Abstract:
The present invention is a pill dispenser and organizer to provide easy access and clear organization of various pills to be consumed daily. The dispenser can hold pills in 12 compartments (4 rows of 3 columns each) or 28 compartments (4 rows of 7 columns each). In operation, a user drops pills from the top of the dispenser into the columns of the topmost row. Various embodiments of a mechanism on the side of each row (except the bottommost row) allows the user to transfer the pills from a column in a higher row to a column in a lower row. A set of mechanisms allow the user to remove the pills from the bottommost row, one column at a time. The present invention can be rectangular (the compartments lined in rows and columns) or circular in shape (the compartments extending radially from the center).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/500,036, entitled “Pill Dispenser”, filed on Sep. 4, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention is in the field of pill dispenser and organizer.  
         [0004]     2. Background Art  
         [0005]     Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
         [0006]     Many people rely on organizers and dispensers to keep track of medication that have to be taken regularly. Organizers help users remember what pills to take and when. In some cases, medication is put into compartments by someone other that the person consuming the medication. The person consuming the medication may be relying on the dispensers to keep up a medication regimen. Ease of access and clear organization are some important features in pill organizers and dispensers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a pill dispenser and organizer. The dispenser and organizer embodiments of the present invention provide easy access to pills and clear organization for the different pills to be consumed daily. According to one embodiment, the dispenser is rectangle shaped organized in 12 compartments (4 rows of 3 compartments each). This is the travel size embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment, the dispenser is rectangle shaped organized in 28 compartments (4 rows of 7 compartments each). According to another embodiment, the dispenser is circular shaped organized into compartments that extend radially from the center.  
         [0008]     In the rectangular shaped embodiment of the organizer, there is a lid which has to be open by a user to deposit pills or other contents into each column of the topmost row. According to another embodiment, there is a mechanism at each row of the dispenser (except the bottommost row) that allows the user to transfer the contents of each column of a row into a corresponding column in a lower row. According to another embodiment, the transfer is further aided by a slanted section within each column that slides the contents entering the top of each column to the bottom. According to another embodiment, the mechanism at each row has various operating modes. According to another embodiment, the bottommost row has a mechanism for each of its columns to assist the user to remove the contents of each column.  
         [0009]     In the circular shaped embodiment of the organizer, there is a funnel shaped inlet at the top of the organizer via which a user can deposit pills or other contents into a compartment. According to another embodiment there is a trap door at the bottom of the organizer via which the pills or other contents can be removed by a user. According to another embodiment, the organizer has a rotating hub in the center with several holes that a user could use to rotate the organizer.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a pill compartment that is not in the bottom row of the pill dispenser depicted in  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a pill compartment that is in the bottom row of the pill dispenser depicted in  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a pill compartment that is not in the bottom row of the pill dispenser depicted in  FIG. 6 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a drawer compartment that is in the bottom row of the pill dispenser depicted in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a trap door assembly in the circular organizer depicted in  FIG. 9 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     The present invention is directed to a pill dispenser and organizer. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.  
         [0000]     Travel Size Dispenser  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a pill dispenser  100  comprising of a trap door  101  and pill compartments  102 . Pill compartments  102  are organized in a matrix of M columns wide and N rows high. According to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the pill dispenser is organized in 12 compartments—4 rows of 3 compartments each. This is the travel size embodiment of the present invention. Trap door  101  is located above the top row, allowing pills to be deposited into the top row compartments. Pill dispenser  100  is made of clear plastic or other see-through material allowing the user to see what pills or other contents are stored in each compartment.  
         [0023]     Pill dispenser  100  also comprises of a slide button  103  located at the end of each row, except the bottom row, to facilitate transfer of pills from one row to the next. Sliding the slide button  103  to the right slides that row bottom releasing the pills in the current row to the row below. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , three slide buttons are provided for the top three rows. A row of door guards  105  are located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser. These door guards stop the contents of the bottommost row to spill out accidentally.  
         [0024]     Another set of push buttons  104  are located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser. Each push button is used to release the pills stored in the corresponding pill compartments in the bottom row. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , there are three such push buttons provided for the three compartments in the bottom row.  
         [0000]     Weekly Dispenser  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the present invention. Pill dispenser  200  comprises of a trap door  201  and pill compartments  202 . Pill compartments  202  are organized in a matrix of M columns wide and N rows high. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , M is 7 and N is 4, allowing the pill dispenser to store 4 weeks supply of pills. Trap door  201  is located above the top row, allowing pills to be deposited into the top row compartments. Pill dispenser  200  is made of clear plastic or other see-through material, allowing the user to what pills are stored in each compartment.  
         [0026]     A push button  203  is located at the end of each row of pill compartments to facilitate transfer of pills from one row to the next. Pushing push button  203  will release pills in the current row to the row below. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , three push buttons are provided for the top three rows.  
         [0027]     Another set of push buttons  204  are located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser. Each push button is used to release the pills stored in the corresponding pill compartments in the bottom row. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , there are seven of such push buttons provided for the seven pill compartments in the bottom row.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of one of the pill compartments in the pill dispenser that is not in the bottommost row of the dispenser. The pill compartment comprises a pill rake  301 , a portion of slide body  302 , a bottom slide  303 , and back slide  305 . Pill rake  301  is used for moving pills such as gel caps that may be stuck inside the compartment. This pill compartment is located at the end of a row, which makes it adjacent to push button  203  and its associated spring  306 . When pills are deposited into a pill compartment, they slide down back slide  305  and rest on bottom slide  303 . The pill compartment as shown in  FIG. 3  is in the “closed” position. When push button  203  is pushed, bottom slide  303  is moved toward back slide  305  so that any pill resting on bottom slide  303  will fall to the pill compartment below. This is the “open” position. All the bottom slides on the same row are connected by slide body  302  so that a push at push button  203  can move all the bottom slides in the row. Spring  306  is attached to push button  203  to ensure that all bottom slides  303  return to the “closed” position by default. Spring  306  also ensures that bottom slides  303  stay in the “closed” position and do not move accidentally into the “open” position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring  306  is located outside the body of the pill dispenser  100  (or  200 ).  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the present invention. Pill dispenser  200  comprises pill compartments  202 . Pill compartments  202  are organized in a matrix of M columns wide and N rows high. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , M is 7 and N is 4, allowing the pill dispenser to store 4 weeks supply of pills. Pill dispenser  200  is made of clear plastic or other see-through material, allowing the user to what pills are stored in each compartment.  
         [0030]     A pull button  400  is located at the end of each row of pill compartments to facilitate transfer of pills from one row to the next. Pulling button  400  will release pills in the current row to the row below. In the embodiment as shown, three pull buttons are provided for the top three rows. When pills are deposited into a pill compartment, they slide down back slide  305  and rest on bottom slide  303 . The pill compartment as shown in  FIG. 4  is in the “closed” position. When pull button  400  is pulled, bottom slide  303  is moved toward back slide  305  so that any pill resting on bottom slide  303  will fall to the pill compartment below. This is the “open” position. Spring  306  is attached to pull button  400  to ensure that all bottom slides  303  return to the “closed” position by default. Spring  306  also ensures that bottom slides  303  stay in the “closed” position and do not move accidentally into the “open” position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring  306  is located inside the body of the pill dispenser  200  (or  100 ).  
         [0031]     A set of push buttons  204  are located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser. Each push button is used to release the pills stored in the corresponding pill compartments in the bottom row. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , there are seven of such push buttons provided for the seven pill compartments in the bottom row.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a pill compartment in the bottom row of a pill dispenser. The pill compartment comprises a slide body  504 , a back slide  305 , a slide arm  503 , a push button  204 , and a spring  306 . When pills are deposited into this pill compartment, they slide down back slide  305  and rest on slide body  504 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pill compartment is in the “closed” position. When push button  204  is pushed, the slide arm  503  is moved inward so that slide body  504  is moved into the “open” position. In this position, any pill that was previously resting on slide body  504  falls out of the pill dispenser and can be collected for consumption. Spring  306  is attached to push button  204  to ensure that slide body  504  returns to the “closed” position. Spring  306  also ensures that slide body  504  stays in the “closed” position and does not move accidentally into the “open” position.  
         [0033]     In operation, a user would insert pills into the pill compartments in the top row by opening trap door  101  (or  201 ). Then the user would press push buttons  203  (or pull buttons  400 ) on the side to release the pills so that they eventually fall to the bottommost row and rest there. Subsequently, the second to the bottom row can be filled. Then the second from the top row can be filled. Finally, the top row can be filled. Once all the pills in the bottommost row are consumed, the user can use push buttons  203  (or pull buttons  400 ) on the side to move all pills down one row. The top row now becomes empty and is ready for refill. Push buttons  203  (or pull buttons  400 ) provide an easy way to rotate the supply of pills. The pills in the bottommost are collected for consumption by a user by pressing push button  204 , or by pressing push surface  804  (see below).  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the present invention. Pill dispenser  600  also comprises of a trap door  201  and pill compartments  202 . Pill compartments  202  are organized in a matrix of M columns wide and N rows high. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , M is 7 and N is 4, allowing the pill dispenser to store 4 weeks supply of pills. Trap door  201  is located on the top row, allowing pills to be deposited into the compartments on the top row. Pill dispenser  600  is made of clear plastic or other see-through material, allowing the user to what pills are stored in each compartment.  
         [0035]     A slide button  103  is located at the pill compartment located at the end of each row, except the bottom row, to facilitate transfer of pills from one row to the next. Sliding the slide button  103  to the right slides that row bottom releasing the pills in the current row to the row below. In the embodiment as shown, three slide buttons are provided for the top three rows. A row of drawer compartments  604  are located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser. Each drawer compartment  604  is used to release the pills stored in the bottom row.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of one of the pill compartments that are not in the bottom row of the pill dispenser shown in  FIG. 6 . The pill compartment comprises a slide button  103 , a pill rake  301 , portion of slide body  302 , a bottom slide  303 , and a back slide  305 . Pill rake  301  is used for stirring pills that may be stuck inside the compartment. Slide  305  facilitates the falling pills (or other contents) from above to rest on bottom slide  303 . The user can push slide button  103  in the direction indicated in the figure (see arrow) to move all bottom slides  303  in that row and make the pills stored in the row fall onto the row below. This is because all bottom slides  303  in a row are connected by slide body  302 , which is moved by slide button  103 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the drawer compartments located in the bottom row of the pill dispenser  600 . Drawer compartment  202  comprises bottom compartment wall  801 , slide release  802 , spring  803 , push surface  804 , and back slide ramp  305 . The user can press on push surface  804  to “open” the drawer compartment and retrieve the pills stored inside. Spring  803  keeps push surface  804  in the “closed” position. Back slide ramp  305  facilitates falling pills from above to rest on bottom of the drawer compartment.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the present invention, a circular organizer. Circular organizer  900  comprises of trap door assembly  901 , inlet funnel  902 , rotating hub  903 , and compartments  904 . Circular organizer  900  is made of clear plastic or other see-through material, allowing the user to what pills are stored in each compartment. As shown in  FIG. 9 , compartments  904  extend radially from the center of rotating hub  903 . Pills are deposited into the circular organizer through inlet funnel  902 . Rotating hub  903  has a plurality of holes to allow to user to insert his or her fingers to rotate the circular organizer. The rotation allows for easy access to each compartment.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of the interior components of trap door assembly  901  in one embodiment of the invention. Trap door assembly  901  comprises of trap door  1008  connected to the rest of the assembly via hinge  1002 . Trap door  1008  is also connected to one end of spring mount  1001 . Spring mount  1001  is connected on the other end to triangular spring box  1006 , which is supported by reinforcing plate  1003 . The spring is directed at an angle such that trap door  1008  is forced upward into a “closed” position by default. In the figure, reinforcing plate  1003 , spring box  1006 , and spring mount  1001  are all under the trap door  1008 . At its “close” position, the trap door  1008  is flush with compartment  1004 , allowing the compartments to be rotated without pills being dispensed.  
         [0040]     Tab extension  1007  is provided at the end of trap door  1008  so that it can be moved into an “open” position (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). By pushing downward on tab extension  1007 , a user can pull down trap door  1008  and release any pill in the compartment immediately above the trap door assembly.  
         [0041]     Although the pill dispensers and organizers of the present invention have been described in connection with the above embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0042]     Thus, a pill dispenser and organizer is described in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments. The invention is defined by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.