U.S. patent application number 10/381233 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for pill holder and reminder device.
Invention is credited to Dunlop, Daniel J., Nevard, Philip.
Application Number | 20040050746 10/381233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9899923 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040050746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunlop, Daniel J. ; et
al. |
March 18, 2004 |
Pill holder and reminder device
Abstract
More and more pills are supplied as blister packs. The present
invention therefore provides a cover/holder for a blister pack of
pills, which is capable of issuing a warning when ingestion is next
due. When the blister pack of pills is inserted into the holder, an
electric circuit is activated so that a timer then begins and once
the timing period has been attained this initiates an alarm, the
timing period is based on the recommend ingestion intervals. When
the blister pack of pills is removed for ingestion the circuit is
open and not functioning, once replaced the circuit is closed and
timing commencement begins again. When the blister pack is made of
foil, the foil itself may be used to close the electric
circuit.
Inventors: |
Dunlop, Daniel J.; (Herts,
GB) ; Nevard, Philip; (Herts, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOBRUSIN & THENNISCH PC
401 S OLD WOODWARD AVE
SUITE 311
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
9899923 |
Appl. No.: |
10/381233 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 21, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/11045 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/534 ;
206/459.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 7/0481 20130101;
A61J 7/0436 20150501; A61J 1/035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/534 ;
206/459.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/42; B65D
083/04; B65D 085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2000 |
GB |
0023259.5 |
Claims
1. A holder for blister packs containing a timer and
reminder/warning device whereby the timer is activated upon
insertion of the blister pack so that a reminder/warning is emitted
when the next ingestion is due.
2. A holder according to claim 1, in which electrical contacts are
provided on the inner surface of the holder such that upon
insertion of a foil based blister pack into the holder the foil of
the blister pack closes the circuit between the contacts and so
activates a reminder/warning device to flag when the next ingestion
is due.
3. A holder according to claim 1, provided with a switch on its
inner surface that is closed upon insertion of the blister pack to
activate the reminder/warning device.
4. A holder according to claim 1, in which the timer is activated
by closure of a cover on the holder.
5. A holder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the
reminder/warning device consists of a power source, an electrically
operated timer and an electrically operated alarm forming a circuit
with the electrical contacts or switch.
6. A holder according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 4, in which two
sets of contacts are provided on opposite inner surfaces of the
holder.
7. A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reminder/warning device provides a sound to remind that the next
ingestion is due.
8. A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reminder/warning device provides a light to remind that the next
ingestion is due.
9. A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
reminder/warning device provides a radio signal beamed to a remote
location to provide a reminder that the next ingestion is due.
10. A holder according to any of the preceding claims, also
containing a device that indicates when the timer is activated.
11. A holder according to claim 10, in which the device is a light.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to pill containers and in
particular to containers that are capable of issuing a
reminder/warning when ingestion is next due.
[0002] One of the most common problems associated with the periodic
taking of medication is the failure to take pills on time. Often, a
person simply forgets to take a pill when the appropriate time
comes. Sometimes a person forgets when he or she has taken their
last pill. A person may forget whether he or she indeed took a pill
the last time.
[0003] Some medications demand the building up of a body
accumulation of drugs to a certain level and maintaining that level
by a precise regime of pill taking. Failure to take pills according
to that regime results in an excess or deficiency of medication
level, either of which may have adverse effects.
[0004] Many medications are given in maximum safe dosages.
Exceeding those dosages by taking pills too often, such as when one
forgets when the last pill was taken or if the last pill was taken
too late and another pill too soon, may have serious consequences.
Failure to take sufficient pills due to failure to remember when
pills were last taken or failure to remember to take a pill at an
appointed time or other interruption of a regime may reduce body
level of a medication to an ineffective amount. Not only are such
reduced levels ineffectual, but also such reduced levels may
produce either a sensitivity to a drug or an immunity to its
effects. Later prescriptions of the same drugs may not be
advisable, even if prescribed regimes of medication are closely
followed at a later time.
[0005] Some repetitive medications by the nature of their
composition dull the memory encumbering the ability to remember
when the medication was last taken or when it next should be
taken.
[0006] Devices have been proposed which dispense pills following
selected intervals. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,818,473 and
5,495,961. Such devices are cumbersome and neither ensure that the
articles so dispensed will be used at the appropriate time due to
their unavailability nor ensure that subsequent intervals will be
properly programmed.
[0007] Several pill boxes have been designed for personal use and
for convenient carrying. Such pill boxes have not provided active
reminders that a pill should be taken nor do they contain a timer,
which can be set for the next dosage before returning a pill box to
its normal carrying position.
[0008] More and more pills are supplied as blister packs and the
present inventors have developed a holder or container for blister
packs whereby insertion of the blister pack into the holder or
container activates a timer and a reminder/warning system. In a
preferred embodiment where the blister pack has a foil backing the
inventors have found that the electrical conductivity of the foil
backing can be used as part of an electrical circuit, which
provides an alarm/reminder system.
[0009] The present invention therefore provides a holder for a
blister pack of pills comprising a timer and an alarm/reminder
system that is activated by insertion of the blister pack into the
holder.
[0010] The present invention is therefore a holder for blister
packs of pills which actively reminds a person at the appropriate
time when a pill should be taken. The holder automatically sets in
action a reminder when it is time for taking the next dosage.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, useful
with foil based blister packs, electrical contacts are provided on
the inner surface of the holder such that upon insertion of the
blister pack into the holder the foil of the blister pack closes
the circuit between the contacts and so activates a
reminder/warning device to flag when the next ingestion is due.
[0012] Alternatively a switch device may be incorporated into the
inner surface of the holder that is closed upon insertion of the
pack and opened when the pack is removed for the next
ingestion.
[0013] As a further embodiment the holder may be provided with a
closure member such as a hinged cover which, when closed activates
the timer and reminder system. In this way opening the holder
breaks the circuit and closure reactivates the circuit.
[0014] A circuit is provided in the wall of the holder comprising a
timer, a source of energy, usually electricity and an alarm. In the
preferred embodiment, the timer has an hour indicating
indicia-bearing disk mounted on the outer cover of the holder. Any
conventional form of small timer may be employed; the timer may be
mechanical or more preferably digital. When the desired time period
expires the alarm is activated usually by completion of the
electric circuit to allow power to flow to the alarm device.
[0015] A noise-producing device is preferred as the
reminder/warning device. A buzzer is preferred, but a bell or chime
may be used. A variable device, such as a controllable sound
deadening device, may be used to change the intensity of sound
produced by the signal according to the desires and needs of the
user. Any convenient signal may be used. A light may be employed
where the device is worn in a visible spot. Temperature change may
be employed as a signal when the device is configured for wearing
against the skin, which may be particularly useful for patients
with hearing and/or sight difficulties.
[0016] The pill holder may be made of any material and its method
of manufacture is not important. Moulded plastic such as
polystyrene or polypropylene may be used and it may of course, be
decorated for aesthetic purposes. In a preferred embodiment the
blister pack has a foil component which may be the entire material.
In this instance the foil itself may be used to complete the
circuit and activate the timer. In a further preferred embodiment
the electric circuitry including the contacts, a battery, a timer
and the alarm/warning device are all moulded within the holder. It
is also preferred that the holder be a sheath into which the
blister pack can be inserted and that it be provided with
electrical contacts on both inner surfaces so that the circuit is
completed however the blister pack is inserted into the sheath.
[0017] In an alternative embodiment a switch is provided on the
inner surface of the holder that is closed upon insertion of the
blister pack. Conveniently the switch may be a spring-loaded
armature, which extends from the circuit into the empty holder and
is pushed down to complete the circuit as the blister pack is
inserted. It is preferred that the spring be mounted in the half of
the holder remote from the end where the blister pack is inserted
to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent activation of the
timer/warning system.
[0018] In the embodiment when the closure of the cover completes
the circuit and activates the circuit, the cover is preferably
hinged at one side of the opening to the holder and pressing the
cover to close either activates a switch are completes the
circuit.
[0019] The timer may be pre-set for example, when pills need to be
taken once per day or may be variable to allow for different
intervals. The nature of the alarm system can be varied according
to the nature and circumstances of the patient. It may for instance
create a noise such as a buzzer or a bell and/or it may generate a
flashing light. Alternatively it may generate a radio signal, which
activates a remote alarm/warning system such as a telephone or a
device in a central dispensary in for example a hospital.
[0020] The holder can also be provided with an indicator on the
outer surface such as a light to confirm that the timer/warning
system has been activated.
[0021] The present invention is illustrated by the drawings in
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a holder according to the invention containing
a blister pack of pills.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of how the blister
pack can be removed from and inserted into the holder.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the circuitry in the
holder.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 shows alternate circuitry that can be
used.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment in which a switch is
provided on the inner surface of the holder.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows the circuitry to be used with the holder show
in FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a box like container with a hinged cover.
[0029] FIG. 9 like FIG. 8 shows a box like container with a hinged
cover employing an alternate form of circuitry.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 the holder 1 is of a size and shape that
the blister pack 2 can be readily inserted and removed from the
holder but fits sufficiently strongly to be in good contact with
the inner surface thereof as is shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a holder 1 opened up to show the inner surface
useful when the foil of the blister pack itself completes the
circuit. Contacts 3, 4, 5 and 6 are provided on the inner surface.
These contacts are in turn linked with a battery, which is in turn
linked to a reminder/warning device 9. The circuitry may be on the
surface or embedded in the holder providing the contacts are
exposed for contact with the foil of the blister pack. FIG. 4 is a
simple illustration of the circuitry to be used and FIG. 5
illustrates the preferred circuitry in which contacts are provided
on both the inner surfaces of the holder so that the circuit is
completed irrespective of which way the blister pack is inserted
into the holder.
[0032] Accordingly in operation when the blister pack 2 is inserted
into the holder 1 of FIG. 3 the foil of the blister pack will close
the circuit between the contacts 3 and 4 and/or 5 and 6. This will
complete the circuit enabling the battery to activate the timer 7
which has been set to activate the alarm and provide a reminder
when the next pill is due to be taken. Upon expiration of the set
period the timer will activate the alarm/reminder mechanism 8,
removal of the blister pack to take the next pill will break the
circuit and deactivate the alarm system. Replacement of the blister
pack will then reactivate the system for the next cycle.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows an alternate shape of holder 10, which has an
open end 11 for the insertion of a blister pack. A spring-loaded
switch 12 is provided on the inner surface of the pack (shown in
the open position), which is closed as the blister pack is inserted
and opened as it is removed.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the circuitry that can be used in the holder of
FIG. 6, references 7, 8, and 9 being to the battery, timer and
alarm respectively.
[0035] FIG. 8 shows a box like holder 13 provided with a cover 14
hinged at one wall 15 of the holder. The other wall of the holder
16 is provided with a switch 17 which is activated when it is
depressed by closure of the cover.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows a similar system to FIG. 8 except that
conductive elements 17, 18 and 19 are provided in the walls 13, 14
and 16 so that the circuit is closed by closure of the cover.
[0037] In both embodiments the cover may be spring loaded to favour
the closed position to avoid unplanned opening of the holder.
[0038] The holder and the blister pack may be supplied together as
a single system or the holder may be supplied separately and reused
for several blister packs.
* * * * *