Medication holder

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication. The apparatus comprises a substantially hollow container member having an opening on at least one end thereof, such container member for holding such emergency medication. There is at least one closure member for closing the opening on at least one end of the substantially hollow container member so that such emergency medication disposed within such container member will not fall out. A clip member is disposed on one of an outer surface of the container member and the closure member for securing such apparatus to a shirt pocket.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/696,567 filed Jul. 05, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a medication holder, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for holding pills or other medications in a handy and unobtrusive place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are about 12.6 million Americans who currently have heart disease and about 1.1 million are expected to have a serious heart event each year. An estimated 25% of all Americans have one or more risk factors for heart disease. Most risk factors for heart disease are related to lifestyle and environmental factors. Over the past decades, heart disease rates have declined in both men and women as they quit smoking and improved dietary habits. This rate, however has stabilized in recent years, most likely because of the dramatic increase in obesity in both the US and other industrialized nations.

Medical experts are encouraging the public to carry aspirin for first aid in the event of a heart attack. In addition, there are numerous people who must carry nitroglycerine tablets to treat unexpected angina attacks. Some men are also looking for a convenient place to carry erectile dysfunction pills.

Previously, the only manner in which to carry medication has been a bulky pill container. Further, if the medication had to be kept separately then it would involve carrying two different containers.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a product which would be convenient and unobtrusive for carrying such necessary medication and that could also keep pills separated if necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication. The apparatus comprises a substantially hollow container member having an opening on at least one end thereof, such container member for holding such emergency medication. There is at least one closure member for closing the opening on at least one end of the substantially hollow container member so that such emergency medication disposed within such container member will not fall out. A clip member is disposed on one of an outer surface of the container member and the closure member for securing such apparatus to a shirt pocket.

In a second aspect the present invention provides in combination with a wallet having a fold disposed in a center portion of the wallet for forming a pocket therein, the pocket having an opening on one end thereof, an apparatus for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication. The apparatus comprises a substantially hollow container member having an opening on at least one end thereof, such container member for holding such emergency medication and at least one closure member for closing the opening on at least one end of the substantially hollow container member so that such emergency medication disposed within such container member will not fall out.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a safe and convenient unobtrusive way for carrying necessary emergency medication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a substantially hollow container member having a closure means for carrying necessary medication therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a substantially hollow container member having a clip disposed on an outer surface for securing to a shirt pocket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wallet having a fold disposed therein forming a pocket for holding such container with necessary medication stored therein.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container member according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wallet and container shown separately and showing one means of closure for the container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wallet having a loop formed therein for holding such container member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closed wallet with the container member disposed in the wallet.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container member with a clip disposed thereon for engagement with a shirt pocket, a wallet pocket or loop.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container member showing a plug type friction cap for closing such container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication. Such apparatus is evident in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus 10 comprises a substantially hollow container member 2 having an opening on at least one end thereof. Such container member 2 for holding such emergency medication. There is at least one closure member 4 for closing the opening on at least one end of the substantially hollow container member 2 so that such emergency medication disposed within such container member 2 will not fall out. A clip member 6 is disposed on one of an outer surface of the container member 2 and the closure member 4 for securing such apparatus to a shirt pocket (not shown). By clipping such container member 2 to a shirt pocket with the clip member 6 the apparatus 10 will be kept in the pocket just as if it were a pen or a pencil and would really be convenient and unobtrusive. The clip member 6 could be used to clip the apparatus 10 to other than a shirt pocket; however, it would seem that the shirt pocket is an ideal place to keep it. FIG. 2 shows the clip member 6 disposed on the closure member 4 while such clip 6 is shown disposed on the container member 2 in FIG. 5. It is presently preferred that the substantially hollow container member 2 has an opening on each end thereof and the substantially hollow container member 2 further includes a separating member 8 disposed within the substantially hollow container member 2 for forming two separate compartments within the substantially hollow container member 2. With two openings it is preferred that the container member 2 have two closure members 4 for closing the opening on each end of the container member 2.

Such closure member fits over or in the opening(s) in the container member 2 and is selected from one of a screw on cap 12 and a friction fit cap 14. Such closure member 2 fits over the opening on each end of the substantially hollow container member as one of a screw on cap 12 and a friction fit cap 14. Such friction fit cap 14 can be one as shown in FIG. 3 which fits over the container member 2 or a plug type cap 4 which fits inside the container member 2 as seen in FIG. 6.

It should be noted that such emergency medication may include aspirin and nitroglycerine for persons who may be at risk for a heart attack. While other medication could be medication for persons who may be prone to seizures or medications for asthmatic patients or diabetic persons.

With the two compartments formed in the container member 2 it is possible to carry different medications which can be stored in each compartment and keep these medications separate. It is within the concept of the invention that such closure members 4 be made with different colors so as to differentiate the medication which is kept in each end of the container member 2.

Such container member 2 can be made of one of plastic and metal. It is presently preferred that such container member 2 be made of plastic and that such plastic is clear so that is easy to see the medication that is stored therein.

A second aspect the present invention, as seen in FIG. 2, provides in combination with a wallet, generally designated 20, having a fold disposed in a center portion of the wallet for forming a pocket 22 therein, the pocket 22 having an opening on one end thereof, an apparatus 10 for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication. In an alternate embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 3 there is a loop 24 in place of the pocket 22. The loop 24 or the pocket 22 are used to contain the container member 2 that was described previously. The apparatus 10 comprises the substantially hollow container member 2 having an opening on at least one end thereof, such container member 2 for holding such emergency medication and at least one closure member 4 for closing the opening on at least one end of the substantially hollow container member 2 so that such emergency medication disposed within such container member will not fall out.

As described previously it is preferred that such substantially hollow container member 2 have an opening on each end thereof and that such container member 2 further include a separating member 8 disposed within the substantially hollow container member 2 for forming two separate compartments within the container member 2.

With openings on each end of the container member it is necessary that there be two closure members 4 for closing each opening on each end of the container member 2. Such closure member 4 fits over or in the opening on at least one or both of the openings as one of a screw on cap 12 or a friction fit cap 14.

In this embodiment it is preferred that such container member 2 be secured in the pocket 22 formed in the wallet 20. Such container member 2 can also have a clip member 6 disposed on one of an outer surface of the substantially hollow container member 2 and the closure member 4. It is preferred that the clip member 6 be disposed on the container member 2. The clip member 6 is engageable with the pocket 22 that is formed in the wallet 20.

The advantages of the wallet 20 with the container member 2 disposed therein is that virtually everyone carries a wallet and in this manner the container 2 with the emergency medication stored therein would always be available without the need of having another article to carry.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a substantially hollow container member having an opening on at least one end thereof, said container member for holding such emergency medication;

(b) at least one closure member for closing said opening on at least one end of said substantially hollow container member so that such emergency medication disposed within said container member will be prevented from falling out;

(c) a clip member disposed on one of an outer surface of said container member and said closure member for securing said apparatus to a shirt pocket.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said substantially hollow container member has an opening on each end thereof.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said substantially hollow container member further includes a separating member disposed within said substantially hollow container member for forming two separate compartments within said substantially hollow container member.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said substantially hollow container member further includes two closure members for closing said opening on each end of said container member.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said closure member fits one of over an and within an end of said substantially hollow container member as one of a screw on cap and a friction fit cap.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said closure member fits one of over and within said opening on each end of said substantially hollow container member as one of a screw on cap and a friction fit cap.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said emergency medication includes aspirin and nitroglycerine for persons who may be at risk for a heart attack.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein different medications can be stored in each compartment formed within said substantially hollow container member.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said substantially hollow container member is made of one of plastic and metal.

10. In combination with a wallet having a fold disposed in a center portion of said wallet for forming a pocket therein, said pocket having an opening on one end thereof, an apparatus for providing a convenient and unobtrusive means for carrying necessary emergency medication, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a substantially hollow container member having an opening on at least one end thereof, said container member for holding such emergency medication; and

(b) at least one closure member for closing said opening on at least one end of said substantially hollow container member so that such emergency medication disposed within said container member will be prevented from falling out.

11. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said substantially hollow container member has an opening on each end thereof.

12. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said substantially hollow container member further includes a separating member disposed within said substantially hollow container member for forming two separate compartments within said substantially hollow container member.

13. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said substantially hollow container member further includes two closure members for closing said opening on each end of said container member.

14. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said at least one closure member fits one of over and within said opening on at least one end of said substantially hollow container member as one of a screw on cap and a friction fit cap.

15. The combination, according to claim 14, wherein said at least one closure member fits one of over and within said opening on at least one end of said substantially hollow container member as a screw on cap.

16. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said closure member fits one of over and within said opening on each end of said substantially hollow container member as one of a screw on cap and a friction fit cap.

17. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said substantially hollow container member is secured in said pocket of said wallet.

18. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said container member further includes a clip member disposed on one of an outer surface of said substantially hollow container member and said closure member.

19. The combination, according to claim 18, wherein said clip member is engageable with said pocket formed in said wallet.

20. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said substantially hollow container member is made of one of plastic and metal.