IP Library Granted Patent US 7,243,826
Granted Patent B2
US 7,243,826 · App. 10/672,239 · Granted Jul 17, 2007

Pill box and splitter with blade guard

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,243,826
App. No.
10/672,239
Granted
Jul 17, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pill box having a base, a lid with a blade, and a blade guard. The base has a bottom side to which the blade guard is coupled. The base also has a top side with a pill storage compartment, a pill cutting surface, and a pill grip coupled to the pill cutting surface. The lid has a top side and a bottom side with the bottom side having a blade coupled to it. The lid is coupled to the base by one or more hinges.

Claims (25)

1. A pill box comprising:

a base having a pill cutting surface;

a lid connected to the base, the lid having a blade; and

a retractable blade guard secured to the base and engaging the lid, wherein the lid comprises a cam, and wherein the blade guard is threaded over the cam.

2. The pill box of claim 1 , wherein the blade guard is retractable such that it covers the blade when the lid is open and retracts to expose the blade when the lid is closed.

3. A pill box comprising:

a base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the top side having a pill storage compartment, a pill cutting surface, and a pill grip coupled to the pill cutting surface;

a lid having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side having a blade coupled thereto, wherein the lid is coupled to the base by one or more hinges;

a retractable blade guard coupled at one end to the bottom side of the base,

wherein the lid comprises a cam, and wherein the blade guard is threaded over the cam.

4. A kit comprising:

one or more pills; and

a pill box comprising:

a base having a pill cutting surface and a pill grip;

a lid connected to the base, the lid having a blade; and

a retractable blade guard secured to the base and engaging the lid,

wherein the lid comprises a cam, and wherein the blade guard is threaded over the cam.

5. A pill box comprising:

a base comprising a bottom side and a top side, the top side having a pill storage compartment, a pill cutting surface, and a pill grip coupled to the pill cutting surface;

a lid having a proximal end with a cam and a bottom side having a blade coupled thereto, wherein the lid is coupled to the base by one or more hinges; and

a blade guard comprising a sheet coupled at one end to the bottom side of the base, wherein the blade guard is threaded over the cam and is retractable such that it covers the blade when the lid is open and retracts to expose the blade to the pill cutting surface when the lid is closed.

6. The pill box of claim 5 , wherein the pill grip comprises a first holding arm and a second holding arm for adjustably centering a pill on the pill cutting surface into alignment with the blade.

7. The pill box of claim 6 , wherein the first holding arm comprises a first portion that is rigidly coupled to the pill cutting surface and a second region that is flexibly coupled to the first portion, and wherein the second holding arm comprises a first portion that is rigidly coupled to the pill cutting surface and a second portion that is flexibly coupled to the first portion, the first portion of the first holding arm parallel to the first portion of the second holding arm, the second portion of the first holding arm and the second portion of the second holding arm inwardly biased toward one another.

8. The pill box of claim 5 , wherein the bottom side of the lid comprises a first wall having a channel formed along its length and a second wall with a channel formed along its length, wherein the first and second walls run parallel with the each other and the blade, and wherein the channels face each other.

9. The pill box of claim 8 , wherein the channels in the first and second walls receive the blade guard.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: NXT CAPITAL, LLC
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION; COMPASS RICHMAR, LLC; COMPASS HEALTH BRANDS CORP.
Reel/Frame 073785/0661 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION; COMPASS HEALTH BRANDS CORP.
Reel/Frame 059255/0668 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: COMPASS HEALTH BRANDS CORP.
To: OAKTREE FUND ADMINISTRATION, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 059230/0957 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 19, 2016
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
To: COMPASS HEALTH BRANDS CORP.
Reel/Frame 040060/0234 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2014
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
To: STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032993/0735 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2014
From: ZIONS BANCORPORATION
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032831/0419 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2014
From: ZIONS FIRST NATIONAL BANK
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION D/B/A CAREX HEALTH BRANDS
Reel/Frame 032535/0218 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2014
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
To: NXT CAPITAL, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 032526/0780 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 5, 2013
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
To: ZIONS FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Reel/Frame 031581/0689 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2010
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION, INDIVIDUALLY AND DOING BUSINESS AS CAREX HEALTH BRANDS
To: ZIONS FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Reel/Frame 025026/0671 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2010
From: GE BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025008/0373 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 9, 2007
From: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
To: MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 019265/0235 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2004
From: DARST, DANIEL
To: APEX MEDICAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014993/0245 →