Patents by Inventor David E. Cumpstey

David E. Cumpstey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers
    Patent number: 5638657
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers includes a tablet conveyor system which divides the tablets in a plurality of tablet streams for inspection by color, size and shape. Following the tablet inspection, each tablet passes through a tablet diverter which diverts the tablets to a recycle stream, reject stream or one of two bottle filling positions based upon instruction from the inspection. A bottle conveyor system is provided which feeds empty bottles into a bottle escapement mechanism which positions the empty bottles for filling. Filled bottles are moved from the bottle escapement mechanism to an exit conveyor. The entire system is computer controlled by various control mechanisms to enable the system to be fully operational without operator assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Archer, David E. Cumpstey, Richard H. Gray, Stephen Owen
  • System and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers
    Patent number: 5522512
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers includes a tablet conveyor system which divides the tablets in a plurality of tablet streams for inspection by color, size and shape. Following the tablet inspection, each tablet passes through a tablet diverter which diverts the tablets to a recycle stream, reject stream or one of two bottle filling positions based upon instruction from the inspection. A bottle conveyor system is provided which feeds empty bottles into a bottle escapement mechanism which positions the empty bottles for filling. Filled bottles are moved from the bottle escapement mechanism to an exit conveyor. The entire system is computer controlled by various control mechanisms to enable the system to be fully operational without operator assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Archer, David E. Cumpstey, Richard H. Gray, Stephen Owen