Patent Application
20140336027
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for automatically creating customized boxes, in particular, creating customized boxes in response to parameters input by a user. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for automatically creating customized boxes for storing medications, in particular, boxes sized and shaped and provided with indicia according to specific user preferences
Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/564,415; 13/591,285; 13/442,268; 13/439,369; and 13/331,501 disclose means for customizing documents and cutting a sheet of material into a configuration. The preceding references disclose automated control of the actual cutting and forming operations by a machine; however, data regarding the desired dimensions and configuration must be input by the user.
Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,601 discloses printing documents, such as shipping or packaging labels, with personalized dimensions. The dimensions can be determined based on dimensions (not determined as part of the disclosed method or system) of a three-dimensional package to which the printed document is to be attached. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,983,792 discloses generating a printed three-dimensional object, by printing on a substrate, generating die lines, and finishing the substrate along the die lines to yield the three-dimensional object
Many individuals are required to take multiple medications at different intervals during the day or week. These individuals can keep a record of this information and take medications from their original prescription containers, or they can use ‘pill organizers’ to place all medications required for a given timeframe in specific compartments. These organizers are generic and do not aid in placing the right pills in right compartment. In addition, compartments are not sized for the specific medications to be placed in each compartment. This is an error prone as well as time consuming process. Further, the organizers are not configured to meet specific requirements of desires of a user and do not include indicia helping to identify the medication and provide other information such as instructions for taking the medication.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based method for creating customized boxes, including: storing, in at least one memory element of at least one computer, computer readable instructions; and executing, using at least one processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to: receive first data specifying at least one item for storage; receive second data specifying a first number of the at least one item for storage in at least one box or at least one use of the at least one item; receive third data describing at least one physical attribute of the at least one item; calculate, using the first, second, and third data, at least one volume of the at least one box; transmit, to a packaging device, fourth data, including the volume of the at least one box; and generate, using the fourth data and the packaging device, at least one two-dimensional layout, on at least one piece of media, for the at least one box. The layout includes a plurality of lines, on the at least one piece of media for creasing or cutting the at least one piece of media to form the at least one box.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based method for creating customized boxes for storing medication, including: storing, in at least one memory element of at least one computer, computer readable instructions; and executing, using at least one processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to: receive first data regarding at least one medication for a patient, the first data including at least one dosage of the at least one medication and at least one instruction for taking the at least one medication; receive second data including at least one size, shape, or volume of at least one pill for the at least one dosage; calculate, using the first and second data, at least one volume of at least one box for storing the at least one medication; transmit, to a packaging device, third data, including the at least one volume; generate, using the third data and the packaging device, at least one first two-dimensional layout, on at least one first piece of media, for the at least one box; and apply, to the at least one first piece of media, first indicia including the instructions. The at least one first two-dimensional layout includes a first plurality of lines for creasing or cutting the at least one first piece of media to form the at least one box.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based method for providing items in customized boxes, including: storing, in at least one first memory element of at least one first computer under control of a first business entity, first computer readable instructions; executing, using at least one first processor for the at least one first computer, the first computer readable instructions to: receive, from a third business entity, first data specifying at least one item; receive, from the third business entity, second data specifying a first number of the at least one item for storage in at least one box or at least one use of the at least one item; receive third data describing at least one physical attribute of the at least one item; calculate, using the first, second, and third data, a volume of the at least one box; receive, from the third entity, customer information regarding a recipient of the at least one item; and transmit fourth data, including the customer information and the volume of the at least one box. The method includes receiving, using a packaging device under control of a second business entity, the fourth data; generating, using the fourth data and the packaging device, at least one two-dimensional layout, on at least one piece of media, for the at least one box; receiving, by the second business entity, the at least one item from the third business entity or a fourth entity; packaging the at least one item in the at least one box formed from the at least one piece of media; and arranging transport of the at least one item, in the at least one box, to the recipient.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based system for creating customized storage boxes, including: at least one computer including at least one memory element configured to store computer readable instructions; and at least one processor for the at least one computer configured to execute the computer readable instructions to: receive first data specifying at least one item for storage; receive second data specifying a first number of the at least one item for storage in at least one box or at least one use of the at least one item; receive third data describing at least one physical attribute of the at least one item; calculate, using the first, second, and third data, at least one volume of the at least one box; and transmit fourth data, including the volume of the at least one box. The system includes a packaging device arranged to receive the fourth data and generate, using the fourth data, at least one two-dimensional layout, on at least one piece of media, for the at least one box. The layout includes a plurality of lines, on the at least one piece of media for creasing or cutting the at least one piece of media to form the at least one box.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based system for creating customized storage boxes for storing medication, including: at least one computer including at least one memory element configured to store computer readable instructions; and at least one processor for the at least one computer configured to execute the computer readable instructions to: receive first data regarding at least one medication for a patient, the first data including at least one dosage of the at least one medication and at least one instruction for taking the at least one medication; receive second data including at least one size, shape, or volume of at least one pill for the at least one dosage; calculate, using the first and second data, at least one volume of at least one box for storing the at least one medication; and transmit third data including the at least one volume. The system includes a packaging device arranged to receive the third data; generate, using the third data, at least one first two-dimensional layout, on at least one first piece of media, for the at least one box; and apply, to the at least one first piece of media, first indicia including the instructions. The at least one first two-dimensional layout includes a first plurality of lines for creasing or cutting the at least one first piece of media to form the at least one box.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer-based system for creating customized storage boxes, including: a packaging device; at least one first computer under control of a first business entity and including at least one first memory element configured to store first computer readable instructions; at least one first processor for the at least one first computer; and a second computer under control of a second business entity. The at least one first processor is configured to execute the first computer readable instructions to: receive, from a third business entity, first data specifying at least one item; receive, from the third business entity, second data specifying a first number of the at least one item for storage in at least one box or at least one respective use for the at least one item; receive third data describing at least one physical attribute of the at least one item; calculate, using the first, second, and third data, a volume of the at least one box; receive, from the third entity, customer information regarding a recipient of the at least one item; and transmit fourth data including the customer information and the volume of the at least one box. The packaging device is arranged to receive the fourth data and generate, using the fourth data, at least one two-dimensional layout, on at least one piece of media, for the at least one box. The second computer is arrange transport of the at least one item in at least one box to the recipient. The at least one item is received by the second business entity from the third business entity or a fourth entity, and the at least one box is formed from the at least one piece of media.
Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:
Moreover, although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of these embodiments, some embodiments of methods, devices, and materials are now described.
The following non-limiting definitions are applicable to the present invention:
It should be understood that the use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B.
Each box 118 includes a plurality of sides 134 enclosing a space, which forms volume V. At least one side 134 is a flap or lid displaceable to close off the space or enable access to the space. In an example embodiment, there is a plurality of boxes 118 with respective volumes V. In an example embodiment, for at least two of boxes 118 in a plurality of boxes 118, the respective volumes are different. In an example embodiment, processor 106 is configured to calculate, using data 112, 116, and 122, dimensions 137 for box 118, such as length L and width W for sides 134, and transmit data 138, including the dimensions to the packaging device. The packaging device is arranged to receive data 138 and position lines 132 according to the dimensions in data 138.
In an example embodiment, processor 106 is configured to calculate N1 using use 119. In general, processor 106 must know how many items 114 are to be stored in a particular box 118. N1 could provide this information directly. However, as further described below, processor 106 also has the capability of determining N1, or more specifically, how many items 114 are to be stored in a particular box 118, by evaluating N2 and N3.
In an example embodiment, processor 106 is configured to transmit data 140 including use 119 and the packaging device is arranged to receive data 140 and apply indicia 142, included in data 140 to media 130.
In an example embodiment: data 112 specifies a plurality of items 114; data 116 specifies a respective N1 for each item in the plurality of items 114, or a respective use for each item in the plurality of items 114; and data 122 describing a respective physical attribute of each item in the plurality of items 114. Processor 106 is configured to calculate, using respective data 112, 116, and 122, respective volume V of each box 114 in the plurality of boxes 114, and transmit data 126 including respective volumes V. The packaging device is arranged to receive data 126 and generate, using data 126: two-dimensional layout 128 on one only single piece of media 130 for the entirety of the plurality of boxes; or a plurality of two-dimensional layouts 128 on a plurality of pieces of media 130 for the plurality of boxes.
In an example embodiment, respective volumes V for at least two boxes 118 in a plurality of boxes 118 are different. In an example embodiment, respective indicia 142 for at least two boxes 118 in a plurality of boxes 118 are different.
In an example embodiment, processor 106 is configured to receive data 146 including at least one preference 148 of the patient, different from instruction 145. That is, preferences are specific to the patient and are different from “standard” or generic instructions regarding the medication. In an example embodiment, preference 148 includes, but is not limited to: a number of boxes per day, per time of day, per day of the week, or other time period, desired by the patient; desired size or sizes for the boxes; a level of detail desired for the instructions; special instructions specific to the patient and/or the medication; and instructions regarding indicia, such as location of indicia, size, shape, and type of print, inclusion of graphics, and adding texture to a surface or surfaces of the box, such as Braille.
In an example embodiment, the processor uses preference 148 to calculate V. For example, a volume of 2 square inches for a box may be sufficient to hold the applicable medications; however, preference 148 includes a directive that no volume of a box is to be less than 4 square inches, for example, because the patient has problems opening smaller boxes. Thus, a patient preference can cause modifications to volume V. Processor 106 is configured to transmit data 150 including preference 148 to the packaging device. The packaging device is arranged to receive data 150 and use data 150 in generating layout 128, which can be different from a layout 128 generated without use of data 150. That is, a patient preference can cause modifications to the layout, for example, to accommodate the requirement for a minimum volume V. The packaging device is arranged to apply indicia 142 according to data 150. For example, the size, type, or location of indicia can be as required by preference 148.
For example, as shown in
As described above for a plurality of items 114, the operations described above for at least one medication can be applied to a plurality of medications. Preferences 148 can be specific to each medication or groupings of medications.
Customized boxes 118 for medications enable better adherence to medication regimens with the attendant advantages, such as reducing side-effects, attaining full benefits of the regimen, and avoiding further medical complications or problems. The better adherence is clearly of great medical benefit to the patient, but also can reduce costs for the patient and the medical system providing care for the patient or paying for the patient's care.
Thus, apparatus 100 enables a flexible, automated means for producing customized boxes of any size, shape or configuration in response to data input by a user, or received by computer 102 from another computerized system. The data input by the user or received by the computer does not directly specify the size, shape or configuration of the boxes. Instead, information that is readily available to an entity supplying item 114, such as data 112, 116 and 122, is used by processor 106 to automatically generate volume and dimension information (data 126 and 138). That is, it is not necessary for a person to calculate or otherwise determine dimensions and configurations. Further, adjustments and modifications are made automatically. If any of data 112, 116 or 122 change, processor 106 makes the required adjustments, again, without operator intervention.
Within the customized framework described above, even further customization is enabled through application of personalized data such as data 146 and 150. For example, if customized boxes are being fabricated for a particular weekly dosages of one or more medications, one particular set of volumes and dimensions may be adequate to store the medications and may be used for a large number of patients. However, this set of volumes and dimensions can be further customized according to data 146 and 150, such that the boxes for a particular patient can be further customized as described above, for example, changing size or indicia. Of course, each particular set of boxes 118 for a particular patient can fabricated at the onset using data 112, 116, 122, 146, and 150.
Particular detail has been provided for a medical application of system 100; however, it should be understood that system 100 is applicable to a very broad range of applications. In essence, system 100 can be used with any product that includes packaging of components. For example, many products are sold in an unassembled state. For example, children's toys or furniture are sold with component parts and various fasteners to secure the component parts into the desired finished product. Typically, the fasteners are combined in one bag with separate written instructions identifying the individual fasteners and how the individual fasteners are to be used. This system is quite prone to user error and can be confusing and frustrating for the user. With system 100 customized boxes for each type of fastener can be provided and indicia explaining the use of the fastener can be applied directly to the box. Even further, a plurality of boxes containing various fasteners can be nested or otherwise configured so that the boxes can only be accessed according the order of usage of the fasteners, required for proper assembly, contained in the boxes.
Device 110 is arranged to receive data 126, directly or indirectly, for example via computer 202 and generate, using data 126, layout 128 on media 130. Computer 202 is configured to arrange transport of item 114 in box 118 to the recipient. Item 114 is received by business entity BE2 from BE3 or business entity B4, for example, a supplier for BE3. BE2 is responsible for forming box 118 from media 130 and packaging item 114 in box 118 for shipment.
In an example embodiment, business entity BE3 is a legal supplier of prescription medications or a legal prescriber of prescription medications, such as a pharmacist. That is, BE3 can be a pharmacist and a pharmacy prescribing and providing, respectively, the medication; or BE3 can be a medication distributor receiving prescriptions from a pharmacist for a patient and provided prescribed medications to the patient. Thus, system 200 provides customized and personalized medication containers in an automated large scale setting.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
