Device for handling and orienting pills or tablets in a precise manner
A device for the precise distribution of items such as tablets. This device can include a base, a container, a plurality of distribution channels and a plurality of springs disposed adjacent to the distribution channels. The device can also include a plurality of push pins and cams for driving the push pins up. The base includes a wheel which contains the distribution channels. The springs are coupled to the wheel adjacent to the distribution channels. These springs are controlled by the push pins which drive against the springs to push the springs away from the distribution channels. The cams trigger the movement of the push pins at particular locations on the base so that as the wheel rotates, the push pins cross over the cams wherein the cams drive the push pins up allowing a tablet to simultaneously enter and leave the distribution channel. This movement of the wheel allows precise distribution of tablets out of the device and into receiving systems.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/442,179 filed on Oct. 29, 2002.
BACKGROUNDThe invention relates to a new pill distribution system. Essentially, the invention relates a device for distributing pills or tablets in an automated form via a rotating wheel. Other pill distribution systems are known in the art, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,220,481; 6,227,345; 5,984,079; 5,826,696; 3,356,260 are known in the art and are all incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARYThe invention relates to a device for distributing items such as tablets in a precise manner. This device comprises a rotating wheel that is driven by a motor in a circular manner and supported on a base on an axis, angled approximately 45 degrees. Disposed on a central region of this wheel is a container for holding a plurality of tablets at random for future distribution. Along the periphery of this wheel is a new and inventive slot or distribution channel for receiving a plurality of tablets therein. This distribution channel is disposed on the base and is in communication with the container. There is at least one spring coupled to the base adjacent to the distribution channel. There is also at least one push pin disposed substantially in the base in a slidable manner, wherein the push pin is used to selectively slide against the spring, driving the spring open, opposite the distribution channel to allow an item to selectively enter the distribution channel and selectively leave the distribution channel. An adjacent pill or tablet then slides into a correct position around the periphery of the wheel for future distribution. This rotating wheel allows for a precise distribution of the tablets or pills from a central storage location. In addition, this device is capable of releasing one tablet or pill per track on each revolution so that up to 200,000 pills can be distributed in one hour.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSOther objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
Referring in detail to the drawings,
When in operation, this device uses the secondary push pins to selectively slide against springs 40, 50 to drive these springs open, opposite a bottom section of distribution channel 32. This movement allows an item to selectively enter distribution channel 32 and selectively leave this distribution channel or slot 32 at selected points.
In operation, wheel 20 rotates around from and from a first position encounters cams 82 and 84 while being driven by motor 17. At a low point, 15a, cams 82 and 84 act against primary push pins 70a, 72a, and 74a drive secondary push pins 70b, 72b, and 74b, up, with secondary push pin 70b being driven up by cam 82 and thus driving up an inner region of advancing spring 40 to open the slot to tablets. Cam 84 acts as a double cam and drives up secondary push pins 72b and 74b driving up an outer region of advancing spring 40 via push pins 72b, with secondary push pin 74b driving up release spring 50. Because cam 82 drives up an inner region of advancing spring 40 this lets in at least one tablet 35 in an inner end of distribution channel 32. Cam 84 acts on push pins 72, and 74 while allowing additional tablets in distribution channel 32 to slide to a periphery, thereby allowing distribution channel 32 to fill up. At this peripheral region at the low point 15a, there is a boundary or guide wall formed by plate 14 which keeps tablets 35 in distribution channel 32 even though these springs 40 and 50 are in an up position. At this point, there is at least one tablet disposed in a peripheral region of distribution channel 32 wherein this tablet is subsequently held in place by spring 50.
As this distribution channel 32 rotates past laser system 16c, the tablet is hit with a laser on at least one side through a gap or u-shaped end 56 in spring 50 or through hole 29 in wheel 29. At this point the tablet will be examined for its color. The different color codings on the tablet may be for the different coatings that can be applied to the tablet. The color codings are important because with certain type tablets only one side of a coated tablet would need to be acted on by a laser. Information about the color of the tablet is relayed to computer 21. Computer 21 then instructs either laser 152 from a top side or from laser 154 from a bottom side to act on the tablet. Thus, laser 152 acts on the tablet through the U-shaped sections 47 and 56 of springs 40 and 50, while laser 154 acts on the bottom face of tablet through hole 29 in distribution channel 32.
If there are any problems or imperfections with the tablets, then, as this distribution channel 32 passes product or tablet reject 16a, computer 21 signals solenoid 100 to drive cam 110 up against primary push pin 74a to activate secondary push pin 74b to drive release spring 50 up to release a tablet 35 in the peripheral region and dispose of this tablet into tablet reject 16a. Because primary push pin 74a and secondary push pin 74b are only used to drive spring 50 open, only one tablet on the periphery slides out of distribution channel 32, while the remaining tablets are held in place at both the inner end and the outer end by spring 40.
However, if sensor system 16d does not find any imperfections or errors a tablet, then the tablet remains in distribution channel 32 until reaching good tablet receiver 16b. At this point cam 140 is biased in an up position to release a pill or tablet from the slot as described above.
The activation of primary push pins 70a, 72a, and 74a along with secondary push pins 70b, 72b and 74b is controlled by computer 21 and the respective cams which is in communication with sensor 16d so that each distribution channel 32 is tracked as it rotates around. Sensor 16d is in communication with computer 21 so that if sensor 16d discovered a damaged pill in one particular distribution channel 32, computer 21 would track that particular distribution channel 32 so that when that distribution channel 32 reaches tablet reject 16a, primary push pin 74a is activated, which drives secondary push pin 74b up to release the damaged tablet into tablet reject 16a. By tracking the location of each distribution channel, and the number of rejected tablets 32, computer 21, also tracks the number of tablets released into good tablet receiver 16b so that an exact number of tablets are distributed into a bottle or other container at a receiving end of good tablet receiver 16b.
Thus, during operation, tablets 35 are lined up in channel 32 (See
In this design, there are also a new set of springs and spring mechanisms that are used to help feed tablets or pills. For example, as shown in
Reject chute assembly 216a is substantially similar to tablet reject 16a while eject chute assembly is substantially similar to good tablet receiver 16b. In this embodiment, there are two stuck tablet catch box assemblies 232 and 234 with a first stuck tablet catch box assembly 232 disposed adjacent to, and downstream from reject chute assembly 216a and a second stuck tablet catch box assembly 234 disposed adjacent to, and downstream from eject chute assembly 216b.
In this case, if a particular tablet was not rejected or ejected from its particular slot, then the wheel is stopped from rotating and the tablet is removed in either of these two assemblies 232 or 234.
Disposed adjacent to driving wheel 225, is a fume extractor 226 which extracts any dust or particles associated with the operation of this wheel. This fume extractor pulls any dust or other particles from the rotating wheel to keep it from breaking down and to also keep any additional dust off of the machine and the associated tablets. A verification sensor 227 is disposed between fume extractor 226 and eject cam assembly 237. This verification sensor 227 is used to determine whether a particular pill or tablet to be extracted is in proper condition for extraction. Verification sensor remains in communication with computer 194 so that if a pill or tablet is not in condition for extraction, reject cam assembly 237 is notified to raise the associated cam so that the associated pill or tablet is not rejected.
Disposed adjacent to reject cam assembly 235 is reject verification sensor system 238. Reject verification sensor system detects whether this tablet which should have been rejected was actually rejected. If the tablet was not rejected, then computer 194 sends a signal to first stuck tablet catch box assembly 232 to stop the rotation of wheel 20 and remove the faulty tablet.
In addition, this view also exposes an eject sensor verification system 239. This sensor system determines whether there is a stuck tablet which should have been ejected by eject system 234. If the tablet was not ejected by eject system 234, then computer 194 sends a command to stop wheel 20 from rotating so that this tablet can be ejected into second stuck tablet catch box assembly 234.
Disposed adjacent to stuck tablet catch box assembly 234, is an advancing cam assembly 280 that is different than advancing cam assemblies 130 and 140 in the previous embodiment. This advancing cam assembly disposed adjacent to tablet guide plate 294 has an inner ring 284 and an outer ring 282 which are shown in greater detail in
First cam plate 282 is coupled on a radially outside region of inner cam 284, while spacer cam plate 285 is located on a radially inside region of cam 282 but radially outside of inner cam 284. Cam stand 287 then supports this entire apparatus so that it can be supported above base plate 14.
Essentially, the first cam assembly is the tablet locating cam 282 which is formed as a substantially annular sloping rim, with a first ramped portion 282a which forms a receiving section for receiving push pins associated with pushing up the associated springs. There is an elevated portion 282b which keeps the push pins elevated and thereby the springs 270, and 250 elevated as well. Finally, there is a third region, which is a down ramp 282c which allows the associated push pins, and thereby the associated springs to move back down.
Second cam assembly or tablet input track cam 284 is radially inside of first cam assembly 282 which is the tablet locating cam. Cam 284 is also in a partial circular or annular shape which also has an initial region 282a which is in the form of a ramp. When the wheel rotates, the associated push pins encounter ramp 282a wherein they are driven up to open long spring 270 so that tablets will flow into the respective slots. Ramp 282a leads to a central region 282b which is a consistently elevated region which keeps the push pins raised up keeping the springs up and open allowing the tablets to flow into the slot.
Thus, as wheel rotates, cam 280 is used to allow tablets to slide or advance out to a radially outside or peripheral region on wheel 20 wherein this creates a gap at a back end of the slot. Cam 284 is thus used to raise long spring 270 on a radially inside region so that additional tablets can enter into the slot and recharge the load of tablets in each slot.
Adjacent to cams 282 and 284 is an open region both above and below wheel 20. This region is for receiving laser 300.
Lasers 302 and 304 are slidable on these tracks because these lasers must be removed from the region of wheel 20 so that they can be periodically cleaned. Thus, on a periodic basis, lasers 302 and 304 are pulled away from wheel 20 and then cleaned inside housing 400 so that they can remain effective.
In this case, lasers 302 and 304 are positioned both above and below wheel 20 so that either one side or both sides of a tablet can be hit with a laser beam.
Many time release tablets are structured so that they have a coating which provides a protective coating against quick digestion. However, if the entire tablet is coated with this coating, then it would not dissolve in a user's stomach. Therefore, a small hole is burned into the tablet which allows a particular amount of medicine to be available to a person=s system at one time. Tablets such as those described can be shown in
Next, step 3 involves filling each slot with tablets so that each slot is substantially or entirely filled with tablets. This step is shown in greater detail through
In this embodiment, long spring 270, short spring 250 and spring lock 260 and cover spring 240 are used to control the flow of tablets through wheel 20.
In this first position, shown in
In the second position, as shown in
Next, in step 4, wheel 20 rotates for a sufficient number of revolutions so that computer 194 detects the presence and in step 5 the color scheme of tablets in each eject spot in each slot. An eject spot for each slot is one where the tablet is positioned under u-shaped recess 258 of short spring 250.
Verification sensor 227 is used to determine whether all of the tablets are in their proper spots. If verification sensor 227 determines this state, then wheel 20 continues to rotate until it reaches laser system 300. At this point and during step 5, color sensors 332 and 334 are used to determine the color and associated orientation of each tablet. For tablets having two different colored faces, laser system may only be instructed to shoot one particular colored face. Once laser computer 192 determines this orientation, in step 6 it instructs either laser 302 or laser 304 to shoot a laser either from above or below wheel 20 to strike one face of the tablet. As wheel rotates past this laser shot region, any fumes generated from this laser shot are extracted from fume extractor 226.
As each laser-shot tablet rotates up and around, it passes verification sensor 227 which is in communication with computer 194. Verification sensor 227 verifies visually that each pill has actually been struck by either one or more of lasers 302 or 304 and that the pill is ready to be dispensed. In this case, verification sensor includes sensors positioned both above and below wheel 20 to view both sides of each tablet. This occurs while springs 270, and 250 are in their third and closed-closed position shown by
If sensor 227 determines that a particular tablet or pill has an imperfection or has not been acted upon by one or more of lasers 302, then sensor 227 sends a signal to computer 194 to raise an associated cam with reject cam assembly 235 so that this cam acts upon the associated push pins to raise short spring 235 (See
Otherwise if an imperfect tablet has been successfully removed, or if the associated tablets are all in dispensable condition, wheel 20 keeps rotating to eject cam assembly 237. At this point, and as stated above, eject cam assembly remains in a biased up position wherein the
Finally, once the system has determined that the tablet can be dispensed, or ejected, as shown in step 7, eject cam assembly uses eject cam 236 to push up on associated push pins (See
Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for distributing items in a precise manner comprising:
- a) a base;
- b) at least one container for holding the items and which is coupled to said base;
- c) at least one distribution channel disposed on said base and in communication with said container;
- d) at least one spring coupled to said base and adjacent to said at least one distribution channel;
- e) at least one push pin disposed substantially in said base in a slidable manner, wherein said at least one push pin is used to selectively slide against said at least one spring to drive said at least one spring open, away from said at least one distribution channel to allow an item to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel, or selectively slide along said at least one distribution channel, or selectively leave said at least one distribution channel.
2. The device as in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a stand, a stationary section coupled to said stand, and a rotatable section, wherein said rotatable section is coupled to said stationary section and rotatable around a central axis, and wherein said device further comprises a motor which drives said rotatable section around said central axis.
3. The device as in claim 2, further comprising at least one cam disposed in said base, and at least one receiving system coupled to said base, wherein said at least one cam drives against said at least one push pin to open said at least one spring away from said at least one distribution channel so that the item can selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and selectively leave said at least one distribution channel and then enter said at least one receiving system.
4. The device as in claim 3, wherein said stationary section is a base plate coupled to said stand and said rotatable section is a wheel coupled to said base plate wherein said wheel is rotatable on said base plate.
5. The device as in claim 4, further comprising a motor coupled to said stand, wherein said motor is used to rotate said wheel around.
6. The device as in claim 5, wherein said base further comprises a plurality of tracks wherein said tracks are disposed below said wheel.
7. The device as in claim 3, wherein said at least one cam is a plurality of cams comprising at least one outer release cam and at least one inner cam and said at least one push pin is a plurality of push pins comprising at least one outer release push pin in selective communication with said at least one inner cam and at least one inner push pin in selective communication with said at least one inner cam, wherein said at least one outer release cam drives said at least one outer release push pin up to raise an outer region of said at least one spring while said at least one inner cam drives said at least one inner push pin up to raise an inner region of said at least one spring to allow an item to enter said at least one distribution channel.
8. The device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one spring is a plurality of springs comprising:
- i) at least one advancing spring coupled to said base and disposed substantially above said at least one distribution channel;
- ii) at least one release spring coupled to said base and disposed substantially above said at least one distribution channel; and
- iii) at least one cover spring wherein said at least one cover spring is disposed below said at least advancing spring and said at least one release spring on said base and covers said at least one distribution channel.
9. The device as in claim 8, further comprising a fastener for fastening said at least one advancing spring, said at least one release spring and said at least one cover spring to said base in a central region of said at least one distribution channel.
10. The device as in claim 8, wherein said at least one cam is a plurality of cams comprising at least one outer release cam coupled to said base; at least one outer advancing cam coupled to said base; and at least one inner cam coupled to said base; and wherein said at least one push pin is a plurality of push pins comprising at least one outer release push pin, wherein said at least one outer release cam drives said at least one outer advancing push pin; at least one outer advancing push pin wherein said at least one outer release cam selectively drives said at least one outer advancing push pin; and at least one inner push pin wherein said at least one inner cam selectively drives said at least one inner push pin.
11. The device as in claim 10, wherein said at least one advancing spring is longer than said at least one release spring.
12. The device as in claim 11, wherein said at least one advancing spring and said at least one release spring each have a u-shaped end.
13. The device as in claim 8, wherein said at least one advancing spring and said at least one release spring have at least one end bent down towards said distribution channel.
14. The device as in claim 8, wherein said at least one cover spring covers a substantial portion of said at least one distribution channel.
15. The device as in claim 12, wherein said at least one advancing spring has an inner end and an outer end and wherein said at least one inner push pin drives said at least one inner end of said at least one advancing spring open away from said at least one distribution channel to allow at least one item to enter said at least one distribution channel.
16. The device as in claim 12, wherein said at least one advancing spring has an inner end and an outer end wherein said at least one outer advancing push pin drives against said at least one outer end of said advancing spring to allow at least one item to advance along said at least one distribution channel to an outer region of said at least one distribution channel.
17. The device as in claim 12, wherein said at least one release spring has an inner end fastened to said base via said fastener and an outer end, wherein said at least one outer release push pin selectively drives against said outer end of said at least one release spring to allow at least one item to leave said at least one distribution channel.
18. The device as in claim 3, further comprising at least one computer in communication with said at least one cam for selectively activating said at least one cam to open said at least one spring to selectively release at least one item from said at least one distribution channel.
19. The device as in claim 18, further comprising at least one sensor in communication with said at least one computer, and wherein said at least one receiving system includes a reject item receiving system and a good item receiving system wherein said sensor reviews each of said at least one item in said at least one distribution channel to determine whether to release said at least one item in said reject item receiving system or said good item receiving system.
20. A device for distributing pills or tablets in a precise manner comprising:
- a) a base comprising: i)a stand; ii) a base plate coupled to said stand; and iii) a wheel coupled to said base plate wherein said wheel is rotatable on said base plate; and iv) at least one track disposed adjacent to said base plate, wherein said wheel is coupled to said at least one track and rotates on said at least one track;
- b) at least one container for holding the pills or tablets, and coupled to said base;
- c) at least one distribution channel disposed on said base and in communication with said container;
- d) at least one spring coupled to said base adjacent to said at least one distribution channel;
- e) at least one push pin disposed substantially in said base in a slidable manner;
- f) at least one cam disposed in said at least one track wherein when said wheel rotates, said at least one push pin contacts said at least one cam, and said at least one push pin is driven up by said cam selectively slide against said at least one spring to drive said at least one spring open, opposite said at least one distribution channel to allow an item to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and selectively leave said at least one distribution channel.
21. A device for distributing items in a precise manner comprising:
- a) a wheel;
- b) a support means for supporting said wheel;
- c) driving means coupled to said support means, said driving means for rotating said wheel;
- d) means for holding pills or tablets coupled to said support means;
- e) at least one distribution channel disposed on said support means and in communication with said means for holding pills;
- f) at least one spring coupled to said wheel adjacent to said at least one distribution channel; and
- g) a spring driving means for selectively driving said spring opposite said at least one distribution channel to allow items to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and leave said at least one distribution channel.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 29, 2003
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2005
Inventor: Vasilios Vasiadis (Astoria, NY)
Application Number: 10/697,631