Abstract: A medication dose control system comprising: a housing including a main unit including a essentially hollow interior and a central section, a front wall and a back wall, the main unit including a central axle extending from the front wall to the back wall, a rotatable handle being positioned in the front wall and operatively coupled to the axle to permit rotation by a user, the central section including a dispensing cylinder positioned around the central axle and including a plurality of separate dispensing chambers, a lid being coupled to the central section of each unit, each dispensing chamber including a rack with a plurality of compartments separated by notches; and a medication pouch having an upper region with two side brackets and a lower region, the upper region including a label tab, each medication pouch being positionable in a compartment of a dispensing chamber, the medication to be taken by a user at a specific time of the day being positioned in the lower section of the pouch and accessed by a

Abstract: A container for holding a solid processing agent used for a silver halide photosensitive material. The container includes a body for accommodating the plural solid processing agents, which are formed as tablets, in alignment. The body has a height (H) in a range from 1.03 to 1.50 times larger than a diameter (D) of the solid processing agents; and the body has a width (W) in a range from 1.03 to 1.50 times larger than a thickness (T) of the solid processing agents.

Abstract: A vial holder assembly (2) includes a generally conventional vial (4) housed within a vial holder (6). Vial holder includes a cup-shaped body (8) and a removable lid (16) mounted to the open end (14) of the body to enclose the vial therein. In one embodiment the lid is designed to coact with or engage with a plastic removable cap (46) mounted to the top of the vial. The removable cap is attached to an annular, frangible central region (42) of the metal closure (38) used to secure the resilient septum (40) to the vial. Removing the cap simultaneously removes the lid and frangible central portion to provide user access to the septum. Another embodiment positions the vial within the body using locating/shock absorbing members (18, 24) situated between the sidewalls (10, 23) and the bottoms (26, 12) of the body and the vial. These accommodate different size vials and help to prevent damage to the vial from physical abuse.

Abstract: A top wall for closing an upper opening of a rectangular frame is formed continuously with an upper edge of a side wall disposed on one side of a row consisting of four side walls. An upper flap having a supporting wall is folded to form one article supporting section on an upper edge of a side wall adjacent to the side wall. A lower flap to which a bonding portion continuous with the upper flap is fixed is formed continuously with the lower edge of the side wall. An upper flap is formed continuously with an upper edge of a side wall disposed on the other side of the row and has a shorter supporting wall. The upper flap is folded to form another article supporting section opposed to the one article supporting section. A lower flap is formed continuously with a lower edge of the side wall. A bonding portion continuous with the supporting wall is bonded to the lower flap. At least one supporting window is defined on each of upper supporting portions and each of the supporting walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medication container which is adapted to be side loaded with unit doses of medication during packaging operations. After being filled with the unit doses of medication, the container side is sealed. The medication doses can be removed by a user from the sealed container by means of a child resistant removable closure at one end of the container.

Abstract: A cartonless packaging system is provided which significantly reduces packaging waste and includes a container for containing a liquid and a nozzle disposed in one end of the container for dispensing of the liquid from the container. A cap is provided for enclosing the nozzle, and the cap is configured for being removably attached to the container. A support system is provided which encircles the nozzle for removably supporting a plurality of tablets with the support being disposed beneath the cap means when the cap means is attached to the container. In addition, instructional materials are incorporated into the cartonless packaging system, and thus no separate packaging materials are necessary for providing the separate elements to the consumer.

Abstract: A cartonless packaging system is provided which significantly reduces packaging waste and includes a container for containing a liquid and a nozzle disposed in one end of the container for dispensing of the liquid from the container. A cap is provided for enclosing the nozzle, and the cap is configured for being removably attached to the container. A support system is provided which encircles the nozzle for removably supporting a plurality of tablets with the support being disposed beneath the cap means when the cap means is attached to the container. In addition, instructional materials are incorporated into the cartonless packaging system, and thus no separate packaging materials are necessary for providing the separate elements to the consumer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to biological processes and apparatus for determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle based upon the recovery of activity of interactive enzyme systems comprising enzymes, coenzymes, catalysts, cofactors, substrates or any other necessary reagents. The invention provides a vital process for expediting sterility verification before utilization of the articles thought to be sterilized. The invention involves the rapid detection of any surviving interactive enzymatic activity which directly relates to the probability of any biological spores surviving in a test sample. An absence of a change indicates that the sterilization process had inactivated the enzyme system thereby preventing the interactive reaction from taking place which is a rapid equivalent to directly detecting the survivability of bacterial spores in a similar test.

Abstract: A last event indicator apparatus includes a cylindrical support having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and a tapered flange structure. The tapered flange structure has a first end having a first diameter and a second end having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the first end. An expandable indicator ring is disposed over the outer surface. The indicator ring is axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis to engage the tapered flange structure and cause expansion of the indicator ring. The expandable indicator ring is rotatable about the longitudinal axis over the outer surface to each of a plurality of selected positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing immunoassays which is essentially self-contained, requiring only the introduction of a sample and, at appropriate times, washing solution. The apparatus (10) includes: a fluid container (12) having a central platform area with a reaction area (30) which can contain a reactive agent; a sample receiving chamber (22) having a sample conduit (24) located above the porous medium; at least one openable reagent container (46); a conduit (28) for directing reagents onto the porous medium; an opening member (50) attached to the upper unit and positioned to contact and open reagent containers sequentially, by incremental relative rotation of the upper and base units; and a window (34) for viewing the reaction area. The apparatus can also include a sampler member (58) in the nature of a tampon for assays involving samples taken from body cavities.

Abstract: A folding box for packaging breakable articles such as ampules, miniature bottles, vials, or the like, having an insert to hold the articles. The insert is secured to a side wall of the folding box by base strips. The insert has two backdrop walls with openings and a strut, which connects the backdrop walls to one another. A compartment is embodied between the strut and the neighboring side wall to receive a package insert.

Abstract: A device (2) used to transfer the liquid contents (156) of a glass ampule (8) to a vial (10) includes a telescoping ampule body (12, 14) defining a collapsible, substantially air-tight region (22) within which the ampule is housed, which collapses when one part (12) is threaded onto the other part (14). This collapse increases the pressure within the collapsible region housing the ampule. The ampule is broken within the region, such as at the end of the collapsing of the telescoping members by snapping off the tip (64) of the ampule and breaking the base (48, 53) of the ampule. When used with a vial, a vial (10) is mounted to the ampule body via a vial body (80, 92). A vial spike (120) passes through the vial septum (128). The ampule body and the vial body defines a flow path (74, 100) between the vial spike and the ampule region. Once the flow path is open, the liquid from the ampule within the region flows along the flow path and into the vial because of the pressure created within the region.

Abstract: A dispensing container for containing a plurality of medical or food supplement tablets contained within the container in a random fashion and dispensing the tablets one at a time. The container has a hollow body and a first and second end, the first end is closed. The container is shaped internally at the second end to define an at least part circumferential channel bounded by sidewalls between which no relative movement occurs during dispensing. The channel is capable of permitting a number of randomly contained tablets to enter the channel in a preferred orientation. An aperture in the channel capable of permitting the tablets to leave said channel one at a time.

Abstract: Self-breakable ampoule (1) of the "bottle" type allowing for the easy flow of the product contained in the ampoule. The neck zone (4) of the ampoule is covered at the prebreaking line (7) by a sleeve (10) of plastic material (preferably heat-shrinking plastic) comprising an extension projecting beyond the prebreaking line (7) in the form of a tongue or collar after breakage of the ampoule along the line (7). This extension (10a) has a length d (measured as a projection over the axis of the neck zone) at least equal to 20% of the diameter of the orifice obtained after breakage of the ampoule along the line (7), the plane tangential to the surface forming the extension (10b) in the vicinity of the line (7) forming an angle of less than 60.degree. with the axis X--X.

Abstract: A new type of box for the packaging of ampules or the like exhibits hollow walls (4 and 5) separated from each other having a triangular shaped cross-section, with lengthwise sidewalls (2 and 3) and a box bottom (1) which are so joined with one another that ampules (10), or the like, which are stored, in a clamping fashion, in the cutouts of the hollow walls (4 and 5), due to their resilient support, do not come in contact with the bottom of the box (1) even under pressure from above. This construction has, furthermore, the advantage that both ends of the ampules (10) are free and can easily be gripped with the fingers at these locations to be removed from the box.

Abstract: The present invention is a medication container which includes a package designed to receive a softpack of individually segregated unit dosages of medication and a softpack puncturing mechanism located on a flat surface of the package. The softpack puncturing mechanism has a base segment and a top segment hingedly connected to one another. The base segment has an orifice located thereon which is of sufficient size to receive a unit dosage section of a softpack and the top segment has a protrusion adapted to nest within the orifice of the bottom segment. The protrusion of the top segment has sufficient height so as to puncture a dosage unit section of a softpack of medication.

Abstract: A mouthwash capsule includes a water soluble gel capsule having a fluid mouthwash therewithin. The invention is arranged to further include packaging and opening structure in association with the capsule structure. The opening structure includes a floor plate having spaced side walls to receive the packaging with a sliding cutter mounted to the side wails in operative association with the packaging to separate the capsule relative to the packaging.

Abstract: A bottle having an inserted tube in its neck to effectively reduce its interior volume and allow a large surface area for the bottle exterior, e.g. for supporting a large label or to allow oversized print, with a relatively small interior volume, e.g. to prevent abrasions caused by the interior contents moving excessively against each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing objects with a gaseous ethylene oxide held in a sealed ampule of the type including a breakable section, includes a cartridge for holding the sealed ampule in a substantially immovable manner, the cartridge including a first chamber for containing the ampule, a second chamber for holding an absorbent cotton material to hold the liquid sterilant upon breaking open of the ampule, the first and second chambers being in communication with each other, a transverse bore extending into the first chamber and outlet openings in the second chamber; a push-button slidably movable in the transverse bore for breaking open the ampule upon depression of the push-button in the transverse bore, wherein, upon breaking open the ampule, the gaseous sterilant escapes from the ampule through the outlet openings into sterilizing contact with the objects; a releasable guard for preventing slidable movement of the push-button in the transverse bore to prevent breaking of the ampule; and a liner bag for holdi

Abstract: A cosmetic product is provided that stores a cosmetic composition in a capsule having a spheroidal body with hollow chamber forming a major portion of the capsule, a tab forming a minor portion of the capsule, and a neck section connecting the tab with the spheroidal body. At least two wings are positioned along opposite sides of the spheroidal body perpendicularly extending outward therefrom. Upon twisting, the neck can be broken to allow release of cosmetic composition from within the chamber.

Abstract: A sterility indicator of the type used in hospitals and laboratories. The device uses a cylindrical ampule holder with an ampule containing nutrient media and spore strip disposed therein. One or more gas pervious, liquid impervious tortuous paths lie between the interior and exterior of the ampule holder. Fracturing of the ampule is by the combination of a rotation and rotation prevention means with respect to the cylindrical axis.

Abstract: A holder for pills has at least two separate compartments. The holder also holds a medicine record card for written medical information such as identification of patient medicine, dosage and the like. The holder holds the record card inside transparent faces so that the written record is undisturbed. The record card is arranged for erasable marking with a marker. The holder includes a recess for holding the marker. A space is provided for also retaining a card such as a medical insurance or credit card that may be read without removing it from the holder.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a container which includes an air-impervious diaphragm which when subjected to differential pressure will expand to retain articles in place within a container. The diaphragm is retained in position by a ring member that secures the marginal portions of the diaphragm in position. the diaphragm may be secured to a container filled in a vacuum chamber so that atmospheric pressure will extend the diaphragm into the desired position or it may be subject to high pressure air to extend the diaphragm. Means for exhausting the high pressure air or for admitting atmospheric air into the interior of the container for facilitating removal of the closure assembly from the container are also described.

Abstract: A capsule which is dividable into accurate individual dosage units by the user is comprised of first and second capsule units, each being cylindrical about a longitudinal axis along the major part of its length. The capsule units are detachably joined in such manner that the longitudinal axes of the two capsule units are approximately co-linear. The capsule units may be detachable joined by adhesive, banding, or locking mechanical means, and the capsule may be comprised of two or more units.

Abstract: A cosmetic product is provided that stores a cosmetic composition in a capsule having a round body with hollow chamber forming a major portion of the capsule, a tab forming a minor portion of the capsule, and a neck section connecting the tab with the round body. Upon twisting, the neck can be broken to allow release of cosmetic composition from within the chamber.

Abstract: An amplule for a liquid, removed from the ampule by a hypodermic syringe, has a neck. A conical member on one end of the hypodermic syrings is introduced into the neck of the ampule. The inside wall of the neck of the ampule is of a configuration which allows for the passage of air, but does not allow the passage of liquid in the area intended for the installation of the conical member. The shaped configuration between the socket member wall and the inside wall of the neck of the ampule is in the form of a circular closed line.

Abstract: A device to render articles such as disposable lighters resistant to unauthorized use including a body which slidably receives the lighter. In the normal protected position, the lighter is within the housing and is restricted from extension from the body to a use-position by a locking pin carried on a rocker arm. The rocker arm controls the position of the locking pin and may not be released unless the lighter is inverted releasing a tumbler freeing the rocker arm and thus permitting depression of the rocker arm to disengage the locking pin from the lighter. In the disengaged position, the user may slide the lighter relative to the sleeve to a use-position in which the lighter may be actuated. The safety device may be applied to other articles to make them child-resistant such as medicine containers.

Abstract: A child resistant box which is composed of a base, a lid and a hinge connecting the base and lid together. A latching mechanism is located on each of the two sides of the box for releasably retaining the lid to the base. The box can be moved between open, intermediate, and closed positions. The box also includes a means for biasing the lid from the intermediate position toward the closed position. To open the box the lid is compressed to the intermediate position. In this intermediate position, the latching mechanism may be disengaged by exerting manual pressure thereon toward the center of the box. Once pressure is exerted simultaneously on both latching mechanisms the lid is released and the biasing means moves the lid at least partially toward the open position. The operation of this box is particularly well-suited for the elderly.

Abstract: A solid medicament dispensing device having a cover and tray to provide a container for a cartridge for the solid medicament. The cover has hinged panel members and the tray an opening in the floor. When the hinged panel members are moved against the cartridge, it forces the medicament out of the cartridge and through the tray opening. The dispensing device is particularly suited for dispensing large dosages of capsules.

Abstract: A portable carrier for transporting pharmaceutical preparations while protecting those preparations against degradation by ambient temperature conditions, which carrier comprises three blocks of expanded polystyrene foam. One of these three blocks is a central body block having a bore extending vertically therethrough; the second is a base block; and the third is a lid block hingedly connected to the central body block. The lid and top of the body block have contact cement applied thereto such that the lid is repeatedly operable and sealingly reclosable. A sealed, hollow, plastic ball containing refreezable liquid is locatable within the bore of the body block along with a vial of medication so as to maintain that medication at a refrigerated temperature.

Abstract: A medicine container and cover therefor. The medicine container has side walls which have wave portions. The medicine container also having end walls which are angular with respect to the side walls. Therefore, the medicine container can be easily and readily grasped for retaining the medicine container for dispensing the contents of the container. The medicine container also has a flange which extends from the walls. The cover is attached to the flange. The cover has tab portions which extend from the flange and which can be grasped for easy opening of the medicine container to dispense the contents of the medicine container.

Abstract: The present invention is a multidose capsule. The capsule consists of a longitudinally extending tube and caps for each end thereof. An intermediate section of the longitudinally extending tube is severable so that the capsule may be broken into two separately administrable components.

Abstract: A tamper-proof capsule dosage form for pharmaceuticals having a medicinal containing caplet adhesively bonded to the inner end surfaces of the capsule such that upon tampering the capsule dosage form will be destroyed or rendered non-reusable.

Abstract: A container for packaging fragile articles such as vials in a suspended state between two flexible membranes. An absorbent material is placed in compartments for the vials and is in fluid communication with the vials in case of breakage and spillage of fluid therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent material extends upwardly along a compartment wall so as to be in close communication with one of the membranes. This affords a faster wicking action even if spillage should occur when the container is upside-down.

Abstract: Hard gelatin capsules are made from gelatin containing up to 10% of a preferably hydrophilic fibrous material. They do not split after storage when filled with hygroscopic or deliquescent materials.

Abstract: A rigid, tripartite, credit card-style blister-pack medication package is disclosed which is particularly useful for dispensing medications which must be taken on a calendar day schedule. The package is of discrete design and may be conveniently carried in a purse or billfold.

Abstract: A vial holder for a septum closed vial is disclosed which vial holder enables automated vial insertion to and withdrawal from puncturing hypodermics for the removal of contents or the communication of electrodes to liquids within the sealed vial. The vial--a commercial item of manufacture--includes a cylindrical glass body closed at the bottom and terminating upwardly at a narrowed neck to an opening. The opening accommodates both a septum and a septum retaining cap. A vial holder having an inside vial containing cavity with inside dimension complementary to the outside dimension of the vial is disclosed. This vial holder is formed from elastic material such as semirigid commercially available plastics and is vertically slotted from an open top at least partially to and towards the bottom of the holder. The vial holder is provided at the open top with inwardly extending fingers which register to the outside of the narrow neck of the septum sealed vial.

Abstract: Dispensing packs which contain chambers with at least two solid, not mechanically connected dosage units of various pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A package for articles such as matches, medication in tablet form and the like comprises a flat pocket made up of a foldable element and one or more retractable panels. Each retractable panel is able to assume a deployed position in which an article in the package is visible and accessible and an undeployed position in which the article is invisible and inaccessible. The flat pocket comprises a front flap and a rear flap, each retractable panel is attached to but movable relative to the front or rear flap and the articles in the package are distinct from each retractable panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sealing capsules to render them both tamper-proof and tamper-evident. The method comprises locating a quantity of an adhesion-promoting fluid between the adjacent surfaces of the overlapping capsule wall, and thereafter applying dielectric heat energy in the vicinity of the adhesion-promoting fluid, to cause the adjacent surfaces of the capsule walls to form a permanent bond. Preferably, the adhesion-promoting fluid may comprise a non-solvent for the capsule walls that further has a high dielectric constant. Suitable adhesion-promoting fluids include lower alkanols. The method is capble of rapid operation and is inexpensive by virtue of its simplicity. Reliable capsule seals are achieved that are incapable of violation.

Abstract: A multiple dose pharmaceutical container comprising a base having a plurality of base partitions forming a plurality of cavities for containing a pharmaceutical product. The base is formed of a material capable of suppressing the passage of ultraviolet radiation into the cavities. A foil sheet is disposed on the base and covers the plurality of cavities. A retainer is disposed on the base above the foil sheet for maintaining the foil sheet in place. For locking the retainer in place, a plurality of fasteners are disposed along a periphery of the base and extend vertically from the base. Each fastener has a groove for receiving an edge of the retainer and a generally horizontally surface which abuts an upper surface of the retainer for affixing the retainer to the base. Each fastener further has an inner surface disposed above and sloping away from the retainer for facilitating removal of the retainer from the base. A special tool is used disassembling the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a multidose capsule including a tube having a first end and a second end and a dividing wall, supported by the tube, which separates the tube into first and second chambers. First and second removably supportable caps are slidable along each tube end to the extent sufficient to securely seal the chamber thereunder. In alternative embodiments both the dividing wall and the capsule periphery with respect thereto are frangible such that the capsule may be broken in two under an applied stress.

Abstract: A medicinal capsule comprising a cap member containing a first circumferential slot formed on the outer surface of the upper portion, at least one raised member formed on the inner surface of the cap, a body member containing a second circumferential slot formed on the outer surface of the upper portion thereof for slidably locking with the first circumferential slot of the cap member during final locking, and at least one connecting member formed on the outer surface of the second circumferential slot of the body member and extending internal to the body member for slidably locking with the raised member of the cap member, the raised member and the connecting member being dimensional relative to each other so as to form a space therebetween whereby when the cap member and body member are preliminarily locked prior to final locking, the capsule is not deformed.

Abstract: A capsule for use in administering therapeutic agents to animals is made from a blend of(i) from 10-75% by weight of a material chosen from polyalkylene glycols of average molecular weight of from 2,000-20,000; and(ii) from 20-80% by weight of poly(ethylene oxide) of average molecular weight of from 80,000-1.times.10.sup.7.The preferred materials are polyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 3,000-5,000 and poly (ethylene oxide) of average molecular weight 300,000-800,000. It is possible to include therapeutic agents in the composition of the capsule as well as in its cavity. The capsules of this invention find particular application in the administering of trace elements, especially copper oxide needles, to animals.

Abstract: Container apparatus for medicinal tablets includes a generally cylindrical housing and a bore in the housing for receiving medicinal tablets in a stacked, orderly arrangement so that the tablets are able to move laterally only a minimum amount so that minimum pulverizing of the tablets occurs in common usage. The housing also includes insulation features for insulating the tablets so that the tablets are maintained at a relatively constant temperature. A cap is secured to the housing, and the cap includes provisions for transporting the container apparatus and for fastening the container to a key ring, or the like.

Abstract: A tamper proof cap is set forth including a base for interconnection to a container of pills or the like to be dispensed. An intermediate portion is rotatably mounted between said base and an upper portion said upper portion is keyed for a non-rotating interfitting relationship with respect to said base portion. An integrally formed downwardly projecting tab formed to said upper portion is positioned within a circular groove formed within said intermediate portion. A first channel formed within said base portion communicates with a second channel on said intermediate portion to enable a capsule to be rotatably repositioned to an exit opening within said upper portion. An effort to reintroduce a capsule to said container is precluded due to said positioning of said downwardly projecting tab relative to said first channel ratcheting of said intermediate portion relative to said base portions enabling unidirectional rotation only.

Abstract: A storage device for medicine, comprises a turntable with an outer rim and a circular base sitting on it. Such base includes a plurality of vertical planar members extend radially and fasteners on such members to hold original containers of the medicine.

Abstract: New impervious single packaging in the form of a card having compartments and permitting gaseous exchange between the compartments, of which one or more are designed to contain a gas absorber or generator and the others act as receptacles for the solid bodies to be stored; the said compartments being interconnected by small channels.This safety packaging is particularly suited to use in the storage of solid pharmaceutical bodies (tablets, capsules or others).

Abstract: A package for containing, dispensing and employing a plurality of conventional prep swab ampules comprising liquid-containing breakable glass capsules within protective plastic sheaths or vials capped with swab tips. The package comprises a multi-ampule closed compartment for holding and dispensing a plurality of ampules as required, and a flexible, open-ended sleeve associated therewith. The sleeve is designed to receive and frictionally-engage each dispensed ampule, to permit the breaking of the inner vial while further protecting the fingers and, if desired, to permit the use of the broken ampule for its intended purpose while it remains frictionally-engaged within the sleeve on the package.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant package for articles such as pharmaceuticals and medicine which are themselves first enclosed within a first closed and sealed container. The first container is then enclosed within a second container, there being a void between the two containers. The second container includes a lid which is secured over its opening. Positioned between the lid and the opening of the second container is a permanently adhered thin sheet of elastic material or membrane which is impermeable to gas or liquid. This membrane is permanently adhered to the opening of the second container after the sealed first container and a portion of solid chemical material possessing the physical property of sublimation is placed into the void.