Metered dispensing system

摘要

Apparatus and methods relating to a metered pill dispensing system are disclosed herein. A preloaded cartridge having multiple compartments containing dispensable contents, such as pills, is inserted into a cassette. The cassette has an actuatable member, such as a film or a belt, wrapped around it. The actuatable member has apertures through which the contents of the preloaded cartridge may pass. The actuatable member may be controlled to meter the dispensing of the contents.

主权项

1. A metered dispenser, comprising:
a cassette sized and shaped to internally receive a pre-determined multi-compartment cartridge, each compartment of said multi-compartment cartridge suitable for retaining a pre-determined object; said cassette receivable in a housing; an actuatable film attached to and wrapped around said cassette, said film having a film aperture through which at least one said pre-determined object may pass; said film actuatable between a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position; wherein in said first open position said film aperture is selectively alignable with a first compartment of said multi-compartment cartridge while in said cassette, and in said second open position said film aperture is selectively alignable with a second compartment of said multi-compartment cartridge while in said cassette; said cassette including a first actuatable member causing actuation of said film between said closed position, said first open position, and said second open position; andsaid housing including a second actuatable member causing actuation of said first actuatable member;
wherein said housing includes a scale for measuring and communicating the weight of said predetermined objects.