Pillbox

• US 20090026106A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Action LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Action LLC
• Inventors: Sterns, Anthony A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,322,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/530
• 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: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads

Abstract

A pillbox that can be used with a portable electronic device (“PED”) such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant includes a generally cubic body portion that is attached to one end of a PED. The body portion defines a compartment within which medication can be placed. Preferably, an extension projects from one wall of the body portion and the extension is connected to the PED. The body portion preferably conforms generally to the contour of the PED. A door is connected to the body portion to permit selective access to the compartment. Other embodiments of the invention include a holster within which the PED can be inserted. In some of the embodiments, the door defines the medication-storage compartment.

Claims

1. A pillbox for attachment to a PED, comprising:

a body portion that defines a compartment within which pills can be disposed, the body portion having surfaces that contact the PED and which conform generally to the shape of the PED;

a movable door connected to the body portion to selectively cover and uncover the compartment; and

a connection between the body portion and the PED.

2. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the external configuration of the body portion generally is cubic.

3. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the door is connected to the body portion by a hinge.

4. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the connection between the body portion and the PED is formed by hook and loop fasteners.

5. The pillbox of claim 1, further comprising:

an extension projecting from the body portion, the extension conforming generally to the shape of the PED; and

a connection between the extension and the PED.

6. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall, the front wall being defined by the door, and further comprising:

an extension projecting from the rear wall and forming an extention thereof, the extension conforming generally to the shape of the PED; and

a connection between the extension and the PED.

7. The pillbox of claim 6, wherein the connection between the extension and the PED is formed by hook and loop fasteners.

8. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein:

the body portion has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall, the front wall being defined by the door; and

the connection between the body portion and the PED is formed by mating prongs and ports.

9. The pillbox of claim 8, wherein the door is mounted on tracks included as part of the sidewalls, and the door is slidable along the tracks.

10. The pillbox of claim 1, further comprising:

a holster connected to and projecting from the body portion, the holster being of a size and shape to receive a portion of the PED.

11. The pillbox of claim 10, wherein the body portion is disposed along a selected side of the PED and includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall, the holster connected to and extending from the bottom wall, the holster including a bottom wall against which a bottom wall of the PED is in contact and an upwardly extending side wall that is in contact with a sidewall of the PED that is opposed to a sidewall that is in contact with the body portion.

12. The pillbox of claim 11, wherein the top wall of the body portion is defined by the door.

13. The pillbox of claim 11, wherein the connection between the PED and the holster includes flanges that project from the holster and which engage the PED.

14. The pillbox of claim 10, wherein the body portion is disposed along a bottom wall of the PED and includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall, the holster connected to and extending from the side walls and the rear wall of the body portion, the holster including side walls that conform generally to the shape of sidewalls of the PED and a rear wall that conforms generally to the shape of a rear wall of the PED.

15. The pillbox of claim 14, wherein the front wall of the body portion is defined by the door.

16. The pillbox of claim 14, wherein the connection between the PED and the holster includes a tab that projects from the rear wall of the holster and which engages the PED.

17. A pillbox for attachment to a PED, comprising:

a body portion attached to the PED, the body portion including a generally flat wall that lies in a plane and clips that project from opposing sides of the wall to engage the PED;

a door that defines a compartment within which pills can be disposed, the door being movable relative to the body portion to selectively open and close the compartment; and

a connection between the door and the body portion, the connection being defined by a hinge that permits pivoting movement between the door and the wall out of the plane in which the wall lies.

18. A pillbox for attachment to a PED, comprising:

a body portion attached to the PED, the body portion including a generally flat wall that lies in a plane and clips that project from opposing sides of the wall to engage the PED; and

a connection between the door and the body portion, the connection being defined by a post included as part of a selected one of the wall of the body portion or the door, and a receptacle for receiving the post that is included as part of the other of the wall or the door, the door being movable relative to the wall by being pivoted about the pin in a plane generally parallel with the plane in which the wall lies.