PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE CAP ASSEMBLY AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

Described herein is a 3-dimensional interchangeable icon bottle cap assembly, or cap with textured indicia, with top plates that interface with prescription bottle caps using icons, graphics and colors that help patients understand when to take their medication, what the medication is for, and provide the ability to keep track of medication compliance.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A medicine cradle or carrier for holding at least one medicine container comprising: a body having a cavity or opening therein bounded by a sidewall; and a gripping mechanism in contact with the sidewall and protruding into the cavity of the body, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a flexible member adapted to be partially in contact with the sidewall.

22. The medicine cradle of claim 21 wherein the flexible member includes a flexible band having a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a middle portion disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is in contact with the sidewall of the body and the second end is in contact with the sidewall laterally away from the first end and the middle portion protrudes laterally into cavity away from the sidewall of the body.

23. The medicine cradle of claim 22 wherein the middle portion of the flexible band divides the cavity into at least two cavities, the middle portion adapted to hold the at least one medicine container against the sidewall of the body upon locating the medicine container within one of the two cavities.

24. The medicine cradle of claim 22, wherein the body has four sidewalls and the gripping mechanism includes a plurality of flexible members comprised of flexible bands, each of the flexible bands having first and second ends that are in contact with each of the four sidewalls and that include middle portions that protrude laterally into the cavity away from the respective sidewalls.

25. The medicine cradle of claim 21 wherein the flexible member includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a middle portion disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is in contact with the sidewall of the body and the second end and the middle portion protrude laterally into cavity away from the sidewall of the body.

26. The medicine cradle of claim 25 wherein the second end of the flexible member divides the cavity into at least two cavities, the second end adapted to hold or secure the at least one medicine container against the sidewall of the body upon locating the medicine container within one of the two cavities.

27. The medicine cradle of claim 25, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a plurality of flexible members, each of the flexible members having first ends that are in contact with each of the sidewall and that include second ends and middle portions that protrude laterally into the cavity away from the sidewall.

28. The medicine cradle of claim 27, wherein the flexible members are each shaped as fins, each of the second ends having a point.

29. The medicine cradle of claim 21, wherein the flexible member is shaped as a fin with a first end in contact with the sidewall and having a width and a second end having a point.

30. The medicine cradle of claim 21, wherein the body has four sidewalls and the gripping mechanism include a plurality of flexible members, each of the flexible members having first ends that are in contact with each of the four sidewalls and that include second ends and middle portions that protrude laterally into the cavity away from the respective sidewalls.

31. The medicine cradle of claim 21, further comprising a display on the body configured to provide at least one of a time of dosage, a medication description, a condition being treated and an identity of a user.

32. A medicine cradle or carrier for holding at least one medicine container comprising: a body having a cavity or opening therein bounded by four sidewalls; and a plurality of gripping mechanisms in contact with each of the sidewalls and protruding into the cavity of the body, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms includes a flexible member adapted to be partially in contact with the sidewall.

33. The medicine cradle of claim 32, wherein each of the flexible members is adapted to hold at least one medicine container against a sidewall of the body.

34. The medicine cradle of claim 33, wherein each of the flexible members includes a first end in contact with one of the sidewalls and a second end in contact with the same sidewall and laterally disposed from the first end, each flexible member including at least a middle portion located between the first and second ends of the flexible member.

35. The medicine cradle of claim 34, wherein the middle portion of each of the flexible members is adapted to hold the at least one medicine container within the body.

36. The medicine cradle of claim 32, further comprising a display on the body configured to provide at least one of a time of dosage, a medication description, a condition being treated and an identity of a user.

37. A medicine cradle system comprising the medicine cradle of claim 32, wherein the body includes four sidewalls and there is provided multiple bodies adapted to be joined together to form an array of medicine cradles.

38. The medicine cradle system of claim 37, wherein each of the multiple bodies are formed from magnetized metal to facilitate being joined together in an array.

37. A medicine cradle system comprising the medicine cradle of claim 21, wherein the body includes four sidewalls and there is provided multiple bodies adapted to be joined together to form an array of medicine cradles.

40. The medicine cradle system of claim 39, wherein each of the multiple bodies are formed from a magnetized metal to facilitate being joined together in an array.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exploded, side, assembled and bottom views of a prescription bottle cap assembly configured for use on a standard bottle cap as taught herein;

[0017] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate other example embodiments of prescription bottle cap assemblies as taught herein;

[0018] FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate icons or indicia associated with various medical conditions that would be disposed on a prescription bottle cap assembly as taught herein;

[0019] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another example embodiment of adhering medical condition icons to a prescription bottle cap assembly as taught herein;

[0020] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate views of other prescription bottle cap assemblies indicating dosage time and icons or indicia representing the type of medical condition being treated as taught herein;

[0021] FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate multiple piece prescription bottle cap assemblies as taught herein;

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates two prescription bottle cap assemblies of differing sizes as taught herein;

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates another example embodiment of prescription bottle cap assembly configured to be threaded on another standard bottle cap having an upper thread as part of the bottle cap body as taught herein; and

[0024] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various views of an example embodiment of a prescription bottle docking station that is configurable to be joined with other docking stations as taught herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0026] The various embodiments of the invention are directed to a 3-dimensional (or 2) or textured icons or indicia that are disposed on a bottle cap top that interfaces with standard prescription bottle caps in the form of textured icons, indicia, graphics, symbols, shapes, letters, text, Braille symbols and colors that help patients understand when to take their medication, what the medication is for, and provide the ability to keep track when doses were taken (or are to be taken).

[0027] The various embodiments of the invention include a prescription bottle cap covering with an interface, which allows attachment of a 3-dimensional icon that illustrates when the medication was taken. For example, a disk may have an icon of the sun to indicate a morning dose. Another icon interfaces on top depending on what the medication is for, such as a heart for cardiovascular drugs.

[0028] The device may also include another cap covering comprising a window that rotates to illustrate when the last dose was taken. In an example embodiment, the cap coverings can come in Braille. In yet another embodiment, a photo of the patient can be added if there is more than one medication user in a home.

[0029] Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exploded, side, assembled and bottom views, respectively, of a prescription bottle cap assembly configured to fit on a standard bottle cap in connection with a standard prescription pill bottle. In this example embodiment, a bottle cap top assembly 10 includes up to two or more interchangeable plates. In one example embodiment, a first plate is a base plate 12 that includes attachment pads 13 and attachment grip members 20 (with a downwardly protruding portion 18) that allow base plate 12 to attach to the bottle cap that comes with the prescription bottle. Attachment pads (or a single pad can be used) 13 are configured to join with corresponding indents (not shown underneath) in a top plate 14 to secure top plate 14 to base plate 12 that is mounted on the prescription cap. In an alternative embodiment, base plate 12 is integrated with a bottle cap as a single unit and can use attachment pads 13 formed thereon to secure top plate 14.

[0030] In this example embodiment, a second plate is top plate 14 which includes a set of icons 22 that relay pertinent information to a patient. For example, icons 22 may indicate what time of day the medication is to be taken by illustrating a sun 22A, star, moon 22B or other similar time of day icon. Referring to a sample listing of icons 22, FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate icons to indicate or suggest what medical condition the medication is for by illustrating, for example, a heart (FIG. 3A) for heart medication, lungs (FIG. 3A) for cardiovascular medication, a V (FIG. 3A) for vitamin, a brain for headache or migraine medication, a neck with thyroid (FIG. 3A) for thyroid medication, a stomach (FIG. 3A) for gastrointestinal medication, a drop (FIG. 3A) for blood or diuretic a lightning bolt (FIG. 3A) for pain medication, a tissue box (FIG. 3A) or someone sneezing for allergy medication, a blood pressure device (FIG. 7) and other similar icons. In a related embodiment, icons 22 may be integrated within the plates or may be interchangeable with a locking mechanism on the top of top plate 14. Icons 22 (time of day or medical condition icons) may also be color coded and/or include text, symbols, letters, or Braille.

[0031] In this example embodiment, top plate 14 includes a spinning wheel (or moving slot) to record when the medication was taken. In the case of a moving slot, plate 12 may include the days of the week imprinted on its surface. For example, the top plate 14 may include the days of the week or the time of the day if medication is to be taken more than one time per day. In related embodiments, top plate 14 may further comprise icons 22 that indicate which patient the medication is for. Icons 22 may indicate the patient I.D. through a photo of the patient or a symbol (or initials) that corresponds to a particular patient.

[0032] Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1D, an icon plate 16 for a particular medical condition is snapped on to top plate 14 by way of a protrusion/indent combination 15, wherein the indent on icon 16 is designated 15A and the protrusion or nub is designated 15B. In this example embodiment, the medication is for a heart related ailment. Referring briefly to FIGS. 4A-4B, there is illustrated another example embodiment of adhering or attaching medical condition icons to a prescription bottle cap. In this example embodiment, there is illustrated a method of attaching an icon plate 402 to a bottle cap 400 that is attached to a bottle 401 by way of sliding the back of the icon 402 onto the cap using an elongated member 404 with a clip 406 that is slid into and snaps into place in a slot 410 of cap 400.

[0033] In related embodiments, base plate 12 and top plate 14 may come in different sizes to accommodate different size prescription bottles (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 for examples of differing cap assembly sizes). Attachment pads 20 may also be capable of attaching to different size prescription bottle caps. Such attachment pads 20 may be by snap fit engagement, adhesive, screw/thread fit, or other attachment mechanism commonly known in the art.

[0034] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate example embodiments of different top plates 14A, 14B, and 14C. For example, top plate 14A illustrates an example icon 22C that indicates type of medication and what time of day to take the medication. Top plate 14B includes icon 22D type of medication and includes Braille for communication with the visually impaired. Top plate 14C includes icon 22E for a vitamin and illustrates an example of a spinning wheel with a window 24 to indicate when the medication was taken or should be taken.

[0035] In an example embodiment, top plate 14 may be capable of rotating relative to base plate 12. In yet another example, plate 14 has a movable slide or slot to reveal the day of the week. Bottle cap top 10 may be made from materials commonly known in the art such as, but not limited to, plastic, acrylic, or rubber.

[0036] In an example embodiment, bottle cap top 10 may come in a variety of forms: an aftermarket product that can be attached to any prescription bottle cap, any over the counter supplement bottle cap, or any prescription product that does not necessarily have a bottle cap, like an inhaler asthma pump. Another example embodiment includes a direct attachment device for the prescription bottle or aftermarket bottle caps that function as a regular prescription bottle cap. In various embodiments, icons 22 may be printed utilizing 3-dimensional printing or 2-dimensional printing.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B there are illustrated views of example embodiments of other prescription bottle cap assemblies 500A and 500B for indicating dosage time and icons or indicia representing the type of medical condition being treated. Referring to cap 500A, there is a cap body 502 with external gripping ribs 504 (in another embodiment, the ribs is replaced with a plurality of nubs or bumps to enhance gripping) and a top portion 506. Top portion 506 includes a ring 508 with one or more time of day icons 510 (either cut-out or imprinted), an inner disk 512, an arrow or indicator 514 and a medical condition icon 516. In this example embodiment, inner disk 512 is rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to point to a time of day icon. This embodiment provides the patient with a quick visual recognition of the type of medication and dosage time without having to look for reading glasses to read the cap or the label.

[0038] Referring now to cap 500B, there is a cap body 522 with external gripping ribs 524 (in another embodiment, the ribs is replaced with a plurality of nubs or bumps to enhance gripping) and a top portion 526. Top portion 526 includes a ring 528 (stationary in this example) with large time of day lettering written in the patient's native language 532 and a medical condition icon 530, which can also be described in written form. This example embodiment provides the patient with a quick visual recognition of the type of medication and dosage time without having to look for reading glasses to read the cap or the label.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6E, there is illustrated another multiple piece prescription bottle cap assembly as taught herein. Referring to cap assembly 600, there is a cap body 602 with external gripping ribs 604 (in another embodiment, the ribs is replaced with a plurality of nubs or bumps to enhance gripping) and a top portion 606. Top portion 606 includes a ring 608 with one or more day of the week icons 610 (either cut-out or imprinted) and time of day icon/indicia 611, an inner disk 612, an arrow or indicator 614 and a medical condition icon 616. In this example embodiment, inner disk 612 is rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to point to a day of the week indicia or text. This embodiment provides the patient with a quick visual recognition of the type of medication and dosage time, with day tracking capability, without having to look for reading glasses to read the cap or the label. FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate cap assembly 600 separated into two components, namely cap body 602 and ring disk 608, and how they fit together via a slot 607 comprised of a hole 607A and a channel 607B disposed on top portion 606 that fits with a clip 613 having portions 613A and 613B that mate with slot 607. FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate ring disk 608 separated into its two components, namely ring disk 608 and inner disk 612. Inner disk 612 from the view of the underside has a notch 612A that is configured to engage one of the ribs 608A on ring disk 608 to help keep track of the day the medication was taken when ring disk 608 is rotated. In a related embodiment, the inner disk and the ring disk are both rotatable to track a 7 day and/or a 14 day duration or time period for the recommended dosage to help the patient track the dosage taken over a 7 or 14 day period.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7 there is illustrated two prescription bottle cap assemblies 700A and 700B of differing sizes to accommodate bottles or bottle caps of differencing sizes. Cap assembly 700A is similar in construction to cap 500B described above but illustrates a blood pressure medical condition icon and easy to read large text with a contrasting background. Referring now to cap 700B, there is a cap body 702 with external gripping ribs 704 (in another embodiment, the ribs is replaced with a plurality of nubs or bumps to enhance gripping) and a top portion 706. Top portion 706 includes a 2-piece ring 708 with one or more time of day icons 710 (either cut-out or imprinted) with dual coloring to further distinguish the two icons (day and night; sun and moon), an inner disk 712, an arrow or indicator 714 and a medical condition icon 716. In this example embodiment, inner disk 712 is rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to point to a time of day icon. This embodiment provides the patient with a quick visual recognition of the type of medication and dosage time without having to look for reading glasses to read the cap or the label.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8 there is illustrated another example embodiment of prescription bottle cap assembly 802 configured to be threaded on another standard bottle cap 800 having an upper thread 801 as part of the bottle cap body. Cap 802 has a body 803 that is configured with a thread underneath (not shown) that mates with upper thread 801. In this example embodiment, cap 802 includes ribs 804 for gripping and an upper assembly 805 is as an intake reminder assembly (time of day or day of the week and medical treatment image) or can be any combination of the various types described with other embodiments. Generally, this approach allows for an aftermarket adaptation of cap 802 to standard pill bottles and caps.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C there are illustrated various views of an example embodiment of a prescription bottle docking station or medicine cradle 900 that is configurable to be joined with other docking stations. Docking station 900 includes a body 902 and a display 904 that displays information from a prescription bottle placed therein. In this example embodiment, docking station 900 also includes a gripping mechanism 906 comprised of one or more flexible silicone bands that provide tension and a gripping action for the prescription bottle that is placed between the bands. In a related embodiment, gripping mechanism 906 is comprised of a plurality of fins that project inward from the sidewalls of body 902. FIG. 9B illustrates a prescription bottle placed in body 902 with display 904 displaying the compliance of the patient with respect to the medication. FIG. 9C illustrates a top view of how various bodies 902 can be joined together to form an array of docking stations with each of the medications. In this example embodiment, metal bodies 902 that are magnetized are used to join the units together. In another embodiment, bodies 902 are made of other materials and hook and loop fasteners are used to join together the various bodies or bases 902.

[0043] Various related embodiments of the invention are also described in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,660,138; 6,545,592; and 8,336,917.

[0044] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.