Patent ID: 6510676
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A device for feeding tablets to blisters in a travelling blister sheet, the device comprising:a) a reservoir for storing the tablets, b) a dispenser for dispensing a batch of tablets through an opening of the reservoir extending over the width of the travelling blister sheet, and c) a distributor for distributing the tablets into the blisters in the travelling blister sheet, the distributor comprising one or more cylindrical and rotary brushes, the device further comprising a single enclosure containing and carrying the reservoir and the dispenser comprising two parallel flaps comprising an upper flap and a lower flap which, forming a bottom of the reservoir and delimiting a buffer bay, are each inclined with respect to the horizontal, and downward in an upstream direction, come into closure contact against an upstream transverse wall of the enclosure, near to the travelling blister sheet, are translationally mobile and are linked, at posterior ends thereof, to two respective independent motors able to move the flaps in one direction or a reverse direction to thereby open or close each flap, and wherein control of the respective independent motors for opening and closing each flap reacting, in respect of the upper flap, to a volumetric sensor detecting a quantity of tablets accumulated in the buffer bay and, in respect of the lower flap, to a sensor disposed above the travelling blister sheet, upstream of a first cylindrical and rotary brush, and detecting a quantity of tablets accumulating against the first cylindrical and rotary brush.