System and method for storing and dispensing medication

• US 7,543,718 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morris Simon
• Original Assignee: Morris Simon
• Inventors: Simon, Morris
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar; Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US11/085,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 221/122, 221/9, 221/13, 221/76, 221/79, 221/81, 221/92, 221/119, 221/121, 221/242, 221/241, 221/203, 221/215, 221/230, 221/113, 221/90, 220/215, 220/230, 700/242, 206/380, 312/97.1
• US Class Current: 221/13
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A customizable container is used with a method of filling, storing, and dispensing medication. The method employs a medication database and analyzes medication storage requirements to determine a customized container size and configuration for an individual pill-user. Container preparation instructions are generated to computer-tailor the customized container based upon the determined needs of the individual pill-user. A pharmacist uses the container preparation instructions to organize medications in the proper dosage administration sequence in separate reconfigurable compartments of the pill pack container. The pill pack container is individually customized for each individual pill taker to organize, store, and dispense correctly a supply of pills of multiple types, sizes, and shapes for a predetermined time period.

Claims

1. A customizable medication storage and dispensing container for storing and dispensing medication comprising:

a tray having a plurality of size-adjustable compartments, the compartments defined at least partially by a bottom wall, a peripheral wall, and a non-planar wall;

a cover having at least one dispensing opening thereon, the cover being rotatably secured to the tray to allow selection of at least one of the plurality of size-adjustable compartments for dispensing of medication stored therein; and

a plurality of port inserts for insertion in a port opening on the peripheral wall of the tray;

wherein the tray further includes a plurality of tray rim segments extending vertically upward from the bottom wall to form the tray peripheral wall, the plurality of tray rim segments at least partially defining the port opening from which medication is accessible; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of port inserts includes a porthole opening thereon.

2. The customizable medication storage and dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the porthole openings vary in size to aid in dispensing of medication having varying sizes and shapes.

3. A customizable medication storage and dispensing container for storing and dispensing medication comprising:

a tray having a plurality of size-adjustable compartments, the compartments defined at least partially by a bottom wall, a radial wall, and a peripheral wall, the tray including a port opening on the peripheral wall of the tray and a port insert for insertion in the port opening from which medication is accessible; and

a cover having at least one dispensing opening thereon, the cover being rotatably secured to the tray to allow selection of at least one of the plurality of size-adjustable compartments for dispensing of medication stored therein;

wherein at least one of the plurality of port inserts includes a porthole opening thereon.

4. The customizable medication storage and dispensing container of claim 3, wherein the porthole openings vary in size to aid in dispensing of medication having varying sizes and shapes.

5. A customizable medication storage and dispensing container for storing and dispensing medication comprising:

a tray having a plurality of size-adjustable compartments, the compartments defined at least partially by a bottom wall, a radial wall, and a peripheral wall, the tray including a port opening on the peripheral wall of the tray and a port insert for insertion in the port opening from which medication is accessible; and

a cover having at least one dispensing opening thereon, the cover being rotatably secured to the tray to allow selection of at least one of the plurality of size-adjustable compartments for dispensing of medication stored therein;

wherein the port insert includes a porthole opening thereon; and

wherein the tray further includes a removable non-planar wall; and

wherein the removable non-planar wall has one of an L shape, a reverse-L shape, or a chevron shape.