Medication timing device

• US 6,633,796 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dan B. Pool, David F. Kreitzer
• Original Assignee: Dan B. Pool, David F. Kreitzer
• Inventors: Pool, Dan B., Kreitzer, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIDLEY, RICHARD W L
• Application Number:
  US09/881,593
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/12, 368/244, 368/250, 368/255, 221/2, 221/3, 221/15, 700/231, 700/232
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis

Abstract

A medication timing device including a base carrying a circuit with a timing device, a switch for activating the timing device, a signal device activated by the timing device, and a battery coupled to the timing device and the signal device, and a top coupled to the base and covering the circuit. The top is moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is tripped. A fastening element fastens the base to a medication container.

Claims

1. A medication timing device comprising:

a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface;

a circuit carried by the base and including a timing device, a switch for activating the timing device, a signal device activated by the timing device, and a battery coupled to the timing device and the signal device;

a top coupled to the first surface of the base and covering the circuit, the top moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is tripped; and

fastening means for fastening the base to a medication container.

2. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the timing device times a single unchangeable interval of time, the timing device actuating the signal device at the termination of the interval of time.

3. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the timing device is reset by tripping the switch.

4. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the circuit includes a delay requiring the switch to be tripped for a set period before activating the timing device.

5. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the switch is tripped to turn off the signal device.

6. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastening means includes a layer of adhesive carried by the second surface of the base.

7. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fastening means further includes a removable protective sheet covering the adhesive layer prior to use.

8. A medication timing device comprising:

a container having a body and a cover couplable to the body;

a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface;

a circuit carried by the base and including a timing device, a switch for activating the timing device, a signal device activated by the timing device, and a battery coupled to the timing device and the signal device;

a top coupled to the first-surface of the base and covering the circuit, the top moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is tripped; and

a fastening element fastening the base to the medication container.

9. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the fastening element includes a layer of adhesive carried by the second surface of the base, the adhesive layer fastening the base to one of a top surface of the cover of the container and a bottom surface of the body of the container.

10. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the timing device times a single interval of time, the timing device actuating the signal device at the termination of the interval of time.

11. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the timing device is reset by tripping the switch.

12. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the circuit includes a delay requiring the switch to be tripped for a set period before activating the timing device.

13. A medication timing device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the switch is tripped to turn off the signal device.

14. A method of timing medication dosages comprising the steps of:

providing a container having a body and a cover couplable to the body;

providing a timing device including a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a circuit carried by the base and including a timer and a switch for activating the timing device, and a top coupled to the first surface of the base and covering the circuit;

fastening the timing device to one of a top surface of the cover of the container and a bottom surface of the body of the container;

activating the timing device for a single unchangeable interval of time by providing the top being moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is activated, and moving the top of the timing device to the compressed position for a period of time; and

emitting a signal upon termination of the interval of time.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 further including a step of turning off the emitted signal by moving the top of the timing device to the compressed position.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 further including a step of resetting the timing device after turning off the signal device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the step of resetting the timing device includes moving the top of the timing device to the compressed position for a period of time.

18. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of fastening the timing device to one of a top surface of the cover of the container and a bottom surface of the body of the container includes the steps of:

providing a layer of adhesive on the second surface of the base covered by a protective sheet;

removing the protective sheet; and

adhering the base to one of the top surface of the cover of the container and the bottom surface of the body of the container.