CONTAINER CAP WITH PROTECTIVE COVER

Abstract

The invention is a prescription container cap with a self-healing polymer protective cover. The container cap has a self-healing polymer protective cover or coating on the top of the container cap. The container cap is preferably a pharmaceutical safety cap that has a timer built into the cap and graphics near the timer. The self-healing polymer cover, which is preferably in the shape of a tapered disk, covers and protects the timer and the graphics. Specifically, the self-healing polymer resists minor scratches and protects the timer from trauma, including when the bottle and cap are dropped. The self-healing polymer protective cover is clear and allows the user an unobstructed (or even magnified) view of the underlying timer and graphics.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to container cap protective covers. Specifically, the invention relates to a prescription bottle cap with a self-healing polymer or gel protective cover. The container cap has a self-healing polymer protective cover or coating on the top of the container cap. The container cap is preferably a pharmaceutical safety cap that has a timer built into the cap and graphics near the timer. The self-healing polymer cover is preferably in the shape of a tapered disk and covers and protects the timer and the graphics that are on a top side of the cap. The self-healing polymer resists minor scratches and protects the timer from trauma, including when the container and cap are dropped. The self-healing polymer protective cover is clear and allows the user an unobstructed (or even magnified) view of the underlying timer and graphics.

BACKGROUND

Modern pharmaceutical practice relies on patients to consistently take their medication at one or more specific intervals during the day. Typically, the patient's doctor will create a medication schedule for the patient and instruct the patient to follow the schedule. However, when the patient has multiple medications that may be taken at different times, the schedule can quickly become complex and unwieldy.

In an effort to simplify medication schedules and keep better track of when a particular medication was last taken, various products and methods have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. (“USPN”) 6,707,763, issued to Osberg, and hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth below in its entirety, discloses a pharmaceutical bottle timer cap that informs the user how long it has been since the medication in the bottle was taken. The Osberg timer cap automatically starts the timer when the cap is replaced on the bottle after the medication has been taken. Unfortunately, should the timer cap be dropped, the timer might break. Additionally, the timer cap might be removed and replaced on the bottle thousands of times, which might lead to the top of the timer cap becoming scratched through repeated use. Finally, the size of the digital timer display, which is limited by the surface area of the cap, might be too small to see for some sight-impaired users of the timer cap.

Although products have been made available to overcome the issue of the timer being too small to easily view, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,108, issued to Johnson, which places a magnifying glass on top of a prescription bottle top, these products themselves have their own limitations. To protect the magnifying portion of the cap, Johnson requires a “collar or skirt portion” on top of the bottle cap to protect and anchor the magnifying portion. The extra collar or skirt portion adds expense to the manufacturing costs of the bottle cap and creates an extremely bulky bottle cap device.

Although there are several references that disclose container caps with timers, these references only teach the use of lenses for protecting and magnifying the liquid crystal display (“LCD”) readout of the timer module. Examples of references in this category include U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,686, issued to Holtzer and Breuer, U.S. Pat. No.4,826,914, issued to Holtzer, and U.S. Pat. No.5,798,409, issued to Ho. These three references fail to teach the use of a self-healing polymer to prevent scratches to the surface of the cap, or to protect the timer cap and integral timer from shock and/or trauma.

Additionally, self-healing polymer that resists minor scratches is known in the art, but before the present invention, it has never been used as a protective covering for a pharmaceutical container cap. Thus, what is needed is a container cap protective cover that is self-healing, and magnifies the digital timer display and text on the top of a container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention is a self-healing polymer protective cover for a prescription container or bottle cap that magnifies the digital timer display and text on top of the container cap.

One embodiment of the invention is a container cap with a protective cover, comprising: a container cap and a self-healing polymer protective cover. The container cap is comprised of a top side and a timer. The timer has a display, which is preferably digital, which is visible on the top side of the container cap. The self-healing polymer protective cover is attached to the top side of the container cap such that the display is covered by the self-healing polymer protective cover. The display is visible through the self-healing polymer protective cover. Preferably, the container cap with a protective cover is further comprised of a printed information layer. The printed information layer is between the top of the container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover. A plurality of printed information on the printed information layer is visible through the self-healing polymer protective cover. Preferably, the self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered plano-convex shape, resists minor scratches, and protects the container cap, the timer, and the printed information layer when dropped. The self-healing polymer protective cover preferably magnifies the display and the plurality of printed information on the printed information layer. The timer may be activated when the container cap is placed onto a container and deactivated when the container cap is removed from the container. The container is preferably a pharmaceutical prescription bottle and the container cap is preferably a child-proof pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap. The printed information layer may be selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between the top side of the container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of the container cap; and information printed onto the self-healing polymer protective cover, or more specifically, printed onto one of the layers that compose the polymer protective cover (this is the preferred manner).

Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover for a container cap comprising: a self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein the self-healing polymer protective cover is attached to a top side of a container cap. Preferably, the self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches, protects the container cap when dropped, magnifies the top side of the container cap, and has a tapered plano-convex shape. Preferably, the container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap and includes a timer. The timer is visible from the top side of the container cap. The protective cover for a container cap may further comprise a printed information layer; wherein the printed information layer is between the top the of the container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover; wherein a plurality of printed information on the printed information layer is visible through the self-healing polymer protective cover. The printed information layer is typically selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between the top side of the container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of the container cap; and information printed onto the self-healing polymer protective cover, or more specifically, one of the layers that compose the polymer protective cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover also preferably protects the printed information layer.

Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover for a container cap comprising: a self-healing polymer protective cover; a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap; and a printed information layer. The printed information layer is between a top side of the pharmaceutical bottle and the self-healing polymer protective cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered plano-convex shape. The pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap has a timer, which has a display. The display of the timer and a plurality of printed information on the printed information layer are covered by and visible through self-healing polymer protective cover. The self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches, protects the container cap when dropped, and magnifies the display and the printed information. The printed information layer is typically selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between the top side of the container cap and the self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of the container cap; and information printed onto the self-healing polymer protective cover, or more specifically, one of the layers that compose the polymer protective cover.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides protection for the components of the container cap and container in multiple ways. First, if the cap is dropped, the protective cover protects the electronic timer, the timer display, the printed information (text and images) that are printed on the container cap, and other components within and around the prescription cap. The protective cover also protects the bottle and the contents of the bottle from trauma by providing shock absorption. Second, the protective cover is self-healing polymer or gel, so it resists minor scratches (by self-healing the scratches).

Another advantage of the present invention is that the protective cover is designed to provide an unobstructed, or even magnified, view of the underlying timer and graphics.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

Additional embodiments of the invention will be understood from the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover placed on a container.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cut-way perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

The term “container cap” refers to a lid, cap, top, topper, bung, stopper, cover, tap, seal, or closure of a container or bottle. The cap and container are preferably a pharmaceutical prescription safety cap and a pharmaceutical prescription bottle, but they may be any cap or container without deviating from the scope of the invention.

The term “self-healing polymer” refers to polymer composition, structure, or film that has the ability to heal its surface so that shallow or minor scratches and abrasion disappear within a short time, such as few hours. The self-healing property of self-healing polymer keeps what it covers looking newer longer. The self-healing polymer may include, but is not limited to: epoxy resins, polymer gels, polyurethanes, latex, silicone, and butyl rubber, and/or polycarbonate sheets, which might include a hardcoat outer layer that uses a cold-flow mechanism to heal scratches to the hardcoat. The self-healing polymer usually has one or more layers. Printing may be applied to any layer, which means the printing may be fully enclosed or may be on an outside of the self-healing polymer. The term “minor scratches” refers to any shallow cuts, nicks, divots, abrasions, marks, gouges, and/or scratches.

The timer incorporated into the container cap of the present invention is preferably a digital timer with a display that is automatically activated and deactivated when the cap is affixed to, or removed from, the container, however, the timer may be analog and may activate or deactivate through any means without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover placed on a container. FIG. 1 shows the container cap with protective cover 10 is attached to the top of a container 100. The container 100 represents one possible environment to which container cap with protective cover 10 may engage. As shown in FIG. 1, container 100 and container cap with protective cover 10 are cylindrical and/or circular and are preferably used to enclose prescription pharmaceutical medicines. The container 100 may also be a container that holds over-the-counter (“OTC”) medications, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and/or pet medications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Container cap with protective cover 10 may engage with container 100 through any mechanism, including, but not limited to standard threads (twisted on and off), child-proof threads, friction, snap, gasket, or plug, without deviating from the scope of the invention.

The container cap with protective cover 10 includes a protective cover 30. The protective cover 30, as shown in FIG. 1, is attached or affixed, preferably permanently, to the top side of the container cap 15 and protects the top of the container cap 15. The protective cover 30 is made from a self-healing polymer that resists and repairs minor scratches. The protective cover 30 also protects the underlying printed information, decals, graphics, text, and electronic timer, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, from trauma, including when the container and cap are dropped. Specifically, the self-healing polymer resists minor scratches, provides mechanical dampening to protect a container cap from trauma, which includes when cap is dropped or impacts hard surfaces, provides an integrated lens and protection for an LCD readout of a timer, and magnifies an LCD or printed information readout.

The protective cover 30 is substantially transparent and preferably has a tapered plano-convex shape. This shape means that one side is slightly convex and the other is preferably flat. As shown in FIG. 1, the flat side is affixed to the flat top of the container cap and the convex side is the outer side. The convex side magnifies the underlying decal, graphics, text, and electronic timer, and the transparency of protective cover 30 gives the user an unobstructed view of underlying decal, graphics, text, and electronic timer. The plano-convex shape, which, as shown in FIG. 1, is circular or cylindrical, is essentially a flat disk with tapered edges on one side. The protective cover 30 is preferably the same general shape of the bottle, whether it is circular or polygonal.

During the manufacturing process, the protective cover 30 is preferably precisely aligned to the container cap 15 to ensure exact placement. When the alignment is off, the display that is visible through the protective cover 30 might be blocked to some degree by the protective cover 30. The accuracy of the alignment of the protective cover 30 and the underlying printed information (or underlying printed logo, timer, or decal) may be improved by adding a mechanical registration key to both the protective cover and the container cap. The mechanical registration key helps to ensure precise alignment without substantially adding additional manufacturing complexity or cost. The preferred embodiment of the mechanical registration feature is having an alignment flat area near the bottom of protective cover 30 and the top of container cap 15. This mechanical registration key feature may alter the substantially circular shape of the protective cover 30 and container cap 15.

FIG. 1 also shows how the container cap 15 preferably has grip portion 40 to help the user more easily attach and remove the container cap 15 from container 100.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. A container cap with protective cover 10 is preferably comprised of container cap 15, a timer 20, a protective cover 30, and a grip portion 40. The container cap with protective cover 10 is preferably a pharmaceutical prescription safety cap that has a timer 20 built into the cap. The sides of the container cap with protective cover 10 may contain a grip portion 40 so that the user can easily grip the sides of the container cap with protective cover 10.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 3 shows how the protective cover 30 is preferably substantially transparent so that the timer 20 and printed information 25 can be seen through the protective cover 30. Printed information 25 can be printed directly onto the top side of container 15, integrated into the polymer during manufacture of the protective cover 30, or it can be a graphic or decal that is attached to the bottom of the protective cover 30 or the top of container cap 15. In alternate embodiments, the printed information 25 may be part of an adhesive layer that incorporates the information and is integrated with a lens into the structure of the protective cover 30. The information provided with the present invention may include, but is not limited to, logos, images, medication information, brand names, display information, slogans, or other useful information. The adhesive layer is preferably composed of a rigid polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) layer and an optional transparent polyester release layer. Should printed information 25 be a decal or printed directly onto the top side of container cap 15, the protective cover 30 preferably completely covers the printed information 25 and protects it from being scraped or scratched.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 4 shows how the protective cover 30 of container cap with protective cover 10 protrudes outward from container cap 15.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cut-way perspective view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 5 shows that container cap with protective cover 10, preferably is comprised of protective cover 30, container cap 15, timer 20, display 200, magnified display 210, printed information layer 225, magnified display of the printed information layer 230 and 231, timer components 300 and 310, and top portion 400. FIG. 5 shows that protective cover 30 magnifies printed information layer 225 so that it appears larger as magnified printed information layer 230 and 231. Protective cover 30 may also magnify display 200 so that it is shown as magnified display 210. This magnification helps those users with sight impairment to see the decals and display more clearly. As shown in FIG. 5, display 200 is preferably a digital display of a digital timer. Display 200 may be analog without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the container cap with a protective cover. FIG. 6 shows how container cap with protective cover 10 preferably includes protective cover 30, timer 20, container cap 15, information layer 220, top portion 400, and interior structures 410. The timer 20 is preferably just below top portion 400, which has a window so the display of timer 20 is visible. As shown in FIG. 6, the information layer 220 is preferably just above top portion 400 and just below protective cover 30, it may be part of the protective cover 30, part of container cap 15, or its own independent layer. In this manner, protective cover 30 protects the information layer 220 and timer 20 from scratches and blunt trauma. FIG. 6 also shows how the entirety of top portion 400 is preferably covered by protective cover 30.

In summary, the present invention is a container cap with a self-healing polymer protective cover. The container cap is preferably a pharmaceutical safety cap that has a timer built into the cap and a decal or graphics next to or surrounding the timer. The self-healing polymer cover, which is preferably in the shape of a tapered disk, covers and protects the timer and the graphics. Specifically, the self-healing polymer cover resists minor scratches and protects the timer and the display from trauma, including when the cap and/or bottle are dropped. The self-healing polymer protective cover is substantially transparent or clear and allows the user an unobstructed, or even magnified, view of the underlying timer and printed information.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Claims

1. A container cap with a protective cover, comprising:

a container cap;

a self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein said container cap is comprised of a top side and a timer;

wherein said timer has a display that is visible on said top side of said container cap;

wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover is attached to said top side of said container cap such that said display is covered by said self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein said display is visible through said self-healing polymer protective cover.

2. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 1, further comprising a printed information layer;

wherein said printed information layer is between said top said of said container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein a plurality of printed information on said printed information layer is visible through said self-healing polymer protective cover.

3. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 2, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered plano-convex shape.

4. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 3, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches.

5. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 4, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said container cap, said timer, and said printed information layer when dropped.

6. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 5, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover magnifies said display and said plurality of printed information on said printed information layer.

7. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 6, wherein said timer is activated when said container cap is placed onto a container and wherein said timer is deactivated when said container cap is removed from said container.

8. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 7, wherein said container is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle and said container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap.

9. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 8, wherein said pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap is child-proof.

10. The container cap with a protective cover of claim 6, wherein said printed information layer is selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective cover.

11. A protective cover for a container cap comprising:

a self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover is attached to a top side of a container cap.

12. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches.

13. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said container cap when dropped.

14. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover magnifies said top side of said container cap.

15. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered plano-convex shape.

16. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said container cap is a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap.

17. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said container cap is further comprised of a timer;

wherein said timer is visible from said top side of said container cap.

18. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, further comprising a printed information layer;

wherein said printed information layer is between said top said of said container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein a plurality of printed information on said printed information layer is visible through said self-healing polymer protective cover.

19. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 11, wherein said printed information layer is selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective cover.

20. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 18, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover protects said printed information layer.

21. A protective cover for a container cap comprising:

a self-healing polymer protective cover;

a pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap;

a printed information layer;

wherein said printed information layer is between a top side of said pharmaceutical bottle and said self-healing polymer protective cover;

wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover has a tapered plano-convex shape;

wherein said pharmaceutical prescription bottle cap has a timer;

wherein said timer has a display;

wherein said display of said timer and a plurality of printed information on said printed information layer are covered by and visible through self-healing polymer protective cover.

22. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 21, wherein said self-healing polymer protective cover resists minor scratches, protects said container cap when dropped, and magnifies said display and said printed information.

23. The protective cover for a container cap of claim 22, wherein said printed information layer is selected from the group consisting of: a decal layer affixed between said top side of said container cap and said self-healing polymer protective cover; information printed onto a top side of said container cap; and information printed onto said self-healing polymer protective cover.