CA2691725A1 - Pill dispensing device - Google Patents
Pill dispensing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2691725A1 CA2691725A1 CA 2691725 CA2691725A CA2691725A1 CA 2691725 A1 CA2691725 A1 CA 2691725A1 CA 2691725 CA2691725 CA 2691725 CA 2691725 A CA2691725 A CA 2691725A CA 2691725 A1 CA2691725 A1 CA 2691725A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pill
- dispensing device
- compartment
- blister
- blister packet
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
- B65B69/005—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by expelling contents, e.g. by squeezing the container
- B65B69/0058—Solid contents
-
- 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
- A61J7/0076—Medicament distribution means
-
- 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
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
- A61J1/035—Blister-type containers
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispensing device generally arranged to remove a dosage unit such as a pill, tablet or capsule, from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet. The invention comprises a force generating motor and a compartment contacting member that generates sufficient force upon a compartment of a blister packet to enable the pill to be dispensed through an aperture in the blister packet supporting member. The device may also comprise a collection chamber provided with one or more trays.
Description
PILL DISPENSING DEVICE
The invention relates to a dispensing device generally arranged to remove a pill or dosage unit from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet. It will be appreciated that references to the term include references to one or more pills, tablets, capsules and the like and references made herein could include other similar sized products, including non-medical products.
Blister packets are a form of packaging used to store pharmaceuticals, as they allow for individual dosage units to be dispensed whilst leaving the remainder in a sealed, uncontaminated condition. They are also used for other retail goods such as toys and electrical items, e.g.
microchips.
A blister packet comprises a plastic sheet, which has one or more compartments or blisters arranged in rows and columns that store individual pills, and a foil that seals the pills in their individual compartments and can be ruptured in order to remove a pill. To remove a pill from its blister, pressure must be applied to the base of the compartment so that the foil will rupture, allowing the pill to escape.
Blister packets can be difficult to open manually for people who are elderly or infirm, suffering from arthritis or other impediments. Particularly when the packets may have been designed to be difficult to rupture, so that children cannot open them.
Furthermore, in hospitals or pharmacies, when a large quantity of dosage units need to be removed from either the same blister packet or a plurality of different blister packets, removing dosage units can be time consuming and tiring on the fingers and some dosage requirements include dispensing of numerous pills per day which can cause strain.
In addition to this, when the foil is ruptured, the user must always catch the pill unit so that it does not fall and become contaminated or drop out of sight. Once removed, the pill must be stored in sterile conditions or administered immediately to prevent contamination.
It is therefore useful to remove pills from blister packets using a dispensing aid. A
number of dispensing devices are available which aim to assist a user in dispensing pills from blister packets. For example, US 5,791,513, US 6,557,740, GB 2383988 and GB 2438192, each disclose devices for dispensing a pill from a blister packet.
However, there is still a need for a motorized dispensing device which can simply and effectively remove and collect a plurality of dosage units from a wide range of blister packets which have compartments that vary in size and shape. An attempt to provide a wire coil surrounding a moveable iron core did not provide the required speed.
Thus, according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pill dispensing device arranged to remove a pill from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet, wherein said device comprises:
(a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture to allow the passage of the pill;
(b) a motor including a shaft and a cam on the shaft for moving a spring loaded compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position during use allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force to cause the pill to be moved through the aperture.
Therefore in one embodiment, the base comprises shock-absorbing foot pads.
In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises removable dual dispensing trays.
The invention relates to a dispensing device generally arranged to remove a pill or dosage unit from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet. It will be appreciated that references to the term include references to one or more pills, tablets, capsules and the like and references made herein could include other similar sized products, including non-medical products.
Blister packets are a form of packaging used to store pharmaceuticals, as they allow for individual dosage units to be dispensed whilst leaving the remainder in a sealed, uncontaminated condition. They are also used for other retail goods such as toys and electrical items, e.g.
microchips.
A blister packet comprises a plastic sheet, which has one or more compartments or blisters arranged in rows and columns that store individual pills, and a foil that seals the pills in their individual compartments and can be ruptured in order to remove a pill. To remove a pill from its blister, pressure must be applied to the base of the compartment so that the foil will rupture, allowing the pill to escape.
Blister packets can be difficult to open manually for people who are elderly or infirm, suffering from arthritis or other impediments. Particularly when the packets may have been designed to be difficult to rupture, so that children cannot open them.
Furthermore, in hospitals or pharmacies, when a large quantity of dosage units need to be removed from either the same blister packet or a plurality of different blister packets, removing dosage units can be time consuming and tiring on the fingers and some dosage requirements include dispensing of numerous pills per day which can cause strain.
In addition to this, when the foil is ruptured, the user must always catch the pill unit so that it does not fall and become contaminated or drop out of sight. Once removed, the pill must be stored in sterile conditions or administered immediately to prevent contamination.
It is therefore useful to remove pills from blister packets using a dispensing aid. A
number of dispensing devices are available which aim to assist a user in dispensing pills from blister packets. For example, US 5,791,513, US 6,557,740, GB 2383988 and GB 2438192, each disclose devices for dispensing a pill from a blister packet.
However, there is still a need for a motorized dispensing device which can simply and effectively remove and collect a plurality of dosage units from a wide range of blister packets which have compartments that vary in size and shape. An attempt to provide a wire coil surrounding a moveable iron core did not provide the required speed.
Thus, according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pill dispensing device arranged to remove a pill from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet, wherein said device comprises:
(a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture to allow the passage of the pill;
(b) a motor including a shaft and a cam on the shaft for moving a spring loaded compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position during use allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force to cause the pill to be moved through the aperture.
Therefore in one embodiment, the base comprises shock-absorbing foot pads.
In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises removable dual dispensing trays.
2 The present dispensing device provides fast and continuous operation and softer impact on pills.
The invention also provides an adjustable slot in the table top and adjustable table top blister guides. Non-slip feet may be constructed from softer materials, e.g. rubber.
This provides the advantage of preventing damage to the surface that the device is resting on and improves traction during use.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the motorized device for removing pills from blister packages;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the pill removal device of Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the pill removal device of Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the pill removal mechanism; and Figure 5 is a side view of the motorized pill removal mechanism of Fig. 1.
Figure 6 and Figure 7 show a perspective view of the trays of Figure 1 combined to form a dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative construction of a motorized device for removing pills from blister packages Referring initially to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a collection chamber shown generally at 10, comprises a substantially hollow box with a back wall l l a, two opposed side walls 11 b, a blister packet supporting member 12, a base 13 and an open end 44. The blister packet supporting member 12 comprises an aperture 15 and a threaded rod 16, positioned towards the rear 15 which has two upright members 16a and 16b connected by the rod 16 to move in opposite directions to move the sections of the support table toward or away from each other. Non-slip feet 17 on the base are additionally shown in Figure 2.
The invention also provides an adjustable slot in the table top and adjustable table top blister guides. Non-slip feet may be constructed from softer materials, e.g. rubber.
This provides the advantage of preventing damage to the surface that the device is resting on and improves traction during use.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the motorized device for removing pills from blister packages;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the pill removal device of Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the pill removal device of Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the pill removal mechanism; and Figure 5 is a side view of the motorized pill removal mechanism of Fig. 1.
Figure 6 and Figure 7 show a perspective view of the trays of Figure 1 combined to form a dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative construction of a motorized device for removing pills from blister packages Referring initially to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a collection chamber shown generally at 10, comprises a substantially hollow box with a back wall l l a, two opposed side walls 11 b, a blister packet supporting member 12, a base 13 and an open end 44. The blister packet supporting member 12 comprises an aperture 15 and a threaded rod 16, positioned towards the rear 15 which has two upright members 16a and 16b connected by the rod 16 to move in opposite directions to move the sections of the support table toward or away from each other. Non-slip feet 17 on the base are additionally shown in Figure 2.
3 In Figure 2, a force generating member is shown generally as an electric motor 18. At one end of the motor 18 there is a cam 19, secured to the shaft of the motor 18.
The motor 18 also comprises a compartment contacting member 21 provided with a coil spring 20. In this example, the compartment contacting member 21 has a dual shape to allow it to remove dosage units of differing forms (e.g. circular tablets and rounded rectangular shaped capsules).
This allows a compartment of the blister packet to be securely located when the device is in use. A more detailed view of the base of the compartment contacting member 21 (and the recessed portion 12) can be seen in Figure 5a. The removable trays are shown at 22 and 22a in Figure 5.
Figure 1 shows the removable trays 22 stored in the collection chamber 10 and the motor 18 is connected to the base 13. (The blister packet supporting and guiding member 12 is also connected to the base 13.) The removable trays 22 can be removed from or introduced into the collection chamber 10 via the open end 14.
In use, the removable tray 22 is stored in the collection chamber 10. The blister packet shown generally as 25, containing the pill or dosage unit 26 or dosage units to be extracted, is placed with the rupturable foil 25a in contact with the blister packet supporting member 12 of the collection chamber 10 and the base of the compartment 25b of the blister packet 25 facing upwards, so that the dosage unit 16 to be extracted is in register with the aperture 15 in the blister packet supporting member 12. The motor 18 is positioned so that the contacting member 21 meets the base of the compartment 25 of the blister packet (Figure 5). As the contact member is brought down by the cam 19, the shape of the recessed portion of the support 12 helps to more securely locate the compartment 25b containing the dosage unit or pill 26. The pressure increases the tension in the foil 25a until it eventually ruptures, allowing the pill unit 26 to escape. The pill 26 passes through the aperture 15 and drops into the removable tray 22 It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 2 and 5 can be repeated using the other side of the cam l 9b to move the next compartment 25b under the contact member and the next pill 26 is then removed by the contact member 21
The motor 18 also comprises a compartment contacting member 21 provided with a coil spring 20. In this example, the compartment contacting member 21 has a dual shape to allow it to remove dosage units of differing forms (e.g. circular tablets and rounded rectangular shaped capsules).
This allows a compartment of the blister packet to be securely located when the device is in use. A more detailed view of the base of the compartment contacting member 21 (and the recessed portion 12) can be seen in Figure 5a. The removable trays are shown at 22 and 22a in Figure 5.
Figure 1 shows the removable trays 22 stored in the collection chamber 10 and the motor 18 is connected to the base 13. (The blister packet supporting and guiding member 12 is also connected to the base 13.) The removable trays 22 can be removed from or introduced into the collection chamber 10 via the open end 14.
In use, the removable tray 22 is stored in the collection chamber 10. The blister packet shown generally as 25, containing the pill or dosage unit 26 or dosage units to be extracted, is placed with the rupturable foil 25a in contact with the blister packet supporting member 12 of the collection chamber 10 and the base of the compartment 25b of the blister packet 25 facing upwards, so that the dosage unit 16 to be extracted is in register with the aperture 15 in the blister packet supporting member 12. The motor 18 is positioned so that the contacting member 21 meets the base of the compartment 25 of the blister packet (Figure 5). As the contact member is brought down by the cam 19, the shape of the recessed portion of the support 12 helps to more securely locate the compartment 25b containing the dosage unit or pill 26. The pressure increases the tension in the foil 25a until it eventually ruptures, allowing the pill unit 26 to escape. The pill 26 passes through the aperture 15 and drops into the removable tray 22 It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 2 and 5 can be repeated using the other side of the cam l 9b to move the next compartment 25b under the contact member and the next pill 26 is then removed by the contact member 21
4.
The motor 18 is positioned so that the compartment contacting member 21 meets the base of compartment of the blister packet 25 in figure 5.
As the contact member is brought down by the cam 19, the shape of the recessed support portion 12 helps to more securely locate the compartment of the blister packet 25 containing the dosage unit or pill 26. The pressure increases the tension in the foil 25a until it eventually ruptures, allowing the pill unit 26 to escape. The pill 26 passes through the aperture 15 and drops into the removable tray 22.
It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 2 and 5 can be repeated using the other side of the cam 19b to move the next compartment 25b under the contact member and the next pill 26 is then removed by the contact member 21.
In Figure 8 an electric motor 18 is secured to the back wall 1 la collection chamber 10. The cam 29 and the cam follower 20 are on the motor shaft. A spring 33 on the cam follower 20 engages a coiled flexible spring 30 in a metal tube 40. An upright (not shown) may be provided to position a shaft 33 and urethane head 34 to engage pill compartment 25. The motor 18 is no longer above the table 12 so as to obstruct access to the table and pill compartments.
The motor 18 is positioned so that the compartment contacting member 21 meets the base of compartment of the blister packet 25 in figure 5.
As the contact member is brought down by the cam 19, the shape of the recessed support portion 12 helps to more securely locate the compartment of the blister packet 25 containing the dosage unit or pill 26. The pressure increases the tension in the foil 25a until it eventually ruptures, allowing the pill unit 26 to escape. The pill 26 passes through the aperture 15 and drops into the removable tray 22.
It will be appreciated that the steps shown in Figures 2 and 5 can be repeated using the other side of the cam 19b to move the next compartment 25b under the contact member and the next pill 26 is then removed by the contact member 21.
In Figure 8 an electric motor 18 is secured to the back wall 1 la collection chamber 10. The cam 29 and the cam follower 20 are on the motor shaft. A spring 33 on the cam follower 20 engages a coiled flexible spring 30 in a metal tube 40. An upright (not shown) may be provided to position a shaft 33 and urethane head 34 to engage pill compartment 25. The motor 18 is no longer above the table 12 so as to obstruct access to the table and pill compartments.
Claims (6)
1. A pill dispensing device arranged to remove a dosage unit or pill from one or more sealed compartments of a blister packet, wherein said device comprises:
(a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture configured to allow the passage of the pill;
(b) an electric motor including a shaft and a cam on the shaft for moving a spring loaded compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position during use and a dispensing position such that during use, the electric motor allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force upon the compartment to enable the pill to be dispensed through the aperture.
(a) a blister packet supporting member which comprises an aperture configured to allow the passage of the pill;
(b) an electric motor including a shaft and a cam on the shaft for moving a spring loaded compartment contacting member moveable between a non-dispensing position during use and a dispensing position such that during use, the electric motor allows the compartment contacting member to generate sufficient force upon the compartment to enable the pill to be dispensed through the aperture.
2. A dispensing device as defined in claim 1 which additionally comprises a collection chamber arranged to receive two stacked trays to receive pills dispensed through the aperture of the blister packet support member.
3. A dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the collection chamber comprises a removable tray capable of collecting and storing a plurality of dispensed pills.
4. A dispensing device as defined in claim 2 or 3 wherein the tray is slideably removable.
5. A dispensing device as defined in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the force generating means comprises a low horse power electric motor.
6. A dispensing device as defined in any of claim 1 to 4 which additionally comprises a slip resistant base provided by rubber feet.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2691725 CA2691725A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2010-01-28 | Pill dispensing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2691725 CA2691725A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2010-01-28 | Pill dispensing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2691725A1 true CA2691725A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 |
Family
ID=44318283
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2691725 Abandoned CA2691725A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2010-01-28 | Pill dispensing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2691725A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107969114A (en) * | 2015-04-20 | 2018-04-27 | 东森塔克斯公司 | Pill dispenser Xie Yao mechanisms |
-
2010
- 2010-01-28 CA CA 2691725 patent/CA2691725A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107969114A (en) * | 2015-04-20 | 2018-04-27 | 东森塔克斯公司 | Pill dispenser Xie Yao mechanisms |
| US10952928B2 (en) | 2015-04-20 | 2021-03-23 | Dosentrix Ltd. | Medication dispenser depilling mechanism |
| CN107969114B (en) * | 2015-04-20 | 2022-06-03 | 东森塔克斯公司 | Medicine discharging mechanism of medicine distributor |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP6927366B2 (en) | Drug packaging device and drug packaging method | |
| KR100498727B1 (en) | Automatic tablet packing apparatus with separated hoppers | |
| ES2397684T3 (en) | Blister pack dispensing machine | |
| US3403815A (en) | Dispensing package | |
| JP2017124212A5 (en) | ||
| JP2015528426A (en) | Apparatus for packaging a dose of solid drug portion comprising a mobile collection container and a dose splitting station | |
| KR20200074109A (en) | Device for packaging dosages of solid medicines | |
| JPH03162204A (en) | Apparatus for subdivision-packing medicine | |
| CA2691725A1 (en) | Pill dispensing device | |
| JP2007050893A (en) | Device and method for stocking predetermined article | |
| US20140117819A1 (en) | Drug gathering apparatus | |
| US10952928B2 (en) | Medication dispenser depilling mechanism | |
| GB2438192A (en) | Dispensing device | |
| JP2012502860A (en) | Dispensing device | |
| JP5755719B2 (en) | Drug removal tool | |
| JP3206103U (en) | Tablet removal tool | |
| KR101467207B1 (en) | Apparatus for unpacking tablet from blister package | |
| US3786958A (en) | Device for supporting and delivering containers in a controlled form | |
| KR101956013B1 (en) | The Unpack Apparatus of Portable Drug Package | |
| KR102213591B1 (en) | Distribution package apparatus for medicines | |
| JP6096149B2 (en) | Dispensing device | |
| GB2383988A (en) | Dispensing pills from blister packs | |
| CN207429319U (en) | One kind is open can doubling single-dose medicinal gun propellant separated loading charge platform | |
| JP3183987U (en) | PTP sheet. | |
| WO2023170042A1 (en) | "medication dispenser apparatus" |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20160128 |