Abstract: A modular dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a hub containing electronics and have a plurality of side walls, with each side wall having a first coupling member that faces outward. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cartridges for holding the articles to be dispensed. Each cartridge has an inner wall that includes a second coupling member that is configured to mate with the first coupling member for detachably attaching the cartridge to a respective side wall of the hub. The cartridges are disposed radially beyond the hub such that the plurality of cartridges surround the hub. Each cartridge has an openable lid to provide access to an interior compartment of the cartridge for holding the articles.

Abstract: A medicine container cap for use with a bottle containing a plurality of pills includes a casing having a pill dispensing opening. A pill dispensing track assembly is removably coupled to the casing and includes a pill ramp for delivering pills to the pill dispensing opening and an insert that includes a pill dispenser slot that receives pills from the pill ramp and is open to the pill dispensing opening. The insert is detachably from the pill ramp and is insertable through an opening in the casing for being attached to the pill ramp. The pill ramp includes an adjustable member that modifies a characteristic of the pill ramp based on at least one characteristic of the insert that is selected, inserted through the opening in the casing and coupled to the pill ramp.

Abstract: A cap is configured to be securely attached to a bottle, such as a medication bottle, and includes a base having a first compartment that contains a power source and a second compartment that is below the first compartment. The second compartment is defined by a peripheral side wall that includes on an inner surface thereof one or more locking tabs. The cap also includes an insert that is configured to be received within the second compartment. The insert includes a peripheral side wall and further including inner threads that are configured to threadingly mate with outer threads of the bottle for securely attaching the cap to the bottle. The insert includes a locking lip that snap-fittingly mate with the one or more locking tabs to detachably attach the insert to the base within the second compartment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring articles contained within and/or dispensed from a receptacle. The present invention incorporates a counter device that measures the displacement of a conductive target relative to an LC circuit using an inductance-to-digital converter. In operation, a change in weight of articles in a receptacle will displace or deform a conductive target relative to the position of the LC circuit and, as such, it will create a measurable differential relating to inductance. Based on the measured differential, the number of articles (e.g., pills) within and/or taken from the receptacle is determined using a processor. In accordance with a further aspect, the counter is configured to compensate for a temperature-dependent variation in the measured electrical parameter algorithmically using the processor and/or through the particular configuration of the receptacle components.

Abstract: A medicine container cap for use with a bottle containing a plurality of pills includes a casing having a pill dispensing opening. A pill dispensing track assembly is removably coupled to the casing and includes a pill ramp for delivering pills to the pill dispensing opening and an insert that includes a pill dispenser slot that receives pills from the pill ramp and is open to the pill dispensing opening. The insert is detachably from the pill ramp and is insertable through an opening in the casing for being attached to the pill ramp. The pill ramp includes an adjustable member that modifies a characteristic of the pill ramp based on at least one characteristic of the insert that is selected, inserted through the opening in the casing and coupled to the pill ramp.

Abstract: A medicine container cap for use with a bottle containing a plurality of pills includes a casing having a pill dispensing opening. A pill dispensing track assembly is removably coupled to the casing and includes a pill ramp for delivering pills to the pill dispensing opening and an insert that includes a pill dispenser slot that receives pills from the pill ramp and is open to the pill dispensing opening. The insert is detachably from the pill ramp and is insertable through an opening in the casing for being attached to the pill ramp. The pill ramp includes an adjustable member that modifies a characteristic of the pill ramp based on at least one characteristic of the insert that is selected, inserted through the opening in the casing and coupled to the pill ramp.