Apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation

摘要

A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The feed chute has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism has a mechanism for abruptly stopping the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the drive mechanism.

主权项

1. An apparatus for counting and dispensing pills using multi-staged pill singulation, comprising:
a) a hopper for containing a plurality of pills; b) a feed chute proximate said hopper for receiving pills therefrom, said feed chute having a feed chute vibrator operatively connected thereto for preventing pills therein from jamming, and having a feed chute outlet; c) a transport tube proximate said feed chute outlet and having an inlet aperture proximate thereto for receiving pills therefrom; d) a vibrating plate proximate said transport tube, said vibrating plate comprising a vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor for imparting vibration at a controlled speed and a sense magnet; e) a detector chute proximate said vibrating plate, said detector chute comprising means for detecting pills moving relative thereto; f) a microcontroller operatively connected to said hopper, said transport tube, said feed chute vibrator, said inlet aperture, and said vibrating plate electric linear voice-coil motor.