PARKS, ROBERT,KAINTZ, RYAN,REMIS, STEVEN J.,AKINS, CURTIS R.,SHOWS, PAUL RANDALL,BEALE, MATTHEW STUART,HOLMES, ERIC LAMONT,SASS, MATTHEW
申请号：
CA2495005
公开号：
CA2495005C
申请日:
2003.08.08
申请国别(地区):
CA
年份:
2013
代理人:
摘要：
A drug dispensing device is comprised of an upper hopper having an upperopening for receiving a medicament and a lower opening. A lid covers the upperopening. A lower hopper having an upper opening and a lower opening in abottom portion thereof is provided. The upper hopper defines a bulk storagechamber and the lower hopper defines a dispensing chamber. A rotatabledispensing disc is positioned in a lower portion of the dispensing chamber fordispensing medicament from the drug dispensing device through the loweropening in the lower hopper. A regulator is situated between the bulk storagechamber and the dispensing chamber for controlling the rate at whichmedicament moves from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. Theregulator may take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the regulatorincludes a valve for controlling the flow of medicament from the storagechamber to the dispensing chamber. The valve may include a member responsiveto the volume of medicament in the dispensing chamber for controlling theposition of the valve. The valve and member may include a trap door valve anda float, a butterfly valve and a rotatable arm, a guillotine valve and amovable arm, and a conical plunger and a wing extending from the base of theplunger. In another embodiment, the regulator may include a rotatable memberhaving an opening therein. The rotatable member may include a cylindrical wallhaving an opening in a portion thereof, a plate having an opening therein, acup shaped member defining an opening and a pair of rotatable members whichtogether define at least one opening therein. The regulator may be configuredsuch that the rate at which medicament moves from the storage chamber to thedispensing chamber is never zero. Further, agitating members may be providedwhich extend toward the upper hopper. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
