An article feeder assembly having a pocketed separator and a discharge tube configured to deliver articles to the pocketed separator. Some embodiments include an initial feeder assembly in overlying relation with a track extending from the initial feeder assembly to the discharge tube. Articles are oriented in end-to-end orientation in the initial feeder assembly and delivered to the pocketed separator in vertical end-to-end orientation. As pocketed separator rotates with respect to discharge tube, vertical retention members pass through a tunnel in the discharge tube and rotate articles out of the discharge tube. The discharged articles are secured in pockets delineated by the retention members. Some embodiments use one or more cam mechanisms to properly orient the discharged articles as the pocketed separator rotates. Properly oriented articles are then delivered to an advancing mechanism, such as a conveyor system.

A filling station for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes a base and a holder that is positionable in one or more inclined orientations relative to said base for holding the feeder unit in said one or more inclined orientations. A method for filling a feeder unit with discrete medicaments includes the step of filling the feeder unit with the discrete medicaments when the feeder unit is held by the holder in one of the one or more inclined orientations.

A filling station includes a transport tray having a plurality of transfer receptacles, an optical detection device configured to generate one or more images of transfer receptacles having drug portions arranged therein and a control device coupled to the optical detection device. The control device causes display of a filling template of which transfer receptacles are to be filled with one or more drug portions and compares an actual filling of the transfer receptacles based on the one or more images of the transfer receptacles generated by the optical detection device to ta target filling. The control device also determines if no deviation exists between the actual filling and the target filling and releases the transport tray for transferring the drug portions to a secondary tray.

An integrated device includes a rack (1) which holds three layers of conveying channels from top to bottom: a detection conveying channel (4), a loading conveying channel (3), and a discharge conveying channel (2). The detection conveying channel (4) matches with a detection device (6). One end of the detection conveying channel (4) is provided with a screening opening (7) equipped with a transfer device (8) configured to transfer a case (5) from the screening opening (7) to the loading conveying channel (3). A loading opening is provided in the middle of the loading conveying channel (3), which docks with a loading device (10) provided on the discharge conveying channel (2). The loading conveying channel (3) is positioned on both sides of the loading opening and transports a packaging box (9) and the case (5) to the loading opening.

A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.

A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.

A rail can include an entry portion, an exit portion, and a middle portion disposed between the entry and exit portions. The middle portion can be lower than the entry and exit portions. The rail can be configured to couple with a container such that the container is movable, along the rail, from the entry portion to the exit portion. A first storage rack can be disposed on a first side of the rail middle portion and a second storage rack can be disposed on an opposing side of the rail middle portion. A processing system can be configured to: receive an order; analyze the order based on an inventory of the first storage rack and the second storage rack; and cause the container to move from the rail entry portion to the rail middle portion based on the analysis.

A rail can include an entry portion, an exit portion, and a middle portion disposed between the entry and exit portions. The middle portion can be lower than the entry and exit portions. The rail can be configured to couple with a container such that the container is movable, along the rail, from the entry portion to the exit portion. A first storage rack can be disposed on a first side of the rail middle portion and a second storage rack can be disposed on an opposing side of the rail middle portion. A processing system can be configured to: receive an order; analyze the order based on an inventory of the first storage rack and the second storage rack; and cause the container to move from the rail entry portion to the rail middle portion based on the analysis.

A system for transferring a group of components of electronic cigarettes from a first to a second operating station includes a conveyor extends from a feeding zone to a disengagement zone and has a plurality of seats. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them into the seats at a first mutual distance. A disengaging and transferring device operates to disengage the components from their seats and transfer the components to a collecting zone. A compacting device operates in the collecting zone to move the components closer together and place them at a second mutual distance that is smaller than the first mutual distance. A tray faces and receives from the collecting zone the group of components which have been placed close together. A pushing device pushes the components from the collecting zone into the tray. A movement device transfers the tray to the second operating station.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a dispensing mechanism, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information memory may store data that comprises one of a glossiness level of a surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions; that is used by the controller to adjust a sensor; and that comprises parameters of movement of the dispensing mechanism of one or more of maximum torque, rotation angles, and rotation positions of the movement of the dispensing mechanism used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions.