US4869394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article counting device
Assignee: Parata Systems LLC
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Filing: 1988-01-20
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2008-01-20
Abstract
Abstract Multiple small-article receiving cassettes are provided for removably mounting on the upper surface of an inclined support. A drum housed within each cassette is rotated by connection with the drive shaft of a motor projecting through the support. The disk-like bottom of the rotatable interior drum of the cassette is undercut to form a circumferential series of radial and angularly spaced article receiving slots with the innermost end of the slots in overlying relation with respect to an outlet opening formed in the bottom stationary plate of the cassette. A second outlet opening, located in the upper surface of the support, is aligned with the opening in the bottom of the cassette. Upon proper rotation of the drum, articles placed within the cassette will travel along the receiving slots to their innermost end and then drop through the two outlet openings and into a dispensing chute. A single electrical control and single motor is used with numerous different cassettes for dispensing different drugs. The motor is rotated until a desired number of pills is dispensed and is then stopped.
Inventors
- 👤 Kerney J. Hurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00; G06M7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
A system utilizing an article dispensing device having a support forming an inclined upper support surface, a drive shaft projecting centrally upward through said upper support surface, means for rotating said drive shaft, said support having and article-passing opening therethrough, means for detecting an article passing through said opening and article counting means interconnecting a source of electrical energy with the means for rotating said drive shaft and said detecting means, the system comprising: a plurality of article dispensing cassette means each adapted to overlie said upper surface, each said cassette means including an article containing rotatable drum means, a body operative to receive said article containing drum means and a non-rotating base cover with an outlet aperture, a first means removably connecting said article dispensing drum means with said drive shaft for rotation therewith, each said drum means including a dome and a disk, said dome surrounding and connected with said disk at its depending edge, said disk forming the bottom of said drum, each disk having a plurality of slot means specifically adapted to cooperate with a particular shape-size of article to select and discharge a succession of such articles in said drum through said outlet aperture into the article passing opening, and said first means connecting said article dispensing drum means to said drive shaft for quick connect with and disconnect from said shaft, wherein said article passing opening is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate all manner of articles, and said outlet aperture is sized to accommodate said particular size-shaped articles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
256 words
A system utilizing an article dispensing device having a support forming an inclined upper support surface, a drive shaft projecting centrally upward through said upper support surface, means for rotating said drive shaft, said support having and article-passing opening therethrough, means for detecting an article passing through said opening and article counting means interconnecting a source of electrical energy with the means for rotating said drive shaft and said detecting means, the system comprising: a plurality of article dispensing cassette means each adapted to overlie said upper surface, each said cassette means including an article containing rotatable drum means, a body operative to receive said article containing drum means and a non-rotating base cover with an outlet aperture, a first means removably connecting said article dispensing drum means with said drive shaft for rotation therewith, each said drum means including a dome and a disk, said dome surrounding and connected with said disk at its depending edge, said disk forming the bottom of said drum, each disk having a plurality of slot means specifically adapted to cooperate with a particular shape-size of article to select and discharge a succession of such articles in said drum through said outlet aperture into the article passing opening, and said first means connecting said article dispensing drum means to said drive shaft for quick connect with and disconnect from said shaft, wherein said article passing opening is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate all manner of articles, and said outlet aperture is sized to accommodate said particular size-shaped articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An article dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein said means for detecting an article comprises an infrared source, an infrared detector, said source directing infrared energy at an article passing through said opening in said support means, said infrared detector being positioned to detect infrared energy reflected from an article passing through said opening in said support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An article dispensing system according to claim 2 wherein said source and detector are housed in a common housing and are located under said platform and directed upwardly toward the region where an article enters said opening in said platform so that an article intercepts the infrared energy at low velocity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article dispensing system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said system comprises a plurality of said cassettes each having a disk for dispensing a specific shape and size of article.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
An article dispenser to be employed to dispense individually discrete objects, comprising: a base with an outlet aperture, a circular flat disk having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a plurality of slots extending inwardly from adjacent the periphery of said disk and equally spaced from one another along said bottom surface, each said slot having a first and a second slot section, said first slot section lying closer to the center of said disk than said second slot section, said first slot section defining a first arc of constant radius, said first slot section extending outwardly in the direction in which said disk is to be rotated in use, said second slot section defining a second arc of constant radius extending outwardly from said first slot section to the periphery of said disk, in a direction opposite to the direction in which said disk is to be rotated and having a reverse curvature relative to said first arc, wherein: said slot consists essentially of said first slot section and said second slot section, said first slot being in communication with said outlet aperture, and barrier means for selectively blocking said outlet aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
198 words
An article dispenser to be employed to dispense individually discrete objects, comprising: a base with an outlet aperture, a circular flat disk having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a plurality of slots extending inwardly from adjacent the periphery of said disk and equally spaced from one another along said bottom surface, each said slot having a first and a second slot section, said first slot section lying closer to the center of said disk than said second slot section, said first slot section defining a first arc of constant radius, said first slot section extending outwardly in the direction in which said disk is to be rotated in use, said second slot section defining a second arc of constant radius extending outwardly from said first slot section to the periphery of said disk, in a direction opposite to the direction in which said disk is to be rotated and having a reverse curvature relative to said first arc, wherein: said slot consists essentially of said first slot section and said second slot section, said first slot being in communication with said outlet aperture, and barrier means for selectively blocking said outlet aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Structure as specified in claim 5 wherein said first arc sweeps 88.5°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Structure as specified in claim 5 wherein the center of curvature of said first arc lies along a first radius of said disk 26° clockwise from a second radius of said disk intersecting the centerline of said first slot section adjacent its inner end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Structure as specified in claim 7, wherein the center of curvature of said second arc lies along a third radius of said disk approximately 11° counter clockwise from said first radius.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
Structure as specified in claim 5, wherein said slot further comprises a third slot section having a central axis lying at an acute angle with respect to a radius of said disk intersecting the junction of said second and third slot sections, said third slot section extending inwardly from the periphery of said disk opposite to the direction in which said disk is intended to be rotated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Structure as specified in claim 9, wherein said acute angle is approximately 24°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Structure as specified in claim 7, wherein said slot further comprises a third slot section having a central axis lying at an angle of approximately 24° from said first radius.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
Structure as specified in claim 5, wherein said slot further comprises a third slot section having a central axis lying at an acute angle with respect to a radius of said disk intersecting the junction of said second and third slot sections, said third slot section extending inwardly from the periphery of said disk in the direction in which said disk is intended to be rotated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Structure as specified in claim 7, wherein the centerlines of said first and second slot sections are tangential at their point of intersection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
Structure as specified in claim 9, wherein the centerline of said third slot section is tangential to the outer edge of said second slot section at its inner end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
An article counting device comprising: a counting unit having an entrance orifice for receipt of articles and an exit chute for dispersing said articles wherein said articles are detected and counted as they enter said counting unit, and a cassette for storage of said articles, said cassette having a body, a drum received within said body with a rotatable disk incorporating article communicating slots and a dome the bottom of the drum being defined by said disk and said dome surrounding and connected to said disk, and a cover for covering said drum connected to said body including an article passing opening configured for cooperation with said entrance orifice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
An article counting device comprising: a counting unit having an entrance orifice for receipt of articles and an exit chute for dispersing said articles wherein said articles are detected and counted as they enter said counting unit, and a cassette for storage of said articles, said cassette having a body, a drum received within said body with a rotatable disk incorporating article communicating slots and a dome the bottom of the drum being defined by said disk and said dome surrounding and connected to said disk, and a cover for covering said drum connected to said body including an article passing opening configured for cooperation with said entrance orifice.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article holding cassette for cooperating with an article counting unit having an entrance orifice for receipt of articles and an exit chute for dispersing said articles wherein said articles are detected and counted as they enter said article counting unit, the article holding cassette comprising; a body having a substantially open face, a drum configured for receipt within said body, said drum including a slotted disk operative to select and communicate individual articles to the exit chute and a dome, said drum being rotatably mountable in said body, a cover removably hingedly attached to said body for covering said open face and said drum, wherein said cover having an article passing opening configured for cooperation with said entrance orifice.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
An article holding cassette for cooperating with an article counting unit having an entrance orifice for receipt of articles and an exit chute for dispersing said articles wherein said articles are detected and counted as they enter said article counting unit, the article holding cassette comprising; a body having a substantially open face, a drum configured for receipt within said body, said drum including a slotted disk operative to select and communicate individual articles to the exit chute and a dome, said drum being rotatably mountable in said body, a cover removably hingedly attached to said body for covering said open face and said drum, wherein said cover having an article passing opening configured for cooperation with said entrance orifice.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The article holding cassette of claim 16, wherein; said drum is comprised of a disk having a substantially planar face and a dome, said cover has a substantially planar face, and said body having resilient means for biasing said planar face of said disk into contact with said planar face of said cover.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article holding cassette of claim 16, wherein; said counting unit further comprises a drive motor, wherein said drum is configured for engagement with said drive motor for rotation of said drum within said body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article holding cassette of claim 16, further comprising; barrier means adjacent said article passing opening for retaining said articles within said cassette.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The article holding cassette of claim 16, wherein; a plurality of uniquely configured drums is provided, and a plurality of uniquely configured covers is provided, wherein said cassette can be comprised of any combination of one body, one drum and one cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article holding cassette of claim 20, wherein; said cassette is configured for the dispersing of a specific article by the selected combination of a specifically configured disk and a specifically configured cover.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article holding cassette of claim 17, further comprising; barrier means adjacent said article passing opening for retaining said articles within said cassette.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article holding cassette of claim 22, or claim 19, wherein; said barrier means is comprised of a plurality of filaments.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article holding cassette of claim 22, wherein; said barrier means is operatively positioned between said disk and said cover.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |