Method and Device for Pill Dispensing

• US 20080251530A1
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Mceldowney, John T. Henninger, Lawrence E. Holloway, Richard D. Muse, Robert A. Lodder, Robert B. Muncy, William R. Dieter
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Mceldowney, John T. Henninger, Lawrence E. Holloway, Richard D. Muse, Robert A. Lodder, Robert B. Muncy, William R. Dieter
• Inventors: Lodder, Robert A., McEldowney, Anthony J., Holloway, Lawrence E., Henninger, John T., Muse, Richard D., Dieter, William R., Muncy, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US12/122,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20080251530A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• 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 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A pill dispenser and a related method of pill dispensing including a container having a holder, a gate, a controller, a sensor, and a neutralizing device. The dispenser releases pills at a prescribed release rate. The sensor detects tampering with the container. Upon detection of tampering, the neutralizing device renders the contents of the pill dispenser impotent.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

a container;

a holder held in said container for holding multiple units of a product;

a gate carried on said holder, said gate being selectively displaceable between an engaged position for retaining product in said holder within said container and a non-engaged position for dispensing a single unit of said product from said holder; and

a lock for securing said gate in said engaged position.

2. The product dispenser of claim 1, comprising:

a controller in communication with said lock for regulating the movement of said gate.

3. The product dispenser of claim 1, comprising:

a sensor for detecting tampering of said dispenser.

4. A pill dispenser, comprising:

a container;

a holder having a first and second opening, said holder positioned substantially within an interior of said container;

a displaceable gate positioned in communication with one opening of said holder;

a lock for preventing displacement of said gate.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said container includes at least one aperture in communication with one opening of said holder.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein said holder is a chute having a substantially helical shape.

7. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said dispenser includes a dispensing member having at least one aperture adapted for receiving a pill.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein said aperture of said dispensing member is in communication with one opening of said holder.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein said gate controls the movement of said dispensing member.

10. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said dispenser includes a controller in communication with said lock for regulating the movement of said gate.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein said controller includes at least one programmable microcontroller.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein said dispenser includes a sensor in communication with the microcontroller.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said sensor includes a conductive loop encasing said dispenser.

14. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said sensor includes a capacitive sensor.

15. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said sensor includes a pressure sensitive switch consisting of at least two layers of conductive material separated by a gap.

16. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said dispenser is pressurized and said sensor comprises a pressure sensor capable of measuring an internal pressure of said container and an external pressure outside said container.

17. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said dispenser includes a neutralizing device in proximity to the contents of said holder.

18. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the lock comprises an actuator and a solenoid.

19. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein said controller includes a timer to regulate the release of said pill.

20. A method for dispensing pills, comprising:

programming a pill dispenser to release a pill at a certain rate;

loading said dispenser with said pill;

releasing said pill at said programmed release rate; and

detecting tampering with said dispenser.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the detecting step comprises using a sensor in communication with a controller.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of pressurizing said dispenser.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor capable of measuring an internal pressure in said dispenser and comparing said pressure with an external pressure outside said dispenser.

24. A product dispenser, comprising:

a container; and

a neutralizing device for neutralizing one or more units of a product that may be positioned in the container.

25. The product dispenser of claim 24, further including a sensor for detecting tampering with the container.

26. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the container includes at least one aperture.

27. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the neutralizing device includes a flammable agent.

28. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the neutralizing device includes an epoxy.

29. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the neutralizing device includes a plunger.

30. The product dispenser of claim 24, wherein the neutralizing device includes a mechanical device.

31. A method for dispensing a product, comprising:

positioning one or more units of the product in a container;

detecting tampering of said container;

upon detection of tampering, neutralizing said one or more units of the product.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the detecting step comprises using a sensor in communication with a controller.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said neutralizing device comprises use of a flammable agent.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said neutralizing device comprises use of a mechanical device.

35. A pill container, comprising:

a sensor for detecting tampering with the container; and

a neutralizing device.

36. The pill container of claim 35, wherein the neutralizing device includes a flammable agent and, upon the sensor detecting tampering, the flammable agent may destroy contents of the container.

37. The pill container of claim 35, wherein the neutralizing device includes a mechanical device and, upon the sensor detecting tampering, the mechanical device may destroy contents of the container.

38. The pill container of claim 35, further comprising a controller for regulating the release of contents of the container.