Multiple alarm timepiece with pill compartments

• US 6,301,196 B1
• Filed: 03/10/1999
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen W. Daniel
• Original Assignee: Stephen W. Daniel
• Inventors: Daniel, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US09/266,171
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 360/10, 360/107-118, 360/278
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/026 acting at a number of different times

Abstract

A compact medication dispensing unit is disclosed consisting of a body forming a chamber with an open first end, a closed second end, a front, a back and at least two sides. A lid is hinged, preferably at the front of the body, to prevent access to the chamber. Dividers, either integral or removable, create multiple sub-chambers to separate medications. A securing member, such as a spring bias clip or a semi-rigid J-shaped clip, is affixed to the back of the body proximate the first end to maintain the vertical alignment of the ends. Programmable notification and display means enable a user to enter data and subsequently notify and display the entered data to the user. In another embodiment the interior chamber contains vertically oriented modules. The modules are rotatable within the interior chamber to open for accessibility and are preferably separated by rigidly affixed separators. The can rotate through use of a pivot member or a hinge. A stop member on each module prevents the modules from rotating beyond a predetermined amount. Closure members maintain the multiple modules within the interior chamber until released by a user. Springs, having sufficient force to push said module to an open position, can be affixed within the interior chamber proximate said module. Programmable notification and display means enable user entry of data and subsequently notifying and displaying the data to a user.

Claims

1. A medication dispensing unit, said medication dispensing unit having:

a body, said body forming a chamber having an open first end to enable dispensing of said medication, a closed second end, a front, a back and at least two sides;

dividers, said dividers being within said chamber and creating multiple sub-chambers within said chamber, wherein each of said sub-chambers maintains medication separate from remaining sub-chambers;

multiple pairs of receiving slots within said chamber for receiving said dividers to enable a user to create variable sized sub-chambers, wherein each of said pair opposes each other;

a lid, said lid being hinged to said body at said first end and preventing access to said chamber,

a securing member, said securing member having an open end and an affixed end, said affixed end being affixed to said back proximate said first end and positioned to maintain said first end and said second end aligned vertically to one another;

programmable notification and display means, said notification and display means enabling user entry of data and subsequently notifying and displaying said data to said user;

wherein said user places medication within said chamber and clips said dispensing unit to said user'"'"'s clothing or user carried item.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said programmable notification and display means are located within said lid.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein said lid is hinged at said front of said body.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said dividers are integral with said body.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein a distance between said first end and said second end is on the order of about 3.5 inches, between said at least two sides on the order of about 2 inches and between said front and said back on the order of about ½

inch.

6. The unit of claim 1 wherein said securing member is a spring bias clip.

7. The unit of claim 1 wherein said securing member is a semi-rigid J-shaped clip.