and Y directions.

Abstract: An object counter includes a feeding funnel having a frustroconical section, the narrow end of which is coupled to a substantially vertical feeding channel having a substantially rectangular cross section. A pair of linear optical sensor arrays are arranged along adjacent orthogonal sides of the feeding channel and a corresponding pair of collimated light sources are arranged along the opposite adjacent sides of the feeding channel such that each sensor in each array receives light the corresponding light source. Objects which are placed in the feeding funnel fall into the feeding channel and cast shadows on sensors in the arrays as they pass through the feeding channel. Outputs from each of the two linear optical arrays are processed separately, preferably according to various conservative criteria, and two object counts are thereby obtained. The higher of the two conservative counts is accepted as the accurate count and is displayed on a numeric display.

Abstract: An object sorter/counter for controlling the feed rate of a sorter/counter includes a feed bowl which is oscillated by an adjustable amplitude vibrator and an exit assembly having a chute with a sensor array for registering the passage of objects through the exit assembly. The feed bowl is provided with a shutter which interposes a photodetector and a light source so that light from the light source is blocked from detection by the photodetector intermittently as the feed bowl oscillates. A circuit coupled to the photodetector generates a series of pulses having widths inversely proportional the amplitude of bowl oscillation. A controller adjusts the vibrator to oscillate the feed bowl at a predetermined amplitude until the sensor array senses a first object. The controller then adjusts the vibrator to oscillate the feed bowl at a lower amplitude and monitors the sensing of other objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting discrete objects of various sizes and shapes as they travel through the apparatus in a disorderly flow. The apparatus includes a sensor array which comprises a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a linear fashion. The discrete objects are passed over the sensor array. By utilizing the sensor array as a means for obtaining information about the discrete objects, the apparatus samples the sensor array at predetermined time intervals, examines the various contours of the images produced through the sampling and based upon predetermined criteria determines whether an image represents one or more objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting a plurality of substantially identical parts has a holding bin having a volume for holding a plurality of substantially identical parts and an opening for releasing some of the parts; a spring-mass system for translating the parts forward; a channel having a width of approximately nx, where n is an integer greater than one and x is the width of a characteristic dimension of the parts based on a preferred orientation due to translation of the parts; and a fluted chute having n rounded bottom, downwardly extending, diverging flutes each of a width of at least x, for separating remaining stacked parts and dividing a single plane of parts into n one dimensional lines of parts, such that the parts may be individually handled.