US3334731A - Pill container and dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 8, 1967 K. F. DALE 3,334,731

PILL CONTAINER AND DISPENSER Filed July 11, 1966 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR.

KATHRYN F. DAL E ATTORNEY 1967 K. F. DALE 3,334,731

PILL CONTAINER AND DISPENSER Filed July 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,334,731 PILL CONTAINER AND DISPENSER Kathryn F. Dale, 3206 Druck Valley Road, York, Pa. 17402 Filed July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 564,083 8 Claims. (Cl. 206-42) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE .having a discharge opening registerable with the outer ends of said compartments, and indicia means fixed relative to said compartments to indicate a time schedule for consuming the contents of said compartments.

This invention mrtains to a container designed to hold, in various compartments thereof, a plurality of pills or capsules to be consumed, for example, by an individual patient over a 24-hour period. The container also is provided with dispensing means whereby, at the proper time, the patient or an attendant for the patient may conveniently obtain the required medications for the patient during said period of time.

Many types of pill containers and dispensers have been designed heretofore, the same having a plurality of compartments and various arrangements of dispensing means also have been afforded by the prior art. As longevity and the life span of human being constantly is being increased, however, whereby an even larger proportion of our popu-' lation consists of elderly people, the consumption of medications and drugs of many different types correspondingly has increased because, to a large extent, the increase in the life span has at least in part been caused by advances made in recent years in medicines and drugs for a relatively Wide range of purposes and ailments.

As the age of a person increases, it is not uncommon that their vision as well as their mental alertness decreases, whereby the consumption of medicaments and the like at certain given times during the span of any particular day presents problems and difliculties in regard to regular and timely consumption of the same by an individual patient to prevent overdosing or omitting doses.

Although certain types of pill containers and arrangements have been available heretofore, these appear to be either too simple to be of any substantial benefit for reminding purposes or are unduly complex either in regard to filling, dispensing, or possessing any means by which scheduling of the taking of the pills contained therein readily can be determined.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a combination pill container and dispenser which may be manufactured relatively inexpensively, preferably from synthetic resins, commonly known as plastics, of different types, the container having a substantial number of compartments of suitable size such that a useful quantity of pills or capsules may be contained in each compartment, time-indicating means also being provided to readily indicate the hour or time at which various pills in the compartments should be taken by a particular patient during any 24-hour period, the container also being of such construction that it readily may be filled and desired pills 3,334,731 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 contained therein quickly and accurately may be dispensed at the appropriate time.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which not only permit ready dispensing of pills from any selected compartment in the container, but the compartments also are maintained in closed condition when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple but highly effective means for detachably connecting a cover upon one face of the base of the container which includes partitions respectively defining therebetween a series of pill-containing compartments.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a circular side wall extending between two opposed disclike members respectively comprising a base and cover, the side Wall having the aforementioned discharge opening therein and said side wall being guidably movable about the axis of said disc-like members to dispose the discharge opening adjacent the outer portion of one of the radially extending compartments so as to obtain a desired dosage of one or a number of pills from a selected compartment at a predetermined scheduled time for consumption thereof by an individual patient or possibly a group of patients of limited number.

Details of the invention and the foregoing objects, as Well as other objects of the invention, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of composite base means of a combination pill container and dispenser made in accordance with the principles of the invention, said base means being arranged for filling when in the condition shown in said figure.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of the composite base means of the container as seen on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the composite base means illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the complete container assembly embodying the principles of the invention and showing the composite base means of FIGS. 1-3 having a cover connected thereto.

FIG. 5 is fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detail illustrated in FIG. 1 as seen on the line 5-5 of said figure.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detail shown in FIG. 4 as seen on the line 66 of said figure.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a cover for the composite base means shown in FIGS. 1-3 and arranged for coaxial connection with said base means, as seen in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a circular side wall structure arranged to be disposed between and adjacent the peripheries of the cover and disc-like portion of the base means of the container shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of a detail of one end portion of the circumferential side wall shown in FIG, 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of one fragmentary end portion of the circumferential side Wall shown in FIG. 8 as seen on the line 1010 of said figure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively are a top plan view and side elevation of a supplementary cover readily applicable to the pill container and dispenser illustrated in the preceding figures for purposes of closing the discharge opening in the circumferential side Wall.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinally foreshortened, exemplary side elevation of a holder and supporting means arranged to contain a plurality of pill containers for exemplary institutional use.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the holder and supporting means illustrated in FIG. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1-3, the base means of the container comprises a disc-like bottom 12 which preferably is circular. Formed preferably integrally with said bottom 12 are a plurality of radially extending partitions 14 preferably of even height and length, the upper edges being parallel to the bottom 12. The inner ends of the partitions 14 also preferably are integrally connected to the outer surfaces of a central circular partition 16, which also preferably is integrally connected to the bottom 12 and is of similar height to the partitions 14, All of these interconnected elements readily may be molded simply and inexpensively by the injection of appropriate synthetic resins, known as plastics, into an appropriate mold.

The segmental spaces between adjacent partitions 14 define pill-receiving compartments 18 and the interior of circular partition 16 likewise comprises an additional compartment 20. As best seen from FIG. 2, the outer ends of partitions 14 uniformly terminate a short distance from the periphery of the disc-like bottom 12, immediately adjacent a circular groove 22 formed in the upper surface of the disc-like bottom 12 closely adjacent the periphery thereof, preferably by the same molding operation which forms the assembly of elements referred to above. The number of compartments is optional but it has been found that 12 is convenient both with respect to being large enough to contain a suitable number of pills, and each compartment can conveniently represent a 2-hour interval of a 24-hour period.

Extending around the outermost portions of the upper edges of partitions 14 is a flat annular ring 24 which serves a plurality of functions. The periphery thereof is substantially identical in diameter to that of bottom 12 and the same preferably is disposed either directly upon the upper edges of partitions 14 so as to be coaxial with bottom 12 or the same may be disposed in flat notches in the upper edges of the partitions so that the upper surface of ring 24 is flush with said upper edges of the partitions, as shown in FIG. 2. The undersurface of ring 24 also is provided with a circular groove 26 which is of identical diameter and of similar depth to that of groove 22 with which it is coaxial. It will be seen particularly from FIGS. 1 and 2 that ring 24 is of limited width in a radial direction, whereby the major portion of the top area of the compartments 16 is open and readily accessible for the dropping of pills or other forms of medicaments, such as capsules, etc., into said compartments in accordance with sequences and schedules to be described in detail hereinafter. It is to be understood that the term pills may embrace any type of measured dosage such as actual pills, lozenges, capsules and the like. In the structure thus far described, the radial outer ends of the compartments 18 are open and said ends are closed by a substantially circular, circumferential side wall 28 which is shown in perspective manner in FIG. 8.

The width of side wall 28 is sufficient to extend between and enable the opposite edges thereof respectively to be slidably received within the grooves 22 and 26 for positioning therein and guidance thereby. As shown in FIG. 8 in particular, the side wall 28 is formed so as to provide a discharge opening 30 therein by spacing the ends thereof, the width of the opening preferably being equal to or no greater than the distance between the outer ends of successive partitions 14. Also, the opposite ends of the circumferential side wall 28 are formed preferably with short radial finger- engageable extensions 32 and 34 which readily may be engaged for purposes of moving the side wall 28 circularly within the guide grooves 22 and 26 so as to dispose the opening 30 opposite the end of any selected compartment 18, preferably in sequence, to permit the discharge of contents of the compartment therethrough. To permit ready accommodation of the radial extensions 32 and 34 outwardly beyond the peripheral boundaries of the disc-like bottom 12 and the annular ring 24, notches or recesses 36 are formed at opposite ends of the extremities of side wall 28 where the extensions 32 and 34 are connected to the same so that said extensions readily may clear the inner surfaces of the bottom 12 and annular ring 24.

Appropriate indexing means likewise are formed especially on the side wall 28 so as to facilitate the alignment of the opening 30 with the outer end of a selected compartment 18. One simple but effective indexing means comprises an inwardly extending, tapered projection 38, shown in exemplary detailed manner in FIGS. 8 and 9. Said indexing projection may be formed incident to the molding or any other method of forming the circumferential side wall 28. However, such an arrangement may be provided in the wall after it is otherwise formed substantially in final condition simply by the application of a preferably heated tool or implement against the outer surface, for example, of the wall 28 so as to displace a portion of the wall inwardly and thereby form the projection 38 in any desired form such as may be dictated by an appropriate anvil, for example, used in conjunction with the heated tool.

By such a shape and arrangement of indexing projection 38 adjacent the radial extension 34, for example, it is apparent that said projection may be snapped past the terminal end of one of the partitions 14, especially when moving in clockwise direction as viewed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. By both sound and feel, movement of the projection 38 past such terminal ends of one of the partitions and snapping over the same normally will determine the extent of movement required to be made in order to dispose the discharge opening 30 adjacent the next compartment from which medicament is to be obtained.

The composite base means 10, comprising the partitions 14 and central circular partitions 16, circumferential side wall 28, and flat annular ring 24 readily is fabricated by first disposing the lower edge of side wall 28 in guide groove 22 of bottom 12, followed by the placement of the fiat annular ring 24 upon the outer end portions of the upper edges of partitions 14, concentrically with bottom 12, and thereby engage the circular groove 26 in the underside of said ring 24 in registryv with the upper edge of side wall 28 which is received within said groove. By any appropriate means such as cement, heated means, or the like, the ring 24 then may be permanently attached integrally to the outer portions of the upper edge of partitions 14 so as to comprise a composite base means having a circumferentially movable side wall and a plurality of compartments 18 which very largely are open at the top thereof for filling of said compartments, and a discharge opening 30 is formed between the ends of the side wall 28.

For purposes of covering the open portions of the upper areas of the compartments 18 and central compartment 20, the present invention also embodies a cover 40 which is best shown in detail in FIG. 7, and in assembled relationship with respect to base 10 in FIG. 4. The cover preferably is of substantially equal diameter to the ring 24 and bottom 12. Extending coaxially of the cover from the under face thereof is a hollow circular projection 42 which preferably is formed integrally with the cover, both of these elements being capable of being manufactured simultaneously and inexpensively by the injection molding thereof, for example, from suitable plastics material as in regard to forming the composite base means 10.

Preferably, the cover 40 is made from transparent material so that the contents of the compartments 18 readily may be viewed. The projection 42 is complementary to the circular partition 16 of the base means and the outer diameter of projection 42 preferably is very slightly less than the inner diameter of the partition 16 so that the projection 42 may readily telescope within partition 16, thereby not only facilitating accurate positioning of the cover 40 with respect to base means 10, but also providing mounting means for certain of the coengageable and detachable connecting means by which the cover is main tained separably removable from the base means 10, such as when the compartments are to be filled.

Appropriate and inexpensive connecting means may be of any suitable type, the specifically illustrated means simply comprising a pair of diametrically opposed and radially projecting lugs 44 formed on circular projection 42, for coengagement wtih complementary bayonet-type slots 46 formed in circular partition 16. Simply by bringing projection 42 into axial alignment with circular partition 16 and moving the same axially in telescoping manner, including limited rotation if necessary, until the lugs 44 are received within their intended bayonet-type slots 46, the cover 40 then is moved into fiat engagement against the upper surface of annular ring 24, whereupon the cover then may be rotated through a very limited arc to dispose the lugs 44 in fully locked engagement relative to the lower and inner ends of the bayonet-type slots 46, whereupon the cover is operatively connected to base means 10. If desired, releasable snap-type latching means may be provided between the cover and base means such as a rounded lug on the inner surface of the cover, not shown, engageable with a partition 14.

The cover 40 has several important functions. One is to cover the upper openings of the compartments 18, as indicated above. Another is to form a closure for the central compartment 20 which, incidentally, may contain medicine of the type which is to be taken on demand, for example, and at no particular scheduled time. A further important function of cover 40 is to support appropriate indicia 48, for example, of a time scheduling nature, such as indicating not only the hours when medicine is to be dispensed to a patient, but whether the hour is am. or p.m. Particularly to facilitate the determination of such dispensing times by persons of limited eyesight, said indicia preferably is of a raised nature, somewhat resembling Braille, whereby it is preferred that the indicia be of relatively large nature. Similar time-indicating indicia 48 are found on ring 24 to facilitate loading the compartments when cover 40 is removed.

It also is contemplated that supplemental indicia may be included for certain significant times of any 24-hour period such as an appropriate star-like indicia 50, shown in FIG. 4, which may designate noon; another indicia 52 of appropriate shape, such as a stylized cup and saucer to indicate the evening meal time; while still another indicia 54, somewhat resembling a toothbrush, may be used to indicate rising time. Such specialized indicia are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive and merely indicate rather substantial versatility to which the indicating means may be applied in accordance with the spirit of the invention. Obviously, the indicia for the purposes of enabling a patient or attendant to move the discharge opening 30 of side wall 28 to the desired compartment from which medicine is to be discharged at that particular indicated time by engaging extensions 32 and 34 and moving the opening 30 to the desired compartment.

It also is obvious that the various compartments 18 each may contain a specific, individual pill or capsule, or a particular assortment of the same which are to be taken at a given time during any 24-hour period. Thus, under normal circumstances, when a certain hour arrives, corresponding to the indicia relative to a specific com.- partment 18, the opening 30 then is moved to coincide with the outer boundary of that compartment and thereby open the compartment, without disturbing cover 40, for the discharge of the entire contents thereof in order that the dosage contained in that compartment then may be consumed by a patient. Under certain circumstances, it is conceivable that all of the compartments in succession will not contain medicament, unless a certain type of medicine is to be taken at the time corresponding to the indicia indexed with relation to that compartment.

In general, it will only be necessary to move the opening 30 of the side wall 28 successively with respect to one or more compartments, unidirectionally, until the end of a 24-hour period expires, at which time the container normally will be empty and ready for refilling. Such an arrangement obviously presents a more or less fool-proof and effective way of assuring that a certain patient will take medicine at certain prescribed times during any 24-hour period and after the medicine originally contained in any particular compartment is removed therefrom and consumed by the patient, it normally will be satisfactory to let that compartment remain open by permitting the discharge opening 30 to remain in registry with that compartment.

When the container comprising the invention initially is filled with a full complement of pill-like medicine for any particular patient, it usually will be desirable to completely cover the compartment with which the opening 30 inside wall 28 is in registry. Effecting such complete closure readily is accomplished by a supplementary closure 56 best illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. As seen in side view in FIG. 12, the closure 56 essentially is substantially U-shaped, although the leg 58 preferably is longer than the shorter, arcuate leg 60. The distance between the legs 58 and 60 preferably is slightly greater than the overall thickness of the assembled, composite base means 10 and cover 40. The shorter, arcuate leg 60 is disposed over the outer surface of bottom 12, for example, whereby the longer leg 58 will overlie the outer surface of cover 40.

To detachably retain supplementary closure 56 in assembled relationship so that the arcuate bight portion thereof covers the discharge opening 30 in the side wall 28, any appropriate, preferably snap-acting securing means may be utilized, such as a rounded projection 62 which is formed on the inner face of leg 58 adjacent the outer end thereof. Such projection selectively is engageable with one of a series of dimples 64 which are complementary in shape to projection 62 and formed in recessed manner in the upper surface of cover 40, as shown in FIG. 4.

Preferably, to strengthen the cover 40 and also to retain it in flat condition, the outer surface thereof is provided with a series of radially extending and evenly spaced ribs 66. To facilitate accurate positioning of the supplemental closure 56 with respect to the discharge opening 30 in side wall 28, the longer leg 58 of closure 56 preferably is made segmental in shape and complementary to the space between a pair of adjacent ribs 66. Further, to facilitate removal of closure 56, the terminal end of leg 58 preferably is bent slightly out of alignment with the major portion thereof so as to define a fingernail-engaging projection 68.

Both to facilitate the rotation of cover 40 with respect to base 10, such as in effecting connection of the cover to the base or removal of the cover therefrom and especially to disengage the locking lugs 44 from the bayonet slots 46, the peripheral edges of both the cover 40 and the disc-like bottom 12 of base member 10 are provided with circumferentially evenly spaced projections 70 which are of relatively limited radial dimension. In order that the supplementary closure 56 may accommodate such projections, the opposite corners of both of the legs 58 and 60 are provided with clearance notches 72, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

The projections 70'also have an additional function, particularly under circumstances where a number of the completely assembled pill containers 74, such as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, are mounted in a suitable holding or supporting means 76 which, for example, may be somewhat in the nature of a file drawer. Preferably, the length of the drawer is such as to hold a desired number of the pill containers 74 in compact relationship. If .desired, such as to indicate a certain ward or group of rooms in a hospital, the front wall of the supporting means 76 may be provided with appropriate labeling means 78. The supporting means 76 may be formed from any suitable material, such as still? wire, sheet metal, wood, plastics sheet material, or the like.

Extending longitudinally along the inner surface of the bottom of the supporting means 76 is a pair of rail-like projections 80, shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 13 and 14, whereby when the pill containers 74 are positioned Within the supporting means 76, they may be indexed, substantially non-rotatably, about their axes with respect to supporting means 76. Such arrangement is advantageous relative to the individual labeling of each container such as by placing a patients name thereon and disposing the same uppermost in supporting means 76. To facilitate such labeling of each container, attention is directed to FIG. 10 wherein a suitable label holder 82 may be formed on the outer surface of circumferential side vwall 28, such as adjacent one end thereof, for purposes of receiving an exemplary label 84 hearing the patients name. Labels attached by pressure-sensitive cement also are suitable. By the indexing arrangements afforded by longitudinal projections 80 in supporting means 76, and peripheral projections 70 on the pill container 74, the latter may be positioned within the supporting means 76 with the labels 84 all uppermost and readily readable by a nurse or other attendant.

One additional convenience afforded by the present invention comprises a relatively flat pocket 86, having an open end 88 which is affixed preferably permanently to the outer surface of the disc like bottom 12 of base means 10, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Appropriate sheet plastics material may beused to form the fiat pocket 86 and by means of reversely bent side edges and one end which may be cemented or otherwise affixed to the outer surface of bottom 12 and the pocket is secured thereto, whereby a card, having, for example, the patients entire list of prescribed medicines, times for taking the same, etc., Written or typed thereon readily may be viewed by a physician, attending nurse or otherwise. The card readily -may be changed from time to time.

Accidental removal of the card from the pocket 86 likewise may be prevented by providing a relatively simple narrow locking bar 90 on the outer surface of bottom 12, slightly spaced from the open end 88 of pocket 86, whereby a card has to be slightly flexed While inserting it in pocket 86 but upon the card being fully inserted therein, the outer edge thereof will snap behind the locking bar 90 but removal of the card readily may be achieved by inserting a fingernail under the card and prying it over bar 90.

A variety of other indicating means may be included in accordance with the present invention to render the use thereof relatively fool-proof and convenient. For example, certain areas of the cover 40 and/ or the upper surface of annular ring 24 may be colored suitable hues in certain sections or areas, especially to denote am. or p.rn., certain shifts of the day corresponding to nurses times of employment and the like. These colorings may be of a transparent nature or, at least in regard to annular ring 24, the same may be opaque.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the pill container and dispenser comprising the present invention offers a wide variety of possible uses with respect to the administering of medicaments of various kinds to either a single patient or a group of patients, regardless of whether a patient is institutionalized or in his own home. The container may be made small enough to be carried in a pocket or purse, or it may be made large enough, such as about While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it is to be understood 5" in diameter, for home or hospital use. Various means are provided to indicate the times of taking the medicaments, these being of such nature that even with failing eyesight and limited alertness, the taking of medicines incorrectly, such as overdosing or taking them ahead of time, is substantially eliminated, especially in view of the unidirectional arrangement for moving the side wall 28 and its discharge opening 30 with respect to the various compartments 14.

that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein described and illustrated since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A pill container and dispenser comprising in combination, a base comprising a disc-like bottom, a plurality of partitions connected to and extending perpendicularly from one surface of said base and extending radially inward substantially from the periphery thereof to define a series of segmental compartments therebetween, said partitions being of uniform height, a disc-like cover substantially of the same diameter as said bottom, coengageable connecting means on said cover and base operable to detachably secure said cover to said base substantially in coaxial relationship therewith and closely adjacent the upper edges of said partitions to cover the compartments defined thereby, time-indicating indicia means fixed respectively relative to said compartments to indicate a time schedule for consuming the pills therein, the outer ends of said partitions terminating a short distance from the peripheries of said bottom and cover to define peripheral flanges thereon, one of said peripheral flanges having a circular groove extending into the inner face thereof, a circumferential band like side wall extending around the outer ends of said partitions and normally covering all but one of said compartments, said side wall being positioned "between said peripheral flanges and having one edge slidably disposed in said circular groove and having a discharge opening therein successively registerable with the outer ends of said compartments as said side wall is moved around the circumference of said series of compartments selectively to position said discharge opening therewith, and indexing means on said side wall engageable with the outer ends of said partitions and operable to permit only uni-directional step-wise movement of said side wall and discharge opening therein relative to the outer ends of said compartments while said side wall is moving between said peripheral flanges, thereby to permit successive discharge of the contents of said compartments in accordance with the time schedule denoted by said indicia means.

2. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 1 in which said indexing means comprises a projection on said circumferential side wall adjacent the discharge opening therein and releasably engageable selectively with the outer extremities of said partitions between said compartments of said container and dispenser.

3. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 1 additionally including a fiat annular ring of restricted width having an outer diameter substantially equal to the bottom of said base and coaxial therewith, said ring being positioned against the outermost portions of the upper edges of the partitions opposite those edges which are connected to said bottom and connected fixedly to at least certain of said partitions, said flat annular ring also extending a limited distance beyond the outer ends of said partitions to form a peripheral flange on said ring and the opposing surfaces of said peripheral flanges on said ring and bottom both having guide grooves formed therein to slidably receive both of the opposite edges of said circumferential band-like side wall, said fiat annular ring also being relatively thin and directly engaged by the inner surface of said cover when said cover is connected to said base.

4. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 3 further including time indications on said ring oriented relative to said partitions and arranged in succession according to the increments of time in a predetermined period, said cover being transparent at least in the peripheral portion thereof immediately overlying said ring Permit viewing of the time indications through said cover,

5. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 1 further including a circular partition wall similar in height to that of said radial partitions and connected caxially at one edge to said bottom, the inner ends of said radial partitions being connected to the outer periphery of said circular partition, and said connecting means comprising interengaging lugs and complementary lug-receiving slots respectively carried by said cover and circular partition.

6. The pill container and dispenser according to claim further including a circular wall coaxial with said disclike cover and connected to the surface thereof adjacent said partitions when connected to said base means, said circular wall having a diameter permitting close telescoping relationship thereof with said circular partition on said base means and said lugs and lug-receiving slots of said connecting means being provided on said circular partition and circular wall.

7. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 1 further including circumferentially spaced and radially extending lugs formed on the periphery of said container for engagement with indexing means on holding and supporting means capable of receiving a plurality of such containers and dispensers and maintaining the same in desired oriented relationship to said holding and supporting means.

8. The pill container and dispenser according to claim 1 further including supplemental cover means of seg mental shape and substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said supplemental cover means being complementary in the bight portion thereof to the periphery of said container and dispenser and being dimensioned to render the same capable of extending over the discharge opening in said circumferential side Wall, the opposite legs of said supplemental cover respectively being engageable with the cover and bottom of said container and dispenser and detachably engaging the same to maintain said supplementary cover in closing position over said dispensing openmg.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,412,943 4/1922 Kennedy.

1,817,562 8/ 193 1 Hodge 20642 X 2,008,319 7/ 1935 Bruns et a1.

2,774,466 12/1956 Liska 20642 2,808,150 10/1957 Schlesser 20642 2,903,127 9/ 1959 Dormau 20642 X 2,943,730 7/1960 Tregilgas 20642 2,953,242 9/1960 Shaw 20642 3,151,599 10/1964 Livingston 20642 X LOUIS G. MAN CENE, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PILL CONTAINER AND DISPENSER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, BASE COMPRISING A DISC-LIKE BOTTOM, A PLURALITY OF PARTITIONS CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY FROM ONE SURFACE OF SAID BASE AND EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARD SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO DEFINE A SERIES OF SEGMENTAL COMPARTMENTS THEREBETWEEN, SAID PARTITIONS BEING OF UNIFORM HEIGHT,A DISC-LIKE COVER SUBSTANTIALLY OF THE SAME DIAMETER AS SAID BOTTOM, COENGAGEABLE CONNECTING MEANS ON SAID COVER AND BASE OPERABLE TO DETACHABLY SECURE SAID COVER TO SAID BASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN COAXIAL RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH AND CLOSELY ADJACENT THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID PARTITIONS TO COVER THE COMPARTMENTS DEFINED THEREBY, TIME-INDICATING INDICIA MEANS FIXED RESPECTIVELY RELATIVE TO SAID COMPARTMENTS TO INDICATE A TIME SCHEDULE FOR CONSUMING THE PILLS THEREIN, THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID PARTITIONS TERMINATING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE PERIPHERIES OF SAID BOTTOM AND COVER TO DEFINE PERIPHERAL FLANGES THEREON, ONE OF SAID PERIPHERAL FLANGES HAVING A CIRCULAR GROOVE EXTENDING INTO THE INNER FACE THEREOF, A CIRCUMFERENTIAL BAND-LIKE SIDE WALL EXTENDING AROUND THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID PARTITIONS AND NORMALLY COVERING ALL BUT ONE OF SAID COMPARTMENTS, SAID SIDE WALL BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID PERIPHERAL FLANGES AND HAVING ONE EDGE SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID CIRCULAR GROOVE AND HAVING A DISCHARGE OPENING THEREIN SUCCESSIVELY REGISTERABLE WITH THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID COMPARTMENTS AS SAID SIDE WALL IS MOVED AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID SERIES OF COMPARTMENTS SELECTIVELY TO POSITION SAID DISCHARGE OPENING THEREWITH, AND INDEXING MEANS ON SAID SIDE WALL ENGAGEABLE WITH THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID PARTITIONS AND OPERABLE TO PERMIT ONLY UNI-DIRECTIONAL STEP-WISE MOVEMENT OF SAID SIDE WALL AND DISCHARGE OPENING THEREIN RELATIVE TO THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID COMPARTMENTS WHILE SAID SIDE WALL IS MOVING BETWEEN SAID PERIPHERAL FLANGES, THEREBY TO PERMIT SUCCESSIVE DISCHARGE OF THE CONTENTS OF SAID COMPARTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIME SCHEDULE DENOTED BY SAID INDICIA MEANS.

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