Pill-dividing apparatus

Details Pill-dividing apparatus Pill-dividing apparatus

1988-02-09

1989-04-25

Yost, Frank T.

Severing by tearing or breaking

Breaking or tearing apparatus

Movable breaking tool

30124, 225 93, B26F 300

Patent

active

048240001

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for dividing a pill into two portions (i.e., halves, quarters, etc.), such that one portion is immediately accessible and the second portion is captured for later use. The apparatus includes an anvil-like platform adapted to support a pill in a generally horizontal mode. A centering means is sized and oriented for positioning the pill on top of the platform in such a way that the pill is bisected by a cleavage plane, regardless of the size of the pill. The centering means preferably includes a pair of converging walls, with each wall lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane established by the platform. A gap between the convergent ends of the two walls lies in the cleavage plane, and the gap has a width which is just sufficient to receive a movable blade. The blade may be moved between two major positions, with one being a raised (or retracted) position and the other being a completely lowered position. The blade is mounted so that it will move in the cleavage plane, and any pill which is centered on top of the platform between the converging walls will inherently be divided in half when the blade is completely lowered. The blade is mounted on a spring-loaded handle in order that the blade will be retracted from its lowered position when pressure on the handle is released. A compartment-like structure is provided for conveniently capturing and storing half of any pill that has been split so as to prevent it from mixing with any portion of the remainder of the pill. Affixed to that side of the platform which is away from the compartment is a chute-like or scoop-like structure for dispensing the uncaptured or "free" portion of the pill. The chute-like structure includes a tray having two guide walls, and the tray extends outwardly away from the side of the platform. The end of the tray which is farthest from the platform is open, so that the uncaptured pill portion may be easily dispensed into a person's hand, a glass, a storage bottle, etc. The apparatus includes a second handle for mounting the platform. Each of the first and second handles preferably has a length of about five inches to provide adequate leverage for comfort in cutting any number of pills.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3517871 (1970-06-01), Gaffney et al.
patent: 4179806 (1979-12-01), Lieptz
patent: 4473192 (1984-09-01), Urban et al.

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