BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly to a bottle indicating a date or time period.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Containers for planning or tracking a persons' use of medication or vitamins include elongated containers having separate compartments for each day of the week. These containers can be cumbersome to fill and require that different pills be allocated to different compartments correctly. These steps are a factor in non-compliance with doctor's orders or manufacture's suggested daily requirements.
Therefore, a need exists for a bottle indicating a date or time period.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottle system comprises an indictor disposed on one of the bottle or a cap, and a listing indicating times and/or days for administering contents of the bottle, the listing being disposed on one of the bottle or the cap, opposite the indictor.
The bottle system further comprises a ring coupled to the cap, the ring comprising a notch for receiving the indicator. The ring rotates on the cap. The ring substantially prevents the cap from being removed from the bottle when the notch is misaligned with the indicator.
The bottle and the cap each comprise tabs, which cooperate to lock the cap to the bottle, wherein a diaphragm coupled to the cap applies a force against the bottle to secure the tabs in a locked position.
The indicator and listing indicate a next prescribed time to administer the contents or the last time the contents where administered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings:
FIGS. 1A-C are top views of a bottle, cap, and ring, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 2A-D are side views of a bottle, cap, and ring, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a cap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 4A-C are perspective views of a bottle, cap, and ring, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled bottle, cap, and ring, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 6A-D illustrate opening and closing a bottle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a cap and bottle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1A-C, 2A-C and 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottle 101 cooperates with a lid 102 and ring 103. The lid 102 includes a listing of times and/or days for administering medication, vitamins, and the like. The ring 103 includes a notch 104, which cooperates with an indicator 105 disposed on the bottle 101.
Referring to FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3, the bottle 101 and the cap 102 comprise a locking mechanism for securing the cap to the bottle. The locking mechanism comprises cooperating tabs 106/107. Referring to FIG. 2D, the lock mechanism further comprises a diaphragm 201 disposed inside the cap for applying a force against an upper part of the bottle in a closed position. The diaphragm 201 pushes the bottle 101 away from the cap 102 and thus engages the cooperating tabs 106/107 when the cap 102 is appropriately arranged.
The number of tabs 106/107 and the position of the tabs 106/107 are arranged such that the listing, e.g., a day-of-the-week indication, is aligned with the indicator 105 when the cap is in a locked position (see for example, FIGS. 6A-1D).
Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the locking mechanism includes substantially square tabs 107 disposed on one of the bottle or the cap. The locking mechanism further includes a shaped tab 106 (see FIG. 2A), adapted to receive and secure the square tabs 107. An opposing force is maintained between the cap 102 and bottle 101, for example, by a diaphragm disposed in the cap, wherein the bottle deflects the diaphragm such that the diaphragm generates the opposing force. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other locking mechanisms may be used.
Optionally, a ring 103 is disposed under the cap 102. The ring 103 rotates on to the cap 102 and engages into the indicator 105 when aligned with the notch 104 and depressed. Referring to FIG. 2D, the ring 103 includes a rib 202 cooperating with a grove 203 (see FIG. 2B) in the cap 102 to secure the ring 103 to the cap 102. The ring 103 is disposed having a friction fit, wherein rotation of the ring 103 is substantially prevented from freely rotating. When the cap 102 is rotated, the notch 104 and the indicator 105 stay engaged. This substantially prevents a user from putting the cap 102 back in the wrong position.
FIGS. 6A-D show a sequence of opening a bottle 101. Note that if the ring 103 is turned out of alignment with the indictor 105 on the bottle 101, the indicator 105 cannot engage in the notch 104, and the cap 102 cannot be depressed to disengage the tabs 106/107 and open the bottle 101. Accordingly, the ring 103 may be implemented as a further locking mechanism, substantially preventing opening of the bottle 101, by disposing the notch 104 in a misaligned position with respect to the indicator 105.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 3, seven tabs 106/107 are disposed on each of the bottle 101 and cap 102. This is an example of a bottle used where a dose is needed once per day.
The indicator 105 and listing (e.g., see FIG. 6C, 601) may be disposed on the cap 102 or on the bottle 101. Where the listing 601 is disposed on the bottle, the listing 601 may rotated on the bottle 101 each time a cap 102 is depressed and turned in a direction to open the bottle 101. The listing 601 rotates one increment each time the bottle 101 is opened.
Referring to FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system may include a bottle 101, a cap 102, and an indicator 105, without implementing a ring. The indicator 105 may be disposed on the bottle 101 or cap 102, and be disposed opposed a listing, for example, of dates and/or times. Further the indicator 105 may be provided in relief or as a graphic.
Having described embodiments for a bottle indicating a date or time period, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the disclosure.
Patent Grant
7665611
