U.S. patent application number 13/038331 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for container cap with protective cover.
Invention is credited to Richard Million Burke, JR..
Application Number | 20120223045 13/038331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46752657 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120223045 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burke, JR.; Richard
Million |
September 6, 2012 |
CONTAINER CAP WITH PROTECTIVE COVER
Abstract
The invention is a prescription container cap with a
self-healing polymer protective cover. The container cap has a
self-healing polymer protective cover or coating on the top of the
container cap. The container cap is preferably a pharmaceutical
safety cap that has a timer built into the cap and graphics near
the timer. The self-healing polymer cover, which is preferably in
the shape of a tapered disk, covers and protects the timer and the
graphics. Specifically, the self-healing polymer resists minor
scratches and protects the timer from trauma, including when the
bottle and cap are dropped. The self-healing polymer protective
cover is clear and allows the user an unobstructed (or even
magnified) view of the underlying timer and graphics.
Inventors: |
Burke, JR.; Richard Million;
(Westlake Village, CA) |
Family ID: |
46752657 |
Appl. No.: |
13/038331 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 2205/30 20130101;
A61J 2205/50 20130101; A61J 7/0472 20130101; G04G 17/00 20130101;
A61J 7/0436 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/228 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00; B65D 41/00 20060101 B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A container cap with a protective cover, comprising: a container
cap; a self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein said
container cap is comprised of a top side and a timer; wherein said
timer has a display that is visible on said top side of said
container cap; wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover
is attached to said top side of said container cap such that said
display is covered by said self-healing polymer protective cover;
wherein said display is visible through said self-healing polymer
protective cover.
2. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 1, further
comprising a printed information layer; wherein said printed
information layer is between said top said of said container cap
and said self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein a plurality
of printed information on said printed information layer is visible
through said self-healing polymer protective cover.
3. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 2, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered
plano-convex shape.
4. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 3, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor
scratches.
5. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 4, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said container
cap, said timer, and said printed information layer when
dropped.
6. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 5, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover magnifies said display
and said plurality of printed information on said printed
information layer.
7. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 6, wherein
said timer is activated when said container cap is placed onto a
container and wherein said timer is deactivated when said container
cap is removed from said container.
8. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 7, wherein
said container is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle and said
container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap.
9. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 8, wherein
said pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap is child-proof.
10. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 6, wherein
said printed information layer is selected from the group
consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said
container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover;
information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and
information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective
cover.
11. A protective cover for a container cap comprising: a
self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein said self-healing
polymer protective cover is attached to a top side of a container
cap.
12. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor
scratches.
13. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said container
cap when dropped.
14. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover magnifies said top side
of said container cap.
15. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered
plano-convex shape.
16. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap.
17. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said container cap is further comprised of a timer; wherein said
timer is visible from said top side of said container cap.
18. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, further
comprising a printed information layer; wherein said printed
information layer is between said top said of said container cap
and said self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein a plurality
of printed information on said printed information layer is visible
through said self-healing polymer protective cover.
19. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein
said printed information layer is selected from the group
consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said
container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover;
information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and
information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective
cover.
20. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 18, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said printed
information layer.
21. A protective cover for a container cap comprising: a
self-healing polymer protective cover; a pharmaceutical
prescription bottle cap; a printed information layer; wherein said
printed information layer is between a top side of said
pharmaceutical bottle and said self-healing polymer protective
cover; wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover has a
tapered plano-convex shape; wherein said pharmaceutical
prescription bottle cap has a timer; wherein said timer has a
display; wherein said display of said timer and a plurality of
printed information on said printed information layer are covered
by and visible through self-healing polymer protective cover.
22. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 21, wherein
said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches,
protects said container cap when dropped, and magnifies said
display and said printed information.
23. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 22, wherein
said printed information layer is selected from the group
consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said
container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover;
information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and
information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective
cover.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to container cap
protective covers. Specifically, the invention relates to a
prescription bottle cap with a self-healing polymer or gel
protective cover. The container cap has a self-healing polymer
protective cover or coating on the top of the container cap. The
container cap is preferably a pharmaceutical safety cap that has a
timer built into the cap and graphics near the timer. The
self-healing polymer cover is preferably in the shape of a tapered
disk and covers and protects the timer and the graphics that are on
a top side of the cap. The self-healing polymer resists minor
scratches and protects the timer from trauma, including when the
container and cap are dropped. The self-healing polymer protective
cover is clear and allows the user an unobstructed (or even
magnified) view of the underlying timer and graphics.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Modern pharmaceutical practice relies on patients to
consistently take their medication at one or more specific
intervals during the day. Typically, the patient's doctor will
create a medication schedule for the patient and instruct the
patient to follow the schedule. However, when the patient has
multiple medications that may be taken at different times, the
schedule can quickly become complex and unwieldy.
[0003] In an effort to simplify medication schedules and keep
better track of when a particular medication was last taken,
various products and methods have been developed. U.S. Pat. No.
("USPN") 6,707,763, issued to Osberg, and hereby incorporated by
reference as though set forth below in its entirety, discloses a
pharmaceutical bottle timer cap that informs the user how long it
has been since the medication in the bottle was taken. The Osberg
timer cap automatically starts the timer when the cap is replaced
on the bottle after the medication has been taken. Unfortunately,
should the timer cap be dropped, the timer might break.
Additionally, the timer cap might be removed and replaced on the
bottle thousands of times, which might lead to the top of the timer
cap becoming scratched through repeated use. Finally, the size of
the digital timer display, which is limited by the surface area of
the cap, might be too small to see for some sight-impaired users of
the timer cap.
[0004] Although products have been made available to overcome the
issue of the timer being too small to easily view, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,108, issued to Johnson, which places a
magnifying glass on top of a prescription bottle top, these
products themselves have their own limitations. To protect the
magnifying portion of the cap, Johnson requires a "collar or skirt
portion" on top of the bottle cap to protect and anchor the
magnifying portion. The extra collar or skirt portion adds expense
to the manufacturing costs of the bottle cap and creates an
extremely bulky bottle cap device.
[0005] Although there are several references that disclose
container caps with timers, these references only teach the use of
lenses for protecting and magnifying the liquid crystal display
("LCD") readout of the timer module. Examples of references in this
category include U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,686, issued to Holtzer and
Breuer, U.S. Pat. No.4,826,914, issued to Holtzer, and U.S. Pat.
No.5,798,409, issued to Ho. These three references fail to teach
the use of a self-healing polymer to prevent scratches to the
surface of the cap, or to protect the timer cap and integral timer
from shock and/or trauma.
[0006] Additionally, self-healing polymer that resists minor
scratches is known in the art, but before the present invention, it
has never been used as a protective covering for a pharmaceutical
container cap. Thus, what is needed is a container cap protective
cover that is self-healing, and magnifies the digital timer display
and text on the top of a container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to
minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading
and understanding the present specification, the present invention
is a self-healing polymer protective cover for a prescription
container or bottle cap that magnifies the digital timer display
and text on top of the container cap.
[0008] One embodiment of the invention is a container cap with a
protective cover, comprising: a container cap and a self-healing
polymer protective cover. The container cap is comprised of a top
side and a timer. The timer has a display, which is preferably
digital, which is visible on the top side of the container cap. The
self-healing polymer protective cover is attached to the top side
of the container cap such that the display is covered by the
self-healing polymer protective cover. The display is visible
through the self-healing polymer protective cover. Preferably, the
container cap with a protective cover is further comprised of a
printed information layer. The printed information layer is between
the top of the container cap and the self-healing polymer
protective cover. A plurality of printed information on the printed
information layer is visible through the self-healing polymer
protective cover. Preferably, the self-healing polymer protective
cover has a tapered plano-convex shape, resists minor scratches,
and protects the container cap, the timer, and the printed
information layer when dropped. The self-healing polymer protective
cover preferably magnifies the display and the plurality of printed
information on the printed information layer. The timer may be
activated when the container cap is placed onto a container and
deactivated when the container cap is removed from the container.
The container is preferably a pharmaceutical prescription bottle
and the container cap is preferably a child-proof pharmaceutical
prescription bottle cap. The printed information layer may be
selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed
between the top side of the container cap and the self-healing
polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of
the container cap; and information printed onto the self-healing
polymer protective cover, or more specifically, printed onto one of
the layers that compose the polymer protective cover (this is the
preferred manner).
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover
for a container cap comprising: a self-healing polymer protective
cover; wherein the self-healing polymer protective cover is
attached to a top side of a container cap. Preferably, the
self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches,
protects the container cap when dropped, magnifies the top side of
the container cap, and has a tapered plano-convex shape.
Preferably, the container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription
bottle cap and includes a timer. The timer is visible from the top
side of the container cap. The protective cover for a container cap
may further comprise a printed information layer; wherein the
printed information layer is between the top the of the container
cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein a
plurality of printed information on the printed information layer
is visible through the self-healing polymer protective cover. The
printed information layer is typically selected from the group
consisting of: a decal layer affixed between the top side of the
container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover;
information printed onto a top side of the container cap; and
information printed onto the self-healing polymer protective cover,
or more specifically, one of the layers that compose the polymer
protective cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover also
preferably protects the printed information layer.
[0010] Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover
for a container cap comprising: a self-healing polymer protective
cover; a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap; and a printed
information layer. The printed information layer is between a top
side of the pharmaceutical bottle and the self-healing polymer
protective cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover has a
tapered plano-convex shape. The pharmaceutical prescription bottle
cap has a timer, which has a display. The display of the timer and
a plurality of printed information on the printed information layer
are covered by and visible through self-healing polymer protective
cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor
scratches, protects the container cap when dropped, and magnifies
the display and the printed information. The printed information
layer is typically selected from the group consisting of: a decal
layer affixed between the top side of the container cap and the
self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a
top side of the container cap; and information printed onto the
self-healing polymer protective cover, or more specifically, one of
the layers that compose the polymer protective cover.
[0011] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides
protection for the components of the container cap and container in
multiple ways. First, if the cap is dropped, the protective cover
protects the electronic timer, the timer display, the printed
information (text and images) that are printed on the container
cap, and other components within and around the prescription cap.
The protective cover also protects the bottle and the contents of
the bottle from trauma by providing shock absorption. Second, the
protective cover is self-healing polymer or gel, so it resists
minor scratches (by self-healing the scratches).
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
protective cover is designed to provide an unobstructed, or even
magnified, view of the underlying timer and graphics.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
limitations of the prior art.
[0014] Additional embodiments of the invention will be understood
from the detailed description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover placed on a
container.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of one embodiment of
the container cap with a protective cover.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment
of the container cap with a protective cover.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cut-way perspective view of
one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration,
a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0022] In the following detailed description of various embodiments
of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or
more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments
of the invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or
components have not been described in detail so as not to
unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.
[0023] The term "container cap" refers to a lid, cap, top, topper,
bung, stopper, cover, tap, seal, or closure of a container or
bottle. The cap and container are preferably a pharmaceutical
prescription safety cap and a pharmaceutical prescription bottle,
but they may be any cap or container without deviating from the
scope of the invention.
[0024] The term "self-healing polymer" refers to polymer
composition, structure, or film that has the ability to heal its
surface so that shallow or minor scratches and abrasion disappear
within a short time, such as few hours. The self-healing property
of self-healing polymer keeps what it covers looking newer longer.
The self-healing polymer may include, but is not limited to: epoxy
resins, polymer gels, polyurethanes, latex, silicone, and butyl
rubber, and/or polycarbonate sheets, which might include a hardcoat
outer layer that uses a cold-flow mechanism to heal scratches to
the hardcoat. The self-healing polymer usually has one or more
layers. Printing may be applied to any layer, which means the
printing may be fully enclosed or may be on an outside of the
self-healing polymer. The term "minor scratches" refers to any
shallow cuts, nicks, divots, abrasions, marks, gouges, and/or
scratches.
[0025] The timer incorporated into the container cap of the present
invention is preferably a digital timer with a display that is
automatically activated and deactivated when the cap is affixed to,
or removed from, the container, however, the timer may be analog
and may activate or deactivate through any means without deviating
from the scope of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover placed on a
container. FIG. 1 shows the container cap with protective cover 10
is attached to the top of a container 100. The container 100
represents one possible environment to which container cap with
protective cover 10 may engage. As shown in FIG. 1, container 100
and container cap with protective cover 10 are cylindrical and/or
circular and are preferably used to enclose prescription
pharmaceutical medicines. The container 100 may also be a container
that holds over-the-counter ("OTC") medications, vitamins,
nutraceuticals, and/or pet medications, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0027] Container cap with protective cover 10 may engage with
container 100 through any mechanism, including, but not limited to
standard threads (twisted on and off), child-proof threads,
friction, snap, gasket, or plug, without deviating from the scope
of the invention.
[0028] The container cap with protective cover 10 includes a
protective cover 30. The protective cover 30, as shown in FIG. 1,
is attached or affixed, preferably permanently, to the top side of
the container cap 15 and protects the top of the container cap 15.
The protective cover 30 is made from a self-healing polymer that
resists and repairs minor scratches. The protective cover 30 also
protects the underlying printed information, decals, graphics,
text, and electronic timer, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, from trauma,
including when the container and cap are dropped. Specifically, the
self-healing polymer resists minor scratches, provides mechanical
dampening to protect a container cap from trauma, which includes
when cap is dropped or impacts hard surfaces, provides an
integrated lens and protection for an LCD readout of a timer, and
magnifies an LCD or printed information readout.
[0029] The protective cover 30 is substantially transparent and
preferably has a tapered plano-convex shape. This shape means that
one side is slightly convex and the other is preferably flat. As
shown in FIG. 1, the flat side is affixed to the flat top of the
container cap and the convex side is the outer side. The convex
side magnifies the underlying decal, graphics, text, and electronic
timer, and the transparency of protective cover 30 gives the user
an unobstructed view of underlying decal, graphics, text, and
electronic timer. The plano-convex shape, which, as shown in FIG.
1, is circular or cylindrical, is essentially a flat disk with
tapered edges on one side. The protective cover 30 is preferably
the same general shape of the bottle, whether it is circular or
polygonal.
[0030] During the manufacturing process, the protective cover 30 is
preferably precisely aligned to the container cap 15 to ensure
exact placement. When the alignment is off, the display that is
visible through the protective cover 30 might be blocked to some
degree by the protective cover 30. The accuracy of the alignment of
the protective cover 30 and the underlying printed information (or
underlying printed logo, timer, or decal) may be improved by adding
a mechanical registration key to both the protective cover and the
container cap. The mechanical registration key helps to ensure
precise alignment without substantially adding additional
manufacturing complexity or cost. The preferred embodiment of the
mechanical registration feature is having an alignment flat area
near the bottom of protective cover 30 and the top of container cap
15. This mechanical registration key feature may alter the
substantially circular shape of the protective cover 30 and
container cap 15.
[0031] FIG. 1 also shows how the container cap 15 preferably has
grip portion 40 to help the user more easily attach and remove the
container cap 15 from container 100.
[0032] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. A
container cap with protective cover 10 is preferably comprised of
container cap 15, a timer 20, a protective cover 30, and a grip
portion 40. The container cap with protective cover 10 is
preferably a pharmaceutical prescription safety cap that has a
timer 20 built into the cap. The sides of the container cap with
protective cover 10 may contain a grip portion 40 so that the user
can easily grip the sides of the container cap with protective
cover 10.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of one embodiment of
the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 3 shows how the
protective cover 30 is preferably substantially transparent so that
the timer 20 and printed information 25 can be seen through the
protective cover 30. Printed information 25 can be printed directly
onto the top side of container 15, integrated into the polymer
during manufacture of the protective cover 30, or it can be a
graphic or decal that is attached to the bottom of the protective
cover 30 or the top of container cap 15. In alternate embodiments,
the printed information 25 may be part of an adhesive layer that
incorporates the information and is integrated with a lens into the
structure of the protective cover 30. The information provided with
the present invention may include, but is not limited to, logos,
images, medication information, brand names, display information,
slogans, or other useful information. The adhesive layer is
preferably composed of a rigid polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") layer and
an optional transparent polyester release layer. Should printed
information 25 be a decal or printed directly onto the top side of
container cap 15, the protective cover 30 preferably completely
covers the printed information 25 and protects it from being
scraped or scratched.
[0034] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment
of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 4 shows how the
protective cover 30 of container cap with protective cover 10
protrudes outward from container cap 15.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cut-way perspective view of
one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 5
shows that container cap with protective cover 10, preferably is
comprised of protective cover 30, container cap 15, timer 20,
display 200, magnified display 210, printed information layer 225,
magnified display of the printed information layer 230 and 231,
timer components 300 and 310, and top portion 400. FIG. 5 shows
that protective cover 30 magnifies printed information layer 225 so
that it appears larger as magnified printed information layer 230
and 231. Protective cover 30 may also magnify display 200 so that
it is shown as magnified display 210. This magnification helps
those users with sight impairment to see the decals and display
more clearly. As shown in FIG. 5, display 200 is preferably a
digital display of a digital timer. Display 200 may be analog
without deviating from the scope of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 6
shows how container cap with protective cover 10 preferably
includes protective cover 30, timer 20, container cap 15,
information layer 220, top portion 400, and interior structures
410. The timer 20 is preferably just below top portion 400, which
has a window so the display of timer 20 is visible. As shown in
FIG. 6, the information layer 220 is preferably just above top
portion 400 and just below protective cover 30, it may be part of
the protective cover 30, part of container cap 15, or its own
independent layer. In this manner, protective cover 30 protects the
information layer 220 and timer 20 from scratches and blunt trauma.
FIG. 6 also shows how the entirety of top portion 400 is preferably
covered by protective cover 30.
[0037] In summary, the present invention is a container cap with a
self-healing polymer protective cover. The container cap is
preferably a pharmaceutical safety cap that has a timer built into
the cap and a decal or graphics next to or surrounding the timer.
The self-healing polymer cover, which is preferably in the shape of
a tapered disk, covers and protects the timer and the graphics.
Specifically, the self-healing polymer cover resists minor
scratches and protects the timer and the display from trauma,
including when the cap and/or bottle are dropped. The self-healing
polymer protective cover is substantially transparent or clear and
allows the user an unobstructed, or even magnified, view of the
underlying timer and printed information.
[0038] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows
and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also,
although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the
invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one
another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a
particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to
limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the
invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the
claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended
hereto.
* * * * *