Title:
MEANS FOR RECORDING MEDICINAL DOSAGES
United States Patent 3675620
Abstract:
A means for keeping a record of the times at which medicinal dosages are taken in which indicia to record such dosage are arranged in columns and rows opposite the times at which the dosages are to be taken.
US Patent References:
/1299489.html
Towman - April 1919 - 1299489
Game-scoring device
Edwards - August 1921 - 1386996
Counting device
Saqui - March 1951 - 2544900
War game apparatus
Hall - November 1951 - 2575269
/3195813.html
Hart - July 1965 - 3195813
/1299489.html
Towman - April 1919 - 1299489
Game-scoring device
Edwards - August 1921 - 1386996
Counting device
Saqui - March 1951 - 2544900
War game apparatus
Hall - November 1951 - 2575269
/3195813.html
Hart - July 1965 - 3195813
Application Number:
05/063179
Publication Date:
07/11/1972
Filing Date:
08/12/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
206/538, 206/534
International Classes:
A61J7/04; A61J7/00; G09F9/00
Field of Search:
116/121,136 40/2,107,312 42/206 235/90
US Patent References:
| 3515265 | UNIT DISPENSER WITH VISUAL INVENTORY CONTROL | June 1970 | Bartnik |
Primary Examiner:
Capozi, Louis J.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. An article of manufacture for keeping a record of medicinal dosages comprising a container for holding at least one medicine bottle, said container being provided with an outer surface having an indicia area of resilient material wherein an orthogonal array of, apertures are provided in intersecting columns and rows, a first marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate symbols representing the days of the week, each of said symbols to be entered in alignment with a column of apertures, a second marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate numerals representing the daily hours at which a medicinal dose is to be taken, each of said numerals to be entered in alignment with a row of apertures, and a plurality of markers each of which can be inserted in an aperture to record that a medicinal dose has been taken at the hour and on the day represented by the aperture.
2. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 including a receptacle for said markers which fits on said container as a cover.
3. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said container is for more than one medicine bottle and is provided with at least one more indicia area of resilient material wherein an orthogonal array of additional apertures are provided in intersecting columns and rows, a third marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate symbols representing the days, each of said symbols to be of the week entered in alignment with a column of additional apertures, a fourth marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate numerals representing the daily hours at which a medicinal dose is to be taken, each of said numerals to be entered in alignment with a row of additional apertures, and a second group of a plurality of markers each of which can be inserted in an additional aperture to record that a medicinal dose of a second medicine has been taken at the hour and on the day represented by the additional aperture.
4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein each group of markers is of a different color.
5. An article of manufacture according to claim 4 wherein an aperture is provided in the corner area where the marginal areas intersect for receiving a marker of a distinctive color to indicate that the associated indicia area is to be used to record the taking of a medicine associated with that color.
6. An article of manufacture according to claim 4 including a receptacle for said markers which fits on said container as a cover, said receptacle having a number of compartments each of which is to hold markers of a different color.
1. An article of manufacture for keeping a record of medicinal dosages comprising a container for holding at least one medicine bottle, said container being provided with an outer surface having an indicia area of resilient material wherein an orthogonal array of, apertures are provided in intersecting columns and rows, a first marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate symbols representing the days of the week, each of said symbols to be entered in alignment with a column of apertures, a second marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate numerals representing the daily hours at which a medicinal dose is to be taken, each of said numerals to be entered in alignment with a row of apertures, and a plurality of markers each of which can be inserted in an aperture to record that a medicinal dose has been taken at the hour and on the day represented by the aperture.
2. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 including a receptacle for said markers which fits on said container as a cover.
3. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said container is for more than one medicine bottle and is provided with at least one more indicia area of resilient material wherein an orthogonal array of additional apertures are provided in intersecting columns and rows, a third marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate symbols representing the days, each of said symbols to be of the week entered in alignment with a column of additional apertures, a fourth marginal area of sufficient width to accomodate numerals representing the daily hours at which a medicinal dose is to be taken, each of said numerals to be entered in alignment with a row of additional apertures, and a second group of a plurality of markers each of which can be inserted in an additional aperture to record that a medicinal dose of a second medicine has been taken at the hour and on the day represented by the additional aperture.
4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein each group of markers is of a different color.
5. An article of manufacture according to claim 4 wherein an aperture is provided in the corner area where the marginal areas intersect for receiving a marker of a distinctive color to indicate that the associated indicia area is to be used to record the taking of a medicine associated with that color.
6. An article of manufacture according to claim 4 including a receptacle for said markers which fits on said container as a cover, said receptacle having a number of compartments each of which is to hold markers of a different color.
Description:
This invention relates to means for keeping a record of medicinal dosages by a person who requires the periodic taking or application of medications.
In the treatment of many ailments a patient is often required to self administer medication at prescribed times during a day and generally over a period of time. Since many medications, especially the powerful drugs that are used nowadays, require an accurate administration of the prescribed dosage it is extremely important that the patient keep an accurate record of the doses taken so that overingestion of the prescription does not occur. Also, it is important that dosages not be omitted. The problem of maintaining a proper application or ingestion of the prescribed dosage of medicines is particularly acute with older people who might have a tendency to forget if and when a previous dose of medicine has been taken. This problem is aggravated when the patient requires taking more than one prescription medicine on a daily basis.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for keeping a record of medicinal dosages taken.
In carrying out the invention, there is provided a record member having rectangular marginal areas at right angles to each other in one of which the times at which a dosage is to be taken can be inscribed and in the other of which a day record can be inscribed, and a group of markers arranged coordinately with the time and day inscriptions. The markers are arranged to be removed or emplaced to indicate that a medicine dose has been taken at the time and day set opposite the particular marker removed or emplaced.
Features and advantages of the invention may be gained from the foregoing and from the description of a preferred embodiment which follows.
In the drawing.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a label embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the label of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pill bottle container embodying the invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the FIG. 3 embodiment; and
FIG. 5 is a prespective view of a marker to be used in the FIG. 3 embodiment.
Reference will now be made to FIG. 1 which shows an elementary embodiment of the invention in the form of a label that may be placed on a pill bottle or medicine box to help the person taking the medicine to keep a record of the dosages taken.
The label 10 is provided with a top marginal area 11 in which abbreviations 12 for the days of the week may be inscribed as shown. Marginal area 11 may be left blank so as to be filled in by the patient but it will be preferable if the day abbreviations are preprinted since as will be seen the label will be preprinted with other indicia.
A left marginal area 13 is provided on the label but it will preferably be left blank so that the patient can inscribe the times at which the medicine dosages are to be taken. This is left to the patient to do since the times at which the medicine is to be taken can vary with the medicine. In the illustration it is assumed that four dosages are to be taken at the hours of 8, 12, 4, and 8 and consequently the appropriate numerals 14 are written into the marginal area. Of course, the medicine may require being taken only three times a day, say at the hours of 8, 2, and 8, in which case only the three numerals need be written in margin 12. On the other hand, the medicine may have to be taken around the clock in which case a larger label having provision for six or eight daily dosages could be provided. However, a label for four daily dosages has been shown as illustrative of the concept.
Coordinately arranged with the pre-printed day abbreviations a plurality of indicia 15 are pre-printed. These indicia may take any form or shape but in the drawing they are shown as X's. There will be one indicia mark for each dosage time each day. Since the illustration assumes four dosages per day, label 10 is shown with 28 indicia marks 15. Each mark 15 is initially covered with a tab 16 having an adhesive backing so that the tab may be removably attached to label 10. Tab 16 is shown in the form of a disk, but it is obvious that it could be any shape so long as it is individually and readily removable.
When the article is in use it will be placed on the bottle or box containing the medicine consumption of which is to be recorded. For this purpose the back of label 10 may be provided with an adhesive coating. The times at which a dosage is to be taken will be written into marginal area 13. Now, when a dose of the medicine is taken, the tab 16 for that time and that day will be peeled off the label to expose the underlying indicia 15 and thus record that the particular dose was taken. In the drawing, as illustrated, the label indicates that the 8, 12 and 4 o'clock dosages on Monday have been taken but that the 8 PM o'clock dose has not yet been taken. If there were only three dosages to be taken per day, no time inscription would be entered opposite the fourth or bottom row of tabs 16 and the tabs in that row would not be removed in use.
Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 in which a pill bottle container 20 is shown. The container has been illustrated in the shape of a wide mouth jar although it could have been shown as a rectangular box. It is of a size to hold three or four pill bottles 21 of the type in which pills are usually dispensed. The container itself may be formed in any way of any material, but around its outside circumference there is a band 22 of firm but resilient material which is secured to the container. Of course, the band 22 and the container 20 could be integrally formed preferably of a plastic material. The band is divided circumferentially into three of four sequents 23a, 23b, 23c, etc., each of which is identical and only one of which, 23a, will be described. There will be as many segments as there are records to be kept. In other words if it is contemplated that container 20 will hold four pill bottles containing four different medicines all of which are to be monitored, band 22 will have four segments. Segment 23a is provided with a top marginal area 24 and a left marginal area 25. The top marginal area can be inscribed with abbreviations 26 for the days of the week and these can be pre-printed or not. Since there will be no other printing on band 22, corresponding to the indicia 15 on label 10, the day abbreviations need not be pre-printed. The left marginal area 25 is inscribed with the times at which a medicine dose is to be taken similarly to the arrangement described with reference to label 10.
The remaining portion of segment 23a is provided with an array of apertures or holes 27 arranged in columns and rows. In the illustration there are seven columns, one for each day of the week, and four rows to take care of four dosages per day. In addition there is an aperture 30 between the marginal areas 24 and 25. The reason for this single aperture will be explained hereinafter.
A plurality of markers 31 will also be provided; there will preferably be at least 28 plus two for each segment of band 22 so that a complete record can be kept of four dosages per day for 7 days. The marker will be in the form of a collarbutton having a ball 32 attached to a disk 33. The ball will have a diameter slightly larger than that of apertures 27. Therefore, the ball can be pushed into an aperture in resilient band 22 and be held in place as shown particularly in FIG. 4. When a marker 31 is removed, aperture 27 will be restored to its original dimension by virtue of the resilience of the material forming band 22.
The markers for use in each segment of band 22 will be of a different color. For example, markers can be colored red, blue, yellow and green. When, for example, segment 23a is to be used to record the taking of pills from bottle 21a, markers of one color will be used for this purpose. One marker is placed in the pill bottle and another marker will be inserted in aperture 30. The times at which the pills in bottle 21a are to be taken are inscribed in marginal area 25. As a pill is taken a marker is inserted in the aperture aligned with the time and day of taking and a complete record is thus established. By simply looking at the markers place in segment 23a, one knows whether or not a pill has been taken at any given time. In practice, a marker can be inserted in an aperture when a pill is taken, or conversely, the markers initially can be inserted in all of the apertures of segment 23a, and then removed one by one as a pill is taken. The absence of presence of markers thus serve as a record to indicate the taking of the pills.
It is also clear that by the use of different color markers in the way described, a foolproof and nonconfusing record can be maintained for various numbers of different pills or medicines.
The container 20 is provided with a marker storage receptacle 34 that has a downwardly extending rim 35 that fits over the top of container 20 and rests on shoulder 36. The upper part of the receptacle is divided by intersecting partitions 40 and 41 into four compartments. Each compartment can hold the markers of a distinct color. A cover 42 is provided for receptacle 34 and it simply rests on shoulder 43 formed on the outer periphery of the receptacle. The receptacle 34 and the cover 42 have been shown simply resting in place since it is not intended that the container be portable. If desired, however, receptacle 34 could be formed to screw onto container 20 and cover 42 could be formed to screw onto receptacle 34. In such case, the container and the receptacle would be formed to receive the twist-on receptacle and cover respectively.
Having thus described my invention it is clear that many different embodiments could be envisioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the foregoing description and the drawing be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.
In the treatment of many ailments a patient is often required to self administer medication at prescribed times during a day and generally over a period of time. Since many medications, especially the powerful drugs that are used nowadays, require an accurate administration of the prescribed dosage it is extremely important that the patient keep an accurate record of the doses taken so that overingestion of the prescription does not occur. Also, it is important that dosages not be omitted. The problem of maintaining a proper application or ingestion of the prescribed dosage of medicines is particularly acute with older people who might have a tendency to forget if and when a previous dose of medicine has been taken. This problem is aggravated when the patient requires taking more than one prescription medicine on a daily basis.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for keeping a record of medicinal dosages taken.
In carrying out the invention, there is provided a record member having rectangular marginal areas at right angles to each other in one of which the times at which a dosage is to be taken can be inscribed and in the other of which a day record can be inscribed, and a group of markers arranged coordinately with the time and day inscriptions. The markers are arranged to be removed or emplaced to indicate that a medicine dose has been taken at the time and day set opposite the particular marker removed or emplaced.
Features and advantages of the invention may be gained from the foregoing and from the description of a preferred embodiment which follows.
In the drawing.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a label embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the label of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pill bottle container embodying the invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the FIG. 3 embodiment; and
FIG. 5 is a prespective view of a marker to be used in the FIG. 3 embodiment.
Reference will now be made to FIG. 1 which shows an elementary embodiment of the invention in the form of a label that may be placed on a pill bottle or medicine box to help the person taking the medicine to keep a record of the dosages taken.
The label 10 is provided with a top marginal area 11 in which abbreviations 12 for the days of the week may be inscribed as shown. Marginal area 11 may be left blank so as to be filled in by the patient but it will be preferable if the day abbreviations are preprinted since as will be seen the label will be preprinted with other indicia.
A left marginal area 13 is provided on the label but it will preferably be left blank so that the patient can inscribe the times at which the medicine dosages are to be taken. This is left to the patient to do since the times at which the medicine is to be taken can vary with the medicine. In the illustration it is assumed that four dosages are to be taken at the hours of 8, 12, 4, and 8 and consequently the appropriate numerals 14 are written into the marginal area. Of course, the medicine may require being taken only three times a day, say at the hours of 8, 2, and 8, in which case only the three numerals need be written in margin 12. On the other hand, the medicine may have to be taken around the clock in which case a larger label having provision for six or eight daily dosages could be provided. However, a label for four daily dosages has been shown as illustrative of the concept.
Coordinately arranged with the pre-printed day abbreviations a plurality of indicia 15 are pre-printed. These indicia may take any form or shape but in the drawing they are shown as X's. There will be one indicia mark for each dosage time each day. Since the illustration assumes four dosages per day, label 10 is shown with 28 indicia marks 15. Each mark 15 is initially covered with a tab 16 having an adhesive backing so that the tab may be removably attached to label 10. Tab 16 is shown in the form of a disk, but it is obvious that it could be any shape so long as it is individually and readily removable.
When the article is in use it will be placed on the bottle or box containing the medicine consumption of which is to be recorded. For this purpose the back of label 10 may be provided with an adhesive coating. The times at which a dosage is to be taken will be written into marginal area 13. Now, when a dose of the medicine is taken, the tab 16 for that time and that day will be peeled off the label to expose the underlying indicia 15 and thus record that the particular dose was taken. In the drawing, as illustrated, the label indicates that the 8, 12 and 4 o'clock dosages on Monday have been taken but that the 8 PM o'clock dose has not yet been taken. If there were only three dosages to be taken per day, no time inscription would be entered opposite the fourth or bottom row of tabs 16 and the tabs in that row would not be removed in use.
Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 in which a pill bottle container 20 is shown. The container has been illustrated in the shape of a wide mouth jar although it could have been shown as a rectangular box. It is of a size to hold three or four pill bottles 21 of the type in which pills are usually dispensed. The container itself may be formed in any way of any material, but around its outside circumference there is a band 22 of firm but resilient material which is secured to the container. Of course, the band 22 and the container 20 could be integrally formed preferably of a plastic material. The band is divided circumferentially into three of four sequents 23a, 23b, 23c, etc., each of which is identical and only one of which, 23a, will be described. There will be as many segments as there are records to be kept. In other words if it is contemplated that container 20 will hold four pill bottles containing four different medicines all of which are to be monitored, band 22 will have four segments. Segment 23a is provided with a top marginal area 24 and a left marginal area 25. The top marginal area can be inscribed with abbreviations 26 for the days of the week and these can be pre-printed or not. Since there will be no other printing on band 22, corresponding to the indicia 15 on label 10, the day abbreviations need not be pre-printed. The left marginal area 25 is inscribed with the times at which a medicine dose is to be taken similarly to the arrangement described with reference to label 10.
The remaining portion of segment 23a is provided with an array of apertures or holes 27 arranged in columns and rows. In the illustration there are seven columns, one for each day of the week, and four rows to take care of four dosages per day. In addition there is an aperture 30 between the marginal areas 24 and 25. The reason for this single aperture will be explained hereinafter.
A plurality of markers 31 will also be provided; there will preferably be at least 28 plus two for each segment of band 22 so that a complete record can be kept of four dosages per day for 7 days. The marker will be in the form of a collarbutton having a ball 32 attached to a disk 33. The ball will have a diameter slightly larger than that of apertures 27. Therefore, the ball can be pushed into an aperture in resilient band 22 and be held in place as shown particularly in FIG. 4. When a marker 31 is removed, aperture 27 will be restored to its original dimension by virtue of the resilience of the material forming band 22.
The markers for use in each segment of band 22 will be of a different color. For example, markers can be colored red, blue, yellow and green. When, for example, segment 23a is to be used to record the taking of pills from bottle 21a, markers of one color will be used for this purpose. One marker is placed in the pill bottle and another marker will be inserted in aperture 30. The times at which the pills in bottle 21a are to be taken are inscribed in marginal area 25. As a pill is taken a marker is inserted in the aperture aligned with the time and day of taking and a complete record is thus established. By simply looking at the markers place in segment 23a, one knows whether or not a pill has been taken at any given time. In practice, a marker can be inserted in an aperture when a pill is taken, or conversely, the markers initially can be inserted in all of the apertures of segment 23a, and then removed one by one as a pill is taken. The absence of presence of markers thus serve as a record to indicate the taking of the pills.
It is also clear that by the use of different color markers in the way described, a foolproof and nonconfusing record can be maintained for various numbers of different pills or medicines.
The container 20 is provided with a marker storage receptacle 34 that has a downwardly extending rim 35 that fits over the top of container 20 and rests on shoulder 36. The upper part of the receptacle is divided by intersecting partitions 40 and 41 into four compartments. Each compartment can hold the markers of a distinct color. A cover 42 is provided for receptacle 34 and it simply rests on shoulder 43 formed on the outer periphery of the receptacle. The receptacle 34 and the cover 42 have been shown simply resting in place since it is not intended that the container be portable. If desired, however, receptacle 34 could be formed to screw onto container 20 and cover 42 could be formed to screw onto receptacle 34. In such case, the container and the receptacle would be formed to receive the twist-on receptacle and cover respectively.
Having thus described my invention it is clear that many different embodiments could be envisioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the foregoing description and the drawing be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.