JP2931401B2 - Self-advancing dispenser with any start date - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for dispensing a series of pills in a prescribed order. Although a variety of dispensers are available the designs are inadequate to serve the needs of the patient by assuring the medication is administered in the prescribed sequence. A pill package (110) is disposed within the dispenser (100) and is locked in place and cannot be removed. A plunger (120) is provided to facilitate the expulsion of a pill from the pill package. The pill package (110) automatically advances to the next dispensing position immediately after the expulsion of the proper pill. A calendar indicator (130) is provided for designating the period the pills are to be taken. The indicator can be present to indicate a specific day the first pill is to be taken. The indicator can also be set by the user to locate any day of the week the first pill is to be taken.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing a series of pills in a prescribed order. In the most preferred embodiment,
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for dispensing a series of pills such that when a user operates the apparatus to remove a single pill, the next dose is advanced to the dispensing position. In addition, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides an adjustable means of indicating on which day of the week dosing begins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many types of drugs that are dispensed in the form of pills or tablets to be administered in a particular order or manner. The most common example of this form of drug is an oral contraceptive. Although various dispensers are available for dispensing a series of pills, designs available for a number of reasons may, to varying degrees, meet the needs of the patient in ensuring that a prescribed sequence of drugs is administered. Inadequate to respond best.

A currently available and common dispenser is commonly known as a "Dialpak".
The device, as the name implies, provides a series of pills arranged in a ring in a substantially circular dispenser, thereby providing proper positioning of the pills with respect to the dispensing means by dialing. Individual pills are dispensed. There are many features and advantages of a dial pack that it is desirable to keep. For example, the current dial pack design is such that, for pills individually encapsulated or "crushed", each pill is contained in place and contained within a marked pill package. The design is such that calendar days can be easily identified. Thus, the user can easily confirm the current point in the cycle by observing the remaining number of pills and their position in the pill package.

Currently, available dial packs are somewhat tolerated by patients and physicians, but some limitations remain. First, it is desirable to provide a dispenser that minimizes the number of steps or procedures to be performed in order for a patient to take the correct pill at the correct time-the dispenser should be as automated as possible. This ensures that the user takes the prescription pill correctly. Minimizing the number and complexity of the actions a user must take to take a pill enhances the reliability and acceptability of the dispenser. Simplicity leads to an accurate dosing guarantee.

Furthermore, with the advent of step-acting birth control pills, the first pill taken on the prescribed number of days after the end of the menstrual cycle creates additional demands. Currently, dispensers are preset to start taking only on a fixed day, usually Sunday. However, with gradual acting birth control pills, such a structure is inappropriate because the first pill must be taken at the indicated time rather than on a predetermined date. This excludes a predetermined day of the week on which to start taking. Accordingly, in some cases, it is further desirable to provide a flexible dispenser that can be used without sticking to a fixed start date.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, there is provided an improved dispenser for dispensing a series of different pills over a specified period of time. The pill package is placed in the dispenser and locked in place and cannot be removed. A plunger is provided to facilitate removal of the pill from the pill package. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the pill package automatically advances to the next dispensing position immediately after the release of the plunger to push out the appropriate pill. A calendar indicator is provided to indicate when to take a particular pill. During manufacture, this calendar can be pre-adjusted to indicate the particular day (eg, Sunday) when the first pill in the package should be taken. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user can set the display to place the first pill of the pill package on any day of the week. This is preferably accomplished by aligning the initial pill with a dispenser opening or other means for dispensing the pill.

The device of the present invention comprises a cover and a base. Within the base are dispensing grooves for dispensing the pills, a base ratchet for producing a one-way directed rotational movement, and means for holding the co-operating parts of the device. The base ratchet means preferably has at least one flexible projection extending from the base and a number of ratchet teeth disposed on the base. The base engaging means is preferably at least one flexible projection extending from the base and at least one groove disposed in the base.

The dispenser also houses a substantially cylindrical pill package containing many pills. The pill package preferably has first and second concentric ring members with intermediate radial ribs defining a number of spaces for holding the pills. The first concentric ring member also has a number of ratchet teeth disposed on its outer surface. Furthermore,
The pill package includes a third concentric ring member having a plurality of inwardly facing ratchet teeth disposed on the surface.
Of the ring member. This third concentric ring member also has at least one groove disposed thereon.
A breakable cover is secured to the pill package, enclosing and protecting the pill inside. Finally, the pill package has means for engaging the co-operating part of the device, which preferably comprises at least one groove disposed thereon.

To facilitate dispensing of pills, the device includes a plunger for dispensing pills from the pill package. The plunger is configured with a substantially circular portion from which a number of triangular protrusions extend vertically. Also, a substantially triangular projection extends laterally from the circular portion of the plunger and has a downwardly projecting boss, which will contact and push out the pill when force is applied. . The plunger also has engagement means for retaining a co-operating portion of the device.

A calendar indicator is also provided to indicate when a particular pill should be taken in order to determine the appropriate date or other time of starting dosing. The calendar indicator is a substantially circular ring engraved with a calendar mark. In addition, the calender ring also has engaging means for retaining the co-operating parts of the device.

The components of the dispenser are assembled such that when a force is applied to push the plunger into the base, the boss passes the pill through a breakable cover and dispensing groove means secured to the pill package. At the same time, the triangular portion of the boss and the base ratchet means cooperate to rotate the pill package one time upon release of the plunger and to position the next pill to be dosed over the dispensing groove. I do.

Certain embodiments of the pill package of the present invention that allow a user to set a calendar to indicate any particular date as a start date include other novel features and components. In such an embodiment, the engaging means of the calendar indicator is at least one flexible projection and at least one engaging tooth. The pill package also has a number of engaging projections. The interaction between the engaging teeth and the engaging projections provides the indicated rotational movement between the calendar indicator and the pill packaging means. The flexible projections
The calendar ring is allowed to be pushed out of engagement for fixation with the projection. Thus, any of the calendar marks engraved on the calendar display can be placed in a position to dispense the first of a series of pills.

The invention further provides a method of dispensing a series of pills over a defined period. First, a series of pills stored in a dispenser with a calendar indicator, plunger and dispensing groove is prepared. By pressing the plunger, the user dispenses the pill. Releasing the plunger places the next pill in the series of pills under the plunger. In one embodiment, the user can perform a preliminary step of presetting the calendar indicator so that the first pill of the series is correlated with the time of taking the first pill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device of the present invention in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottom housing of the device of the present invention.

 FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pill package used in the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

 FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plunger used in the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a dispenser ring used in the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.

 FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dispenser 100 for dispensing a series of different pills over a defined period of time.
The pill package 110 is located within the dispenser 100 and is fixed in place and cannot be removed. A plunger 120 is provided to facilitate removal of the pill from the pill package. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the pill package 110 is automatically advanced to the next dispensing position immediately after removal of the appropriate pill. A date indicator 130 is provided to indicate when a particular pill should be taken. During manufacture, the indicator is preset to indicate a particular day (eg, Sunday) to take the first pill of the package. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the indicator 130 can be set to define any day of the week as the day for the user to take the first pill in the pill package. This is preferably done by aligning the original pill with the opening or other means of the dispenser dispensing the pill.

The pill dispenser 100 has a bottom housing 102 and a cover 104 hinged to the bottom housing 102. A tab 105 on the cover 104 engages a lip 106 on the inner top surface of the bottom housing 102 and acts as a stop.
Cover and bottom housing to make it easier to open the cover
Recesses are provided in both stops of 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 1 of the bottom housing 102
03 is inclined downward and inward toward the bottom wall 101. Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom wall 1 of the bottom housing 102
It can be seen that a dispensing opening 112 is formed in 01 and the pill is dispensed therethrough when taking. Grooves 113, 114 are cut inward from the edge of the bottom housing 102 near the dispensing opening 112. As shown, a pair of grooves 11
By making 3,114, the material left in between forms an elastic cantilevered member. A boss 115 is formed at the upper end of the elastic cantilever member. The boss 115 engages a notch of a pill package described later. The resilient cantilever member cooperates with a spring latch which, when depressed, acts on the spring latch of the pill package described below to disengage the calender wheel 130 so that the wheel can rotate.

Adjacent to the side wall 103 are a number of equally spaced ratchets 150, which cooperate with the pill package 110 (described below) to constrain rotation in one direction. Numerous flexible protrusions concentric with the ratchet and extending upwards at equal intervals inside it
There are 155. These flexible projections 155 engage with flexible ratchet-like teeth on the pill package 110 as described below. The interlocking projections 155 and the interacting portion of the pill package 110 provide one-way rotation of the pill package 110 relative to the bottom housing 102, preferably clockwise. Thus, the present invention prevents the user from changing the order of the pills to be dispensed. When the plunger 120 is pressed to dispense the pill, the flexible projection 155 interacts with a portion of the plunger 120 to provide a force to rotate the pill package 110 relative to the bottom 102. Also, vertical grooves 158 are visible, which, as described below,
Prevent relative rotation between the two dispenser elements.

Referring now to FIG. 4, preferably by an inwardly extending lip 157 on the top surface of the central hub ring 156,
It can be seen that a central hub ring 156, preferably designed to secure the plunger 120, is inside the flexible projection 154. The lip 157 extends downward from the plunger 120 described later and holds the plunger 120 by circumferentially spaced elastic hooks. On the inner surface of the hub ring of the bottom housing there are circumferentially spaced vertical grooves 158 that retain splines disposed on the outer surface of a portion of the plunger 120, thereby preventing rotation of the plunger 120. .

FIG. 5 illustrates a pill package 110 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and composed of a rotatable cylinder set of three concentric rings 160,162,164. The two outer rings 160, 162 are held together by equally spaced ribs 161 flush with the rings 160, 162 and define a groove in which the pill is placed. FIG. 5 shows an interlock.
167 and tip 169 are visible. Interlock 167 prevents rotation of pill package 110 during independent adjustment of calendar wheel 130, as described below. In a preferred embodiment, when plunger 120 is first depressed, interlock 167 is broken and pill package 1
10 can rotate with respect to bottom 102. When the pill package 110 first rotates, the tip 169 is disengaged from the boss 116 formed on the bottom 102 as described above, so that the calendar wheel 130 is not further adjusted or changed for any reason. .

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 6, preferably the cylindrical pill package has a bottom cover 166 of a sealable and rupturable foil, and more preferably a top cover 168 of a transparent and rupturable material. These cover materials 166, 168
May cover the entire pill package as shown, or may only cover the groove in which the pill is located. In FIG. 6, the pill package 1 is shown by the engagement of a series of flexible projections 154 extending upwardly from the bottom housing 102 into grooves 165 in the lower wall surface of the inner ring 164.
It is shown how 10 is held in place in the bottom housing 102.

The inner ring 164 is concentric with and inside the groove of the pill package and is connected to the intermediate ring 162 below. The inner ring 164 is provided with a series of flexible prongs 163, the top surface of which is, when viewed from above, ratchet-like teeth extending inward as shown in FIG. The number of flexible tips 163 is the same as the number of grooves in the pill package that contains the pills, so the movement for displaying the tray from one flexible tip 163 to the next will dispense the next pill. Will put in position. With this type of configuration, the pill package 110 is moved sequentially, preferably in a clockwise direction, relative to the bottom housing 102 so that each pill in the dispensing position is aligned with the dispensing opening 112 of the bottom housing 102. can do.

A series of teeth 165 are placed on the outer ring 160 of the pill package 110 to select the first day of taking. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, there are seven teeth, one for each day of the week. The side view of the pill package 110 shown in FIG.
Teeth 16 that engage with their appearance and indication calendar ring
The arrangement of 5 is shown. Tooth 165 function, calendar ring 130
10 and FIG. 12 will be described later.

Referring to FIG. 8, the pill dispenser 10 of the present invention
The plunger 120 used for 0 is shown. Plunger 120 is generally circular with one triangular protrusion 170 extending laterally from its side. The protrusion 170 acts by a generally rectangular boss 172 on the bottom surface of the triangular protrusion 170 to assist in pill extrusion. The boss 172 is shaped so as to be slightly smaller than the space for storing the pills formed in the pill package 110. When incorporated into the dispenser 100, the boss 172 is
Of the pill package 110 above the dispensing opening 112 of the pill package 110. As the patient depresses plunger 120, boss 172 breaks transparent clear breakable seal 168 on the top of pill package 110 and contacts the pill and pushes it through foil seal 166, thereby dispensing the pill.

8 shows that the inner surface of plunger 120 has a number of downwardly extending triangular projections 17 located between the inner surface of the side wall ring of plunger 120 and the central hub.
4 is included. These projections 174 are located directly above and in contact with the flexible projections 155 described above with respect to the bottom housing 102 illustrated in FIGS. When the plunger is depressed, these triangular protrusions 174 cause the flexible protrusion 155 to engage the flexible latch described above.
Deflect to engage a pair at the back of 163. At this time,
Protrusion 155 occupies a "spring" position on the flat side of latch 163, and thus a "prepare" position. When the plunger 120 is released, the protrusion 155 rises to its upright position, and the plunger 120 rises because it is lifted by the protrusion 174 in contact with the flexible protrusion 155. It can be replaced with a spring or other device to achieve the same result.
Flexible protrusion 155 returns to its upright position and pushes the back of flexible ratchet 163 to advance the pill package one time.

Referring now to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the central hub of plunger 120 is comprised of a number of elastic hooks 176 spaced circumferentially. The hook engages the lip 157 to hold the plunger 120 as described above with reference to FIG. On the outer surface of the central hub of the plunger are splines 178 which engage vertical grooves 158 on the inner surface of the bottom housing to prevent relative rotation between the plunger and the bottom housing.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pill dispenser 10 of the present invention
The 0 preferably has a generally cylindrical calendar wheel 130, which in one embodiment of the invention is adjustable with respect to the pill package 110. Thus, the pre-positioned prescription 1 is aligned with the plunger boss 172 and the dispensing opening 112 of the bottom housing 102.
The appropriate date for taking the second pill can be presented.
On the upper surface of the calendar wheel 130, it is preferable to sequentially display other instructions regarding the day of the week, the cycle, or the period.

Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that the inner wall defines a number of flexible fingers 182, 184, each distal end comprising an engaging hook. Some of these fingers 184 further include engaging teeth cut across the surface of the engaging hook. The engaging teeth interact with the pill package teeth 165 in the indicating means as described above. For such a display convenience, the teeth 165 on the outer wall of the outer ring 160 of the pill package 110 correspond and engage the engaging teeth cut at least at the distal end of one finger 184 of the calendar wheel. Shaped and spaced apart. As explained above, the number of teeth 165 corresponds to the space for the pills in the pill package and the number of pills, so that the movement for the display of the calendar wheel is appropriate as indicated on the top surface of the calendar wheel. A good day and the first pill to take. As noted above, the flexible fingers 182, 184 are shaped to maintain this mutual engagement. Pressing down on the upper surface of the calendar wheel 130 causes the flexible fingers 182, 184 to bend, allowing the calendar wheel to move downwardly, thereby reducing the teeth of the calendar wheel on at least one flexible finger 184,
Disengage the corresponding pill package from engagement with teeth 165. The calendar wheel 130 can be rotated to align the first pill to be dispensed with the desired start date. The calender wheel 130 springs back when the pressure on the top is removed, engaging the teeth and positioning the calender wheel in the correct position.
Fix 130. FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG.
The figure shows the lower half of the calender ring 130 shown in cross section. The day of the week tooth 186 is the tip 169 of the pill package 110 described above.
Engage with. When one of the teeth 186 engages the tip 169, the calendar wheel 130 cannot rotate with respect to the pill package 110.

Having particularly described certain preferred embodiments of the present invention,
Other embodiments having the same features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, reference should be made to the claims which determine the scope of the invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Jastman, Richard, New Jersey, USA 07670 Tenafly Park Street 15 (56) References Japanese Utility Model Application Sho-56-84979 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Sho-62-194348 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65D 83/04

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] (A) a cover; (b) (i) a dispensing groove means for dispensing pills; (ii) a base ratchet means for producing a unidirectional rotational movement; and (iii) a device. A base means with base engaging means for retaining the co-operating portion; (c) having two substantially circular surfaces; (i) comprising first and second concentric ring members; The ring member has radial ribs disposed therebetween to define a plurality of spaces for receiving pills, and the first concentric ring member includes a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed on an outer surface. (Ii) comprising a third concentric ring member within the first and second ring members, the third concentric ring member comprising a plurality of inwardly facing ratchets disposed thereon. Comprising a tooth, and further comprising at least one groove disposed thereon; iii) containing a plurality of pills, comprising a breakable cover secured to said two substantially circular surfaces of the pill package means, and (iv) pill package engaging means for holding a co-operating portion of the device. (D) (i) comprising a substantially circular portion, said circular portion comprising a plurality of triangular protrusions disposed perpendicular thereto; ii) substantially triangular projections extending laterally from the circular portion, the projections having bosses projecting therefrom, and (iii) plunger engagement for retaining cooperating portions of the device. A plunger means for dispensing pills from the pill package, comprising: (e) a (i) a substantially circular calender ring with calender marks; and (ii) a calender holding a co-operating portion of the device. table Calendar indication means for indicating when to take a specific pill, provided with an engagement means, wherein when a force is applied to push the plunger into the base, the boss forces the pill to adhere to the pill package. Through the rupturable cover and dispensing groove means provided, and further, the triangular portion of the boss and the base ratchet means cooperate to rotate the pill package one time to dispense the next pill to be taken. Device for dispensing a series of pills over a period of time, characterized in that the device is positioned above the channel means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base ratchet means comprises at least one flexible projection extending from the base and ratchet teeth disposed on a pill package. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the base engaging means comprises at least one flexible projection extending from the base and at least one groove disposed within the pill package.
The device according to item. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pill package engaging means comprises at least one groove disposed in the pill package. 5. The calendar display means comprises at least one flexible protrusion and at least one engaging tooth.
The pill packaging means further comprises an engaging projection, whereby the interaction of the engaging teeth and the engaging projection provides an indicated rotational movement between the calendar display means and the pill packaging means. Claim 1 wherein the flexible projection allows any of the calendar marks engraved on the calendar display means to be placed at the position of the first pill of the series.
The device according to item.