초록

A battery operated pill crusher is provided having a motorized, rotating plunger in a portable configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

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

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.