U.S. patent number 3,722,739 [Application Number 05/126,526] was granted by the patent office on 1973-03-27 for pill dispenser having clockwork for periodic dispensing.
Invention is credited to Martin Blumberg.
United States Patent |
3,722,739 |
Blumberg |
March 27, 1973 |
PILL DISPENSER HAVING CLOCKWORK FOR PERIODIC DISPENSING
Abstract
This invention relates to a pill dispenser which is convenient
to carry in a pocket or handbag. The dispenser is generally
circular and has internally an annular ring of pockets for the
pills. Two annular members cover the ring of pockets and have
windows which register to expose any one pocket. A device
controlled by a clockwork timing mechanism prevents movement of the
inner of the members into register with a further pocket until a
pre-set time interval has expired.
Inventors: |
Blumberg; Martin (Stellenbosch,
Cape Province, ZA) |
Family
ID: |
25561813 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/126,526 |
Filed: |
March 22, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/3; 221/15;
116/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/0454 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/04 (20060101); B65b 057/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;221/15,16,3 ;222/70
;116/121 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Assistant Examiner: Scherbel; David A.
Claims
I claim :
1. A dispenser comprising a plurality of containment means for one
or more items; exposure means operable to expose successively the
containment means, so that the item in each said containment means
may be successively removed therefrom, operation prevention means
which when in the one position prevents the operation of the
exposure means while when in a second position allows such
operation to take place, and a timing mechanism, which is arranged
to allow the operation prevention means to move into the second
position after the passage of the time interval; wherein the
exposure means comprises a pair of members which are relatively
movable when the operation prevention means is in the first
position and which are connectable for movement together when the
operation prevention means is in the second position, and wherein
the members have windows movable into register with one another to
expose the containment means.
2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the said members are
rotatable and comprise annular portions lying one above the
other.
3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 in which the containment means
each comprise a pocket, the pockets being arranged in a ring lying
below the annular portions of the said members.
4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the operation
prevention means comprises a detent operatively connected to one of
the members and being movable from a retracted first position to a
projecting second position in which it may engage an abutment on
the other of the members.
5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a latch
member movable between an operative and a release position, the
latch member, when in the operative position, holding the detent in
its first position and, when in its release position, allowing the
detent to move into its second position, the latch member being
operatively connected to the timing mechanism to be moved thereby
into its release position after the passage of the said time
interval.
6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 comprising a spring biassing
the detent towards its second position and a spring biassing the
latch member in a direction opposite to the direction in which the
detent is biassed, the spring biassing the latch member being
stronger than the spring biassing the detent.
7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 in which the latch member is
biassed towards its operative position and is held in the release
position by engagement with the detent.
8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a cam
member and, on the latch member, a cam follower, the cam member
lifting the cam follower when the said one of the pair of members
is moved relative to the containment means to move the latch member
out of engagement with the detent.
9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
signalling device connected to the timing mechanism to be operated
thereby after the passage of the said interval of time.
10. A dispenser comprising a plurality of containment means for one
or more items; exposure means operable to expose successively the
containment means, so that the item in each said containment means
may be successively removed therefrom; operation prevention means
which when in the one position prevents the operation of the
exposure means while when in a second position allows such
operation to take place; a clockwork timing mechanism, which is
arranged to allow the operation prevention means to move into the
second position after the passage of the time interval; and
energizing means for the timing mechanism, which energizing means
are actuated on exposure or occultation of the containment means.
Description
THIS invention relates to dispensers and is concerned with
dispensers adapted to dispense items successively each after a
certain minimum time interval. Such a dispenser may comprise a
plurality of containment means for one or more of the items,
exposure means operable to expose successively the containment
means, so that the item or items in each said containment means may
be successively removed therefrom, operation prevention means which
when in the one position prevents the operation of the exposure
means while when in a second position allows such operation to take
place, and a timing mechanism, normally a clockwork mechanism,
which is arranged to allow the operation prevention means to move
into the second position after the passage of the time interval. A
dispenser having the features set out in the preceding sentence is
hereinafter referred to as a dispenser of the kind set forth.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a
dispenser of the kind set forth including energizing means for the
timing mechanism, which energizing means are actuated on exposure
or occultation of the containment means.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a
dispenser of the kind set forth wherein the exposure means
comprises a pair of members which are relatively movable when the
operation prevention means is in the first position and which are
connectable for movement together when the operation prevention
means is in the second position, and wherein the members have
windows movable into register with one another to expose the
containment means as mentioned above.
The members are preferably rotatable and comprise annular portions
lying one above the other. The containment means preferably each
comprises a pocket, with the pockets arranged in a ring lying below
the annular portions of the said members.
The operation prevention means preferably comprises a detent
operatively connected to one of the members and being movable from
a retracted first position to a projecting second position in which
it may engage an abutment on the other of the members. Preferably
the second of the members has to be moved through a large arc, that
may conveniently be of the order of nearly 180.degree., from the
position in which the windows are in register to a position in
which the abutment can engage the detent when the latter is in the
second position.
The detent is preferably held in its first position by a latch
member when the latter is in an operative position, the latch
member being movable to the release position by the timing
mechanism after the passage of the aforesaid time interval, and
when it is in the release position allows the detent to move into
the second position. The latch member is preferably biassed towards
its operative position and is preferably held in the release
position by engagement with the detent. Means are preferably
provided to move the latch member out of engagement with the detent
to allow it to return to its operative position, which means
preferably comprise a cam member and a follower on the latch
member, the cam member lifting the follower when the said one of
the pair of members is moved relative to the containment means. The
cam follower preferably engages a part fixed relative to the ring
of pockets to prevent movement of the latch member and the said one
of the members relative to the pockets when the latch member is in
the operative position.
The said second of the annular members preferably has a handle
formed thereon to facilitate manual rotation thereof. This member
is preferably connected to the clockwork timing mechanism to
energize the latter when the second member is being rotated to move
the window in the second member into and out of register with the
window in the first annular member. The timing mechanism may be
connected to a, preferably audible, signalling device which is
operated after the passage of the time interval mentioned
above.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by
way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings :
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container for use in the pill dispenser
of the invention, the parts of the container on one side of the
drawing being omitted to expose the pockets.
FIG. 2 is a side view partially in section on line 2--2 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a plan of a blanking ring for the dispenser,
FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 is an under plan of a winding and head member for the
dispenser,
FIG. 6 is a plan of the winding and head member,
FIG. 7 is a plan of the release mechanism of the dispenser,
FIG. 8 is a view on arrow 8 of FIG. 7,
FIGS. 9, 11 and 13 are detail side views of the release mechanism
in various stages of operation,
FIGS. 10, 12 and 14 are views taken from positions corresponding to
line 10 -- 10 on FIG. 9 of FIGS. 9, 11 and 13 respectively,
FIG. 15 is a section on line 15 -- 15 of FIG. 5, and
FIG. 16 is a plan of the overwind protection device.
Referring now to the drawings, the pill dispenser there shown
comprises a container 12, a clockwork timing and release mechanism
14, and exposure means comprising a blanking ring 16 and a winding
and dispensing head member 18.
The container 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2)
The container 12 is generally dish-shaped and has an internal
cylindrical wall 20 defining a central cylindrical recess 24 in
which the release mechanism 14 is received and an annular space 25.
Internal walls 22 extend radially outwardly from wall 22 to divide
the annular space 25 into a number of containment means comprised
by pockets 26 of identical dimensions. Pills to be dispensed are
contained in these pockets 26. The inner ends of the radial walls
22 have narrow cross-pieces or heads 23.
A central boss 27 is formed in the recess 24 and has a blind bore
28 to receive the winding shaft of the clockwork mechanism 14.
The cylindrical wall 20 is of generally saw tooth shape. At each
pocket, the wall 20 has a flat surface 29, an inclined surface 30
leading to a triangular crest 32 and then a vertical surface 34
which drops down to the flat surface 29 adjacent the next pocket
(see also FIGS. 10, 12 and 14). The surfaces 30, 32 and 34
constitute cam surfaces.
The blanking ring 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4)
The blanking ring 16 comprises a thin pressed steel annulus of the
same width as the annular space 25. A window 36 is formed in the
ring 16, which window 36 is of the same dimensions as a pocket 26.
At a location diametrically opposite the window 36, there is a
cut-out recess 38 in the inner edge 40 of the ring 16.
An arcuate tongue 42 having a rounded nose 44 and subtending about
45.degree. at the center of the ring is cut out of the ring 16 near
the inner edge 40 and is sprung upwardly.
The winding and dispensing head member 18. (see FIGS. 5,6 and
15)
The winding and dispensing head member 18 is generally disc-like in
shape having a centrally depressed portion 46 traversed by a
diametral wall 48 which serves as a winding handle. The depressed
portion 46 is of smaller diameter than the inner edge 40 of the
ring 16. At the center of its underside, the portion 46 has a
shallow recess 50 which serves the purpose to be described and a
radial groove 51 extends to one side of the recess 50. A concentric
rim 52 surrounds the portion 46 on the undersurface of the head
member 18. A gate 54 is formed in the rim 52 at the end of groove
51 and is bounded by a vertical wall 56 and a sloping wall 58.
An annular area 60 surrounds the portion 46. A window 62 passes
through this area 60 and is located so as to be able to register
with window 36 with which it is of identical dimensions.
On its underside surrounding the rim 52, the member 18 is formed
with an annular series of indentations 64 which correspond in shape
and location to the end of the tongue 42 on the blanking ring 16.
These indentations 64 and the tongue 42 serve as a ratchet and pawl
mechanism which prevents the head member 18 being wound in a
direction other than the designed advancing direction.
The clockwork timing and release mechanism 14 (FIGS. 7 & 8)
The clockwork timing and release mechanism 14 comprises a clockwork
unit 66 which may be the unit from a conventional pocket watch
modified as will be described. The unit 66 fits within the central
cylindrical recess 24 of the container 12. It has a central winding
shaft 68 one end of which is received in the blind bore 28 and the
other end of which is provided with a head 70 that is non-rotatably
received in the recess 50. Thus as the head member 18 is rotated,
the clockwork unit 66 is wound up.
Lying loosely across the back of the unit 66 is a latch member 72
which is pressed sheet metal. The latch member has a slot 73 formed
therein and the winding shaft 68 passes through this slot 73. A
locking nose 74 is formed at one end of the latch member 72 and at
the other end there is a "T" - piece 75 bowed centrally upwardly. A
step 76 is formed at one side of the latch member 72 at the root of
the nose 74. A laterally projecting arm 78 is provided half way
along the length of the latch member 72.
A pair of light springs 80 and 82 act on the latch member 72. The
spring 80 engages a cut-out recess 84 and urges the latch member 72
downwardly and forwardly while the spring 82 engages a pressed-up
portion 86 also to urge the member 72 forwardly.
Forward movement of the latch member is limited as will be
described and when the latch member 72 is in the forward or
operative position, the nose 74 extends over the cylindrical wall
20 and engages the cross-piece or head 23 of a radial wall 22. When
the latch member 72 is in the rearward or release position the nose
74 terminates within the annulus defined by the inner and outer
sides of the cylindrical wall 20 and may act as a cam follower on
the cam surfaces 30, 32 and 34 as will be described.
A pair of rigid lug members 88 project from the unit 66 on either
side of the nose 74. These lug members 88 fit within the cut-out
recess 38 in the blanking ring 16 so that as the release mechanism
is rotated as will be described below the blanking ring will rotate
with it.
A timing interval disc 90 which is rotated by the clockwork timing
unit 66 lies under the arm 78 of the latch member 72. Low timing
pins 92 are pushed out of the disc 90 and these are arranged to
engage the arm 78 at predetermined times -- which correspond to the
pre-set time intervals -- to move the arm 78 and with it the latch
member 72 backwardly against the influence of the springs 80 and 82
into the rearward or release position.
An operation prevention means in the form of a detent plate 94
extends through the unit 66 below the member 72 and its width
extends in the same direction as the length of the latch member 72.
A step 96 is formed in the detent 94. A spring 98, which is weaker
than the spring 80 urges the detent 94 upwardly but it (the detent
94) is held in a downward or retracted position by the member 72
when the latter is in the forward or operative position and in this
position, the steps 76 and 96 engage one another. When the latch
member 72 is in the rearward or release position, the detent 94 is
moved upwardly by the spring 98 into a second position in which it
lies in the path of the step 76 and is capable of engaging in the
gate 54 formed in the rim 52 on the underside of the head 18.
The detent 94 lies against and is buttressed by one of the lug
members 88 against the force of the springs 80 and 82.
OPERATION
In use, the pockets 26 each contain a pill or the like which is
dangerous if taken at shorter intervals than those prescribed. The
clockwork release mechanism 14 is positioned so that the nose 74
lies on a flat surface 29 adjacent a pocket 26 (see FIGS. 9 and
10). The window 36 of the blanking ring 16 overlies a pocket 26
diametrically oppositely located to the first mentioned pocket. The
head member 18 can not be turned so that the window 62 registers
with the window 36 to expose the pocket below the window 36 which
pocket can now be emptied of its contents. The head member 18 is
now rotated to close off or cause occultation of the pocket.
Rotation of the head member 18 relative to the container 12 and
hence the unit 66 rotates the winding shaft 68 and thus winds up
the unit 66.
After the pre-set space of time, the disc 90 will have rotated
through a sufficient angle for a timing pin 92 thereon to engage
the arm 78 and move the latch member 72 into the rearward or
release position. When this occurs, the detent 94 springs upwardly
into the second position and engages the step 76 holding the member
72 is in its rearward position (see FIG. 11). The top of the detent
94 now butts against the rim 52. When the head member 18 has been
rotated sufficiently, the gate 54 lies opposite the detent 94 and
the latter enters in the gate 54 (as shown in FIG. 11). On further
rotation of the head member, the vertical gate wall 56 engages the
detent 94 so that the unit 66 and the blanking ring 16 rotate with
the head member 18 during further rotation thereof.
During this rotation, the nose 74 now rides up the inclined surface
30 of the wall 20. When the nose 76 rides on the crest 32 (see
FIGS. 13 and 14), the member 72 will be accommodated in the groove
51, will be above the lower stepped part of the detent 94 and will
be moved forwardly by the spring 82 until the steps 76 and 96
engage. During this forward movement, the arm 78, which has been
lifted with the member 72 above the height of the timing pins 92,
passes over the pin 92 which pushed the arm 78 backwardly. The
member 72 is now moved downwardly by the spring 80 thereby
depressing the detent 94, moving it out of contact with the face 56
and there is no driving connection between the head member 18 on
the one hand and the clockwork unit 66 and blanking ring 16 on the
other. The blanking ring 16 has however advanced sufficiently for
the window 36 to be over the next pocket 26. The rotation of the
head member 18 is continued until the window 62 registers with the
window 36 to expose the next pocket so that the contents can be
removed. The process continues in this way.
It will be noted that as the window 62 and the gate 54 are close
together and the recess 38 in the blanking ring and with it the
detent 94 are 180.degree. from the window 36, the head member 18
has to be turned through 180.degree. from the position in which the
windows 62 and 36 register before the detent 94 is received within
the gate 54. This means that the clockwork unit 66 must be wound up
on each occasion the dispenser is used. It will be noted that the
latch member 72 can move upwardly only when the groove 51 and gate
54 is above it. Otherwise the rim 52 holds the member 72 flat
against the unit 66. Thus the nose 74 cannot ride up the surface 30
and the unit 66 cannot rotate within the container 12. It will also
be noted that in the unlikely event of there being a frictional
connection between the head 18 and the unit 66 sufficient to rotate
the latter when the latch member 72 is in the operative position,
the engagement between the nose 74 and cross-member 23 will provide
a positive stop preventing this movement.
Overwind Prevention Mechanism (FIG. 16)
It will be appreciated that some means must be provided to prevent
over-winding the main spring of the clock-work unit 66. To this
end, the main spring mechanism 100 may comprise a number of
springs, say three, 102, 104, 106. The inner end of one of the
springs 102 is connected to the spring winding shaft 68 and the
outside of this spring 102 bears frictionally against the main
spring drum 110. The outer ends of all the springs are welded
together and the inner springs 104, 106 bias the outer spring 102
against the wall of the drum 112. As the springs are wound their
effective outer diameter decreases and consequently the frictional
engagement with the winding drum 110 decreases. When the springs
are wound tight, the tendency of the springs to unwind overcomes
the frictional engagement with the winding drum. The springs then
unwind to about half their tension. This is sufficient to operate
the clockwork unit to time the predetermined interval between the
permitting of the exposure of the next pocket.
Overwind Prevention Mechanism (Modification)
Instead of a friction connection between the springs, a pin may
project from the drum to engage a hole in the end of a single
spring. This arrangement would work in the same way as that
described above, save that when the spring is overwound the hole
becomes disengaged from the pin and the spring unwinds one
revolution until the pin and hole re-engage.
Setting of Time Interval
The setting of the time interval may be achieved by using timing
interval discs 90 having the timing pins 92 at different spacings
as required. Fine settings of the time interval, of the order of
plus or minus five minutes, may be effected by altering the tension
of the hair spring on the escapment mechanism.
Warning Device
Certain drugs must be taken at specified intervals. For such drugs,
the dispenser may be provided with an audible warning device. This
device is preferably operated by the detent 94 when it moves into
its upper or second position. The device may be a bell operated by
the clock-work mechanism. Alternatively it may be an electrical
oscillator or a buzzer 96 which, together with a button battery 98
for operating it may be positioned in adjacent pockets which are
not used for pills. In this case the engagement of the top of the
detent 94 against the rim 51, which may be electrically conductive
for this purpose, may close a circuit energizing the oscillator or
buzzer. When the head member 18 is moved so that the windows 36 and
62 are in register to enable a pill to be dispensed, the detent 94
will be in the gate. The circuit will then be broken and the
warning sound silenced.
General
If the dispenser is being used to dispense pills which are e.g.
lethal when taken in overdose, the container 12 and the head member
18 will be made of a virtually unbreakable material, for example
"Delrin", and will be very securely held together e.g. by a holding
ring fixed to the container. Such a dispenser will be filled at the
factory and will be thrown away after use. With non-lethal pills
where the time interval between taking the pills is merely
desirable and not absolutely necessary, the dispenser may be
refillable and need not be so securely made.
The dispenser is of a convenient size to be kept in a pocket or
handbag.
The invention is not limited to the precise constructional details
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings.
For example the relative positions of the window 36 and recess 38
as well as the window 62 and gate 54 may be changed. However such
positioning is preferably such that the head member 18 must be
moved through a substantial arc to bring the windows 36 and 62 into
register. Also care should be taken to ensure that the nose 74 does
not project into a pocket which is exposed because a user might
then tamper with the operation of the dispenser. A typical
alternative position of the window 36 is shown in dotted lines in
FIG. 3.
It will also be understood that the dispenser may be modified to
dispense items other than pills or the like.
* * * * *