CA3117665A1 - Pill sorter and pill box - Google Patents

Abstract

Pill sorting devices are described herein that include a cavity formed from a bottom, a front, a first side wall, and a second side wall, a channel formed at the intersection of the first side wall and the second side wall, and a delivery channel within the front and first side wall or the within the front and the second side wall, wherein the delivery channel includes a delivery chute that extends downwards from the delivery channel. The pill sorting, counting, and dispensing device can be useful for people with arthritis or poor sight, or could be used commercially in pharmacies or industrially. Methods of making and using the pill sorting, counting, and dispensing devices are also described. Also, described are pill boxes that enable a pill sorter to glide through with ease while managing to dispense pills in separate compartments.

Description

PILL SORTER AND PILL BOX
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 62/750,694, filed October 25, 2018, the entire disclosure of vvhich is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD

[002] Devices used to sort pills are described herein.
BACKGROUND

[003] VVith the dawning of every new drug, be it over the counter or prescription or synthetic or natural, comes a new pill to take according to a predefined schedule.
People often use pill organizing boxes that have seven compartments, one for each day of the week to assist in organizing their medications. Some pill organizing boxes have a compartment for morning and a compartment for night.

[004] Even for individuals with good sight and dexterity, loading pill organizing boxes can be a daunting task. For example, the box's compartments can be small and difficult to aim pills at, and some pills can simply be too difficult to handle. Problems can be compounded when a person has an ailment such as poor sight or arthritis.
SUMMARY

[005] Described herein generally are devices that can assist with the counting, dispensing, sorting and/or loading of pills, for example into pill organizing boxes. Also described herein are pill boxes. The devices can also be used by pharmacies or in other commercial applications for counting, organizing, sorting, dispensing, loading, and/or organizing pills.

[006] In some embodiments, the devices can be used to sort and separate pills. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to sort and/or count pills into a separate container(s). In one embodiment, the devices can be used to sort and/or count pills into a weekly pill box having at least one separate compartment for each day of the week.

[007] In some embodiments, a pill sorting device is described that includes a cavity formed from a bottom, a front, a first side wall, and a second side wall, a channel formed at the intersection of the first side wall and the second side wall; a delivery channel within the front and first side wall or within the front and the second side wall, wherein the delivery channel further includes a delivery chute; and at least one leg configured to attach to the second side wall,.

[008] In other embodiments, the at least one leg can be configured to attach to the first side wall or the bottom wall. In some embodiments, there can be at least two legs configured to attach to the second side wall.

[009] In some embodiments, the pill sorter can have a stand attached to the bottom wall so that the pill sorting device can remain stable while sorting pills through the delivery chute nested in the compartment(s) of the pill box. In other embodiments, the stand can be a stand alone piece configured to allow the pill box to be placed within it.

[0010] In some embodiments, the delivery channel is circular. In other embodiments, the delivery channel is square or triangular. The delivery channel can include a ridge that prevents pills from falling out of the cavity without force from a user,

[0011] In some embodiments, the first side wall and the second side wall each have a lip. The back can also have a lip is some embodiments.

[0012] The pill sorting device can have a length of about 10 cm to about 20 cm.

[0013] The pill sorting device can be formed of a polymer. In other embodiments, the pill sorting device can be formed of a metal or a combination of a metal and a polymer. In some embodiments, the pill sorting device can be formed of a rigid plastic.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least one of the bottom, the front, the first side wall, or the second side wall are at least partially transparent.

[0015] The bottom of the pill sorting device can be square or triangular,

[0016] In some embodiments, the channel extends from a back wall to a front portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the front of the pill sorting device includes a first wall with an indentation, The indentation can assist a user is seeing where the delivery channel is aimed.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pill sorting device further includes a delivery chute extending down from the delivery channel. The delivery chute can include a proximal end that is larger in diameter than a distal end. In some embodiments, the delivery channel has a diameter and wherein the diameter of proximal end of the delivery chute matches a diameter of the delivery channel.

[0019] Pill boxes are also described herein. In some embodiments, the pill box includes a cavity formed by a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The cavity can include at least one compartment. In some embodiments, the cavity can include at least seven compartments, one for each day of the week.
In other embodiments, the pill box can have more than seven compartments or less than seven compartments. In some embodiments, the compartments are separated by a divider. In some embodiments, the divider is separated into at least two portions, a top divider portion and a bottom divider portion.

[0020] Methods of using the pill sorter with the pill box are also described herein. In some embodiments, the delivery chute of the pill sorting device can rest in the cavity of the compartment, and easily glide across the pill box whilst sorting pills into the different compartments. The pill sorting devices can also include a magnifying device.
In some embodiments, the magnifying device is associated with the first side wall, the second side wall, or a combination thereof.

[0021] Kits including the herein described pill sorting devices are also described. In one embodiment, a kit is described including a pill sorting device as described herein, a pill box, and instructions for use. In some embodiments, a kit is described including a pill sorting device as described herein, a pill funnel, and instructions for use. In some embodiments, a kit is described including a pill funnel, a pill box, and instructions for use.

[0022] Methods of using the pill sorting devices described herein are also provided. The methods can include the step of advancing a pill through a delivery channel of a pill sorting device. The pill sorting device can include a channel formed at the intersection of a first side wall and a second side wall, and the delivery channel within the first side wall or the second side wall, wherein the delivery channel is offset from the channel.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method can include the step of aligning pills which includes the pill in the channel with the pill closest to the delivery channel,

[0024] In some embodiments, the method can include the step of aligning the delivery channel with a compartment in a pill box,

[0025] In some embodiments, the method can include the step of dropping the pill from the delivery channel into the compartment.
DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pill sorting device, or pill sorter, as described herein.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a pill sorter as described herein to deliver a pill into a compartment of a pill box as described herein. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a pill box as described herein wherein part of the pill box is closed. FIG. 4 illustrates a pill sorter as described herein with its delivery chute resting in a compartment of the pill box for pill distribution.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a bird's eye view of a pill sorter as described herein with its delivery chute resting in a compartment of the pill box. FIG. 6 illustrates a pill sorter as described herein.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a pill sorter as described herein configured to rest in a stand.

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a pill sorter as described herein on a stand.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a pill sorter as described herein in a stand with its delivery chute resting in a compartment of a pill box as described herein where the pill has been distributed from the pill sorter to a compartment of the pill box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Described herein generally are pill sorting and/or dispensing and/or separating devices.
These devices will be referred to herein as pill sorting devices or pill sorters. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to sort and/or count pills into a separate container(s). In one embodiment, the devices can be used to sort and/or count pills into a weekly pill box having at least one separate compartment for each day of the week.

[0033] Also described herein generally are pill boxes having at least one separate compartment. In some embodiments, the pill boxes include a cavity formed by a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The cavity can include at least one separate compartment. In some embodiments, the cavity includes at least seven compartments, one for each day of the week.

[0034] Pill boxes can have any number of compartments that, in some embodiments, open and close using a door or hatch. Pill boxes can have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or more compartments. In some embodiments, pill boxes can have different overall shapes and/or different compartment shapes. Pill boxes can have overall circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical, or trapezoidal shape or other rectilinear shape. Further, each compartment within a pill box can have a circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical, or trapezoidal shape or other rectilinear shape.

[0035] In some embodiments, the compartments are separated by a divider. In some embodiments, the dividers are attached to the first side wall, second side wall, and bottom wall.
In other embodiments, the divider can be separated into a top divider portion and a bottom divider portion. The bottom divider portion can be configured to attach to the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom wall and the second divider portion can be configured to attach to the top wall. This configuration can allow for the bottom divider portion to keep compartments separate. Further, this configuration can allow for the top divider portion to fit into the bottom divider portion when in a closed configuration to avoid pills moving into inappropriate compartments. Lastly, this configuration can allow for the pill sorter to glide across the pill box with ease while still separating the pills into the different compartments.

[0036] The term pill can includes capsules, tablets and other solid forms of drug substances of various shapes and sizes. Pills can be solid or filled with liquids, gels, semi-solids, or the like.

[0037] While embodiments described herein illustrate the use of the devices for the sorting, counting and organizing of pills, the devices can also be used for other items such as, but not limited to, small mechanical parts (screws, nuts, washers, bearings, etc.), candies and food products, and other physical items such as pellets, granules, beads, etc. that lend themselves to the described embodiments.

[0038] In one embodiment, pill sorter 100 is described. Pill sorter 100 includes a cavity formed from bottom 102, a first side wall 104, and a second side wall 106. At the intersection of first side wall 104 and second side wall 106 exists a channel 108. Channel 108 can extend from bottom 102 to front 110.

[0039] Front 110 can include a first wall 112 that extends along at least a portion of front end of first side wall 104. Front 110 can also include a second wall 114 that extends along at least a portion of the front end of second side wall 106. In a portion of second side wall 106 not including second wall 114, a delivery channel 116 extends into second side wall 106.

[0040] Delivery channel 116 can have any shape that can assist in the delivery of pills from pill sorter 100 into an appropriate container. In some embodiments, delivery channel 116 can be circular. In other embodiments, delivery channel can be triangular, oval, or any other rectilinear shape. In circular embodiments, delivery channel can have a diameter of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 9 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm, between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, between about 1 mm and about 6 mm, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

[0041] Delivery chute 136 can extend down and away from delivery channel 116.
In some embodiments, delivery chute 136 can extend downwards from delivery channel 116. Delivery chute 136 can have a proximal end 134 that is larger in diameter than distal end 132. In other embodiments, the diameter of proximal end matches the diameter of delivery channel 116.
Distal end 132 can be placed in a compartment 312 of pill box 300 (as illustrated in Fig. 2), When a pill is advanced through delivery channel 116, the pill slides down delivery chute 136 and into compartment 312. Delivery chute 312 can prevent pills from missing an appropriate compartment.

[0042] First side wall 104 can also include a first lip 118 that extends from bottom 102 to front 110 and second side wall 106 can include a second lip 120 that extends from bottom 102 to front 110. In some embodiments, first lip 118 and second lip 120 can have various heights depending on a particular application. Heights of first lip 118 and second lip 120 can each independently be between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 9 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, between about 1 mm and about 6 mm, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

[0043] Bottom 102 can optionally include a back lip 122 that extends along periphery of bottom 102. In some embodiments, a purpose of first wall 112, second wall 114, first lip 118, second lip 120, and back lip 122 is to keep pills loaded within pill sorter 100 from falling out. In some embodiments, back lip 122 can have various heights depending on a particular application. The height of back lip 122 can be between about 1 mm and about 15 mm, between about 1 mm and about 14 mm, between about 1 mm and about 13 mm, between about 1 mm and about 12 mm, between about 1 mm and about 11 mm, between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 9 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm, between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.

[0044] In another embodiment, first lip 118 and second lip 120 can be formed in such a configuration that allows for easy handling within a hand. In some embodiments, first lip 118 and second lip 120 can be formed for use with arthritic hands for easy grip such as with a curved edge. To enhance grip, first lip 118 and second lip 120 can be provided with special gripping materials and or grooves for better grip. In some embodiments, first lip 118 and second lip 120 can have a rounded configuration.

[0045] Pill sorter 100 can have a length which can vary depending on a particular application.
The length can be between about 10 cm and about 15 cm, between about 10 cm and about 20 cm, between about 10 cm and about 25 cm, between about 10 cm and about 30 cm, between about 5 cm and about 30 cm, between about 5 cm and about 20 cm, between about 10 cm and about 40 cm, or between about 10 cm and about 35 cm.

[0046] Pill sorter 100 can have a first width, and a second width, each of which can vary depending on a particular application. First width and second width can each independently be between about 2 cm and about 10 cm, between about 2 cm and about 5 cm, between about 5 cm and about 10 cm, between about 2 cm and about 6 cm, between about 2 cm and about 7 cm, between about 2 cm and about 8 cm, between about 2 cm and about 9 cm, or between about 3 cm and about 10 cm.

[0047] Pill sorters can be formed of any appropriate material that is strong enough to hold its shape even when filled with pills. In some embodiments, the pill sorter is formed of plastic or other appropriate polymer. In other embodiments, polymers include, but are not limited to polyurethanes, silicones, polyesters such as polyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-al phaolefin copolymers; acrylic polymers and copolymers, ethylene-co-vinylacetate, polybutylmethacrylate, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers, such as polyvinyl chloride;
polyvinyl ethers, such as polyvinyl methyl ether; polyvinylidene halides, such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride; polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones;
polyvinyl aromatics, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters, such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers with each other and olefins, such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers;
polyamides, such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam; alkyd resins; polycarbonates; polyoxymethylenes;
polyimides;
polyethers; epoxy resins, polyurethanes; rayon; rayon-triacetate; cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate; cellulose acetate butyrate; cellophane; cellulose nitrate;
cellulose propionate;
cellulose ethers; carboxymethyl cellulose; synthetic and natural rubbers such as polysiloxanes, latex, polymerized isoprene, bromo isobutylene isoprene, chloro isobutylene isoprene, polychloroprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene, ethylene propylene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, fluoro silicone, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene, polyisoprene, isobutylene isoprene butyl, methyl vinyl silicone, acrylonitrile butadiene, acrylonitrile butadiene carboxy monomer, styrene butadiene, epichlorodydrin; and combinations thereof.

[0048] In some embodiments, the polymer or combination of polymers chosen to form the pill sorters are rigid enough to hold a particular configuration and perform its intended function. In some embodiments, the polymer used is a thermal set rigid plastic.

[0049] In other embodiments, the pill sorter can be formed of a metal or a metal alloy. In one embodiment, the pill sorter is formed of stainless steel. Other metals can include, but are not limited to, brass, steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0050] In addition to material(s) used to form the herein described pill sorters, each can be colored as appropriate for a particular application. Pill sorters can be solid colored, striped, spotted, or a combination thereof. Further, pill sorters can include logos, slogans, pictures, trademarks, designs, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0051] In some embodiments, pill sorters are made of a transparent, or at least partially transparent, material that allows better visualization of the contents of the pill sorter.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one of bottom 102, first side wall 104, and second side wall 106 is flat and/or flat enough to allow a pill sorter to be stood up on one or more of these surfaces.

[0053] In some embodiments, bottom 102 can have various shapes depending on a particular application. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, bottom 102 has a generally square shape. In other embodiments, bottom 102 can be triangular, oval, or circular.

[0054] In some embodiments, front 110 can include an indentation 138 in first wall 112.
Indentation can be included to allow a user to more clearly see where delivery channel 116 is aimed.

[0055] Further, in relation to front 110, delivery channel 116 can be offset from front corner 140which blocks the end of channel 108. Delivery channel 116 can be offset from front corner 140 by between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, between about 1 mm and about 9 mm, between about 1 mm and about 8 mm between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, between about 1 mm and about 6 mm, between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

[0056] In some embodiments, the pill sorters as illustrated in Fig. 1 can include at least one leg 130 which can be configured to attach to second side wall 106. In other embodiments, at least one leg 130 can be configured to attach to the underside of second side wall 106. In some embodiments, pill sorter 100 can include at least 1 leg, at least 2 legs, at least 3 legs, at least 4 legs, at least 5 legs, at least 6 legs, at least 7 legs, at least 8 legs, at least 9 legs, at least 10 legs,1 leg, 2 legs, 3 legs, 4 legs, 5 legs, 6 legs, 7 legs, 8 legs, 9 legs, 10 legs, more than 1 leg, more than 2 legs, more than 3 legs, more than 4 legs, more than 5 legs, more than 6 legs, more than 7 legs, more than 8 legs, more than 9 legs, or more than 10 legs,

[0057] Legs 130 can be located anywhere on the underside of second side wall 106. In some embodiments, legs 130 can be located at the distal of second side wall 106 near bottom wall 102. In other embodiments, legs 130 can be located at the proximal end of second side wall 106 near front end 110. In some embodiments, two legs can be located at the proximal end of second side wall 106 near front end 110, and two other legs can be located at the distal end of second side wall 106 near bottom wall 102.

[0058] Legs 130 can be used to stabilize pill sorter 100 on a surface without any additional aid.

[0059]
Pill sorters as described herein can be used to load pills into pill boxes.
Pill boxes often come in a weekly pill box having a separate compartment for each day of the week. Such a pill box 300 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, pill box 300 includes a cavity formed by top wall 302, bottom wall 320, front wall 304, back wall 306, first side wall 310, and second side wall 308. The cavity can include at least one compartment 312. In some embodiments, the cavity can include seven compartments, one for each day of the week. Pill boxes can have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or more compartments. In some embodiments, pill boxes can have different overall shapes and/or different compartment shapes. Pill boxes can have overall circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical, or trapezoidal shape or other rectilinear shape.
Further, each compartment within a pill box can have a circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical, or trapezoidal shape or other rectilinear shape.

[0060] In some embodiments, compartments can be separated by divider 314. In some embodiments, divider 314 can be configured to attach to first side wall 310, second side wall 308, and bottom wall 320. In some embodiments, divider 314 can be the same height and width of the pill box.

[0061] In other embodiments, divider 314 can be separated into at least two divider portions.
First divider portion 318 can be configured to attach to first side wall 310, second side wall 308, and bottom wall 320. Second portion divider 316 can be configured to attach to top wall 302.
First divider portion 318 can include cavity 322 in which second divider portion 316 can fit into when the pill box is in a closed configuration. Placement of the second divider portion can be located anywhere on top wall 302 which would allow the second divider portion to align with the cavity of the first divider portion. In some embodiments, there can be as many dividers required to create the desired number of compartments. In some embodiments, there can be six dividers to create seven compartments. It is possible to include the desired number of dividers to create the desired number of compartments to form a customized pill box. The configuration including the at least two divider portions can allow for the pill sorters described herein to glide with ease across the pill box in an open configuration while dispensing pills into the desired compartments. Then when the pill box is in a closed configuration the second divider portion can fit into the first divider portion to prevent pills from sliding into other compartments. FIG. 2 illustrates how the pill boxes described herein are loaded using the pill sorters described herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates partial opened configuration 360 and partial dosed configuration 362 of the pill boxes described herein.

[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates how the pill sorters described herein can rest on a surface with only the aid of legs 130. Further, FIG. 4 demonstrates how the distal end of delivery chute 132 can be nested into compartment 312 to allow for the sliding of pill 330 from delivery channel 108 through delivery chute 136 and into compartment 312.

[0063] Pill sorter 100 can be gripped on second lip 120 by a user's thumb 324 and a least one of the user's fingers, such as hislher middle, ring, and/or pinky fingers 326 can rest and grip against second hp 118 and first side wall 104. The user's pointer finger 328 can be used to manipulate pills 330 disposed within pH sorter 100. In another embodiment, a spatula, stick or other device could be used to move the pills within the sorting device.

[0064] During use, channel 108 can be used to line up pills 330 along its length. When pill sorter 100 is lined up over a compartment 312, specifically, when delivery channel 116 is lined up over compartment 312, a pill nearest delivery channel 116 can be pushed down delivery chute 136 and down into compartment 312 (as shown in FIG. 2). Then, subsequent pills can be moved into place next to delivery channel 116 for movement to pill box 300 in the same or a different compartment 312.

[0065] If more than one type of pill is within the pill sorter, a user can maneuver the pills within the pill sorter to line the pills up as needed for delivery into pill box 300.

[0066] PHI sorters as described herein can be used for combinations of pills.
In some embodiments, a user can load several different types of pills into a pill sorter. The pill sorter can be used to drop particular pills into a pill container. A user's finger(s) can be used to easily maneuver correct pills out of the pH sorter and into a pill container.

[0067] Pill sorters as described herein can be used with virtually any size or shaped pill.
Delivery channels can be cut to dimensions that accommodate, or do not accommodate, particular sized or shaped pills. In one embodiment, a delivery channel can be cut in a circular shape with a particular diameter. When pills are sorted using a pill sorter, only pills that are small enough or circular enough can fit through the delivery channel hole.
This configuration can prevent unwanted pills from being loaded into a pill container.

[0068] Pill sorters described and illustrated herein may be shown with a particular handedness (e.g., right handed or left handed). Handedness is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2. It is envisioned that the opposite handedness of any device or method described or illustrated herein is within the scope of the present specification.

[0069] In one embodiment, pill sorters described herein can include a magnifying device associated with and/or directed at channel 108, delivery channel 116, or both.
In some embodiments, a magnifying device can extend between first lip 118 and second lip 120 and provide magnification of the entire inside of pill sorter 100.
In some embodiments, the magnifying device hinges on either first lip 118 or second lip 120 to allow insertion of pills into the pill sorter and then reorientation of the magnification device. In another embodiment, a magnifying device can attach to first lip 118 and/or second lip 120 and be at a location above where a hand would hold the pill sorter.

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a bird's eye view of the pill sorters described herein loading the pill boxes described herein, where the pill box is in open configuration 360.

[0071] Pill sorter 600 can be configured to attach to a stand. The stand can be made of any type of material including, but not limited to, any plastic, polymers, steel, or metal. FIG. 6 illustrates pill sorter 600 configured to attach to stand 610. FIG. 7 illustrates the placement of pill sorter 600 onto stand 610. Pill sorter 600 can have at least two holes drilled into first side wall 104. The at least two holes can be drilled anywhere onto first side wall 104.
In some embodiments, the at least two holes are drilled on the upper half of first side wall 104, one hole on the proximal end of first side wall 104 and the other on distal end of first side wall 104.

[0072] Stand 610 can be formed of at least four legs configured to attach to at least two arms with hooks, wherein a first rod and a second rod can be connected to the arms.
Some embodiments include at least four legs, two front legs 602 and two back legs 606. A front leg 602 and back leg 606 is connected via an arm including at least two hooks, front hook 608 and back hook 604. The arms are connected via first rod 614 and second rod 616.

[0073] In some embodiments, stand 610 can be configured to attach to pill sorter 600 wherein pill sorter 600 is placed onto first rod 614 and second rod 616 in between arms 612. Back hooks 604 can be configured to be inserted into holes 618, and front hooks can be configured to hook onto the front lip of the pill sorter.

[0074] Fig. 8 illustrates a front view of pill sorter 600 on stand 610. FIG. 9 illustrates how the pill sorters described herein can be placed on stands described herein to rest on a surface with out any additional aid. Further, FIG. 9 demonstrates how the distal end of delivery chute 132 can be nested into compartment 312 to allow for the sliding of pill 330 from delivery channel 108 through delivery chute 136 and into compartment 312,

[0075] Kits can include various combinations of the herein described devices.
In one embodiment, a kit can include a pill sorter, a pill box, and instructions for use,

[0076] In another embodiment, a kit can include a pill sorter, a pill box, a stand, and instructions for use, EXAMPLES
Example 1

[0077] Bob has severe rheumatoid arthritis and sorting his weekly pill supply into commercially available weekly pill boxes is extremely challenging. Thus, Bob uses a pill sorter such as pill sorter 100, and a pill box such as pill box 300. Bob takes five pills per day and each pill is of a different size. Bob can use pill sorter in one of two ways.

[0078] In a first way, Bob dumps seven of each type of pill into the pill sorter. He sets the pill sorter on a surface so that the legs are resting on the surface. He then aligns the delivery chute with the Sunday compartment of the pill box. Using his pointer finger, Bob maneuvers a first pill of a certain type adjacent to the delivery channel. He then pushes the pill out of the delivery channel down the delivery chute and into the Sunday compartment. He then maneuvers a second type of pill adjacent to the delivery channel and drops it down the delivery chute and into the Sunday compartment. He repeats this process until the Sunday compartment includes all five of his pills. He then proceeds to fill the remaining days with his pills.
He proceeds by simply gliding the pill sorter with ease to the next compartment so that the delivery chute rests in the the next compartment. The ability of the pill sorter to glide through the pill box, and its ability to rest on the surface allows Bob to not have to hold the device which could wear on his arthritis.

[0079] In a second way, Bob dumps a portion of a first type of pill into a pill sorter. He sets the pill sorter on a surface so that the legs are resting on the surface. He then aligns the delivery chute with the Sunday compartment of the pill box. Using his pointer finger, Bob maneuvers a first pill adjacent to the delivery channel. He then pushes the pill out of the delivery channel through the delivery chute and into the Sunday compartment. He then glides the pill sorter with ease to the next compartment so that the delivery chute rests in the cavity of the Monday compartment of the pill box. He then maneuvers a second type of pill adjacent to the delivery channel. He then pushes the pill out of the delivery channel through the delivery chute and into the Monday compartment. He repeats this process until all the compartments include a pill. He then pours the remaining pills from the pill sorter back into their bottle.
Bob repeats this process with different types of pills until his pill box is completed for the week. He then closes his pill box into a closed configuration to avoid any pills merging into other compartments.
Example 2

[0080] Kelly has severe rheumatoid arthritis and sorting her weekly pill supply into commercially available weekly pill boxes is extremely challenging.
Furthermore, she is unable to hold onto a pill sorter for very long because of her arthritis. Thus, Kelly uses a pill sorter such as pill sorter 100, a pill box such as pill box 300, and a stand such as stand 610. Kelly takes three pills per day and each pill is of a different size.

[0081] Kelly first takes pill sorter 100 and places it on top of stand 612 by inserting the back hooks into the drilled holes on the first side wall of the pill sorter, and hooking the front hooks onto the front lip of the pill sorter. She then rests the delivery chute into the cavity of the Sunday compartment. Kelly dumps three of each type of pill into the pill sorter.
Using her pointer finger, Kelly maneuvers a first pill of a certain type adjacent to the delivery channel. She then pushes the pill out of the delivery channel down the delivery chute and into the Sunday compartment.
She then maneuvers a second type of pill adjacent to the delivery channel and drops it down the delivery chute and into the Sunday compartment. She repeats this process until the Sunday compartment includes all three of her pills. She then proceeds to fill the remaining days with her pills. She proceeds by simply gliding the pill sorter with ease to the next compartment so that the delivery chute rests in the next compartment, in this case the Monday compartment. The ability of the pill sorter to glide through the pill box, and its ability to rest on the surface allows Kelly to not have to hold the device.

[0082] She repeats this process until all the compartments include a pill.
Once all her pills are in pill box for the week she can put the pill box in a close configuration to avoid any pills entering into neighboring compartments.

[0083] The preceding disclosures are illustrative embodiments. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the devices, techniques and methods disclosed herein elucidate representative embodiments that function well in the practice of the present disclosure.
However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0084] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0085] The terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0086] The use of the term "or" in the claims is used to mean "and/or" unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and "and/or."

[0087] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0088] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects those of ordinary skill in the art to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0089] Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

[0090] Further, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims (26)

We claim:

1. A pill sorting device including a cavity formed from a bottom, a front, a first side wall, and a second side wall;
a channel formed at the intersection of the first side wall and the second side wall;
a delivery channel within the front and first side wall or within the front and the second side wall, wherein the delivery channel includes a delivery chute that extends downwards from the delivery channel; and at least two legs configured to attach to the underside of the second side wall.

2. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each have a lip.

3. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the back has a lip.

4. The pill sorting device of claim 1, having a length of about 10 cm and about 20 cm.

5. The pill sorting device of claim 1, formed of a polymer.

6. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the bottom, the front, the first side wall, or the second side wall are at least partially transparent.

7. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the bottom is square or triangular.

8. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the front includes a first wall with an indentation.

9. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the delivery chute includes a proximal end that is larger in diameter than a distal end.

10. The pill sorting device of claim 9, wherein the delivery channel has a diameter and wherein the diameter of proximal end of the delivery chute matches a diameter of the delivery channel.

11. The pill sorting device of claim 1, wherein the at least two legs are configured to rest on a surface.

12. The pill sorting device of claim 1, further including at least two drilled holes on the first side wall configured to attach a stand.

13. The pill sorting device of claim 12, wherein the stand includes at least four legs configured to attach to at least two arms with hooks, wherein a first rod and a second rod are connected to the arms, and wherein the arms have a front hook and a back hook.

14. A kit including a pill sorting device of claim 1, a pill box, and instructions for use.

15. A pill box including:
a cavity formed by a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, wherein the cavity includes at least two compartments and wherein the at least two compartments are separated by a divider,

16. The pill box of claim 15, wherein the divider is separated into a first divider portion and a second divider portion.

17. The pill box of claim 16, wherein the first divider portion is configured to attach to the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom wall.

18. The pill box of claim 17, wherein the first divider portion includes a cavity.

19. The pill box of claim 16, wherein the second divider portion is configured to attach to the top wall.

20. The pill box of claim 19, wherein when the pill box is in a closed configuration the second divider portion fits into the cavity of the first divider portion.

21. A rnethod of loading pills into a pill box, the method comprising:
advancing a pill through a delivery channel of a pill sorting device, wherein the pill sorting device includes a channel formed at the intersection of a first side wall and a second side wall, and the delivery channel within the first side wall or the second side wall, wherein the delivery channel includes a delivery chute that extends downwards from the delivery channel;
and at least two legs configured to attach to the underside of the second side wall.

22. The method of claim 21, further including aligning pills which includes the pill in the channel with the pill closest to the delivery channel.

23. The method of claim 21, further including setting the pill sorter of a surface and aligning the delivery chute with a compartment in a pill box.

24. The method of clairn 21, further including dropping the pill from the delivery chute into the compartment.

25. A pill sorting device as herein described.

26. A pill box as herein described,