Packaging apparatus for handling pills and associated method

Abstract

A packaging apparatus and method for depositing pills into a series of containers is provided. A cylindrical rotary slat is rotatable about a first axis and comprises radially inward and outward portions, the radially outward portion defining pill apertures for receiving pills therein at a first angular position. A negative pressure system is configured to apply a negative pressure to the pill apertures to retain the pills therein. An ejection device is in communication with the pill apertures at a second angular position of the rotary slat to eject the respective pills outwardly from the pill apertures. A collection mechanism is disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion about the second angular position, and is configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for depositing a predetermined amount of pills into each of a series of containers, comprising:
 receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined by a radially outward portion of at least one rotary slat, about a first angular position thereof, each rotary slat being configured as a cylinder independently rotatable in a rotational direction about a first axis extending longitudinally therethrough between at least the first angular position and a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, each pill aperture configured to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the respective cylinder; 
 applying a negative pressure to each of the plurality of pill apertures with a negative pressure system operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular positon, and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position and including the second angular position, so as to retain the pills within the pill apertures as the at least one rotary slat rotates about the first axis between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 ejecting the pills from the pill apertures at the second angular position of the at least one rotary slat, the pills being ejected outwardly of the radially outward portion with an ejection mechanism operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat and configured to be in communication with the pill apertures at the second angular position; and 
 collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures of the at least one rotary slat, and directing the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein with a collection mechanism disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the at least one rotary slat about the second angular position. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  wherein ejecting the pills from the pill apertures further comprises ejecting the pills from the pill apertures with an ejection mechanism comprising an air emission device configured to emit positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the at least one rotary slat disposed at the second angular position. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2  wherein emitting positively pressurized air further comprises emitting positively pressurized air at a pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first axis is substantially horizontally disposed, and the method further comprises moving at least one container into coincidence with the collection mechanism, with a conveyor device, such that the at least one container receives a selected amount of pills from the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined by at least one rotary slat further comprises receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined in a plurality of rows along a radially outward portion of a single rotary drum. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 5  wherein collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures further comprises collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures, and directing the pills toward a single one of the series of containers for deposition therein, with a collection mechanism comprising a collection device disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the single rotary drum about the second angular position, and configured to extend across a plurality of the rows of pill apertures so as to collect the pills ejected therefrom. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 5  wherein applying a negative pressure to the plurality of pill apertures further comprises simultaneously applying a negative pressure to each of the plurality of plurality of pill apertures with the negative pressure system located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, the negative pressure system being operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, so as to retain the pills therein as the single rotary drum rotates about the first axis. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 5  wherein ejecting the pills from the pill apertures further comprises emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the single rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, with an air emission device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8  wherein emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures further comprises selectively emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of each of the plurality of rows, disposed at the second angular position, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 5  wherein ejecting the pills from the pill apertures further comprises receiving positively pressurized air within a manifold device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, and selectively emitting the air to the pill apertures of the single rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10  wherein selectively emitting the air to the pill apertures further comprising selectively actuating a valve device corresponding to each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, the valve devices being operably engaged with the manifold device, to emit the positively pressurized air therefrom to the corresponding pill aperture so as to eject the pill therefrom. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising determining an amount of pills deposited into each of the series of containers from the at least one rotary slat with at least one pill-counting device operably engaged with at least one of the at least one rotary slat, the ejection mechanism, and the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       13. A method for depositing a predetermined amount of pills into each of a series of containers, comprising:
 receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined by a radially outward portion of a rotary drum, about a first angular position thereof, the rotary drum being configured as a cylinder rotatable in a rotational direction about a first axis extending longitudinally therethrough between at least the first angular position and a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, each pill aperture configured to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum; 
 applying a negative pressure to each of the plurality of pill apertures with a negative pressure system operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position and including the second angular position, so as to retain the pills within the pill apertures as the rotary drum rotates about the first axis between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 ejecting the pills from the pill apertures at the second angular position of the rotary drum, the pills being ejected outwardly of the radially outward portion with an ejection mechanism operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and configured to be in communication with the pill apertures at the second angular position; and 
 collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures of the rotary drum, and directing the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein with a collection mechanism disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum about the second angular position. 
 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13  wherein the first axis is substantially horizontally disposed, and the method further comprises moving at least one container into coincidence with the collection mechanism, with a conveyor device, such that the at least one container receives a selected amount of pills from the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 13  wherein receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined by the rotary drum further comprises receiving a pill in each of a plurality of pill apertures defined in a plurality of rows along a radially outward portion of the rotary drum. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 15  wherein collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures further comprises collecting the pills ejected from the pill apertures, and directing the pills toward a single one of the series of containers for deposition therein, with a collection mechanism comprising a collection device disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum about the second angular position, and configured to extend across a plurality of the rows of pill apertures so as to collect the pills ejected therefrom. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus A method according to  claim 15  wherein applying a negative pressure to the plurality of pill apertures further comprises simultaneously applying a negative pressure to each of the plurality of plurality of pill apertures with the negative pressure system located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, the negative pressure system being operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, so as to retain the pills therein as the rotary drum rotates about the first axis. 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 15  wherein ejecting the pills from the pill apertures further comprises emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, with an air emission device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 18  wherein emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures further comprises selectively emitting positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of each of the plurality of rows, disposed at the second angular position, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 18  wherein ejecting the pills from the pill apertures further comprises receiving positively pressurized air within a manifold device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, and selectively emitting the air to the pill apertures of the rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 20  wherein selectively emitting the air to the pill apertures further comprising selectively actuating a valve device corresponding to each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, the valve devices being operably engaged with the manifold device, to emit the positively pressurized air therefrom to the corresponding pill aperture so as to eject the pill therefrom. 
     
     
       22. A method according to  claim 13  further comprising determining an amount of pills deposited into each of the series of containers from the rotary drum with at least one pill-counting device operably engaged with at least one of the rotary drum, the ejection mechanism, and the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       23. An automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined amount of pills into each of a series of containers, comprising:
 at least one rotary slat, each rotary slat being configured as a cylinder independently rotatable in a rotational direction about a first axis extending longitudinally therethrough between at least a first angular position and a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, each rotary slat comprising a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion, the radially outward portion defining a plurality of pill apertures therein, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the respective cylinder, the pills being received by the pill apertures about the first angular position of the at least one rotary slat; 
 a negative pressure system operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, the negative pressure system configured to apply a negative pressure to each of the plurality of pill apertures at least between the first angular position and the second angular position and including the second angular position, so as to retain the pills therein as the at least one rotary slat rotates about the first axis between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 an ejection device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the at least one rotary slat and configured to be in communication with the pill apertures thereof at the second angular position so as to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion; and 
 a collection mechanism disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the at least one rotary slat about the second angular position, the collection mechanism being configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures of the at least one rotary slat and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein. 
 
     
     
       24. An apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the ejection device further comprises an air emission device. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the air emission device is configured to emit positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the at least one rotary slat disposed at the second angular position. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the air is emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the first axis is substantially horizontally disposed, and the apparatus further comprises a conveying device adapted to move at least one container into coincidence with the collection mechanism such that the at least one container receives a selected amount of pills from the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the at least one rotary slat comprises a single rotary drum defining a plurality of rows of pill apertures about the radially outward portion thereof. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the collection mechanism further comprises a collection device disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the single rotary drum about the second angular position, the collection device being configured to extend across a plurality of the rows of pill apertures so as to collect the pills ejected therefrom and to direct the pills toward a single one of the series of containers for deposition therein. 
     
     
       30. An apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures thereof such that the negative pressure system is configured to simultaneously apply a negative pressure to the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position so as to retain the pills therein, as the single rotary drum rotates about the first axis. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the ejection device further comprises an air emission device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, the air emission device being configured to emit positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the single rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the air emission device is configured to selectively emit the positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of each of the plurality of rows, disposed at the second angular position, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus according to  claim 28  wherein the ejection device further comprises a manifold device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the single rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, the manifold device being configured to receive positively pressurized air therein and to selectively emit the air to the pill apertures of the single rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to  claim 33  further comprising a valve device corresponding to each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, the valve devices being operably engaged with the manifold device and configured to be selectively actuatable for emitting the positively pressurized air therefrom to the corresponding pill aperture so as to eject the pill therefrom. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to  claim 23  further comprising at least one pill-counting device operably engaged with at least one of the at least one rotary slat, the ejection mechanism, and the collection mechanism, the at least one pill-counting device being configured to determine an amount of pills deposited into each of the series of containers from the at least one rotary slat. 
     
     
       36. An automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined amount of pills into each of a series of containers, comprising:
 a rotary drum configured as a cylinder rotatable in a rotational direction about a first axis extending longitudinally therethrough between at least a first angular position and a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, the rotary drum comprising a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion, the radially outward portion defining a plurality of pill apertures therein, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum, the pills being received by the pill apertures about the first angular position of the rotary drum; 
 a negative pressure system operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position, the negative pressure system being configured to apply a negative pressure to each of the plurality of pill apertures at least between the first angular position and the second angular position and including the second angular position, so as to retain the pills therein as the rotary drum rotates about the first axis between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 an ejection device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and configured to be in communication with the pill apertures thereof at the second angular position so as to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion; and 
 a collection mechanism disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum about the second angular position, the collection mechanism being configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures of the rotary drum and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein. 
 
     
     
       37. An apparatus according to  claim 36  wherein the first axis is substantially horizontally disposed, and the apparatus further comprises a conveying device adapted to move at least one container into coincidence with the collection mechanism such that the at least one container receives a selected amount of pills from the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       38. An apparatus according to  claim 36  wherein the rotary drum is configured such that the pill apertures are arranged in a plurality of rows about the radially outward portion thereof. 
     
     
       39. An apparatus according to  claim 38  wherein the collection mechanism further comprises a collection device disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum about the second angular position, the collection device being configured to extend across a plurality of the rows of pill apertures so as to collect the pills ejected therefrom and to direct the pills toward a single one of the series of containers for deposition therein. 
     
     
       40. An apparatus according to  claim 38  wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pill apertures thereof such that the negative pressure system is configured to simultaneously apply a negative pressure to the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position so as to retain the pills therein, as the rotary drum rotates about the first axis. 
     
     
       41. An apparatus according to  claim 38  wherein the ejection device further comprises an air emission device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, the air emission device being configured to emit positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of the rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to eject the pills therefrom. 
     
     
       42. An apparatus according to  claim 41  wherein the air emission device is configured to selectively emit the positively pressurized air to the pill apertures of each of the plurality of rows, disposed at the second angular position, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       43. An apparatus according to  claim 38  wherein the ejection device further comprises a manifold device operably engaged with the radially inward portion of the rotary drum and in communication with each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures about the second angular position, the manifold device being configured to receive positively pressurized air therein and to selectively emit the air to the pill apertures of the rotary drum at the second angular position, the air being emitted at a positive pressure capable of overcoming the negative pressure retaining the pills within the pill apertures, so as to selectively eject the respective pills from the corresponding pill apertures toward the collection mechanism. 
     
     
       44. An apparatus according to  claim 43  further comprising a valve device corresponding to each of the plurality of rows of pill apertures, the valve devices being operably engaged with the manifold device and configured to be selectively actuatable for emitting the positively pressurized air therefrom to the corresponding pill aperture so as to eject the pill therefrom. 
     
     
       45. An apparatus according to  claim 36  further comprising at least one pill-counting device operably engaged with at least one of the rotary drum, the ejection mechanism, and the collection mechanism, the at least one pill-counting device being configured to determine an amount of pills deposited into each of the series of containers from the rotary drum. 
     
     
       46. The method of claim 1, wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the negative pressure system and a positive air pressure from the ejection mechanism greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       47. The method of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with all of the plurality of pill apertures simultaneously.  
     
     
       48. The method of claim 13, wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the negative pressure system and a positive air pressure from the ejection mechanism greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       49. The method of claim 13, wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with all of the plurality of pill apertures simultaneously.  
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the negative pressure system and a positive air pressure from the ejection mechanism greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with all of the plurality of pill apertures simultaneously.  
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the negative pressure system and a positive air pressure from the ejection mechanism greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the negative pressure system is operably engaged with all of the plurality of pill apertures simultaneously.  
     
     
       54. A rotary slat for depositing one or more pills into at least one container, comprising:
 a radially inward portion at least partially defining an interior cavity of the rotary slat;   a radially outward portion;   a plurality of pill apertures defined in the radially outward portion of the rotary slat, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary slat;   wherein the plurality of pill apertures are in communication with the radially inward portion and the interior cavity of the rotary slat;   wherein the rotary slat is rotatable in a rotational direction extending circumferentially along the radially outward portion between at least a first angular position and at least a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction,   wherein the interior cavity is in fluid communication with the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position;   wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive a negative pressure such that the negative pressure is applied to the pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; and   wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the interior cavity and a positive air pressure emission greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.    
     
     
       55. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the rotary slat is configured as a cylinder.  
     
     
       56. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the interior cavity is configured to at least partially enclose a positive air emission device.  
     
     
       57. The rotary slat of claim 54 further comprising at least one circumferential track extending in the rotational direction along the radially outward portion of the rotary slat, and wherein the at least one circumferential track is configured to engage at least one drive wheel.  
     
     
       58. The rotary slat of claim 57, wherein the at least one circumferential track defines a radially flat surface.  
     
     
       59. The rotary slat of claim 57, wherein the circumferential track is disposed adjacent the plurality of pill apertures.  
     
     
       60. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the rotary slat further comprises a contiguous groove in the radially outward portion extending circumferentially around the rotary slat.  
     
     
       61. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the radially outward portion defines a circumferential contour sloping radially inward towards the plurality of pill apertures.  
     
     
       62. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the rotary slat defines at least one side surface, and wherein the at least one side surface defines a frustoconical drive surface configured to engage a drive wheel.  
     
     
       63. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein each of the plurality of pill apertures defines a first opening on the radially inward portion and a second opening on the radially outward portion, and wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.  
     
     
       64. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the rotary slat is configured to engage a second rotary slat such that the rotary slat and the second rotary slat are disposed concentrically about a first axis, the first axis being perpendicular to a plane of the rotational direction.  
     
     
       65. The rotary slat of claim 64, wherein the interior cavity of the rotary slat is configured to fluidly connect to a second interior cavity of the second rotary slat.  
     
     
       66. The rotary slat of claim 54, wherein the plurality of pill apertures includes at least two rows of pill apertures defined circumferentially along the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       67. A rotary drum for depositing one or more pills into at least one container, comprising:
 a radially inward portion at least partially defining an interior cavity of the rotary drum;   a radially outward portion;   a plurality of pill apertures defined in the radially outward portion of the rotary drum, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum;   wherein the plurality of pill apertures are in communication with the radially inward portion and the interior cavity of the rotary drum;   wherein the rotary drum is rotatable in a rotational direction extending circumferentially along the radially outward portion between at least a first angular position and at least a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction,   wherein the interior cavity is in fluid communication with the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position;   wherein the interior cavity is configured to receive a negative pressure such that the negative pressure is applied to the pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; and   wherein the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to communicate with both the negative pressure received from the interior cavity and a positive air pressure emission greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.    
     
     
       68. The rotary drum according to claim 67 wherein the plurality of pill apertures comprises at least two rows of pill apertures defined circumferentially along the radially outward portion.  
     
     
       69. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein the rotary drum is configured as a cylinder.  
     
     
       70. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein the interior cavity is configured to at least partially enclose a positive air emission device.  
     
     
       71. The rotary drum of claim 67 further comprising at least one circumferential track extending in the rotational direction along the radially outward portion of the rotary drum, and wherein the at least one circumferential track is configured to engage at least one drive wheel.  
     
     
       72. The rotary drum of claim 71, wherein the at least one circumferential track defines a radially flat surface.  
     
     
       73. The rotary drum of claim 71, wherein the circumferential track is disposed adjacent the plurality of pill apertures.  
     
     
       74. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein the rotary drum further comprises a contiguous groove in the radially outward portion extending circumferentially around the rotary drum.  
     
     
       75. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein the radially outward portion defines a circumferential contour sloping radially inward towards the plurality of pill apertures.  
     
     
       76. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein the rotary drum defines at least one side surface, and wherein the at least one side surface defines a frustoconical drive surface configured to engage a drive wheel.  
     
     
       77. The rotary drum of claim 67, wherein each of the plurality of pill apertures defines a first opening on the radially inward portion and a second opening on the radially outward portion, and wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.  
     
     
       78. A method of using a rotary slat to deposit one or more pills into a container, the rotary slat comprising a radially inward portion at least partially defining an interior cavity of the rotary slat; a radially outward portion; a plurality of pill apertures defined in the radially outward portion of the rotary slat, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary slat; wherein the plurality of pill apertures are in communication with the radially inward portion and the interior cavity of the rotary slat; wherein the rotary slat is rotatable in a rotational direction extending circumferentially along the radially outward portion between at least a first angular position and at least a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, wherein the interior cavity is in fluid communication with the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; the method comprising:
 applying a negative pressure to the interior cavity such that the negative pressure is applied to the pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; and 
 applying a positive air pressure to the pill apertures located at the second angular position, wherein the positive air pressure is greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.  
 
     
     
       79. A method of using a rotary drum to deposit one or more pills into a container, the rotary drum comprising a radially inward portion at least partially defining an interior cavity of the rotary drum; a radially outward portion; a plurality of pill apertures defined in the radially outward portion of the rotary drum, each pill aperture being adapted to receive a pill from a plurality of pills disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary drum; wherein the plurality of pill apertures are in communication with the radially inward portion and the interior cavity of the rotary drum; wherein the rotary drum is rotatable in a rotational direction extending circumferentially along the radially outward portion between at least a first angular position and at least a second angular position, the second angular position being angularly spaced apart from the first angular position in the rotational direction, wherein the interior cavity is in fluid communication with the plurality of pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; the method comprising:
 applying a negative pressure to the interior cavity such that the negative pressure is applied to the pill apertures located at least between the first angular position and the second angular position, including the second angular position; and   applying a positive air pressure to the pill apertures located at the second angular position, wherein the positive air pressure is greater than the negative pressure, such that the pill apertures located at the second angular position are configured to eject the respective pills from the pill apertures outwardly of the radially outward portion.