US20130306670A1 - Dispenser Apparatus - Google Patents
Dispenser Apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130306670A1 US20130306670A1 US13/654,511 US201213654511A US2013306670A1 US 20130306670 A1 US20130306670 A1 US 20130306670A1 US 201213654511 A US201213654511 A US 201213654511A US 2013306670 A1 US2013306670 A1 US 2013306670A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base unit
- dispensing apparatus
- containers
- canister
- shaped
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
- A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
- A47F1/08—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom
- A47F1/085—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from bottom for nested articles, e.g. cups, cones
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/0076—Medicament distribution means
- A61J7/0084—Medicament distribution means for multiple medicaments
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus includes a hollow canister having a canister interior, a dispenser mechanism, and a plurality of stacked containers. The dispenser mechanism is shaped to be placed within the canister and has a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions, a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit, and a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved. The containers are each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and to be removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
Description
- The present invention lies in the field of dispensers. The present disclosure relates to a dispensing apparatus.
- Present medication dispensing systems utilize the “tackle box” approach. This approach, while useful, still has limitations. When a user has a medication regimen that requires more than the number of compartments in the tackle box, multiple tackle boxes must be used. A user may not be able to mentally stay on schedule for all of the medications that have been prescribed. This situation can lead to confusion and mistakes for a user of the tackle box system.
- Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems, designs, and processes as discussed above.
- The invention provides a dispenser that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provide such features with a device that minimizes the amount of mental activity required to stay on a complicated regimen of medicines.
- With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a dispenser mechanism having a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions, a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit, and a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved.
- With the objects of the invention in view, there is provided a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus, includes a hollow canister having a canister interior and a dispenser mechanism shaped to be placed within the canister and having a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions, a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit, and a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved.
- With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus, includes a hollow canister having a canister interior, a dispenser mechanism shaped to be placed within the canister, and a plurality of stacked containers. The dispenser mechanism has a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions, a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit, and a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved. The stacked containers are each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
- In accordance with another feature of the invention, the bias device is a plurality of spring claws, the base unit has a number of openings corresponding to the plurality of spring claws, and each spring claw projects into the hollow interior of the base unit.
- In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the spring claws are attached to the base unit using an interlock.
- In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the interlock comprises a tongue and groove interlock.
- In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the base unit has an interlock connecting each of the spring claws thereto and the selection device abuts the interlock when the spring claws are in the closed position.
- In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, each of the spring claws has a disengaging device operably connected to the selection device for selectively placing the spring claws in the open and closed positions, and, when the selection device is placed under the disengaging device of the spring claws, the spring claws are in the open position.
- In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the disengaging device on each spring claw is an indentation projecting towards the selection device.
- In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, there is provided at least one container shaped to be placed within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device.
- In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, at least one of the containers is shaped to be placed within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the grasping portion of each spring claw.
- In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the at least one container is a plurality of stacked containers each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
- In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the dispenser mechanism is one of removably placed within the canister, fastened within the canister, and integral with the canister.
- In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the set-off mechanism comprises a plurality of protrusions.
- In accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, the containers are marked with a corresponding indicator.
- In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the corresponding indicator comprises a day of the week.
- In accordance with still a concomitant feature of the invention, the corresponding indicator comprises a period of a medication schedule in addition to the day of the week.
- Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a dispenser apparatus, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
- Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description that follows and may be apparent from the detailed description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still other advantages of the invention may be realized by any of the instrumentalities, methods, or combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
- Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
- The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
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FIG. 1 is a photograph of a perspective view of a plurality of containers according to an exemplary embodiment separated from one another; -
FIG. 2 is a photograph of a perspective view of the plurality of containers ofFIG. 1 in a stacked configuration; -
FIG. 3 is a photograph of a top, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of one of the containers ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a photograph of a perspective view from the side of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser mechanism; -
FIG. 5 is a photograph of a perspective view from below the opposite side of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a photograph of a fragmentary, perspective from the side of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 4 turned approximately ninety degrees; -
FIG. 7 is a photograph of a perspective view of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 5 holding at least one container according to an exemplary embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a photograph of a perspective view of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 7 holding at least one container and showing a second dispensed container according to an embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a photograph of an exploded perspective view from the side of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 8 holding at least one container and showing a second dispensed container and from the top of a canister according to an exemplary embodiment; -
FIG. 10 is a photograph of an exploded view from the side of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 8 holding at least one container and showing a second dispensed container and from the bottom of the canister ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a top, perspective view of the dispenser mechanism ofFIG. 8 inserted within the canister ofFIGS. 9 and 10 ; and -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser mechanism. - As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
- Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
- Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
- Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
- As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
- Herein various embodiments of the present invention are described. In many of the different embodiments, features are similar. Therefore, to avoid redundancy, repetitive description of these similar features may not be made in some circumstances. It shall be understood, however, that description of a first-appearing feature applies to the later described similar feature and each respective description, therefore, is to be incorporated therein without such repetition.
- Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of a plurality ofcontainers FIG. 2 , in which atleast container 110 is stacked withincontainer 115 andcontainer 105 is stacked withincontainer 110. Although only three stacking containers are shown, more than three stacking containers may be used. For example, in one non-limiting example, when the stacking containers are used to dispense medicine, seven containers may be used, i.e., one container for every day of the week. In another non-limiting example, the number of containers may correspond to a twice-a-day or three-times-a-day medication schedule, where the set of containers number fourteen and twenty-one, respectively. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an internal structure of thecontainers container protrusions 305A-305D extending upwards from the bottom to a distance sufficient to create a gap for housing the regimen of medicine for that container's period of time (e.g., 1/day, BID, TID). -
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of adispenser mechanism 400 for dispensing containers, e.g.,containers Dispenser mechanism 400 is comprised of abase unit 401 having aproximal end 402 and adistal end 404. Thedistal end 404 of thebase unit 401 is shaped to include a plurality of bias devices 410 (e.g., spring claws) for holding the at least one container in place within the central hollow of thebase unit 401. Eachbias device 410 has at least oneoptional connection point 407, an disengaging device 420 (e.g., an indentation), and a bias/graspingportion 425. Graspingportion 425 fits within a corresponding opening in theproximal portion 402 of thebase unit 401. Thebias device 410 has, in the exemplary embodiment shown, abend 426 at a proximal portion thereof. Due to thebend 426, graspingportion 425 points inward toward and through the corresponding opening ofbase unit 401. Thebias device 410 is fastened to thebase unit 401 near thedistal end 404. In one exemplary embodiment, thebias device 410 is fastened tobase unit 401 using a tongue andgroove type interlock 405 by, for example, a press-fit, an adhesive, or both. -
Dispenser mechanism 400 also includes aselection device 415, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is a selectively sliding sleeve trapped around thebase unit 401 by thebias devices 410. Theselection device 415 slides overbase unit 401 and, in one position (e.g., the steady-state dispensing position), abuts aproximal portion 412 of theinterlock 405. Theselection device 415 has aselection handle 430 that is used to move thebias devices 410 between their respective open and closed positions. When thebias devices 410 are in this steady-state dispensing position, theselection device 415 rests between theproximal portion 412 of theinterlock 405 and thedisengaging device 420. -
FIG. 5 is another view ofdispenser mechanism 400. In addition tobase unit 401,interlock 405, bias device(s) 410,selection device 415, and handle 430, acorresponding opening 505 is shown. Eachopening 505 is an opening ofbase unit 401 that corresponds to the graspingportion 425 of each bias device. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an open position of thebias devices 410 of thedispenser mechanism 400. In order to attain the open position of thebias devices 410, thehandle 430 is pulled down, for example, in a proximal direction, to thereby move theselection device 415 towards theproximal end 402 ofbase unit 401. Thebias devices 410 achieve an open position when disengagingdevice 420 is made to rest on theselection device 415. -
FIG. 7 illustrates adispenser mechanism 400 with at least one container. Thecontainers dispenser mechanism 400. The graspingportions 425hold containers dispenser mechanism 400 when thebias device 410 is in a closed position. Thecontainers container bias device 410 is in the closed position. -
FIG. 8 illustrates thedispenser mechanism 400 with a plurality of thecontainers containers dispenser mechanism 400. The graspingportions 425 hold thecontainers dispenser mechanism 400 when thebias device 410 is in a closed position. Thecontainers container 115 inFIG. 8 , in a downward direction. In this exemplary embodiment, once thecontainer 115 is pulled down and dispensed, thecontainer 110 remains held in place by the graspingportions 425 at a time when thebias device 410 is in the closed position. -
FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of thedispenser mechanism 400 and thecontainers FIG. 9 illustrates a distal or top view of an exemplary embodiment of acanister 900. Thecanister 900 includes acanister base 905 and an optional top 910 coupled tocanister base 905. When a top is used, the top 910 may be coupled tobase 905 using various measures for fastening. In one exemplary embodiment, the top 910 is coupled to the base 905 using ahinge mechanism 915. -
FIG. 10 illustrates the above-describeddispenser mechanism 400 and thecontainers FIG. 10 illustrates a proximal or bottom view of thecanister 900. Also shown is thehinge mechanism 915. The interior ofcanister 900 optionally includes a plurality ofprotrusions 1005A-1005D placed or shaped at least in a bottom portion of the interior of thecanister 900. Theseprotrusions 1005A-1005D hold thedispenser mechanism 400 in place within thecanister 900. Here, fourprotrusions 1005A-1005D are shown but less or more are also possible. A height, h, of theprotrusions 1005A-1005D is shaped to increase in size in a proximal direction. The increase in height of the protrusions in the proximal direction allows thecanister 900 to frictionallyhold dispenser mechanism 400 in place. Likewise, the decrease in size in the distal direction allows thecanister 900 to be removed from thecanister 900—the friction holding thedispenser mechanism 400 decreases as thedispenser mechanism 400 is moved distally out of thecanister 900. In another exemplary embodiment, thebase unit 401 is integral with thecanister 900. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a proximal or bottom view of the combineddispensing apparatus 1100. Thedispensing apparatus 1100 is comprised of thecanister 900 and thedispenser mechanism 400. In this exemplary embodiment, thedispenser mechanism 400 is installed within thecanister 900. Thecanister 900 may be used together withdispenser mechanism 400 andcontainers - In one exemplary embodiment, medication is to be taken by a user once per day. In this embodiment, the appropriate daily medication is placed in each
container containers canister 900 but, in normal use, thedispenser mechanism 400 will be fixed in thecanister 900. Each day, the user pulls onecontainer 115 out of thedispensing apparatus 1100 and takes the medication previously placed in thecontainer 115. Thecontainers - Likewise, if medication must be taken by a user multiple times per day, the
containers containers containers - In one exemplary embodiment, the stack of
containers upper-most container containers container - Although a
canister 900 may be made of any material, it is desirable for thecanister 900 to be opaque. Using an opaque canister reduces any possible confusion for a user of this apparatus because, in this case, only one container (the current container) can be shown to the user at any time. - The
bias devices 410 may be made of any material capable of being shaped in the manner disclosed and providing the dispensing function disclosed by thedispenser mechanism 400. Thebias devices 410 grasp thecontainers handle 430 moves claws outward to allow the entire stack of containers to fall out from the bottom or to be loaded into thedispensing apparatus 1100 from the bottom. It is desirable to load from the bottom (as compared to DIXIE® cup dispensers, which load from the top) because there is a risk of the medication falling out of thecontainers containers - In one exemplar embodiment, once medication is added to the
containers containers dispensing apparatus 1100. Thedispensing apparatus 1100 is, then, placed over thestacked containers bias device 410 in an open position and is moved downwards over the stack ofcontainers containers containers handle 430 is moved (e.g., distally) to place thebias device 410 into the closed, dispensing position. - The
handle 430 can be moved distally either manually by a hand of the user or automatically by moving thedispensing apparatus 1100 proximally over the stack of containers untilhandle 430 hits a surface upon which the stack ofcontainers dispensing apparatus 1100 in the proximal direction until thehandle 430 is moved sufficiently far to place thebias devices 410 into the closed position. - In one exemplary embodiment, a user can drop emptied containers (medication has just been taken) into the distal portion or top of the
canister 900. This allows for convenient storage of thecontainers -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of dispensingapparatus 1200.Dispensing apparatus 1200 includescanister 900 anddispenser mechanism 400. In this exemplary embodiment, thirtycups 1205 are shown. Attachment mechanism(s) 1210 can be used to attachcanister 900 to a surface, e.g., a wall, a door, etc. Althoughattachment mechanism 1210 is shown in this embodiment to be two suction cups,attachment mechanism 1210 may be magnetic, one or more grooves, adhesive, or any other system or method of attachingcanister 900 to a surface. - The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a dispenser mechanism having:
a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions;
a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit; and
a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved.
2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the bias device is a plurality of spring claws;
the base unit has a number of openings corresponding to the plurality of spring claws; and
each spring claw projects into the hollow interior of the base unit.
3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the spring claws are attached to the base unit using an interlock.
4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the interlock comprises a tongue and groove interlock.
5. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein:
the base unit has an interlock connecting each of the spring claws thereto; and
the selection device abuts the interlock when the spring claws are in the closed position.
6. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein:
each of the spring claws has a disengaging device operably connected to the selection device for selectively placing the spring claws in the open and closed positions; and
when the selection device is placed under the disengaging device of the spring claws, the spring claws are in the open position.
7. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the disengaging device on each spring claw is an indentation projecting towards the selection device.
8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , which further comprises at least one container shaped to be placed within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device.
9. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 , which further comprises at least one container shaped to be placed within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the grasping portion of each spring claw.
10. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one container comprises a plurality of stacked containers each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
11. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a hollow canister having a canister interior; and
a dispenser mechanism shaped to be placed within the canister and having:
a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions;
a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit; and
a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved.
12. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein:
the bias device is a plurality of spring claws;
the base unit has a number of openings corresponding to the plurality of spring claws; and
each spring claw projects into the hollow interior of the base unit.
13. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the dispenser mechanism is one of removably placed within the canister, fastened within the canister, and integral with the canister.
14. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 11 , which further comprises a plurality of stacked containers each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
15. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a hollow canister having a canister interior;
a dispenser mechanism shaped to be placed within the canister and having:
a bias device with a grasping portion and having open and closed positions;
a base unit having a hollow interior and defining at least one opening shaped to receive the grasping portion therethrough to project from outside the base unit into the interior of the base unit; and
a selection device moveably disposed with respect to the base unit and operable to selectively place the bias device between the open and closed positions when moved; and
a plurality of stacked containers each shaped to be stacked together within the hollow interior of the base unit and removably held therein by the bias device for individual dispensing of the stacked containers from the base unit.
16. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein at least some of the containers:
have a set-off mechanism that prevents one of the containers from stacking entirely into another of the containers; and
are shaped to contain medication therein free from being crushed when the containers are stacked.
17. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the set-off mechanism comprises a plurality of protrusions.
18. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the containers are marked with a corresponding indicator.
19. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the corresponding indicator comprises a day of the week.
20. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the corresponding indicator comprises a period of a medication schedule in addition to the day of the week.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/654,511 US20130306670A1 (en) | 2012-05-18 | 2012-10-18 | Dispenser Apparatus |
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US201261688595P | 2012-05-18 | 2012-05-18 | |
US13/654,511 US20130306670A1 (en) | 2012-05-18 | 2012-10-18 | Dispenser Apparatus |
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US20130306670A1 true US20130306670A1 (en) | 2013-11-21 |
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US13/654,511 Abandoned US20130306670A1 (en) | 2012-05-18 | 2012-10-18 | Dispenser Apparatus |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3123901A1 (en) * | 2015-07-27 | 2017-02-01 | Udo Vosshenrich | Dispensing system for medicaments |
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US2893599A (en) * | 1954-11-30 | 1959-07-07 | Richard S Kay | Pill dispenser |
US2893598A (en) * | 1955-11-25 | 1959-07-07 | Automatic Canteen Co | Automatic article dispenser |
US3927799A (en) * | 1974-12-02 | 1975-12-23 | Gilron Holdings Limited | Cup dispensing device |
US4270669A (en) * | 1978-07-27 | 1981-06-02 | Luke Virgil E | Pot separator |
US5067308A (en) * | 1990-01-08 | 1991-11-26 | Sealright Co., Inc. | Mechanism and method for supporting and individual dispensing of nested containers |
US5529210A (en) * | 1992-11-23 | 1996-06-25 | Cooper, Iii; Clayton C. | Method and apparatus for dispensing cup-like members |
US5221024A (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1993-06-22 | Campbell Gordon M | Programmable medicine dispenser with manual override and color coded medicine canisters |
US6474503B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2002-11-05 | Larry E. Davis | Cup lid dispenser |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3123901A1 (en) * | 2015-07-27 | 2017-02-01 | Udo Vosshenrich | Dispensing system for medicaments |
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