Portable pill box with alarm

• US 5,915,558 A
• Filed: 01/29/1998
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nina Girvetz
• Original Assignee: Nina Girvetz
• Inventors: Girvetz, Nina
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOHANDESI, JILA M
• Application Number:
  US09/015,450
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 206/534, D 3/215, 224/587, 224/269, 224/240, 224/241, 224/667, 224/930
• US Class Current: 206/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis

Abstract

A pill box having a shape which insinuates a pager is disclosed. The pill box has an alarm clock within a first enclosed space and a door which provides access to a second enclosed space in which pills are stored and retrieved. In one arrangement, a sensor detects movement of the door and the alarm is sound in response to the sensor. The pill box may be provided in combination with a pager of the type which includes circuitry for receiving a page signal and a display for displaying information including the page signal.

Claims

1. A pill box, comprising:

a housing having a first enclosed space and a second enclosed space, the housing having a broad surface being shaped to insinuate a pager;

an alarm clock within the first enclosed space having an alarm;

a door operable to selectively provide access to the second enclosed space for storing and retrieving pills;

a clip pivotally attached to the housing on the broad surface thereof;

a sensor means for detecting movement of the door; and

means responsive to the sensor means for actuating the alarm.

2. The pill box as in claim 1, further comprising a drawer or vial receivable in said second enclosed space.

3. The pill box as in claim 1, wherein the alarm clock includes one of a buzzer and a vibrator alarm.

4. The pill box as in claim 1, further comprising one or more buttons and a display.

5. The pill box as in claim 4, wherein the display identifies the pill to be taken.

6. The pill box as in claim 4, wherein the second enclosed space has coded slots or vials.

7. The pill box as in claim 6, wherein the code comprises a number and wherein the display displays the number.

8. The pill box as in claim 6, wherein the code comprises a color and wherein the display displays the color.

9. The pill box as in claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed relative to said door and said housing to seal the second enclosed space when the door is in a closed position.

10. The pill box as in claim 1, further comprising a desiccant within the second enclosed space.

11. The pill box as in claim 1, wherein the alarm clock includes an interval setting which automatically sets the alarm at the set interval.

14. The pill box as in claim 1, further comprising:

a lock means which cooperates with movement of the clip for preventing inadvertent opening of the door, the lock means including a pull wire which is received in the slot to prevent the door from opening when the clip is in a first position and which is retracted from the slot when the clip is in a second position to permit the door to open.

12. In combination, a pager and a pill box comprising:

a housing having first and second interior compartments, the housing having a broad surface and being shaped to insinuate a pager;

a clip pivotally attached to the exterior of the housing on the broad surface thereof;

a pager within the first compartment, the pager including circuitry for receiving a page signal, a display for displaying information including the page signal, and a button;

an alarm clock within the housing having an alarm;

a door movable between a first position in which the second interior compartment is closed and a second position in which the second interior compartment is open;

a sensor means for detecting movement of the door from the first position to the second position; and

means responsive to the sensor means for actuating the alarm.

13. The pager as in claim 12, wherein the pager includes acknowledge signal means for transmitting a first encoded acknowledge signal to a central station if the door is moved from the first position within a set period of time after the alarm has been actuated and a second encoded acknowledge signal to a central station if the door is not moved from the first position within a set period of time after the alarm has been actuated.

15. In combination, a pager and a pill box comprising:

a housing having first and second interior compartments, the housing having a broad surface and being shaped to insinuate a pager;

a clip pivotally attached to the exterior of the housing on the broad surface thereof;

a pager within the first compartment, the pager including circuitry for receiving a page signal, a display for displaying information including the page signal, and a button;

an alarm clock within the housing having an alarm;

a door movable between a first position in which the second interior compartment is closed and a second position in which the second interior compartment is open; and

a panic button for communicating an encoded message to a central station.

16. In combination, a pager and a pill box comprising:

a housing having first and second interior compartments, the housing having a broad surface and being shaped to insinuate a pager;

a clip pivotally attached to the exterior of the housing on the broad surface thereof;

a pager within the first compartment, the pager including circuitry for receiving a page signal, a display for displaying information including the page signal, and a button;

an alarm clock within the housing having an alarm; and

a door movable between a first position in which the second interior compartment is closed and a second position in which the second interior compartment is open;

wherein compliance messages are automatically communicated to a central station indicative of a patient'"'"'s compliance with a pill regimen.