Pill dispenser

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided several embodiments of a novel pill dispenser in which the pill package is locked in position within the dispenser and thus does not permit ready removal of the pill package and substitution therefor.
Also, one of the embodiments provides for the initial setting of whatever first day the user is to take the first pill of the regimen and prevents resetting of the starting day after it has originally been set, the first pill taken and a second pill placed in position to be taken.
In the subject novel dispenser, there is provided a rotatable tray in which the pill package is located.
The tray has openings corresponding to the pills of the pill package.
The tray is movable relative to an opening in the dispenser to permit dispensing of a pill from the package through the tray opening and dispenser opening when the opening in the dispenser is in alignment with the pill in the tray to be dispensed.
Located centrally of the dispenser is an indicator mechanism which in the instant application lists days of the week in alignment with each of the pills in the dispenser.
Days are but one of the various indicia which could be listed on the indicator mechanism.
The pill package is positioned in the tray so that the first pill of the regimen to be taken is disposed in position to be dispensed through the dispenser opening.
To secure the pill package in position in the dispenser, the indicating mechanism defines a flange portion that has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the pill package.
Thus, when the dispenser is assembled, the annular flange of the indicating mechanism extends over a portion of the pill package to positively lock the package in position in the tray and thus prevent removal thereof and replacement by a different package.
In one of the embodiments of this invention, the indicator is preset during manufacture to indicate a specific day, i.
e.
, Sunday, the first pill of the pill package is to be taken