Abstract:
A compact, portable tablet dispenser is particularly adapted for carrying aspirin tablets for ingestion as therapy upon the onset of a suspected heart attack. The tablets are in a blister within the dispenser, which includes actuators aligned with the tablets to eject the tablets through an aperture in the dispenser. Upon operation, the actuators provide a permanent indication that a tablet has been ejected. The dispenser may include electronic circuitry to provide reinforcement and/or guidance, for its use and may include means for alerting a third party, such as by a 911 call, of its activation.

Description:
The present invention relates to a new and improved tablet dispenser, and to a tablet dispenser particularly designed for portability and for the dispensation of aspirin tablets to be taken by an individual in the case of a suspected heart attack. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Scientific evidence is mounting that, for an individual not otherwise allergic to aspirin, the chewing of an aspirin tablet upon the suspected onset of heart attack symptoms may reduce the risk of death. See, generally www.americanheart.org. With the onset of such symptoms, it is important that, if aspirin therapy is appropriate, the aspirin tablet be taken promptly. It is thus of significant value to provide an aspirin holder or dispenser which can be easily carried by an individual and which can be activated simply and quickly, particularly when the user may be in an agitated state. It is also advantageous that the individual be knowledgeable of the steps to be taken, including the taking of the tablet, if a heart attack is suspected, and that the individual have guidance and/or reinforcement of the steps to be taken, particularly since the onset of the symptoms of a heart attack often itself creates a stressful situation. If there is a risk that the individual may panic or otherwise be incapable of taking the needed steps, or if the individual simply feels that further assistance is required, a third-party notification or alarm associated with the dispenser is also of value. 
   The prior art discloses a variety of tablet and pill dispensers which are of a general configuration which permit them to be carried by an individual. Representative of such teachings are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,958,690; 4,078,660; 4,384,649; and 4,420,076, among others. In general, however, the prior art fails to provide a portable dispenser, and particularly a dispenser adapted for the prompt dispensation of aspirin tablets having particular features which are beneficial for use in connection with aspirin therapy upon the suspected onset of a heart attack. 
   It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide a portable tablet dispenser particularly adapted to facilitate the dispensation of an aspirin tablet by an individual for taking in the case of a suspected heart attack. 
   Yet a further purpose of the present invention is to provide such a dispenser with the ability to provide reinforcement to the individual in connection with approved aspirin therapy at the time of dispensation. 
   Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a dispenser having the ability to broadcast an alarm or position information to facilitate the locating of the individual and the dispatch of aid thereto. 
   Still a further purpose of the present invention is to provide such a dispenser that is efficient and economical in manufacture and use. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the foregoing and other objects and purposes, a tablet dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention is a small, transportable device in which a blister card-type carrier for one or more tablets, such as aspirin tablets, can be placed. The carrier may preferably be of a modified “clam shell” type, allowing access to the interior of the dispenser for loading of the blister pack. 
   The dispenser may preferably include integral ejectors associated with each of the pills or tablets to be carried by the dispenser. The ejectors may be located on a first side or surface of the dispenser, their activation driving the associated tablet through an aligned aperture on an opposed side or surface of the dispenser. Each of the ejectors may have a “one way” action to provide a positive indication of use and to provide visual clues that the tablet associated therewith has been previously ejected. With such a construction, it is contemplated that the dispenser can be of a disposable nature, with a “one use” action-preventing refill. Preferably, the ejectors are of a construction which facilitate the discharge of the tablet from the surrounding blister pack, while minimizing the risk of damage to the tablet during ejection. 
   In alternative embodiments of the invention, the operation of an ejector by the user may trigger the operation of electronic circuitry adapted to enhance the effectiveness of the dispensation. Such enhancements may include, for example, the activation of voice synthesis circuitry to generate oral instructions to the user, and/or the broadcast of an appropriate radio signal to allow the location of the dispenser, and thus the user, to be pinpointed to facilitate the dispatch of medical help. Such enhancements may also be activated independently from tablet dispensation, and may be incorporated into a reusable or refillable construction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A fuller understanding of the present invention will be received upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the invention when reviewed in association with the annexed drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the dispenser taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dispenser in an open configuration, detailing the placement of a tablet carrier therein; 
       FIG. 4  is a detail sectional view depicting actuation of the dispenser for ejection of a tablet therefrom; 
       FIG. 5  is a section view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  (the severed blister pack being omitted); and 
       FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view corresponding to the left portion of  FIG. 2 , depicting the inclusion of electronic circuitry in the dispenser. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With initial reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , tablet dispenser  10  may be of generally elongated shape with overall dimensions commensurate with personal transport, to be carried in a pocket, purse, on a key chain, or the like. The overall length of the device may be in the range of three inches. In the embodiment shown, the dispenser is adapted to dispense two tablets. 
   The dispenser comprises a main base or bottom portion  12  and a cover  14 , which may be pivotally attached to the base at a first end thereof, and which form bottom and top walls for the dispenser. The cover carries a pair of ejectors  16  that overlie a corresponding pair of pills or tablets, such as aspirin tablets  20 , located within the dispenser within blister packaging  22 . As known, a blister pack typically consists of a formed piece of pvc or similar plastic having a series of “blisters” attached to a plastic, paperboard or foil substrate. The blisters accommodate the product to be dispensed. For use in the present invention, the blister pack is of the general type in which the blister can be manually deformed and depressed against the enclosed tablet to cause the tablet to rupture the substrate and drive the tablet out of the pack. A pair of corresponding ejection apertures or ports  18  are formed in the dispenser base  12  through which the tablets  20  pass when dispensed through manual actuation of the ejectors  16 . The dispenser base  12  may also be fabricated with an aperture  24  whereby the dispenser may be placed on a key ring, key chain, or the like. A latching mechanism  26  may be provided to retain the cover  14  in the closed position upon the base. 
   With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , base  12  incorporates a tray-like support for the blister pack  22 , which rests upon an internal spine  34  extending upwardly from the base floor. The spine  34  includes circular portions  36  which define the walls for the ejection ports  18  and which are positioned to align with the tablets  20  in the blister pack. Preferably, the blister pack  22  is placed within the dispenser with the blisters thereof and the enclosed tablets facing upwards, in a direction opposed to the ejection ports  18  as depicted in the Figures. Internal tabs  38  may be provided on dispenser base sidewalls  32 , spaced slightly above the height of the spine  34 , to retain the blister pack in place, the lateral edges of the blister pack being caught under the tabs. The side wall  32  may also be provided with an internal peripheral ledge  30  which mates with a corresponding shoulder or flange  44  on the sidewall of the cover  14  to enhance the seal and alignment between the base and cover when the dispenser is closed. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the ejectors  16  comprises a domed actuator  40  connected to the surrounding cover  14  by a series of legs  42 . Preferably, the actuator, legs and cover are formed as an integral unit by an appropriate molding process. The legs support the actuator with its upper surface extending above the top surface of the surrounding cover, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , allowing the actuator to be easily located during use. The legs are preferably constructed such that, with downward pressure upon the actuator, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the legs are severed, both allowing the ejector to move downward to eject the tablet and providing a clear indication that the corresponding tablet has been dispensed. 
   The actuator dome is preferably constructed with its bottom surface  46  supporting ribs  50 , preferably arranged in a cruciform manner, the bottom surfaces of the ribs may be flat or slightly convex to apply force to the center of the blister positioned below the actuator and ribs. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the blister pack  22  is preferably of a construction in which the shape of the blister closely follows the upper contour of the tablet with minimal space between the blister and tablet. Such a construction minimizes deformation of the blister before the tablet is driven downward. In addition, the ribs  50  are dimensioned to provide a small preload upon the blister when the dispenser is closed. This assists in stabilizing the blister pack. 
   While the dispensation of an aspirin tablet upon the onset of a suspected heart attack may be of great aid to the stricken party, taking the tablet in an improper manner, or failing to seek timely aid, can result in potentially dire consequences. Accordingly, the present invention provides additional features to enhance and complement its aspirin-dispensing feature. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the dispenser  10  may be constructed with an elongated end portion, forming a chamber in which miniaturized electronic components may be carried to provide several different functions. Encapsulated circuit board  58 , which may include an integral battery power supply, is connected by leads  60  to switch  62 , configured to close or activate a circuit on circuit board  58  when the associated ejector  16 ′ is operated. The circuit may be, for example, a pre-programmed voice synthesis circuit with a miniaturized speaker  64  that plays a set of prerecorded instructions upon actuated, such as instructions to chew, rather than swallow whole, the aspirin tablet, seek immediate medical care, etc. Alternatively, the circuit board  58  may support a preprogrammed cell phone dialer, allowing a radio call to be broadcast to a 911 or other facility, either with a capability for the user to engage in a conversation, using speaker  64  as a speaker and microphone, or by transmitting a stored message. Wireless GPS positioning technology may also be utilized to allow the location of the dispenser and hence the user to be pinpointed by the generation of an appropriate signal. 
   As shown, the circuit can be activated concurrently with the dispensation of a tablet. Alternatively, however, the dispenser can be configured whereby a tablet is not associated with the ejector  16 ′, in which case the domed actuator  40  serves solely as an actuator for switch  62 . In either case, where more that one actuator  40  is present it may be advantageous to configure the two actuators differently, such as by including raised indicia  66  on the actuator, to distinguish the circuit activator actuator from an actuator serving only to eject a tablet. The circuit can also be connected to a pair of switches  62  in parallel associated with separate actuators, allowing the circuitry to be enabled when either ejector is operated.