U.S. patent application number 11/234335 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for dosage reminder cap.
Invention is credited to Kevin McNeely.
Application Number | 20060124501 11/234335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36582532 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060124501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McNeely; Kevin |
June 15, 2006 |
Dosage reminder cap
Abstract
A dosage reminder cap provides an easy, effective way to track
consumption of medication. A rotating disk provides a tool for
marking the either last dose taken or the next dose due to be taken
of a prescribed medication in order to facilitate proper
consumption of the medication.
Inventors: |
McNeely; Kevin; (Arlington,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael A. O'Neil;Michael A. O'Neil, P.C.
5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 820
Dallas
TX
75225
US
|
Family ID: |
36582532 |
Appl. No.: |
11/234335 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60631950 |
Nov 30, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/02 20130101;
B65D 50/046 20130101; B65D 51/245 20130101; B65D 2215/02 20130101;
A61J 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/534 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A medicine container cap which indicates when the next dose of
medicine is due comprising: a hexagon shaped base with text
displayed on the surface thereon; and a disk affixed onto the
hexagon shaped cap; said disk having a window cut formed therein to
reveal the text on the surface of the hexagon shaped base.
2. The medicine container cap according to claim 1 wherein the disk
has text displayed adjacent to the window.
3. The medicine container cap according to claim 1 wherein the text
displayed on the surface of the hexagon base comprises two
concentric rows of text, the outer row consisting of the seven days
of the week and the inner row comprising sets of at least 2
sequential numbers located directly below each day of the week.
4. A medicine container cap which indicates when the last dose of
medicine was taken comprising: a hexagon shaped base with text
displayed on the surface thereon; and a disk affixed onto the
hexagon shaped cap; said disk having a window formed therein to
reveal the text on the surface of the hexagon shaped base.
5. The medicine container cap according to claim 4 wherein the disk
has text displayed adjacent to the window.
6. The medicine container cap according to claim 4 wherein the text
displayed on the surface of the hexagon base comprises two
concentric rows of text, the outer row consisting of the seven days
of the week and the inner row comprising sets of at least 2
sequential numbers located directly below each day of the week.
7. A medicine container cap which indicates when the next dose of
medicine is due comprising: a hexagon shaped base with text
displayed on the surface thereon; a disk secured onto the hexagon
shaped cap; said disk having a window formed therein to reveal the
text on the surface of the hexagon shaped base; and child-proof
means for securing the cap onto a medicine container.
8. The medicine container cap according to claim 7 wherein the disk
has text displayed adjacent to the window.
9. The medicine container cap according to claim 7 wherein the text
displayed on the surface of the hexagon base comprises two
concentric rows of text, the outer row consisting of the seven days
of the week and the inner row comprising sets of at least two
sequential numbers located directly below each day of the week.
10. The medicine container cap according to claim 7 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
threads on the inside of the hexagon shaped base which engage
corresponding threads on the neck of the container.
11. The medicine container cap according to claim 7 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
a detent on the container and a mating locking wedge on the base
thereby serving as a deterrent against children removing the
medicine cap from the container.
12. The medicine container cap according to claim 7 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
locking tabs on the sides of the base which engage the
container.
13. A medicine container cap which indicates when the last dose of
medicine was taken comprising: a hexagon shaped base with text
displayed on the surface thereon; a disk secured onto the hexagon
shaped cap; said disk having a window formed therein to reveal the
text on the surface of the hexagon shaped base; and child-proof
means for securing the cap onto a medicine container.
14. The medicine container cap according to claim 13 wherein the
disk has text displayed adjacent to the window.
15. The medicine container cap according to claim 13 wherein the
text displayed on the surface of the hexagon base comprises two
concentric rows of text, the outer row consisting of the seven days
of the week and the inner row comprising sets of at least two
sequential numbers located directly below each day of the week.
16. The medicine container cap according to claim 13 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
threads on the inside of the hexagon shaped base which engage
corresponding threads on the neck of the container.
17. The medicine container cap according to claim 13 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
a detent on the container which engages a mating locking wedge on
the base thereby serving as a deterrent against children removing
the medicine cap from the container.
18. The medicine container cap according to claim 13 wherein the
child-proof means for securing the cap onto the container comprises
locking tabs on the sides of the base which engage the container.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority of prior provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/631,950 filed Nov. 30, 2004, the entire
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to medicine containers, and
more particularly to a dosage reminder cap for prescription
medicine containers providing an indication of when the next dose
of medicine is due and facilitating tracking of the last dose
dispensed from the container.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] All prescription medications are accompanied by a doctor's
directions for the frequency and amount of each dose to be consumed
by a patient. Many medications must be taken daily in order to be
effective, some at multiple intervals during the day. Other
medications are only taken as needed, but a patient or care giver
needs to know when the last dose was taken to prevent over-dosing.
Some of the hazards associated with incorrect consumption, commonly
called noncompliance, of medications include prolonged illness,
ineffectiveness of the medicine, hospitalization, commitment into a
nursing home facility, and death. All of the aforementioned hazards
eventually result in increased health care costs to patients and
society as a whole.
[0004] Several medicine dose tracking devices are currently
available to consumers. Some comprise a container with compartments
for multiple doses per day of the week. Others provide an indicator
for each day of the week, either on the container closure or on a
label placed inside the container whereby each dose of medicine is
sealed in an individual packet and dispensed by pushing through a
layer of foil. Other devices track the number of times a container
has been opened. Each of these devices has limitations.
[0005] Devices that track only the day of the week do not provide
any way to track multiple doses per day, unless the medicine is
packaged in a foil-lined packet. A foil-lined packet with multiple
doses per day is impractical when there are two or more doses per
day, because a prescription for longer than a few days requires a
package of considerable size, even for the smallest of pills.
[0006] Multiple compartment containers allow patients to place
multiple medications together or single, multiple-dose medications
into compartments according to the number of doses per day.
Although such containers are common, they violate the legal
requirement that medications must be stored in properly labeled
containers. In addition to the labeling requirement, there are no
child safety features and no remedy for displacement of medication,
for example falling out of the container; mixing of the doses of
medication; or incorrectly dispensing the medication into the
container.
[0007] Devices that track the number of times a container is opened
present several difficulties. Devices currently available do not
provide for opening the container and not taking a dose. Further,
there is nothing to help track when the last dose was taken or when
the next dose is due, and no way of tracking the quantity of
medicine dispensed when the container was opened. In addition to
the dosage tracking limitation, available container caps and other
constructions are generally round in shape, which do not prohibit
the container from rolling off of the surface upon which it was
placed.
[0008] The present invention comprises a dosage reminder cap which
overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long
since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader
aspects of the invention, a dosage reminder cap contains a dial
which is rotated and set to indicate either the last day and dose
when the medication was taken or when the next dose is due.
[0009] In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a
dosage reminder cap for a medicine container comprises a hexagonal
shape with each day of the week and multiple doses per day
displayed thereon. A round disk with a small window cutout (window
disk) is recessed into the hexagonal cap and is affixed therein.
The user rotates the window disk clockwise until the desired day
and dose is revealed through the window.
[0010] The hexagon shape of the cap prevents the container from
rolling and falling off the surface upon which it was placed. The
hexagon shape also makes the cap easier to grip and therefore
easier to open. The cap is further equipped with a child safety
feature for deterring a child from removing the cap from the
container and thereby gaining access to the contents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when
taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dosage reminder cap
comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dosage
reminder cap shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is perspective view of one component of the dosage
reminder cap shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dosage reminder cap
comprising a second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the dosage
reminder cap shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1
thereof, there is shown a medicine container 20 having a dosage
reminder cap 22 installed thereon. The dosage reminder cap 22
comprises a hexagon shaped base 24 and a window disk 26. The dosage
reminder cap 22 threadedly engages the top of the container 20
until it rests upon a lip 28 around the container 20. The lip 28
has a detent 30 and a tab 31 on one side thereof providing a child
safety feature.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged, exploded
view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The dosage reminder cap 22
fastens onto the container 20 by engaging a threaded neck 32 of the
container 20. A notch 34 formed in the base 24 engages the detent
30 and locks the dosage reminder cap 22 in place. In order to
unscrew and remove the dosage reminder cap 22, the tab 31 is
pressed down enabling the base 24 to disengage the detent 30. The
base 24 is thereafter pressed down and turned in a counterclockwise
direction at the same time.
[0021] The hegaxon shaped base 24 comprises a cavity 36 in the top
center therof which is sized to accommodate the window disk 26
recessed therein. Printed within the cavity 36 are two concentric
text rows 38 and 40. The outer row 38 has each of the seven days of
the week spaced at equal intervals therearound. The inside row 40
comprises sets of sequential numbers located below, concentric with
and aligned with each day of the week displayed in the outer row
38, each set of numbers beginning with the number 1. In the center
of the cavity 36 is an opening 42 for accommodating a pin 44
protruding from the bottom of the window disk 26. The pin 44 snaps
into the opening 42 thereby securing the window disk 26 to the base
24 and providing the axis about which the window disk 26 turns.
[0022] The window disk 26 has a T-shaped window 50 cut out of one
edge thereof. The window 50 displays one day of the week from the
outer row 38 and one number from the inner row 40. Below the window
50 is indicator text 52 to assist the patient or person dispensing
the medicine. The text 52 comprises the words "Last Dose Taken."
Alternative texts are "Next Dose Due", "Next Dose To Be Taken", or
other alternative phrases having similar meanings.
[0023] The window disk 26 rotates counterclockwise and stops when
the desired day and dose number are displayed through the window
50. A series of notches 54 are formed in the face of the cavity 36,
such that there is one notch 54 for each corresponding dose number
of the inner row 40. The notches 54 engage a triangular wedge 56
protruding from the bottom of the window disk 26 thereby locking
the window disk 26 in place when the desired day and dose number
are displayed through the window 50. To change the day and dose
number displayed, a person dispensing the medicine turns the window
disk 26 by pressing down in the disk with a thumb or other
finger.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the engagement of
the wedge 56 and the notches 54. The wedge 56 and the notches 54
have the shape of an isosceles triangle. The isosceles triangle
shape allows the wedge 56 to continue forward to the next notch 54
while preventing the wedge 56 from going back to the previous notch
54.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of the bottom
of the window disk 26 illustrating the location of the pin 44 and
the wedge 56.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, the dosage reminder cap 22 is shown
secured in engagement with the container 20. The inner surface of
the base 24 is threaded to engage corresponding threads 58 of the
neck 32 of the container.
[0027] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a dosage reminder cap 60 comprising
a second embodiment of the invention. Many of the component parts
of the dosage reminder cap 60 are substantially identical in
construction and function to component parts of the dosage reminder
cap 22 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 and described hereinabove
in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are
designated in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the same reference numerals
utilized above in the description of the dosage reminder cap 22,
but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (')
designation.
[0028] The dosage reminder cap 60 differs from the dosage reminder
cap 22 in that the dosage reminder cap 60 employs an alternative
closure and child safety mechanism for engagement with the
container 20'. The base 24' of the dosage reminder cap 60 comprises
two locking tabs 62 on opposite sides for engagement with a lip 63
of the container 20'. A circular inner surface 64 of the base 24'
secures over the neck 32' of the container 20'.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, to remove the dosage reminder cap 60
from the container 20' pressure is applied to two pressure points
68 equidistant between the tabs 62 on opposite sides of the base
24'. As pressure is applied to the pressure points 68, the tabs 62
are forced outwardly thereby disengaging the tabs 62 from the lip
63 allowing the dosage reminder cap 60 to removed from the
container 20'.
[0030] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and
substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *