US20050133383A1

US20050133383A1 - Attachable medicinal container

Info

Publication number: US20050133383A1
Application number: US10/745,252
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Lyon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-23
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2005-06-23

Abstract

An attachable medicinal container includes a sheet having at least one compartment therein, and a lid movably attached to the sheet. The lid includes a cover for the at least one compartment. In one embodiment, the attachable medicinal container also includes at least one feature for releasably locking the lid and the sheet. The attachable medicinal container also includes a fastener. In another embodiment, an attachable medicinal container includes a substrate including at least one compartment, a medicinal within the at least one compartment, and a sealing layer sealing the compartment. The attachable medicinal container can be part of a kit including a package having an item, and an attachable medicinal container associated with the package.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a pill container. More specifically, the present invention relates to an attachable pill container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some instances, a person desires to carry a medication with them so that the medication is readily available. For example, a person with a medical history of heart attacks in a family may desire to carry aspirin. It is known that chewing an aspirin during the initial stages of a heart attack can be helpful. An Federal Drug Administration (FDA) study concluded that if a person chews an aspirin during the initial stages of a heart attack, the risk of vascular death is reduced by 23%. Therefore, as some adults reach an age where there is a higher risk of heart attack they may desire to carry aspirin so that it is readily available. Adults having a family history of heart attacks may have a very strong desire to carry aspirin in a place where it is readily available.
Other medications must be readily available to a person and carried with the person at all times. The availability of the medication can be a life or death matter. For example, a person who has angina pectoris needs to carry nitroglycerin pills in the case of an angina attack. The angina sufferer must immediately take a nitroglycerin pill orally when an attack occurs, and may need to take additional pills if the first is not successful in quelling the attack. Further, although not related to a condition causing an incapacitating attack, many people carry medication with them that must be taken regularly for convenience sake. There are many instances where persons must have a medication available or face grave health risks when the medication is not available. The nitroglycerin pill or capsule is just one instance. It is anticipated that other medications will become available for certain health conditions that users and physicians feel the patient must carry with them.
There are still instances where patients would find it convenient and advantageous to carry a medication with them. For example, relatively mild allergy sufferers that take dosages of allergy medications as needed would like to have one or more doses of the medication readily available. This occurrence may also become more common in the future. In short, there are many instances where a person may be required to carry a medication and other instances where the person desires to carry medication for the purpose of convenience.
All such emergency medications need to be current so they are effective when the patient needs them. Therefore, it is important to include a way to inform the patient of the effective date of a medication so that the patient can change the medication if it should become outdated. For example, aspirin expires over time and breaks down to acetic acid. With the breakdown acetic acid, aspirin becomes ineffective. The benefit of chewing the medicine vanishes if the medicine breaks down and is rendered ineffective. Other medications also may be rendered ineffective or less effective after the expiration date of the medication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the figures and:
FIG. 1 illustrates an attachable medicinal container attached to a key chain according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the attachable medicinal container of FIG. 1 in an open position according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an attachable medicinal container of FIG. 1 in a closed position according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of an attachable medicinal container in a closed position according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates the attachable medicinal container of FIG. 4 in an open position according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a sealed attachable medicinal container according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a sealed attachable medicinal container having a portion formed as a loop according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a sealed attachable medicinal container attached to a key chain according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a sealed attachable medicinal container having a plurality of sealed containers attached to a key chain according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a kit including a package with an attachable medicinal container attached to the exterior of the package according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a kit including a package with an attachable medicinal container attached to the exterior of the package according to another embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a kit including a package with an attachable medicinal container provided within the package according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a package including a plurality of attachable medicinal containers according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 14 is a top view of a blister pack type of package including a plurality of attachable medicinal containers according to an embodiment of this invention.
The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments of the invention and such description is not intended to be construed as limiting in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an attachable medicinal container 100 that is attached to a key ring 110, according to an embodiment of this invention. The key ring is in turn attached to a key 112. It should be noted that the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100 could also be attached to other items, such as a necklace, bracelet, watch chain or the like. In some embodiments, the medicinal container includes an attachment device, such as a key ring or plastic loop, or the like. All dimensions of an attachment device are contemplated, including attachment devices that include a fastener sufficiently thin to be thread though an opening in the tab of a zipper or in a button hole. Such an embodiment is attachable to a wide range of apparel and accessories carried by a patient.
The attachable medicinal container also includes a media display area 120 which can be used to carry advertising or instructions related to the medicinals held by the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100. For example, the message display area 120 could contain an advertisement for a doctor's office, a pharmacy or a particular drug or drug manufacturer. The message display area 120 could also have an expiration date related to the medicinal held by the attachable medicinal container 100 written on the message display area 120. The message display area 120 is also made of a material, in some embodiments, that can receive ink and remains permanently marked after a message is written on to the message display area 120. In other embodiments, the message display area is made of a material capable of receiving a printing.
Placing the expiration date on the attachable medicinal container informs the patient and others that the emergency medications is current so they are effective when the patient needs them. Including the expiration date on the display area alerts the patient or other caretakers when the medicine within the attachable medicinal container either expires or is about to expire. The patient or caretaker is alerted to change the medication for another current dosage before, or on, or after the expiration date With the expiration date in clear view, the patient is more likely to have effective medication when the medicine is needed.
FIG. 2 illustrates the attachable medicinal container 100 of FIG. 1 in an open position according to an embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the attachable medicinal container of FIG. 1 in a closed position, according to an embodiment of this invention. Now referring both to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100 will be further detailed. It should be noted that in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100 does not include medicinals or pills. These figures are illustrated without pills for the sake of clarity and simplicity. That attachable medicinal container 100 includes a sheet 210 having at least one compartment 212 therein. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet 210 has three compartments 212, 213, and 214. A lid 230 is movably attached to the sheet 210. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid 230 is attached to the sheet 210 by a narrow hinged area 220. It should be noted that as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinged area 220 necks down between the lid 230 and the sheet 210. It is contemplated that in other embodiments of the invention the hinge area 220 would not have to be necked down but could be of the same width as the lid 230 and the width of the sheet 210.
The lid 230 includes at least one cover 232, which engages and covers the compartment 212 in the sheet 210. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is more than one compartment 212, 213, 214 and, therefore, there is a corresponding number of covers 232, 233, 234 in the lid 230 for the compartments 212, 213, 214 in the sheet 210. Each of the compartments 212, 213, 214 and the corresponding covers 232, 233, 234 are constructed in substantially the same way. As a result, only one compartment 212 and the corresponding lid 232 will be further discussed with the understanding that the other compartments 213, 214 and the corresponding lids 233, 234 have substantially the same construction. The compartment 212 includes a compartment wall 240. Within the compartment wall are a first detent 241 and a second detent 242. The compartment 212 has a diameter which is slightly larger than the diameter of the cover 232 on the lid 230. The cover 232 also has a wall 250. The wall 250 is provided with a first locking feature 251 and a second locking feature 252. The outside diameter of the cover 250 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the compartment 240. Therefore, the cover fits within the inner diameter of the compartment 212. The features 251 and 252 associated with the wall 250 are sized to engage the detents 241, 242 within the wall 240 of the compartment 212. Thus, the cover 232 mates with the compartment 212 to form an enclosure for a medicinal or pill (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).
The features 251, 252 engage the detents 241, 242 to secure the cover 232 to the compartment 212. The features 251, 252 and corresponding detents 241, 242 are designed so that the cover 232 stays in place with the respect to the compartment 212 until the pill or medicinal housed within the enclosure formed by the compartment 212 and cover 232 are needed. The user is then able to place a sufficient force on to the sheet 210 and the lid 230 so that the cover 232 is removed from the compartment 212 and access can be gained to the medicinal inside. It should be noted that FIGS. 2 and 3 show a circularly shaped compartment 212, 213, 214 and circularly shaped covers 232, 233, 234 and that in other embodiments of the invention the shapes could be different for different types of medicinals. For example, it is contemplated that the compartments 212, 213, 214 and the corresponding covers 232, 233, 234 could also be more oval-shaped to accommodate medicinals in the form of capsules. Compartments can be made in any desired shape.
Materials used in various embodiments of the invention may differ. For example, in one embodiment of the invention plastic is used to form the sheet 210 and the lid 230. The plastic can be either opaque or clear. Advantageously when the clear plastic is used, the medicinal within an enclosure formed by a compartment, such as 212, and a cover, such as 232, can be easily viewed. In this way a user can determine whether or not a medicinal is within the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100. If a medicinal is not within the attached or wearable medicinal container 100, the user can load an appropriate medicinal within the enclosures formed by the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100. Furthermore, if a clear plastic is used, the user is able to determine what type of medicinal is currently held within the wearable or attachable medicinal container 100. It should be noted that many types of medicinals can be held within the wearable or attachable medicinal container 100, such as allergy medications, aspirin, nitroglycerin, insulin-controlling medications, pain medications, and the like.
Also, the hinged area 220 can be a living hinge which is formed by folding a plastic. With a living hinge forming the hinged area 220, there is no need for additional hardware to movably attach the lid 230 to the sheet 210. The attachable or wearable medicinal container 100 is also provided with a fastener. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the fastener is a key ring 110. In other embodiments of the invention, the fastener 110 may be a loop of plastic which can be then attached to a necklace, bracelet or key ring. In still further embodiments, the fastener 100 can include a belt clip which includes a loop passing through the attachable or wearable medicinal container 100.
FIG. 4 is a top view of an attachable medicinal container 400 in a closed position according to an embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 illustrates an attachable medicinal container 400 in an open position according to an embodiment of this invention. Now looking to both FIGS. 4 and 5, the attachable or wearable medicinal container 400 will be further detailed. The attachable medicinal container 400 includes a sheet 410 having a first compartment 412 and a second compartment 413. It should be noted that at least one compartment is formed on the sheet 410 and that any number of compartments can be formed on the sheet 410. Attached to the sheet 410 is a first cover 432 and a second cover 433. The cover 432 is attached to the sheet 410 by hinge 422. The cover 433 is attached to the sheet 410 by hinge 423. Cover 433 covers the compartment 413. Cover 432 covers the compartment 412.
Each of the chambers 412, 413 has a similar construction and therefore only one chamber 412 will be discussed. Similarly, each of the covers 432, 433 has a similar construction and therefore only cover 432 will be discussed. The cover 432 has an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the chamber 412. The cover 432 includes a first feature 441 and a second feature 442 in the wall 440 of the cover 432. The chamber 412 also includes a wall 450. Within the wall 450 is a first detent 451 and a second detent 452. The features 441 and 442 engage the detents 451, 452 within the wall 450 of the chamber 412. The features 441, 442 and the corresponding detents 451 and 452 are dimensions so that the cover 432 engages the chamber 412, yet can be removed by the user. The detents 451 and 452 and the features 441, 442 are dimensions so that the cover 432 will stay in place on the compartment during normal wear and tear of the attachable medicinal container 400.
The attachable medicinal container 400 also includes a message display area 460. Further contemplated that messages could be displayed upon the backside surface of the wearable, attachable medicinal container 400. The backside surface is not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The sheet 410 includes an opening 415 therein. A fastening device 410, such as a key ring 110 or other fastener, is passed through the opening 415. The attachable wearable medicinal container 400 can then be attached to a key ring, necklace, bracelet, or the like. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of a hook and loop fastener 417 can be attached to the fastening device 110. A corresponding portion or mating portion of a hook and loop fastener can then be attached to the person so that the attachable medicinal container 400 is wearable at an particular spot on the user's person. In one embodiment, the hook and loop fastener 417 that is used is a material called Velcro.
FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are directed to an attachable medicinal container 600. FIG. 6 shows a top view of a sealed attachable medicinal container 600 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of the sealed attachable medicinal container 600 having a portion formed as a loop according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a sealed attachable medicinal container 600 attached to a key chain according to an embodiment of the invention.
The sealed attachable medicinal container 600 includes a substrate 610 including at least one compartment 612. A medicinal 614 is sealed within the at least one compartment 612. A sealing layer 620 seals the compartment 612. One of the substrate 610 and the sealing layer 620 include a portion 630 adapted to receive a fastener 110. In one embodiment, the substrate 610 that includes the compartment 612 and the sealing layer 620 is a blister pack. One of the substrate 610 and the sealing layer 620 includes a tail 640. The portion adapted to receive a fastener 110 is an opening formed by looping the tail 640. The tail 640 includes an opening 641. The tail also includes a peg 642 with an enlarged head 643. A loop is formed by placing the peg 642 and specifically the enlarged head 643 of the peg into the opening 641. The enlarged head 643 prevents the peg 642 from dislodging from the opening 641. In other words, the enlarged head 643 of the peg 642 stops or prevents the end of the tail, and specifically the peg 642, from being removed from the opening 641. Placing the peg 642 into the opening 641 forms a loop 630 from the tail 640 of the substrate 610 in the sealing layer 620. The attachable medicinal container 600 also includes a message display area 660, which can be used to display advertising or an expiration date or other information about the medicinal 614 carried within the compartment 612. Advantageously, the medicinal 614 is sealed within the compartment 612 at the time of manufacture. Therefore, an expiration date can be placed on the message display area 660 so that the user can easily ascertain if the medicinal 614 has become dated. When the medicinal 614 expiration date has been passed, the user can then discard the sealed attachable medicinal container 600 and purchase a new one or substitute a new sealed attachable medicinal container 600 for the outdated one. The substrate 610 and the sealing layer 620 are selected so that the sealed attachable medicinal container 600 is sufficiently rugged to withstand normal wear and tear from being worn on the person and yet weak enough so that a patient is able to remove the medicinal 614 from the compartment 612 with a force that most patients could apply to the compartment 612, or to the sealing layer 620.
FIG. 9 illustrates a sealed attachable medicinal container 900 having a plurality of sealed containers 912, 914 that carry a first medicinal 922 and a second medicinal 923. It should be noted that the medicinals housed within the compartments 912 and 913 need not necessarily be the same type of medicine. Different types of medicinals 922, 923 can be housed within the compartments 912, 913. The sealed attachable medicinal container 900 also includes a message display area 960. As shown in FIG. 9, the message display area 960 is larger than the message display area shown on the sealed attachable medicinal container 600. A substrate 910 of the sealed, attachable medicinal container 900 has an opening 930 therein. A fastener or key ring 110 can be placed directly through the opening.
FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a kit 1000 including a package 1010 having an attachable medicinal container 1020 attached to the exterior of the package 1010, according to an embodiment of the invention. The package 1010 can carry a multiplicity of dosages of the same type as carried by the attachable medicinal container 1020. It should also be noted that the package 1010 need not carry medicinals at all. For example, the package 1010 could include a device to monitor health. Attached to the package could be the attachable and wearable medicinal container 1020 that includes a medicinal related to the product. For example, the product 1010 could be a glucose monitor and the medicinal contained within the wearable, attachable medicinal container 1020 could be a dosage of a medicine that could be used to control blood sugar. Therefore, the product 1010 need not necessarily by a medicine or a medicine bottle or a container for individual doses of a medication. As shown in FIG. 10, the wearable, attachable medicinal container 1020 is connected to the product 1010 with a band 1030. The band 1030 wraps around a portion of the product 1010 and also connects to the wearable, attachable medicinal container 1020.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a kit 1100 including a package 1110 with an attachable medicinal container 1120 attached to the exterior surface of the package 1110, according to another embodiment of this invention. As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the package 1110 is a box. The box 1110 contains the product or may contain a container that includes any type of product. The wearable, attachable medicinal container 1120 is attached to the product 1110 using a shrink wrap 1130. The shrink wrap is a transparent plastic that allows the labeling on the product 1110 to be clearly viewable or remain clearly viewable. The transparent shrink wrap also allows the wearable, attachable medicinal container to be viewed. Of course, promotional material regarding the package may include a promotion about the key chain or wearable, attachable medicinal container 1120 which is attached to the package 1110.
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a kit 1200 which includes a package 1210 with an attachable medicinal container 1220 provided within the package 1210. As shown in FIG. 12, the wearable, attachable medicinal container 1220 is shown in phantom since the wearable, attachable medicinal container 1220 is within the package 1210. It should be noted once again that the package 1210 need not contain medicinals but can actually contain any type of product.
A kit includes a package including an item, and an attachable medicinal container associated with the package. In one embodiment, the attachable medicinal container is removably attached to the exterior of the package. In another embodiment, the attachable medicinal container is within the package. The first item can be a plurality of pills. In one embodiment, the attachable medicinal container includes a sheet having at least one compartment therein, and a lid movably attached to the sheet. The lid includes a cover for the at least one compartment, and at least one feature for releasably locking the lid and the sheet. In another embodiment, the attachable medicinal container includes a substrate having at least one compartment, a medicinal within the at least one compartment, a sealing layer sealing the compartment. At least one of the substrate and the sealing layer include a feature adapted to receive a fastener.
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a package 1300 that includes a plurality of attachable medicinal containers. As shown in FIG. 13, the package 1300 includes four wearable, attachable medicinal containers 1320. 1321, 1322, and 1323. The container or package that includes the attachable medicinal containers 1320, 1321, 1322, 1323 may be semi-open to feature the wearable, attachable medicinal containers. In another embodiment, the package 1300 can totally contain the wearable, attachable medicinal containers 1320, 1321, 1322, 1323.
FIG. 14 is a top view of a blister pack type of package 1400 including a plurality of attachable medicinal containers 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, according to an embodiment of this invention. The package 1400 includes a plurality of attachable medicinal containers 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425. Each attachable medicinal container 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425 includes a substrate 1410 having at least one compartment 1430. A medicinal 1440 is contained within the compartment 1430. A sealing layer 1450 seals the compartment 1440. At least one of the substrate and the sealing layer include a feature 1460 adapted to receive a fastener. As shown in FIG. 14, the feature 1460 is an opening in the substrate 1410. The opening 1460 is remotely located from the compartment 1430 in the substrate 1410.
In another embodiment, the feature adapted to receive a fastener is a tail as shown and discussed with respect to FIGS. 6-8.
In one embodiment of the invention, the package is a blister pack and each of the plurality of attachable medicinal containers is separatable from the package.
The substrate 1410 of the entire package has perforation lines 1470, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475. When a user desires a new wearable, attachable medicinal compartment, the next one can be removed from the package 1400 by tearing along one of the perforation lines 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475. Each of the wearable, attachable containers includes a message area 1480.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveals the general nature of the invention sufficiently that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt it for various applications without departing from the generic concept, and therefore such adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An attachable medicinal container comprising:

a sheet having at least one compartment therein;

a lid movably attached to the sheet, the lid including a cover for the at least one compartment; and

at least one feature for releasably locking the lid and the sheet.

2. The attachable medicinal container further comprises a fastener, wherein at least one of the sheet and the lid has an opening therein for receiving the fastener, the fastener having a first portion for attaching to the opening, and having a second portion adapted for attachment.

3. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a key ring.

4. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes a clip.

5. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising a message display area.

6. The attachable medicinal container of claim 5 wherein the message display area includes advertising.

7. The attachable medicinal container of claim 5 wherein the message display area includes instructions related to a medicinal contained within the compartment.

8. The attachable medicinal container of claim 5 wherein the message display area is attached to one of the lid or the sheet.

9. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising a medicinal contained within the compartment.

10. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 wherein the lid is movably attached to the sheet by a hinge, the lid, sheet and hinge forming an opening for a fastener.

11. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 wherein the lid is movably attached to the sheet by a hinge.

12. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising a fastener, wherein at least one of the sheet and the lid includes a loop of material for receiving the fastener, the fastener having a first portion for attaching to the loop, and having a second portion adapted for attachment.

13. The attachable medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising a portion of hook and loop fastener attached to the container.

14. An attachable medicinal container comprising:

at least one sealed compartment; and

a medicinal within the at least one compartment.

15. The attachable medicinal container of claim 14 wherein the at least one sealed compartment includes:

a substrate; and

a sealing layer, wherein one of the substrate and the sealing layer include a feature adapted to receive a fastener.

16. The attachable medicinal container of claim 15 wherein the substrate including the at least one compartment and the sealing layer is a blister pack.

17. The attachable medicinal container of claim 15 wherein the feature adapted to receive a fastener is an opening in at least one of the substrate and the sealing layer, the opening remotely located from the compartment in the substrate.

18. The attachable medicinal container of claim 15 wherein at least one of the substrate and the sealing layer includes a tail and wherein the feature adapted to receive a fastener is an opening formed by looping the tail.

19. The attachable medicinal container of claim 15 further including a message display area.

20. A kit comprising:

a package including an item; and

an attachable medicinal container associated with the package.

21. The kit of claim 20 wherein the attachable medicinal container is removably attached to the exterior of the package.

22. The kit of claim 20 wherein the attachable medicinal container is within the package.

23. The kit of claim 20 wherein the first item is a plurality of pills.

24. The kit of claim 20 wherein the attachable medicinal container further comprises:

a sheet having at least one compartment therein;

at least one feature for releasably locking the lid and the sheet.

25. The kit of claim 20 wherein the attachable medicinal container further comprises:

a substrate including at least one compartment;

a medicinal within the at least one compartment;

a sealing layer sealing the compartment, wherein one of the substrate and the sealing layer include a feature adapted to receive a fastener.

26. A package including a plurality of attachable medicinal containers, the package, each attachable medicinal container including:

a substrate including at least one compartment;

a medicinal within the at least one compartment;

27. The attachable medicinal container of claim 26 wherein the package is a blister pack and each of the plurality of medicinal containers is separatable from the package.

28. The attachable medicinal container of claim 26 wherein the feature adapted to receive a fastener is an opening in at least one of the substrate and the sealing layer, the opening remotely located from the compartment in the substrate.

29. The attachable medicinal container of claim 15 wherein the feature adapted to receive a fastener is a tail.