Cap timing

• US 7,138,906 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Remind Cap Pte. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Remind Cap Pte. Ltd.
• Inventors: Rosche, Roger M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bugg, George A.
• Application Number:
  US11/009,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.16
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

A cap is attachable to a receptacle for co-acting therewithin enclosing medication and timing a predetermined interval for taking the medication defined by one timing schedule of a set of selectable timing schedules. An electronic timing circuit in the cap is constructed and arranged to provide an alarm signal designating a time for taking the medication at the expiration of a predetermined time interval defined by the timing schedule. A battery furnishes power to the electronic timing circuit. A switch is connected between the battery and the electronic timing circuit having an initial ship position preventing the flow of electrical energy from the battery to the electronic timing circuit and an on position allowing delivery of electrical power from the battery to the electronic timing circuit. The switch is constructed and arranged to be initially in the ship position and switch to the on position when the cap is first attached to the receptacle to close the receptacle.

Claims

1. A cap attachable to a receptacle for co-acting therewith in enclosing medication and timing a predetermined interval for taking the medication defined by one timing schedule of a set of selectable timing schedules comprising,

an electronic timing circuit in said cap constructed and arranged to provide an alarm signal designating a time for taking the medication at the expiration of a predetermined time interval defined by the timing schedule, a battery for furnishing power to said electronic timing circuit,

a switch connected between said battery and said electronic timing circuit having an initial ship position preventing the flow of electrical energy from said battery to said electronic timing circuit and an on position allowing delivery of electrical power from said battery to said electronic timing circuit,

said switch constructed and arranged to be initially in said ship position and switched to said on position when said cap is first attached to said receptacle to close said receptacle.

2. A cap in accordance with claim 1 and further including a set-reset switch constructed and arranged to reset said electronic timing circuit to begin the pre-determined time interval when said cap is placed on said receptacle and to disable the provision of an alarm signal when said cap is removed from said receptacle.

3. A cap in accordance with claim 1 including a trigger, a housing with near posterior ends and a top portion,

said trigger having a plurality of legs constructed and arranged to selectively activate and deactivate said electronic timing circuit, a ring section perpendicular to said tabs, and a ramp parallel to said ring section,

said housing having sleeves in which said tabs fit and grips above which said tabs are positioned,

rotation of said trigger inside said housing moving said tabs in reset areas in the near posterior ends of said housing,

said electronic timing circuit having a board section surface,

said cap constructed and arranged so that rotational movement of said trigger allows said ramp to freely move beneath said board section surface.

4. A cap in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising, a cylindrical button in said top portion constructed and arranged to activate said timing circuit upon being pressed.

5. A cap in accordance with claim 1 having a spring contact plate rotatable so that when said trigger rotates for the first time inside said cap, said spring plate contact rotates into an activated position to activate said electronic timing circuit.