EP0533300A1 - Distributeur de médicaments portable - Google Patents

Distributeur de médicaments portable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0533300A1
EP0533300A1 EP92250047A EP92250047A EP0533300A1 EP 0533300 A1 EP0533300 A1 EP 0533300A1 EP 92250047 A EP92250047 A EP 92250047A EP 92250047 A EP92250047 A EP 92250047A EP 0533300 A1 EP0533300 A1 EP 0533300A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
dispenser according
pills
timer
compartment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP92250047A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Noel E. Zeller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0533300A1 publication Critical patent/EP0533300A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
    • A61J7/0038—Straws
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
    • A61J7/0053—Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0472—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
    • A61J7/0046—Cups, bottles or bags
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0481—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a portable medicine dispenser and more particularly to a novel and highly effective dispenser of liquid medicine or of pills plus a liquid to aid in taking the pills.
  • a major problem of physicians in managing their patients and of those with illnesses in managing their own medication with or without the supervision of a physician is ensuring that the prescribed medicine is taken at the prescribed times.
  • a prime reason for failure to take medication at intended intervals is simple forgetfulness. Another reason is that either the medication or some liquid to aid in swallowing it is not at hand at the prescribed time.
  • Another conventional attempt to deal with the problem of forgetfulness involves asking a spouse or companion for help in remembering. This can improve the odds that the medicine will be taken at proper intervals but it is certainly not a total solution and moreover burdens the memories of two persons and requires that the second person be present or make a phone call, etc., at the time the medicine is to be taken.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a remedy for the problems outlined above and more particularly to provide a novel and highly effective dispenser of liquid medicine or of pills and a liquid to aid in taking the pills.
  • pills is used generically herein to include all medicines that are not in liquid form, including pills, tablets, capsules, caplets and powders.
  • a pill dispenser comprising a housing, a compartment formed within the housing for containing a quantity of pills, and a timer contained within the housing for indicating when the pills should be taken.
  • a medicine dispenser comprising a housing, a reservoir formed within the housing for containing a quantity of liquid medicine, and a timer contained within the housing for indicating when the medicine should be taken.
  • a pill dispenser comprising a housing, a compartment formed within the housing for containing a quantity of pills, and a reservoir formed within the housing for containing a quantity of liquid to assist in taking the pills.
  • a pill dispenser comprising a housing, a compartment formed within the housing for containing a quantity of pills, a reservoir formed within the housing for containing a quantity of liquid to assist in taking the pills, and a timer contained within the housing for indicating when the pills should be taken.
  • the figures show a medicine dispenser 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. It comprises a housing 12, a compartment 14 formed within the housing 12 for containing a quantity of pills 16 (Fig. 12), a reservoir 18 (Fig. 9) formed within the housing 12 for containing a quantity of liquid (either liquid medicine or a plain liquid such as water to assist in taking the pills 16), and a timer 20 contained within the housing 12 and including a display for indicating when the pills should be taken.
  • a medicine dispenser 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. It comprises a housing 12, a compartment 14 formed within the housing 12 for containing a quantity of pills 16 (Fig. 12), a reservoir 18 (Fig. 9) formed within the housing 12 for containing a quantity of liquid (either liquid medicine or a plain liquid such as water to assist in taking the pills 16), and a timer 20 contained within the housing 12 and including a display for indicating when the pills should be taken.
  • the housing 12 plus at least two of the three elements 14, 18 and 20 are included in a dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention as broadly conceived. Preferably, all three of the elements 14, 18, and 20 are included in the dispenser.
  • the housing 12 is flattened so as to be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse.
  • the reservoir 18 holds a quantity of liquid at least sufficient to facilitate the swallowing of as many pills 16 as are intended to be taken at a predetermined time.
  • the timer 20 is preferably digital, though an analogue timer can be employed in accordance with the invention.
  • the timer 12 can be either a 12-hour timer or a 24-hour timer that in either case can be set to show local time.
  • the timer 20 may count up from zero to a predetermined indication or down from a predetermined indication to zero. For example, if medicine is to be taken every four hours, the timer 20 may be constructed to count from 0 to 4 hours. On the other hand, the timer can also be constructed to count down from a predetermined indication to zero. That is, 4 hours may be set manually into the timer 20 and its display by means of an hour button 22 and a minute button 24, and the timer may count from that value down to 0.
  • the counter can preferably be cleared manually by a clear button 26. Alternatively, it can be reset automatically upon completing its count.
  • the medicine dispenser 10 also includes means responsive to the timer 20 for generating a signal to indicate when the pills should be taken.
  • a sound signal such as a tone or beep is generated.
  • a sound opening 28 comprising for example perforations in the housing 12 is provided to facilitate the propagation of the sound from the housing 12.
  • a straw 30 extends through an aperture 32 in a cap 34 and into the reservoir 18 to facilitate drinking water or another liquid including a liquid medicine.
  • the cap 34 is articulated and includes a top portion 34a hinged at 34b. When the top portion 34a of the cap 34a swings to the closed position, the straw 30 is bent over and forms a seal so that the liquid in the reservoir 18 cannot leak out.
  • the straw 30 extends through a fitting 36 having a plurality of projections such as lugs 38.
  • the lugs 38 are adapted to pass through corresponding recesses 40 formed in a retainer 42 secured in an aperture formed in the housing 12.
  • a liquid can be poured into the reservoir 18.
  • the lugs 38 are moved down to the underside of the retainer 42 in which the recesses 40 are formed and the cap 34 is then oriented to the position shown for example in Fig. 7, the lugs 38 are out of alignment with the recesses 40 and are held by the retainer 42 to form a watertight seal.
  • An o-ring can be added to ensure that the seal is absolutely watertight.
  • the articulated top portion 34a of the cap 34 includes a latch 44 (Fig. 9) adapted to latch under an undercut ledge 46 (Fig. 10) when the top portion 34a is in the closed position shown for example in Fig. 7.
  • the distal end 44a of the latch 44 extends through an opening 48 in the lid 34 (Fig. 10) and enters a recess 50 (Fig. 8), thereby preventing accidental pivoting of the lid 34 and fitting 36 with respect to the housing 12 when the dispenser 10 is being carried in a pocket or purse.
  • the dispenser 10 can thus safely be carried in a pocket or a purse without the risk of spilling the liquid contained in the reservoir 18.
  • the pill compartment 14 is formed with a lid 52 that can be moved between a closed position shown for example in Figs. 11, 14 and 15 and an open position shown in Figs. 12 and 16.
  • the entire compartment 14 can be extended from the housing 12 as shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16.
  • the drawer or compartment 14 is formed with an incurved runner 54 (Fig. 17) that cooperates with an inverted T guide 56 at either side of the drawer or compartment 14 to facilitate sliding of the drawer 14 between the closed position illustrated in Fig. 14 and the open position illustrated in Fig. 15 for example.
  • the lid 52 is formed with a tab 58 that can be accommodated in either or both of slots 60 (Fig. 11 for example) and 62 (Fig. 12 for example).
  • the tab 58 When the compartment 14 is closed, the tab 58 is accommodated in both the slot 60 and the slot 62. A boss 68 snaps past the rear wall 70 of the compartment 14 when the lid 52 is in the closed position shown in Fig. 15, thus keeping the drawer 52 in the closed position until it is intentionally opened.
  • Ridges 64 (see Figs. 5 and 6 for example) formed on the bottom of the drawer or compartment 14 facilitate a grip that enables the drawer or compartment 14 to be opened by hand.
  • the tab 58 of the lid 52 is retained in the slot 62 so that when the drawer 14 is initially opened the lid 52 is in the closed position, preventing accidental spilling of the pills 16. Also, in this position, as Fig. 13 indicates, a screw 66 closing a battery compartment is exposed, enabling changing of the battery that powers the timer 20.
  • the tab 58 is engaged by a finger as indicated in Fig. 11 and the lid 52 is pushed to the rear so that the rear wall 70 moves to the rear of the boss 68.
  • the lid 52 can then be moved further to the rear until the tab 52 is engaged in the slot 60, thereby exposing the pills 16 so that one or more can be withdrawn as required.
  • the lid 52 abuts a wall 70, which prevents it from moving further to the rear.
  • the outside wall of the compartment 14 on the other hand slides over a ledge 72. This automatically moves the lid 52 to its closed position, thereby safeguarding the pills 16 against spilling the next time the compartment 14 is opened.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
EP92250047A 1991-08-09 1992-03-04 Distributeur de médicaments portable Withdrawn EP0533300A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74301891A 1991-08-09 1991-08-09
US743018 1991-08-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0533300A1 true EP0533300A1 (fr) 1993-03-24

Family

ID=24987193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92250047A Withdrawn EP0533300A1 (fr) 1991-08-09 1992-03-04 Distributeur de médicaments portable

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0533300A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH05111526A (fr)
AU (1) AU1081992A (fr)
CA (1) CA2060796A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998018426A1 (fr) * 1996-10-31 1998-05-07 Mandy Nicola Haberman Recipient pour boissons et medicaments
WO1998019647A1 (fr) * 1996-11-08 1998-05-14 Tri-Continent Scientific, Inc. Appareil distributeur de medicament liquide
US7500579B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2009-03-10 Crossley David W Cup with a pill shelf
US9931277B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2018-04-03 Zahra Miswak QAYSI Drug and fluid dispenser
ES2944032A1 (es) * 2023-02-06 2023-06-16 Montiu Javier Ferro Dispensador de doble acción para medicamentos y complementos alimenticios por vía oral

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7330101B2 (en) * 2001-06-22 2008-02-12 Sekura Ronald D Prescription compliance device and method of using device
ATE492258T1 (de) * 2007-04-11 2011-01-15 Medicpen Ab Tablettenspendesystem

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2042351A (en) * 1935-03-11 1936-05-26 William T Mehaffey Indicator
US2766796A (en) * 1953-01-12 1956-10-16 Earl S Tupper Vacuum and seal type of receptacle
US3302644A (en) * 1963-07-26 1967-02-07 Harold J Kennedy Oral medicine administering device for children
FR2146880A5 (fr) * 1971-07-21 1973-03-02 Ezem Cy Inc
US4448541A (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-05-15 Mediminder Development Limited Partnership Medical timer apparatus
DE3518531A1 (de) * 1985-05-23 1986-11-27 Dieter Dipl.-Phys. Dr. 8500 Nürnberg Hafner Vorrichtung zur aufbewahrung und zeitlich veranlassten einnahme von arzneimitteln
US5020037A (en) * 1989-01-26 1991-05-28 Raven Malcolm R Alarm pill box

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4419016A (en) * 1982-07-02 1983-12-06 American Cyanamid Company Device for indicating last medication usage
JPS59210198A (ja) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-28 フジミ工研株式会社 プレキヤスト部材によるｎａｔｍ工法におけるトンネル２次覆工の構築工法
US4939705A (en) * 1988-11-23 1990-07-03 Aprex Corporation Drug dispensing event detector

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2042351A (en) * 1935-03-11 1936-05-26 William T Mehaffey Indicator
US2766796A (en) * 1953-01-12 1956-10-16 Earl S Tupper Vacuum and seal type of receptacle
US3302644A (en) * 1963-07-26 1967-02-07 Harold J Kennedy Oral medicine administering device for children
FR2146880A5 (fr) * 1971-07-21 1973-03-02 Ezem Cy Inc
US4448541A (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-05-15 Mediminder Development Limited Partnership Medical timer apparatus
DE3518531A1 (de) * 1985-05-23 1986-11-27 Dieter Dipl.-Phys. Dr. 8500 Nürnberg Hafner Vorrichtung zur aufbewahrung und zeitlich veranlassten einnahme von arzneimitteln
US5020037A (en) * 1989-01-26 1991-05-28 Raven Malcolm R Alarm pill box

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998018426A1 (fr) * 1996-10-31 1998-05-07 Mandy Nicola Haberman Recipient pour boissons et medicaments
WO1998019647A1 (fr) * 1996-11-08 1998-05-14 Tri-Continent Scientific, Inc. Appareil distributeur de medicament liquide
US6249717B1 (en) 1996-11-08 2001-06-19 Sangstat Medical Corporation Liquid medication dispenser apparatus
US7500579B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2009-03-10 Crossley David W Cup with a pill shelf
US9931277B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2018-04-03 Zahra Miswak QAYSI Drug and fluid dispenser
ES2944032A1 (es) * 2023-02-06 2023-06-16 Montiu Javier Ferro Dispensador de doble acción para medicamentos y complementos alimenticios por vía oral

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH05111526A (ja) 1993-05-07
AU1081992A (en) 1993-02-11
CA2060796A1 (fr) 1993-02-10

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