WO2009116108A1 - Blister case suitable to indicate to an user the number of products extracted from the blister - Google Patents

Blister case suitable to indicate to an user the number of products extracted from the blister Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009116108A1
WO2009116108A1 PCT/IT2008/000602 IT2008000602W WO2009116108A1 WO 2009116108 A1 WO2009116108 A1 WO 2009116108A1 IT 2008000602 W IT2008000602 W IT 2008000602W WO 2009116108 A1 WO2009116108 A1 WO 2009116108A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blister
pack
pack case
designed
display
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2008/000602
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Osvaldo Tufi
Original Assignee
Osvaldo Tufi
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 Osvaldo Tufi filed Critical Osvaldo Tufi
Publication of WO2009116108A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009116108A1/en

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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
    • A61J7/04—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
    • 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
    • A61J2200/00—General characteristics or adaptations
    • A61J2200/30—Compliance analysis for taking medication
    • 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
    • A61J7/0418—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with electronic history memory
    • 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
    • A61J7/0427—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
    • A61J7/0436—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an innovative blister-pack case designed to contain a blister pack of products of a common type having a plurality of cells each containing a product , inparticular a pharmaceutical product, said blister-pack case enabling a person to realize easily how many products have been actually taken out of the blister pack.
  • said blister-pack case comprises a plurality of buttons, which can be operated by the user for taking out the product contained therein, each of said buttons being designed to remain in a depressed position indicating the number of products that have been taken out of the corresponding cells.
  • means for counting the number of products that have been taken out and means for displaying said number, as well as further information, such as, for example, the time and date of removal of each product .
  • a blister-pack case capable of displaying information, such as, for example, information regarding the number of products that have been taken out of the blister pack, which will enable the user to understand immediately whether he has taken the product or not and possibly the last time he took the product. If we consider, for example, a patient that needs to take periodically one or more pharmaceutical products, it is evident that it may happen that during the period of assumption of said pharmaceutical products, said patient will forget to assume a pharmaceutical and/or not remember the last time he took it.
  • the above has been obtained by means of a blister-pack case provided with a plurality of buttons, each, of which is designed to squeeze a corresponding cell to expel the product contained therein and then remain in a depressed position after it has squeezed the cell so as to indicate both visually and by touch the number of pills that have been taken out.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention in an open configuration;
  • Figure 2 shows a normal blister pack to be inserted into the blister-pack case of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;
  • Figure 4 is a partial cross section along a transverse plane of the blister-pack case containing a blister pack inside it;
  • Figure 5 shows a bottom compartment of the blister-pack case, on which a product taken out of the blister pack of Figure 2 is positioned;
  • Figure 6 shows exit from the blister-pack case of the product that in Figure 5 is positioned in the compartment;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the blister-pack case;
  • Figures 8 to 11 are, respectively, a front view, a side view from the right, a side view from the left, and a view from above of the blister-pack case of Figure 7;
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view from beneath of a detail of the blister-pack case of Figure 7;
  • Figure 13 is an exploded view of the blister-pack case of Figure 7;
  • Figure 1.4 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 in an open configuration;
  • Figures 15 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 with the compartment designed to receive the pills, which is set underneath the blister pack, said compartment being partially open;
  • Figure 16 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 with a second compartment set underneath the display designed to contain further pills, said compartment being partially open.
  • inserted within the blister-pack case is a normal pill blister pack of a known type provided with a plurality of cells each containing a pill.
  • the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention comprises: - a main panel 1, made on which, at the top, is a seat S for housing a blister pack B; said panel is provided with a display D for displaying information, as well as a button C for turning said display on;
  • lid 2 for protecting said main panel 1, said lid being provided with a plurality of pushbuttons P, each of which is designed to squeeze a specific cell A of the blister pack B and remain in a depressed position after squeezing said cell A, and a purposely provided window E made of transparent material, which in a closing position of the lid itself, is set on top of said display D to make it visible also in this circumstance; and
  • the seat S for housing the blister pack B is provided with a plurality of holes
  • the pushbuttons P provided on the lid 2 are also appropriately positioned above the respective cells
  • the window E made of transparent material provided on said lid 2 comes to set itself on top of the display D to enable the user to read the information displayed thereby.
  • the main panel 1 will be equipped with a timer, which is preferably comprised in the display D, and an acoustic-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic warning upon command of said timer.
  • the pill L drops into the compartment 3 through the hole
  • the lid 2 is hinged at the side to the main panel 1, whilst the compartment 3 is fixed to said main panel 1 in a removable or non-removable way, according to known techniques.
  • At least one seat for insertion of at least one battery for supply of the display D, said seat being preferably positioned close to the display itself.
  • the blister-pack case is ready for use.
  • the display D is designed to set itself in energy-saving or stand-by mode after a pre-defined time.
  • a purposely provided reset button may be envisaged.
  • the user realizes the number of pills L that have been taken out from the number of pushbuttons P that have been depressed.
  • the display D will able to display also the number of pills that have been taken out and possibly the time and date on which each of them was taken out.
  • the display will be provided with a counter, that on the resting surfaces G electrical contacts will be provided, and that each pushbutton P will have on the bottom surface of the widened head an element purposely designed to short-circuit said contacts when the button is in a depressed position so as to connect them to said counter.
  • the display D always shows the updated number of pills L that have been taken out of their own cells.
  • a first advantage is that the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention performs the function of making visible a set of information useful for the user, such as, for example, the number of pills that have been taken out of the blister pack, and the date and time when they were taken out so that he will easily realize whether he has forgotten to take a pill or not.
  • a second advantage is represented by the fact that the case according to the invention has a weight and overall dimensions that are sufficiently small to enable it to be put in a pocket, without this causing any bother to the person carrying it .
  • a blister-pack case is provided, in which the display and the electronics necessary for operation of said display and of the blister-pack case itself are housed in the lid.
  • the blister-pack case comprises:
  • a lid 2' which is provided with a plurality of pushbuttons P, each of which is designed to squeeze a specific cell A of the blister pack B and remain in a depressed position after it has squeezed said cell A, and comprises at least one memory for storage of information (such as, for example, the number of pills L that have been taken out, the date and time when each pill L was taken out, the number of pills L that remain in the blister pack B, etc. ) , a display D for displaying said information, a button C for turning on the blister-pack case, as well as a battery for supply of said display D and of the electronics necessary for operation of the blister-pack case B; and
  • said main panel 1' is constituted substantially by a grid, on which the blister pack B is to be set so that each cell A of said blister pack will be in a position corresponding to a respective hole of the grid.
  • At least one button In order to scroll up or down the information that is displayed on the display D, provided on the lid 2' is at least one button.
  • buttons Vl and V2 are provided for scrolling the information on the display D respectively up and down.
  • the blister-pack case will be able to indicate the percentage of compliance with the drug therapy linked to the type of pills that the person has to take.
  • Said percentage of compliance is understood as the ratio between the number of pills L that said person, who is a user of the blister-pack case, should have taken starting from the day on which the blister-pack case was turned on and the actual number of pills L that have been taken out of the blister pack B starting from the same day. For example, if one hundred days have passed since the user turned the blister-pack case on, and only twenty pills have been taken out of the blister pack B, on the display D a percentage of compliance of 20% will be displayed.
  • the blister-pack case is equipped with a processing unit or processor of a known type designed to read the data from the memory and carry out said calculation upon request by the user.
  • a further bottom compartment 4 is also provided, located underneath the display D for housing further pills L that have not been packaged, also this compartment being preferably a sliding compartment. It is desirable for the blister-pack case to be provided with a seat S for housing an extractable memory card of a known type, which can be taken out and read using means of a known type, such as, for example, a computer or even a cellphone .
  • the data present in the memory of the blister-pack case can be copied and/or transferred into said memory card or vice versa.
  • the data present in the memory card can be transferred and/or copied into the memory of said computer or cellphone, with the dual advantage of having available a copy of the data on a further medium and of being able to obtain a history of the pills that have been taken out, i.e., the date and time when each pill was taken out.
  • the lid 2' will be provided with a USB port designated by U for enabling a user to connect, via a purposely provided cable, the blister-pack case to any external device, such as, for example, a computer or a cellphone. It is evident that also in this case it is possible to transfer and/or copy the data from the blister-pack case to said device or vice versa.
  • the blister-pack case will be provided with means for enabling transfer of the data in bluetooth TM mode, so that the data can be transferred from the blister-pack case to any external device provided with bluetooth TM connection or vice versa.
  • the lid 2' will be provided with a timer and an acoustic-signalling device and/or light-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic and/or light warning upon command of said timer for warning the user that it is time to take a product, and/or that the number of pills L remaining in the blister pack B is below a pre-set number.
  • the supply battery can be of a rechargeable type. It is evident that in this case it is preferable for the blister-pack case to be provided with an input for insertion of the plug of a power supply.
  • a blister-pack case that functions by means of solar energy, and for this purpose one provided with a photovoltaic surface.
  • the present invention has been described and illustrated according to some preferredembodiments , but it is understood that modifications and/or replacements that are equivalent may be made by any person skilled in the branch, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present industrial patent right.
  • each cell A designed to detect removal of the pill L from the respective cell A and to send the information that removal has occurred to the display D.
  • the memory can be of an extractable type.
  • a sensor designed to detect extraction of each pill L activated by the bottom compartment 3 when this is opened or closed.
  • said sensor will be mounted in the bottom part of the lid 2' in a position corresponding to a portion,, upon which said compartment 3 comes to bear. This arrangement has the purpose of confining all the electronic components within the lid itself.
  • the user In order to prevent any possible accidental opening or closing of the compartment 3 from giving rise to a number that does not correspond to the number of pills actually taken out, the user, before opening the compartment 3, has to press the button C for turning on the blister-pack case so as to enable operation of said sensor. In other words, if the ON button C is not pressed by the user, opening of the compartment 3 will not determine updating of the number of pills actually taken out.

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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)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A blister-pack case designed to receive a blister pack of a known type with a plurality of cells each containing a product, for example a pill, provided with a plurality of means for taking out each pill from the respective cell, which are designed to remain in a depressed position once said cell has been squeezed. The number of said extraction means that are depressed indicates the number of pills that have been taken out.

Description

BLISTER CASE SUITABLE TO INDICATE TO AN USER THE NUMBER OF
PRODUCTS EXTRACTED FROM THE BLISTER
*****
The present invention relates to an innovative blister-pack case designed to contain a blister pack of products of a common type having a plurality of cells each containing a product , inparticular a pharmaceutical product, said blister-pack case enabling a person to realize easily how many products have been actually taken out of the blister pack.
More specifically, said blister-pack case comprises a plurality of buttons, which can be operated by the user for taking out the product contained therein, each of said buttons being designed to remain in a depressed position indicating the number of products that have been taken out of the corresponding cells.
Moreover preferably provided are means for counting the number of products that have been taken out and means for displaying said number, as well as further information, such as, for example, the time and date of removal of each product .
Currently, there is not known on the market a blister-pack case that can help a person to understand how many products have been taken out of the respective cells of the blister pack.
In addition, there does not exist a blister-pack case capable of displaying information, such as, for example, information regarding the number of products that have been taken out of the blister pack, which will enable the user to understand immediately whether he has taken the product or not and possibly the last time he took the product. If we consider, for example, a patient that needs to take periodically one or more pharmaceutical products, it is evident that it may happen that during the period of assumption of said pharmaceutical products, said patient will forget to assume a pharmaceutical and/or not remember the last time he took it.
Consequently, there is markedly felt the need for a blister-pack case that will enable advantageously display of said information.
According to the invention, the above has been obtained by means of a blister-pack case provided with a plurality of buttons, each, of which is designed to squeeze a corresponding cell to expel the product contained therein and then remain in a depressed position after it has squeezed the cell so as to indicate both visually and by touch the number of pills that have been taken out.
According to a peculiar characteristic of the invention, moreover provided are means for counting and displaying the number of pills that have been taken out on a display, which in addition to having principally a function of timer for warning the user that it is time to take a product, enables display also of other information, such as the time and date . A better understanding of the model will be obtained from the ensuing detailed description with reference to the attached figures, which show, purely by way of example, some preferred embodiments. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention in an open configuration; Figure 2 shows a normal blister pack to be inserted into the blister-pack case of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 1 in a closed configuration;
Figure 4 is a partial cross section along a transverse plane of the blister-pack case containing a blister pack inside it;
Figure 5 shows a bottom compartment of the blister-pack case, on which a product taken out of the blister pack of Figure 2 is positioned;
Figure 6 shows exit from the blister-pack case of the product that in Figure 5 is positioned in the compartment; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the blister-pack case;
Figures 8 to 11 are, respectively, a front view, a side view from the right, a side view from the left, and a view from above of the blister-pack case of Figure 7;
Figure 12 is a perspective view from beneath of a detail of the blister-pack case of Figure 7;
Figure 13 is an exploded view of the blister-pack case of Figure 7; Figure 1.4 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 in an open configuration;
Figures 15 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 with the compartment designed to receive the pills, which is set underneath the blister pack, said compartment being partially open; and
Figure 16 shows the blister-pack case of Figure 7 with a second compartment set underneath the display designed to contain further pills, said compartment being partially open. In the example that is described, inserted within the blister-pack case is a normal pill blister pack of a known type provided with a plurality of cells each containing a pill.
With reference to the figures, the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention comprises: - a main panel 1, made on which, at the top, is a seat S for housing a blister pack B; said panel is provided with a display D for displaying information, as well as a button C for turning said display on;
- a lid 2 for protecting said main panel 1, said lid being provided with a plurality of pushbuttons P, each of which is designed to squeeze a specific cell A of the blister pack B and remain in a depressed position after squeezing said cell A, and a purposely provided window E made of transparent material, which in a closing position of the lid itself, is set on top of said display D to make it visible also in this circumstance; and
- a bottom compartment 3, which is located underneath the blister pack B to receive each pill L that is taken out of the respective cell A; said compartment is provided with a side opening to enable exit of said pill L from the blister-pack case.
As may be seen from Figure 1, the seat S for housing the blister pack B is provided with a plurality of holes
F communicating with said bottom compartment 3, which are arranged in positions corresponding to the respective cells
A of the blister pack B in such a way that, once said blister pack B has been positioned in said seat, each cell A will come to be above a corresponding hole F.
Evidently, the pushbuttons P provided on the lid 2 are also appropriately positioned above the respective cells
A of the blister pack B. As has already been mentioned, once the lid 2 is positioned on the main panel 1, the window E made of transparent material provided on said lid 2 comes to set itself on top of the display D to enable the user to read the information displayed thereby.
In order to warn the user when he has to take a pill
L, it is possible to envisage that the main panel 1 will be equipped with a timer, which is preferably comprised in the display D, and an acoustic-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic warning upon command of said timer.
Consequently, when a user presses a pushbutton P, said pushbutton P moves downwards and presses on the underlying cell A, until the pill L contained therein is expelled, and then remains blocked in a depressed position with the bottom surface of its widened head that rests upon purposely provided resting surfaces G with which the lid 2 is provided.
The pill L drops into the compartment 3 through the hole
F underlying said cell A.
Once the pill L has dropped into said compartment 3, it is sufficient to cause it to exit from the side opening with which said compartment is equipped, by appropriately- inclining the blister-pack case.
In the example described, the lid 2 is hinged at the side to the main panel 1, whilst the compartment 3 is fixed to said main panel 1 in a removable or non-removable way, according to known techniques.
Provided in the main panel 1 is at least one seat for insertion of at least one battery for supply of the display D, said seat being preferably positioned close to the display itself.
Once said battery is inserted, the blister-pack case is ready for use.
The display D is designed to set itself in energy-saving or stand-by mode after a pre-defined time.
Finally, to reset the information shown on the display D, for example, upon insertion of a new blister pack in the blister-pack case, it is sufficient for the user to keep the button C for turning on the display D depressed for a few seconds.
Alternatively, a purposely provided reset button may be envisaged.
In the example illustrated, the user realizes the number of pills L that have been taken out from the number of pushbuttons P that have been depressed.
Advantageously, even a user with visual impairment will be able to realize how many pills have been taken out by touch, . simply by running his or her hand over the lid 2.
Inthe preferredembodiment described so far, the display
D performs exclusively the function of timer.
In one variant, not represented in the figures, it is envisaged that the display D will able to display also the number of pills that have been taken out and possibly the time and date on which each of them was taken out.
In said variant, it is envisaged that the display will be provided with a counter, that on the resting surfaces G electrical contacts will be provided, and that each pushbutton P will have on the bottom surface of the widened head an element purposely designed to short-circuit said contacts when the button is in a depressed position so as to connect them to said counter. In this way, the display D always shows the updated number of pills L that have been taken out of their own cells. From what has been said above, the advantages of the invention are evident.
A first advantage, as already mentioned, is that the blister-pack case forming the subject of the invention performs the function of making visible a set of information useful for the user, such as, for example, the number of pills that have been taken out of the blister pack, and the date and time when they were taken out so that he will easily realize whether he has forgotten to take a pill or not. A second advantage is represented by the fact that the case according to the invention has a weight and overall dimensions that are sufficiently small to enable it to be put in a pocket, without this causing any bother to the person carrying it . In the second embodiment described, represented in Figures 7 to 16, a blister-pack case is provided, in which the display and the electronics necessary for operation of said display and of the blister-pack case itself are housed in the lid. In this .case, the blister-pack case comprises:
- a main panel 1' for housing a blister pack B;
- a lid 2' , which is provided with a plurality of pushbuttons P, each of which is designed to squeeze a specific cell A of the blister pack B and remain in a depressed position after it has squeezed said cell A, and comprises at least one memory for storage of information (such as, for example, the number of pills L that have been taken out, the date and time when each pill L was taken out, the number of pills L that remain in the blister pack B, etc. ) , a display D for displaying said information, a button C for turning on the blister-pack case, as well as a battery for supply of said display D and of the electronics necessary for operation of the blister-pack case B; and
- a slidable bottom compartment 3, which is located underneath the blister pack B for receiving each pill L that is taken out of the respective cell A.
In the example described, said main panel 1' is constituted substantially by a grid, on which the blister pack B is to be set so that each cell A of said blister pack will be in a position corresponding to a respective hole of the grid.
In order to scroll up or down the information that is displayed on the display D, provided on the lid 2' is at least one button.
In the example described, two buttons Vl and V2 are provided for scrolling the information on the display D respectively up and down.
It may moreover be envisaged that the blister-pack case will be able to indicate the percentage of compliance with the drug therapy linked to the type of pills that the person has to take.. Said percentage of compliance is understood as the ratio between the number of pills L that said person, who is a user of the blister-pack case, should have taken starting from the day on which the blister-pack case was turned on and the actual number of pills L that have been taken out of the blister pack B starting from the same day. For example, if one hundred days have passed since the user turned the blister-pack case on, and only twenty pills have been taken out of the blister pack B, on the display D a percentage of compliance of 20% will be displayed. To make the calculation of the percentage of compliance and for all the other functions, the blister-pack case is equipped with a processing unit or processor of a known type designed to read the data from the memory and carry out said calculation upon request by the user.
In order to display said percentage of compliance, it is sufficient to press simultaneously the ON button C and the button Vl or else, alternatively, provide on the lid 2' a further button.
In the example described, a further bottom compartment 4 is also provided, located underneath the display D for housing further pills L that have not been packaged, also this compartment being preferably a sliding compartment. It is desirable for the blister-pack case to be provided with a seat S for housing an extractable memory card of a known type, which can be taken out and read using means of a known type, such as, for example, a computer or even a cellphone .
Advantageously, the data present in the memory of the blister-pack case can be copied and/or transferred into said memory card or vice versa. In addition, the data present in the memory card can be transferred and/or copied into the memory of said computer or cellphone, with the dual advantage of having available a copy of the data on a further medium and of being able to obtain a history of the pills that have been taken out, i.e., the date and time when each pill was taken out.
Yet a further advantage is represented by the fact that further data can be transferred and/or copied from said computer or cellphone into said memory card. Consider, for example, a person that assumes pills for stabilizing his or her own pressure. The data regarding the values of the pressure, together with the date and time when the pressure was measured, can be transferred and/or copied into said memory card so that on the display D of the blister-pack case it will be possible to display, in addition to the date and time of removal of each pill, also the date and time of the values of the pressure.
According to the invention, it is envisaged that the lid 2' will be provided with a USB port designated by U for enabling a user to connect, via a purposely provided cable, the blister-pack case to any external device, such as, for example, a computer or a cellphone. It is evident that also in this case it is possible to transfer and/or copy the data from the blister-pack case to said device or vice versa.
It is possible to envisage that the blister-pack case will be provided with means for enabling transfer of the data in bluetooth™ mode, so that the data can be transferred from the blister-pack case to any external device provided with bluetooth™ connection or vice versa.
In addition, it may be envisaged that the lid 2' will be provided with a timer and an acoustic-signalling device and/or light-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic and/or light warning upon command of said timer for warning the user that it is time to take a product, and/or that the number of pills L remaining in the blister pack B is below a pre-set number. The supply battery can be of a rechargeable type. It is evident that in this case it is preferable for the blister-pack case to be provided with an input for insertion of the plug of a power supply.
Alternatively, there may be envisaged a blister-pack case that functions by means of solar energy, and for this purpose one provided with a photovoltaic surface. The present invention has been described and illustrated according to some preferredembodiments , but it is understood that modifications and/or replacements that are equivalent may be made by any person skilled in the branch, without thereby departing from the sphere of protection of the present industrial patent right.
For example, in a further variant of the first embodiment, not represented in the figures, it is possible to envisage a sensor for each cell A designed to detect removal of the pill L from the respective cell A and to send the information that removal has occurred to the display D.
Alternatively, in a first variant of the second embodiment, the memory can be of an extractable type.
Finally, in a second variant of the second embodiment, there maybe envisaged a sensor designed to detect extraction of each pill L activated by the bottom compartment 3 when this is opened or closed. In this specific case, it may be envisaged for example that said sensor will be mounted in the bottom part of the lid 2' in a position corresponding to a portion,, upon which said compartment 3 comes to bear. This arrangement has the purpose of confining all the electronic components within the lid itself.
In order to prevent any possible accidental opening or closing of the compartment 3 from giving rise to a number that does not correspond to the number of pills actually taken out, the user, before opening the compartment 3, has to press the button C for turning on the blister-pack case so as to enable operation of said sensor. In other words, if the ON button C is not pressed by the user, opening of the compartment 3 will not determine updating of the number of pills actually taken out.

Claims

1) A blister-pack case designed to receive a blister pack (B) of a known type with a plurality of cells (A) each containing a product, for example a pill (L) , characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of means for taking out each pill (L) from the respective cell (A) , which are designed to remain in a depressed position once said cell
(A) has been squeezed; the number of said depressed extraction means indicating the number of pills (L) that have been taken out. 2) The blister-pack case according to the preceding claim, characterized in that there are furtherprovidedmeans which are designed to count the number of pills (L) that have been taken out, and means which are designed to display said number. 3) The blister-pack case according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:
- a main panel (1) , made on which is a seat (S) for housing a blister pack (B) ;
- a lid (2) for protection of said main panel (1), said lid being equipped with a plurality of pushbuttons (P) , each of which is designed to squeeze the blister pack (B) in a position corresponding to a specific cell (A) and after squeezing it to remain in a depressed position with its bottom surface in contact withpurposelyprovided resting portions of the lid itself; and
- a bottom compartment (3) , which is located underneath the blister pack (B) and is designed to receive each pill (L) that is taken out of the respective cell (A) , said compartment being provided with a side opening to enable exit of each pill (L) from the blister-pack case; in which said seat (S) for housing the blister pack (B) is provided with a plurality of holes (F) arranged respectively underneath each cell (A) of the blister pack (B) ; each pushbutton (P) being set so as to occupy a position above a corresponding cell (A) .
4) The blister-pack case according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said main panel (1) is equipped with a display (D) for displaying information, as well as a button (C) for turning on said display (D) , and in that said lid (2) is provided with a purposely designed window (E) made of transparent material, which, in a position of closing of the lid itself, is designed to set itself above said display (D) to make it visible; said blister-pack case being moreover equipped with supply means, such as, for example, one or more batteries.
5) The blister-pack case according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterized in that the main panel (1) comprises a timer and an acoustic-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic warning upon command of said timer. 6) The blister-pack case according to Claim 4, characterized in that said display (D) is designed to display the updated number of pills (L) that have been taken out of their own cells (A) and/or other information regarding said pills taken out. 7) The blister-pack case according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the display (D) is equipped with a counter, the main panel (1) of which is provided with purposely designed resting surfaces (G) for the widened head of each pushbutton (P) , on which electrical contacts are provided, and in that each pushbutton (P) has on the bottom surface of its widened head an element purposely designed to short-circuit said contacts when said pushbutton (P) is in a depressed position so as to connect said contacts to said counter; it being thus obtained that the display (D) constantly displays the updated number of pills (L) that have been taken out of their own cells (A) .
8) The blister-pack case according to Claim 4, characterized in that it is equipped with means that are designed to detect removal of each pill (L) from the respective cell (A) and to send the information that removal has occurred to the display (D) ; said means comprising a sensor for each cell (A) .
9) The blister-pack case according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:
- a main panel (I' ) for housing a blister pack (B) ; - a lid (2' ) , which is equipped with a plurality of pushbuttons (P) , each of which is designed to squeeze a specific cell (A) of the blister pack (B) and to remain in a depressed position after it has squeezed said cell
(A) , and comprises at least one memory for storage of information, such as, for example, the number of pills (L) that have been taken out, date and time when each pill (L) was taken out, the number of pills (L) remaining in the blister pack (B), etc., a processing unit or processor of a known type, a display (D) for displaying said information, a button (C) for turning on the blister-pack case, as well as a battery for supply of said display (D) and of the electronics necessary for operation of the blister-pack case (B) ; and
- a slidable bottom compartment' (3) , which is located underneath the blister pack (B) for receiving each pill
(L) that is taken out of the respective cell (A) ; where said main panel (I' ) is constituted substantially by a grid and the blister pack (B) is set on said grid so that each cell (A) of said blister pack (B) will occupy a position corresponding to a hole of the grid; said memory being of a fixed or extractable type and of a known kind.
10) The blister-pack case according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a further bottom compartment (4) is provided, located underneath the display (D) for housing further pills (L) that are not packaged; said further compartment (4) being a sliding compartment.
11) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that to enable the user to scroll the information displayed on the display (D) up or down at least one button is provided on said lid (2' ) . 12) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that said processor is designed to read the data from the memory and carry out the calculation of a percentage of patient compliance to the therapy linked to the type of pills that the person needs to take; said percentage being the ratio between the number of pills that should have been taken out of the blister pack (B) starting from the day on which the blister-pack case was turned on and the number of pills that have actually been taken out of the blister pack (B) starting from the same day. 13) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that it is provided with a USB port (U) to enable the user to connect, via a purposeIyprovided cable, the blister-pack case to any external device.
14) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that it is provided with means for enabling data transfer in bluetooth™ mode from the blister-pack case to an external device provided with bluetooth™ connection or vice versa.
15) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that the lid (2' ) is provided with a timer and an acoustic-signalling device and/or light-signalling device designed to issue an acoustic and/or light warning upon command of said timer to warn the user that it is time to take a product and/or that the number of pills (L) remaining in the blister pack (B) is below a pre-set number. 16) The blister-pack case according to Claim 9, characterized in that the supply battery is of a rechargeable type and in that said blister-pack case is provided with an input for enabling insertion of the plug of a power supply, and/or with a photovoltaic surface to enable operation by means of solar energy.
17) The blister-pack case according to Claims 2 and 9, characterized in that said means that are designed to count are constituted substantially by a single sensor designed to detect extraction of each pill (L) , when the bottom compartment (3) is opened or closed; said sensor being enabled for operation by the user via the ON button (C) .
PCT/IT2008/000602 2008-03-17 2008-09-18 Blister case suitable to indicate to an user the number of products extracted from the blister WO2009116108A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITRM2008A000149 2008-03-17
IT000149A ITRM20080149A1 (en) 2008-03-17 2008-03-17 DOOR BLISTER ACT TO INDICATE TO A USER THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS EXTRACTED FROM THE BLISTER

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WO2015131224A1 (en) * 2014-03-03 2015-09-11 Manrex Pty. Ltd. Improvements relating to blister package compliance
WO2017007630A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2017-01-12 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Smart ejection trays for use with medication containers
WO2019075102A1 (en) * 2017-10-10 2019-04-18 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
EP3407851A4 (en) * 2016-01-31 2019-10-09 Waterio Ltd Apparatus and method for sending reminders to a user
US10650661B2 (en) 2016-04-08 2020-05-12 QuantaEd, LLC Apparatus and method for improved drug dosing-regimen compliance
US10678382B2 (en) 2014-04-22 2020-06-09 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Methods and systems for monitoring medication compliance
US10729028B2 (en) 2014-10-10 2020-07-28 QuantaEd, LLC Connected packaging
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US11351087B2 (en) 2014-10-10 2022-06-07 QuantaEd, LLC Apparatus for monitoring the content of a container and method therefor
USD977820S1 (en) 2019-06-13 2023-02-14 QuantaEd, LLC Case for holding a blister pack

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US10058485B2 (en) 2014-03-03 2018-08-28 Manrex Pty. Ltd. Improvements relating to blister package compliance
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US10678382B2 (en) 2014-04-22 2020-06-09 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Methods and systems for monitoring medication compliance
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WO2017007630A1 (en) * 2015-07-07 2017-01-12 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Smart ejection trays for use with medication containers
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EP3407851A4 (en) * 2016-01-31 2019-10-09 Waterio Ltd Apparatus and method for sending reminders to a user
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US11622911B2 (en) 2017-02-22 2023-04-11 QuantaEd, LLC Medicine case for improved regimen compliance
US10634633B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2020-04-28 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
US11193903B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2021-12-07 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
WO2019075102A1 (en) * 2017-10-10 2019-04-18 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
US11635397B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2023-04-25 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
US11913893B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2024-02-27 QuantaEd, LLC Smart packaging for improved medication regimen compliance
USD977820S1 (en) 2019-06-13 2023-02-14 QuantaEd, LLC Case for holding a blister pack

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