Spill Guard Select Dispenser for the Prevention of Pill Spillage

Abstract

An insert used in conjunction with a pill container consisting of a circular alignment plate or dialer and base. The alignment plate contains a plurality of opening of various sizes and shapes. The circular base contains one opening, preferably equal in size and shape to the largest opening on the alignment plate or dialer. The two components are connected at the center point so that the dialer or alignment plate may rotate to align one of the openings on the alignment plate with the opening of the base. The alignment of the openings allows the user to control, limit or restrict the dispensing of pills located in the container while also providing addition safeguards.

Claims

1. A spill guard insert apparatus implanted into a pill storage container at a height suitable to the user whereby the user may then rotate an alignment device to properly restrict or control the flow of pills located in the storage container through the desired opening, and the flow is controlled based on the size and shape of the opening chosen on the alignment device comprising: a. An alignment device that is a circular plate that contains a plurality of openings of varying sizes and shapes and elevated ridges; b. a base device in the shape of a truncated cone or cylinder, that expands in circumference and diameter in the lower portion; c. a single opening, located on the base, identical in shape and size to the largest opening contained in the alignment plate; and d. the alignment plate or dialer is affixed to the base at the center of both devices which allows the alignment plate or dialer device to rotate;

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base device contains a vertical member affixed to the inner wall of the base, by way of a device that allows for rotation of the vertical member along the lateral axis in comparison to the rotation of the alignment device along the vertical axis, the alignment device contains a cutout equal in width and depth of the vertical member, located along the outer circumference of the device in a position that when aligned with the vertical member, no opening on the alignment plate or dialer is aligned with an opening on the base, and a cutout on the outer circumference of the base allowing the vertical member to move to a position outside of the circumference of the dialer or alignment plate.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2, whereby when the vertical member is placed in the cutout located in the alignment plate or dialer, the alignment plate or dialer is unable to rotate at the user's discretion and the user is unable to dispense any pills as no openings located on the alignment plate are not aligned with the opening on the base.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, wherein the default location is the location described in claim 3, and a spring tension device is contained in the base.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 4, wherein force is applied to the alignment plate or dialer allowing the opening the alignment device to align with the opening of the base device, and upon removal of the force, the alignment device reverts to its original/default location as described in claim 3.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0022] FIG. 1A. Shows the dialer or alignment plate with a large opening and two small openings, as well as the center rotation point.

[0023] FIG. 1B. Shows the dialer or alignment plate affixed to the base without locking mechanism.

[0024] FIG. 1C. Shows a cross sectional of the dialer or alignment plate affixed to the base.

[0025] FIG. 1D. Depicts the bottom isometric view of the base depicting the single opening located on the base.

[0026] FIG. 1E. Depicts a side view of the base and dialer or alignment plate with sample measurements showing the slight expansion of the base.

[0027] FIG. 2A. Shows the top view of the dialer or alignment plate and base with the added locking mechanism and elevated markings.

[0028] FIG. 2B. Depicts an isometric view of the connected dialer or alignment plate and base with locking mechanism.

[0029] FIG. 2C. Depicts an isometric view of the connected dialer and base with locking mechanism and elevated markings.

[0030] FIG. 2D. Depicts a side view of the connected dialer or alignment plate and base with a view of the locking mechanism.

[0031] FIG. 2E. Depicts a cross sectional view of the insert with a view of the location of the spring tension lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0032] The present disclosure is directed to overcoming the previously mentioned challenges and issues related to the controlled dispensing of pills, using an array of devices and methods. The current disclosure exhibits in a number of implementations and applications, the ability of such device which is summarized below.

[0033] The present invention is composed primarily of two main components which interact to provide the user with the capability to control the dispensing of the pills located in the container, as well as providing several additional layers of protection, without destructing or adjusting pre-existing caps/technology.

[0034] It also contains the versatility that allows it to be used in a number of pill containers either supplied by pharmacists or over-the-counter medication.

[0035] The device first consists of a dialer or alignment plate that is a circular plate with a plurality of openings. In FIG. 1A it shows the alignment plate (3), a large opening (2), and two smaller openings (1). The varying sized openings allow for the user to control and/or restrict the dispensing of the pills based on the pill size or number of pills desired by the user.

[0036] The device also consists of a second component known as the base (7). The base (7) is constructed as a cylinder, or more likely a truncated cone, with a circular top surface that extends downward at an angle greater than 90° (6) resulting in a greater circumference and diameter for the lower portion of the base. This feature allows the user to implant the insert into the desired pill container for a tight fit along the inner circumferential wall of the pill container. Also contained on the base (7), are several elevated ridges (5) that aid in securing the position within the pill container, preventing removal by a pet or young child.

[0037] Also located on the base (7), as pictured in FIG. 1D, is a large opening (10) for the dispensing of pills dependent on the placement of the alignment plate. If this opening (10), is aligned with the opening (2), on the alignment plate or dialer (3), this will permit the user to allow the maximum number of pills to be dispensed. However, if the smaller hole (1), is aligned with the opening on the base (10), it will potentially reduce the flow/dispensing of the pill located in the container.

[0038] The alignment plate of the dialer (3) is then affixed to the base (7) at a central location (4), the center point of both components. The connection is one such that it allows the dialer or alignment plate (3) to rotate at the discretion of the user to obtain the desired opening size.

[0039] As the user is capable of placing the insert at various locations vertically within the pull container, the dialer or alignment plate (5) also contain the elevated ridges (9), as seen in FIG. 2A, that allows the user to apply the needed force to rotate the alignment plate or dialer (3).

[0040] In addition to the previously described embodiment, if the user desires more security, the completed insert may be fitted with a manual locking mechanism (8), seen in FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D. This mechanism consists of the initial dialer or alignment plate (3) and base (7) with the previously described features; however, the alignment plate and dialer (3), which is circular, now contains a small rectangular cutout along the outer circumference of the circle.

[0041] The base (7) is also fitted with a rectangular cutout (14) located on the outer circumference of the base. Also, at a point affixed to the inner circumference of the base (7), is a hinge or similarly functioning device (11). The purpose of this hinge or apparatus (11) is to allow the vertical member (8) to alternate between two positions: “open” and “locked.”

[0042] The first position or “locked” position requires that the vertical member (8) is lodged in the previously described cutout (13) located on the alignment plate or dialer (3). The cutout (13) is positioned so that when the vertical member (8) is engaged in the “locked” position as seen in FIG. 2C, openings (1) and (2) are not aligned with the opening (10) located on the base (7). This prohibits the dispensing of any pills at that time.

[0043] The second position or “open” position requires that the vertical member (8) is located in the previously described cutout (14) on the base (7). The previously described greater than 90° angle (6) allows for enough space between the inner circumferential wall of the pill container and the cutout (14) and outer circumferential wall of the upper portion of the base, so that the vertical member (8) may be placed in the cutout (14) without obstructing the rotation of the alignment plate or dialer (3), as pictured in FIG. 2B.

[0044] In addition to previously described features, the insert may be equipped with a spring or tension closing at location (12). This feature uses the resistance generated by the spring to maintain the dialer in a predetermined “closed” location that prevents the alignment of the opening on the alignment plate or dialer (3) with that of the base (7). With this embodiment, the user must apply force to the alignment plate or dialer (3) to position either of the openings (1) or (2) with the opening (10), located on the base (7) to allow the delivery or dispensing of the pill. Upon removal of the force the resistance of the spring returns the dialer (3) to the previous “closed” position.

[0045] The completed insert is then placed inside the pill container, with the alignment plate or dialer (3) facing the opening of the pill container, and the lower outer circumference of the base touching the inner wall of the pill container, at a height of the user's choice. The insert remains lodged in the container due to the design of the base which is equipped with the ridges (5) along the circumference of the base. These ridges (5) allow the insert to remain in the desired location without fear that a young child or pet will remove the insert.

[0046] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be constructed to limit the invention. Based on the above discussion and illustrations, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the various modifications and changes that may be made to the present disclosure without strictly following the exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein. Such modifications and changes do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

DRAWINGS

[0047] Not Applicable.

OATH OR DECLARATION

[0048] Not Applicable.

SECUENCE LISTING

[0049] Not Applicable