PILL ADMINISTRATION DEVICE WITH LIQUID RESERVOIR

摘要

This disclosure describes liquid-assisted pill administration devices, each comprising a reservoir for containing a liquid and a pill receptacle for one or more pills. The pill receptacle has a receptacle opening remote from the reservoir for inserting and discharging pills, and the reservoir is in valve-governed fluid communication with the pill receptacle via a first fluid communication path including a valve interposed between the reservoir and the pill receptacle. In some embodiments, when the reservoir contains liquid and is above the pill receptacle and the valve is open, liquid in the reservoir flows under gravity from the reservoir to the pill receptacle via the first fluid communication path and air flows into the reservoir via a second fluid communication path. In other embodiments, the reservoir is collapsible and when the valve is in an open configuration, collapsing the reservoir forces liquid contained therein through the valve into the pill receptacle.

主权项

1. A liquid-assisted pill administration device, comprising:
a reservoir for containing a liquid; a pill receptacle for containing one or more pills; the pill receptacle having a receptacle opening remote from the reservoir for inserting and discharging pills; the reservoir being in valve-governed fluid communication with the pill receptacle via a first fluid communication path wherein a valve is interposed in the first fluid communication path between the reservoir and the pill receptacle; the valve being selectively configurable in:
an open configuration in which fluid flow from the reservoir to the pill receptacle via the first fluid communication path is permitted; anda closed configuration in which fluid flow from the reservoir to the pill receptacle via the first fluid communication path is obstructed; a second fluid communication path into the reservoir for introducing air into the reservoir; wherein, when the reservoir contains liquid and is above the pill receptacle and the valve is in the open configuration:
liquid in the reservoir flows under gravity from the reservoir to the pill receptacle via the first fluid communication path; andair flows into the reservoir via the second fluid communication path.