Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
  • A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
  • A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
  • A46B15/0061—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors with a container for accessories, e.g. pills, polish, condoms, cells
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
  • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
  • A61J1/035—Blister-type containers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a piil sheet holder.
• the invention relates to a pill sheet holder integrated in a toothbrush, toothbrush sheath and a static toothbrush holding unit.
• prior art devices involve the removal of the pills from the original packaging and handling/ manipulation of the pills days or weeks before they actually need to be taken which is inconvenient. Additionally, if the pills are not properly sealed then moisture ingress may damage them and impair their function.
• a toothbrush sheath with an integrated pill sheet holder comprising a brush cavity configured to accept and hold a toothbrush for use by a user and a pill sheet cavity shaped to accept pill sheets of various sizes.
• toothbrush with an integrated pill sheet holder, the handle of the toothbrush comprising a pill sheet cavity shaped to accept pill sheets of various sizes.
• a static toothbrush holding unit comprising a brush cavity for holding a toothbrush and a built-in ejectable tray for holding pili sheets.
• the toothbrush sheath may have dense foam-like material in the brush cavity for holding toothbrushes of various handle sizes.
• the outer body of the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may incorporate transparent panels.
• the transparent panels may have the advantage of facilitating visualisation of the contained pill sheet.
• the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may comprise a means for ejecting the pill sheet from the pill sheet cavity.
• the pi!l sheet cavity may comprise one or more arc shaped cavities.
• the pill sheet cavity may comprise one or more V-shaped cavities.
• the pill sheet cavity may comprise at least one arc shaped cavity and at least one V-shaped cavity.
• the pill sheet cavity may comprise more than one distinct cavities.
• the pill sheet cavity may comprise more than one overlapping cavities.
• An insert preferably made of plastic, may be provided for insertion into the pill sheet cavity to reduce its width.
• the insert may have the advantage of allowing thin pill sheets to be gripped.
• the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may be provided with a cover for the pill sheet cavity.
• the cover may be transparent or translucent.
• the transparent or translucent cover may allow the pill sheet which protrudes out of the cavity to be directly visualised.
• the cover is in the form of a cup, such as a plastic screw-on or clip-on cup.
• the cover will have a fiat stable base allowing the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush to be stood upright.
• the cover may also function to hold pills, or liquid for taking those pills.
• the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may be provided with display means, such as a display screen, for displaying pill usage and/or prompting pill usage.
• the display may be a LCD.
• the display may automatically update. The automatic update may be by means of a catch mechanism triggered every time the pill sheet is withdrawn or reinserted after use.
• the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may be provided with buttons to manually change the monitoring display on the display means.
• the toothbrush sheath or toothbrush may aiso be provided with a speaker that can emit alarms or pre-recorded messages, before, during or after brushing. There may be additional alerting mechanisms
• the toothbrush may be a manual or an electric toothbrush.
• the static toothbrush holding unit may be adapted to take either manual or electric toothbrushes.
• Adaptor pieces may be provided that click into the toothbrush cavity of the static toothbrush holding unit allowing compatibility with toothbrushes of various diameters.
• Ejection of the pill sheet tray in the static toothbrush holding unit may be triggered every time the toothbrush is lifted from the holder. Ejection of the tray may be triggered by a catch mechanism in the brush cavity.
• the brush cavity could incorporate a light sensor which is stimulated when the toothbrush is lifted out, completing a circuit and prompting ejection.
• the static toothbrush holding unit adapted to take electric toothbrushes may also act as a charging device for the electric toothbrush.
• the static toothbrush holding unit may be provided with display means, such as a display screen, for displaying pill usage and/or prompting pill usage.
• the display may be a LCD.
• the display may automatically update. The automatic update may be by means of a catch or light sensor mechanism triggered every time the toothbrush is lifted from the holding unit.
• the static toothbrush holding unit may be provided with a speaker that can emit alarms or prerecorded messages, before, during or after brushing. There may be additional alerting mechanisms.
• the static toothbrush holding unit may incorporate a wal! mounting unit.
• Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a manual toothbrush and a toothbrush sheath with and without the manual toothbrush inserted
• Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a replaceable toothbrush head and a manual toothbrush with built-in cavity shown with and without the replaceable toothbrush head attached;
• Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of an electric toothbrush with built-in cavity
• Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of a toothbrush sheath, with a pill sheet inserted and a manual toothbrush partially inserted;
• Figure 5 shows cross sectional views of two possible shapes for a pill sheet cavity, (A) Arc shaped and (B) V-shaped;
• Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a combined arc and V-shaped pill sheet cavity
• Figures 7 (A) to (C) show three cross sectional views of a pill sheet cavity with the corresponding perspective views of a portion of a toothbrush / toothbrush sheath with such pill sheet cavities accommodating pili sheets in various configurations (including cut strips of pills ⁇ ;
• Figure 8 shows two types of pills sheet: (A) a pill sheet that cannot be folded down the centre due to the non-symmetric / non-parallel arrangement of the pills, and (B) a pill sheet that can be folded down the centre due to the parallel and symmetric arrangement of the pills. Also showing a central ridge that aids folding;
• Figure 9 shows three perspective views of a portion of a toothbrush / toothbrush sheath showing; (A) a pill sheet cavity and a pill sheet prior to insertion, (B) a pill sheet being inserted into the cavity, and (C) a piil sheet fully inserted into the cavity and a removable cover for the base, prior to attachment;
• Figure 10 shows an insert that is designed to be slotted into a pill sheet cavity in order to reduce its width
• Figure 1 1 shows two front views of a toothbrush / toothbrush sheath containing a pill sheet visible through a transparent panei, with a display screen, manual handling and ejector buttons;
• Figures 12 shows: (A) a static toothbrush holding unit for manual toothbrushes; (B) a static toothbrush holding unit for electric toothbrushes; and (C) a static toothbrush holding unit with adaptor pieces;
• Figure 13 shows an alternative wall mountable design for a static toothbrush holding unit
• Figure 14 shows ejection of the pill sheet tray in the static toothbrush holding unit
• Figure 15 shows the ejected pill sheet tray holding multiple pill sheets.
• Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.
• the description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
• a convenient method of providing a reminder to take regular medication would be to combine the medication-taking with an act that the user is already practiced at performing everyday.
• the invention addresses the problematic issue of medication compliance by combining pill taking with the established daily routine of brushing one's teeth. Simply picking up the toothbrush automatically reminds the user to take the pili and moreover the pill is immediately accessible.
• the ready availability of water for tooth brushing means that the user can immediately take the pills when reminded and the chances of delay and forgetfulness are further reduced.
• Devices according to the current invention include a toothbrush sheath, toothbrush and static toothbrush holding unit all with integrated pill sheet holding cavities shaped to accommodate pili sheets of differing sizes.
• the devices of the invention are easy to use due to the simple and efficient design.
• Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of toothbrush sheath 1 0 with built-in pill sheet cavity 1 1 that is designed to have a manual toothbrush 12 inserted into it according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a manual toothbrush 20 with built-in pill sheet cavity 21 and replaceable brush head 22 according to an embodiment of the invention .
• Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of an electric toothbrush 30 with built-in pill sheet cavity 31 , again with replaceable brush heads 32 according to an em bodiment of the invention .
• FIG 4 shows a cross sectional view of toothbrush sheath 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Pi!i sheet cavity 1 1 of sheath 10 is configured to hold pill sheets 40 of various sizes.
• the ability to accept pill sheets 40 of various sizes reduces the inconvenience of taking pills out of their packaging to arrange in a pill dispenser and also protects the pills from unnecessary manual handling or moisture ingress before they are removed for ingestion.
• This is an advantage of the invention and is a significant improvement over available devices where pills have to be removed from the packaging.
• the available devices also have no means for accommodating pill sheets of various sizes within the available space. In devices of the present invention, pills remain in their original waterproof packaging right until the moment of ingestion.
• toothbrush sheath for clarity, the toothbrush sheath, manual toothbrush, and electric toothbrush em bodiments will be described by the generic word 'device' and that word should be construed accordingly.
• the cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 is a combination of overlapping arc shaped 50 and V-shaped 51 cavities arranged to accept pill sheets 40 of various sizes as shown in further detail in Figures 5 and 6.
• the device 1 0, 20, 30 may com prise independent arc 50 or V- shaped 51 pill sheet cavities. These independent cavities may be incorporated in various forms into the device 1 1 , 21 , 31 .
• the arc shaped cavity 50 will be suitable for pill sheets that cannot easily be folded due to an irregular ⁇ non-parallel / non-symmetrical) arrangement of the pills along the pill sheet (See Figure 8(A)).
• the V-shaped cavity 51 is suitable for accommodating pill sheets that have a parallel and symmetrical pill arrangement (Figure 8(B)) and therefore can be folded down the centre prior to insertion . Where it is not critical that the entire pill sheet remains intact (as is required for the contraceptive pill), the V-shape also allows two separate cut strips of pills of the same or different varieties to be inserted into each arm of the V-shaped cavity.
• Figures 7(A) to (C) show how cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 in one embodiment of the invention is able to accommodate various configurations of pill sheets 40. These configurations, as explained, include curved , folded and cut strips of pill sheets.
• pill sheet 40 when bent to fit into the arc shape 50 of cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 or folded to fit into the V-shape 51 of cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 may naturally open and press against the sides of the cavity 11 , 21 , 31 thereby creating resilient friction which helps to hold pill sheet 40 in place.
• the pill sheet cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 or cavities are designed to allow the insertion of pili sheets containing relatively large pills.
• Figure 10 shows a hollow insert 100, preferably made of plastic, that may be provided and that can be slotted into the opening, reducing its width for a tighter fit of pill sheets containing smaller sized pills.
• a transparent removable cover 13 covers the pill sheet cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 .
• This cover 13 provides an additional waterproof protective layer to prevent any moisture ingress.
• Removable cover 13 may be in the form of a cup, such as a plastic screw-on or clip-on cup, which doubles as a pii! pot into which the pill can be deposited as it is pushed out of the pili sheet. Furthermore, it can also be filled with water to aid ingestion of a pill. Cover 13 also allows the device 10, 20, 30 to be stood upright.
• cover 1 3 allows the pill sheet, which is protruding a few centimetres out of the pill sheet cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 , to be visualised. This serves as an additional simple visual reminder to the user.
• the device incorporates transparent longitudinal panels 1 10 through which the pills in pill sheet 40 or sheets contained in pill sheet cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 can be viewed.
• Such transparent panels 1 10 in the device 10, 20, 30 both serve a reminder function when the device 10, 20, 30 is picked up and give the user the additional advantage of seeing how many pills are remaining on the pill sheet.
• the cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 4 may contain compressible dense foam-like material. This foam-like material will form a grip around toothbrushes of various handle shapes or diameters and therefore enable insertion and holding of manual toothbrushes in sheath 10.
• Figure 9(A ⁇ to 9(C ⁇ shows a perspective view of the lower portion of the device 10, 20, 30 with cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 9(A) shows pill sheet 40 before insertion into cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31.
• Figure 9(B) shows folded pill sheet 40 being inserted into cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 of the device 10, 20, 30.
• Figure 9(C) shows pili sheet 40 in place in cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 of the device 10, 20, 30.
• Removable cover 13 which will cover cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 is also shown.
• Ejector mechanism 41 which may be in the form of a slideable button, can be pushed towards the base of the device to eject pill sheet 40 and moves away from the base as pii! sheet 40 is inserted into cavity 1 1 , 21 , 31 .
• Figure 1 1 shows two front views of the device 10, 20, 30 according to an embodiment of the invention with features such as display screen 1 1 1 , for example a LCD, manual handling buttons 12, ejector button 41 and transparent pane! 1 10. Cover 13 through which pill sheet 40 is visible is also shown.
• display screen 1 1 1 for example a LCD
• manual handling buttons 12, ejector button 41 and transparent pane! 1 10.
• Cover 13 through which pill sheet 40 is visible is also shown.
• Display screen 1 1 1 shown in Figure 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 1 1 is used to monitor and prompt pill usage.
• the display on the display screen 1 1 1 may be updated automatically via a catch mechanism triggered every time pill sheet 40 is removed or reinserted after use.
• Buttons 1 12 can be used to manually change the display on display screen 1 1 1 if necessary.
• alert functions in the form of a flashing light, alarm or recorded voice message.
• voice message There may be an in-built speaker and/or microphone. Messages may be pre-recorded by the user.
• Display screen 1 1 1 which may be automatically or manually updated, displays the day, date and/or time that the user needs to take another pill. Alternatively, display screen 1 1 1 may display the day, date and/or time when the user last took a pill. Other information such as number of pills remaining on the pill sheet or the pill number (useful in the case of the contraceptive pill) may also be displayed. For example, display screen 1 1 1 in this embodiment ( Figure 1 1 ) is displaying that the user is on Day 2 of the pill regime and should take the next pill before noon on Monday. Buttons 1 12 enable the user to manually modify the display in the event that display screen 1 1 1 has been erroneously updated.
• Display screen 1 1 1 and buttons 1 12 shown in this embodiment are positioned on the upper body of the device thereby making the display less vulnerable to accidental tampering during use of the toothbrush.
• Alternative placement of these features in a different position and in a different layout is, of course, possible.
• the toothbrush sheath 10 described in this section may be more suitable to use with manual toothbrushes as compared to electronic toothbrushes in view of size considerations. However, it could be easily adapted to be used with electric toothbrushes.
• Figures 12(A) to (C) show a static toothbrush holding unit which has a brush cavity 120 in the base unit 121 to hold a toothbrush 122, 123.
• the unit is adapted to hold a manual toothbrush 123 while in Figure 12(B) the unit is adapted to hold an electric toothbrush 122.
• Figure 12(C) shows a selection of adaptor pieces 124 that fit into brush cavity 120 in base unit 121 to allow the base unit 121 to be adapted to hold different sizes and types of toothbrushes.
• electronic display panel 125 shown in Figures 12(A) to (C) is used to monitor and prompt pill usage.
• alert functions in the form of a flashing light, alarm or recorded voice message.
• There may be an in-built speaker and/or microphone 127. Messages may be pre-recorded by the user.
• Manual override and settings buttons 126 allow the user to change the display 125 and set the alert functions on electronic panel 125.
• the static toothbrush holding unit adapted to hold electric toothbrushes 22 can also be used as a charging device for the electric toothbrush 122.
• the static toothbrush holding unit can be formed as a wall mountable unit 130 as shown in Figure 13 wherein portion 131 of the holder can be mounted vertically on the wail and the base unit of the holder extends horizontally. There is a hollow brush cavity 132 in base unit 130 for holding the toothbrush and dense foam-like material lining cavity 132 to enable the holder to grip manual toothbrushes of various sizes.
• the wall mounting unit 130 may be adapted to hold and charge electric toothbrushes.
• Figures 14 and 15 show an ejectable tray 140 of the static toothbrush holding unit containing pill sheets 141 . Every time the toothbrush 142 is lifted out of brush cavity 120, the ejection of the pill sheet tray 140 is triggered. The ejection of the pill sheet tray 140 may be triggered by a catch mechanism in brush cavity 120. Alternatively, brush cavity 120 could incorporate a light sensor which is stimulated when the toothbrush is lifted, completing a circuit. As the tray 140 is ejected, the user is prompted to remove the pill sheet, take a pill, reinsert the pill sheet and push the tray back into the holder.
• tray 140 provides ample space to hold pills of various sizes in pill sheets of various sizes and, as shown in Figure 15, can also hold multiple layers of pill sheets for people on more than one type of tablet.
• pill sheet is used to refer to the packaging containing pills whether in blister pack or container with hard plastic edge available in the trade or in any other form.
• distinct cavities refers to cavities that are independent of each other and do not intersect at any point.
• overlapping cavities refers to cavities that intersect at one or more points.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Brushes (AREA)
• Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=41565615

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (24)

• 2009
  • 2009-11-20 GB GBGB0920357.1A patent/GB0920357D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2010
  • 2010-11-18 US US13/510,543 patent/US20120325688A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-11-18 EP EP10782362A patent/EP2501259A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-11-18 WO PCT/GB2010/051920 patent/WO2011061536A2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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