Patent ID: 6276512
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A dosage form rectifier associated with a supply path for supplying dosage forms having random orientation and a delivery path for delivering dosage forms having uniform orientation, the rectifier comprising:a diverter associated with said supply path, said diverter having a bypass position whereby dosage forms are directed from said supply path into a first path and having a diverting position whereby dosage forms are directed from said supply path into a second path, said first and second paths configured to transport dosage forms between said diverter and said delivery path, said first path being continuous between said diverter and said delivery path and said second path having a discontinuity such that an input portion is continuous with said diverter and an output portion is continuous with said delivery path;an inverter associated with said discontinuity in said second path, said inverter having a pocket for carrying a dosage form and having pocket driving means for moving said pocket from an accepting position for accepting a dosage form from said input portion to a discharging position for discharging the dosage form into said output portion wherein the orientation of said pocket and of any dosage form therein inverts during movement of said pocket from said accepting position to said discharging position;a detector for determining the orientation of a dosage form in the supply path; anddirecting means associated with said detector for positioning the diverter in the bypass position when the dosage form is determined to have a desired orientation and positioning the diverter in the diverting position when the dosage form is determined to have an inverted orientation, such that a dosage form directed into said first path has its orientation maintained and is delivered to said delivery path in said desired orientation and a dosage form directed into said second path has its orientation inverted and is delivered to said delivery path in said desired orientation.