MXPA06002506A - Case with pill receiving sleeves for storing and dispensing pills - Google Patents

Abstract

A case for receiving and dispensing pills, having an optional top cover having a forward edge and a rearward edge, an optional bottom cover having a forward edge and a rearward edge, a spine extending between the top cover and the bottom cover, to which the top cover and the bottom cover are affixed at the rearward edges thereof, and at least one sleeve containing a plurality of pills secured within the sleeve and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the sleeve having a forward edge and a rearward edge and being attached to the spine at the rearward edge thereof between the top cover and the bottom cover.

Description

CASE WITH RECEIVER TRAYS FOR STORING AND REMOVING PILDORAS CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application claims the priority benefit of the US Provisional Patent Application. Serial No. 60 / 500,207 filed on September 4, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a case and more particularly a case having at least one receiving tray for an article that can be secured within the case permanently or removably. The tray is used to store and dispatch the item, such as a pill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pill or pill cases are known in the art and usually contain a variety of pills that the user can take as needed. It is desired that the pill or pill cases which are known in the art be compact so that they can be transported by the user into a handbag or into the bag of the shirt or at another convenient place.

Some users need to take their medications for extended periods. Examples of these medications include medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart deficiencies, arthritis, diseases where pain control is part of the treatment and the like. In addition, lifestyle-related medications, such as birth control pills, hormone replacement pills and the like, also require long-term periodic use. Devices for storing / dispensing pills, especially for drugs for long-term use, usually have a variety of disadvantages. One of these devices is a container normally used in pharmacies to be filled with prescription medications. These containers have disadvantages because they can cause certain damage to the pills (for example, they can break or splinter) due to unwanted contact with the other pills and the pills can easily fall out of the container when attempting to dispense a typical dose of one or two pills. In addition, these containers do not allow the user to easily visualize how many pills remain in the container. Some pill dispensers are usually limited to a fixed amount of pills before they need to be replaced and, therefore, can only be used during relatively short prescription periods (for example, no longer than 30 days). In the following designs of the United States Des. 339,742; Des. 358,762; Des. 411,445; Des. 414.106; and Des. 423,111; as well as U.S. Pat. Núms. 3,414,119; 5,348,158; 5,351,818; 5,368,187; 5,372,258; 6,036,018; 6,173,838 and 6,219,997 other cases for dispensing / storing pills are shown and described and each of these documents is considered incorporated herein by its mere mention, as a reference. Some cases for dispensing / storing pills currently use bubble-type or bubble-type cards, which store a pre-selected amount of pills and protect each one so that they do not break in contact with each other. Bubble cards store pills in separate cavities that receive each pill and are then sealed using a protective cover such as coated paper, aluminum foil, plastic or the like, the pill can be removed from the cavities by piercing the cover or pressing one of the sides of the pill. the covered pill until it sprouts through the protective cover. For example, bubble-type or bubble-type package cards are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Núms. 5,368,187; 6,036,018; 6,219,997 and 6,338,408, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Despite the efforts, a device is still needed to store / deliver pills that: a) is compact, b) opens easily to access the pills, c) be able to accommodate the pill during prolonged periods of prescription, d) be able to accommodate the trays to contain different pills and / or dosage programs and e) that the trays can accommodate various packages or bubble cards, which are accommodated permanently or removably in the pill box. Therefore, it is a significant advantage in the art to provide users with the opportunity to store drugs in a device for storing / dispensing pills that can easily store individual pills in separate compartments and that facilitates delivery of the desired dose of pills. It is also an advantage in the art if the device containing pills can store a variable amount of pills depending on the particular requirements of the medication in the dosage program required by the user, which may be in the form of bubble cards having different amounts of pills, as in the case of those used to deliver oral contraceptives.

It is another advantage in the art to provide a device for storing / dispensing pills having multiple trays, wherein each tray receives and dispenses a quantity of pills corresponding to the particular dosage program. It is another advantage in the art if the device can accommodate relatively long-term prescriptions (for example, greater than 30 days) and it is also another advantage in the art if the pillbox can be compact, easy to transport and store in a pouch. hand, shirt pockets or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally concerns a case that provides at least one pill receiving tray that can be permanently or removably secured in a column. Each tray can be replaced independently by removing it from the column when the pills that have been stored there have been dispensed or the entire case can be discarded when all the pills in the trays have been consumed. The case provides multiple pill receiving trays which can, optionally, be secured to each other or to an upper or lower cover to allow access to an individual pill receiving tray as desired.

Each pill receiving tray can be adapted to contain a variety of pills that can be matched with a particular dosage program suitable for the user. For example, if the user requires two daily pills, then one or more trays may contain 14 pills (for one week) or 60 pills (for one month). The use of multiple trays can, in this way, accommodate long-term prescriptions. Pills can be secured on trays in a variety of ways including the use of cards or bubble-type packaging. When a bubble-type card is used, the pills are stored individually in bubble-type cards or packages that fit inside the tray and can be easily removed from the tray. Alternatively, the trays by themselves can be filled with the pills of the dosing program (ie, the pills are not packaged in the bubble type card). The pills can be easily removed from the kit when all the pills in a tray have been consumed and replaced by another tray that may contain the same or different medication as needed or the kit can be discarded after all the pills have been consumed. It should be understood that the reference, in this description, the term "pill" should not only include pills of a variety of shapes and sizes but also all forms of disposable products or articles of manufacture as drugs that can be stored effectively in the device of the present invention including tablets, capsules, troches, dragees and the like. Also, whenever reference is made to the term "case for pills or pillbox" it should be understood as a case that can accommodate the product or articles of disposable manufacture. In this description, the term "pill receiving tray" shall be understood as a tray or tray that may contain a bubble-type card or package containing the pre-packaged pills or which may themselves contain pills that can be dispensed therefrom without the use of a bubble type card. The case may optionally have a top and bottom cover which is used to protect the trays and which can be easily separated from them to gain access to the trays and pills that have been inserted. The upper and lower covers can be reversibly coupled so that the upper and lower cover can be moved from a closed position to an open position, exposing the pill receiving trays. In an optional feature in the present invention, the trays can be reversibly coupled to the upper and / or lower covers in such a way, that when the upper and lower cover are opened, only one receiving tray of pills will be exposed. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case comprising a column and at least one or more trays, commonly a plurality of trays, each of the trays being configured to contain and dispatch at least one article of manufacture (e.g. , pills) thereof as for example by means of a bubble type card containing a plurality of pills. In another aspect of the invention, a kit for containing and dispensing pills is provided, comprising: at least one tray containing a plurality of pills secured within the tray and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the tray has a trailing edge or back to attach to a column; and the column comprises a tray engaging unit that functionally couples at least one tray at the trailing edge so that the trays are secured in the column and access can be obtained to dispense the pills contained therein. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case wherein the upper and lower cover serve to protect the trays, the case comprising: an upper cover having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a lower cover having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a column extending between the upper cover and the lower cover where the upper cover and the lower cover are fixed with the rear edges thereof; and at least one tray containing a plurality of pills secured within the tray and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the tray has a leading edge and a trailing edge and is fixed to the column at the trailing edge thereof between the upper cover and the lower cover. In another aspect of the present invention, the above trays are adapted to contain and hold a bubble type card containing a plurality of pills wherein they are dispensed from the bubble type card contained in the tray. In still another aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided comprising: a) at least one pill receiving tray comprising a pill storage portion for storing a plurality of pill therein and a portion that couples the pliant unit of tray; b) an upper cover and a lower cover each having a first side for optionally coupling the tray engaging unit and an opposite side, the upper and lower cover being movable with each other to keep the case in the closed position when the pills within the Pill receiving trays are not exposed, and away from each other to achieve an open position when at least one of the pill receiving trays and the pill there are exposed; and c) the tray coupling unit is functionally coupled to the first side of the upper cover and the lower cover and comprises at least one connector coupling to the tray for coupling the portion of the receiving unit of the receiving tray of pills by a movement of lateral load .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following drawings in which the reference numerals are conserved the same when dealing with similar parts are illustrative of the embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit it as it is included in the claims forming part of the application. Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pill case of the present invention in closed position without exposing any of the pill receiving trays; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the pill case shown in Figure 1 in open position exposing one of the pill receiving trays that are contained therein; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the pill case shown in Figure 1 in the open position exposing some of the pill receiving trays contained therein; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 wherein the pill case is in the fully open position exposing all the pill receiving trays contained therein; Figure 5 is a partially schematic view of the embodiment of the pill case shown in Figure 1 having removed one of the pill receiving trays and showing the interaction of the tray coupling unit with the tray coupling unit associated with the case for pills; Figure 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of the pill case shown in Figure 1 having the lower and upper covers separated and having removed the pill receiving trays therefrom to show a modality of the tray coupling unit. for releasably securing the pill receiving trays therein; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tray coupling unit of the pill case being considered along line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a bottom view of a pill receiving tray of the present invention that is employed in the pill case embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a top view of the pill receiving tray shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tray coupling unit of a pill case of the present invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of the tray coupling unit shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tray coupling unit being considered along line 12-12 of Figure 10; and Figure 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a pill receiving tray of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a case (e.g., a pill case or pillbox) with at least one receiving tray of an article (e.g., a pill receiving tray) secured thereon by means of of a tray coupling unit wherein the trays are operatively coupled with the tray coupling unit. It will be understood that the present invention can be used to store and dispatch a variety of items such as chewing gum, confectionery and the like. For illustrative purposes, reference will now be made to a pill case for dispensing the same. As will be explained below, the pill receiving trays may be permanently fixed in the pill case or be replaceable as desired. The pill receiving trays can be easily attached and optionally uncoupled from the tray coupling unit to allow users, even those suffering from a loss of manual ability, to easily remove the pills from the pill receiving tray and optionally replace the receiving trays of pills with a new set of pills contained there as needed. The pills can be stored individually in bubble-type or bubble-type cards that fit inside the tray that can be easily dispensed from it. Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, a pouch (2) for pills according to an embodiment of the present invention having a top cover (4) and an optional bottom cover (6) separated from each other by a column (13) including a unit (14) is shown. tray coupler which optionally allows the trays or trays (18) receiving pills to be replaced as necessary. The upper cover (4) has one end (8) front and bottom cover (6) has one end (10) corresponding front, each of which can functionally couple the adjacent pill receiving trays (18) to secure the pill box (2) in closed position by means of a mechanism (11) with snap as shown specifically in the Figure 1 and as will be explained in detail below. The upper cover (4) has a rear end (12) which is operatively coupled with the unit (14) Tray coupler that is part of the column (13) through a moving hinge or other appropriate coupling device as described below.

The lower cover (6) has a corresponding rear end (16), which is also functionally coupled with the tray coupling unit (14) of the column (13) in a similar manner to the upper cover (4). The pill box (2) shown in Figure 1 contains at least one, preferably a plurality of pill receiving trays (18) which are detachably coupled in the tray coupling unit (14) located in the column (13) of the box (2) for pills. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pill receiving trays (18) are in stacked configuration with the trays (18) located one on top of the other. With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, each of the pill receiving trays (18) comprises a base (20) having a plurality of openings (22). Each opening (22) is sized to correspond to the size of a pill contained within a bubble-type card so that the pill can be released therefrom through the opening (22) as desired. Alternatively, each opening (22) may contain therein a pill (not shown) protected by a cover that can be released from the base by pressing the pill to break the protective cover. In the alternative modality, each pill has, in fact, its own individual compartment. In both modalities, each pill is not adversely affected by contact with the other pills. The size and shape of the openings can be selected to suit the size and shape of the particular type of pill. Each of the trays (18) has a wall (24) later (see Figure 2) that is adapted to be coupled. The pill receiving tray (18) also has an opposite wall (26) and side walls (28) together with the base (20) and the rear wall (24) forming an area (30) containing pills to store the card bubble type and which prevents it from slipping out of the receiving tray (18) of pills. The pill case (2) may further have an optional system for aligning and securing the adjacent and respective pill receiving trays (18), with the top and / or bottom covers. This optional system allows a single pill receiving tray (18), in a multi-tray mode, to be exposed to dispatch a pill while at the same time allowing the remaining pill receiving trays (18), and / or the covers (6), (4) lower and upper remain closed. More specifically, as best shown in Figure 3, the inner cover (4) has a surface (31) in the lower or lower part that has two separate pairs of locks (33) and (35) extending therefrom. . Each pair of latches (33) and (35) extends from the lower surface (31) towards the upper cover (4) to frictionally engage the opposite wall (26) and the rear wall (24), respectively, of the tray (18) Pillar receiver, adjacent, to align same with the upper cover (4) as shown in Figure 1. In particular, the pair of latches (35) frictionally mesh the rear wall (24) while the pair of latches (33) frictionally engage the opposite wall (26) of the pill receiving tray (18) when the cover (4) upper closes on it as shown in the Figure 3. Because the insurance pairs (33), (35) are only frictionally engaged with the respective walls (24), (26) of the pill receiving tray (18), the upper cover (4) can move easily to a position in which the upper cover (4) is secured to the adjacent pill receiving tray (18), and then released therefrom to expose it and the pills contained therein. The pill case (2) is secured in the closed position to form a compact pill case using a snap mechanism (11) or clamp as shown in Figure 1. The snap mechanism (11) includes an elongated protuberance (32) having on its internal surface a crosswise extending latch (34) (best shown in Figure 4). The protrusion (32) extends downward from the front end (8) of the upper cover (4) towards the front end (10) of the lower cover (6) as shown in Figure 1. A lock is also provided. (36) engaging the protrusion extending upwardly from the forward end (10) of the lower cover (6) in a direction that allows the protrusion (32) and the latch (36) functionally engaged in locked position to thereby ensure that the pill case is in the closed position (see Figure 1) and can be uncoupled by removing the protrusion (32) from the latch (36) to allow 1 case (2) for pills is opened by exposing the receiving tray (18) of pills as shown in Figure 10. The lock (36) is provided with a projection (38) that extends forward and engages the lock ( 34) to temporarily secure the pill box in closed position. It is understood that other suitable snap mechanisms (for example, hook and loop connectors) can be used for the same purposes. As part of the optional system described above, each of the pill receiving trays (18) has a lower surface (37) (see Figure 4) that also contains the respective pairs of latches (39) and (41) that mesh by pressure the inner surface of the posterior wall (24) and the opposite wall (26) of the adjacent pill receiving tray (18) immediately below as best shown in Figure 4. It should be noted that each of the insurance pairs (39) and (41) frictionally engage the internal surfaces of the respective walls (24) and (26) to provide a corresponding frictional contact therewith. The use of the insurance pairs (39) and (41) provides a secure alignment of the pill receiving trays (18), adjacent to each other. In this way, if the container (2) of the pill receiving trays (18), one of the trays can be exposed to allow access to the pills, while the rest of the trays remain together as shown specifically in the Figure 3. Other means for temporarily aligning the pill receiving trays (18) together will be inherent to those skilled in the art. As previously indicated, the upper cover (4) can be secured to the adjacent pill receiving tray (18) by using the respective pairs of latches (33) and (35) which frictionally mesh the wall (24) back and the opposite wall (26) on the internal surfaces thereof, respectively. The lower cover (6) may be provided with respective adjacent pairs of latches (43) and (45) (see Figures 4 and 6) extending from the lower surface (29) of the lower cover (6) to engage by friction the corresponding latches (39) and (41) that extend from the surface (37) of the adjacent pill receiving tray (18). In this way, the adjacent pill receiving tray (18) is aligned securely with respect to the lower cover (6). Thus, the pill case of the present provides an optional system for aligning a pill receiving tray (18), adjacent, with the upper cover (4), a pill receiving tray (18), adjacent, with the cover (6) bottom and the alignment of the pill receiving trays (18), adjacent to each other. This removable assurance and alignment configuration allows the user to gain access to a single receiving tray (18) for pills and thus be able to obtain a pill thereof, while keeping the other pill receiving trays (18) together as provided. shows for example in Figure 3. Further, by pushing the upper cover (4) towards the lower cover (6) so that the pill receiving trays (18) are aligned with respect to the lower and upper covers, the pill case assumes a completely closed position as shown in Figure 1 to protect the pills contained therein. When the pill case is closed, as shown in Figure 1, access to the pill receiving trays (18) can be facilitated by the tabs (55) extending from the outer surface of the wall (26) of the trays (18). The tabs (55) can be touched with the finger or the thumb and raised thereby raising any tray (18) that is located above the particular tab (55) as well as the cover (4), thus exposing the receiving tray (18) for pills that are immediately below the tab (55) in particular. By way of example and referring to Figure 2, the pouch (2) for pills includes three trays (18a), (18b) and (18c) receiving for pills, in each one extends, on the wall (26), the respective tabs (55a), (55b) and (55c). If the tab (55b) and therefore the tray (18b) are raised, the tray (18a) and the cover (4) will also be lifted exposing the receiving tray (18c) for pills and the pills therein. Therefore, the tabs (55) not only facilitate the introduction of the contents of the case (2) for pills in general, but particularly to a receiving tray (18) for individual pills as desired. The pill receiving trays (18) are detachably and individually secured in the column (13) and the pouch (2) for pills by a tray coupling unit (14). Referring to the Figures 5-7, there is shown an embodiment of the tray coupling unit (14) wherein the pill receiving trays (18) are temporarily secured in the column (13) by a lateral loading movement. It is to be understood that other methods may be employed to temporarily secure the tray (18) in the column (13). Unit (14) tray coupler located in the column (13) comprises at least one, usually a plurality of units (40) of the tray coupling, each tray coupling unit (40) containing a single tray (18) receiving pills. The tray coupling unit (40) is adapted to contain the pill receiving trays (18) by a lateral loading movement (i.e., transverse with respect to the direction of a line extending from the column (13) towards the front and respective ends (8), (10) of the upper cover (4) and the lower cover (6). The lateral loading movement, as described in detail below, allows efficient loading of the replacement trays for reusable pill cases, while safely retaining the trays (18) within the pill case (2). The tray coupling unit (40) comprises a first channel portion (42) and a portion (44) of the second channel, each channel portion (42), (44) adapted to receive a protuberance (46), (48) ) corresponding to a gear portion (76) of the pill receiving tray coupling unit (18) to achieve a reversible lock coupling as described below and as best shown in Figure 5. The portion (42) of the first channel, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, includes a first channel (50) formed by a base wall (52), opposite side walls (54) and a top wall (56) forming an opening (60) that extends longitudinally, at one end of the opening (60) extending longitudinally there is a bar (62) that extends transversely to the opening (60) and partially downwardly within a first channel (50) leaving an opening there to receive, in the form of a locking coupling reversible, a gear portion (76) of the pill receiving tray coupling unit (18) as described below. Separated from the bar (62) that extends downwards, there is a lock (64) that extends upwards in the first channel (50) and facilitates the reversible locking coupling of the receiving tray (18) of pills inside. of the portion (42) of the first channel. The portion (44) of the second channel comprises a second channel (66) extending from the latch (64) of the first channel (50) to an end portion (68) having an opening (70) for receiving, with an Reversible lock coupling, a lock arm portion and a gear portion of the tray coupling unit as described below. The second channel (66) may contain a portion (72) gripping to provide a frictional contact with the gear portion (76) of the pill receiving tray coupling unit (18) to secure the same within the second channel (66). In the embodiment shown specifically in Figure 6, the grip portion (72) is in the form of a plurality of spaced apart teeth (74). The gear or coupling of the pill receiving tray (18) within the tray coupling unit (14) is made possible by providing the gear portion (76) of the tray coupling unit as best shown in Figures 8 and 9. With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the tray engaging portion (76) (18) recipient for pills comprises a first portion (46) coupling and a second portion (48). coupling. The first coupling portion (46) is functionally coupled to the rear wall (24) of the pill receiving tray (18) and includes a base (92) having a laterally extending arm (94) including a portion (96). ) of the locking arm which is adapted to be inserted into the first channel (50) of the tray coupling unit (40). In the modality shown in Figures 8 and 9, the portion (96) of the locking arm is adapted to functionally engage the lower part of the bar (62) which extends partially downwardly towards the first channel (50) for the purpose of locking the first coupling portion (46) within the tray coupling unit (14) by a lateral loading movement. The second coupling portion (48) is likewise secured in the posterior wall (24) of the pill receiving tray (18). The second engagement portion (48) has a longitudinally extending arm (100) with a locking portion (102) in the form of an extension that is adapted to be received within the opening (70) of the portion (68). ) end in the second channel (66). As specifically shown in Figure 9, the second engagement portion (48) may be provided with a grip portion (104) that may be in the form of a plurality of spaced teeth (106) that are adapted to functionally engage the teeth. (74) separated from the grip portion (72) contained within the second channel (66) as previously described. The coupling and uncoupling of the pill receiving tray (18) to and from the tray coupling unit (14) by means of a lateral loading movement can be described in conjunction with Figures 5, 8 and 9. Referring to these Figures, the first portion (46) of engagement with the portion (96) of the trailing arm is inserted with a lateral movement of load towards the longitudinally extending opening (60) of the portion (42) of the first channel until the portion (96) of the locking arm is secure in the lower part of the bar (62) with the tip of the first coupling portion (46) resting against the latch (64) contained within the first channel (50). Simultaneously, the second coupling portion (48) is inserted into the portion (44) of the second channel and moves to the right with a lateral loading movement so that the locking portion is secured within the opening (70) in the distant end of the second channel(66) An accidental movement of the pill receiving tray (18) from the tray coupling unit (14) can be prevented by a functional coupling of the respective grip portions (72) and (104) contained within the portion (44) of the second channel in the second coupling portion (48). The pill receiving tray (18) can be removed from a functional coupling state with the tray coupling unit (14) by applying force in the opposite direction (i.e. to the left) as required to obtain a functional coupling. For this, a lateral loading movement is needed, as shown in Figure 5, with the pill receiving tray (18) sliding to the left until the first and second coupling portions (46) and (48) are decoupled from each other. the portions (42), (44) of the first and second channels, respectively. It is understood that the configuration of the tray coupling unit can be such that the side loading direction can be different as long as the pill receiving tray can be functionally coupled and uncoupled from the column. In another embodiment of the invention, the pill receiving trays (18) as previously described as well as the upper and lower cover can be secured in functional relationship by another type of tray engaging unit as shown in Figures 10-12. The embodiment shown there can be used to temporarily secure the individual pill receiving trays but can also be used to permanently secure the pill receiving trays in functional attachment so that the pill case is disposable (for example, when all pills have been consumed, the case for pills is discarded). Referring specifically to Figures 10-12, there is shown a pouch (102) for pills wherein the pill receiving trays (120) are provided with a tray engaging unit gear portion (122) comprising a first portion (124). ) coupling and a second coupling portion (126). The first coupling portion (124) is functionally coupled to the rear wall (24) of the pill receiving tray (120) and includes a base (128) having an arm (130) extending laterally and beyond the length of the base (128). The second coupling portion (126) is likewise secured in the rear wall (24) of the pill receiving tray (120). The second coupling portion (126) has a longitudinally extending arm (132) and preferably includes a gripping mechanism located centrally in the form of teeth (134). A tray engaging unit (140) is also provided which is adapted to engage the tray engaging portions (122) of the pill receiving trays (120) by means of lateral loading movement to secure them together. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the tray coupling unit (140) comprises a structural configuration that is complementary to the tray coupling portions (122) so that when the receiving plates (120) are functionally coupled to one another Pills are kept in a functional and separate configuration to form the pill transporter portion of the pill box (102). As shown in Figure 11, the tray connector and coupling unit (156) comprises a portion (158) of the first channel and a portion (160) of the second channel, each portion (158), (160) of the channel being adapted to receive a corresponding protrusion of the pill receiving tray to obtain a reversible functional coupling as described below. The portion (158) of the first channel includes a first channel (162) with a longitudinally extending opening (170). At one end of the longitudinally extending opening (170) is a bar (172) extending transversely to the opening (170) and partially downward to the first channel (162) leaving an opening and for receiving, in reversible coupling, a portion of the gear portion of the tray coupling unit of the pill receiving tray (18). A latch (174) is located separate from the bar (172) that extends downward and that essentially separates the portion (158) of the first channel from the portion (160) of the second channel. The portion (160) of the second channel comprises a second channel (176) extending from the latch (174) of the first channel (162) from an end portion (178) having an opening (180) for a reversible engagement of the Lock arm portion of the engagement portion of the tray coupling unit as described below. The second channel (176) may contain a grip portion (182) to provide a frictional contact of the gear portion of the pill receiving tray coupling unit (18) for coupling it into the second channel (176). The grip portion (182) is in the form of a plurality of separate teeth (184). The coupling of the pill-receiving tray (18) into the tray-engaging unit (140) is made possible by providing a gear portion (122) of the tray-engaging unit mentioned above and as best shown in the drawings. Figures 10 and 11 comprising a first coupling portion (124) and the second coupling portion (126). The first coupling portion (124) is adapted to be inserted into the first channel (162) of the tray coupling unit (158) and secured below the bar (172) within the portion (158) within the first channel . The second coupling portion (126) is adapted to be received within the opening (180) of the end portion (178) in the second channel (176). The grasping portion in the second coupling portion (126), which may be in the form of a plurality of spaced teeth (134), is adapted to functionally engage the teeth (184) spaced apart from the grasped portion (182). within the second channel (176). Referring to Figure 13, a pill receiving tray 160 is shown for an alternative embodiment. The pill receiving tray (160) includes the corresponding corresponding features described in Figures 8 and 9. The pill receiving tray (160) further includes an area (166) for containing the same, a surface portion (162) of a lateral wall (168) and distinguishing marks (164) located in the surface portion (162) that indicate to the user the dosage program in which the corresponding medication must be dispensed. In this example, the distinguishing marks (164) designate the weekly groups of pills that are retained in the area (30) to contain pills. Each pill contained in the area (166) for containing pills is dispensed by means of a corresponding opening (22) on a daily basis. The distinguishing marks (164) inform the user about the specific grouping of pills to be dispensed for a particular week. It is to be understood that distinguishing marks may provide additional alternative information that may be useful including the name of the drug and the like. Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are included within the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the pill case of the present invention can be adapted to accommodate an extended dosing schedule of an oral contraceptive. This program may consist of twelve weeks / 84 consecutive days of pills containing active ingredients, followed by a week of placebos. Therefore, the third tray of the pill case may be provided with five rows of seven openings while the first two trays are provided with four rows of seven openings. An example of this dosing schedule is used in oral contraceptives marketed by Barr Laboratories under the Seasonale ™ brand.

Claims (38)

1. CLAIMS 1. A kit for containing and dispensing pills, characterized in that it comprises: at least one tray containing a plurality of pills that are secured inside the tray and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the tray has a trailing edge for coupling one column; and the column comprises a tray coupling unit that functionally couples with the tray (s) at the trailing edge so that they are secured in the column and access can be obtained to dispense the pills contained therein. The kit according to claim 1, further characterized in that the tray comprises a plurality of openings, each opening receiving one of the pills in a position such that each pill can be dispensed from the opening. The kit according to claim 1, further characterized in that the tray coupling unit comprises at least one channel and each tray comprises at least one column coupling boss, which is adapted to be temporarily secured within at least one of the channels , to secure the tray inside the case. The case according to claim 3, further characterized in that it comprises a plurality of trays, each tray having the column engaging protrusion which is slidably received within the corresponding channels of the column to fix each of the trays to the column. The case according to claim 4, further characterized in that it comprises three trays and the tray coupling unit of the column comprises at least one tray receiving channel for each tray. The kit according to claim 2, further characterized in that it comprises a bubble-type card containing the plurality of pills, each of the pills inside the bubble-type card is aligned with the corresponding opening of the tray so that the pills can be dispensed from the bubble type card through the corresponding opening. The case according to claim 1, further characterized in that the trays are coupled to the column in a stacked configuration. The kit according to claim 1, further characterized in that the column comprises a tray coupling unit comprising at least one channel for receiving at least one protrusion in the tray, and a means for crimping the protrusion of the tray within the tray. channel. The kit according to claim 8, further characterized in that the tray coupling unit comprises a first and a second channel and the tray comprises a first and a second protuberance, wherein the first protuberance is secured within the first channel and the Second protrusion is secured within the second channel. The case according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an upper cover and a lower cover functionally engaging with the column, the trays being located between the upper cover and the lower cover. The case according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises a first securing means for securing the trays in a stacked configuration. The kit according to claim 11, further characterized in that the first securing means comprises means for securing the trays together so that only one of the trays is exposed to dispatch the pills. The case according to claim 12, further characterized in that the first securing means comprises a pair of latches in the lower part of a tray for frictionally crimping the adjacent tray. A case for containing and dispensing pills, characterized in that it comprises: an upper cover having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a lower cover that has a leading edge and a trailing edge; a column extending between the upper cover and the lower cover to which the upper cover and the lower cover are fixed at the rear edges thereof; and at least one tray containing a plurality of pills that are secured within the tray and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the tray has a leading edge and a trailing edge and is fixed to the column at the trailing edge of the tray. same, between the upper deck and the lower deck. 15. The kit according to claim 14, further characterized in that the tray comprises a plurality of openings, each opening receiving the pills in a position such that each can be dispensed therefrom. 16. The kit according to claim 15, further characterized in that it comprises a bubble-type card containing a plurality of pills, each of which is aligned within the bubble-type card with respect to the corresponding opening, so that the pills can be dispensed from the bubble type card through the corresponding opening. 17. The kit according to claim 14, further characterized in that the column comprises a tray coupling unit that is functionally crimped with the trailing edge of the tray and this comprises a column engaging protrusion to secure the tray to the column by means of the tray coupling unit. The case according to claim 17, further characterized in that the tray coupling unit comprises at least one channel wherein the column engaging protrusion is adapted to be temporarily secured with the channel. 19. The kit according to claim 18, further characterized in that the tray coupling unit includes a pair of channels for receiving a corresponding pair of protuberances in the tray, which are coupled to the column. The case according to claim 17, further characterized in that the case comprises at least three trays that are slidably received within the tray coupling unit of the column. 21. The kit according to claim 14, further characterized in that it comprises at least one bubble-type card containing the plurality of pills, each of the trays is configured to contain one of the bubble-type cards with pills. 22. The kit according to claim 20, further characterized in that each of the three trays is fixed to the column in a stacked configuration. 23. The kit according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises at least three fixed trays in the column by the tray coupling unit. 24. The kit according to claim 23, further characterized in that the tray coupling unit comprises at least one channel. 25. The kit according to claim 14, further characterized in that at least one of the trays is provided with more openings than the rest of the trays. 26. The kit according to claim 25, further characterized in that two of the trays comprise 28 openings and the third tray comprises 35 openings. The case according to claim 14, further characterized in that it comprises a first securing means for securing the trays in a stacked configuration. 28. The kit according to claim 27, further characterized in that the first securing means together secures the trays so that only one of these is exposed to dispatch the pills. 29. The kit according to claim 28, further characterized in that the first securing means comprises a pair of latches on the inside of a tray for crimping an adjacent tray. 30. The kit according to claim 14, further characterized in that it comprises a second securing means for securing at least the upper cover and the lower cover to the adjacent tray. 31. The case according to claim 30, further characterized in that the second securing means comprises at least one pair of fixed latches in at least the upper cover and the lower cover for frictional crimping the adjacent tray. 32. A case for containing an article of manufacture, characterized in that it comprises: an upper cover; a lower cover; a fixed column extending between the upper cover and the lower cover, the column having at least one channel located along the length thereof between the upper cover and the lower cover; and at least one tray for holding the article of manufacture, the tray has a trailing edge and a protrusion disposed on the trailing edge that slidably matches the channel of the column to fix the tray therein. The case according to claim 32, further characterized in that the tray comprises a plurality of openings for removing the article of manufacture from the case. 34. The kit according to claim 32, further characterized in that it comprises a closing mechanism. 35. The case according to claim 34, further characterized in that the closure mechanism comprises a tab extending from the top cover and a projection extending from the bottom cover which is crimped with the tab to close the case. 36. The case according to claim 32, further characterized in that the case comprises three trays, each of the three trays has a trailing edge and at least one protrusion disposed at each of the trailing edges, and the column comprises at least three channels arranged along the length of the column and each corresponding to the protuberances of the three trays, such that each of the protuberances are slidingly matched to each of the channels arranged along the length of the column. length of the column. 37. The kit according to claim 36, further characterized in that a hinge is arranged between each of the channels arranged along the length of the column between the column and the upper cover and the column and the lower cover to allow that the case can be opened and show each of the three trays. 38. The kit characterized in that it comprises: a) at least one pill receiving tray comprising a portion for storing a plurality of pills contained therein and a gear portion of the tray coupling unit. b) an upper cover and a lower cover, each having a first side for functionally coupling with a tray engaging unit and an opposite side, the upper and lower covers can be moved towards each other to close the case, wherein the pills inside of the pill receiving trays are not exposed and can also be moved away from each other in an open configuration, wherein at least one of the pill receiving trays and the pills received therein can be exposed; and c) the tray coupling unit functionally engaging the first side of the upper cover and the lower cover, comprising at least one connector for coupling to the tray for crimping the coupling portion of the receiving unit of the receiving tray of pills. , by means of a sliding lateral movement.