Patent US2016042A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3604559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multilayer dispenser for pills
Assignee: Eli Lilly and Co
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Filing: 1969-10-15
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-10-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a pill dispenser having a plurality of pill compartments arranged in layers. The layers are relatively rotatable on a common axis and are provided with multiple position clutch means for aligning the compartments of preceding layers on repeated advancement of the top layer relative to the bottom layer as the pills are dispensed in sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin W Mccall
- 👤 Robert C Mcdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/04; B65D83/0445; B65D83/0454; B65D2583/00; B65D2583/04; B65D2583/0404; B65D2583/0409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a pill dispenser having a minimum of three rotatable layers with each of said layers defining a plurality of bores adapted for containing pills, each layer being slidable to the extent of assuming only two relative positions with adjacent layers, the improvement comprising the bottom layer of said pill dispenser having a multiple position clutch means comprising a plurality of detents selectively engageable with complementary clutch means on said top layer comprising a ratchet tooth, an additional two-position clutch means provided for each combination of pairs of adjacent layers, said bores of adjacent layers being offset on the first clutch position and aligned on the second clutch position whereby the bores of each layer from top to bottom are aligned with the bores of all succeeding layers on repeated advancement of the top layer relative to the bottom layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a pill dispenser having a minimum of three rotatable layers with each of said layers defining a plurality of bores adapted for containing pills, each layer being slidable to the extent of assuming only two relative positions with adjacent layers, the improvement comprising the bottom layer of said pill dispenser having a multiple position clutch means comprising a plurality of detents selectively engageable with complementary clutch means on said top layer comprising a ratchet tooth, an additional two-position clutch means provided for each combination of pairs of adjacent layers, said bores of adjacent layers being offset on the first clutch position and aligned on the second clutch position whereby the bores of each layer from top to bottom are aligned with the bores of all succeeding layers on repeated advancement of the top layer relative to the bottom layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pill dispenser as defined in claim 1 in which the bottom layer is the third layer with said multiple-position clutch means comprising three detents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pill dispenser as defined in claim 2 in which said two-position clutch means between said top and second layers comprises a pin selectively positioned at either end of an elongated cutout in said second layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pill dispenser as defined in claim 3 in which said two-position clutch means between said second layer and said third layer comprises a cutout having a pair of recesses in said second layer selectively engaged with a pin extending from said third layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3227127A
Cited
US3261455A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |