PORTABLE MEDICATION CONTAINER

Abstract

An example embodiment is a medication container. The container includes a body and cap. The cap is configured to rotatably engage the body, with the cap and body defining a cavity for storing medication when engaged. A locking pin is configured to prevent the cap and body from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap and body. In a particular arrangement, a key carrier for retaining a key placed therein is coupled to the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/261,894 filed on Nov. 17, 2009, the entire text of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a medication container, and more specifically, to a portable container that is convenient to carry and allows for easy access to medication carried therein.

Some medical emergencies may require administration of a pill or other medicine as quickly as possible. For example, it is typically recommended that aspirin pill be ingested as quickly as possible after a heart attack. Thus, it can be beneficial for people to carry such medicine along with daily their belongings in case a medical emergency occurs.

SUMMARY

One example of the present invention is a medication container. The medication container includes a body and cap. The cap is configured to rotatably engage the body. Furthermore, the cap and body define a cavity for storing medication when engaged. The medication container also includes a locking pin configured to prevent the cap and body from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap and body.

Another example aspect of the invention is a medication container having a body with L-shaped channels along an interior wall of the body. A cap is configured to rotatably engage the body. As mentioned above, the cap and body define a cavity for storing medication when engaged. The cap includes a base end configured to be inserted into the body and one or more tabs that slope upwardly from the base end of the cap. The tabs are configured to mate the L-shaped channels such that twisting the cap into the body in an engagement direction compresses the cap into the body.

A locking pin is carried by the body. The locking pin is configured to prevent the cap and body from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap and body. In addition, the locking pin is configured to break from the body upon application of the twisting force about the cap and body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example medication container contemplated by the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the medication container assembly.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the medication container cap.

FIG. 4 shows another side view of the medication container cap along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a section view of the medication container cap along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the medication container body.

FIG. 7 shows a section view of the medication container body along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows an example internal wall of the medication container body.

FIGS. 9A-9D show an embodiment of the invention wherein the medication holder is coupled to a key holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to embodiments of the invention. Throughout the description of the invention reference is made to FIGS. 1-9D.

FIG. 1 shows an example medication container 106 contemplated by the present invention. The medication container 106 includes a body 110 and a cap 108. The cap 106 configured to rotatably engage the body 110 for storing medication 104.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cap 106 is configured to engage the body 110 for storing medication 104. The cap 106 includes a base end configured to be inserted into the body 110. One or more tabs 114 on the cap 106 slope upwardly from the base end of the cap.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the body includes L-shaped channels 116 along its interior wall. The tabs 114 are configured to mate the L-shaped channels 116 such that twisting the cap 108 into the body 110 in an engagement direction compresses the cap 108 into the body 110.

A locking pin 120 carried by the body 110 is configured to prevent the cap 108 and body 110 from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap 108 and body 110. In one embodiment, the locking pin 120 is further configured to break from the body 110 upon application of the twisting force about the cap 108 and body 110.

With reference now to FIGS. 9A-9D, one embodiment of the present invention is a key holder 102 that incorporates a medication container therein. At least one pill 104, such as an aspirin pill, is placed in the medication container 106.

The medication container 106 includes a cap 108 and a body 110. The cap 108 includes a cavity 112 for storing the medication 104. The cap 108 further includes one or more tabs 114 that slope upwardly from the base of the cap 108. The tabs 114 engage L-shaped channels 116 along the interior wall of the body 110.

The upward slope of the tabs 114 creates a downward force 118 when the tabs 114 are engaged in the channels 116. A pin 120 prevents the cap 108 from disengaging the body 110 without an externally applied twisting force. A cap ridge 122 engaging the top of the body 124 may be rubberized to help seal the cap 108 and body 110 interface.

The pin 120 is configured to break once a twisting force is applied to the cap 108. This releases the cap 108 from the body 110 and allows quick access to the pill 104.

The body includes one or more locking members 124 along its the length. The locking members 124 prevent the pill holder 106 from turning when placed into a key carrier 126. In other words, when a user grasps the cap 108 and the key carrier 126, the locking members 124 prevent the body from rotating within the key carrier 126 when a twisting force is applied.

The key carrier 126 may include foam pads 128 and key supports 132 to help retain a key 130 placed therein. A key cover 134 snaps onto the key carrier 126 and secures the key 130.

While the preferred embodiments to the invention have been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A medication container comprising:

a body;

a cap configured to rotatably engage the body, the cap and body defining a cavity for storing medication when engaged; and

a locking pin configured to prevent the cap and body from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap and body.

2. The medication container of claim 1, wherein the locking pin is configured to break from the medication container upon application of the twisting force about the cap and body.

3. The medication container of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a base end configured to be inserted into the body.

4. The medication container of claim 3, wherein the cap includes a handle opposite the base end for gripping and twisting the cap.

5. The medication container of claim 4, wherein the handle includes a ridge portion configured to engage an edge of the body, the ridge portion having a greater diameter than the edge of the body.

6. The medication container of claim 5, wherein the ridge portion is rubberized.

7. The medication container of claim 3, wherein the cap includes one or more tabs that slope upwardly from the base end of the cap, the tabs configured to mate L-shaped channels along an interior wall of the body such that twisting the cap into the body in an engagement direction compresses the cap into the body.

8. The medication container of claim 1, wherein the cavity is cylindrical.

9. The medication container of claim 1, further comprising a key carrier coupled to the body for retaining a key placed therein.

10. The medication container of claim 9, wherein the body includes at least one locking member configured to prevent the key carrier from rotating about the body.

11. The medication container of claim 9, wherein the key carrier includes a key supports for retaining the key.

12. The medication container of claim 11, wherein the key supports include a foam pad.

13. The medication container of claim 9, wherein the key carrier includes a key cover configured to snap onto the key carrier and secure the key.

14. A medication container comprising:

a body including L-shaped channels along an interior wall of the body;

a cap configured to rotatably engage the body, the cap and body defining a cavity for storing medication when engaged, the cap including a base end configured to be inserted into the body and one or more tabs that slope upwardly from the base end of the cap, the tabs configured to mate the L-shaped channels such that twisting the cap into the body in an engagement direction compresses the cap into the body; and

a locking pin carried by the body, the locking pin configured to prevent the cap and body from disengaging without application of a twisting force about the cap and body, the locking pin configured to break from the body upon application of the twisting force about the cap and body.

15. The medication container of claim 14, wherein the cap includes a handle opposite the base end for gripping and twisting the cap.

16. The medication container of claim 15, wherein the handle includes a ridge portion configured to engage an edge of the body, the ridge portion having a greater diameter than the edge of the body.

17. The medication container of claim 16, wherein the ridge portion is rubberized.

18. The medication container of claim 16, wherein the cavity is cylindrical.

19. The medication container of claim 16, further comprising a key carrier coupled to the body for retaining a key placed therein.

20. The medication container of claim 9, wherein the body includes at least one locking member configured to prevent the key carrier from rotating about the body.