Abstract: A specimen analyzer comprises a measurement mechanism section configured to measure a specimen by using a first consumable and a second consumable having a shape different from a shape of the first consumable, a first inlet for loading the first consumable, a supplying section configured to supply the first consumable loaded through the first inlet, to the measurement mechanism section, a sorter configured to sort the first consumable and the second consumable from each other, and a storage for housing the second consumable sorted by the sorter.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge cases is provided. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin.

Abstract: A material Separator with a hopper, a rigid helically shaped tubular pipe structure, an inlet port, a large particle outlet port and a small particle outlet port. The helically shaped tubular pipe structure connected to the underside of the hopper. The helical pipe structure has an internal false bottom. The false bottom is perforated so that particles that are larger than the perforations flow down the upper portion of the helical tubular pipe structure and material particles that are smaller than the perforations drop through the perforations and flow down the lower portion of the helical tubular pipe structure. The larger material particles exit the large particle outlet and the smaller material particles exit the small particle outlet. A preferred embodiment includes the helical tubular pipe structure is constructed of a plurality of curved pipe members, each having flanges at each end so that one the flanged curved pipe member can be bolted to the adjoining flanged curved pipe member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting ammunition casings and adapted to be mounted on a vibrating base. The apparatus includes an input hopper adapted to receive ammunition casings and a sorting track in communication with the input hopper where the sorting tracks has a graduated opening the bottom of the track such that the diameter of the graduated opening increases as the opening extends away from the hopper. The apparatus further includes sorting compartments arranged under the sorting track. Vibration moves the casings from the input hopper to the sorting track, and as the casings move along the sorting track, smaller diameter casings fall through a first opening portion into a first sorting compartment, and larger diameter casings move along the sorting track past the first opening portion and subsequently fall though a second opening portion into a second sorting compartment thereby separating the ammunition into different calibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge cases is provided. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin.

Abstract: A device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the bulk material of individual products, the supply container having a product outlet. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand. The perforated plate serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A bulk material leveler formed as a leveler strip rotatable around a pivot axis is arranged downstream of the product outlet above the perforated plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting ammunition casings and adapted to be mounted on a vibrating base. The apparatus includes an input hopper adapted to receive ammunition casings and a sorting track in communication with the input hopper where the sorting tracks has a graduated opening the bottom of the track such that the diameter of the graduated opening increases as the opening extends away from the hopper. The apparatus further includes sorting compartments arranged under the sorting track. Vibration moves the casings from the input hopper to the sorting track, and as the casings move along the sorting track, smaller diameter casings fall through a first opening portion into a first sorting compartment, and larger diameter casings move along the sorting track past the first opening portion and subsequently fall though a second opening portion into a second sorting compartment thereby separating the ammunition into different calibers.

Abstract: The device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the individual products. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand and serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A clamping strip is supported and removably fixed in a motion guideway of a motion guideway carrier mounted on the base stand. The motion guideway extends at an angle to a vertical direction. The clamping strip thus removably fixes the perforated plate to the base stand.

Abstract: A cone lip assembly for use in directing particulate material from a vibrating screen unit to a cone crusher includes separate mounting brackets to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the cone lip assembly from the vibrating screen unit. The cone lip assembly includes a main body defined by a pair of side plates that transition from an infeed end to a discharge end. The cone lip assembly includes a pair of mounting brackets that allow secure attachment and detachment of the entire cone lip assembly from the vibrating screen unit. The mounting brackets are formed separate from the main body of the cone lip assembly.

Abstract: A device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the bulk material of individual products, the supply container having a product outlet. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand. The perforated plate serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A bulk material leveler formed as a leveler strip rotatable around a pivot axis is arranged downstream of the product outlet above the perforated plate.

Abstract: The device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the individual products. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand and serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A clamping strip is supported and removably fixed in a motion guideway of a motion guideway carrier mounted on the base stand. The motion guideway extends at an angle to a vertical direction. The clamping strip thus removably fixes the perforated plate to the base stand.

Abstract: A oscillating sorting conveyor is adapted for separating whole berries of wine grapes from undesirable components such as “shot berries” (immature grapes), stems, raisins, leaf material, bugs, pebbles and the like. The sorter deploys a downward tilting trough that is driven to oscillate. A screen is disposed at the bottom of the trough such that whole berries are conveyed over the screen while the undesirable components pass through the screen. The preferred embodiment of the screen has a non-uniform cross-section to improve the efficiency of removal the undesirable components without clogging or requiring constant maintenance. The preferred embodiment of the oscillating conveyor is driven by a cam and cam follower, in which the cam driving shaft is counterweighted to minimize vibration. The more preferred embodiments minimize damage to the grape berries while efficiently removing the undesirable components.

Abstract: A sluice assembly for separating heavy particles from slurry is provided. The sluice assembly includes one or more sluice boxes having decks made of plastic having a Shore D hardness between 50-75, a static coefficient of friction less than 0.3 and a kinetic coefficient of friction less than 0.2. In a preferred embodiment, the sluice assembly includes a pair of sluice boxes in which a top sluice box is positioned above the bottom sluice box so that slurry flowing from the downstream end of the first sluice box is received by the upstream end of the bottom sluice box. The bottom deck includes tapered riffles which are arranged to provide “V” shaped diverters for diverting heavier particles for collection. The sluice box upper deck may include laterally extending riffles for collection of heavier particles.

Abstract: A screen assembly is disclosed for use with vibratory separators. The screen assembly includes a structural frame mounted to a vibratory separator into which a plurality of lightweight and flexible screen elements are inserted into multiple rows of perforated troughs which have geometric shapes. The perforated troughs are bonded to each other and to the structural frame. The perforated troughs are aligned parallel to the direction in which solids are conveyed by a vibratory motion.

Abstract: An in-line sorter for fasteners which includes a track for receiving the head of a fastener. Fasteners move along the track, past one or more stations which reject those fasteners which do not meet certain specifications. Specifically, four stations may be provided—a first station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too short; a second station for rejecting fasteners which have too long a head or too long a shaft portion extending above the head; a third station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too long; and a fourth station for rejecting fasteners which have too large a head or washer portions which are either too small or too large. More or less than four stations may be provided. Also, the stations may be provided in a different sequence. Still further, in some cases, stations may be combined.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting small cylindrical objects has a trough having a longitudinally extending groove along which the objects can slide. The groove is of generally rectangular upwardly open shape and has a pair of upright and horizontally spaced side walls and an upwardly directed floor bridging lower edges of the side walls. The floor is formed offset from the side walls with a vertically throughgoing slot of a width substantially smaller than a predetermined minimum object width so that if any of the objects is of a diameter smaller than the minimum object width it will fall through the slot as it slides along the floor. One of the side walls is formed at the slot with an inwardly directed braking formation engageable with the objects as they slide past the slot to rotate same about vertical axes.

Abstract: In order to make it possible for an inhomogeneous residue generated in a pyrolysis plant to be separated continuously and in as fully graded a way as possible, specially selected components are combined with one anther in an advantageous configuration. An essential element of the plant is the separation of a coarse residue in a coarse screen and the subsequent separation of the remaining residue in a zigzag separator into a light residue and a heavy residue. By use of the plant, in particular, the carbon-containing constituents are separated from the remaining residue. The individual components are mostly configured to be self-cleaning for fault-free operation.

Abstract: A manure management system that removes a large percentage of solids from a manure slurry when the slurry is run across a series of sloped screen separators. The sloped screen on the separator has very small openings. In addition, the separator has a water line with spray heads formed across the sloped screen. The spray heads direct water under pressure onto the sloped screen. Further, the separator controls the air flow through the sloped screen.

Abstract: A tool designed for separating manure, loose hay and wet bedding from the stall of an animal. The tool comprises a rectangular frame supporting a plurality of spaced parallel rods. The rods extend downwardly at an angle from a wall of the stall such that the lower ends of the rods or the portion of the grate supporting the rods extend into a receiver such as a muck bucket or wheel barrow. When refuse is tossed from a floor of the stall onto the grate, then manure, loose hay and soiled or wet bedding will flow down the grate into the receiver, while reusable bedding will pass through the spaces between the rods for later reuse. The frame is provided with side members which converge at their lower ends to funnel refuse into the container.

Abstract: A dispensing system that includes an apparatus comprised of a container with a support surface, an opening in the upper portion for receiving items, a passageway in the lower portion for dispensing items, a guide surface to direct items into the passageway, a means for generating pulses of vacuum that draw pulses of air (or other fluid) into the container through the open passageway, and sufficient volume of available air (or other fluid) outside the passageway and outside the container to fill the vacuum generated inside the container. A preferred method of generating the vacuum pulses is injecting pulses of high-pressure fluid in thin sheets into the container through the open passageway with laminar flow against the support or guide surfaces. Items are lifted and separated by the influx of fluid.

Abstract: In order to separate a carbon-containing fraction as completely as possible from a residue, for example a pyrolysis residue, a combustible constituent is first separated from a non-combustible constituent. A carbon-containing light fraction is subsequently separated from a small-fragment fraction of the non-combustible constituent. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment, a combination of a facility for the separation of wire with a heavy-fragment separator following the latter is provided for a continuous separation operation. The carbon-containing fraction thus obtained is preferably supplied for further utilization to a combustion chamber of a pyrolysis plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shutter system for use with an automated semiconductor chip handling device. The semiconductor chip handling device includes a track down which semiconductor chips travel. Reliefs are positioned on the track to prevent the semiconductor chips from escaping. A gap in the relief provides access to the semiconductor chips so that they may be removed from the track. A pair of shutters pivot between a first position where they cover the gap and a second position where the gap is uncovered so that chips may be removed from the gap without chips escaping from the track during normal operation.

Abstract: A separating device for elongate solid pieces includes a vibrating base with longitudinal grooves having a depth which decreases in a conveying direction, to allow efficient separation of elongate solid pieces, in particular of short pieces of wire, and to allow the separating device to operate continuously. The longitudinal grooves are adjoined by elongate, e.g. V-shaped, screen openings for separating the elongate solid pieces. Wide solid pieces can slide over the screen openings. The separating device is suitable in particular for separating small pieces of wire out of pyrolysis residue from a pyrolysis plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for splitting open contents-filled garbage bags selected from bags filled with yard waste and bags filled with cans and bottles. The assembly is composed of a flighted conveyor that conveys the filled garbage bags into a confined bag splitter assembly. The bag splitter assembly has sidewalls to confine filled garbage bags therein and has an overhead array of blade assemblies laterally spaced across the conveyor for confronting filled garbage bags conveyed by said conveyor into the bag splitter assembly. The blade assemblies are composed of a pivotally mounted blade holder disposed above the conveyor and carry horizontally-disposed canard-like blades having a forward point for confronting the filled garbage bags. The blades are disposed substantially continuously laterally across the width of the bag splitter assembly. For garbage bags filled with cans and bottles, the blades have a forward tip carry pointed elongate elements for puncturing the bags.

Abstract: In a film processor, filmstrips are contained in their specific cartridge shells with their film leaders attached to a leader plate, and are fed into processing baths with the leader plate in the lead, while being pulled out from the cartridge shells. After the filmstrips are separated from the cartridge shells, the cartridge shells drop on a chute and slide down on the chute. Smaller cartridge shells sift through a sifting slit formed through the chute along the sliding direction, while larger cartridge shells slide down to a lower end of the chute. A lateral guide plate extends under the sifting slit, to guide smaller cartridge shells having sifted through the sifting slit in the lateral direction of the sifting chute toward a cartridge recovery box. Larger cartridge shells drop from the lower end of the chute down to a second cartridge recovery box.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a device for separating deformed balls from normal spherical balls prior to washing as is common in the ball pen industry. The device comprises an L-shaped tunnel which defines a slot on its lower surface. The slot feeds into a receptacle positioned below the tunnel. Balls enter under the force of vacuum pressure through an intake opening, striking a first bi-angled deflector plate. Deformed balls will fall through the slot into the receptacle in most cases. However, to increase the likelihood of such an eventuality, the balls then strike a second deflector plate and are sent down the second leg of the L-shaped tunnel. The second leg also defines a slot. By striking the second deflector plate, the ball is reoriented and the likelihood of passing through the slot is increased. Thus, normal balls are left and pass from the L-shaped tunnel out through an output opening and on for conventional washing.

Abstract: This invention discloses a paper eject passageway auto-switching device, which is installed in an information processing machine, suitable for automatically switching between two eject passageways for paper sheets from the processing unit. The paper eject passageway auto-switching device includes: a first paper eject passageway and a second eject passageway. The first paper eject passageway has a first guide vane provided with a guide surface capable of guiding paper sheets from the processing unit to move along the first paper eject passageway, and a first outlet portion through which paper sheets leave the information processing machine. The second paper eject passageway has a branched opening having its width smaller than that of the first guide vane, a second guide vane, and a second outlet portion. The second guide vane has a guide surface capable of guiding paper sheets from the branched opening into the second paper eject passageway.

Abstract: A coin classification apparatus and method which is adaptable to a purse, wallet or as a separate coin purse. The apparatus comprises a plurality of stacked troughs, equalling the number of coin sizes to be classified. Each trough is equipped with a plurality of restriction apertures which restrict the passage of coins larger than the aperture but allow the passage of all other coins, the apertures on a given trough are the same size. The top trough has the largest apertures while the bottom trough has no apertures. Loose coins are deposited in the top trough and coins are classified in separate troughs as smaller coins pass successively through apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus for classifying high purity polysilicon particles includes a receptacle for holding the particles and a rotary member for feeding the particles from the receptacle. The rotary member defines at least a portion of a front wall of the receptacle and is supported for rotation about its generally horizontally oriented longitudinal axis. A motor drives rotation of the rotary member such that a longitudinal groove passes through the receptacle to pick up particles smaller than a predetermined size and dump the captured particles onto an inclined surface disposed generally forward of the receptacle. The particles slide downwardly acquiring a velocity according to their shape. A gap between a lower edge of the inclined surface and a first receiver is sized such that only particles having more than a predetermined velocity are capable of traversing the gap to the first receiver. The remaining particles fall through the gap and into a second receiver.

Abstract: The separation device includes a container having a dome-shaped base and a peripheral wall surrounding the base to define a chamber for receiving a random mixture of defective and nondefective articles. A spiral-shaped ramp on the peripheral wall which surrounds the chamber and overhangs the base, leads to an elevated outlet opening. A vibrating device vibrates the chamber to excite movement of the defective and nondefective articles along the base and onto and up the ramp toward the outlet opening. The container also includes trap openings in the base and ramp to eliminate defective articles from the chamber. Discriminating devices are provided on the ramp that cause defective material to fall from the ramp back onto the base of the chamber. Only the nondefective articles can move on the ramp past the trapping devices toward the outlet of the container for transfer to another processing station.

Abstract: In a conveyance equipment having a conveyance path which serves to convey paper or the like, and an introduction path which merges with the conveyance path, for guiding to the conveyance path the paper or the like to be introduced into the conveyance system, the paper or the like is conveyed in a state in which it is erected within the conveyance path while being sandwiched in between conveyance members; a conveyance equipment for paper or the like is so constructed that means for separating and excluding foreign matter is formed at a bottom of the conveyance path. Also, a paper money collection system in a game island is constructed using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: A sludge drying system using exhaust air from a furnace in a direct heat, rotary drum dryer to simultaneously dry and pelletize the sludge. The dried sludge particles exiting the dryer is entrained in the exhaust air. The sludge particles are separated from the exhaust air and then classified according to size. The under sized particles are recycled back to a mixer for mixing with incoming wet sludge. The oversized particles are conveyed to a crusher or mill for reducing the oversized particles down to the desired product size. The medium-sized particles can be selectively directed to be recycled with the undersized particles or collected as product. The exhaust air is treated in a treatment section, and then divided into two exhaust air streams or portions. A first portion of the exhaust air is discharged into the environment, while the second, larger portion of the exhaust air is recycled back to the furnace to be used to dry the sludge in the drier.

Abstract: A system for metering the feed of portions of nuclear fuel assemblies and comprising a declivitous screen for receiving the portions and separating the portions into larger and smaller components thereof. The separated components are independently fed into a storage container by a variety of means including hoppers, receptacles, chambers, troughs and chutes, acting in a sequential manner, so as to provide efficient filling of the container.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the fruit server of the invention, a display container is arranged to support one or more bunches of grapes. Openings are arranged adjacent to a sloping wall portion of the container and respectively sized so that should individual grapes become detached from the clustered grapes supported by the container, those detached grapes will work themselves along the sloping bottom and fall through the openings and be collected on a lower collector container spatially disposed below the upper display container.

Abstract: A separator of reduced material, obtained for example by crushing refuse, separates and discharges materials based on size, by passing it over a plate with orifices. A water tank may also be added with conveyors for separating large and heavy pieces.

Abstract: A tray for receiving a multiplicity of small objects, such as pills, nuts and bolts or sundry items, to be sorted and/or counted. The tray includes an integral funnel-shaped outlet for dispensing or discharging the sorted and counted objects. A series of score lines or lines of weakness are provided around the surface of the funnel-shaped outlet at its discharge end to enable the discharge end of the outlet to be cut to a desired diametrical outlet size corresponding to the size of the objects to be counted out and/or sorted in the tray and poured through the funnel-shaped into a dispensing or storage bottle or container. In a second embodiment, removably-securable separate funnel-sections are provided, with each having the size entrance mouth but different size exit mouth.

Abstract: A component-orienting apparatus provided with a plurality of parallel orienting passages for aligning a plurality of components such as rectangular-parallelopipedic electronic component chips in the same orientation as each other. Each of the orienting passages comprises a receiving portion provided with a first space defined by an upwardly-taperingly-opening first inner peripheral surface and an aligning passage having a cylindrical second inner peripheral surface defining a second space that communicates with the lower end of the first space. The aligning passage is selected to have sectional geometry which rejects the longitudinal dimension of each component but crosswisely and perpendicularly orients the component in prescribed directions respectively. The first inner peripheral surface is continuous with the second inner peripheral surface through a rounded face.

Abstract: A paper selecting apparatus includes an upstream side transportation passage having an inclined bottom surface(s) held in the inclined state in the transverse direction, a lower stage transportation passage extending in continuation from the downstream end of the upstream side transportation passage, an upper stage transportation passage disposed above the lower one with a predetermined distance kept therebetween and a guide wall disposed between the upstream side transportation passage and the upper stage transportation passage for determining the direction of further movement of paper which has been displaced from the upstream side transportation passage to selectively bring it to either of both the upper and lower stage transportation passages in conformance with the width of paper to be selected.

Abstract: A horizontal trough for conveying polygonal objects, such as crackers, positioned in vertical planes having a trough opening in the trough bottom for culling out and exiting disoriented objects, the trough bottom opening and adjacent trough bottom support areas including a ramp are configured so that vertically oriented objects pass over the opening while horizontally oriented (disoriented) objects drop through the opening.

Abstract: This relates to a method of and an apparatus for feeding a product which includes fines to a weigh hopper. In lieu of the usual feeder pan, the last feeder pan in the feeder system is a duplex feeder pan including an upper feeding pan or level and a lower feeding pan or level. The upper feeder pan is provided with selected apertures therein so that fines will be separated from the remainder of the product and directed into the lower feeder pan. During the normal filling of the weigh hopper, both the upper feeder pan and the lower feeder pan will discharge into the weigh hopper. When a pre-selected underweight condition occurs, at least a part of the product from the upper pan will be diverted from immediately entering into the weigh hopper, while the feeding of the fines will continue so as to bring the weight of the product within the weigh hopper up to the pre-selected weight with a minimum of overweight.

Abstract: A bi-level ramp supported under a table with an access slot has a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs providing a series of channels on the upper level for supporting and extracting surveillance tags while the channels contain a plurality of spaced apertures for passing tacks to the lower level for separated discharge into respective receptacles.

Abstract: A separator including a vibratory surface having a transverse slot and a plate positioned within the slot to form a grading gap. The plate is mounted independent of said surface so that articles conveyed by said surface are decelerated before reaching the grading gap and the downstream edge of the slot has a lip inclined downward at the angle of vibration of the vibratory surface.

Abstract: Small live insects are separated from green coffee beans or similar sized agricultural commodities by vibrating a screen on which the beans are placed at a frequency of at least 60 cycles per second. The insects are inactivated by the vibrations and fall through a multiplicity of apertures in the screen sized smaller than the beans but larger than the insects. The vibrating screen is usually capable of removing substantially all of the small live insects from the beans. The insects separated from the beans can then be suitable disposed of.

Abstract: Mixed solid waste, such particularly as municipal waste, is subjected to treatment which separates the majority of the ferrous metal pieces from the other solids, and the invention provides apparatus for separating the resulting mass into (a) flat-shaped pieces (b) chunky-shaped pieces, and (c) long thin or otherwise oversized pieces by causing all the pieces to advance along a moving conveyor surface through successive stations at which openings of predetermined size and shape accept pieces of the (a) and (b) shapes, having only the (c) category on the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for the bunkering and sorted feeding of small parts, particularly to processing machines, by which the small parts are removed from a bunker space in the bottom area of the bunker, which bunker space is refillable from the top, and via an intermediate inserted lifting unit are fed into the inlet prechamber of a sorting stretch, the latter being formed for example in the shape of a vibrating conveyor. The bunker, lifting unit and sorting section are accommodated in a container, such that the lifting unit rends with the upper end of the lifting device in front of the inlet prechamber of the sorting stretch. The subspace is partitioned-off relative to the bunker space, and the lifting unit is arranged in the subspace of the container, the lifting unit conveying-up rises transversely relative to the bunker outlet opening. The sorting stretch extends on the upper longitudinal edge of the container in a direction opposite to the bunker outlet direction.

Abstract: A whole fruit size grader comprising a horizontally oscillating table having a generally horizontal flat area on which fruit to be sized is loaded and a sorting area which slopes therefrom downwardly to a prime size fruit collecting area or station. Said sloped sorting area embodies closely spaced side-by-side troughs extending in the direction of the table oscillation. These troughs communicate at their upper ends with the loading area to receive the fruit in response to table oscillation, have oppositely sloped side walls for guiding the fruit to the lower discharge end thereof, and have tapered discharge openings upstream of their lower discharge ends for separating the undersize fruit from the prime size fruit and have associate means in the form of horizontal fins over said discharge openings which retard the fruit as it moves over said discharge openings to influence the separate collection of the undersize fruit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sorting out pharmaceutical capsule components from assembled capsules and comprises a pair of spaced plates containing a plurality of holes which allow unassembled pharmaceutical caps and bodies to fall through the holes and yet retain assembled capsules.

Abstract: A tablet feeder for filling cells arranged in longitudinal rows in a belt moving forward continuously, comprising a tablet container having a vertical axis cylindrical wall and a slightly convex base, at least one bracket member extending along a cylindrical helix around the inner surface of the wall and resting at the bottom on said base; a vibrating means associated with the container and being effective to cause at least one such row of tablets to climb up along the bracket member, at least one tablet guiding tubular duct extending obliquely from the top end of the bracket member downwardly, and having an upper tablet inlet mouth in alignment with the bracket member to receive the tablets and a lower tablet outlet mouth substantially orthogonal with respect to the belt direction of advance. The lower mouth is aligned with the cells of a longitudinal row to be filled, each tablet being urged into a respective empty cell by the tablets following it.