Patent Publication Number: US-6659304-B2

Title: Cassettes for systems which feed, count and dispense discrete objects

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. Nos. 09/871,531 now Pub. No. 20020/79623, U.S. Ser. No. 09/871,532 now Pub. No. 6497339/20020/79619, and U.S. Ser. No. 09/871,533 now Pub. No. 20020/79621, each of which was filed on May 31, 2001, and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates broadly to feeding, counting and dispensing apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to feeding and counting apparatus which use vibration to control the flow of discrete items, such as tablets, capsules or caplets being fed and counted. 
     2. State of the Art 
     In retail, hospital, and mail order medication dispensing, a large number of different prescriptions of single dose medications, such as tablets, must be filled. (Hereinafter, for purposes of brevity, reference to “tablets” should be understood for purposes herein as being generic to tablets, capsules, caplets and any other solid dose medication). For prescriptions requiring small quantities of a medication, the prescription is often filled by hand; that is, a bulk container containing the prescription medication is removed from a shelf and opened. A quantity of the medication is poured into a tray and the medication tablets are counted by a pharmacist and then dispensed into a patient prescription bottle. The remainder of the medication in the tray is returned to the bulk container, the container is closed, and then replaced on the shelf. 
     Larger quantity prescriptions are often filled with the aid of a counting apparatus intended to more rapidly count different quantities of different tablets successively. For example, a prescription for ninety tablets of 10 mg Claritin® may need to be filled after a prescription for sixty tablets of 400 mg Motrin®. Generally, there are two types of counting apparatus available for dispensing prescription medication from bulk containers of such medications: a preset counter and a pour-through counter. 
     With a preset counter, the pharmacist obtains a bulk container of a prescription medication from a shelf and then pours from the container a quantity of tablets into a hopper of the counting apparatus. The pharmacist then sets the counting apparatus to the number of tablets to be counted, e.g., ninety. Assuming at least the required number of tablets for the prescription has been poured into the hopper, the pharmacist waits while the counting apparatus counts the required number of tablets and dispenses the tablets into a patient prescription bottle. The excess tablets are discharged back into the bulk container, which is then replaced on the shelf. It has been found that the time taken to discharge the excess tablets can be equal to or greater than the time required to count the prescription. For that reason, the pour-through counter has proved more popular. 
     A pour-through counter does not include a hopper that temporarily stores the medication. Rather, the pharmacist pours tablets from a bulk container directly into a funnel which drops the tablets past a counter and dispenses them into a patient bottle. The pharmacist pours until the digital readout of the counter apparatus displays the required number of tablets, and then stops. As such, there is usually no excess. However, should an extra tablet or so fall into the funnel, the readout clearly indicates the extra number, and the excess can easily be removed by the pharmacist and returned to the storage container. 
     Both the preset and pour-through counter systems have a common drawback. Each prescription medication must be obtained from a bulk storage container located in stock, which must be opened prior to use and closed after use. In order to minimize the time taken to dispense a prescription, counter manufacturers have provided “cassette counters” for retail, hospital, and mail order pharmacies. Each cassette is designed for a specific size and shape capsule, tablet, or caplet. The cassettes are prefilled by the pharmacist with bulk quantities of the appropriate prescription drugs, and are used to store bulk quantities rather than using the container supplied by the manufacturer. The prescription medication is then dispensed directly from the cassette. The use of cassettes eliminates the time needed to open the manufacturer&#39;s original container, the time needed to return excess tablets to the container, and the time needed to close the container. Unfortunately, cassette counters are slow and prone to breaking tablets. Furthermore, when cassettes jam, as they often do, they are difficult to unclog. Often tablets spill uncontrollably from the cassette during attempts to unclog a jam. Further, since the cassettes used in existing cassette systems are specific to the tablet being dispensed, each time a pharmacist wants to count a new drug, a new cassette designed for that specific medication must be obtained. In addition, some prescriptions are filled infrequently and it is not economically feasible or practical to have a dedicated cassette for every solid dose medication in the pharmacy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for counting and dispensing discrete objects such as tablets, capsules and the like which permits storing discrete objects in a manner in which the objects may be quickly dispensed. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a counting and dispensing system which uses cassettes which are not customized to a particular tablet or capsule. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a counting and dispensing system which uses cassettes which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a counting and dispensing system which is not subject to jamming by discrete objects being counted. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a counting and dispensing system which provides rapid counting of the discrete objects. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a counting and dispensing system which can also be used without a cassette. 
     An additional object of the invention to provide a counting and dispensing system which has the benefits of two different modes of operation, as a pour through counter, as well as a preset counter. 
     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a counting and dispensing system which can also be used with a bowl feeder. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a counting and dispensing system which is adapted for rapid exchange of cassettes and bowl feeders. 
     It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide a counting and dispensing system which functions with high reliability. 
     In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, an object counting and dispensing system is provided which includes a vibration system which substantially circularly vibrates in a horizontal circular plane, a mounting assembly for coupling a cassette to the vibration system, a chute configured to receive discrete objects from either the cassette or a funnel and dispense the objects to a patient bottle, and an object sensing system which senses and counts objects fed into the chute. 
     Each cassette includes a base and a stepped side wall which together define a central open reservoir portion and at least one substantially planar covered tray portion surrounding the reservoir portion. A lid is removably coupled over the reservoir portion. The reservoir portion is adapted to store tablets and feed the tablets through a path into the tray portion. The tray portion has a peripheral exit and guides the fed tablets toward the exit when the cassette is vibrated by the vibration system. The tray portion optionally includes a peripheral track which facilitates the guidance of tablets having non-flat surfaces toward the exit. A leaf spring gate closes the exit and is automatically opened by a permanent magnet attached to the tip of a solenoid when the cassette is attached to the mounting assembly, and closed when the cassette is removed therefrom. When the last tablet in a batch has been counted, the magnet is retracted and the leaf spring closes the exit of the cassette. The leaf spring also closes the cassette when the cassette is removed from the mounting assembly and moved away from the magnet. Each cassette includes a lower metal portion at which the cassette is mounted to the mounting assembly. Cassettes are mounted to the mounting assembly in a manner which permits rapid and secure coupling and decoupling. Preferred coupling means include an electromagnetic coupling system. 
     Each cassette is able to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of tablets toward the exit. As such, only a few standard sizes of cassettes are needed to accommodate a wide range of discrete objects for which the counter is primarily adapted: tablets, capsules, caplets, etc. When used with the cassette, the system functions as a preset counter wherein the counter is preset to count a desired number of tablets, and the counter then feeds and counts the exact number of tablets from the cassette. 
     Additional high capacity cassettes are also provided which include a base and a side wall which together define a reservoir portion, an exit from the reservoir, and a peripheral structure adapted to direct objects single file toward the exit. 
     As briefly discussed above, according to another aspect of the invention, the system can be used without the cassette and operate as a pour-through counter in which tablets are poured into the funnel. 
     In addition, a universal bowl feeder can be attached to the mounting assembly, preferably in the same manner as the cassettes. The bowl feeder can accommodate prescriptions which are not provided with their own cassette and for which it is desired to preset the number of tablets to be counted. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for feeding, counting, and dispensing discrete objects according to the invention, shown with a cassette attached thereto; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the system for feeding, counting, and dispensing objects according to the invention, shown with a cassette attached thereto; 
     FIG. 3 is a section view across line  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a section view across line  4 — 4  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of a vibration system, a mounting assembly, a chute and a spout, and an object sensing system, and a cassette attached to the mounting assembly, the cassette having a gate in an open position; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the spout removed from the housing of the system according to the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cassette according to the invention with a lid enclosing the reservoir of the cassette; 
     FIG. 8 is a section view across line  8 — 8  in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cassette according to the invention without a lid enclosing the reservoir of the cassette; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of a base portion of the cassette according to the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembly of a vibration system, a mounting assembly, a chute and a spout, and an object sensing system, and a cassette attached to the mounting assembly, the cassette having a gate in an open position; 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the mounting system and the vibration system, the mounting system shown with a cassette coupled thereto; 
     FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the mounting system and the vibration system; 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of the base portion of the cassette provided with capsules and illustrating the movement of capsules thereon; 
     FIG. 15 is a section view of a multi-tray cassette according to the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view of a bottom tray of the multi-tray cassette of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view of a top tray of the multi-tray cassette of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective section view of another cassette according to the invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a plan view of the cassette of FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is a section view across line  20 — 20  in FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a top perspective section view of yet another cassette according to the invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective section view of the cassette of FIG.  21 . 
     FIG. 23 is a plan view of the cassette of FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 24 is a section view across line  24 — 24  in FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the system for feeding, counting, and dispensing discrete objects according to the invention, shown with a funnel adapted to be provided in alignment with the chute of the system; 
     FIG. 26 is a plan view of the system for feeding, counting, and dispensing objects according to the invention, shown with a funnel attached in alignment with the chute; and 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a universal vibratory bowl feeder attached to the mounting and vibratory assemblies according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 5, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an object counting, feeding, and dispensing system  10  includes a vibration system  12  which substantially circularly vibrates in a horizontal plane, a mounting assembly  14 , described in detail below, which secures a cassette  16  to the vibration system in a manner in which the cassette may be rapidly removed such that another cassette can be rapidly secured to the mounting assembly, a chute  18  oriented to receive discrete objects from a cassette  16  and feed the objects to a bottle or container located at an exit spout  21  beneath the chute, and an object counting system  22  which through windows  23   a ,  23   b  senses and counts objects passing within the chute  18 . Hereinafter, the term ‘tablets’ is used interchangeably with ‘objects’, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     The vibration system  12 , mounting assembly  14 , chute  18 , and object counting system  22  are provided in a housing  24 . The housing  24  is provided with a user display  26 , and an input panel  28 , as well as a microprocessor  30 . The display  26  indicates the number of tablets counted, and is coupled via the microprocessor  30  to the object counting system  22 . The input panel  28  permits the user to input a number of tablets which the system is to feed, count and dispense to a bottle. A power supply  34  is electrically coupled to the vibration system  12 , the mounting assembly  14 , the object counting system  22 , the display  26  and input panel  28 , and the microprocessor  30 . The object counting system  22  is preferably an optical system which uses an optical sensor array, such as that disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,327, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The optical sensor array of U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,327 includes an orthogonal arrangement of two discrete optical sensors which together sense objects in three dimensions. This sensor arrangement is adapted to sense multiple objects simultaneously falling passed the sensors. Alternatively, the counting system may include any other counter for counting discrete objects which is known in the art. As shown in FIG. 6, the spout  21  includes an upper lip  21   a  at which the spout is preferably removably mounted on two slides  110 ,  112  which holds the spout beneath the chute, but permits removal. The spout is also preferably provided with a gate  114  which prevents dispensing from the spout until lifted, thereby preventing the tablets from spilling from the spout until the user is prepared with a bottle at the exit spout. The spout  21  may be slidably removed from the slides  110 ,  112  for cleaning. In addition, the spout can be removed for transfer of the contents of the spout to another location (with the gate in the closed position), and then inverted to pour the spout contents from the lip end of the spout. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top of the housing  24  preferably includes an upper deck  120 , a lower deck  122 , and a generally vertical wall  124  at the junction thereof. The upper deck  120  includes a circular-portion recess  128  which extends through the wall  124  and which is sized and shaped to receive a preferably substantial portion of a cassette  16 . The recess  128  is preferably approximately 270° in curvature. The mounting assembly  14  is accessible at the recess  128 . The recess  128  also includes a sensor  129  (FIGS. 25 and 26) which senses when a cassette is positioned in the recess. The chute  18  has an entrance  130  on the lower deck  122  which is preferably provided with a shield  132  which partially covers the entrance of the chute. The shield  132  has several functions: it functions as a light shield to prevent stray light from interfering with the optical sensory array of the object counting system  22 , it functions as a object shield to prevent stray objects from falling into the chute and being counted, and it may function as a placement guide to facilitate the rapid placement of a cassette on the mounting assembly  14 . While the shield  132  is preferably a discrete element which may be positioned in the chute, it may alternatively be formed as part of the cassette to provide some or all the same functionality. As such, when the cassette is provided on the mounting assembly, the shield initially would function as a guide to facilitate the placement of a cassette on the mounting assembly, and then shield stray light from the optical sensory array and prevent stray objects from falling into the chute. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 7 through 10, each cassette  16  includes a relatively thin preferably plastic base  40  and a preferably plastic top element comprised of a wall  42  and an annular shelf  43  fixedly coupled to the base such that the base and top element together define a central reservoir portion  44  and a peripheral covered tray portion  46 . The base  40  preferably includes a peripheral wall  48 , and a reservoir wall  50  concentric with the peripheral wall and having an opening  52 . An entry guide  56  is obliquely angled relative to the reservoir wall  50  at the opening  52  and defines a narrow  53  between the end of the entry guide and the peripheral wall which serves as an entry to track area  54 . The base  40  also includes an exit hole  58  adjacent the peripheral wall  48  substantially 270° counterclockwise relative to the entry guide  56 , and an exit guide  60  located relative to the peripheral wall  48  such that tablets traveling between the peripheral wall  48  and the exit guide  60  are directed in a single file to the exit hole  58 . The base  40  preferably includes a return guide  62  which facilitates movement of tablets which have not entered the exit guide  60  in the counterclockwise direction back toward the entry guide. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the opening  52  is defined between the entry guide  56  and a free end  64  of the return guide  62 . Optionally, a shallow concavely curved or sloped channel  66  having a width for guiding a single tablet or capsule is formed in the base  40  adjacent a portion of the peripheral wall  48  from the location of the entry guide  60  counterclockwise to the exit hole  58 . The width of channel is preferably between 0.5-1.5 times the width of the range of tablets or capsules for which the cassette is designed. The base  40  preferably also includes a central circular hole  68 , and a metal plate  70  on the base over the hole  68  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ). The plate  70  includes a hole  71 , and a post  72  is coupled in the hole  71  and extends vertically upwards therefrom. The upper end  74  of the post is threaded. A lid  76  including a central hole  78  is provided on the top element  42  such that the upper end  74  of the post extends through the hole  78 . A knob  80  is threaded onto the post in order to secure the lid  76  on the top element  42  and to enclose the reservoir  44  (FIGS.  7  and  8 ). 
     Preferably the height of each of the peripheral wall  48 , the reservoir wall  50 , and the guides  56 ,  60  and  62  is the same, height H (FIG.  8 ). The shelf  43  rests on the walls  48  and  50  and guides  56 ,  60  and  62  to substantially enclose the tray portion  46  to provide the tray portion with a height H. The height H is preferably substantially 1.2 to 1.8 times the height of a tablet (across the diameter of cylindrical capsules and caplets, or transverse to the flattest surface of a tablet) which is to be stored in and fed from the cassette. In addition, the opening  52  is preferably approximately three to eight tablets in size (across the diameter of cylindrical capsules and caplets or the flattest surface of a tablet). Furthermore, the narrows  53  is preferably approximately two to four tablets in size (across the diameter of cylindrical capsules and caplets or the flattest surface of a tablet). As such, a single cassette is adapted to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of discrete objects toward the exit. Only a few standard cassettes sizes are thereby needed to accommodate all discrete objects for which the counter is primarily adapted: tablets, capsules, caplets, etc. In addition, the manufacture of the cassettes is relatively inexpensive, as the primary material of manufacture is plastic, and the cassette for an individual prescription does not need to be custom manufactured. 
     Referring back to FIG. 5, the cassette  16  is provided with a metal leaf spring  81  having an upturned gate portion  82  extending into and blocking the exit hole  58  of the cassette. A means, e.g., a solenoid  83 , is provided in the housing for automatically opening the gate and permitting the tablets to exit the exit hole  58  of the cassette  16 . The solenoid  83  is mounted on a mounting bracket  99  and has a shaft  83   a  extending thereabove. The solenoid shaft  83   a  preferably does not contact the gate to open the gate. Rather, a magnet  83   b  is provided at the end of the shaft  83   a . When the solenoid  83  is actuated, the magnet  83   b  is moved closer to the leaf spring  81  causing the leaf spring to deflect toward the magnet  83   b  and pull the gate portion  82  from the exit hole  58  to permit the release of tablets in the cassette (FIG.  11 ). Deactivation of the solenoid  83  moves the magnet  83   b  further from the leaf spring  81  such that the bias of the leaf spring overcomes the force of the magnet  83   b , and the exit hole  58  is again closed by the gate portion  82  (FIG.  5 ). Other magnetic, mechanical or electromechanical elements or assemblies may alternatively be used to close and open the exit hole of the cassette. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 and  5 , the cassette  16  preferably also includes two alignment posts  84 ,  85 . The posts  84 ,  85  are preferably equally spaced apart about the exit hole  58 . The posts  84 ,  85  are preferably nondiametrically located, and most preferably separated by approximately 120°. The posts are spaced to align the cassette with the wall  124  on the housing (but preferably not contact the wall) when the cassette  16  is placed on the upper deck  120  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). This ensures alignment of the exit hole  58  over the chute entrance  130 . 
     Cassettes  16  are mounted to the mounting assembly  14  in a manner which permits rapid and secure coupling and decoupling. Preferred coupling means include electromagnetic coupling and power-driven clamping systems. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, with respect to an electromagnetic coupling, the mounting assembly  14  includes a base  86  provided with a preferably cylindrical electromagnet  88  sized to fit snugly at least partially within the hole  68  in the bottom of the cassette and provided adjacent the metal plate  70 . The cassette  16  is provided over the electromagnet  88 , and the electromagnet is activated to cause a secure coupling of the cassette thereto. Conversely, deactivation of the electromagnet permits rapid decoupling of the cassette from the mounting assembly. The base  86  preferably includes a plurality of resilient ball plungers  90  adapted to force the bottom of the cassette  16  from its snug fitting over the electromagnet  88  when the electromagnetic is deactivated. The base  86  is also coupled to two brackets  92  on opposite sides of the base adapted to couple the base to the vibration system  12 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the vibration system  12  includes two shaker elements (electromechanical vibrators known in the art)  94  which are coupled to opposite side walls  96  of a rigid U-shaped block  98 . In turn, the brackets  92  of the mounting assembly  14  are coupled between the shaker elements  94 . The shaker elements  94  are adapted to provide a horizontal circular vibratory motion in the feed direction (FIG. 10) to the mounting assembly and consequently to a cassette rigidly mounted on the mounting assembly. The inertial block  98  is coupled by rubber shock mounts  100  to a support  102  within the housing. The shock mounts  100  substantially prevent vibratory energy from being transferred to the housing  24 . 
     In use, the reservoirs of a plurality of cassettes in a pharmacy setting are each provided with the tablets of a different prescription medicine. If it is then desired to count a fixed or predetermined number (e.g., one hundred) of capsules  104  of a particular prescription into a bottle, the cassette  16  containing the particular prescription is provided on the mounting assembly  14  of the system. This is particularly done by providing the cassette in the recess  128  in an orientation in which the alignment posts align the cassette with the edges of the wall  124 . The desired number of capsules to be counted is then entered via the keypad  28 , a patient prescription bottle is placed adjacent exit spout  21 , and a start button on the keypad is activated. Operation of the start button (1) provides electricity to the electromagnet  88  to temporarily secure the cassette  16  thereon, (2) activates the solenoid  83  to open the gate portion  82  of the leaf spring  81  on the cassette, and (3) operates the vibration system  12  to initiate vibration of the cassette. Referring to FIGS. 3,  8 ,  10  and  14 , when the cassette  16  is vibrated by the vibration system  12 , capsules  104  in the reservoir  44  of the cassette are moved in the counterclockwise feed direction through the opening  52  and the narrow  53  (it being appreciated that for purposes of clarity far fewer capsules than typically present are shown). The height H of the opening  52  and size of the narrow  53  limits too many capsule from entering the track area  54  at one time as the opening height basically guarantees that the capsule will not exit the reservoir in a stacked configuration while the narrow limits the number of capsules simultaneously entering the track area. Referring to FIG. 14, the vibration urges capsules which have passed through the narrow  53  and into the track area  54  to move toward the peripheral wall  48  and into the channel  66 . Generally, the capsules are provided in a quantity to substantially fill the reservoir  44  and crowd the track area  54 . The channel  66  is sized to receive the capsules  104  in a lengthwise orientation. The capsules  104  continue in the channel  66  in a counterclockwise movement through the exit guide  60  and are directed single file toward the exit  58 . The capsules fall through the exit  58 , enter the chute  18 , are each counted by the object counting system  22 , and are dispensed at the spout  21  into a bottle (FIGS.  1  and  3 ). Capsules  104  which do not exit the cassette  16  during a first pass around the track area  54  are guided back toward the narrow by the return guide  62 . The capsules  104  continue traveling around the track area  54  and through the exit  58  until the selected number of capsules is counted, as indicated by the display  26 . Once the system has counted the required number of capsules, the vibration stops, the solenoid releases the gate, and the cassette is released from the mounting assembly. With this system, objects can be fed and counted relatively rapidly, typically from five to twenty per second. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, when the system has counted to near the required number, the vibration system vibrates at a lower amplitude to slow down the rate of counting. This feature substantially prevents overcounts which may occur due to having counted the required number of capsules even though uncounted capsules still exist in the space between the exit hole  58  and the counting system  22 . A slow down system is described in detail in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,703, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     A cassette can easily and rapidly be removed from the system by removing the power to the electromagnet  88 . The ball plungers  90  then push the cassette from over the electromagnet to facilitate manual removal of the cassette from the mounting assembly. A second cassette may then be placed over the electromagnet and power can then be resupplied to the electromagnet to provide a very secure coupling with the second cassette. 
     It is noted that in cassette  16 , all tablets must travel in single file through exit hole  58 . As such, one limitation of the cassette system is the speed at which tablets or other single dose medications can be fed and exited into the chute for counting. In view thereof, a second embodiment of a cassette adapted to feed tablets more rapidly and yield greater system throughput is provided. Turning now to FIGS. 15,  16  and  17 , the second embodiment of the cassette  216  generally includes a reservoir  244  which feeds tablets and other single dose medication to two discrete trays (levels)  254 ,  255 . Each tray is provided with an exit hole  258 ,  259  which feeds the tablets into the chute  18  of the system  10 . More particularly, the cassette  216  includes a base  240  having an upper surface defining the first tray  254 , an intermediate shelf  241  having an upper surface defining the second tray  255 , an annular cover over the shelf  243 , and a cylindrical element  242  over the cover and which defines the reservoir portion  244 . The base  240 , as shown in FIG. 16, is substantially similar to base  40  with the following exception: a second hole  281 , preferably walled-off from exit hole  258  and the remainder of the first tray  254 , is provided preferably adjacent exit hole  258 . The second hole  281  is provided along the periphery of the tray and located counterclockwise from the exit hole  258 . Referring to FIG. 17, the shelf  241  is also substantially similar to base  40  with the following exceptions. First, exit hole  259  is aligned over the second hole  281  on the first tray  254 . Second, the shelf includes a relatively large central opening  283  adapted to permit tablets in the reservoir  244  to pass therethrough and onto the first tray  254 . 
     When tablets are provided into the reservoir, they naturally stack substantially in the formation shown in broken lines in FIG.  15 . As the cassette is vibrated, tablets move from the stack onto the tray and shelf, and peripherally to the tracks  254 ,  255 . From the tracks, the tablets are fed toward the exit holes  258 ,  259 . Tablets exiting exit hole  258  fall directly into the entrance  130  of the chute  18 . Tablets exiting exit hole  259  fall through hole  281  in the first tray and then into the chute  18 . In order to close the exit holes, two leaf spring gates  291 ,  293  are used. Opening of the spring gates may be actuated by two solenoids provided in the housing  24 , each being to adapted to separately open one of the gates. Alternatively, a single solenoid configured to open both gates, e.g., having two arm portions coupled thereto, may be used to operate both gates. Where two solenoids are used, it may be preferable to have one of the solenoids operate to release and close one of the gates when the number of counted tablets approaches the number desired, leaving only one of the gates open. This prevents two tablets from substantially simultaneously falling into the chute (one from each exit hole) when only one additional tablet is needed for a full count. 
     As stated above, the dual sensor array of previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,327 is adapted to sense multiple objects simultaneously falling passed the sensors. As such, it is ideally suited to sense tablets exiting from the two-level cassette. 
     A relatively larger storage capacity is also needed for certain high volume medications dispensed, e.g., by a mail order pharmacy dealing with high prescription volumes. A greater capacity is desired in order to limit the number of times the cassette must be removed for refill. Turning now to FIGS. 18 through 20, a first relatively higher capacity cassette  400 , preferably for use with tablets, is shown. The cassette  400  includes a base  402 , a circumferential side wall  404 , and a lid  406 . As discussed with previous embodiments, the base  402  is provided with an upstanding threaded stud  408 , and the lid  406  includes a hole  410  which is positioned over the top of the stud  408 . A nut  412  may be thread over the exposed portion  414  of the stud  408  to secure the lid  406  against the wall  404 . The base  402 , as also discussed with previous embodiments, includes an exit hole  416  and a releasable gate  418 . 
     According to this embodiment, no large shelf (such as annular shelf  43 ), which limits the capacity of the cassette, is included in the cassette. Rather, the wall  404  is provided with a preferably annular top guide (a lip)  420  about its inside periphery. The annular top guide  420  is positioned preferably more than a height of a tablet above the base  402 , but less than twice the height of a tablet, and preferably 1.2-1.8 times the height of tablet. The top guide  420  has a width of less than twice the diameter of a tablet, and preferably less than 1.5 times the diameter. The height of a tablet is defined as the dimension transverse to the flattest surface of a tablet, while the diameter is the largest dimension, whether or not the tablet is round. The area under the top guide  420  defines a channel  436  which is substantially open along its internal periphery, with the exception of the location leading up to exit hole  416  (extending from a location clockwise of the exit hole  416  toward the exit hole in cassettes adapted to be vibrated in a counterclockwise direction) which is enclosed by a barrier wall  422  such that a tunnel  426  leading to the exit hole is formed with an entrance  428 . A tablet guide  424  is provided on the base  402  clockwise of the barrier wall  422 . The tablet guide  424 , having a height substantially greater than height of the top guide  420 , and preferably more than half the height of the wall  404 , is configured to direct a majority of tablets that are not located under the top guide  420  away from the location at which the annular guide wall starts; i.e., the counterclockwise-most position of the barrier wall  422 . The tablet guide  424  has a preferably tapered leading edge  432  provided circumferentially before the entrance  428  to the tunnel  426  and a terminal edge  434  terminating circumferentially after the entrance  428 . 
     In use, the cassette  400  is filled with tablets. When the cassette is vibrated counterclockwise, some of the tablets move around the wall under the top guide  420  and toward the exit hole  416 . As the tablets move around the base, the guide wall  424  directs some tablets away from the entrance  428  of the tunnel  426  to prevent tablet jamming at the entrance. The tunnel  426  forces the tablets entering therein to be in a single file formation, without tablets stacking one on top of another which could otherwise jam the exit hole  416 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 21 through 24, a second relatively higher capacity cassette  500 , preferably for use with capsules and caplets (hereinafter, collectively ‘capsules’), is shown. The cassette&#39;s base  502 , side wall  504 , lid  506 , exit hole  516  (FIG. 22) and gate  518  (FIG. 21) are preferably configured and coupled as described above with respect to cassette  400 . 
     According to this embodiment, a ramp  520  is provided about a portion of the inside periphery of the wall  504 . The ramp  520  has a width (FIG. 22) less than 1.5 times the diameter of a capsule for which the cassette  500  is intended. The ramp  520  rises from the base  502  in a counterclockwise direction. At the highest rise of the ramp  520 , approaching the exit hole  516 , a barrier  522  is provided to prevent capsules from being caught under the ramp. The barrier  522  is preferably lower than the ramp surface at that location. The exit hole  516  is provided with a cover  532  to prevent capsules which are not directed up the ramp from falling therethrough. A guide  524 , similar to tablet guide  424 , is provided on the base  502 . The guide  524  intersects the ramp  520  at location  529  and thereby ensures that capsules can move up the ramp only in a lengthwise direction; capsules otherwise oriented are removed from the ramp  520  by contacting the guide  524 . 
     In use, the cassette  500  is filled with capsules. When the cassette is vibrated counterclockwise, some of the capsules move against the periphery of the wall and up the ramp  520  toward the exit hole  516 . Capsules which do not properly fit on the ramp  520  fall off at the approach to the exit hole. Capsules which are not on the ramp  520  move around the base  502 , and the guide wall  524  directs such capsules away from a portion of the ramp  520  which approaches the exit hole  516 . This prevents a layer of capsules from forming on the base  502  behind the guide wall  524 . As such, the capsules reach the exit hole  516  in a single file formation, without tablet stacking which could otherwise jam the exit hole. 
     The above cassette embodiments permit rapid dispensing of medications stored in the cassettes. However, there may be medications in a pharmacy which are used with an infrequency such that cassette storage is not warranted. Therefore, turning now to FIGS. 25 and 26, according to another aspect of the invention, the system  10  may be used as a pour-through system. When a cassette  16 ,  216  is not located on the mounting assembly and the shield  132  is removed from over the chute entrance  130 , a funnel  134  into which tablets may be poured is provided in the chute entrance. In this pass-through configuration, no preset number is entered prior to pouring tablets into the funnel. Rather, sensor  129  indicates that a cassette is not being used, and the system  10  is automatically adapted to count tablets passing through the funnel. The number of tablets counted is displayed on the display  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 27, according to another aspect of the invention, a universal bowl feeder  316  can be attached to and detached from the mounting assembly  14 , preferably in the same manner as the cassettes. As such, the bowl feeder  316  is made from metal or made from plastic and provided with a metal insert or bottom plate, as described with respect to the cassettes. This enables the bottom  318  of the feeder  316  to be mounted to the mounting assembly  14 . The feeder  316  has a reservoir  320  which holds tablets, and a ramp  322  designed to feed practically any size or shape tablet or other single dose medication. Bowl feeders with this interior design are available from Kirby Lester Inc. of Stamford, Conn. Referring to FIGS. 4,  15  and  17 , the bowl feeder  316  is positionable within the recess  128  such that the sensor  129  causes the system to enter preset counting mode. A desired number of tablets is entered via the keypad  128 , and a start button on the keypad is then actuated causing the electromagnet of the mounting assembly  14  to secure the feeder  316  thereto, and the vibration system  16  to vibrate the feeder to feed tablets from the reservoir  320 , up a the ramp  322 , and to an exit  324 , where the tablets fall into the chute entrance  130  and are then counted by the object counting system  22 . The feeder accommodates prescriptions which are not provided their own dedicated cassette, but for which a pharmacist does not wish to manually feed tablets until a desired number of tablets is counted. 
     There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of a cassette system for feeding, counting, and dispensing tablets, capsules, caplets, and the like. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while the system is described as being suitable for manual cassette coupling and removal in a pharmacy setting, it will be appreciated that the system may be adapted for a robotic system in a pharmacy setting or otherwise. In addition, while an electromagnetic mounting assembly is preferred, it will be appreciated that other rapid and easy to use coupling systems may also be used. For example, a preferably power-driven mechanical coupling which threadably secures the cassette to the mounting assembly can be used. Further, while cassettes with one and two track layers have been described, it will likewise be appreciated that cassettes with three or more track layers can similarly be used to even more rapidly count tablets. Also, while the feed direction is shown and described as being counterclockwise, it will be appreciated that the shakers can be configured to shake the cassette with clockwise motion, and the guides, narrow, and, in one embodiment, two exit holes can be configured to guide tablets in the clockwise direction toward the exits. Further, while particular opening height and narrow dimensions relative to the tablet size were disclosed as being preferred, it will be appreciated that other dimensions could be utilized. Also, while the system is stated to secure the cassette and to the mounting assembly upon activation of a start button, it will be appreciated that locking may occur based upon the sensor recognizing a cassette or bowl feeder being placed on the mounting assembly. In addition, the release of the gate by the solenoid and the release of the cassette or bowl feeder from the mounting assembly may be triggered by means other than described. Furthermore, the funnel may be permanently coupled to the housing in a manner which permits placement and removal of a cassette in conjunction with the funnel. Also, the system may include a two-layer cassette and have two separate feeds each having a one-dimensional optical system for sensing tablets passing through the feeds, the feeds then going to a common chute or exit spout. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.