Method and apparatus for transporting caplets

1. A carrier bar for conveying at least one caplet along a predetermined conveyer path, each caplet including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides, the carrier bar comprising:

at least one pocket adapted to receive a caplet, each pocket including a longitudinal axis that is angled or offset from a direction of travel of the carrier bar in use.

2. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the pocket is angled or offset from a transverse axis of the carrier bar.

3. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the pocket is oriented about 5-70° from the direction of travel.

4. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , wherein the pocket is shaped or contoured to substantially match the shape of the belly band and one side of the caplet.

5. A carrier bar according to claim 4 , wherein the pocket allows the other side of the caplet to extend from an upper exterior surface of the carrier bar in use.

6. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , further comprising a lead-in surface provided to an upper exterior surface of the carrier bar that extends in leading edges of the pocket.

7. A carrier bar according to claim 6 , wherein the lead-in surface includes a general sector shape when viewed from above.

8. A carrier bar according to claim 6 , wherein the lead-in surface provides a ramped or declined surface into the pocket.

9. A carrier bar according to claim 8 , wherein the lead-in surface includes a ramp angle of about 5-50°.

10. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , wherein the pockets are oriented or angled in the same direction along a length of the carrier bar.

11. A carrier bar according to claim 1 , wherein the pockets are oriented in mirror image about a center axis of the carrier bar.

12. A carrier bar according to claim 11 , wherein a plurality of pockets are oriented in one direction on one side of the axis and a plurality of pockets are oriented in the opposite direction on the other side of the axis.

13. A conveyer apparatus for transporting caplets comprising a carrier bar according to claim 1 .

14. A carrier bar for conveying at least one caplet, the carrier bar comprising:

an upper surface defining a plane; and

at least one pocket recessed within the upper surface and adapted to receive a caplet, each pocket including a longitudinal axis extending substantially within or parallel to the plane of the carrier bar and being angled or offset from a transverse axis extending substantially within or parallel to the plane of the carrier bar.

15. A method for processing a caplet including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides, comprising:

conveying the caplet within a pocket of a carrier bar along a direction of travel so that a longitudinal axis of the pocket is angled or offset from the direction of travel.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein conveying includes conveying the caplet so that the longitudinal axis of the pocket is angled or offset from a transverse axis of the carrier bar.

17. A carrier bar according to claim 14 , wherein the carrier bar is generally rectangular with a leading side, a rear side, and lateral sides.

18. A carrier bar according to claim 17 , wherein sides of the pocket are parallel to the longitudinal axis and not parallel to the lateral sides of the carrier bar.

19. A carrier bar according to claim 14 , further comprising a lead-in surface provided to an upper exterior surface of the carrier bar that extends in leading edges of the pocket.

20. A carrier bar according to claim 19 , wherein the lead-in surface includes a general sector shape when viewed from above.