Article dispensing – With orienting – Selective separation from supply
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-31
2001-09-11
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
With orienting
Selective separation from supply
C221S192000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286714
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for dispensing medications in pill or tablet form. More particularly, the present invention relates to fully automated medication dispensers which are capable of dispensing a predetermined number of pills or tablets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,620 to Walter Pearson illustrates one type of pill dispenser found in the prior art. This patent discloses a stationary tube which is positioned in a movable pill container. At the top of the container is an exit passage. The pill container is pushed downward leaving a pill on the top of the tube and positioning the top of the tube near the exit passage. Pressurize air is used to propel the pill off the end of the tube and into the exit passage. It would be advantageous to provide a pill dispenser that did not require the movement of such a large component as the pill container. Additionally, the drawings in the Pearson patent illustrate a device which is powered by springs and mechanical tension on draw cords. It also would be advantageous to have a pill dispenser which is motorized, allowing for easier electronic control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pill dispensing system. The system includes a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills and that container includes a lower aperture and an upper portion. A pill lifting assembly located below the pill container includes a pill platform which lifts a pill into the upper portion of the container. A pill ejector is connected to the pill platform and the pill ejector places the pill into motion as the pill platform approaches the upper portion of the container. An exit passage communicates with the upper portion of the pill container and the exit passage is configured to receive a pill placed into motion by the ejector. A sensor is operatively connected to the exit passage such that the sensor is capable of detecting a pill moving through the exit passage. Finally, a micro-controller is operatively connected to the pill lifting assembly and the sensor. This micro-controller accepts an input representing the number of pills to be dispensed and initiates sufficient cycles of the pill lifting assembly to insure the desired number of pills are dispensed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4111332 (1978-09-01), Hurst et al.
patent: 4869394 (1989-09-01), Hurst
patent: 5704516 (1998-01-01), Yagawa
Murdock Dennis J.
Pearson Walter G.
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
Noland Kenneth W.
Pearson Ventures, L.L.C.
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