Abstract:
A portable carousel assembly for storing and facilitating access to medicine containers, such as plastic bottles commonly used for prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each medicine bottle is housed in a station that includes an aperture formed in a top plate of a rotatable receptacle. The rotatable receptacle is coupled to a stationary base. An ejection mechanism, such as a lever, cam track or ramp is operable to partially eject a selected medicine bottle from the receptacle so that it can be viewed or removed from the receptacle. The medicine bottle is maintained in the partially ejected condition by grasping means, such as flaps, gaskets, or webbing, or by operation of the cam track or ramp, so that the user need only use one hand to operate the carousel assembly and remove the medicine bottle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/170,460, entitled “POP-UP MEDICINE BOTTLE CAROUSEL” filed on 17 Apr. 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to medication dispensing devices, and more specifically, to a medicine bottle carousel having an elevating ejection feature. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Chronically ill, injured, or disabled outpatients are often prescribed many medications and supplements that are critical to their care, but compliance is typically left to the patients or caregivers. For many patients, a level of independence is important to their psychological well-being; however, the patients&#39; physical or mental status may make adherence to a regimen difficult. For example, some patients suffer from reduced dexterity, vision loss, tremors, memory deficits and the like, which makes it difficult for the patient to organize, identify and keep track of numerous medicine bottles. The task is further complicated when the patient moves from room to room, such as from the bedroom at night to a living area during the day. 
     Transporting and managing several bottles of medicine individually increases the risk that medication will be left behind or dropped, which may result in inadvertent noncompliance or further injury to the patient. Typical solutions, such as transporting multiple medicine bottles in a box or bag, fall short because the bottles are disorganized, such that the labels are obscured and the contents cannot be easily visualized. Pill organizers with dose compartments also fail to suffice, because they each compartment is typically limited in size, lacks protective features (e.g., UV protection, hermetic seals, child proofing and the like) to ensure the potency and access is controlled, and must be loaded by someone having sufficient dexterity and mental clarity needed to avoid potentially devastating dosing and compliance errors. 
     What is needed is a system and apparatus that facilitates easy and orderly storage and access to multiple small containers such as medicine bottles. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention is a carousel assembly for organizing, storing, and dispensing containers such as medicine bottles and the like. The carousel assembly includes a receptacle that functions to store multiple containers while placing each bottle in easy reach of a stationary patient, who simply rotates the receptacle until the desired container is in position for removal from the receptacle. The receptacle is supported by a base or pedestal, and is rotatable about an axis perpendicularly aligned with the plane of the base, in a “lazy-Susan” fashion. Advantageously, the carousel assembly includes an ejection mechanism that raises a container for ease of viewing and removal, and also holds the container in the raised position until the patient or other user wishes to lower it. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle includes a substantially flat, circular top plate, and accommodates multiple medicine bottles in apertures formed in the top plate. The assembly is particularly useful for retaining medicine bottles having a topmost lip that is wider in diameter than the body of the bottle that extends through the aperture, such that the lip can be engaged by the plate. However, each aperture can snugly accommodate bottles and boxes of various sizes and shapes, including but not limited to cylindrical or rectangular containers commonly used for medicines, even where the bottle neck and cap (if any) are smaller in diameter than the body of the bottle. To that end, deformable grasping means such as flaps, webbing or gaskets may line or extend from all or part of each aperture. For example, in certain embodiments, four rubber or silicone flaps are secured along the periphery of several circular apertures such that the distal edges of the flaps define a crosshair at least partially obscuring the aperture. 
     A medicine bottle can be pressed into the aperture, thereby deflecting the flaps sufficiently to allow ingress while gripping the sides of the medicine bottle such that any cylindrical medicine bottle with a diameter less than the diameter of the aperture will be securely held within the aperture. Additionally, any suitably sized container with any cross-section, including but not limited to oval, polygonal, rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal containers can be held in the aperture. 
     In certain embodiments, each aperture defines a station, which may be used consistently to store a particular medication. To assist patients that have visual impairments, the top plate or other easily accessible portion of the receptacle may include tactile indicia, such as Braille type, raised lettering or symbols, or prominent labeling that identifies the medication that belongs in that station. In this fashion, the patient can identify the medication to be taken even more easily without necessarily reading the labels of the bottles one by one. 
     As mentioned above, the receptacle is rotatable. Rotation of the receptacle can be accomplished readily by simply advancing the receptacle about a rotational coupling. The base is preferably weighted or includes a means for securing the base to a surface such as a table top. In this fashion, the receptacle can be rotated, for example by the patient using one hand, without the entire apparatus sliding about on the table top. Examples of suitable means for securing the base include one or more suction cups, rubber gripping feet or other non-slip pads, weights, temporary or permanent adhesives, and similar non-slip material. This aspect is particularly useful to patients with limited mobility and dexterity. 
     Patients also benefit greatly from another aspect, namely, a pop-up dispensing feature that lifts the desired bottle above the plate for easy removal. To achieve this effect, the assembly includes a suitable ejection mechanism. The grasping means described above also serve to hold the bottle up after it is lifted, such that operation of the ejection means and removal of a bottle can be accomplished with one hand and need not be accomplished simultaneously. 
     In certain embodiments, the ejection mechanism includes an actuator that mechanically or electronically operates to exert upward forces on one or more of the bottles in the receptacle without fully ejecting the bottle, but so as to allow the patient to more easily grasp the upper portion of the bottle to remove it from the receptacle. Such embodiments have the advantage of allowing the patient to variably operate the ejection mechanism to achieve the desired degree of ejection. Suitable actuators include levers, push buttons, spring-loaded releases, plungers, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, the ejection mechanism includes a ramp or cam track that mechanically propels one or more of the bottles in the receptacle to partially eject them from the receptacle for removal by the patient. Such embodiments also advantageously ensure that the bottles remain in the partially ejected condition when desired. In other words, when the receptacle is rotated to bring the desired bottle is into the partially ejected condition, the ejection mechanism of these embodiments prevents the bottle from being pushed back into a retracted position inadvertently by, for example, a patient with very limited control of his or her hands and arms. 
     To facilitate carrying the carousel assembly, a handle may extend from either or both the bottle receptacle or the base. The handle may be pivotable with respect to the surface of the receptacle such that it may be folded down to lie flat next to the receptacle/medicine wheel. 
     In certain embodiments, the handle can be lowered to cover the medicine bottle tops. 
     In certain embodiments, the carousel assembly fits within a bowl-like enclosure that can attach to the carousel assembly or its base to enclose exposed portions of medicine bottles. 
     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carousel assembly for medicine bottles, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a top plate forming the upper surface of a receptacle portion of the medicine bottle carousel. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the carousel assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cut-away side elevational view of the carousel assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing an exemplary ejection mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the carousel assembly, with several containers stowed in stations. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the carousel assembly, showing activation of the exemplary ejection mechanism to partially eject a container. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the carousel assembly, showing a container held in the partially ejected position by grasping means after activation of the ejection mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cut-away perspective view of a second embodiment of the carousel assembly, showing a ramp style ejection mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a first embodiment, and  FIG. 8  illustrates a second embodiment of a carousel assembly that exemplify the various aspects and teachings of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carousel assembly  100 . The carousel assembly  100  includes a receptacle  102  and a base  104 . The receptacle  102  includes a substantially circular top plate  106  having a plurality of apertures  108  disposed through it. The apertures  108  may vary in size and shape. Alternatively, the top plate  106  may have notches (not shown) in lieu of apertures. In either case, the top plate  106  will include means for receiving containers, such as medicine containers, shown as bottles B (best shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The top plate  106  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ) is separated from the base  104  by several supports  110 , which in the exemplary embodiment, are shown as dividing walls. Alternatively, the supports  110  could include legs (not shown) or other suitable means for supporting the top plate  106 . 
     The base  104  includes a floor  112  and a lip  114  that may extend vertically above the level of the floor  112 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the floor  112  is substantially flat, permitting the supports  110  of the receptacle  102  to glide over the floor  112  as the receptacle  102  is rotated. In the exemplary embodiment, the carousel assembly  100  is made primarily of plastic, although any suitable material can be used for all or part of the device, including but not limited to glass, fiberglass, paperboard, wood, coated metal, fiberboard, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the circumference of the inner rim of the lip  114  is at least as large as, and preferably slightly greater than, that of the exposed portion of the floor  112 , so that the free movement of the supports  110  is not impeded by the lip  114 . In the exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the lip  114  is increased on one side of the assembly space to define a projection  126 , which includes a recess  116  that is aligned with a depression  118  that is disposed in the floor  112 . Together, the recess  116  and the depression  118  house an ejection mechanism  120 , which in the first exemplary embodiment includes a lever  122  and pivot point  124  (best shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The receptacle  102  is rotatably coupled to the base  104  by any suitable means, such as but not limited to, a coupling assembly (not shown) that includes a sleeve, bearing joint, and rod. Detents (not shown) and complementary depressions (not shown) may be provided, e.g., on the supports  110  and the lip  114 , to provide a tactile or audible indication that informs the user that the receptacle  12  has been rotated sufficiently to bring a station S into alignment with the ejection mechanism  120 , and to facilitate optimal alignment. 
     Optionally, a well  128  is disposed in the center of the top plate  106  to receive small articles, such as but not limited to a dose cup  130 . A handle  132  facilitates carrying of the entire carousel assembly  100 , without separating the receptacle  102  from the base  104 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , grasping means  132  are operatively associated with each aperture  108 , so as to increase the compatibility of each aperture with multiple sizes, shapes and types of containers. In certain embodiments, the grasping means  132  also function to hold a bottle B in the partially ejected condition while the user removes the bottle from the receptacle  102 . In the illustrated embodiments, the grasping means  132  include multiple flexible flaps F that are secured to extend from the periphery of each aperture  108 . It is contemplated that alternative grasping means (not shown) can serve the intended functions, such as but not limited to, a continuous flexible gasket extending along the periphery of the aperture, spring-loaded rollers, an elastic tubular sleeve, an aperture lining formed of a compressible material such as foam, and the like. The exemplary flaps F may be made of rubber or any other suitable flexible gripping material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , the operation of the exemplary carousel assembly  100  will now be described, with particular emphasis on its ejection mechanism  120  and its grasping means  132 .  FIG. 4  shows the carousel assembly  100  just prior to operation by a user of the ejection mechanism  120 , which includes as its actuator a mechanical lever  122 , as revealed in the cut-away portion of the figure. The user has rotated a station S from an inoperative position (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to an operative position (shown in  FIG. 6 ). In the operative position, the station S is aligned with the ejection mechanism  120 , so that it can be used to partially eject the bottle B that is stored in the station S for removal from the receptacle  102 . It should be noted that partial ejection of the bottle B is also useful to enable the user to read the pharmacy label or other markings on the bottle B instead of or prior to removal. 
     By operation of the flaps F, or by engagement of a ring  134  on the bottle&#39;s cap C with the upper surface of the top plate  106 , the bottle B may be suspended slightly above the floor  112  of the base  104  before the ejection mechanism  120  is operated. The lever  122  may be countersunk into the recess  116  as shown, but in any event, does not impede the turning of the receptacle  102  when the ejection mechanism  120  is not operated. Referring again to  FIG. 6 , when the user presses down on the lever  122 , it pivots about the pivot point  124  and the lever  122  contacts the bottom of the bottle B to partially eject it. By varying the extent to which the user depresses the lever  122 , the user can achieve variable ejection of the bottle B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the bottle B is advantageously held by the flaps F in the partially ejected condition after operation of the ejection mechanism  120 , and in fact, stays in the partially ejected condition even after the lever  122  returns to its resting position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the grasping means  132  is intended to eventually allow the bottle B to slowly sink back down in case the user forgets to press downward sufficiently after viewing the bottle B or replacing the bottle B after dispensing medication. In such embodiments, the grasping means  132  is designed to have a gripping ability that provides slightly less friction than is needed to hold the bottle B in the partially ejected condition indefinitely. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a carousel assembly  200  according to a second embodiment of the invention. The carousel assembly  200  differs primarily in its use of an ejection mechanism  220  that includes an elevated section  218  of the floor  212  portion of the base  104 . As the figure illustrates, the floor  212  is substantially flat except where it underlies an operative position. The bottom edges (not shown) of the supports  110  are shaped so as to avoid the elevated section  218 . So, the receptacle  102  is rotatable (here, clockwise) to bring a bottle B from an inoperative position (the bottle at right), with the elevation of the bottle B increasing as the bottle B contacts the elevated section  218 , to achieve a maximum elevation when the bottle B is in the operative position (the bottle at center). The ramp style ejection mechanism  220  eliminates the need for the user to actively operate the ejection mechanism  220 . Rather, the user need only have sufficient dexterity to rotate the receptacle  102 . 
     This embodiment is useful with or without grasping means, because the elevated section  218  holds the bottle B in partially ejected condition, which also reduces the friction that a potentially disabled person will have to overcome to pull the partially ejected bottle B from the receptacle  102 . Alternatively, even though the elevated section  214  maintains partial ejection, grasping means still may be included to increase the compatibility of each operative with containers with various sizes and shapes. 
     It is contemplated that the embodiment of  FIG. 8  can be modified to eliminate direct contact between the bottles and the elevated section  218  of the floor  212 . For example, separately movable platforms may be provided beneath each of the bottles B, the platforms being deflected upward when they contact the elevated section  218  or are guided along cam tracks. 
     In addition to the ejection mechanisms described, it is contemplated that the principles of the invention could be realized by alternative mechanisms, such as but not limited to plunger mechanisms, and cam tracks with followers. 
     It must be emphasized this disclosure does not illustrate and describe every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles and teachings of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such modifications, combinations, and variations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.