Indicator system for a medication container

• US 8,456,287 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barbara K. Gifford, Joseph D. Gifford
• Original Assignee: Barbara K. Gifford, Joseph D. Gifford
• Inventors: Gifford, Barbara K., Gifford, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/494,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20090314680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.16, 340/309.7, 215/201
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence

Abstract

An indicator system for use on a medicine bottle to indicate the times and dates of the last dosage taken and the next dosage to be taken, including means for registering time and date when the bottle is opened and then closed.

Claims

1. An indicator system for a medication container having a body and removable cap, the system comprising:

first and second proximity sensors that are located closely adjacent to each other when the cap is secured to the body and are moved further apart as the cap is unsecured from the body;

a first display showing a first time, wherein the first time indicates when medication should be next taken by a user; and

a second display showing a second time, wherein the second time indicates when the cap was last unsecured from the body and, therefore, may further indicate when the user last took medication.

2. The indicator system of claim 1, further comprising a processor arrangement for providing communication between at least one of said proximity sensors and said second display, wherein the processor arrangement identities said second. time by identifying when said proximity sensors are separated beyond a certain distance, and it communicates said second time to said second display.

3. The indicator system of claim 2, wherein said processor arrangement comprises a circuit that operatively connects at least one of said proximity sensors to said second display.

4. The indicator system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm that is actuated at said first time, wherein said first time is user-settable.

5. The indicator system of claim 4, further comprising at least one user input module for setting said alarm.

6. The indicator system of claim 5, further comprising a processor arrangement for providing communication between said user input module(s) and said alarm and between at least one of said proximity sensors and said second display, wherein the processor arrangement identifies said second time by identifying when said proximity sensors are separated beyond a certain distance, and it communicates said second time to said second display.

7. The indicator system of claim 6, wherein said processor arrangement comprises:

a first circuit that operatively connects said input module(s) to said first display; and

a second circuit that operatively connects at least one of said proximity sensors to said second display.

8. A medication container comprising:

a body for holding medication;

a cap that secures to the body;

a first proximity sensor disposed on the cap;

a second proximity sensor disposed on the body, wherein the first and second proximity sensors are located closely adjacent to each other When the cap is secured to the body and are moved further apart as the cap is unsecured from the body;

a first display showing a first time, wherein the first time indicates when medication should be next taken by a user;

a second display showing a second time, wherein the second time indicates when the cap was last unsecured from the body and, therefore, may further indicate when the user last took medication;

an alarm that is actuated at said first time, wherein said first time is user-settable; and

a user input module fur setting said alarm.

9. The medication container of claim 8, further comprising a processor arrangement for providing communication between said user input module(s) and said alarm and between at least one of said proximity sensors and said second display, wherein the processor arrangement identities said second time by identifying when said proximity sensors are separated beyond a certain distance, and it communicates said second time to said second display.

10. The medication container of claim 9, wherein said processor arrangement comprises:

a first circuit that operatively connects said input module(s) to said first display; and

a second circuit that operatively'"'"' connects at least one of said proximity sensors to said second display.

11. The medication container of claim 8, further comprising a processor arrangement for providing communication between at least one of said proximity sensors and said second display, wherein the processor arrangement identifies said second time by identifying when said proximity sensors are separated beyond a certain distance, and it communicates said second time to said second display.

12. The medication container of claim 11, wherein said processor arrangement comprises a circuit that operatively connects at least one of said proximity sensors to said second display.