Device for handling and orienting pills or tablets in a precise manner

Abstract

A device for the precise distribution of items such as tablets. This device can include a base, a container, a plurality of distribution channels and a plurality of springs disposed adjacent to the distribution channels. The device can also include a plurality of push pins and cams for driving the push pins up. The base includes a wheel which contains the distribution channels. The springs are coupled to the wheel adjacent to the distribution channels. These springs are controlled by the push pins which drive against the springs to push the springs away from the distribution channels. The cams trigger the movement of the push pins at particular locations on the base so that as the wheel rotates, the push pins cross over the cams wherein the cams drive the push pins up allowing a tablet to simultaneously enter and leave the distribution channel. This movement of the wheel allows precise distribution of tablets out of the device and into receiving systems.

1 . A device for distributing items in a precise manner comprising: 
 a) a base;    b) at least one container for holding the items and which is coupled to said base;    c) at least one distribution channel disposed on said base and in communication with said container;    d) at least one spring coupled to said base and adjacent to said at least one distribution channel;    e) at least one push pin disposed substantially in said base in a slidable manner, wherein said at least one push pin is used to selectively slide against said at least one spring to drive said at least one spring open, away from said at least one distribution channel to allow an item to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel, or selectively slide along said at least one distribution channel, or selectively leave said at least one distribution channel.    
   
   
       2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a stand, a stationary section coupled to said stand, and a rotatable section, wherein said rotatable section is coupled to said stationary section and rotatable around a central axis, and wherein said device further comprises a motor which drives said rotatable section around said central axis.  
   
   
       3 . The device as in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one cam disposed in said base, and at least one receiving system coupled to said base, wherein said at least one cam drives against said at least one push pin to open said at least one spring away from said at least one distribution channel so that the item can selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and selectively leave said at least one distribution channel and then enter said at least one receiving system.  
   
   
       4 . The device as in  claim 3 , wherein said stationary section is a base plate coupled to said stand and said rotatable section is a wheel coupled to said base plate wherein said wheel is rotatable on said base plate.  
   
   
       5 . The device as in  claim 4 , further comprising a motor coupled to said stand, wherein said motor is used to rotate said wheel around.  
   
   
       6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein said base further comprises a plurality of tracks wherein said tracks are disposed below said wheel.  
   
   
       7 . The device as in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one cam is a plurality of cams comprising at least one outer release cam and at least one inner cam and said at least one push pin is a plurality of push pins comprising at least one outer release push pin in selective communication with said at least one inner cam and at least one inner push pin in selective communication with said at least one inner cam, wherein said at least one outer release cam drives said at least one outer release push pin up to raise an outer region of said at least one spring while said at least one inner cam drives said at least one inner push pin up to raise an inner region of said at least one spring to allow an item to enter said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring is a plurality of springs comprising: 
 i) at least one advancing spring coupled to said base and disposed substantially above said at least one distribution channel;    ii) at least one release spring coupled to said base and disposed substantially above said at least one distribution channel; and    iii) at least one cover spring wherein said at least one cover spring is disposed below said at least advancing spring and said at least one release spring on said base and covers said at least one distribution channel.    
   
   
       9 . The device as in  claim 8 , further comprising a fastener for fastening said at least one advancing spring, said at least one release spring and said at least one cover spring to said base in a central region of said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       10 . The device as in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one cam is a plurality of cams comprising at least one outer release cam coupled to said base; at least one outer advancing cam coupled to said base; and at least one inner cam coupled to said base; and wherein said at least one push pin is a plurality of push pins comprising at least one outer release push pin, wherein said at least one outer release cam drives said at least one outer advancing push pin; at least one outer advancing push pin wherein said at least one outer release cam selectively drives said at least one outer advancing push pin; and at least one inner push pin wherein said at least one inner cam selectively drives said at least one inner push pin.  
   
   
       11 . The device as in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one advancing spring is longer than said at least one release spring.  
   
   
       12 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one advancing spring and said at least one release spring each have a u-shaped end.  
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one advancing spring and said at least one release spring have at least one end bent down towards said distribution channel.  
   
   
       14 . The device as in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one cover spring covers a substantial portion of said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one advancing spring has an inner end and an outer end and wherein said at least one inner push pin drives said at least one inner end of said at least one advancing spring open away from said at least one distribution channel to allow at least one item to enter said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       16 . The device as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one advancing spring has an inner end and an outer end wherein said at least one outer advancing push pin drives against said at least one outer end of said advancing spring to allow at least one item to advance along said at least one distribution channel to an outer region of said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       17 . The device as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one release spring has an inner end fastened to said base via said fastener and an outer end, wherein said at least one outer release push pin selectively drives against said outer end of said at least one release spring to allow at least one item to leave said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       18 . The device as in  claim 3 , further comprising at least one computer in communication with said at least one cam for selectively activating said at least one cam to open said at least one spring to selectively release at least one item from said at least one distribution channel.  
   
   
       19 . The device as in  claim 18 , further comprising at least one sensor in communication with said at least one computer, and wherein said at least one receiving system includes a reject item receiving system and a good item receiving system wherein said sensor reviews each of said at least one item in said at least one distribution channel to determine whether to release said at least one item in said reject item receiving system or said good item receiving system.  
   
   
       20 . A device for distributing pills or tablets in a precise manner comprising: 
 a) a base comprising: 
 i)a stand;  
 ii) a base plate coupled to said stand; and  
 iii) a wheel coupled to said base plate wherein said wheel is rotatable on said base plate; and  
 iv) at least one track disposed adjacent to said base plate, wherein said wheel is coupled to said at least one track and rotates on said at least one track;  
   b) at least one container for holding the pills or tablets, and coupled to said base;    c) at least one distribution channel disposed on said base and in communication with said container;    d) at least one spring coupled to said base adjacent to said at least one distribution channel;    e) at least one push pin disposed substantially in said base in a slidable manner;    f) at least one cam disposed in said at least one track wherein when said wheel rotates, said at least one push pin contacts said at least one cam, and said at least one push pin is driven up by said cam selectively slide against said at least one spring to drive said at least one spring open, opposite said at least one distribution channel to allow an item to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and selectively leave said at least one distribution channel.    
   
   
       21 . A device for distributing items in a precise manner comprising: 
 a) a wheel;    b) a support means for supporting said wheel;    c) driving means coupled to said support means, said driving means for rotating said wheel;    d) means for holding pills or tablets coupled to said support means;    e) at least one distribution channel disposed on said support means and in communication with said means for holding pills;    f) at least one spring coupled to said wheel adjacent to said at least one distribution channel; and    g) a spring driving means for selectively driving said spring opposite said at least one distribution channel to allow items to selectively enter said at least one distribution channel and leave said at least one distribution channel.