GB2186269A - Dispenser for pills or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for pills, capsules or the like, comprises a base 10, cover 12, and a component 11 between the base and cover, said component 11 being rotatable and defining a plurality of marked compartments separated by radial walls 23 to contain respective doses, the component 11 being rotatable in one direction, by limited relative rotation between the base 10 and the cover 12, to bring successive compartments into alignment with an outlet opening 31 at the external periphery of the dispenser, whereby successive doses can be dispensed in turn. Alternatively, the base 10 and component 11 may be replaced by a single member bearing a relatively rotatable cover 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispenser for pills or the like This invention relates to a dispenser for pills, capsules or other items which are to be removed from the dispenser on a regular basis.

It is common for patients to be required to take pills, capsules or other items on a daily basis, sometimes on several occasions on each day, or on another regular basis, and it is often difficult to remember to take them at the correct frequency. For example, a patient may be required to take two of one type and one of another at twice daily intervals, whereas a further type may be prescribed for once daily use. Many patients are required to take many different types and, particularly among the elderly, tend to become confused.

Furthermore, pills, capsules and the like are packaged in many different ways, some containers being difficult for older people or those having manipulative difficulties to operate.

It has therefore been proposed to provide a device which includes a number of compartments containing respective doses of one or more types of pill and each compartment being identifiable by labelling, to enable the patient to take the required doses at the proper times and at the proper intervals. The device can be filled to provide this facility for a period such as a week.

Known devices of this kind are, however, expensive to produce and, in many cases, inconvenient or complicated to operate, particularly for those with limited manipulative skill.

It is the object of the invention to provide a dispenser for pills, capsules or the like which enables doses to be available at the correct intervals and which is particularly simple and reliable to operate and which is, furthermore, inexpensive to produce.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dispenser for pills, capsules or the like including a cover, and a component defining, with the cover, a plurality of generally radially arranged compartments, the cover and the compartments being relatively rotatable whereby an outlet opening defined in the cover can be brought into register with the compartments in succession, and markings being provided to identify the compartments, the markings being arranged in order to indicate succeeding times at which contents of the successive compartments should be removed from the dispenser.

Preferably, the cover and a base enclose the component which is rotatably mounted therein. Conveniently the cover, base and component are generally circular, the component being provided with radial walls defining, with the cover, the respective generally radially arranged compartments.

Means are preferably provided for incremental movement of the component relatively to the cover by movements equal to the spacing of the compartments, whereby successive compartments are brought into alignment with the outlet opening.

The outlet opening is preferably provided at the outer peripheral edge of the device to align with the radial outer end of each compartment in turn.

Conveniently the cover and base define the outlet opening between them, and the cover is movable between an outlet opening aligned position and an outlet opening closed position.

Advantageously, means are provided for advancing the component defining the compartments by one compartment width at a time by relative rotation between the cover and base.

The means for advancing the component may include means whereby such movement of the component, caused by movement between the cover and base, is limited to one direction of rotation only.

Markings may be provided indicating time intervals for successive dispensing of the contents of the compartments.

Preferably the cover has means whereby it can only be removed from covering the component in one position, this position being spaced from normal positions of the cover and component in which the compartments of the component are aligned with the said outlet opening.

In another example the component and the cover comprise the only parts of the device and co-operate, by relative rotation, to enable contents of the compartments to be dispensed, there being releasable means for preventing separation of the said component and cover.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser with the cover lifted and constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the base of the dispenser, Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section through the base, Figure 4 is a plan view of a rotatable component of the dispenser, Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section through the component in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a plan view of the cover of the dispenser, and Figure 7 is a vertical cross-section through the cover.

Figures 2 to 7 show the three parts which make up the dispenser seen in Figure 1.

These comprise a base 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3, a rotatable component 11 to be fitted into the base and shown in Figures 4 and 5, and a cover 12 engageable on the base and shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The base is in the form of a circular flat bottomed shallow dish having a peripheral flange 13 and an internal shallow concentric annular raised ridge 14 with sloping steps all angled in the same direction around the ridge, and in each step there is a shallow depression 15.

Within the annular ridge 14 on the flat base are two oppositely directed upstanding detents 16. These are at equal diametrically opposite positions. Two further small upstanding guide posts 17 at diametrically opposite positions are also provided on the flat base.

The peripheral flange 13 has a slot 18 at one position which extends for nearly the full height of the flange. As seen in Figure 1, the outer surface of the flange 13 is integrally formed, adjacent the slot 18, with a set of ridges comprising a ridge 19a extending along the bottom of the slot and beyond it at one side, and three spaced upright external ridges 19b, 19c, and 19d. One of these ridges, 19c is shorter than the other two and is adjacent one side of the slot 18, and the two longer ridges 19b and 19d are equally spaced from the two opposite sides of the slot. As seen in Figure 2, these longer upright ridges are of dog-tooth section, providing faces which are substantially radial with respect to the centre of the whole device and directed towards one another.At the opposite side of the base part from the slot 18, also externally of the flange 13, there is a further integral ridge 20 extending partly around the other face of the flange.

The base part 10 is conveniently made from a plastics material and is produced by an injection moulding process.

The rotatable component 11, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a central externally ribbed boss 21, and a flat ring 22 surrounding the central boss 21. Radiating from the combined boss 15 and ring 16 are a number of spaced radial upright walls 23. These are equally spaced around the centre of the component and, with individual floors, define respective compartments. One of the compartments has filler ribs 24. The underside of the component defines a hollow stepped cylindrical recess. The larger internal cylindrical surface of the recess is of a diameter substantially equal to the spacing of the pair of detents 16, and of the guide posts 1 7 on the base part. A small internal peripheral lip 25 engages the detents 16 and the guide posts 17 to allow the component to rotate relatively to the base 10.The component can be mounted in or removed from the base by snap action resulting from deflection of the base detents 16. The walls 23 and base thus define a series of compartments which rotate as the component 11 rotates relatively to the base 10.

The flat ring surface 22 of the component 11 has markings 26 representing successive periods. In the example shown, the markings 26 represent the days of the week and each day has four numbered divisions. These markings are aligned with the compartments defined between the walls 23 to identify each of them. The one extra compartment with the filler ribs 24 is between the Sunday and Monday markings, indicating the end of the period.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated marking of the compartments is by way of example only, and any other required marking may be used. For example, with the number of compartments shown, the markings could equally well indicate a two week period, with two compartments for each day, or a four week period with a single compartment for each day.

On the surface 22 there is a special, possibly coloured, marking 27 at the position of the ribs 24. The component 11 is preferably a one-piece plastics injection moulding. In the bottom of one of the compartments is an integral spring leaf 28 angled to the adjacent surface, to which it is attached at one edge only. The leaf 28 is formed with a pip 28a which co-operates with the depressions in the angled steps of the ridge 14 in the interior of the base 10. The underside of the component 11 is also formed with an integral ledge 28b next to this leaf 28, which engages edges of successive steps of the base ridge 14. The leaf 28 and stepped ridge 14 thus provide a ratchet mechanism which permits only clockwise rotation of the component 11 relatively to the base 10. The arrangement also limits movement incrementally to one compartment at a time.Other means to achieve the same purpose can however be used.

The cover shown in Figures 6 and 7 is an inverted shallow dish having a peripheral flange 29, and a central hole 30. At one point there is a slot 31 in the flange 29 which forms an outlet opening, as will be described.

On the external surface of the flange 29 of the cover 12 are shallow finger grip projections 32. Immediately adjacent the outlet slot 31 the flange is formed with an extension 33 having an inwardly presented groove 34, shaped and positioned to engage the ridge 19a along the bottom of the slot 16 in the base 10. A similar extension 35 with an inwardly presented groove 36 is provided at the opposite side of the flange 29 of the cover 12. This engages with the ridge 20 on the opposite side of the base 10. On the upper flat surface of the cover 12 are two radial integral ribs 37 which can align with any two adjacent walls 23 of the component 11. Just below one of these ribs is a small integral internal step 38 which can engage with the tops of the walls 23 of the component 11 as the latter is rotated. This also serves to restrict movement to one direction, and assists in the directional control afforded by the steps of the ridge 14 of the base 10. On the top surface of the cover 12 there are also two small rings 39 which act as thumb grips to assist operation, as will be described. These small rings 39 are spaced at opposite sides of the ribs 37. Near this position, and off-set from the ribs 37, is a marker 40, preferably coloured, which can identify the compartment in the component 11 with the filler ribs 24.

The cover 12 is preferably transparent and is made as an injection moulding.

The cover is slightly larger internally than the external diameter of the base 10 and the diameter of the central hole 30 is slightly larger than the boss 21 of the component 11.

To assemble the device, the component 11 is first placed within the base 10, with the compartment having the filler ribs 24 in register with the slot 16. The cover 12 is then fitted to the base 10, with the component 11 inside, by placing the cover 12 over the base 10 in such a position that the extension 33 of the cover flange is aligned with the space between the two upright ridges 19b, 19c, to the left of the slot 18 in the base 10, as seen in Figure 1. Alignment of the coloured symbols 27 and 40 on the component and the cover respectively facilitate such positioning of the cover 12. The cover is pushed right down so that the flanges of the cover and base cooperate, and the boss 21 passes through the centre hole in the cover.The cover 12 is now rotated in an anti-clockwise direction and the extension 33 passes over the short upright ridge 19c, and its groove 34 engages with the horizontal ridge 19a. At the same time the extension 35 becomes engaged with the corresponding ridge 20 on the opposite side of the base 10.

The cover can now be moved by rotating, but such movement is limited by the ridges 19c and 19d to a distance equal to the width of the compartments. Alternate rotation in opposite directions by this distance causes the component 11 to be rotated clockwise by one division or compartment at a time relatively to the base 10. This is achieved by the small step 38 on the underside of the cover 12 which engages successive walls 23 of the component 11 and rotates the component clockwise, causing the leaf 28 in the component 11 to jump one step at a time along the ridge 14 in the base. Incremental movement of the component 11 is thus achieved.After each clockwise movement of the cover to bring a new compartment into register with the slot 18 has taken place, anticlockwise rotation of the cover brings the slot 31 into alignment with the slot 18 so as to open the compartment, whereby pills or capsules contained therein can be removed, simply by tilting the device. After dispensing one dose, the cover 12 is rotated clockwise again, thus closing the outlet opening while advancing the next compartment into alignment with it. The component can also be rotated by means of the boss 21.

An additional small rib 41 on the boss 21 is aligned with the coloured marking symbol 27.

This assists correct alignment for those with impaired vision.

In use, the device can be filled with pills, capsules or the like, to provide a week's supply. Where more than one pill or capsule is to be taken daily, the required supply for each dose is inserted into one of the compartments. The component 11 is rotated incrementally to bring into register with the outlet opening the appropriate one of the compartments. The arrangement can be simply and reliably used even by those with limited manipulative skill.

The dispenser illustrated has twenty eight compartments, but a greater or lesser number can be provided as required. Figures 1 and 4 show the further compartment with ribs 24.

When this has been returned to a position opposite to the opening, it can be seen that the dispenser is empty and requires to be refilled.

The base 10, cover 12, and component 11, may all be produced from plastics material in contrasting colours. For example, the device may have a dark coloured base 10 of opaque plastics material, a transparent cover 12 and a component 11 made of a material having a colour contrasting with the base. Such a colour scheme is convenient to enable the contents of the compartments to be seen and easily identified.

In an alternative arrangement, the base is not needed. In this case the component alone defines the compartments, including their floors, and relative rotation between the cover and the component can take place. The cover and component are normally secured against separation but can be separated to allow for filling of the compartments.

Claims (12)

1. A dispenser for pills, capsules or the like including a cover, and a component defining, with the cover, a plurality of generally radially arranged compartments, the cover and the compartments being relatively rotatable whereby an outlet opening defined in the cover can be brought into register with the compartments in succession, and markings being provided to identify the compartments, the markings being arranged in order to indicate succeeding times at which contents of the successive compartments should be removed from the dispenser.

2. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the cover and a base enclose the component which is rotatably mounted therein.

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 in which the cover, base, and component are generally circular, the component being provided with radial walls defining, with the cover, the respective generally radially arranged compartments.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided for incremental movement of the component relatively to the cover by movements equal to the spacing of the compartments, whereby successive compartments are brought into alignment with the outlet opening.

5. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 4 in which the outlet opening is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the device to align with the radial outer end of each compartment in turn.

6. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 2 in which the cover and base define the outlet opening between them, and the cover is movable between an outlet opening aligned position and an outlet opening closed position.

7. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 6 in which means are provided for advancing the component defining the compartments by one compartment width at a time by relative rotation between the cover and base.

8. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 7 in which the means for advancing the component include means whereby such movement of the component, caused by movement between the cover and base, is limited to one direction or rotation only.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the markings are provided indicating time intervals for successive dispensing of the contents of the compartments.

10. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover has means whereby it can only be removed from covering the component in one position, this position being spaced from normal positions of the cover and component in which the compartments of the component are aligned with the said outlet opening.

11. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 in which the component and the cover comprise the only parts of the device and co-operate, by relative rotation, to enable contents of the compartments to be dispensed, there being releasable means for preventing separation of the said component and cover.

12. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.