초록 ▼

A unified container includes a plurality of individual storage units that are interlocked, each storage unit including at least one compartment and at least one lid. Each storage unit further includes an interlocking mechanism, for example, a tooth and groove mechanism. Through the interlocking mech

A unified container includes a plurality of individual storage units that are interlocked, each storage unit including at least one compartment and at least one lid. Each storage unit further includes an interlocking mechanism, for example, a tooth and groove mechanism. Through the interlocking mechanism each storage unit interlocks to adjacent storage units, thereby forming the unified container. However, the interlocking mechanism also allows each storage unit to be detached from adjacent units and thereafter reattached/interlocked with any other unit, thereby forming unified containers of varying sizes. According to one example application, the interlocked storage units form a pill case, each unit holding medication for a different week-day. Through the interlocking mechanism, users can detach one or more storage units and take them as they travel, the individual units being easier to carry. Thereafter, the detached units can be reattached and reused.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A pillbox comprising: a plurality of individual storage units, each unit comprising two compartments, each compartment being for an AM and PM portion of the day, respectively, each unit having two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each

What is claimed is: 1. A pillbox comprising: a plurality of individual storage units, each unit comprising two compartments, each compartment being for an AM and PM portion of the day, respectively, each unit having two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each top comprising a hinged lid for accessing the compartment, the hinged lid being hinged pivotally at a hinge area, each individual storage unit having a first part of a two-part complementary interlocking mechanism on at least one of the sidewalls, the first part of the interlocking mechanism allowing each individual storage unit to attach releasably to another individual storage unit having a second part of the two-part complementary interlocking mechanism whereby all the individual storage units can be interlocked together to form a unitary pillbox containing two compartments for each day of the week; each individual storage unit being separable from any other attached individual storage unit via said two-part complementary interlocking mechanism, further comprising a center region between the compartments of an individual storage unit, said center region having two adjacent slots disposed parallel to the end walls, further wherein the hinged lid for each compartment is separable from the storage unit, each hinged lid having a tab depending from the hinged lid and being pivotable from the lid at the hinge area, the tab being insertable into a respective one of the slots to secure the hinged lid to the storage unit for access to the respective compartment, each tab being releasably and frictionally held in place in the respective slot and being removable from the slot integral with the lid when the lid is removed. 2. A pillbox comprising: a plurality of individual storage units, each unit comprising two compartments, each compartment being for an AM and PM portion of a day, respectively, each unit having two side walls, two end walls and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each top comprising a hinged lid for accessing the compartment, the hinged lid being hinged pivotally at a hinge area, each individual storage unit having a first part of a two-part complementary interlocking mechanism on at least one of the sidewalls, the first part of the interlocking mechanism allowing each individual storage unit to attach releasably to another individual storage unit having a second part of the two-part complementary interlocking mechanism whereby all the individual storage units can be interlocked together to form a unitary pillbox containing two compartments for each day of the week; the individual storage units being interlocked together to form the unitary pillbox without mounting on a separate common platform; each individual storage unit being separable from any other attached individual storage unit via said two-part complementary interlocking mechanism, further comprising a center region between the compartments of an individual storage unit, said center region having two adjacent slots disposed parallel to the end walls, further wherein the hinged lid for each compartment is separable from the storage unit, each hinged lid having a tab depending from the hinged lid and being pivotable from the lid at the hinge area, the tab being insertable into a respective one of the slots to secure the hinged lid to the storage unit for access to the respective compartment, each tab being releasably and frictionally held in place in the respective slot and being removable from the slot integral with the lid when the lid is removed. 3. The pillbox of claim 2, wherein said first part of the two-part complementary interlocking mechanism is a first tooth and groove and said second part of the interlocking mechanism is a second tooth and groove, and wherein a groove of the first part is configured to receive a tooth of the second part such that said first and second parts of the interlocking mechanisms interlock with each other. 4. The pillbox of claim 3, wherein said first part of the interlocking mechanism further comprises a stop guard and said second part of the interlocking mechanism further comprises a stop notch, and wherein said stop notch is configured to receive said stop guard in order to align interlocked storage units. 5. The pillbox of claim 2, wherein said first part of the interlocking mechanism comprises at least a first inner tooth configured to form a first inner groove and a second inner tooth configured to form a second inner groove, said at least first inner tooth and first inner groove and said second inner tooth and second inner groove being directed inward towards each other. 6. The pillbox of claim 5, wherein said second part of the interlocking mechanism comprises at least a first outer tooth configured to form a first outer groove and a second outer tooth configured to form a second outer groove, said at least first outer tooth and first outer groove and said second outer tooth and second outer groove being directed outwards away from each other; and wherein said at least first and second inner teeth respectively fit within said at least first and second outer grooves and wherein said at least first and second outer teeth respectively fit within said at least first and second inner grooves such that said first and second interlocking mechanisms interlock with each other. 7. The pillbox of claim 6, wherein said first part of the interlocking mechanism further comprises a stop guard and said second part of the interlocking mechanism further comprises a stop notch, and wherein said stop notch is configured to receive said stop guard in order to align interlocked storage units. 8. The pillbox of claim 2, wherein said compartment of each of said plurality of individual storage units has a rounded interior shape to allow items within said at least one compartment to be scooped from said compartment. 9. The pillbox of claim 2, wherein said compartment of each of said plurality of individual storage units is configured to have a size to maintain and dispense daily medication. 10. The pillbox of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of individual storage units further comprises a day-of-the-week designation with each storage unit designating a different day-of-the-week. 11. The pillbox of claim 10, wherein for each of said plurality of individual storage units there are two subcompartments and two sublids, one for each subcompartment, wherein said two sublids of each of said plurality of individual storage units each comprise a designation for a different time-of-day for a single day, with each of said plurality of individual storage units using the same time-of-day designations. 12. The pillbox of claim 2, wherein five of the individual storage units have the first part of the two-part complementary interlocking mechanism on one sidewall and the second part of the interlocking mechanism on a second opposed sidewall and two of the individual storage units have only the first part or the second part on a single sidewall.