Patent US3687336A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3687336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pill dispenser with removable cartridge
Assignee: Eli Lilly and Co
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Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A pill dispenser having a disposable cartridge containing a stack of pills. Means is provided for effecting relative rotation between the cartridge and the dispenser''s casing whereby a follower device coupled therebetween ejects a pill in synchronization with a day indicia means.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Gayle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/04; B65D83/0409; B65D2583/00; B65D2583/04; B65D2583/0404; B65D2583/0409; B65D2583/0431; B65D2583/0472; B65D2583/0477; B65D2583/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A pill dispenser comprising: a casing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface defining a chamber therein, a pill exit at one end of said chamber, a replaceable cover positioned over said pill exit, a helical guide track on said casing''s inner surface, a cylindrical cartridge adapted for containing a plurality of stacked pills therein, said cartridge being rotatably positioned within said casing''s chamber and having an opening adjacent said casing pill exit, a pill guide seated in said cartridge for longitudinal travel therein and engaged with a longitudinally helical guide track in said chamber, and a selector rotatably mounted on said casing in rotary engagement with said cartridge, said selector having indicia adapted for successive alignment with a reference means on said casing upon rotary advancement of said selector and cartridge for urging said outermost pill through said opening and to said pill exit, said selector overriding its engagement with said cartridge upon rotation thereof after blockage of longitudinal travel of said pill guide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A pill dispenser comprising: a casing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface defining a chamber therein, a pill exit at one end of said chamber, a replaceable cover positioned over said pill exit, a helical guide track on said casing''s inner surface, a cylindrical cartridge adapted for containing a plurality of stacked pills therein, said cartridge being rotatably positioned within said casing''s chamber and having an opening adjacent said casing pill exit, a pill guide seated in said cartridge for longitudinal travel therein and engaged with a longitudinally helical guide track in said chamber, and a selector rotatably mounted on said casing in rotary engagement with said cartridge, said selector having indicia adapted for successive alignment with a reference means on said casing upon rotary advancement of said selector and cartridge for urging said outermost pill through said opening and to said pill exit, said selector overriding its engagement with said cartridge upon rotation thereof after blockage of longitudinal travel of said pill guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A pill dispenser according to claim 1 in which the engagement between said selector and cartridge comprises a ring of feather gears on said selector gripping the perimeter of said cartridge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |