Dosage dispensing and tracking container

• US 20100006585A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arnett G. Flowers, Mary E. Flowers
• Original Assignee: Arnett G. Flowers, Mary E. Flowers
• Inventors: Flowers, Arnett G., Flowers, Mary E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,152,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/7
• 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 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications over time. The present invention includes a container which has a plurality of compartments each configured to contain a plurality of dosages of a different medication. A rotatable lid is attached on top of the container such that an opening in the lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of the plurality of compartments. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. A programmable computing device is provided to track dosages administered from each of the plurality of compartments. A display, controlled by the programmable computing device, conveys information regarding the medication contained within a selected compartment.

Claims

1. A pill dispenser comprising:

a. a container having plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time of at least one week, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container;

each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container;

b. a lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate angularly about said container such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments;

c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is in a present state of fluid communication therewith;

d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments;

e. a display controlled by said programmable computing device;

f. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display dosage information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, said selected compartment determined by the position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device.

2. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dosage information includes a name of said medication.

3. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dosage information comprises information regarding how often said medication should be administered.

4. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said dosage information comprises information regarding how many dosages of said medication remain for the day.

5. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said lid position detection device comprises a rheostat.

6. The pill dispenser of claim 1, wherein said lid position detection device comprises an embedded circuit, said embedded circuit remaining stationary relative to said container when said lid is rotated angularly.

7. The pill dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an input device electrically connected to said programmable computing device, said programmable computing device configured to register that a dosage has been dispensed when said input device transmits an input to said programmable computing device.

8. A pill dispenser comprising:

a. a container having plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container;

each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container;

b. a lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate angularly with respect to said container such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments;

c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is in a present state of fluid communication therewith, said lid position detection device comprising a rheostat; and

d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments.

9. The pill dispenser of claim 8, further comprising:

a. a display controlled by said programmable computing device; and

b. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display dosage information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, said selected compartment determined by the position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device.

10. The pill dispenser of claim 9, wherein said dosage information includes a name of said medication.

11. The pill dispenser of claim 9, wherein, said dosage information comprises information regarding how often said medication should be administered.

12. The pill dispenser of claim 9, wherein said dosage information comprises information regarding how many dosages of said medication remain for the day.

13. The pill dispenser of claim 8, wherein said lid position detection device comprises an embedded circuit, said embedded circuit remaining stationary relative to said container when said lid is rotated angularly.

14. The pill dispenser of claim 8, further comprising an input device electrically connected to said programmable computing device, said programmable computing device configured to register that a dosage has been dispensed when said input device transmits an input to said programmable computing device.

15. A pill dispenser comprising:

a. a container having plurality of compartments, each of said plurality of compartments configured to contain a plurality of dosages of one of a plurality of medications to be dispensed over a period of time, said container having a top and a bottom, each of said plurality of compartments extending from said bottom of said container to said top of said container;

each of said plurality of compartments having an opening proximal said top of said container;

b. a lid attached to said container proximal said top of said container, said lid having an opening, said lid configured to rotate angularly with respect to said container about an axis of rotation such that said opening in said lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of said plurality of compartments;

c. a lid position detection device configured to identify which of said plurality of compartments said opening is in a present state of fluid communication therewith, said lid position detection device including a grounding pivot, said grounding pivot lying in said axis of rotation of said lid; and

d. a programmable computing device configured to track dosages administered from each of said plurality of compartments, said programmable computing device electrically connected to said grounding pivot.

16. The pill dispenser of claim 15, further comprising:

a. a display controlled by said programmable computing device; and

b. wherein said programmable computing device is configured to display dosage information on said display regarding a medication contained within a selected compartment of said plurality of compartments, said selected compartment determined by the position of said opening as indicated by said lid position detection device.

17. The pill dispenser of claim 15, wherein said lid position detection device comprises an embedded circuit, said embedded circuit remaining stationary relative to said container when said lid is rotated angularly.

18. The pill dispenser of claim 15, wherein said lid position detection device comprises a rheostat.

19. The pill dispenser of claim 15, further comprising an input device electrically connected to said programmable computing device, said programmable computing device configured to register that a dosage has been dispensed when said input device transmits an input to said programmable computing device.