Patent Publication Number: US-8118944-B2

Title: Self-cleaning pill counting device, and cleaning method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of international patent application No. PCT/CA2007/001760 filed on Oct. 2, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/848,375 filed on Oct. 2, 2006. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a self cleaning pill counting device to prevent contamination from one medication to another. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning said device. 
     BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION 
     In hospital, nursing homes or pharmacies, batches of pills are counted on a pill tray. When different medications are counted on a same tray, the second or subsequent batch of pills could become contaminated with dust or heavier particles from the first batch, and so on. These contaminations could cause many inconveniences, such as, for example, allergic reactions in patients taking medication from the second or subsequent batch of pills. 
     Up to now, the only way to avoid contamination was to carefully wash the tray or to use a disposable tray. This is either time consuming and/or expensive. 
     Therefore, there is a strong need for a self cleaning pill counting device, and cleaning method thereof, that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a self cleaning pill counting device comprising in combination:
         a tray comprising:
           a base member having an upper surface for receiving a bulk quantity of pills;   a trough member alongside the base member and provided with a depression having opposite ends and at least one surface for receiving a load of a counted quantity of pills from said bulk quantity, one of said opposite ends further defining a spout for the unloading said counted quantity of pills in a pills container,   
           a lid member having a lower surface, the lid member being mounted on the base member and being movable between two extreme positions, that is:
           a first position where the lower surface of the lid member is away from the upper surface of the base member and the surface of the depression of the trough member;   a second position where the lower surface of the lid member is close and above the upper surface of the base member and the surface of the depression of the trough member to thereby creates a cavity;   
           at least one port provided in the tray and/or in the lid member and adapted to be connected in fluid communication with the cavity and with an air intake of a vacuum device that is remotely controlled;
 
being understood that when the lid is in the second position and a vacuum is applied to at least one port, an air stream is established within the cavity to entrain toward the vacuum device dusts and/or particles that may be present is the cavity.
       

     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein the lower surface of the lid member is substantially mating above the upper surface of the base member and the surface of the depression of the trough member. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein the at least one port means one port is provided across the lid member and communicates with the cavity through the lower surface, or wherein the at least one port is provided across the base member and communicates with a chamber that is in fluid communication with cavity, the chamber being at least defined by a portion of the base member, and at least a portion of the lid member. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port is one opening provided across the lid member and communicates with the cavity through the lower surface, and at least a portion of the lower surface of the lid member defines a funnel of small height toward the opening. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port is provided across the lid member and communicates with the cavity through the lower surface:
         a periphery of the upper surface is adjacent a first wall member,   at least a portion of a periphery of the lower surface is adjacent a second wall member, and   the first wall member and the second wall member abut at least in part one against the other when the lid member is in the second position.       

     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port is provided across the lid member and communicates with the cavity through the lower surface:
         the first wall member forms a first rim around the upper surface of the base member and a periphery of the depression,   the second wall member forms a second rim around the lower surface of the lid member, and   the first rim and the second rim abut at least in part one against the other when the lid member is in the second position.       

     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port is one opening provided across the base and communicates with a chamber that is in fluid communication with said cavity, and the chamber is at least defined by a portion of the base member, and at least a portion of the lid member:
         a periphery of the upper surface is adjacent a first wall member,   at least a portion of a periphery of the lower surface is adjacent a second wall member, and   the first wall member and the second wall member abut at least in part one against the other when the lid member is in the second position.       

     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port means is provided across the base and communicates with a chamber that is in fluid communication with the cavity, and the chamber is at least defined by a portion of the base member and at least a portion of the lid member,
         the first wall member forms a first rim around the upper surface of the base member and a periphery of the depression,   the second wall member forms a second rim around the lower surface of the lid member, and   the first rim and the second rim abut at least in part one against the other when the lid member is in the second position.       

     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein when the at least one port is provided across the base and communicates with a chamber that is in fluid communication with cavity, and the chamber is at least defined by a portion of the base member and at least a portion of the lid member, the first rim and the second rim along with the base member and the lid member define walls of the chamber. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein the lid member is pivotally mounted on the base member. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein the trough member has at least a portion thereof that is pivotally mounted on the base member, said portion being provided with said at least one surface of the depression and the spout. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein said portion of the through pivots between two extreme positions, that is a first position where said at least one surface of the depression is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the base member, and a second position where said at least one surface of the depression is inclined to have the spout moves downwardly. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein the vacuum device is incorporated to the base. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein a filtering means is provided between said at least one port and the vacuum device. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a device as described hereinabove, wherein an on/off switch device is further provided and preferably mechanically connected to the base member and the lid member to remotely start/stop the vacuum device when the lid member is moved from one extreme position to another extreme position. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it further comprises at least one additional port for the admission of a pressurized gas in the cavity. Said at least additional port may be provided in the base member, in the lid member or at one in the base member and the lid member. A non limitative example of the pressurized gas may consist of carbon dioxide, especially frozen carbon dioxide, dry air or mixtures thereof. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for cleaning a device as defined hereinbefore, wherein a vacuum is applied by the vacuum device to the cavity to create an air stream than entrain dust and/or particles that may be present in the cavity. Optionally, the air stream may be increased by admitting within the cavity of a pressurized gas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be better understood with reference to the enclosed drawings illustrating particularly preferred and non limitative aspects of said invention. More particularly, said drawings comprise the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a pill counting device according to the invention with a vacuum device and in dotted lines a variant thereof where a pressurized gas is further used simultaneously with the vacuum device; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a pill counting device according to a first particularly preferred embodiment invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the pill counting device of  FIG. 2  (with the trough inclined). 
         FIG. 3A  is an illustration of a filter in a cartridge shown in  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pill counting device of  FIG. 3B . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plane view of the base member and trough member. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the portion of the lid according to line VI-VI in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is cross sectional view according to line VII-VII in  FIG. 2  with the lid member in close position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pill counting device according to a second particularly preferred embodiment invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional view of the pill counting device of  FIG. 8  showing details of the chamber. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT PARTICULARLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, there is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 7  of the drawings, a self cleaning pill counting device  1 . This device  1  comprises in combination a tray  3 , a trough member  5 , a lid member  7  and at least one port such as an opening  9  as illustrated, provided in the lid member  7  and adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a cavity  11  and with an air intake of a vacuum device  13  that is remotely controlled. When the lid member  7  is in closed position (i.e. at second position) and a vacuum is applied to said at least one port  9 , an air stream is established in the cavity  11  to entrain toward the vacuum device  13  dusts and/or particles that may be present in the cavity  11 . 
     More particularly, the tray  3  comprises a base member  15  having an upper surface  16  for receiving a bulk quantity of pills; a trough member  5  alongside the base member  15  and provided with a depression  19  having opposite ends  21 ,  23  and at least one surface  25  for receiving a load of a counted quantity of pills from said bulk quantity. The end  21  further defines a spout  27  for the unloading said counted quantity of pills in a pills container  29  (shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 3 ). The trough member  5  has a portion  6  that is pivotally mounted to the base member  15  on a pivot  31  and is optionally provided, as illustrated, with a handle  33 . A remaining portion  22  of the trough member  5  makes an integral part of the base member  15  and comprises the end  23 . 
     The trough member  5  can be moved between two extreme positions, that is: a first position (see  FIG. 2 ) where the lid member  7  is away from the upper surface  16  of the base member  15  and the surface  25  of the depression  19  of the trough member  5 ; and a second position (see  FIG. 4 ) where a lower surface  18  of the lid member  7  is close and above the upper surface  16  of the base member  15  and the surface  25  of the depression  19  of the trough member  5  to thereby create a cavity  11 . 
     The lid member  7  has a lower surface  18  and is mounted on the base member  15  around hinges  35  to be movable between two extreme positions, that is: a first position where the lower surface  18  of the lid member  7  is away from the upper surface  16  of the base member  15  and the surface  25  of the depression  19  of the trough member  5 ; and a second position where the lower surface  18  of the lid member  7  is close and above the upper surface  16  of the base member  15  and the surface  25  of the depression  19  of the trough member  5  to thereby create a cavity  11 . When the lid member  7  is in the second position and a vacuum is applied to said opening  9 , an air stream is established in the cavity  11  (see arrows) to entrain toward the vacuum device  13  dusts and/or particles that may be present in the cavity  11 . 
     Also, even though any appropriate means can be used to connect the at least one port with an inlet port of the vacuum device, preferably the opening  9 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , is connected to an inlet port of the vacuum device  13  with a vacuum hose  37 . This vacuum device may be of any common type. Preferably, the vacuum device is operated by an electric motor. Also, preferably as illustrated, a filter  39  is advantageously provided across the hose  37  for collecting air borne particle that are entrained form the cavity  11 . The filter  39  may advantageously consists of a cartridge  41  that is mounted across the hose  37 . The mounting of said cartridge can be made by any appropriate means, preferably conventional connectors. Similarly, the connection of the hose  37  to the opening  9  and the air intake of the vacuum device  13  can be made by any appropriate means, preferably with conventional connectors. Said connectors can be made of any appropriated materials, such as plastic or metal tubing 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , the vacuum device  13  is remotely operated by a on/off rotary switch  43  mounted at the hinge portion of a base member  14  and lid member  7 . When the lid member  7  is in the first position (i.e. away from the base member  15 ), the switch  43  is &lt;&lt;off&gt;&gt; and stops the vacuum device  13 . When the lid member  7  is in the second position, the switch  43  is &lt;&lt;on&lt;&lt; and starts the vacuum device  13 . As illustrated, the switch  43  and the electric motor of the vacuum device may be connected with an electric cord  44 . Of course this electric cord is only illustrative and can be replace by any appropriate means well known to skilled workman. Alternatively, the on/off rotary switch  43  may be replaced and/or combined with a timer device in order to run the vacuum device for a determined period of time, or with any other appropriate device well known to skilled workman to control the operation of a vacuum device. 
     The cavity  11  which is positioned between the lower surface  18 , which is preferably shaped as a funnel toward the opening  9  as illustrated, the surface  25  and the upper surface  16 , and has its height adjusted with the capacity of the vacuum device  13 . Preferably, as illustrated, the cavity is further delimited by rims  51  and  53 . Said rims abut one against the other to fix the height of the cavity  11 . This height may preferably vary from few millimeters to few centimeters. When the vacuum device  13  has a low capacity, the height will be smaller and when the vacuum device  13  has a high capacity the height will be greater. It is just necessary to create a stream of air within said cavity  11  to entrain dusts and/or particles that may be present in said cavity  11  toward the vacuum device  13  and preferably, as illustrated against the filter  39  where dusts and/or particles are collected. Of course this filter  39  may be easily detachable from the vacuum hose  37  and can be replaced easily. As illustrated, fittings  45 ,  47  can be provided. Of course, any other appropriate means allowing to easily remove filter  39  can be used. The used filters  39  can be discarded in bio-hazardous waste. 
     Material use to embody the device according to the invention may be of any kind. Preferably, metal or plastic material can be used. An example of metal can be aluminum of stainless steel while an example of plastic material may be polyethylene, etc. 
     In order to use a device  1  as defined hereinabove, the lid member  7  is moved away from the base member  15 , the rotary switch is moved to a off position to stop the vacuum device if it was still running, and a bulk amount of pills in poured from a bulk container on the upper surface  16  of the base member  15 , and then pills are manually counted and drop in the depression  19  as with conventional pill trays. Then the portion  6  of the trough member  5  is pivoted around its pivot  31  to pour the counted quantity in the pill container  29 . Thereafter, the remainder of the bulk amount of pills are removed from the upper surface and returned in the bulk container. 
     Optionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the self cleaning device  1  may be further provide with at least one admission port (preferably one or several openings) connected to a source of a pressurized gas in the cavity. More particularly, said admission port(s) (preferably opening(s)) may comprise nozzles to create and direct one or several air jets against one or several surfaces delimiting the cavity  11 . Said admission port may be provided in the lid member  7  and/or in the base member  15 . 
     The pressurized gas may consist of carbon dioxide, dry air or mixtures thereof. The pressurized gas may be obtained from a pressurized container  59  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), a compressor or any other source of pressurized gas. Advantageously, said at least one admission port for the pressurized gas and said at least one port for the vacuum are at opposite ends of the cavity. 
     Advantageously, as illustrated in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 , the source of pressurized gas may be connected to said at least one admission port with conventional tubings and fittings well known to skilled workman. The control of the pressurized gas may be obtained with valves  61  also well known to skilled workman. Alternatively, this valve may be controlled by a solenoid optionally activated by the rotary switch  43 . 
     Thereafter, the lid member  7  is moved toward its second position around the hinges, the rotary switch is moved to a on position to activate a vacuum device that will create a vacuum in cavity  11  to entrain dusts and/or particles toward the filter  39 . 
     Thereafter, generally after a determined period of time, the lid member  7  is moved away from the upper surface  16  and surface  25 , the rotary switch is returned to the off position to stops the vacuum device and the device  1  can be used again. If necessary, a visual check of the surfaces, the above operation can be repeated if there is still some traces of dusts and/or particles. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  of the drawings, the self cleaning pill counting device  101  is similar to the device  1  except that the at least one port is defined by the opening  109 , is provided across the base member  15  and communicates with a chamber  110  that is in fluid communication with the cavity  111 . The chamber  110  is defined is defined by a portion of the base member  115  and a portion of the lid member  117 . Also, the device  101  has the vacuum device  131  and/or the filter  141  integrated in a pedestal  102  supporting the device  101 . When only the filter  141  is incorporated in the pedestal, the vacuum device  131  may be connected to the filter with conventional tubings and fittings. Remaining parts of the device  101  are similar to those of device  1  and operation of said device  101  is similar except for the flow of the air stream (see arrows). Similar parts of the device  1  are merely incremented by  100  in the device  101 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosures as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.