Abstract:
The present invention provides a pill tray that allows a user to efficiently and reliably verify the contents of an automatically filled prescription. Design features that avoid the presence of sharp edges and allow visualization of the entire surface of the pill tray help reduce and/or eliminate the risk of commingling of pills between separate prescriptions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a pill tray for pharmacy use, and more particularly to a pill tray that allows full visual verification of the contents therein to ensure prescription consistency. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pill tray that prevents the commingling of pills and minimizes prescription fill errors during the often repetitive process of prescription verification. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The filling of prescriptions by automated systems has been implemented in many pharmacy practice settings to improve drug distribution, control inventory, reduce labor and decrease medication errors (See, e.g., “Implementation and evaluation of an automated dispensing system,”  Am. J. Health - Syst Pharm.  1995, 52:823-8; “Medication cart-filling time, accuracy, and cost with an automated dispensing system,”  Am. J. Hosp. Pharm.  1994; 51:1193-6). Despite these benefits, and contrary to expectations, studies have demonstrated that the number of prescription filling errors tends to increase with the implementation of automated systems. 
         [0003]    In 2012 all automatically filled prescriptions were required to undergo a process known as Full Visual Verification (FVV). This process requires a pharmacist to pour the contents of each automatically filled prescription vial onto a counting tray to ensure product consistency. Upon verification that a prescription contains the correct type and number of pills, the pharmacist transfers the contents of the counting tray back into the prescription vial. The high volume of prescriptions filled in a typical pharmacy each day often requires the pharmacists to perform FVV for multiple automatically filled prescriptions in sequence. The highly repetitive process of transferring large numbers of pills to and from their respective containers naturally lends itself to errors. One such error, with potentially life threatening consequences, is commingling of medications due to the inadvertent transfer of stray pill(s) from one prescription vial to another. Structural features of the pill tray itself, such as crevices in which pills become temporarily lodged and/or blind spots that limit the pharmacist&#39;s ability to identify stray pills, are a significant factor in these comingling events. In view of the unlimited variety of pill sizes, colors and shapes (e.g., round, oblong, oval, elliptical, square, cylindrical, rectangular, diamond-shaped, cone-shaped triangular, crescent-shaped, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal etc.) even minor surface disruptions within a pill tray represent potential areas in which a pill may become lodged. What is needed is an improved pill tray that allows the pharmacists to verify the accuracy and consistency of prescription contents in a safe and efficient manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a pill counting apparatus comprising a first trapezoidal portion comprising a substantially planar first floor surface comprising first, second, third and fourth sides; the first and third sides of the first trapezoidal portion being substantially parallel to each other; the first side of the first trapezoidal portion characterized by a length that is shorter than the third side of the first trapezoidal portion; a second trapezoidal portion comprising a substantially planar second floor surface comprising first, second, third and fourth sides; the first and third sides of the second trapezoidal portion being substantially parallel to each other; the first side of the second trapezoidal portion characterized by a length that is shorter than the third side of the second trapezoidal portion; the third side of the second trapezoidal portion adjoining the first side of the first trapezoidal portion; the substantially planar second floor surface forming an obtuse angle with respect to the substantially planar first floor surface; an open-ended spout extending from the second trapezoidal portion, the spout comprising a third floor surface adjoining the first side of the second trapezoidal portion; a common sidewall extending upwards from the first floor surface, the second floor surface and the third floor surface; wherein the first trapezoidal portion, the second trapezoidal portion, the spout and the sidewall together define a base portion; and a substantially transparent surface covering the second floor surface, the substantially transparent surface being immoveable with respect to the base portion. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of verifying the consistency of a prescription using the pill counting apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a top view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a side-elevational view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a side-elevational view of a pill tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    While various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
         [0019]    To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims. 
         [0020]    The phrase “and/or,” as used herein should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements being referred to, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some instances and disjunctively present in other instances. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
         [0021]    It will be understood that the term “preferably” as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense. It will be further understood that terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification, such as upper, lower, rear, side, forward, downward, upward, inner and so on, as well as their derivatives and equivalent terms, relate to relative rather than absolute orientations and/or positions. 
         [0022]    Referring to the drawings, and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a pill counting apparatus  1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus  1  may be interchangeably referred to herein as a “pill tray” or a “pharmacy tray.” As referred to herein, a “pill” is any suitable pharmaceutical dosage form. The pill counting apparatus preferably comprises a first trapezoidal portion  9 , second trapezoidal portion  19 , open-ended spout  40 , common sidewall  50  and substantially transparent surface  70 . Together the first trapezoidal portion  9 , second trapezoidal portion  19 , spout  40  and sidewall  50  define base portion  60  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , first trapezoidal portion  9  comprises a substantially planar first floor surface  10  having first  11 , second  12 , third  13  and fourth  14  sides. First side  11  and third side  13  are substantially parallel to each other, with first side  11  having a length that is less (i.e., shorter) than that of third side  13 . The second trapezoidal portion  19  comprises a substantially planar second floor surface  20  having first  21 , second  22 , third  23  and fourth  24  sides. First side  21  and third side  23  are substantially parallel to each other, with first side  21  having a length that is less (i.e., shorter) than that of third side  23 . Third side  23  of second trapezoidal portion  19  adjoins first side  11  of second trapezoidal portion  9 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , second floor surface  20  form an obtuse angle  30  with respect to first floor surface  10 . Common sidewall  50  extends upward from first floor surface  10 , second floor surface  20  and third floor surface  43  (below), as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0024]    Without intending to limit the present invention to any specific dimensions, in one embodiment, the height of sidewall  50  as measured from first floor surface  10  is preferably at least 1.5 inches and more preferably at least 2.0 inches. The height of sidewall  50  as measured from third floor surface  43  is preferably within the range of 1.0 to 1.5 inches. The thickness of sidewall  50 , first floor surface  10  and second floor surface  20  are all preferably within the within the range of 0.10 to 0.30 inches. The third side  13  of first trapezoidal surface portion  9  preferably has a length of at least 7.0 inches, more preferably at least 8.0 inches. The overall length of the pill counting apparatus (i.e., from third side  13  to spout  40 ) is at least 7.0 inches. 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , open-ended spout  40  extends from second trapezoidal portion  19 , and includes a third floor surface  43  that adjoins first side  21  of the second trapezoidal portion  19 . As used herein, the term “spout” refers to any nozzle, funnel other opening through which the liquid or solids contents of a container may be passed or poured. Spout  40  is preferably shaped to fit within the opening of standard prescription vials such that the contents of apparatus  1  may be poured directly into a container such as a prescription vial. Without intending to limit the present invention to any specific dimensions, in one embodiment, open-ended spout  40  has a height of at least 1.0 inches. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , substantially transparent surface  70  covers second floor surface  20  and is immovable with respect to base portion  60 . In another embodiment, substantially transparent surface  70  covers second floor surface  20  and a portion of first floor surface  10 . In yet another embodiment, substantially transparent surface  70  covers a portion of third floor surface  43  (not shown). As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in one embodiment the substantially transparent surface  70  comprises a downwardly extending lip  72  that engages side wall  50 . Substantially transparent surface  70  is preferably fixed to side wall  50  by a variety of attaching means known in the art including, but not limited to adhesives, glues, cements, welding, thermal bonding, injection molding and soldering. Alternatively, substantially transparent surface  70  is removably attached (i.e., for cleaning) to side walls  50  by a variety of attaching means such as clips, clamps, bolts and the like. Regardless of whether the substantially transparent surface  70  is fixed or removeably attached to the base portion  60 , it is said to be immoveable with respect thereto because, when in use, the portion of the substantially transparent surface  70  is fixed relative to the base portion  60 . The location of substantially transparent cover  70  relative to second floor surface  20  allows a user to visualize the entire base portion  60  such any pills lodged within pill counting apparatus  1  may be identified. Without intending to limit the present invention to any specific dimensions, in one embodiment, substantially transparent surface  70  is preferably characterized by a thickness within the range of 0.05 to 0.15 inches, a length of within the range of 6.5 to 7.5 inches and a width within the range of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. 
         [0027]    Firm plastics and flexible adhesives known in the art may be used to provide an apparatus capable of withstanding repetitive use as well as high impact forces, such as when inadvertently dropped to the floor. In one embodiment, first trapezoidal portion  9 , second trapezoidal portion  19  and spout  40  are comprised of one or more polymers such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Similarly, transparent cover  70  is comprised of polymers such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Due to the wide variety pill colors and compositions (i.e., hard shelled capsule, soft shell capsules, gelatin capsules, capsules enclosing liquids, capsules enclosing powders etc.) the polymers used to form the first trapezoidal portion  9 , second trapezoidal portion  19  and spout  40  preferably include a color that provides a high contrast (for example, light blue) with such pills while limiting the build-up of chalky binding agents. 
         [0028]    It will be understood that polymers such as the ones listed above are amenable to a variety of forming methods including, for example, vacuum forming and injection molding. These forming methods provide smoothly contoured transitions between the components of a pill tray, thereby avoiding edges, crevices, ledges, burrs etc. within which pills may become temporarily lodged. As best illustrated by  FIG. 6  (shadowed lines), sidewall  50  extends upward from first floor surface  10  and second floor surface  20  with a smooth (e.g., rounded, tapered, gradual) contour that prevents pills from getting temporarily stuck. Spout  40  extends from second trapezoidal portion  19  with a similar smooth contour. 
         [0029]    Pill counting apparatus  1  may comprise a variety of sizes and shapes, and is in no way limited to the dimensions provided in the present figures. In a preferred embodiment, pill counting apparatus  1  with the approximate dimensions of 8″×6″×2″ (length×width×height) is able to hold the contents of a standard  60  dram prescription flat across first floor surface  10 . The greater length of third side  13  of first floor  10  relative to first side  11  maximizes the area in which pills may be poured and counted. A user may count pills on first floor surface  10  while advancing them with a spatula towards spout  40 . The dimensions of pill counting apparatus  1  defined by first trapezoidal portion  9  and second trapezoidal portion  19  permits the user to tip pill counting apparatus  1  such that the pills slide and/or roll towards spout  40 . The height of sidewall  50  permits the entire contents of a prescription to be poured back into the original prescription vial without any spillage. Substantially transparent cover  70  allows the user to visually verify that no stray pills remain lodged within the pill counting apparatus. In the unlikely event that a stray pill is identified, the user may gently tap spout  40  against the outer rim of the prescription vial to dislodge the pill. 
         [0030]    All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations can be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.