Medication packaging and labeling system

• US 8,025,314 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2003
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CVS Pharmacy Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: Adler, Deborah
• Primary Examiner(s): Ashley; Boyer D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Addisu; Sara
• Application Number:
  US10/437,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,058 Days
• Field of Search: 220/662, 402/99, 403/10, 283/81, 283/66.1, 283/115, 283/900, 283/114, 206/530, 206/534, 206/459.5, 304/01, 301/200.11, D/7
• US Class Current: 283/81
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0288 Labels or tickets consisting of more than one part, e.g. with address of sender or other reference on separate section to main label; Multi-copy labels
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/90 Medical record

Abstract

Method for generating a label for a medication in which information about the medication is obtained and printed on the label in a hierarchical manner with more important information in a more prominent location or more prominent type relative to other less important information. The information may be divided into primary information and secondary information with the primary information being placed on the label before the secondary information. The label may be used in a container having a curved front wall, a planar rear wall, a substantially planar bottom wall and a cap engaging with the front and rear walls to seal the container. The rear wall is constructed with a device for removably received an information card containing information relating to the medication.

Claims

1. A prescription container assembly, comprising:

a receptacle configured to receive medication and including;

a front wall; and

a rear planar wall forming a shoulder and including at least one medication warning identifier sticker applied to the rear planar wall;

and wherein the shoulder of the rear planar wall defines a slot;

a cover engaging the receptacle for sealing the receptacle;

a label secured to the receptacle to form a labeled receptacle;

a color identifier disposed on the labeled receptacle, the color identifier corresponding with at least one of a medication parameter and a patient parameter; and

a medication information card containing information relating to the medication and being slidably and removably retained within the slot relative to the rear planar wall of the receptacle, and

wherein the medication information card comprises a first portion including a prescription-related notation and wherein the medication information card and the slot are both sized and shaped so that upon full insertion of the medication information card within the slot, the first portion of the medication information card extends beyond an edge of the receptacle to make visible the prescription-related notation of the first portion of the medication information card beyond the edge of the receptacle, and wherein the at least one medication warning identifier sticker remains visible upon removal of the medication information card from the slot.

2. The prescription container assembly of claim 1 wherein the medication information card comprises a foldable member including a folded position configured to be slidably removably retained within the slot.

3. The prescription container assembly of claim 2, wherein the foldable member is configured to be repeatedly folded into and unfolded from the folded position.

4. The prescription container assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a magnifying lens, wherein the slot is sized and shaped to slidably removably retain both the magnifying lens and the medication information card.

5. The prescription container assembly of claim 1, in combination with medication contained in the receptacle.

6. The prescription container assembly of claim 1, wherein the prescription-related notation includes indicia located on the first portion of the medication information card, and the indicia is entirely legible beyond the edge of the receptacle.

7. The prescription container assembly of claim 6, wherein the edge of the receptacle is an outermost edge of the receptacle.