Pill strip dispenser
First Claim
1. A pill strip dispenser for use with a pill strip including a pill strip package having longitudinal edges and defining a plurality of longitudinally arranged packets, each packet including a pocket with medicine therein, the packets separated by laterally extending separation lines, the pill strip dispenser comprising:
- a housing defining a supply region and a dispensing path along which the pill strip moves from the supply region to a discharge position;
a drive assembly, mounted at least partially within the housing, including a drive element along the dispensing path which engages the pill strip along a drive line and forces the pill strip from the supply region, along the dispensing path and to the discharge position; and
directing means for directing the medicine in each said pocket away from the drive line so as not to interfere with the drive element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pill strip dispenser (4) is used with a pill strip (6) having a series of pill-containing packets (8) so the pills (10) can be dispensed individually. The dispenser includes a housing (14) defining a supply region (18) within which the pill strip is housed. The pill strip extends from the supply region along a dispensing path within the housing to a discharge position (12) next to but external of the housing. The packets are dispensed one at a time by a manually actuated drive assembly (46) including a user operated plunger (80). The pill strip is captured between a pair of toothed drive wheels (48), positioned at each lateral edge (36, 38) of the pill strip, and overlying resilient rollers (50). The tooth drive wheels not only drive the pill strip, but also perforate the pill strip packets so that the contents of the dispensed packet can be easily accessed. A pair of pill guides (70) are used along the dispensing path to push the pill within the pocket towards the center of the packet and away from the drive wheels.
42 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A pill strip dispenser for use with a pill strip including a pill strip package having longitudinal edges and defining a plurality of longitudinally arranged packets, each packet including a pocket with medicine therein, the packets separated by laterally extending separation lines, the pill strip dispenser comprising:
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a housing defining a supply region and a dispensing path along which the pill strip moves from the supply region to a discharge position; a drive assembly, mounted at least partially within the housing, including a drive element along the dispensing path which engages the pill strip along a drive line and forces the pill strip from the supply region, along the dispensing path and to the discharge position; and directing means for directing the medicine in each said pocket away from the drive line so as not to interfere with the drive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification