Pillbox

• US 8,322,528 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony A. Sterns
• Original Assignee: Anthony A. Sterns
• Inventors: Sterns, Anthony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett, J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESAI, KAUSHIKKUMAR A
• Application Number:
  US12/020,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20090026106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 224660-681, 206/320
• US Class Current: 206/320
• 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: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads

Abstract

A pillbox that can be used with a portable electronic device (“PED”) such as a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant includes a generally cubic body portion that is attached to one end of a PED. The body portion defines a compartment within which medication can be placed. Preferably, an extension projects from one wall of the body portion and the extension is connected to the PED. The body portion preferably conforms generally to the contour of the PED. A door is connected to the body portion to permit selective access to the compartment. Other embodiments of the invention include a holster within which the PED can be inserted. In some of the embodiments, the door defines the medication-storage compartment.

Claims

1. A pillbox for attachment to a PED and which can be carried on a user'"'"'s belt, comprising:

a body portion that defines a compartment within which pills can be disposed, the body portion having surfaces that contact the PED and which conform generally to the shape of the PED;

a movable door connected to the body portion to selectively cover and uncover the compartment;

a connection between the body portion and the PED;

a holster connected to and projecting from the body portion, the holster being of a size and shape to receive a portion of the PED;

the body portion being disposed along a bottom wall of the PED and including a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall, the holster connected to and extending from the side walls and the rear wall of the body portion, the holster including side walls that conform generally to the shape of sidewalls of the PED and a rear wall that conforms generally to the shape of a rear wall of the PED, the side wall and rear wall of the holster defining an opening into which the PED can be inserted and removed, the movable door being located on the same side as the holster opening and a hinge of the movable door being located at the opposite end of the holster opening;

a clip connected to the rear wall, the clip enabling the holster to be connected to the user'"'"'s belt; and

wherein the movable door is accessible to the user such that the movable door can be moved and the compartment can be selectively covered and uncovered when the PED is disposed within the holster.

2. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the door is connected to the body portion by a hinge.

3. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the front wall of the body portion is defined by the door.

4. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the connection between the PED and the holster includes a tab that projects from the rear wall of the holster and which engages the PED.

5. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the clip is integrally formed as part of the rear wall.

6. The pillbox of claim 1, wherein the clip is an elongate member with first and second ends, the first end being connected to the rear wall and the second end being movable away from the rear wall to define a space between the second end and the rear wall.

7. The pillbox of claim 6, wherein the clip is oriented generally parallel with the sidewalls and the second end of the clip is located closer to the body portion than the first end.

8. A pillbox for attachment to a PED and which can be carried on a user'"'"'s belt, comprising:

a body portion that defines a compartment within which pills can be disposed, the body portion having surfaces that contact the PED and which conform generally to the shape of the PED;

a movable door connected to the body portion by a hinge to selectively cover and uncover the compartment;

a connection between the body portion and the PED;

a holster connected to and projecting from the body portion, the holster being of a size and shape to receive a portion of the PED;

the body portion being disposed along a bottom wall of the PED and including a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, opposing side walls, and a front wall defined by the door, the holster connected to and extending from the side walls and the rear wall of the body portion, the holster including side walls that conform generally to the shape of sidewalls of the PED and a rear wall that conforms generally to the shape of a rear wall of the PED, the side wall and rear wall of the holster defining an opening into which the PED can be inserted and removed, the movable door being located on the same side as the holster opening and the hinge of the movable door being located at the opposite end of the holster opening;

a tab that projects from the rear wall of the holster and that engages the PED;

a clip connected to the rear wall and integrally formed as part of the rear wall, the clip enabling the holster to be connected to the user'"'"'s belt, the clip being in the form of an elongate member with first and second ends, the first end being connected to the rear wall and the second end being movable away from the rear wall to define a space between the second end and the rear wall, the clip being oriented generally parallel with the sidewalls and the second end of the clip being located closer to the body portion than the first end; and

wherein the movable door is accessible to the user such that the movable door can be moved and the compartment can be selectively covered and uncovered when the PED is disposed within the holster.