Article dispensing – Progressively destroyed cellular magazine-type supply source
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-06
2001-03-27
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Progressively destroyed cellular magazine-type supply source
C221S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206233
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
There are no patent applications filed by me related to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the general fields of medications, vitamin supplements and the like;
The invention is more particularly in the fields of removal of pills, tablets, caplets, capsules and the like from blister packaging;
The invention is even more precisely directed to an inexpensive, easily portable, device and method for removing blister packaged pills from their packaging, which device and method can be used by persons with arthritis and other afflictions limited in their strength and hand dexterity.
II Description of the Prior Art
I am aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,690,279; 4,909,414; 4,975,015; 5,368,187; and 5,722,563 which have to do with removing pills and the like from blister packs. I am also aware of a clamshell-like device which attempts to do this by pushing a blister packed pill against a sponge rubber.
The prior art of which I am aware is generally ineffective for use by individuals. Some of the prior art is specifically directed to equipment not at all suitable for an individual user. Additionally, all of the prior art with which I am familiar is difficult or impossible for use by persons with arthritis and other disabilities.
None of the prior art of which I am aware has the unique features of my present invention which include, without limitation: very small size; extremely light weight; usable in one hand or by pressing with a palm, or arm; usable by persons with arthritis or other hand impairments; uniquely configured to accommodate virtually every size blister packed medical and supplement item; unusual cup member which receives the item being removed from the blister; and unique means for supplemental weakening of the blister pack backing without danger of cutting.
None of the prior art embodies the unique combination of features possessed by my new pill remover as disclosed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Medicinal, diet supplement vitamin, and other pills, tablets, capsules, caplets and the like are in great, and increasing, use throughout the world. For ease and sanitation of packaging, shipping, and storing of such items a preferred manner of packaging such items is in blister packs. Blister packs are rows of individual pills, tablets, capsules, and the like on a backing material covered by a plastic material with individual pockets (blisters) containing individual pills, tablets, capsules, and the like. To use the item within the blister one must remove, or more generally, break the backing material. Removal of the pills or the like from blister packages is very difficult (and sometimes impossible) for those with arthritis, stroke victims, and even many healthy and active individuals.
A great number of persons using such blister packed items resort to attacking the blister backing with knives, tweezers, and other tools. Some, particularly elderly and impaired, individuals are required to forego medication and the like or seek assistance from others in freeing pills and the like from blister packages. Some persons are totally unable to extract the medication or the like.
As indicated above, there have been a limited number of attempts to solve this problem. To date, nothing has been completely satisfactory.
I have studied and experimented on this problem at length. The prior attempts to solve this problem seem to have been primarily directed to a brute force solution. Brute force, however, does not work when one is unable to apply brute force (arthritics, etc.). Brute force does not work where the nature of the item is somewhat resilient as is the case with many blister packed items.
After much consideration and experimentation I have finally conceived and developed a method and device which allows even weak and debilitated persons to remove blister packed items from the packaging.
The manner in which I have accomplished this is the construction of a specially designed, nearly heart shaped, angularly disposed open top cup-like element to support the blister packed items, regardless of their size, on the top of the cup-like element in close proximity to the top edges of the cup-like element. A hinged member operable with a single finger, a palm, or an arm carries a specially shaped contact member which contacts the exterior of the blister on a bias in such manner that the blister packed item is easily forced through the blister packing without damaging the item, even including such items as soft gel capsules. A special portion of the item carries a means to independently weaken the backing of such items as desired without the danger of a knife blade as has sometimes been used by persons attempting to extract blister packed pills and the like..
I have constructed this item in such manner that the items removed from blister packs will be sanitary and not subject to contamination.
It is an object of this invention to provide a device to enable an individual to effectively remove blister packed medicinal items and the like from blisters without regard to the strength or dexterity of the individual;
Another object of this invention is to provide such a device which is light weight and compact;
Another object of this invention is to provide such a device which will eject blister packed items from the blister regardless of the composition or shape of the item;
Another object of this invention is to provide such a device which is sanitary and will not contaminate items being removed from blister packs.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will be understood by those skilled in the art upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment, which follows, in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5722563 (1998-03-01), Hunts
Dynachieve, Inc.
Noland Kenneth W.
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