Medicament container locking system and method

• US 7,735,681 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2006
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfeld
• Original Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfeld
• Inventors: Handfeld, Michael, Laliberte, Helene
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waggoner; Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US11/550,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20070108219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 221/151, 221/152, 221/153, 221/154, 221/197, 700/237
• US Class Current: 221/152
• 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 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/66 Trinkets, e.g. shirt buttons or jewellery items recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/38 in which the magazines are horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers, which hold one or more types of medicaments. In one embodiment, a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicament units is provided and a mechanized dispenser is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of medicament units from the medicament units in the chamber. A lock assembly is provided to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of medicament units. In a further embodiment, the container is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament from the chamber. In yet another embodiment, the container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.

Claims

1. A medicaments container comprising

a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicament units;

a mechanized dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of medicament units from the bulk-stored medicament units in the chamber and a drive mechanism configured to drive the dispensing mechanism in response to a motive force applied to the drive mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to selectively prevent operation of the drive mechanism, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member having a first state, a displaced state and a restoring force to return the compressible member from the displaced state to the first state;

wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the compressible member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be engaged with the locking member when the compressible medium is in one of the first and displaced states, and the drive mechanism is caused to be disengaged from the locking member when the compressible medium is in the other of the first and displaced states.

2. The medicaments container of claim 1, wherein the medicaments container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.

3. The medicaments container of claim 2, wherein the dispensing machine includes a first gear configured to drive the drive mechanism and wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by the first gear results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

4. The medicaments container of claim 1, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring disposed adjacent the drive mechanism and the locking member comprises a post configured to engage a receptacle in the drive mechanism.

5. The medicaments container of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

6. The medicaments container of claim 5, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, the restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

7. The medicaments container of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

8. A medicaments container comprising

a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicaments units;

a mechanized dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to transport a medicament unit from the chamber to an outlet port and a drive mechanism configured to drive the dispensing mechanism in response to a force applied to the drive mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to selectively prevent dispensation of a medicament unit, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member having a first state and a displaced state;

wherein the drive mechanism and compressible member are disposed relative to each other such that the compressible member exerts a force on the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the force of the compressible member to engage with the locking member.

9. The medicaments container of claim 8, wherein the medicaments container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.

10. The medicaments container of claim 8, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring disposed adjacent the drive mechanism and the locking member comprises a post configured to engage a receptacle in the drive mechanism.

11. The medicaments container of claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force to the helical gear results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

12. The medicaments container of claim 11, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

13. The medicaments container of claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

14. A medicaments container comprising

a housing;

a chamber in the housing to store a plurality of medicaments units;

a mechanized dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the chamber and a drive mechanism configured to drive the dispensing mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser, the lock assembly comprising a spring member and a locking pin, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the spring member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be selectively engaged or disengaged with the locking pin.

15. The medicaments container of claim 14, wherein the lock assembly is configured to prevent operation of the mechanized dispenser unless the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

16. The medicaments container of claim 14, wherein the lock assembly is further configured to unlock the mechanized dispenser when the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

17. The medicaments container of claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the spring member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be engaged with the locking pin when the spring member is in one of a first and a displaced state, and the drive mechanism is caused to be disengaged from the locking pin when the member is in the other of the first and displaced states.

18. The medicaments container of claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

19. The medicaments container of claim 18, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, the restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

20. The medicaments container of claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

21. A medicaments container comprising:

a mechanized dispenser comprising a drive mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent dispensation of a medicament unit, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member having a first state, a displaced state and a restoring force to return the compressible member from the displaced state to the first state;

wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the compressible member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be engaged with the locking member when the compressible medium is in one of the first and displaced states, and the drive mechanism is caused to be disengaged from the locking member when the compressible medium is in the other of the first and displaced states.

22. The medicaments container of claim 21, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring disposed adjacent the drive mechanism and the locking member comprises a post configured to engage a receptacle in the drive mechanism.

23. The medicaments container of claim 21, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

24. The medicaments container of claim 23, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, the restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

25. The medicaments container of claim 21, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

26. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing configured for insertion into a dispensing machine;

a mechanized dispenser disposed in the housing and comprising a drive mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of a medicament unit, wherein the lock assembly is configured to unlock when the medicaments container is positioned in the dispensing machine, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member having a first state and a displaced state;

wherein the drive mechanism and compressible member are disposed relative to each other such that the compressible member exerts a force on the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the force of the compressible member to engage with the locking member.

27. The medicaments container of claim 26, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the spring member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be engaged with the locking pin when the spring member is in one of a first and a displaced state, and the drive mechanism is caused to be disengaged from the locking pin when the member is in the other of the first and displaced states.

28. The medicaments container of claim 26, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

29. The medicaments container of claim 28, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, a restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

30. The medicaments container of claim 26, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

31. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing configured for insertion into a dispensing machine;

a mechanized dispenser located in the housing and comprising a drive mechanism; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of a medicament unit, wherein the lock of a drive mechanism from the dispensing assembly is configured to unlock upon engagement of an external drive mechanism from the dispensing machine, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member having a first state and a displaced state;

wherein a drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the compressible member such that the drive mechanism is engaged with the locking member when the compressible medium is in one of the first and displaced states, and the drive mechanism is disengaged from the locking member when the compressible medium is in the other of the first and displaced states.

32. The medicaments container of claim 31, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring disposed adjacent the drive mechanism and the locking member comprises a post configured to engage a receptacle in the drive mechanism.

33. The medicaments container of claim 31, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

34. The medicaments container of claim 33, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, a restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

35. The medicaments container of claim 31, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

36. The medicaments container of claim 31, wherein the external drive mechanism of the dispensing machine comprises a first gear configured to drive the drive mechanism and wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and further wherein engagement of the helical gear by the first gear results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

37. A medicaments container comprising:

a chamber configured to store the medicament units;

a mechanized dispenser coupled to the chamber and configured to carry a medicament unit from the chamber to an outlet port; and

a lock assembly configured to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of a medicament unit, the lock assembly comprising a spring member and a locking pin, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the spring member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be selectively engaged or disengaged with the locking pin.

38. The medicaments container of claim 37, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the spring member such that the drive mechanism is caused to be engaged with the locking pin when the spring member is in one of a first and a displaced state, and the drive mechanism is caused to be disengaged from the locking pin when the member is in the other of the first and displaced states.

39. The medicaments container of claim 37, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

40. The medicaments container of claim 39, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the second gear, the restoring force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

41. The medicaments container of claim 37, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a motive force results in rotation of the helical gear and a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, the rotation causing operation of the dispensing mechanism and the thrust causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

42. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing;

a mechanized dispenser located in the housing and comprising a dispensing mechanism and a helical gear configured to engage the dispensing mechanism; and

a lock assembly disposed in the housing and configured to prevent operation of the medicaments container, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member; and

an opening in the housing configured to allow a drive gear of a dispensing machine to engage the helical gear, wherein engagement of the helical gear by the drive gear provides a motive force resulting in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

43. The medicaments container of claim 42, wherein the lock assembly is configured to prevent operation of the mechanized dispenser unless the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

44. The medicaments container of claim 42, wherein the lock assembly is further configured to unlock the mechanized dispenser when the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

45. The medicaments container of claim 42, wherein engagement of the helical gear by the drive gear comprises meshing of teeth of the drive gear and helical gear and rotation of the drive gear to apply a motive force on the helical gear, wherein the motive force causes the thrust along the axis of the helical gear, and also causes rotation of the helical gear thereby operating the mechanized dispenser.

46. The medicaments container of claim 45, wherein the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the drive gear, force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

47. The medicaments container of claim 42, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring disposed adjacent the drive mechanism and the locking member comprises a post configured to engage a receptacle in the drive mechanism.

48. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing;

a mechanized dispenser located in the housing and comprising a dispensing mechanism and a drive mechanism configured to engage the dispensing mechanism; and

a lock assembly disposed in the housing and configured to prevent unauthorized operation of the medicaments container; and

an opening in the housing configured to accept a rotating drive mechanism, wherein the rotating drive mechanism is configured to disengage the lock assembly and to actuate the mechanized dispenser thereby causing dispensation of a medicament unit.

49. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the mechanized dispenser is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament from the chamber in a respective dispensing operation.

50. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the medicaments container is a portable dispensing container.

51. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the medicaments container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.

53. The medicaments container of claim 51, wherein the lock assembly is configured to prevent operation of the mechanized dispenser unless the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

54. The medicaments container of claim 51, wherein the lock assembly is further configured to unlock the mechanized dispenser when the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

55. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by the rotating drive mechanism results in a thrust along an axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby disengaging from the locking member.

56. The medicaments container of claim 55, wherein the lock assembly comprises a locking member and a compressible member, and wherein the helical gear and compressible member are disposed relative to each other such that the compressible member causes the helical gear to reengage the locking member upon disengagement of the helical gear by the rotating drive mechanism.

57. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the lock assembly comprises a locking member and a compressible member, and wherein the drive mechanism and compressible member are disposed relative to each other such that the drive mechanism is configured to be displaced by the compressible member to reengage the lock assembly upon disengagement of the rotating drive mechanism.

58. The medicaments container of claim 48, wherein the lock assembly further comprises a compressible member and the lock assembly is configured such that upon disengagement of the rotating drive mechanism a force of the compressible member displaces the helical gear along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to engage with the locking member.

52. The medicaments container of 48, wherein the chamber, mechanized dispenser and lock assembly are disposed in a housing configured for insertion in a dispensing machine.

59. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing configured for insertion into a dispensing machine;

a mechanized dispenser located in the housing and comprising a dispensing mechanism and a helical gear configured to engage the dispensing mechanism; and

a lock assembly disposed in the housing and configured to prevent unauthorized operation of the medicaments container, the lock assembly comprising a locking member and a compressible member, the compressible member disposed adjacent the helical gear and configured to apply a force to the helical gear in a direction along an axis of the helical gear, and wherein engagement of the helical gear by a second gear providing a drive force to the helical gear results in a thrust along the axis of the helical gear, causing the helical gear to be displaced along the axis of the helical gear thereby compressing the compressible member and disengaging from the locking member.

60. The medicaments container of claim 59, wherein the lock assembly is configured to prevent operation of the mechanized dispenser unless the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

61. The medicaments container of claim 59, wherein the lock assembly is further configured to unlock the mechanized dispenser when the medicaments container is positioned in a dispensing machine.

62. The medicaments container of claim 59, wherein the second gear is a gear of the dispensing machine configured to engage the helical gear when the medicaments container is inserted into the dispensing machine such that the dispensing machine can cause the locking mechanism to be disengaged and a predetermined quantity of medicaments to be dispensed from the medicaments container.

63. A medicaments container comprising:

a housing having a chamber configured to store the medicament units;

a lock assembly configured to lock a mechanized dispenser to prevent dispensation of a medicament unit; and

an opening in the housing configured to accept a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to disengage the lock assembly and to actuate the mechanized dispenser thereby causing dispensation of a medicament unit.

64. The medicaments container of claim 63, wherein the medicaments container is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament contained therein in a dispensing operation.

65. The medicaments container of claim 63, wherein the medicaments container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.