GB2568294A

GB2568294A - A portable medicine blender

Info

Publication number: GB2568294A
Application number: GB1718694.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-13
Filing date: 2017-11-13
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-13
Also published as: GB201718694D0; GB2568294B; GB2568294A8

Abstract

A portable medicine blender 10 comprising: a pill compartment 12 for receiving one or more pills; a grinder apparatus 14 in communication with and configured to form powder from the pills from the pill compartment; and a powder compartment 16 in communication with the grinder apparatus to receive the resultant powder. The pill compartment 12, grinder apparatus 14 and powder compartment 16 may each cooparatively engage (e.g. by screw threads or male and female connectors) with each other to form a single module. The blender may comprise a handle portion 18 that may at contain least one of the powder compartment, pill compartment or grinder apparatus. Handle 18 may have a cavity containing one or more battery packs 20. There may be a charging port 22 for connecting a charging unit. The grinding apparatus 14 may comprise a plurality of grinder members. Another aspect relates to a method of producing powder using the aforementioned blender where pill(s) are placed in the pill compartment 12; the grinder apparatus 14 crushes the pill(s); and powder is received from the powder compartment 16.

Description

(57) A portable medicine blender 10 comprising: a pill compartment 12 for receiving one or more pills; a grinder apparatus 14 in communication with and configured to form powder from the pills from the pill compartment; and a powder compartment 16 in communication with the grinder apparatus to receive the resultant powder. The pill compartment 12, grinder apparatus 14 and powder compartment 16 may each cooparatively engage (e.g. by screw threads or male and female connectors) with each other to form a single module. The blender may comprise a handle portion 18 that may at contain least one of the powder compartment, pill compartment or grinder apparatus. Handle 18 may have a cavity containing one or more battery packs 20. There may be a charging port 22 for connecting a charging unit. The grinding apparatus 14 may comprise a plurality of grinder members. Another aspect relates to a method of producing powder using the aforementioned blender where pill(s) are placed in the pill compartment 12; the grinder apparatus 14 crushes the pill(s); and powder is received from the powder compartment 16.

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fig.1

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fig. 3

A PORTABLE MEDICINE BLENDER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable blender for forming powder from medicine tablets or pills. In particular, the present invention relates to a handheld blender for forming powder from medicine tablets or pills.

Background

Medicine is typically provided in the form of pills or tablets. A number of patients, including for example the elderly can however find it difficult to take pills or tablets and therefore struggle to take their medicine. There is therefore a need for a means of providing medicine in easier forms for patients to take.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

WO2015/113040 (?) discloses an apparatus for liquefying solid pills, comprising: a grinder configured to grind the solid pills to a powder; a receptacle configured to attach to the grinder and to capture the powder; and a cap configured to attach to the receptacle, the cap including a port therethrough in fluid connection with the receptacle, the port

In contrast the present invention provides a portable blender which can readily form powder from medicine tablets or pills.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a portable medicine blender comprising:

a pill compartment for receiving one or more medicine pills or tablets;

a grinder apparatus in communication with and configured to form medicine powder from medicine pills or tablets provided by the pill compartment; and a powder compartment in communication with the grinder apparatus to receive the resultant medicine powder.

The pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment preferably cooperatively engage with each other to form a modular unit. In one embodiment, the pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment may be formed as a single, integral unit.

The pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment preferably cooperatively engage using any suitable means such as for example threaded portions or cooperative male and female connectors, or any combination thereof.

The blender may further comprise a handle portion. The handle portion may be ergonomically shaped for easy of grip during use. One or more of the pill compartment, grinder apparatus and/or powder compartment may be present within the handle portion. The handle portion may provide a cavity for one or more battery packs.

The handle portion may provide a connection to a charging unit for charging one or more battery packs. The handle portion may further comprise a power on/off button in communication with the power source, for example a battery pack, and the grinder apparatus.

The pill compartment preferably comprises a first upper end, a second opposed lower end, and a side wall extending therebetween. The side wall of the pill compartment may comprise an openable portion, for example a door, providing access to the pill compartment. The second lower end may further comprise an opening in communication with the grinder apparatus.

The grinder apparatus may comprise a single grinder member or a plurality of grinder members. For example, in one embodiment the grinder apparatus comprises an inner grinder member and an outer grinder member. The inner grinder member may for example comprise a plurality of fine teeth. The outer grinder member may for example comprise a plurality of large teeth.

The inner and outer grinder members may be configured to cooperate with each other. The outer grinder member may for example be configured to draw the pills or tablets into the grinder apparatus where upon the inner grinder member is configured to crush the pills or tablets to provide the medicine powder.

The grinder apparatus may be located within the pill compartment or within the powder compartment. Alternatively, the grinder apparatus may be located within a grinder compartment which is aligned with and in communication with the pill compartment.

The grinder compartment may comprise a first upper end configured in use to be located adjacent the second lower end of the pill compartment. The grinder compartment may further comprise a second opposed lower end. The grinder compartment may further comprise a side wall extending between the first and second ends. The second opposed lower end preferably provides an opening aligned with and in communication with the powder compartment.

The power source for the blender may be provided by a battery pack. The battery pack may be rechargeable. The blender may therefore further comprise a charging station configured to receive a portion of the blender and operable to recharge the battery pack. In some embodiments, the power source may be provided by a mains power source.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a medicine blender as herein described to produce medicine powder, the method comprising:

placing one or more medicine pills or tablets within the pill compartment of the medicine blender;

operating the grinder assembly to crush the pills or tablets; and receiving medicine powder from the powder compartment of the medicine blender.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from above of the medicine blender according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from below of the medicine blender of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the medicine blender of Figure 1 on a charging station; and

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the medicine blender of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the accompanying Figures, the portable medicine blender 10 comprises a pill compartment 12 for receiving one or more medicine pills or tablets; a grinder apparatus 14 in communication with and configured to form medicine powder from medicine pills or tablets provided by the pill compartment 12; and a powder compartment 16 in communication with the grinder apparatus 14 to receive the resultant medicine powder.

The blender 10 further comprises a handle portion 18 providing an internal cavity for a battery pack 20.

The blender 10 further comprises a charging port 22 for communication with a charging apparatus 24.

The blender 10 further comprises a power on/off mechanism 26 located on the handle portion 18.

In use, tablets or pills are received within the pill compartment 12. The user inverts the blender 10 and the pills fall through into the grinder assembly 14. The user operates the power on mechanism 26 and the grinder assembly crushes the tablets or pills into powder. The crushed powder falls through and is received within the powder compartment 16.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described 5 in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

1. A portable medicine blender comprising:

a pill compartment for receiving one or more medicine pills or tablets;

2. A blender as claimed in claim 1, in which the pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment cooperatively engage with each other to form a modular unit.

3. A blender as claimed in claim 2, in which the pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment each comprise one or more of threaded portions or cooperative male and female connectors, or any combination thereof to provide cooperative engagement.

4. A blender as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the blender further comprises a handle portion.

5. A blender as claimed in claim 4, in which one or more of the pill compartment, grinder apparatus and/or powder compartment is present within the handle portion.

6. A blender as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, in which the handle portion provides a cavity, and in which the blender further comprises one or more battery packs configured to be received within the cavity of the handle portion.

7. A blender as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a charging port for connection to a charging unit.

8. A blender as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pill compartment comprises a first upper end, a second opposed lower end, and a side wall extending therebetween, and in which the second lower end further comprises an opening in communication with the grinder apparatus.

9. A blender as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grinder apparatus

5 comprises a plurality of grinder members.

10. A method for producing medicine powder using a medicine blender as

10 claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising: placing one or more medicine pills or tablets within the pill compartment of the medicine blender; operating the grinder assembly to crush the pills or tablets; and receiving medicine powder from the powder compartment of the medicine blender

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10. A method for producing medicine powder using a medicine blender as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising:

placing one or more medicine pills or tablets within the pill 10 compartment of the medicine blender;

Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

Claims

1. A portable medicine blender comprising: a pill compartment for receiving one or more medicine pills or tablets arranged adjacent to a grinder apparatus for

5 grinding the pills or tablets to form medicine powder; and a powder compartment in communication with the grinder apparatus to receive the resultant medicine powder; wherein the portable medicine blender is operable in two orientations, a first orientation in which the pill compartment is below the grinder so that the pills or tablets are inserted and remain separated from 10 the grinder and a second orientation in which the portable medicine blender is inverted to transfer the pills or tablets held in the pill compartment to the grinder.

2. A blender as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pill compartment, the grinder

15 apparatus and the powder compartment cooperatively engage with each other to form a modular unit.

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3. A blender as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pill compartment, the grinder apparatus and the powder compartment each comprise one or more of 20 threaded portions or cooperative male and female connectors, or any combination thereof to provide cooperative engagement.

5. A blender as claimed in claim 4, wherein one or more of the pill compartment, grinder apparatus and/or powder compartment is provided in the handle portion.

30 6. A blender as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the handle portion provides a cavity, and in which the blender further comprises one or more battery configured to be received within the cavity of the handle portion.

7. A blender as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a charging port for

35 connection to a charging unit for recharging the one or more battery.

9. A blender as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grinder apparatus comprises a plurality of grinder members.