Dispenser

• US 4,915,256 A
• Filed: 06/28/1985
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Tump, Dereck
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLA, JR., JOSEPH J
• Application Number:
  US06/749,693
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/4-5, 221/25, 221/76, 221/86, 221/89, 221/69, 221/64, 221/82, 206/531-534, 206/538-539, 116/308
• US Class Current: 221/5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2583/0404 Indications, e.g. directions for use
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0463 formed in a band or a blisterweb, inserted in a dispensing device or container

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing a series of different pills over a prescribed period. The dispenser is provided with an indicator that is adjustable to preset the start of the pill regimen on whatever day desired. The pill package and dispenser are constructed and arranged so that after the indicator has been preset the pill package can be fixedly positioned in the dispenser with the first pill of the regimen in position to be taken by the user on the first preselected day.

Claims

1. A tablet dispenser comprising:

a substantially flat support having a single tablet dispensing aperture therein;

a tray rotatably disposed relative to said support and having an upstanding wall defining a notch, said tray having a plurality of openings disposed in a circular orientation and spaced substantially equally apart and arranged to individually align in registration with said aperture in said support upon rotation of said tray relative to said support, a periodicity indicator mounted on said tray and associated with each of said openings, interengaging means defined by said support and tray whereby said tray is rotatably positioned relative to said support; and

a removable annular tablet package disposed on said tray comprising a plurality of collapsible pockets each containing a tablet therein, said pockets arranged in a circular orientation and substantially equally spaced apart to thereby correspond with the orientation of said openings in said tray so that a tablet is disposed in alignment with each of said openings, said pockets being covered with a frangible membrane interposed between said pockets and said openings, said package defining a plurality of tabs wherein one of them will fit in said notch to positively locate said package with respect to said tray and rotatable therewith, whereby the starting period for the first tablet of a regimen can be preset to any starting day desired by moving the tray and associated periodicity indicator to the desired day, locating the tablet package in position by bending down all the tabs but the preselected first day and dispensing the tablets in the desired sequence by collapsing the pocket which is in registry with said aperture, thereby urging said tablet to fracture said membrane and pass through its corresponding opening and then through said aperture in said support for collection by the user thereof.