Tablet and capsule dispensing assembly

• US 10,653,584 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2018
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pill Development Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pill Development Group, LLC
• Inventors: Brady, Robert Owen, Bujalski, Joseph B., Heitzenrater, Jeffery S., Vergin, Matthew William, Leonard, Jon Colin, Chartier, Joel Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Randall, Jr., Kelvin L
• Application Number:
  US16/053,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20180344575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• 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 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• 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

Abstract

A dispensing assembly which includes a case having a superior component and inferior component, the superior component and inferior component operatively arranged to form a first cavity therebetween. A tablet disc is arranged within the first cavity having a plurality of tablets disposed about a circumference of the tablet disc, where the tablet disc is arranged to rotate about a central axis and within the case. The assembly further includes a lock to prevent rotation of the tablet disc in a first rotational direction during a first predetermined time interval. The lock includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a display and a first circuit connected to the display. The second component includes an actuator, a catch, a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface of the second component, and a ratchet operatively arranged to engage with the plurality of teeth and the case.

Claims

1. A tablet and capsule dispensing assembly, comprising:

a case having a superior component and an inferior component, the superior component and the inferior component operatively arranged to form a first cavity therebetween, the superior component comprising an inner circumferential surface including a first plurality of teeth;

a tablet disc arranged within the first cavity, the tablet disc having a plurality of tablets disposed about a circumference of the tablet disc, and arranged to rotate within the case; and

,

a lock arranged to prevent rotation of the tablet disc in a first rotational direction during a first predetermined time interval, the lock comprising;

a first component, the first component comprising;

a display and a first circuit electrically connected to the display; and

,

a second component, the second component comprising;

an actuator;

a pivotable catch arranged to engage with the first plurality of teeth to prevent rotational movement of the lock in the first rotational direction with respect to the case;

a second plurality of teeth disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the second component; and

,

a ratchet operatively arranged to engage with the second plurality of teeth and the case.

2. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the superior component further comprises a first aperture and the inferior component further comprises a second aperture where the first aperture and the second aperture are arranged to allow a first tablet to be removed from the tablet disc.

3. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the superior component and inferior component are made from Poly(methyl methacrylate), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), metal, high-impact polystyrene, Polycarbonate (PC), or Polyether Imide (PEI).

4. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the display is an E-ink display, a touch-screen display, an Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Electroluminescent (ELD) display, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) display, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display, or a Liquid Crystal (LCD) display.

5. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a microcontroller having a first memory storage unit, a timer, and a power supply, wherein the display, the microcontroller, the timer, and the actuator are all electrically connected.

6. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the second component further comprises a first surface including a second cavity, the second cavity operatively arranged to receive the actuator.

7. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the tablet disc is arranged to rotate a first rotational distance in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, wherein the first rotational distance is less than or equal to a distance between a first tablet and a second tablet of the plurality of tablets on the tablet disc.

8. The tablet and capsule dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a solenoid actuator.