Progressively Destroyed Cellular Magazine-type Supply Source Patents (Class 221/25)
  • Patent number: 6948541
    Abstract: System for handling components in connection with circuit board assembly in a component mounting machine. The system comprises a number of component tapes provided on component tape reels, and a number of tape guides arranged for receiving component tapes of a given component tape width and for bringing the component tape in position for feeding of the component tape and for picking components from the component tape in the component mounting machine. The tape guides have a similar geometrical outline and basic configuration, and each tape guide comprises a component exposure device for exposing a component at a picking position by removing the portion of the cover tape covering the component. The tape guides are divided into sub-sets of tape guides, wherein the tape guides of each individual sub-set have component exposure devices of the same design, which design is dependent on the configurations of the component tapes intended for that sub-set of tape guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventors: Johan Bergstrom, Maria Liljegren, Johan Skaborn
  • Patent number: 6926797
    Abstract: In an electronic component feeding apparatus for feeding components with use of a taping component, a brushless motor is used as a drive motor in a tape sending mechanism that transports the taping component so as to improve productivity in an electronic component mounting apparatus equipped with the electronic component feeding apparatus. Also, an electronic component feeding apparatus is provided with a control part that automatically executes initial processing such as sending of the taping component, as well as detects and reports a sending failure of the taping component when the electronic component feeding apparatus is installed in the electronic component mounting apparatus, which makes it possible to provide an electronic component feeding apparatus enabling easy and prompt detection of the sending failure of the taping component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Okawa, Shuuichi Kubota, Takao Kashiwazaki, Tadashi Endo, Satoshi Kawaguchi, Shiro Oji, Masato Tanino, Hirofumi Obara
  • Patent number: 6910514
    Abstract: An apparatus 101 for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier 102 has a number of cavities 116 formed on one surface thereof for containing components 115. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates 106 and 107 guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate 109 is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station 111 and a second position adjacent to said second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension 112 which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes to said one surface of said component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Endo, Takashi Andoh, Hiroyuki Fujiwara, Yuuji Nagasawa, Hironori Konno, Hiroaki Imagawa, Wataru Hirai
  • Patent number: 6889690
    Abstract: The present invention includes dry powder inhalers and associated multi-dose dry powder packages for holding inhalant formulated dry powder substances and associated fabrication and dispensing methods. The multi-dose package can include a platform body comprising at least one thin piezoelectric polymer material layer defining at least a portion of a plurality of spatially separated discrete elongate dry powder channels having an associated length, width and height; and a metallic material attached to selected portions of the piezoelectric polymer material including each of the regions corresponding to the elongate dry powder channels to, in operation, define active energy releasing vibratory channels. In operation, the elongate channels can be selectively individually activated to vibrate upon exposure to an electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Oriel Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Crowder, Anthony J. Hickey, Jeffrey A. Warden
  • Patent number: 6857539
    Abstract: A blister pack hook display case with a manual security dispensing system comprised of a display case with a transparent door and lock that has a blister pack dispenser on each hook, wherein the dispenser dispenses a blister pack each time the pulley located in the front is pulled. It will dispense the chosen blister through the transparent door, which will reach the cashier for payment and withdrawal by means of a slide below; the car dispensing the blister packs has a number of blades depending on the space available and the size of the blister pack that oscillates forward only to raise the paddles when the car is released backwards without moving the next blister pack backward. They then fall into position to dispense a new blister pack. The blades do not oscillate backwards so that when it is pulled forward, the first blister pack is moved until it falls off the hook and all others then move one step forward to continue the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Andres Horacio Ahumada Parra
  • Patent number: 6854618
    Abstract: A child resistant multiple dosage blister pack dispenser includes a main housing bottom component having walls and a bottom panel for supporting a blister pack, a middle component, and a main top component. The bottom panel has a plurality of rows of orifices located so as to position a blister pack thereabove, with individual dosages of the blister pack located above the orifices, so that individual dosages are pushed therethrough from the blister pack. The main housing top component is connected to the middle component and is laterally moveable. It has a first position, being a rest position, and a second position, being a dispensing position. There is a biasing spring connected to at least one of the components, that biases the top component relative to the middle component so that the top component is in its first position. There are a plurality of push tabs located on the top component for dispensing in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valley Design, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6848593
    Abstract: A portable medication cartridge allows for both manual and automated dispensing of tablets or capsules of virtually all sizes through a radial dispensing apparatus. The cartridge may be sealed and encoded with medication and patient identification. A microprocessor controlled medication dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge magazine capable of holding a plurality of cartridges for the same or different patients. The portable medication dispensing apparatus and method detects patient identification data and activates a radial dispensing medication cartridge in response to verification of patient identification data. The radial dispensing medication cartridge may include, for example, a tablet carrier tape having a plurality of tablet packets with at least a partially open side. The tablet carrier tape accommodates different sizes and types of tablets or capsules and is sealed with a cover tape having an identification of the tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: INRange Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary Anne Papp
  • Patent number: 6845881
    Abstract: Device for handling, transporting and storing capillaries, method for the production thereof and individual capillary dispenser therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hirschmann Laborgeräte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Jürgen Bigus, Reinhard Frey, Hans Rieker
  • Publication number: 20040217120
    Abstract: A dispenser and a means to be held by the dispenser. The means holding a plurality of units to be dispensed one or more at the time. Access to the units taking place via an upper surface of the means. This upper surface may be covered by the dispenser in order to prevent access to the surface while held by the dispenser. The means being bendable away from a rest position, and the dispenser biasing the means away from the rest position in order to maintain the means therein. The dispenser may have an edge portion preventing unintended ejection of the means from the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Anders Geert-Jensen, Sven Morten Lasthein
  • Patent number: 6811054
    Abstract: A dosing spoon for microtablets is described for which the lower part (1) of the spoon consists of an even polygone which possesses a border (2) on all sides with exception of one side and whereby the polygone has a number of individual recesses (3) which are formed in such a way that an individual microtablet fits in each individual recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nordmark Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Moest, Ludwig Matz
  • Patent number: 6805258
    Abstract: A capsule dispenser for dispensing one of a plurality of capsules includes a blister pack having a plurality of cavities, where each cavity is configured to releasably retain one of the plurality of capsules. Also included is a puncturable sealing material covering the cavities. A first housing has a dispensing aperture through which a dispensed capsule passes, and a second housing is configured to mate with the first housing to rotatably retain the blister pack therebetween. The blister pack is able to rotate while retained between the first and second housings. A puncture aperture is located in the first housing and is in alignment with the dispensing aperture. The puncture aperture is configured to permit finger force to be applied to a cavity of the blister pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Dordan Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Robert Cross
  • Publication number: 20040188024
    Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Hwang, Do Hyun Kim, Sang Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 6779682
    Abstract: The present invention is to make a towel material for forming a wet towel, that is made by a drying, compressing or evacuating manner into compact units having a winding bar shape, or block shape. The units are connected by connecting members into a strap, so that the towel material strap may be stored in the chamber of the manufacturing apparatus. After the user emits the using signal, the towel material strap is serially drawn out by a control wheel member, and the connecting member is wound by the winding roller, so that the units may fall into the output member or the article outlet. The units are wet or immersed in the liquid, so that the units may be expanded into a wet towel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Yen Sun Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 6773542
    Abstract: System for handling components in connection with circuit board assembly in a component mounting machine. The system comprises a number of component tapes provided on component tape reels, and a number of tape guides arranged for receiving component tapes of a given component tape width and for bringing the component tape in position for feeding of the component tape and for picking components from the component tape in the component mounting machine. The tape guides have a similar geometrical outline and basic configuration, and each tape guide comprises a component exposure device for exposing a component at a picking position by removing the portion of the cover tape covering the component. The tape guides are divided into sub-sets of tape guides, wherein the tape guides of each individual sub-set have component exposure devices of the same design, which design is dependent on the configurations of the component tapes intended for that sub-set of tape guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventors: Johan Bergstrom, Maria Liljegren, Johan Skaborn
  • Publication number: 20040149767
    Abstract: A web burster/inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon. The web burster/inserter separates individual coupons from the web and directs the coupons to a desired location. A ram may be used to effectuate the separation. The web burster/inserter is capable of being used with coupons of varying thickness such as plastic prizes and game pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michael G. Boehm, Rob W. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20040129717
    Abstract: A product dispenser is provided that enables product to be released from an adhesive attachment and transition from the interior of the dispenser to the exterior of the dispenser using a single rotation motion. The dispenser comprises a product platform, product adhesively secured to a strip and a base. The product platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening through the platform. The adhesive strip comprises two major surfaces, one of which is free of adhesive and one with adhesive located on at least a portion thereof. The base comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and an opening through the base. The adhesive strip is threaded through both the product platform opening and the base opening and one end of the strip is attached to the lower surface of the base. The product platform and the base are fitted together so as to be rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis, with the lower surface of the product platform facing the upper surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Gauthier, Richard H. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20040129718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiving device for drug blisters, comprising an upper element (3) and a lower element (2) between which a drug blister (1) can be arranged. A dispensing device (4) can carry out a linear movement and a rotational movement in relation to the upper element (3), and comprises a dispensing ram (19) which can optionally be introduced into a defined dispensing opening (6) of the upper element (3) in order to remove a corresponding dragée (2). Said dispensing device (4) comprises a contact element (10) which bridges two points of contact (9, 9′) by means of a contact field, in the respective defined dispensing position of its dispensing ram (19), in order to display the defined dispensing position. Said contact element (10) only bridges two points of contact (9, 9′) corresponding to the respectively defined dispensing position, for each possible dispensing position, by means of the contact field (10′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Udo Simon
  • Patent number: 6758367
    Abstract: A resilient cushion pressing member is provided on the movable pressing structure of a tool for removing tablets from blister packages for pressing engagement of the resilient cushion pressing member against the top, blister surface of a tablet-containing blister package supported on a package support base of the tool, the cushion pressing member formed of an elastomeric material selected to resiliently deform under pressing engagement to distribute pressing force substantially evenly over the engaged surface of a blister package and a tablet contained therein to prevent breakage of the tablet as it is pressed to tear through and exit the bottom, tear sheet of its packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Larry D. Hunts
  • Patent number: 6748991
    Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Hwang, Do Hyun Kim, Sang Yeon Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040099676
    Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising: a body; a holder, shaped to fit within the body and movable relative to the body; and receivable by said holder, a cassette containing a medicament carrier, wherein movement of the holder relative to the body results in movement of the cassette between a first position and a second position such that the cassette is reversibly removable from the holder when the cassette is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Gregor John McLennan Anderson, Philip William Farr, Paul Kenneth Rand, Stephen James Harvey
  • Publication number: 20040094564
    Abstract: A portable medication cartridge allows for both manual and automated dispensing of tablets or capsules of virtually all sizes through a radial dispensing apparatus. The cartridge may be sealed and encoded with medication and patient identification. A microprocessor controlled medication dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge magazine capable of holding a plurality of cartridges for the same or different patients. The portable medication dispensing apparatus and method detects patient identification data and activates a radial dispensing medication cartridge in response to verification of patient identification data. The radial dispensing medication cartridge may include, for example, a tablet carrier tape having a plurality of tablet packets with at least a partially open side. The tablet carrier tape accommodates different sizes and types of tablets or capsules and is sealed with a cover tape having an identification of the tablets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Mary Anne Papp
  • Publication number: 20040079759
    Abstract: A child resistant multiple dosage blister pack dispenser includes a main housing bottom component having walls and a bottom panel for supporting a blister pack, and a main top component. The bottom panel has a plurality of orifices located so as to position a blister pack thereabove, with individual dosages of the blister pack located above the orifices. These orifices are of sufficient size and shape to push individual dosages from the blister pack therethrough. The main housing top component is permanently connected to the bottom component and is laterally moveable relative to the bottom component. The top component has a first position, being a rest position, and having a second position, being a dispensing position. There is a biasing spring connected to at least one of the bottom component and the top component, that biases the top component relative to the bottom component so that the top component is in its first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: VALLEY DESIGN, INC.
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6726053
    Abstract: A child resistant multiple dosage blister pack dispenser includes a main housing bottom component having walls and a bottom panel for supporting a blister pack, and a main top component. The bottom panel has a plurality of orifices located so as to position a blister pack thereabove, with individual dosages of the blister pack located above the orifices. These orifices are of sufficient size and shape to push individual dosages from the blister pack therethrough. The main housing top component is permanently connected to the bottom component and is laterally moveable relative to the bottom component. The top component has a first position, being a rest position, and having a second position, being a dispensing position. There is a biasing spring connected to at least one of the bottom component and the top component, that biases the top component relative to the bottom component so that the top component is in its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6705376
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying electronic components to a pick-up position, for example for automatically picking up and mounting said components on a printed circuit board by means of a mounting device, at least two supply carriers (8a,8b) being movable towards said pickup-position (7) by transport means, which carriers are each provided with recessed portions (9a,9b) containing respective electronic components, while said recessed portions are shielded off by means of a covering (10a,10b) which is removable during use. The invention aims to provide a tape-feeder of this kind with multiple tape supplies, wherein the mounting device can handle more electronic components whilst maintaining the width of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ernst Paul Van Der Rijst
  • Patent number: 6699355
    Abstract: A method and means for exposing components (13) positioned in sequence in a carrier tape (7) and covered by a cover tape (8), in order to release and lift the cover tape from the carrier tape and expose the components in a picking position (12) for subsequent picking by a pick-up head in a component mounting machine. Comprising steps and means for continuously directing and discharging any released debris such that accumulation of debris is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventor: Niclas Yman
  • Publication number: 20040035876
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles is provided which comprises a housing for retaining a circular, or substantially circular, medicament container, wherein the housing comprises a dispensing aperture registerable with a single medicament cell of the medicament container; and means for locking the medicament container in a locked, non-rotating dispensing position; wherein the medicament container comprises a plurality of medicament cells containing contents to be dispensed, and is moveable between a freely rotatable, non-dispensing position and the locked, non-rotating dispensing position such that when the medicament container is in the freely rotatable, non-dispensing position, the single medicament cell is out of registry with the dispensing aperture of the housing, and when the medicament container is in the locked, non-rotating dispensing position, the single medicament cell and the dispensing aperture of the housing are in registry, such that only contents contained in the single medicament cell may be
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Pfizer Inc
    Inventor: Julian B. Lo
  • Patent number: 6652706
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for supplying components, via a carrier tape having a cover tape thereon and a plurality of pockets retaining components therein, for retrieval by an automated insertion machine, including a carrier tape reel support, a tape feed path with a peel edge, about which to peel the cover tape from the carrier tape prior to the component being presented for retrieval at the pick location, and a cover tape path preferably having a V-bar and O-ring drive system for directing the travel of the cover tape in a rearward and downward direction to facilitate disposal beneath the tape feeder. Such a system provides a cover tape disposal path that enables the use of spliceable carrier tapes on such feeders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean E. MacNeil, John DeLorme, Raymond Bray
  • Publication number: 20030209558
    Abstract: A capsule dispenser for dispensing one of a plurality of capsules includes a blister pack having a plurality of cavities, where each cavity is configured to releasably retain one of the plurality of capsules. Also included is a puncturable sealing material covering the cavities. A first housing has a dispensing aperture through which a dispensed capsule passes, and a second housing is configured to mate with the first housing to rotatably retain the blister pack therebetween. The blister pack is able to rotate while retained between the first and second housings. A puncture aperture is located in the first housing and is in alignment with the dispensing aperture. The puncture aperture is configured to permit finger force to be applied to a cavity of the blister pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Cross
  • Patent number: 6637431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blister pack (12) having a plurality of blisters (13) each holding a dose of a powdered medicament comprising a lower base (18) containing a plurality of cavities (19) for the powdered medicament and an upper sealing foil layer (20) which covers the lower base (18) to form the blisters (13). Each cavity (19) is provided with at least one adjacent slit (21) formed by scoring the foil layer (20) and a lower base (18). The slit (21) ensuring accurate penetration of a cavity (19) by a suction tube through which a user can inhale the contents of the cavity (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Carina Ekelius, Per-Åke Ohlsson, Anders Selmer
  • Patent number: 6619503
    Abstract: A bun dispensing device for a hot dog dispensing machine operative for dispensing buns from a bun containing element which includes a plurality of individual bun containers and a common film to which the bun containers are releasably attached one after the other, the device has a unit for pulling the bun containing element, a unit for separating the bun containers with buns accommodated therein from the film of the bun containing element and located upstream of the pulling a unit, and a unit for guiding the bun containing element and located upstream of the separating unit, the separating unit being formed so that each of the bun containers with the bun accommodated therein is individually separated from the film under the action of the separating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: LHD Vending, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Leykin, Aleksandr Kofman
  • Patent number: 6612461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and for reminding/recording the intake of drugs, arranged in a drug packaging, which is designed as individual packaging segments, which form individual pockets, holding individual drug dosages (tablets, pills, powder dosages, liquid dosages), and which are made of foil and lie in succession in the longitudinal direction. The drug packaging is guided in the device and can be transported by means of a feed in the device. The device 1 exhibits guide elements, which are arranged along the line of a peripheral guide track 6; and there are drive elements, by means of which the drug packaging 2 can be fed incrementally to a removal-ejecting mechanism 5, in which a drug dosage can be ejected through a removal window 7 at essentially right angles to the guide track 6 by means of an ejecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Layer, Udo Simon
  • Patent number: 6601729
    Abstract: A portable medication cartridge allows for both manual and automated dispensing of tablets or capsules of virtually all sizes through a radial dispensing apparatus. The cartridge may be sealed and encoded with medication and patient identification. A microprocessor controlled medication dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge magazine capable of holding a plurality of cartridges for the same or different patients. The portable medication dispensing apparatus and method detects patient identification data and activates a radial dispensing medication cartridge in response to verification of patient identification data. The radial dispensing medication cartridge may include, for example, a tablet carrier tape having a plurality of tablet packets with at least a partially open side. The tablet carrier tape accommodates different sizes and types of tablets or capsules and is sealed with a cover tape having an identification of the tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Papp Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Mary Anne Papp
  • Patent number: 6601730
    Abstract: The present invention is to make a towel material for forming a wet towel, that is made by a drying, compressing or evacuating manner into compact units having a winding bar shape, or block shape. The units are connected by connecting members into a strap, so that the towel material strap may be stored in the chamber of the dispensing apparatus. After the user emits the using signal, the towel material strap is serially drawn out by a control wheel member, and the connecting member is wound by the winding roller, so that the units may fall into the output member or the article outlet. The units are wet or immersed in the liquid, so that the units may be expanded into a wet towel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Yen Sun Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Jung Chen
  • Publication number: 20030121930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and for reminding/recording the intake of drugs, arranged in a drug packaging, which is designed as individual packaging segments, which form individual pockets, holding individual drug dosages (tablets, pills, powder dosages, liquid dosages), and which are made of foil and lie in succession in the longitudinal direction. The drug packaging is guided in the device and can be transported by means of a feed in the device. The device 1 exhibits guide elements, which are arranged along the line of a peripheral guide track 6; and there are drive elements, by means of which the drug packaging 2 can be fed incrementally to a removal—ejecting mechanism 5, in which a drug dosage can be ejected through a removal window 7 at essentially right angles to the guide track 6 by means of an ejecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Layer, Udo Simon
  • Publication number: 20030111479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a package system intended to simplify the usage of multiple medications stored separately and used together, thereby minimize the non-compliant use of the multiple medications. Generally, the separate medication components are contained in a plurality of cavities, arranged in one or more arcs or concentric circles. The package system further includes an access shield having one or more openings, which are selectively aligned in one of a plurality of positions, corresponding to the per use groupings. When the one or more openings in an access shield are aligned with the cavities corresponding to one of the per use groupings, the medication components are capable of being released from their respective cavities. Conversely, the shield substantially restricts access to the medication components located in the non-aligned cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Rajneesh Taneja, Pramod Gupta
  • Publication number: 20030102324
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus to dose medicaments and control taking in the medicaments, which apparatus consists of a storage unit (5) to store tablets or capsules, a dosing unit and a counter (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Miklos Illyes
  • Patent number: 6571983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dispensing flat forms, such as labels, stickers, transdermal therapeutic systems, flat medicaments for oral application, etc, in a controlled manner. According to said method, the outer contour of the flat form (103) is punched out from a strip-shaped starting material and connecting bridges (105) hold the flat form (103) and the edge of the punched layer together. These connecting bridges (105) break when the flat forms are dispensed via a deflector edge (106). The inventive method can be advantageously used for packing individual flat forms in primary packaging. The invention also relates to a specialised punching device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schumann, Peter Steinborn
  • Patent number: 6540101
    Abstract: A tablet dispensing and packaging system comprises a safety cutter having a cam disk, a cam shaft eccentric to the disk, an upper support rod, upper and lower blades each having a cutting edge. The lower rod rear end is rotatably carried on the cam shaft, the upper rod has a substantially elongated through-opening near the rear end thereof. A protrusion extends from the upper rod rear end. The through-opening is worn on the cam shaft over the lower support rod, wherein the upper blade rear end is rotatably engaged to the upper rod front end. A pin pivotably carries thereon the lower blade rear end and mid rear portion adjacent to its rear end into a frame. An elastic member elastically administers the cam shaft and the rear end protrusion of the upper support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jun H. Kim
  • Publication number: 20030059350
    Abstract: A storage container for holding analytical devices, the storage container being made of a rigid material and containing separate chambers in each of which at most one analytical device can be accommodated, wherein the chambers are in a regular geometric arrangement in relation to one another and each of the chambers has at least two opposite openings each sealed by a foil, wherein at least one of the chambers comprises a means for fixing the position of an analytical device in the chamber. In addition the invention concerns a system for storing analytical devices containing a storage container according to the invention and two or more analytical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Sacherer
  • Publication number: 20030052134
    Abstract: A bun dispensing device for a hot dog dispensing machine operative for dispensing buns from a bun containing element which includes a plurality of individual bun containers and a common film to which the bun containers are releasably attached one after the other, the device has a unit for pulling the bun containing element, a unit for separating the bun containers with buns accommodated therein from the film of the bun containing element and located upstream of the pulling a unit, and a unit for guiding the bun containing element and located upstream of the separating unit, the separating unit being formed so that each of the bun containers with the bun accommodated therein is individually separated from the film under the action of the separating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Leonid Leykin, Aleksandr Kofman
  • Publication number: 20030029880
    Abstract: A resilient cushion pressing member is provided on the movable pressing structure of a tool for removing tablets from blister packages for pressing engagement of the resilient cushion pressing member against the top, blister surface of a tablet-containing blister package supported on a package support base of the tool, the cushion pressing member formed of an elastomeric material selected to resiliently deform under pressing engagement to distribute pressing force substantially evenly over the engaged surface of a blister package and a tablet contained therein to prevent breakage of the tablet as it is pressed to tear through and exit the bottom, tear sheet of its packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Larry D. Hunts
  • Patent number: 6513563
    Abstract: A component feeding apparatus for pitch-feeding taping components (1) to a component feed position (30), peeling a cover tape (1b) short of the component feed position (30) and taking out and feeding a component (5) from an accommodation portion (1c) at the component feed position (30), wherein the component is supplied stably in an appropriate posture to the component feed position (30). A slit (36) is formed in a shutter (35) capable of moving between a position at which the upper surface of the taping component (1) is covered and a position at which the component feed position is opened so that a cover tape (1b) peeled from the taping component (1) can be passed through the slit (36) and can be pulled up, and the peeling step of the cover tape (1b) and the pitch-feeding step of the taping component (1) can be separated from each other to prevent the component (5) from greatly moving and assuming an irregular posture inside the accommodation portion (1c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Teruo Kawaguchi, Yuji Nagasawa, Shuuichi Kubota, Mamoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 6502717
    Abstract: A pill dispensing package that includes a circular base having a pill dispensing opening adjacent to its periphery. A circular package disk has a peripheral array of frangible elements containing pills to be dispensed disposed for selective alignment with the base dispensing opening, and indicia for indicating dosage periodicity. A circular cover overlies the package disk, and is moveably secured to the base. The cover has a window for observing the periodicity indicia on the package disk, and a button for manual urging against the package disk to dispense a pill through the base opening from the frangible element aligned with the opening. The cover is resiliently urged axially away from the base and circumferentially with respect to the base, and is constructed to permit limited axial and circumferential movement with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6497845
    Abstract: A storage container for holding analytical devices, the storage container being made of a rigid material and containing separate chambers in each of which at most one analytical device can be accommodated, wherein the chambers are in a regular geometric arrangement in relation to one another and each of the chambers has at least two opposite openings each sealed by a foil, wherein at least one of the chambers comprises a means for fixing the position of an analytical device in the chamber. In addition the invention concerns a system for storing analytical devices containing a storage container according to the invention and two or more analytical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Sacherer
  • Patent number: 6474500
    Abstract: A method of planting field seeds in rows with different varieties of seeds involves determining the variety of the seeds to be planted; placing the seeds for rows of predetermined length in different groups in elongated cell pack strips for each variety, with each cell pack strip including individual cells with individual seeds. A plurality of subgroups of cell pack strips are selected sequentially from the groups of cell pack strips in chronological order that they are to be planted in a single row in a field. The subgroups are then placed in magazines to maintain the order of the subgroups for the subsequent planting. The locations in a field are determined where the varieties are to be planted. The magazines are mounted on a field row planter with the magazines being associated with rows in the field to which the respective magazines correspond. The planter is moved longitudinally through the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Peter B. Moore, Donald F. Handorf, Nick Merfeld, Ryan D. Jensen, Scott A. Sporrer, Chester S. Creswick
  • Publication number: 20020066991
    Abstract: A tagging apparatus configured to selectively tag articles on a conveyor, such as hooked members by activating an automated tag injector to apply a tag to a selected article or hooked member. The automated tag injector has a linear slide moveably mounted inside, and a motor and a separating mechanism both coupled to the linear slide. The linear slide is driven by the motor. The movement of the linear slide activates the separating mechanism to separate a foremost tag from a remainder of tags. The linear slide applies the tag to an object. When the tags are connected to one another in a roll, the automated tag injector, mounted adjacent to a conveyor, can be configured to separate the tag from the roll, and apply the separated tag to a hooked member on the conveyor while the hooked member is moving on the conveyor along the conveyor path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Richard M. King, Jose A. Lopes, William K. Skidmore, B. Stephen Speckhart
  • Publication number: 20020063137
    Abstract: A feeder for a surface mounting device includes: a main frame; a parts feeding unit including a forward/backward rotation force generating unit for carrying a tape by forwardly/backwardly rotating a circular permanent magnetic unit by a mutual magnetic force with armature coils, a driving gear for receiving the forward/backward rotation force and simultaneously carrying the tape at a constant distance and a position sensing unit for sensing the position of the permanent magnetic unit; a vinyl separation unit being for carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the forward rotating force or re-carrying the vinyl by the backward rotating force; and a vinyl recovery unit for recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the forward rotating force unit or discharging the vinyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: MIRAE Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Hwang, Do Hyun Kim, Sang Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 6379098
    Abstract: The chip feeder for the chip mounter includes a tape feeding mechanism for feeding a carrier tape that includes a rotating connection member for connecting the carrier tape, a first motor for driving the rotating connection member and a first transmission mechanism for transmitting drive power to the rotating connection member, and a cover peeling mechanism for peeling a top cover tape from the carrier tape that includes a peeling reel for winding the top cover tape, a second motor for driving the peeling reel and a second transmission mechanism for transmitting drive power to the peeling reel. The first and second motors are outer rotor motors each of which includes a cylindrical stator fixed to a base having exciter coils and pole pieces, and a cylindrical rotor arranged around the stator with a gap. The first and second transmission mechanisms are engaged with outer surfaces of the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 6364155
    Abstract: A pill dispensing package that includes a circular base having a pill dispensing opening adjacent to its periphery. A circular package disk has a peripheral array of frangible elements containing pills to be dispensed disposed for selective alignment with the base dispensing opening, and indicia for indicating dosage periodicity. A circular cover overlies the package disk, and is moveably secured to the base. The cover has a window for observing the periodicity indicia on the package disk, and a button for manual urging against the package disk to dispense a pill through the base opening from the frangible element aligned with the opening. The cover is resiliently urged axially away from the base and circumferentially with respect to the base, and is constructed to permit limited axial and circumferential movement with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6332387
    Abstract: A method of treating a cover tape of a carrier tape including an accommodating tape having, at a predetermined pocket pitch, a plurality of pockets accommodating a plurality of electric components, respectively, and the cover tape fixed to the accommodating tape to close respective openings of the pockets, the method including the steps of peeling a portion of the cover tape from the accommodating tape, and feeding the peeled portion of the cover tape in a lengthwise direction thereof, cutting off a free end portion of the fed portion of the cover tape, into a cuff-off piece of the cover tape, and sucking the cut-off piece of the cover tape with an ambient air into a suction passage, and thereby carrying away the cut-off piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara