U.S. patent application number 12/973653 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for medicine bottle with grip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael P. Tune.
Application Number | 20120152882 12/973653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46233014 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120152882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tune; Michael P. |
June 21, 2012 |
Medicine bottle with grip
Abstract
A bottle for a medicine is disclosed. The bottle may have a base
portion, a threaded neck portion, a child resistant cap and a grip
portion. The bottle may be part of a kit having other bottles
without a grip section. The bottle may be part of a retail display
system.
Inventors: |
Tune; Michael P.;
(Arlington, TN) |
Assignee: |
Schering-Plough Healthcare
Products, Inc.
Memphis
TN
|
Family ID: |
46233014 |
Appl. No.: |
12/973653 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/40 ; 211/74;
215/295; 215/395; 414/800 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/0223 20130101;
B65D 50/043 20130101; B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 23/102
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/40 ; 215/295;
215/395; 414/800; 211/74 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B65D 23/00 20060101 B65D023/00; A47B 73/00 20060101
A47B073/00; B65B 43/00 20060101 B65B043/00 |
Claims
1. A combination, comprising: a bottle having a cylindrical base
portion having a main diameter greater than about 8; a threaded
neck portion having a neck diameter of about 4 centimeters; a
child-proof cap fitted to the threaded neck portion, the cap having
a cap outer diameter of about 5 centimeters; the height of the
bottle is less than about 18 centimeters; a grip portion integrally
formed with the bottle and disposed between the base portion and
the neck portion, the grip portion having a grip diameter that is
substantially less than the main diameter and substantially greater
than the cap outer diameter, the grip diameter being greater than
about 7 and less than about 8; and an undercut portion disposed
between the grip portion and the base portion, the undercut portion
having an undercut diameter that is less than the grip diameter;
and a powder contained in the bottle, wherein and the cap is
configured to provide a dosage measurement for the powder.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the powder is a
medicine.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the powder is a
laxative.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the powder is polyethylene
glycol.
5. A bottle for a medicine, comprising: a base portion having a
main diameter; a threaded neck portion having a neck diameter, the
neck diameter being smaller than the main diameter; a child-proof
cap fitted to the threaded neck portion and configured to provide a
dosage measurement for the medicine, the cap having a cap diameter;
and a grip portion disposed between the base portion and the neck
portion, the grip portion having a grip diameter that is
substantially smaller than the main diameter and substantially
greater than the neck diameter.
6. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the cap has an indicator that
corresponds to a dosage size.
7. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the cap has an internal volume
that corresponds to a dose size.
8. The bottle of claim 5 further comprising an undercut portion
disposed between the grip portion and the base portion, the
undercut portion having an undercut diameter that is less than the
grip diameter.
9. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the medicine is a laxative in
powder form.
10. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the neck diameter is greater
than 2.5 centimeters.
11. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the neck diameter is about 3.8
centimeters.
12. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the grip portion is integrally
formed with the bottle.
13. The bottle of claim 5, wherein the grip diameter is greater
than about 7 centimeters and less than about 8 centimeters.
14. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the main diameter is greater
than about 7.5 centimeters.
15. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the main diameter is about 12
centimeters.
16. The bottle of claim 14, wherein the main diameter is
substantially constant along a majority of the base portion.
17. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the height of the bottle is
less than about 17 centimeters.
18. The bottle of claim 16, wherein the height of the bottle is
less than about 30 centimeters.
19. The bottle of claim 5, wherein removal of the child resistant
cap requires the application of an axially downward force while
simultaneously rotating the cap with respect to the base
portion.
20. The bottle of claim 5, further comprising: means for measuring
a dosage of the medicine formed as part of the means for
closing.
21. A bottle for a medicine, comprising: child resistant means for
containing a medicine; means for opening and closing the means for
containing the medicine; and means for enhancing the manual
gripability of the means for containing the medicine by providing a
portion that is narrower than a portion of the means for containing
the medicine.
22. A method of providing a medicine to a retailer: delivering the
medicine to the retailer in a first type of bottle; and delivering
the medicine to the retailer in a second type of bottle, the second
type of bottle being a larger volume than the first type of bottle,
the second type of bottle being a bottle of claim 5.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the bottles of the two types
are delivered in the same shipment.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first type of bottle and
the second type of bottle have caps of the same cap type.
25. A delivery system for a medicine, comprising: a first type
bottle containing the medicine, a second type bottle containing the
medicine, the second type bottle being a bottle of claim 5 and
being larger volume than the first type bottle, the first type
bottle and second type bottle having lids configured to provide a
dosage measurement for the medicine; and a unifying container
holding the first type bottle and the second type bottle.
26. The delivery system of 25, wherein the lids of the first type
bottle and the second type bottle measure the same dosage.
27. The deliver system of 26, wherein the lids of the first type
bottle and the second type bottle are identical.
28. A retail display system for a medicine, comprising: a retail
display device; a first type bottle containing the medicine and
located on the retail display device; a second type bottle
containing the medicine and located on the retail display device,
the second type bottle being a bottle of claim 5 and having a
larger volume than and the same cap design as the first type
bottle.
29. The retail display system of claim 28, wherein the retail
display device is a shelf.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Medication bottles may be closed with a threaded cap that is
removed by a user applying a twisting force to the cap with one
hand while gripping the body of the bottle with the other hand.
Bottles having a large diameter may be difficult to open because
the large diameter body portion may impede gripping by the user's
hand. This difficulty may be heightened in individuals having a
disability, such as, e.g., arthritis, particularly for
child-resistant bottle closures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 depicts a third angle perspective view of an example
set of bottles without caps, according to an example embodiment of
the present invention.
[0003] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the example set of bottles of
FIG. 1 with caps.
[0004] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a bottle of FIG.
2.
[0005] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict a child-resistant closure mechanism
of the cap of the bottle of FIG. 3.
[0006] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the example set of bottles of
FIG. 1, in a closed position and in a retail display system,
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0007] Medicine bottles up to a certain size have diameters that
may be gripped easily by one hand so that the other hand is free to
remove the cap. Larger-sized bottles typically have larger
diameters to accommodate larger internal volumes. There may be
advantages to increasing the diameter of larger-sized bottles, such
as, e.g., providing a lower center of gravity and increasing the
bottom surface area relative to the height, thereby making it more
difficult for the bottle to be accidentally tipped over when
resting on its base. A potential disadvantage is that the
larger-diameter base may be more difficult to grasp with one hand.
This can make opening and closing the bottle substantially more
difficult, especially where the bottle has a child resistant cap
that may require forces to applied other than simply turning the
cap. Some child resistant caps, for example, require applying a
substantial downward force while turning the cap. This additional
applied force may make gripping the base of the bottle especially
difficult. Thus, a problem exists where both a large diameter and
good gripability are desired.
[0008] Example embodiments of the present invention address at
least the aforementioned problem by providing a grip portion of
reduced diameter between the large-diameter base portion and the
top portion of the bottle where the cap is secured. In this manner,
the bottle is provided with a large internal capacity, yet is easy
to grip with one hand at the smaller-diameter grip portion, leaving
the second hand free to disengage the cap. The grip portion may
allow the bottle to be gripped easily and sufficiently to fully
support the bottle against both rotational forces and linear
forces, such as, e.g., the downward force necessary to open and
close some child resistant bottles. Accordingly, an ergonomic
bottle is provided that allows for a large-diameter base.
[0009] According to some example embodiments of the present
invention, some example bottles may be bottles for a powder or
liquid having: a substantially cylindrical base portion having a
main diameter greater than about 8; a threaded neck portion having
a neck diameter of about 4 centimeters; a child resistant cap
fitted to the threaded neck portion and configured to provide a
dosage measurement for the medicine, the cap having a cap diameter
of about 5 centimeters; a grip portion integrally formed with the
bottle and disposed between the base portion and the neck portion,
the grip portion having a grip diameter that is substantially less
than the main diameter and substantially greater than the cap
diameter, where the grip diameter is greater than approximately 7
centimeters and less than approximately 8 centimeters. Some
examples may have an undercut portion disposed between the grip
portion and the base portion, where the undercut portion has an
undercut diameter that is less than the grip diameter. The bottle
may contain a powder or liquid form of a medicine, for example a
laxative, such as polyethylene glycol or similar product. In
certain embodiments, the height of the bottle may be less than
about 18 centimeters.
[0010] Some example bottles, according to some example embodiments
of the present invention, may be bottles for a medicine having: a
base portion having a main diameter; a threaded neck portion having
a neck diameter, the neck diameter being substantially smaller than
the main diameter. Some examples may have a child resistant cap
fitted to the threaded neck portion and having a cap diameter. Some
examples may have a grip portion disposed between the base portion
and the neck portion, where the grip portion has a grip diameter
that is substantially smaller than the main diameter and
substantially greater than the neck diameter. Some caps may have an
indicator that corresponds to a dose size. In some examples, the
cap may have an internal volume that corresponds to a dose size.
Some examples may have an undercut portion disposed between the
grip portion and the base portion, where the undercut portion has
an undercut diameter that is less than the grip diameter. In some
examples, the medicine may be a laxative in powder form. The neck
diameter may be greater than 2.5 centimeters. In some examples, the
neck diameter may be about 3.8 centimeters. In some examples, the
grip portion may be integrally formed with the bottle. In some
examples, the grip diameter may be greater than 7 centimeters and
less than 8 centimeters. In some examples, the main diameter may be
greater than about 7.5 centimeters. In some examples, the main
diameter may be greater than about 12 centimeters. In some
examples, the main diameter is substantially constant along a
majority of the base portion. In some examples, the height of the
bottle may be less than about 17 centimeters. In some examples, the
height of the bottle may be less than about 30 centimeters. In some
examples, removal of the child resistant cap may require the
application of an axially downward force while simultaneously
rotating the cap with respect to the base portion.
[0011] According to some example embodiments of the present
invention, some example methods of providing a medicine to a
retailer may include delivering the medicine to the retailer in a
first type of bottle and delivering the medicine to the retailer in
a second type of bottle, where the second type is larger volume
than the first type, and where the second type of bottle is a
bottle in accordance with the examples set forth above. In some
examples, the bottles of the two types are delivered in the same
shipment. In some examples, the first type of bottle and the second
type of bottle have caps of the same cap type.
[0012] According to some example embodiments of the present
invention, some example delivery systems for a medication may
include: a first type bottle containing the medicine; a second type
bottle containing the medicine, where the second type bottle is a
bottle as described above and being larger volume than the first
type bottle, and where the first type bottle and second type bottle
have lids configured to provide a dosage measurement for the
medicine; and a unifying container holding the first type bottle
and the second type bottle. In some examples, the lids of the first
type bottle and the second type bottle may measure the same dosage.
In some examples, the lids of the first type bottle and the second
type bottle may be identical.
[0013] According to some example embodiments of the present
invention, some example retail display systems for a medicine may
include a retail display device, a first type bottle containing the
medicine and located on the retail display device, and a second
type bottle containing the medicine and located on the retail
display device, where the second type bottle is a bottle as
described above and is larger volume than the first type bottle. In
some examples, the retail display system is a shelf.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a third angle perspective view of an example
set 5 of bottles 10, 20, 30 without caps according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the example set 5 of bottles
10, 20, 30 of FIG. 1. Each bottle 10, 20, 30 has a cylindrical base
portion 11, 21, 31, a threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32, and a child
resistant cap 13, 23, 33 that is fitted to the threaded neck
portion 12, 22, 32. Each cap 13, 23, 33 has a cap outer diameter 41
of about 5 centimeters. Each threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32 has
an outer diameter of about 4 centimeters. The width of the threaded
neck portion 12, 22, 32 may allow for a wide opening that may
facilitate the dispensing of a medication, e.g., a laxative, in
powder form. The size of the cap allows the cap to have an internal
volume sufficiently sized to provide a vehicle for dosage
measurement. For example, the total interior volume of the cap
could correspond to a dosage size and/or a line or marking could
correspond to a dosage when the cap is filled to the line or
marking. Each of the three caps 13, 23, 33 depicted in FIG. 2 is
identical with respect to each other and may be interchangeably
fitted with any of the three different bottles 10, 20, 30. In this
regard, all of the bottles 10, 20, 30 may contain different amounts
of the same medicine, e.g. laxative, in powdered form, while having
identical caps providing the same dosage measurement. When the cap
13, 23, 33 is attached to the threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32,
each bottle 10, 20, 30 may be opened by disengaging the threaded
interface between the threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32. This is
accomplished by applying a twisting force between the cap 13, 23,
33 and the threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32. Because of the
child-proof construction of the cap 13, 23, 33, a substantial force
must be simultaneously applied in an axially downward direction 7
in order for the twisting force to be transferred to the interface
between an inner surface of the cap 13, 23, 33 and an outer surface
of the threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32. Otherwise, an outer
portion of the cap 13, 23, 33 spins with respect to an inner
portion (including the inner surface) of the cap 13, 23, 33, while
the inner portion remains stationary (and engaged) with respect to
the threaded neck portion 12, 22, 32. The height of the
larger-capacity bottle 30, not including the cap 33, may be less
than 18 centimeters.
[0016] A user may open either of the two smaller-capacity bottles
10, 20 by gripping the cap 13, 23 with one hand and gripping the
base portion 11, 21 with the other hand, and applying a twisting
force (and simultaneous axially downward force) between the cap 13,
23 and the base portion 11, 21, which is integrally formed with the
threaded neck portion 12, 22, from, e.g., plastic. The
larger-capacity bottle 30 may be more difficult to grasp at the
base portion 31 because the base portion 31 of the bottle 30 has a
base portion diameter 40 that is greater than the diameter of each
of the other bottles 10, 20. This may present particular difficulty
to users with muscle, nerve, and/or joint afflictions such as,
e.g., arthritis. Thus, in order to improve the gripability, a grip
portion 45 is integrally formed with the bottle and disposed
between the base portion 31 and the threaded neck portion 32. The
grip portion 45 has a diameter 47 that is substantially less than
the main diameter 40 and substantially greater than the cap
diameter 41. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the grip
portion is small enough for a large number of users can comfortable
grip it with one hand, but large enough to provide some clearance
between the cap and the hand gripping the grip portion, for example
between about 7 and about 8 centimeters. An undercut portion 50,
having a diameter 52 that is less than the grip portion diameter
47, is disposed between the grip portion 45 and the base portion
31. In the bottle 30 depicted in FIG. 2, the grip portion 45 ends
and the undercut portion 50 begins at a point where the outer
profile of the bottle transitions from convex to concave. It should
be appreciated, however, that the undercut portion and the grip
portion may be separated by a non-continuous profile (e.g., a sharp
angle). The undercut portion 50 may provide better grip and allow
the user to more easily support the weight of the bottle 30 when
gripping around the grip portion 45. The undercut portion may also
allow the base to be better supported when pressing the cap axially
downward to overcome the child-resistant closure. Although the grip
portion depicted in FIG. 2 has a curved profile, it should be
appreciated that the grip portion may have other profiles, e.g., a
flat vertical surface.
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the bottle 30 of
FIG. 2. The bottle 30 has an internal cavity 60 that may hold,
e.g., a laxative in powder form that may be dispensed through
opening 65, by, e.g., pouring. The threaded neck portion 32 has
external threads 70 that mate with internal threads 75 of an inner
portion 80 of the cap 33. The inner portion 80 is constrained
within an outer portion 85. The inner portion 80 may rotate within
the outer portion 85 about an axis 90. There is also a small amount
of axial clearance, allowing an amount of axial displacement
between the inner portion 80 and the outer portion 85 along the
axis 90. Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, along a periphery of the cap
33 are mating elements 100, 105. In the absence of a substantial
force applied in the axially downward direction 7, when the cap is
turned in a direction, e.g., counter-clockwise, to be opened, the
angled surfaces 101, 106 guide the mating element 100 (which is
fixed to and integral with the outer portion 85) past the mating
element 105 (which is fixed to and integral with the inner portion
80 and frictionally coupled to the threaded neck portion 32 via the
threaded interface there between) in a direction 57, as shown in
FIG. 4A. Referring to FIG. 4b, in the presence of a substantial
force in applied in the axially downward direction 7, the mating
elements are pressed together such that the angled surfaces 101,
106 are unable to slide relative to each other. As such, tangential
forces along direction 57 (and torque generated thereby) may be
transferred between the mating elements 100, 105, and therefore
between the inner portion 80 and the outer portion 85 of the cap
33. It is noted that when rotating the cap in the opposite
direction (to close the cap) a minimal amount of downward force is
required because surfaces 102 and 107 engage and are perpendicular
to the plane of applied force. In other words, because the surfaces
102, 107 are not angled, they do not urge the mating elements 100,
105 axially away from each other. It should be appreciated in this
regard that alternative or additional child-resistant closure
mechanisms may be employed.
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the example set of bottles of
FIG. 1, in a closed position and as part of a retail display system
150, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
The retail display system includes a retail display device 120, in
this case a shelf. Bottles 10, 20 of a first type have lower
capacity and smaller base diameters than a second type of bottle
30. The bottles 10, 20 of the first type do not have a grip
section, while the bottle 30 of the second type does. It is noted
that the base diameters of the bottles 10, 20 of the first type are
approximately the same as the diameter of the grip portion of the
bottle 30 of the second type. The bottles 10, 20, 30 contain the
same medicine, e.g. a laxative in powder form. Although the retail
display system has the bottles increasing in size from left to
right, it should be appreciated that the bottles may be displayed
in any order, or on different shelves or racks. It should also be
appreciated that although FIG. 5 shows two sizes of bottles of a
first type and one size of bottle of a second type, any number
(including one) of sizes of each type may be employed.
[0019] Several embodiments of the present invention are
specifically described herein. However, it will be appreciated that
modifications and variations of the present invention are covered
by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended
claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the
invention.
* * * * *