Patent Application
20230166892
The present disclosure generally relates to a child-resistant container and methods for use thereof. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a container with a child-resistant lid or top. The present disclosure also relates to methods of using the child-resistant container or accessing the contents or inside of the child-resistant container.
Child resistant containers became mandatory on a number of household substances and most prescription drugs after the enactment of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act in 1970. See 15 U.S.C. §§ 1471 et seq. In 1972, the Consumer Products Safety Act extended the government's authority to prohibit the marketing of unsafe children's products. See 15 U.S.C. §§ 2051-2089. Child-resistant packaging as defined by statute must be “designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under 5 [five] years of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time, and not difficult for adults to use properly”. 15 U.S.C. § 1471(4).
Despite these laws, more than 10,000 children are taken to emergency rooms each year for injuries related to airway obstructions. Jenco M. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019; Orsagh-Yentis D, et al. Pediatrics. Apr. 12, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1988. Coins are a very common choking hazard (id.) and there are no child resistant containers to hold coins.
Furthermore, there are critical design flaws in removable child resistant caps. The most serious flaw in removable child resistant caps is that once the cap is removed, it provides no protection from ingestion of the enclosed substance. Once a cap is removed, if it is not replaced securely, all of the contents of the package can be easily removed or dumped out. A study that examined the change in packaging of levothyroxine from a bottle to a blister pack showed a reduction in accidental exposures from 12.1 per month to 5.8 per month. See van Riel, A. J. et al. Clinical Toxicology, June 2017.
A second serious flaw in threaded child resistant caps is that they require a strong and dexterous wrist movement to repeatedly grip and spin a cap. Many people, particularly elderly people, individuals with muscular or joint disorders, may not be able to perform the movement that is required to remove a threaded child resistant cap.
There remains a need for a child-resistant cap and associated containers that reduce the risk of injury to children related to swallowing unsafe objects or chemicals, while enabling elderly people and those with underlying muscular or joint conditions or disorders to open or access the contents of containers with child-resistant caps.
It is against the above background that the disclosure provides certain advantages and advancements over the prior art. Although the disclosure herein is not limited to specific advantages or functionality, the invention disclosed herein provides devices and methods for restricting access to a container by using a physical deterrent.
In one aspect, the disclosure includes a device for a child-resistant container, the device comprising: (1) a housing comprising one or more compartments and an opening to a tunnel in the center of the housing; and (2) a child-resistant lid comprising: (a) a lower lid comprising a tubular projection in the center, one or more raised ridges or teeth on the top surface of the lower lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments; and (b) an upper lid comprising: a tubular projection in the center, one or more recesses, grooves, slots or depressions on the bottom surface of the upper lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a two-piece child-resistant lid comprising: (1) a lower lid comprising: (a) a tubular projection in the center, (b) one or more raised ridges or teeth on the top surface of the lower lid, and (c) an access port for accessing one or more compartments in a housing; and (2) an upper lid comprising: (a) a tubular projection in the center, wherein the tubular projection of the upper lid fits inside and attaches to the tubular projection of the lower lid, (b) one or more recesses, grooves, slots or depressions on the bottom surface of the upper lid, and (c) an access port for accessing said one or more compartments, wherein the access port of the upper lid is capable of lining up with the access port of the lower lid, and wherein said one or more compartments may be accessed by depressing the top of the upper lid of the child-resistant lid and rotating the cap clockwise or counter-clockwise.
In some embodiments, the tubular projection of the lower lid and the tubular projection of the upper lid further comprise a collar.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a method of accessing a child-restraint container, the method comprising: providing: (1) a housing comprising: (a) one or more compartments, and (b) an opening to a tunnel in the center of the housing; (2) a child-resistant lid comprising: (a) a lower lid comprising a tubular projection, wherein the tubular projection is inserted into and attached to the tunnel within the center of the housing, one or more raised ridges or teeth on the top surface of the lower lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments; (b) an upper lid comprising: a tubular projection in the center, wherein the tubular projection of the upper lid is inserted into and attached to the tubular projection of the lower lid; one or more recesses, grooves, slots, depressions or channels on the bottom surface of the lower lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments, lining up the access port of the upper lid with the access port of the lower lid; depressing the top of the upper lid of the child-resistant lid; and turning the lid clockwise or counter-clockwise until the access port is lined up with one or more of the compartments.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a device for a child-resistant container, the device comprising: (1) a housing comprising one or more compartments and an opening to a tunnel in the center of the housing; and (2) a child-resistant lid comprising: (a) a lower lid comprising a tubular projection in the center, one or more recesses, grooves, slots, depressions or channels on the top surface of the lower lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments, and (b) an upper lid comprising: a tubular projection in the center, one or more raised ridges or teeth on the bottom surface of the upper lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a two-piece child-resistant lid comprising: (1) a lower lid comprising: (a) a tubular projection in the center, (b) one or more recesses, grooves, slots, depressions or channels on the top surface of the lower lid, and (c) an access port for accessing one or more compartments in a housing: and (2) an upper lid comprising: (a) a tubular projection in the center, wherein the tubular projection of the upper lid fits inside and attaches to the tubular projection of the lower lid, (b) one or more raised ridges or teeth on the bottom surface of the upper lid, and (c) an access port for accessing said one or more compartments, wherein the access port of the upper lid is capable of lining up with the access port of the lower lid, and wherein said one or more compartments may be accessed by depressing the top of the upper lid of the child-resistant lid and rotating the cap clockwise or counter-clockwise.
In some embodiments, the tubular projection of the lower lid and the tubular projection of the upper lid further comprise a collar.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a method of accessing a child-restraint container, the method comprising: providing: (1) a housing comprising: (a) one or more compartments, and (b) an opening to a tunnel in the center of the housing; (2) a child-resistant lid comprising: (a) a lower lid comprising a tubular projection, wherein the tubular projection is inserted into and attached to the tunnel within the center of the housing, one or more recesses, grooves, slots, depressions or channels on the top surface of the lower lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments; (b) an upper lid comprising: a tubular projection in the center, wherein the tubular projection of the upper lid is inserted into and attached to the tubular projection of the lower lid, one or more raised ridges or teeth on the bottom surface of the upper lid, and an access port for accessing said one or more compartments; lining up the access port of the upper lid with the access port of the lower lid; depressing the top of the upper lid of the child-resistant lid; and rotating the lid clockwise or counter-clockwise until the access port is lined up with one or more of the compartments.
In another aspect, the disclosure includes a method of filling one or more compartments of the child-resistant container, the method comprising: pouring a solid product onto a sticker or fill assister affixed to the center of the housing that covers the hollow or tunnel, pushing or placing the proper amount of product into each said compartment, removing the sticker or fill assister from the center of the housing, assembling the two-piece child-resistant lid, and attaching said lid to the housing.
Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages of various embodiments of the invention from the following “Description of Illustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawings summarized immediately below.
Before the disclosed devices and methods are described in detail, it is to be understood that the aspects described herein are not limited to specific embodiments or configurations and, as such, may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and, unless specifically defined herein, is not intended to be limiting.
It is also to be understood that, unless clearly indicated otherwise by the context, embodiments disclosed for one aspect or embodiment of the disclosure may be used in other aspects or embodiments as well, and/or in combination with embodiments disclosed in the same or other aspects of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is intended to include such combinations, even where such combinations have not been explicitly delineated.
Throughout the specification. unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include” and variations (e.g., “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including”) will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated component, feature, element, or step or group of components, features, elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Values may be expressed herein as approximations by use of the antecedent “about,” and it is understood that the particular value forms an aspect. Similarly, ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “rotate,” “rotated” or “rotation” include turning, twisting, sliding, pivoting, spinning, opening or closing of, for example, a lid, cap, top, hinge, flap, shutter, etc.
As used herein, the term “tubular projection” refers to an elongated component or elongated components of any appropriate diameter or length. A tubular projection may be segmented or non-continuous in its circumference, and/or may include ridges or striations of any appropriate size or depth. A tubular projection or protrusion may include a collar or an open, mushroom-type cap or end.
As used herein, the term “striated,” “striation” or “striations” includes rows, lines, ridges, recesses or grooves of any appropriate length, width or depth, which may be used to attach, secure or engage components to, or in contact with, one another.
As used herein, the term “compartment” refers to a space, cavity, chamber, or hollow within the housing of the child-resistant container. The compartment may be of any appropriate size, including length, width, shape, or depth to fit within the housing of the child-resistant container.
As used herein, the term “child-resistant lid,” refers to a covering for the disclosed housing of the child-resistant container, and is interchangeably referred to as a top, cap, or cover. In disclosed embodiments, a lid containing the disclosed child-resistant features is non-removable.
As used herein, the term “removable lid” refers to a covering that does not include the disclosed child-resistant features, and is interchangeably referred to as a removable top, cap or cover. Removable lids as disclosed herein are capable of including one or more physical deterrents, such as a lock or other physical deterrent to prevent improper access to the contents of the container.
As used herein, the terms “circular tension,” “helical tension,” “circular compression,” or “helical compression” are interchangeable and refer to the tension necessary to prevent the lower lid from rotating around the center of the housing when the upper lid is not properly depressed into the lower lid, but not so firm as to prevent the lower lid from rotating when the upper lid is properly depressed into the lower lid.
As used herein, the term “knob” refers to a handle, grip or dial used to assist in rotating the child-resistant lid.
In illustrative embodiments the device deters or prevents unauthorized or accidental access to a container and the contents of the container. The device includes a physical barrier that prevents or deters access to the container. The device may include a locking mechanism coupled to a physical barrier that prevents or deters access to the container and its contents by unauthorized users.
The housing (1) of the device may be of any suitable shape and size capable of incorporating the child-resistant features disclosed herein. In illustrative embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the removable cap (38) may include one or more holes (40) to assist in removal of the cap. In some illustrative embodiments, the removeable cap (38) includes one or more raised ridges, teeth or protrusions (41) located around the circumference of the removable cap (38) that interact with one or more raised ridges, teeth or protrusions (41) on the interior circumference of the housing (1). The one or more raised ridges, teeth or protrusions (41) assist in keeping the removable cap (38) affixed to the bottom of the housing (1) until removal is attempted, as discussed above.
The child-resistant container also includes a two-piece child-resistant lid with a lower lid (4) and an upper lid (5), as shown in
The upper lid (5) of the child-resistant lid also includes a tubular projection (12) in the center which is inserted into and attaches to the tubular projection (6) of the lower lid (4). In some embodiments, the tubular projection (12) is segmented or non-continuous (14) in its circumference. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the tubular projection (12) on the upper lid (5) of the child-resistant lid includes a collar (7) around its circumference. In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, both the lower lid (4) and the upper lid (5) of the child-resistant lid include an access port (13) which may be aligned, respectively. The access ports (13) are not limited to a particular size or shape, but may be of any size or shape necessary to provide access to the one or more compartments (3) in the housing (1) of the child-resistant container. In some illustrative embodiments, the one or more access ports (13) are circular in various sizes, as shown in
The lower lid (4) is normally positioned such that the access port (13) is in the closed position to block access to the one or more compartments (3). In some embodiments, the upper lid (5) is capable of rotating without rotating the lower lid (4) when the upper lid (5) is not depressed. When the access port (13) on the upper lid (5) is aligned with the access port (13) on the lower lid (4), the two-piece lid may be rotated to access one or more of the compartments (3), or the contents of the one or more compartments (3). The lower lid (4) may be rotated by depressing the top of the two-piece cap, flexing the cap material like a spring, causing the raised ridges or teeth (8) around the base of the tubular projection (6) on the top surface of the lower lid (4) to interact with or fit into the recesses, grooves or slots (10) on the bottom surface of the upper lid (5), and rotating the two-piece child-resistant lid. In some embodiments, the two-piece child-resistant lid may be rotated in one direction. In some embodiments, the two-piece child-resistant lid may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The one or more compartments (3) may be accessed by aligning the access ports (13) and rotating the two-piece child-resistant lid until the one or more compartments (3) is exposed. The access ports (13) may be of any appropriate size or shape to allow access to the one or more compartments (3) or the contents of said compartments (3). In some embodiments, the top surface of the upper lid (5) of the two-piece child-resistant lid includes a knob (17), as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the child-resistant container also includes a removable lid (20), which may include one or more physical deterrents, such as a lock (21) or other physical deterrent to prevent improper access to the contents of the container or access at an improper time, as shown in
In some embodiments, the top surface of upper lid (5) includes a knob (17) to assist in depressing and rotating the two-piece child resistant lid. In certain embodiments, the top of the upper lid (5) is capable of fitting up to a 2-inch by 4-inch label (e.g., a pharmaceutical label). In some embodiments the label is applied by hand. In some embodiments the label is applied with a label presser (44) tool that presses the label to the top surface of the upper lid (5). In some embodiments the label is round. In some embodiments the label has a cut out for the handle or knob (17). In some embodiments, the label presser (44) and/or the fill assister (42) are made of cardboard, plastic or any pharmaceutically acceptable material, inclusive of those listed below.
Also disclosed herein is a method of filling the compartments of the child-resistant container with a product. As a non-limiting example, the container may be filled with pharmaceutical tablets or capsules. In such a method, a sticker (not shown) or the fill assister (42), as described above, that covers the hollow or tunnel (19) in the center of the housing is applied during manufacture of the child-resistant container. To fill the one or more compartments (3) of the housing (1), the tablets or capsules are poured onto the sticker or fill assister (42) and sorted into the compartments (3). The sticker or fill assister (42) is then removed, and the two-piece child-resistant lid is assembled and attached to the housing. In some instances, the one or more compartments are flat, allowing for easy removal of product from any compartment with excess product (i.e., too many capsules or tablets). In some embodiments, the fill assister (42) allows for rapid filing of the compartments (3) with minimal or no human contact with the product or pharmaceutical drug.
The pieces of the child-resistant container may be made of any acceptable material, as previously described herein, such as HDPE, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, fluoropolymers, silicone, resins, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactide, which may be clear, tinted or opaque. In some embodiments, the pieces of the child-resistant container may be made of a pharmaceutically acceptable material, including the above-listed materials.
As provided in some exemplary embodiments disclosed above, in order for the child resistant lid to function correctly, the tubular projection (6) on the lower lid (4) must be oversized compared to the tunnel in the center (2) of the housing (1). The oversizing of the tubular projection (6) on the lower lid (4) provides friction to prevent the lower lid (4) from rotating unless the upper lid (5) is pressed into it. Too little friction causes the lower lid to fail to resist rotation from a child, and may make it easy to dislodge the lid by shaking the container. Too much friction prevents an adult from opening the lid, and may cause breakage of the tubular projection (6) upon assembly of the lid. The optimum tolerances for the child-resistant lid were determined as related to (a) normal use of the child-resistant container: (b) shaking the container when completely full; and (c) assembling the child-resistant container without breakage of parts. Several prototypes were created with the dimensions as identified in Table 1. Optimum tolerances were determined for each prototype on a pass/fail basis, as detailed below and in Tables 1-3.
Determine the optimum tolerance for the child-resistance lid under normal conditions of use required determining whether the upper lid rotates freely without moving or rotating the lower lid, unless and until the child-resistant function is properly engaged by pressing down on the upper lid, causing the upper lid to interact with the lower lid, and rotating the two-piece lid. As provided in Tables 1-3, each prototype was assembled and used under normal operation. A fail rating for a prototype indicates that (i) the upper lid did not rotate freely, (ii) the lower lid moved or rotated when attempting to rotate the upper lid without deactivating the child-resistant feature by pressing down on the upper lid and turning, thereby rotating the lower lid, (iii) the lower lid did not rotate when pressed down on by the upper lid, or (iv) the lower lid did not rotate except with use of excessive force by an average adult.
The results in Tables 1 and 2 for the “CR” test show that all prototypes failed under normal operation. All prototypes shown in Table 1 were 3D printed in PolyJet Rigur polypropylene photopolymer material. As shown in Table 1, Prototype 1 failed because, while the 17.5 mm inserted, it was tightly bound. The collar broke upon lid removal, indicating that 17.5 mm is not a desirable preload. Prototype 2 failed because the child-resistant lid did not consistently function. Sometimes the lid was too hard to turn and other times the upper and lower lid easily rotate together. Prototype 3, with 18.5 mm appears to be the best, as the upper lid rotates freely, and when pressing down on the upper lid, the two-pieces of the lid rotate easily. However, this prototype failed the CR test because of inconsistent function, as sometimes the upper and lower lids rotate easily when no pressure is applied.
Three additional prototypes were 3D printed in selective laser sintering (“SLS”) using a nylon material. The results for these three prototypes are shown in Table 2. As shown in Table 2, all prototypes, SLS1, SLS2 and SLS 3, failed the CR test because they were too tight. This is likely due to the SLS having a rougher surface texture than the polymer Rigur. In addition, SLS1 failed the CR test because, while the 18.4 mm is rotatable by hand, the force required is likely too much for the average user.
The three SLS prototypes were machined in a vertical mill to expand the inner measurement of the opening in the center of the housing until a good CR function was established. The lid was attached and removed multiple times at different mill settings to establish ideal function. Table 3 provides the actual measurements for the inner dimension of the opening in the center of the housing “Opening in center of housing—Inner” and the outer dimension of the tubular projection on the lower lid “Lower lid tubular projection—Outer”, rather than intended measurements from 3D printing. Table 3 shows that all three of the machined SLS prototypes passed the CR test. The difference between the “Lower lid tubular projection—Outer” measurement and the “Opening in center of housing—Inner” measurements are: SLS1: 0.03 mm; SLS2: 0.03 mm; and SLS3: 0.06 mm. As detailed here and below, the results from Tables 1-3 identify that the three machined SLS prototypes performed the best during the CR, Shake and Break tests.
(b) Shaking the Child-Resistant Container when Full:
To determine the optimum tolerance for integrity of the child-resistant container and components of the child-resistant lid when the compartment is 100% full, coins were placed in each compartment until 100% full. The results of the “Shake” test for each prototype are shown in Tables 1-3.
In Table 1, prototype KB1 failed the shake test. As with the CR test, Prototype 1 failed the Shake test because, while the 17.5 mm inserted, it was tightly bound and the collar broke upon lid removal, prior to shake testing. Prototype 2 failed the shake test, revealing broken collar pieces which were possibly broken during assembly. This possibly explains the inconsistent CR results for Prototype 2, detailed above in (a). Prototype 4 also failed the Shake test. While the lid did not dislodge, it did “click” back into place after completion of the Shake test. Both IB1 and Prototype 3 passed the shake test.
Table 2 shows the results from the three additional prototypes 3D printed in SLS. Each of these prototypes passed the Shake test.
Table 3 shows the results for the three SLS prototypes machined in a vertical mill. Each of these three machined prototypes also passed the Shake test.
To determine the optimum tolerance for integrity of the child-resistant container and each component of the child-resistant lid when assembling, several prototypes were made with the dimensions as provided in Table 1. The components were all assembled and the integrity of each component was tested to determine whether any component broke upon assembly, based on a pass/fail test. Results of the assembly test (“Break”) are shown in Tables 1-3.
In Table 1, KB1, IB1, Prototype 3 and Prototype 4 all passed the assembly Break test. As in the other two tests, Prototype 1 failed the Break test because, while the 17.5 mm inserted, it was tightly bound and the collar broke upon lid removal, indicating that 17.5 mm is not a desirable preload. Similarly to the Shake test in (b), Prototype 2 also failed the Break test, revealing broken collar pieces which were possibly broken during assembly.
Table 2 shows the results for the Break test for the three additional prototypes 3D printed in SLS. As with the Shake test in (b), each of these prototypes passed the Break test.
Table 3 shows the results for the Break test for the three SLS prototypes machined in a vertical mill. Again, as with the Shake test in (b), each of these three machined prototypes passed the Shake test.
Based on the above results, in order to have a prototype pass the CR, Shake, and Break PG-3T tests, the tubular projection (6) needs to be oversized between 0.03 mm-0.06 mm as compared to the Opening in the center of the housing,—Inner. However, 0.03 mm-0.06 mm is a tighter manufacturing tolerance than would be consistently achievable by an injection molding process. Therefore an alternative design is necessary to manufacture a child resistant lid with the quality to consistently pass testing.
In an alternative design, preload friction is achieved by oversizing the collar (7) on the tubular projection (6) of the lower lid in comparison with the diameter of the tunnel (19) that exists within the opening in the center of the housing. The collar (7) is located at the distal end of the tubular projection (6) of the lower lid (4). Increasing the distance of the friction point to the lower lid (4) results in a larger physical distance variation of the friction points, enabling a satisfactory preload. The surprising result of using this alternative design is that the lid can be constructed using inexpensive injection molding techniques that will consistently meet specifications.
The optimum tolerances for the alternative design of the child-resistant lid were determined as related to (a) normal use of the child-resistant container; (b) shaking the container when completely full; and (c) assembling the child-resistant container without breakage of parts, as detailed in Example 1. Several prototypes were created with the dimensions as identified in Table 4. Optimum tolerances were determined for each prototype on a pass/fail basis, as detailed below and in Table 4.
The optimum tolerance for the child-resistance lid under normal conditions of use was determined as described in Example 1. As provided in Table 4, each prototype was assembled and used under normal operation. The results in Table 4 show that each of Prototypes 4-8 passed the “CR” test.
(b) Shaking the Child-Resistant Container when Full:
The optimum tolerance for integrity of the child-resistant container and components of the child-resistant lid when the compartment is 100% full was determined as described in Example 1. The results of the “Shake” test for each prototype are shown in Table 4, which indicates that each of the prototypes passed the “Shake” test. However, in Prototypes 4 and 7, the upper lid partially dislodged.
The optimum tolerance for integrity of the child-resistant container and each component of the child-resistant lid when assembling was determined as described in Example 1. Several prototypes were made with the dimensions as provided in Table 4. Results of the assembly test (“Break”) are shown in Table 4. Each of Prototypes 4-8 passed the “Break” test.
The results of Example 1 show that in order to create a child resistant lid with an acceptable preload, if the preload is generated by contact between the tubular projection (6) on the lower lid (4) and the Opening in the center of housing—Inner, then the tolerances will be tighter than can generally be achieved through an injection molding process. Specifically, in Example 1, the allowable tolerance requires the upper lid to be oversized by a narrow range of 0.03 mm-0.06 mm to have consistent performance.
However, as shown in Example 2, moving the preload contact to the distal end of the tubular projection results in a preload contact generated between the collar (7) on the tubular projection (6) of the lower lid (4) and the tunnel (19) located in the opening in the center (2) of the housing (1). This change increases the allowable tolerance range to 0.01 mm-0.33 mm. The dimensions for the Prototypes as shown in Table 4 provide for this allowable tolerance range, which is easily within the range of an injection molding process, enabling a consistent design that is easy to manufacture.
To determining the approximate speed within which the compartments of the child-resistant container can be filled using fill assisters, trials were conducted using a container with fifteen (15) compartments. Time to fill all fifteen (15) compartments was assessed using a fill assister with either five (5) openings or fifteen (15) openings. The results are shown below in Table 5. The average time for filing all fifteen (15) compartments using either fill assister was under a minute. Specifically, the average time using the fill assister with fifteen (15) compartments was at 34.7 seconds, while the average time using the fill assister with five (5) compartments was 47.2 seconds.
Use of either fill assister resulted in few errors, such as pills popping out or the need to use one or more fingers to place a pill in one or more container. However, the preliminary trials show that using the fill assister with one opening for each compartment resulted in a reduced amount of time to properly fill each compartment with the appropriate number of pharmaceutical pills and with fewer errors than the fill assister with five (5) openings.
Although this disclosure includes various exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications that will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/029617 | 4/28/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63080903 | Sep 2020 | US | |
| 63016491 | Apr 2020 | US |
