Storage containers for pharmaceutical dispenser

• US 10,071,022 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2017
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PharmRight Corporation
• Original Assignee: PharmRight Corporation
• Inventors: Park, IV, William C
• Primary Examiner(s): Mackey, Patrick Hewey
• Application Number:
  US15/615,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20170333290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0409 the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation B65D83/0445 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

Devices dispense medicine and dietary supplements in solid dosage form. The dimensions of the selection slots for the solid dosage forms in a device can be customized in depth by adding or subtracting spacers, and in width by adding or subtracting thickness inserts, or otherwise by employing components of suitable dimensions. Also, structures and methods for resolving jams of solid dosage forms are disclosed.

Claims

1. A storage compartment for storing and dispensing a plurality of solid dosage forms having a same shape;

the storage compartment comprising;

a volume for storing the plurality of solid dosage forms;

a receiver coupled to the storage compartment and adapted to rotate about an axis, comprising a selection slot at a distance from the axis, wherein the selection slot is adapted to separate a single solid dosage form from the plurality of solid dosage forms when the receiver is selectively rotated clockwise and counterclockwise about the axis;

a sweeper coupled to the storage compartment and adjustably positioned proximate to the selection slot of the receiver to aid the selection slot to separate the single solid dosage form when the receiver is selectively rotated clockwise and counterclockwise about the axis; and

at least two pins for coupling the storage compartment to a dispensing device, the at least two pins having different dimensions to ensure proper orientation of the storage compartment relative to the dispensing device.

2. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a selection slot selector reversibly coupled to a selection slot carrier, wherein the selection slot carrier comprises a plurality of selection slots of different dimensions.

3. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver is reversibly coupled to at least one spacer in a manner that lengthens a dimension of the selection slot to accommodate the same shape in the selection slot.

4. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises

a spacer that lengthens a dimension of the selection slot to accommodate the same shape in the selection slot, and

wherein the receiver and the spacer are molded of a single piece of material.

5. The storage compartment of claim 1, further comprising a desiccant in fluid contact with the volume for storing the plurality of solid dosage forms.

6. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver is reversibly coupled to at least one thickness insert to accommodate the same shape in the selection slot.

7. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver further defines a convex surface adapted to direct solid dosage forms from the plurality toward the selection slot.

8. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises more than one selection slot.

9. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the selection slot is located at an edge of the receiver.

10. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment further comprises a lid.

11. The storage compartment of claim 10, wherein the lid comprises a latch and is held to the storage compartment by one or more hinges.

12. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises an axial shaft having a base adapted to couple to a motor for selectively rotating the receiver clockwise and counterclockwise about the axis.