US 12,213,950 B2
Modular dispenser for multiple objects
Adam A. Afzali, Duxbury, MA (US); Kyle Benton, Randolph, MA (US); Jessica H. Donohue, Bolton, MA (US); Donovan Duchak, Franklin, MA (US); Regan M. Fiascone, Boston, MA (US); Jamila S. Gramsey, Boston, MA (US); Darryl P. James, Beverly, MA (US); Andreas Senai, Framingham, MA (US); Timothy S. Tocci, Roxbury, MA (US); and Elizabeth K. Winter, Carlisle, MA (US)
Assigned to CVS Pharmacy, Inc., Woonsocket, RI (US)
Filed by CVS Pharmacy, Inc., Woonsocket, RI (US)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/401,038.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/064,679, filed on Aug. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0047460 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61J 7/00 (2006.01); A61J 1/03 (2023.01); B65D 83/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61J 7/0076 (2013.01) [A61J 1/03 (2013.01); B65D 83/04 (2013.01); B65D 83/0409 (2013.01); B65D 2583/044 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular dispenser, comprising:
a cartridge configured to hold a plurality of pills, the cartridge comprising an opening through which at least one pill is configured to pass under an influence of gravity and a perimeter that extends around the opening;
a dispensing base configured to removably receive the cartridge, the dispensing base comprising a funnel comprising:
a funnel inlet proximate the opening of the cartridge;
a funnel outlet spaced apart from the funnel inlet; and
at least one flap retainer along an exterior of a funnel slope, wherein the at least one flap retainer extends away from the funnel slope;
a drawer configured to receive the at least one pill, the drawer configured to be slidably received within the dispensing base, the drawer comprising a well to receive the at least one pill from the funnel outlet; and
a metering flap coupled by a pin to the at least one flap retainer, the pin allowing the metering flap to be movably positioned between the funnel outlet and the well of the drawer, wherein:
the metering flap is configured to at least partially block the funnel outlet when the drawer is slidably extended away from the dispensing base; and
the metering flap is configured to be at least partially received within the well when the drawer is slidably moved into the dispensing base.