LABEL SLEEVE FOR MEDICATION DOSAGE REMINDER AND CONFIRMATION SYSTEMS

MANCHON-ETIQUETTE POUR PENSE-BETE DE DOSE DE MEDICAMENT ET FEUILLETS DE CONFIRMATION

English Abstract

A medication dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve apparatus and associated method for use in connection with a medicine container, comprising: a sleeve material, comprising a closed surface with a circumference substantially equal to a circumference of the medicine container with which the apparatus is to be used, wherein the sleeve material will conform to a shape of, and fit snugly upon, the medicine container, when placed over at least part of the medicine container; and affixed to the sleeve material, at least one tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising a plurality of dosage tabs; wherein: when one of the dosage tabs is removed from the dosage reminder and confirmation sheet, a residue remains attached to the dosage reminder and confirmation sheet to indicate that the dose associated with the removed tab has been consumed; and the sleeve material in combination with the at least one tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet can, at will, be attached to, removed from, and adjusted upon the medicine container.

French Abstract

Un rappel de dosage de médicament et un dispositif de gaine de confirmation et un procédé associé pour une utilisation avec un récipient de médicaments comprenant : un matériau de gaine, comportant une surface fermée avec une circonférence sensiblement égale à une circonférence du récipient de médicaments avec lequel l'appareil doit être utilisé, dans lequel le matériau de la gaine est prend la forme et s'ajuste bien sur le récipient de médicaments, lorsqu'il est placé sur au moins une partie du récipient de médicaments; et apposé sur le matériau de la gaine, au moins une dose de rappel déchirable et une feuille de confirmation comprenant une pluralité d'onglets de dosage, dans lequel : lorsque l'une des pattes de dosage est retirée du rappel de dosage et de la feuille de confirmation, un résidu reste attaché au rappel de dosage et à la feuille de confirmation pour indiquer que la dose associée à l'onglet enlevé a été consommée; et le matériau de gaine avec le rappel de dosage d'au moins une feuille déchirable et de confirmation peut, à volonté, être fixé à, retiré, et ajusté sur le récipient de médicaments.

Claims

1. A medication dosage reminder sleeve apparatus for use in connection with
a medicine
container, comprising:
a sleeve material comprising a transparent surface thereof, comprising a
closed surface
with a circumference substantially equal to a circumference of the medicine
container with
which said apparatus is to be used,; and
affixed to said sleeve material, at least one dosage reminder system; wherein:
said sleeve material omits any adhesive on a surface thereof which contacts
the medicine
container when placed thereover;
said sleeve material is configured to conform to a shape of and fit snugly
upon the
medicine container when placed over at least part of the medicine container,
such that as a result
of said configuration said sleeve material in combination with said dosage
reminder system can,
at will, be attached to, removed from, and slidably adjusted upon the medicine
container while
also maintaining a snug fit without sliding absent the user making said
adjustment; and
said transparency of said sleeve material enables information printed on the
medicine
container to be seen through said transparent sleeve material while said
transparent sleeve
material is placed over at least part of the medicine container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, said dosage reminder system comprising one
tearable dosage
reminder and confirmation sheet comprising a single layer of said dosage tabs.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, said dosage reminder system comprising one
tearable dosage
reminder and confirmation sheet comprising at least two layers of said dosage
tabs.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, said dosage reminder system comprising more
than one
tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising a single layer of
said dosage tabs.
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5. The apparatus of claim 1, said dosage reminder system comprising more
than one
tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising at least two layers
of said dosage
tabs.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve material is sized and
shaped to conform to,
and fit snugly upon, a substantially-cylindrical medicine container.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve material is sized and
shaped to conform to,
and fit snugly upon, a substantially-fiat medicine container.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve material is sized and
shaped to conform to,
and fit snugly upon, a substantially-square medicine container.
9. A reminder method for a user of medicine, comprising:
placing a sleeve material comprising a transparent surface thereof with at
least one
dosage reminder system affixed thereto, over at least part of a medicine
container;
omitting any adhesive on a surface of said sleeve material contacting the
medicine
container when placed thereover;
said sleeve material in combination with said dosage reminder system attaching
to,
removing from, and slidably adjusting upon the medicine container, at will, by
virtue of said
sleeve material comprising a closed surface with a circumference substantially
equal to a
circumference of the medicine container and conforming to a shape of, and
fitting snugly yet
slidably upon the medicine container, when placed over at least art of the
medicine container;
and
enabling information printed on the medicine container to be seen through said
transparent sleeve material while said transparent sleeve material is placed
over at least part of
the medicine container because of said transparency of said sleeve material.
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10. The method of claim 9, said dosage reminder system comprising at least
one tearable
dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising one tearable dosage reminder
and
confirmation sheet comprising a single layer of said dosage tabs.
11. The method of claim 9, said dosage reminder system comprising at least
one tearable
dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising one tearable dosage reminder
and
confirmation sheet comprising at least two layers of said dosage tabs.
12. The method of claim 9, said dosage reminder system comprising at least
one tearable
dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising more than one tearable
dosage reminder and
confirmation sheet comprising a single layer of said dosage tabs.
13. The method of claim 9, said at least one tearable dosage reminder and
confirmation sheet
comprising more than one tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet
comprising at least
two layers of said dosage tabs.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching said sleeve
material to a
substantially-cylindrical medicine container.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching said sleeve
material to a
substantially-flat medicine container.
16. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching said sleeve
material to a
substantially-square medicine container

Description

CA 02635167 2015-09-28
CA 2,635,167
Label Sleeve for Medication Dosage Reminder and Confirmation Systems
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of medication dosage tracking, and in
particular, to a
system which enables easy placement and removal of label-based dosage reminder
and
confirmation systems.
Background of the Invention
Most practitioner-prescribed medication, as well as over-the-counter
medication, requires
regimented usage for optimal results. In our fast-paced society, it is
difficult for most people to
maintain a medication-related schedule and to remember what has been taken and
what still
needs to be taken.
A survey of approximately one hundred people who take or have taken medication
(the
survey included pharmacists) was conducted by applicant to substantiate the
belief that most
people forget, or have forgotten to take their medication. The results of the
survey was that
ninety-nine percent of those people surveyed forget to take their medication,
and that the
majority of people forget to take their medications, more often than not. Not
only do most
people forget to take their medication, but just as important, most people,
while in the process of
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There do exist various label systems for reminding a medication user to take
their
medication and to help them remember (i.e., confirm) if they have already
taken a scheduled
dose. Typically, these label systems are adhered directly to the medicine
container, see, for
example, U.S. 4,752,087; 5,881,597; and 5,979,698. Once placed, these are not
readily
removed. Sometimes, the user may inadvertently mount the label system on top
of dosage
instructions printed in the container, which then obscures important
information from the
user.
It would be desirable to have a means of adhering a label system to a label-
based
medication dosage reminder and confirmation system which facilitates easy
attachment of the
label system to the medicine container, and also, which permits easy
readjustment and
removal even after the labels have initially been attached to the medicine
container or like
container.
It is would also be desirable to have a system which permits any pertinent
medication
information printed on the medication container to be viewed by the user,
rather than
obscured by the label system as is often the case.
Summary of the Invention
Disclosed herein is a medication dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve
apparatus
and associated method for use in connection with a medicine container,
comprising: a sleeve
material, comprising a closed surface with a circumference substantially equal
to a
circumference of the medicine container with which the apparatus is to be
used, wherein the
sleeve material will conform to a shape of, and fit snugly upon, the medicine
container, when
placed over at least part of the medicine container; and affixed to the sleeve
material, at least
one tearable dosage reminder and confirmation sheet comprising a plurality of
dosage tabs;
wherein: when one of the dosage tabs is removed from the dosage reminder and
confirmation
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CA 02635167 2008-06-16
sheet, a residue remains attached to the dosage reminder and confirmation
sheet to indicate
that the dose associated with the removed tab has been consumed; and the
sleeve material in
combination with the at least one tearable dosage reminder and confirmation
sheet can, at
will, be attached to, removed from, and adjusted upon the medicine container.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in the
appended
claims. The invention, however, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may
best be understood by reference to the following description taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying drawing(s) summarized below.
Figure 1 illustrates a standard medication container such as a pill bottle
commonly
distributed by a pharmacy, juxtaposed above a dosage reminder and confirmation
sleeve in an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrated this same medication container after the dosage reminder
and
confirmation sleeve of this invention embodiment has been installed over the
container.
Figure 3 illustrates the transparent material used for dosage reminder and
confirmation sleeve, in an unrolled form before it is adjoined to form dosage
reminder sleeve.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate examples of tab systems which can be mounted via
dosage
reminder and confirmation sleeve in accordance with the invention.
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CA 02635167 2008-06-16
Detailed Description
Figure 1 illustrates a medication dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11
juxtaposed below a standard medicine container 12. While we use a standard
container for
purpose of illustration, the invention disclosed is meant to apply to
containers with a variety
of widths and heights. Medicine container 12 also contains affixed thereto
medication
information 13, illustrated here as a reminder that the medication is to be
taken at one dose
per day. This medication information 13 may comprise any and all other
information which
a pharmacy or physician, etc., may place on medicine container 12 including
but not limited
to the name of the medication, indications or reactions, information about
refills, etc.
Dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 is fabricated from a substantially
transparent sleeve material 14 such but not limited to a clear, transparent
plastic. Dosage
reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 is fabricated into closed surface as
illustrated, and to
have substantially the same circumference as the medicine container 12 with
which it is
intended to be used. This allows a snug fit when dosage reminder and
confirmation sleeve 11
is slid over at least part of medicine container 12. For example, transparent
sleeve material
14 may be manufactured as a flat plastic sheet shown in Figure 3, and two ends
then adjoined
together in a overlap section 32 to achieve closure in any manner of securing
together two
end sections, that is known or may become known in the art.
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the closed surface of dosage reminder and
confirmation sleeve 11 is a cylinder, as is medicine container 12. This is for
example, not
limitation. For a medicine container of a different shape (for example, a
substantially flat
medicine container 12, perhaps with so-called "blister packs," or for a square
or triangular or
ovular container), dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 continues to
comprise a
closed surface conformable to the same shape as medicine container 12. In
other words, it is
important that reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 comprise substantially the
same
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CA 02635167 2008-06-16
circumference as the medicine container 12 to ensure a snug, conforming fit
over the
medicine container 12, no matter what shape medicine container 12 comprises.
The use of a
cylindrical shape in the drawings is an example, and not in any way meant to
preclude other
shapes, and therefore, sleeves which will conform to these other shapes.
Affixed to dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 are one or more tearable
dosage reminder and confirmation sheets 15 comprising a plurality of dosage
tabs 16, which
are designed such that, when the user takes a dose of medication, the user
removes a tab 16,
which tears off along tear line 17, but leaves behind a residue portion 18
which is an indicator
that the dose associated with the removed tab has been consumed. Thus, for
example, were
the use to tear off the specific tab at 16, leaving behind the "W" shown at
18, this would
constitute an indicator to the user that the Wednesday dosage had been
consumed. (Days of
the month, or any other suitable indicator may be used, and various systems of
labeling the
tabs may be employed, all within the scope of this disclosure and its
associated claims.) The
dosage reminder and confirmation sheets 15 may be in the form of a single
layer of tabs as
illustrated, or, for example, the multi-layer tabs illustrated in copending
application US
11/163,648, see also Figure 5 herein. It should be clear that by affixing five
such dosage
reminder and confirmation sheets 15 about the circumference of dosage reminder
and
confirmation sleeve 11, the user can track an entire month worth of medication
use,
irrespective of the start and end days of the medication usage.
To use dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11, the user slides reminder
and
confirmation sleeve 11 over medicine container 12 at will, as schematically
illustrated by 19.
Once this is done, the resulting configuration is that of Figure 2. The dosage
reminder and
confirmation sheets 15 are now carried with medicine container 12, so that the
user can tear
off tabs as a dose is consumed in the manner just described. Because reminder
and
confirmation sleeve 11 with reminder and confirmation sheets 15 is attachable
to, and
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CA 02635167 2008-06-16
removable from, and adjustable upon medicine container 12, at will, great
flexibility is
afforded to the user of this system. The transparency of sleeve material 14
allows the use to
see through the intermediate sections 20 over which there is no dosage
reminder and
confirmation sheet 15, in order to read what is on the bottle such as
medication information
13. If there is information printed in several places on medicine container
12, then dosage
reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 may either be rotated circumferentially
around medicine
container 12 as the user reads the information, or, the user may simply remove
reminder and
confirmation sleeve 11 for a brief time in order to read what is on medicine
container 12, and
can then return reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 back over medicine
container 12 into the
configuration of Figure 2.
While Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a particular dosage reminder and confirmation
sheet
also shown in Figure 4, which contains 35 days of tracking and can therefore
be used to
cover a full month of dosage, this is sample an example of the types of tab
systems which can
be mounted via dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11. Figure 5, for
example,
15 illustrates two-dose-per day-for-ten-day dosage reminder and
confirmation sheets 15. Three
such sheets mounted upon dosage reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 will serve
to cover 30
days of use at two doses per day. A three-layer dosage reminder and
confirmation sheet 15
may be use for three-per-day doses, and so on. These examples are intended to
be
illustrative, not limiting.
As noted earlier, by attaching one or more dosage reminder and confirmation
sheets
15 to the medicine container 12, not directly, but rather, via pre-affixation
to dosage reminder
and confirmation sleeve 11 and then, in turn, by attachment of dosage reminder
and
confirmation sleeve 11 to medicine container 12, the user is afforded great
flexibility, and can
easily reposition or remove the dosage reminder and confirmation sheets 15 in
such a way as
to view any and all medication information 13 printed on medicine container
12. The user
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sleeve 11 to medicine container 12, the user is afforded great flexibility,
and can easily reposition
or remove the dosage reminder and confirmation sheets 15 in such a way as to
view any and all
medication information 13 printed on medicine container 12. The user can then
restore dosage
reminder and confirmation sleeve 11 and its pre-affixed dosage reminder and
confirmation sheets
15 to the medicine container 12.
The use of dosage reminder and confirmation sheets 15 which are tearable is
for
illustration, and does not preclude other types of reminder and confirmation
systems that are
similarly attached via an intermediating dosage reminder and confirmation
sleeve 11.
While only certain preferred features of the invention have been illustrated
and described,
many modifications, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in
the art.
7

Representative Drawing