VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR ZUFÜHRUNG VON PILLEN ZU EINEM BEHÄLTER

摘要

A pill delivery and packing apparatus (1) having a feeder tube (10) for delivering pills (5) is provided. The feeder tube (10) has a helical delivery chute (17) that extends between an inlet side (18) and an exit side (19) of the tube. The delivery chute (17) has a helical inner contour (16) and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute (17) is configured such that each of the pills (5) rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins (31,32) are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour (14) that guides a rotatable tray (50) on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.