Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MEDICATION DISPENSER
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the storage and dispensing of medication, in
particular, medication which must be administered at prescribed times or
intervals.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In many circumstances, medications are required to be administered at
prescribed time intervals, such as on a daily basis, and sometimes over
extended
periods of time. Additionally, some therapies require that the medication be
administered by a certain dosage schedule. For example, in the case of birth
control
pills, the dosage administered may be related to a given point during a
menstrual
cycle; other therapies require the administration of set doses of medication
over a
period of time, which may be repeated and may be in combination with the
administration of another medication.
Often, the patient herself administers the medication. It is therefore
necessary
to provide the patient with the means of verifying that the medication is
being
administered according to schedule. A common form of tablet dispenser that has
been
developed has an annular calendar forming part of the base of the dispenser.
Time
intervals, such as days of the week, are marked on the calendar. The base also
provides compartments for holding the tablets in a circular arrangement, which
are
capable of corresponding with the markings on the annular calendar. The
dispenser is
also provided with a cover, which assists in keeping the tablets arranged in
their
designated places in the base. The cover includes an opening, which permits
the
passage of a single tablet from the base, and is capable of being adjusted
rotationally
with respect to the base. To use the dispenser on a given day, the user
rotates, or
"dials," the cover so that the opening corresponds with a compartment in the
base
containing a tablet, which, in turn corresponds with the marking on the
calendar
indicating that day. The tablet for that day can thereupon be removed from the
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compartment.
Several refinements of this basic tablet dispenser have been implemented.
Some of the prior art provides for ax annular calendar which is capable of
being
adjusted, relative to either the base, or cover, or both. Other prior art
provides for the
use of tablets packaged in disposable, and replaceable, "blister packs,"
wherein the
tablets are contained in a series of collapsible pockets covered with a
frangible
membrane. These "blister packs" take the place of the compartmentalized base
and
corresponding cover mentioned above. Instead, the base provides an opening to
allow
the user, either by manual or mechanical means, to dispense the tablet by
pushing it
through the frangible membrane.
The first refinement, that of providing an annular calendar which is capable
of
being adjusted relative to either the base, the cover, or both, is taught in
United States
Patents No. 5,154,296 and 5,575,392. These patents provide a calendar member
that
can be pre-set to align with a given compartment in the base member. This is
useful
in the administration of medications according to a phasic regimen. In
preparation for
the first day of dosage, the user can rotate the calendar member so that the
marking
corresponding to the first day (e.g., "Tuesday") is aligned with the
compartment of the
first tablet to be administered. On the first day, the opening in the cover is
adjusted so
that it is aligned with the marking corresponding to the first day, and the
tablet is
dispensed. On subsequent days, the user need only adjust the cover so that the
opening is aligned with the subsequent day, as indicated by the calendar
member.
The prior art discloses dispensers consisting of a base means interacting with
a
cover means for the purpose of containing the tablets. The practical result of
this
design is that when the supply of medication is exhausted, the entire
apparatus must
be disassembled in order to be refilled, or else, the entire apparatus must be
discarded
and a new, loaded dispenser must be provided.
The prior art cited above relates only to the dispensation of medication in
tablet form. However, some forms of therapy require the administration of more
than
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one form of medication, each of which must be administered following its own
schedule. For example, a form of hormone therapy involves the administration
of
medication both in solid oral dosage form and in transdermal patch form.
Furthermore, like oral contraceptives, some forms of hormone therapy require
administration of medication following a dosage schedule. However, this dosage
schedule may require the patient to take medication during only a portion of
the
menstrual cycle, or according to a therapy regime. For example, patients
receiving
hormone therapy utilizing both tablets and transdermal patches may follow a
therapy
regime involving a regular administration of transdermal patches. However, the
administration of the tablets may vary from patient to patient. One patient's
dosage
schedule for the tablets may require that the dosage schedule commence at the
same
time as the transdermal patch regime. Another patient's tablet dosage schedule
may
require that the dosage schedule begin at a later point in the transdermal
patch regime.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a single dispenser and dispensing system
that can accommodate several users whose dosage schedules vary according to
start
date. It would also be advantageous to provide a dispenser that is reusable or
refillable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for the storage and
dispensing of a plurality of medications, which apparatus is capable of being
filled or
refilled with medication in such a way that the medication may be dispensed
following a prescribed dosage schedule regardless of the commencement day of
the
therapy regime.
The apparatus is filled or refilled with a tray, which is capable of holding
tablets in an orderly arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the orderly
arrangement is circular. The invention further provides a cover means, which
acts
j ointly with the tray in maintaining these tablets in an orderly arrangement,
and a base
means for holding the tray. The cover means is provided with an opening
through
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which a single tablet is removable.
The tray and cover comprise a first subassembly, such that the first
subassembly may be removed from the base which holds the tray. A new first
subassembly may be installed on the base when required. The tray may be
installed in
the base in a variety of discrete orientations, e.g. with one orientation of
the tray
designated as "12 o'clock" or 0°. A preferred embodiment includes two
discrete
orientations or three discrete orientations. In a preferred embodiment, there
are two
orientations at 0° and 218°. This allows the user to select
where, with respect to the
base, the first day of dosage is located.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a lid for the apparatus,
which is hinged on to the base. The lid and base together are capable of
enclosing the
entire first subassembly. In a most preferred embodiment, a box or other
containing
means, containing another form of medication, may be inserted into the
interior of the
lid, such that this other medication may be easily removed by the user.
In order to allow the patient to track the dosage times of the various forms
of
medication contained within the dispenser, a preferred embodiment of the
invention
further comprises two sets of indicators which denote time intervals. One of
these
sets of indicators is an annular calendar which corresponds to the arrangement
of
tablets in the tray. The cover means is adjustable with respect to this set of
indicators.
In a most preferred embodiment, the orientation of this calendar can be
adjusted
relative to the tray. The other set of indicators consists of an array of
markings set on
the base means, which indicates when the other form of medication contained
within
the lid of the dispenser should be used.
The present invention also provides a method of assembling a device for
dispensing a plurality of dosage forms of medication at prescribed times or
intervals.
According to this method, a tray and cover means are provided with
interlocking
parts. The cover means is further provided with an aperture through which a
single
tablet may be dispensed. The tray and cover are joined, such that the cover
means
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may be adjusted rotationally with respect to said tray, thus creating a first
subassembly. Next, a base means is provided with interlocking parts that
correspond
to the tray. The base means and the first subassembly are joined by
interlocking parts,
such that the cover means is capable of being adjusted rotationally with
respect to the
base means.
The present invention further provides a method of dispensing a plurality of
medications. The user is provided with a dispenser having a tray capable of
holding a
plurality of tablets in an orderly arrangement, with a tray that acts jointly
with a cover
means in order to maintain the tablets in their orderly arrangement, and the
cover
means includes an aperture which allows the passage of a single tablet at a
time, and
can be adjusted rotationally with respect to the tray and a base means holding
the tray.
When a tablet is to be administered, the user rotates the cover means such
that the
aperture is aligned with the tablet to be dispensed, and then dispenses the
tablet by
allowing the tablet to pass through the aperture.
Finally, the present invention provides a method for filling or refilling the
apparatus with medication. In this method, a base means is provided, either
with a
first subassembly mounted in the base or not, the first subassembly, if
present, being
mounted in such a way that it can be engaged in the base in a plurality of
orientations,
e.g. 0° and 218°. The base means provided includes components
which interlock with
corresponding components provided on the tray member of the first subassembly.
If
the first subassembly is present on the base means, it is removable through
the
application of manual force. Then, a first subassembly is installed in the
base in the
place of the first subassembly removed, by aligning the interlocking parts on
both the
tray and the base means, and applying manual force so that the assembly
"snaps" into
place through the engagement of said interlocking parts.
The present invention thus provides an apparatus for dispensing one or more
doses of one or more medications, comprising:
~ a tray for holding said doses in an orderly arrangement;
~ a cover means cooperating with said tray to retain said doses in
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said orderly arrangement, said cover means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, said cover means comprising means
for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time; and
~ a base means for holding the tray, wherein said tray is capable of
being engaged to said base means in one or more orientations.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for dispensing one or
more doses of one or more medications, comprising:
a tray for holding said doses in an orderly arrangement;
. a cover means cooperating with said tray to retain said doses in
said orderly arrangement, said cover means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, said cover means comprising means
for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time;
base means for holding the tray, wherein said tray is capable of
being engaged to said base means in one or more orientations, said
base means being provided with an array of markings; and
a calendar means engaged to said base means for indicating
periodic time intervals, said calendar means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, and disposed adjacent to said array
of markings.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for dispensing one or
more doses of one or more medications, comprising:
a tray comprising an annular portion and a hub, said annular portion
having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said annular portion
comprising a plurality of compartments disposed between said
exterior and interior walls for holding said doses in an orderly
arrangement;
~ a cover means having an inverted-U shaped cross-section, wherein
said cover means cooperates with said tray to retain said doses in
said orderly arrangement, said cover means further providing
means for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time;
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said orderly arrangement, said cover means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, said cover means comprising means
for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time; and
a base means for holding the tray, wherein said tray is capable of
being engaged to said base means in one or more orientations.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for dispensing one or
more doses of one or more medications, comprising:
~ a tray for holding said doses in an orderly arrangement;
~ a cover means cooperating with said tray to retain said doses in
said orderly arrangement, said cover means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, said cover means comprising means
for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time;
base means for holding the tray, wherein said tray is capable of
being engaged to said base means in one or more orientations, said
base means being provided with an array of markings; and
~ a calendar means engaged to said base means for indicating
periodic time intervals, said calendar means being rotationally
adjustable relative to said tray, and disposed adjacent to said array
of markings.
The present invention further provides an apparatus for dispensing one or
more doses of one or more medications, comprising:
a tray comprising an annular portion and a hub, said annular portion
having an exterior wall and an interior wall, said annular portion
comprising a plurality of compartments disposed between said
exterior and interior walls for holding said doses in an orderly
arrangement;
~ a cover means having an inverted-U shaped cross-section, wherein
said cover means cooperates with said tray to retain said doses in
said orderly arrangement, said cover means further providing
means for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time;
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a base means for holding the tray, wherein said tray is capable of
being engaged to the base means in one or more orientations, and
said base means being provided with an array of markings;
an annular calendar means bearing a plurality of markings
indicating time intervals, wherein said annular calendar means is
engaged to said base means and is disposed adjacent to and
rotationally adjustable relative to said tray, such that said markings
are capable of being aligned with said compartments of said tray,
wherein an orientation of said cover means is capable of being
rotationally adjusted relative to the annular calendar means, or to
the array of markings provided on the base, or to both.
The present invention further provides a method of assembling an apparatus
for dispensing one or more doses of one or more medications, comprising the
steps of:
(a) providing a tray, a cover means, and a base means, said cover means
having a means for allowing the removal of a single dose at a time, said tray
and cover
means comprising first corresponding interlocking parts, and said tray and
base means
comprising second corresponding interlocking parts;
(b) joining said tray and cover means by engaging the first corresponding
interlocking parts of said tray and cover means, such that said cover may be
adjusted
rotationally with respect to said tray, to create a first subassembly capable
of holding
said doses in an orderly arrangement; and
(c) joining said first subassembly and said base means by the second
corresponding interlocking parts, such that the cover means of the first
subassembly is
capable of being adjusted rotationally with respect to the base means.
The present invention further provides a method of dispensing one or more
doses of one or more medications, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a dispenser having a tray capable of holding said doses in an
orderly arrangement, wherein said tray cooperates with a cover means in order
to
maintain said doses in said orderly arrangement,
said cover means comprising a means for allowing the removal of a
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single dose at a time, said cover means being rotationally adjustable with
respect to
said tray, and said cover means being rotationally adjustable with respect to
a base
means which holds said tray;
(b) adjusting said cover means such that the means for allowing the
removal of a single dose at a time is aligned with the dose to be
administered; and
(c) removing said dose.
The present invention further provides a method of filling or refilling an
apparatus for dispensing one or more doses of one or more medications,
comprising
the steps of:
(a) providing a base means;
(b) providing a tray, comprising a plurality of compartments for holding
said doses in an orderly arrangement;
(c) placing a single dose or a plurality of single doses of medication in said
plurality of compartments;
(d) providing a cover means, comprising a means for allowing the removal
of a single dose at a time;
(e) engaging said cover means to said tray, such that said tray cooperates
with said cover means in order to maintain said doses in said orderly
arrangement,
said cover means being rotationally adjustable with respect to said tray, to
create a
first subassembly;
(f) installing said first subassembly in said base means by aligning
interlocking parts of said first subassembly with corresponding interlocking
parts in
said base means and engaging one of said interlocking parts of said first
subassembly
with the corresponding interlocking parts in said base means;
(g) applying manual force to the perimeter of said first subassembly, at a
point furthest from the interlocking parts of said first subassembly, in the
direction of
said interlocking parts and towards said base means, until said first
subassembly is
fully engaged to said base means.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment
of the invention,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the tray of the present invention.
Figure 3A is a plan view of the cover means of the present invention.
Figure 3B is a side view of the cover means of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base means of the present invention.
Figure SA is a plan view of the calendar means of the present invention.
Figure SB is a side view of the calendar means of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown generally a perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of the dispenser 10 of the present invention.
Also shown in Figure 1, a lid 20 is provided, which comprises a bottom 24 and
sides 22. In one of the sides 22 is a mouth 27 which has the effect of
reducing the
height of that side for some portion of its length. In the same side 22 and
directly
below the mouth 27 is a rectangular cavity 26. On the side 22 opposite mouth
27 is a
cutaway portion 28 in each side of which is found a protuberance 29, not
shown, both
of which are located the same distance from the bottom 24. The lid 20 also
comprises
flanges 25 which may be utilized to keep an insert, such as a box, in place.
Referring to Figure 2, a tray 30 is provided, comprising a hub 32 and an
annular portion consisting mainly of a series of compartments 38, arranged in
a circle,
disposed between an inner wall 35 and an outer wall 36. This annular portion
is
attached to hub 32 by connectors 34. Hub 32 is further provided with a flange
40
which is not shown. Around the perimeter of the annular portion is a rim 42,
the
upper surface of which comprises a series of ratchet teeth 44 which extend
around the
outer wall 36. Located on opposite sides of the rim 42 are two notches 45 and
46,
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which correspond in shape and size with the cavities 68 and 69 in base means
60,
shown in Figure 4 (cavity 68 is not shown in Figure 4). These notches are
provided
so that the tray 30 may be "snapped" into place in base means 60, and may be
removed again by applying some manual pressure on the tray 30 at one of the
notch
points 45 or 46, in the direction of the other notch.
The present invention provides a cover means 50 depicted in Figures 3A and
3B. The cover means is circular, with dimensions such that its outer wall 56
either
matches or extends past the outer wall 36 of tray 30. The outer wall 56 is
substantially perpendicular to the top surface 52. The top surface of the
cover 52,
viewed from above, is substantially hoop-shaped, with an inner perimeter 54.
Along
the inner perimeter 54 are claws 58 which extend to the underside of the cover
and
also slightly towards the centre of the cover 50. These claws will fit under
the hub 32
of tray 30, such that cover means 50 may rotate around a central axis with
respect to
tray 30. A covering 57 over a means for allowing the passage of a single
tablet is
provided in cover means 50.
Located at a point on the bottom edge of the outer wall 56 is at least one
catch
55, the shape and size of which corresponds with the ratchet teeth 44 in tray
30. Two
such catches 55 are shown in Figure 3B. When the tray and cover members are
assembled, the operation of the ratchet teeth 44 and catches 55 allow the
cover to be
rotated in only one direction with respect to the tray, preferably clockwise.
Referring to Figure 4, a base means 60 is provided. The base 60 comprises a
flat portion 62, on which is provided a mounting ring 64 which consists of a
set of
ridges, each provided with a lip 67, which forms a circular outline with outer
radius
66. Two cavities 68 (not shown) and 69 are provided in the mounting ring 64
such
that they are open on the inner surface 63 of mounting ring 64, and at the
points on
mounting ring 64 that are furthest away from each other. These cavities 68 and
69 lie
flush with the flat portion of the base 62. Furthermore, at the points of the
mounting
ring 64 midway between the cavities 68 and 69 and on the outer surface 65 of
mounting ring 64 are located two nubs 70.
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Also provided on the flat portion 62 of base means 60 is an array of markings
72, which are arrowhead-shaped and point towards the centre of the mounting
ring 64.
These markings 72 are disposed at regular intervals around mounting ring 64.
In a
preferred embodiment, one of these markings 72 is located at the 12 o'clock,
or 0°,
position of the mounting ring 64.
The base means 60 also comprises a flat extension 74 extending substantially
perpendicularly from one side, said extension further having two cavities 75
(only one
is shown in Figure 4) corresponding generally in size and shape to
protuberances 29 in
the lid 20. The protuberances 29 may be fitted into cavities 75, thus
providing a hinge
mechanism joining the lid 20 and base means 60.
The base means further comprises a beak 76 on the edge opposite to flat
extension 74. Beak 76 is of the same general shape as mouth 27 of Figure 1.
The beak
is provided with a thumb grip 78 which extends outwardly from beak 76 and
downwards from beak 76. Extending from the thumb grip 78 is a tongue 79,
substantially perpendicular to thumb grip 78, pointing towards the flat
extension 74.
Tongue 79 may be inserted into rectangular cavity 26 of lid 20, so that the
lid 20 is in
the "closed" position. In order to open the dispenser, thumb grip 78 may be
gripped
by the hand, forger, or thumb and pushed up and away from the lid 20, so that
tongue
79 is removed from rectangular cavity 26.
In a preferred embodiment, a calendar means 80 is also provided. This
calendar means 80, as depicted in Figures SA and SB, is provided in a flat
hoop-like
design, such that markings 82 of sequential days, for example, are marked on
the flat
surface 84 of the hoop. The hoop may be grasped for the purpose of turning it
by its
outer perimeter 86. As can be seen in Figure SB, the preferred embodiment
comprises
an inner ring 88, with inner surface 90 which is indicated in Figure SA. Along
the
inner surface 90 are a series of recesses 92 covering the entire inner
perimeter of inner
ring 88, the shape of said recesses 92 corresponding with the shape of the
nubs 70
located on base means 60. Calendar means 80 may be placed over the mounting
ring
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64 on the base means 60, and the outer radius 66 of the mounting ring 64 is
approximately equal to the inner radius 89 of the inner ring 88. The recesses
92 and
corresponding nubs 70 allow the calendar means to be rotated on the mounting
ring
64 to discrete orientations.
To assemble the apparatus, tray 30 (with medication in all, selected, or none
of
the compartments 38 (medication is not shown in the drawings)) and cover means
50
are engaged by inserting the claws 58 into the space between hub 32 and inner
wall 35
of tray 30, such that the claws 58 are caught underneath hub flange 40. Once
engaged, cover 30 may rotate freely with respect to cover means 50. Tray 30 is
then
engaged to base means 60 by inserting either notch 45 in cavity 68, or notch
46 in
cavity 69. Manual force is then applied to the tray 30 on the perimeter of
tray 30 at
the point furthest from the cavity 68 or 69, into which one of the notches 45
or 46,
respectively, had been inserted. The force is directed to this notch 45 or 46
that had
been inserted into its corresponding cavity. Tray 30 will then "snap" into
place in
base means 60, when the remaining notch 46 or 45 is inserted in the remaining
cavity
69 or 68. Cover means 50 is still capable of rotating freely with respect to
tray 30,
and as a result of the engagement of tray 30 to base means 60, cover 50 now is
capable of rotating with respect to base means 60. If the calendar means 80 is
employed, it is engaged to the base means 60 by fitting the inner ring 88 over
the
mounting ring 64, and applying force until the calendar means 80 passes over
the lips
67 of the ridges in the mounting ring 64, and the nubs 70 are engaged with two
of the
recesses 92 provided on the calendar means 80. In a preferred embodiment, any
one
of the days of the week 82 marked on the calendar means 80 may be aligned with
the
marking 72 located at the 12 o'clock, or 0°, position of the mounting
ring 64.
To dispense medication, the user is provided with a dispenser, consisting of
tray 30 with medication (not shown) in all or selected compartments 38, such
that tray
is engaged to cover means 50, and cover means 50 rotates freely with respect
to
30 tray 30. The tray 30 is engaged to a base means 60, and the cover 50 is
capable of
rotating with respect to base 60 as well. When a dose is to be dispensed, the
user
adjusts the cover 50 so that the means for allowing the passage of a single
dose at a
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time is aligned with the dose to be administered. The user then dispenses the
dose
after removing covering 57. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser provided
to the
user includes calendar means 80, engaged to the base means 60, where calendar
means 80 is oriented on the mounting ring 64 such that the day the dose is
dispensed
by the user corresponds to the day of the week 82 marked on the calendar means
80.
Another medication may be stored in the lid ZO and dispensed at intervals
indicated by the array of markings 72. To dispense medications in this method,
the
user is provided with the apparatus above, which now comprises a lid 20 which
contains a box or other containing means, holding a second form of medication;
then,
having carried out the steps above, the user then observes the markings 72 in
relation
to the means for allowing the passage of a single dose at a time. If said
means for
allowing the passage of a single dose is aligned with one of the markings 72,
then the
user removes a second form of medication from the lid 20 and administers it.
To fill or refill the apparatus, the user is provided with the base 60 and a
first
subassembly consisting of the tray 30 with some or all of the compartments 38
filled
with medication, engaged to cover means 50 as described above. The user then
installs the subassembly on base 60 by inserting either notch 45 in cavity 68,
or notch
46 in cavity 69. Manual force is then applied to the tray 30 on the perimeter
of tray 30
at the point furthest from the cavity 68 or 69, into which one of the notches
45 or 46,
respectively, had been inserted. The force is directed to this notch 45 or 46
that had
been inserted into its corresponding cavity. Tray 30 will then "snap" into
place in
base means 60, when the remaining notch 46 or 45 is inserted in the remaining
cavity
69 or 68.
If the apparatus is to be refilled, the user, having been provided with a base
means 60 already engaged with a first subassembly consisting of tray 30
engaged to a
cover means 50 as described above, removes this first subassembly by applying
pressure to tray 30 on its perimeter at the point nearest either cavity 68 or
69, until the
notch 45 or 46 is released from cavity 68 or 69. The first subassembly is then
easily
removed from the base means 60. The user then follows the method of filling
the
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apparatus, above.
In a preferred embodiment for hormone therapy, there are two discrete
orientations of the first subassembly in the base means 60, for example at
0° and 218°,
and so there would accordingly be two pairs of cavities 68 and 69 and two
pairs of
notches 45 and 46. These second pairs of cavities and notches are not shown in
the
drawings. The apparatus 10 may be constructed of plastic materials. In a
preferred
embodiment the base means 60 and lid 20 is made of ABS, ("ABS" is a
combination
of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) high gloss plastic; the tray 30 is
made of
polypropylene (approved for such use); the cover means 50 is made of clear
crystal
styrene; and calendar means 80 is made of high density styrene.
Preferred embodiments of the invention having been thus described by way of
example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain
modifications and
adaptations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as
set out
in the appended claims.
