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US4572376A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Dial pill box

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-31
•
Granted: 1986-02-25
•
Expires: 2004-05-31
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Abstract

Abstract A dial pill box comprises a container having 28 arcuate storage compartments for pills and the like, a pair of lids, and a central pivot pin which pivotably holds together the container and the lids. The pivot pin enables the containers to be assembled by snapping the lids onto the container and over the pivot pin and to be disassembled by pinching together the resiliently bifurcated ends of the pivot pin and pushing these ends toward the lids and through their central holes. After removing both lids, a user can fill the container with a week's supply of pills, capsules, tablets, and the like of pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and/or minerals. He can spin the upper lid independently of the lower lid in one direction, so that none of the four segment apertures in the upper lid coincide with the access sector of the lower lid, whereby the dial pill box is in position for storage and transportation. By spinning both lids together in the opposite direction, the user can place the access sector in the lower lid over a selected storage sector, having four storage compartments, which is marked for the desired day of the week. By then spinning the upper lid again in the first direction, he can spirally place a selected segment aperture, corresponding to the selected time of day, over the access sector and then remove the pills therefrom.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard K. Wrennall

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/04; B65D83/0445; B65D83/0454; B65D2583/00; B65D2583/04; B65D2583/0404; B65D2583/0409; B65D2583/0413

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 475 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall, all of the arcuate circular segment, storage compartments being formed by sub-dividing the radial walls by annular walls: a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced arcuate circular segment compartment-access openings corresponding in shape to each respective arcuate circular segment compartment, the peripheral skirt of said lower lid encompassing a portion of the exterior of said peripheral wall of the base; a resilient bifurcated pivot pin for detachably and rotatably clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising means on the exterior of the peripheral wall and fixed with respect to the base for interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid and rotating only when the said lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising means on the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower surface of the upper lid, and fixed with respect to the upper lid and rotated with the upper lid, all of said interlocking means cooperating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself in the opposite direction, to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 475 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall, all of the arcuate circular segment, storage compartments being formed by sub-dividing the radial walls by annular walls: a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced arcuate circular segment compartment-access openings corresponding in shape to each respective arcuate circular segment compartment, the peripheral skirt of said lower lid encompassing a portion of the exterior of said peripheral wall of the base; a resilient bifurcated pivot pin for detachably and rotatably clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising means on the exterior of the peripheral wall and fixed with respect to the base for interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid and rotating only when the said lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising means on the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower surface of the upper lid, and fixed with respect to the upper lid and rotated with the upper lid, all of said interlocking means cooperating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself in the opposite direction, to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 98 words
The pharmaceutical dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the upper lid has four openings therein, each opening corresponding in area to a respective arcuate segment compartment and being spaced radially successively in a series of immediately adjacent openings, each at a distance equal to the radial width of each adjoining arcuate sector compartment and spaced angularly, successively, at a distance corresponding to the angular length of the said respective sector compartment which said opening overlies, each said arcuate segment compartment being sequentially uncovered by four successive angular movements of the said upper lid in the same rotational direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 120 words
The pharmaceutical dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the exterior surface of the stepped container peripheral wall has a single fixed ramped ratchet tooth projecting upwardly therefrom, the edge of the skirt of the lower lid has seven equidistantly spaced ratchet indentations, each correspondingly in shape to, and successively engaging with the tooth of the container wall, the upper surface of the lower lid has a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly therefrom, adjacent the perimeter thereof, the upper lid has six indentations moulded in the lower surface and adjacent the periphery thereof, the indentations being equidistantly spaced at a circumferential distance equal to a seventh radial segment arc and of corresponding shape to the lower lid fixed ratchet tooth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 191 words
The pharmaceutical dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the ramped or uni-directional notches of the upper lid are moulded into the lower surface thereof, aligned with the direction of rotation of the said lid and spaced at angular positions around the lid at the same distance subtended by each sector, said notches being disposed vertically and directly above a radial wall of a sector compartment of the container when the lids are in the open access position upon the container and being equal in angular distance to the wall arc of a segment compartment, a single, uni-directional ramped tooth being fixedly moulded on the upper surface of the lower lid also being aligned with the direction of rotation of the said lid and being positioned over a radial wall of a sector compartment of the container, whereby when the upper lid is rotated in its uni-direction, each ramped notch thereof sequentially and selectively engages the single ramped tooth of the lower lid to align a respective arcuate segment access opening of the upper lid over the access opening of the lower lid and only over a single respective arcuate segment compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 547 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall with a stepped exterior surface, all of the arcuate circular segment storage compartments being formed by sub-dividing the radial walls by annular walls, a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced arcuate circular segment compartment-access openings corresponding in shape to each respective arcuate circular segment compartment; a resilient bifurcated pivot pin detachably passable through the central hole of both lids and accessible to finger manipulation from outside the lids and the container for rotatably and resiliently clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the stepped exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the container and fixed with respect thereto for interlocking successively with seven complementary shaped means comprising ratchet indentations on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid and rotating only when the said lower lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to the lower lid adjacent the perimeter thereof, interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower surface and fixed with respect to the upper lid and comprising six equidistantly spaced indentations of complementary shape to the single ramped tooth on the lower lid and rotating with the upper lid and at a circumferential distance equal to one seventh radial segment arc, all of said ramp and notch interlocking means being aligned in the directions of rotation of the lids and co-operating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base, and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself only, in the opposite direction to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 547 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall with a stepped exterior surface, all of the arcuate circular segment storage compartments being formed by sub-dividing the radial walls by annular walls, a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having a plurality of radially and circumferentially spaced arcuate circular segment compartment-access openings corresponding in shape to each respective arcuate circular segment compartment; a resilient bifurcated pivot pin detachably passable through the central hole of both lids and accessible to finger manipulation from outside the lids and the container for rotatably and resiliently clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the stepped exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the container and fixed with respect thereto for interlocking successively with seven complementary shaped means comprising ratchet indentations on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid and rotating only when the said lower lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to the lower lid adjacent the perimeter thereof, interlocking with complementary shaped means on the lower surface and fixed with respect to the upper lid and comprising six equidistantly spaced indentations of complementary shape to the single ramped tooth on the lower lid and rotating with the upper lid and at a circumferential distance equal to one seventh radial segment arc, all of said ramp and notch interlocking means being aligned in the directions of rotation of the lids and co-operating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base, and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself only, in the opposite direction to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 618 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall with a stepped exterior surface, all of the arcuate circular segment, storage compartments being formed by subdividing the radial walls by annular walls; a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape, area and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having four openings therein, each opening corresponding in area, shape and dimension to a respective arcuate segment compartment which it overlies and being spaced radially successively in a series of immediately adjacent openings, each at a distance equal to the radial width of each adjoining arcuate sector compartment and spaced angularly, successively at a distance corresponding to the angular length of the said respective sector compartment which said opening overlies each said arcuate segment compartment being sequentially uncovered by four successively angular movements of the said upper lid in the same angular direction, a resilient bifurcated pivot pin detachably passable through the central hole of both lids and accessible to finger manipulation from outside the lids and the container for rotatably and resiliently clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the stepped exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the container and fixed with respect thereto for interlocking successively with seven complementary shaped means comprising ratchet indentations on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to the lower lid and rotating only when the said lower lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid adjacent the perimeter thereof interlocking with complementary shaped means of the lower surface, and fixed with respect to the upper lid and comprising six equidistantly spaced indentations of complementary shape to the single ramped tooth on the lower lid and rotating with the upper lid and at a circumferential distance equal to one seventh radial segment arc, all of said ramp and notch interlocking means being aligned in the direction of rotation of the lids and co-operating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself only in the opposite direction to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 618 words
An oral, solid dosage form, pharmaceutical dispenser comprising: a flat, circular container with a transparent walled base having a plurality of arcuate storage compartments arranged within main radial sector storage compartments formed by radial walls and a peripheral wall with a stepped exterior surface, all of the arcuate circular segment, storage compartments being formed by subdividing the radial walls by annular walls; a lower circular lid and an upper circular lid superposed over the lower lid, each lid having a central hole, the lower lid having a peripheral skirt and a single radial sector storage compartment access opening corresponding in shape, area and dimension to each main radial sector storage compartment, the upper lid having four openings therein, each opening corresponding in area, shape and dimension to a respective arcuate segment compartment which it overlies and being spaced radially successively in a series of immediately adjacent openings, each at a distance equal to the radial width of each adjoining arcuate sector compartment and spaced angularly, successively at a distance corresponding to the angular length of the said respective sector compartment which said opening overlies each said arcuate segment compartment being sequentially uncovered by four successively angular movements of the said upper lid in the same angular direction, a resilient bifurcated pivot pin detachably passable through the central hole of both lids and accessible to finger manipulation from outside the lids and the container for rotatably and resiliently clamping the lids onto the container and for removal of the lids from the container to recharge the container with dosages; lower interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the stepped exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the container and fixed with respect thereto for interlocking successively with seven complementary shaped means comprising ratchet indentations on the lower edge of the peripheral skirt of, and fixed with respect to the lower lid and rotating only when the said lower lid is rotated, upper interlocking means comprising a single fixed ramped tooth projecting upwardly from the upper surface of, and fixed with respect to, the lower lid adjacent the perimeter thereof interlocking with complementary shaped means of the lower surface, and fixed with respect to the upper lid and comprising six equidistantly spaced indentations of complementary shape to the single ramped tooth on the lower lid and rotating with the upper lid and at a circumferential distance equal to one seventh radial segment arc, all of said ramp and notch interlocking means being aligned in the direction of rotation of the lids and co-operating when the lids are rotated by hand for controlling the rotational direction of the lids with respect to each other and the base and providing dosage interval click stops whereby all compartments may be covered and radial sector storage compartments and arcuate segment storage compartments selectively and successively uncovered and dosage dispensed from the compartments through lid openings, said lower interlocking means allowing said lower lid to be rotated in one direction only with respect to said container and said upper interlocking means allowing said upper lid and said lower lid to be rotated together in said one direction and said upper lid to be rotated by itself only in the opposite direction to close all compartments or selectively open compartments whereby rotation of both said lids in said one direction enables said radial sector compartment access opening of said lower lid to be located above and aligned with one selected radial sector storage compartment of said container and rotation of said upper lid in said other direction enables one of said arcuate access openings to be located above and aligned with one of said correspondingly shaped arcuate storage compartments of said container.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-02-24 1989-08-26 1990-02-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-02-24 1993-08-26 1994-02-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-02-24 1997-08-26 1998-02-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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