Timer device for medications

• US 5,313,439 A
• Filed: 07/17/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dan Albeck
• Original Assignee: Dan Albeck
• Inventors: Albeck, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US07/914,343
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 368/16, 368/109, 368/107, 368/89, 206/534, 116/308, 221/3
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0409 with timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/127 used as containers or cartridges means for incorporating a battery in the case G04G17/00

Abstract

A simple and inexpensive, preferably disposable, medication package which is capable of reminding a user when it is time to take the medication. In one embodiment the package is an ordinary medicine bottle with the cap modified so as to include a timer, a battery, a buzzer or display light and a means for closing a circuit. When the cap is closed, the circuit is automatically closed through contact with a conducting material on the upper edge of the bottle. In another embodiment, the container is of the foil pack variety. A receptacle is provided. When the foil pack is inserted into the receptacle, the circuit is closed energizing the timer and related mechanisms. In a third embodiment, the container is again of the foil pack variety where the foil has a suitable resistivity. No receptacle is included. Rather, the timer mechanism is activated through the sensing of a resistance change as the foil is ruptures whenever each of the pills is removed.

Claims

1. A medication packaging system capable of reminding a user when it is time to take the medication, comprising:

(a) a container for holding the medication, said container having electrically conducting material on a portion of its surface; and

(b) a cap for closing of f said container, said cap including;

(A) a timer means;

(B) an output means for outputting information from said timer means;

(C) a power source capable of powering said timer means and said output means; and

(D) a circuit closing means for electrically connecting said power source and said timer and output means whenever said cap is closed on said container so that said circuit closing means makes electrical contact with said electrically conducting material of said container.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said conducting material is located on the edge of the opening of said container.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein said conducting material is aluminum which was previously part of the tamper-proof seal.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said timer means includes memory means for storing information on the timing interval.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said timer means is an integrated circuit.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said output means includes an audio indicator generator.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said output means includes a visual indicator generator.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said power source is a battery.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said battery is a watch battery.

10. A system as in claim 1 wherein said circuit closing means includes two electrical conductor segments arrayed on said cap so as to engage said electrically conducting material on said container when said cap is closed.

11. A pill packaging system capable of reminding a user when it is time to take the medication, comprising:

(a) a foil pack container for holding the pills, said container having electrically conducting material as its bottom surface; and

(b) a receptacle for receiving said foil pack container, said receptacle including;

(A) a timer means;

(B) an output means for outputting information from said timer means;

(C) a power source capable of powering said timer means and said output means; and

(D) a circuit closing means for electrically connecting said power source and said timer and output means whenever said foil pack container is in said receptacle so that said circuit closing means makes electrical contact with said electrically conducting material on the bottom of said foil pack container.

12. A system as in claim 11 wherein said timer means includes memory means for storing information on the timing interval.

13. A system as in claim 11 wherein said timer means is an integrated circuit.

14. A system as in claim 11 wherein said output means includes an audio indicator generator.

15. A system as in claim 11 wherein said output means includes a visual indicator generator.

16. A system as in claim 11 wherein said power source is a battery.

17. A system as in claim 11 wherein said battery is a watch battery.

18. A system as in claim 11 wherein said circuit closing means includes two electrical conductor segments arrayed on said receptacle so as to engage said electrically conducting material on the bottom of said foil pack container when said foil pack container is inserted in said receptacle.

19. A pill packaging system capable of reminding a user when it is time to take the medication, comprising:

(a) a foil pack container for holding the pills, said container having a material of suitable electrical conductivity as its bottom surface; and

(b) a housing for attachment to said foil pack container, said housing including;

(A) a timer means;

(B) an output means for outputting information from said timer means;

(C) a power source capable of powering said timer means and said output means; and

(D) a circuit closing means for electrically connecting said power source and said timer and output means whenever said foil pack container is attached to said housing, said electrical connection taking place through said partially conducting surface on the bottom of said foil pack container such that the resistance of said partially conducting surface increases perceptibly as said electrically conducting material is ruptured to remove the pills.

20. A system as in claim 19 wherein said housing is permanently attached to said foil pack container.

21. A system as in claim 19 wherein said electrically conducting material on the bottom of said foil pack container is indium tin oxide, polyppyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline, polyacetylene, PbO₂, SnO or ZnO.