CA2585827C - Disposable pill counting device - Google Patents
Disposable pill counting device Download PDFInfo
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- CA2585827C CA2585827C CA2585827A CA2585827A CA2585827C CA 2585827 C CA2585827 C CA 2585827C CA 2585827 A CA2585827 A CA 2585827A CA 2585827 A CA2585827 A CA 2585827A CA 2585827 C CA2585827 C CA 2585827C
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/02—Pill counting devices
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- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
Abstract
A disposable pill system including disposable pill counting tray to hold the a pill, a disposable spatula for use with the disposable pill counting tray, the disposable pill counting tray including a folding side wall to define an area for the pill.
Description
2
3
4 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to health care, and more 6 particularly to a pill counting device and method for using the pill counting device.
9 Among other things, pharmacies commonly supply pills and other medication in prescription vials for holding their medication after the patients leave 11 the pharmacy and their appointment with the doctor. Some patients when they 12 come to the pharmacy with their prescription scripts are in pain and wish to take 13 their medication immediately in accordance with the doctor's signa which is a Latin 14 term to label the prescription according to dose, route of administration and frequency of use. The only concern of the patients under these circumstances is 16 that the medication will provide some relief from the pain which they suffer and/or 17 cure the ailment.
18 Since the inception of the pharmacy, the tools that have been used to 19 fill the tablet/capsule prescription drug order has been the pill counting tray and spatula. These tools are based on technology which has been in existence for more 21 than 80 years. However, these devices are still used today by the pharmacy to 22 manually fill, accurately count and dispense the medication into the prescription 23 vials.
1 This process is repeated over and over again with the same pill 2 counting tray and spatula. There is no attempt to prevent the contamination of the 3 next patient's medication by the medication of the previous patient.
4 However, many patients are allergic to some kinds of medications, and it is possible for the patient's medication to become contaminated with the 6 previous patient's medication and for the patient to sustain a serious allergic 7 reaction without knowledge of the source of the contamination. The contamination 8 could occur during the filling, counting and dispensing of the patient's medication.
9 U.S. Pat. No. Des 342,572 discloses a pill counter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,649 to McCanney discloses a method and 11 apparatus for manually counting pills.
12 U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,643 discloses a main body portion which has a 13 platform surface and tapered side surfaces.
14 U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,722 discloses a counter including a bottom tray having adjoining upstanding sides.
16 U.S. Pat. No. 2,952,369 discloses a pill counter having a bottom 17 which is flat and has the general shape of a truncated triangle.
18 U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,425 discloses a sorting tray which includes a 19 substantially planar sorting surface bounded by upwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls.
21 U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,785 discloses a tray member including a bottom 22 wall or base portion, a front wall, a rear wall a left side wall and a right side wall.
1 Many patients are not sure if they are allergic to such drugs as 2 penicillin or sulfa drugs. The only source of such an unidentified allergic reaction is 3 that there has been a cross-contamination and evidenced by the patient's 4 complaints of nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. Alternatively, the patient may simply feel depressed or crossed tempered.
8 The present invention eliminates the drug cross-contamination 9 problem in the pharmacy environments. The present invention includes a device and method of pill dispensing in which the pill counting device is disposable.
The 11 disposable pill counting device includes a disposable pill counting tray which may 12 have a built-in chute and a disposable spatula for directing the pills into the 13 medication vial.
14 By virtue of the fact that the present invention relates to a disposable pill counting device, the present invention is an effective device to prevent the 16 allergic reaction of the patients caused by drug cross-contamination. With the 17 present invention, the patients are assured of receiving substantially pure 18 medication from the pharmacy. It should be understood that the word 'pill' can be 19 tablets, capsules or any other suitable type of pill medication which is dispensed as medication by the pharmacy.
21 By employing the disposable pill counting tray and disposable spatula 22 the drug cross-contamination and the resulting induced allergies can be avoided.
23 The common medications that induce allergic reactions include antibiotics and 1 some heart disease medications; however, there are many other drugs that can 2 induce the allergic response. Consequently, the present invention is an important 3 contribution to preventing these induced allergies.
4 The disposable pill counting tray and the disposable spatula are simpler in construction, cost-effective and more versatile in operation than other pill 6 counting trays and spatulas. The disposable pill counting tray and disposable 7 spatula ensures safety for the patients. The disposable pill counting tray and 8 disposable spatula provides a new and contamination free device for each patient.
9 By virtue of the disposable aspect of the disposable pill counting tray and disposable spatula, these devices can be used once and discarded.
11 The disposable pill dispensing device eliminates a drug cross 12 contamination concerns of the community. Consequently, the disposable the 13 dispensing device provides an important contribution and solves the problem of 14 unrecognized allergic reactions.
17 Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a traditional pill counting tray 18 and spatula which are both non-disposable;
19 Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of another traditional pill counting tray and spatula;
21 Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of yet another non-disposable 22 pill counting tray with non-disposable spatula;
1 Figures 4a - 4c illustrate cross-sectional views of a pill counting tray of 2 the present invention;
3 Figures 5a - 5f illustrate cross-sectional views of the pill counting tray 4 of the present invention;
Figures 6a - 6f illustrate cross-sectional views of the pill counting tray 6 of the present invention;
7 Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a spatula of the present 8 invention;
9 Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pill counting tray, the spatula and a vial of the present invention;
11 Figures 9a - 9b illustrate perspective views of tray covers of the 12 present invention;
13 Figures 10a - 10c illustrate perspective views of the pill counting tray 14 of the present invention;
Figures 11a - 11c illustrate perspective views of the pill counting tray 16 of the present invention;
17 Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pill counting tray 18 with adhesive tape;
19 Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spatula of the present invention; and 21 Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the counting tray of the 22 present invention.
The present invention relates generally to health care, and more 6 particularly to a pill counting device and method for using the pill counting device.
9 Among other things, pharmacies commonly supply pills and other medication in prescription vials for holding their medication after the patients leave 11 the pharmacy and their appointment with the doctor. Some patients when they 12 come to the pharmacy with their prescription scripts are in pain and wish to take 13 their medication immediately in accordance with the doctor's signa which is a Latin 14 term to label the prescription according to dose, route of administration and frequency of use. The only concern of the patients under these circumstances is 16 that the medication will provide some relief from the pain which they suffer and/or 17 cure the ailment.
18 Since the inception of the pharmacy, the tools that have been used to 19 fill the tablet/capsule prescription drug order has been the pill counting tray and spatula. These tools are based on technology which has been in existence for more 21 than 80 years. However, these devices are still used today by the pharmacy to 22 manually fill, accurately count and dispense the medication into the prescription 23 vials.
1 This process is repeated over and over again with the same pill 2 counting tray and spatula. There is no attempt to prevent the contamination of the 3 next patient's medication by the medication of the previous patient.
4 However, many patients are allergic to some kinds of medications, and it is possible for the patient's medication to become contaminated with the 6 previous patient's medication and for the patient to sustain a serious allergic 7 reaction without knowledge of the source of the contamination. The contamination 8 could occur during the filling, counting and dispensing of the patient's medication.
9 U.S. Pat. No. Des 342,572 discloses a pill counter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,649 to McCanney discloses a method and 11 apparatus for manually counting pills.
12 U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,643 discloses a main body portion which has a 13 platform surface and tapered side surfaces.
14 U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,722 discloses a counter including a bottom tray having adjoining upstanding sides.
16 U.S. Pat. No. 2,952,369 discloses a pill counter having a bottom 17 which is flat and has the general shape of a truncated triangle.
18 U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,425 discloses a sorting tray which includes a 19 substantially planar sorting surface bounded by upwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls.
21 U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,785 discloses a tray member including a bottom 22 wall or base portion, a front wall, a rear wall a left side wall and a right side wall.
1 Many patients are not sure if they are allergic to such drugs as 2 penicillin or sulfa drugs. The only source of such an unidentified allergic reaction is 3 that there has been a cross-contamination and evidenced by the patient's 4 complaints of nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. Alternatively, the patient may simply feel depressed or crossed tempered.
8 The present invention eliminates the drug cross-contamination 9 problem in the pharmacy environments. The present invention includes a device and method of pill dispensing in which the pill counting device is disposable.
The 11 disposable pill counting device includes a disposable pill counting tray which may 12 have a built-in chute and a disposable spatula for directing the pills into the 13 medication vial.
14 By virtue of the fact that the present invention relates to a disposable pill counting device, the present invention is an effective device to prevent the 16 allergic reaction of the patients caused by drug cross-contamination. With the 17 present invention, the patients are assured of receiving substantially pure 18 medication from the pharmacy. It should be understood that the word 'pill' can be 19 tablets, capsules or any other suitable type of pill medication which is dispensed as medication by the pharmacy.
21 By employing the disposable pill counting tray and disposable spatula 22 the drug cross-contamination and the resulting induced allergies can be avoided.
23 The common medications that induce allergic reactions include antibiotics and 1 some heart disease medications; however, there are many other drugs that can 2 induce the allergic response. Consequently, the present invention is an important 3 contribution to preventing these induced allergies.
4 The disposable pill counting tray and the disposable spatula are simpler in construction, cost-effective and more versatile in operation than other pill 6 counting trays and spatulas. The disposable pill counting tray and disposable 7 spatula ensures safety for the patients. The disposable pill counting tray and 8 disposable spatula provides a new and contamination free device for each patient.
9 By virtue of the disposable aspect of the disposable pill counting tray and disposable spatula, these devices can be used once and discarded.
11 The disposable pill dispensing device eliminates a drug cross 12 contamination concerns of the community. Consequently, the disposable the 13 dispensing device provides an important contribution and solves the problem of 14 unrecognized allergic reactions.
17 Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a traditional pill counting tray 18 and spatula which are both non-disposable;
19 Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of another traditional pill counting tray and spatula;
21 Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of yet another non-disposable 22 pill counting tray with non-disposable spatula;
1 Figures 4a - 4c illustrate cross-sectional views of a pill counting tray of 2 the present invention;
3 Figures 5a - 5f illustrate cross-sectional views of the pill counting tray 4 of the present invention;
Figures 6a - 6f illustrate cross-sectional views of the pill counting tray 6 of the present invention;
7 Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a spatula of the present 8 invention;
9 Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pill counting tray, the spatula and a vial of the present invention;
11 Figures 9a - 9b illustrate perspective views of tray covers of the 12 present invention;
13 Figures 10a - 10c illustrate perspective views of the pill counting tray 14 of the present invention;
Figures 11a - 11c illustrate perspective views of the pill counting tray 16 of the present invention;
17 Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pill counting tray 18 with adhesive tape;
19 Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spatula of the present invention; and 21 Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the counting tray of the 22 present invention.
5 2 FIG. 4a illustrates a substantially flat disposable sheet 402 for forming 3 the disposable or single use pill counting tray 405, and the flat disposable sheet 402 4 may be formed from disposable material such as reinforced nontoxic paperboard, cardboard, rigid paper or other suitable material. The disposable sheet 402 should
6 be safe to use in the pharmaceutical industry and may be approved by the Federal
7 Drug Agency (FDA). FIG. 4a shows a substantially rectangle disposable sheet 402;
8 however, other shapes of disposable sheet 402 are within the scope of the present
9 invention.
FIG. 4b illustrates a fold line 408 which is formed along the periphery 11 of the disposable sheet 402 and which is substantially parallel to the edges of the 12 disposable sheet 402. The corner 412 of the disposable sheet 402 is punched out 13 along the fold line 408 in order to form the folding sidewall 406. One corner may 14 include a chute 407 which is formed by removing a portion of the disposable sheet 402 along the diagonal of the corner. The chute 407 may not have sidewalls.
The 16 fold line 408 may be a weakened area such as a line of punches or formed by 17 coining to allow the folding sidewall 406 to be folded to an upright position and held 18 upright by tape all around the sidewalls, substantially perpendicular to the base 404.
19 The base 404 forms a substantially flat area for the pills to be dispensed and counted.
21 FIG. 4c illustrates that the folding sidewall 406 has been moved from 22 a first position substantially in the plane of the base 404 to a second position 23 substantially perpendicular to the base 404 but may be outwardly sloping for 1 nesting. FIG. 4c illustrates that the chute 407 has no sidewall to allow the pills to be 2 dispensed into the vial.
3 FIGS. 5a - 5c illustrates a pill counting tray 505 formed in a right 4 handed configuration to provide ease of dispensing pills by a right-handed user. The construction of the pill counting tray 505 is similar to the construction of the pill 6 counting tray 405. FIG. 5a discloses a disposable sheet 502. FIG. 5b illustrates the 7 base 504 to form a dispensing area, folding sidewall 506 defined by the fold line 508 8 and the edge of the disposable sheet 502. The corner 512 on three sides have 9 punched out to allow the folding sidewall 506 to be joined. The chute 510 is formed in the lower right hand corner in order to facilitate a right-handed user.
FIG. 5d 11 illustrates a side view of the disposable sheet 502, and FIG. 5e illustrates a side 12 view of the base 504 to form the dispensing area. FIG. 5f illustrates a side view of 13 the pill counting tray 505.
14 FIG. 6 illustrates a pill counting tray 605 formed in a left handed configuration to provide ease of dispensing pills by a left-handed user. The 16 construction of the pill counting tray 605 is similar to the construction of the pill 17 counting tray 505. FIG. 6a discloses a disposable sheet 602. FIG. 6b illustrates the 18 base 604 to form a dispensing area, folding sidewall 606 defined by the fold line 608 19 and the edge of the disposable sheet 602. The corner 612 on three sides have punched out to allow the folding sidewall 606 to be joined. The chute 610 is formed 21 in the lower left hand corner of the pill counting tray 605 in order to facilitate a left-22 handed user. FIG. 6d illustrates a side view of the disposable sheet 602, and FIG.
1 6e illustrates a side view of the base 604 to form the dispensing area. FIG.
6f illustrates a 2 side view of the pill counting tray 605.
3 FIG. 7 illustrates a spatula 714 which may be formed from a disposable 4 material such as reinforced nontoxic cardboard, rigid paper or other suitable material. The spatula 714 should be safe to use in the pharmaceutical industry and may be approved by 6 the Federal drug agency (FDA).
7 FIG. 8 illustrates a system including the disposable pill counting tray 805 8 being used in conjunction with the disposable spatula 814. More particularly, FIG. 8 9 illustrates the pills 816 positioned on a disposable base 804 of the disposable pill counting tray 805. The disposable spatula 814 moves or slides the pills 816 into an opening 820 of 11 the vial 818. The disposable spatula 814 includes a hook to remove the cotton insert from 12 the pill bottle.
13 FIG. 9a illustrates additional elements of the system including a tray cover 14 922 which could be constructed from clear plastic or any other suitable material to cover the pill counting tray. The edge 921 of the tray cover 922 may be outward sloping in order to 16 prevent contamination of the disposable pill counting tray 405. FIG. 9b illustrates several 17 tray covers 922 which have been stacked and nested together for convenient storage.
18 FIG. 10a illustrates an additional pill counting tray 1005 which could be 19 constructed from a disposable cardboard sheet or from plastic or other suitable material.
The pill counting tray 1005 is substantially U-shaped, as viewed in a plan view, including a 21 first arm 1022 and a second arm 1024. The first arm 1022 could be used as a staging area 22 for pill preparation while the second arm 1024 could be used as a dispensing area 1 for the pills. The connecting area 1026 which connects the first arm 1022 and the 2 second arm 1024 could be used as a pill pouring surface. This provides a 3 convenient and separate area for various functions. The pill counting tray 4 includes sidewall 1006 including seven side walls around the periphery of the pill counting tray 1005 except for an opening to accommodate the chute 1007.
6 FIG. 10b illustrates that the sidewall 1006 is slightly outward sloping 7 so that the pill counting tray 1005 can be stacked/nested with another pill counting 8 tray 1005.
9 FIG. 10c illustrates a tray cover 1028 to cover the pill counting tray 1005 to keep the pill counting tray 1005 free from contaminants and to keep the pills 11 from falling out.
12 FIG. 11a illustrates another embodiment of the present invention and 13 illustrates the pill counting tray 1105 which includes a first arm 1122, a second arm 14 1124 and a connecting area 1126 to connect the first arm 1122 and the second arm 1124. The second arm 1124 extends beyond the end of the first arm 1122. The first 16 arm 1122 can serve as a staging area for pills, and the second arm 1124 can serve 17 as a dispensing area for dispensing the pills with the connecting area 1126 serving 18 as a pill pouring area for pills.
19 FIG. 11b illustrates stacked/nested pill counting tray 1105. The sidewall 1106 of the pill counting tray 1105 is slightly outward sloping in order that 21 the pill counting tray 1005 can be stacked/nested with another pill counting tray 22 1005.
1 FIG. 11 c illustrates a tray cover 1128 to cover the pill counting tray 2 1105 to keep the pill counting tray 1105 free from contaminants and to keep the pills 3 from falling out.
4 FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment disclosing a pill counting tray 1205 including single-sided adhesive tape 1230 or double sided adhesive tape for 6 adhering the pill counting tray 1205 to a surface for the user or for attaching 7 sidewalls together.
8 FIG. 13 illustrates a spatula 1332 which could be constructed from 9 disposable materials such as paperboard, cardboard, or plastic and any other such suitable material.
11 FIG. 14 illustrates a pill counting tray 1405 which may be constructed 12 from plastic and can be stacked or nested.
FIG. 4b illustrates a fold line 408 which is formed along the periphery 11 of the disposable sheet 402 and which is substantially parallel to the edges of the 12 disposable sheet 402. The corner 412 of the disposable sheet 402 is punched out 13 along the fold line 408 in order to form the folding sidewall 406. One corner may 14 include a chute 407 which is formed by removing a portion of the disposable sheet 402 along the diagonal of the corner. The chute 407 may not have sidewalls.
The 16 fold line 408 may be a weakened area such as a line of punches or formed by 17 coining to allow the folding sidewall 406 to be folded to an upright position and held 18 upright by tape all around the sidewalls, substantially perpendicular to the base 404.
19 The base 404 forms a substantially flat area for the pills to be dispensed and counted.
21 FIG. 4c illustrates that the folding sidewall 406 has been moved from 22 a first position substantially in the plane of the base 404 to a second position 23 substantially perpendicular to the base 404 but may be outwardly sloping for 1 nesting. FIG. 4c illustrates that the chute 407 has no sidewall to allow the pills to be 2 dispensed into the vial.
3 FIGS. 5a - 5c illustrates a pill counting tray 505 formed in a right 4 handed configuration to provide ease of dispensing pills by a right-handed user. The construction of the pill counting tray 505 is similar to the construction of the pill 6 counting tray 405. FIG. 5a discloses a disposable sheet 502. FIG. 5b illustrates the 7 base 504 to form a dispensing area, folding sidewall 506 defined by the fold line 508 8 and the edge of the disposable sheet 502. The corner 512 on three sides have 9 punched out to allow the folding sidewall 506 to be joined. The chute 510 is formed in the lower right hand corner in order to facilitate a right-handed user.
FIG. 5d 11 illustrates a side view of the disposable sheet 502, and FIG. 5e illustrates a side 12 view of the base 504 to form the dispensing area. FIG. 5f illustrates a side view of 13 the pill counting tray 505.
14 FIG. 6 illustrates a pill counting tray 605 formed in a left handed configuration to provide ease of dispensing pills by a left-handed user. The 16 construction of the pill counting tray 605 is similar to the construction of the pill 17 counting tray 505. FIG. 6a discloses a disposable sheet 602. FIG. 6b illustrates the 18 base 604 to form a dispensing area, folding sidewall 606 defined by the fold line 608 19 and the edge of the disposable sheet 602. The corner 612 on three sides have punched out to allow the folding sidewall 606 to be joined. The chute 610 is formed 21 in the lower left hand corner of the pill counting tray 605 in order to facilitate a left-22 handed user. FIG. 6d illustrates a side view of the disposable sheet 602, and FIG.
1 6e illustrates a side view of the base 604 to form the dispensing area. FIG.
6f illustrates a 2 side view of the pill counting tray 605.
3 FIG. 7 illustrates a spatula 714 which may be formed from a disposable 4 material such as reinforced nontoxic cardboard, rigid paper or other suitable material. The spatula 714 should be safe to use in the pharmaceutical industry and may be approved by 6 the Federal drug agency (FDA).
7 FIG. 8 illustrates a system including the disposable pill counting tray 805 8 being used in conjunction with the disposable spatula 814. More particularly, FIG. 8 9 illustrates the pills 816 positioned on a disposable base 804 of the disposable pill counting tray 805. The disposable spatula 814 moves or slides the pills 816 into an opening 820 of 11 the vial 818. The disposable spatula 814 includes a hook to remove the cotton insert from 12 the pill bottle.
13 FIG. 9a illustrates additional elements of the system including a tray cover 14 922 which could be constructed from clear plastic or any other suitable material to cover the pill counting tray. The edge 921 of the tray cover 922 may be outward sloping in order to 16 prevent contamination of the disposable pill counting tray 405. FIG. 9b illustrates several 17 tray covers 922 which have been stacked and nested together for convenient storage.
18 FIG. 10a illustrates an additional pill counting tray 1005 which could be 19 constructed from a disposable cardboard sheet or from plastic or other suitable material.
The pill counting tray 1005 is substantially U-shaped, as viewed in a plan view, including a 21 first arm 1022 and a second arm 1024. The first arm 1022 could be used as a staging area 22 for pill preparation while the second arm 1024 could be used as a dispensing area 1 for the pills. The connecting area 1026 which connects the first arm 1022 and the 2 second arm 1024 could be used as a pill pouring surface. This provides a 3 convenient and separate area for various functions. The pill counting tray 4 includes sidewall 1006 including seven side walls around the periphery of the pill counting tray 1005 except for an opening to accommodate the chute 1007.
6 FIG. 10b illustrates that the sidewall 1006 is slightly outward sloping 7 so that the pill counting tray 1005 can be stacked/nested with another pill counting 8 tray 1005.
9 FIG. 10c illustrates a tray cover 1028 to cover the pill counting tray 1005 to keep the pill counting tray 1005 free from contaminants and to keep the pills 11 from falling out.
12 FIG. 11a illustrates another embodiment of the present invention and 13 illustrates the pill counting tray 1105 which includes a first arm 1122, a second arm 14 1124 and a connecting area 1126 to connect the first arm 1122 and the second arm 1124. The second arm 1124 extends beyond the end of the first arm 1122. The first 16 arm 1122 can serve as a staging area for pills, and the second arm 1124 can serve 17 as a dispensing area for dispensing the pills with the connecting area 1126 serving 18 as a pill pouring area for pills.
19 FIG. 11b illustrates stacked/nested pill counting tray 1105. The sidewall 1106 of the pill counting tray 1105 is slightly outward sloping in order that 21 the pill counting tray 1005 can be stacked/nested with another pill counting tray 22 1005.
1 FIG. 11 c illustrates a tray cover 1128 to cover the pill counting tray 2 1105 to keep the pill counting tray 1105 free from contaminants and to keep the pills 3 from falling out.
4 FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment disclosing a pill counting tray 1205 including single-sided adhesive tape 1230 or double sided adhesive tape for 6 adhering the pill counting tray 1205 to a surface for the user or for attaching 7 sidewalls together.
8 FIG. 13 illustrates a spatula 1332 which could be constructed from 9 disposable materials such as paperboard, cardboard, or plastic and any other such suitable material.
11 FIG. 14 illustrates a pill counting tray 1405 which may be constructed 12 from plastic and can be stacked or nested.
Claims (37)
1. A pill counting device to hold a pill, comprising:
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, said disposable pill counting tray including a folding side wall to define an area for said pill.
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, said disposable pill counting tray including a folding side wall to define an area for said pill.
2. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 1, wherein said folding sidewall is outwardly sloping.
3. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 2, wherein said folding sidewall is outwardly sloping to accept another pill counting tray to form a nested pair.
4. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said pill counting tray includes a first arm for a staging area for said pill.
5. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 4, wherein said pill counting tray includes a second arm for forming a dispensing area for said pill.
6. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 5, wherein said second arm extends beyond said first arm.
7. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 1,wherein said pill counting tray is formed from cardboard.
8. A disposable pill system, comprising:
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, for holding a pill; and a disposable spatula for use with said disposable pill counting tray having a hooked end;
said disposable pill counting tray including a folding side wall to define an area for holding said pill.
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, for holding a pill; and a disposable spatula for use with said disposable pill counting tray having a hooked end;
said disposable pill counting tray including a folding side wall to define an area for holding said pill.
9. The disposable pill system as in claim 8, wherein said folding sidewall is outwardly sloping.
10. The disposable pill system as in claim 9, wherein said folding sidewall is outwardly sloping to accept another disposable pill counting tray to form a nested pair.
11. The disposable pill system as in claim 8, wherein said pill counting tray includes a first arm for a staging area for said pill.
12. The disposable pill system as in claim 8, wherein said pill counting tray includes a second arm for forming a dispensing area for said pill.
13. The disposable pill system as in claim 12, wherein said second arm extends beyond said first arm.
14. The disposable pill system as in claim 8, wherein said pill counting tray is formed from cardboard or molded plastic.
15. The disposable pill system as in claim 8, wherein said system further includes a tray cover to cover said pill counting tray.
16. The disposable pill system as in claim 15, wherein said tray cover is formed from molded plastic.
17. The disposable pill system as in claim 15, wherein said tray cover is disposable.
18. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 15, wherein said pill counting tray is formed from molded plastic.
19. A pill counting device to hold a pill comprising:
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, said disposable pill counting tray including a side wall to define an area for said pill.
a disposable pill counting tray, substantially U-shaped in plan view, said disposable pill counting tray including a side wall to define an area for said pill.
20. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 19, wherein said sidewall is outwardly sloping.
21. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 19 or 20, wherein said pill counting tray includes a first arm for a staging area for said pill.
22. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 19, 20, or 21, wherein said pill counting tray includes a second arm for forming a dispensing area for said pill.
23. The pill counting device to hold a pill as in claim 21 or 22, wherein the disposing area extends beyond the staging area.
24. The pill counting device to hold a pill of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein said pill counting tray is formed from cardboard.
25. The pill counting device to hold a pill of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein said pill counting tray is formed from plastic.
26. The pill counting device to hold a pill of any one of claims 19 to 25, further comprising a tray cover for covering said pill counting device.
27. The pill counting device to hold a pill of claim 26, wherein said tray cover is disposable.
28. A pill counting tray comprising:
a staging area;
a dispensing area; and a pouring area connecting the staging area and dispensing area, defining a substantially U-shaped area in plan view, having side walls about a periphery thereof, the dispensing area having an opening in the side wall, and wherein the counted pills from the staging area connect through the pouring area for dispensing from the opening of the dispensing area.
a staging area;
a dispensing area; and a pouring area connecting the staging area and dispensing area, defining a substantially U-shaped area in plan view, having side walls about a periphery thereof, the dispensing area having an opening in the side wall, and wherein the counted pills from the staging area connect through the pouring area for dispensing from the opening of the dispensing area.
29. The pill counting tray of claim 28, wherein the side walls are outwardly sloping.
30. The pill counting tray of claim 28 or 29, further comprising a first arm defining a staging area.
31. The pill counting tray of claims 28, 29, or 20, further comprising a second arm defining a dispensing area.
32. The pill counting tray of claim 30 or 31, wherein the dispensing area extends beyond the staging area.
33. The pill counting tray of any one of claims 2 to 32, werein the pill counting tray is formed from cardboard.
34. The pill counting tray of any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the pill counting tray is formed from plastic.
35. The pill counting tray of any one of claims 28 to 34 further comprising a tray cover for covering said pill counting tray.
36. The pill counting tray of claim 35 wherein the tray cover is plastic.
37. A method of dispensing pills, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a pill counting tray defining a substantially U-shaped area in plan view, having a staging area, and a dispensing area connected by a pouring area;
pouring pills in the pouring area;
counting pills into the staging area; and dispensing the counted pills from the staging area, through the connecting pouring area and out the dispensing area.
providing a pill counting tray defining a substantially U-shaped area in plan view, having a staging area, and a dispensing area connected by a pouring area;
pouring pills in the pouring area;
counting pills into the staging area; and dispensing the counted pills from the staging area, through the connecting pouring area and out the dispensing area.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11/414,937 US20060283766A1 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2006-05-01 | Disposable pill counting device |
| US11/414,937 | 2006-05-01 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2585827A1 CA2585827A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
| CA2585827C true CA2585827C (en) | 2010-12-21 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2585827A Active CA2585827C (en) | 2006-05-01 | 2007-03-22 | Disposable pill counting device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2585827C (en) |
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2007
- 2007-03-22 CA CA2585827A patent/CA2585827C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2585827A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
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