U.S. patent number 3,818,473 [Application Number 05/247,178] was granted by the patent office on 1974-06-18 for personal pill reminder.
Invention is credited to Daniel Allen Murray, Marjorie Remus Murray.
United States Patent |
3,818,473 |
Murray , et al. |
June 18, 1974 |
PERSONAL PILL REMINDER
Abstract
A pill container has a lower pill-holding portion and an upper
cover portion. A spring-driven escapement controlled timer projects
from an inner face of the cover portion. A battery in the cover
portion supplies current to the buzzer when timer contacts are
closed and when complementary contacts in the cover and container
portions are juxtaposed. Opening the container stops the buzzer.
When the container is closed without resetting the timer, the
buzzer is activated, reminding the carrier to set the timer. When
the timer is set and the cover is closed, the buzzer sounds after a
preselected number of hours, reminding the carrier to open the box,
take a pill, and reset the timer.
Inventors: |
Murray; Marjorie Remus
(Honolulu, HI), Murray; Daniel Allen (Honolulu, HI) |
Family
ID: |
22933894 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/247,178 |
Filed: |
April 14, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/309.7;
340/309.4; 968/345; 968/811 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J
7/0472 (20130101); G04B 37/127 (20130101); G04F
3/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61J
7/04 (20060101); A61J 7/00 (20060101); G04B
37/00 (20060101); G04F 3/02 (20060101); G04B
37/12 (20060101); G04F 3/00 (20060101); G04c
019/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/39.1R,39.4R
;58/19R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pitts; Harold I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wray; James C.
Claims
We claim:
1. Container reminder pill box apparatus comprising a box having a
container portion and a relatively moveable cover portion, a
completion means having a first section connected to the container
portion and a second section connected to the cover portion for
completing communication between the sections upon joining the
cover and container portions, supply means connected to the
completion means for communicating power thereto, a source of power
connected to the supply means for imparting power to the supply
means, signal means connected to the supply means for producing a
discernible signal, and timer means connected to the supply means
for completing the supply means and thereby supplying power from
the source to the signal means when the first and second sections
are joined.
2. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 1 further comprising
variable means connected to the supply means for varying supply of
power from the source to the signal means.
3. The container reminder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
container apparatus comprises a portable personal reminder pill
box, wherein the container portion comprises a pill receiving
portion, wherein the power source comprises a portable
self-contained source of electrical power, and wherein the signal
means comprises miniature electrical signal producing means.
4. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first and
second sections comprise first and second electrical contacts
respectively connected to the cover portion and to the pill
receiving portion.
5. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 3 wherein the timer
means comprises a fixed pole connected to one part of the supply
means and a moveable selector having a moveable pole connected to
another part of the supply means for engaging the fixed pole, and
drive means for moving the selector toward engagement of the
poles.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reminder container is a
portable pocket-size reminder pill box, wherein the source of
power, the signal means, the supply means and the timer means are
mounted in the cover portion of the pill box, and wherein the
completion means comprises a spaced pair of contacts in the cover
portion, and a complementary bar contact in the container portion
of the pill box for spanning the spaced contacts when the pill box
cover portion is closed upon the pill box container portion,
whereby the completion means completes a portion of the supply
means when the reminder pill box is closed, whereby power is
communicated to the signal means from the source via the supply
means and the completion means when the timer means completes a
portion of the supply means, and wherein the timer has a stop at a
zero position, whereby the signal means stops upon opening the pill
box and restarts upon closing the pill box before the timer means
is reset, thereby reminding the user to reset the timer.
7. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 6 wherein the timer
means is mounted on an inner face of the cover portion which faces
the container portion.
8. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a
variable transmission means connected to the circuit supply means
and mounted in the cover portion with a controller connected to the
variable means and extending through the inner face of the cover
portion adjacent the timer for varying intensity of signal produced
by the signal means.
9. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal
means comprises a noise-making alarm, and further comprising an
opening in an external face of the cover adjacent the alarm means
whereby sound is transmitted from the reminder apparatus.
10. The reminder pill box apparatus of claim 6 wherein the source
is a battery mounted in a recess in the cover portion having access
through an outer face of the cover portion.
11. The container reminder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the box
comprises a small pill box adapted for carrying on a person of a
user, and wherein the signal means comprises a noise-making means,
whereby the timer means upon stopping at a zero position causes
operation of the signal means, disturbing the user, whereby opening
the box interrupts the noise and closing the box restarts the noise
which continues until the timer is reset, thereby concurrently
reminding one to take a pill and to reset the timer for the next
desired interval.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the most common problems associated with the periodic taking
of medication is the failure of take pills on time. Often, a person
simply forgets to take a pill when the appropriate time comes.
Sometimes a person forgets when he has taken his last pill. A
person may forget whether he indeed took a pill the last time.
Some modern 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.
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.
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.
Prior art devices have dispensed articles following selected
intervals. Such devices are cumbersome and neither ensure that the
articles so dispsensed will be used at the appropriate time due to
their unavailability nor ensure that following intervals will be
properly programmed.
Several pill boxes have been designed for personal use and for
convenient carrying with a person. Such pill boxes have not
provided active remainders that a pill should be taken and that a
timer should be set for the next dosage before returning a pill box
to its normal carrying position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pill box which actively reminds a person
at the appropriate time when a pill should be taken. The box
additionally actively reminds a person that a time for taking the
next dosage must be set before returning the box to its normal
location.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a container portion
with a relatively moveable cover portion. A completion means which
is a two-part electric switch has a first part mounted on the cover
and a complementary part mounted on a container portion. Closing
the cover portion on the container portion completes the
communication of elements of the switch. A supply means, which is
in the preferred embodiment an electrical circuit, is connected to
the switch. A power supply or a battery is connected to the supply
means or circuit. The power source supplies power through the
completion means between the closed cover and container to a signal
means in the box. A timer is also connected to the supply means. In
the preferred embodiment, the timer has an hour indicating
indicia-bearing disk mounted on an inner face of the cover. A
spindle extends centrally through the disk and has fixed at a
proximal end a hub with a pointer. Potential energy is imparted to
a spring within the cover by turning the hub pointer and spindle.
When the hub is released, the spring drives the spindle, hub and
pointer through an escapement mechanism in a conventional manner in
the opposite sense of direction back toward the zero point. When
the pointer is at the zero point, electrical contacts in the timer
complete a second severable part of the circuit for supplying power
from the battery to the signalling element.
A moveable marker may be employed with the timer for selecting a
fixed position on the disk to indicate the repetitive medication.
Any conventional form of small timer may be employed. For example,
the entire disk may move with the spindle relative to a fixed index
on the inner face of the cover portion.
A variable power controlling device is used in the supply means of
one embodiment. A variable resistor may be mounted in the
electrical circuit with a controller extending through an inner
face of the cover portion.
A noise producing device is preferred as the signal. 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
moveable signal may produce a shaking of the container; a light may
be employed where the device is worn in a visible spot such as a
locket. Temperature change may be employed as a signal when the
device is configured for wearing against the skin such as a
locket.
Any convenient power source may be employed in the signal circuit.
For example, a battery operates an electric signal. A wound spring
may operate a mechanical signal. In the case of a mechanical
system, the completion means may be a spring-mounted push bar which
locks the mechanism until the cover is closed. The timer may have
elements which lock the signal-driving mechanism until the timer
reaches the zero position.
In a preferred embodiment, the container portion is the base of the
box. Th timer is contained in the cover portion, and a battery,
buzzer and variable resistor are connected with circuitry to the
cover portion. A completion switch between the cover and the
container comprises two spaced contacts on the cover portion and an
interconnecting bar on the base portion.
In an alternate embodiment, the cover portion may be reduced to the
smallest size possible commensurate with commercially available
timers. Other elements may be inserted in the cover portion where
excess space permits, and the remaining elements are placed in a
separate compartment within the container portion. For example, the
battery and buzzer may be placed within the container portion, and
the buzzer may communicate through a grill in the outer face of the
container. Preferably the cover is decorated so that the container
is always opened with the pill receiver in the lower position.
Broad objectives of the invention are accomplished by employing the
device in a two-part container with a signal, a power source, a
timer and complementary means cooperating between the parts to
operate a signal when the parts are juxtaposed with the timer on
zero.
One object of the invention is the provision of a two-part reminder
container having a container portion, a relatively moveable cover
portion, a signal and power source, means connecting the signal and
power source, a timer for interrupting the connecting means and a
switch for interrupting the connecting means, and being operable
upon closing the container to complete one part of the connecting
means.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a personal pill
reminder having a pill receiver, a power source, a signal, supply
means connecting the source and signal, a timer interrupting the
supply means when offset from zero, and a switch interrupting the
supply means when a cover on the pill receiver is open.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a personal pill
reminder having a pill container portion, a cover portion, a timer
mounted on an inner face of the cover portion, a battery and a
buzzer mounted in the portions and a switch mounted between the
portions, and a circuit connecting the battery, buzzer, timer and
switch in series for interrupting the circuit when the container is
open or when the timer is offset from zero.
These and other objects of the invention are apparent in the
disclosure, which comprises the foregoing and ongoing
specification, including the claims, and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an open box personal pill reminder.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a box similar to that shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outer face of a cover.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is an electrical circuit schematic of a preferred form of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to FIG. 1, pills 10 are mounted within a recessed
container portion 12 of a personal pill reminder box. The box has a
power source and a signal which are not shown. An adjustment 13
controls the intensity of the signal. In the present case, the
letters l and s indicate that a noisemaking signal is employed and
is adjusted so that its controller is at a loud end. A two-part
switch generally indicated by the numeral 15 has one elongated
rectangular section at one edge of the container portion opposite
two complementary square sections 16 in the cover portion of the
container. Hinges 17 join the cover portion 20 and the container
portion 12. A clasp not shown at edges of the cover and container
portions opposite the hinge hold the portions together when the
cover is closed, thereby holding contacts 16 in communication with
contact 15. A timer 22 is mounted on an inner face of a cover
20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the entire closed personal pill container is
generally indicated by the numeral 30. Only the end 32 of the hinge
interrupts the smooth side faces of the box. As shown in FIG. 3,
the outer face 40 of the cover has decorative lettering 42 so that
the box may be held in proper position for opening.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a modification of the container with recessed
hinges. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the lower and outer face
50 of the container portion has a battery within a recess 52. A
buzzer is mounted behind a screened opening 56. The opening may be
adjustably shuttered in order to vary the intensity of signal. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, two separate conductors are
connected between the electrical elements in the cover and in the
container section. Two sets of contacts such as indicated by the
numeral 16 in FIG. 1 may be employed, or a single contact in the
cover may communicate with a single contact in the base, employing
one of the hinges as the second circuit.
In FIG. 5 an embodiment is shown in which all of the elements are
mounted in one portion of the pill reminder box, for example the
cover portion. Cover contacts 60 are completed by base contact 62
when the cover is closed. Battery 65 is connected in supply means
66 in which one part is interrupted by timer 67. When fixed pole 69
is contacted by moveable pole 70 on the moveable part 72 of the
timer, i.e., when timer 67 is at the zero position with the box
closed, power is supplied through the variable resistor 75 to
buzzer 78. Opening the box separates contact 62 from contact 60,
shutting off a buzzer. Closing the box without resetting the timer
then completes the circuit to the buzzer, reminding the user that
the timer must be reset. When the pointer on hub 72 is set to the
appropriate hour marked on the dial of timer 67, the box may be
closed. The timer hub is driven in a conventional manner to the
zero point, whereupon poles 69 and 70 are contacted, supplying
power to the buzzer until the box is opened.
The present invention is a pill box of any shape, size and exterior
design with a built-in reminder system to tell when to take a pill,
by way of a chime, bell or buzzer.
The timer is set by the owner for the time he must take his pill;
he takes his pill and in all probability closes the box. However,
the pill box will again chime, ring or buzz until he resets the
timer for the time his next pill is due. In this way there can be
no mistakes, no oversights and no accidents. The reminder tells him
exactly when to take his pill.
If the person is traveling and crossing time zones, it will make no
difference to the reminder as it might to his memory and would to
his wrist watch.
Certain pills, such as anti-convulsants, tranquilizers or sleeping
pills, by their very nature impair the memory. Hence, the personal
pill reminder has unique and important value and necessity.
The reminder need not necessarily look like the ordinary pill box.
It may look like a brooch, pendant, charm on a charm bracelet or
lapel pin. The box can be mounted or set in the frame of a handbag.
For men the box can be mounted on a money clip, set in a wallet or
attache case or be dangled from a key chain. Any variation is
possible from a simple square of brushed chrome to an elaborately
jewel-encrusted box.
One important feature is the built in safety device that will not
allow it to stop ringing, buzzing or chiming until the owner resets
it at the proper time for his next pill.
When the reminder is not being used for pills, it can be set for
appointments, parking meter times and time intervals between drinks
or cigarettes when one is cutting down. It can be set to remind one
to make an important phone call at the right time. It can remind
one of the length of time one has allocated for a business
appointment, conversation, interview or luncheon.
Since the reminder has a rheostat to control the sound volume, it
can be taken to a business meeting or concert hall with the
rheostat turned low. With the rheostat turned up, it can be taken
outdoors, left in the next room or taken to a moderately noisy
restaurant.
The main purpose of the reminder is accuracy and safety. No matter
what the age of the pill taker or what the nature of the pill he
takes, the owner of the reminder could never forget to take his
pill or take too few or too many.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, modifications and variations may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention, which is
precisely defined only in the following claims.
* * * * *