Container for pills with alarm, and methods

• US 20030043026A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apothecary Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Apothecary Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Noble, Terrance O., Priebe, Robert N.
• Application Number:
  US09/945,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20030043026A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A construction for holding medication includes a container with at least one compartment having a storage interior and a control device held by the container. The control device includes a timer and an alarm construction. The time activates the alarm construction at a select time interval. The timer includes a rotatable dial, in which the rotatable dial is selectively movable to indicate the selected time interval. The container includes a surrounding side wall and a base. The wall is secured to the base that is spaced no more than a few millimeters from the base to define a storage groove therebetween. The storage groove may contain a sheet of paper with medication identification and instructions.

Claims

1. A construction for holding medication;

the construction comprising;

(a) a container including at least one compartment defining a storage interior; and

(b) a control device held by said container;

said control device including a timer and an alarm construction;

said timer constructed and arranged to actuate said alarm construction at a selected time interval;

(i) said timer including a rotatable dial;

(ii) said rotatable dial being selectively movable to indicate said selected time interval.

2. A construction according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said timer is constructed and arranged to repeat actuating said alarm construction at said selected time interval.

3. A construction according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said alarm construction includes a first visual signal.

4. A construction according to claim 3 wherein:

(a) said alarm construction further includes an audio signal.

5. A construction according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said alarm construction includes a second visual signal;

(i) said second visual signal being actuated responsive to rotation of said dial.

6. A construction according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said alarm construction includes a reset mechanism;

(i) said first visual signal being deactivated responsive to manipulation of said reset mechanism.

7. A construction according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said container includes at least seven compartments;

each of the compartments defining a storage interior and having a selectively movable lid providing access to a respective storage interior.

8. A construction according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said container includes eight compartments;

each of the compartments defining a storage interior;

(i) at least seven of the compartments having a selectively movable lid providing access to a respective storage interior; and

(ii) one of the compartments holding the control device within its respective storage interior.

9. A construction according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said container further includes a locking mechanism to prevent unintended access to said storage interior.

10. A construction according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said container includes;

(i) a surrounding sidewall and a base;

said sidewall and base defining said storage interior;

(ii) at least one selectively movable lid providing access to said storage interior; and

(iii) a wall secured to said base;

said wall being spaced no more than 5 mm from said base to define a storage groove therebetween.

11. A construction according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) a portion of said wall includes an access door;

said access door providing access to said storage groove.

12. A construction for holding medication;

the construction comprising;

(a) a container including at least one compartment;

said container including a surrounding sidewall; and

a base;

said sidewall and base defining a storage interior;

said container including at least one selectively movable lid providing access to said storage interior; and

(b) a wall secured to said base;

said wall being spaced no more than 5 mm from said base to define a storage groove therebetween.

13. A construction according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) a portion of said wall includes an access door;

said access door providing access to said storage groove; and

(b) said groove includes a depth defined between said base and an inner surface of said wall;

(i) said depth being no greater than 2 mm.

14. A construction according to claim 13 wherein:

(a) said access door is hingedly attached to a remaining portion of said wall.

15. A construction according to claim 13 wherein:

(a) said wall includes a living hinge between said access door and a remaining portion of said wall.

16. A construction according to claim 13 further including:

(a) a sheet of paper selectively slidable in and out of said groove.

17. A construction according to claim 13 further including:

(a) a control device held by said container;

said control device including a timer and an alarm construction;

said timer constructed and arranged to actuate said alarm construction at a selected time interval;

(i) said timer including a rotatable dial;

(ii) said rotatable dial being selectively movable to indicate said selected time interval.

18. A construction according to claim 17 wherein:

(a) said container includes eight compartments;

each of the compartments defining a storage interior;

(i) at least seven of the compartments having a selectively movable lid providing access to a respective storage interior; and

(ii) one of the compartments holding the control device within its respective storage interior.

19. A construction according to claim 18 wherein:

(a) said timer is constructed and arranged to repeat actuating said alarm construction at said selected time interval; and

(b) said alarm construction includes a first visual signal;

an audio signal;

a second visual signal; and

a reset mechanism;

(i) said first visual signal and said audio signal being actuated after said selected time interval has elapsed;

(ii) said second visual signal being actuated responsive to rotation of said dial; and

(iii) said first visual signal being deactivated responsive to manipulation of said reset mechanism.

20. A method for alerting a person to use medication;

the method comprising;

(a) storing medication in a container;

(b) rotating a dial in a timer to a selected time interval;

the timer being held by the container; and

(c) actuating an alarm construction held by the container after the selected time interval has elapsed.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein:

(a) said step of actuating includes actuating a first visual signal and an audio signal.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein:

(a) said step of actuating includes continuously actuating the first visual signal until a reset mechanism on the alarm construction is actuated.

23. A method according to claim 22 further including:

(a) after said step actuating, starting to time the selected time interval again.

24. A method according to claim 22 further including:

(a) after said step of rotating, actuating a second visual signal on the alarm construction.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein:

(a) said step of storing medication in a container includes;

(i) providing a container including at least seven storage compartments;

each of the storage compartments including a respective selectively movable lid;

(ii) selecting one of the storage compartments and moving the lid to provide access to an interior of the selected storage compartment;

(iii) placing medication in the interior of the selected storage compartment; and

(iv) moving the lid to close the selected storage compartment.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein:

(a) said step of storing medication includes providing a container including at least eight storage compartments; and

(b) said step of rotating a dial in a timer to a selected time interval includes rotating a dial in a timer held within one of the eight storage compartments.

27. A method for storing a sheet of printed indicia in a medication container;

the method comprising;

(a) providing a container including at least one storage compartment;

the container including a selectively movable lid, a base, and a wall secured to and projecting from the base;

(b) moving the lid to provide access to an interior of the storage compartment;

(c) placing medication in the interior of the storage compartment;

(d) moving the lid to close the storage compartment;

(e) inserting a sheet of printed indicia into a slot between the wall and the base.

28. A method according to claim 27 further including:

(a) before said step of inserting a sheet of printed indicia, pivoting a portion of the wall along a hinge away from the base to provide access to the slot; and

(b) after said step of inserting a sheet of printed indicia, pivoting the portion of the wall along the hinge in a direction toward the base.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein:

(a) said step of providing a container includes providing a container having at least seven storage compartments;

each of the storage compartments including a respective selectively movable lid.

30. A method according to claim 29 further including:

(a) rotating a dial in a timer to a selected time interval;

the timer being held by the container; and

(b) actuating an alarm construction held by the container after the selected time interval has elapsed.