Abstract:
The object counter is provided which includes a conveyor belt having regularly spaced object retaining posts for retaining single objects on the belt in a lane for transport in single file manner from a lower feed end to an upper discharge end. Each lane has lateral guide members for helping objects to settle in the lane between retaining posts during transport on the conveyor belt between the lower feed end and the upper discharge end. A hopper is arranged at the lower feed end of the conveyor belt for providing a quantity of objects to the conveyor belt. A deflector is arranged over the lane before the upper discharge end for removing objects from the lane that settle on top of objects settled in the lane between said retaining posts. An item detector is arranged at the upper discharge end for detecting the passage or discharge of individual objects.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This present invention relates to the feeding, transportation, sorting, spacing and the dispensing of tablets or other small articles by a positively incline conveyor with equally spaced profile cleats. Then discharging them equally spaced over the exit end of its conveyor, downwards pass a counting sensor to a container or catch gates below. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are several different tablet or small article feeding systems commonly used today. They are either large in size, slow in speed, or have feeding systems that are ganged and dependent to each other. The must common tablet or small article feeding systems are Vibratory “V” Chutes and trays; Vibratory Bowls; Fill by weight; Slat counters; Disc Counters; Roller Sorting Systems; Vacuum disc/Drum; Centrifugal Rotating Disc Counters, and the Rotating Dedicated Pocket Disc style. 
         [0003]    The two Vibrating Styles of feeders are prone to make a lot of noise. As you increase the feed rate, the noise level increased as well. The vibration can damage the tablets by shaking them at such a high rate, and tend to produce a lot of tablet dust. This type of feeding system is inefficient as much of the energy of the vibrator is in lifting the article up vertically, then moving it forward. As the vibration rate increases, the tablet stability decreases as they start bouncing around uncontrollably. 
         [0004]    Weight Counters, count by weight, and are less accurate than others as they cannot tell if a capsule is empty or if a partial tablet was passed. Every batch of tablets have a different amount of humidity, water content, so the tablet weight could vary. Also there are manufacture tablet weight and ingredient tolerances to consider. With the accumulation of all these possible errors, this type of counting is not the most accurate. 
         [0005]    The Slat Counter is large and fast, but has many change parts and is difficult and time consuming to change over. Each different tablet size and shape must have dedicated expensive change parts. So this is why this machine is normally dedicated to one or only a few different tablet sizes. 
         [0006]    The Disc Counter is large in size and has big dedicated change parts. A set of change parts must be made for each different tablet size and shape in which is expensive and requires a lot of storage space. Normally this style of machine is used for large production runs. 
         [0007]    The Centrifugal Rotating Disc Counter, lids a hopper in the middle of it and it feeds out tablets onto a horizontal rotating disc. As the disc rotates, the tablets are drawn towards the outer sides due to inertia. Then they exit the disc at its outer edge, and drops down due to gravity pass a count sensor. 
         [0008]    This counting system is slow, and the disc is large in diameter, and care has to be given in order to prevent doubling up tablets to exit at the same time. 
         [0009]    The Rotating Dedicated Pocket Disc Style counter does feed quickly, but requires a dedicated change part disc for each different tablet size and shape in which can be expensive. Also this type of counting system is large in size, especially if several of these disc are to be used for higher output speeds. 
         [0010]    The Roller Sorting System does not space the tablets equally and does not ensure a distance between each article when discharging. The long length of the rollers are necessary in order to try to sort out the tablets in one single row with no doubling up at the discharge. The incline angle downwards towards the exit point causes the tablets to roll or to bunch up together at the exit point. Also it&#39;s difficult to stop quickly the flow of tablets due to gravity, inertia, and the tendency for round tablets wanting to keep rolling forward. 
         [0011]    The Vacuum rotary Disc or Drum counter depends on obtaining a good positive vacuum. Tablets are sucked to the rotary disc or drum style and rotated around then dropped in front of a count sensor. These systems require a lot of air flow, vacuum, in which is noisy and expensive to produce. The vacuum levels is dependent, and could change, depending on how many tablets are covering the holes. Special dedicated change parts are required for the vacuum pockets on the vacuum discs. Also the size of the vacuum hole depends on the weight, feeding speed and size of each tablet. 
         [0012]    One big concern today is the overall size of the machine. The industry is asking for machines that occupy less conveyor spare and shorter in length in order to utilize there plant space more efficiently. Also the height of the machines are important as some people are shorter than others, and many times these machines require a step or staircase in order to fill the product hopper or to view the tablet sorting process. 
         [0013]    Presently most tablet or small article counting machines are designed and built to one size. If you would like to increase production, you must purchase a new machine and place it beside the other one. There is no prevision for machine expansion. This is both very expensive, and could double your present conveyor space requirement and machine foot print. 
         [0014]    The industry is trying to get away from using air, vacuum and vibration for tablet feeding due to the noise and dust that they produce, and the energy required. The industry is moving towards less and smaller dedicated change parts, to lower their costs and to improve change over times. 
         [0015]    Most companies would like to keep growing in size and later increase their output from their existing counters. Instead of purchasing an entire new machine, many would rather purchase just the counting expansion modules necessary to add onto to their existing machine. 
         [0016]    Also during production, if one article feeding lane or count sensor should fail, ideally it would be a benefit to continue with the production run by just closing down that one particular lane and not the entire machine. This is not true for most of these machines listed above. 
         [0017]    All of these different counting machines are either large in size; have expensive change parts; run at slow speeds; not expandable or produce a lot of dust and noise. This is why this Belt Sorter System was designed to solve all these issues and concerns. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Accordingly, the aforementioned problems and difficulties are obviated by the present invention. This high speed Belt Sorter System is short in length; it self feeds product from its product hopper, and sorts, space and separated the tablets into one single line on an upward slope. The product is then guided around the top exit guide of the conveyor downwards pass a counting sensor then to the product catch gates below. This invention has a low level cleated conveyor and product hopper height, and occupies a small foot print. This conveyor system is stackable for increase production rates. The cleated conveyor belt is a change part and can be used for many different tablet sizes and shapes. There are no vibrators, vacuum or air required, thus making this feeding system quiet, simple and inexpensive to operate. This dedicated conveyor has its individual speed control, so if several of these feed belt systems were stacked together, any one module could be shut down for maintenance issues and the remaining would continue to operate. Also each Belt Sorting System speed, start and stopping actions are individual and separate, unlike most other feeding systems. This Belt Sorting System is adjustable for different product widths, lengths and heights. Also these cleated belts would have holes in them, just in front of each cleat profile to allow for any dust to be removed by gravity or with the use of an optional vacuum system. Also these holes with vacuum are used to help suck the tablets to the belt for even greater stability. 
         [0019]    Therefore it&#39;s among the primary objectives of this invention to provide an equally spaced single row of tablets, at a fix feed rate, pass a count sensor to a container or product catch gates below. 
         [0020]    A second object of this invention is to have an equally spaced cleated belt conveyor, on a vertical incline as desired. This angle could be adjusted or fixed to suite the best product/cleat profile combination. 
         [0021]    A third objective of the present invention is to have adjustable or fixed side guides to open and close along the center line of the cleated belt. These guided are used to form a physical pocket for each different product size and shape. 
         [0022]    Another objective is for these side guides to help direct the flow of product from the hopper into the cleated pockets. Also to align the product into one straight row, and to discharge back towards the product hopper any double or stacked tablets. Also to vertically align the articles before discharging them over the exit guide at the end of the conveyor. 
         [0023]    A fifth objective is to use a tablet push bar to dislodge any jammed articles at the bottom of the product hopper. This also creates a stirring action in help placing the product into the cleated pockets of the cleated conveyor. 
         [0024]    Still another objective is for this cleated conveyor assembly to be quickly removable for cleaning, and for its motor drive to be built inside of the machine frame. 
         [0025]    A seventh objective is to control and to guide the exiting tablets from the exit end of the cleated conveyor around its center axis straight downwards in a straight line equally spaced pass a count sensor. 
         [0026]    A eighth objective is the ability to have a cleated belt with one or more rows of cleat profiles parallel and equally spaced to each other, with each row of cleats either being in line with each other or offset to assist with the counting spacing and accuracy. 
         [0027]    A ninth objective is the option of leaving the cleated conveyor assembly fix to the machine, and to have just the cleated belt and its contact parts removable for cleaning. 
         [0028]    Another objective is to have an adjustable height tablet deflector assembly with removable deflector paddles to help remove any doubled up tablets. 
         [0029]    An eleventh objective is to be able to remove one or more cleated conveyor modules without moving or sliding any others, and to have the machine still capable to continue to operate. 
         [0030]    Still another objective is to have holes in the cleated belt and to use a vacuum source to remove the dust from the belt, and to help suck the tablets to the belt. 
         [0031]    A thirteen objective is to be able to change the positive belt incline angle to better reject doubled up tablets. 
         [0032]    Another objective is to have different belt cleat profiles to suite different tablet widths and lengths. Also different shaped cleats with sloped faces for better feeding performance. 
         [0033]    Still another objective is the longer the length of the cleat profile, the greater the space between each tablet. 
         [0034]    A last objective is to be able to stack several of these cleat conveyor modules together, to increase the total machine product output rate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, with respect to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a top-side isometric view of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 2A  is a side cross section view of the invention showing the tablet flow. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2B  is a top view showing the tablet flow of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2C  is a cross section view of the tablet circulation with in the product hopper. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3A  shows an isometric view of a single row cleated belt. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3B  shows an isometric view of a triple row cleated belt, with offset teeth. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3C  shows the top view of view A-A in  FIG. 3B , showing the cleat/tablet offset spacing. 
           [0043]      FIG. 3D  is the view A-A of  FIG. 3B  showing the offset tablet spacing. 
           [0044]      FIG. 4A  shows a side view of a cleated belt with capsule shape tablets on it. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of a cleated belt with round tablets on it. 
           [0046]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of a cleated belt showing how different diameter round tablets fit with in the cleats. 
           [0047]      FIG. 4D  shows a side view of a low incline cleated belt with round and capsule shaped tablets on it. 
           [0048]      FIG. 4E  is the same view as  FIG. 4D , but having the cleated belt at a high incline angle. 
           [0049]      FIG. 4F  is a side view of a high incline cleated belt, with capsules and a round tablet on it, showing the cleat height and geometry. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4G  is a typical end view of the cleated belt and its side guides, showing the cleat height and width. 
           [0051]      FIG. 4H  shows a side view of a high incline slope and straight profile cleated belt with football shaped tablets on it. 
           [0052]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a triple lane tablet guide block. 
           [0053]      FIG. 5B  shows an isometric view of an adjustable three lane tablet guide system. 
           [0054]      FIG. 6A  is the end view of  FIG. 6B . 
           [0055]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of  FIG. 2B , view “A”. 
           [0056]      FIG. 6C  is the same view of  FIG. 6B , but showing round shape tablets. 
           [0057]      FIG. 6D  is the end view of  FIG. 6C . 
           [0058]      FIG. 7A  shows an isometric view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”. 
           [0059]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B” showing how a piggyback capsule shape tablet moves into a linear position. 
           [0060]      FIG. 7C  is another top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”, showing how a sloped sideways capsule tablet gels guided into a linear position. 
           [0061]      FIG. 7D  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”, showing how a sideways capsule tablet rotates to a linear position. 
           [0062]      FIG. 8A  shows an isometric view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”, but with round tablets. 
           [0063]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”, showing how these round tablets align linear to the belt cleat path. 
           [0064]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of  FIG. 2B , view “C”, showing how a tablet cannot be jammed between the belt cleat and the tablet exit point. 
           [0065]      FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of the tablet deflector assembly. 
           [0066]      FIG. 10B  shows an isometric view of how a tablet deflector paddle is removed from tablet deflector assembly. 
           [0067]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “C”, showing how the double tablets are guided to the side by the tablet deflectors. 
           [0068]      FIG. 10D  is a side view of  FIG. 10C . 
           [0069]      FIG. 10E  is a side view of  FIG. 10C  but with showing round tablets. 
           [0070]      FIG. 11A  is an isometric view of a triple lane tablet pusher used for thin width profile tablets. 
           [0071]      FIG. 11B  is an isometric view of a triple lane tablet pusher used for wide width profile tablets. 
           [0072]      FIG. 11C  is a side view of the tablet pusher orientation with an air cylinder pushing it back and forth along the centerline of the cleated belt. 
           [0073]      FIG. 11D  is the same view of  FIG. 11C , showing another position of the air cylinder mounted from below the cleated belt. 
           [0074]      FIG. 11E  is a section view of the product hopper and the tablet pusher in its retracted position. 
           [0075]      FIG. 11F  is the same view of  FIG. 11E , with the tablet pusher in the forward, pushing extended position. 
           [0076]      FIG. 11G  is the same view of  FIG. 11E , with the tablet pusher retuned back to its retracted position, showing the empty pocket that the tablet pusher had created. 
           [0077]      FIG. 12A  is an isometric view of a replaceable tablet exit guide with a wide channel profile. 
           [0078]      FIG. 12B  is an isometric view of a replaceable tablet exit guide with a narrow width channel profile. 
           [0079]      FIG. 12C  is a cutaway view of the tablet exit guide with the cleated belt, showing the tablet flow of capsule tablets exiting. 
           [0080]      FIG. 12D  is the same view of  FIG. 12C  with showing large diameters round tablets. 
           [0081]      FIG. 13A  is an isometric view of a replaceable tablet exit guide incorporating a tablet top centering groove in it. 
           [0082]      FIG. 13B  is the same view as  FIG. 12C  but with showing the replaceable tablet exit guide with a tablet top centering groove in it. 
           [0083]      FIG. 13C  is view “A” of  FIG. 13B . 
           [0084]      FIG. 13D  is view “A” of  FIG. 13B , but showing it with a capsule shaped tablet. 
           [0085]      FIG. 14A  is a cross-section side view showing different types of tablets on a vacuum tooth belt. 
           [0086]      FIG. 14B  is an isometric, cutaway view of a belt assembly, showing how the vacuum belt system functions. 
           [0087]      FIG. 14C  is a section view “A” of  FIG. 14B  showing the vacuum flow. 
           [0088]      FIG. 15A  is a bottom isometric view of the removable belt assembly showing the adjustable belt tensioner roller. 
           [0089]      FIG. 15B  shows an isometric view of a base mounted air cylinder belt tensioning roller. 
           [0090]      FIG. 15C  is a top isometric view of a fixed belt tensioning roller system, where the belt assemble is lowered on top of it, as shown in  FIG. 15D . 
           [0091]      FIG. 15D  is a side view of how the fix belt tensioning system as seen in  FIG. 15C  functions. 
           [0092]      FIG. 16A  is an isometric exploded view showing the removal of the change parts of a fixed mounted belt system. 
           [0093]      FIG. 16B  is a side view of  FIG. 16A  with the cleated belt loose over the rollers, without the tensioner roller in place. 
           [0094]      FIG. 16C  is a side view of  FIG. 16A  with the belt tensioning roller engaged, tightening the belt around the two end rollers. 
           [0095]      FIG. 17A  is a top isometric view of the removable belt assembly. 
           [0096]      FIG. 17B  is an exploded isometric view of  FIG. 17A , showing the removal of the change parts of the removable belt assembly. 
           [0097]      FIG. 17C  is the back side isometric view of  FIG. 17A  with all of its removable change parts off of it. 
           [0098]      FIG. 18  is a back isometric view of the removable belt assembly showing how its drive coupling attaches to the coupling on the drive housing assembly. 
           [0099]      FIG. 19A  is an isometric cutaway end view of the removable belt assembly ready to be attached to the machine drive housing. 
           [0100]      FIG. 19B  shows the same assembly as in  FIG. 19A  but with the removable belt assembly lowered in contact with the machine drive housing. 
           [0101]      FIG. 19C  is a side view of  FIG. 19B . 
           [0102]      FIG. 19D  is the same view of  FIG. 19C  but with its removable belt assemble swiveled into its lowered horizontal operating position. 
           [0103]      FIG. 19E  is the end view of  FIG. 19D  showing the removable belt assembly in its locked coupling engaged position. 
           [0104]      FIG. 19F  shows a three, triple removable belt feeding system. 
           [0105]      FIG. 19G  is the same view as  FIG. 19F , but with its center removable belt assembly being lifted up and removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0106]    While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as a Belt Sorting System for tablets, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be used singly or in various combinations thereof for a Belt Sorting System as can hereinafter be appreciated from a reading of the following description. 
         [0107]      FIG. 1  shows a rear-side view of the invention. The tablets are place in the hopper  1 , and are fed out by the three cleated belts  6 , in an upwards direction, being guided on both sides by the triple lane tablet guide block  13 . As they are sorted out into one single line along each lane  78 , any doubled up tablets will be deflected off to the side by the tablet deflector assembly  10 . The single row of tablets will then be guided around the exit chute  9 , downwards towards the tablet sensors, gates below. 
         [0108]      FIG. 2A  is a side cross section view of the invention with capsule shaped tablets  2 , in it. The hopper  1  is filled with capsule shaped tablets  2 , and with the pusher bar  5  at the bottom of it. Under the hopper  1 , there is a cleated belt  6 , in which transfers the tablets in a single row towards the tablet deflector assembly  10 , and then the exit chute  9 . The tablets  2 , are guided along the center of the cleated belt  6 , by the sides of the triple lane tablet guide block  13 . The tension roller  8  is under the cleated belt  6 , ensuring that the cleated belt  6 , is tight on both the drive pulley  11 , and the idler pulley  12 . 
         [0109]      FIG. 2B  is a top view showing the tablet flow of the invention. It shows how all the tablets  2 , are aligned and spaced out by the cleated belt  6 . There are three lanes  78 , and the pusher bar  5  is shown with three push fingers  79 , one for each lane  78 . Also the deflector assembly  10  shows how the deflector paddles  24  deflect the tablets  2 , to the side. 
         [0110]      FIG. 2C  is a cross section view showing the tablet circulation within the hopper  1 . As the push finger  79  advances into the tablet  2  path at the bottom of the hopper  1 , just above the cleated belt  6 , it pushes the tablets  2  forward along the cleated belt  6  centerline. As it pushes these tablets  2  forward, it dislodges the upper tablets  2  with in the bottom of the hopper  1 , thus causing these tablets  2  to fall downwards onto the moving cleated belt  6 , and also preventing possible tablet  2  jambs within the hopper  1 . This helps fill the empty area between each belt cleat  18  below. With the cleated belt  6  moving forward under the stationary mass of tablets  2  above, the belt cleats  18 , causes a tablet  2  turning, bouncing and dislodging action. This action helps break up any above hopper  1  jambs, and helps sort and place the tablets  2  in between the cleated belt  6  cleats  18 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 3A  shows an isometric view of a single row cleated belt  6 . Here only one inline, equally spaced set of belt cleats  18  are placed on the center line of the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of a triple row cleated belt  72 , with offset cleats  18 . There are three separate rows of belt cleats  18 , equally spaced, but are shown here with an offset  82  to each other tooth row. This offset  82  could be equal or could be gradual towards one side of this triple row cleated belt  72 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 3C  shows the top view of view A-A in  FIG. 3B . Here the tablets  2  are all in line with each other along the center line of the triple row cleated belt  72 . The cleats  18  are shown with an offset  82  to each other cleat row, thus having the tablets  2 , to be discharged at different points to each other. 
         [0114]      FIG. 3D  is the view A-A of  FIG. 3B , showing the offset  82  between each of the tablets  2 , as they drop off the end of the triple row cleated belt  72 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 4A  shows a side view of a cleated belt  6 , with capsule shaped tablets  2  along the center line of it. With a fix spacing  83 , it shows how different lengths of tablets  2  and  73 , could be used with this same cleated belt  6 . Also it shows how the tablets  2  could be fitted within the cleat space  83  between each of the cleats  18 . Only an end of the tablet  80 , has room to fit in between a tablet  2  that is already between two cleats  18 . In this position, the nose in tablet  80  will be sticking out as shown either in the forward or rear facing position. The piggy back tablet  81 , in which is lying on top of another tablet  2 , will slide backwards due to gravity caused by the vertical slope of the cleated belt  6 . This tablet  81  will then drop off into an empty space  83  between the two cleats  18 . The spacing  83  between the two cleats  18 , must be smaller than two times the overall length of the smallest tablet  2 , and larger than the overall length of the longest tablet  2  that will be used with the same cleated belt  6 . 
         [0116]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of a cleated belt  6  with round tablets  3  on it. The spacing  83  should be smaller than 1.75 times the diameter of the tablet  3 , and not smaller than the diameter of the tablet  3 . This way only one tablet can fit into the space  83  at a time. If there was a second level of tablets  3  like tablet  85 , this tablet would be knocked off downwards due to gravity, or will roll off into an empty space  83  with in the cleat  18  path. The longer in length  122  of cleat  18 , the greater the spacing will be between each tablet at the cleated belt  6  exit point. 
         [0117]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of a cleated belt  6 , showing how different diameter tablets will fit into a fix space  83 . As stated in  FIG. 4B , only one tablet diameter should be able to fit into any given space  83 . Tablet  3  diameter shown here, is too small for the space  83 , as this space  83  allows two tablets  3  to sit side by side. The principle of this invention is to be able to maintain a space between each tablet, in order to be able to detect them, count them and index them easier and more accurately. 
         [0118]      FIG. 4D  shows a side view of a cleated belt  6  on a low positive incline  114 . The round piggyback tablet  115  will have the tendency to stay on top of the other lower round tablets  4 . The dive bombing tablet  90  will stay in this upwards position due to the lack of gravity pull, trying to pull it out. Tablet  113  sitting on the cleat  18  could stay in this position due to the low belt angle incline  114 , and the piggyback tablet  81  could stay on top of the lower tablet  2  also due to the low belt incline angle  114 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 4E  is the same view as  FIG. 4D , except that the positive incline angle  114  is greater. The same tablets are shown in the same position on the cleated belt  6  as in  FIG. 4D . The round tablet  115  now wants to roll off the lower round tablets  4 . Tablet  2  is still held firmly by the cleat  18 . The dive bombing tablet  90  will now slide out due to the increase belt angle  114 . Tablet  113  sitting on the cleat  18  will now slide off, and the piggyback tablet  81  will also slide off due to gravity. 
         [0120]      FIG. 4F  is a side view of a cleated belt  6  on a high incline angle, showing how a round tablet  3  and two capsule tablets  2  sit against the cleats  18 . Also the geometry of how their center of gravity affects them from being rejected from the cleat  18 . Shown here is the maximum height  105  of the cleat  18 , to not being higher than the top of the tablet  2 . If the cleat  18  is higher than the tablet  2 , it could physically stop the piggyback tablet  81  from sliding off the top of tablet  2 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 4G  shows a typical cross section of the cleated belt  6  between the two side guides  21  and  22  of the tablet guide block  13 . The height  105  of the cleat  18  should be as high or lower than the overall height of the tablet. The width  106  of the cleat  18  should be smaller than the width of the tablet, but ideally not smaller than one half the width of the tablet. The overall size of the cleat  18 , is not dependant on the shape or type of tablet, but just by the tablets overall size. 
         [0122]      FIG. 4H  shows a side view of a slope and straight profile cleated belt  6 . A football shaped tablet  117  is being held against the belt  6  by the sloped surface  86  on the sloped profile cleat  19 . Since the football shaped tablet  117  cleat contact point  86  is higher than its center line  124 , this slope profile cleat  19  will still hold the tablet  117  in place even at a higher incline belt angle. The football shape tablet  123  with the straight profile cleat  18 , will have a greater tendency to slide up and off the cleat  18  as shown with the football shape tablet  119 . 
         [0123]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a triple lane tablet guide  13 . This is a one removable change part tablet guide block, show with three lanes  78 , equally spaced, and with three fixed lane width  88 . 
         [0124]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of an adjustable three lane tablet guide system. There are three sets of equally spaced LH, tablet guides  21  and RH, tablet guides  22 . Each of the three lanes  78  widths are adjustable. All the tablet guides  21  and  22  are attached to two guide cross supports  23 . Unlike the fixed lane width tablet guide block  13  in  FIG. 5A , this one can suite and adjust for all sizes and shapes of tablets. 
         [0125]      FIG. 6A  shows the end view of  FIG. 6B . Shown here is one tablet  2  along the bottom of the cleated belt  6 , being pushed forward by the cleat  18 . The lane width  87  is to be slightly larger than the width of the tablet  2 . The two sloped inside surfaces  89 , guides the tablets  2  to the center and cleats  18  of the cleated belt  6 . The two piggyback tablets  81  will side off into an empty cleat belt pocket behind. 
         [0126]      FIG. 6B  Is an isometric view of  FIG. 2B  view “A”. Shown here are tablets  2  being guided from the hopper  1 , on the cleated belt  6 , between the two tablet guides  21  and  22 . The tablets  2  are being sorted into one single line. Any top piggyback tablets  81  will have a tendency to slide backwards and into an empty cleat pocket. The inside surface  89  of both the tablet guides  21  and  22  are sloped to direct and to force, due to gravity, the tablets  2  into the cleat pockets on the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0127]      FIG. 6C  is the same view of  FIG. 6B , but shown with round tablets  3 . The two sloped inside surfaces  89 , guides the round tablets  3  downwards onto the moving cleated belt  6 . There should only be one tablet  3  per cleat pocket. A piggyback tablet  109  will roll or fall off downwards to an empty cleat belt pocket below. 
         [0128]      FIG. 6D  is the end view of  FIG. 6C . The function is the same as stated in  FIG. 6A , but showing it using round tablets  3 . 
         [0129]      FIG. 7A  shows an isometric view of  FIG. 2B  view “B”. After the tablets  2  are guided by the two sloped side surfaces  89 , the piggyback tablets  81  are then pushed towards the center of the cleated belt  6  by the two curved side surfaces  27 . The sloped flat surfaces  28  are ramps to move the rejected tablets  2  from a more forward position, over past the curve side surfaces  27  back into the tablet flow between the two sloped side surfaces  89 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B” showing the tablet  2  flow. Here the piggyback tablet  91  is guided to the center line of the cleated belt  6  by the two curved side surfaces  27 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 7C  is another view of  FIG. 24 , view “B”, showing how dive-bomb tablets  90  are guided towards the center of the cleated belt  6  by the two curved side surfaces  27 . 
         [0132]      FIG. 7D  is a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “B”. The tablet  2  is shown 90 degrees to the center line of the cleated belt  6 . When the tablet  2  comes into contact with the two curved side surfaces  27 , it will cause the tablet  2  to pivot into line with the tablet flow. 
         [0133]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of  FIG. 2B , view “B” showing the same principles as stated in  FIG. 7A , but with showing it with round tablets  3 . 
         [0134]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of view of  FIG. 2B , showing how the round tablets  4  are aligned in a straight row by the two curved side surfaces  27 . 
         [0135]      FIG. 9  is an isometric, view of  FIG. 2B , view “C” showing how tablets  2  are being pushed forward by the belt cleat  18 . As the belt cleat  18  moves forward, it will be pushing the tablet  2 . The tablet  2  will then start moving upwards the slope  25  until the point that the belt cleat  18  will pass underneath the tablet  2 . This eliminates the chance of cleat  18  trapping the tablet  2  at this exit point. The tablet  2  will finally stop moving forward once it reaches the tablet stop  26 . 
         [0136]      FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of the tablet deflector assembly  10 . The tablet deflector holder  110  is adjustable in height to adjust for the different tablet heights. The deflector paddles  24  are flexible, could be made out of rubber, and are shown here with a curved surface  92 . This curved surface  92  increases its rigidity and also better guides the tablets  2  to the side of the tablet path. However this surface could also be straight. Shown here are two deflector paddles  24  for each tablet lane, one after the other. More of these deflector paddles  24  could be used if required. 
         [0137]      FIG. 10B  shows an isometric view of how a deflector paddle  24  is removed. The deflector paddle  24  is flexible and has two flexible tabs  76  on the top of it. These two tabs  76  are bent 90 degrees to each other and will pass through the lock grooves  74 . The deflector paddle  24  is then slid through until its two notches  77  bottoms out on the tablet deflector holder  110 . Then the two tabs  76  are bent back to its relax state in line with the rest of the deflector paddle  24 . 
         [0138]      FIG. 10C  shows a top view of  FIG. 2B , view “C” showing how the double tablets  2  are guided/pushed to the side of the center of the cleated belt  6  by the deflector paddles  24 . Once these tablets  2  are pushed to the side, they will then slide downwards due to the upwards slope in the cleated belt  6 , due to gravity. 
         [0139]      FIG. 10D  is a side view of  FIG. 10C , showing only one deflector paddle  24 . The deflector paddle  24  is adjusted vertically to just clear the tops of the tablets  2  in which are lying flat against the cleated belt  6 . This height  94  will only allow one layer of tablets  2  to pass by to the exit point  125 . Although only one deflector paddle  24  is shown, several others in line could be added. Also the height  94  of these deflector paddles  24  could be different to gradually push each tablet  2  off to the side. 
         [0140]      FIG. 10E  is the same view and has the same function as  FIG. 10D . The only difference is that the tablet  3  shown is a round shape uric. 
         [0141]      FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  are isometric views of a triple lane tablet pusher  5 . Here shown are three push fingers  79  in which will extend inside the bottom of the hopper  1 . The width  30  of these push fingers  79  should to be as wide as possible, but smaller than the width of the tablet. The wider the better. There are to be one push finger  79  per row of cleats  18 . 
         [0142]      FIG. 11C  this is a side view showing a push finger  79  in its proper position with a gap  32  between it and the top of the belt cleat  18 . This push finger  79  should be as close as possible to just clear the top of the cleat  18  and the tablet being used. Here the push finger  79  is being pushed forward and pulled back by an air cylinder  31 . Although an air cylinder  31  is shown, the push finger  79  could be moved back and forth by any other means. 
         [0143]      FIG. 11D  is the same view as  FIG. 11C , but having the air cylinder  31  mounted lower down offset to the centerline of the push finger  79 . The air cylinder  31  is connected to a push bar  15 , in which transfers the moving action up to the push finger  79 . Although an air cylinder  31  is shown here, any other mechanical system could be used to achieve the same results. 
         [0144]      FIG. 11E  is a hopper  1  bottom cutaway view showing the push finger  79  in its retracted position. Its face  95  is flush with the back wall of hopper  1 . The push finger  79  is just above the belt cleat  18 . The hopper  1  is filled with tablets  2  in which are in contact with the belt  6 . 
         [0145]      FIG. 11F  is the same view as of  FIG. 11E , but showing the push finger  79  moved forward in its extended position. While the push finger  79  extends. It will push forward all the tablets  2  in front of it, thus dislodging any possible jamb that could occur with in the bottom of the hopper  1 . Also this pushing action will help drive the tablets  2  forward along the belt  6 . 
         [0146]      FIG. 11G  is the same view as of  FIG. 11E , now showing the push finger  79  returned back to its starting retracted position. As the push finger  79  retracts, it will leave an empty space  33 . The tablets  2  above and on the sides of this empty space  33 , will no longer be supported by the tablets  2  that are no longer there, thus these tablets  2  will fall down and collapse into this void are  33 . This action will dislodge any jamb tablets  2  and will help with filling any empty pockets between the cleats  18 . 
         [0147]      FIG. 12A  is an isometric view of a replaceable tablet exit guide  36 . This guide  36  has an opening for a tablet width  34 , and a tablet height  35 . Wider the tablet, then wider the width  34 . One of these exit guides  36  could be used for different shape and sizes of tablets as long as they do fit with in the height and width of it. This replaceable tablet guide  36  is to guide the tablet from the exit point  125  on the tablet guide block  13 , as shown in  FIG. 12C , around the center line if the idler pulley  12 , then downwards towards the tablet count sensor below. 
         [0148]      FIG. 12B  is an isometric, view of a replaceable tablet exit guide  36 , similar to  FIG. 12A , but showing its opening wider for larger width  34  and height  35  tablets. 
         [0149]      FIG. 12C  is a cross section view of the replaceable tablet exit guide  36 , along with the invention cleated belt  6 , and idler pulley  12 . Shown here are tablets  2 , one per spacing between each set of belt cleats  18 . As the tablets  2  exit the tablet guide block  13  in line, they are all in one layer and in a straight line to each other. They then enter the tablet exit guide  36 , and are driven around the outside radius  96  of this exit guide  36  by centrifugal force. Faster the tablets  2  linear speed, then the more drawn to this outside radius  9   b  the tablets  2  will be. This outside radius  96  will stabilize and guide the tablets  2  around, then in a straight line downwards towards the tablet count sensor. This guide  36  forms a pocket  126  around each set of belt cleats  18 , thus trapping each tablet  2  in its independent space. This action will ensure a space between each exiting/falling tablet  2  and will ensure a straight projection downwards fall. Also since each tablet  2  it held loosely between the outside radius  96  and the two cleats  18 , when the cleated belt  6  is stopped, the flow of tablets  2  will also stop accurately as well. Also as the linear speed of the belt  6  is increased or decreased, the tablet  2  feeding feed will change proportionally as well. 
         [0150]      FIG. 12D  is the same view of  FIG. 12C  but showing large diameter round tablets  4 . As the linear speed of these tablets  4  increase, they will be pressed against the outside radius  96  of the guide  36 , and held between in the pocket  126  by the two belt cleats  18 . The principle is the same as in  FIG. 12C . 
         [0151]      FIG. 13A  is an isometric view of a replacement tablet exit guide  111  incorporating a tablet top centering groove  37 . This exit guide  111  function is the same as with the guide  36  in  FIG. 12A , but incorporates a top centering groove  37  to help guide and to center the tablet  2  as they travel around and in the top centering groove  37  as shown in  FIG. 13B . 
         [0152]      FIG. 13B  is the same view and has the same function as  FIG. 12D , but also shows how this replacement tablet exit guide  111 , guides the round tablets  4  around the top centering grove  37 . 
         [0153]      FIG. 13C  is the section view of  FIG. 13B , view “A”. Shown here is how the top centering grove  37 , helps guide and stabilize the tablet  4  vertically and on center of the tablet exit guide  111 . 
         [0154]      FIG. 13D  is similar to  FIG. 13C , but with showing a capsule shape tablet  2  being guided by the top centering groove  37 . 
         [0155]      FIG. 14A  is a cross section view of the cleated belt  6 , showing how the two vacuum holes  39  and  40  function. Shown on this cleated belt  6 , are different types of tablets in different configurations. When there is only one tablet between two sets of cleats  18 , the two vacuum holes  39  and  40  will both try to suck the tablet  38  firmly to the surface of the cleated belt  6 , and also will remove any dust from the tablet or the cleated belt  6  before the tablets exit at the discharge end of this cleated belt  6 . Since Only the bottom tablet  38 , will be held tightly against the cleated belt  6  due to vacuum, this allows any piggybacking or dive-bombing tablets like tablet  2  to remain unstable and could easily be removed during its upwards travel up the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0156]      FIG. 14B  is an isometric cut away section view of a belt assembly, showing how the vacuum belt system functions. There are vacuum holes  39  and  40  in the cleated belt  6 . Dust is sucked downwards through these holes  39  and  40  into the vacuum channel  43 . There is a vacuum channel  43  under the center line for each row of cleats  18  running the length of the belt vacuum guide block  42 . The vacuum channel  43  then exits to the bottom, into a common dust chamber  44  located at the far end of the vacuum guide block  42  under the hopper  1 . This dust chamber  44  has at least one opening  112  in the bottom of it to allow the dust and the vacuum to be removed through the vacuum manifold  14 . This manifold  14  is connected to a main vacuum source not shown. The cleated belt  6  is traveling and side guided in a machined out channel  97 . 
         [0157]      FIG. 14C  is a section view of  FIG. 14B . This view shows the vacuum paths through the two vacuum holes  39  and  40  downwards into the three vacuum channels  43  as shown. Then from the vacuum channels  43  into the common dust chamber  44 . The dust and vacuum then travels downwards through the two openings  112  in the bottom of the dust chamber  44  into the vacuum manifold  14 . The two openings  112  in the bottom of the dust chamber  44  are located in between each of the cleated belts  6 . Another variant of this Is to have the vacuum manifold  14  connect into the side of the dust chamber  44 , in between the top and bottom cleated belt  6  sections. 
         [0158]      FIG. 15A  is a bottom isometric view of the removable belt assembly showing an adjustable belt tensioner roller  8 . This adjustable tension roller  8  surface is grooved to act as the cleated belt  6  side guide  98 . This belt tensioner roller  8  is adjustable in height by mounting it into different pre-set holes  46  locations in the back plate  45 . By moving the tensioner roller  8  more upwards, the cleated belt  6  tension will become greater on the two pulleys  11  and  12 . To remove the cleated belt  6  from this removable belt assembly, simply remove the tensioner roller  8 , and the cleated belt  6  will slacken and will be able to be removed by hand. 
         [0159]      FIG. 15B  is an isometric view of a fixed air cylinder  48 , applying upwards pressure onto a yoke bracket  47 . The yoke bracket  47  lifts its belt tensioner roller  8  and axle  99  up against the bottom of the cleated belt  6 , thus creating tension to the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0160]      FIG. 15C  is a top isometric view of a fix tensioning roller system. There is a fixed tensioner bracket  51 , and it&#39;s holding a removable tensioner roller  8  and axle  99 . When the removable belt assembly is lowered onto this belt tensioning system, the cleated belts  6  will flex upwards and tension around the two belt pulleys  11  and  12 .  FIG. 15D  shows the principle of how this tensioner system functions. 
         [0161]      FIG. 15D  is a side view of how the tensioner system in  FIG. 15C  functions. The drive pulley  11  is fixed and the idler pulley  12  and belt assembly are rotated downwards onto the fixed tension roller  8  below. The tension roller  8  deflects the cleated belt G upwards creating tension within the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0162]      FIG. 16A  is an isometric exploded view of a fix belt assembly. This fixed belt assembly is permanently attached to the machine and only its change parts can be removed for cleaning. The fix portion of the belt assembly comprises of the drive housing  17 , the drive pulley  11 , the idler pulley  12 , the back plate  45 , its two support pins  54  and center pin  55 . The cleated belts  6 , belt vacuum guide block  42  and the tension roller  8  are all removable. 
         [0163]      FIG. 16B  is a side view of  FIG. 16A  with the cleated belt  6  loose over the two pulleys  11  and  12 . Once the tension roller  8  is removed, the cleated belt  6  can now be slid over the two pulleys  11  and  12  by hand, due to the slack  52  in the cleated belt  6 . 
         [0164]      FIG. 16C  is the same view as of  FIG. 16B , with the belt tensioning roller  8  engaged, attached to the back plate  45 . The cleated belt  6  is now in tension and cannot be removed or slid off of the two pulleys  11  and  12 . 
         [0165]      FIG. 17A  is a top isometric view of the removable belt assembly. This entire belt assembly is removable from its drive system and the machine for cleaning or for change over. The tension roller  8  remains a part of this belt assembly as it is removed. All the belt components are attached to the back plate  45 . 
         [0166]      FIG. 17B  is an exploded isometric view of  FIG. 17A , showing it with its belt vacuum guide block  42  and its belt tension roller  8  slid out forward from its back plate  45 . The three cleated belts  6  could be removed by sliding them forward off of the two pulleys  11  and  12  after the belt tension roller  8  has been removed. 
         [0167]      FIG. 17C  is the back side isometric view of  FIG. 17A  with all its removable parts taken off of it. 
         [0168]      FIG. 18  is a rear isometric view of the removable belt assembly  61  showing how the drive coupling  62  and the driven coupling  59  engages together. The drive housing  17  is fixed to the baseplate of the machine and is driven by a drive belt  63 . The projected profile on the drive coupling  62  will slide into the driven coupling  59  female profile. The alignment groove  66  will align the two couplings  59  and  62  by aligning itself with the support post  67 . The lock pin  58  will engage inside the lock groove  68  of the support pin  67  preventing the two couplings  59  and  62  from disengaging from each other, once the two faces  100  and  101  are in contact with each other. 
         [0169]      FIGS. 19A , B, C, D and E, shows how the removable belt assembly  61  is attached to the fixed drive housing  17 .  FIG. 19A  shows an isometric cutaway view of the removable belt assembly  61  held by hand, in line, and lowered vertically over the support post  67 . 
         [0170]      FIG. 19B  shows how the removable belt assembly  61  is lowered and its pivot block  57  guides the support post  67  into its alignment groove  66 . The support post  67  will then support the weight of belt assembly  61  still in this vertical position. The stop  69 , a part of the drive housing  17 , acts as a positive stop between it and the removable belt assembly  61  face  100 . This stop  69  maintains a minimum gap between the two couplings  59  and  62 . 
         [0171]      FIG. 19C  is the side view of  FIG. 19B . The pivot groove  102  on the removable belt assembly  61  is in contact with the support post  67 . The pivot finger  103  is hooked under between the support post  67  and the slope stop  70  on the drive housing  17 . The stop flat  104  on the end of the removable belt assembly  61 , is in contact with the slope stop  70 . When these two stops  104  and  70  are in contact with each other, the removable belt assemble  61  cannot rotate in a clockwise orientation from this position. The removable belt assembly  61  can only be rotated counter clockwise to the horizontal position as shown in  FIG. 19D . 
         [0172]      FIG. 19D  is the same view as in  FIG. 19C . Here the removable belt assembly  61  is now in its horizontal position. The support post  67  is tightly in the pivot grove  102 . The pivot finger  103  is trapped under between the support post  67  and the slope stop  70 , thus holding the entire removable belt assembly  61  in place. In this position, the two couplings  59  and  62  will be aligned with each other. 
         [0173]      FIG. 19E  is the end view of  FIG. 19D . In this position, the removable belt assembly  61  can now be pushed to the right towards the drive housing  17  until the two faces  100  and  101  come into contact with each other. The stop  69  is no longer in use as the two couplings  59  and  62  are now aligned with each other. The removable belt assembly  61  can now be locked in place by its lock pin  58 , engaged into the lock groove  68  as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0174]      FIG. 19F  is an isometric side top view of a three, triple removable belt assembly  61  system. There is a separate drive housing  17  for each of the removable belt assemblies  61 . Although three sets of removable belt assemblies  61  are shown, any number of individual or sets of cleated belts assemblies could be ganged together to form one larger cleated belt sorting machine. 
         [0175]      FIG. 19G  is the same view and assembly as in  FIG. 19F . Here the center removable belt assembly  61  is rotated upwards and is being removed from its drive housing  17 . Also the clamp finger  107  and the clamp guide  108  is shown. The clamp finger  107  is a rotary finger in which clamps the removable belt assembly  61  to the machine base plate  49 .