MEDICATION INFORMATION AND STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A medication information and storage device that provides easy, on-hand, transportation and storage of medication and information regarding a health condition for which the medication may, in an emergency, stop or limit certain, possibly life-threatening, symptoms. The device includes a card with printed information, such as symptoms, treatments, and how to best take accompanying medication, and a cavity containing medication disposed in a corner of the card. In use, the device is carried upon a person, such as in a wallet, retrieved and read by a person when experiencing a health condition, and opened to provide medication for the health condition, if the person believes after reading the information that taking the medication may help.

Claims

1. A medication information and storage device comprising: a card comprising a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, said edges disposed along said perimeter of said card; at least one cavity, for housing medication, disposed on said card adjacent said top edge and a side edge wherein said cavity protrudes outward from said front surface; and information regarding said medication printed on at least one of said surfaces of said card.

2. The medication information and storage device of claim 1, wherein said cavity is sealed.

3. The medication information and storage device of claim 1, wherein said cavity also protrudes outward from said rear surface.

4. The medication information and storage device of claim 1, wherein said card is shaped and sized to substantially match the ID-1 format as defined by the International Organization for Standardization.

5. The medication information and storage device of claim 1, wherein a portion of said card can be secured within a wallet credit card slot.

6. A medication information and storage device comprising: a first card having a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, and edges disposed along said perimeter of said first card; a second card having a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, and edges disposed along said perimeter of said second card; said first card and said second card being connected together in a hinging manner so that one of said surfaces of said second card can fold into contact with a portion of at least one of said surfaces of said first card; at least one cavity, for housing medication, disposed on said first card adjacent two of said edges and protruding outward from at least one of said surfaces of said first card; and information regarding said medication printed on at least one of said surfaces of said cards.

7. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein at least one of said cards is shaped and sized to substantially match the ID-1 format as defined by the International Organization for Standardization.

8. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said second card has substantially the same shape and dimensions as said first card.

9. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said second card has a different shape and different dimensions than said first card.

10. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein a portion of said device can be secured within a wallet credit card slot.

11. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said cavity is sealed.

12. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said second card has at least one cavity disposed thereupon which, when said first and second cards are folded into contact, adjoins at least one cavity in said first card.

13. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said first card and said second card are removably connected.

14. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, further including a means for securing a surface of said first card and a surface of said second card in contact when said cards are folded together.

15. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said first and said second cards are hingedly connected together along one of said edges of each.

16. The medication information and storage device of claim 6, wherein said second card is connected in a hinged manner to one of said surfaces of said first card.

17. A medication information and storage device comprising: a card having a front surface, a rear surface opposite said front surface, and edges, said edges disposed along said perimeter of said card; at least one cavity, for housing medication, disposed on said card adjacent at least one of said edges, wherein said cavity protrudes outward from said front surface; and information regarding said medication printed on at least one of said surfaces of said card.

18. The medication information and storage device of claim 17, wherein said card has a triangular shape.

19. The medication information and storage device of claim 17, wherein said card has a shape and size so a portion of said card can be secured in a wallet card slot.

20. The medication information and storage device of claim 17, wherein said cavity is sealed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0017] FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with a card and cavity and where information about a health condition can be printed within the area defined by the broken;

[0018] FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device where a cavity protrudes from the front surface of the card;

[0019] FIG. 1C is a rear elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0020] FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device within an open wallet where a portion of the device is inserted in a standard card slot but the cavity remains outside of the card slot;

[0021] FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device within a closed wallet where a portion of the device is inserted in a standard card slot but the cavity remains outside of the card slot and where the wallet thickness has been increased due to the addition of other cards;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device where the shape of the card is square and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device where the cavity protrudes from both the front and rear surfaces of the card;

[0024] FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards connected together so they may be folded together and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0025] FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards, shown separated, which can be removably connected and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0026] FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards connected together so they may be folded together, where one of the cards has a triangle shape, and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0027] FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards connected and folded together, where one of the cards has a square shape and smaller dimensions than the other, and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0028] FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards where one of the cards is connected to the surface of the other, where one of the cards has different dimensions, and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0029] FIG. 7B is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards where one of the cards is connected to the surface of and has different dimensions than the other, where one of the cards has a tab which can be inserted and secured by slits in the other, and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0030] FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards connected so they may fold together where both cards have cavities which are unsealed so that when the cards are folded together they adjoin one another to form a single cavity and seal medication therein and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0031] FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards with cavities folded together so medication can be sealed therein;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with a card in the shape of an irregular hexagon and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0033] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with a card in the shape of a triangle and where information can be printed within the area defined by the broken lines;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards integrally formed together and where the connection point between the cards is defined by a crease so the cards may be folded together;

[0035] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards integrally formed, with a crease along the connection point for folding the cards together, and where the second card is shaped so that it substantially covers the entire first card except the cavity when the surfaces of the cards are folded together; and

[0036] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a medication information and storage device with two cards integrally formed, with a crease along the connection point for folding the cards together, and where the second card defines a hole through which the cavity may pass when the surfaces of the cards are folded together.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037]

TABLE-US-00001 10 Medical Information 12 Card and Storage Device 14 First Card 16 Second Card 18 Front Surface 20 Rear Surface 22 Edges 24 Top Edge 26 Bottom Edge 28 Side Edge 30 Connection Point 32 Information 34 Cavity 36 Means for Securing Cards in Folded Contact 40 Wallet 42 Card Slot 44 Credit Card

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0038] The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components.

[0039] The term “medication” and “medications” are used herein to mean one or more doses, tablets, pills, capsules, or other form of substances—comprising supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbs, compounds, and combinations thereof—which may be utilized by an individual for any purpose, including supplementation and medical treatment.

Medication Information and Storage Device

[0040] The present invention is drawn to a medication information and storage device 10 which an individual can carry on their person and keep on hand which has medication and information 32 about the medication and possibly about a relevant health condition, including symptoms, and when taking the medication can help stop or lessen some of the negative effects of the condition. A first embodiment of the device 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C that includes a card 12 with a cavity 34 for housing medication and information 32 about the medication for which immediate consumption may be helpful during a health condition. In the Figures, including FIGS. 1A and 1C, the area defined by broken lines 32 represents that area within which information may be printed.

Card

[0041] The card 12 of this first embodiment includes a front surface 18, rear surface 20, and edges 22, including a top edge 24, bottom edge 26, and side edges 28. However, it is anticipated that in alternative embodiments, that the card 12 may have more or less edges 22. It is preferred that the card 12 be similar in shape and size to a standard credit card 44 or driver's license, so the device 10 may fit within a standard wallet card slot 42, as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The standard physical dimensions for a credit card 44 or driver's license are defined by the International Organization for Standardization as 85.60 millimeters by 53.98 millimeters with a thickness of 0.76 millimeters and further identified as ID-1 format. However, it is anticipated that the card 12 of this embodiment may have any dimensions and shape. For example, the card 12, or portions thereof, may be larger or smaller in length, height, or width than specified by the ID-1 format, as in FIG. 3. Preferably, the card 12 has a size and shape that allows a portion of that card 12 to be inserted and secured within a standard wallet card slot 42. For example, the card 12 of the device may be a square, as in FIG. 3, irregular hexagon, as in FIG. 9, or a triangle shape, as in FIG. 10, wherein a portion of the card 12 may he inserted and secured within a wallet card slot 42. However, the card 12 may be sized and shaped in any manner, including one which does not allow a portion of the card 12 to be inserted into a standard wallet card slot 42.

Information

[0042] Moreover, relevant information 32 about the medication and condition may be preferably located on the front surface 18 of the card, as in FIG. 1A. However, it is anticipated that relevant information 32 may also he located on the rear surface 20, as in FIG. 1C, or both surfaces 18, 20 of the card. This information 32 may include symptoms of a condition, the best time to take a medication for a condition, other steps an individual may take to lessen the negative effects of a condition, or what to avoid to prevent a condition or lessen its effects. However, the card 12 may also include information 32 about the medication itself without any mention of a condition. For example, the information 32 may include the name, dosing, benefits, and side effects of a medication.

Cavity

[0043] In a particular embodiment, the card 12 includes a cavity 34 located in a corner at the top of the card 12, i.e. adjacent the top edge 24 and a side edge 28, as seen in FIG. 1A. It is also anticipated that more than one cavity 34 may be disposed in a corner at the top of the card 12, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 34 may be sealed. The cavity 34 may be sealed in a manner that will not allow for the resealing of the cavity 34 once opened, so device 10 only facilitates a single use, or may be resealable through mechanisms known in the art to facilitate reuse of the device 10. However, it is anticipated that in an additional embodiment, the cavity 34 may not be sealed. Moreover, it is anticipated that the cavity 34 may also be removable from the card 12. For example, a section of the card 12 containing the cavity 34 may be perforated to facilitate removal of that section from the remainder of the card 12. In addition, the cavity 34 may also be replaceable relative to the card 12. For example, in one embodiment, the card 12 may define an opening through which a cavity 34, such as the cavity of a blister package, may be inserted and removed as necessary.

[0044] As seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the location of the cavity 34 in a top corner of the card 12 facilitates the insertion and securing of a portion of the device 10 within a wallet card slot 42 while the cavity 34 remains outside of the card slot 42. The cavity 34 remaining outside of the wallet card slot 42 reduces the chances of the medication and cavity 34 being crushed or injured due to pressure from the wallet 40 and its contents while being transported therein. The chances the cavity 34 and medication are crushed or injured are reduced because the cavity 34 occupies the open space, or gap, in the wallet 40 created by the added thickness of the additional contents of the wallet 40, including credit cards 44, as seen in FIG. 2B.

[0045] The cavity 34 may contain medication useful to a particular health condition. For example, the cavity 34 may contain a dose of aspirin in the event of a heart attack. However, the cavity 34 may contain one or more medications for any purpose. For example, the cavity 34 may contain one or more vitamins for daily supplementation. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 34 protrudes from the front surface 18 of the card 12 as in FIG. 1B. However, it is also anticipated that the cavity 34 may protrude from both the front 18 and rear surface 20 of the card 12, as in FIG. 4.

Additional Embodiment

[0046] In an additional embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the device 10 includes two cards a first card 14 and second card 16 connected together in a hinged manner, at a point 30, so that the cards 14, 16 may be folded into contact with each other, a cavity 34 for housing medication in a corner of the first card 14, and relevant information 32 regarding the medication and a health condition on one or both of the cards 14,16.

Cards

[0047] Having more than one card 12 expands the surface area upon which information 32 may be printed. The first 14 and second cards 16 of the two card embodiment have a front surface 18, rear surface 20, and edges 22. In a preferred embodiment, the first 14 and second cards 16 may have substantially the same shape and size as in FIGS. 5A and 5B. For example, the first card 14 and second card 16 may have a shape and size substantially matching that of the ID-1 format, as in FIGS. 5A and 5B. However,it is also anticipated that the first 14 and second cards 16 may also have different shapes and dimensions to facilitate the printing and reading of information 32. For example, the first card 14 may be of a shape and size similar to a credit card 44 while the second card 16 may have a triangle shape and be of a size to fit within the area of the first card 14, as in FIG. 6A. Alternatively in other embodiments, while the first card 14 may be of a shape and size similar to a credit card 44, the second card 16 may be a square shape as in FIG. 6B, a rectangular shape as in FIG. 11, or even an irregular polygon as in FIG. 12. In addition, in embodiments like those of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 12, the second card 16 may be shaped so as to not interact with the cavity 34 on the first card 14.

[0048] In a two-card embodiment, the first card 14 and second card 16 are connected together in a hinging manner at the connection point 30 so they may be folded into contact with each other. In a preferred embodiment, the first 14 and second cards 16 may be connected together at one or more points 30 along an edge 22 of each as in FIGS. 5A and 5B. However, it is also anticipated the second card 16 may be connected at one or more points 30 on a surface 18, 20 of the first 14, as in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In further alternate embodiments, the connection of the first 14 and second cards 16 may be permanent or removable so that the cards 14, 16 may be separable, as in FIG. 5B. Additionally, in one embodiment, the first card 14 and second card 16 are connected together in a hinging manner by being integrally formed at a connection point 30 and creased so that the first card 14 and second card 16 may fold into contact, as in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. For example, the first card 14 and second card 16 may be integrally formed along an edge 22 of each and creased along those edges 22 so the surfaces of first card 14 and second card 16 may be folded into contact.

Means for Securing Cards in Folded Contact

[0049] Further, in an additional embodiment, the device 10 of the two-card embodiment may also include a means for securing the second card to the first in folded contact 36, thereby helping prevent damage to the device 10, as in FIG. 7B. Examples of such means for securing 36 include, but are not limited to, hook and look fasteners, glue, a tab in one surface which may be inserted through a slit in an adjacent surface, and the like. There are many additional means for securing 36 the cards 14, 16 together, and one skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for securing 36 the cards 14, 16 together may be employed.

Cavity

[0050] The two-card embodiment of the device 10 also includes a cavity 34, for housing medication, in a corner of the first card 14, i.e. adjacent two edges 22 thereof, and protruding from one or more of the surfaces 18, 20 of the first card 14. It is also anticipated that more than one cavity 34 may be disposed in a corner of the first card 14, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the cavities 34 can be sealed. However, it is also anticipated that the cavity 34 may not be sealed. Further, in an additional embodiment, the device 10 of the two-card embodiment may also include one or more cavities 34 disposed on the second card 16 which, when the second card 16 is folded into contact with the first card 14, adjoins one or more cavities 34 of the first card 14, as in FIGS. 8A and 8B, thereby sealing medication therein. A cavity 34 on the second card 16 adjoining with a cavity 34 on the first card 14 can facilitate the use of larger size medication with the device 10 and the reuse of the device 10. Moreover, in an embodiment like that of FIG. 13, the second card 16 may have a hole through which the cavity 34 on the first card 14 may pass when the second card 16 is folded into contact with the first 14.

Composition

[0051] The device 10, in certain embodiments, may be constructed of or with a variety of materials which, in one or more aspects, allow for the storage and transportation of medication in a secure, convenient, and protected manner, the easy insertion of the device 10 into a wallet credit card slot 42, the medicine to be on hand when necessary, and thereupon information 32 about a health condition and the relevant medicine may be printed. Examples of possible materials include, but are not limited to, paper, cardboard, polymer, cloth, wood, metal, and rubber.

Operation

[0052] In use of one embodiment, an individual places this device 10 for a particular health condition with medication that can help stop or lessen the negative effects of that condition in a card slot 42 in a wallet 40 which they carry about a pocket or purse so they know exactly where the medication is located and have it on hand when needed. When that individual begins experiencing symptoms of what is believed to be that particular health condition, such as a heart attack, they may remove this device 10 from their wallet 40 and read the information 32 thereupon regarding the condition and the medication contained within the device 10 for the condition. If, after reading the information 32, the individual still believes they are experiencing the condition and that taking the medicine would benefit them, they can remove the medication from the cavity 34 and consume it.

[0053] In use of an alternative embodiment, an individual places this device 10 with medication and information 32 on the medication in a safe place. When the individual desires or needs to utilize that medication, such as when an individual desires to take a supplement prior to workout, that individual can retrieve the device 10 from the safe place, read the information 32 on the medication, and utilize the medication.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with possible reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Further, it is not necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all the advantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of the invention.

[0055] In the present description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a claim, that feature can also be employed, to the extent possible, in aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

[0056] Lastly, although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.