MEDICINAL CONTAINERS
The present invention is an improved medicinal container providing a safety closure and at least one rib for aligning a label, said container providing increased surface area for prescribing instructions.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,273 filed Feb. 8, 2006 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to medicinal containers.
Medicinal containers in general and prescription drug containers particularly are typically cylindrical containers that have a removable cap. The cap typically has some type of child-proofing mechanism for preventing a child from opening the container.
One disadvantage of typical medicinal containers as described above is that there is a small amount of surface area for displaying information about the prescribed drug (i.e. drug name, doctor and patient name, dosage requirements, etc.). Accordingly, when the prescription is filled by the pharmacy, certain information must be left off the label, simply because of the fact that there is a limited amount of surface area available on the container for the information. Furthermore, because the containers are small, the containers tend to be of a size that is difficult for a user with arthritic hands or other motility disorders, to handle with ease. It is also difficult for the pharmacist and or technician to affix the prescription drug label onto the medicinal vial straight and often has to be removed and put back onto the container creating a delay in the prescription fulfillment process. Also there are increased costs if the label is removed from the container since it is unable to be reused once the label is taken off.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a medicinal container that is more versatile and easier to use and overcomes the disadvantages disclosed above. Medicinal containers of the present invention provide increased labeling area without substantially increasing the dimensions of the container. Furthermore, the subject containers are easier to use for those with motility issues. One feature of the containers is they provide a child-resistant closure for preventing a child from accessing the contents of the subject medicinal containers. The medicinal containers of the present invention have flat surfaces to which the label is adhered. The flat label surfaces provide a surface on the label that is easy for a user to handwrite additional information on the label.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a medicinal container comprising:
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- (a) a rib extending vertically substantially along a vertical surface and protruding outward from an outer surface of said container; and
- (b) a closure for said container.
In a preferred embodiment, the rib protrudes from the surface of the container from any of the surfaces or corners. The rib is large enough to guide the placement of a label edge and small enough such that is does not interfere with the handling of the container.
The medicinal container of the present invention comprises a surface for placement of an adhesive label having an edge placed adjacent to a rib. The placement of the adhesive label commences by placing an edge of the label adjacent to the rib and wrapping the label along the surface such that the label application extends about the perimeter of the container. The label may extend about some part or all of the perimeter of the container.
The medicinal container further comprises a closure which may be a standard screw on threaded cap or a pharmaceutical safety cap. In one embodiment, the container has a pharmaceutical screw type closure with an engaged safety tab.
In another embodiment the closure comprises:
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- (a) a first locking mechanism whereby said closure is secured into a closed and locked position; and
- (b) a second locking mechanism;
- wherein said first locking mechanism is disengaged prior to disengagement of said second locking mechanism.
The closure may further comprise an internal ridge for creating an air tight seal.
In another embodiment, the medicinal container of the present invention may comprise:
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- a. three substantially flat planer surfaces;
- b. a fourth surface encompassing a curvature surface; and
- c. a rib extending vertically substantially along a vertical surface of one of said flat planer surfaces, and said rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container.
The medicinal container as a curvature on one surface formed of a circular portion having a central angle measure of 90°-270°. In a preferred embodiment, the central angle measure is 90°-180°.
In another embodiment, the medicinal container comprises:
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- a. four substantially flat planer surfaces;
- b. a rib extending vertically substantially along a vertical surface of one of said flat planer surfaces, and said rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container;
- c. a rib extending vertically substantially along a vertical surface of one of said flat planer surfaces, and said rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container.
The medicinal container may comprise a closure comprising:
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- (i) a frame interacting with an open end of said container through a snap close type arrangement;
- (ii) an opening on the upper surface of said frame;
- (iii) a first locking mechanism whereby said closure is secured into a closed and locked position; and
- (iv) a second locking mechanism;
- wherein said first locking mechanism is disengaged prior to disengagement of said second locking mechanism.
In any configuration an adhesive label may be placed on the container having an edge placed adjacent to a rib, said label extends about at least some portion of the perimeter of the container. The label may extend about the entire outer perimeter of the container.
The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. In the drawings:
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.
Container 10 includes a round opening lie formed therein on the upper portion for inserting and removing the contents of the container, covered with a round screw-type cap 14.
Container 10 has locking ring 15 that keeps screw-type cap 14 from being removed. Container 10 has a rib 12 that extends outward from flat planer surface 11a. In one embodiment, rib 12 runs along the vertical plane of said surface (as shown in
In one embodiment, ribs 12a and 12b are separate and individually provide guidance for placement of label 13 (see
An alternative means to lock lid 14 shown in
Safety ring 15 has a protruding shoulder interlock 15b on the upper surface of ring 15 that interacts with node 14b and secures in a locked arrangement lid 14 and container 10 (see
A second embodiment (see
The standardized placement of label 32 is helpful in that a preprinted label may be configured for affixation to container 30. Rib 33 may be placed on any of the planer surfaces and would not be limited to flat planer surface 31a. Rib 33 is configured such that when one wishes to affix adhesive label 32 to the side of container 30, label 32 placement may be standardized by commencing placement of a terminal edge 32a of label 32 along the planer surface immediately adjacent to rib 33 so label 32 will not be skewed.
Container 30 includes a child resistant cap assembly 38, a rear locking ring 37, a hinged lid 39 and a forward interlock 40, the latter depending from the front portion of hinged lid 39. Lid 39 has living hinge 39a at the interface of lid 39 with assembly 38.
Shoulder 34 on the upper portion of flat planer surface 31b has an assembly interlock 36 extending upward from shoulder 34 flexes and rear container interlock ring 35. Interlock 36 (as will be shown below in the description on
In a closed position, lid 39 has incorporated within the lower planer surface, a front internal ridge 45 that seals against upper portion of surface 31d when lid 39 is closed. Ridge 45 may extend along the entire interior perimeter of assembly 38. Interlock 42 has an outward bias, and interacts with a lid tab 40 to secure lid 39 in a closed position. A user exerts opening of lid 39 requires two separate steps. First downward pressure on lid interlock tab 41, which subsequently disengages lid interlock 42 from lid tab 40. Upward pressure is then applied on lid tab 40 that raises lid 39 from a closed and secured position (see
Container 30 also includes a securing arrangement by which lid assembly 38 is secured to the upper portion of flat planer surface 31b. Downward pressure is applied on lid assembly 38 such that assembly interlock 36, biased inward, interacts and engages locking ring 37 to secure lid assembly 38 into position on upper portion of container 30 at the upper portion of surface 31b. Rear interior ridge 44 secures the position of assembly 38 and also provides an additional amount of sealing for assembly 38. Disengagement of assembly 38 is the reverse process requiring downward pressure on shoulder 34 to disengage assembly interlock 36 from locking ring 37, followed by application of upward pressure on lid assembly 38 (see
Lid 39 is opened by applying, downward pressure on lid interlock tab 41. As shown in
While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A medicinal container comprising:
- (a) at least one rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container; and
- (b) a closure for said container.
2. The medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive label having an edge placed adjacent to said rib.
3. The medicinal container of claim 2, wherein placement of said adhesive label commences at said edge placed adjacent to said rib.
4. The medicinal container of claim 3 wherein said placement of said adhesive label extends about the perimeter of said container
5. The medicinal container of claim 1 further comprising a closure.
6. The medicinal container of claim 4 wherein said closure is a standard screw on threaded cap.
7. The medicinal container of claim 4 wherein said closure is a pharmaceutical safety cap.
8. The medicinal container of claim 4 wherein said closure comprises:
- (a) a first locking mechanism whereby said closure is secured into a closed and locked position; and
- (b) a second locking mechanism;
- wherein said first locking mechanism is disengaged prior to disengagement of said second locking mechanism.
9. A medicinal container comprising:
- (a) three substantially flat planer surfaces;
- (b) a fourth surface encompassing a curvature.
10. The medicinal container of claim 9 comprising at least one rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container.
11. The medicinal container of claim 10 wherein said rib extends vertically substantially along a vertical surface of one of said flat planer surfaces.
12. The medicinal container of claim 9 wherein said curvature is the surface formed of a circular portion having a central angle measure of 90°-270°.
13. The medicinal container of claim 9 wherein said curvature is the surface formed of a circular portion having a central angle measure of 90°-180°.
14. The medicinal container of claim 9 wherein said surface is configured to receive an adhesive label having an edge placed adjacent to said rib, said label extends about at least some portion of the perimeter of said container.
15. The medicinal container of claim 9 wherein said container has a pharmaceutical screw type closure with an engaged safety tab.
16. A medicinal container comprising:
- (a) four substantially flat planer surfaces;
- (b) at least one rib protruding outward from an outer surface of said container.
17. The medicinal container of claim 16 wherein said rib extends vertically substantially along a vertical surface of one of said flat planer surfaces.
18. The medicinal container of claim 16 wherein said surface is configured to receive an adhesive label having an edge placed adjacent to said rib, said label extends about at least some portion of the perimeter of said container.
19. The medicinal container of claim 15 wherein said container comprises a closure comprising:
- (a) a frame interacting with an open end of said container through a snap close type arrangement;
- (b) an opening on the upper surface of said frame;
- (c) a first locking mechanism whereby said closure is secured into a closed and locked position; and
- (d) a second locking mechanism;
- wherein said first locking mechanism is disengaged prior to disengagement of said second locking mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 8, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 9, 2007
Inventor: STACY KAUFMAN (Sunrise, FL)
Application Number: 11/672,733
International Classification: B65D 41/00 (20060101); B65D 55/02 (20060101); B65D 39/00 (20060101);