Patent Publication Number: US-2012031815-A1

Title: Pill sorting stylus tool and pill sorting system

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter of the application relates to a stylus tool and pill sorting system to sort, channel, place, and discharge a plurality of pills. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Non-prescription and prescription pharmaceuticals, such as vitamins and medicines, can be essential to the maintenance of an individual&#39;s health. Depending on the health and age of the individual, an individual may need to take several pharmaceuticals a day at different times throughout the day. Pharmaceuticals are often in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, caplets, or other forms. While the term pill may be used herein, other forms are also contemplated. Pharmaceuticals may be stored in bottles, organizers and other receptacles. Pharmaceuticals may be placed in such receptacles by pharmacists, patients, or other individuals. Sometimes, caretakers assist individuals in managing and organizing pharmaceuticals. Some pills may be toxic for caretakers to handle physically. There exists a need for a tool to assist in the pick-up, sorting and placement of pharmaceuticals for the consuming individual. 
     Existing tools to assist in the management of pills may be cumbersome and difficult to use. There exists a need to have an easy-to-use tool and system to help the pick-up and placement of pills into containers, such as pill organizers. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a stylus tool to sort and pick up pills, the stylus tool comprising: a body including a first end having adhesive to pick up a pill; and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the second end is adapted to sort and move pills. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a pill sorting system to sort, channel, and discharge a plurality of pills is provided, the system comprising: a sorting tray having a sorting region to receive the plurality of pills, and a discharge region including a spout configured to discharge pills from the tray; and a stylus tool comprising a body including a first end having adhesive to pick up a pill, and a second end distal to the first end, wherein the second end is adapted to sort and move pills within the tray and through the spout. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sorting pills with a stylus tool and sorting tray, comprising: receiving a plurality of pills in a sorting region of the sorting tray; attaching one of the plurality of pills to the stylus tool; moving the one pill with the stylus tool from the sorting region to a discharge region of the sorting tray; and discharging the one pill from the discharge region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a stylus tool with a sorting tray according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the stylus tool and sorting tray of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the stylus tool attaching a pill in the sorting tray according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the stylus tool and sorting tray of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a back side view of the stylus tool and sorting tray of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a stylus tool with a pick-up component according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the stylus tool of  FIG. 6  without the pick-up component; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the stylus tool with the pick-up component; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a pick-up component connection according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the connection between the stylus tool and the pick-up component of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a series of pick-up components; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side exploded view of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention depicting pill sorting system  1  having a stylus tool  2  and a sorting tray  3 . The stylus tool  2  cooperates with pills  14  to move and transfer the pills as shown in  FIG. 3 . The tool and system could be used with capsules, caplets, tables or other forms. Additionally, the tool and system could be used to sort other items, such as screws or other hardware. The sorting tray  3  may be made of injection-molded plastic or other suitable material. 
     The embodiment of the sorting tray  3  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a sorting region  4  to receive a plurality of pills and a discharge region  5  configured to discharge pills from the sorting tray  3 . The sorting region typically has a rim to help retain the pills. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the sorting region is formed by a depression and the rim by the walls of the depression. Alternatively, a wall could also extend up from the surface of the tray. Some embodiments may not include a discharge region. According to such an embodiment, the pills could be discharged directly from the sorting region. 
     The discharge region  5  may include a discharge ridge  7  configured to cooperate with the stylus tool  2  to detach a pill adhered to the stylus tool  2 . Along these lines, the stylus tool could be dragged along the ridge  7  so that the pill is removed from the stylus tool. The ridge can help to retain pills in the discharge region as tray is tipped to discharge the pills. If the tray does not include a ridge, the tool could be dragged on the edge of the discharge region or sorting region. The stylus tool could also be used to transfer pills directly to a bottle, organizer, compartmented pill box or other container. 
     The sorting tray  3  may include a stylus tool receiving portion  8  to house and retain the stylus tool  2  when the stylus tool  2  is not in use, such as during storage or transport. The stylus tool receiving portion  8  may include a cover  9  portion to protect at least a portion of the stylus tool  2 . The sorting tray may also include elements to help immobilize and/or retain the stylus tool in the sorting tray. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bottom perspective view of the stylus tool  2  and sorting tray  3  of  FIG. 1 . The sorting region  4  and the discharge region  5  may have different depths. This can help to sort and segregate pills during sorting and/or discharge. The underside of sorting region  4  may include one or more risers, such as riser  10 , to stabilize the sorting tray  3  in accordance with the depth of the discharge region  5  when the tray is supported on a surface. The underside of the stylus tool receiving portion  8  may also include a riser  11  to further stabilize and balance the sorting tray  3 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict a left side view and a back side view of the stylus tool and sorting tray of  FIG. 1 , respectively. In this embodiment, the discharge region  5 , the riser  10 , and the riser  11  are positioned so that the sorting tray  3  may lie substantially level if supported on a surface. The different depths of the sorting region  4  and the discharge region  5  according to this embodiment are clearly depicted in these  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     As depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the discharge region  5  may have a concave shape creating a basin. The discharge region  5  may transition into the spout  6 . The spout  6  may also have a concave shape to easily discharge the pills from the discharge region  5 . The discharge ridge  7  may run longitudinally along the discharge region  5 . In one embodiment, the underside of the discharge ridge  7  may additionally assist in stabilizing the sorting tray  3 . In another embodiment, the discharge region  5  may be detachable from the sorting tray  3  to easily pour the pills through the spout  6 . The sorting region may include a discharge sport to discharge pills. Such an embodiment may not include a separate discharge region. 
       FIG. 3  provides a top perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but with the stylus tool in use. Along these lines, the stylus tool  2  is positioned outside the stylus tool receiving portion  8 . This view illustrates how the side walls of the stylus tool receiving portion  8  may include contoured regions  12  to help grip the stylus tool with fingers. Also, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  includes a link  13  configured to help secure the stylus tool  2  to the sorting tray  3 . The link may engage a slot in the stylus tool. In an alternate embodiment, the stylus tool receiving portion  8  may be separate from the sorting tray  3 . 
     The stylus tool-receiving portion  8  may also include a rest assembly  28 . The rest assembly  28  may receive an end of the stylus tool. The rest assembly may also grip the stylus tool to help secure the stylus in place on the sorting tray  3 . Along these lines, the rest assembly may include a pair of extensions that grip the end of the stylus tool as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 6-8  depict perspective views of the stylus tool according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the stylus tool  2  has a body  17  with a first end  15  and a second end  16 . The stylus tool  2  includes a pill pick-up component  18  located at or in the vicinity of the first end  15 . The pick-up component typically is detachable from the stylus tool. However, the pick-up component may be a permanent part of the stylus tool. The pick-up component could be attached mechanically, with adhesive or otherwise to the stylus tool. In an embodiment, the pick-up component may include, but is not limited to, styrene, other plastic materials, wood, or metal. Other suitable materials may be used for the pick-up component  18 . According to some embodiments, the pick-up component is integral with the stylus tool. According to one such embodiment, the pick-up component includes one or more adhesive regions on the stylus tool, such as in the vicinity of an end of the stylus tool. The adhesive region could be replaceable or renewable. The stylus tool could also be disposable rather than renewing or replacing the adhesive. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-8  includes a detachable pick-up component. At least one region of the detachable pick-up component  18  has adhesive characteristics in order to pick up a pill, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The adhesive could be arranged on one or both sides of pick-up component. Typically, the adhesive has a strength sufficient to pick up a pill, tablet or other form, but weak enough not to physically damage or remove any of the pill upon removal of the pill from the adhesive. 
     The pick-up component  18  may be disposable or may be a permanent part of the stylus tool with renewable adhesive capabilities. The pick-up component  18  may have some flexibility to prevent the pills  14  from being crushed. The sorting tray or even the stylus tool itself could include Extra pick-up components  18  may be stored in a compartment of the sorting tray  3  or in the body of the stylus tool  17 . 
     The pick-up component and/or the stylus tool may include one or more elements of an attachment mechanism.  FIG. 8  illustrates en embodiment of an attachment mechanism  19  that is configured to attach the pick-up component  18  to the first end  15 . 
       FIG. 10  provides an exploded view of the attachment mechanism  19  in  FIG. 8 . This embodiment of the attachment mechanism  19  includes interengaging elements on both the pick-up component  18  and the stylus tool  2 . The interengaging elements are configured to retain the pick-up component  18  on the stylus tool  2 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the interengaging elements may include a slot-tab assembly. The pick-up component  18  may include a slot  20  and indents  21 . The stylus tool  2  may have a tab  22  and projections  23  to couple with the slot  20  and indents  21 , respectively.  FIG. 8  illustrates the pick-up component  18 ′ before attachment to the stylus in broken lines, and also attached to the stylus and secured in place by the attachment mechanism  19 .  FIG. 10  again shows the pick-up component  18  attached to the stylus tool. Once the pick-up portion is attached to the stylus tool, the tab  22  will be located in the slot  20  and projections  23  will be arranged in the indents  21 . The attachment mechanism could also include only one of the slot and tab or projection and indents. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the attachment mechanism, the first end  15  of the stylus tool may include a removable cap defining a narrow slot. The pick-up component  18  may fit through the narrow slot except for a wider end portion of the pick-up component  18 . The removable cap may attach to the first end  15  with the pick-up component  18  positioned through the narrow slot. Since the wider end portion of the pick-up component  18  is prevented from exiting the narrow slot, the pick-up component  18  may remain secure positioned through the slot but fixed to the first end  15 . An embodiment that includes a cap may not need a slot and indents on the pick-up portion or stylus. Additionally, the cap and/or the stylus may include mechanical elements configured to retain the cap on the stylus. 
     In a further embodiment of the attachment mechanism, the pick-up component  18  may include a passage extending at least partially through the thickness of the pick-up portion. The first end  15  of the stylus tool  2  may include a tab insertable into the passage. The stylus may include a spring-loaded locking feature to lock the tab into the hole. Other locking features may also be used. 
     The pick-up component  18  may have adhesive arranged on the top surface to assist in attaching the pick-up component  18  to the body  17  in addition to, or in place of the attachment mechanism. 
     The top and/or bottom surface of the pick-up component  18  may have adhesive characteristics to pick up a pill  14 . One of the adhesive surfaces may be pressed onto a pill  14  to attach the pill  14  to the pick-up component  18 . The adhesive surface(s) may have a detachable film cover or liner  29  to protect the adhesive capabilities prior to using the pick-up component  18  to secure pills  14 . The adhesive may be pre-applied to the pick-up component  18  or the pick-up component  18  may be dipped into an adhesive or other substance to activate an adhesive property immediately prior to use. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the body  17  of the stylus may include a contoured grip section  24  located between the first end  15  and the second end  16 . The contoured grip section  24  may rest ergonomically in a hand or may be gripped by a hand. The body  17  may additionally have a finger or thumb rest assembly  25 . The finger or thumb rest assembly  25  may be a raised narrow tab strip arranged on the body  17 . In an alternate embodiment, the finger or thumb rest assembly  25  may comprise soft grip bumps. In a further embodiment, the finger rest assembly  25  may include one or more concave or convex portions of the body  17  or one or more attachments having a convex or concave outer surface attached to the body  17 . In the contoured grip section  24 , the body  17  may be thicker away from the first end  15  in a longitudinal direction and thinner proximate the second end  16 . The material of the contoured grip section  24  may be different from the body  17 . 
     The stylus tool  2  may also have a link-engaging element  26 , such as a recess. The link-engaging element  26  may cooperate with the link  13  of the sorting tray  2  to link or engage the stylus tool  2  to the stylus receiving portion  8  described above. 
     The second end  16  of the stylus tool  2  may have a spatula  27  that can assist with sorting and moving pills  14 . The spatula  27  may have a reduced thickness as compared to most of the other portions of the body  17  of the stylus tool  2 . The stylus tool receiving portion  8  of the tray may include a spatula rest assembly  28  to receive the spatula  27  and secure the second end  17  in place on the sorting tray  3 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded side view of the pick-up component  18  according to an embodiment of the invention. The pick-up component may include a base  32  that can include the slot and indents to attached the pick-up component to the body  17 . One surface of the base  32  may include an adhesive material  30  attached. An example of adhesive material  30  may include, but is not limited to, non-toxic glue, binder, and sealant. For example, 3M™ adhesive #9874 or #1522 and ‘Hollywood Fashion Tape’ may be used as adhesive materials. Other adhesives with higher or lower adhesive strength could be utilized as long as the adhesive can pick up a pill and not physically remove any of the pill upon discharge. Other adhesives that might be utilized could include 3M™ adhesive #1509, 1513, 1567 and 1504XL. The adhesive material  30  may be covered by a detachable film cover  29  that protects the adhesive material  30  prior to use. The film cover  29  may extend past the pick-up component  18  to create a lip  31  to easily detach the film cover  29  from the pick-up component  18  in order to expose the adhesive material  30 . 
     The pick-up component could be formed individually or in groups.  FIG. 11  depicts a top view of an embodiment of the pick-up component  18 , where the pick-up component  18  may be formed in a series of pick-up components. A respective pick-up component  18  may be detachable from the series by, for example, perforated edges between adjacent pick-up components.  FIG. 11  clearly shows the lip  31  of the film cover  29  extending past the pick-up component  18  to facilitate removal of the cover. In one embodiment, the lip  31  may have a smaller radius of curvature than the end of the pick-up component  18 .  FIG. 12  shows a side view of the embodiment of the pick-up component  18  shown in  FIG. 9 . The film cover  29  may be included to protect the adhesive  30  that is adhered to the pick-up component  18  and prevent anything from sticking to the adhesive. The lip  31  may extend past the pick-up component  18  and the adhesive  30 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the stylus tool  2  may attach the pill  14  with the adhesive  30  on the pick-up component  18 . Once the pick-up component  18  is pressed onto the pill  14 , and the pill attached to the adhesive, the pill  14  may be carried to the discharging region  5  with the stylus tool  2 . The pill could also be carried directly to a dispensing bottle, compartmented pill box or other receptacle. Using the discharge ridge  7 , a lip of a container or other structure, the adhered pill  14  may be detached from the pick-up component  18  and fall into the basin of the discharge region  5 , into a bottle, compartmented pill box or other receptacle. The sorting tray  3  may then be tipped to pour the discharged pill  14  out of the sorting tray  3 . The spatula  27  of the second end  16  of the pick-up component may alternately push the pill through the spout  6  to move the pill from the discharge region  5 . 
     It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.