Abstract:
A pill sorter with bag sealer designed for the dispensation and storage of easily transportable packages of medication. The pill sorter has one or more independent chambers that can store pills or other medication. The pill sorter dispenses medication through a funneled lid, allowing the user to dispense a single chamber&#39;s medication into a plastic bag. The plastic bag is placed into a bag sealer having an activation button, light-emitting diode (LED), battery, microprocessor, and sealing element. The activation time of the sealing element is adjusted by the microprocessor based upon the measured level of charge present in the battery, providing a one-touch sealing solution to the user. The sealing element seals the plastic bag, which has a perforated seal, allowing for easy opening of the plastic bag when the medication is needed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present device relates to a system for sorting medications that must be taken on a daily basis, involving a pill sorter and an individual plastic bag sealer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Life expectancy in the United States, and around the world, has been slowly rising each year. Cleaner water, better sanitation and nutrition, and a greater access to medical services has allowed individuals to live fuller and longer lives. Medical science continues to forge ahead in discovering new treatments and procedures to combat diseases and conditions that have plagued humans for centuries. 
         [0003]    Among the continuing innovations in the medical sciences is the increasing amount of pharmaceutical treatments available for a variety of illnesses. Diseases that were once virtual death sentences, such as HIV, can now be managed through a strict regimen of pharmacological treatments. Additionally, more and more people are taking an increasing number of daily vitamins and supplements as prophylaxis against illness. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, keeping track of a daily regimen of pills can be a herculean task, especially when the regimen requires a strict adherence for effective treatment. Some treatments require dozens of pills daily. While many pill sorters have appeared in the market place, most do not allow for the easy arrangement of pills, nor do they allow the user to easily carry pills around on their person, especially when the user might be travelling to a remote location. What is needed is a pill sorting system that allows a user to sort medications and seal them into easily opened bags for transport. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a pill sorter with a plastic bag sealer. These together with other aspects and advantages, which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein life numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pill sorter with a funneled lid, according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an underside view of a pill sorter with funneled lid, according to an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a bag sealer not in operation, according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom-up view of a bag insertion space for a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bag sealer in operation, according to an alternate embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a sealed plastic bag containing pills, according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram describing the components of a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagramming a method of operation for a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagramming a method of operation for a bag sealer, according to an alternate embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9A  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9B  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9C  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The pill sorter with bag sealing system is designed to allow a user to separate their weekly regimen of medications into discrete daily packets and seal them for transport. The system can be comprised of two main components: the pill sorter and the bag sealer. The pill sorter can be a circular container divided into seven independent chambers. Each chamber can be filled with the user&#39;s medication for the day. The pill sorter can have a funneled lid that can rotate around the pill sorter&#39;s central axis. The funneled lid can have a funneled opening that can allow the user to dispense the pills contained in an independent chamber when the pill sorter is inverted. The pills can be dispensed into sealable plastic bags. 
         [0020]    The sealable plastic bag can then be inserted into the bag sealer and heat-sealed to prevent leakage or loss of the pills contained in the bags. The bag sealer can contain a microprocessor, a battery, a sealing element, a light emitting diode (LED), and an activation button. The activation button is an on/off switch, and does not allow the user to determine the length of time the sealing element is active. Rather, the microprocessor can detect the level of charge present in the battery and compute the necessary application time required for the sealing element to remain active based upon the charge level of the battery. Lower charge levels result in lower temperatures generated by the sealing element, requiring longer activation times. In other words, if a low battery level is detected by the microprocessor, it will lengthen the amount of time the sealing element is active. Conversely, for higher battery levels, the microprocessor will shorten the time the sealing element is active. This can result in a one-push solution for the user, resulting in an identical seal regardless of the amount of time the user holds down the activation button. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pill sorter  100  with a funneled lid  150 , according to an embodiment. The pill sorter  100  can be manufactured out of plastic, metal, wood, pyrex, glass, or composite material. The pill sorter  100  can have one or more independent chambers  101  of sufficient size to fit multiple pills (not shown). Each independent chamber  101  can have two dividers  102 , a bottom  105 , and an open top. In an embodiment, the pill sorter  100  can have seven independent chambers  101 , to match the seven days of the week. The chambers  101  can be joined at the dividers  102 , the walls being of sufficient height such that pills are prevented from accidentally falling into another chamber. The pill sorter  100  can be circular in shape, with the chambers  101  being arranged around a central hub  104  having a mounting hole  103  for the funneled lid  150 . The pill sorter can be defined by a circular outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The mounting hole  103  can be octagonal in shape. 
         [0022]    The funneled lid  150  can be manufactured out of plastic, metal, wood, pyrex, glass, or composite material. The funneled lid  150  can match the size and geometry of the pill sorter  100 , such that there is no overlap or underlap when the funneled lid  150  is attached to the pill sorter  100 . The funneled lid  150  can have four mounting rods  153  that can be configured to be inserted into the mounting hole  103  for connection to the pill sorter  100 . The mounting rods can be slightly flexible, such that the mounting rods can be rotated within the mounting hole  103  without breaking. As the mounting rods  153  rotate within the mounting hole  103 , they can compress. As the mounting rods  153  are rotated into position, the extra space in the octagonal mounting hole  103  allows the mounting rods  153  to expand, locking the lid  150  into position. Because the mounting rods  153  can be flexible, they can compress when inserted into the mounting hole. The funneled lid  150  can have a funneled opening  152 , allowing enough space for one or more pills to exit the pill sorter with funneled lid. The funneled opening  152  extends upwards, while the mounting rods  153  extend downwards. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an underside view of a pill sorter  100  with funneled lid  150 , according to an embodiment. The funneled lid  150  can attach to the pill sorter  100  by the insertion of the mounting rods  153  into the mounting hole  103 . The funneled lid  150  can rotate around the axis defined by the mounting hole  103 , allowing the user (not shown) to dispense pills (not shown) from any of the independent chambers  101  using the funneled opening  152 . The mounting rods  153 , coupled with the mounting hole  103 , can provide hard stopping points such that the funneled lid  150  fixes firmly in position for the dispensing of pills from a particular chamber  101  without overspill from an adjacent chamber. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a bag sealer  200  not in operation, according to an embodiment. The bag sealer  200  can have a battery compartment  210 , which can contain a battery (not shown). The battery can be rechargeable or disposable. The battery compartment  210  can be covered by a battery cover  202 , which can be fixed to the body  212  of the bag sealer  200  using a screw  211  or other fixing mechanism. Alternatively, the battery cover  202  can slide into place. The bag sealer  200  can have an activation button  201 , a light emitting diode (LED)  203 , a bag insertion space  204 , and a sealing element  205 . To operate, the user can place a filled plastic bag (not shown) into the bag insertion space  204  and press the activation button  201 . The sealing element  205  will activate for a duration proscribed by the bag sealer&#39;s microprocessor (not shown). While the sealing element  205  is activated, the LED  203  can illuminate. When the sealing element  205  ceases activation, the LED  203  can extinguish. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom-up view of a bag insertion space for a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. The sealing element  205  can be a metal wire with a predetermined electrical resistance, such that when a current is applied heat is generated by the wire due to the resistance. The sealing element can be positioned behind the silicone strip  206 . The sealing element  205  can alternatively be manufactured from ceramic, or from a nickel chromium alloy. The sealing element  205  can be covered by kapton tape  207 , increasing the ease by which the plastic bag can be removed. The sealing element  205 , when activated, can reach temperatures in a range of 170 to 190 degrees Celsius. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bag sealer  200  in operation, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the bag insertion space  204  and the sealing element  205  can be covered by a silicone strip  206  while in operation, which can lower in order to protect the user from inadvertent contact with the sealing element  205  and to secure the bag (not shown) in place while being sealed. The silicone strip  206  can remain deployed as long as the activation button  201  is depressed. As power is applied to the sealing element  205 , the sealing element  205  generates sufficient heat to melt a plastic bag and seal the bag&#39;s contents. The sealing element  205  can be a metal wire with a predetermined electrical resistance, such that when a current is applied heat is generated by the wire due to the resistance. The sealing element  205  can alternatively be manufactured from ceramic. The sealing element  205 , when activated, can reach temperatures in a range of 170 to 190 degrees Celsius. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a sealed plastic bag  300  containing pills  301 , according to an embodiment. The plastic bag  300 , once sealed, can have perforated seams  302 , which can allow the user (not shown) easy access to the pills placed inside by tugging on a corner of the bag and removing the top portion  303 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram describing the components of a bag sealer  200 , according to an embodiment. The bag sealer  200  can contain a microprocessor  701 , a battery  707 , a sealing element  706 , a light emitting diode (LED)  705 , and an activation button  704 . The activation button  704  can be an on/off switch, and cam not allow the user to determine the length of time the sealing element  706  is active. Rather, a voltage detector  708  (which can be a digital voltmeter or any other known component which can measure voltage and/or current) can detect the level of charge present in the battery  707  and send the value to the microprocessor  701 , which compute the necessary application time required for the sealing element  706  to remain active based upon a comparison of the charge level of the battery  707  with a previously measured charge level of the battery  707 . Lower charge levels can result in lower temperatures generated by the sealing element  706 , requiring longer activation times. In other words, if a low battery level is detected by the voltage detector  708 , the microprocessor  701  can lengthen the amount of time the sealing element  706  is active in order to compensate. Conversely, for higher battery levels, the microprocessor  701  can shorten the time the sealing element  706  is active to compensate for the higher power level. This can result in a one-push solution for the user, resulting in an identical seal regardless of the amount of time the user holds down the activation button  704  or the amount of charge in the battery  707 . The microprocessor can connect to a module of random access memory (RAM)  702  that can be used to store transient information, such as last measured battery charge level. The microprocessor can connect to a module of read-only memory (ROM)  703  that can be used to store the bag sealer&#39;s basic input/output software (BIOS). The ROM  703  can be programmed to direct the microprocessor  701  to (after receiving the detected charge value from the voltage detector  708 ) control the sealing element  706  to activate it for a determined amount of time using any of the methods described herein. This operation can also be controlled by a hard-coded circuit for this purpose. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagramming a method of operation for a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. In operation  750 , the user can press the activation button, which leads to operation  751 . In operation  751 , the microprocessor can detect the level of charge present in the battery, and proceed to operation  752 . In operation  752 , the microprocessor can assign an activation time for the sealing element based upon the measured battery charge, and proceed to operation  753 . This activation time can correspond to the values present in Table 1. In operation  753 , power can be applied to the sealing element for the precise amount of time assigned by the microprocessor in the previous operations  752 . After the amount of time expires, power can be withdrawn from the sealing element. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Activation Time of  
               
               
                   
                 Battery Charge-X  
                 Sealing Element  
               
               
                   
                 (in Volts) 
                 (in Seconds) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 X ≧ 4.65 V 
                 2.0 
               
               
                   
                 4.65 V &gt; X ≧ 4.25 V 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 4.25 V &gt; X ≧ 4.05 V 
                 3.5 
               
               
                   
                 4.05 V &gt; X ≧ 3.80 V 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                 X &lt; 3.80 V 
                 7.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagramming a method of operation for a bag sealer, according to an alternate embodiment. In operation  801 , the user can press the activation button, which leads to operation  802 . In operation  802 , the microprocessor can detect the level of charge present in the battery, and proceed to operation  803 . In operation  803 , the microprocessor can compare the measured charge with the previous charge measured during the last time the bag sealer was operated, a value which can be stored in the bag sealer&#39;s RAM. If, in operation  803 , the measured level is less than the previous level, the method can proceed to operation  804 , whereby the microprocessor can lengthen the amount of time the sealing element remains active. If, in operation  803 , the measured level is greater than the previous level, the method can proceed to operation  805 , whereby the microprocessor can shorten the amount of time the sealing element remains active. If, in operation  803 , the measured level is equal to the previous level, the method can proceed to operation  806 , whereby the microprocessor can maintain the amount of time the sealing element remains active. After operation  804 ,  805 , or  806  is performed, the method can proceed to operation  807 , whereby power can be applied to the sealing element for the precise amount of time calculated by the microprocessor in the previous operations  804 ,  805 , or  806 . After the amount of time expires, power can be withdrawn from the sealing element. 
         [0031]      FIG. 9A  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram is one example of an implementation, however it can be appreciated that numerous other approaches can be taken as well. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9B  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram is one example of an implementation, however it can be appreciated that numerous other approaches can be taken as well. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9C  is an example schematic diagram of a circuit implementing a bag sealer, according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram is one example of an implementation, however it can be appreciated that numerous other approaches can be taken as well. 
         [0034]    Although the present device has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, none is limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the present apparatus, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of either the apparatus or the methods for using such an apparatus.