Abstrict A battery operated pill crusher is provided having a motorized,
rotating plunger in a portable configuration.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A pill crusher comprising: a lower container; generally cylindrical
plunger having a lower protrusion shaft extending downwardly from
a cap having an upper gripping circumference, wherein the diameter
of the upper gripping circumference is greater than that of the
lower protrusion shaft such as to create a stop ridge there between,
wherein said protrusion shaft forms a generally cylindrical, smooth
sidewall having a guide key extending outwardly in a vertical, linear
fashion; and an internal storage volume formed by said plunger and
sealed by a removable lid.
2. The pill crusher of claim 1 wherein said lower container forms
an inner volume that receives the protrusion shaft of the plunger,
said inner volume forming a generally cylindrical, smooth sidewall
having a keyway extending radially outwardly in a vertical, linear
fashion, said keyway receiving and guiding the key when the protrusion
shaft is inserted into the inner volume, thereby functioning both
as a linear alignment guide, as well as a rotation lock to prevent
the plunger from twisting.
3. The pill crusher of claim 2 wherein a bottom of the inner volume
is bounded by a turntable, said turntable rotatably housed within
the lower portion of the container and mechanically connected to
and driven by a drive mechanism.
4. The pill crusher of claim 3 wherein said turntable is formed
as a disc shaped member having a rounded outer perimeter, an upper
surface being generally horizontally planar and supporting a plurality
of grinding protrusions formed as rigid extensions for increasing
surface area and friction, as well as concentrating vertical forces,
and a seal formed between the outer circumference of the turntable
and the inner cylindrical surface of the inner volume.
5. The pill crusher of claim 4 wherein the outer circumferential
sidewall extends downward about the upper surface, thereby forming
a drive skirt terminating at the lower end in a series of radially
aligned detents, wherein each detente forms a drive gear cut at
an 45 degree angle inward for engagement with said drive mechanism.
6. The pill crusher of claims 5 wherein said drive mechanism comprises
an electric motor driving a drive gear contained within said container
beneath said turntable, said drive gear cut at a 45 degree angle
upward for engagement with said detents.
7. The pill crusher of claim 5 wherein said turntable is rotated
about a center, vertical hub which functions as an axle, said hub
supported at its lower end by a guide collar in a vertically slidable
manner and said guide collar supporting an upper annular support
that supports a turntable resistance spring.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to portable, battery powered
pill crushers and splitters and, more particularly, to a battery
operated pill crusher having a motorized, rotating plunger in a
portable configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern medicine has taken great strides over the years, producing
cures and treatments for thousands of diseases, many of which were
at one time incurable or uncontrollable. Attacking these ailments
from a variety of angles, some of the greatest achievements made
along these lines are in the area of medications and both prescription
drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Simply by taking a pill, one can
be relieved or cured of a variety of ailments ranging from the common
cold to rare and exotic diseases. However, many people experience
extreme difficulty in swallowing pills whole and are forced to crush
them, allowing them to ingest the pill in combination with food
or drink. While this procedure is often effective, the process of
crushing the pill can be difficult for many and also can result
in losing the medication as the crushing takes place.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read
directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following
references were considered related.
The following patents describe pill-crushing, top-mounted cups
for storing and/or dispensing: U.S. Pat. No. 5618004 issued in
the name of Klearman et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 2892595 issued in the
name of Tupper U.S. Pat. No. D 337828 issued in the name of Gordon
The following patents disclose various hand-held pill or tablet
pulverizers: U.S. Pat. No. 5531386* issued in the name of Jensen
U.S. Pat. No. 5178337* issued in the name of Lupoli U.S. Pat.
No. 5123601* issued in the name of Lavin et. al. U.S. Pat. No.
4366930* issued in the name of Trombetti et. al. U.S. Pat. No.
D 285966* issued in the name of Porter
The following two patents describe a mortar and pestle assembly
for grating pills: U.S. Pat. No. 4967971 issued in the name of
Smith; and U.S. Pat. No. 4003523 issued in the name of Doolittle
And, U.S. Pat. No. 5067666 issued in the name of Sussman describes
power-driven portable pill pulverizer.
Consequently, a there is a need for a means by which one can crush
pills easily, effectively and without losing any part of the medication
dosage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide for to a
battery operated pill crusher by which one can crush pills easily,
effectively and without losing any part of the medication dosage.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a battery powered
pill crusher having a motorized, rotating plunger in a portable
configuration.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention,
a small mill-type device is provided that is used to crush solid
pills or tablets. The device includes a small mill-type mechanism,
similar in nature to that of a I pepper mill, that is used to grind
the pills into a granular consistency. The pill or pills are inserted
in the top of the device and ground in the mill, the crushed pills
being deposited in a reservoir in the bottom of the device. The
reservoir is removable and provides a convenient manner by which
to pour the ground pills into the food or drink being used as a
carrier to ingest the drug. Available in both battery powered and
hand cranked models, the device is completely submersible, allowing
it to be cleaned between uses in order to prevent contamination
between different drugs.
As a result, use of the present invention makes taking medications
an easy pill to swallow.
An advantage of the present invention is that it reduces lost medications
in the pulverizing process.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it makes it
easy to ingest medications.
Yet another object of the present invention is that it provides
a reservoir which stores crushed pill.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such
a device that is completely submersible for easy and effective cleaning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages and features of the present invention will become
better understood with reference to the following more detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols,
and in which:
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, diagrammatical and perspective
view of a battery operated pill crusher according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of a turntable drive
mechanism for use therewith;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view a turntable actuation mechanism
thereof;
FIG. 4 is aside diagrammatical elevational view of the turntable
actuation mechanism of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a partially exploded, diagrammatical and perspective
view of a manually operated pill crusher according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
1. Detailed Description of the Figures
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 a battery operated pill crusher 10
is shown, according to the present invention, having a lower container
12 and plunger 14. The plunger 14 is generally cylindrical, having
a lower protrusion shaft 16 extending downwardly from a cap 17 having
an upper gripping circumference 18. The diameter of the upper gripping
circumference 18 is greater than that of the lower protrusion shaft
16 such as to create a stop ridge 20 there between. Although not
an essential element of the present teachings, the plunger 14 is
envisioned as forming an internal storage volume 22 sealed by a
removable lid 24. The protrusion shaft 16 forms a generally cylindrical,
smooth sidewall having a guide key 26 extending outwardly in a vertical,
linear fashion.
The lower container 12 forms an inner volume 28 that receives the
protrusion shaft 16 of the plunger 14. The inner volume 28 forms
a generally cylindrical, smooth sidewall having a keyway 32 extending
radially outwardly in a vertical, linear fashion. The keyway 32
receives and guides the key 26 when the protrusion shaft 16 is inserted
into the inner volume 28. This functions both as a linear alignment
guide, as well as a rotation lock to prevent the plunger 14 from
twisting.
The bottom of the inner volume 28 is bounded by a turntable 34.
The turntable 34 is rotatably housed within the lower portion of
the container 28 and is mechanically connected to and driven by
a drive mechanism as will be described below.
As best shown in conjunction with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the turntable
34 is shown in greater detail. The turntable 34 is formed as a disc
shaped member having a rounded outer perimeter. An upper surface
36 is generally horizontally planar and supports a plurality of
grinding protrusions 38 formed as rigid extensions for increasing
surface area and friction, as well as concentrating vertical forces.
A seal is formed between the outer circumference of the turntable
34 and the inner cylindrical surface of the inner volume 28. Although
many methods of generating a seal between rotating or moving parts,
for purposes of disclosure such sealing method for use with the
preferred embodiment consists of a concave outer curvature 40 extending
along the outer circumferential sidewall 42 of the turntable member
34. Alternately, the use of a flexible sealing ring, or "O"
ring, or other such method could be equally as effective. The outer
circumferential sidewall 42 extends downward about the upper surface
36 forming a drive skirt 40 terminating at the lower end in a series
of radially aligned detents 42. Each detente 42 forms a drive gear
cut at an 45 degree angle inward for engagement with the drive mechanism.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
and in conjunction with FIG. 4 a drive mechanism comprising an
electric motor 44 driving a drive gear 46 is contained within the
container 12 beneath the turntable 34. The drive gear 56 is cut
at a 45 degree angle, and is positioned upward for engagement with
the detents 42. An electrical power source, whether by battery or
conventional AC plug, is envisioned as powering the electric motor
44 in an otherwise conventional manner.
As best shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the turntable 34 is rotated
about a center, vertical hub 56 which functions as an axle. The
hub 56 is supported at its lower end by a guide collar 48 in a vertically
slidable manner. The guide collar 48 supports an upper annular support
49 that supports a turntable resistance spring 50. The turntable
resistance spring 50 functions to provide an upward urging force
between the turntable 34 and the bottom of the container 12. The
lower portion of the hub 56 when depressed, urges a first contact
60 against a second contact 62 such as to complete the electric
drive circuit 64 engage the electric motor 44
Referring now to FIG. 5 the teachings of the present disclosure
are further shown in conjunction with a manually operated pill crusher
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As
such, the drive mechanism incorporating the electric motor 44 and
drive gear 46 are replaced with a lower hand cap 70 rotatable supported
on the bottom of the container 12. The guide collar 48 is in mechanical
communication with the cap 70 such that when the lower hand cap
70 is rotated the guide collar 48 rotates as well. A vertical hub
engagement means 72 hearing shown as a tabbed key 74 aligned with
a second keyway 76 within the guide collar 48 allow the mechanical
communication of rotational torque to be applied from the lower
cap 70 to the turntable 34 upon overcoming the urging force of the
spring 50.
2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment
To use the present invention, a user can employ the storage volume
22 for retention and dispensing of medications. Upon selection and
removal, a pill type medication can be placed within the inner volume
28. The plunger 14 is thereafter inserted into the inner volume,
and pressed down against the upward urging force of the turntable
spring 50. As the protrusion shaft descends, the medication is impinged
between the protrusion shaft and the upper surface 36 of the turntable
34. As the protrusion shaft descends further, the turntable is pushed
downward, forcing the center hub 56 downward as well. As the electrical
contacts 60 62 contact, the drive gear 46 simultaneously engages
with the detents 42. Further, electrical continuity is achieved
and the drive motor 44 causes the drive gear 46 to rotate, translating
this motion to the turntable 34. As rotational motion is applied
as well as compression, any pill type medication is pulverized between
the turntable and plunger, as well as about the grinding protrusions
38. Upon completion, removal of the plunger 14 allows for pulverized
medication to be released from the inner volume 28.
As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention
is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate
the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit
the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled
in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings,
would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that
are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of
the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.
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