Patent ID: 6082544
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61J,B65D,Y02W

Abstract:
A medication dispensing system for dispensing unit doses of medication from a blister strip, the blister strip comprising a series of blister members each sealed by a frangible membrane, and each containing a unit dose of medicine, said system comprising:a dispensing frame having a plurality of longitudinally arranged frame holes defined in a frame floor, said dispensing frame having a frame lock member; anda blister strip cartridge for selectable engagement with said dispensing frame, said cartridge having a cartridge lock member engageable with said frame lock member for locking said dispensing frame and said cartridge in operational assembly, said cartridge having a base and a swingable locking arm each of which define a plurality of longitudinally arranged cartridge holes adapted to overlie said frame holes when said dispensing frame and said cartridge are operatively assembled, said swingable locking arm being movable from a capture position substantially overlying said base to trap a blister strip therebetween and a release position uncovering said base, said cartridge having a pill box for holding a unit dose of medicine, said box having a top, wherein said top is swingably attached to said pill box for selectively moving said top from a closed position, sealing said box, to an open position allowing a user to gain access to the interior of said box, said top having a top lip which overlies said locking arm when said locking arm is in said capture position and said top is in said closed position, wherein a trapped blister strip can be removed from said cartridge, said cartridge and said dispensing frame being structured so that said locking arm can be swung between said release and capture positions whether said cartridge is engaged or not in operative assembly with said dispensing frame.