Abstract:
Combination medicine containers and dispensers are shaped similar to or generally the same as standard prescription medicament containers but are configured to dispense one medicament at a time through easy manipulation of integral dispensing means. Each combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle, a cap, and an integral dispensing mechanism that cooperate with one or more structures of the bottle and/or cap to dispense one medicament at a time from the container. In one form, the combination medicine container and dispenser is designed to allow a user to dispense a single medicament through properly applied pressure. In another form, rotation of one or more components provides dispensing of a single medicament.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/335,677 filed Jul. 18, 2014 titled “Combination Medicine Containers and Dispensers” which claims the benefit of and/or priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/847,728 filed Jul. 18, 2013, titled “Combination Medicine Container and Dispenser” the entire contents of each of which is specifically incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to containers for holding medicine in the form of pills, tablets, capsules and the like and, more particularly, to medicine containers for holding pills, tablets, capsules and the like that incorporate medicine dispensing means. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The typical packaging for selling medicines, medicaments and/or prescriptions in the form of pills, tablets, capsules or the like (collectively, and hereinafter, “pill”), especially those used by a pharmacy, is an open-ended plastic cylindrical bottle or container with a separate cap for closing the opening. The cap is securable to the bottle via various attachment methods such as screw threads, interference or snap fit structures, as well as child-proof structures and the like. However, no matter what the style, the cap needs to be removed in order to retrieve or dispense the contents. 
         [0004]    In recognition of this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,295 B1 to Weisman provides a replacement cap for a prescription pill container that allows dispensing of a single pill or capsule without removing the replacement cap. The replacement cap has a transparent hollow storage compartment at its top. The cap has a base that is configured to be received on a typical, child-proof configured top of the prescription pill container. The base includes an opening that is in communication with the interior of the pill container. The transparent lid forming the transparent hollow storage compartment is rotationally disposed on the base and includes an opening that can be selectively positioned over the base opening so as to allow a daily dosage (i.e. a single pill, tablet or capsule) to fall into the transparent lid. The lid may be further rotated to deregister the lid opening from the base opening thereby closing off the container compartment from the lid compartment. A second opening in the side of the transparent lid allows for dispensing the pill or capsule captured in the lid compartment from the lid. However, while the Weisman structure allows for the dispensing of a single pill, it has various shortcomings and/or drawbacks. For instance, the original cap to the prescription container must be replaced, which may be difficult or cumbersome to do. Moreover, in order to dispense a pill or capsule, the container must be turned upside down and shaken or otherwise manipulated in order to have a pill or capsule fall through the cap opening into the lid compartment, and then further manipulated to dispense the pill from the lid compartment through the lid opening. 
         [0005]    Various other known pill dispensing containers have complex or complicated dispensing mechanisms for dispensing a single pill. For instance, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0006700 A1 by Geboers et al., there is provided a pill dispenser having a reservoir with a plurality of compartments, and a positioning disc having a plurality of exit orifices that is configured to dispense pills from the dispenser reservoir in a unit dose manner. This is accomplished by a guiding member that is rotatably arranged between the reservoir and the positioning disc, respectively connecting one compartment with one dedicated exit orifice in dispensing communication by accomplishing a rotary/rotational step. 
         [0006]    Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,668 to Gibilisco et al., where a pill dispensing container that dispenses one pill at a time via a delivery mechanism having a funnel-shaped exit port and a delivery tube at the end of the exit port that is designed to accommodate no more than one pill. The funnel divides the outer receptacle into an upper storage compartment and a lower delivery compartment. A resilient gate member positioned between the exit port and the delivery tube prevents egress of a pill from the delivery tube without actuation of the container. Actuation of the container by pressing and twisting the end of the container allows a pill held by the gate member to be released thereby dispensing the pill from the container. 
         [0007]    Other pill dispensing containers provide a plurality of individual compartments for holding a pill and a cover or housing that is configured to individually dispensing a pill. Examples of this type include U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,335 to Dangles et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,166 to Crowther. These devices however, like the above referenced devices, are cumbersome to use, generally inefficient and hard to manipulate by the typical medication user. 
         [0008]    As discerned from the above, what is therefore needed is a less complicated pill dispensing container. What is further needed is a medicine dispensing container that is easy to manipulate in order to singularly dispense a pill. What is furthermore needed is a medicine dispensing container that is similar to existing pharmaceutical medicine dispensing containers. What is moreover needed is a medicine dispensing container that is simple in construction and manufacture. These and other needs are addressed by the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Disclosed herein are combination medicine containers and dispensers each one being shaped similar to or generally the same as a standard prescription medicament container but which are configured to dispense one medicament at a time through easy manipulation of its dispensing means. 
         [0010]    Each combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle, a cap, and dispensing means that cooperate with one or more structures of the bottle and/or cap to dispense one medicament at a time from the container. Each bottle has a shape that is similar to or the same as typical cylindrical prescription medicine containers. 
         [0011]    In one form, the combination medicine container and dispenser is designed to allow a user to dispense a single medicament through properly applied pressure. Such pressure elastically deforms portions of the container/dispenser to allow a single medicament to be dispensed. 
         [0012]    In an illustrative embodiment of the elastic form of the present combination medicine container and dispenser, the elastic combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle defining an upper generally cylindrical portion and a lower generally cylindrical portion having a flat side, the upper portion sized so as to extend beyond the flat side of the lower portion, thereby defining a ledge within the interior of the upper and lower portions. The rim of the upper portion has a cutout disposed generally opposite the ledge. A generally cylindrical cap, having a window in a side thereof, is configured for reception on the upper portion of the bottle, wherein the window is adjacent the cutout of the upper portion. This allows a medicament to be dispensed from the upper area of the upper portion. An elastic disk-shaped divider is provided within the bottle over the ledge which serves to divide the bottle into a lower area that is within the lower portion of the bottle, and an upper area that is within the upper portion of the bottle. The divider has a cutout that normally lies over the ledge such that there is no communication between the lower area and the upper area. Pressure against the bottle adjacent sides of the divider deforms the divider to move the divider cutout from over the ledge to over the lower area, thereby providing communication between the lower area and the upper area. Manipulation then allows a medicament stored in the lower area to fall into the upper area. The single medicament can then be dispensed through the cap window. 
         [0013]    In one form, the combination medicine container and dispenser is designed to allow a user to dispense a single medicament through rotation of a rotary nest of the dispensing means. Rotation of the rotary nest aligns an indexer of the dispensing means to allow a single medicament of a particular size to be dispensed. 
         [0014]    In an illustrative embodiment of a rotary form of the present combination medicine container and dispenser, the rotary combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle with a generally cylindrical body defining an interior, an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured to receive a cap, while the lower portion has a cutout configured to allow a single medicament to be dispensed therefrom. A divider is situated within the body to define an upper area and a lower area. The divider also includes a central boss and a configured cutout as part of the dispensing means to allow different sized medicaments to be dispensed from the bottle. An indexing cup is disposed on the boss of the divider within the upper area of the upper portion. The indexing cup has a cutout in its bottom that is configured and situated to cooperate with the configured cutout of the divider to allow a medicament to pass from the indexing cup to the lower area of the lower portion of the bottle. The indexing cup may be keyed to one of several cooperating structures on the inside surface of the upper portion in order to fix the rotational position of the indexing cup and register the cutout on the bottom of the indexing cup with a desired size of the slot of the bottle divider. This allows for dispensing medicaments of different sizes from the upper area to the lower area of the bottle. A rotary nest is received in the lower portion of the bottle and includes an inlet for receiving a medicament through the divider and indexing cup and an outlet that can rotationally register with the cutout of the lower portion of the bottle to dispense the medicament received at the inlet. The rotary nest includes a post or stein that extends through the divider boss, through the indexing cup, and into the cap. Rotation of the cap rotates the post which rotates the rotary nest. This allows the inlet and outlets of the rotary nest to selectively register or align with the cutouts of the divider and indexing cup as well as the bottle cutout on the lower portion thereof. 
         [0015]    In another illustrative embodiment of a rotary form of the present combination medicine container and dispenser, the rotary combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle with a generally cylindrical body defining an interior, an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured to receive a cap, while the lower portion has a cutout configured to allow a single medicament to be dispensed therefrom. A divider is situated within the body to define an upper area and a lower area. The divider also includes a central boss and a cutout as part of the dispensing means to allow different sized medicaments to be dispensed from the bottle. An indexing disk, having a plurality of holes each one of a different size, is situated on the divider so as to rotate relative to the divider. This allows the indexing disk to align or register different size holes relative to the divider cutout to dispense different size medicaments. A rotary nest is received in the lower portion of the bottle and includes an inlet for receiving a medicament through the divider and indexing disk and an outlet that can rotationally register with the cutout of the lower portion of the bottle to dispense the medicament received at the inlet. 
         [0016]    The present invention will be more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 , particularly showing the shape of the bottle thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 , particularly showing the medicament dispensing outlet thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the bottle of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the bottle of  FIG. 6 , particularly showing a medicament opening and cap reception structure thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cap reception structure of the bottle of  FIG. 7  taken along circle  8 - 8  thereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the bottle of  FIG. 6 , particularly showing its shape; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the bottle of  FIG. 6 , particularly showing an inner ledge of the bottle of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a divider of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is an isometric top view of a cap of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is an isometric bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 12 , particularly showing its internal structures; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of the combination medicine container and dispenser with the cap removed to illustrate its operation; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view an embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the bottle of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the bottle of  FIG. 18 , particularly showing a divider of the bottle, the divider having a configured slot for dispensing medicaments; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged top plan view of the divider of the bottle as shown in  FIG. 19  taken along circle  20 - 20  thereof; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is an isometric top view of a cap of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is an isometric bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 21 , particularly showing a portion of its internal structure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged view of a portion of the inside of the cap of  FIG. 22  taken along circle  23 - 23  thereof; 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 21 , particularly showing its internal structure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  is an isometric view of an indexing cup of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  is another isometric view of the indexing cup of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged view of a portion of a reception structure of the indexing cup; 
           [0045]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view of a rotary nest structure of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the rotary nest structure of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 30  is an enlarged view of a reception structure of a post of the rotary nest structure of  FIG. 29  taken along circle  30 - 30  thereof; 
           [0048]      FIG. 31  is an enlarged view of a portion of the base of the rotary nest structure of  FIG. 29  taken along circle  31 - 31  thereof; 
           [0049]      FIG. 32  is an embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0050]      FIG. 33  is an exploded view of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 34  is an isometric view of a bottle of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 35  is an isometric view of the rotary nest of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 36  is a top plan view of the rotary nest of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 37  is a side view of the rotary nest of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 38  is a side view of the rotary nest of  FIG. 35 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 39  is an isometric view of the indexing disk of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 40  is a top plan view of the indexing disk of  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 41  is a side view of the indexing disk of  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 42  is an isometric top view of the cap of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 43  is an isometric bottom view of the cap of the combination medicine container and dispenser of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 44  is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 42 ; and 
           [0062]      FIG. 45  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the cap of  FIG. 42 . 
       
    
    
       [0063]    Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures. 
         [0064]    A detailed description of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-15  there is depicted an illustrative embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser, generally designated  10 , fashioned in accordance with the present principles and it components. The combination medicine container and dispenser  10  is configured to dispense a single pill (pill, tablet, capsule or the like) from the top thereof via an integral dispensing means or mechanism, being pressure properly applied to components of the container/dispenser  10  as discussed more fully below. 
         [0066]      FIG. 1  is an assembled view of the medicine container and dispenser  10  while  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the medicine container and dispenser  10  particularly showing the various components thereof. The medicine container and dispenser  10  includes a bottle  12 , a cap  14 , and a divider  16 , with the dispensing means being a combination of features and/or structures of the bottle  12 , cap  14  and divider  16 . While these components are preferably made from plastic, one or more components may be made from other materials as desired. Plastics used may be an acrylic, PETE, or other. 
         [0067]    The bottle  12  is defined by a generally cylindrical body  13  having a top portion  33  and a lower portion  32  that together define an interior  40 . The body  13  further includes a cutout  34  formed in the top sidewall of the upper portion  33  of the body  13 . The cutout  13  is sized to allow a single pill, tablet, capsule or the like (medicament) to be dispensed from the bottle  12  as described herein. As such, bottle  12  may be made having a different sized and/or configured cutout  34  depending on the type and/or size of the pill being held and dispensed. 
         [0068]    A shelf or ledge  35  is provided in the interior  40  of the body  13  between the upper portion  33  and the lower portion  32  that is generally disposed opposite to the cutout  34 . The lower portion  32 , while being generally cylindrical, includes a flat wall  41  on the side which is under the shelf  35 . As such, the flat wall  41  forms a flat inner wall  39 . The shelf  35  thus extends over and beyond the flat wall  41 . The shelf  27  defines an upper area that is within the upper portion  33  of the body  13 , and a lower area that is within the lower portion  32  of the body  13 . The medicament is stored in the lower area while a medicament is dispensed from the upper area. 
         [0069]    The body  13  further includes a cap retention structure between the upper portion  33  and the lower portion  32 . The upper portion  33  is slightly larger than the lower portion  32  and thus defines an overhang  37  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 7-8 ). The overhang  37 , in cooperation with structures on the cap (as described below), allow the cap to “snap-fit” onto the top portion  33 . An annular ridge  36  is provided below the overhang  37  and around the body  13  creating a recessed band  38  around the body  13 . 
         [0070]    The divider is particularly shown in  FIG. 11 . The divider is defined by a generally round, flat disk  17  with a notch  18  provided in an edge of the disk  17 . As seen in  FIG. 15 , wherein the cap  14  is not shown, the disk  17  is shown situated in the bottle  12 . The divider  16  is sized so as to completely divide the upper area of the upper portion  33  from the lower area of the lower portion  32 . The notch  18  is positioned over the shelf  35 . In the position shown, medicaments (not shown) in the lower area of the lower portion  32  are blocked from entering the upper area of the upper portion  32 . However, when pressure P is applied to the sides of the bottle  13  as indicted by the arrows in  FIG. 15  (but not particularly at the points on the body  13  as shown by the arrows, as the pressure may be applied to different points about the bottle  13  in order for the divider to operate in the manner described herein), the divider deforms slightly such that the notch  18  moves away from the shelf  35 , thereby allowing a single medicament (not shown) to pass from the lower area of the lower portion  32  to the upper area of the upper portion  33 . Release of the pressure allows the divider to return to its normal unbiased state as shown in  FIG. 15 . Once the medicament is in the upper area of the upper portion  33 , it can be dispensed through the notch  34  of the bottle  13  and a window  20  of the bottle  13  (collectively, medicament outlet  19 , see e.g.  FIG. 1 ). The notch  18  is preferably, but not necessarily, disposed at the middle of the shelf edge. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , the cap  14  is particularly shown. The cap  14  is defined by a body  15  that is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an upper surface  22  and a lower surface  23 . The upper surface  22  may include writing, indicia or the like if desired, or allow labels to adhere thereto. The body  15  has a plurality of vertically disposed gripping ribs  21  on its outside surface. A window  20  is provided in a boss  24  of one side of the annular wall of the body  15 . On the inside surface of the annular wall of the body  15  adjacent the boss  24  is a projection  29  that is used to attach the cap  14  to the bottle  12 . A boss  25  is provided in the side of the annular wall of the body  15  opposite the boss  24 . A projection  30  is provided on the inside surface of the annular wall of the body  15  adjacent the boss  25  that is likewise use to attach the cap  14  to the bottle  12 . As best discerned in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an annular wall  26  is provided on the inside of the body  13  that is radially inward of the annular wall of the cap  14 . As such, an annular space  28  is defined between the walls. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the top of the bottle  12  fits into the annular space  28 . The annular inside wall  26  has a cutout  27  that is aligned with the cutout  20  of the annular wall of the cap  14  such that the medicament outlet  19  is formed by cutouts  20  and  27 . This allows a medicament to be dispensed from the upper area of the upper portion  33  of the bottle  12  via the medicament outlet  19 . 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIGS. 16-31  there is depicted another illustrative embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser, generally designated  50 , fashioned in accordance with the present principles and it components. The combination medicine container and dispenser  50  is configured to dispense a single pill (pill, tablet, capsule or the like) from the top thereof via thereof via an integral dispensing means or mechanism, being rotary motion applied to components of the container/dispenser  50  as discussed more fully below. 
         [0073]      FIG. 16  is an assembled view of the medicine container and dispenser  50  while  FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the present medicine container and dispenser  50  particularly showing the various components thereof. The medicine container and dispenser  50  includes a bottle  52 , an indexing cup  54 , a rotary dispenser or nest  56 , and a cap  58 , with the dispensing means being a combination of features and/or structures of the various components. While these components are preferably made from plastic, one or more components may be made from other materials as desired. Plastics used may be an acrylic, PETE, or other. 
         [0074]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 18-20 , the bottle  52  is defined by a generally cylindrical body  53  having a top portion  70  defining an upper area  67  within its interior, and a lower portion  64  defining a lower area  66  within its interior. The body  53  further includes a cutout  65  formed in the lower sidewall of the lower portion  64  of the body  53 . The cutout  65  is sized to allow a single pill, tablet, capsule or the like (medicament) to be dispensed from the bottle  52  as described herein. As such, bottle  52  may be made having a different sized and/or configured cutout  65  depending on the type and/or size of the pill being held and dispensed. 
         [0075]    A divider or shelf  60  is provided in the interior  66  of the lower portion  64  of the body  53  generally proximate the cutout  65  such that a lower area is defined between the divider  60  and the lower end of the lower portion  64 . The single medicament is dispensed from the lower area. The divider  60  includes a central boss  62  having a bore  63  extending through the boss  62 . A slot  61  is provided in the divider  60 . The slot  61  is configured so its side walls define a varying width. Particularly, the slot  61  is configured as an arch or a portion of a spiral having a narrow end  61   a  and a large end  61   b  (see  FIG. 20 ). Exemplary dimensions are from a narrow end  61   a  of 4 mm to a large end  61   b  of 12 mm. Of course, other dimensions may be used. 
         [0076]    The upper portion  70  of the body  53  includes a cap retention structure approximately between the upper portion  70  and the lower portion  64  of the body  53 . The upper portion  70  may be slightly larger than the lower portion  64  and thus defines a slight overhang. On the outside surface of the upper portion  70  proximate the overhang is a first configured slot  71  and a second configured slot  72 . As seen in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the slots are disposed diametrically opposite one another. However, it should be recognized that more than two configured slots may be used or similar structures. The slots  71 ,  72  cooperate with structures on the cap (as described below), allowing the cap to attach onto the top portion  33  and rotate. While not shown, child-proof structures may be incorporated into this as well as the other embodiments. 
         [0077]    The upper portion  70  of the body further includes a plurality of vertical grooves  69  on the inside surface of the upper portion  70 . As discussed more fully below, the vertical grooves  69  cooperate with a mating structure  94  of the indexing cup  94  to allow the indexing cup  54  to be retained in a particular rotational position, thereby setting the size of a medicament that the container/dispenser  50  can singularly dispense from a range of medicament sizes. The grooves can be marked to show the chosen opening diameter for the medicament. 
         [0078]    The indexing cup  54  is particularly shown in  FIGS. 25-27 . The indexing cup  54  has a generally cylindrical body  55  with a closed bottom  91  and an open top  89  thus defining an interior  88 . A central bore  92  is provided in the bottom as well as a configured hole or slot  93 . The configured hole  93  is shaped to have a radial center line that registers or indexes with the slot  61  of the divider  60  of the bottle  52 . Rotation of the indexing cup  54  relative to the divider  60  creates an opening between the upper area  67  and the lower area  66  of a particular size. Referring to  FIG. 27 , the mating structure  94  of the indexing cup is best seen. The mating structure  94  includes a key  98  projecting from the end  99  of a finger or tine  97  formed by first and second slots  95 ,  96 . The key  98  mates with the grooves  69  of the upper portion  70  of the body  53 . Particularly, the indexing cup is received in the bottle  52  from the top with the rotational position thereof fixed by the reception of the key  98  in one or the grooves  69 . Rotational position of the indexing cup  54  determines the size of the hole between the medicament holding area and the medicament dispensing area. The indexing cup  54  is what holds the medicaments to be dispensed. Once the indexing cup  94  is positioned and the cap  58  is attached to the bottle  52 , the indexing cup  94  is stationary and never moves. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-24 , the cap  58  is particularly shown. The cap  58  is defined by a body  59  that is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an upper surface  75  and a lower surface  76 . The upper surface  75  may include writing, indicia or the like if desired, or allow labels to adhere thereto. The body  59  has a plurality of vertically disposed gripping ribs  74  on its outside surface. A gripping/thumb area  84  is provided on the side of the annular wall of the body  59 . Another gripping/thumb area  82  is provided on the side of the annular wall of the body  59  diametrically opposite the gripping/thumb area  84 . On the inside surface of the annular wall of the body  59  adjacent the gripping/thumb area  84  is a projection  85  that is used to attach the cap  58  to the bottle  52 . A projection  83  is provided on the inside surface of the annular wall of the body  59  adjacent the gripping/thumb area  82  that is likewise used to attach the cap  58  to the bottle  52 . 
         [0080]    As best discerned in  FIGS. 22 and 24 , a first annular wall  80  extends from the bottom  76  of the body  59  and is positioned radially inward of the annular wall of the cap  58 . The first annular wall  80  is arch shaped and extends only a portion around a stein  77  of the cap  58 . A second annular wall  81  extends from the bottom  76  of the body  59  and is positioned radially inward of the annular wall of the cap  58 . The second annular wall  81  is arch shaped and extends only a portion around the stein  77 . As such, an annular space is defined between the inner walls  80 ,  81  and the annular wall of the cap  58 . In like manner as the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the top of the bottle  52  fits into the annular space of the cap  58 . 
         [0081]    The stein  77  of the cap  58  extends axially from the bottom  76  of the cap body  59 . A bore  78  extends through the stein  77  preferably, but not necessarily, from the top of the stein  77  to the bottom  76  of the cap  58 . A flat  79  is formed in the bore  78 . The flat  79  allows the stein  100  of the rotary dispenser  56  to be keyed thereto, such that rotation of the cap rotates the stein  100  which rotates the rotary dispenser  56 . 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIGS. 28-31 , the rotary dispenser or nest  56  is shown. The rotary dispenser  56  has a generally cylindrical body  57  with the post or stein  100  extending vertically from a top  112  of the body  57 . One side of the cylindrical body  57  has a channel  108  formed therein which defines an inlet  111  in the top surface  112  of the body  57  and an outlet  110  in the side of the body  57 . A dispensing surface  109  is also defined that extends between the inlet  111  and the outlet  110 . When the rotary nest  56  is rotated, the inlet  111  can be registered under the hole  61  of the divider  69  and hole  93  of the indexing cup  54  to receive a single medicament, while the outlet  110  can be registered adjacent the cutout  65  in the bottom of the bottle  52  in order to dispense the single medicament. 
         [0083]    The tip  102  of the post  100  has a mating structure or bard that is configured for reception in the stein  77  of the cap  58 . As best seed in  FIGS. 28-30 , the tip  102  has a vertical slot  105  that extends axially down the post  100  to define a first tine  103  and a second tine  104 . A projection  106  is provided at the top of the tine  104 . The bottom of the tine  104  includes a taper  107 . This structure locks the cap  58  to the rotary nest  56 . 
         [0084]    In use, the indexing cup  54  is filled with the medicament. The indexing cup  54  is placed into the bottle  52  in a rotational position to register or align the hole  93  of the indexing cup  54  with a portion of the slot  61  of the divider such that the size of the resultant opening will allow a single medicament to pass therethrough. The projection  98  of the indexing cup  54  is received the appropriate groove  69  of the bottle  52 . The cap  58  is then locked onto the post  100  of the rotary nest  56 . Rotation of the cap  58  rotates the rotary nest  56  as described above to dispense a medicament. 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIGS. 32-45  there is depicted another illustrative embodiment of a combination medicine container and dispenser, generally designated  130 , fashioned in accordance with the present principles and it components. The combination medicine container and dispenser  130  is configured to dispense a single pill (pill, tablet, capsule or the like) from the bottom thereof via thereof via an integral dispensing means or mechanism, being rotary motion applied to components of the container/dispenser  130  as discussed more fully below. 
         [0086]      FIG. 32  is an assembled view of the medicine container and dispenser  130  while  FIG. 33  is an exploded view of the present medicine container and dispenser  130  particularly showing the various components thereof. The medicine container and dispenser  130  includes a bottle  132 , a cap  134 , indexing disk  138 , and a rotary dispenser or nest  136 , with the dispensing means being a combination of features and/or structures of the various components. While these components are preferably made from plastic, one or more components may be made from other materials as desired. Plastics used may be an acrylic, PETE, or other. 
         [0087]    With particular reference to  FIG. 34 , the bottle  132  is defined by a generally cylindrical body  133  having an upper portion  179  defining an upper area  180  within its interior, and a lower portion  171  defining a lower area  170  within its interior. The body  133  further includes a cutout  172  formed in the lower sidewall of the lower portion  171  of the body  133 . The cutout  172  is sized to allow a single pill, tablet, capsule or the like (medicament) to be dispensed from the bottle  132  as described herein. As such, bottle  132  may be made having a different sized and/or configured cutout  172  depending on the type and/or size of the pill being held and dispensed. 
         [0088]    A divider or shelf  173  is provided in the interior  170  of the lower portion  171  of the body  133  generally proximate the cutout  172  such that a lower area is defined between the divider  173  and the lower end of the lower portion  171 . The single medicament is dispensed from the lower area. The divider  173  includes a central bore  174  and a medicament hole  175  adjacent the central bore  174 . The divider  173  further has three upstanding guides  176 ,  177 ,  178  for retaining and stabilizing the indexing disk  138 . 
         [0089]    The upper portion  179  of the body  133  includes a cap retention structure approximately between the upper portion  179  and the lower portion  171  of the body  133 . The upper portion  179  may be slightly larger than the lower portion  171  and thus defines a slight overhang. The overhang cooperate with structures on the cap (as described below), allowing the cap to attach onto the top portion  33  and rotate. While not shown, child-proof structures may be incorporated into this as well as the other embodiments. 
         [0090]    The indexing disk  138  is particularly shown in  FIGS. 39-41 . The indexing disk  138  has a generally flat, circular body  139  with a central hub  153  and an indexing means  140  defined by a plurality of holes  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146  each of a different size. As best seen in  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the central hub  153  projects axially from the disk  138  and is defined by first and second hub portions  154 ,  155 . The hub portions  154 ,  155  fit into the central bore  174  of the divider  173  such that the disk  138  is rotatable relative to the divider  173 . Rotation of the disk  138  registers one of the holes  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146  with the hole  175  of the divider  172  to allow a medicament to pass therethrough. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIGS. 42-45 , the cap  134  is particularly shown. The cap  134  is defined by a body  135  that is generally cylindrical in shape and defines an upper surface  160  and a lower surface  161 . The upper surface  160  may include writing, indicia or the like if desired, or allow labels to adhere thereto. The body  135  has a plurality of vertically disposed gripping ribs  158  on its outside surface. A gripping/thumb area  159  is provided on the side of the annular wall of the body  135 . Another gripping/thumb area may be provided on the side of the annular wall of the body  135  diametrically opposite the gripping/thumb area  159 . On the inside surface of the annular wall of the body  135  adjacent the gripping/thumb area  159  is a projection  166  that is used to attach the cap  135  to the bottle  132 . A projection  164  is also provided on the inside surface  163  of the annular wall of the body  135  adjacent the gripping/thumb area  159  that is likewise used to attach the cap  134  to the bottle  152 . The projection  164  is particularly shown in  FIG. 45 . The projection  164  defines a ledge  165  that snap fits under the upper portion  170  of the bottle  132 . The projection  166  has and does likewise. 
         [0092]    As best discerned in  FIGS. 43 and 44 , a first annular wall  168  extends from the bottom  161  of the body  135  and is positioned radially inward of the annular wall of the cap  134 . The first annular wall  168  is arch shaped and extends only a portion about the cap  134 . A second annular wall  169  extends from the bottom  161  of the body  135  and is positioned radially inward of the annular wall of the cap  134 . The second annular wall  169  is arch shaped and extends only a portion about the cap  134 . As such, an annular space is defined between the inner walls  168 ,  169  and the annular wall of the cap  134 . In like manner as the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the top of the bottle  132  fits into the annular space of the cap  134 . 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIGS. 35-38 , the rotary dispenser or nest  136  is shown. The rotary dispenser  136  has a generally cylindrical, knurled base  188  with an enlarged stein  184  extending vertically from the base  188  thereby defining flats  185 ,  186  on sides thereof. One side of the stein  184  has a channel  190  formed therein which defines an inlet in the top surface of the stein  184  and an outlet in the side of the stein  184 . When the rotary nest  136  is rotated, the inlet of the stein  184  can be registered under the hole  175  of the divider  173  and a hole  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146  of the indexing disk  138  to receive a single medicament, while the outlet can be registered adjacent the cutout  172  in the bottom of the bottle  152  in order to dispense the single medicament. An indexing means  192  is also provided on the end of the stein  184  opposite the channel  190 . 
         [0094]    In use, the indexing disk  138  is positioned onto and over the divider  173  such that an appropriate hole  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146  of the indexing disk  138  is over the divider hole  175 . Thereafter, the bottle  132  is filled with the medicament. The cap  134  is then secured onto the bottle  132 . For dispensing a medicament, the rotary nest  136  is rotated to align, index or register the channel  190  with the divider hole  175  and a medicament falls into the channel  190 . The rotary nest  136  is rotated such that the channel aligns, indexes or registers with the cutout/outlet  172 . 
         [0095]    Any and all references cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they supplement, explain, provide a background for or teach methodology or techniques employed herein.