U.S. patent application number 11/741778 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for multiple medication package.
Invention is credited to Kevin Hudy, David Purdy, Steven Squashic.
Application Number | 20070251852 11/741778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38647331 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070251852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purdy; David ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
MULTIPLE MEDICATION PACKAGE
Abstract
A convenient package containing multiple prescription
medications in pill form is provided herein. The package has the
medication arranged in a convenient format for ease of patient use.
In one embodiment, the package comprises a lower tray having
receptacles for the two medications arranged in a predetermined
divided pattern. In another embodiment, for each medication, the
prescribed number of pills per day may be grouped together and the
total medication divided into a period of use (e.g., days). The
lower tray is generally covered by a thin film that may be broken
through by the patient when access to a particular pill is desired.
The package may be perforated to allow used portions to be
separated from the unused portion and discarded. The package allows
for a single prescription to be written covering at least two
separate medications laid out in a single package.
Inventors: |
Purdy; David; (Tinton Falls,
NJ) ; Hudy; Kevin; (Hoboken, NJ) ; Squashic;
Steven; (Scotch plains, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN MALDJIAN, ESQ.
147 BLACK POINT ROAD
RUMSON
NJ
07760
US
|
Family ID: |
38647331 |
Appl. No.: |
11/741778 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60745885 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
|
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60747949 |
May 23, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/538 ;
206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 7/04 20130101; A61J
1/035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/538 ;
206/534 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A medication package comprising: a base having a plurality of
receptacles for storing medication in pill form; a cover affixed to
the base for sealing the receptacles; a first portion having a
first medication, arranged by a first dosage over a first period of
time; and a second portion having a second medication, arranged by
a second dosage over a second period of time.
2. The medication package of claim 1, wherein the first portion and
second portion are separated by a perforated seam.
3. The medication package of claim 1, wherein the first portion and
second portion are further arranged by rows; and wherein each row
of the first portion and second portion represents a different
day.
4. The medication package of claim 3, wherein each row of the first
portion is separated by a perforated seam; and wherein each row of
the second portion is separated by a perforated seam.
5. The medication package of claim 1, wherein the first medication
is an antibiotic; and wherein the second medication is an
analgesic.
6. The medication package of claim 5, wherein the antibiotic is
nitrofurantoin; and wherein the analgesic is phenazopyridine.
7. The medication package of claim 6, wherein nitrofurantoin is
provided in 100 mg doses to be taken twice a day for ten days; and
wherein phenazopyridine is provided in 200 mg doses to be taken
three times a day for three days.
8. The medication package of claim 1, wherein the first medication
is a combination of an antitussive, a decongestant, and an
expectorant; and wherein the second medication is a combination of
an analgesic and an antihistamine.
9. The medication package of claim 8, wherein the first medication
is a combination of dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and
guaifenesin; and wherein the second medication is a combination of
acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine.
10. The medication package of claim 9, wherein the first medication
is provided in about 595 mg doses comprising about 25 mg
dextromethorphan, about 20 mg phenylephrine, and about 550 mg
guaifenesin, to be taken twice a day for ten days; and wherein the
second medication is provided in about 800 mg doses, to be taken
three times a day for three days.
11. A medication package comprising: a base having a plurality of
receptacles for storing medication in pill form, arranged in a
first portion having a first medication, and a second portion
having a second medication; a cover affixed to the base for sealing
the receptacles; the first portion having rows, whereby each row
represents a first period of time; and the second portion having
rows, whereby each row represents a second period of time; wherein
the first portion and second portion are separated by a perforated
seam; and wherein the rows of the first portion and second portion
are individually separated by a perforated seam.
12. The medication package of claim 11, wherein the first
medication is nitrofurantoin; and wherein the second medication is
phenazopyridine.
13. The medication package of claim 12, wherein nitrofurantoin is
provided in 100 mg doses to be taken twice a day for ten days; and
wherein phenazopyridine is provided in 200 mg doses to be taken
three times a day for three days.
14. The medication package of claim 11, wherein the first
medication is a combination of dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and
guaifenesin; and wherein the second medication is a combination of
acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine.
15. The medication package of claim 14, wherein the first
medication is provided in about 595 mg doses comprising about 25 mg
dextromethorphan, about 20 mg phenylephrine, and about 550 mg
guaifenesin, to be taken twice a day for ten days; and wherein the
second medication is provided in about 800 mg doses, to be taken
three times a day for three days.
16. A medication package comprising: a base having a plurality of
receptacles for storing medication in pill form; a cover affixed to
the base for sealing the receptacles; wherein the base comprises a
first portion having an antibiotic medication arranged by a first
dosage over a first period of time; and wherein the base comprises
a second portion having an analgesic medication arranged by a first
dosage over a second period of time.
17. The medication package of claim 16, wherein the antibiotic is
nitrofurantoin provided in 100 mg doses to be taken twice a day for
ten days; and wherein the analgesic is phenazopyridine provided in
200 mg doses to be taken three times a day for three days.
18. A medication package comprising: a base having a plurality of
receptacles for storing medication in pill form; a cover affixed to
the base for sealing the receptacles; wherein the base comprises a
first portion having a medication combination of an antitussive, a
decongestant, and an expectorant arranged by a first dosage over a
first period of time; and wherein the base comprises a second
portion having a medication combination of an analgesic and an
antihistamine arranged by a first dosage over a second period of
time.
19. The medication package of claim 18, wherein the medication
combination of an antitussive, a decongestant, and an expectorant
is a combination of dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and
guaifenesin, provided in about 595 mg doses comprising about 25 mg
dextromethorphan, about 20 mg phenylephrine, and about 550 mg
guaifenesin, to be taken twice a day for ten days; and wherein the
medication combination of an analgesic and an antihistamine is a
combination of acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine, provided in
about 800 mg doses, to be taken three times a day for three days.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/745,885, entitled "MULTIPLE MEDICATION
PACKAGE," filed Apr. 28, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application
also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/747,949, entitled "MULTIPLE MEDICATION PACKAGE," filed May 23,
2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
packaging for medication. More specifically, embodiments of the
present invention relate to the packaging of multiple prescribed
medications for treating a given medical condition.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Treatment for certain medical conditions, for example,
urinary tract infections or sinus infections, typically include a
prescription for an antibiotic or other bactericide to treat the
bacteria causing the infection. In addition, an analgesic, or
painkiller, is often prescribed to help comfort the patient from
the pain that typically accompanies the infection. However, due to
the nature of the infection, the sensation of pain is often a
preferred way to determine whether or not the infection is
satisfactorily healing. Accordingly, the prescription for the
analgesic is generally for a period of time less than the treatment
period for the antibiotic or bactericide. As such, a doctor must
write two separate prescriptions, and the patient must fill both
prescriptions and take medication from two separate packages,
typically having differing treatment dosages over differing periods
of time. This process may be burdensome to the patient and
increases the likelihood of patient confusion, misplacement of at
least one of the medications, or disincentive for the patient to
follow the prescribed course of medication.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a medication packaging that
facilitates ease of prescribing and taking medication for the
treatment of medical conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient
package containing multiple prescription medications in pill form.
In one embodiment, a medication package comprises a base having a
plurality of receptacles for storing medication in pill form, a
cover affixed to the base for sealing the receptacles, a first
portion having a first medication, arranged by a first dosage over
a first period of time, and a second portion having a second
medication, arranged by a second dosage over a second period of
time.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, a medication
package comprises a base having a plurality of receptacles for
storing medication in pill form, arranged in a first portion having
a first medication, and a second portion having a second
medication, a cover affixed to the base for sealing the
receptacles, the first portion having rows, whereby each row
represents a first period of time, and the second portion having
rows, whereby each row represents a second period of time, wherein
the first portion and second portion are separated by a perforated
seam, and wherein the rows of the first portion and second portion
are individually separated by a perforated seam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] So the manner in which the above recited features of the
present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular
description of embodiments of the present invention, briefly
summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, several
of which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is to be
noted, however, the appended drawing illustrates only typical
embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the
present invention, and, therefore, are not to be considered
limiting, for the present invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a medication package in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes
only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the
description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the
word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the
potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning
must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes"
mean including but not limited to.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient
package containing at least a prescription medication in pill form.
The package generally provides medication arranged in a convenient
format for ease of patient use. In one embodiment, the package
advantageously allows for a single prescription to be written
covering two separate medications laid out in a single package. In
additional embodiments, the package conveniently allows dispensing
of the medication to the patient without having to worry about
multiple packages.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a medication package 100 in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. The medication package 100
typically comprises a base, or tray (not shown) and a cover 101.
The tray includes pockets or receptacles 110 for positioning and
holding individual pills of the prescribed medication. The tray is
fabricated from a flexible material to allow an end-user to deform
the tray by pressing on the bottom of the receptacle 110 to break
through the cover 101 and remove the pill from the package 100. In
one embodiment, the tray comprises a polymer blend.
[0014] The cover 101 is affixed to a top surface of the tray to
seal the medication contained therein. The cover 101 is typically
made of a material suitable for allowing a pill to breakthrough the
cover 101 when pressure is applied from beneath by the end-user to
remove the pill. For example, in one embodiment, the cover 101 may
be a thin foil, plastic, or paper material, or any combination
thereof. The cover 101 may optionally be coated on the side facing
the tray to facilitate maintaining a sterile environment for the
pill or medication contained within the package 100. The cover 101
may optionally be coated on the side facing the user to facilitate
printing information on the outside or upper surface of the cover
101, such as the medication name, dosage information, and/or any
other desired text.
[0015] In one embodiment, depicted in FIG. 1, the package 100
includes a first portion 102 and a second portion 104. The first
portion 102 contains a first medication (e.g., MEDICATION A), and
the second portion 104 contains a second medication (e.g.,
MEDICATION B). The first and second medications may be any
medications suitable for embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] Within each portion 102, 104, the medications may be further
split by dosage over a period of time. For example, in the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the medication is within each
portion 102, 104, is arranged in rows 106 by day (e.g., day 1, day
2, . . . , day 10). Embodiments of the present invention provide
the medication within each portion may be arranged in other manner
depending upon the dosage and the period of time for which the
patient must take the medication.
[0017] The package 100 may further be perforated, illustratively
depicted in FIG. 1 as dashed line 108, to separate the portions
102, 104 of the package 100. Optionally, a perforation may further
be provided between the rows 106 to allow the end-user to remove
and discard used portions of the packaging to conveniently reduce
its size.
[0018] In one embodiment, the medication package 100 may contain
medications for treating infections. For example, the medication
provided in the first portion 102 may be an antibiotic or
bactericide and the medication provided in the second portion 104
may be an analgesic. In one embodiment, the antibiotic or
bactericide is nitrofurantoin, typically prescribed to treat
urinary tract infections. For example, nitrofurantoin may be
provided in a 100 mg dose to be taken twice a day for 10 days. In
one embodiment, the analgesic is phenazopyridine.
[0019] In one embodiment, phenazopyridine is provided in a 200 mg
dose to be taken three times a day for three days. In this
embodiment, the nitrofurantoin treats a urinary tract infection
while the analgesic phenazopyridine provides comfort to the patient
for the first three days. The analgesic ends prior to the
bactericide or antibiotic to allow the patient to sense any pain or
discomfort in the infected area in order to assist in determining
whether the infection is being effectively treated. As is
understood by embodiments of the present invention, other dosages,
combinations of medications, and treatment periods may be utilized
as well, without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention provide additional
benefits where a single dosage pill contains multiple components to
treat multiple symptoms. For example, in several embodiments, a
first medication is provided to treat a first set of symptoms and a
second medication may be provided to treat a second set of
symptoms.
[0021] In one embodiment, the first medication may be a combination
of an antitussive, a decongestant, and an expectorant. In one
embodiment, the antitussive may be dextromethorphan
(dextromethorphan hydrobromide). In one embodiment, the
decongestant may be phenylephrine (phenylephrine hydrochloride). In
one embodiment, the expectorant may be guaifenesin. In one
embodiment, the antitussive, decongestant, and expectorant pill may
be provided in a 595 mg dose comprising approximately 25 mg
dextromethorphan hydrobromide, approximately 20 mg phenylephrine
hydrochloride, and approximately 550 mg guaifenesin to be taken
twice a day for ten days.
[0022] In such an embodiment, the second medication may be a
combination of acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine. Acetaminophen is
an analgesic, or pain reliever, and phenyltoloxamine is an
antihistamine. In one embodiment, combined acetaminophen and
phenyltoloxamine may be provided in 800 mg doses, to be taken three
times a day for three days. In this embodiment, the first
medication provides relief from sinus congestion and coughing, and
further prevents sneezing, itchy/watery eyes and nose; and other
symptoms of allergies. The second medication provides comfort to
the patient, via pain relief, for the first three days. The
analgesic ends prior to the medication to allow the patient to
sense any pain or discomfort in order to assist in determining
whether the infection or other root cause of the symptoms is
healing.
[0023] In many embodiments of the present invention, the
medications are typically provided via two separate prescriptions.
Thus, utilizing embodiments of the present invention, a doctor may
write a single prescription to dispense both medications to a
patient with one prescription. Furthermore, the patient only has to
fill one prescription and keep track of one medication package, as
the medication is presented to the patient in a convenient-to-use
package.
[0024] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are further
scalable to allow for additional clients and servers, as particular
applications may require.
* * * * *