Pill dispensing apparatus for use with blister pill packages

A pill dispensing apparatus for use to dispense a pill from a blister package includes a base assembly having an interior cavity formed by an upper plate coupled to a lower housing, the upper plate having an opening and partially extending over the lower housing to form a spout in the lower housing, an arm pivotably mounted to the base assembly and having a post protruding downward toward the base assembly, and a spring coupled to the arm and upper plate of the base assembly. The apparatus is designed to receive the blister package between the base assembly and arm. Pivotal movement of the arm toward the base assembly allows the post of the arm to push the pill in the blister package through the opening in the upper plate of the base assembly. This allows the pill to travel in the base assembly's internal cavity and out the spout.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to blister pill packages. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a pill dispensing apparatus for use with blister pill packages.

Blister pill packages are commonly used to store medication pills. Opening blister pill packaging is difficult to do efficiently and sanitarily. Pushing each pill in the blister package manually or by use of a tool often causes one or more pills to fall on the floor, become crushed, or lost. Scissors and other tools used to cut the blister pill packaging are made from materials that can transfer bacteria to the pills or improve the likelihood of cross-contamination from different medications.

Several devices for cutting, extracting and/or splitting medication pills from packs exist as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,123,943 and 7,562,790. These devices generally comprise upper and lower members adjusted relative to each other to engage the pill or medication pack. However, these devices are limited because they comprise complex components and/or are difficult to use. In particular, there is a need for these devices to comprise an improved spring mechanism that resets the upper and lower members to the neutral position more easily and efficiently to engage the next pill or medication pack.

As such, there is a need in the industry for a pill dispensing apparatus for use with blister pill packages that addresses the limitations of the prior art, which enables users to dispense pills from blister pill packages with enhanced efficiency and cleanliness.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, a pill dispensing apparatus for use to dispense a pill from a blister package with enhanced efficiency is provided. The pill dispensing apparatus comprises a base assembly comprising an interior cavity formed by an upper plate coupled to a lower housing, the upper plate partially extending over the lower housing to form a spout in the lower housing connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly, the upper plate comprising an opening continuously connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly, an arm pivotably mounted to the base assembly and comprising a lower member with a post protruding downward toward the base assembly and aligned with the opening in the upper plate of the base assembly, and a spring comprising a first end coupled to the arm and a second end coupled to the upper plate of the base assembly, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive the blister package between the base assembly and arm with the pill in the blister package aligned with the post of the arm and opening in the upper plate of the base assembly, wherein pivotal movement of the arm toward the base assembly to a closed position allows the post of the arm to push the pill in the blister package through the opening in the upper plate of the base assembly, thereby allowing the pill to travel in the internal cavity of the base assembly for a disposal out of the spout.

In an alternative embodiment, the pill dispensing apparatus comprises a base assembly having an interior cavity formed by an upper plate coupled to a lower housing, the upper plate partially extending over the lower housing to form a spout in the lower housing connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly, the upper plate comprising an opening continuously connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly, an arm pivotably mounted to the base assembly and comprising a first post protruding downward toward the base assembly and aligned with the opening in the upper plate of the base assembly and a second post, and a spring comprising a first end configured to contact the second post and a second end coupled to the upper plate of the base assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

In certain embodiments as depicted inFIGS. 1-3, the pill dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense pills48from blister pill packages46with enhanced efficiency and cleanliness. In certain embodiments, the pill dispensing apparatus generally comprises a base assembly comprising lower housing10and upper plate12, arm26, handle38and spring44.

The pill dispensing apparatus is preferably made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. However, the components of the pill dispensing apparatus can be made from other materials or combination of materials including, but not limited to, other plastics, stainless steel, other metals, rubber, and the like.

In certain embodiments, upper plate12is coupled to lower housing10in the base assembly to form an interior cavity. Upper plate12partially extends over lower housing10to form spout18. In one embodiment, upper plate12comprises drop-through opening16, which is connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly. This creates a pathway for pill48to travel from blister pill package46through drop-through opening16in upper plate12, the interior cavity of the base assembly, and out spout18for a disposal.

In one embodiment, upper plate12comprises spring slot20configured to receive spring44and a plurality of guide arrows14disposed on upper plate12around the perimeter of drop-through opening16. Spring44is preferably made from stainless steel, another metal or material in the field. In one embodiment, cap42is coupled to the top of spring44as depicted inFIG. 2. In one embodiment, spring44is coupled to the interior of spring slot20in the base assembly by a mechanical fastener (not shown) such as a screw. Guide arrows14in upper plate12help a user to align pill48in blister pill package46directly above drop-through opening16during the operation of the pill dispensing apparatus.

In certain embodiments, arm26is pivotably mounted to lower housing10of the base assembly. More specifically, arm26comprises a pair of hinge nubs36that engage with hinge nub slots22in lower housing10. In this configuration, arm26is configured to pivotably adjust to the desired position relative to lower housing10of the base assembly as will be described in more detail in the following disclosure.

In certain embodiments, arm26comprises a top surface with blade28and notch30, and a bottom surface with package post34and spring post32. Blade28extends away from the front of arm26and is configured to cut any surface such as the back of blister pill package46to aid in the removal of pill48stored therein. Blade28is preferably made from stainless steel, another metal or material.

In certain embodiments, arm26is configured to pivotably adjust relative to upper plate12of the base assembly to an open position as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 3-4or a closed position as depicted inFIG. 5. In one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 2, lower housing10of the base assembly comprises a pair of post slots24that is configured to receive posts40of handle38. This allows handle38to pivotably adjust relative to lower housing10. Handle38is configured to pivotably adjust away from the base assembly as depicted inFIGS. 1, 3-5or around arm26to engage with notch30to secure arm26and the base assembly in the stored position as depicted inFIG. 6.

In operation, blade28of the pill dispensing apparatus can be used to cut the back of blister pill package46where pill48is located. As depicted inFIG. 3, arm26is pivotably adjusted relative to the base assembly to the open position to allow pill48in blister pill package46to be disposed directly above drop-through opening16in upper plate12. As depicted inFIG. 5, arm26is pivotably adjusted to the closed position by applying a downward force on arm26when above upper plate12in the base assembly. In this position, pill48is aligned with package post34in arm26and drop-through opening16in upper plate12. Spring post32of arm26is also aligned with spring cap42on spring44.

The downward force applied to arm26allows package post34to push pill48in blister pill package46through drop-through opening16in upper plate12to the interior cavity of the base assembly. With blister pill package46removed, the pill dispensing apparatus is tilted to allow pill48to travel through the interior cavity of the base assembly and out spout18. It shall be appreciated that the release of arm26allows spring44to apply a counterforce on spring post32to automatically return arm26to the open position as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 4.

It shall be appreciated that the pill dispensing apparatus may comprise various modifications to the components.FIGS. 7-10depict an alternate pill dispensing apparatus that comprises components generally similar to the pill dispensing apparatus previously described.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the alternate pill dispensing apparatus generally comprises a base assembly comprising lower housing50and upper plate60, an arm assembly comprising lower arm member88and upper arm housing76, handle96, spring72and spring cover74.

The alternate pill dispensing apparatus is preferably made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. However, the components of the alternate pill dispensing apparatus can be made from other materials or combination of materials including, but not limited to, other plastics, stainless steel, other metals, rubber, and the like.

In certain embodiments as depicted inFIGS. 8-10, upper plate60is coupled to lower housing50in the base assembly to form an interior cavity. Upper plate60partially extends over lower housing50to form spout98. In one embodiment, upper plate60comprises drop-through opening62, which is connected to the interior cavity of the base assembly. This creates a pathway for pill48to travel from blister pill package46through drop-through opening62in upper plate60, the interior cavity of the base assembly, and out spout98for a disposal.

In one embodiment, upper plate60comprises hinge arms66and spring post64in rear portion58of upper plate60. Spring post64is configured to receive spring72and spring cover74. Spring72is preferably made from stainless steel, another metal or material. Spring cover74is a tubular member that is disposed around spring72and is preferably made from a low to medium density polyethylene or other similar-type material.

Spring cover74comprises a plurality of protrusions75disposed throughout the tubular member. Protrusions75help spring cover74to compress and extend as will be described in more detail later. Spring cover74is beneficial because it serves as a protective layer that prevents moisture from sources such as liquid gel pills from contacting spring72, screws70and other internal components of the alternate pill dispensing apparatus.

In certain embodiments, lower housing50comprises base post54, which is aligned with spring post64in upper plate60. In one embodiment, lower housing50comprises pill catch slot52and a pair of openings56. Pill catch slot52is positioned directly beneath drop-through opening62to help guide pill48through the interior cavity of the base assembly and out spout98. The pair of openings56in lower housing50of the base assembly is configured to receive handle96. This allows handle96to pivotably adjust relative to lower housing50.

In certain embodiments as depicted inFIGS. 8-10, the arm assembly of the alternate pill dispensing apparatus is pivotably mounted to upper plate60in the base assembly. More specifically, lower arm member88of the arm assembly comprises hinge knuckle94, which is aligned with hinge arms66in upper plate60of the base assembly. Pin68secures hinge knuckle94to hinge arms66to permit pivotal movement of the arm assembly relative to the base assembly.

In certain embodiments, lower arm member88of the arm assembly comprises package post90on the bottom surface and arm post92. Upper arm housing76is coupled to lower arm member88as depicted inFIGS. 8 and 10. In one embodiment, upper arm housing76comprises a top surface with notch78and blade84.

As depicted inFIG. 7, notch78is configured to engage with handle96to secure the arm assembly and base assembly together in the stored position. Handle96is pivotably adjusted away from the base assembly as depicted inFIGS. 9-10to place the alternate pill dispensing apparatus in an operational configuration.

In certain embodiments as depicted inFIGS. 7-10, blade84is pivotably mounted to upper arm housing76of the arm assembly. More specifically, upper arm housing76comprises blade hinge knuckles80and blade slot82. Blade84is secured to blade hinge knuckles80by pin86. This connection allows blade84to pivotably adjust relative to upper arm housing76to an extended position as depicted inFIGS. 9-10or a retracted position within blade slot82in upper arm housing76as depicted inFIG. 7.

In the assembled configuration as depicted inFIGS. 9-10, the arm assembly pivotably adjusts relative to upper plate60of the base assembly to the open position as depicted inFIGS. 9-10to receive blister pill package46or closed position to permit the arm assembly to push pill48out of blister pill package46. In the assembled configuration, the top end of spring72is coupled to the interior of arm post92of lower arm member88by first screw70. The bottom end of spring72is coupled to spring post64of upper plate60in the base assembly by second screw70. Second screw70extends through spring post64and base post54. Spring cover74is disposed around spring72and comprises opposing ends secured within arm post92in the arm assembly and upper plate60in the base assembly.

In operation, the alternate pill dispensing apparatus is operated in substantially the same manner as the pill dispensing apparatus previously described in other embodiments. Blade84of the alternate pill dispensing apparatus can be used to cut the back of blister pill package46where pill48is located. The arm assembly is pivotably adjusted relative to the base assembly to the open position as depicted inFIGS. 9-10to allow pill48in blister pill package46to be disposed directly above drop-through opening62in upper plate60. The arm assembly is pivotably adjusted to the closed position by applying a downward force on upper arm housing76when pill48in blister pill package46is aligned with package post90in the arm assembly and drop-through opening62in upper plate60. This downward force compresses spring72and spring cover74between lower arm member88of the arm assembly and upper plate60of the base assembly.

The downward force applied to the arm assembly allows package post90to push pill48in blister pill package46through drop-through opening62in upper plate60to the interior cavity of the base assembly. With blister pill package46removed, the alternate pill dispensing apparatus is tilted to allow pill48to travel through the interior cavity of the base assembly and out spout98. It shall be appreciated that the release of the arm assembly allows spring72and spring cover74to apply a counterforce on lower arm member88to automatically return the arm assembly to the open position. This places the alternate pill dispensing apparatus in the ready position to receive another blister pill package46.

It shall be appreciated that the pill dispensing apparatuses described in embodiments of the invention are beneficial for use to open different types of pill packages (small, oblong, gel, or large) efficiently and can be used sanitarily in a hospital, home setting or other location. It shall be appreciated that the components of the pill dispensing apparatuses described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of the pill dispensing apparatuses described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.