Patent Publication Number: US-10772802-B2

Title: Pill-cutting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/621,883, entitled Pill-Cutting Device and filed Jan. 25, 2018, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to the field of cutting pills for the purposes of dosing or making pills easier to swallow. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is known to cut pills using various cutting devices. With this sort of device, the pill is rested on a surface (e.g., a rubber pad), which serves as a lower jaw. The pill, when intended for splitting, is nested between two converging angled walls. The two walls extend up from the lower jaw, and aid in centering the pill. A straight-edged blade extends down from an upper jaw that is hingably attached to the lower jaw. When the upper jaw is brought down, the razor cuts the pill. The razor blade is typically a straight razor or anvil-type blade that splits the pills using a crushing force along the sharp point of the blade. Similar to splitting a log with an ax, this method uses pressure to fracture the pill along the sharp edge of the blade. In turn, this impacts the precision of the “split,” especially with standard pills which have convex exterior surfaces, often resulting in pill fragments and irregular surfaces where the cut has been made. Consequently, this adversely affects the accuracy of medication dosage. 
     Some common pill shapes include convex-faced elongated tablets, convex-faced round tablets, and flat-faced round tablets. The diameter and surface curvature of convex tablets may vary. For example, a typical diameter for convex tablets is about 8 mm. A shallow convex tablet may have a radius of curvature of about 13.5 mm, while a standard convex tablet may have a radius of curvature of about 9.5 mm. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a cutting device is provided. The cutting device includes a first blade having a first sharp edge aligned in a first direction, and a second blade having a second sharp edge aligned in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The second blade is oriented adjacently in proximity with the first blade so that they may slide closely besides one another. The first sharp edge has a first concavely-curved indent, and the second sharp edge has a second concavely-curved indent aligned opposite the first concavely-curved indent. The first and second concavely-curved indents form an opening between the first sharp edge and the second sharp edge. The opening is adapted to receive a pill for cutting when the first blade is moved in the first direction and the second blade is concurrently moved in the second direction, which effectively splits the pill for precise dosing and reduced waste. 
     In another embodiment, a pill-cutting device is provided. The pill-cutting device includes an upper blade having a first curved indent and a lower blade positioned beneath the upper blade. The lower blade has a second curved indent aligned with and facing the first curved indent. The first and second curved indents are arranged to form an opening between them. A handle is mechanically coupled with the upper blade for moving the upper blade. A lever is mechanically coupled by a first end to the lower blade, with the lever being arranged for pivoting about a fulcrum. A rod mechanically couples the handle with a second end of the lever, opposite the fulcrum from the first end, such that motion of the handle concurrently moves the lower blade and the upper blade in opposite directions as the lever pivots about the fulcrum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a pill-cutting device, in an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the pill-cutting device of  FIG. 1  in a partially-closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of another embodiment of a pill-cutting device; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of yet another embodiment of a pill-cutting device having a housing; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of blades of a pill-cutting device, in an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the blades of  FIG. 5  in a partially-closed position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view and a cross-sectional side view of the blades of a pill-cutting device in an open position, in an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows a front view and a cross-sectional side view of the blades of the pill-cutting device of  FIG. 7  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional side view of a pill-cutting device having an optional pill-centering apparatus in a receiving position, in an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional side view of the pill-cutting device and the pill-centering apparatus of  FIG. 9  in a centered position; 
         FIG. 11  shows a top-down view of the pill centering apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a front view of an upper blade of a pill-cutting device, in an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional side view of the upper blade of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit the pill-cutting device to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the pill-cutting device. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of this disclosure provide systems for cutting pills, including medical tablets, vitamins, supplements, etc. The embodiments involve the use of opposed concave-shaped blades. The blades use compression to both cut and split the pill simultaneously. Embodiments of this disclosure provide a superior, reliable, and more accurate cut without fracturing the pill. Compared to conventional designs that split by breaking the pills, the systems disclosed herein primarily cut, which enables more-precise dosing with less waste. Although useful for numerous pill shapes and types, the disclosed device is ideal for convex-shaped pills which can be very challenging to cut with a straight blade. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, a pill-cutting device according to this disclosure comprises a pair of concavely-curved sharp blades that are adjacently aligned in opposition with one another. Various embodiments relate to the use of these curved blades in different physical arrangements, some (but not all) of which are described below. The combination of the curved blades and their movement about a fulcrum result in a combined shearing tension and cutting action along a plane formed between the opposed blades. Additionally, a single concavely-curved blade located on either as an upper or lower blade could be used and still meet the objectives of what is disclosed. Thus, the invention should not be limited to any number of blades unless so specified in the claims. Obviously, the pill-cutting device may be used to cut other objects including edible articles, without departing from the scope hereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a pill-cutting device  100  in an open position.  FIG. 2  is a front view of pill-cutting device  100  in a partially-closed position.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are best viewed together with the following description. An upper blade  120  is positioned above a lower blade  130 . Upper blade  120  and lower blade  130  each include at least one curved indent. For example, upper blade  120  includes a first curved indent  121  and a second curved indent  122 . Likewise, lower blade  130  includes a first curved indent  131  and a second curved indent  132 . Each curved indent is a concavely-curved portion of the blade that forms an inset along the sharp edge. In certain embodiments, the concavely-curved indent is substantially semi-circular in shape. The curvatures of the indents are adapted to allow pills of various sizes and shapes to be cut effectively. One skilled in the art will recognize that instead of oppositely indented blades, a single indented blade may be used with the opposite side of the pill engaged or held in place by some opposing surface, as discussed above. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , each curved indent of upper blade  120  is paired with a matching and opposing curved indent of lower blade  130 . The pairs of curved indents face one another forming an opening therebetween. Each opening is adapted for receiving an edible article, such as a pill, to be cut. For example, pill-cutting device  100  includes a first pair of opposing curved indents formed from first curved indent  121  in upper blade  120  that is opposite first curved indent  131  in lower blade  130 , which together form a first opening  201 . A second pair of opposing curved indents is formed from second curved indent  122  in upper blade  120  that is opposite second curved indent  132  in lower blade  130 , which together form a second opening  202 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , pill-cutting device  100  is in an open position for receiving an appropriately sized pill in one of first opening  201  or second opening  202 . 
     In certain embodiments, the upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  may include only one opening. However, having more than one opening enables cutting of more than one pill at a time. Additionally, providing differently sized openings enables matching a diameter of an opening with a pill diameter, which may be helpful for cutting otherwise difficult to cut pills (e.g., convex-shaped pills), as further described below in connection with  FIG. 12 . Pill-cutting device  100 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes two pairs of opposing curved indents with each pair forming an opening of a different diameter. A greater or lesser number of opposing curved indents having the same or different diameters may be included in the blades without departing from the scope hereof (e.g., see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Upper blade  120  is aligned adjacent lower blade  130  as best depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the open position, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , upper blade  120  and lower blade  130  overlap slightly outside of the openings  201 ,  202 , which assists with maintaining the blades in alignment with one another for sliding without impediment. 
     Upper blade  120  is mechanically coupled with a handle  110 . When a user presses down on handle  110 , this causes upper blade  120  to move downwardly. Concurrently, lower blade  130  moves upwardly via a drive mechanism, such as a rod, lever, and fulcrum arrangement described below. For embodiments without a lower blade, a supporting surface may be used in place of lower blade  130 . In certain embodiments, a first blade extends from a first member opposite a second member. The second member may include a supporting surface for holding a pill or a second blade that extends out from the second member opposite the first blade. 
     As the handle  110  is pressed downwardly, upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 , being aligned adjacent with one another, slide passed each other thereby closing first and second openings  201 ,  202  either partially or fully, as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Arrows in the figures indicate a direction of travel of the opposing blades while a force is applied to the handle  110 . 
     When a user pushes handle  110 , a first rod  141  and a second rod  142  are mechanically coupled with handle  110  such that the rods move in concert with the handle. Each of first rod  141  and second rod  142  engage with a first lever arm  151  and a second lever arm  152 , respectively. First lever arm  151  and second lever arm  152  are arranged for pivoting about a first fulcrum  161  and a second fulcrum  162 , respectively. As handle  110  moves downwardly, an outer portion of each lever arm is moved downwardly such that the lever arms pivot about their respective fulcrums, causing an inner end of each lever arm to push upwardly on lower blade  130 . A first spring  171  and a second spring  172  are attached to a bottom member  115 , which may be part of a bottom handle or part of a catch basin for collecting cut pills (see e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). As handle  110  moves downwardly, first and second springs  171 ,  172  are compressed against bottom member  115 . 
     As handle  110  is released, first spring  171  and second spring  172  push upwardly on the outer portion of each lever arm causing the lever arms and lower blade  130  to counter-pivot back to their original position (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ) and causing first rod  141  and second rod  142  to move upwardly, thereby returning handle  110  and upper blade  120  to their original position. Optionally, a third spring  173  and a fourth spring  174  are concentrically arranged around first rod  141  and second rod  142 , respectively, beneath handle  110 . The third and fourth springs assist with returning handle  110  and upper blade  120  to their uppermost position as further described below in connection with  FIG. 4 . 
     In some embodiments, a single rod, lever, and fulcrum arrangement may be used. For example, toward the middle of the blades, a single rod may extend from handle  110  to a single lever that engages an underside of lower blade  130  near its mid-section (between first and second openings  201  and  202 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of pill-cutting device  300  in the open position, which is an example of pill-cutting device  100 ,  FIG. 1  that includes three openings having different diameters. Specifically, a third pair of opposing curved indents is formed from a third curved indent  123  in upper blade  120  that is opposite a third curved indent  133  in lower blade  130 , which together form a third opening  203 . Components enumerated with like numerals are the same or similar and their description may not be repeated accordingly. 
     Pill-cutting device  300  may be used to cut three pills simultaneously or to optimize cutting of different diameter pills. In the open position, upper blade  120  overlaps slightly with lower blade  130  outside of the curved indents to help keep the blades aligned adjacent to one another (in the manner described above for pill-cutting device  100 ). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  may optionally include one or more cutouts. For example, first cutouts  125 ,  135  are located in upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 , respectively, between the first and second openings  201 ,  202 . Second cutouts  126 ,  136  are located in upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 , respectively, between the second and third openings  202 ,  203 . 
     Any of the embodiments discussed herein (e.g., pill-cutting device  100 ) may be incorporated into a housing of suitable design and dimensions.  FIG. 4 , described below, depicts an exemplary housing for a pill-cutting device. The housing is constructed of a suitable material (e.g., a plastic such as polycarbonate) to provide sufficient strength, durability, and health safety. The dimensions and arrangement of the housing components may be varied to accommodate relevant manufacturing and marketing needs. The pill-cutting device is mounted within the housing in a suitably sturdy and functional manner. The housing may help to ensure a stable alignment of the pertinent mechanical parts (e.g., upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a pill-cutting device  400 . Pill-cutting device  400  is an example of pill-cutting device  100  having a housing. Namely, pill-cutting device  400  includes an upper housing  181 , a lower housing  182 , and a catch basin  183 . Not all components in  FIG. 4  are enumerated for clarity of illustration. 
     Upper housing  181  includes a first and second through-hole (indicated with dashed lines in  FIG. 4 ) for enabling first and second rods  141 ,  142  to pass through, respectively. The through-holes enable upper housing  181  to freely slide up and down along first and second rods  141 ,  142  such that upper housing  181  may rest upon lower housing  182 . When upper housing  181  is in contact with lower housing  182 , the curved indents of upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  are concealed and protected such that the sharp edges of the blades are inaccessible for increased safety. Upper housing  181  may be slid upwards along first and second rod  141 ,  142  to allow access to the curved indents of upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  and for inserting a pill therebetween. The upper housing  181  may be slid upwards until it compresses optional third and fourth springs  173 ,  174  with handle  110 , or until housing  181  contacts handle  110 . In certain embodiments, when handle  110  is fully pressed downwards, upper housing  118  is sandwiched between, and in contact with, both handle  110  and lower housing  182 . In other words, housing  181  and housing  182  provide a hard stop for depression of handle  110  as it is moved downwards. Upon release of handle  110 , optional third and fourth springs  173 ,  174  assist with returning handle  110  to its original uppermost position by extending against upper housing  181 . 
     Catch basin  183  provides a floor of the housing and replaces bottom member  115  of pill-cutting device  100 ,  FIG. 1 . As handle  110  moves downwardly, first and second springs  171 ,  172  are compressed against the floor of catch basin  183 . Catch basin  183  also provides a receptacle for collecting pill portions following cutting. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of exemplary pill-cutting device  400 ,  FIG. 4  in an open position.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of pill-cutting device  400  in a closed position. The cross-section is taken from about the middle of a pair of opposing curved indents such as that formed from first curved indent  121  in upper blade  120  and first curved indent  131  in lower blade  130 ,  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  are best viewed together with the following description. 
       FIG. 5  shows pill-cutting device  400  in an open position ready to accept a pill for cutting. Opening  201  between upper and lower blades  120  and  130  is adapted for receiving a pill, and upper housing  181  is slid upwards away from lower housing  182  to provide access to opening  201 .  FIG. 6  shows pill-cutting device  400  in a closed position after handle  110  has been depressed. Upper and lower blades  120  and  130  overlap, and upper housing  181  is slid downwards into contact with lower housing  182 , thereby limiting downward movement of handle  110 . The gap between upper housing  181  and handle  110  is due to third and fourth springs  173 ,  174 . Lower blade  130  moves independently of lower housing  182  via the drive mechanism described above.  FIGS. 5 and 6  show how upper blade  120  and lower blade  130  are aligned adjacent to one another with a slight lateral offset to allow the blades to slide by each other in close proximity as they overlap. In other words, the sharp edges of upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  do not abut against one another but instead pass by one another. 
     A cutting plane is a plane through the pill or article to be cut, which is determined at least in part by the plane formed by upper blade  120 . In certain embodiments, the cutting plane is aligned between upper blade  120  and lower blade  130 . Prior to cutting, a pill is aligned with the cutting plane. For example, a pill may be centered across the cutting plane prior to cutting. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front view and a cross-sectional side view of the blades of pill-cutting device  300  in an open position.  FIG. 8  shows a front view and a cross-sectional side view of the blades of pill-cutting device  300  in a partially-closed position.  FIGS. 7 and 8  are best viewed together with the following description. The side views are shown on the right of their respective front views in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The location of the cross-section for the side views corresponds with the A-A′ line of the front views for each figure. Arrows in  FIGS. 7 and 8  demonstrate relative direction of movement of the blades when a force is applied to handle  110 . The side views show a relative position of the curved indent of blades  120 ,  130  in the open position ( FIG. 7 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 8 ). 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional side view of pill-cutting device  400  having an optional pill-centering apparatus  190  in a receiving position.  FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional side view of pill-cutting device  400  and optional pill-centering apparatus  190  in a centered position.  FIGS. 9 and 10  are best viewed together with the following description. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show pill-centering apparatus  190  for centering a pill  200 . Pill  200  is a diagrammed representative medical tablet, for example. As depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , pill  200  is shaped like a convex-faced elongated tablet. However, pill  200  may have an alternative shape, including but not limited to convex-faced round tablets and flat-faced round tablets. 
     Prior to cutting, pill  200  is centered using apparatus  190 . Arrows in  FIG. 9  show the direction of travel of a first arm  191  and a second arm  192  for centering pill  200 . Arrows in  FIG. 10  show the direction of downward travel of handle  110  and of upward travel of lower blade  130  when a force is applied to handle  110  for cutting pill  200 , as described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . 
     First and second arms  191 ,  192  are oriented transversely from upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 . In other words, the length of upper and lower blades  120 ,  130  are arranged longitudinally and first and second arms  191 ,  192  are oriented perpendicular to upper and lower blades  120 ,  130 . Each of first arm  191  and second arm  192  are mechanically coupled to a mechanism for moving transversely. For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , first and second arms  191 ,  192  are mechanically coupled to a rack and pinion apparatus via a first vertical bar  193  and a second vertical bar  194 , respectively. Each of first vertical bar  193  and second vertical bar  194  are in turn mechanically coupled with first rack  195  and second rack  196 , respectively. The racks are arranged transversely and have grooves that interface with a gear  197  (as best viewed in  FIG. 11 ). When one of the racks is moved transversely, the transverse movement is transferred via gear  197  to the other rack in the opposite direction. 
     Pill-centering apparatus  190  may be activated by pressing inwardly on one or both of arms  191 ,  192  or components coupled thereto, such as vertical bars  193 ,  194 . Upon activation, pill  200  is automatically moved transversely to a central position such that a midpoint of pill  200  is substantially aligned with a cutting plane between blades  120 ,  130 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a top-down view of pill centering apparatus  190  of  FIG. 9 . First rack  195  is aligned substantially in parallel with second rack  196 . As either of first or second racks  195 ,  196  is pushed or pulled, gear  197  rotates causing the racks  195 ,  196  to move in concert with one another in opposite directions. Arrows in  FIG. 11  show direction of racks  195 ,  196  as the arms  191 ,  192  move towards one another for centering a pill. A first longitudinal bar  198  and a second longitudinal bar  199  connect first and second vertical bars  193 ,  194  with first and second arms  191 ,  192 , respectively, thereby centrally aligning first and second arms  191 ,  192  between first rack  195  and second rack  196 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a front view of upper blade  120 . In certain embodiments, a diameter and a radius of curvature of curved indent  121  may be formed to be match those of a particular type of pill to be cut, such as a standard convex tablet having a diameter of 8 mm and a radius of curvature of 9.5 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter and/or the radius of curvature of curved indent  121  are larger than that of a standard convex tablet. 
       FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional side view of upper blade  120 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  are best viewed together with the following description. The location of the cross-section for the side view of  FIG. 13  corresponds with the A-A′ line of the front view of  FIG. 12 . Upper blade  120 , as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , may be used in combination with lower blade  130 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , for example. Alternatively, upper blade  120 , as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , may be used without a lower blade, as described above. 
       FIG. 13  shows the blade coming to a sharp edge. The sharp edge is formed within the curved indent of the blade. As depicted in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13 , the sharp edge may be formed to have a non-linear slope. In other words, the slope of the sharp edge may be non-straight or curved. For embodiments having both upper blade  120  and lower blade  130  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1-4 ), the back of the sharp edge of blade  120  is the side that is aligned with, and adjacent to, the back of the opposing lower blade  130 , which has the same cross section with the non-linear slope facing the opposite direction. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of what is claimed herein. Embodiments have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from what is disclosed. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from what is claimed. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.