Each of four compartment blocks have a plurality of pill compartments with
floors that are angled downward. The compartments have open ends of
similar dimensions. The open ends are proximal to a door compartment. A
retainer belt forms a loop around a tractor drive and the open ends. The
retainer belt has a discharge port of substantially the same dimensions
as the open ends. The tractor drive is operable to cause the discharge
port to serially pass in alignment with the open ends. When the discharge
port is in the discharge alignment one of the pill compartments, a sensor
provides a stop signal to a control circuit. In response to the stop
signal, the tractor drive stops moving the retainer belt. Additionally,
medication from the one pill compartment passes through the discharge
port into the door compartment. When the door compartment is opened, a
switch provides a start signal.