초록 ▼

The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corre

The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted to a cradle and the screw and cradle combination is positioned within the canister so that it is generally parallel to the base of the canister. By virtue of being removably mounted, screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the cradle within canister. A removable shelf is mounted to at least one interior side of the cradle and is positioned near the proximal end of the screw and cradle combination.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A canister for dispensing an article of a predetermined size and shape, comprising:a. A screw, said screw having a distal and a proximal end;b. A channel on the external surface of said screw, said channel being of a predetermined width and depth corresponding to the dimensions of said

We claim: 1. A canister for dispensing an article of a predetermined size and shape, comprising:a. A screw, said screw having a distal and a proximal end;b. A channel on the external surface of said screw, said channel being of a predetermined width and depth corresponding to the dimensions of said article;c. A cradle having a proximal and a distal end into which said screw is removably mounted;d. A hollow body having a base surface, said body adapted to receive said screw mounted in said cradle and position of said screw in a position generally parallel to said base surface wherein:i. the distal end of said screw and cradle combination abuts a distal wall of said body, andii. a proximal end of said screw and cradle combination abuts an aperture in a proximal wall of said body;e. A singulation blade mounted within said body near the proximal end of the cradle;f. A removable shelf mounted to at least one interior side of said cradle, at least a portion of said shelf is positioned:i. near the proximal end of said screw and cradle combination; andii. corresponding to the dimensions of said article, so that said screw channel and said shelf encase a portion of said article; andg. A rotational driver-coupling mounted to the proximal end of the screw.