Patent Application
20140067112
The present invention generally relates to a coded sealing device and/or coded bottle sealing device and/or coded container sealing device. The present invention also generally relates to methods for using a coded sealing device and/or coded bottle sealing device and/or coded container sealing device.
The present invention relates to the general field of pharmaceutical or medication bottles and/or containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to lessening user errors when identifying their medicine bottle and/or container. It can be a problem for families, couples, or even individuals to accidentally select the wrong medicine bottle and/or container and ingest the wrong medication. For example, in a family of four with many prescriptions (e.g., heart medication for a father, birth control for a mother, multiple allergy medications for children, etc.), a member of the family may accidentally confuse their prescription with another family member and ingest it. This mistake may lead to numerous deleterious results.
Problems related to the accidental misuse of prescriptions produce not only a physical burden on the party who ingested the substance, but also produce a heavy economic burden. For example, in 2000 the U.S. spent nearly $76 billion correcting complications related to medication errors including accidental misuse of prescriptions. Further, this expenditure greatly increases when secondary effects of medication errors are factored in. For example, secondary expenditures, such as, costs of injuries to third parties caused by an individual who accidentally misuses a prescription, costs of absenteeism from work, and costs related to allocating medical staff for such incidents can cause a heavy economic burden.
U.S. application 2003/0214129 (hereinafter “Adler”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a new shape for a prescription bottle with labels for those bottles. However, for some, the cost of reshaping medication bottles, the user's resistance to change, and the market's resistance to change appears to have found this solution unpractical.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,615 (hereinafter “Flick”), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes an opaque bottle at least partially for viewing the contents of the medicine bottle. Unfortunately, many users of prescription medication are not familiar with the markings on their prescriptions. Accordingly, numerous problems exist with the aforementioned solution.
The present invention addresses and applies a novel technology to the aforementioned problems.
In accordance with the present invention, a coded bottle/container sealing device and methods for production are provided.
In some embodiments, a coded medication sealing device for a medication container, includes a substantially solid structure comprising a first sidewall, a first top surface, and a first concavity. The coded medication sealing device also includes a label located on at least one of the first sidewall and first top surface, and a first sealing structure comprising a concavity receiving section receiving and sealing the medication container.
In some embodiments, a color-coded sealing device includes a first color-coded top surface, a second color-coded sidewall surface, a concavity receiving section created by the first top surface and second sidewall surface. The color-coded sealing device also includes a label attached to at least one of the first color-coded top surface and second color-coded sidewall surface. The concavity receiving section is designed for receiving at least one of a medicine bottle and medicine container.
In some embodiments, a color-coded sealing device, includes a first top surface, a second sidewall surface, a concavity receiving section created by the first top surface and second sidewall surface. The coded sealing device also includes a color-coded label attached to at least one of the top surface and sidewall surface. The concavity is designed for receiving at least one of a medicine bottle and medicine container.
In some embodiments, a method for using a color-coded sealing device, includes: reading in relevant data pertaining to a user; assigning a coded sealing device based on relevant data pertaining to a user; and attaching the coded sealing device to a bottle filled with the user's prescription.
In some embodiments, a coded medication sealing device for a medication container for use by an individual, includes a substantially solid structure comprising a first sidewall, a first top surface, and a first concavity. Indicia is printed on the substantially solid structure and disposed on at least one of the first sidewall and first top surface. The indicia comprises information indicative of characteristics of the individual, including at least one of sex of the individual, whether the individual is one of an adult and child, and individual specific medication information. The coded medication sealing device also includes a first sealing structure comprising a concavity receiving section receiving for sealing the medication container.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, different combinations of embodiments described herein, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Various objects, features, and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the following detailed description of the invention when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.
The following description includes many specific details. The inclusion of such details is for the purpose of illustration only and should not be understood to limit the invention. Moreover, certain features which are well known in the art are not described in detail in order to avoid complication of the subject matter of the present invention. In addition, it will be understood that features in one embodiment may be combined with features in other embodiments of the invention.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including equivalent constructions to those described herein insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, the specific sequence of the described process may be altered so that certain processes are conducted in parallel or independent, with other processes, to the extent that the processes are not dependent upon each other. Thus, the specific order of steps described herein is not to be considered implying a specific sequence of steps to perform the process. Other alterations or modifications of the above processes are also contemplated. For example, further insubstantial approximations of the process and/or algorithms are also considered within the scope of the processes described herein.
In addition, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not mentioned yet which perform the same or similar functions. It is therefore intended that such modifications and variations are included within the totality of the present invention.
It will be apparent that the usage of the word medicine bottle refers to any medicine container deemed suitable. Further, it will be apparent, that in some embodiments the word medicine bottle refers to any container or bottle. It will be apparent that the usage of the word medicine refers to any form of medication. For example, the word medicine refers to a liquid medication, capsule, powder, pill, and tablet. It will also be apparent that the term sealing device refers to any reasonable and/or effective sealing device for a container or bottle. For example, a sealing device may refer to a lid, cap, a threaded closure, lightning-type closure, stoppers, non-threaded closure, or any other sealing device deemed suitable.
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In some embodiments, label 240 located on coded sealing device 220 may include a label that is printed and then attached to coded sealing device 220. For example, label 240 may be printed onto adhesive paper and attached to coded sealing device 220. In other embodiments, label 240 may be printed directly onto coded sealing device 220. For example, a printer may print directly onto coded sealing device 220. In other embodiments, label 240 may include a label that is printed on adhesive paper designed to fit within the boundaries of coded sealing device 220. For example, label 240 may be designed to fit on at least one of the top surface and sidewall surface of coded sealing device 220. Further, label 240 may be designed to not hang off of the edge of coded sealing device 220.
In some embodiments, coded sealing device 220 may include a plastic material. For example, coded sealing device 220 may include poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylics, silicones, polyurethanes, thermoplastic, thermoset plastic, elastomers, engineering plastic, and any other material deemed suitable. In some embodiments, coded sealing device 220 can be substantially geometrically similar to a traditional medicine bottle sealing device. For example, coded sealing device 220 may include a top surface, a sidewall, and an internal concavity with a thread. It will be apparent that, in some embodiments, the internal concavity in sealing device 220 may be a concavity receiving section for receiving a bottle or container. Further, for example, in some embodiments, coded sealing device 220 may include a tamper resistant thread. In other embodiments, the geometry of a coded sealing device 220 may vary from a traditional medicine sealing device. For example, coded sealing device 220 may have a triangular shaped extension creating an additional flat surface to affix a label.
In some embodiments, label 240 may include information relevant to the patient. For example, in some embodiments, label 240 may include the patient's name and prescription. It will be apparent that this may be done for ease in recognizing ones prescription. In some embodiments, label 240 may include warnings to the patient. For example, label 240 may include a warning of common side effects. In some embodiments, label 240 may include at least one of the patient's name, the patient's last name, the patient's initials, a combination of the patient's name and initials, a symbol, the prescription, the generic drug name, a warning, information relevant to the drug's use, and the physician's name. It will be apparent that label 240 may include any relevant information. In some embodiments, label 240 may be located on any region of coded sealing device 220 deemed suitable. Further, it will be apparent that any information provided on a label may be provided as indicia printed on a label or on a medicine bottle. In some embodiments, for example, indicia may include information indicative of characteristics of the individual (e.g., sex of the individual, whether the individual is one of an adult and child, individual specific medication information, etc.).
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In some embodiments, a label may be located on the coded sealing device. For example, as shown in
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In some embodiments, the medicine bottle and the sealing device may be coded. In other embodiments only the medicine bottle or the sealing device may be coded. In some embodiments, a coded medicine bottle may be color-coded based on a user or group of users. For example, in some embodiments, the medicine bottle may be color-coded based on at least one of the sex (e.g., male or female) and the family status (e.g., child or parent) of the user. In some embodiments, a color-coded medicine bottle may be designed to mate with a coded sealing device. For example, a blue color-coded medicine bottle (e.g., for a boy) may mate with a blue coded sealing device and a pink color-coded medicine bottle (e.g., for a girl) may mate with a pink coded sealing device. It will be apparent that any color combination may be used to designate any relationship (e.g., male/female, parent/child, partner/partner, grandparent/parent, etc.). In some embodiments, the coded bottle may include a coded label. For example, the label on the medicine bottle may be color-coded. For example, a blue label may be located on a medicine bottle for a boy.
In some embodiments, a medicine bottle may exhibit a specific geometry based on a user or group of users. For example, a medicine bottle may exhibit a specific geometry based on at least one of the user's sex (e.g., male or female) and family relationship (e.g., parent, child, grandparent, etc.). In some embodiments, the coded medicine bottle may include a bulbous shape indicative of the user's sex. For example, a male bottle may be wider at the top and narrower at the bottom while a female coded bottle may be wider in the middle and narrower at the top and bottom. It will be apparent that any geometric variation may be used to distinguish between a user or group of users. In some embodiments, the coded medicine bottle may be designed to correspond with a coded sealing device.
In some embodiments, at least one of a coded bottle and coded sealing device may include an additional material or a geometric variation indicative of the user or user's group. For example, a coded sealing device may include a skirt or pants extending from the coded sealing device. It will be apparent that this additional material or geometric configuration may be indicative of the user or user's group. For example, a male user may have pants extending from his coded medicine bottle while a female user may have a skirt extending from her coded medicine bottle. It will be apparent that any geometric configuration or material extending from the coded sealing device or coded bottle can be used to distinguish the user.
In some embodiments, geometric variations may be located on the medicine bottle. For example, in some instances a medicine bottle may include small deviations in the surface of the bottle (e.g., dimples, nubs, grooves, etc.). It will be apparent that geometric variations in the medicine bottle may produce a coded medicine bottle that may assist those who are visually impaired (e.g., color blind, blind, etc.). In some embodiments the medicine bottle label may include geometric variations. For example, the label may include nubs indicating that the bottle is medication for a specific user. In some embodiments, the label may include a pattern of shapes or colors for assisting visually impaired individuals. For example, a zebra pattern may be placed on one label and a checkered pattern may be placed on another bottle.
It will be apparent that in all variations previously presented herewith a medicine bottle may include a primary label on the bottle and a secondary label on a coded sealing device. Further, it will be apparent that the shape of the label on the coded sealing device may vary amongst users. For example, a round label may be for a girl and a square label may be for a boy. Any color within the visible spectrum may be used for at least one of a coded sealing device and label. Any pattern may be used for at least one of a coded sealing device and label. It will be apparent that any combination of colors and shapes may be used for the label as well as the coded sealing device. Further, although shown as being substantially circular a coded sealing device may be any shape deemed suitable and a label may be located on any surface of a coded sealing device deemed suitable.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
