Patent ID: 8424274
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method for depositing a predetermined amount of pills into each of a series of containers, comprising: receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined by a radially outward portion of at least one rotary slat, about a first angular position thereof, each rotary slat being configured as a cylinder independently rotatable in a rotational direction about a first axis extending longitudinally therethrough between at least the first angular position and a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, each pill aperture configured to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the respective cylinder; applying a negative pressure to each of the plurality of pill apertures with a negative pressure system operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat at least between the first angular position and the second angular position and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position so as to retain the pills within the pill apertures as the at least one rotary slat rotates about the first axis between the first angular position and the second angular position; ejecting the pills from the pill apertures at the second angular position of the at least one rotary slat, the pills being ejected outwardly of the radially outward portion with an ejection mechanism operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat and configured to be in communication with the pill apertures at the second angular position; and collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures of the at least one rotary slat, and directing the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein with a collection mechanism disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the at least one rotary slat about the second angular position.