GB2285433A

GB2285433A - Pill dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2285433A
Application number: GB9320860A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Reginald Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-11
Filing date: 1993-10-11
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-11
Also published as: GB9320860D0; GB2285433B

Abstract

A pill dispenser comprising of a base (A) which houses the signal switch, flash and buzz and "take off" for auxilliary transponder. The motor drive unit (D) detachably connected to the central indexable rotating pill tray (B). A top cover (C) which incorporates the shuttle tunnel that automatically resets the selected time settings. The device automatically signals and presents the pills at the dispensing aperture over 24 hours or more. <IMAGE>

Description

PILL DISPENSER This invention relates to a Pill Dispenser Pill dispensers are well known but are only sectioned boxes with time indications. Also small pill and water containers for single dosage uses i.e. reminders. Pill dispensers are relatively inexpensive and totally unsuitable for people who need to take pills or a variety of pills at particular or various times of the day or night, which can be very confusing especially for the elderly and this is where my new Pill Dispenser will be so useful.

In one example of the present invention there is provided a Pill Dispenser comprising a Base (A) a Rotary Dispenser containing a plurality of pill receptaclzs disposed around a Centre Indexable Pill Tray (B) supported by the Base (A) a Non-Rotational Cover (C) with an opening to allow pills to be taken out at the appropriate time and a Shuttle which resets the Pill-time Selector (8) after the pills have been removed from the pill chamber.

The Centre Indexable Pill Tray is attached to the centre motor drive, having an output shaft which engages with the base when the motor is energised.

All the pill receptacles are equal and there are 24 of them, each rotating to the hour of day or night. They rotate stepwise in turns of 150.

A gap behind each pill receptacle of the Rotating Pill Tray(B) creates a tunnel which allows the Electric Trigger Switch (1) to be inactive until a Pill-time Selector (8) is pushed forward into the Pills Loaded Position, thereby obstructing the tunnel and causing the Electric Trigger Signal Switch (1) to operate, sounding the buzzer and starting the flasher. Both of these stop when the pills are removed and the Pill-time Selector (8) is pushed back into the Of f Position, when the Shuttle (6) re-sets the Pill-time Selector automatically.

There are 24 Pill-time Selectors (8) sequentially related to the time of day.

The night Pill-time Selectors are black, the day ones are white, all with numerals indicating the time of day adjacent.

All numerals are raised for the benefit of visually impaired persons.

Settings The motor moves the Rotating Pill Tray (B) fifteen degrees every hour signalling only when set to do so at a particular time(s). The machine can be set to deliver pills over varying periods of the day or night.

It can also be set to move more rapidly in order to reset the machine.

Once the machine is set it will automatically go on warning at times set.

Operation Drive The controlled drive unit consists of a 9 volt. electric motor connected to the output member by a speed reducing gear train combining to provide adequate torque for rotating the centre pill tray.

A control unit with an oscillator and a resettable counter is arranged to activate the motor after a preselected number of cycles.

An alternative to an electrically powered device is a clockwork driven machine with an audible but not visual warning.

Timed and sequential motors are well known as are clockwork motors and are not novel features of the machine.

Signals are powered by batteries in Base.

The warning light and buzzer are integral parts of the machine The light is visible through a transparent panel, both started when the Electric Signal Trigger Switch is activated.

A spring return ratchet operated by a solenoid, which would move the Rotating Pill Tray (B) the required 15 is also considered as an alternative to the electric motor drive unit (D).

EXAMPLE The embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig (A) shows the Base with the Flashing Light (3) The Buzzer (2)the Motor Drive Anchor Slot (10) The Battery(4) the Electric Signal Trigger Switch (1) Fig (B) Shows The Rotating Pill Tray with centre hole for the Motor Drive Unit (D), and the 24 Pill Chambers and 24 Pill-time Selector Slots.

A cross section shows the Lower Tunnel in which the Pill Time Selectors travel and also shows examples of a Pill Time Selector being in the off position and in the armed mode.

There is a top view section showing different positions of the Pill-time Selector slots in which they can be moved.

Fig (C) Shows the Top Cover (C), the shaded area is the track of the Shuttle tunnel which is on the underside. The purpose of the Shuttle tunnel is to contain the chosen Pill-time Selectors and automatically reset them on the next 150 move of the Rotating Pill Tray (B) via a guide in the Tunnel.

Fig (D) is an Exploded View of the Pill Dispenser.

Note: There are two tunnels, the Lower Tunnel in which the bottom half of the Pill-time Selector travels, and when it reaches the dispensing aperture, presses down onto the Electric Signal Trigger Switch (1) activating the signal to take the pills. All this is a part of the Rotating Pill Tray(3).

Also the Shuttle Tunnel incorporated into the Top Cover (C) which retains the chosen Pill-time Selectors(8) and automatically resets them after pills have been taken.

Referred to in the drawing, the machine comprises: A Base (A) A Rotating Pill Tray (B) which when coupled with the Motor Drive Unit (D) fits into the Base (A) A Top Cover (C) with a Pill Dispenser aperture.

To set the machine into operation it is required to place pills into the Pill Chamber at the time required and to move the Pill-time Selector into the Pills Loaded position.

The actual time of setting has to be fixed and this is done with the Fast Forward Switch, and then switched to the on position.

The person who is to take the pills will at the right time hear a buzzer and see a warning light informing them that it is time to take the pills. Then all the person has to do is remove the pills from Dispencing Aperture and push back the Pill-time Selector (8) which will stop the signals. The machine is then reactivated in preparation for the next dose.

KEY TO THE DRAWINGS THE BASE PAGE 1 of 5 1. The electric signal trigger switch 2. The buzzer 3, The flashing light 4. The batteries 5. The motor drive slot THE ROTATING PILL TRAY PAGE 20f 5 1. Shows three of the pill chambers 2. Top view section of the rotating pill tray 3. Pill-time selector in loaded position 4. Pill-time selector in un-loaded position 5. Slot in rotor to allow the pill-time selector to slide in B- Centre hole for motor drive unit 7. 24 pill chambers 8. 24 pill-time selector slots 9. Pill-time selector in off position 10 Pill-time selector in armed pills loaded mode 11 Tunnel in which pill-time selectors travel 12 Pill chamber THE TOP COVER PAGE 3 of 5 1. Two armed pill-time selectors 2. Pill-time selector pushed back into the off position 3. Pill-time selector being automatically pushed back into the armed mode 4. Pill-time selector back in armed mode 5. Pill-time selector in warning signal position 6. Top to base clips 7. Shaded area shows position of shuttle tunnel in top cover 8. Top cover pill dispensing aperture 9. Shuttle tunnel EXPLODED VIEW OF PILL DISPENSER PAGE 4 of 5 1. The motor drive unit D.

2. The top cover C.

3. The rotating pill tray B.

4. The base A.

Claims

1. A ROTARY PILL DISPENSER comprising a base (A) housing the electric trigger and signal systems, contains and rotationally supports the centre wheel (B)with its 24 pill chambers peripherally disposed around the 24 pill time selectors (8), which when set in the primed position,triggers.

via an electrical contact housed in the base (A) the signal (Flash and Buzz), again housed in the base (A).

Mounted in the centre wheel (B) and detachable, is the motor drive (D) which rotates the centre wheel 150 every hour, thereby presenting every hour a pill chamber. Only the filled and primed pill chambers will actuate the signal which is cancelled when the pills are removed.

2. A ROTARY PILL DISPENSER as in claim 1 where the drive unit(D) and the centre wheel (B) are arranged to rotate together relative to the base (A) where the motor drive is anchored via a cranked arm.

3. A ROTARY PILL DISPENSER as in claim 2 with a non-rotating detachable cover connected to the base (A) and contains within its design a shuttle tunnel (6) guiding the pill time selector which has just been moved to the off position by the person taking the pills, back into the primed position, automatically resetting the machine on its next 150 movement.

4. A ROTARY PILL DISPENSER as in claim 3 having the facility to incorporate an "electric take off" connected in parallel with the signal device (1) which can activate an auxiliary transponder capable of sending a signal to the community alarm service, to indicate if the pills had not been removed from the machine in 20 minutes.

5. A ROTARY PILL DISPENSER as in claim 1 where the top cover (C) and the centre wheel (B) is made of plastic, preferably dishwasher proof.