GB2341600A - A dispenser for filling containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of slats 36 are conveyed along a closed path by a conveying system 30 of belts and pulleys in a housing cabinet 18. The pulleys are located in recesses that are provided in an inner casing 32 of the housing cabinet and the belts are guided along the closed path by grooves 46 that are formed in the inner casing. The grooves also retain lateral ends of the slats on the belts during the closed path movement of the slats. A brush back assembly 26 is disclosed, as is a belt vibrator. Articles 1 in hopper 10 fall into cavities in the slats and a quantity are dispensed into funnel 22.

Description

2341600 SLAT COUNTER AND FILLER METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH INTEGRA TED SLA

T- CONVEYING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENITION 5

A provisional application, Serial No. 60/100,819, corresponding to the subject application for utility patent was filed on September 15, 1998 and priority of this filing date is claimed.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for counting discrete articles or elements, such as capsules, tablets, caplets, dragees, desiccants, or other similar articles, and accurately filling a predetermined number of the articles into containers. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus having an integral slat hopper and conveying assembly which provides an enhanced system.

In the past, machines have been developed for counting discrete articles and filling a predetermined number in containers. These devices often have a series of slats arranged on a conveying system to be conveyed along a closed path for counting the articles and filling them into containers for packaging. Such machines are the subject of the present invention and are referred to as slat counters and fillers, or simply slat counters.

-I- A slat counter that is used to count articles such as capsules, tablets, caplets, etc., and to fill them in containers for packaging requires regular cleaning to remove dust and other debris. In this, since the handled items will ultimately be consumed by humans it is essential to maintain and operate the machine in clean and hygienic condition. Slat counters known in the past typically have an outer cabinet housing and a conveying system that carries a series of slats with a predetermined number of holes or cavities for retaining articles that are to be counted and filled in containers in predetermined quantities. Generally, the cabinet of these prior art slat counters is made of aluminum. A stainless steel chain, and a system of sprockets and shafts to drive the chain, are provided inside the cabinet with separate guides for the chain and the slats. These slat counters typically have several shafts located inside the cabinet to drive and guide the chain. A separate hopper is also provided for conveying the articles to the slats.

During a counting and filling operation, the product is delivered, via 2 ep the hopper, to the cavities in the slats and is retained in the cavities as the slats are conveyed by the chain along a closed path that leads from the hopper to a discharge funnel for filling the product into containers. An arrangement of brushes and a motor to rotate the brushes, known in the art :5 as a rotating brush-back assembly, is provided for sweeping surplus articles off the slats so that any articles that exceed predetermined quantities to be filled in containers are not conveyed to the discharge funnel. As the slats are conveyed, they tilt from a generally horizontal position at the time product is introduced into the cavities to a generally vertical and then inverted position 5 so that product in the cavities drops into the discharge funnel for filling :5 containers located at an outlet of the funnel. A desired number of articles or elements can be filled in containers for further packaging, as necessary or desirable, by providing a predetermined number of cavities in each slat and an appropriate number of slats in the conveying system.

Slat counters of the type described are difficult to clean because of numerous internal parts, crevices, and obscure areas, which may collect dust and other debris. In the past, such contaminants have been difficult to remove. Moreover, the chain and its related parts require lubrication, which tends to retain dust and other debris making it even more difficult and tedious to properly clean the conveying system. In prior art systems, removal of the chain for cleaning and changeover of a conveying system requires use of tools and is a cumbersome and time consuming process. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus that makes clean-up and changeover of a conveying assembly simpler, easier and quicker, thereby reducing machine downtime and the possibility of inadvertent product contamination with dust and/or other contaminants that might be trapped in the conveying system.

In addition, in order to change the count and/or size of the articles requires changing the slats. In prior systems, this would require special tools and would involve considerable time, effort and downtime of the line.

Still further, in prior systems maintaining proper alignment of slats and chains was problematic. 10 The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which demonstrate that prior art slat counter method and apparatus of the type described herein will admit to worthwhile improvement. 15

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus which will obviate or 20 minimize difficulties of the type previously described.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus, which exhibits both high speed and accuracy including a unified, composite frame and Ming mechanism with an integrated conveying assembly. 5 It is another speciflc object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and Mer method and apparatus which has a reduced number of internal parts and surface areas that require cleaning.

It is yet another specifle object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filer method and apparatus having a housing cabinet with operative surfaces that can be facilely and thoroughly cleaned without requiring special tools.

It is yet another specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and flier method and apparatus having an integrated slat-conveying assembly that is easier to changeover.

It is still another specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus having a chain or belt that does not require lubrication, can be easily cleaned and maintained in alignment with slats.

It is another specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus having easily removable inner parts, which can be disassembled without special tools, for cleaning and changeover of a set of slats and/or a conveying assembly. 5 It is another specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus having a variable speed motor and brush arrangement for brushing off excess articles that are deposited on the slats with the drive motor housed within the brush assembly. 10 It is yet another specific object of the invention to provide an improved slat counter and filler method and apparatus having a single drive shaft that can be easily removed for cleaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A slat counter and filler method and apparatus operable to achieve at least some of the foregoing objects includes a system, for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles, having a housing cabinet with an inner surface. An inlet is provided for receiving articles into the cabinet and an outlet for discharging a predetermined quantity of the articles from the cabinet. A plurality of elongated slats in the cabinet have cavities for receiving the predetermined quantity of the articles to be conveyed from the inlet to the outlet. A conveying system is provided for conveying the slats such that articles in the slat cavities are carried from the inlet to the outlet and the inner surface of the cabinet has grooves therein for guiding the conveying system during the closed path movement and for retaining lateral ends of the slats on the conveying system during the closed path movement. The conveying system includes belts for carrying the slats in the closed path movement and a pulley system for moving the belts along the closed path.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the slat counter and filler method and apparatus include an integrated frame and filling mechanism. The conveying system has belts for carrying the slats in the closed path movement and a pulley system for moving the belts along the closed path. The inner surface of the cabinet has recesses therein for housing the pulley system and grooves extending from the recesses for guiding the belts during the closed path movement and for retaining lateral ends of the slats on the belts during the closed path movement. The cabinet has an outer rigid casing and the inner surface of the housing composed of plastic material. The inlet comprises a hopper at the top of the cabinet and the outlet comprises a discharge funnel located at a front portion of the cabinet and generally below the hopper. The inner surface of the cabinet, the hopper C5 and the discharge funnel comprise a generally continuous inner surface whereby crevices and gaps inside the housing cabinet in which dust and debris could lodge are substantially eliminated.

The recesses for housing the pulley system and the grooves for guiding the belts and retaining the slats on the belts are formed in the inner plastic surface of the cabinet. The cabinet has opposing, inner side walls with the recesses for housing the pulley system and the closed path is a generally triangular closed path. The pulley system has three pairs of pulleys with each pair of pulleys being located at a corresponding corner of the generally triangular closed path and each pulley of the pair being recessed in a corresponding recess in the opposing, inner side walls so as to be opposite to the other pulley of the pair.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles includes the steps of receiving articles into a housing cabinet having an inner surface; conveying a predetermined quantity of the articles received into the cabinet along a closed path by receiving the predetermined quantity in cavities provided in a plurality of elongated slats and moving the slats in the closed path by a conveying system in the cabinet; guiding the conveying system during the closed path movement and retaining lateral ends of the slats on the conveying system during the closed path movement with grooves provided in the inner surface of the cabinet; and discharging the predetermined quantity of the articles from the cabinet into series of containers. The articles are selected from a group consisting of capsules, tablets, caplets, dragees, desiccants, and pills and/or other articles of a regular geometric configuration to be deposited into a container.

DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an axonometric view of a slat counter and filler in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a side view of a slat counter and filler, 5 in accordance with the present invention, mounted on a base; FIGURE 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of the slat counter and filler, taken along section line 3-3 in Figure 2 which is just inside a side wall of the slat counter; 10 FIGURE 4 (note again sheet 2) is an illustration of a view, partially in cross-section, taken along section line 4-4 in Figure 2 and discloses interior detail of the slat counter and filler; is FIGURE 5, note sheet 4, is an enlarged illustration of a front view of a discharge funnel of the slat counter and filler depicted in Figure 1; FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial view, in cross-section, of an upper portion of the slat counter and filler, as shown in Figure 4; 20 FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view and shows a drive assembly for use with the slat counter and filler of the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of an idler pulley of the slat counter and filler; FIGURE 9 depicts the pulley of Figure 8 with the belt, profile and slat removed; FIGURES 10(a-c) are top, side and bottom views of a segment of a continuous chain or belt for the slat counter and filler in accordance with the invention; and FIGURES 1 1(a-c) are top and side views of a profile for use with the continuous belt of Figure 10 for retaining slats on the belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the detailed description of the present invention, reference is made to articles and objects such as capsules, tablets, caplets, dragees, desiccants, or other similar articles. This reference is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is envisioned that a slat counter method and apparatus of the type described herein may be used with articles and products of all types and, in particular, with medicines and other products, which must be packaged in predetermined quantities under hygienic and sanitary conditions. In particular, a slat counter method and apparatus of the present invention is suited for handling and/or packaging articles having small, consistent sizes.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a slat counter and filler 10 is shown, in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, mounted on a stand or base 12 having a hydraulic system 14 with shafts 16 for raising and lowering the slat counter, as necessary or desirable. Adjustable legs 17 are provided at the bottom of the base 12 for adjustment of the height of the base 12 and to level the slat counter 10. The slat counter 10 has an outer cabinet or housing 18 with a transparent back wall 21 and a hopper 20 at the top for receiving articles I (shown in Figure 3) that are to be counted and used to fill containers by the slat counter method and apparatus. A control panel 19 is positioned adjacent to the hopper 20 and includes a touch screen CRT for controlling the functions of the slat counter assembly. A funnel assembly 22 at one end of the slat counter 10 delivers articles that have been counted into containers 24, positioned under the outlet of the discharge funnel 22, for packaging (see also Figure 5). The discharge funnel 22 advantageously has a transparent front wall 23, which facilitates monitoring of the articles during filling into the containers 24. A cover 25 is provided at the top of the housing 18 for covering a rotary brush assembly 26 (shown in Figure 3), which is described in detail below. A vacuum port 27 is provided in the cover 25 for access inside the cover 25, so that the brushes of the brush assembly 26 can be vacuumed to remove dust and debris, without removing the housing 18 during the filling operation. As known in the art, a rotary brush assembly, also known as a rotary brushback assembly, is an arrangement of brushes and a motor, which is provided to brush off excess articles from the slats so that articles that are not in the slat cavities are not conveyed to the discharge funnel. Another vacuum port 29 is provided at the transparent back wall 21 of the housing 18 for access to the interior of the housing 18 so that dust and debris inside the housing 18 also may be removed by vacuum.

Figure 3, a partial cross-sectional side view, shows the outer housing cabinet 18 of the slat counter 10 with a slat-conveying system 30 that is advantageously integrated with an inner casing 32 of the housing cabinet 18, as described in further detail below. (See also Figure 4, a partial crosssectional front view showing the slat-conveying system from a different perspective, and Figure 6, an enlarged depiction of the slatconveying system shown in Figure 4.) As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the housing cabinet 18 may have outer walls 34 of a rigid material, such as aluminum, and an inner casing 32 that is preferably made of a plastic material. Although the present description refers to the inner casing as plastic, any suitable material that is easy to clean and with which the slat-conveying system of the invention may be integrated, as described in further detail below, can be used. Advantageously, an ultra- high molecular weight plastic, such as polyethylene, may be used for the inner casing. The inner casing forms a unified, composite structure with the hopper 20 and discharge funnel 22 so that crevices in which dust and debris could lodge are substantially eliminated. Advantageously, the hopper 20 has e a transparent back wall 33 so that articles I in the hopper 20 can be viewed from outside the slat counter 10 through the transparent back wall 23 of the housing 18 and the transparent back wall 33 of the hopper 20.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged front view of the discharge funnel 22 of the slat counter 10 with the interior of the funnel 22 visible through a transparent front wall 23. Generally parallel dividers or partitions 28 are provided in the discharge funnel 22 for guiding articles 1 into conical In reduction stages 31 and 33 for delivering the articles into bottles 24 advancing on a conveyer belt.

Returning to Figure 4, the slat-conveying system 30 conveys slats 36 along a generally triangular closed path. Although the slat-conveying system is depicted in a triangular arrangement, any other configuration that is desirable or necessary may be used within the scope of the present invention. Advantageously, a vibrator 38 is provided to vibrate the slats 36 as the slats are conveyed after articles I are deposited on the slats 36 at the hopper 20 so that the articles I are lodged in cavities or holes (not shown) in the slats 36.

Advantageously, openings, which are compatible with the exterior dimensions of the vibrator 38, are provided at the side of the housing 18 so that vibrators can be positioned in the openings to contact the sides of the slats 36, as the slats are conveyed along the closed path, to vibrate the slats 36 thereby lodging the articles in the cavities or holes in the moving slats.

Compact, small pneumatic vibrators are preferred to electrical vibrators because such vibrators are quiet and easy to clean and do not retain dust and/or debris in interior parts. Brushes 39 also may be advantageously provided to brush off excess product that might be deposited on the slats 36 at the hopper 20.

In the embodiment described, the slat-conveying system 30 has three pairs of pulleys, two pairs of idler pulleys 40 and one pair of drive pulleys 41 and 43, that are located at the corners of the triangular closed conveying path. Figures 5 and 6 show two pairs of pulleys, one pair of idler pulleys 40 and the pair of drive pulleys 41 and 43, with the pulleys in each pair recessed in the inner casing 32 so that each pulley is opposite the other pulley in the pair, and the second pair of idler pulleys 40 being hidden in this view. In combination, one pulley from each pair and a corresponding belt 42 define a As- generally triangular closed path for the corresponding belt, as shown in the c) side view of Figure 4. Accordingly, in the embodiment that is disclosed three pairs of pulleys and two belts or chains define the slat- conveying system with each slat being supported at its lateral ends on the belts and conveyed along 5 the closed path by the conveying system (as shown in detail in Figure 6).

Each pulley is placed in a corresponding recess or cut-out 44 formed in a side wall of the inner easing 32 of the housing cabinet 18 in a position opposite to the other pulley of the pair. The recesses 44 housing the pulleys lead into grooves or tracks 46 formed in the side walls of the inner easing (see Figure 4). The belts 42 move inside the grooves 46 and the grooves function to guide the belts along the closed conveying path and also to retain lateral ends of the slats 36 on the belts. In other words, the bottom or floor of each groove 46 supports and guides an associated belt 42 and the top or roof of the groove 46 keeps the slats 36 in place on the belt 42 during their passage along the conveying path. Hence, the pulleys recessed in the inner easing 32 and the belts 42 in the grooves or tracks 46 in the inner casing provide a slatconveying system 30 that is unified and integrated with the housing 18 of the slat counter eliminating parts such as guides and shafts that are necessary in prior art slat counters to guide and support the conveying chain and slats.

In the slat-conveying system of the invention, two pairs of pulleys 40 are idler pulleys, i.e., they are not driven directly by a motor but turn as a result of friction with the moving belts 42, and guide the belts along their closed paths. The third pair of pulleys 41 and 43 with a drive shaft 48 and motor 50 form a drive assembly 52 for moving the belts 42 and slats 36 along the conveying path. The drive pulleys 41 and 43 move the belts 42 and the slats 36 along the closed conveying path from the hopper 20, where the product that is to be counted and filled in containers is introduced into cavities in the slats 36, to the outlet funnel 22 where the counted product is deposited in containers. One pair of idler pulleys 40 has an adjustment mechanism 54 for adjusting the belts as necessary or desirable. Adjustment mechanisms of the type that are suitable for use with the system of the present invention are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein. A rotary brush-back assembly 26 is provided to brush away any product that might accidentally lodge on the slats 36, but is not to be deposited in a container because it exceeds a predetermined number retained by the cavities in the slats 36. Advantageously, the variable speed drive motor 56 of the brush-back assembly 26 is located at the core of the brush assembly 26 so that circularly arranged brushes 58 and the drive motor 56 form an integrated brush-back assembly thereby further reducing the number of internal parts and obscure areas of the slat counter in which dust and/or debris can be retained. The drive motor 56 is housed within a plastic easing or sleeve 57 having grooves or slots 59 formed in its outer surface for retaining ends of the brushes 58. In this, the plastic sleeve 57 with grooves 59 in its outer surface retaining ends of the brushes 58 and the drive motor 56 placed inside the sleeve 57 form a compact, composite rotary brush-back assembly, 26 for use with the slat counter and filler method and apparatus of the present invention. The brush-back assembly, 26 avoids a need for a motor and gear reducer assembly at the exterior of the apparatus to drive the brushes. The brush-back assembly 26 is easier to clean than prior art devices since the entire assembly can be removed from the machine for cleaning. Adjustment blocks 63 are provided at the top of the housing 18 for adjustment of the rotary brush-back assembly 26, as necessary or desirable (see Figures 5 and 6).

As shown in Figure 3, a plate or block is provided at the discharge funnel 22 with vacuum holes (not shown) in the plate or block so that as articles are discharged from the slats 36 and fall into the discharge funnel 22 dust can be vacuumed off the articles before packaging in containers at an outlet of the discharge funnel 22. Advantageously, the plate or block cooperates with the vacuum port 29 at the back end of the housing 18 such that when vacuum pressure is applied at the port 29 dust and debris is removed through the holes in the plate with dust and debris on the inner floor of the housing 18.

As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, a slat thumper 61 is provided at the discharge funnel 22 to strike the slats 36 so that articles lodged in the cavities or holes in the slats 36 dislodge and drop into the discharge funnel 22.

Preferably, the slat thumper 61 has a pneumatically-operated anvil or head (not shown) and is positioned so that the head of the thumper 61 strikes the sides of the slats 36 to dislodge the articles. Since slat thumpers are known in the art they are not described in detail herein. Advantageously, the slat thumper 61 is located at the exterior of the slat counter 10 and hits the sides of the slats 36 to dislodge the articles, unlike prior art systems which have a device located at the interior of the slat counter to strike the rear of the slats. The slat thumper arrangement of the present invention eliminates another part from the interior of the slat counter and is more efficient in dislodging articles from the slats as compared with prior art machines.

is As shown in Figure 6, the idler pulleys 40 and one of the drive pulleys 41 have corresponding shafts 60 that are retained by the outer aluminum housing 34 thereby retaining the pulleys in their respective recesses. The other drive pulley 43 has a shaft 62 that is connected to a drive motor 50.

Teeth or retaining pins 64 are provided on the pulleys which cooperate with holes 66 in the belts 42 (see Figures 7 and 9) to move the belts.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the drive assembly 52 has two pulleys 41 and 43 at opposite ends of the driven shaft 48. The pulley 41 has a shaft 60 that is retained by the outer aluminum wall 34, for example, by a threaded arrangement, and the other pulley 43 is connected, via a shaft 62, to a suitable drive motor 50. The shaft 48 has a sleeve 75 at one end, which is connected to the pulley 41. A tapered portion 77 of the shaft 48 fits into the sleeve 75, although the shaft 48 may have the same diameter along its entire length. A retaining pin arrangement 71 is provided at the sleeve 75 to lock the tapered portion 77 of the shaft 48 in the sleeve 75. To connect with the corresponding pulleys 41 and 43, the end of the sleeve 75 and the other end 79 of the shaft 48 are shaped as shown in Figures 6 and 7 superimposed on the driven shaft 48. The shaped ends of the sleeve 75 and shaft end 79 fit into correspondingly shaped holes in the pulleys 41 and 43 so that rotations of the drive motor 50 are transferred, via the driven shaft 48, from the pulley 43 connected with the motor 50 to the pulley 41 at the opposite end of the driven shaft 48. Alternatively, male and female keyways may be provided instead of the shaped ends at the sleeve 75 and shaft end 79 and the retaining pin arrangement 71 at the tapered portion 77 of the shaft 48. A spring loaded mechanism 73 is provided so that the tapered portion 77 of the shaft 48 can be pushed into the sleeve 75 against the tension of the spring 73 thereby removing the shaft end 79 from the pulley 43 and the driven shaft 48 from the drive assembly 52.

Enlarged views of a pulley assembly are provided in Figures 8 and 9. The pulley 40 is mounted, via a bearing 72, on the shaft 60, which is retained by the aluminum outer wall 34 of the housing 18. A spring-loaded ball arrangement cooperates with a detent 74 in an inner surface of the pulley 40 to retain the pulley on the shaft 60. In other words, the ball 76 in the detent 74 acts as a catch to retain the pulley 40 on the shaft 60. However, a spring 78 below the ball 76 permits the ball to be recessed so that the pulley 40 can be removed from the shaft 60 by a pulling action which causes the ball 76 to be released from the detent 74 and the pulley 40 to be pulled off the shaft 60.

Advantageously a similar spring - loaded ball and detent arrangement may be used for the drive pulleys 41 and 43. The spring-loaded ball and detent arrangement provides for quick, tool-free removal of the pulleys from the corresponding shafts.

is Figures 10(a-c) show a preferred embodiment of a chain 42 according to the invention and Figures 11(a-c) show a profile 80, a series of which are welded or fused to the chain 42 and have pins 82 that are inserted in corresponding holes in the slats 36 so as to retain the slats on the chain 42.

Advantageously, the chain 42 and profiles 80 are made of plastic and the chain with the profiles fused to it can be removed for cleaning. In a presently preferred embodiment, the chain 42 is made of polyurethane having stainless steel wire reinforcement. Kevlar@, or any other suitable material, may also be used for the chain 42. The chain and profiles mayeasily be cleaned by immersion in a suitable cleaning solution. Prior art stainless steel chains can not be similarly cleaned because of moisture remaining on the stainless steel chains.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

After reading and understanding the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the illustrative drawings, it will be appreciated that several distinct advantages of the subject slat counter and filler with an integrated slat- conveying system are obtained.

Without attempting to set forth all of the desirable features and advantages of the instant slat counter and filler method and apparatus, at least some of the major advantages of the invention are detailed below.

Primarily, the integrated slat-conveying system provides for easy and effective changeover and/or cleaning of the slat counter and filler to remove dust and other contaminant debris. An inner single-piece plastic casing that is integrated with the product filling areas facilitates cleaning by eliminating crevices and holes for dust and debris to fill in. A plastic chain or belt eliminates the need for lubrication and is easier to clean.

All the inner parts of the slat counter and fifler can be removed, without the use of tools, so that the interior of the slat counter and filler may be facilely and thoroughly cleaned. Ease in cleaning the slat counter and reduced changeover time means that the slat counter may be used more efficiently. Removal of the chain or belt is facilitated by the easily removable drive assembly and idler pulleys thereby eliminating need for dismantling the chain by removing a master link. Since the chain is guided by the grooves provided in the inner plastic side walls, additional parts to support and guide the chain are eliminated thereby reducing the number of inner parts of the slat counter and filler that need to be cleaned. Opposing grooves in the inner side walls guide the chains, hold the slats and chains in proper alignment by supporting the chains and retaining the slats on the chains. Inner parts are also reduced by the inner plastic casing and product filling areas of the slat counter being integrated.

The subject slat counter and filler invention reduces cleaning and changeover time to a minimum. The bulk filling area is an integral part of the counter. The slats are carried on reinforced polyurethane belts that require no lubrication. The spring loaded, single, removable, drive shaft allows dismantling in minutes. The servo drive for the slats insures positive positioning and movement. Pneumatic vibrators provide quiet, turbulent action in the slat filling area. There are two dust collection points and a variable speed top brush assembly. 5 In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred embodiments and illustrative advantages of the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, and familiar with the instant disclosure of the subject invention, may recognize additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions 10 and other changes that fall within the purview of the subject invention.

Claims (18)

What is claimed:

1. A slat counter and filler having an integrated frame and filling mechanism, comprising:

(a) a housing cabinet having an inner surface; (b) an inlet and an outlet in said cabinet, said inlet for receiving articles into said cabinet and said outlet for discharging a predetermined quantity of the articles from said cabinet; (c) a plurality of elongated slats in said cabinet, said slats having cavities for receiving the predetermined quantity of the articles to be conveyed from said inlet to said outlet; is (d) belts for carrying said slats in a closed path movement such that articles in said slat cavities are conveyed from said inlet to said outlet; (e) a pulley system for moving said belts along said closed path; and (f) said inner surface of said cabinet having recesses therein for housing said pulley system and grooves extending from said recesses for guiding said belts during said closed path movement and for retaining lateral ends of said slats on said belts during said closed path movement.

2. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said cabinet comprises an outer rigid casing and said inner surface of said cabinet composed of plastic material; said inlet comprises a hopper at the top of said cabinet and said outlet comprises a discharge funnel located at said cabinet below said hopper; said inner surface of said cabinet, said hopper and said discharge funnel comprise a generally continuous inner surface; whereby crevices and gaps inside said cabinet in which dust and debris could lodge are substantially eliminated.

3. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said recesses for housing said pulley system and said grooves for guiding said belts and retaining said slats on said belts are formed in said inner plastic surface of said cabinet.

4. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said cabinet has opposing, inner side walls with said recesses for housing said pulley system; said closed path is a generally triangular closed path; and said pulley system comprises three pairs of pulleys, each pair of pulleys being located at a corresponding corner of said generally triangular closed path with each pulley of said pair recessed in a corresponding recess in said opposing, inner side walls so as to be opposite the other pulley of said pair.

i

5. A slat counter and fliller as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said recesses for housing said pulley system and said grooves for guiding said belts and retaining said slats on said belts define said $51 generally triangular path of said belts carrying said slats.

6. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 4 wherein:

two pairs of pulleys comprise idler pulleys and one pair of pulleys comprise drive pulleys.

7. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said drive pulleys, a drive shaft and a motor comprise a drive is assembly for moving said belts along said closed path; said drive pulleys being located at opposite ends of said drive shaft; one of said drive pulleys being connected with said motor to transfer rotation of said motor via said drive shaft to the other of said drive pulleys; said drive shaft having a retractable portion to separate and remove said drive shaft from said drive pulleys.

8. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 6 wherein:

each of said idler and drive pulleys is mounted on a corresponding shaft, a detent in an inner surface of said each pulley, a ball and springarrangement at said corresponding shaft such that said spring causes said ball to catch in said detent, whereby said pulley is retained on said corresponding shaft to be removable from said corresponding shaft by an outwardly pulling force applied to said pulley.

9. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

is a vibrator for vibrating said slats so that excess articles are dislodged from said slats; and said vibrators being located at openings in said housing cabinet to contact sides of said slats as said slats are conveyed along said closed 20 path.

10. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a rotary brush assembly for brushing off articles exceeding the predetermined quantity from said slats, the brush assembly comprising a plastic sleeve having grooves in an outer surface, a plurality of brushes having ends, said ends of said brushes being retained in said grooves of said plastic sleeve, and a variable speed drive motor structured and arranged inside said plastic sleeve.

11. A slat counter and filler as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a slat thumper for transmitting vibration to said slats so that the articles are discharged from said slat cavities into said outlet in the cabinet; and 15 said thumper being structured and arranged upon said cabinet to vibrate sides of said slats as said slats are conveyed along said closed path thereby assisting in discharging articles from said slats into said outlet. 20

12. A system for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles, said system comprising:

(a) a housing cabinet having an inner surface; (h) an inlet and outlet in said cabinet, said inlet for receiving articles into said cabinet and said outlet for discharging a predetermined quantity of the articles from said cabinet; (c) a plurality of elongated slats in said cabinet, said slats having cavities for receiving the predetermined quantity of the articles to be conveyed from said inlet to said outlet; and (d) a conveying system for conveying said slats such that articles in said slat cavities are carried from said inlet to said outlet, said conveying system including grooves in said inner surface of is said cabinet for guiding said conveying system during said closed path movement and for retaining lateral ends of said slats on said conveying system during said closed path movement.

13. A system for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles as defined in claim 12 wherein: said housing, said plurality of elongated slats and said conveying 5 system are each comprised of a plastic material.

14. A system for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles as defined in claim 13 wherein:

said conveying system is positioned within channels fashioned within plastic side walls of said cabinet.

15. A system for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles as defined in claim 14 wherein:

the ends of said slats being operably mounted upon said conveying system within the side walls of said housing cabinet and a window fashioned within each edge of said side walls wherein said slats being operable to be replaced upon said conveyor system without the use of hand tools.

16. A method for filling each of a series of containers with a predetermined quantity of discrete articles, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving articles into a housing cabinet having an inner surface; (b) conveying a predetermined quantity of the articles received in said cabinet along a closed path by receiving the predetermined quantity in cavities provided in a plurality of elongated slats and moving said slats in said closed path by a conveying system in said cabinet; (c) guiding said conveying system during said closed path movement and retaining lateral ends of said slats on said conveying system during said closed path movement with grooves provided in the inner surface of the cabinet; and (d) discharging the predetermined quantity of the articles from said cabinet into series of containers.

17. A method for filling each of a series of containers as defined in claim 16 wherein: the articles are selected from a group consisting of capsules, tablets, 5 caplets, dragees, desiccants, and pills.

18. A method for filling each of a series of containers as defined in claim 16 wherein:

the articles are medicines.