Patent ID: 7575129
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: B65B,G07F

Abstract:
1. A vial supply apparatus comprising: a vial supply part having a plurality of storage portions which store vials having different heights according to size, each storage portion comprising a partition wall, a rotatable endless member disposed at a predetermined interval from the partition wall, partitioning members disposed at predetermined intervals on the endless member, endless member driving means for driving the endless member to rotate, and a supply port for dispensing a vial stored between adjacent partitioning members; a chute portion for dropping the vial dispensed from the supply port such that an opening of the vial faces upward; a robot arm for holding the vial supplied from the chute portion; and an adjustment table disposed below the robot arm and configured to receive the vial from the chute portion after moving to a substantially upper end position, the adjustment table for adjusting an opening height of the vial received from the chute portion by being lowered to match the opening height of the vial with opening heights of other vials having different heights, whereupon the robot arm is arranged to hold the vial received from the chute.