Compartmented vitamin storage organizer

• US 6,733,095 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lorie E. Rieb
• Original Assignee: Lorie E. Rieb
• Inventors: Rieb, Lorie E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US10/004,953
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 312/138.1, 312/138.2, 312/119, 312/122, 312/234, 312/234.4, 312/291, 312/35, 312/139.2, 312/292, 312/350, 211/184, 206/540, 206/526
• US Class Current: 312/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 46/00 Cabinets, racks or shelf units, having one or more surfaces adapted to be brought into position for use by extending or pivoting A47B63/04, A47B77/10 take precedence; writing tables with extensible leaves A47B17/03; with extensible garment holders A47B61/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 67/00 Chests; Dressing-tables; Medicine cabinets or the like; Cabinets characterised by the arrangement of drawers
• 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 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers

Abstract

A compartmented storage organizer for vitamins and herbal supplements comprising a housing member having a plurality of recesses located on the front surface thereof and a corresponding number of like-sized bins to be slidably retained therein for storage or removed by the user to take with them for use as a pillbox and to be returned thereafter. The bins are magnetically maintained within the housing. A means for individually dispensing tablets is further included to assist the elderly and infirm when removing the contents therefrom.

Claims

1. A compartmented vitamin organizer, comprising:

a) a housing member having a plurality of recesses on a front surface thereof;

b) a plurality of bins having a bottom plate, a back plate, a top plate, two side plates and an open front closed by a pivoted access door, said bins sized and configured to be inserted into said plurality of recesses in said housing and each said bin further includes a retaining shield on a lower portion of the open front adjacent the access door when closed and preventing any contents from inadvertently being removed when the access door is open; and

c) said retaining shield including a means for adjusting the height thereof to accommodate a greater or lesser amount of vitamins.

2. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said housing recess has means for removably retaining said bin therein.

3. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 2, in which said retaining means is a first magnet located on an exterior portion of said bin back plate and a second corresponding magnet on a rear wall of said housing recess.

4. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which said housing member further includes a fastening means for mounting said housing member to a vertical structure.

5. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said access door has a locking means for securing each said access door in a closed position.

6. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 5, in which said locking means is a spring-loaded knob that allows a user to selectively secure and open said access door.

7. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said bin has a sealing means to hermetically seal the inside of each said bin when said access door is closed.

8. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 7, in which said sealing means is a gasket positioned at the contact points between said bin and said access door when in the closed position.

9. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which said retaining shield height adjustment means includes a second retaining shield that slides within retaining grooves wherein a lower position is adjacent face to face and parallel to said retaining shield and a upper position is situated atop said retaining shield.

10. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said bin has a means for permitting a user to observe any contents therein without opening the access door or while removing said contents therefrom.

11. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said bin is comprised of a transparent material.

12. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 1, in which each said bin has a respective labeling means on said housing to enable a user to readily identify the contents therein and provide any other pertinent information thereof.

13. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 12, in which said labeling means comprises:

a) a transparent label housing member;

b) a label to be removably inserted into said label housing member; and

c) indicia on said label.

14. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 13, in which said indicia provides pertinent information regarding the contents of said bin.

15. A compartmented vitamin organizer as recited in claim 13, in which each said label housing member further includes a bin indication arrow to allow a user to match said indicia on said label with the corresponding bin.