U.S. patent application number 12/772187 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for pill tray attachable to a pill storage container.
This patent application is currently assigned to WARMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC. Invention is credited to Richard Warman.
Application Number | 20100206766 12/772187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42558989 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206766 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Warman; Richard |
August 19, 2010 |
PILL TRAY ATTACHABLE TO A PILL STORAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A pill tray that facilitates dispensing of pills from a pill
storage container. The tray can be configured to attach to a pill
storage container that stores the pills, and have a first aperture
positioned immediately proximate to a second cavity defined in the
pill storage container. The first aperture can facilitate the
transfer of the pills from the pill storage container into the
first cavity.
Inventors: |
Warman; Richard;
(Loxahatchee, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cuenot, Forsythe & Kim
12230 FOREST HILL BLVD., SUITE 120
WELLINGTON
FL
33414
US
|
Assignee: |
WARMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC
Wellington
FL
|
Family ID: |
42558989 |
Appl. No.: |
12/772187 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12157381 |
Jun 10, 2008 |
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12772187 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/538 ;
206/540; 220/501; 220/554 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/049 20130101;
B65D 83/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/538 ;
206/540; 220/501; 220/554 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A pill tray that facilitates dispensing of pills from a pill
storage container, the pill tray comprising: a concave wall having
a first aperture defined therein though which pills pass, the wall
flairing laterally and upward from the first aperture; and an
annular rim having a second aperture defined therein, the annular
rim extending inward from an upper portion of the wall, the wall
and the annular rim defining a first cavity that holds pills when
the tray is tilted laterally; wherein: the tray is configured to
attach to a pill storage container that stores the pills, the first
aperture being positioned immediately proximate to a second cavity
defined in the pill storage container; and the first aperture
facilitates the transfer of the pills from the pill storage
container into the first cavity.
2. The pill tray of claim 1, wherein the pill tray removably
attaches to the pill storage container.
3. The pill tray of claim 1, wherein the pill tray is fixedly
attached to the pill storage container.
4. The pill tray of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first
aperture is approximately equal to a diameter of the second
cavity.
5. The pill tray of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first
aperture is less than a diameter of the second cavity.
6. The pill tray of claim 1, further comprising: a lid hingedly
attached to the tray, the lid serving to enclose the first cavity
when the lid is closed.
7. A pill tray that facilitates dispensing of pills from a pill
storage container, the pill tray comprising: a bottom surface
having a first aperture defined therein though which pills pass;
and at least one wall that extends upwards from a periphery of the
bottom surface, the bottom surface and the wall defining, at least
in part, a first cavity that holds pills; and wherein: the tray is
configured to attach to a pill storage container that stores the
pills, the first aperture being positioned immediately proximate to
a second cavity defined in the pill storage container; and the
first aperture facilitates the transfer of the pills from the pill
storage container into the first cavity.
8. The pill tray of claim 7, further comprising: an annular rim
having a second aperture defined therein, the annular rim extending
inward from an upper portion of the wall; wherein the bottom
surface, the wall and the annular rim form the first cavity that
holds pills.
9. The pill tray of claim 7, wherein the pill tray removably
attaches to the pill storage container.
10. The pill tray of claim 7, wherein the pill tray is fixedly
attached to the pill storage container.
11. The pill tray of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the first
aperture is approximately equal to a diameter of the second
cavity.
12. The pill tray of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the first
aperture is less than a diameter of the second cavity.
13. The pill tray of claim 7, further comprising: a lid hingedly
attached to the tray, the lid serving to enclose the first cavity
when the lid is closed.
14. A combined pill bottle and tray that facilitates dispensing of
pills from a pill storage container, the combined pill bottle and
tray comprising: a pill tray comprising: a concave wall having a
first aperture defined therein though which pills pass, the wall
flairing laterally and upward from the first aperture; and an
annular rim having a second aperture defined therein, the annular
rim extending inward from an upper portion of the wall, the wall
and the annular rim defining a first cavity that holds pills when
the tray is tilted laterally; and a lower pill storage portion
comprising: a bottom surface; and at least one wall extending
upwardly from the bottom surface, the bottom surface and the wall
defining a second cavity for storing the pills; wherein: the tray
is configured to attach to the lower pill storage portion, the
first aperture being positioned immediately proximate to the second
cavity; and the first aperture facilitates the transfer of the
pills from the pill storage portion into the first cavity.
15. The combined pill bottle and tray of claim 14, wherein the pill
tray removably attaches to the pill storage portion.
16. combined pill bottle and tray of claim 14, wherein the pill
tray is fixedly attached to the pill storage portion.
17. The combined pill bottle and tray of claim 14, wherein a
diameter of the first aperture is approximately equal to a diameter
of the second cavity.
18. The combined pill bottle and tray of claim 14, wherein a
diameter of the first aperture is less than a diameter of the
second cavity.
19. The combined pill bottle and tray of claim 14, further
comprising: a lid hingedly attached to the tray, the lid serving to
enclose the first cavity when the lid is closed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/157,381, filed Jun. 10, 2008, which is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to bottles or
containers that are designed to hold pills, tablets, capsules or
the like, and more particularly to a tray either integrally formed
on the top of the bottle or adapted to fit onto existing
bottles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are sundry types of bottles that are designed to hold
and dispense pills, tablets, capsules and the like (here and after
referred to as pill) and as is well known in this technology, the
dispensing of the pills may be awkward or clumsy. As for example,
the typical way to dispense a pill from a bottle is to tip it
upside down and through gravity the pills move toward the top
aperture until it falls out. Obviously, at times it falls into ones
hand and at other times it falls out of one's hand and on occasion
onto the floor. Alternately, one may attempt to spill the pill onto
a table or counter top or into a dish or the like. Another problem
that is typical is that one may want to dispense the pill at night
when vision isn't too clear and may encounter difficulty in
removing the pill and grasping the same. As one can imagine, there
can be many different problems that are associated with the
dispensing of these types of pills and these problems may be
acerbated, when the person doing the dispensing is afflicted with
some type of medical handicap, like arthritis and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a pill tray that
facilitates dispensing of pills from a pill storage container. The
pill tray can include a concave wall having a first aperture
defined therein though which pills pass, the wall flairing
laterally and upward from the first aperture, and an annular rim
having a second aperture defined therein, the annular rim extending
inward from an upper portion of the wall, the wall and the annular
rim defining a first cavity that holds pills when the tray is
tilted laterally. The tray can be configured to attach to a pill
storage container that stores the pills, the first aperture being
positioned immediately proximate to a second cavity defined in the
pill storage container. The first aperture can facilitate the
transfer of the pills from the pill storage container into the
first cavity.
[0005] Another embodiment of the pill tray can include a bottom
surface having a first aperture defined therein though which pills
pass, and at least one wall that extends upwards from a periphery
of the bottom surface, the bottom surface and the wall defining, at
least in part, a first cavity that holds pills. The tray can be
configured to attach to a pill storage container that stores the
pills, the first aperture being positioned immediately proximate to
a second cavity defined in the pill storage container. The first
aperture can facilitate the transfer of the pills from the pill
storage container into the first cavity.
[0006] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
combined pill bottle and tray that facilitates dispensing of pills
from a pill storage container. The combined pill bottle and tray
can include a pill tray and a lower pill storage portion. The pill
tray can include a concave wall having a first aperture defined
therein though which pills pass, the wall flairing laterally and
upward from the first aperture, and an annular rim having a second
aperture defined therein, the annular rim extending inward from an
upper portion of the wall, the wall and the annular rim defining a
first cavity that holds pills when the tray is tilted laterally.
The lower pill storage portion can include a bottom surface and at
least one wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface, the
bottom surface and the wall defining a second cavity for storing
the pills. The tray can be configured to attach to the lower pill
storage portion, the first aperture being positioned immediately
proximate to the second cavity. The first aperture can facilitate
the transfer of the pills from the pill storage portion into the
first cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating a
pill bottle that is useful for understanding the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view in section showing details of the
pill bottle depicted in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an assembled view in section of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating the assembled position;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a view in perspective view of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating operation of the pill bottle.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating
another pill bottle that is useful for understanding the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view in section showing details of the
pill bottle depicted in FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an assembled view in section of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 5 illustrating the assembled position;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating
another pill bottle that is useful for understanding the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded view in section showing details of the
pill bottle depicted in FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an assembled view in section of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 8 illustrating the assembled position;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating
another pill bottle that is useful for understanding the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a view in section showing details of the pill
bottle depicted in FIG. 11;
[0020] FIG. 13 is another view in section of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 11 illustrating the assembled position;
[0021] FIG. 14 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating
another pill bottle that is useful for understanding the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 15 is an exploded view in section showing details of
the pill bottle depicted in FIG. 14; and
[0023] FIG. 16 is an assembled view in section of the pill bottle
depicted in FIG. 14 illustrating the assembled position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] While the specification concludes with claims defining
features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
can be embodied in various forms. In that regard, various features
of the present invention may be described in the various
embodiments depicted in different figures. Nonetheless, it is
within the scope of the present invention that such features may be
applied to other described embodiments, where compatible.
[0025] Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be
limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the
invention. Finally, like numerals are used herein to describe like
objects.
[0026] The present invention relates to a pill tray which
facilitates the dispensing of pills. As used herein, the term
"pill" is defined as a mass of a medical substance, vitamin and/or
nutritional supplement provided in a rigid, semi-rigid and/or
gelatinous form. In this regard, the term "pill", as used herein,
encompasses tablets, capsules and the like, which contain a medical
substance, vitamin and/or nutritional supplement. Moreover, a pill
may comprise a hard, semi-hard or gelatinous coating or shell, and
may contain a hard, semi-hard, gelatinous and/or liquid
substance.
[0027] The pill tray may be structured to simplify the process of
retrieving pills for those who have difficulty retrieving pills
from conventional pill bottles, for example those who are afflicted
with arthritis, or otherwise have impaired or limited motor skills.
Moreover, a person using this invention would be able to remove the
contents from the bottle without having to shake the contents into
the person's hand, onto a counter top or the like. For those
persons that typically take pills at night when it is dark, they
can merely tip or shake the bottle, or tilt the bottle laterally or
upside down, remove the lid, and find a pill conveniently located
in an upper portion of the bottle, again, facilitating the
retrieval of the pill.
[0028] While this invention is being described in various
embodiments as having different shaped pill trays, as one skilled
in this art will appreciate this invention has utility in other
shaped pill trays and the shape of the pill trays, as well as their
materials, should not detract from the scope of this invention.
[0029] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 depict a combined pill bottle and tray
(hereinafter "bottle") 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. The bottle 100 can include a pill tray
(hereinafter "tray") 112 and a lower pill storage portion
(hereinafter "lower portion") 110 that serves as a pill storage
container. In this regard, within the claims and this
specification, the lower portion also may herein be referred to as
a "pill storage container." The tray 112 can be positioned
adjacently to a top end 111 the lower portion 110. The tray 112 can
be fixedly attached to the lower portion 110, or removably
attached. An aperture (e.g., opening) 114 can be defined in the
tray 112 where the lower portion 110 and tray 112 are attached to
facilitate transfer of pills from a cavity 122 defined in the lower
portion 110 into the tray 112. In illustration, the aperture 114
can be positioned immediately proximate to the cavity 122. In one
arrangement, the tray 112 and lower portion 110 can be molded as a
single unit, but the invention is not limited in this regard.
[0030] The lower portion 110 can include a bottom surface 120 and
at least one wall 118 extending upwardly from the bottom surface
120, the bottom surface 120 and the wall 118 defining the cavity
122 for storing the pills that is accessible through the aperture
114. In one arrangement, a single cylindrical wall 118 can be
provided. In other arrangements, a plurality of walls 118 can be
provided to form a lower portion 110 having a desired geometrical
shape. In one aspect of the inventive arrangements, the dimensions
of the aperture 114 can be congruent with the dimensions of the top
end 111 of the lower portion 110. For example, the diameter of the
aperture 114 can be approximately equal to the inside diameter of
the wall 118, though this need not be the case. For example, the
diameter of the aperture 114 can be smaller than the inside
diameter of the wall 118. As noted, the invention is not limited to
a circular aperture 114, nor to a lower portion 110 having a single
wall 118, and thus the invention is not limited to these specific
examples.
[0031] In accordance with one embodiment, the tray 112 can comprise
a wall 126 configured to flair outwardly and upwardly from the
lower portion 110, i.e., laterally and upwardly from the aperture
114. In other words, the shape of wall 126 can be generally
concave, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3. The wall 126 can define, at
least in part, a cavity 124.
[0032] An annular rim (hereinafter "rim") 128 can be defined on an
upper portion of the wall 126, thereby further defining the cavity
122 in conjunction with the wall 126. The rim 128 can extend inward
from an upper portion of the wall 126. An aperture (e.g., opening)
130 can be defined in the rim 128 to provide access into the cavity
124 to retrieve pills. In one arrangement, the rim 128 can be
generally flat and parallel to the bottom surface 120 of the lower
portion 110. In another arrangement the rim 128 can have a shape
that is generally convex, such that from an outer edge 132 of the
rim 128 to the aperture 130 the rim 128, the rim 128 flairs
outwardly away from the wall 126. In yet another arrangement the
rim 128 can have a shape that is generally concave, such that from
the outer edge 132 of the rim 128 to the aperture the rim 128, the
rim 128 flairs inwardly toward the wall 126. Still, the rim 128 can
be configured in any other manner suitable for retaining pills in
the cavity 124 when the bottle 100 is turned laterally and the
invention is not limited in this regard, as is further described
with reference to FIG. 4.
[0033] When the bottle 100 (i.e., the lower portion 110 and the
tray 112) is tilted laterally or upside down, one or more pills 134
can be transferred from the cavity 122 to the cavity 124 through
the aperture 114. The wall 126 and the rim 128 can be configured so
that once transferred into the cavity 124, the pills are held
proximate to where the rim 128. The pills can remain in place while
the bottle 100 remains tilted laterally so that a user can reach
into the cavity 124 and remove the pills 134. Specifically, the rim
128 can adequately protrude over the cavity 124 so as to prevent
the pills 134 from spilling out of the bottle 100 when the bottle
100 is tilted. For example, in one arrangement, a width 136 of the
rim 128 can be equal to, or greater, than a diameter of an average
pill. In another arrangement, the width 136 of the rim 128 can be
equal to or greater than one-half of a diameter of an average pill.
Still, any other suitable width 136 can be chosen so long as the
chosen width 136 prevents the pills 134 from unintentionally
falling out of the cavity when the bottle 100 is turned
laterally.
[0034] Moreover, the size and shape of the curvature of the bottom
of the cavity 124, which is defined by the wall 126, can be such
that it facilitates the passage of the pills 134 into the cavity
124 without falling back into the cavity 122 while the bottle 100
is tilted laterally. Tilting the bottle 100 upright and/or shaking
of the bottle 100 can serve to return of the unused pills 134 that
have been captured in the cavity 124 back into the cavity 122.
[0035] Optionally, the bottle can include a suitable lid or cap
(herein collectively referred to as "lid") 116 which serves to
enclose the bottle 100. The lid 116 can be removed so that pills
can be retrieved from within the bottle 100.
[0036] In one arrangement, the lid 116 can include grasping
features 117 around its periphery so as to facilitate removal of
the lid from the tray 112/lower portion 110. The grasping features
117 can facilitate removal of the lid 116 by those with arthritis
or other medical conditions. Suitable grasping features are well
known to those skilled in the art, and any such grasping features
may be used. Such grasping features are not limited to those
contained on the periphery of the lid 116. For example, grasping
features may be disposed on the top of the lid 116, or in any other
suitable manner.
[0037] Referring again to FIG. 2, the lid 116 can be sized to fit a
top end 138 of the tray 112 and may have threads 140 to complement
threads 142 formed on an outer periphery of the tray 112.
Accordingly, the lid 116 may be screwed onto the lower tray 112 in
a conventional manner. The invention is not limited in this regard,
however, and any other suitable means of attachment may be
implemented, as would be known to those skilled in the art of
manufacturing pill bottles. For example, tabs may be used to attach
lid 116 to the tray 112. In illustration, suitable tabs can be
defined on the periphery of the tray 112 and corresponding slots
that engage the tabs can be defined on the lid 116, or vice versa.
In another example, the lid 116 and tray 112 can be configured such
that the lid 116 snaps onto the tray 112.
[0038] Optionally, the lid 116 and/or tray 112 can be configured to
prevent access to the contents of the bottle 100 by small children.
For example, a tab 144 can be attached to an outer portion of the
tray 112. The tab 144 can interface with the lid 116 so that when
the lid is attached to the tray 112 (e.g., screwed or snapped onto
the tray 112), the tab 144 locks the lid 116 into place. For
example, the tab 144 can include a protrusion 146 that engages an
orifice 148 on a lower portion 150 of the lid. In this arrangement,
the tab 144 can be depressed to disengage the protrusion 146 from
the orifice 148, thereby allowing the lid to be unscrewed and
removed. Of course, this invention contemplates any other type of
known lids and childproof mechanisms, and any such lids and
childproof mechanisms are within the scope of the present
invention.
[0039] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict a combined pill bottle and tray
(hereinafter "bottle") 500 in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention. The bottle 500 comprises a tray 512 of the
type described in the structure depicted in FIGS. 1-4. In this
arrangement, however, the tray 512 can be configured to be
removeable from a lower portion 510 of the bottle 500. The lower
portion 510 can be, for example, an existing pill bottle that has
its lid removed. Advantageously, when the supply of pills in the
existing pill bottle have been used, the tray 512 can be removed
and attached to another bottle containing pills. Nonetheless, the
invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the lower
portion 510 can be specifically manufactured for compatibility with
the tray 512.
[0040] As previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the
bottle 500 can include a lower portion 510 having at least one wall
514 and a bottom surface 516 defining the cavity 518 accessible
through a wide top aperture (e.g., opening) 520. Again, the lower
portion 510 can be cylindrical or have any other desired shape, and
the cavity can serve as a compartment for storing pills.
[0041] In this arrangement, the tray 512 can include an
intermediate member 522 having a body 524 of a desired shape, for
instance cylindrical. As with the previous embodiment, the tray 512
can include a wall 526 that defines a dish shaped cavity 528. The
wall 526 can be configured to flair outwardly from an aperture 530,
or aperture, defined in the tray 512, i.e., laterally from the
aperture 530. The aperture 530 of the tray 512 can be smaller than
the top aperture 520 of the lower portion 510. For example, the
aperture 530 can have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of
the aperture 520, though this need not be the case.
[0042] A rim 540 can be defined on an upper portion of the wall
526, and can extend inward from the upper portion of the wall 526.
The rim 540 can be configured as previously described with
reference to the rim 128 depicted in FIGS. 1-4.
[0043] A bottom portion 550 of the tray 512 can be sized to
complement a top end 552 of the lower portion 510 of the bottle 500
and can be configured to be removably attached thereon. For
example, the tray 512 can be configured to screw or snap onto the
top end 552 of the lower portion 510 in a conventional manner. The
invention is not limited in this regard, however, and any other
suitable means of attachment may be implemented, as would be known
to those skilled in the art of manufacturing pill bottles.
[0044] In one arrangement, a childproof mechanism 560 can be
incorporated into the lower portion 510 and/or the tray 512 and can
be configured to prevent removal of the tray 512 from the lower
portion 510 by small children. Similarly, a childproof mechanism
562 can be incorporated into the tray 512 and/or the lid 116 and
can be configured to prevent removal of the lid 116 from the tray
512 by small children. As noted, the lid 116 can include suitable
grasping features 117. In one arrangement, the lid 116 can be the
lid from the existing pill bottle, but this need not be the
case.
[0045] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict a combined pill bottle and tray
(hereinafter "bottle") 800 in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention. The bottle 800 also comprises a tray 812 of
the type described in the structure depicted in FIGS. 5-7. In this
arrangement the tray 812 again can be configured to be removeable
from a lower portion 810 of the bottle 800 which has a narrow top
aperture (e.g., opening) 820. As noted, the lower portion 810 of
the bottle 800 can be an existing pill bottle that has its lid
removed. Thus, when the supply of pills in the bottle have been
used, the tray 812 can be removed and attached to another bottle
containing pills. Nonetheless, the invention is not limited in this
regard. For example, the lower portion 810 can be specifically
manufactured for compatibility with the tray 812.
[0046] In contrast to the arrangement described in FIGS. 5-7, the
lower portion 810 can be configured to have a narrow top aperture
(e.g., opening) 820 through which a cavity 818 defined by the lower
portion 810 is accessible, and through which pills may pass. Again,
the lower portion 810 can have at least one wall 814 and a bottom
surface 816 defining the cavity 818. The lower portion 810 can be
cylindrical or have any other desired shape. Moreover, the wall 814
can be configured with a contour 820 that flares outwardly (i.e,
laterally) from a lid or tray attachment portion 822 to a
relatively wider section 824 of the lower portion 810, thereby
allowing for a relatively large cavity 818 in comparison to the
size of the lid or tray attachment portion 822.
[0047] The tray 812 can be configured to removably attach to the
lid or tray attachment portion 822 in a suitable manner. For
example, the tray 812 can be configured to screw or snap onto the
lid or tray attachment portion 822 as previously described in FIGS.
1-4, or attach in any other suitable manner.
[0048] The tray 812 further can include a wall 826 and a rim 840
defining a cavity 828, as previously described in FIGS. 1-4. In
addition, the bottle 500 can include a lid 116, as previously
described in FIGS. 1-4.
[0049] FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 depict a combined pill bottle and tray
(hereinafter "bottle") 1100 in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. The bottle can include a tray 1112, which
may be circular, square, rectangular or other polygonal shape.
Obviously, this invention contemplates other shapes and/or styles
of trays and the particular shape or style does diminish the scope
of this invention.
[0050] The tray 1112 can include a flat bottom surface 1114 and at
least one side wall 1116 that extends upwards from the bottom
surface 1114 to define a cavity 1118. A central aperture 1120
(e.g., opening) can be defined in the bottom surface 1114 to
provide access to a cavity 1124 defined by a wall 1126 and the
bottom surface 1128 of a lower portion 1110 of the bottle 1100. In
this regard, the bottom surface 1114 can laterally extend from the
aperture 1120 to the side wall(s) 1116 in a traverse manner. The
aperture 1120 can be circular, triangular, square, or have any
other desired shape.
[0051] The bottle 1100 can be configured such that pills 1130 may
be contained in the cavity 1124. Shaking or turning the bottle 1100
upside down will cause the pills 1130 to transport to the tray
1112. When the bottle 1100 is returned to the original position,
the pills 1130 will sit on the bottom surface 1114 of the tray 1112
to allow a user to pick up one or more pills 1130 as depicted by
the fingers 1132. In one arrangement a lid 1134 may be hingedly
attached to the tray 1112 at one end 1136 by a suitable hinge 1138.
The hinge 1138 can be a thin material that may be molded into the
lid 1120, or implemented in any other suitable manner. The lid 1134
and/or tray 1112 and can include a snapping closure structure 1140
for holding the lid 1134 in place while closed. Still, any other
suitable lid and/or fastening means may be used and the invention
is not limited in this regard. Indeed, various types caps and
fastening mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art,
and are within the scope of the present invention.
[0052] FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 depict a combined pill bottle and tray
(hereinafter "bottle") 1400 in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. The bottle 1400 comprises the lower
portion 510 described with reference to FIGS. 5-7 and a tray 1412
similar to the type described in the structure depicted in FIGS.
5-7. As noted, the lower portion 512 can be an existing pill bottle
that has its lid removed. Once again, the tray 1412 can be
configured to removably attach to the lid or tray attachment
portion 552 in a suitable manner. In addition, a suitable lid 1464
can be provided, as previously described.
[0053] The bottle 1400 can be configured such that pills may be
contained in the cavity 518. Shaking or turning the bottle 1400
upside down will cause the pills to transport to the tray 1412.
When the bottle 1400 is returned to the original position, the
pills will sit on a bottom surface 1414 of the tray 1412 to allow a
user to pick up one or more pill, as previously described.
[0054] Again, the tray 1412 can include an intermediate member 1422
having a body 1424 of a desired shape. The primary difference
between the bottle 1400 and the bottle 500 described in FIGS. 5-7
is the configuration of the tray 1412, and more particularly, the
features which define the cavity 1428. The tray 1412 can include a
flat bottom surface 1414 and at least one wall 1416 that extends
upwards from a periphery of the bottom surface 1414 to, at least in
part, define the cavity 1428. A central aperture 1420 (e.g.,
opening) can be defined in the bottom surface 1414 to provide
access to the cavity 518 defined by the lower portion 510. In this
regard, the bottom surface 1414 can traversely extend from the
aperture 1420 to the wall 1416.
[0055] The aperture 1420 can be circular, triangular, square, or
have any other desired shape. The size (e.g., diameter) of the
aperture 1420 can be selected to allow the passage of at least one
pill therethrough, while allowing the bottom surface 1414 to be
sufficiently large to hold pills when the tray 1412 is positioned
in an upright position, as depicted in FIGS. 14-16. For example,
the diameter of the aperture 1420 can be selected to be
approximately one-quarter, one-third, one-half, two-thirds or
three-quarters of the diameter of the bottom surface 1414. Still,
the any other suitable diameter for the aperture 1420 can be
selected so long as pills may pass through the aperture 1420 and be
held by the bottom surface 1414 when the tray 1412 is positioned
upright.
[0056] Optionally, a rim 1440 can be defined extending inward from
the upper portion of the wall 1416. The rim 1140 can be configured
as previously described with reference to the rim 128 depicted in
FIGS. 1-4. In an arrangement in which the rim 1440 is provided, the
cavity 1428 can be defined by the bottom surface 1414, the wall
1416 and the rim 1440.
[0057] A bottom portion 1450 of the tray 1412 can be sized to
complement a top end 552 of the lower portion 510 of the bottle 500
and can be configured to be removably attached thereon. For
example, the tray 512 can be configured to screw or snap onto the
top end 552 of the lower portion 510 in a conventional manner. The
invention is not limited in this regard, however, and any other
suitable means of attachment may be implemented, as would be known
to those skilled in the art of manufacturing pill bottles.
[0058] As previously described, a childproof mechanism 560 can be
incorporated into the lower portion 510 and/or the tray 1412 and
can be configured to prevent removal of the tray 1412 from the
lower portion 510 by small children. Similarly, a childproof
mechanism 1462 can be incorporated into the tray 1412 and/or the
lid 116 and can be configured to prevent removal of the lid 116
from the tray 1412 by small children.
[0059] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated and
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosed invention.
[0060] This invention can be embodied in other forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims,
rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope
of the invention.
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