Alarmed tablet dispenser
AssigneeWest Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael G. Maietta, Fred Zimmerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tablet dispenser includes a housing formed by first and second shells defining a cavity therebetween. A blister tray configured to receive a plurality of tablets therein is rotatably attached to the housing. The blister tray is moveable between a closed position in which the blister tray is releasably contained within the cavity, and an open position in which at least a portion of the blister tray extends out of the cavity. An alarm unit activates at least one alert signal upon completion of a cycle period. The alarm unit is reset after the blister tray is accessed to dispense at least one tablet.
Claims24
A tablet dispenser comprising:
- a housing formed by first and second shells defining a cavity therebetween;
- a blister tray configured to receive a blister pack containing a plurality of tablets therein, the blister tray rotatably attached to the housing and moveable between a closed position in which the blister tray is releasably contained within the cavity, and an open dispensing position in which at least a portion of the blister tray rotates to extend laterally out of the cavity;
- and
- an alarm unit which activates at least one alert signal upon completion of a cycle period, wherein the alarm unit is reset after the blister tray is accessed to dispense at least one tablet.
A method of dispensing one or more tablets contained in a blister pack from a tablet dispenser having a housing with a cavity for receiving a blister tray therein, the blister tray being rotatably attached to the housing near an edge of said housing, the method comprising:
- (a) storing the blister pack containing the tablets in the blister tray;
- (b) releasably closing the blister tray toward the cavity by laterally rotating the tray;
- (c) setting an alarm unit for a cycle period corresponding to the time between prescribed doses of the tablets;
- (d) activating at least one alert signal upon completion of the cycle period;
- (e) accessing the blister tray to dispense at least one tablet;
- (f) resetting the alarm unit for the cycle period;
- and
- (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) for a medication period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.