An automated pharmaceutical dispensing system includes: a tablet dispensing station comprising a plurality of cells for dispensing pills, each of the cells mounted in a dispensing location, each of the cells including a channel for dispensing pills into a container and an inlet configured to be adjustable so that pills in the cell are conveyed through the inlet and into the channel in single file; and an autocalibration station, the autocalibration station comprising a mechanism for automatically adjusting the inlet of a cell based on the dimensions of the pills to be contained in the cell. The autocalibration station is configured and located to also provide a dispensing location, such that a cell docked therein may function to dispense pills.

A pneumatic conveyance system includes at least one filtration component and a cage assembly disposed within the filtration component. The cage assembly may include a first cage, a second cage, and an actuator, where the actuator may be configured to move the first cage relative to the second cage and cause at least a portion of the first cage to rub against a filtration component within the pneumatic conveyance system. A method of dislodging material buildup within a pneumatic conveyance system includes causing a first cage of a cage assembly to move relative to a second cage within a filtration component.

A pneumatic conveyance system includes at least one filtration component and a cage assembly disposed within the filtration component. The cage assembly may include a first cage, a second cage, and an actuator, where the actuator may be configured to move the first cage relative to the second cage and cause at least a portion of the first cage to rub against a filtration component within the pneumatic conveyance system. A method of dislodging material buildup within a pneumatic conveyance system includes causing a first cage of a cage assembly to move relative to a second cage within a filtration component.

The method includes covering a first opening of at least one first chute using a lid, delivering air from a pressurized air source into the at least one first chute, and advancing at least one first plunger through a first end of the at least one first chute to transfer a product through a second end of the at least one first chute and into a first open side of at least one first box.

The invention is a dispensing module for use in delivering measured doses of feed supplement to an animal. It comprises a storage container for holding the supplement and a metering module that is rotatably connected to the storage container for dispensing a measured (pre-determined) dose of the supplement. The dispensing module is adapted to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is able to be dispensed out of the dispensing module. In the closed configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is prevented from being dispensed out of the dispensing module. Compressed air can be used to send the dose to an outlet when the dispensing module is closed.

The invention is a dispensing module for use in delivering measured doses of feed supplement to an animal. It comprises a storage container for holding the supplement and a metering module that is rotatably connected to the storage container for dispensing a measured (pre-determined) dose of the supplement. The dispensing module is adapted to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is able to be dispensed out of the dispensing module. In the closed configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is prevented from being dispensed out of the dispensing module. Compressed air can be used to send the dose to an outlet when the dispensing module is closed.

A pneumatic conveyance system for conveying a product between a first unit and a second unit, said system comprising: a conveying line configured for the product to be conveyed therethrough, the conveying line comprising a line inlet configured for coupling to the first unit for receiving the product from the first unit and a line outlet configured for coupling to the second unit for delivering the product to the second unit, a blower unit configured for blowing a flow of air through the conveying line for conveying the product, a sensor unit configured for measuring speed of air entering into the blower unit, and generating a sensor signal indicative thereof, and a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and to generate a control signal for controlling the blower unit based at least upon the measured speed.

A pneumatic conveyance system for conveying a product between a first unit and a second unit, said system comprising: a conveying line configured for the product to be conveyed therethrough, the conveying line comprising a line inlet configured for coupling to the first unit for receiving the product from the first unit and a line outlet configured for coupling to the second unit for delivering the product to the second unit, a blower unit configured for blowing a flow of air through the conveying line for conveying the product, a sensor unit configured for measuring speed of air entering into the blower unit, and generating a sensor signal indicative thereof, and a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and to generate a control signal for controlling the blower unit based at least upon the measured speed.

A mixture of gas and solid particles are conveyed through a piping circuit connected between initial and terminal points. The gas is introduced at the initial point and the particles are introduced between the initial and terminal points. A diameter of the piping circuit increases downstream of where the particles are introduced, and a velocity of the gas is at least as great as a pick-up velocity of the particles at the point where the particles are introduced into the piping circuit. In addition to the above constraints, the piping circuit is sized so that total pressure losses due to flow in the piping circuit between the initial and terminal points are within a designated amount.

A mixture of gas and solid particles are conveyed through a piping circuit connected between initial and terminal points. The gas is introduced at the initial point and the particles are introduced between the initial and terminal points. A diameter of the piping circuit increases downstream of where the particles are introduced, and a velocity of the gas is at least as great as a pick-up velocity of the particles at the point where the particles are introduced into the piping circuit. In addition to the above constraints, the piping circuit is sized so that total pressure losses due to flow in the piping circuit between the initial and terminal points are within a designated amount.