Add-on timer for medicine container
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An add-on timer for attachment to a lid of a container, comprising:
- (a) a base plate having an underside, a perimeter and an upper side, wherein the underside has means to affix the base plate to the lid;
(b) a housing having a top and side walls, wherein the housing is positioned to overlay the upper side of the base plate, and wherein the housing is coupled to the base plate to allow the housing to pivot relative to the base plate and to allow the housing to be displaced from a first position away from the base plate to a second position toward the base plate, while preventing the housing from becoming separated from the base plate;
(c) a switch, positioned between the housing and the base plate, which is actuated by displacement of the housing relative to the base plate;
(d) a timing unit, positioned between the housing and the base plate, the timing unit having a battery, a clock, a display, which is viewable from outside of the housing, and means to detect a switch actuation event and reset the clock; and
(e) a means to draw the housing toward the base plate a sufficient distance to actuate the switch, when the housing is pivoted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An add-on timer for a medicine container is provided having a base plate affixed to the top of an existing lid, a housing overlaying and coupled to the base plate, and a timing unit within the housing. The housing is displaceable relative to the base plate by a person depressing or twisting the housing, which actuates a switch and resets the timing unit. A display indicates the elapsed time since the container was last accessed, to assist a patient in following dosage instructions.
28 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An add-on timer for attachment to a lid of a container, comprising:
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(a) a base plate having an underside, a perimeter and an upper side, wherein the underside has means to affix the base plate to the lid; (b) a housing having a top and side walls, wherein the housing is positioned to overlay the upper side of the base plate, and wherein the housing is coupled to the base plate to allow the housing to pivot relative to the base plate and to allow the housing to be displaced from a first position away from the base plate to a second position toward the base plate, while preventing the housing from becoming separated from the base plate; (c) a switch, positioned between the housing and the base plate, which is actuated by displacement of the housing relative to the base plate; (d) a timing unit, positioned between the housing and the base plate, the timing unit having a battery, a clock, a display, which is viewable from outside of the housing, and means to detect a switch actuation event and reset the clock; and (e) a means to draw the housing toward the base plate a sufficient distance to actuate the switch, when the housing is pivoted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An add-on timer for attachment to a lid of a container, comprising:
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(a) a base plate having an underside, a perimeter and an upper side, wherein the underside has means to affix the base plate to the lid; (b) a housing having a top and rigid side walls, wherein the housing is positioned to overlay the upper side of the base plate with the side walls of the housing encircling the perimeter of the base plate, and wherein the housing is coupled to the base plate, to allow relative displacement between the housing and the base plate while preventing the housing from becoming separated from the base plate; (c) a switch, positioned between the housing and the base plate, which is actuated by displacement of the housing relative to the base plate; (d) a timing unit, affixed to an underside of the housing, whereby the timing unit moves with the housing relative to the base plate when the housing is displaced, the timing unit having a battery, a clock, a display, which is viewable from outside of the housing, and means to detect a switch actuation event and reset the clock; (e) a means to return the housing to a neutral position, when a force causing displacement of the housing relative to the base plate is released; and (f) wherein the housing can be pivoted relative to the base plate, and the timer further comprising a means to draw the housing toward the base plate a sufficient distance to actuate the switch, when the housing is pivoted. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A container, comprising:
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(a) a receptacle; (b) a lid having an upper side and an underside fitted to engage an opening in the receptacle; (c) a base plate having an underside, a perimeter and an upper side, wherein the underside of the base plate is affixed to the upper side of the lid; (d) a housing having a rigid top and rigid side walls, wherein the housing is positioned to overlay the upper side of the base plate with the side walls of the housing encircling the perimeter of the base plate, and wherein the housing is coupled to the base plate to allow the housing to pivot relative to the base plate and to allow the housing to be displaced from a first position away from the base plate to a second position toward the base plate, while preventing the housing from becoming separated from the base plate; (e) a switch, positioned between the housing and the base plate, which is actuated by displacement of the housing relative to the base plate; (f) a timing unit, affixed to an underside of the housing, the timing unit having a battery, a clock, a display, which is viewable from outside of the housing, and means to detect a switch actuation event and reset the clock; and (g) a means to draw the housing toward the base plate a sufficient distance to actuate the switch, when the housing is pivoted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification