U.S. patent application number 13/445225 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for two-piece helical feeder tube for filling containers with pills.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aylward Enterprises. Invention is credited to David Parrish, Brian Tomlinson, Greg Wile, John Winters.
Application Number | 20120261433 13/445225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47005676 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parrish; David ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
TWO-PIECE HELICAL FEEDER TUBE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH PILLS
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of
manufacturing a pill delivery apparatus. The method includes
providing an inner core having an outer surface and providing an
outer sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer
sleeve having an inner surface. Further, the method includes
defining a passageway on the outer surface of the inner core such
that positioning the outer sleeve over the inner core defines a
delivery chute for delivering a plurality of pills between the
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
Inventors: |
Parrish; David;
(Youngsville, NC) ; Winters; John; (Winston-Salem,
NC) ; Wile; Greg; (New Bern, NC) ; Tomlinson;
Brian; (New Bern, NC) |
Assignee: |
Aylward Enterprises
|
Family ID: |
47005676 |
Appl. No.: |
13/445225 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61475048 |
Apr 13, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/1 ; 221/171;
221/282; 29/455.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 33/04 20130101;
B65B 1/06 20130101; B23P 17/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B65D 83/04 20130101; B23P 11/00 20130101; B65G 59/00 20130101; Y10T
29/49879 20150115; B65B 39/007 20130101; B65G 11/063 20130101; Y10T
29/49881 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/1 ; 221/282;
221/171; 29/455.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65G 59/00 20060101 B65G059/00; B23P 17/00 20060101
B23P017/00; B23P 11/00 20060101 B23P011/00 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a feeder tube for a pill delivery
apparatus, the method comprising: providing an inner core having an
outer surface; providing an outer sleeve comprising an opening
defined therethrough, the outer sleeve having an inner surface; and
defining a passageway on the outer surface of the inner core such
that positioning the outer sleeve over the inner core defines a
delivery chute for delivering a plurality of pills between the
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein defining comprises
defining a helical passageway within the outer surface of the inner
core so as to define a helical delivery chute between the helical
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the inner core comprises
an inlet side and an exit side opposed to the inlet side, and
wherein defining comprises defining a helical passageway between
the inlet side and the exit side.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the helical delivery
chute is configured to rotate each pill at least one revolution as
the pill proceeds therethrough and deliver pills therethrough such
that each of a plurality of pills successively delivered through
the helical delivery chute is oriented at successive rotational
positions along the helical delivery chute so as to prevent jamming
of the pills with respect to the other pills in the delivery
chute.
5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising forming an
opening in an outer tube to define the outer sleeve.
6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising forming at
least one aperture in the outer sleeve and through the opening, the
aperture configured to receive a pin therethrough such that the pin
extends into the passageway.
7. A method according to claim 2, wherein defining comprises
defining a helical passageway such that the helical delivery chute
is configured to rotate each pill a plurality of revolutions as the
pill proceeds therethrough.
8. A method according to claim 2, wherein defining comprises
defining a helical passageway disposed offset from a centerline of
the inner core.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inner core and the
outer sleeve comprise aluminum.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inner core and the
outer sleeve comprise a plastic material.
11. A method of assembling a pill delivery apparatus, the method
comprising: providing an inner core having an outer surface and a
passageway defined on the outer surface thereof; providing an outer
sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer sleeve
having an inner surface; and positioning the outer sleeve over the
inner core such that a delivery chute for delivering pills is
defined between the passageway and the inner surface of the outer
sleeve.
12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising operably
engaging at least one of the inner core or the outer sleeve with a
tray adapted to contain a plurality of pills thereon, the delivery
chute configured to deliver each pill among the pills within the
tray to a container.
13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising operably
engaging a pin within an aperture defined in the outer sleeve such
that the pin extends into the passageway.
14. A pill delivery apparatus adapted to deliver pills to a
container, the apparatus comprising: an inner core having an outer
surface and a passageway defined on the outer surface thereof; and
an outer sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the
outer sleeve having an inner surface, wherein the outer sleeve is
configured to be positioned over the inner core such that a
delivery chute for delivering pills is defined between the
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
15. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the passageway comprises a
helical passageway defined within the outer surface of the inner
core so as to define a helical delivery chute between the helical
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
16. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the helical delivery chute is
configured to rotate each pill at least one revolution as the pill
proceeds therethrough and deliver pills therethrough such that each
of a plurality of pills successively delivered through the helical
delivery chute is oriented at successive rotational positions along
the helical delivery chute so as to prevent jamming of the pills
with respect to the other pills in the delivery chute.
17. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the helical passageway is
disposed offset from a centerline of the inner core.
18. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inner core comprises an
inlet side and an exit side opposed to the inlet side, and wherein
the helical passageway extends from the inlet side to the exit
side.
19. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the helical passageway is
configured to rotate each pill a plurality of revolutions as the
pill proceeds therethrough.
20. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inner core and the outer
sleeve comprise aluminum.
21. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inner core and the outer
sleeve comprise a plastic material.
22. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the outer sleeve comprises at
least one aperture defined therein and through the opening, the
aperture configured to receive a pin therethrough such that the pin
extends into the passageway.
23. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inner core is generally
cylindrical in shape.
24. A feeder tube adapted to deliver pills to a container, the
feeder tube comprising: an inner core having an outer surface and a
passageway defined on the outer surface thereof; and an outer
sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the opening
having an inner surface, wherein the outer sleeve is configured to
be positioned over the inner core such that a delivery chute for
delivering pills is defined between the passageway and the inner
surface of the outer sleeve.
25. A method of delivery pills comprising: delivering a plurality
of pills through a delivery chute to at least one container, the
delivery chute defined between an inner core and an outer sleeve
positioned over the inner core, wherein a passageway is defined in
an outer surface of the inner core such that the delivery chute is
defined between the passageway and an inner surface of an opening
defined in the outer sleeve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to pill packaging and, more
particularly, to apparatuses and methods for delivering and
packaging pills, tablets, capsules, and the like.
[0003] 2) Description of Related Art.
[0004] Pharmaceutical products such as pills, tablets, capsules,
caplets, gel caps, dragees, and the like are often packaged in
containers such as bottles, pouches, blister packages, sachets, or
boxes. Each container may comprise a plurality of pill receptacles
that are to be individually filled with one or more pills. This
procedure is preferably performed by an automated machine capable
of precisely and accurately delivering the pills at a high rate of
speed. Conventional packaging machines include a plurality of
dispensing tubes and chutes that guide the pills toward the pill
receptacles. Precise orientation and placement of the pills can be
critical to the process, for example when the pills are placed into
a disposable pouch that is subsequently covered with foil. A
packaging apparatus may include a tray for supporting an
accumulation of pills over a drop chute. The tray is reciprocally
raised and lowered to cause the pills to fall through an opening in
the tray and into a tube that extends through the opening of the
tray. The pills fall through the tube and into the drop chute,
which guides the pills toward a container.
[0005] Although this type of feeder has achieved commercial
acceptance, problems may arise if the tube or drop chute becomes
blocked with pills. Blockage of the tube or drop chute can occur if
adjacent pills shingle upon one another. Shingling occurs when a
pill becomes wedged between an adjacent pill and the wall of the
tube or chute. For example, shingling can occur in a dispensing
tube where the pills are stopped by pins that control the rate of
release of the pills. The shingling of the pills prevents the pills
from falling though the tube when the pins are retracted from the
tube. Further, blockage of the tube or drop chute may arise if the
surface of the tube or drop chute is too rough, which impedes the
motion of the pills. Blockage within the tubes can increase
maintenance costs, reduce the speed of the packaging process, and
cause some pill receptacles to go unfilled. Unfilled pill
receptacles result in defective packages, which may necessitate
rework, thereby increasing packaging costs.
[0006] In order to reduce the likelihood of blockage, some tubes
are designed to be only slightly larger than the pills that fall
therethrough so that there is insufficient space between a pill and
the wall of the tube for another pill to fit. However, the size of
the pills is determined in part by the composition of the pill
material, and therefore pill sizes may vary from lot to lot. Thus,
keeping the tube size closely matched to the pill size can
necessitate different sized tubes for different lots, even if
successive lots contain similar pills. The need for additional
tubes increases the average expense of operating the machine.
Additionally, changing the tubes between each lot requires stopping
the machine and, hence, decreases the throughput. Moreover,
shingling can still occur even when tubes are changed for each lot,
especially if there are variations in pill size within a single lot
of pills. The particular characteristics of some pills, such as
shape, hardness, surface roughness, and the like, can also increase
the likelihood of shingling.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for an improved packaging apparatus
for delivering and placing pills and the like into pill receptacles
and containers. Such an apparatus should not have the disadvantages
associated with conventional systems and should be able to
precisely and reliably place pills into pill receptacles in a
desired orientation. Such an apparatus should decrease the risk of
blockage of pills within the tube, for example, by shingling, and
should also increase the likelihood and efficiency of delivering
pills into the tube. Further, such an apparatus should be easy to
fabricate and should be constructed from durable materials.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
method of manufacturing a feeder tube for a pill delivery
apparatus. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing an
inner core having an outer surface and providing an outer sleeve
comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer sleeve having
an inner surface. Further, the method includes defining a
passageway on the outer surface of the inner core such that
positioning the outer sleeve over the inner core defines a delivery
chute for delivering a plurality of pills between the passageway
and the inner surface of the outer sleeve. Another embodiment of
the present invention includes a method of forming an opening in an
outer tube so as to define the outer sleeve. One embodiment of the
present invention includes forming at least one aperture in the
outer sleeve and through an opening, the aperture being configured
to receive a pin therethrough such that the pin extends into the
passageway of the inner core.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise
defining a helical passageway within the outer surface of the inner
core so as to define a helical delivery chute between the helical
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve. In another
embodiment, the inner core and the outer sleeve each comprises an
inlet side and an exit side, the helical passageway extending
between the inlet side and the exit side of the inner core.
Further, the helical delivery chute may be configured to rotate
each pill at least one revolution as the pill proceeds therethrough
and deliver pills therethrough such that each of a plurality of
pills successively delivered through the helical delivery chute is
oriented at successive rotational positions along the helical
delivery chute so as to prevent jamming of the pills with respect
to the other pills in the delivery chute. Further, the passageway
may be a helical passageway disposed offset from a centerline of
the inner core.
[0010] According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise
forming an inner core from a material, such as aluminum, to define
an inner core for delivering pills to a container, the inner core
having an inlet side and an exit side opposed to the inlet side and
defining a passageway extending between the inlet side and the exit
side. Further, the method may comprise forming an outer sleeve from
a material, such as aluminum, to define an outer sleeve having an
opening therethrough, the outer sleeve having an inner surface. In
another embodiment, the method may further comprise forming an
inner core and an outer sleeve from a plastic material.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention may include a pill
delivery apparatus comprising an inner core having an outer surface
and a passageway defined on the outer surface thereof, and an outer
sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer sleeve
having an inner surface. Further, the outer sleeve may be
configured to be positioned over the inner core such that a
delivery chute for delivering pills is defined between the
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The apparatus
may further comprise a helical passageway defined within the outer
surface of the inner core so as to define a helical delivery chute
between the helical passageway and the inner surface of the outer
sleeve. Further still, the helical passageway may be disposed
offset from a centerline of the inner core.
[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention may include a
method of assembling a pill delivery apparatus. The method may
comprise providing an inner core having an outer surface and a
passageway defined on the outer surface thereof and providing an
outer sleeve comprising an opening defined therethrough, the outer
sleeve having an inner surface. Further, the method may comprise
positioning the outer sleeve over the inner core such that a
delivery chute for delivering pills is defined between the
passageway and the inner surface of the outer sleeve.
[0013] In another embodiment, the method may further comprise
operably engaging at least one of the inner core or the outer
sleeve with a tray adapted to contain a plurality of pills thereon.
The delivery chute may be configured to deliver each pill among the
plurality of pills within the tray to a container. Further, the
method may include engaging a pin within an aperture defined in the
outer sleeve such that the pin extends into the passageway.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
feeder tube adapted to deliver pills to a container, the feeder
tube comprising an inner core having an outer surface and a
passageway defined on the outer surface thereof. The feeder tube
may also include an outer sleeve comprising an opening defined
therethrough, the opening including an inner surface. In addition,
the outer sleeve may be configured to be positioned over the inner
core such that a delivery chute for delivering pills is defined
between the passageway and the inner surface of the outer
sleeve.
[0015] One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of
delivering pills comprising delivering a plurality of pills through
a delivery chute to at least one container. The delivery chute may
be defined between an inner core and an outer sleeve positioned
over the inner core, wherein a passageway is defined in an outer
surface of the inner core such that the delivery chute is defined
between the passageway and an inner surface of an opening defined
in the outer sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0016] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are exemplary only,
and should not be construed as limiting the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a feeder tube according
to one embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of an outer sleeve of a
feeder tube according to one embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 2b is a side view of an inner core of a feeder tube
according to one embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3a is a front view of an exemplary pill for use with
embodiments of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3b is a side view of the exemplary pill for use with
embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3a;
[0022] FIG. 3c is a front view of another exemplary pill for use
with embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3d is a side view of the exemplary pill for use with
embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3c; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary pill delivery
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather; these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention may provide
improvements over the prior art by, among other things, providing a
feeder tube 10 for a pill delivery apparatus for delivering pills 5
from a tray 50 to a plurality of pill receptacles in containers, as
shown in FIG. 4. One embodiment of such a feeder tube 10 is shown
in FIG. 1, which as described in greater detail below, provides an
improved technique for delivering pills to containers.
[0027] The term "pill" is used herein throughout, but this term is
not intended to be limiting and includes any discrete articles of
the type used in the pharmaceutical industry or otherwise
including, but not limited to, capsules, caplets, gel caps,
dragees, and tablets. Similarly, the receiving container can be any
one of a number of configurations that provide an opening for
receiving pills 5 therein, such as bottles, pouches, blister
packages, sachets, or boxes. Each container may comprise a
plurality of individual pill receptacles that are to be separately
filled with one or more pills 5, as is the case for a
multi-receptacle disposable pouch. Alternatively, each container
may receive a plurality of pills 5 into a single common space, as
is the case for a conventional pill bottle.
[0028] One embodiment of a feeder tube 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-2b.
The feeder tube 10 includes an outer sleeve 20 and an inner core
30. The outer sleeve 20 includes an opening or a bore 26 extending
therethrough so as to define an inner surface 22 and an outer
surface 23. In particular, the outer sleeve 20 may include a bore
26 extending from an outer sleeve inlet side 24 to an outer sleeve
exit side 25. In this embodiment, the outer surface 23 defines a
substantially right circular cylinder. However, in other
embodiments, the outer surface 23 may define other shapes or
contours, including, for example, a helical outer contour, a
rectangular contour, and/or other shaped contours.
[0029] According to one embodiment, the feeder tube 10 includes an
inner core 30. The inner core 30 may include an inner core inlet
side 34 and an inner core exit side 35. The inner core inlet side
34 may correspond with the outer sleeve inlet side 24, and the
inner core exit side 35 may correspond with the outer sleeve exit
side 25. Further, the inner core 30 may comprise an outer surface
33, the outer surface defining a passageway 32 thereon such that
positioning the outer sleeve 20 over the inner core 30 defines a
delivery chute for delivering a plurality of pills 5 between the
passageway 32 and the inner surface 22 of the outer sleeve.
Further, positioning the outer sleeve 20 over the inner core 30
defines a delivery chute for delivering a plurality of pills 5 from
the inlet side 24, 34 of the inner core and the outer sleeve to the
exit side 25, 35 of the inner core and the outer sleeve. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the bore 26 of the outer
sleeve 20 is configured to receive the inner core 30 therethrough
so as to be coupled together. The inner core 30 may be a variety of
shapes corresponding to the shape of the outer sleeve 20, such as
cylindrical. The inner core may be coupled to the outer sleeve
using a variety of techniques, such as for example, by a friction
fit, welding, fasteners, adhesives, or bond.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer
surface 33 of the inner core may define a helical passageway 32
thereon such that a helical delivery chute is defined between the
helical passageway and the inner surface 22 of the outer sleeve.
Thus, the helical delivery chute 40 may be defined in part by the
inner surface 22 of the outer sleeve and the helical passageway 32.
Accordingly, the helical delivery chute 40 may comprise a helical
passageway 32 defined in the outer surface 33 of the inner core. As
such, when the inner core 30 is coupled to the outer sleeve 20 and
is disposed within the bore 26 of the outer sleeve, the inner
surface 22 of the outer sleeve, along with the passageway 32
collectively define, in part, the helical delivery chute 40 of the
feeder tube. Furthermore, the helical delivery chute 40 may extend
from an inlet side of the feeder tube to an exit side of the feeder
tube. Although described above that the passageway 32 is defined on
the outer surface 33 of the inner core, it is understood that in
another embodiment, the passageway may be defined on the inner
surface 22 of the outer sleeve. Thus, the delivery chute may be
defined between a passageway 32 on the outer sleeve 20 and an inner
core 30 without a passageway (e.g., a smooth outer surface).
[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer
sleeve 20 includes at least one aperture 21 which extends from the
outer surface 23 to the inner surface 22 of the outer sleeve. The
at least one aperture 21 may be configured to receive a pin
therethrough. Further, the outer sleeve 20 and the inner core 30
may be rotationally aligned when coupled together such that the at
least one aperture 21 may provide access to the passageway 32 of
the inner core 30, and accordingly, the helical delivery chute 40.
The feeder tube may include at least one such aperture configured
to receive a pin 29 therethrough, the pin 29 configured to extend
through the aperture and into the passageway so as to block
movement within the helical delivery chute 40. As such, according
to one embodiment, the feeder tube may include a pin configured to
selectively permit the flow of pills through the helical delivery
chute, the pin being engaged by a controller to selectively permit
the flow of pills. In one embodiment, the pin 29 is formed of a
thin, flexible material such as a polymer or metal. In one
advantageous embodiment, the pin is formed of Delrin.RTM., a
product of DuPont.
[0032] The helical delivery chute 40 has the shape of a helical
elongate member. The term "helical" in the context of embodiments
of the present invention is meant to include a shape defined in the
path of a helix, for example a circular helix, which spirals about,
and is offset from, a central axis. In the case of a circular
helix, the offset distance between the centerline of the helix and
the central axis is the same at all points along the centerline. It
is understood that the offset distance may be increased or
decreased, and need not necessarily be a circular helix, depending
on the type of pill and rate of delivery among other factors. In
one particular embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
2b, the helical delivery chute is disposed offset from a centerline
of the inner core.
[0033] Two characteristic measures of a helical, thread-like shape
are pitch and lead length. Pitch is defined as the distance between
successive similar sections of the helical delivery chute 40 that
occur in a path parallel to the central axis of the helical
delivery chute 40. Lead length is the distance that each pill 5
travels in the direction of the central axis of the helical
delivery chute 40 as the pill rotates one revolution. For example,
the pill may rotate at least one complete revolution between the
inlet and outlet of the inner core. Thus, the pitch and lead length
may determine the number of rotations of the pill as the pill
proceeds through the feeder tube. Increasing the lead length of the
delivery chute may permit each pill to slide more easily through
the chute, while decreasing the lead length may decrease the
incidence of shingling of the pills upon one another. Thus, the
ideal lead length for a particular type of pill varies depending on
the characteristics of the pill, including the shape, size, and
surface texture, as well as the variation in characteristics
between pills of a common lot.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1-2b, the helical delivery chute 40 may
have a cross-sectional shape of a polygon, such as a rectangle,
which is uniformly rotated along the length of the helical delivery
chute 40. The polygon shape of the cross section of the helical
delivery chute 40 corresponds to the shape of the inlet 34 and exit
35 of the inner core 30. The common shape of the cross section of
the helical delivery chute 40, inlet 34, and exit 35 of the inner
core is designed to accommodate and correspond to the shape of the
pills 5, which are fed through the helical delivery chute 40 of the
feeder tube 10. The pills 5 may have a variety of shapes such as,
for instance, a pill defining a major dimension 6 and first and
second transverse dimensions 7, 8. An exemplary pill 5 is shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first and second transverse dimensions 7, 8
are perpendicular to the major dimension 6, and the first
transverse dimension 7 may be shorter than the second transverse
dimension 8. The second transverse dimension 8 is equal to or
shorter than the length of the major dimension 6. Additionally,
when the pills 5 are disposed in the helical delivery chute 40 and
proceeding in a direction generally parallel to the direction of
the major dimension 6, the first and second transverse dimensions
7, 8 generally correspond to the dimensions of the cross section of
the helical delivery chute 40. As the pills 5 proceed, for example,
by falling through the helical delivery chute 40, each pill 5 is
forced to rotate about an axis parallel to its major dimension
6.
[0035] FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate another exemplary pill 5a, which
defines opposed surfaces 11a, 11b and an elliptical portion 12
therebetween. The pill 5a similarly defines the major and first and
second transverse dimensions 6, 7, 8. The opposed surfaces 11a, 11b
are convexly curved such that the first transverse dimension 7 is
the equal to a sum of a width of the elliptical portion 12 and an
eccentricity of each of the surfaces 11a, 11b. It has been observed
that a relatively shorter lead length may be preferred for pills 5a
with surfaces 11a, 11b of increased eccentricity, and a longer lead
length may be preferred for pills 5a with wider elliptical portions
12. For example, in one embodiment, the first transverse dimension
of the pill 5a is about 0.125 inches, the elliptical portion 12
being about 0.060 inches in width and each surface 11a, 11b having
an eccentricity of about 0.0325 inches, and the lead length of the
helical delivery chute is about 2 inches. It is understood that the
pills 5, 5a as well as other alternative shapes and sizes of the
pills 5, 5a can be used with embodiments of the feeder tube and
packaging apparatus of the present invention.
[0036] Due to the rotation of the pills 5 as they proceed through
the helical delivery chute 40, adjacent pills 5 in the helical
delivery chute 40 are positioned in successive rotational
positions. Thus, if multiple pills 5 are positioned adjacently in
the helical delivery chute 40, the first transverse dimension 7 of
each pill 5 is not parallel to the first transverse dimension 7 of
the immediately adjacent pills 5. The successively rotated
positions of the adjacent pills 5 decrease the likelihood that each
pill 5 will become wedged between an adjacent pill 5 and the
helical delivery chute 40. Thus, the pills 5 are less likely to
shingle upon one another and block passage of pills 5 through the
helical delivery chute 40.
[0037] A packaging apparatus may include a pill delivery apparatus
supported by a frame. The pill delivery apparatus may include a
feeder tube 10 as described above, a tray 50 located above the
feeder tube 10, and a drop chute located below the feeder tube 10.
The pills are disposed on the tray and fed into the delivery chute
of the feeder tube 10. After falling through the feeder tube, the
pills enter the drop chute, which further guides the pills toward
the receptacles. In one embodiment, the tray 50 may be rotatable
and/or displaceable to facilitate delivery of the pills through the
feeder tube. Moreover, the packaging apparatus may also include a
conveyor for moving containers adjacent to the pill delivery
apparatus for filling the containers. Further details regarding the
delivery of pills using an exemplary packaging apparatus may be
found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,066,350, 7,007,821, 7,124,912, and
7,892,473 to Aylward, each of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
feeder tubes 10 and other components of the pill delivery apparatus
may be formed from a variety of materials including, but not
limited to, plastic, aluminum, steel, or other polymers or metals.
The choice of material depends upon such factors as material cost,
manufacturing time and cost, and such material characteristics as
strength, durability, flexibility, and surface roughness. In one
advantageous embodiment, the feeder tube 10 and other components of
the pill delivery apparatus are formed of Delrin.RTM., a product of
DuPont. In another embodiment of the present invention, the feeder
tube 10 and other components of the pill delivery apparatus are
formed of aluminum.
[0039] The feeder tubes 10 can be formed by injection molding,
casting, fused deposition modeling, or a variety of rapid
prototyping methods such as computer numerical control machining In
one preferred embodiment, the outer sleeve 20 and the inner core 30
of the feeder tube 10 is formed by computer numerical control
machining, in which a material, such as aluminum, is machined by
milling, drilling, tapping, reaming, boring, grooving, and other
machining processes that are traditionally known in the art. As
such, the computer aided machining process provides at least one
advantageous aspect of the present invention, such as precise and
accurate manufacturing of the inner core and outer sleeve. For
example, CNC machining may be employed to form the inner core, form
the outer sleeve, define the passageway in the inner core, and/or
form the opening in the outer sleeve. By using such forming
techniques, the passageway may be smooth and uninterrupted, as well
as dimensionally consistent, while the inner core and outer sleeve
may be formed of durable materials. For example, FIGS. 1-2b
illustrate a feeder tube 10 according to one embodiment of the
invention that has been formed by computer numerical control
machining.
[0040] It will be understood that a pill delivery apparatus
according to embodiments of the present invention can comprise any
number of feeder tubes 10 for simultaneously filling a plurality of
containers or pill receptacles. Each feeder tube 10 can include any
number of helical delivery chutes 40. Also, while drop chutes are
used in exemplary embodiments described above, the feeder tubes 10,
in an alternative embodiment, may guide the pills 5 directly to the
containers or pill receptacles. The feeder tubes 10 and the drop
chutes may also be straight or curved along the length thereof.
[0041] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may
provide advantages and improvements over the prior art for
manufacturing a feeder tube for a pill delivery apparatus. In
addition, embodiments of the present invention may provide
advantages over the prior art for delivering and packaging pills,
tablets, capsules, and the like. One advantageous aspect of
embodiments of the present invention includes easier methods of
fabricating, forming, or machining a feeder tube for a pill
delivery apparatus. Unlike other manufacturing methods, such as
filament deposit methods, embodiments of the present invention may
provide smoother and more dimensionally consistent internal
passageways, which may allow for the usage of such a feeder tube on
otherwise problematic pill shapes, sizes, or surfaces.
[0042] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *