Pill dispenser mechanism, pill dispenser assembly, kit of parts, adapter, and method

Abstract

A pill dispenser mechanism 100 for a pill dispenser assembly 10 suitable for retrofit attachment to an existing pill bottle container comprises a pill blocking assembly 130 having first and second pil

Description

Field The present disclosure relates to a pill dispenser mechanism, in particular to a pill dispenser mechanism for a pill dispenser assembly. The present disclosure further relates to a pill dispenser assembly, a kit of parts, an adapter, and a method of operation of a pill dispenser mechanism. Background to the invention Products, such as pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, are administered to patients (i.e., an intended recipient of the product). In a number of instances, it is necessary for the patient to administer themselves the correct dose of product. Conventionally, a pill (a “unit of product”), such as a pharmaceutical drug or dietary supplement, may be provided in a packaging such as a container. For example, a pill may be a pharmaceutical drug provided in pill form in a standard medicine bottle. A person may be required to take a specific number of pills per unit time. Devices have been developed to assist a patient in taking a dose by dispensing pills. There are a number of problems with existing devices. One problem is that the device may not successfully dispense a pill. This might cause a patient to struggle to access a dose, or cause a patient to miss a dose. A further problem is that existing devices, or mechanisms therein, may be difficult to manufacture. As a result, existing devices may not be manufactured in a cost-effective manner or may be unsuitable for large scale manufacture. Furthermore, existing devices may be bulky and, as a result, may impact ease-of-use and portability of the device. Another problem is that the device may allow the patient to (deliberately or inadvertently) dispense a dose that is greater than required or is safe. One scenario in which it is particularly important to ensure that a patient is administering the correct dose is in clinical trial. In clinical trial, a patient may be monitored for adherence. Adherence is the rate at which a patient follows a prescribed regimen for administering a product such as a drug. Adherence needs to be high for the drug to be able to have its desired effect. Unfortunately, adherence by patients is highly variable. It is estimated that 50 - 70% of drugs are not taken correctly. This is having knock on effects on the outcome of treatments, clinical trials, and increasing costs in the healthcare sector. Smart packaging is a technology where electronic circuitry, monitoring or control functions are incorporated in medicine packaging to support adherence. Smart packaging can record a dispensing event, which as an example may include a pill being dispensed from a container. The dispensing event is recorded as an “adherence action”, e.g., the patient has administered or interacted with their dose. For this data to be useful to a monitoring system, or to inform a clinical trial, there must be high confidence that the recorded dispensing event is representative of an actual adherence action. However, a problem with existing smart packaging is that it is possible for them to incorrectly report an adherence event. A patient may tamper with the smart packaging to cause a dispensing event to be recorded. A malfunction in the smart packaging may cause a dispensing event to be recorded where one has not taken place. In a specific example, a patient may replace the pill into the container, thereby invalidating a count of the pills remaining in the container. More generally, it is desired to improve safety in administration of doses of product to patients. Some patients may forget that they have taken their dose and will therefore attempt to dispense additional pills. Some patients will refuse to take their dose and will therefore attempt to tamper with or fool a device into recording a dispensing event. A further problem relates to compatibility of said devices with a container used to package the pills. Pharmaceutical companies typically use standard container sizes, with the particular container size being chosen based on drug stability when stored in the container (with the amount of air in the container affecting the pills). Pharmaceutical companies may therefore be unwilling to adopt a different container size to accommodate a dispensing device, or indeed may be preventing from adopting a different container size due to drug stability testing conducted during a regulatory approval process. As a result, a desired dispenser device may be incompatible for use with a particular container size. It is one aim of the present invention, amongst others, to provide an improved pill dispenser mechanism, pill dispenser assembly, kit of parts, adapter and / or method and / or address one or more of the problems discussed above, or discussed elsewhere, or to at least provide an alternative solution. Summary of the invention A first aspect provides a pill dispenser mechanism for a pill dispenser assembly, the pill dispenser mechanism comprising: a first chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; and a pill blocking arrangement comprising: a shaft; a first blocking member; a second blocking member, wherein the first blocking member and second blocking member are provided on the shaft and are spaced apart, wherein the shaft is rotatable to: move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber. In one example, the pill dispenser mechanism further comprises a second chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; wherein the shaft is rotatable to: move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and into communication with the second chamber; and move the second blocking member out of communication with the second chamber and into communication with the first chamber. In one example, the first chamber and second chamber are linear and parallel with one another. In one example, the first blocking member is moveable into communication with the first chamber to block an outlet of the first chamber. In one example, the first blocking member is moveable into communication with the second chamber to block an outlet of the second chamber. In one example, the second blocking member is moveable into communication with the first chamber to extend into the first chamber. In one example, the second blocking member is moveable into communication with the second chamber to extend into the second chamber. In one example, the pill dispenser mechanism further comprises a product sensor arrangement configured to sense the presence or absence of the pill in the, or each, chamber. In one example, an agitator member is connected to the shaft. In one example, the shaft is rotatable by movement of a cam member. In one example, the pill dispenser mechanism further comprises an adapter comprising an outer surface arranged to be insertable in a neck of a container for containing one or more pills. In one example, the adapter is sized to be providable in a container having a 38mm neck diameter. In one example, the pill dispenser mechanism is retrofit to the opening of an existing container. A second aspect provides a pill dispenser assembly comprising a pill dispenser mechanism according to the first aspect. A third aspect provides a kit of parts comprising: a container for containing one or more pills; and a pill dispenser mechanism according to the second aspect or pill dispenser assembly according to the third aspect. A fourth aspect provides an adapter for a pill dispenser assembly, the adapter comprising: an inner surface arranged to be provided in a facing manner with a surface of the pill dispenser assembly; and an outer surface arranged to be insertable in a neck of a container for containing one or more pills. In one example, the adapter is sized to be providable in a container having a 38mm neck diameter. A fifth aspect provides a method of operation of a pill dispenser mechanism, the method comprising: providing a pill dispenser mechanism comprising a first chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; and a pill blocking arrangement comprising: a shaft; a first blocking member; a second blocking member, wherein the first blocking member and second blocking member are provided on the shaft and are spaced apart; and rotating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber. In one example, the method comprises rotating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and into communication with a second chamber; and rotating the shaft to move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber and out of communication with the second chamber. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of any aspect of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the mechanism, assembly and / or kit of any aspect of the invention and vice versa. Other preferred and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description. Brief description of the figures For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of pill dispenser assembly fitted to a container; Fig. 2 shows a first exploded view of the pill dispenser assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows second exploded view of the pill dispenser assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows pill configurations in a pill dispenser mechanism; Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a first blocking member and cam mechanism; Fig. 6 shows an adapter provided on a pill dispenser assembly; Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of operation of the pill dispenser mechanism and assembly; Fig. 8 shows a schematic kit of parts; and Fig. 9 shows general methodology principles. Detailed description of the invention According to the present invention there is provided a mechanism, assembly, adapter, kit and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows. A pill dispenser assembly 10 and pill dispenser mechanism 100 are described herein. It will be appreciated that benefits of the invention may be derived by providing the pill dispenser mechanism 100 in isolation. For example, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 may be suitable for retrofit in an existing assembly, thereby to provide an improved pill dispenser assembly. Nevertheless, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 is particularly advantageous when provided as part of a pill dispenser assembly 10, or as a kit comprising the pill dispenser mechanism 100, as herein described. Furthermore, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 or pill dispenser assembly 10 are described as being retrofit to the opening of an existing container. That is, a container (e.g., a pill bottle) may be provided, and a pill dispenser mechanism 100 or pill dispenser assembly 10 may be retrofit to the container to dispense pills therefrom. This is particularly advantageous as the assembly 10 or mechanism 100 can be provided to dispense pills from generic containers, for example during clinical trial or for particular patients. Nevertheless, in other examples, it is possible to manufacture containers comprising components of the pill dispenser assembly 10 or pill dispenser mechanism 100. Referring to Figure 1, the pill dispenser assembly 10 is shown attached to a container 1 for containing one or more pills. The pill dispenser assembly 10 engages with the opening of the container 1 by corresponding screw threads provided at the container 1 and at the pill dispenser assembly 10. The pill dispenser assembly 10 comprises a housing assembly 12. The housing assembly 12 comprises openings 14 through which pill can be dispensed to the user (e.g., a patient or intended recipient of the dose). A cap (not shown) may further be provided over the upper portion of the housing assembly 12, to cover the openings 14. The cap may be connected to the housing assembly 12 by a screw thread provided on the cap engaging a corresponding screw thread provided at the upper region of the housing assembly 12. In use, during a dispensing process, the container 1 and pill dispenser assembly 10 engaged therewith are inverted (relative to the orientation shown in Figure 1, with vertical axis indicated at 2) such that the container 1 is disposed vertically above the pill dispenser assembly 10. During the dispensing process, pills travel from the container 1, down into and through the pill dispenser assembly 10, and are dispensed to the user via the openings 14. The dispensing process is thus gravity-assisted. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the pill dispenser assembly 10 is shown in exploded upper perspective view and exploded lower perspective view respectively. In Figures 2 and 3, the pill dispenser assembly 10 is in the inverted orientation, which is the orientation required for the dispensing process. The pill dispenser assembly 10 comprises a sorter component 20, a first housing assembly part 12a, a second housing assembly part 12b, and the pill dispenser mechanism 100. In Figures 2 and 3, the sorter component 20 and pill dispenser mechanism 100 are shown split in two halves to reveal their internal construction. In the assembled pill dispenser assembly 10, the first housing assembly part 12a provides the outer housing of the pill dispenser assembly 10 (e.g., the part of the housing assembly 12 visible in Figure 1). The second housing assembly part 12b is providable at least partly within the first housing assembly part 12a. The second housing assembly part 12b is provided around the pill dispenser mechanism 100. The pill dispenser assembly 10 is housed in the first housing assembly part 12a. The first housing assembly part 12a and second housing assembly part 12b are connected by use of screws (not shown) extending into bores 32 provided in shoulder portions of the pill dispenser mechanism 100. The second housing assembly part 12b engages with the opening of the container 1 by screw thread 14. The sorter component 20 is then at least partially located in the container 1 by extending into the neck of the container 1. Two sorter channels 26a, 26b sort pills received from the container 1 into two supply lines. Pills are supplied to the pill dispenser mechanism 100 from the sorter component 20. In this way, each sorter channel 26a, 26b may be referred to as a “product entry passage”, as a pill enters the pill dispenser assembly 100 by the sorter channel 26a, 26b. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 comprises a first chamber 110. The first chamber 110 is configured to receive a plurality of pills. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 further comprises a second chamber 120. The second chamber 120 is configured to receive a plurality of pills. Each chamber 110, 120 comprises an inlet 112, 122 by which a pill may enter the chamber 110, 120 and an outlet 114, 124 by which a pill may exit the chamber 110, 120. Each chamber 110, 120 has a cylindrical form. In the present embodiment, the first chamber 110 and second chamber 120 are linear and parallel to one another. In this way, the construction is simplified. Furthermore, reliability of dispensing is improved due to the linear pill travel path. Additionally, the parallel arrangement of the chambers 110, 120 simplified the operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100, as will be apparent from the description below. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 further comprises a pill blocking arrangement 130. The pill blocking arrangement 130 is configured to block the passage of pills through the chambers 110, 120 when appropriately positioned. The pill blocking arrangement 130 may otherwise be referred to as a pill arresting arrangement. The pill blocking arrangement 130 comprises a shaft 132, a first blocking member 134 and a second blocking member 136. The first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 are provided on and connected to the shaft 132. The first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 project outwardly, perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 132. The first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 are spaced apart. In other words, the first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 are spaced apart along the shaft 132. The first blocking member 134 is provided at a lower end of the shaft 132. The second blocking member 136 is provided above the first blocking member, approximately halfway along the shaft 132. The first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 project in substantially opposite directions. The first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136 may each project substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 132. The blocking members 134, 136 comprise planar (or flat) blocking surfaces. In the present embodiment, each chamber 110, 120 can be considered as comprising, or being divided into, two sections. This is due to the spaced apart (i.e., separation of) first blocking member 134 and second blocking member 136. In the orientation of use (i.e., as shown in Figure 2 and 3) each chamber 110, 120 comprises a lower section and an upper section. The lower section is defined between the first blocking member 134 and the second blocking member 136. The upper section is above the second blocking member 136. The lower section may be known as the dispensing section, and a pill in the lower section may be considered to be in a dispensing position. This is because pills are dispensed to the user from the dispensing section of the chamber 110, 120 following movement of the first blocking member 134 out of communication with the respective chamber 110,120, as will be described in greater detail below. The upper section may be known as the loading section, and a pill in the upper section may be considered to be in a loading position. This is because pills are loaded into the dispensing section from the loading section of the chamber 110, 120 following movement of the second blocking member 136 out of communication with the respective chamber 110,120, as will be described in greater detail below. The blocking members 134,136 function to block (e.g., inhibit, arrest or prevent) passage of a pill through the chamber 110, 120 when the blocking members 134, 136 are appropriately positioned. The first blocking member 134 functions to block passage of a pill from a respective dispensing position in the chamber 110, 120, such that the pill is not dispensed from the chamber 110, 120. The second blocking member 136 functions to block passage of a pill from a respective loading position in the chamber 110, 120, such that the pill is blocked from moving from the loading position to the dispensing position. The shaft 132 is rotatable to move the first blocking member 134 out of communication with the first chamber 110 and to move the second blocking member 136 into communication with the first chamber 110. That is, in a single rotational movement of the shaft 132, the first blocking member 134 is moved out of communication with the first chamber 110 and the second blocking member 136 is moved into communication with the first chamber 110. By a blocking member 134,136 being “in communication” with a chamber, a pill in a particular position may be blocked from passage or movement through, or out of, the chamber. That is, each blocking member 134, 136 is moveable into communication with a chamber to block movement of the pill. The first blocking member 134 blocks the outlets 114, 124 by which pills may exit the chambers 110, 120. The first blocking member 134 extends across the lower surface of the chambers 110, 120. The second blocking member 136 blocks a pill in the loading position from moving to the dispensing position. The second blocking member 136 is moveable to extend into the chambers 110, 120. That is, the second blocking member 136 may be movable across the axis of the chambers 110, 120. In this way, when a plurality of pills are received in the first chamber 110, by rotation of the shaft 132 the first blocking member 134 is moved out of communication with the first chamber 110 to allow a first pill to be dispensed from the dispensing position. During the same rotation of the shaft 132, the second blocking member 136 is moved into communication with the first chamber 110 to prevent a second pill from moving to the dispensing position from the loading position (and ultimately being dispensed due to the first blocking member 134 being out of communication with the first chamber 110). The dispensing position is the pill position above the first blocking member 134 and below the second blocking member 136. Thus, rotation of the shaft 132 causes movement of the second blocking member 136 into communication with the first chamber 110 to prevent one or more pills in the loading position in the first chamber 110 from moving to the dispensing position and / or from being dispensed. Advantageously, by use of blocking members 134, 136 to control passage of pills, different pill sizes may be accommodated and dispensed. This is in contrast to, for example, a moveable chamber design in which the chamber may be sized to accommodate and control dispensing of pills of a particular size. By the present construction, and highly advantageously, dispensing of pills of various, or different, sizes may be controlled by the provision of blocking members 134, 136. Furthermore, the present pill dispenser mechanism 100 can be manufactured more easily, in a cost-effective manner, and can be mass produced. Whilst in the present embodiment of the pill dispenser mechanism 100 two chambers 110,120 are provided, other embodiments may have an alternative construction. In particular, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 may only comprise a single chamber (which will be appreciated from the above description of operation of the mechanism 100, which refers only to the first chamber 110). It will be appreciated that benefits of the invention may still be provided by such a construction. In particular, controlled dispensing is provided, as the pill dispenser mechanism 100 operates to dispense one pill at a time and / or inhibit access to additional pills. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 and sorter component 20 may be formed in two halves as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Highly advantageously, in this way, high volume manufacturing is facilitated. The pill dispenser assembly 10 and / or the pill dispenser mechanism 100, may be formed by machining (e.g., CNC machining) or injection moulding. In particular, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 and sorter component 20 may be formed integrally using machining or injection moulding. As introduced above, in the present embodiment, a first chamber 110 and second chamber 120 are provided. The shaft 132 is rotatable to move the first blocking member 134 out of communication with the first chamber 110 and into communication with the second chamber 120, and, in the same rotational movement, move the second blocking member 136 out of communication with the second chamber 120 and into communication with the first chamber 110. With regard to this, an example of operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100 is illustrated in Figure 4, where cross sections through the pill dispenser mechanism 100 are shown. Referring to Figure 4(a), a pill configuration is shown wherein two pills 50a, 50b are received in the first chamber 110, and one pill 50c is received in the second chamber 120. The first blocking member 134 is in communication with the first chamber 110 (e.g., by blocking the outlet 114 of the first chamber 110). In this way, the first blocking member 134 prevents the pills 50a, 50b in the first chamber 110 from being dispensed. The second blocking member 136 is in communication with the second chamber 120 (e.g., by extending into the second chamber 120). In this way, the second blocking member 136 prevents in pill 50c in the second chamber 120 from being dispensed, or from moving to the dispensing position. It will be noted that no pill is present in the dispensing position in the second chamber 120. Such a pill may have been dispensed during a previous dispensing operation, or indeed the arrangement shown in Figure 4(a) may precede the first dispensing operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100. During a dispensing operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100, the shaft 132 is rotated to move the first blocking member 134 out of communication with the first chamber 110 and into communication with the second chamber 120. During the same rotation of the shaft 132, the second blocking member 120 moves out of communication with the second chamber 120 and into communication with the first chamber 110. The resulting pill configuration is shown in Figure 4(b). As the first blocking member 134 is moved out of communication with the first chamber 110 and into communication with the second chamber 120, the pill 50a in the lower position in the first chamber 110 is dispensed (or allowed to be dispensed (e.g., by gravity) or is accessible). The second blocking member 136 is moved out of communication with the second chamber 120 and into communication with the first chamber 110. As a result, the pill 50c previously in the loading position in the second chamber 120 is allowed to fall into the dispensing position in the second chamber 120, but is prevented from being dispensed / accessed by the first blocking member 134 which blocks the outlet 124 of the second chamber 120. At the same time, the pill 50b in the loading position in the first chamber 110 is prevented from falling into the dispensing position in the first chamber 110. In this way, a single pill 50a is dispensed. Whilst not shown in Figure 4(b), where sufficient pills are present in the container 1 or in the sorter channels 26a, 26b, a further pill would move into the now free loading position in the second chamber 120. Also shown in Figure 4, and also in Figures 2 and 3, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 comprises an agitator member 138. The agitator member 138 is connected to the shaft 132. In this example, the agitator member 138 is provided at a first end of the shaft 132, which is the upper end. The agitator member 138 is configured to extend through the sorter component 20 and into (e.g., at least partially into) the container 1 when attached. Rotation of the shaft 132 causes rotation of the agitator member 138, which agitates or encourages pills to fall to the pill dispenser mechanism via the sorter component 20. In this way, clogging or jamming of the pill dispenser assembly 10 can be prevented. Furthermore, a more reliable pill dispenser mechanism 100 can thus be provided, as the agitator member 138 ensures a reliable and consistent delivery of pills to the pill dispenser mechanism 100. Referring back to Figure 3, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 further comprises a control unit 150, a drive mechanism 160, and a product sensor arrangement 170. The control unit 150 is configured to control the drive mechanism 160. Control of the drive mechanism 160 may be based on output of the product sensor arrangement 170. The drive mechanism 160 is operable to cause movement (i.e., rotation) of the shaft 132. The product sensor arrangement 170 is configured to sense the presence or absence of pills in the chambers 110, 120. The control unit 150 being configured to control the drive mechanism 160 based on the output of the product sensor arrangement 170 is advantageous in ensuring that a dispensing action is initiated, or controlled, at an appropriate time or point in a dispensing process. In some instances, it may be advantageous to cause movement of the shaft 132 only when it is established (by the product sensor arrangement 170) that a pill is present in an appropriate position. For example, this is advantageous in ensuring that operation of the drive mechanism 160 results in a pill dispensing event. In contrast with mechanisms which may use product sensors to validate that a pill has been dispensed, the present mechanism can use the product sensor arrangement 170 as an input by which to cause a dispensing action to be initiated. Overall, a more robust mechanism and dispensing process is obtained. Patient safety is thereby improved, as improved reliability of dispensing is obtained. The product sensor arrangement 170 comprises a first product sensor 170a and a second product sensor 170b. The first product sensor 170a is configured to sense the presence or absence of a pill in the dispensing position in the first chamber 110. The second product sensor 170b is configured to sense the presence or absence of a pill in the dispensing position in the second chamber 120. In this exemplary embodiment, the product sensors 170a, 170b are through beam sensors which detects the interruption of a beam of radiation by the presence of the pill. Alternatively, the product sensors 170a, 170b may be a micro-switch arrangement which detects the physical presence or absence of the pill. The drive mechanism 160 is operable to cause movement (i.e., rotation) of the shaft 132. The drive mechanism 160 comprises an electric motor and a power supply (not shown) such as a battery. The drive mechanism 160 is operable to cause movement of the shaft 132 by a cam mechanism 164. Referring to Figure 5, in which a lower plan view of the pill dispensing mechanism 100 shows the cam mechanism 164 in greater detail. The cam mechanism 164 comprises a cam in the form of a body 164a having a crescent shape with a pin 164b, and a follower 164c. Operation of the drive mechanism 160 causes rotation of the cam member 164. The follower 164c is connected to the shaft 132, and in this example is formed integrally with the first blocking member 134. However, in other examples, the follower 164c may be a separate component. When the cam member 164 is rotated, the pin 164b is moved into slots 168 provided in the follower 164c to cause movement of the follower 164c and thus rotation of the shaft 132. As shown in Figure 5, when an end position is reached (e.g., allowing a pill to be dispensed from an outlet 114, 124 of a chamber 110, 120) the pin 164b abuts an end surface of the follower 164c. No further rotation is possible. As a result, a current spike occurs at the drive mechanism 160, which can be sensed and detected at the control unit 150. In this way, it can be determined that the end position is reached, and following which the rotation direction of the drive mechanism 160 can be reversed to enable dispensing of a pill from the other chamber. Referring back to Figure 3, the control unit 150 is configured to control the drive mechanism 160 based on the output of the product sensor arrangement 170. The control unit 150 may comprise a memory, for storing instructions therein. The memory may also contain dosage information for the patient. The control unit 150 may comprise a communication unit, for communicating with a remote server or remote device. The communication unit may transmit information to, and receive information from, the remote server or remote device. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 further comprises an orientation sensor 180. The orientation sensor 180 is configured to sense the orientation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100. The control unit 150 is configured to control the drive mechanism 160 based on the output of the orientation sensor 180. The orientation sensor 124 is configured to sense whether the pill dispenser mechanism 100, and thus the pill dispenser assembly 10, is inverted. The orientation sensor 180 is highly advantageous in preventing and detecting patient tampering with the mechanism. As explained above, during a dispensing process the container 1 is to be disposed vertically above the pill dispenser assembly 10, and as such, during a dispensing process, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 is to be disposed in a known vertical orientation. The orientation sensor 180 detects this orientation and provides a signal to the control unit 150 to confirm this. However, where the orientation sensor 180 detects an orientation other than that intended for the dispensing process, the control unit 150 can be informed and a dispensing process, or general operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100, can be prevented. In an example where a patient attempts to insert a pill back into the container 1, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 may be oriented in such a way to attempt to make a pill fall back (i.e., under gravity) into the container 1 through the pill dispenser mechanism 100. The orientation sensor 180 senses that the orientation is not correct for operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100, and operation is prevented. Numerous advantages are associated with the present pill dispenser mechanism 100. Advantages stated above in relation to specific features may apply more generally to the pill dispenser mechanism 100 as a whole. Further general advantages are detailed below. The pill dispenser mechanism 100 is easier to manufacture than prior art mechanisms. The provision of fixed chambers 110, 120 and a pill blocking arrangement 130 as the moveable component contributes to this advantage. Large scale, cost-effective, manufacture is thereby facilitated. The present mechanism 100 and device 10 are of a compact construction. The provision of fixed chambers 110, 120 and the pill blocking arrangement 130 having the moveable shaft 132 to control pill dispensing contribute to the compactness. Usability and handling are thereby improved, as well as portability of the device. Furthermore, and in a related advantage, moving parts are minimised in the design of the pill dispenser mechanism 100. Robustness of the pill dispenser mechanism 100 is thereby improved. The linear construction of the chambers 110, 120 may enable a user to view a pill therein and diagnose an issue (e.g., jamming or clogging) of the mechanism. The issue can thereby be resolved by accessing the chamber 110, 120 via the inlet 112, 122 and / or outlet 114, 124. Referring to Figure 6, an adapter 200 is shown. The adapter 200 is for a pill dispenser assembly 10. In this example, the adapter 200 is provided on the pill dispenser assembly 10, by being formed integrally therewith. The adapter 200 comprises an inner surface 210. The inner surface 210 is arranged to be provided in a facing manner with a surface of the pill dispenser assembly 10. The adapter 200 comprises an outer surface 220. The outer surface 220 is arranged to be insertable in a neck of a container for containing one or more pills (e.g., container 1 described above). The adapter 200 is in the form of an annular wall. In this example, the adapter 200 is sized to fit a container having a 38mm neck diameter, which may have a neck aperture dimension less than 38mm. In absence of the adapter 200, the pill dispenser assembly 10 (in particular, the sorter component 20) may be adapted, or sized, to fit in a container having a 33mm neck diameter. With the provision of the adapter 200, the pill dispenser assembly 10 may be adapted, or sized, to fit in a container having a 38mm neck diameter. When provided in a container having a 38mm neck diameter, the adapter 200 fills the void between the sorter component 20 and the neck of the container 1. Containers having 33mm and 38mm neck diameter will be well known to those skilled in the art, as they are common, and well used, in the industry, and are preferred by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Advantageously, by provision of the adapter 200, the same construction of pill dispenser assembly 10 and pill dispenser mechanism 100 may be employed, but adapted for use with containers of different neck diameter by provision of the adapter 200. In this way, the pill dispenser assembly 10 may be adapted for use with different container sizes, and thus pharmaceutical companies may be able to employ the pill dispenser assembly 10 without changing container size (which as above may present a problem due to drug stability testing during a regulatory approval process). Operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100 in the pill dispenser assembly 10 will be described in greater detail herein, with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and the flowchart of Figure 7. At Step 702, the pill dispenser assembly 10 is attached to the container 1. A pill dispenser assembly 10 comprising no adapter, or an adapter 200, may be selected, based on the neck diameter of the container 1 to which it is desired to attach the pill dispenser assembly 10. The corresponding screw threads of the container 1 and pill dispenser assembly 10 are engaged. Correct engagement is confirmed by a sensor (not shown). The sensor may be a contact sensor configured to sense contact with the neck of the container 1. The same sensor may be used to confirm correct engagement irrespective of whether the adapter 200 is provided or not. At Step 704, the patient inverts the container 1 and the attached / engaged pill dispenser assembly 10 (relative to the orientation shown in Figure 1). The pill dispenser assembly 10 is thereby vertically disposed above the container 1, such that two pills 50a, 50b may fall into the first chamber 110 and one pill 50c may fall into the second chamber 110. The control unit 150 confirms that a pill is present in the dispensing position, which in this case is the pill 50a. The pill 50a in the dispensing position in the first chamber 110 is prevented from being dispensed by the first blocking member 134. The pill 50c in the loading position in the second chamber 120 is prevented from falling through the second chamber 120 by the second blocking member 136. At Step 706, the dispensing process is initiated. In this exemplary embodiment, the patient may be informed (e.g., by audible notification, smart phone notification, or the like) that the patient is due a dose. That the patient is due a dose may be communicated to the communication unit of the control unit 150 from a remote server or remote device. The patient presses a dispense button (not shown) to initiate the dispensing process. At Step 708, the control unit 150 confirms that the orientation of the pill dispenser assembly 10 is correct, by reference to the output of the orientation sensor 180. If the orientation is incorrect (for example, the pill dispenser assembly 10 is not inverted), the dispensing process is terminated at Step 710, and the patient is informed. If the orientation is correct, the dispensing process proceeds to Step 712. At Step 712, the control unit 150 establishes whether a pill is present at the dispensing position in the first chamber 110, by reference to output of the product sensor arrangement 170. If no pill is present at the dispensing position in the first chamber 110, the dispensing process is terminated at Step 714, and the patient is informed. Additionally, or alternatively, the control 150 may establish whether a pill is present at the dispensing position in the second chamber 120, and the dispensing process will proceed in a corresponding manner. If a pill is present at the dispensing position in the first chamber 110, the dispensing process proceeds to Step 716. At Step 716, the control unit 150 controls the drive mechanism 160 to cause movement of the shaft 132. In this way, the shaft 132 is rotated to move the first blocking member 134 out of communication with the first chamber 110 and into communication with the second chamber 120. During the same rotation of the shaft 132, the second blocking member 120 moves out of communication with the second chamber 120 and into communication with the first chamber 110. The result of this is as described above. Crucially, a single pill is thereby dispensed from the first chamber 110. At Step 718, the control unit 150 confirms that the pill has left the first chamber 110, by reference to the output of the product sensor arrangement 170. The pill exits the first chamber 110 and is passed (i.e., falls) through opening 14 and is dispensed to the patient. A dispensing event can thereby be recorded. The dispensing event is recorded with high certainty due to the sensor checks performed during the dispensing process. At Step 720, the control unit 150 establishes whether additional pills are to be dispensed to the patient. This may be established by referring to the control unit memory, or to data transmitted to the communication unit from a remote server or remote device. If no additional pills are to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing process is complete. If an additional pill is to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing process proceeds to Step 722. A further advantage of this exemplary embodiment is that one (i.e., a single pill) is dispensed to the patient at a time. In this way, the assembly 10 and mechanism 100 can be used to dispense high-risk drugs, for example drugs that may be toxic in high doses. Furthermore, dispensing to vulnerable patients is made safer, as the dose is controlled by the device, and can be monitored remotely. At Step 722, the control unit 150 performs the same checks as in Step 712 but for the second chamber 120. If a pill is present at the dispensing position in the second chamber 120, the dispensing process proceeds to Step 724. Step 722 may be preceded by a further orientation check, as in Step 708. At Step 724, the control unit 150 controls the drive mechanism 160 to cause movement of the shaft 132. This time, the shaft 132 is rotated to move the first blocking member 134 out of the second chamber 120 and into the first chamber 110. During the same rotation of the shaft 132, the second blocking member 120 moves out of the first chamber 110 and into the second chamber 120. An additional single pill is thereby dispensed from the second chamber 120. At Step 726, the control unit 150 confirms that the pill has left the second chamber, by reference to the output of the product sensor arrangement 170. The pill exits the first chamber 110 and is passed (i.e., falls) through opening 14 and is dispensed to the patient. A dispensing event can thereby be recorded. The dispensing event is recorded with high certainty due to the sensor checks performed during the dispensing process. At Step 728, the control unit the control unit 150 establishes whether additional pills are to be dispensed to the patient. This may be established by referring to the control unit memory, or to data transmitted to the communication unit from a remote server or remote device. If no additional pills are to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing process is complete. If an additional pill is to be dispensed to the patient, the dispensing process returns to Step 712. The above-described control is advantageous, as robustness of the dispensing process, and ultimately patient safety, is ensured. Increased certainty of a dispensing event having taken place is provided. Errors in the dispensing process are avoided, and a dispensing event may be accurately recorded and monitored. Applicable to the above description of the dispensing process, each step may be monitored by the control unit 150. The correct progression through the process can be reported to a remote server or remote device by the control unit 150. In this way, any errors or irregularities in the dispensing process can be determined, and appropriate action taken, for example terminating the dispensing process and / or reporting the errors or irregularities to a monitoring party such as a GP or clinical trial. Referring to Figure 8, a kit of parts is schematically shown. The kit comprises a pill dispenser mechanism 100, or a pill dispenser assembly 10, and a container 1 for containing one or more pills. Referring to Figure 9, a method of operation of a pill dispenser mechanism is shown. Step S910 comprises providing a pill dispenser mechanism comprising a chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; and a pill blocking arrangement comprising: a shaft; a first blocking member; a second blocking member, wherein the first blocking member and second blocking member are provided on the shaft and are spaced apart. Step S920 comprises rotating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with the chamber and move the second blocking member into communication with the chamber. The method may optionally further comprise rotating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with a first chamber and into communication with a second chamber; and rotating the shaft to move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber and out of communication with the second chamber. It will be appreciated that the method of operation of the pill dispenser mechanism 100 and / or method of operation of the pill dispenser assembly 10 may incorporate any or all of the features of, or operations of, the pill dispenser mechanism 100 or pill dispenser assembly 10, as desired or as appropriate. In particular, the methods may comprise any operation described in relation to the flowchart of Figure 7. Definitions Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above. At least some of the example embodiments described herein may be constructed, partially or wholly, using dedicated special-purpose hardware. Terms such as ‘component’, ‘module’ or ‘unit’ used herein may include, but are not limited to, a hardware device, such as circuitry in the form of discrete or integrated components, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks or provides the associated functionality. In some embodiments, the described elements may be configured to reside on a tangible, persistent, addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute on one or more processors. These functional elements may in some embodiments include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Although the example embodiments have been described with reference to the components, modules and units discussed herein, such functional elements may be combined into fewer elements or separated into additional elements. Various combinations of optional features have been described herein, and it will be appreciated that described features may be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, the features of any one example embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment, as appropriate, except where such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others. Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A pill dispenser mechanism for a pill dispenser assembly, the pill dispenser mechanism comprising:a first chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; anda pill blocking arrangement comprising:a shaft;a first blocking member;a second blocking member,wherein the first blocking member and second blocking member are provided on the shaft and are spaced apart, wherein the shaft is rotatable to:move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber.

2. The pill dispenser mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:a second chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills;wherein the shaft is rotatable to:move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and into communication with the second chamber; andmove the second blocking member out of communication with the second chamber and into communication with the first chamber.

3. The pill dispenser mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber and second chamber are linear and parallel with one another.

4. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first blocking member is moveable into communication with the first chamber to block an outlet of the first chamber.

5. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second blocking member is moveable into communication with the first chamber to extend into the first chamber.

6. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a product sensor arrangement configured to sense the presence or absence of the pill in the, or each, chamber.

7. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein anagitator member is connected to the shaft.

8. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft is rotatable by movement of a cam member.

9. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an adapter comprising an outer surface arranged to be insertable in a neck of a container for containing one or more pills, optionally wherein the adapter is sized to be providable in a container having a 38mm neck diameter.

10. The pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pill dispenser mechanism is retrofit to the opening of an existing container.

11. A pill dispenser assembly comprising a pill dispenser mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A kit of parts comprising:a container for containing one or more pills; andthe pill dispenser mechanism or pill dispenser assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. An adapter for a pill dispenser assembly, the adapter comprising:an inner surface arranged to be provided in a facing manner with a surface of the pill dispenser assembly; andan outer surface arranged to be insertable in a neck of a container for containing one or more pills, optionally wherein the adapter is sized to be providable in a container having a 38mm neck diameter.

14. A method of operation of a pill dispenser mechanism, the method comprising:providing a pill dispenser mechanism comprising a first chamber configured to receive a plurality of pills; and a pill blocking arrangement comprising: a shaft;a first blocking member;a second blocking member,wherein the first blocking member and second blocking member are provided on the shaft and are spaced apart; androtating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber.5 15. The method according to claim 14, comprising:rotating the shaft to move the first blocking member out of communication with the first chamber and into communication with a second chamber; androtating the shaft to move the second blocking member into communication with the first chamber and out of communication with the second chamber.

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