The present application relates to a removable label, in particular, a removable label for dosage tracking, including, tracking dosage of the contents of a container to which the removable label can be applied.
Currently, over-the-counter medication, vitamin supplements, or other prescribed medication by a physician or medical professional have a required or recommended dosage schedule. In some cases, as with a vitamin supplement, it is not critical, but beneficial, to take the recommended dosage each day. In other cases, such as with antibiotics, pain medication, or blood pressure medication, it is critical to the medication as prescribed. Often times, patients, caregivers, or consumers forget or have difficulty remembering to take each scheduled dosage. This may be especially true when there are multiple medications, each on a different dosage schedule. Additionally, when a medication and/or supplement has been taken for an extended period of time, it may be difficult to remember on which day the medication was taken since it has become so routine to take the medication. Thus it is easy for the consumer to not take a vital prescription for fear they have already taken it or may take too much medicine as they are unsure if they have taken the dose. Thus, a need exists for a simple, yet effective reminder system to assist a consumer in tracking scheduled dosages.
According to an embodiment, a single-layer, removable label may include a main body having a central longitudinal axis; at least one first tab on a first side of the central longitudinal axis; at least one second tab on a second side of the central longitudinal axis; and an adhesive applied to a rear side of the main body and a rear side of each of the at least one first tab and the at least one second tab. The first side and the second side are opposing sides of the central longitudinal axis.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive is a low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive is applied directly to the rear side of the main body and the rear side of each of the at least one first tab and the at least one second tab.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive allows the single-layer, removable label to be removable, repositionable, reuseable, readherable, or relocatable, or combinations thereof.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive is applied to an entirety of the rear side of the main body and an entirety of the rear side of each of the at least one first tab and the at least one second tab.
According to an embodiment, the at least one first tab comprises a plurality of first tabs and the at least one second tab comprises a plurality of second tabs.
According to an embodiment, a number of the plurality of first tabs is equal to a number of the plurality of second tabs.
According to an embodiment, the plurality of first tabs and the plurality of second tabs are located along an entirety of a length of the main body.
According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of first tabs is separated from an adjacent tab of the plurality of first tabs with a first detachable connection and wherein each of the plurality of first tabs is separated from the main body with a second detachable connection.
According to an embodiment, the first detachable connection is a die cut and the second detachable connection is a perforation.
According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of second tabs is separated from an adjacent tab of the plurality of second tabs with a third detachable connection and wherein each of the plurality of second tabs is separated from the main body with a fourth detachable connection.
According to an embodiment, the first detachable connection and the third detachable connection are each a die cut.
According to an embodiment, the second detachable connection and the fourth detachable connection are each a perforation.
According to an embodiment, one or more indicators printed on a front side of the main body and the front side of each of the at least one first tab and the at least one second tab.
According to an embodiment, the one or more indicators corresponds to a predetermined dosage schedule.
According to an embodiment, the predetermined dosage schedule is 7-10 days, daily, a number of predetermined hours, or a number of predetermined times per day.
According to an embodiment, a single-layer, removable label may include a main body having a central longitudinal axis; a first subset of tabs on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the first subset of tabs comprising a plurality of first tabs; a second subset of tabs on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, the second subset of tabs comprising a plurality of second tabs, wherein the first side is opposite the second side about the central longitudinal axis; a low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to a rear side of the main body, a rear side of the plurality of first tabs, and a rear side of the plurality of second tabs; and one or more indicators disposed on a front side of the main body and a front side of the plurality of first tabs, and a front side of the plurality of second tabs. The plurality of first tabs are separated from the main body with a first detachable connection, the plurality of second tabs are separated from the main body with a second detachable connection, and wherein each of the plurality of first tabs are separated from adjacent tabs of the plurality of first tabs with a third detachable connection and each of the plurality of second tabs are separated from adjacent tabs of the plurality of second tabs with a fourth detachable connection.
According to an embodiment, the main body includes a rectangular portion and a semi-circular portion and wherein each of the tabs of the plurality of first tabs and the plurality of second tabs includes a rectangular portion and a rounded portion.
According to an embodiment, each of the first detachable connection and the second detachable connection are perforations and each of the third detachable connection, and the fourth detachable connection are die cut.
According to an embodiment, the low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive allows the single-layer, removable label to be removable, repositionable, reuseable, readherable, or relocatable, or combinations thereof and is configured to leave no residue on an exterior surface to which the single-layer, removable label is secured.
According to an embodiment, the one or more indicators are printed, embossed, or imprinted on the front side.
According to an embodiment, a single-layer, removable dosage tracking label may include a single-layer main body; and one or more single-layer tabs coupled to the single-layer main body. The single-layer, removable dosage tracking label is configured for use with a container having items with a dosage requirement, and wherein the one or more single-layer tabs corresponds to the dosage requirement.
According to an embodiment, the items with a dosage requirement are pills, tablets, medication, supplements, or vitamins.
According to an embodiment, the one or more single-layer tabs include an indicator corresponding to the dosage requirement.
According to an embodiment, the one or more single-layer tabs are configured for removal from the single-layer main body, and wherein the one or more single-layer tabs are configured to track dosage of the item in the container.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art would recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated.
The present disclosure relates to a reminder system in the form of a removable label. The label assists the consumer in noting whether or not they have taken their medication or if the medication needs to be taken. The label is a simple, yet effective visual reminder for tracking dosage, including, frequency of a dose. The label has a re-adherable adhesive backing and perforated tear off tabs. The tabs help track if a consumer is taking the medication and/or supplements according to the prescribed or recommended dosage. In one simple step, the consumer may tear off the tab for the dosage that is taken so that the next time the consumer views the bottle, the consumer is aware that the dose has been taken and what dose is to be taken next. The label is placed on the original packaging so that the consumer still has access to the important information regarding the prescription, medication, and/or supplement. The label allows for anyone reading the label to quickly determine the state of the prescription. Thus, a caretaker, parent, medical professional, emergency medical professional, etc. is able to quickly see what medications that a consumer is taking and when the last dose was taken.
In one aspect, the removable label can include a single-layer, removable label with a main body and tabs extending from the main body. The single-layer, removable label may be a label comprised of only a single layer of material with an adhesive applied to a rear surface and indicators applied to a front surface. The single-layer label may provide a simple, easy to use label. The single-layer label may allow for a label with no pieces or remnants of the label remaining on a container when the label and tabs have been exhausted. The label may be removed from the container without leaving a residue and/or without leaving any label remnants on the container. The single-layer label avoids the complexities of a multi-layer label which provide confusion to a consumer regarding which dosage has been taken and which may leave other labels or layers behind on the container when a tab is removed.
Referring to
Referring to
The main body 108 may be a column that may be configured to separate one or more tabs 110. The main body 108 may be configured to indicate a first set of information (e.g., the dosage course, such as 7-10 days, daily, etc.) the tabs 110 may be configured to indicate a second set of information (e.g., the numbers 1-10 for the 7-10 course, the days of the week for the daily course, etc.). The first set of information may be different than the second set of information. Thus, the main body 108 may be configured to indicate different information than the tabs 110.
With continued reference to
The tabs 110 may each have an indicator(s) 106 printed thereon. The indicator 106 may correspond to the indicator 106 on the main body 108. That is, where the main body 108 indicates a length of use of the dosage of “7-10 days” as shown in
Although the indicator(s) 106 are described as printed on the main body 108 and tabs 110, alternative forms of indicator(s) 106 may be contemplated. For example, the indicator(s) 106 may be imprinted, embossed, or otherwise formed on the main body 108 and/or tabs 110 such that impressions and/or protrusions are present on the label 100. For example, such imprinting may be braille or other symbols. The imprinting may allow for a tactile, touch of the tab 110 to indicate the dosage to be taken. Alternatively, the indicator(s) 106 may be omitted and a consumer and/or medical professional may write on the main body 108 and/or tabs 110 the desired schedule for dosage and number of each dosage as prescribed by the medical professional or as suggested by the packaging. Alternatively, the indicator(s) 106 may be applied to the label 100 in any method of printing, creating, or label-making.
The axes 120, 122 allow for the label 100 to be arranged or shaped in many orientations. For example, the label 100 may have a main body 108 that is circular. The circular main body may have a longitudinal and transverse axis. The tabs 110 may be arranged around the perimeter or circumference of the circular main body. Thus, the tabs 110 may be arranged symmetrically about either or both of axes 120, 122. The axes 120, 122 allow for symmetric, user-friendly operation of the label 100. Allowing for a consumer to quickly operate and quickly and easily determine the next dosage. Other symmetric and/or mirror-image designs of the label 100 may be contemplated without regard to the shape of the particular main body 108 and/or tabs 110.
Referring to
The adhesive may be an adhesive that, when removed from the exterior surface to which it is applied, does not damage the surface and/or any other labels located on the surface. The adhesive may be an adhesive that is used in repositionable stickers. The label 100 may be a coated or uncoated paper stock with a repositionable adhesive backing. The label 100 may have a re-adherable strip or surface of glue on the rear side 104. The adhesive may allow for temporarily attaching the label 100 to other surfaces. The adhesive may be a low-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be any re-adherable glue or adhesive material. The adhesive may allow the label 100 to be easily attached, removed, and eve re-posted elsewhere without leaving a residue.
To facilitate understanding, use of the label 100 will be described with respect to a prescribed medicine located in a bottle (e.g. as shown in
With reference to
As mentioned, the main body 108 and each tab 110 may have the adhesive on the rear surface. Thus, the tabs 110 may be individually secured to the bottle or exterior surface by the adhesive. The tabs 110, being detachably connected to adjacent tabs 110, may then be peeled, individually, away from the exterior surface leaving the main body and adjacent tabs on the exterior surface.
The label 100 may be placed on the container such that the label 100 does not obscure information already present on the bottle. If the label 100 is accidently placed to obscure information desired to be read or shown, the adhesive may allow the label 100 to be removed from the bottle and relocated or re-stuck to the bottle. When the label 100 and/or any of the tabs 110 are removed, the container and/or a label on the container is exposed in its original state. The container can be returned to its original state, in part, as the tabs 110 are removed, or in whole if the label 100 is removed in its entirety.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Although the labels 100, 200, 300, and 400 are shown directed to particular scheduled dosages, other dosage schedules or patterns may be contemplated. That is, any number of hourly, daily, monthly, set time periods, etc. (e.g. 7-10 days, 14 days, 21 days, etc.) schedules may be contemplated. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Although the labels 600A, 600B, and 600C are shown directed to particular scheduled dosages, other dosage schedules or patterns may be contemplated. That is, any number of hourly, daily, monthly, set time periods, etc. (e.g. 7-10 days, 14 days, 21 days, etc.) schedules may be contemplated.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In
When the user consumes the medication at the regularly scheduled time, the user may peel a first tab 950 (e.g., as shown in
Although shown and described with the user removing the upper most tab first, any tab on the label may be removed first. For example, the user may begin their course of medication on Thursday and thus remove the Th tab first. Although shown with the user removing a tab on the left of the main body first, a tab on the right of the main body may be removed first.
The labels 100, 200, 300, 400, and/or 600 may be single-layer, removable dosage tracking labels having a single-layer main body and one or more single-layer tabs coupled to the single-layer main body. The single-layer, removable dosage tracking label is configured for use with a container having items with a dosage requirement. The one or more single-layer tabs corresponds to the dosage requirement. The items with a dosage requirement are pills, tablets, medication, supplements, or vitamins. The one or more single-layer tabs include an indicator corresponding to the dosage requirement. The one or more single-layer tabs are configured for removal from the single-layer main body, and wherein the one or more single-layer tabs are configured to track dosage of the item in the container.
Although shown with tabs on both sides of a main body, the tabs may be on one side, two sides, three sides, or more sides. For example, where the main body is longitudinal as in the described examples, tabs may be provided on only one side of the main body. In an example, the main body may be a circle, a square, a star, or other polygonal shape. In that case, the tabs may be placed on any combination of sides, a single side, all sides, etc.
Although shown with the same dosage course and the same number of tabs on both sides of the main body, the information on the tabs may be different. For example, the tabs provided on one side may be for a 7-10 day course and the tabs on the other side may be for a Monday-Sunday course.
Accordingly, the label of the present disclosure allows a consumer to simply and economically remember to take their medication and/or supplements. The label of the present disclosure is designed to adjust to the consumers prescription needs instead of being set or constrained to a calendar system. The label assists consumers who do not frequently take medication and have a short term prescription to remember to take the prescribed medication. The label may also help caregivers and elderly consumers to remember to take the prescribed medication. The label may be a reminder to visually impaired persons or those unable to read the visual cues. For example, the label may be tactile, that is, the label may have depressions, protrusions, braille, or other imprinted symbols, shapes or letters, such that any user may feel the tab to confirm dosage and remove the tab. Alternatively, the tab itself may be the tactile portion such that a user may simply feel the tab and know a dosage is to be taken.
The label of the present disclosure may be simply placed on the bottle with a temporary adhesive. The consumer tears off the tab as the dosage of the medicine and/or supplement is taken. When the course of the medicine and/or supplement is completed, the remaining portions of the label may be removed and thrown away. Alternatively, if all tabs of the label are removed and there are still more dosages of the medicine to be take, the main body of the label may be removed and thrown away and a new label complete with tabs may be placed on the bottle. This may be repeated as necessary until the course of the medicine and/or supplements are completed.
Additionally, the label of the present disclosure is adhesive and may include adhesive tabs. The adhesive tabs may allow for the tabs to remain secured to the bottle. Thus, if the bottle is placed in a bag for travel or rubs against another bottle, a container, a shirt, etc., the tabs may remain on the bottle without getting caught up and falling off of the bottle. The label of the present disclosure is designed to accommodate any shape and/or size of medication and/or supplement container. This may include, for example, a liquid bottle (e.g. cough syrup), a blister pack, table medicine container or bottle, supplement container or bottle, or other container.
Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/770,586 filed Nov. 21, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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