DESC:The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
SOLID DOSAGE FORM DISPENSING CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to pill dispensing containers. More particularly, the present invention describes a dispensing container which maintains the sterility of solid dosage form by preventing human contact with unneeded solid dosage forms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pill dispenser containers for dispensing pills, tablets, pellets, capsules, or the like have been described in the art. One example of a pill dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,265 (“the ‘265 patent”). The ‘265 patent describes a pill dispenser to dispense a pill received from a pill container engaged there below. The pill dispenser comprises a cavity, said cavity having an exposed end and shaped to form a conical surface therein. The conical shape of the dispenser cavity allows pills to be engaged therein and dispensed therefrom, one at a time, regardless of the shape and size of the pills. Optionally, the pill dispenser is disposed within a cap or closure member, mountable to common containers available at most retail outlets.
Another example of a pill dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,515 (“the ‘515 patent”). The ‘515 patent describes a one-at-a-time pill container and dispenser having a mechanism which allows for use of the device with existing containers. A child-proof lock is provided. The device has a mechanism for ensuring that only a single pill is brought into the dispensing chamber as a consequence of a partial rotation of the cap with respect to the bottle body, a reverse partial rotation of the cap then allows the pill to fall by gravity into the user's hand. The two-directional rotation to cause pill dispensing is easy for an adult but highly unlikely to be accidentally duplicated by a child. The mechanism is a series of wedge shaped chambers, sized for the capsule to be dispensed, with a covering flange over the dispensing chamber, to ensure that only a single capsule enters the dispensing aperture. The chambers are caused to be rotated by the mating engagement of the cap, via a pawl, with a segment shaped slot in the top of the dispensing mechanism.
Another example of a pill dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,738 (“the ‘738 patent”). The ‘738 patent describes an article dispenser especially advantageous for dispensing pills of the prescription drug or over-the-counter type, comprises three components including a container member, a dispenser control member and a flexible member. The container member provides a dispenser portion through which the articles are passed in a serial array whereby one article reaches an exit aperture while the remaining articles are restrained at gate apertures within the dispenser portion by the flexible member and the control member.
Another example of a pill dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,130 (“the ‘130 patent”). The ‘130 patent describes a single pill dispensing system for a bottle/vial of the type for dispensing a medication pill, where the bottle/vial has a circular body and receives a circular cap. To facilitate the dispensing of a single pill, an insert, slidably received in the circular body and circular cap is provided. The insert includes a body portion containing a circuitous channel of a size to accommodate a single pill as the user inverts or turns over the container body to capture and subsequently transfer the pill through the insert to a nesting recess in the lower surface of the circular cap.
While the prior art teaches effective means for dispensing pills, there are a number of inherent drawbacks in the prior art designs. For example, when a user attempts to remove a pill by tipping the container, a portion of contents therein to go into the user's hand. This frequency results in a greater number of pills being dispensed than is desired, and consequently, the sterility of the pills is destroyed when the excess pills are returned to the container.
Another disadvantage found in some pill dispensers is they only allow for the removal of one pill at a time. This procedure is awkward and time consuming, particularly when more than one pill is needed immediately for medical reasons.
Another disadvantage is that the range of pill shapes and sizes is restricted for any one dispenser. Consequently, the pill dispensers are constructed with specifications dictated by the predetermined size and shape of the pill. Obviously, having to manufacture a unique dispenser of each pill with a different size and shape escalates the manufacturing costs, and limits the interest in one-at-a-time pill dispensers. Thus, there is a need for a pill dispenser that can accommodate and operate with a variety of pill shapes and sizes.
Another disadvantage is that most of these designs are too intricate to economically mass-produce for use with currently available commercial products e.g., bottles containing prescription drugs or over-the counter medications. In fact, there is an unmet demand for a low cost, easy to manufacture one-at-a-time pill dispenser, which requires little assembly. Thus, it is highly desirable to device a pill dispenser with a limited number of components to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs.
Another disadvantage found in some pill dispensers relates to the manual dexterity needed to operate the pill child-safety mechanism. Many users, some of which have acute restrictions, require a pill dispenser that requires limited manual manipulation. Furthermore, many users have great difficulty in determining how one-at-a-time pill dispensers operate, thus limiting the extent to which prior art devices can be used. Accordingly, it is desirable to produce an easy to use pill dispenser, which dispenses pills with limited manual manipulation and/or rotation of the user's hands.
Thus, there is a need to provide a solid dosage form dispensing container which does not have the above-described disadvantages. Moreover, the dispensing container should (i) maintain the sterility of the pills by preventing human contact with unneeded pills; (ii) allow for more than one pill to be removed at a time; (iii) accommodate different sizes and shapes of pills; (iv) contain a limited number of components to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs; and (v) protect small children, as well as satisfying adults who do not need to exert the extra effort to open the container, especially for senior adults with arthritic hands.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art pill dispensing containers by providing a solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is described a method of retrieving a solid dosage form from a dispensing container, said method comprising:
(A) providing a solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion, wherein the unit compartment contains a solid dosage form ;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;
(B) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to a non-alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is not-aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap allowing a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(C) inverting the container allowing the solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap onto the top wall of the outer cap;
(D) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to an alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap preventing a solid dosage form from being released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(E) upturning the container allowing the solid dosage form to settle into the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap; and
(F) removing the outer cap to retrieve the solid dosage form.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is described a method of administering a solid dosage form from a dispensing container, said method comprising:
(A) providing a solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion, wherein the unit compartment contains a solid dosage form;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;
(B) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to a non-alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is not-aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap allowing a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(C) inverting the container allowing the solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap onto the top wall of the outer cap;
(D) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to an alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap preventing a solid dosage form from being released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(E) upturning the container allowing the solid dosage form to settle into the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap;
(F) removing the outer cap to retrieve the solid dosage form; and
(G) administering the solid dosage form.

To access a solid dosage form from the dispensing container of the invention, a user rotates the outer cap of the container to a non-alignment position wherein the end portion of the post is not in close proximity or not-aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap. This non-alignment position allows for a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap onto the top wall of the outer cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled. The user then rotates the outer cap relative to the inner cap to an alignment position wherein the end portion of the post is aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap preventing a solid dosage form from being released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled. Turning the container right-side up allows the solid dosage form to be deposited by gravity into the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap from the top wall of the outer cap. Removal of the outer cap provides a user with access to the solid dosage form collected in the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap.
Unexpected advantages of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention include at least the following: (i) maintaining the sterility of the solid dosage form by preventing human contact with unneeded solid dosage form; (ii) allowing for more than one solid dosage form to be removed at a time from the container; (iii) containing a limited number of components to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs of the solid dosage form dispensing container; (iv) accommodating different sizes and shapes of solid dosage forms; and (v) providing a child-proof opening mechanism for the solid dosage form dispensing container without restricting senior adults with arthritic hands.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention showing (a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion; (b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;

FIG. 2 is a fully assembled view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention showing (a) a unit compartment having a closed bottom portion and a side wall portion; (b) an inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment having a side wall portion and a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and (c) an outer cap having a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to the outer cap, wherein the post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;

FIG. 3 is a view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention in operation in upside down condition;

FIG. 4 is a view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention in operation in upside down condition with non-alignment of opening of inner cap and post of outer cap;

FIG. 5 is a view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention in operation in upside down condition with alignment of opening of inner cap and post of outer cap;

FIG. 6 is a view of the solid dosage form dispensing container according to the invention in operation with solid dosage form in dispensing cavity;

FIG. 7 is a view of outer cap and assembled solid dosage form dispensing container with inner cap;

FIG. 8 is a view of outer cap, inner cap and solid dosage form dispensing container;

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a solid dosage form dispensing container 10 for dispensing a solid dosage form 27 according to the invention. The solid dosage form dispensing container 10 has a unit compartment 20 comprising a closed bottom portion 22, an open top portion 24, and a side wall portion 26. In one embodiment, the open top portion 24 of the unit compartment 20 contains internal threads 21 for engaging the removable inner cap 30. In another embodiment, the open top portion 24 of the unit compartment 20 contains external threads 23 for engaging the removable inner cap 30.
A removable inner cap 30 is mounted on the top portion 24 of the unit compartment 20. As used herein, “mounted” refers to attaching means including screw closure, cam action closure, snap-fit closure, and other forms of compression fit closure. The removable inner cap 30 comprises an open bottom portion 32, a side wall portion 33, and a top portion 34. The top portion 34 of the inner cap 30 comprises a dispensing cavity 40 and an opening 36 having a protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 projecting upward away from the unit compartment 20. The size and shape of the opening 36 in the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30 is not critical provided that the solid dosage form 27 contained in the unit compartment 20 is able to exit the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30. Preferably, the shape of the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 is spherical. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 may have other shapes provided that the solid dosage form 27 contained in the unit compartment 20 is able to exit the inner cap 30 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 is less than twice the average size of an individual solid dosage form 27 contained in the unit compartment 20. For example, a solid dosage form 27 according to the invention in the form of a 3 mm diameter tablet would preferably require an opening 36 in the inner cap 30 to be less than 6 mm in diameter.
In one embodiment, the removable inner cap 30 contains internal threads 44 proximately located in the bottom portion 32 of the inner cap 30 for engaging the external threads 23 of the unit compartment 20. In an alternative embodiment, the inner cap 30 contains external threads 46 for engaging the internal threads 21 of the unit compartment 20.
A removable outer cap 50 is rotatably mounted on the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30. As used herein, “rotatably mounted” refers to attaching means including screw closure, cam action closure, snap-fit closure, and other forms of compression fit closure, provided the outer cap 50 is rotatable in at least one direction relative to the inner cap 30. The outer cap 50 comprises a top wall 52, a side wall 54, and a post 56 perpendicular to the outer cap 50, wherein the post terminates in an end portion 58 located away from the top wall of the outer cap 50. Preferably, the outer cap 50 is transparent. As used herein, “transparent” means that the outer cap 50 is prepared from a material which allows light to pass through so that solid dosage form 27 deposited in the dispensing cavity 40 on the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30 can be distinctly seen.
The size and shape of the post 56 is not critical provided that the end portion 58 of the post 56 in the aligned position prevents a solid dosage form 27 from exiting through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the dispensing container 10 is inverted. In one embodiment, the post 56 is cylindrical. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the post 56 may have other shapes.
Alignment of the end portion 58 of the post 56 with the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 projecting upward away from the unit compartment 20 in the inner cap 30 prevents a solid dosage form 27 from being released by gravity from the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the container 10 is turned upside-down or angled. As used herein, “alignment” means that the end portion 58 of the post 56 and top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 are in “close proximity” or “almost touching” so as not to inhibit motion of the end portion 58 of the post 56 when rotating the outer cap 50. However, the end portion 58 of the post 56 and the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 must be in close enough proximity, during alignment, to prevent the solid dosage form 27 from exiting through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the dispensing container 10 is turned upside-down or angled.
Preferably, the distance between the end portion 58 of the post 56 and the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 during alignment is just enough to prevent a solid dosage form 27 from being released by gravity from the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the container 10 is turned upside-down or angled. Actual physical contact between the end portion 58 of the post 56 and the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 may result in undesirable shavings of material used to manufacture either the post 56 or the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 mixing with the solid dosage form 27, and thus, is not desirable.
Non-alignment of the end portion 58 of the post 56 with the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 projecting upward away from the unit compartment 20 in the inner cap 30 allows a solid dosage form 27 to be released by gravity from the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the container 10 is turned upside-down or angled.
To access a solid dosage form 27 from the dispensing container 10 of the invention, a user rotates the outer cap 50 of the container 10 to a non-alignment position wherein the end portion 58 of the post 56 is not in close proximity or not-aligned with the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 projecting upward away from the unit compartment 20 in the inner cap 30. This non-alignment position allows for a solid dosage form 27 to be released by gravity from the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 onto the top wall 52 of the outer cap 50 when the container 10 is turned upside-down or angled. The user then rotates the outer cap 50 relative to the inner cap 30 to an alignment position wherein the end portion 58 of the post 56 is aligned with the top portion 39 of the protruding side wall 38 along the perimeter of the opening 36 projecting upward away from the unit compartment 20 in the inner cap 30 preventing a solid dosage form 27 from being released by gravity from the unit compartment 20 through the opening 36 in the inner cap 30 when the container 10 is turned upside-down or angled. Turning the container 10 right-side up allows the solid dosage form 27 to be deposited by gravity into the dispensing cavity 40 on the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30 from the top wall 52 of the outer cap 50. Removal of the outer cap 50 provides a user with access to the solid dosage form 27 collected in the dispensing cavity 40 on the top portion 34 of the inner cap 30.
The components of the solid dosage form dispensing container 10 according to the invention may be prepared from any material provided the material is safe for use, adequately protects the pharmaceutical solid dosage form 27, and is compatible with the solid dosage form 27. From a chemical perspective, the material used to prepare the container should be such that the ingredients of the solid dosage form 27 are not adsorbed onto the surface of the material, are not absorbed into the body of the material, and do not migrate through the material (compatibility). Further, the material used to prepare the container 10 should not release substances that can accumulate in the solid dosage form 27 in quantities sufficient to affect its stability (which addresses compatibility) or to present a risk of toxicity (which addresses safety). Preferably, components of the container 10 are prepared using a polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, acetal, acrylic, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like. Most preferably, the components of the container 10 are prepared from high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) which is noted for its strong moisture barrier properties. In addition to the polymer used to prepare components of the container 10, other additives may be used in the manufacture of such components such as platicizers, fillers, antioxidents, etc. Preferably, the components of the container 10 are prepared by co-extrusion or injection molding.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
The advantages of the embodiments described are numerous. Different aspects, embodiments or implementations can yield one or more of the aforementioned advantages. Many features and advantages of the present embodiments are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the embodiments should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents can be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap.

2. A method of retrieving a solid dosage form from a dispensing container, said method comprising:
(A) providing a solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion, wherein the unit compartment contains a solid dosage form ;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;
(B) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to a non-alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is not-aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap allowing a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(C) inverting the container allowing the solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap onto the top wall of the outer cap;
(D) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to an alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap preventing a solid dosage form from being released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(E) upturning the container allowing the solid dosage form to settle into the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap; and
(F) removing the outer cap to retrieve the solid dosage form.

3. A method of administering a solid dosage form from a dispensing container, said method comprising:
(A) providing a solid dosage form dispensing container comprising:
(a) a unit compartment comprising a closed bottom portion, an open top portion, and a side wall portion, wherein the unit compartment contains a solid dosage form ;
(b) a removable inner cap mounted on top of the unit compartment, wherein said inner cap comprises an open bottom portion, a side wall portion, and a top portion, wherein said top portion comprises (i) an opening having a protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment, and (ii) a dispensing cavity; and
(c) a removable outer cap which is rotatable mounted on top of the inner cap, wherein said outer cap comprises a top wall, a side wall, and a post perpendicular to said outer cap, wherein said post terminates in an end portion located away from the top wall of the outer cap;
(B) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to a non-alignment position wherein the end portion of the post is not-aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap allowing a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(C) inverting the container allowing the solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap onto the top wall of the outer cap;
(D) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to an alignment position wherein the end portion of the post is aligned with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap preventing a solid dosage form from being released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled;
(E) upturning the container allowing the solid dosage form to settle into the dispensing cavity on the top portion of the inner cap;
(F) removing the outer cap to retrieve the solid dosage form; and
(G) administering the solid dosage form.

4. The container according to claim 1 wherein the size of the opening in the inner cap is less than twice the average size of an individual solid dosage form contained in the unit compartment.

5. The container according to claim 4 wherein the solid dosage form is a pharmaceutical solid dosage form.

6. The container according to claim 4 wherein the solid dosage form is selected from the group consisting of a tablet, capsule, granules and combinations thereof.

7. The container according to claim 6 wherein the solid dosage form is a capsule.

8. The container according to claim 6 wherein the solid dosage form is a tablet.

9. The container according to claim 1 wherein the outer cap is transparent.

10. The method of retrieving a solid dosage form from the container according to claim 2 which additionally comprises a step of shaking the container after rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap to a non-alignment position wherein the end wall of the post is not-aligned in step (B) with the top portion of the protruding side wall along the perimeter of the opening projecting upward away from the unit compartment in the inner cap allowing a solid dosage form to be released by gravity from the unit compartment through the opening in the inner cap when the container is turned upside-down or angled.