US20060108257A1

US20060108257A1 - Time vial

Info

Publication number: US20060108257A1
Application number: US11/274,551
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Packard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-23
Filing date: 2005-11-15
Publication date: 2006-05-25

Abstract

A duplex container is constructed to allow the recording and measuring of time or other parameters by means of indices and associated surrounding moveable, adjustable elastomeric marker bands that are on and hold to the outer surface of the outer container. The outer container can hold an inner container that may be of similar shape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medicines are frequently dispensed in small containers, pharmaceutical prescription vials. It is important that medicines, etc. are taken according to a particular schedule and this requires that a person keeps tract of the medicine time, day in some way. The invention allows a prescription vial, or container itself to also function as a scheduling and recording device. In addition the invention, which is a container or vial that is constructed to allow scheduling and recording functionality, may also be designed to contain a pharmacy prescription vial as an inner vial or container. In this case the invention will be a duplex container or vial that also allows scheduling and recording.
This or these types of scheduling and recording containers can also be used for vitamins and many other time related or dependent items. The container indices and markers may also be designed to relate or designate other factors or conditions other than time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A duplex or double medicine container/vial is constructed, an outer container/vial that can contain an inner container/vial if so desired. The outer medicine container/vial is constructed with two or more moveable markers on the outer surface of the container/vial. The outer surface would also have two or more formed or printed indices One denoting the time of day and another separate one denoting the day of the month or week. One marker for each index. The markers would be formed or printed on moveable elastomeric bands that would surround the container/vial. When scheduled medication is taken from the container/vial or inner container/vial the markers/bands would be moved and set to record the time and day/date of the next medication scheduled time. Another scheduling scenario would be to just set the marker/bands to record when last taken. Additional indices and marker/bands denoting doses taken/remaining or other factors could be added if required. The inner container/vial can be a labeled prescription vial that carries important patient medication information or other important data on its respective outer surface. The outer container/vial would also have a small check box below each day/date to mark off each day as necessary. The container/vial or containers/vials could contain vitamins or other substances that are time dependent or are in some way related to the containers markers and indices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A duplex or double container/vial is constructed, an FIG. 1, 10 outer vial that contains an FIG. 2, 11 inner vial. The outer vial will have an FIG. 1, 12 am-pm 24 hour index on the upper part of the vial. Immediately below the 24 hour index will be a moveable FIG. 1, 13 rubber/elastomeric upper band that will move or slide under the 24 hour index. The band may be held in place or positioned vertically on the surface of the vial by two small ridges on either side of the band to assist in parallel tracking and guiding under the 24 hour index. The band will have a FIG. 1, 14 marker on its surface that will point to the appropriate hour of the index when the band is moved. The band will also have small FIG. 1, 15 tab or protrusion to hold so as to slide the band and move the marker to the appropriate hour. Below the band in the middle area of the container/vial surface, will Be descriptive information for the person using the medicine container/vial, such as medicine/vitamin, dose/time, month, name, etc. Below the middle area there will be lower moveable rubber/elastomeric band with FIG. 1, 16 guiding ridges, as required. This band will also have a marker and a tab for moving the band. Below the band will be a FIG. 1, 17 day index of 1 to 17 and each day with a FIG. 3, 18 check box below. Below the 1 to 17 day, index will be space or area, with a guiding ridge, if required. The lower moveable rubber/elastomeric band will be positioned to this space or area when the day date exceeds 17. And when the lower band is in this lower position, it will be positioned above a bottom FIG. 1, 17 18 to 31 day, check box index and there may be another guiding/tracking ridge if required. Where upon the band and marker can be moved to denote the correct day. If desired additional indices and bands can be added to a larger descriptive surface.
The outer container/vial contains an inner container/vial.
The inner vial will closely fit into the outer vial and will contain the medication/substance of importance. The outer surface of the inner vial will be able to carry a FIG. 3, 19 label on which the important prescription data will be written and protected. In this manner the combined functions of outer and inner vials will allow a medical prescription and prescription data or vitamins, etc. to be conveniently carried, protected and easily taken/utilized according to a schedule.
There are obvious variations to size and shape; round, oval, rectangular, etc., additional indices, different types of indices, etc. to the described construction. Also the outer container/vial can be constructed without an inner container vial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, View Of The Outer Medicine Time Vial
FIG. 2, View Of The Outer Vial And Inner Prescription Vial
FIG. 3, View Of The Inner Prescription Vial And Outer Vial

Claims

1. A container with one or more measuring and recording indices and associated adjustable, moveable surrounding bands.

2. Claim 1 wherein the bands have markers upon them.

3. Claim 1 wherein the bands have tabs.

4. Claim 1 wherein the bands are elastomeric or rubber and will hold to the container surface.

5. Claim 1 wherein the surface of the container will have one or more printed or formed indices for measuring and recording time or other parameters.

6. Claim 1 wherein the surface of the container will have ridges or channels for guiding and retaining the surrounding adjustable, moveable bands along the respective index.

7. A duplex medicine container made up of an outer and inner container.

8. Claim 7 wherein the outer surface of the outer container has one or more indices and one or more adjustable, moveable elastomeric bands for measuring and recording time or other parameters.

9. Claim 7 wherein the outer and inner containers may be of similar or identical shape.

10. Claim 7 wherein the surface of the outer container has ridges or channels to guide and retain the moveable, adjustable elastomeric bands along the indices.