U.S. patent application number 11/466762 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for medicine container with single pill dispenser.
Invention is credited to Seth A. Klein.
Application Number | 20100006589 11/466762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41504209 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100006589 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klein; Seth A. |
January 14, 2010 |
Medicine Container With Single Pill Dispenser
Abstract
A pill dispensing cap that secures to a conventional pill
container. The pill dispensing cap has a lower cap, a pill
discharge port, and a spring loaded rotatable and slidable upper
cap. Pills are dispensed one at a time, and the remaining pills are
isolated from external contamination. A child resistant lock
prevents small children and/or mentally handicapped individuals
from easily accessing medicine inside the container. The child
resistant lock uses a vertically slidable upper cap that is
slidably and rotatably attached to the lower cap. A child safety
lock uses a key in the upper cap that must be aligned with a slot
in the lower cap to allow a pill to be dispensed. When the key and
slot are aligned, the upper cap is vertically compressed against
the lower cap. As the upper cap moves toward the base cap, a
gravity fed pill discharge port is exposed which releases a single
pill.
Inventors: |
Klein; Seth A.; (Boca Raton,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN C. SMITH, ESQ.
2499 GLADES ROAD, SUITE 113
BOCA RATON
FL
33431
US
|
Family ID: |
41504209 |
Appl. No.: |
11/466762 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60596014 |
Aug 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0409 20130101;
B65D 2215/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/282 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A pill dispensing container, further comprising: a pill storage
compartment; a lower cap, secured to the storage compartment; an
upper cap slidably and rotatably secured to the lower cap; and a
central pill channel, extending from the pill storage compartment,
through the lower and upper caps the central pill channel releasing
a single pill when the upper cap is slid toward the lower cap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of,
the co-pending provisional patent application entitled "Medicine
Container With Single Pill Dispenser", filed Aug. 23, 2005, bearing
U.S. Ser. No. 60/596,014 and naming Seth A. Klein and Michael R.
Klein, the named inventors herein, as sole inventors, the contents
of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to medicine containers. In
particular, it relates to a medicine container with a cap that has
an integral dispensing mechanism that releases a single pill at a
time and protects against unnecessary contamination of the unused
pills.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] As the pharmaceutical industry enters the 21.sup.st century,
it faces a number of challenges. Effective and innovative packaging
can help the industry meet some of those challenges. In the past,
packaging was often in afterthought for many companies. More
recently, drug makers and pharmacies are using packaging and
labeling as tools to promote their products, as packaging has been
found to be an effective marketing and branding tool to promote
customer loyalty, provide product differentiation, meet government
regulations, an increase the convenience of use of the products so
as to increase patient compliance with medication protocols.
[0006] Pharmaceutical packaging design is increasingly becoming
more complex. An aging population has created the need for
senior-friendly packaging. Further, growing competition in the
pharmaceutical industry has increase the importance of packaging as
a product positioning tool. One aspect of packaging is its visual
component. Attractive packaging is always important for any
product. However, another and perhaps more important aspect of
packaging of medications is its functional characteristics. In
particular, errors when taking medication are common for all
individuals, but some groups of individuals, such as the elderly,
may be more prone to making mistakes and others. Likewise, physical
impairment related to age or other infirmities may also make it
more inconvenient for some individuals to take medications. It
would be desirable to have medication packaging that would be less
prone to error, and more convenient to use.
[0007] Another issue related to pharmaceutical packaging is the
benefit that individual manufacturers receive by differentiating
their products from those of their competitors. Distinctive and
unique packaging and be an effective method of product
differentiation. Therefore it can be a critical component of
branding, merchandising, and promotional activities. It would be
desirable to have unique packaging for pharmaceutical products
which would differentiate it from competitive products, not only in
appearance, but also in they are functional operation.
[0008] Most products undergo a number of modifications improvements
over time. By the time atypical product reaches a half-century
mark, it is usually been through multiple versions and designs.
However, this is not the case for the conventional amber-cast
pharmacy the container. That container, with the exception of a
child's-safety cap which was added in the 1970s, has remained
virtually unchanged.
[0009] Other problems are associated with the standard pill
containers used by pharmacies. A first issue is the one discussed
above, where it can be very difficult to dispense pills by elderly
or disabled patients who cannot easily remove the cap from the pill
container. Second, contamination is another important issue related
to dispensing medications and other pharmaceuticals. When removing
a conventional cap, individuals may pour out multiple pills into
their hands or other surfaces, take the required number of pills,
and replace the remaining pills into the pill container.
Unfortunately, this practice creates a situation where the
medication or other pharmaceuticals may become contaminated by
bacteria from the individual's hand or from other surfaces. This
creates an undesirable situation in that bacteria, or other
contaminants, may be placed on the pills themselves and later
disseminated to unwary individuals. This can be especially
dangerous situations where a health-care provider, such a nurse,
may go from room to room dispensing medications in a hospital. If
the nurse was that careful about washing their hands each time they
enter a room, it is possible that infections may be spread
throughout a hospital merely by mishandling medication. It would be
desirable to have a method of dispensing pills which would protect
unused pills from unnecessary contamination through handling by
patients or other health care providers.
[0010] While the prior art has provided a variety of useful
pharmaceutical containers, it has failed to provide a container
capable of dispensing pills individually in an easy to use and
convenient dispenser, which allows an individual to dispense a
single pill with a single motion, and which simultaneously protects
the unused pills from contamination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides an integral dispensing
mechanism for a medicine container. The pill dispensing mechanism
is a pill dispensing cap that secures to a conventional pill
container. The pill dispensing cap has a lower cap, a pill
discharge port, and a spring loaded rotatable and slidable upper
cap. The pill dispensing cap has an integral child resistant lock
designed to prevent small children from easily accessing medicine
inside the medicine container. The child resistant lock uses a
vertically slidable upper cap that is slidably and rotatably
attached to the lower cap. A child safety lock uses a key in the
upper cap that must be aligned with a slot in the lower cap to
allow a pill to be dispensed. When the key and slot are aligned,
the upper cap is vertically compressed against the lower cap. As
the upper cap moves toward the base cap, a pill discharge port is
exposed which releases a single pill. An individual pill is
dispensed with a single compression of the cap toward the pill
container, and prevents contact with the other pills by any
potential outside contaminant such as a hand, or other surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates an exterior view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with the pill dispensing cap in
the locked position.
[0013] FIG. 1B illustrates an exterior view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with the pill dispensing cap in
the unlocked position.
[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates an exterior view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with a pill being dispensed from
the central pill channel.
[0015] FIG. 2A illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with the pill dispensing cap
held in the closed position by a helical spring.
[0016] FIG. 2B illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with a pill being dispensed from
the central pill channel.
[0017] FIG. 3A illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with the pill dispensing cap
held in the closed position by a leaf spring.
[0018] FIG. 3B illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with a pill being dispensed from
the central pill channel.
[0019] FIG. 3C illustrates a bottom plan view of a preferred
embodiment of the upper cap which shows a leaf spring
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 4A illustrates a side cutaway view of an alternative
preferred embodiment of a medicine container cap with the pill
dispensing cap held in the closed position by a spring.
[0021] FIG. 4B illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container with the cap in the open
position will and a pill being dispensed.
[0022] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the cap.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Before discussing the details of the test figures, a general
overview of the invention will be presented. The invention provides
a new pill dispensing cap for medication or pill containers which
has several advantages over the prior art. Most important, the
pharmaceuticals or neutraceuticals (i.e. vitamins, minimums,
dietary supplements, etc.) contained within pill containers are
protected from contamination by preventing them from coming in
contact with an individual's hand, or other surface, until they are
ready to be ingested. This is accomplished by the cap which only
allows a single pill to exit the pill container at a time. In a
situation where there is a chance that bacteria or other infectious
material may be transferred to contact, avoiding such contact can
be very important step in preventing the spread of disease or
infections. As mentioned briefly above, in healthcare facilities
such as a hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, etc.,
a health-care provider proceeds from one patient room to another
may inadvertently contaminate the medication in each of the
rooms.
[0024] In the case of pills, a health care professional typically
opens the pill container and attempts to discharge a single pill.
Unfortunately, this does not always work as planned. When the
healthcare professional returns the excess pills to the container,
they may have been contaminated by coming in contact with the
healthcare professional. In situations, such as health care
facilities, this can lead to dangerous situations. For example, the
principal cause of the spread of MRSA in health care facilities is
the failure of physicians, nurses, and other health-care providers
to wash their hands each time they enter a patient's room. Of
course, if they have the MRSA bacteria on their hands and
inadvertently transfer in to a pill when returning excess pills to
the pill container, the patient will ingest the MRSA when the pill
is consumed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that MRSA is
only one of thousands, perhaps millions, of potential infectious
agents. By eliminating unnecessary contact with pills, the pill
container cap provided by this invention will reduce the chance of
spreading infections and disease.
[0025] In contrast, while the healthcare providers could
contaminate the pills, there's also the reverse situation where
specific medications can be harmful to individuals who handle them.
For example, Propecia.TM. should never be handled by pregnant
women. If a nurse is pregnant, harm may come to the fetus merely by
distributing the pills to a patient. As a result, the cap disclosed
by this invention protects not only the recipient of medication,
but the health care provider who distributes it as well.
[0026] Disease prevention is not the only advantage provided by the
invention. For example, other advantages are:
[0027] 1. The pill container cap is designed to attach to all
existing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical pill containers.
[0028] 2. The pill container cap does not make a significant
difference in the size of the pill container. Therefore it is
compact, and ideal for storage and pockets, handbags, glove
compartments, desk drawers, etc.
[0029] 3. The pill container cap creates a hygienic environment
with pills, and prevents them from becoming contaminated prior to
use.
[0030] 4. The pill container cap avoids unnecessary handling of
potentially harmful pharmaceuticals.
[0031] 5. The pill container cap is more convenient to use since
only one hand is necessary to dispense a pill.
[0032] In general, the invention provides a medication container
cap which allows individual convenience of automatically dispensing
a single pill by merely pressing the cap toward the body of the
medication container. In addition, it provides a method of
protecting medications from contamination by preventing unnecessary
handling. Having discussed the advantages of the invention in
general, we turn now to a more detailed discussion of the
figures.
[0033] FIG. 1A illustrates an exterior view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container 1 with the pill dispensing cap 9
in the locked position. In this view, a convention pill storage
compartment 2 is sealed by a pill dispensing cap 9. The pill
dispensing cap 9 has several components. The lower cap 4 has a
lower rim 5 that is secured against the upper rim 3 of the pill
storage compartment 2. The slidable upper cap 6 is rotatably and
slidably attached to lower cap 4.
[0034] The pill dispensing cap 9 has a locking mechanism to prevent
children from inadvertently dispensing pills. This figure shows the
medicine container 1 in the locked position. As will be described
in greater detail below, a pill can only be dispensed when upper
cap 6 is compressed against lower cap 4. When in the locked
position, an internal key, whose location is indicated by key
indicia 7 on the outside surface of upper cap 6, is misaligned with
key slot 8. When misaligned, upper cap 6 is prevented from being
compressed against lower cap 4, thereby preventing inadvertent
dispensing of pills.
[0035] FIG. 1B illustrates an exterior view of the medicine
container 1 with the pill dispensing cap 9 in the unlocked
position. The upper cap 6 is designed to rotate in relation to
lower cap 4. When the upper cap 6 is rotated such that the key
indicia is aligned with key slot 8, the spring loaded upper cap 6
can be compressed toward lower cap 4 to release a pill.
[0036] FIG. 1C is an exterior view of the medicine container 1
illustrating a pill 10 being dispensed. To dispense a pill 10, the
medicine container 1 is first unlocked. Then, the medicine
container 1 is inverted to take advantage of a gravity feed that
delivers a pill 10 to a pill discharge port 11. When the upper cap
6 is compressed against the lower cap 4 (as indicated by lines
12-13), pill discharge port 11 is uncovered. It has sufficient
space to hold a single pill 10 between discharge port arms 20-21.
When discharge port 111 is uncovered, a pill 10 is dispensed.
[0037] FIG. 2A illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container 1 with the pill dispensing cap 9
held in the closed position by a helical spring 15. The pill
dispensing cap 9 is secured to pill storage compartment 2 via
engagement threads 14 on the dispensing cap 9 and the pill storage
compartment 2.
[0038] To dispense a pill 10, the medicine container 1 is first
inverted. When inverted, pills 10 will slide along sloped surface
18 toward aperture 17. Some of the pills 10 will drop through
aperture 17 into cap chamber 22. The pills 10 in cap chamber 22
slide along sloped surface 16 toward discharge port 11. Discharge
port arms 20-21 are sized to allow only a single pill 10 to fit
between them. At this point, helical spring 15 is in the expanded
position (e.g., at rest) and pushes upper cap 6 away from lower cap
4. In this position, discharge port 111 is in the closed position,
and prevents pill 10 from being discharged.
[0039] Once the pill 10 is discharged, the medicine container 1 is
restored to the upright position. To facilitate the return of the
pills 10 to the pill storage compartment 2, the upper surface 25 of
the lower cap 4 is sloped to direct the pills toward aperture
17.
[0040] FIG. 2B illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container 1 with a pill 10 being dispensed
from discharge port 11. In this position, upper cap 6 is compressed
toward lower cap 4, as indicated by directional line 12. When
helical spring 15 is compressed, upper cap 6 moves in relation to
discharge port 11. When upper cap 6 moves, pill discharge port 11
extends past the surface of upper cap 6 to release pill 10.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B, upper cap 6 is secured to
lower cap 4 by locking clamps 19. In the preferred embodiment,
upper cap 6 is fabricated from flexible material to allow it to
slip over the associated locking clamp 19 on the lower cap 4 when
being assembled.
[0042] FIG. 3A illustrates a side cutaway view of an alternative
preferred embodiment of a medicine container 1 with the pill
dispensing cap 6 held in the closed position by a leaf spring 24.
In this embodiment, helical spring 15 is eliminated and replaced
with integral leaf spring 24. This reduces the number of parts
required and simplifies the assembly process. In the closed
position, leaf spring 24 pushes upper cap 6 away from lower cap 4
and closes pill discharge port 11.
[0043] During the assembly process, lower cap 4 is inserted into
slot 23 of upper cap 6 until locking clamps 19 engage. Once
engaged, leaf spring 24 moves the upper cap 6 to the closed
position, In the closed position, a pill 10 cannot be released from
pill discharge port 11.
[0044] FIG. 3B illustrates a side cutaway view of a preferred
embodiment of a medicine container 1 with a pill 10 being dispensed
from the pill discharge port 11. As was the case with the previous
embodiment, a pill 10 is dispensed by compressing upper cap 6
toward lower cap 4. This exposes pill discharge port 111 which
releases a pill 10.
[0045] FIG. 3C illustrates a bottom plan view of a preferred
embodiment of the upper cap 6 which shows a preferred embodiment of
the leaf spring configuration. In this embodiment, four leaf
springs 24 are arranged such that they provide a uniform
distribution of pressure when the upper cap 6 and the lower cap 4
are assembled. Of course, the number of leaf springs 24 and their
shape can vary.
[0046] For ease of illustration, the key and slot locking mechanism
have been intentioned omitted from FIGS. 2A-B and 3A-B.
[0047] FIG. 4A is a side cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of
pill dispensing cap 9. In this embodiment, a pill 10 slides down
ramp 25 when the container 1 is in the inverted position. The pill
10 is further guided by sidewalls 26. When the pill 10 reaches
aperture 27, it falls into the compartment between discharge port
arms 20-21 which is size to accommodate a single pill. to
[0048] This figure also illustrates the pill dispensing cap 9
threaded onto the outside of the pill storage compartment 2.
[0049] Pill dispensing cap 9 is held in the closed position by
helical spring 15. For ease of discussion, a helical spring is used
in this embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that any spring mechanism can be used, such as leaf
springs, etc., for any of the embodiments.
[0050] In FIG. 4B, pill dispensing cap 9 is shown in the open
position. In this position the springs 15 are compressed to allow
the discharge for arms 20-21 to extend from the top of the pill
dispensing cap 9. This allows the pill 10 to be discharged.
[0051] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the pill dispensing cap 9
in the closed position.
[0052] For ease of discussion, the device has been discussed in
terms of dispensing medications and nutritional products. However,
the device can just as easily be used for dispensing other products
such as candies, breath mints, etc. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that any small item capable of being dispensed via the
dispensing cap 9, disclosed herein, can be used in conjunction with
the invention.
[0053] While the invention has been described with respect to
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made
therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of
the invention. For example, the material used to fabricate the pill
dispensing cap can vary, the type of spring mechanism can vary, the
size and shape of the can vary, etc. Accordingly, the invention
herein disclosed is to be limited only as specified in the
following claims.
* * * * *