US3638688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coded oral solids magazine and dispenser
Assignee: Brunswick Corp
•
Filing: 1970-02-24
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
•
Expires: 1990-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A pill-containing magazine and dispensing receptacle combination for use in pill-dispensing systems of the type having a plurality of receptacles, each for dispensing a different type of pill. Each magazine is provided with a code representing the type of pill contained therein and each receptacle from which the pills are to be dispensed is provided with a code sensing means that precludes operative association of a magazine bearing the wrong code, and therefore containing the wrong type of pill, with the receptacle to insure that only the correct type of pill can be dispensed from a given receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Conklin
- 👤 Albert P Rogers
- 👤 Walter L Bessinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/28; G07F11/32; A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/0076; A61J7/0084; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/60; G06V20/66; A61J2205/00; A61J2205/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
In a pill-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle from which particular pills may be dispensed; a magazine for containing pills to be dispensed and adapted to be associated with said receptacle to provide the receptacle with pills to be dispensed therefrom; and means associated with said magazine and said receptacle for precluding association of said magazine with said receptacle when said magazine does not contain the particular pills to be dispensed from the receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a pill-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle from which particular pills may be dispensed; a magazine for containing pills to be dispensed and adapted to be associated with said receptacle to provide the receptacle with pills to be dispensed therefrom; and means associated with said magazine and said receptacle for precluding association of said magazine with said receptacle when said magazine does not contain the particular pills to be dispensed from the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said precluding means comprises code means on said magazine and code sensing means on said receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combinAtion of claim 2 wherein said code means comprises key means on said magazine and said code-sensing means comprises complementary key means on said receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said code means comprises means on said magazine for varying a characteristic of light and said code-sensing means comprises photoelectric means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said code means comprises means on said magazine for varying a magnetic characteristic and said code-sensing means comprises magnetic sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said code means comprises surface irregularities on said magazine and said code-sensing means includes switch means adapted to be engaged by said irregularities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said magazine comprises a container having an opening; and a closure mounted on said container for normally closing said opening, said closure comprising a plurality of flexible fingers covering said opening and adapted to be cammed open by said container when said closure is moved relative to said container in one direction thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said precluding means further includes lockout means for normally precluding association of said magazine with said receptacle, said lockout means being operative in response to said code-sensing means for allowing association of said magazine with said receptacle when a predetermined code on the magazine is sensed by said code-sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a pill-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle designated to receive and dispense a single type of drug in pill form for use in filling a prescription and including means for receiving a pill-containing magazine; a magazine containing said single type of drug in pill form for receipt in said receiving means and for loading said receptacle with said single type of drug; means on said magazine defining a code unique to the type of drug contained therein; means on said receptacle for sensing the code on the magazine before the magazine is fully received by said receiving means; and means for precluding full receipt of said magazine by said receiving means when the code on the magazine does not represent said single type of drug for which said receptacle is designated to dispense.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a pill-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle designated to receive and dispense a single type of drug in pill form for use in filling a prescription and including means for receiving a pill-containing magazine; a magazine containing said single type of drug in pill form for receipt in said receiving means and for loading said receptacle with said single type of drug; means on said magazine defining a code unique to the type of drug contained therein; means on said receptacle for sensing the code on the magazine before the magazine is fully received by said receiving means; and means for precluding full receipt of said magazine by said receiving means when the code on the magazine does not represent said single type of drug for which said receptacle is designated to dispense.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein each receptacle is provided with at least two of said receiving means whereby at least two of said magazines containing said single type of drug can be associated with said receptacle at any given time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a medication-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle for receiving a particular type of medication to be dispensed, and including a magazine receiving opening; a magazine for containing the particular type of medication to be dispensed and receivable within said opening to load the receptacle; a plurality of keys on said magazine configured in a code representing the type of medication contained in the magazine; and complementary keys on said receptacle configured in a code representing the type of medication to be dispensed from the receptacle and arranged to preclude operative receipt of said magazine within said opening except when the configuration of said complementary keys is the exact complement of the configuration of the keys on said magazine; whereby only a magazine containing the type of medication to be dispensed from the receptacle can be received within said opening to load said receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a medication-dispensing system, the combination comprising: a receptacle for receiving a particular type of medication to be dispensed, and including a magazine receiving opening; a magazine for containing the particular type of medication to be dispensed and receivable within said opening to load the receptacle; a plurality of keys on said magazine configured in a code representing the type of medication contained in the magazine; and complementary keys on said receptacle configured in a code representing the type of medication to be dispensed from the receptacle and arranged to preclude operative receipt of said magazine within said opening except when the configuration of said complementary keys is the exact complement of the configuration of the keys on said magazine; whereby only a magazine containing the type of medication to be dispensed from the receptacle can be received within said opening to load said receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said magazine includes an opening through which the medication to be dispensed is loaded into said receptacle, and a closure for said magazine opening including a collar slidable on said magazine and a plurality of flexible fingers extending from said collar to overlie said magazine opening, whereby sliding said collar on said magazine in one direction will cause said fingers to move from a position overlying said magazine opening so that The contents of said magazine may pass through said magazine opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |