Patent Publication Number: US-11642286-B2

Title: Modular dispenser for single objects

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many people take pills, such as medications, vitamins, and supplements on a regular basis, sometimes even daily or several times each day. Presently, pills typically are dispensed in a child-proof or tamper resistant bottle that may be difficult to manipulate, may be difficult to store, and may be unsightly to keep in public view. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a modular dispenser that easily and conveniently stores and quickly dispenses to a user a pill of a variety of shapes and sizes. The modular dispenser should be suitable for storage on a counter or in an easily remembered and visible location. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A modular dispenser provides a user with the ability to organize and quickly and easily dispense an individual or single pill. 
     In one aspect, a modular dispenser comprising a cartridge configured to hold a plurality of pills. The cartridge comprises an opening through which at least one pill is configured to pass under an influence of gravity. A dispensing base is configured to removably receive the cartridge. The dispensing base comprises a funnel with a funnel inlet proximate the opening of the cartridge and a funnel outlet spaced apart from the funnel inlet. A dispensing assembly is rotatably coupled to the dispensing base. The dispensing assembly also comprises at least one catch configured to receive the at least one pill when the at least one catch is proximate the funnel outlet and to rotate the at least one catch away from the funnel outlet to a position from which the at least one pill is retrievable by a user. 
     Examples may comprise one of the following features or any combinations thereof. 
     For example, the dispensing assembly is configured to rotate in a plane perpendicular to a width of the dispensing base. The dispensing base may comprise a left side or a left panel, a right side or a right panel, and a front side or front cap that comprises a door opening through which the catch of the dispensing assembly rotatably extends away from the dispensing base. 
     Examples of the dispensing assembly optionally comprise a hub about which the dispensing assembly rotates. The dispensing assembly also may comprise an arc surface coupled to and spaced radially apart from the hub. In some examples, the at least one catch is coupled to the arc surface. The arc surface may comprise at least one fin extending radially away from the arc surface. The at least one fin optionally extends through a slot in a well of the funnel. The at least one fin may comprise a plurality of fins and, in some instances, the plurality of fins are spaced laterally apart from each other. 
     The funnel may comprise a funnel platform that extends laterally away from the funnel and the dispensing base may comprise at least one pair of ribs configured to receive the funnel platform. The funnel optionally comprises a funnel parapet extending away from the funnel towards the opening of the cartridge, wherein at least one of the funnel parapet and the perimeter of the opening of the cartridge comprises an engagement mechanism configured to engage the other of the funnel parapet and the perimeter of the opening of the cartridge. The funnel parapet may also comprise and engagement mechanism that comprises a snap-fitting configured to engage a ridge on the perimeter of the opening of the cartridge. 
     In some examples, the funnel comprises at least one flipper movably retained within the funnel. Optionally, the at least one fin may be configured to agitate the at least one flipper as the dispensing assembly rotates away from the funnel outlet. The at least one flipper may comprise an opening proximate the funnel inlet. The at least one flipper is flexible and be configured to return to an at rest position after the dispensing assembly is fully rotated towards the funnel outlet. 
     In another example, a dispensing base is configured to dispense at least one pill under an influence of gravity. The dispensing base may comprise a funnel with a funnel inlet proximate the opening of the cartridge and a funnel outlet spaced apart from the funnel inlet. The dispensing base may also comprise a dispensing assembly rotatably coupled to the dispensing base. The dispensing assembly may also comprise at least one catch configured to receive the at least one pill when the at least one catch is proximate the funnel outlet and to rotate the at least one catch away from the funnel outlet to a position from which the at least one pill is retrievable by a user. 
     An example of a method of assembling a modular dispenser may comprise one or more of the following steps performed in any order, including positioning a funnel adjacent to one of a left side or left panel and a right side or right panel of a dispensing base. The funnel may comprise a funnel inlet and a funnel outlet. The method may further comprise positioning a dispensing assembly with at least one catch proximate to the funnel and adjacent to one of the left side or the left panel and the right side or right panel of the dispensing base to which the funnel is positioned. The method may also comprise rotating the at least one catch away from the funnel outlet, coupling the left side or left panel to the right side or right panel of the dispensing base. The method optionally comprises coupling a front side or a front cap to the left panel and the right panel. Optionally, the method also comprises movably coupling a flipper to the funnel. 
     All examples and features mentioned above can be combined in any technically possible way 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the examples, reference to examples are illustrated in the appended drawings. The drawings depict only typical examples and are therefore not to be considered limiting. One or more examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an example of a modular dispenser with an example of a cartridge, dispensing base, and dispensing assembly. 
         FIG.  2    is perspective view of an example of a left side or left panel of the dispensing base. 
         FIG.  3 A- 3 C  are plan views of the left side or left panel of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4 A- 4 C  are plan views of an example of a right side or right panel of the dispensing base. 
         FIG.  5    is perspective view of another example of a left side or left panel of the dispensing base. 
         FIG.  6 A- 6 C  are plan views of the left side or left panel of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7 A- 7 C  are plan views of another example of a right side or right panel of the dispensing base. 
         FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  are front and rear perspective views of a front side or a front cap of the dispensing base. 
         FIG.  9    is an x-ray view and close-up view of the modular dispenser dispensing a pill. 
         FIG.  10 A- 10 C  are perspective and plan views of an example of a dispensing assembly. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view and close-up of the dispensing assembly of  FIG.  10 A- 10 C . 
         FIG.  12 A- 12 C  are perspective and plan views of another example of a dispensing assembly. 
         FIG.  12 D  is a perspective view and close-up of the dispensing assembly of  FIG.  12 A- 12 C . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of an example of a funnel. 
         FIGS.  14 A and  14 B  are plan views of the funnel of  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of another example of a funnel. 
         FIG.  16 A- 16 C  are perspective and plan views of the funnel of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIGS.  17 A and  17 B  are perspective views of an example of a flipper and the flipper in the funnel of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  18    is an x-ray view of another example of a modular dispenser dispensing a pill. 
         FIG.  19    is an exploded view of an example of a cartridge, a tamper evident seal, and a lid. 
         FIGS.  20 A and  20 B  are plan views of the cartridge of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21 A- 21 C  are a cross-section A-A and close-up views of the cartridge of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  23  through  27    are perspective views of an example of assembling or manufacturing a modular dispenser. 
     
    
    
     Common element numbers represent common features, even if the appearance of a feature varies slightly between the figures. 
     The drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be further described. In the following passages, different aspects of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous. 
     For purposes of this application, the term pill or pills is used to generically and collectively refer to one or more pills, capsules, soft gels, caplets, tablets, chewables, medication, vitamins, minerals, supplements, homeopathic substances and remedies, and the like. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example of a modular dispenser  10  with a removable and, optionally, refillable cartridge  12  configured to hold a plurality of pills. A dispensing base  14  is configured to removably receive the cartridge  12 . The dispensing base comprises a dispensing assembly  16  rotatably coupled to the dispensing base  14 . The dispensing assembly  16  may comprise at least one catch  18  configured to receive at least one pill  500  when the at least one catch  18  is proximate a funnel outlet  88  and to rotate the at least one catch  18  away from the funnel outlet  88  to a position from which the at least one pill  500  is retrievable by a user. 
       FIGS.  2 - 7 C  illustrate examples of a left panel or left side  20  and a right panel or right side  22  of the dispensing base  14 . The left side  20  and the right side  22  typically are mirror images of each other except for various complementary engagement features as will become apparent in the following discussion. In addition, the example of the left side  20  and the right side  22  illustrated in  FIG.  2 - 4 C  includes many common elements with the left side  20  and the right side  22  illustrated in  FIG.  5 - 7 C , with any differences identified in the text and/or apparent from the drawings. Any of the features illustrated in  FIG.  2 - 4 C  may be used in addition to or alternatively to any of the features illustrated in  FIG.  5 - 7 C  and vice-versa. Consequently, while most features will be illustrated and discussed within the context of the left side  20 , the same feature optionally may exist on the right side  22  of the dispensing base  14 . 
     The left side  20  and right side  22  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the left side  20  and right side  22 . 
     The left side  20  may include at least one pair of ribs  24  upon an interior portion of each side  20 ,  22 . The ribs  24  are configured to receive a platform  102  of the funnel  78  as discussed below. The ribs  24  optionally may project inward or away from the left side  20  in a direction towards the right side  22 . 
     The dispensing base  14  may include a ballast  36  as illustrated in  FIG.  22   . The ballast  36  may help maintain the modular dispenser  10  in an upright position or otherwise reduce the risk that the modular dispenser  10  might tip during use. The ballast  36  may be made of any material, including metal or plastic, and is typically denser than the material out of which the modular dispenser  10  and its subcomponents are made. The ballast  36  may be made of aluminum, stainless steel, and other similar metals. The left side  20  may include a ballast retention structure  38  configured to retain the ballast  36  in position within the dispensing base  14 . The ballast retention structure  38  may include one or more planar surfaces  40  that extend away from the dispensing base  14 , ballast ribs that extend away from the dispensing base, alignment features on a bottom  19  of the left side  20 , or through holes  43  configured to receive a screw that then is fastened to the ballast  36 . 
     The dispensing base  14  may also include one or more alignment features  44  with complementary structures on the left side  20  and the right side  22 . The alignment features  44  may be snap fit structure, key and slot, recesses configured to receive flexible tabs/fingers, and so forth. 
     The dispensing base  14  may include complementary coupling structures  46  on an exterior of the left side  20  and the right side  22 . The coupling structures  46  may allow a user to couple and decouple adjacent dispensing bases  14  to each other to allow for easy and convenient storage of multiple dispensing bases  14  together. The coupling structures  26  may be of any type, including a key and slot—as illustrated, the heart is a key that fits into a complementary slot—snap fit structures, and so forth. 
     The dispensing base  14  may include a front, front side, or front cap  48  configured to couple to one or both of the front and/or the top of the left side  20  and the right side  22  as best illustrated in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B . The front side or front cap  48  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the front side  48 . The front side  48  may include a front cap opening, opening, or hole  50  through which the dispensing assembly  16  is configured to be rotated into and out of the dispensing base  14 . The front side  48  may include a depression  52  configured to provide sufficient space for a user&#39;s finger to manipulate the dispensing assembly  16  when the dispensing assembly  16  is positioned fully within the dispensing base  14 . The depression  52  may be at least partially concave in shape, although any shape is permissible. The front side  48  may also include one or more alignment features  54  with complementary structures on the left side  20  and the right side  22 . The alignment features  54  may be snap fit structure, key and slot, recesses configured to receive flexible tabs/fingers, and so forth. 
     The dispensing assembly  16  is best illustrated in  FIGS.  9 ,  10 A- 10 C,  11 , and  12 A- 12 D . The dispensing assembly  16  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the dispensing assembly  16 . The dispensing assembly  16  may include a removable cap  56  to provide a tactilely pleasing surface for a user&#39;s finger to engage. The removable cap may include a snap-fit or other engagement mechanism configured to couple the removable cap  56  to a complementary shaped engagement mechanism  57  of the dispensing assembly  16 . 
     The dispensing assembly  16  may be configured to rotate about an axis  21  of a hub  23 . The hub  23  may be tubular or columnar in shape or have a recess  25  configured to receive a post  27  coupled to and extending away from at least one of the left side  20  and the right side  22  and about which the hub  23  may rotate. The hub  23  may include an upset  24 , such as a raised surface, bump, depression, recess, or other shape that provides tactile feedback to a user when the user rotates the dispensing assembly into the dispensing base  14  to indicate that the dispensing assembly  16  is securely received. The upset  24  may engage with a complementary feature  29  on one or both of the left side  20  and the right side  22  to retain the dispensing assembly  16  in its closed or fully received position within the dispensing base  14  until a user engages the removable cap  56  to open or rotate the dispensing assembly  16 . 
     The dispensing assembly  16  may include an arc surface  26 . The arc surface  26  optionally may be coupled to and spaced radially apart from the hub  23 . 
     The catch  18  may be coupled to the arc surface  26  and may be of any shape. For example, the catch  18  may have a width  62  and a length  64  selected to accommodate a range of sizes of pills  500 . The width  62  and the length  64  may be the same, different, a diameter, or other dimension. The catch may have a single, uniform depth, or it may have a first depth  63  proximate a rear  67  of the catch  18  and a second depth  65  proximate a front  69  of the catch  18 . The first depth  67  and the second depth  69  may be the same or different. As an example and as illustrated, the first depth  67  is greater than the second depth  69 . The bottom  70  of the catch  18  may be of any shape. As an example, the bottom  70  may be concave, spherical, or hemispherical and be configured to receive the pill  500  and to securely hold the pill  500  as the dispensing assembly rotates and allow a user to easily remove the pill  500 . The catch  18  may include at least one cutout  28  where the arc surface is relatively radially closer to the hub  23  than the arc surface  26  at the rear  67  or the front  69  of the catch. The at least one cutout  28  may allow a user to more easily retrieve a pill  500  from the catch with her fingers. 
     The dispensing assembly  16  may include at least one fin  30  that extends radially away from the arc surface  26 . The at least one fin  30  may be positioned rearward from the catch  18  on the arc surface  26 . The at least one fin  30  may include a plurality of fins. For example, the plurality of fins  30  may be two or more fins. The fins  30  may be spaced laterally apart a distance  32  on the arc surface  26  or the fins  30  may be in a linear arrangement. The plurality of fins  30  may have the same shape ( FIG.  12 A- 12 D ) or they may be of different shape ( FIG.  10 A- 10 C,  11   ). The fins  30  may optionally be spaced radially apart (e.g., one closer to the catch  18  and one further from the catch  18 ) a distance  34 . The at least one fin  30  may have a constant chord  36  along a length  38  or the chord  36  may change along the length  38 . The at least one fin may have a width  39 . The at least one fin  30  may include a fin end  42  with an increased chord  41  relative to a chord  36  of the fin  30 . 
     The dispensing base  14  may include a bottom grip  76  on one or both of a portion or an entirety of a bottom of the left side  20  and the right side  22  as illustrated in  FIG.  27   . The bottom grip  76  may be configured to improve the stability of the dispensing base  14  during normal use as the dispensing base  14  rests upon a countertop or other surface. The bottom grip  76  may be made of rubber, silicone, elastomer, or other material that has a coefficient of friction higher than a coefficient of friction of the material from which the dispensing base  14  is formed. The bottom grip  76  may include a self-adhesive, glue, mechanical connector (hook-and-loop fastener, for example) or other layer (not illustrated) configured to adhere the bottom grip  76  to one or both of the bottom of the left side  20  and the right side  22 . 
     The dispensing base  14  may include a funnel  78 , illustrated at  FIGS.  9 ,  13 ,  14 A,  14 B,  15 ,  16 A- 16 C,  18 ,  23 , and  24   , configured to receive and convey the pill or pills  500  from the cartridge  12  through the dispensing base  14  and into the catch  18  of the dispensing assembly  16 . The funnel  78  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the funnel  78 , which may be made as an integral component or may be formed of two or more subcomponents coupled together via complementary alignment features  77 , such as snap fittings (e.g., pin and snap, elastic fingers configured to be received in recesses, key and slots, and the like), adhesives, welding of any type, and the like. The surface of the funnel  78  may be relatively smoother and/or glossier than the surfaces of the dispensing base  14  and other components to reduce a coefficient of friction of the surface of the funnel  78 . For example, a coefficient of friction for a polypropylene material from which the funnel  78  may be made may range from 0.23 to 0.44 and a slope angle (not labeled) of the funnel  78  may increase as the coefficient of friction increases. As examples, the slope angle may range from 20 degrees to 70 degrees, from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and from 40 degrees to 50 degrees, or any ranges between and overlapping these ranges. 
     The funnel  78  may have a funnel height  79  that should be relatively smaller than a height  131  of the cartridge  12 , which could permit a user to better view the number of pills  500  remaining in the cartridge  12 . The funnel height  79  may be a function of a funnel slope angle (not labeled) to ensure the funnel slope angle falls within a desired range to ensure the pills  500  slide or flow properly down the funnel  78 . 
     The funnel  78  may have a first funnel length  81  proximate a front of the funnel  78  and a second funnel length  83  proximate a rear of the funnel  78 . The first funnel length  81  and the second funnel length  83  may be the same or they may be different. For example, the first funnel length  81  may be shorter (or longer) than the second funnel length  83 . 
     The funnel  78  may include a funnel inlet or throat  80  configured to be positioned proximate a cartridge opening  130  when the cartridge  12  is coupled to the dispensing base  14 . Optionally, the funnel inlet  80  may be positioned within the cartridge opening  130  when the cartridge  12  is coupled to the dispensing base  14 , which may reduce the risk a pill  500  could become stuck or jammed within the cartridge  12 . The funnel inlet  80  may have an inlet width  82  and an inlet length  84  sized similarly to a cartridge opening width  132  and a cartridge opening length  134 , or more commonly the inlet width  82  and the inlet length  84  may be similar in size to any dimension of a pill  500 , i.e., smaller than the cartridge opening length  134 . The inlet width  82  and the inlet length  84  may be the same and may optionally be a diameter. 
     The funnel  78  may include an alignment feature or engagement mechanism  86 , such as snap fittings (e.g., pin and snap, elastic fingers configured to be received in recesses, key and slots, and the like), configured to removably couple to a funnel latch interface  142  proximate the cartridge opening  130  of the cartridge  14  as described below. The alignment feature or engagement mechanism  86  are flexible enough to permit a user to easily insert the dispensing base  14 /funnel  78  into the cartridge opening  130  and to also easily remove the dispensing base  14 /funnel  78  from the cartridge opening  130  while being rigid enough to prevent the dispensing base  14 /funnel  78  from being unintentionally removed from the cartridge opening  130  in the event the modular dispenser  10  is unintentionally overturned or upset. 
     The funnel  78  also includes a funnel outlet  88  spaced apart from the funnel inlet  80  as best illustrated in  FIGS.  13  and  15   . The funnel outlet  88  is configured to be positioned proximate the catch  18  of the dispensing assembly  16  when the dispensing assembly  16  is positioned within the dispensing base  14 . The funnel outlet  88  includes an outlet width  90  and an outlet length  92 , which individually and collectively may be sized and shaped to enable a pill  500  to flow easily through the funnel outlet  88  without the pill  500  jamming or otherwise occluding the funnel outlet  88 . The outlet width  90  and the outlet length  92  may be the same and may optionally be a diameter. The funnel outlet  88  may optionally be profiled to include a cutout  89  or an extension  91  along a front portion of the funnel outlet  88 . 
     The funnel  78  may include a funnel platform  102  that extends laterally away from the funnel  78 . The funnel platform  102  may extend partially or wholly around the funnel  78 . The funnel platform  102  may optionally be sized and shaped to be received upon or between one or more of the pair of ribs  24  of the dispensing base  14 . 
     The funnel  78  also optionally includes a funnel parapet  104  extending away from the funnel  78  towards the opening  130  of the cartridge  12  when the cartridge  12  is coupled to the dispensing base  12 /funnel  78 . At least one of the funnel parapet  104  and the perimeter  136  of the opening  130  of the cartridge includes an alignment feature or engagement mechanism  86  configured to engage the other of the funnel parapet  104  and the perimeter  136  of the opening  130  of the cartridge  12 . As discussed above, the alignment feature or engagement mechanism  86  may include a snap-fitting configured to engage a ridge or tapered surface  146  on the perimeter  136  of the opening  130  of the cartridge  12 . 
     The funnel  78  optionally includes at least one and, in some examples, at least a pair of slots  106  through which the at least one or the plurality of fins  30  are configured to pass and rotate. The slots  106  may optionally be positioned one the same side of the funnel  78  or on opposite sides of the funnel  78 . The slots  106  may be sufficiently wide and long so as to allow the fins  30  to pass freely without interference or binding. 
     The funnel may also include a retention mechanism  107  configured to retain a flipper  108  as will be described below. The retention mechanism  107  may be a slot, recess, snap connection, or other coupling that provides flexible or movable retention of the flipper  108  within the funnel  78 . 
     The dispensing base  14  may also include a metering flap, flap, or flipper  108  as illustrated in  FIGS.  17 A,  17 B,  23 , and  24   . The flipper  108  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the flipper  108 . The flipper  108  may optionally be flexible. The flipper  108  optionally is planar with a lower surface  109  spaced apart from an upper surface  111 . 
     The flipper  108  may include a retainer  110  configured to engage with the retention mechanism  107  of the funnel  78  and movably retain the flipper  108  within the funnel  78 . Optionally, the flipper  108  may be pivotably retained within the funnel  78 . The retainer  110  may be a bar, rod, T-bar, snap connection, or other coupling that provides flexible, movable, rotatable, or pivotable retention of the flipper  108  within the funnel  78 . For example and as illustrated, the retainer  110  is a T-bar that can be inserted into the retention mechanism/slot  107  of the funnel  78 , after which the flipper  108  is rotated into a position for use within the funnel  78 . The flipper  108  may be of any shape or size but typically fits within the funnel  78 . 
     The flipper  108  may also include an opening  112  with a width  114  and a length  116 . The width  114  and the length  116  may be the same and may optionally be a diameter. The size of the opening  112  is configured to permit a pill  500  to be dispensed into the funnel inlet  80  while reducing the risk the pill  500  or a plurality of pills  500  jam the funnel inlet  80 . 
     In practice as illustrated at  FIGS.  9  and  18   , when a user opens or rotates the dispensing assembly  16  away from the dispensing base  14 , the at least one fin  30  is also rotated. The fin  30  extends through the slot  106 . As the fin  30  rotates, the fin end  42  may begin to engage a lower surface  109  of the flipper  108 , thereby agitating or causing the flipper to flex and/or raise or rotate upward in a direction away from the fin end  42 . The movement of the flipper  108 , constrained to some degree by the retainer  110 , agitates a pill or pills  500  within an upper portion of the funnel  78  and/or within the cartridge  12 . The agitation of the pill  500  may assist in causing the pill  500  to enter the funnel inlet  80  under an influence of gravity. Stated differently, the cooperative movement of the fin  30  and the flipper  108  may improve the fluidity of the pills  500  and reduce the risk the pills  500  become compacted or jammed within the funnel  78  or the cartridge  12 . 
     The cartridge  12  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the cartridge  12 . The plastic optionally may be transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent to allow a user to view the pills  500  within the cartridge  12 . 
     The cartridge  12  may include an opening or cartridge opening  130  through which the pills  500  may be initially loaded and from which the pills  500  may descend under the influence of gravity when the cartridge  12  is coupled to the funnel  78  and/or dispensing base  14 . The cartridge opening includes an opening width  132  and an opening length  134 . The opening  130  may also include a perimeter  136  that surrounds the opening  130 . Optionally, the cartridge  12  may be of any shape. For example, the shape of cartridge  12  may be keyed to the shape of the dispensing base  14 /funnel  78  so that the proper orientation of the cartridge  12  relative to the dispensing base  14 /funnel  78  is visually and/or tactilely apparent. 
     An interior surface  137  of the cartridge  12  may be vertical or sloped to improve the ability of the pills  500  to move through the cartridge  12  and into the funnel  78  under the influence of gravity and to reduce the risk that any pill  500  would become stuck or retained within the cartridge  12  under normal use. 
     One or more radii  140  may be present about an exterior surface  139  of the cartridge  12 . The radii  140  may provide a smooth intersection of two surfaces rather than a sharp corner. The cartridge  12  may also include at least one recess  141  in the exterior surface  139 . The recess  141  may be concave and/or hemispherical in shape and be configured to allow a user to use her finger to gain purchase under the lid  152  when the lid  152  is positioned upon the cartridge so as to reduce the effort required to remove the lid  152  from the cartridge  12 . 
     The opening  130  may include a funnel latch interface  142  configured to engage with the alignment mechanism or engagement mechanism  86  of the funnel  78  as illustrated in  FIG.  21 B . The funnel latch interface  142  may include a vertical portion  144  and/or a tapered portion  146  configured to engage with the alignment feature or engagement mechanism  86  and/or a latch  87  of the engagement mechanism  86 . The configuration of the engagement mechanism  86  and the funnel latch interface  142  should reduce the risk that a pill or pills  500  might become lodged or stuck against the engagement mechanism  86  and the funnel latch interface  142 . The funnel latch interface  142  may also include a tapered surface  148 . The tapered surface  148  may be spaced apart from the vertical surface  144 . The tapered surface  148  of the funnel latch interface  142  may be configured to engage with a latching mechanism  154  of the lid  152 . 
     The cartridge perimeter  136  may include a lip  148  configured to receive a removable tamper evident seal  150 . The tamper evident seal  150  may include a pull-tab (not illustrated) to allow a user a surface to grasp when removing the tamper evident seal  150  prior to inserting the cartridge  12  into the dispensing base  14 . 
     The cartridge  12  optionally also includes a lid  152  configured to be coupled the cartridge  12  and to removably cover the opening  130 . The lid  152  may be formed of any material, such as metal, wood, and plastic. Typically, a molded or cast plastic is used to form the lid  152 . The lid  152  may optionally be flexible. The lid  152  may be symmetrical about a long axis and/or or a short axis. The lid  152  may include a latching mechanism  154  configured to engage with the funnel latch mechanism  142 . For example, a flexible snap  156  of the latching mechanism  154  may engage with the tapered surface  148  of the funnel latch mechanism  142  as illustrated in  FIG.  21 C . 
     An example of assembling a modular dispenser  10  for pills  500  is illustrated in  FIG.  23 - 27   . The method includes positioning the funnel  78  adjacent to one of the left panel  20  and the right panel  22  of the dispensing base  14 , with the funnel  78  including the funnel inlet  80  and the funnel outlet  88 . Optionally, the method includes movably coupling the flipper  108  to the funnel  78 . The method may further include positioning the dispensing assembly  16  with the least one catch  18  proximate to the funnel  78  and adjacent to one of the left panel  20  and the right panel  22  of the dispensing base  14  to which the funnel  78  is positioned. The method may include rotating the at least one catch  18  away from the funnel outlet  88 . The method may further include coupling the left panel  20  to the right panel  22  of the dispensing base  14 . Optionally, the method also includes coupling the front cap  48  to the left panel  20  and the right panel  22 . 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other examples are within the scope of the following claims.