Abstract:
An apparatus is provided having, a set of small drawers that hold a specific type of medication and can be pulled and the contents emptied when needed. Medications are placed within the drawers and labeled. When it is time to ingest the medication, one simply pulls out a drawer and takes out its content. The present embodiment provides as step-like arrangement and hold multiples of 7 days of medication. The device can have holes on the back for hanging or magnets for securing to a metallic surface. Additionally, a smaller unit can be made transportable with the addition of a carrying strap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 455329 filed on Apr. 23, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for organizing pills and vitamins and, more particularly, to a stepped multi-chambered pill organizer and dispenser for holding pills in multiples of seven days. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As the medical profession continues to break new grounds in disease prevention and control, a steady stream of new drugs and vitamins enter doctors&#39; offices, pharmacies and stores for consumption by patients worldwide. As our society becomes more and more sophisticated, the strife for health and longevity results in many of us relying on these modern remedies as a part of a daily maintenance regiment. It is becoming commonplace where one may be required to ingest several pills at several different times of the day, in many instances for the rest of that individual&#39;s life. With the ever-increasing role that these medications and vitamins play in one&#39;s life come several concerns. There is always the possibility that too much or too little of a prescription or vitamin is taken, that the wrong prescription or combination of prescriptions is taken, or that the prescription or vitamin is forgotten altogether. Complicating the matter is the question of what to do when one of these situations occurs. Keeping track of which medications have to be taken and when has become a major chore faced by millions. The development of the Pill Organizer will serve to alleviate these concerns. 
     In the related art, there exists many patents for devices which are designed to sort vitamins and pills and the like and to store and dispense them according to some chronological scheme. There exists devices which compute when to dispense medications via mechanical means or via computer logic, devices which have an alarm to signal when to take medications, as well as devices which enable the user to carry medications with them. The present invention is of the last type of inventions presenting a novel pill organizer and dispenser being portable in nature and providing storage and dispensing capability for dispensing pills three times a day for a period of two weeks at a time, 2 times a day for a period of 3 weeks, or once a day for forty two days. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 5,609,268 
                 Shaw 
                 Mar. 11, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 5,472,113 
                 Shaw 
                 Dec. 5, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 4,953,745 
                 Rowlett et al. 
                 Sep. 4, 1990 
               
               
                   
                 4,223,801 
                 Carlson 
                 Sep. 23, 1980 
               
               
                   
                 5,755,357 
                 Orkin et al. 
                 May 26, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 5,657,236 
                 Conkright 
                 Aug. 12, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 5,495,961 
                 Maestre 
                 Mar. 5, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 5,347,453 
                 Maestre 
                 Sep. 13, 1994 
               
               
                   
                 4,807,757 
                 Rappaport et al. 
                 Feb. 28, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 4,839,806 
                 Goldfischer et al. 
                 Jun. 13, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 4,573,606 
                 Lewis et al. 
                 Mar. 4, 1986 
               
               
                   
                 D 400,006 
                 Girvetz 
                 Oct. 27, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 D 348,562 
                 Smith 
                 Jul. 12, 1994 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved pill and vitamin dispenser. 
     It is another object of the present invention to eliminate over or under medication dosages. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve health. 
     It is another object of the present invention to facilitate the timely ingestion of medications. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide a stepped configuration. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention handles multiple people or whole family. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to increase safety. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to allows multiple rows to be opened at once for filling. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to save time opening individual bottles. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to be transportable for trips or vacations. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the Pill Organizer removes the need to manually keep track of medication dosages and schedules by providing a compartmentalized pill case that aids in the dispensing duties as well as providing a means to schedule medications and vitamins. The Pill Organizer is arranged in a stepped format to allow for multiple rows in a seven-column configuration to be opened at once. This aids in the filling and collating process by allowing for vitamins or medication that must be taken once a day or more to be loaded in all the appropriate drawers simultaneously. Depending on the frequency of dispensing, more than one person could use the invention at once, possibly up to six, though fewer or more are also possible. Medications or vitamins would be dispensed as needed on a daily or hourly basis. If medication is to be taken at different times daily, the pillbox will hold a variable number of days worth of medicine, depending upon the number of dosages and time intervals involved. The Pill Organizer is designed so that it is very easy to use. The user or caregiver simply fills the drawers with the appropriate dosages of medication or vitamins. As the time to take each dosage approaches, the user simply removes the entire drawer and removes all contents for consumption. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Pill Organizer, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a Pill Organizer, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway front view of a Pill Organizer with the carrying strap removed, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of a Pill Organizer taken along line III—III of FIG. 3, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway top view of a Pill Organizer, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drawer from a Pill Organizer, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 Pill Organizer 
               
               
                   
                 15a 
                 Left Sidewall 
               
               
                   
                 15b 
                 Right Sidewall 
               
               
                   
                 15c 
                 Bottom Sidewall 
               
               
                   
                 15d 
                 Rear Sidewall 
               
               
                   
                 15e 
                 Top Panel 
               
               
                   
                 15f 
                 Lid 
               
               
                   
                 15g 
                 Carrying Strap 
               
               
                   
                 15h 
                 Hinge 
               
               
                   
                 16a 
                 First Separator Panel 
               
               
                   
                 16b 
                 Second Separator Panel 
               
               
                   
                 16c 
                 Third Separator Panel 
               
               
                   
                 16d 
                 Fourth Separator Panel 
               
               
                   
                 16e 
                 Fifth Separator Panel 
               
               
                   
                 16f 
                 Tab 
               
               
                   
                 17a 
                 Panel Stringer 
               
               
                   
                 17b 
                 Cross Panel Stringer 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 Drawer 
               
               
                   
                 18a 
                 Drawer Handle 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a Pill Organizer  10  is shown, according to the present invention, for holding in an organized fashion for a pre-selected period of time a supply of pills and vitamins and the like. Essentially the device consists of a self contained organizer having a plurality of drawers arranged in rows and columns wherein one row of drawers is stacked in stepped layers upon the row beneath it. There are enough individual drawers to hold pills and vitamins and the like for dispensing three times a day for a two week period, 2 times a day for a period of 3 weeks, or once a day for forty two days. A lid attached to the housing via a hinge  15   h  secures the drawers inside the interior volume of the housing when not in use or being transported. A carrying strap  15   g  is provided for easy carrying on the go. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an exploded perspective view of a Pill Organizer  10 , showing the detail of how the unit is constructed. The housing of the unit is constructed of a left sidewall  15   a , right sidewall  15   b , bottom sidewall  15   c , rear sidewall  15   d , and a top panel  15   e . These sidewalls  15   a  through  15   d  and panel  15   e  can be fashioned out of any flat sheeting material that can be cut into the desired sizes and fastened together such as plastic or wood. The exterior surfaces of sidewalls  15   a  through  15   d  may be covered with water and airtight fabric or material. Together these components form a housing wherein the multi-layered stepped structure is inserted for receiving the plurality of drawers  18  (only one is shown for illustrative purposes) which hold the pills and vitamins. A lid  15   f  is then attached via a hinge  15   h  to the housing along the front edge of bottom sidewall  15   c . It is envisioned that a latching means would also be added to keep lid  15   f  securely shut until it is desired to get a pill or vitamin from the unit. The latching means chosen is not important for purposes of disclosure as many off the shelf hardware devices would be suitable for this purpose. Lid  15   f  serves to prevent drawers  18  from falling out of their cavities to impinging on the front edge of the drawer  18  when it is in the latched position. 
     As heretofore discussed, the Pill Organizer  10  consists of a plurality of drawers  18  assembled into a tier arrangement. A plurality of seven drawers  18  are arranged in a row to represent a week&#39;s worth of medications. Two additional rows are provided above this row to provide an additional dispensing capacity for an additional dose two other times in a day. Above these three rows of drawers  18  are another three rows of seven drawers  18  each representing an additional week&#39;s worth of pills and vitamins dispensed three times daily. The drawers  18  may be labeled according to the day of the week and the time of the o day. For disclosure purposes only and not meant as a limitation, it is suggested that the three times of day be labeled as A.M., Noon, and P.M. as these are common times and intervals when medications are dispensed. Other combinations of pill dispensing timetables are possible such as 2 times a day for a period of 3 weeks, or once a day for forty two days. 
     A stepped structure for receiving each of the drawers  18  is provided consisting of several layers of panels and support stringers as illustrated. Essentially, a first separator  16  panel divides the interior volume of the housing heretofore described into sections. A plurality of panel stringers  17  further subdivide the resulting lower section further, and the cavity for receiving a single drawer is then completed by a cross panel stringer  17   b  located rearward of drawer  18  when it is fully inserted. A plurality of small tabs  16   f  are provided on the lower surface and front edge of separator panels  16   a  through  16   e  and the center between each of said stringer panels  17   a  as shown. Tab  16   f  is provided to prevent drawer  18  from completely exiting the cavity it is housed in by engaging the rear sidewall of drawer  18 . Drawer  18  can be removed completely and then reinserted by tilting drawer  18  slightly upward until tab  16   f  clears the rear sidewall of drawer  18 . 
     To complete the assembly, a second separator panel  16   b  is added along with stringers  17   a  and cross panel stringers  17   b . This repeated with third separator panel through fifth separator panel with stringers  17   a  separating them and cross panel stringer  17   b  completing the cavity for receiving a drawer  18 . Top panel  15   e  acts as the final panel completing the cavity for a drawer  18  in the uppermost row of drawers  18 . 
     It is envisioned that the distance that each row is staggered by the row beneath it would be 1 and ½ inches. The entire unit would measure six inches high, 9 and ½ inches deep and 10 and ½ inches wide. Each drawer  18  would measure 1 and ½ inches deep, 1 and ½ inches wide, and one inch high. These measurements are meant only as suggestion and in now way imply any limitation on the size of the invention. 
     The Pill Organizer  10  can have an attachment means such as holes on the back for hanging or magnets for securing to a metallic surface. Additionally, a smaller unit can be made transportable with the addition of a carrying strap  15   g . It is envisioned that carrying strap  15   g  would be a strap that is common on luggage articles and handbags and the like. Strap  15   g  would be attached to the exterior surface of panel  15   a  and panel  15   b  near the front edge via clips that are common with straps of this type. 
     FIG. 3 shows a front view of a Pill Organizer  10  showing the arrangement of drawers  18  in rows of seven stacked upon each other for dispensing pills or vitamins three times a day for a period of two weeks. The front face of the drawers  18  may be labeled to indicate the day and time of day when the contents therein are to be dispensed. 
     FIG. 4 shows cross sectional view of a Pill Organizer  10  taken along line III—III of FIG. 3 showing how the rows of drawers  18  are stacked one upon another and then staggered so that the row above is behind the row beneath it. 
     FIG. 5 shows a partial cutaway top view of a Pill Organizer  10  showing the arrangement of drawers  18  in the staggered arrangement as heretofore described. Finally, FIG. 6 shows one of the plurality of drawers  18 . Essentially, drawer  18  is of a rectangular configuration with four sidewalls and a bottom wall defining a vessel with an interior volume. A drawer handle  18   a  is provided on the front sidewall for the user to grasp when opening and closing the drawer. Drawer  18  is sized to fit within the cavity formed by the separator panels and panel stringers. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, pills and vitamins are pre-loaded in a series of drawers arranged in rows and columns in a tiered arrangement. There are enough individual drawers to hold pills and vitamins and the like for dispensing three times a day for a two week period, 2 times a day for a period of 3 weeks, or once a day for forty two days. A tab on the unit prevents the drawer from completely exiting the housing. The drawer is closed shut by simply pushing it back into the housing. A lid keeps the drawers shut while the unit is being carried. A strap is provided to make the unit easy to carry. 
     The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.