Programmed dispensers

Claim 2

A programmed dispenser of the class described comprising; a. a generally rectangular cabinet having a number of compartments therein for slidably receiving a plurality of drawers, b. a lateral wall for each drawer having a lateral coding means thereon, c. an item containing magazine associated with each drawer, d. means urging the items toward the discharge end of the magazine, e. a graduated ejector member connected to the lateral wall of each drawer and adapted to take off an item or items from the discharge end of the magazine and move said item or items into a dispensing position; the number of items dispensed being in direct proportion to the extent of movement of the ejector member, f. a decoding case having an open front adapted to slidably receive the cabinet therethrough, g. a time selector mounted for intermittent lateral movement in the rear of the decoding case, and having a cooperative code means on its forward face, h. and means of predeteRmined, longitudinal extents selectively positioned between the coding means on each drawer and the cooperative code means on the time selector, whereby to move the ejector member a predetermined distance when the cabinet is slid into fully inserted position in the decoding case.

Claim 3

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the item containing magazine is an upstanding tube mounted on the cabinet, and the graduated ejector member is a series of equally spaced apart pockets formed in a horizontal wall of each drawer and in registry with the bottom of the magazine.

Claim 4

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the lateral coding means on the lateral wall of each drawer is a lateral row of holes for selectively receiving program plugs of different lengths, and the selector member has plug engaging pins of equal lengths positioned on its major face.

Claim 5

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the lateral coding means on the lateral wall of each drawer is a series of vertically spaced lateral rows of plug receiving holes, and the selector member has a vertical row of pins of different lengths positioned on its major face.

Claim 6

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the magazine is tubular in section and contains a stack of items therein, each item constituted by a flat adapter having a medication holding recess formed therein.

Claim 7

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 5 wherein the adapter has a regular contour in plan.

Claim 8

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 5 wherein the medication is in a blister package.

Claim 9

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 5 wherein the adapter has an irregular contour in plan.

Claim 10

A programmed dispenser of the class described comprising; a. a generally rectangular cabinet having a number of compartments therein for slidably receiving a plurality of drawers, b. a back wall slidable face-wise within each drawer and having a lateral coding means thereon, c. a front wall for each drawer having discharge opening formed therethrough, d. means associated with the forward portion of each drawer forming an item containing magazine, said magazine being disposed in registry with the discharge opening in each drawer, e. means urging the items toward the discharge end of the magazine, f. an expandable keeper biased to normally close the discharge opening and responsive to item pressure thereon to pass a selected number of items through the opening into dispensing position, g. a graduated ejector member connected to the back wall of each drawer and adapted to take off an item or items from the discharge end of the magazine, the number of items taken off being in direct proportion to the extent of movement of the ejector member, h. a decoding case having an open front and adapted to dlidably receive the cabinet therethrough, i. a time selector member mounted for intermittent lateral movement in the rear of the decoding case. j. and means of predetermined longitudinal extents selectively positioned between the coding means of each drawer and the selector member whereby to move the ejector a predetermined distance when the cabinet is slid into its fully inserted position within the decoding case.

Claim 11

A programmed dispenser of the class described comprising; a. a generally rectangular cabinet having a number of compartments therein for slidably receiving a plurality of drawers, b. a back wall slidable face-wise within each drawer and having a lateral coding means thereon, c. a front wall for each drawer having discharge opening formed therethrough, d. means associated with the forward portion of each drawer forming an item containing magazine, said magazine being disposed in registry with the discharge opening in each drawer, e. means urging the items toward the discharge end of the magazine, f. an expandable keeper biased to normally close the discharge opening and responsive to item pressure thereon to pass a selected number of items through the opening into dispensing position, g. a graduated ejector member connected to the back wall of each drawer and adapted to take off an item or items from the discharge end of the magazine, the number of items taken off being in direct proportion to the extent of movement of the ejector member, h. a decoding case having an open front and adapted to dlidably receive the cabinet therethrough, i. a time selector member mounted for intermittent lateral movement in the rear of the decoding case. j. and means of predetermined longitudinal extents selectively positioned between the coding means of each drawer and the selector member whereby to move the ejector a predetermined distance when the cabinet is slid into its fully inserted position within the decoding case.

Claim 12

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 9 wherein the expandable keeper comprises spring fingers each associated with an item in the magazine, and the graduated ejector is a pusher member having a number of steps formed in its forward edge, each step having a riser adapted to engage one item at a time.

Claim 13

The programmed dispenser set forth in claim 10 wherein the pusher member has an arm projecting forwardly from the forward edge, beneath the lowermost item in the magazine and beyond the front wall of the drawer.