Abstract:
A pillbox comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment having two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each top comprising a hinged lid for accessing the compartment, the hinged lid being hinged pivotally at a hinge area; a slot at one of the walls of each compartment disposed parallel to the one wall, further wherein the hinged lid for each compartment is separable from the compartment, each hinged lid having a tab depending from the hinged lid and being pivotable from the lid at the hinge area, the tab being insertable into the slot to secure the hinged lid to the compartment for access to the compartment, the tab being releasably and frictionally held in place in the slot and being removable from the slot integral with the lid when the lid is removed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,988, filed May 24, 2010 in the name of John J. Murphy and entitled INTERLOCKING STORAGE UNITS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/096,846, filed Apr. 1, 2005 in the name of John J. Murphy and entitled INTERLOCKING STORAGE UNITS, which application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/559,352, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, by John J. Murphy, entitled, “Medication Container Unit,” the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to containers, and in particular, to a container comprising a plurality of storage units that can be individually detached and then reattached in an interlocking form. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Pill cases for maintaining and dispensing daily medications, such as pills (which includes, pills, vitamins, capsules or the like) are known. Such pill cases comprise, for example, a unitary box with seven attached compartments, each compartment corresponding to a different day of the week. A small lid typically covers each compartment to retain any pills placed in that compartment. At the beginning of the week, for example, a user (e.g., a patient) of such pill cases may fill each compartment with the corresponding day&#39;s medication. Thereafter, on each day of the week, the user retrieves from a corresponding compartment that day&#39;s medication. As can be seen, such prior pill cases have the specific purpose of maintaining and dispensing medications. 
         [0006]    Notably, however, such prior pill cases have several drawbacks. For example, it is often important that a user stays on a prescribed medication schedule, or in other words, remains compliant with a prescribed medication schedule. However, prior pill cases are relatively large and bulky. As such, it is undesirable and difficult for a user to take such pill cases to work or on short trips because the cases typically will not easily fit within one&#39;s pocket or purse. In addition, because of the size of prior pill cases, it is difficult for a user to be discrete when taking medication. As a result, a user is generally reluctant to take such cases to work or on short trips, thereby missing doses. As such, prior pill cases can often cause a user to not remain compliant with a prescribed medication schedule. 
         [0007]    Another problem with prior pill cases is that because they do hold a week&#39;s medication, it can be very costly if such cases are lost. Accordingly, the possibility of losing such cases may also increase one&#39;s reluctance to take these cases to work or on short trips, again, hurting compliance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a modular container that provides an easier way for users to carry items, like medication, as they travel, thereby overcoming the above and other disadvantages of the prior art. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a unified container comprises a plurality of individual storage units. Each storage unit comprises at least one compartment and at least one corresponding lid for sealing that compartment. More significantly, each storage unit comprises a releasable interlocking mechanism, such as a tooth and groove mechanism, snaps, a hook-and-loop mechanism such as Velcro®, or the like. 
         [0009]    Through the interlocking mechanism, each storage unit interlocks with one or more other storage units, thereby forming the unified container. However, according to the present invention, the interlocking mechanism of each storage unit also allows each unit to be separated or detached from the other storage units, thereby creating individual storage units. Once detached, each storage unit can then be reattached in an interlocking form, thereby once again forming the fully connected and unified container. However, the storage units do not need to be maintained as a single container or as separate units. Specifically, the storage units can be interlocked, detached, and then reattached in any form, thereby forming groups of two, three, etc. interlocked storage units, the interlocked units forming a unified container that is possibly smaller than the original container. 
         [0010]    With respect to the releasable interlocking mechanism, it comprises two complimentary mechanisms where one half of the mechanism interlocks with the other half. Again, such a mechanism can include, for example, a tooth and groove mechanism, snaps, a hook-and-loop mechanism such as Velcro®, etc., although the mechanism used is not specific to the invention. Each storage unit includes, for example, either both halves of the interlocking mechanism or only one half of the interlocking mechanism. In this way, two storage units are interlocked by matching corresponding halves of the interlocking mechanism from each unit, thereby forming a unified container. 
         [0011]    According to one example embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking mechanism is a tooth and groove mechanism (which can alternatively be referred to as a tongue and groove mechanism). Here, one half of the mechanism is a pair of teeth with corresponding grooves and the other half of the mechanism is a complimentary pair of teeth with corresponding grooves. To interlock two storage units, the teeth from one half of the mechanism from one unit are matched with the grooves from the second half of the mechanism from the other unit, and vise versa. The teeth and grooves are then slid together. Again, this tooth and groove interlocking mechanism is not specific to the invention and any mechanism known in the art that can interlock two storage units can be used. 
         [0012]    Overall, the number of storage units comprising a given container is not specific to the invention and the number of compartments per storage unit is not specific to the invention (e.g., each storage unit can include one, two, or more compartments). In addition, the size and shape of each storage unit/compartment(s) is not specific to the invention. Furthermore, each storage unit need not be identical for a given container, with some storage units having more compartments than other storage units and/or being different sizes than other storage units. 
         [0013]    According to one example application of the present invention, the container is a pill case where the individual storage units each maintain, for example, medication such as pills. Here, the container/pill case may comprise for example, seven storage units, one for each day of the week. Each storage unit may comprise two compartments, for example, each sized to hold a half day&#39;s medication and with one compartment corresponding to morning medication and the other compartment corresponding to evening medication, for example. 
         [0014]    In general, a pill case according to the present invention provides a convenient way to keep, maintain, and dispense medications. For example, at the beginning of the week, a user of the pill case may interlock the storage units and fill each compartment of a given storage unit with a corresponding day&#39;s medication, the morning medication being placed in one compartment and the evening medication being placed in the other, for example. Notably, if a user only takes medication on certain days of the week, the storage units corresponding to these days can be assemble into a single unified container, and the other units placed aside, thereby reducing the size of the container. Once the storage units are filled, as each day comes, the user may retrieve from a corresponding storage unit that day&#39;s medication. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, a pill case according to the present invention also helps a user comply with a prescribed medication schedule by reminding the user to take daily medication and by helping the user not to over-medicate given that once medication is taken, the corresponding compartment is empty. However, a pill case according to the present invention also helps to improve compliance with a prescribed medication schedule. More specifically, as a user takes a given day&#39;s medication, the corresponding storage unit can be detached, thereby reducing the size of the pill case and making the case easier to carry as one works or travels. Similarly, if a user takes medication only on certain days of the week, as indicated above, those corresponding storage units can be assemble into a single unit, again, reducing the size of the case and making it easier to carry. Overall, because the pill case can be reduced in size, a user is more likely to carry the case during travels and thereby more likely to remain compliant with a given medication schedule. 
         [0016]    More importantly, however, the present invention also allows a user to detach one or more storage unit(s) from the pill case and thereby carry only the needed medication to work or on travel. Notably, the individual storage units are smaller than prior pill cases and thereby fit more easily into one&#39;s pocket or purse, improving convenience. In addition, the smaller storage units are more discrete than prior pill cases. As a result, a user is more likely to carry the individual storage units when traveling and thereby more likely to remain compliant with a given medication schedule. Overall, note that the present invention is not limited to this single application. 
         [0017]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example container according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the container comprising a plurality of detachable and re-attachable storage units, the storage units being illustrated in an attached/interlocked form; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates the container of  FIG. 1  with the plurality of storage units illustrated in a detached form; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a perspective view and side view, respectively, of an example storage unit with lids according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a side view and bottom/underside view, respectively, of an example lid according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a top-down view of an example storage unit according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the unit here having the lids removed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4D  illustrates the interconnection of the example lid of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  with the example storage unit of  FIG. 4C , with  FIG. 4D  showing a side view of the storage unit and lids; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a top down view of a plurality of example storage units and corresponding example interlocking mechanisms according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the interlocking mechanisms allowing for the plurality of storage units to be individually detached and reattached in an interlocking unified form; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a top down view of the plurality of storage units of  FIG. 5A  in an interlocked form, thereby creating a single unified container; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 5C ,  5 D, and  5 E illustrate a side view, a bottom view, and an alternate side view, respectively, of a storage unit and interlocking mechanism from  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5F and 5G  illustrate an example procedure for interlocking two storage units of  FIG. 5A  according to an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example container according to an example embodiment of the present invention, the container comprising a plurality of detachable and re-attachable storage units, the storage units being illustrated in both an interlocked and detached form; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an example storage unit according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an example container  100  according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Container  100  comprises a plurality of individual storage units  102  (two of the units are shown with open lids) that are interlocked with one another. Significantly, according to the present invention, each storage unit can be detached from each of its immediate adjacent storage units. As such, container  100  can be separated or detached into a plurality of individual storage units, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for example. As significant, once detached, the individual storage units can then be reattached in an interlocking form, thereby once again forming a fully connected and unified container  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, according to the present invention, the storage units do not need to be maintained as individual units (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) or as a single unified container  100  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). More specifically, the storage units can be interlocked, detached, and then reattached in any form, thereby forming groups of two, three, etc. interlocked storage units, the interlocked units thereby forming a unified container that is possibly smaller than container  100 . Note that while container  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as comprising seven storage units  102 , the number of storage units is not specific to the invention and container  100  may comprise more than or fewer than seven storage units. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an example storage unit  102  according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown in further detail, with  FIG. 3A  showing a perspective view of the storage unit and  FIG. 3B  showing a side view. As illustrated, each storage unit  102  comprises a main body  104  shaped to form two separate compartments  106   a  and  106   b , each of which is accessible from the top side of the main body. Each storage unit also comprises two operable lids  108   a  and  108   b , each lid corresponding, respectively, to compartments  106   a  and  106   b . Each lid  108   a  and  108   b  is situated along the top side of main body  104  and provides a mechanism for sealing/closing each compartment  106   a  and  106   b . Each storage unit further comprises a releasable interlocking mechanism directed at sidewalls  110   a  and  110   b  of main body  104  (the interlocking mechanism is not shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ), this mechanism allowing each storage unit to connect to (or interlock with) and detach from its adjacent storage units. More specifically, the interlocking mechanism comprises two complimentary components, such as a tooth and groove mechanism, snaps, a hook-and-loop mechanism such as Velcro®, or any other releasable mechanism known in the art. Accordingly, one half of the complimentary interlocking mechanism is directed at sidewall  110   a  of main body  104  and the other half of the complimentary interlocking mechanism is directed at sidewall  110   b . In this way, two storage units are interconnected/interlocked, for example, by interlocking sidewall  110   a  of one unit to sidewall  110   b  of a second unit through complimentary halves of the interlocking mechanism, with each storage unit providing one half of the complimentary mechanism. Once interlocked, the two storage units form a unified container. Significantly, however, the two storage units can also be disconnected by detaching the complimentary halves of the interlocking mechanism. 
         [0032]    Accordingly, example container  100  of the present invention comprises a plurality of storage units  102 , each of which comprises two compartments with corresponding lids and each of which further comprises an interlocking mechanism directed towards its sidewalls that allows for the interconnection, detachment, and reattachment of adjacent storage units. As such, according to one example application of the present invention, container  100  is a pill case where each storage unit stores or maintains, for example, medication such as pills (which includes, pills, vitamins, capsules or the like) within the individual compartments  106   a  and  106   b . According to this example application, container  100  may comprise, for example, a total of seven storage units  102 , one for each day of the week, with each storage unit holding in each of its two compartments, for example, morning and evening medication. As such, each of compartments  106   a  and  106   b  are of a size, for example, to hold a half day&#39;s medication. For example, each compartment  106   a  and  106   b  can be sized to hold approximately twenty aspirin size pills. According to the present invention, as a user of container  100  goes to work or travels from home, for example, the user can simply detach those storage units that are needed while away, thereby reducing the size of container  100  and simplifying travel. Thereafter, these storage units can be reattached to container  100  and reused, thereby one again forming a unified container. 
         [0033]    However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this single application and the invention can be applied to any application that requires compartmentalized storage. Accordingly, example container  100  of the present invention may comprise more than or fewer than seven storage units, as indicated above, with the size of compartments  106   a  and  106   b  configured for the given application. As such, each storage unit can be used to hold various items, such as different color paints or various sized screws or nails, for example. When the storage units are interlocked into a single unified container  100 , the invention provides a convenient way to organize and maintain the items. However, if a user needs only one or two items, for example, rather than carry the entire container  100  to a given location, the corresponding storage unit(s) can be detached and taken with the user, thereby reducing the overall size of container  100 . 
         [0034]    Turning now to a more detailed description of each example storage unit  102 , main body  104  and lids  108   a  and  108   b  may be made of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material known in the art. As further described below, the main body and lids may be one integral unit or alternatively, may be separate units that are operably interconnected. Accordingly, the lids and main body may be made of the same material or from different materials. For example, the main body can be made of plastic while the lids are made of metal. As indicated above and as further described below, one example interlocking mechanism is a tooth and groove mechanism. Here, the tooth and groove may be integral with main body  104  and thereby made of the same material as the main body. 
         [0035]    Turning to compartments  106   a  and  106   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each compartment is separate from the other. Note that in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B, each compartment, and thereby main body  104 , is illustrated as having a rectangular shape, thereby giving container  100  a rectangular shape when storage units  102  are interconnected into a single unified module. Nonetheless, note that the specific shape of compartments  106   a - b /main body  104  and thereby container  100  is not specific to the present invention and the compartments, main body, and container may have any shape. For example, main body  104  of each storage unit  102  may have a wedge-like shape and be subdivided, for example, into two wedge-shaped compartments. In this fashion, when the storage units are interconnected, container  100  would have a circular shape, for example. Similarly, rather than main body  104  having distinct outer edges as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B, the outer edges may be somewhat rounded, thereby giving each storage unit and thereby container  100  a more contemporary appearance. Furthermore, note that while  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B illustrate the compartments  106   a  and  106   b  of a given storage unit as abutting back-to-back, this arrangement is not specific to the invention. Hence, each storage unit may comprise two compartments that are side-by-side or two compartments that are situated one on top of the other such that one compartment is accessed from the top side of the storage unit and the other compartment is accessed from the bottom side of the storage unit, etc. 
         [0036]    In addition to the shape and configuration of each compartment  106   a  and  106   b  not being specific to the invention, note that the overall size and depth of each compartment is also not specific to the present invention. Accordingly, if container  100  is a pill case, for example, each compartment may have a size and shape to hold/maintain a plurality of pills for at least a half-day&#39;s dose of medication, the two compartments together thereby holding, for example, a full day&#39;s dose of medication. However, if container  100  is being applied to a different application to hold items other than medication, each compartment  106   a  and  106   b  may have a larger or smaller size. 
         [0037]    Turning next to lids  108   a  and  108   b  of example storage unit  102 , as indicated, each lid corresponds, respectively, to compartments  106   a  and  106   b  and provides a mechanism for sealing/closing each compartment. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each lid of example storage unit  102  is attached to the top side of main body  104  at point  112  such that each lid closes and opens towards and away from the top side of the main body in a hinge-like fashion, as shown by arrows  109   a  and  109   b . Notably, each lid includes a locking mechanism such that when the lid is moved to the closed position, the lid remains flush with the main body, thereby sealing the contents of the corresponding compartment and preventing the contents from falling out when the storage unit is moved. Similarly, this locking mechanism allows the lid to be re-opened with the exertion of a minor force by a user. Note that although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate lids  108   a  and  108   b  as being attached to main body  104  at a central point  112  such that the two lids open towards the center of the main body in a hinge-like fashion, this orientation is not specific to the invention. Specifically, the two lids can be attached to any point along the main body and can open and close in a hinge-like fashion either towards the same point or towards different points. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is illustrated in further detail an example lid  108  of example storage unit  102 ,  FIG. 4A  showing a side view of the example lid and  FIG. 4B  showing an underside view of the lid. As illustrated, example lid  108  is an integral unit made of plastic, for example, comprising covering  114 , tab  116 , and locking tab  118 . At the connection between covering  114  and tab  116  there is crease  120  that allows covering  114  to move relative to tab  116  in a hinge-like fashion, as illustrated by arrow  122 . Locking tab  118  is a small tab integrally attached to the underside of covering  114  at the end opposite to that of tab  116 . As illustrated, locking tab  118  extends perpendicularly downward from the underside of the covering. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4C and 4D , there is illustrated in further detail an example mechanism for interconnecting example lid  108  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  to main body  104  of example storage unit  102 . Specifically,  FIG. 4C  illustrates a top down view of main body  104  with the lids removed and  FIG. 4D  illustrates a side view of the main body and in particular, the interconnection of example lid  108  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  to the main body. In this example and as illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , main body  104  includes two slots  124   a  and  124   b  in addition to compartments  106   a  and  106   b , the two slots being situated towards central point  112  of the main body. Each slot  124   a  and  124   b  corresponds to one of the two lids  108   a  and  108   b . To assemble the example lids to the main body, tab  116  of each lid is inserted into a slot  124   a  or  124   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 4D , such that cover  114  extends above the top side of the main body. In this example, each tab  116  includes small protrusions  126   a  and  126   b  along its sides (as illustrated in  FIG. 4B ) such that when the tab is inserted into its corresponding slot  124   a - b , the protrusions exert pressure against the walls of the slot, thereby maintaining tab  116  in place. In this fashion, cover  114  moves in a hinge-like fashion between an open and closed position relative to the surface of the main body, thereby sealing or exposing its corresponding compartment. 
         [0040]    Regarding locking tab  118 , when the cover is moved to the closed position and depressed downward with minor force, the locking mechanism engages and exerts pressure against the inner surface of the front wall of the compartment at point  128   a  or  128   b , the pressure thereby maintaining the cover in a closed position (see, for example, lid  108   b  in  FIG. 4D ). Similarly, through the exertion of a minor upward force, the locking mechanism disengages the front wall, thereby allowing the cover to open. 
         [0041]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, each lid  108   a  and  108   b  creates an air tight seal with main body  104  when the lid is moved to the closed position. Such a seal helps to keep the contents of the compartments dry, for example, from humidity and moisture. Notably, any mechanism known in the art for achieving an air tight seal can be used. In the example lid of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the lid further comprises a ridge  130  on the underside of cover  114 , which ridge extends perpendicularly downward from the cover and has a shape corresponding to the shape of compartments  106   a  and  106   b . Here, when the cover is moved to the closed position and depressed downward over a compartment, ridge  130  engages the complete perimeter of the inner wall of the compartment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4D , thereby creating a seal. 
         [0042]    Again, the example lid of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C, and  4 D is only one example of a hinge-type lid with a locking mechanism and seal and is not specific to the present invention. Overall, any mechanism known in the art for providing lids that move in a hinge-like fashion relative to main body  104  can be used. Furthermore, note that lids  108   a  and  108   b  and main body  104  do not need to be separate modules. Specifically, if the main body and lids are made of plastic, for example, the lids and main body can be one integral unit, with the connection between each lid and the main body being a crease, for example, to provide hinge-like movement. In addition, any mechanism known in the art for ensuring the lids remain in a closed position can be used. For example, the locking mechanism  118  in the above example can engage and exert pressure against the outer surface of the front wall of the compartment, rather than the inner surface. Similarly, a spring type mechanism can be used that naturally moves the lid to either the open or closed position, etc. 
         [0043]    It should also be noted that the two lids  108   a  and  108   b  of example storage unit  102  are only one example closure mechanism for sealing/closing compartments  106   a  and  106   b  and the invention can be expanded to include any other type of closure mechanism known in the art. For example, rather than using two separate lids, one for each compartment, a single lid that moves in a hinge-like fashion can be used to cover both compartments. Similarly, rather than using lids that move in a hinge-like fashion, one or more slide-tabs can be used. For example, each compartment  106   a  and  106   b  can have a corresponding slide-tab that moves/slides within the plane of the top surface of the main body. Here, sliding the slide-tab in one direction exposes the compartment while sliding the slide-tab in the opposite direction closes the compartment. 
         [0044]    Referring now to the releasable interlocking mechanism of each storage unit  102 , as indicated, this mechanism allows each storage unit to connect/interlock with and detach from each of its adjacent storage units. Again, the interlocking mechanism comprises two complimentary mechanisms, one half of the complimentary mechanism, for example, being directed at sidewall  110   a  of main body  104  and the other half of the complimentary mechanism being directed at sidewall  110   b . In this way, sidewall  110   a  of one storage unit is brought together with sidewall  110   b  of a second storage unit and interlocked through complimentary halves of the interlocking mechanism, thereby forming a unified container that allows the two storage units to be moved as one. More specifically, referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  there is illustrated an example interlocking mechanism  140  of an example storage unit  102  of the present invention. Note that  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are both top down views of example container  100  and example storage units  102  and in each case, lids  108   a  and  108   b  are removed for clarity, thereby exposing compartments  106   a  and  106   b.    
         [0045]    Beginning with  FIG. 5A , storage units  102  are shown in their disconnected/detached form. Note that in this Figure (as well as  FIG. 5B ), the storage units are further designated as  102   a ,  102   b , or  102   c , with storage units  102   a  and  102   c  designating end storage units of container  100  and storage units  102   b  designating inner storage units. As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , example interlocking mechanism  140  comprises two complimentary components,  140   a  and  140   b . Component  140   a  is a tooth and groove mechanism directed along sidewall  110   a  of the main body of storage units  102   b  and  102   c  and component  140   b  is a complimentary tooth and groove mechanism directed along sidewall  110   b  of the main body of storage units  102   a  and  102   b  (note that complimentary components  140   a  and  140   b  can also be referred to as a tongue and groove mechanism). Note that the two end storage units,  102   a  and  102   c , of example container  100  each only include one half of interlocking mechanism  140 , as just indicated. Sidewall  110   a  of storage unit  102   a  and sidewall  110   b  of storage unit  102   c  are smooth. In this way, when all storage units are interconnected to form unified container  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B  for example, the outer sides of container  100  are smooth and thereby aesthetically pleasing. Nonetheless, note that all of the storage units  102   a ,  102   b , and  102   c  comprising container  100  can be identical such that all storage units include both components  140   a  and  140   b.    
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , components  140   a  and  140   b  of interlocking mechanism  140  are of a complimentary form, as indicated, such that the tooth and groove mechanism of component  140   a  matches up with and can interlock with the tooth and groove mechanism of component  140   b . More specifically, to interconnect the storage units  102 , the sidewall  110   a  of one unit is paired with sidewall  110   b  of a second unit. In this way, each storage unit contributes one half (either component  140   a  or  140   b ) of interlocking mechanism  140 . Component  140   a  of one unit is then interlocked with component  140   b  of the other unit. When this process is repeated across all units for example, unitary or unified container  100  is formed, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . Similarly, component  140   a  of one storage unit can be detached from component  140   b  of a second storage unit. Again, this detachment can be performed for all storage units  102 , resulting in individual storage units as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . However, again, note that the storage units of the present invention can be interlocked and detached in any form, thereby forming groups of two, three, etc. storage units interlocked to form a unified container that is possibly smaller than container  100 . 
         [0047]    Reference will now be made in greater detail to components  140   a  and  140   b  of example interlocking mechanism  140 . Beginning with component  140   a  and referring to  FIG. 5A  (in particular, the center storage unit), to  FIG. 5C , which is a side view of a storage unit  102   b  showing sidewall  110   a , and to  FIG. 5D , which is a bottom view of a storage unit  102   b , component  140   a  comprises two outer teeth  142   a  and  142   b , each configured to form a corresponding outer groove,  143   a  and  143   b , respectively. Notably, component  140   a  also comprises stop notch  148  (see  FIGS. 5C and 5D ), although this notch is not required. Outer teeth  142   a  and  142   b  each extends from the top-side  147   a  to the bottom side  147   b  of main body  104 . Tooth  142   a  projects or is directed towards the top end  146   a  of the main body, thereby forming outer groove  143   a  and tooth  142   b  projects or is directed towards the bottom end  146   b  of the main body, thereby forming outer groove  143   b . As illustrated, outer grooves  143   a  and  143   b  also extend from the top side  147   a  to the bottom side  147   b  of the main body  104 . Notably, teeth  142   a - b  and grooves  143   a - b  do not need to extend the full height of the storage unit and again, interlocking mechanism  140  is simply one example of a tooth and groove type mechanism. When included, stop notch  148  is a recess formed along an edge of bottom side  147   b  of main body  104 . 
         [0048]    Turning now to component  140   b  and referring to  FIG. 5A  (in particular, the center storage unit), to  FIG. 5D , and to  FIG. 5E , which is a side view of a storage unit  120   b  showing sidewall  110   b , component  140   b  comprises two inner teeth  144   a  and  144   b , each configured to form a corresponding inner groove,  145   a  and  145   b . Notably, component  140   b  also comprises stop guard  149  to compliment stop notch  148 , although again, this guard is not required. Similar to outer teeth  142   a  and  142   b , inner teeth  144   a  and  144   b  each extends from the top side  147   a  to the bottom side  147   b  of main body  104 , although they do not need to. Tooth  144   a  projects inward away from the top end  146   a  of the main body, thereby forming inner groove  145   a  and tooth  144   b  projects inward away from bottom end  146   b  of the main body, thereby forming inner groove  145   b . As illustrated, inner grooves  145   a  and  145   b  also extend from the top side  147   a  to the bottom side  147   b  of main body  104 . When included, stop guard  149  is a tab formed along an edge of bottom side  147   b  (opposite stop notch  148 ) of main body  104  and extends perpendicularly outward from sidewall  110   b.    
         [0049]    As indicated above, components  140   a  and  140   b  of interlocking mechanism  140  are of a complimentary form such that component  140   a  matches up with and can interlock with component  140   b . More specifically, referring to  FIG. 5F , there is illustrated an example assembly of two storage units using example interlocking mechanism  140 . As shown, a first storage unit  150  (if present, this storage unit would have stop notch  148 ) is held above a second storage unit  152  such that side  110   a  of unit  150  and side  110   b  of unit  152  are directed at each other. The outer grooves  143   a  and  143   b  of storage unit  150  are then aligned with inner teeth  144   a  and  144   b , respectively, of storage unit  152  and inner grooves  145   a  and  145   b  of storage unit  152  are aligned with outer teeth  142   a  and  142   b , respectively, of storage unit  150 . Once aligned in this fashion, storage unit  150  is pressed or slid downward for example (or units  150  and  152  are slid in opposite directions, for example), with outer grooves  143   a  and  143   b  of storage unit  150  receiving inner teeth  144   a  and  144   b  of storage unit  152  and inner grooves  145   a  and  145   b  of storage unit  152  receiving outer teeth  142   a  and  142   b  of storage unit  150 . Storage units  150  and  152  are juxtaposed until top side  147   a  and bottom side  147   b  of each storage unit become flush, with components  140   a  and  140   b  interlocking the two units and creating a unified container, as illustrated in  FIG. 5G . Notably, if stop notch  148  and stop guard  149  are included, storage unit  150  is pressed downward until stop notch  148  of storage unit  150  receives stop guard  149  of storage unit  152 , thereby preventing the units from moving further and causing top side  147   a  and bottom side  147   b  of the two units to become flush (i.e., the stop guard and stop notch help to automatically align the top and bottom sides of the two storage units). Overall, note that according to example interlocking mechanism  140 , the corresponding teeth  142   a - b / 144   a - b  and grooves  143   a - b / 145   a - b  are configured to resistively receive one another, this resistive force thereby holding the adjacent storage units together once in the assemble position and allowing them to be moved as one. Note also that in order to separate the two units, storage unit  150  is pressed upward while storage unit  152  is pulled downward, for example, until the pairs of teeth  142   a - b / 144   a - b  and grooves  143   a - b / 145   a - b  disengage. 
         [0050]    Again, interlocking mechanism  140  is only one example mechanism for interlocking adjacent storage units and is not specific to the present invention. Accordingly, any mechanism known in the art can be used to interlock two adjacent storage units. For example, the interlocking mechanism can comprise a different shaped or different type of tooth and groove mechanism (and notch and guard mechanism) than that described above in reference to  FIGS. 5A-5G . Alternatively, a snap-based mechanism or a loop and hook based mechanism, like Velcro® can be used. Here, one half of the snap or Velcro®, for example, would be situated on sidewall  110   a  and the other half situated on sidewall  110   b , for example. As another example, tab(s) may extend perpendicularly outward from sidewall  110   a  while sidewall  110   b  has corresponding slots to receive the tabs. In this way, two storage units are interlocked by holding sidewall  110   a  of one unit adjacent to sidewall  110   b  of the other unit and then pressing the two units together. 
         [0051]    As indicated above, one example application of the present invention and container  100  is a pill case where the storage units  102  each stores or maintains, for example, medication such as pills within the individual compartments  106   a  and  106   b . According to this example application, container  100  may comprise, for example, seven storage units  102 , one for each day of the week. According to one aspect of this example application, the lids  108   a  and  108   b  of each storage unit may have a designation (e.g., “SUN”, “MON”, “TUES”, “WED”, “THUR”, “FRI’, or “SAT”) for a respective day of the week, with each storage unit having a different designation and with each lid of a given storage unit having the same designation. According to another aspect of this example application, one of the two compartments  106   a  and  106   b  of a given storage unit may correspond to morning medication while the other corresponds to evening medication. Here, one lid may have a morning designation (e.g., “AM”) while the other lid may have an evening designation (e.g., “PM”). Alternatively or in addition, the two lids of each storage unit may be a different color with one color designating morning medication and the other color designating evening medication, for example. According to a still further aspect of this example application, in addition to word designations (i.e., “SUN”, “MON”, “AM”, “PM), Braille markings may alternatively or additionally be used. 
         [0052]    Similar to prior pill cases, at the beginning of the week, for example, a user of container  100  (i.e., pill case) may fill each compartment of a given storage unit with a corresponding day&#39;s medication, the AM medication being placed in one compartment and the PM medication being placed in the other, for example. Notably, if the user only takes medication once a day, one of the two compartments may not be used. In general, a user may first interlock the storage units into a unified container  100 , for example, and then fill the storage units or, alternatively, fill the storage units and then interlock the units into a unified container  100 , etc. Note also that if a user only takes medication on certain days of the week, the storage units corresponding to these days can be assemble into a single unified container, and the other units placed aside, thereby reducing the size of container  100 . In general, once the storage units are filled, as each day comes, the user may retrieve from a corresponding storage unit that day&#39;s medication. Accordingly, container  100  provides a convenient way to keep, maintain, and dispense medications. 
         [0053]    Furthermore, container  100  also helps a user comply with a prescribed medication schedule by reminding a user to take daily medication and by helping the user to not over-medicate given that once medication is taken, the corresponding compartment is empty. However, unlike prior pill cases, container  100  of the present invention also helps to improve compliance with a prescribed medication schedule. More specifically, as a user takes a given day&#39;s medication, the corresponding storage unit can be detached, thereby reducing the size of container  100  and making the container easier to carry as one works or travels. Similarly, if a user takes medication only on certain days of the week, as indicated above, those corresponding storage units can be assemble into a single unit, again, reducing the size of container  100  and making it easier to carry. Overall, because container  100  can be reduced in size, a user is more likely to carry the container during travels and thereby more likely to remain compliant with a given medication schedule. 
         [0054]    Perhaps more important, however, the present invention also allows a user to detach one or more storage unit(s) from container  100  and thereby carry only the needed medication to work or on travel. Notably, the storage units are smaller than prior pill cases and thereby fit more easily into one&#39;s pocket or purse, improving convenience. In addition, the smaller storage units are more discrete than prior pill cases. As a result, a user is more likely to carry the individual storage units during travels and thereby more likely to remain compliant with a given medication schedule. 
         [0055]    As important, because a user only needs to carry the needed medication rather than the entire container, it is less costly if a given storage unit is lost. Again, once the storage units have been detached, they can be reattached into a single unit, and thereby reused for the next week. As discussed above, the present invention is not limited to this single application. 
         [0056]    Referring now to other embodiments of the present invention, as described above, each storage unit  102  is an integral unit that comprises two compartments  106   a  and  106   b . According to another example embodiment of the present invention, the compartments  106   a  and  106   b  of each storage unit can be detached and reattached/interlocked using, for example, an interlocking mechanism such as those described above. Accordingly, a user can detach and reattach container  100  on a storage unit basis and/or on a per compartment basis (in essence, according to this example embodiment of the invention, a container  100  essentially comprises numerous storage units each with a single compartment, where each storage unit can interlock with other storage units along several of its sidewalls/bottom). When such a container  100  is applied to a pill case, for example, a user may simply detach a PM compartment, for example, when going to work. According to still another example embodiment of the invention, each storage unit may comprise more than two compartments, again, each compartment having a corresponding lid, for example. Here, the multiple compartments of each storage unit may also be capable of being detached and reattached/interlocked, as just described. 
         [0057]    According to another example embodiment of the present invention, each storage unit need not include the same number of compartments or the same sized compartments. Hence, one or more storage units may be subdivided into more compartments than other storage units. Similarly, each storage unit need not have the same dimensions. For example, sidewalls  110   a  and  110   b  of each storage unit may have the same dimension, allowing the storage units to interlock. However, the dimensions of top side  146   a  and bottom side  146   b  between different storage units can vary, thereby making some storage units wider than others, for example. 
         [0058]    According to still another example embodiment of the present invention, each storage unit need not interlock with other storage units only along sidewalls  110   a  and  110   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 A, and  5 B, for example. Specifically, each storage unit may also include, for example, an interlocking mechanism directed at bottom side  147   b . In this way, storage units can be interlocked side-by-side and back-to-back, for example. Similarly, each storage unit may also include, for example, an interlocking mechanism directed at top end  146   a  and bottom end  146   b.    
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated an example container  200  according to a further example embodiment of the present invention. Container  200  comprises a plurality of storage units  202 . Storage units  202  are similar to storage units  102  but now include only one compartment  206  and one lid  208 , the compartment and lid being similar to compartment  106   a / 106   b  and lid  108  as described above. Significantly, each storage unit  202  again includes an interlocking mechanism (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) directed at its sidewalls, for example, the interlocking mechanism being similar to any of those described above for storage units  102 , for example. Accordingly, each storage unit  202  can be detached from adjacent storage units (as illustrated by storage units  202   b ) and reattached/interlocked (as illustrated by units  202   a ), thereby once again forming unified container  200 , or a unified container smaller than container  200 . 
         [0060]    Again, note that although container  200  is illustrated as having seven storage units  202 , this number of storage units is not specific to this embodiment of the invention and container  200  may comprise more than or fewer than seven storage units. In addition, note that while the shapes of compartment  206 , storage unit  202 , and container  200  are shown as rectangular, this shape is not specific to the invention. Similarly, compartment  206  may be of any size. Furthermore, different storage units may have different sized compartments. 
         [0061]    As an example application, container  200  may be a pill case. According to this example application, container  200  may comprise, for example, seven storage units  202 , one for each day of the week. Here, each compartment would be configured to have a size, for example, to hold one day&#39;s worth of medication. The lid  208  of each storage unit may have, for example, a designation (e.g., “SUN”, “MON”, “TUES”, “WED”, “THUR”, “FRI”, or “SAT”) for a respective day of the week, with each storage unit having a different designation. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a side view of an example storage unit  302  according to a still further example embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit here comprising two compartments  306   a  and  306   b  each with lids  308   a  and  308   b  (again, this embodiment of the invention is not limited to two compartments and is also applicable, for example, to storage units  202 ). As indicated above, the exact size and shape of compartments  106   a / 106   b  of storage unit  102  (or compartment  206  of storage unit  202 ) are not specific to the invention. Nonetheless, the interiors (or, in other words, the bottoms) of these compartments were described and illustrated as being somewhat angular, or in other words, as having edges and corners. In general, edges and corners of the compartments can make it difficult to remove small items, such as pills or small screws/nails. Example storage unit  302  is similar to example storage unit  102 , with a plurality of storage units  302  capable of being detachably interconnected to form a single unified container. However, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of each compartment  306   a  and  306   b  is now rounded, as illustrated by arrows  310  (note that  FIG. 7  shows a phantom view of the interior of each compartment). This rounded bottom interior makes it easier for a user to scoop items out with a finger, for example. The rounded bottom interior also allows a user to use a scoop, for example, to remove items from compartments  306   a  and  306   b . Again, the rounded bottom interior of the compartments according to this example embodiment of the invention is applicable to each of the embodiments discussed above. 
         [0063]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.