CA1220455A - Pill dispenser - Google Patents
Pill dispenserInfo
- Publication number
- CA1220455A CA1220455A CA000449820A CA449820A CA1220455A CA 1220455 A CA1220455 A CA 1220455A CA 000449820 A CA000449820 A CA 000449820A CA 449820 A CA449820 A CA 449820A CA 1220455 A CA1220455 A CA 1220455A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pill
- slot
- receptacle
- transfer
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
Abstract
PILL DISPENSER
Abstract of the Disclosure A pill dispenser mechanism is provided in which a multilayered compartment is releasably attachable to a receptacle for pills in such a way that pills may be selectively advanced into one compartment, then by selective advancement of one of the compartment layers transfer the pill from the first compartment into a discharge compartment to permit sequential recovery of pills therefrom.
In order to accommodate different sized pills, the compartments may be provided with different sized openings to conform to the substantial size and configuration of the pill. Electrical sensing means may be associated with the compartments to sense for the purpose of recording the movement of a pill between one or more, or a combination of both, compartments.
Abstract of the Disclosure A pill dispenser mechanism is provided in which a multilayered compartment is releasably attachable to a receptacle for pills in such a way that pills may be selectively advanced into one compartment, then by selective advancement of one of the compartment layers transfer the pill from the first compartment into a discharge compartment to permit sequential recovery of pills therefrom.
In order to accommodate different sized pills, the compartments may be provided with different sized openings to conform to the substantial size and configuration of the pill. Electrical sensing means may be associated with the compartments to sense for the purpose of recording the movement of a pill between one or more, or a combination of both, compartments.
Description
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PI~L DISPENSER
Specification This invention relates to dispensing methods and apparatus; and more particularly rela-tes to a nove~ and improved method and means for dispensing pills from a receptacle as well as recording the removal of each pill in a highly effective and dependable manner.
~ackground ~ d ;~ e I ~ntlcn Innumerable types of dispensing devices are commeroially available for the purpose of selectiYe removal of small objects, such as, pills or tablets from a storage receptacle. Ilowever, the dispensing of pills or tablets for medicinal pur-pùses presents special problems in terms of effec-tive removal or recovery of pills of different selected sizes and maintaining an accurate record of pills removed or recovered over extended periods of time. The problems associated with the dispensing of pills are especially acute in hospi-~ tals where a great number must be dispensed one or more times a day to a great number oE patients, and the nurse or attendant must maintain and preserve an accurate record of the number and types of pills aispensed. In ~his relation it is highly desirable to provide a manner and means for dispensing of pills which is conformable for use in cooperation with data processing systems so that an accurate record may be automatioally maintained and displayed as a part of the day-to-day activities of , ~ : - 1 -":
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a hospital. This is of especial importance when one considers the constant changing of personnel on duty and the amount of time required for the dispensing and recording of pills to each patient.
Moreover, the size and configuration of pills vary over wide extremes and it i8 therefore al80 desirable to provide a means of dispensinc; whicll is readily conformable for different sized pills and can be interchangeably used according to the size of pill to be dispensed without requiring a totally different construction of pill dispenser for each different size and shape of pill.
In the past, various approaches have been ta1cen to the dispensing of pills and other small objects. Representative of such approaches are disclosed in United States Letters Patent No.
3,289,BE35 to Villaveces, Ino Patent No. 3,484,818 and Merila Patent No. 3,fiOl,250. For instance, Villaveces discloses offset passages to permit selective removal of a pill while the patents both to Ino and Merila disclose other types of dispensing caps which will permit removal of a single pill or tablet. Another patent of interest is United States Letters Patent No. 3,638,B30 to Belokin, Jr. in which relatively rotatable discs form a cap assembly for a bottle and will permit selective trapping of a pill in a channel so that by rotation of one disc relative to another the pill may be advanced from the channel through another discharge opening. United States Letters Patent to McConnell et al No. 3,730,387 discloses -- - . .
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an apyroach in which the pill must be transferred from the receptacle into a dispensing cap and the cap removed frorn the receptacle in order to recover the pill. Other representative patents of interest are United States Letters Patent No. 3,866,805 to Hamilton, Jr. and 3,889,8~7 to Uroschevich et al.
For instance, in Uroschevich et al the pill dispenser is capable of dispensing one tablet at a time via a series of movements in order to advance a pill through the dispenser so as to malce it dif-ficult or a child to accidentally remove pills from the receptacle. Nevertheless, there is lacking an effective means for dispensing different configurations and si~es of medication, such as, flat, rounded or oblong pills, tablets or capsules and particularly in such a way as to assure deli-very without danger of jamming: yet at the same time permit the user to visually follow the progress of the pill, tablet or capsule as it progressively advances from a receptacle through a dispenser cap for selected release from a discharge opening in the cap.
Summary o Invention It is therefore an object of the present ~S invention to provide for a novel and improved method and means for dispensing pills or tablets from a container which is tamper-proof and prevents jamming or damage to the pills or tablets in the process of removal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved dispensing mechanism which is conformahle for use in the dispensing of pills or tablets of dif ferent sizes in A safe dependable manner.
It is further objcct of the present invention to ~rovide for a novel and improved dispensing apparatus which is capab].e of recording and/or displaying the number of pills recovered over a given time interval and wherein the recording and/or displaying means is autornatically responsive to the advancement of the pills or tablets through the dispensing apparatus.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved dispensing mechanism which is adaptable for interchangeable use on different sizes and types of containers as well as for use in association with the dispensing of different sizes and shapes of pills or tablets which will facilitate dispensing of one or more pills at a time through a compact !0 easily actuated and assembled mechanism.
In accordance ~ith the present invention, a method and appAratus for dispensing pills and similar shaped articles has been devised which is broadly comprised of a receptacle for the storage of pills and first compartment means in com~
~nunication with the receptacle including A first channel~shaped compartment means operative to iso-late one or more pills from the receptacle and to advance the pill intO a slot therem second transfer compartment means including a second com-partment or chamber movable into alignment wit:h the .
.. ~ .. __. . . ,, . _._. _ . , . . .... , _. _ .. _ .. . , . . ._ .. _ ........ , ., .. ____ _ ~ _ , _ slot in said first compar~ment means to advance said pill or tablet awaY frorn the slot in said first compartment means; and third discharge com-partment means provided with an exit opening therein so that when the pill is advanced by the second compartment means away from communication with the slot in said first compartment means it is movable into alignment with the exit opening in the third compartment means for discharge of a pill therefrom. The slots in the first and second com-partment means are sized in accordance with the size and configuration of pill or tablet to be removed; and each of said first and second compart-ment means is most desirably provided with a series of different sized slots or openings which may be selectively utilized in combination with one another fo,r the removal of a specified pill or tablet from a receptacle. Further associated with the transfer means are sensing means selectively responsive to advancement of a pill by said second compartment means , the sensing means being respon-sive to the direction of pill movement in a manner to discriminate pill removal from pill replacement.
Considering certain other more detailed ~5 aspects and features of the present invention, most desirably the compartmellt means are defined by three superimposed disks which are operative, when the receptacle or container is tipped, to advance the pill into a channel or recessed area in the uppermost dlsk. Once received in the uppermost .. , _ _ .. _ , . . .. .. . ., . , . _ _ .. .. . _ _ . . _ _ ... . _ _ ... .... .
disk the clispenser may be tipped to advance the pill into a slot substantially conforming to the size and contour of the pill, and which slot is in co~nmunication with the second or intermediate disk, the latter functioning as the carrier plate or transfer colnpartment means. The second disk has a slot which is normally aligned with the slot in the uppermost disk to perlnit the pill to drop into the second disk. ~he second disk may be rotated rela-tive to the upper and lowermost disks to rotate the pill into alignment with an exit opening in the lower disk whereupon the pill is free to pass through thn exit opening and out of the entire dispenser cap assembly. Preferably the disks are of generally annular configuration with a common centrally located opening extending therethrough, and transparent cover on the upper disk facilitates visual observation of the proper advancement of the pills without jamming from the container to the dispenser cap assembly while maintaining the con-tainer fully sealed and assuring that only a single pill is removed at a time.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the removal of a pill from the dispenser cap may be sensed and recorded by the utilization of electrical colltacts along the path of movement of the pill between the transfer compartment and discharge or exit opening, and the necessary cir-cuitry for sensing, recording and displaying remo-val of each pill may be self-contained within the dispenser cap. In another embodiment of the present invention, diferel-t sized openings are orn~ed in each o tl-e uFper and intermediate disks, the ope-nings in each disk being selectively matched by rotational ad justment to correspond to the size and configuratioli of pill to be removed. The sensing and recording means is conformable for use with either embodiment of the present invention in sensing the removal of each pill from the clispenser cap and maintaining an accurate record oE same.
As employed through the specification, the term "pill" is undsrstood to refer to a pill, tablet or capsule of various sizes and configurations: and as the description proceeds, it will becoms evident that the slots and openings provided for advancement of each pill may be varied to accommodate pills of different sizes and shapes.
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily appreciated and understood from the following description of preferred and alternate embodiments thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure l is a perspective view of a pre-ferred form of dispenser mechanism in accordance with the present invention Figure 2 is a an exploded view of the elements comprising the preferred form of dispenser cap mechanism shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the upper disk shown in Figure 2 . , , . . . _ , _ _ _ . . _ . . . ... .. ...... , .. .. _ _ .,,, . , , , _ , . .. ... . . .
5Si Figure 4 is a somewhat schematic block diagram of a sensing and recording circuit for use in combination with the dispenser mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 . Figure 5 i9 a plan view of an alternate preferred form of dispenser mechanism in accordance with the present i.nvention;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser mechanism shown in Figure 5 and taken about lines 6-6 of Figure 5 but shown in assembled relation to a container or receptacle;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken about .lines 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of tha lS modified form of invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 7:
Figure 9 is an exploded view of the dispenser mechanism of the modified form of inven-tion as shown in Figures 5 to 8 Figure 10 is a plan view of a modified form of insert and guide slot in the upper disk assembly of Figures 1 to 3 to vary the opening size of the slot and Figure 11 is a plan view of a modified form of insert and opening for the intermediate disk assembly of Figures 1 and 2 to vary the effec-tive size of the opening in accordance with the opening size of the guide slot in the upper disk member shown in Figure lO.
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F~eferring in more detait to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 a preferred form of dispensing mechanism which is broadly comprised of a dispenser cap 10 adapted to be threaded or otherwise releasably secured over the mouth of a conventional form of container or receptacle C for pill9 or tablets generally designated as P. The dispenser cap 10 is made up of a series of superimposed annular disks 11, 12 and 13 which are coaxially arranged and secured together in a manner to be hereinafter described in more detail so as to form a common central opening 14 which is adapted to fit over the mouth of the container C. In addition, the dispenser cap lS assembly has an upper flat, generally circular transparent cover 15 which is fastened to the upperrllost disk ll by suitable fasteners such as the screws 16. Suitable locking means, not shown, can be utilizeù to lock the cap onto the bottle so as to prevent removal by children and, in many cases, by the patient.
Considering in more detail the disposi-tion and arrangement of the disks 11, 12 and 13, the upper disk 11 has an outer thickened ring or shelf lS disposed in surrounding relation to a relatively thin, inner ledge lr;~, the latter being generally flat and extending radially inwardly from the lower edge of the sl-elf to terminate in an inner edge 20 which forms the surrounding edge of the central opening 14. A slot 22 extends through : - g_ ~::
;5 the thickness of the shelf 18 with its inner edge in communication with the ledge l9, the slot being sized to conform to the size and confignration of one of the pills P. In this case the p:ills are oE
flat circular configuration and the slot is correspondingly circular and iB of a diameter just greater than ti~at of the pill.
Middle dlsk 12 comprises the movable or transfer portion of the disk assembly and, to this end, is made up of a flat annular portion 24 which is slightly greater in diameter than thle diameter of the upper disk ll as well as the lower disk 13.
The portion 24 has an external Xnurled or roughened edge 25. A pin 26 projects upwardly from the upper surface of the annular portion 24 in diametrically opposed relation to a generally circular slot or opening 27, the latter provided with an inclined inner edge 27' as shown to prevent jamming of pills in the opening. An annular groove 28 extènds around the inner edge of the annular portion 24 in communi-cation with the inner edge of the opening 27 as illustrated at 27''. In order to control the limits of movement of the intermediate disk 12, a pin 29 projects upwardly from the disk 12 into a circum-ferential groove 29' in the underside of disX il .
The circumferential length of groove 2g ' is such as to limit rotation of disk 12 so that at one extreme of the rotational range, the hole 27 in disk 12 is in alignment with slot 22 of disk 11 while at the other extreme of the rotational range, the hole 27 ~.
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is in alignment with the discharge hole 36 in disk 13. A coiled spring 30 has one end 31 affixed to the pin 26 and the opposite end 32 affixed to a pin 33 which is pressfit into a bore at one end of groove 35 in the undersurface of the shelf portion 18 of the upper disk, as shown in Figure 3. 11ere the spring is partially inserted into the open, circumferentially extending groove 35 and serves to return the disk 12 to the position in which the hole 27 is in alignment with t}-e slot 22 of disk 11.
The lower disk 13 is comprised of a central hub 37 provided with an internally threaded portion 38 adapted to threadedly engage the exter-lS nally threaded mouth of the container C. A flat annular rim 39 is affixed in surrounding relation to the upper end of the hub and is provided with the discharge opening 36 therein. The central hub 37 is provided with an upper edge 40 which projects slightly above the riln 39 and intersects circum-ferentially spaced hole3 42 spaced at closely spaced intervals to receive upwardly projecting screws 44 which are threaded into bores 42' on the ~ underside of the disk 11 so as to interconnect the disks 11 and 13. A switch contact ring or band 45 i6 disposed in surrounding relation to the upper edge 40, and bores 46 of limited size extend through the thickness of the rim 39 so as to ' :
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permit downward insertion of a plurality of wires 47 which project downwardly from the band 45. The band 45 is provided further with spring contact arms Cl, C2, and C3 which extend radially out-wardly from the band at spaced circumferential intervals for a purpose to be hereinafter described. T)le upper and lower disk assembly 11 and 13 as described is preferably mounted in fixed relation within a shell 50, the shell being generally cup-shaped with a lower annular portion 51 and upwardly projecting wall 52 having circum-ferentially spaced, threaded openings 53 for the purpose of receiving screw-type fasteners which e~tend through mating openings 39' in the rim 39 of the disk 13. The alignment between the rim 39 and shell 50 is such that the discharge opening 36 i8 aligned with a recess 54 in the external wall 52 of the shell 50 as to form a discharge chute or opening for removal of each pill as it passes down-wardly through the opening 36 in the lower disk.
In assembled relation, the intermediate disk 12 is assembled so as to be journaled betweén the upper and lower disks 11 and 13 with the inner groove 28 on the intermediate disk 12 horizontally aligned with the contact arms Cl. C2 and C3 of the band 45. Ilere the band is stationed on the lower disk as described and is therefore fixed with respect to the movement of the intermediate disk 12. The contact arms Cl, C2, and C3 are disposed in c-rcumferentially spaced relation and are biased .
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radially outwardly 80 that as the opening 27 adval--ces across each of the contact arrns, the arrn will project through the recessed slot 27 ' ' into the opening 27. I10wever, if a pill is present within the opening 27, it will engage the contact arm to force the arm radially in an inward direction against a stationary contact sa for each arm which is connected to the wire leads 47. Thus, the con-tact arms Cl ~ C2 and C3 9erve to sense the presence 1~ of a pill or tablet within the opening 27, the con-tact arm Cl being positioned in the path of the opening 27 as it is advanced away from the upper opening 22 of the upper disk 11, the middle contact arrn C2 being positioned intermediately between the extreme limits of movement of the opening 27, and the arm C3 being aligned in the path of the opening 27 as it moves into alignrnent with the lower opening 36.
One form of sensing and }ecording circuit for use in combination with contact arms Cl, C2 and C3 is illustrated in Figure 4 and is specifically designed to 9ense removal of a pill from the dispenser without spurious indications oE removal irrespective of any reversals in direction of the pill during thc course of removal. While a &ingle switch could be employed to sense removal of a pill, such as, by the contact arm C3 aligned with thc discharge opening, most desirably a series of three switches are employed so as to assure in each case that actual rernoval of a pill has been accomplished. As illustrated in Figure 4, the , ~, ______.. ... _ ... ..... . . . _.. .. .. __ ___ ..... .. . _ _ . ... _ ... _ .... __ _ S
sensing circuitry shown utilizes the clocked propa-gation of signals through a sequence of flip-flops FEl to FF6 to detect pill movenent: Closure of the contact arm or switch Cl transnlits two data bits into a pair of flip-flops FFl and FF2. Upon closure of a switch C2, two data bits are clocked into a second pair of flip-flops FF3 and FF4-Finally, upon closure of the third switch C3~ one of the data bits is clocked into a third stage flip-flop FF5- Thus, if either or both of the con-tact arms Cl and C2 are closed p~ior to closure of the contact arm C3, the logic states of the flip-flops are not changed, and actual removal of a pill is not signaled until the arrival of data at the - 15 outputs from the third stage flip-flop FF5. The values of the two data bits which were set at the first swi~tch closure ind.icate whether the pill move~nent was a pill removal or replacelnent. In the circuit, signals Sl, S2 and S3 are normally held low by their connection to ground through resistors Rl ~ R2 and R3 When a switch is closed, its corresponding signal is high and, when Cl 9oes high, a pill removal is anticipated by setting flip-flop FFl and clearing FF2- When C3 9oes high, a pill replacement event is anticipated by clearing FFl and setting FE2. When C2 9oes hlgh, the out-put of FFl iS clocked into FF3 and the output of FF2 iS cIocked into FF4- With each c-osure of Cl, the output of FF4 is clocked into PF6; and with each closure of C3, the output of FF3 is clocked into FF5. Clocking of a logic "I" into either _ _ . .. _ .. .. . .. . . _ _ _ .. _ _ _ ., _ _ . _ . . _ _ . _ .. . . _ . . .. .
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FF5 Or FF6 Si9nal6 a pill movement by causing a "1-0" transition of the signal E from ~OR gate C
into the three-stage monostable multivibrator cir-cuit which, for example, may have a series of three CD4001 integrated circuit chips, the multivibrator circuit generally represented at 48. The output of the first staye monostable multivibrator may be directed to a suitable memory while the output from the second stage is directed to a binary counter, such as, an integrated circuit chip CD4516. The "1-0" transition of the signal E initiates a series of events which deliver timing pulses for storage of infornnation, updating the pill count, and resetting all second alld third stage flip-flops.
The sequence of three pulses for triggering these three events i5 obtained from the cascaded series of the three negative edge triggered half monostables 4~. Thus the pulse in the first of the monostables is the "store" pulse for data storage, the second pulse is the clock pulse for the binary counter B which counts the pills removed, and the pulse from the third of the series resets the second and third stage flip-flops FF3 to FF6. ~hen ~ the clock pulse arrives, the binary counter incre-ments the pill count if the signal from FF5 is ~1"
and decrements the pill count if the signal from FFs is "O'i. Thus, the outputs from the binary counter indicate the total number of pills removed.
The master reset switch designated M' serves to reset the counter to "0" and reset all second and third stage flip-flops FF3 to FF6 to establish the -- ~.
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proper initial state for pill passage sensing or detection.
In ope.ration, when a pill passes the first contact arm Cl to close its switch, the out-put of FFl iS set to a level "1" and the output oE
FF2 is cleared to a level "0". Any additional spurious closures o Cl merely sets the same values again and has no effect on the state of the . logic. When the pill passes arm C2, c:losure of its switch causes the outputs of FFl and F;F2 to be clocked into FF3 and FF4, as a result of which FF3 Will have an output of "1" and FF4 an output oE
"0". Additional closures of C2 will clock the same values into FF3 and FF4 So as not to chanqe the logic state. ~hen the piil passes arm C3 I the logic "1" from FF3 i3 clocked into FF5 90 as to cause a "1-0" transition in the signal F. The value "1" of the output of FF5 indicates that a pill was actually removed however, if the pill had passed by the switches in the opposite sequence, the output of FF5 would have been "0" at the time of the pill passage indicating that the event was replacement as opposed to removal of a pill. If desired, a suitable display oE the pill count from the counter B, along with the event pulses generated by the half-monostable 4B can be incor-: porated into the dispenser mechanism by directingthe output of the binary counter B through addi-tional logic as represented at D, then into any suitable display or recording device such as that represented at L. Although not shown, the sensing ::
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and recording circuit as shown in Figure 4 is pre-ferably colltained within the hollow interior of the shell 50 such that the display L is exposed in the external wall of the shell.
In use, the inner portion of disk 11 forms n subcompartment above the bottle into which one or two pills can be placed and can be vlsuali7.ed by virtue of the transparent top or cover 15 which i9 secured by fasteners 16 over the top surface of che upper disk 11 in the manner shown in Figure 1. The inner edge 18' of the shelf 18 serves to guide each pill along the inner sur-face 19 into the slot or opening 22. Once the pill is seated within the opening 22, it will become aligned with the intermediate opening 27 in the disk 12 and pass by gravity into position within the intermediate opening 27. The inclined edge 27' on the trailing edge of the opening 27 of the intermediate disk will prevent jamming of the mechanlsm in the event that another pill overlies the first l~ill since it will be forced away from the slot 27 of intermediate disk 12 as it is rotated with respect to the upper disk 11. ~s thc intermediate disk is rotated against the urging of the spring 30, it will advance the pill toward alignment with the opening 36 in the lower disk 13.
Further, as previously described, the pill will successively engage the contact switch arms Cl, C2 and C3 first~engaging Cl as it is rotated away from the upper slot or opening 22 and then engaging . - 17 _ ' ~
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C2, and fil~ally C3 before it moves into aliynment with the lower opening 36. Seguential closure of the switc11 arms Cl, C2, and C3 assure complete removal of a pill which is coullted al~d stored withi,n the buEfer or storage module positioned bet-ween the huh portion 37 and shell 50 and which information may be displayed in the same area.
Description of Modified Form oE Invention In an alternate preferrei embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser mechanism 60 ~hown in Figures 5 to g i9 constructed and arranged for interchangeable use in dispensing different si~ed pills or tablets. Generally, as can be appreciated frorn a description of the other pre-ferred embodiment, it is important that the quide slot and transfer openings for the pills closely correspond in cross-sectional si~e and shape to the article boing dispensed. Not only does this avoid jamming by assuring proper aligmnent oE the pill within the opening, but assures contact with the sensing circuitry. To this end, the dispensing mechanism 60 is broadly comprised of an upper disk 61, intermediate disk 62 and a lower disk 63. The upper disk actually comprises a pair of disk ele-ments 64 and 65, the element or section 65 ~eing made up of a relatively thick but flat circular plate provided with a central opening 66 and inner and outer spaced concentric ledges 67 and 68 which form therebetweel, a channel 69 for insertion oE the disk element 64. The innermost ledge 67 is in the ~, _ _ _ _ _ , , ,,, , _,,,, ,,, , ,, ,,, ,,, .. ,, " ... ... _ , . ~ _ . _ . _ ... .. ........ .. ....
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form of an arcuate guide which is tapered sym-metrically into spaced circumEerential edges 70 flanking opposite sides of a flat surface portion 71, the latter extending between the central opening 66 and pill discharge opening 72. ~s a result, the flat surface portion 71 diverges away from the central opening toward the dischdrge opening 72 in order to encourage the movement of a pill or tablet away from the central open.ing and into the discharge opening in a manner similar to that descrlbed with respect to Figures 1 and 2. In turn, the disk element 64 is i.n the form of a rela-tively thin plate and specifically whicll is of a thickness to occupy the channel-shaped space 69 in the disk element 65, the disk element being held in an aligned position relative to disk 65 by a spring-loaded detent 74 which projects outwardly from the outer periplleral edge of the disk 64 and i9 adapted to engage one o:E a series of depressions 75 along the inner peripheral edge of the edge 68.
The disk element 64 is formed with a series of grooves or recesses as designated by the 10tters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j. Referring for example to the configuration of the groove e, it is of generally oblong configuration and dimensioned to correspond to the size of an elongated capsule or pill P' to be dispensed from container C.
~ccordingly, when the groove e is aligned over the discharge opelling 72, it will encourage proper alignment and disposition oE the pill within the groove e before it can be released through the .
- -- -----. --- -., . ...... _ ._.. _. _ 3L.t~22~5 discharge opening. The desired grooves a to j can be aligned with the discharge opening 72 by rotating the diEik element 64 until the opening e is properly aligned with tlle discharge opening 72, at which positiorl tne spring-loaded detent engages one of the depressions 75 to retain the disk element 64 in position.
The intermediate, rotatable disk 62 again serves as a transfer compartment for advancement of a pill fro-n the upper disk section 61 into the lower disk section 63. For this purpose, inter-mediate disk 62 comprises an outer ring element 78 provided with an external roughened or scalloped edge 79 and an inner wall 80 provided with a series of depressions 81 spaced along surface 80. An annular disk element 82 is dimensioned for close-fitting insertion concentrically within the ring 78, the disk element 82 being an annular plate with a series of openings a ' through j ' essentially corresponding to the grooves a to j of the upper disk element; the only variation is that the ope-nings a' through j' do not intrutie into the inner edge of tl-e disk and are formed entirely within the thickness of the disk . In other words, the grooves or slots a to j extend radially away from the inner edge of the disX 64 while the openings a' to ji are spaced in outer concentric relation to inner edge 83 of the disk 82. In addition, the inner edge i83 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 84 which extends into the slots a' to j' and serves a function correspondiny to that of the groove 28 in the form of invention .
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shown in Figures 1 and 2: and the slots a' to j' similarly may have inclined planes comparable to the inclined plane 27'.
In the intermediate disk asse1nbly, the inner disk element 82 is provided with a spring-loaded detent B5 adaptqd to engage one of a series of depressions 81 at the inner edge of the ring 7B
60 that in a manner corresponding to that described with reference to the disk element 64 and its spring-loaded detent 74, a selected opening e' may be aligned in the same relationship to the entire dislc assembly as the slot e. The dislc element a2 is supported within tile ring 7û by upper and lower cover plates 86 and 87 which are secured to up~er and lower edges of the ring by suitable fasteners, not rihown, and which fasteners are advanced through limited openings 88 in the outer peripheral edge of the plates into correspondingly spaced openings 89 on the upper and lower surfaces of the inner wall portion 80 of the ring 78. The cover plates 86 and B7 are correspondingly formed with keyways 90 which extend radially from the central opening 91j the plates being so mounted on the ring 78 that the keyways 90 are aligned with the openings a' to j' selected for a particular pill. The plates 85 and 87 are preferably formed oE a material which will form moisture shields on opposite sides of the intermediate disk assembly as well as to minimiz0 frictional resistance to rotation of the inter-mediate disk assembly with respect to the upper and lower disks 61 and 63.
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The lower disk 63 is of anllular con- !
figuration having a central opening 94 which, as shown in Figure 6, is threaded for connection to the mouth M of the container C. As seen from Figures 6 alld 9, the enlarged opening 94 co~-municates with a central opening 95 which is of a size corresponding to tile opening 66 in the upper disk assembly. 'rhe upper surface of the disk 63 i9 relatively flat, except for an upstanding ledge 96 in surrounding relation to the central opening and a generally U-shaped recess 98 which extends radially outwardly from the ledge through the greater thickness of the disk 63 to serve as a means of discharge for pills passing through the aligned openings in the disk assembly. The disk 63 is also provided wi~h an internal cavity 100 extending throughout the interior of the disk as shown in Figure 6 to house suitable control or logic circuitry for use in cooperation with the sensing contacts as described with reference to the form of invention shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The disks are assembled together with the annular ledge 73 on the upper disk element pro-jecting downwardly within the ledge 96 of the lower dlsk 63, and are secured by screws 101 which pass through the holes 102 in disk 63 and into threaded bores 102' in disk 65, as shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as the cooperating holes 42, bores 42' and screws 44 of Figures 1 to 3. ~ transparent cover plate 104 is fastened to the upper disk ele-ment 65 by sultable fasteners 105 which are _ _ _ _,,,,,, , , , _ _ _ .. ,, .,, _, . . . , . _ _ .. ,, .. _, ~2~
threaded into spaced openings 106 in the upper sur-face of the outer ledge 68 of the disk so as to complete the assembly and interconnection of ele-ments making up the dispensing cap. The inter-mediate disk assembly 62 is sandwiched between the upper and lower disk assemblies 61 and 63 but is free to rotate independently of the upper and lower disks in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Again, a coiled spring 108 has one free end 109 aEfixed to a pin 110 on the upper surface of thc plate 86 of the intermediate disk assembly while the opposite end of the spring has a pin 112 insertahle into an opening in the undersurface of the disk element 65.
lS The spring 108 is inserted into an annular groove 114 in the undersurface oE the upper disk element, and locator pin 111, shown in Figure 9, is inserted into inner groove 113 as shown in Figure 7. When assembled, the spring 10~3 will normally urge the intermediate disk to a position causing the selected discharge opening a' to j' to be aligned with opening 72 in the upper disk and substantially oEfset from the discharge shelf 98 in the lower disk assembly. However, when the intermediate disk assembly is rotated against the urging of the spring lOB, it will advance the discharge opening selected in the intermediate disk assembly into alignrnent with the opening 98 and, if a pill is present, will permit the pill to drop from the openin~ a' to j' in the intermediate disk assembly into the discharge shFlf 98. IYhen the intermediate ~ : - 23 -:
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4~
disk assembly 62 is released, t11e spring force will return the disk 62 into its original alignment.
Although not illustrated in Fiyures S to 9, the sensing circuitry and contact arms as described in -Figures 2 and 4 may be utilized effectively in association with the alternate embodiment of Figures 5 to 9 and mounted in the same identical manner such that the contact arms are aligned with the internal groove 84 of the intermediate disk assembly.
In selecting the slots a to j and ope-nings a' to j', the cover 104 must be removed to permit access to the disk elements 64 and 82 so that their respective disk elements can be rotated until the desired slot or opening, as the case may be, is aligned to correspond with the pill to be dispensed. This may be accomplished, for example, by rotating the upper disk element 64 with the finger: and by rotating the disk element 82 with a slender rod or pick having a lower bent end which is inserted through the opening in the upper disk to engage a sidewall of the aligned opening in the intermediate disk and successively advancing the openings until the proper opening in the inter-mediate disk is aligned with the upper opening.
Thus the pharmacist can make the appropriate adjustment for the desired opening size to correspond with the pill or tablet being dispensed.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a modifica-tion of the preferred form of invention shown in I' `
.. , _. _ ._ . .. __ ....... , . ,.. _ . , . , ., ...... .... . ..... _ , . . .... .... ._ .. ....
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Figures 1 to 3 whereby the dispenser cap Illay be usable for different sized pills by varying the effective opening size of the guide slot 22' and the opening 27''' in the upper disk 11 and inter-mediate disk,l2, respectively. As shown in Figure 10, an insert 110 has a generally rectangular body with a slotted portion 130 and outwardly - pro~ectiny, spaced ribs 132 which are adapted for insertion into correspondingly spaced grooves 134 in the surrounding edge of a rectangular-shaped guide slot 22'. The ribs are dimensioned so as to be of a width substantially corresponding to the width of the grooves to ensble close-fitting inser-tion of the insert 110 in place in order to reduce the opening slze of the sloS to that ss illustrated at 130. Figure 11 illustrates an insert 116 of generally rectangular form sized to correspond to the size of the opening 27''' in the intermediate disk 12 and having an opening lla rerluced to the desired size and configuration. A pair of spaced ribs 120,project outwardly away frorn the ring for close-fitting insertion in grooves 122 extending froln the edge of the opening 27''' and aligned beneath the grooves 134 shown in Figure 10. The opening 118 is sized to correspond to that of the slot 130 in the insert 110 so as to provide a matched opening for movement of a pill in proper , alignment from the slot 130 into the opening lla.
Insertion of the inserts 110 and 116 may be readily accomplished by rernoving the transparent cover 15, turning the disk 12 until the opening 27''' is `::
_.~ . _ _. . .~._.. , ........ ... _ _. .... ._ . _ .... ... . _ . ... .. .
~' ~2~ 5 positioned under the slot 22' in the uE~per disk 11 and successively placing the insert 116 into the lower opening 27''' and placing insert 1l0 into the upper guide slot 22'.
It is thereore to be understood that various modifications and changes in the construc-tion and arrangement of parts employed in the pre-ferred form of invention may be made w:ithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
_ _ ___ __,, ~ _ _ _ .___ _ , , . ,.. _ _ _.,,,, . ... _ .. ,, . , ___ . . . ,, .,, _, _, . , _ _ __----._ --- - ---- --
PI~L DISPENSER
Specification This invention relates to dispensing methods and apparatus; and more particularly rela-tes to a nove~ and improved method and means for dispensing pills from a receptacle as well as recording the removal of each pill in a highly effective and dependable manner.
~ackground ~ d ;~ e I ~ntlcn Innumerable types of dispensing devices are commeroially available for the purpose of selectiYe removal of small objects, such as, pills or tablets from a storage receptacle. Ilowever, the dispensing of pills or tablets for medicinal pur-pùses presents special problems in terms of effec-tive removal or recovery of pills of different selected sizes and maintaining an accurate record of pills removed or recovered over extended periods of time. The problems associated with the dispensing of pills are especially acute in hospi-~ tals where a great number must be dispensed one or more times a day to a great number oE patients, and the nurse or attendant must maintain and preserve an accurate record of the number and types of pills aispensed. In ~his relation it is highly desirable to provide a manner and means for dispensing of pills which is conformable for use in cooperation with data processing systems so that an accurate record may be automatioally maintained and displayed as a part of the day-to-day activities of , ~ : - 1 -":
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a hospital. This is of especial importance when one considers the constant changing of personnel on duty and the amount of time required for the dispensing and recording of pills to each patient.
Moreover, the size and configuration of pills vary over wide extremes and it i8 therefore al80 desirable to provide a means of dispensinc; whicll is readily conformable for different sized pills and can be interchangeably used according to the size of pill to be dispensed without requiring a totally different construction of pill dispenser for each different size and shape of pill.
In the past, various approaches have been ta1cen to the dispensing of pills and other small objects. Representative of such approaches are disclosed in United States Letters Patent No.
3,289,BE35 to Villaveces, Ino Patent No. 3,484,818 and Merila Patent No. 3,fiOl,250. For instance, Villaveces discloses offset passages to permit selective removal of a pill while the patents both to Ino and Merila disclose other types of dispensing caps which will permit removal of a single pill or tablet. Another patent of interest is United States Letters Patent No. 3,638,B30 to Belokin, Jr. in which relatively rotatable discs form a cap assembly for a bottle and will permit selective trapping of a pill in a channel so that by rotation of one disc relative to another the pill may be advanced from the channel through another discharge opening. United States Letters Patent to McConnell et al No. 3,730,387 discloses -- - . .
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an apyroach in which the pill must be transferred from the receptacle into a dispensing cap and the cap removed frorn the receptacle in order to recover the pill. Other representative patents of interest are United States Letters Patent No. 3,866,805 to Hamilton, Jr. and 3,889,8~7 to Uroschevich et al.
For instance, in Uroschevich et al the pill dispenser is capable of dispensing one tablet at a time via a series of movements in order to advance a pill through the dispenser so as to malce it dif-ficult or a child to accidentally remove pills from the receptacle. Nevertheless, there is lacking an effective means for dispensing different configurations and si~es of medication, such as, flat, rounded or oblong pills, tablets or capsules and particularly in such a way as to assure deli-very without danger of jamming: yet at the same time permit the user to visually follow the progress of the pill, tablet or capsule as it progressively advances from a receptacle through a dispenser cap for selected release from a discharge opening in the cap.
Summary o Invention It is therefore an object of the present ~S invention to provide for a novel and improved method and means for dispensing pills or tablets from a container which is tamper-proof and prevents jamming or damage to the pills or tablets in the process of removal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved dispensing mechanism which is conformahle for use in the dispensing of pills or tablets of dif ferent sizes in A safe dependable manner.
It is further objcct of the present invention to ~rovide for a novel and improved dispensing apparatus which is capab].e of recording and/or displaying the number of pills recovered over a given time interval and wherein the recording and/or displaying means is autornatically responsive to the advancement of the pills or tablets through the dispensing apparatus.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved dispensing mechanism which is adaptable for interchangeable use on different sizes and types of containers as well as for use in association with the dispensing of different sizes and shapes of pills or tablets which will facilitate dispensing of one or more pills at a time through a compact !0 easily actuated and assembled mechanism.
In accordance ~ith the present invention, a method and appAratus for dispensing pills and similar shaped articles has been devised which is broadly comprised of a receptacle for the storage of pills and first compartment means in com~
~nunication with the receptacle including A first channel~shaped compartment means operative to iso-late one or more pills from the receptacle and to advance the pill intO a slot therem second transfer compartment means including a second com-partment or chamber movable into alignment wit:h the .
.. ~ .. __. . . ,, . _._. _ . , . . .... , _. _ .. _ .. . , . . ._ .. _ ........ , ., .. ____ _ ~ _ , _ slot in said first compar~ment means to advance said pill or tablet awaY frorn the slot in said first compartment means; and third discharge com-partment means provided with an exit opening therein so that when the pill is advanced by the second compartment means away from communication with the slot in said first compartment means it is movable into alignment with the exit opening in the third compartment means for discharge of a pill therefrom. The slots in the first and second com-partment means are sized in accordance with the size and configuration of pill or tablet to be removed; and each of said first and second compart-ment means is most desirably provided with a series of different sized slots or openings which may be selectively utilized in combination with one another fo,r the removal of a specified pill or tablet from a receptacle. Further associated with the transfer means are sensing means selectively responsive to advancement of a pill by said second compartment means , the sensing means being respon-sive to the direction of pill movement in a manner to discriminate pill removal from pill replacement.
Considering certain other more detailed ~5 aspects and features of the present invention, most desirably the compartmellt means are defined by three superimposed disks which are operative, when the receptacle or container is tipped, to advance the pill into a channel or recessed area in the uppermost dlsk. Once received in the uppermost .. , _ _ .. _ , . . .. .. . ., . , . _ _ .. .. . _ _ . . _ _ ... . _ _ ... .... .
disk the clispenser may be tipped to advance the pill into a slot substantially conforming to the size and contour of the pill, and which slot is in co~nmunication with the second or intermediate disk, the latter functioning as the carrier plate or transfer colnpartment means. The second disk has a slot which is normally aligned with the slot in the uppermost disk to perlnit the pill to drop into the second disk. ~he second disk may be rotated rela-tive to the upper and lowermost disks to rotate the pill into alignment with an exit opening in the lower disk whereupon the pill is free to pass through thn exit opening and out of the entire dispenser cap assembly. Preferably the disks are of generally annular configuration with a common centrally located opening extending therethrough, and transparent cover on the upper disk facilitates visual observation of the proper advancement of the pills without jamming from the container to the dispenser cap assembly while maintaining the con-tainer fully sealed and assuring that only a single pill is removed at a time.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the removal of a pill from the dispenser cap may be sensed and recorded by the utilization of electrical colltacts along the path of movement of the pill between the transfer compartment and discharge or exit opening, and the necessary cir-cuitry for sensing, recording and displaying remo-val of each pill may be self-contained within the dispenser cap. In another embodiment of the present invention, diferel-t sized openings are orn~ed in each o tl-e uFper and intermediate disks, the ope-nings in each disk being selectively matched by rotational ad justment to correspond to the size and configuratioli of pill to be removed. The sensing and recording means is conformable for use with either embodiment of the present invention in sensing the removal of each pill from the clispenser cap and maintaining an accurate record oE same.
As employed through the specification, the term "pill" is undsrstood to refer to a pill, tablet or capsule of various sizes and configurations: and as the description proceeds, it will becoms evident that the slots and openings provided for advancement of each pill may be varied to accommodate pills of different sizes and shapes.
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily appreciated and understood from the following description of preferred and alternate embodiments thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure l is a perspective view of a pre-ferred form of dispenser mechanism in accordance with the present invention Figure 2 is a an exploded view of the elements comprising the preferred form of dispenser cap mechanism shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the upper disk shown in Figure 2 . , , . . . _ , _ _ _ . . _ . . . ... .. ...... , .. .. _ _ .,,, . , , , _ , . .. ... . . .
5Si Figure 4 is a somewhat schematic block diagram of a sensing and recording circuit for use in combination with the dispenser mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 . Figure 5 i9 a plan view of an alternate preferred form of dispenser mechanism in accordance with the present i.nvention;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser mechanism shown in Figure 5 and taken about lines 6-6 of Figure 5 but shown in assembled relation to a container or receptacle;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken about .lines 7-7 of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of tha lS modified form of invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 7:
Figure 9 is an exploded view of the dispenser mechanism of the modified form of inven-tion as shown in Figures 5 to 8 Figure 10 is a plan view of a modified form of insert and guide slot in the upper disk assembly of Figures 1 to 3 to vary the opening size of the slot and Figure 11 is a plan view of a modified form of insert and opening for the intermediate disk assembly of Figures 1 and 2 to vary the effec-tive size of the opening in accordance with the opening size of the guide slot in the upper disk member shown in Figure lO.
: - 8 -_ _ _ _ _ ., ,, .. , . , , .. _ .. . ... .... , , _, .. , .. , ., .. . , . . . . , .. . .... . _ .. . . . _, , ...
F~eferring in more detait to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 a preferred form of dispensing mechanism which is broadly comprised of a dispenser cap 10 adapted to be threaded or otherwise releasably secured over the mouth of a conventional form of container or receptacle C for pill9 or tablets generally designated as P. The dispenser cap 10 is made up of a series of superimposed annular disks 11, 12 and 13 which are coaxially arranged and secured together in a manner to be hereinafter described in more detail so as to form a common central opening 14 which is adapted to fit over the mouth of the container C. In addition, the dispenser cap lS assembly has an upper flat, generally circular transparent cover 15 which is fastened to the upperrllost disk ll by suitable fasteners such as the screws 16. Suitable locking means, not shown, can be utilizeù to lock the cap onto the bottle so as to prevent removal by children and, in many cases, by the patient.
Considering in more detail the disposi-tion and arrangement of the disks 11, 12 and 13, the upper disk 11 has an outer thickened ring or shelf lS disposed in surrounding relation to a relatively thin, inner ledge lr;~, the latter being generally flat and extending radially inwardly from the lower edge of the sl-elf to terminate in an inner edge 20 which forms the surrounding edge of the central opening 14. A slot 22 extends through : - g_ ~::
;5 the thickness of the shelf 18 with its inner edge in communication with the ledge l9, the slot being sized to conform to the size and confignration of one of the pills P. In this case the p:ills are oE
flat circular configuration and the slot is correspondingly circular and iB of a diameter just greater than ti~at of the pill.
Middle dlsk 12 comprises the movable or transfer portion of the disk assembly and, to this end, is made up of a flat annular portion 24 which is slightly greater in diameter than thle diameter of the upper disk ll as well as the lower disk 13.
The portion 24 has an external Xnurled or roughened edge 25. A pin 26 projects upwardly from the upper surface of the annular portion 24 in diametrically opposed relation to a generally circular slot or opening 27, the latter provided with an inclined inner edge 27' as shown to prevent jamming of pills in the opening. An annular groove 28 extènds around the inner edge of the annular portion 24 in communi-cation with the inner edge of the opening 27 as illustrated at 27''. In order to control the limits of movement of the intermediate disk 12, a pin 29 projects upwardly from the disk 12 into a circum-ferential groove 29' in the underside of disX il .
The circumferential length of groove 2g ' is such as to limit rotation of disk 12 so that at one extreme of the rotational range, the hole 27 in disk 12 is in alignment with slot 22 of disk 11 while at the other extreme of the rotational range, the hole 27 ~.
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is in alignment with the discharge hole 36 in disk 13. A coiled spring 30 has one end 31 affixed to the pin 26 and the opposite end 32 affixed to a pin 33 which is pressfit into a bore at one end of groove 35 in the undersurface of the shelf portion 18 of the upper disk, as shown in Figure 3. 11ere the spring is partially inserted into the open, circumferentially extending groove 35 and serves to return the disk 12 to the position in which the hole 27 is in alignment with t}-e slot 22 of disk 11.
The lower disk 13 is comprised of a central hub 37 provided with an internally threaded portion 38 adapted to threadedly engage the exter-lS nally threaded mouth of the container C. A flat annular rim 39 is affixed in surrounding relation to the upper end of the hub and is provided with the discharge opening 36 therein. The central hub 37 is provided with an upper edge 40 which projects slightly above the riln 39 and intersects circum-ferentially spaced hole3 42 spaced at closely spaced intervals to receive upwardly projecting screws 44 which are threaded into bores 42' on the ~ underside of the disk 11 so as to interconnect the disks 11 and 13. A switch contact ring or band 45 i6 disposed in surrounding relation to the upper edge 40, and bores 46 of limited size extend through the thickness of the rim 39 so as to ' :
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permit downward insertion of a plurality of wires 47 which project downwardly from the band 45. The band 45 is provided further with spring contact arms Cl, C2, and C3 which extend radially out-wardly from the band at spaced circumferential intervals for a purpose to be hereinafter described. T)le upper and lower disk assembly 11 and 13 as described is preferably mounted in fixed relation within a shell 50, the shell being generally cup-shaped with a lower annular portion 51 and upwardly projecting wall 52 having circum-ferentially spaced, threaded openings 53 for the purpose of receiving screw-type fasteners which e~tend through mating openings 39' in the rim 39 of the disk 13. The alignment between the rim 39 and shell 50 is such that the discharge opening 36 i8 aligned with a recess 54 in the external wall 52 of the shell 50 as to form a discharge chute or opening for removal of each pill as it passes down-wardly through the opening 36 in the lower disk.
In assembled relation, the intermediate disk 12 is assembled so as to be journaled betweén the upper and lower disks 11 and 13 with the inner groove 28 on the intermediate disk 12 horizontally aligned with the contact arms Cl. C2 and C3 of the band 45. Ilere the band is stationed on the lower disk as described and is therefore fixed with respect to the movement of the intermediate disk 12. The contact arms Cl, C2, and C3 are disposed in c-rcumferentially spaced relation and are biased .
~ - 12 -, ~ , ___ _ .. _ _ _~.. , .. _ . ~ ..... ., .. _ .. _, _ .. _. .... , ... _ . _ ~_ . . _ .. _ .. __ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
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radially outwardly 80 that as the opening 27 adval--ces across each of the contact arrns, the arrn will project through the recessed slot 27 ' ' into the opening 27. I10wever, if a pill is present within the opening 27, it will engage the contact arm to force the arm radially in an inward direction against a stationary contact sa for each arm which is connected to the wire leads 47. Thus, the con-tact arms Cl ~ C2 and C3 9erve to sense the presence 1~ of a pill or tablet within the opening 27, the con-tact arm Cl being positioned in the path of the opening 27 as it is advanced away from the upper opening 22 of the upper disk 11, the middle contact arrn C2 being positioned intermediately between the extreme limits of movement of the opening 27, and the arm C3 being aligned in the path of the opening 27 as it moves into alignrnent with the lower opening 36.
One form of sensing and }ecording circuit for use in combination with contact arms Cl, C2 and C3 is illustrated in Figure 4 and is specifically designed to 9ense removal of a pill from the dispenser without spurious indications oE removal irrespective of any reversals in direction of the pill during thc course of removal. While a &ingle switch could be employed to sense removal of a pill, such as, by the contact arm C3 aligned with thc discharge opening, most desirably a series of three switches are employed so as to assure in each case that actual rernoval of a pill has been accomplished. As illustrated in Figure 4, the , ~, ______.. ... _ ... ..... . . . _.. .. .. __ ___ ..... .. . _ _ . ... _ ... _ .... __ _ S
sensing circuitry shown utilizes the clocked propa-gation of signals through a sequence of flip-flops FEl to FF6 to detect pill movenent: Closure of the contact arm or switch Cl transnlits two data bits into a pair of flip-flops FFl and FF2. Upon closure of a switch C2, two data bits are clocked into a second pair of flip-flops FF3 and FF4-Finally, upon closure of the third switch C3~ one of the data bits is clocked into a third stage flip-flop FF5- Thus, if either or both of the con-tact arms Cl and C2 are closed p~ior to closure of the contact arm C3, the logic states of the flip-flops are not changed, and actual removal of a pill is not signaled until the arrival of data at the - 15 outputs from the third stage flip-flop FF5. The values of the two data bits which were set at the first swi~tch closure ind.icate whether the pill move~nent was a pill removal or replacelnent. In the circuit, signals Sl, S2 and S3 are normally held low by their connection to ground through resistors Rl ~ R2 and R3 When a switch is closed, its corresponding signal is high and, when Cl 9oes high, a pill removal is anticipated by setting flip-flop FFl and clearing FF2- When C3 9oes high, a pill replacement event is anticipated by clearing FFl and setting FE2. When C2 9oes hlgh, the out-put of FFl iS clocked into FF3 and the output of FF2 iS cIocked into FF4- With each c-osure of Cl, the output of FF4 is clocked into PF6; and with each closure of C3, the output of FF3 is clocked into FF5. Clocking of a logic "I" into either _ _ . .. _ .. .. . .. . . _ _ _ .. _ _ _ ., _ _ . _ . . _ _ . _ .. . . _ . . .. .
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FF5 Or FF6 Si9nal6 a pill movement by causing a "1-0" transition of the signal E from ~OR gate C
into the three-stage monostable multivibrator cir-cuit which, for example, may have a series of three CD4001 integrated circuit chips, the multivibrator circuit generally represented at 48. The output of the first staye monostable multivibrator may be directed to a suitable memory while the output from the second stage is directed to a binary counter, such as, an integrated circuit chip CD4516. The "1-0" transition of the signal E initiates a series of events which deliver timing pulses for storage of infornnation, updating the pill count, and resetting all second alld third stage flip-flops.
The sequence of three pulses for triggering these three events i5 obtained from the cascaded series of the three negative edge triggered half monostables 4~. Thus the pulse in the first of the monostables is the "store" pulse for data storage, the second pulse is the clock pulse for the binary counter B which counts the pills removed, and the pulse from the third of the series resets the second and third stage flip-flops FF3 to FF6. ~hen ~ the clock pulse arrives, the binary counter incre-ments the pill count if the signal from FF5 is ~1"
and decrements the pill count if the signal from FFs is "O'i. Thus, the outputs from the binary counter indicate the total number of pills removed.
The master reset switch designated M' serves to reset the counter to "0" and reset all second and third stage flip-flops FF3 to FF6 to establish the -- ~.
..... _ . _ _ . _ ., . .. , , . . . ... .. ... , ., . , .... _ . . , , . .. .... , . _ .. . .. . . ~, :
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proper initial state for pill passage sensing or detection.
In ope.ration, when a pill passes the first contact arm Cl to close its switch, the out-put of FFl iS set to a level "1" and the output oE
FF2 is cleared to a level "0". Any additional spurious closures o Cl merely sets the same values again and has no effect on the state of the . logic. When the pill passes arm C2, c:losure of its switch causes the outputs of FFl and F;F2 to be clocked into FF3 and FF4, as a result of which FF3 Will have an output of "1" and FF4 an output oE
"0". Additional closures of C2 will clock the same values into FF3 and FF4 So as not to chanqe the logic state. ~hen the piil passes arm C3 I the logic "1" from FF3 i3 clocked into FF5 90 as to cause a "1-0" transition in the signal F. The value "1" of the output of FF5 indicates that a pill was actually removed however, if the pill had passed by the switches in the opposite sequence, the output of FF5 would have been "0" at the time of the pill passage indicating that the event was replacement as opposed to removal of a pill. If desired, a suitable display oE the pill count from the counter B, along with the event pulses generated by the half-monostable 4B can be incor-: porated into the dispenser mechanism by directingthe output of the binary counter B through addi-tional logic as represented at D, then into any suitable display or recording device such as that represented at L. Although not shown, the sensing ::
~: _ __ __--_, ,, : ,,, , , . ,, . ____ _ . .. _ ., . . _ _ . ., .. _ .. ... ..... . _ .~, : ~ ~
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and recording circuit as shown in Figure 4 is pre-ferably colltained within the hollow interior of the shell 50 such that the display L is exposed in the external wall of the shell.
In use, the inner portion of disk 11 forms n subcompartment above the bottle into which one or two pills can be placed and can be vlsuali7.ed by virtue of the transparent top or cover 15 which i9 secured by fasteners 16 over the top surface of che upper disk 11 in the manner shown in Figure 1. The inner edge 18' of the shelf 18 serves to guide each pill along the inner sur-face 19 into the slot or opening 22. Once the pill is seated within the opening 22, it will become aligned with the intermediate opening 27 in the disk 12 and pass by gravity into position within the intermediate opening 27. The inclined edge 27' on the trailing edge of the opening 27 of the intermediate disk will prevent jamming of the mechanlsm in the event that another pill overlies the first l~ill since it will be forced away from the slot 27 of intermediate disk 12 as it is rotated with respect to the upper disk 11. ~s thc intermediate disk is rotated against the urging of the spring 30, it will advance the pill toward alignment with the opening 36 in the lower disk 13.
Further, as previously described, the pill will successively engage the contact switch arms Cl, C2 and C3 first~engaging Cl as it is rotated away from the upper slot or opening 22 and then engaging . - 17 _ ' ~
, _ _ ,,, _ _ .. _........
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C2, and fil~ally C3 before it moves into aliynment with the lower opening 36. Seguential closure of the switc11 arms Cl, C2, and C3 assure complete removal of a pill which is coullted al~d stored withi,n the buEfer or storage module positioned bet-ween the huh portion 37 and shell 50 and which information may be displayed in the same area.
Description of Modified Form oE Invention In an alternate preferrei embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser mechanism 60 ~hown in Figures 5 to g i9 constructed and arranged for interchangeable use in dispensing different si~ed pills or tablets. Generally, as can be appreciated frorn a description of the other pre-ferred embodiment, it is important that the quide slot and transfer openings for the pills closely correspond in cross-sectional si~e and shape to the article boing dispensed. Not only does this avoid jamming by assuring proper aligmnent oE the pill within the opening, but assures contact with the sensing circuitry. To this end, the dispensing mechanism 60 is broadly comprised of an upper disk 61, intermediate disk 62 and a lower disk 63. The upper disk actually comprises a pair of disk ele-ments 64 and 65, the element or section 65 ~eing made up of a relatively thick but flat circular plate provided with a central opening 66 and inner and outer spaced concentric ledges 67 and 68 which form therebetweel, a channel 69 for insertion oE the disk element 64. The innermost ledge 67 is in the ~, _ _ _ _ _ , , ,,, , _,,,, ,,, , ,, ,,, ,,, .. ,, " ... ... _ , . ~ _ . _ . _ ... .. ........ .. ....
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form of an arcuate guide which is tapered sym-metrically into spaced circumEerential edges 70 flanking opposite sides of a flat surface portion 71, the latter extending between the central opening 66 and pill discharge opening 72. ~s a result, the flat surface portion 71 diverges away from the central opening toward the dischdrge opening 72 in order to encourage the movement of a pill or tablet away from the central open.ing and into the discharge opening in a manner similar to that descrlbed with respect to Figures 1 and 2. In turn, the disk element 64 is i.n the form of a rela-tively thin plate and specifically whicll is of a thickness to occupy the channel-shaped space 69 in the disk element 65, the disk element being held in an aligned position relative to disk 65 by a spring-loaded detent 74 which projects outwardly from the outer periplleral edge of the disk 64 and i9 adapted to engage one o:E a series of depressions 75 along the inner peripheral edge of the edge 68.
The disk element 64 is formed with a series of grooves or recesses as designated by the 10tters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j. Referring for example to the configuration of the groove e, it is of generally oblong configuration and dimensioned to correspond to the size of an elongated capsule or pill P' to be dispensed from container C.
~ccordingly, when the groove e is aligned over the discharge opelling 72, it will encourage proper alignment and disposition oE the pill within the groove e before it can be released through the .
- -- -----. --- -., . ...... _ ._.. _. _ 3L.t~22~5 discharge opening. The desired grooves a to j can be aligned with the discharge opening 72 by rotating the diEik element 64 until the opening e is properly aligned with tlle discharge opening 72, at which positiorl tne spring-loaded detent engages one of the depressions 75 to retain the disk element 64 in position.
The intermediate, rotatable disk 62 again serves as a transfer compartment for advancement of a pill fro-n the upper disk section 61 into the lower disk section 63. For this purpose, inter-mediate disk 62 comprises an outer ring element 78 provided with an external roughened or scalloped edge 79 and an inner wall 80 provided with a series of depressions 81 spaced along surface 80. An annular disk element 82 is dimensioned for close-fitting insertion concentrically within the ring 78, the disk element 82 being an annular plate with a series of openings a ' through j ' essentially corresponding to the grooves a to j of the upper disk element; the only variation is that the ope-nings a' through j' do not intrutie into the inner edge of tl-e disk and are formed entirely within the thickness of the disk . In other words, the grooves or slots a to j extend radially away from the inner edge of the disX 64 while the openings a' to ji are spaced in outer concentric relation to inner edge 83 of the disk 82. In addition, the inner edge i83 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 84 which extends into the slots a' to j' and serves a function correspondiny to that of the groove 28 in the form of invention .
t , __ ___ _ .__ ., _. ___ . _ . _ . _ _ __,, _ _ .. ... _ .__ ~.. _ _ ..... __ _ . _ _ _ . ... __ _. . _, _ .. ,_ ,. _ _ ...... _ .. _ . _.
shown in Figures 1 and 2: and the slots a' to j' similarly may have inclined planes comparable to the inclined plane 27'.
In the intermediate disk asse1nbly, the inner disk element 82 is provided with a spring-loaded detent B5 adaptqd to engage one of a series of depressions 81 at the inner edge of the ring 7B
60 that in a manner corresponding to that described with reference to the disk element 64 and its spring-loaded detent 74, a selected opening e' may be aligned in the same relationship to the entire dislc assembly as the slot e. The dislc element a2 is supported within tile ring 7û by upper and lower cover plates 86 and 87 which are secured to up~er and lower edges of the ring by suitable fasteners, not rihown, and which fasteners are advanced through limited openings 88 in the outer peripheral edge of the plates into correspondingly spaced openings 89 on the upper and lower surfaces of the inner wall portion 80 of the ring 78. The cover plates 86 and B7 are correspondingly formed with keyways 90 which extend radially from the central opening 91j the plates being so mounted on the ring 78 that the keyways 90 are aligned with the openings a' to j' selected for a particular pill. The plates 85 and 87 are preferably formed oE a material which will form moisture shields on opposite sides of the intermediate disk assembly as well as to minimiz0 frictional resistance to rotation of the inter-mediate disk assembly with respect to the upper and lower disks 61 and 63.
~ ~ .
:
~: - - --- -- _ ~2~
The lower disk 63 is of anllular con- !
figuration having a central opening 94 which, as shown in Figure 6, is threaded for connection to the mouth M of the container C. As seen from Figures 6 alld 9, the enlarged opening 94 co~-municates with a central opening 95 which is of a size corresponding to tile opening 66 in the upper disk assembly. 'rhe upper surface of the disk 63 i9 relatively flat, except for an upstanding ledge 96 in surrounding relation to the central opening and a generally U-shaped recess 98 which extends radially outwardly from the ledge through the greater thickness of the disk 63 to serve as a means of discharge for pills passing through the aligned openings in the disk assembly. The disk 63 is also provided wi~h an internal cavity 100 extending throughout the interior of the disk as shown in Figure 6 to house suitable control or logic circuitry for use in cooperation with the sensing contacts as described with reference to the form of invention shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The disks are assembled together with the annular ledge 73 on the upper disk element pro-jecting downwardly within the ledge 96 of the lower dlsk 63, and are secured by screws 101 which pass through the holes 102 in disk 63 and into threaded bores 102' in disk 65, as shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as the cooperating holes 42, bores 42' and screws 44 of Figures 1 to 3. ~ transparent cover plate 104 is fastened to the upper disk ele-ment 65 by sultable fasteners 105 which are _ _ _ _,,,,,, , , , _ _ _ .. ,, .,, _, . . . , . _ _ .. ,, .. _, ~2~
threaded into spaced openings 106 in the upper sur-face of the outer ledge 68 of the disk so as to complete the assembly and interconnection of ele-ments making up the dispensing cap. The inter-mediate disk assembly 62 is sandwiched between the upper and lower disk assemblies 61 and 63 but is free to rotate independently of the upper and lower disks in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Again, a coiled spring 108 has one free end 109 aEfixed to a pin 110 on the upper surface of thc plate 86 of the intermediate disk assembly while the opposite end of the spring has a pin 112 insertahle into an opening in the undersurface of the disk element 65.
lS The spring 108 is inserted into an annular groove 114 in the undersurface oE the upper disk element, and locator pin 111, shown in Figure 9, is inserted into inner groove 113 as shown in Figure 7. When assembled, the spring 10~3 will normally urge the intermediate disk to a position causing the selected discharge opening a' to j' to be aligned with opening 72 in the upper disk and substantially oEfset from the discharge shelf 98 in the lower disk assembly. However, when the intermediate disk assembly is rotated against the urging of the spring lOB, it will advance the discharge opening selected in the intermediate disk assembly into alignrnent with the opening 98 and, if a pill is present, will permit the pill to drop from the openin~ a' to j' in the intermediate disk assembly into the discharge shFlf 98. IYhen the intermediate ~ : - 23 -:
--- -,---. -. _.
4~
disk assembly 62 is released, t11e spring force will return the disk 62 into its original alignment.
Although not illustrated in Fiyures S to 9, the sensing circuitry and contact arms as described in -Figures 2 and 4 may be utilized effectively in association with the alternate embodiment of Figures 5 to 9 and mounted in the same identical manner such that the contact arms are aligned with the internal groove 84 of the intermediate disk assembly.
In selecting the slots a to j and ope-nings a' to j', the cover 104 must be removed to permit access to the disk elements 64 and 82 so that their respective disk elements can be rotated until the desired slot or opening, as the case may be, is aligned to correspond with the pill to be dispensed. This may be accomplished, for example, by rotating the upper disk element 64 with the finger: and by rotating the disk element 82 with a slender rod or pick having a lower bent end which is inserted through the opening in the upper disk to engage a sidewall of the aligned opening in the intermediate disk and successively advancing the openings until the proper opening in the inter-mediate disk is aligned with the upper opening.
Thus the pharmacist can make the appropriate adjustment for the desired opening size to correspond with the pill or tablet being dispensed.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a modifica-tion of the preferred form of invention shown in I' `
.. , _. _ ._ . .. __ ....... , . ,.. _ . , . , ., ...... .... . ..... _ , . . .... .... ._ .. ....
s~
Figures 1 to 3 whereby the dispenser cap Illay be usable for different sized pills by varying the effective opening size of the guide slot 22' and the opening 27''' in the upper disk 11 and inter-mediate disk,l2, respectively. As shown in Figure 10, an insert 110 has a generally rectangular body with a slotted portion 130 and outwardly - pro~ectiny, spaced ribs 132 which are adapted for insertion into correspondingly spaced grooves 134 in the surrounding edge of a rectangular-shaped guide slot 22'. The ribs are dimensioned so as to be of a width substantially corresponding to the width of the grooves to ensble close-fitting inser-tion of the insert 110 in place in order to reduce the opening slze of the sloS to that ss illustrated at 130. Figure 11 illustrates an insert 116 of generally rectangular form sized to correspond to the size of the opening 27''' in the intermediate disk 12 and having an opening lla rerluced to the desired size and configuration. A pair of spaced ribs 120,project outwardly away frorn the ring for close-fitting insertion in grooves 122 extending froln the edge of the opening 27''' and aligned beneath the grooves 134 shown in Figure 10. The opening 118 is sized to correspond to that of the slot 130 in the insert 110 so as to provide a matched opening for movement of a pill in proper , alignment from the slot 130 into the opening lla.
Insertion of the inserts 110 and 116 may be readily accomplished by rernoving the transparent cover 15, turning the disk 12 until the opening 27''' is `::
_.~ . _ _. . .~._.. , ........ ... _ _. .... ._ . _ .... ... . _ . ... .. .
~' ~2~ 5 positioned under the slot 22' in the uE~per disk 11 and successively placing the insert 116 into the lower opening 27''' and placing insert 1l0 into the upper guide slot 22'.
It is thereore to be understood that various modifications and changes in the construc-tion and arrangement of parts employed in the pre-ferred form of invention may be made w:ithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
_ _ ___ __,, ~ _ _ _ .___ _ , , . ,.. _ _ _.,,,, . ... _ .. ,, . , ___ . . . ,, .,, _, _, . , _ _ __----._ --- - ---- --
Claims (38)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A pill dispenser adapted for selective removal of pills from a receptacle, comprising:
first compartment means in communication with said receptacle including guide means adapted to receive at least one pill from said receptacle and to isolate said pill in said first compartment means from the other pills in said receptacle;
transfer means including a second compartment provided with a transfer opening in communication with said guide means in said first compartment means, said transfer opening adapted to receive a pill from said guide means when said transfer opening is aligned with said guide means, said transfer means operative to advance said transfer opening away from alignment with said guide means; and discharge means including an exist opening therein, said exit opening being alignable with said transfer opening when said transfer means advances a pill retained in said transfer opening away from said guide means into alignment with said exit opening whereby to permit retrieval of a pill which is advanced by said transfer means into said exist opening, said first and second compartments and said discharge means provided with a common opening therein, and said guide means in communication with said receptacle through said common opening.
first compartment means in communication with said receptacle including guide means adapted to receive at least one pill from said receptacle and to isolate said pill in said first compartment means from the other pills in said receptacle;
transfer means including a second compartment provided with a transfer opening in communication with said guide means in said first compartment means, said transfer opening adapted to receive a pill from said guide means when said transfer opening is aligned with said guide means, said transfer means operative to advance said transfer opening away from alignment with said guide means; and discharge means including an exist opening therein, said exit opening being alignable with said transfer opening when said transfer means advances a pill retained in said transfer opening away from said guide means into alignment with said exit opening whereby to permit retrieval of a pill which is advanced by said transfer means into said exist opening, said first and second compartments and said discharge means provided with a common opening therein, and said guide means in communication with said receptacle through said common opening.
2. A pill dispenser according to claim 1, said first and second compartments defined by a plurality of superimposed layers, said transfer means being interposed between said first compartment means and said discharge means.
3. A pill dispenser according to claim 1, said first and second compartments and said discharge means being in the form of superimposed layers provided with a common opening therein, said guide means having a channel-shaped guide portion in communication with said receptacle through said common opening, and a transparent cover on said first compartment means.
4. A pill dispenser according to either of claims 1 or 3, said transfer means including a plurality of transfer openings of different sizes, and means for selectively positioning one of said transfer openings for alignment with said guide means so as to receive a pill from said guide means.
5. A pill dispenser according to claim 1, said guide means provided with a plurality of guide slots of different sizes, each slot conforming to the size and configuration of a pill to be dispensed.
6. A pill dispenser according to claim 5, said transfer means including a plurality of transfer openings corresponding in size to that of the guide slots in said first compartment means, and means for rotationally adjusting the alignment of said transfer openings with respect to said first compartment means to selectively align one of said transfer openings with a correspondingly sized guide slot in said first compartment means.
7. A pill dispenser according to claim 1, including sensing means responsive to advancement of said transfer means sense the presence of a pill in said transfer opening in said second compartment.
8. A pill dispenser according to claim 7, said sensing means including means operative to sense advancement of a pill between said second compartment and said exit opening.
9. A pill dispenser according to claim 7, said sensing means including at least one sensing means including at least one sensing member aligned with said transfer opening in said second compartment and responsive to engagement with a pill in said transfer opening to transmit a signal, and recording means associated with said sensing means responsive to receipt of a signal from said sensing member to record the presence of a pill in said transfer opening in said second compartment means.
10. A pill dispenser according to claim 9, said sensing means having a pair of sensing members in the path of movement of said transfer opening in said second compartment, each said sensing member responsive to the presence of a pill in said transfer opening to transmit a signal to said recording means.
11. A pill dispenser according to claim 10, one of said sensing members disposed in fixed relation to said second compartment and movable into the path of said transfer opening in said second compartment when said transfer opening approaches the exit opening in said discharge means.
12. A pill dispenser according to claim 10, said sensing means including a series of three circumferentially spaced sensing members disposed in the path of movement of said transfer opening in said second compartment, each said sensing member responsive to the presence of a pill in said transfer opening to transmit a signal to said recording means when a pill has been removed from the dispenser without spurious indications of removal irrespective of any reversals in the direction of the pill during the course of removal.
13. In a pill dispenser wherein a receptacle is provided for the storage of a plurality of pills, and a plurality of compartments are arranged in superimposed relation to one another for the selective removal of pills sequentially from said receptacle, the improvement comprising:
said compartments including a first compartment having a channel-shaped portion in communication with said receptacle whereby to isolate at least one pill received from said receptacle in said channel-shaped portion and said first compartment having a ring of a plurality of guide slots of different sizes selectively communicable with said channel-shaped portion;
a second compartment provided with a ring of a plurality of transfer slots substantially corresponding in size to said plurality of guide slots and selectively alignable with a guide slot, said second compartment and said first compartment being relatively rotatable with respect to one another whereby a pill can be advanced from a guide slot in communication with said channel-shaped portion into a transfer slot when said guide slot and said transfer slot are aligned;
sensing means associated with said compartments operative to sense the presence of a pill in said transfer slot in said second compartment means;
means for positioning any selected one of said guide slots into communication with said channel-shaped portion; and means for aligning any selected one of said transfer slots with a guide slot in communication with said channel-shaped portion.
said compartments including a first compartment having a channel-shaped portion in communication with said receptacle whereby to isolate at least one pill received from said receptacle in said channel-shaped portion and said first compartment having a ring of a plurality of guide slots of different sizes selectively communicable with said channel-shaped portion;
a second compartment provided with a ring of a plurality of transfer slots substantially corresponding in size to said plurality of guide slots and selectively alignable with a guide slot, said second compartment and said first compartment being relatively rotatable with respect to one another whereby a pill can be advanced from a guide slot in communication with said channel-shaped portion into a transfer slot when said guide slot and said transfer slot are aligned;
sensing means associated with said compartments operative to sense the presence of a pill in said transfer slot in said second compartment means;
means for positioning any selected one of said guide slots into communication with said channel-shaped portion; and means for aligning any selected one of said transfer slots with a guide slot in communication with said channel-shaped portion.
14. In a pill dispenser according to claim 13, said sensing means defined by a plurality of spaced, electrical contact members operative to transmit a signal in response to the presence of a pill in said transfer slot.
15. A pill dispenser cap having a common opening adapted for engagement with the mouth of a receptacle containing a plurality of pills of predetermined size, said dispenser cap comprising:
a plurality of superimposed disks of annular configuration to define the common opening in said dispenser cap, a first disk defining a first compartment having a transparent cover and channel-shaped portion on its surface adapted to receive a pill from said receptacle and to isolate said pill from the other pills in said receptacle, and guide slot means in said first disk disposed in communication with said channel-shaped portion to receive a pill from said channel-shaped portion;
an intermediate disk interposed between said first disk and a discharge disk and rotatable with respect to said first disk, said intermediate disk being provided with a transfer slot adapted to receive a pill from said guide slot means in said first disk when said transfer slot is aligned therewith; and said discharge disk provided with a discharge opening therein, said discharge opening alignable with said transfer slot when said intermediate disk is rotated to advance a pill retained in said transfer slot into alignment with said discharge opening so as to permit retrieval of a pill through said discharge opening.
a plurality of superimposed disks of annular configuration to define the common opening in said dispenser cap, a first disk defining a first compartment having a transparent cover and channel-shaped portion on its surface adapted to receive a pill from said receptacle and to isolate said pill from the other pills in said receptacle, and guide slot means in said first disk disposed in communication with said channel-shaped portion to receive a pill from said channel-shaped portion;
an intermediate disk interposed between said first disk and a discharge disk and rotatable with respect to said first disk, said intermediate disk being provided with a transfer slot adapted to receive a pill from said guide slot means in said first disk when said transfer slot is aligned therewith; and said discharge disk provided with a discharge opening therein, said discharge opening alignable with said transfer slot when said intermediate disk is rotated to advance a pill retained in said transfer slot into alignment with said discharge opening so as to permit retrieval of a pill through said discharge opening.
16. A pill dispenser cap according to claim 15 , including sensing means responsive to advancement of said transfer slot to sense the presence of a pill in said transfer slot in said intermediate disk, said sensing means including means operative to sense advancement of a pill between said first disk and said discharge opening in said discharge disk, and further including an electrical contact member aligned with said transfer slot in said intermediate disk and responsive to engagement with a pill in said intermediate disk to transmit a signal, and recording means associated with said sensing means responsive to receipt of a signal from said electrical contact member to record the presence of a pill in said transfer slot.
17. A pill dispenser cap according to claim 15 , further including insert portions in said guide slot means and said transfer slot to vary the effective size of said guide slot means and said transfer slot, respectively, to coincide with the configuration and size of pill to be discharged therethrough.
18. In a pill dispenser adapted for selective removal of pills from a receptacle wherein transfer means are provided to receive a pill from said receptacle and advance said pill into registry with an exit opening for removal of a pill therefrom, the improvement comprising:
sensing means including at least one electrical sensing member responsive to advancement of said transfer means to sense the presence of a pill in said transfer means and to transmit a signal indicating the presence of a pill in said transfer means; and recording means associated with said sensing means responsive to receipt of a signal from said electrical sensing member to record the presence of a pill in said slot in said second compartment means, each said sensing member responsive to the presence of a pill in said transfer means to transmit a signal to said recording means such that said recording means will record when a pill has been removed from the dispenser without spurious indications of removal irrespective of any reversals in the direction of the pill during the course of removal.
sensing means including at least one electrical sensing member responsive to advancement of said transfer means to sense the presence of a pill in said transfer means and to transmit a signal indicating the presence of a pill in said transfer means; and recording means associated with said sensing means responsive to receipt of a signal from said electrical sensing member to record the presence of a pill in said slot in said second compartment means, each said sensing member responsive to the presence of a pill in said transfer means to transmit a signal to said recording means such that said recording means will record when a pill has been removed from the dispenser without spurious indications of removal irrespective of any reversals in the direction of the pill during the course of removal.
19. In a pill dispenser according to claim 18, wherein said electrical sensing member includes at least three electrical sensing members.
20. In a pill dispenser according to claim 19, herein each said electrical sensing member includes an electrical contact member.
21. A dispenser adapted for selective removal of pills or the like from a receptacle comprising:
a first compartment in communication with the receptacle having means for guiding a pill, said guide means adapted to receive at least one pill from the receptacle and to isolate the pill from the other pills in the receptacle;
a transfer compartment having a transfer-opening alignable with said guide means and adapted to receive a pill from said guide means when said transfer opening is aligned with said guide means;
a discharge compartment having an exit opening alignable with said transfer opening and adopted to receive a pill from said transfer opening when said exit opening is aligned with said transfer opening, whereby a pill isolated by said guide means may be received by said transfer opening and thereafter may be received by said exit opening and whereby a pill received by said exit opening may be discharged from the receptacle and the dispenser; and means for sensing the presence of a pill in said transfer opening and for determining whether said pill in said transfer opening is becoming relatively more aligned or less aligned with said exit opening.
a first compartment in communication with the receptacle having means for guiding a pill, said guide means adapted to receive at least one pill from the receptacle and to isolate the pill from the other pills in the receptacle;
a transfer compartment having a transfer-opening alignable with said guide means and adapted to receive a pill from said guide means when said transfer opening is aligned with said guide means;
a discharge compartment having an exit opening alignable with said transfer opening and adopted to receive a pill from said transfer opening when said exit opening is aligned with said transfer opening, whereby a pill isolated by said guide means may be received by said transfer opening and thereafter may be received by said exit opening and whereby a pill received by said exit opening may be discharged from the receptacle and the dispenser; and means for sensing the presence of a pill in said transfer opening and for determining whether said pill in said transfer opening is becoming relatively more aligned or less aligned with said exit opening.
22. A receptacle for storing and dispensing pills, the receptacle being oriented normally in an upright position, comprising:
a chamber in which the pills may be contained in a loose and nonordered state;
a ledge capable of supporting a plurality of pills simultaneously, exposed to and in communication with said chamber, said ledge being provided with a slot having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of a pill along at least a portion of the perimeter thereof, whereby moving and orienting the receptacle permits a number of pills less than that needed to fill the ledge to be deposited on and supported by said ledge such that the pills deposited on said ledge are free to move on said ledge and whereby a pill deposited on said ledge may be maneuvered into the-slot, means for selectively removing from the receptacle a pill that has been maneuvered into the slot; and means for electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
a chamber in which the pills may be contained in a loose and nonordered state;
a ledge capable of supporting a plurality of pills simultaneously, exposed to and in communication with said chamber, said ledge being provided with a slot having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of a pill along at least a portion of the perimeter thereof, whereby moving and orienting the receptacle permits a number of pills less than that needed to fill the ledge to be deposited on and supported by said ledge such that the pills deposited on said ledge are free to move on said ledge and whereby a pill deposited on said ledge may be maneuvered into the-slot, means for selectively removing from the receptacle a pill that has been maneuvered into the slot; and means for electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
23. A receptacle according to claim 22 further comprising a substantially transparent wall portion positioned such that a person outside the receptacle may view said ledge, said slot, a pill deposited on said ledge, a pill being maneuvered into said slot, the position and orientation of a pill relative to said slot, and a pill in said slot.
24. A receptacle according to claim 22 further comprising means for altering the size of said slot to substantially conform to the size of any pill.
25. A receptacle according to claim 22 wherein said ledge includes a plurality of slots of different sizes and whereby a pill deposited on said ledge may be maneuvered into a selected one of the slots.
26. A receptacle according to claim 22 further comprising at least one slot insert adapted for selective insertion into the slot and for altering the effective size of the slot.
27. A receptacle according to claim 22 wherein the slot is positioned such that a pill drops from one horizontal level to a lower horizontal level as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
28. A receptacle according to claim 22 wherein the chamber includes a chamber floor upon which the pills normally rest, said chamber floor generally disposed at a first horizontal level when the receptacle is in an upright position, wherein said ledge is generally disposed at a second horizontal level when the receptacle is in an upright position, and wherein the first horizontal level is lower than the second horizontal level.
29. A method of dispensing pills comprising the steps of:
providing a receptacle including (a) a chamber in which the pills may be contained, (b) a ledge capable of supporting a plurality of pills simultaneously, exposed to and in communication with the chamber, the ledge being provided with a slot having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the pill along at least a portion of the perimeter thereof, and (c) means for electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle;
placing at least one pill in the receptacle chamber so that the pill rests upon the chamber floor;
moving and orienting the receptacle so that a number of pills less than that needed to fill said ledge are deposited upon, supported by, and capable of moving freely on the ledge:
moving and orienting the receptacle so that a pill deposited upon and supported by said ledge is maneuvered into the slot, removing from the receptacle the pill that has been maneuvered into the slot; and electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
providing a receptacle including (a) a chamber in which the pills may be contained, (b) a ledge capable of supporting a plurality of pills simultaneously, exposed to and in communication with the chamber, the ledge being provided with a slot having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the pill along at least a portion of the perimeter thereof, and (c) means for electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle;
placing at least one pill in the receptacle chamber so that the pill rests upon the chamber floor;
moving and orienting the receptacle so that a number of pills less than that needed to fill said ledge are deposited upon, supported by, and capable of moving freely on the ledge:
moving and orienting the receptacle so that a pill deposited upon and supported by said ledge is maneuvered into the slot, removing from the receptacle the pill that has been maneuvered into the slot; and electrically sensing the pill as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
30. A method of dispensing pills according to claim 29 wherein said receptacle further includes a substantially transparent wall portion positioned such that a person outside the receptacle may view said ledge, said slot, a pill deposited on said ledge, a pill being maneuvered into said slot, the position and orientation of a pill relative to said slot, and a pill in said slot and wherein the receptacle is moved and oriented by a person outside the receptacle as the person views the ledge and the slot through the substantially transparent wall portion.
31. A method of dispensing pills according to claim 2 wherein the pill drops from one horizontal level to a lower horizontal level as the pill is being removed from the receptacle.
32. A method of dispensing pills according to claim 29 comprising the further step of changing the size of said slot.
33. A method of dispensing pills according to claim 29 wherein said ledge includes a plurality of different sized slots and includes means for permitting a pill deposited on said ledge to be maneuvered into a selected slot, and wherein the method comprises the further step of selecting the slot into which a pill is maneuvered.
34. A method of dispensing pills according to claim 29 wherein said ledge further includes at least one slot insert adapted for selective insertion into said slot and for altering the effective size of said slot and wherein the method comprises the further step of inserting a slot insert into said slot.
35. A pill dispenser adapted for selective removal of pills or the like from a receptacle, comprising:
means for guiding at least one pill along a selected path from a position within the receptacle to a position outside the receptacle, the pill capable of being guided either forwardly or backwardly along the path; and means for electrically sensing the presence of a pill in said guide means and for electrically sensing whether a pill in said guide means is travelling forwardly or backwardly along the path.
means for guiding at least one pill along a selected path from a position within the receptacle to a position outside the receptacle, the pill capable of being guided either forwardly or backwardly along the path; and means for electrically sensing the presence of a pill in said guide means and for electrically sensing whether a pill in said guide means is travelling forwardly or backwardly along the path.
36. A pill dispenser according to claim 35 wherein said sensing means creates a signal in response to the presence of a pill in said guide means and in response to the direction of pill travel along the path, and wherein the dispenser further comprises means for recording a signal created by said sensing means.
37. A pill dispenser according to claim 36 wherein said sensing means includes at least three spaced electrical sensing members adapted to transmit a signal indicating the presence of a pill in said guide means and further comprising means for recording the signal, each electrical sensing member responsive to the presence of a pill in said guide means to transmit a signal to said recording means such that said recording means records when a pill has been removed from the receptacle without spurious indications of removal irrespective of any changes in direction of the pill during the course of removal.
38. A pill dispenser according to claim 37 wherein each said electrical sensing member includes an electrical contact member.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449820A CA1220455A (en) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-03-16 | Pill dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449820A CA1220455A (en) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-03-16 | Pill dispenser |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1220455A true CA1220455A (en) | 1987-04-14 |
Family
ID=4127427
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449820A Expired CA1220455A (en) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-03-16 | Pill dispenser |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1220455A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107399454A (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2017-11-28 | 华南理工大学 | A kind of small-sized hand dynamic point medicine device |
-
1984
- 1984-03-16 CA CA000449820A patent/CA1220455A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107399454A (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2017-11-28 | 华南理工大学 | A kind of small-sized hand dynamic point medicine device |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |