BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to new and useful improvements in medication carriers and
inserts therefore.
[0002] Conventionally, the carrier consists of two sheets of substantially rigid plastic
hinged together along one longtitudinal edge thereof. The front panel is provided
with a plurality of substantially rectangular cutouts to receive corresponding pockets
formed in the insert which is also of plastic but of a much thinner material and which
is provided with a corresponding number of depressions when viewed from the rear
surface thereof, to receive the medication in the form of pills or capsules. A relatively
thin sheet of foil or other sealing material is then adhesively secured to the back
of the insert covering the open bases of the recesses and sealing the medication in
place and the insert material, where it is displaced to form the pockets or recesses,
engages through the apertures within the front panel of the carrier so that the medication
for various times of the day and various days of the week etc. is clearly visible
in these projecting pockets, it being understood of course that the insert is usually
made of clear plastic.
[0003] Normally, all of the pockets are of the same size and the carrier and insert may
be designed to carry the medication for one week, two weeks, 28 days or the like.
Alternatively, the sizes may be required to have the largest volume or size at bed
time slightly less at breakfast time and the lunch time and supper time sizes substantially
the same but smaller than the breakfast time size.
[0004] The three free edges of the carrier are normally detachably secured together by
well known press stud means or the like and corresponding dispensing apertures in
the back panel permit the relatively thin pocket of the insert to be pushed downwardly
from the front panel thus breaking the foil and ejecting the medication through the
aperture in the back panel.
[0005] However, as is well known, a regime of medication often requires a different quantity
of pills, caplets, capsules or the like at different times of the day. For example,
often the majority of various types of medication is required first thing in the
morning with perhaps lighter quantities at lunch time, sometimes slightly more at
supper time and again a further increase at bed time and because of the size of the
pills, caplets, or capsules of certain medications are relatively large, forming the
pockets of the same size as is conventional, often presents difficulties in engaging
the required dosage in a standard sized pocket and although larger pockets may be
found, this would necessitate an increase in the overall size of both the carrier
and the insert which is not only expensive but undesirable due to the inconvenience
which would result in handling, storage and the like. Alternatively, the sizes may
be required to have the largest volume or size at bed time, slightly less at breakfast
time and the lunch time and supper time sizes substantially the same but smaller than
the breakfast time size.
[0006] The essence of this invention is therefore to provide pockets of various sizes in
order to accommodate the varying quantities of medication normally required during
a day. In addition, various visual or pictorial indicia may be utilized for ease of
identification.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the carrier of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the carrier of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear side elevation of the insert.
Figure 4 is a side view of the insert.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the preferred embodiment.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the preferred embodiment.
[0007] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the
different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference character 10
shows a carrier having a front panel 11 formed of relatively rigid plastic and having
a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures formed therethrough and in the
present embodiment, it will be noted that there are four columns 11A, 11B, 11C and
11D of seven apertures each although of course it will be appreciated that more or
less apertures may be provided if desired.
[0009] For example, a larger carrier may be provided to carry prepackaged medication for
a greater number of days or a smaller carrier for a lesser number of days.
[0010] A larger rectangular aperture 12 may be provided above the columns of apertures
to carry information relative to the patient, doctor or the like and a plurality of
recesses 13 may be formed along the upper edge 14 which, in conjunction with the rear
panel, enables the carriers may hung on convenient hooks or the like as will hereinafter
be described.
[0011] The rear panel 12 of the carrier, is similar to the front panel and is provided with
a similar number of columns of rectangular apertures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D having
the same size and configuration as the front panel and this rear panel is hinged along
one vertical edge 16 to a corresponding vertical edge 17 of the front panel, preferably,
by means of a living hinge (shown in phantom at 28) so that the two panels can be
folded open to receive an insert collectively designated 18 whereupon the panels may
be folded closed and detachably secured by plastic snap fasteners or the like 19 along
the other opposite edges 16A and 17A.
[0012] The apertures 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D in the rear, panel 12 correspond to the apertures
11A, 11B, 11C and 11D in the front panel 11, and are in registration therewith when
the two panels are in a closed position.
[0013] The insert collectively designated 18 is made of transparent plastic and of a thinner
material than the carrier and may be stamped out to provide a plurality of pockets
20 matching the apertures in columns 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D in the front panel into
which the pockets engage when the insert is placed between the two panels of the carrier
and the carrier is closed. Alternatively, the pockets may be of transparent plastic
upon a substate of cardboard or the like.
[0014] These pockets 20, when first formed in the plastic sheet 18 are open based as at
21 so that medication in the form of pills, capsules or the like 22 may be placed
therein whereupon a thin sheet of foil or the like, indicated in phantom by reference
character 23 in Figure 4, is adhesively or otherwise secured over the rear side 25
of the insert thus sealing medication within the individual pockets 20.
[0015] However, as the various types and quantities of medication often vary throughout
the four general periods of the day in which medication is taken, the individual columns
26A, 26B, 26C and 26D contain pockets 20 of different sizes as do the panels 10 and
12 of the carrier (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D).
[0016] As an example, when medication is required first thing in the morning before breakfast,
at lunch time, at supper time (tea time) and at bed time, different types and/or
quantities of medication are often required with the greatest number and amount being
required at breakfast time in column 26A, a minimum amount at lunch time in column
26B, slightly more at supper or tea time in column 26C and slightly more again before
bed time in column 26D.
[0017] Present day medication often being relatively large, the pockets in column 26A (and
corresponding apertures in panels 11 and 12 of carrier 10), are the largest and may
extend approximately 32 m/m in length and 17 m/m in height.
[0018] The pockets in column 26B may be, for example, 25 m/m wide and 17 m/m high, the pockets
in column 26C may be 27 m/m wide and 17 m/m high and the pockets in column 26D may
be 30 m/m wide and 17 m/m high. These four different sizes are represented in Figures
1, 2 and 3.
[0019] The apertures in the carrier panels 11 and 12 are of similar dimensions to the pockets
in the insert and the spacing between the apertures (and pockets) is sufficient so
that a standard overall dimension or sized carrier and insert may be utilized.
[0020] In operation, the medication for each period and each day is placed in the various
pockets 20 of the insert whereupon the foil sheet 23 is secured on the back of sheet
to temporarily close the pockets. The insert is then engaged between the panels of
the carrier with the pockets 20 protruding upwardly through the apertures within the
front panel and being maintained in place by the snap engagement of the rear panel
with the corresponding edges of the front panel.
[0021] When medication is required, the relatively thin plastic forming the insert enables
the relevant pocket to be pushed downwardly through the corresponding aperture in
columns 11A, 11B, 11C or 11D of the front panel thus breaking the frangible foil cover
of that particular pocket thereby ejecting the medication through the corresponding
aperture in columns 12A, 12B, 12C or 12D in the rear panel and into a small container
(not shown) for presentation to the patient.
[0022] The various apertures in the columns may be marked by the day of the week vertically
and by the times of medication horizontally so that a glance will show the, exact
status of the dispensing of medication at any one time, the major advantage of the
present invention being the different sizes of the pockets for different periods during
the day at which medication should be given and the pictorial identification 27 for
each time period.
[0023] Reference to Figures 5 and 6 are similar to Figures 1 and 3 but show the preferred
embodiment. In this embodiment, the four vertical columns 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D are
shown having different areas.
[0024] 11D is shown with the largest area, (E.G. 32 m/m × 17 m/m) 11A with the second largest
area (E.G. 30 m/m × 17 m/m) and the intermediate apertures 11B and 11C are substantially
similar in area and have the third largest area (E.G. 27 m/m × 17 m/m).
[0025] Figure 3 shows the front view of the insert 18 but with the pockets 26A, 26B, 26C
and 26D also varying in volume corresponding with the apertures 11A, 11B, 11C and
11D through which they extend when the insert in engaged between the front and rear
panels as hereinbefore described.
[0026] Here again, the volume of pocket 26D is the largest, pocket 26A is the second largest
and pockets 26B and 26C are similar and are the third largest.
[0027] Also to be noted are the written and pictorial indicia situated above each vertical
column of apertures in the front panel 10 of Figure 5. Over the first vertical column
on the left hand side is the word "Morning" surmounted by the pictorial representation
of a rising sun preferably on a yellow background.
[0028] The second vertical column from the left, is indicated as "Noon" and shows the sun
substantially in the center of the rectangle preferably upon a blue background.
[0029] The third column from the left is marked either "Supper" or "Tea Time" depending
upon the country in which the carriers are being used. This shows a setting sun on
the right hand side of the rectangle and preferably with an orange background.
[0030] The fourth and final column from the left is marked "Bed Time" and shows a crescent
moon and a plurality of stars in white preferable upon a black background.
[0031] The areas of the rectangles in which the pictorial indicia are shown, are substantially
similar to the areas of the apertures in the columns above and below which the pictorial
indicia is placed.
[0032] Against each horizontal column of apertures and preferably on the left hand side
of the front panel, there is provided further indicia preferably in the form of a
rectangle with an arrowhead indicating the horizontal column and marked successively
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
[0033] It will therefore be appreciated that both pictorial and written indicia indicate
the capsule of pocket of medication which should be taken at each parti cular time
period and it will be appreciated that depression of the flexible transparent material
forming the pocket, through the relevant aperture in the front panel, breaks the membrane
on the rear side of the insert thus ejecting the medication through the corresponding
apertures in the rear panel into a cup or other receptacle.
[0034] The different sizes of the pockets enables varying quantities and sizes of medication
for the various time periods to be incorporated in a standard sized carrier.
[0035] The upper edge 19A may be provided with slotted apertures 15 registering with the
recesses 13 in the front panel thus enabling the carriers to be suspended from the
carrier holders or the like.
(1) A medication dispensing carrier, said carrier comprising in combination a substantially
rectangular front panel and a substantially rectangular rear panel hingedly connected
together along one corresponding mutual edge thereof for detachably opening and detachably
closing the panels, said front panel having a plurality of horizontally disposed apertures
situated in aligned vertical columns and formed through said front panel, said rear
panel having a plurality of medication dispensing apertures formed therethrough, means
to detachably secure said panels together with the apertures in said front panel being
in substantial alignment with the said dispensing apertures of said rear panel, means
to detachably maintain said panels in the closed position and indicia on said front
panel indicating the day adjacent one side edge of said front panel and in alignment
with each horizontal row of apertures and further indicia on said front panel indicating
the times said medication should be taken, said further indicia being situated adjacent
the uppermost or lowermost horizontal row of apertures in said front panel and adjacent
each vertical row of apertures, said further indicia indicating a pictorial representation
of a time period.
(2) The carrier according to Claim 1 in which the area of said apertures in the individual
vertical columns in said front panel varies with the average quantity and size of
medication required at said time periods.
(3) The carrier according to Claims 1 or 2 which includes four vertical columns, said
indicia indicating a morning time period, a noon time period, a bed time period.
and a period in between said noon and said bed time periods, said apertures for the
morning period having the largest area, the apertures for the bed time period having
the second largest area, the apertures for the noon period having the third largest
area and the area of the apertures of the intermediate period having the fourth largest
area.
(4) The carrier according to Claims 1 or 2 which includes four vertical columns, said
indicia including a morning time period, a noon time period, a bed time period and
a period intermediate said noon and bed time periods, said apertures for the bed time
period having the largest area, said apertures for the morning period having the second
largest area, and said apertures for said other two periods having a substantially
similar area to one another and having the third largest area.
(5) The carrier according to any of the preceding claims which includes an insert
for said carrier, said insert being substantially rectangular and having a plurality
of rows of horizontally situated open based pockets in aligned vertical columns formed
therein, said insert being situated between said front and back panels of said carrier
with said pockets extending through said corresponding apertures in said front panel
and frangible means detachably sealing the open bases of said pockets to selectively
retain medication therein, depression of said pockets through the apertures of said
front panel breaking the frangible means detachably securing the open bases of said
pockets thereby ejecting the medication contained in said pockets through the dispensing
apertures in said rear pockets.
(6) The invention according to Claim 5 in which the volume of said pockets in the
individual vertical columns in said insert varies with the average quantity of medication
required at said time periods.
(7) The invention according to Claim 6 which includes four vertical columns, said
indicia indicating a morning time period, a noon time period, and bed time period
and a period intermediate said noon and bed time periods, said pockets for said morning
time period having the largest volume, said pockets for the bed time periods having
the second largest volume, said volume for said noon time period having the third
largest volume and said pockets for said intermediate time periods having the fourth
largest volume.
(8) The invention according to Claim 6 which includes four vertical columns, said
indicia indicating a morning time period, a noon time period, a bed time period and
a period intermediate said noon and bed time periods, said volume for said bed time
periods having the largest volume, said volume for said morning periods having the
second largest volume, said pockets for the other two time periods being substantially
similar in volume and containing the smallest volume.
(9) A medication dispensing insert for use with an apertured carrier, said insert
comprising a substantially rectangular and planar sheet and having a plurality of
rows of horizontally situated open based pockets in aligned vertical columns formed
therein, and frangible means detachably sealing the open bases of said pockets to
selectively retain medication therein, depression of said pockets breaking the frangible
means detachably securing the open bases of said pockets thereby ejecting the medication
contained in said pockets, through said broken frangible means, the volume of said
pockets in the individual vertical columns in said insert varying with the average
quantity of medication required at various time periods.
(10) The invention substantially as illustrated and described.