Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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A COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A MEDICATION DISPENSER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of medication
dispensers and more particularly to a multiple unit container including
several dose
compartments each compartment covered with a cover including a fracturable tab
with a system for preventing medication tampering.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
United States Pharmacopoeia Xix defines a unit-dose container as a
single-unit container so designed that the contents are administered to the
patient as
a single dose, direct from the container. A single-unit container is defined
as one that
is closed in such a manner that none of the contents may be removed without
obvious destruction of the closure, the contents of which are intended for use
promptly after it is opened. Accordingly, each compartment of a single-unit
container must meet the above definitions in order to be used in compliance
with
current federal regulations.
One type of unit-dose container which is currently available permits a
pharmacist to place the unit dosages in the individual compartments and to
seal the
same therein (such containers are commonly referred to in the market as punch
cards or bingo cards). A nurse simply breaks the seal on the individual pocket
when
the dosage is to be administered. Although this packaging has been generally
successful, the removal of medication from an individual compartment requires
potentially destructive pressure to be exerted against the medication in order
to force
the medication through the perforated seal on the opposite side of the
compartment.
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Further, the required pressure to be exerted by a healthcare professional for
medication dispensement may over time contribute to such professional
developing
various adverse health conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore,
the slits in the compartment seals may permit the undetected removal of
certain
S forms of medication and finally, the outer shell of that container requires
a paper seal
or other adhesive means to prevent removal of the entire compartment
containing
insert therefrom.
An additional form of unit-dose container disclosed in the prior art is
one in which the cover assembly for the individual compartments is simply
frictionally
held in place with no positive locking of the covers onto the compartments.
Such
design is unsatisfactory for it does not prevent the undetected removal of
medication
for medication may be removed and the cover replaced without detection.
The assignee of the instant invention has previously patented many
types of cover assemblies for medication dispensers including a plurality of
individual covers connected together by fracturable links. Each of the
compartment
covers includes an integral fracturable tab designed to be independently snap-
fitted
onto the container to hold the lines in place and to provide a secure and
tamperproof
closure of each compartment. In some of the fracturable links, the separation
of the
link from the remainder of the cover was enhanced by the utilization of a
notch
formed in the tab positioned adjacent the juncture of the tab to the cover top
plate.
For example, see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,372,445 - 4,735,318 - 4,741,441; and
5,011,018.
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Although the tabs of the earlier patents identified hereinabove did
fracture in a satisfactory manner, there is a perception in the field that the
covers of
the prior art may be slightly raised, without fracturing the tab, so that
medication may
be removed from the compartment and then replaced in the compartment without
detection. Further, there is the perception in the field that a cover may be
removed
from its compartment by fracturing the tab thereon with the cover then being
able to
be replaced on its compartment without the fracturing being visible. For
example, if
medication is returned to a pharmacy, the pharmacy must check each individual
cover
to ascertain if the cover has been fractured since the same is not readily
perceptible or
the medication must be discarded as a safety precaution.
Although Applicants believe that the aforementioned perception is in
error, Applicants present invention is directed to address and correct such
perception. Further, plastic manufacturers continue to modify the plastic used
for
constricting the covers. For example, polymer manufacturers have developed
polymers which yield more flexible covers which are more difficult to
fracture. For
example, users are required to exert more pressure in order to fracture the
cover.
Consequently, such modifications require the lids to be re-designed in order
to allow
for tolerance in the plastic and to minimize the amount of pressure that a
user must
exert in order to fracture the cover.
Therefore, it would be desirable to configure a unit-dose container
which was designed to positively prevent medication tampering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cover
assembly for a medication dispenser having at least one compartment which is
selectively enclosed by the cover assembly for holding a pill, the pill having
a
minimum dimension, comprising:
a cover for covering the at least one compartment of the medication
dispenser, the cover including an inner end portion and an outer end portion;
a locking tab formed in the inner end portion of the cover for being
received in a slot formed in the medication dispenser for securing the cover
to the
medication dispenser to cover the at least one compartment, the locking tab
including a weakened portion that fractures for allowing the cover to be
separated
from the locking tab as the outer end portion is lifted away from the
medication
dispenser during removal of the cover;
wherein the weakened portion fractures before the outer end portion of
the cover is lifted a predetermined distance from the medication dispenser for
preventing removal of the pill from the at least one compartment without
removal of
the cover;
said cover assembly being generally transparent;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened area becoming
opaque upon the fracture of the weakened portion for indicating that the
weakened
portion has been fractured allowing removal of the cover;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened portion becomes
opaque due to the formations of crazes within said inner end portion adjacent
to the
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weakened portion before said outer end portion is lifted a maximum distance of
approximately seventy-nine thousandths of an inch (0.079 inch).
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
medication dispenser, comprising:
5 a container;
a multi-compartment removable liner disposed within the container, the
liner including a plurality of open-topped compartments, each compartment for
holding one or more pills whereby pills whereby pills placed within the
compartments
are maintained out of direct contact with the container, the pills having a
minimum
dimension; and
a plurality of covers assemblies for covering respective ones of the
compartments, each of the cover assemblies including:
a cover for covering the compartment, the cover including an inner end portion
and
an outer end portion;
a locking tab formed in the inner end portion of the cover for being
received in a slot formed in the medication dispenser for securing the cover
to the
medication dispenser to cover the compartment, the locking tab including a
weakened portion that fractures for allowing the cover to be separated from
the
locking tab as the outer end portion is lifted away from the medication
dispenser
during removal of the cover from the compartment.
wherein the weakened portion fractures before the outer end portion of
the cover is lifted a predetermined distance from the medication dispenser for
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preventing removal of a pill from the compartment without removal of the
cover;
said cover assembly being generally transparent;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened area becoming
opaque upon fracture of the weakened portion for indicating the weakened
portion
has been fractured allowing removal of the cover;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened portion becoming
opaque due to the formation of crazes within said inner end portion adjacent
to the
weakened portion before the outer end portion is lifted a maximum distance of
approximately seventy-nine thousandths of an inch (0.079 inch).
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a
medication dispenser, comprising
a container;
a multi-compartment removable liner disposed within the container, the
liner including a plurality of open-topped compartments, each compartment for
holding one or more pills whereby pills whereby pills placed within the
compartments
are maintained out of direct contact with the container, the pills having a
minimum
dimension; and
a plurality of covers assemblies for covering respective ones of the
compartments, each of the cover assemblies including:
a cover for covering the compartment, the cover including an inner end portion
and
an outer end portion;
a locking tab formed in the inner end portion of the cover for being
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received in a slot formed in the medication dispenser for securing the cover
to the
medication dispenser to cover the compartment, the locking tab including a
weakened portion that fractures for allowing the cover to be separated from
the
locking tab as the outer end portion is lifted away from the medication
dispenser
during removal of the cover from the compartment.
wherein the weakened portion fractures before the outer end portion of
the cover is lifted a predetermined distance from the medication dispenser for
preventing removal of a pill from the compartment without removal of the
cover;
said cover assembly being generally transparent;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened area becoming
opaque upon fracture of the weakened portion for indicating the weakened
portion
has been fractured allowing removal of the cover;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened portion becoming
opaque due to the formation of crazes within said inner end portion adjacent
to the
weakened portion before the outer end portion is lifted a maximum distance of
approximately sixty thousandths of an inch (0.060 inch).
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a cover
assembly for a medication dispenser having at least one compartment which is
selectively enclosed by the cover assembly for holding a pill, the pill having
a
minimum dimension, comprising:
a cover for covering at least one compartment of the medication
dispenser, the cover including an inner end portion and an outer end portion;
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a locking tab formed in the inner end portion of the cover for being received
in a slot
formed in the medication dispenser for securing the cover to the medication
dispenser to cover the at least one compartment, the locking tab including a
weakened portion that fractures for allowing the cover to be separated from
the
locking tab as the outer end portion is lifted away from the medication
dispenser
during removal of the cover;
wherein the weakened portion fractures before the outer end portion of
the cover is lifted a predetermined distance from the medication dispenser for
preventing removal of the pill from the at least one compartment without
removal of
the cover;
said cover assembly being generally transparent;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened area becoming
opaque upon the fracture of the weakened portion for indicating that the
weakened
portion has been fractured allowing removal of the cover.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a
medication dispenser, comprising
a container;
a multi-compartment removable liner disposed within the container, the
liner including a plurality of open-topped compartments, each compartment for
holding one or more pills whereby pills whereby pills placed within the
compartments
are maintained out of direct contact with the container, the pills having a
minimum
dimension; and
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a plurality of covers assemblies for covering respective ones of the
compartments, each of the cover assemblies including:
a cover for covering the compartment, the cover including an inner end
portion and an outer end portion;
a locking tab formed in the inner end portion of the cover for being
received in a slot formed in the medication dispenser for securing the cover
to the
medication dispenser to cover the compartment, the locking tab including a
weakened portion that fractures for allowing the cover to be separated from
the
locking tab as the outer end portion is lifted away from the medication
dispenser
during removal of the cover from the compartment.
wherein the weakened portion fractures before the outer end portion of
the cover is lifted a predetermined distance from the medication dispenser for
preventing removal of a pill from the compartment without removal of the
cover;
said cover assembly being generally transparent;
said inner end portion adjacent to the weakened area becoming
opaque upon fracture of the weakened portion for indicating the weakened
portion
has been fractured allowing removal of the cover.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are
not
restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an
embodiment of
the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the
principles
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of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better
understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying
figures in
5 which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view illustrating a portable medication
dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the medication dispenser includes a cover assembly.
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the carrier illustrated in Figure 1.
10 Figure 3 is a sectional view as illustrated on lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the medication dispenser illustrated in
Figure 1, wherein portions of the cover are removed to more fully illustrate
the
instant invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of an individual cover.
Figure 6 is a side view of the cover illustrated in Figure 5 with portions
thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention.
Figure 7A is an end view of a cover in accordance with the present
invention, wherein the cover includes a locking tab with a pair of openings.
Figure 7B is an end view of a cover in accordance with the present
invention, wherein the cover includes a locking tab with a pair of V-shaped
notches.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a medication dispenser in
accordance with the present invention, wherein a cover is being removed from
the
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dispenser.
Figure 9 is an isometric view of a medication dispenser in accordance
with the present invention, wherein an individual cover is being removed from
the
dispenser.
Figure 10 is an isometric view illustrating a portable medication
dispenser in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the medication dispenser is designed to contain a two-week
supply of one type of medication.
Figure 11 a top plan view of the portable medication dispenser
illustrated in Figure 10.
Figure 12 is an exploded view of the portable medication dispenser
illustrated in Figure 10, wherein the various components of such dispenser are
provided.
Figure 13 is an isometric view illustrating a portable medication
dispenser in accordance with an additional exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the medication dispenser is designed to contain a one-week
supply of two different types of medication.
Figure 14 is an exploded view of a portable medication dispenser
illustrated in Figure 13, wherein the various components of such dispenser are
provided.
Figure 15 is a top plan view of an exemplary cover assembly for a
portable medication dispenser, wherein the cover assembly is unitary.
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Figure 16 is an end view of the cover assembly illustrated in Figure 15,
wherein each cover includes a locking tab with a pair of V-shaped notches.
Figure.17 is a side view of an individual cover assembly;
Figure 18 is an exploded view of the individual cover assembly
illustrated in Figure 17.
Figure 19 is an exploded view of an individual cover assembly, wherein
the locking tab is attached.
Figure 20 is an exploded view of an individual cover assembly, wherein
the locking tab has been fractured.
Figure 21 is a side view of the individual cover assembly illustrated in
Figure 20, wherein crazes are present within the locking tab.
Figure 22 is a cross sectional view of a portable medication dispenser
in accordance with the present invention, wherein the lock tab is attached to
the
cover assembly and is transparent.
Figure 23 is a cross sectional view of a portable medication dispenser
in accordance with the present invention, wherein the lifting of the cover
distance d
causes the lock tab to turn opaque without causing lock tab fractionation.
Figure 24 is a cross sectional view of a portable medication dispenser
in accordance with the present invention, wherein the lock tab is fractured
and
opaque.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Referring specifically to Figures 1 through 4, a medication dispenser or
container 12 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is
illustrated whereby a cover assembly 10 is mounted on a medication dispenser
12
positioned in a carrier 14. The details of the medication dispenser 12 and
carrier 14
are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,735,406. The medication container or
dispenser
12 includes a bottom wall 16, upstanding side walls 18 and 20, and upstanding
end
walls 22 and 24. In one embodiment, a liner 26 is provided in the dispenser 12
to
define a plurality of compartments 28, each of which are removably sealed by a
cover 30 of the cover assembly 10.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the unitary cover assembly 10
includes a sufficient number of individual compartment covers 30 for closing
all of
the compartments 28 of one liner 26. In one exemplary embodiment, the cover
assembly is unitary as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In an additional embodiment,
an
individual cover 30 will be positioned over the upper end of each compartment
28.
It is preferred that the cover assembly 10 be unitary allowing for efficient
attachment
of the cover assembly 10 to the liner 26.
Referring now to Figure 5, an exemplary embodiment of a cover 30 is
provided. In the exemplary embodiment, each cover 30 is generally trough-
shaped
and includes a generally horizontally extended bottom 32 and opposite end
walls,
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outer end wall 34 and inner end wall 36 and opposite side walls 38 and 40
extending upwardly therefrom. A semi-circular extension 42 at the top edge of
the
outer end wall 34 facilitates lifting the cover 30 to open a compartment 28.
At the
top of the inner end wall 36, an integral flange 44 extends generally
horizontally
away from the end wall 36 and flares outwardly to form fracturable links 46
for
interconnecting a plurality of covers 30 so that they may be handled as an
integral
assembly 10.
An advantageous feature of each compartment cover 30 is the locking
tab 48 which functions to independently secure each compartment cover 30 to
container 12. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and
7A
each tab 48 is a generally flat, downwardly tapering member arranged parallel
to the
inner end wall 36. The spacing between the tab 48 and the inner end wall 36 is
just
sufficient for receiving a container divider wall and a liner end wall between
them.
Each tab 48 is further provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 50 on the
interior
side thereof and a weakened upper portion 52 formed by a plurality of openings
54
which extend through tab 48 adjacent the juncture of the tab to flange 44.
Although
it is preferred that a pair of the openings 54 be provided adjacent each of
the side
edges 56 and 58 of the tab 48, it may be that additional openings 54 will be
required
in some situations and that they be positioned continuously across the tab 48.
Figure 7B illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment of a locking
tab 48' in accordance with the present invention. Tab 48' does not include the
openings 54 as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7A, but is provided with a
pair of V-
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shaped notches 60 and 62 which extend inwardly into the sides of the tab 48'
to form
a weakened area referred to generally by the reference numeral 64.
Figures 5, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8 illustrate structure on the tab 48 or 48'
which may be used with either the tabs 48 or 48'. In an exemplary embodiment,
a
5 pair of protrusions 66 and 68 extend from the tab 48 or 48' for engagement
with the
top wall 70 of the container 12. In the present embodiment, the protrusions 66
and
68 act as pivot points against top wall 70 as the cover 30 is moved upwardly
thereby
enhancing the fracturing of the tab 48 or 48'so that the cover 30 may be
separated
from the container 12.
10 As best illustrated in Figure 8, the top wall 70 of container 12 extends
between and is connected to the upper edges of both divider walls Di and D2.
The
top wall 70 cooperates with the divider walls Dl and D2 to define a plurality
of
elongated spaced apart openings 72 for receiving the tabs 48 of the
compartment
covers 30. For example, when the cover assembly 10 is positioned on the upper
15 end of compartment liner 26, the tabs 48 on each of the covers 30 are
received in
the openings 72. At the same time that the covers 30 are depressed into the
individual compartments 28 of the liner 26, the trough-shaped covers 30 close
and
seal each of the open-top compartments 28. The outwardly protruding semi-
circular
extension 42 at the outer end of each cover 30 engages the outer side wall of
the
liner, as shown in the drawings, to positively seat the cover onto and within
the liner
compartment 26.
During an exemplary use, when a compartment is to be opened, the
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outer end of a cover 30 is pivotaily moved upwardly which results in a
fracture of the
tab 48 at the weakened portion 52 formed by the openings 54 or at the weakened
portion 64 formed by the notches 60 and 62 with that fracturing being enhanced
by
the engagement of the protrusions 66 and 68 with the top wall 70 of the
container.
The fracturable links 46 connecting that cover to adjacent covers are
similarly
fractured. The openings 54 or the notches 60 and 62 permit the cover 30 to be
easily fractured from the lower end of the [ink 46 in a clean and neat fashion
or
manner. That portion of the tab 48 which is positioned below the openings 54
or the
notches 60, 62 remains in position until a new locking tab 48 is inserted into
the
opening 72 causing the residual tab to fall into the trough-shaped cavity 80.
Referring now to Figures 10 through 24, a further exemplary
embodiment of a portable medication dispenser 200 in accordance with the
present
invention is illustrated. The dispenser 200 includes a unitary cover assembly
202
designed to prevent the undetected removal of medication. In various
embodiments,
the portable medication dispenser 200 may be designed to dispense a two-week
supply of medication (Figures 10, 11, and 12) or two different one-week
supplies of
medication (Figures 13 and 14). In Figures 10, 11, and 12 the medication
dispenser
200 includes a container frame 204 which is divided into two sections 206 and
208.
In the embodiment, an inner wall 210 is labeled with the days of the week or
the
word "spare."
It is contemplated that various labeling schemes may be employed
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For
example,
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compartments may be denoted for time of dosage. In the present embodiment, a
two-week supply of medication is provided. As further illustrated in Figure
12, a
medication dispenser unit is assembled by placing liners 216 in section 206
and
section 208 of the container 204. The unitary cover assembly 202 is then
placed in
alignment with the individual compartments 218 contained within the liner 216
so
that each compartment 218 is covered with a cover 220 except for the
compartment
labeled as "spare." If one desires to provide a "spare" dosage of medication,
an
individual cover 220 may be placed over the individual compartment 218.
In an alterative embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the
container frame 204 is divided into quadrants defined by inner wall 210 and
walls
212 and 214 allowing the medication dispenser 200 to include two, one-week
supplies
of each type of medication. As illustrated in Figure 14, the medication
dispenser unit
200 is assembled by placing a total of four liners 216 into the container
frame 204,
one into each quadrant defined by the inner wall 210 and walls 212 and 214.
The
unitary cover assembly 202 is then placed in alignment with the individual
compartments 218 contained within each liner 216 so that each compartment 218
is
covered with a cover 220. It is contemplated that the number of compartments
as
well as the labeling may vary depending upon user need. For example, the
coloring
of the container frame 204 may vary depending upon time of dosage, type of
medication regime, and the like.
Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, an exemplary embodiment of the
cover assembly 202 is provided wherein the cover assembly 202 is unitary. In
the
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exemplary embodiment, the unitary cover assembly 202 includes a sufficient
number
of individual compartment covers 220 for closing all of the compartments 218
of one
liner 216 except for the compartment labeled "spare." Although the cover
assembly
202 is illustrated as being unitary, it is contemplated that in additional
embodiments
individual covers 220 may be positioned over the upper end of each compartment
218
as is done traditionally only for the "spare" compartment. Utilizing a cover
assembly
202 which is unitary allows for efficient attachment of the cover assembly 202
to the
liner 216.
In the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 16 through 20,
each compartment cover 220 includes a locking tab 222 which functions to
independently secure each compartment cover 220 to the container frame 204. In
the embodiment, each tab 222 is generally flat, includes six sides, and
arranged
parallel to the inner wall 210. Further, in the present embodiment, each tab
222
includes a pair of V-shaped notches 224 and 226 which extend inwardly into the
sides of the tab 222 to form a weakened area referred to generally by the
reference
numeral 222. The spacing between the tab 222 and the inner wall 210 is just
sufficient for receiving a container frame 204 divider wall and a liner 216
end wall
between them.
In further exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and
20, each tab 222 may be provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 230 on the
interior side thereof. It is contemplated that in additional embodiments,
openings
which extend through the tab may be included within the body of the tab in
order to
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form a weakened area. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of
protrusions 232, 221, and 234 extend from the tab 222 for engagement with a
top wall
236 of the container frame 204. In such embodiment, the protrusions 232, 221,
and
234 act as pivot points against top wall 236 of the container frame 204 as the
cover
220 is moved upwardly thereby enhancing the fracturing of the tab 222 so that
the
cover 220 may be separated from the container frame 204.
Referring to Figures 19 and 20, an exemplary embodiment of the cover
220 is provided. In this embodiment, each cover 220 is generally trough-shaped
and
includes a generally horizontally extended bottom 238, an outer end wall 240,
an
inner end wall 242 and opposite side walls 244 and 246 extending upwardly
therefrom. A semi-circular extension 248 at the top edge of the outer end wall
240
facilitates lifting the cover 220 to open a compartment. At the top of the
inner end
wall 244, an integral flange 250 extends generally horizontally away from the
inner
end wall 242 and flares outwardly to form fracturable links for
interconnecting a
plurality of covers 220 so that they may be handled as an integral or unitary
assembly.
With continued reference to Figures 19 and 20, in the exemplary
embodiment, the center protrusion 221 is of a greater length than the outer
two
protrusions 232 and 234. Protrusion 221 not only serves as a pivot point, but
allows
crazes 252 which form within the locking tab attachment area 252 (e.g. the
area
appears opaque) when the cover 220 is lifted to be magnified allowing an
observer
to more easily detect fracturing of a cover 220. For example, the presence of
the
protrusion 221 allows the crazes 252/opaqueness to be magnified approximately
1.5
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to 1.75 times that measured to covers not including the protrusion 221.
Referring now to Figures 20 through 24, an exemplary embodiment of
the locking tab 222 designed to prevent undetected removal of medication is
described. In this embodiment, the cover assembly 202 including the locking
tab
5 222 is formed of a polymer so that upon application of certain levels of
strain the
transparent locking tab 222 will turn opaque allowing a user to be alerted to
such
handling. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover assembly 202 is formed of an
amorphous polymer for such polymer includes the desired properties (e.g.
crazes
which cause the substrate to appear as opaque are formed within the bulk of
the
10 substrate at certain strain levels).
In an additional exemplary embodiment, the weakened portion of the
locking tab 222 fractures and the locking tab attachment area 252 turns opaque
before the outer end portion of the cover 220 is lifted a distance from the
medication
dispenser less than or equal to the minimum dimension of the pill for
preventing
15 removal of the pill from the individual compartment. In the embodiment,
crazes
appear within the locking tab attachment area 252 (e.g. the area appears
opaque)
when the cover 220 is lifted a specified distance, denoted as d in Figure 23.
For
example, for packaging of pills in the smallest dimension (thickness) range of
seventy-nine (79) to eight (80) thousandths of an inch (e.g. the smallest
known),
20 cover assemblies 202 are designed so that crazes may appear within the
locking
tab attachment area 252 (the top of the locking tab 222) when the weakened
portion
222 of the cover fractures before lifting the outer end portion of the cover
220 to a
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maximum of approximately seventy-nine (79) thousandths of an inch.
In an alternative embodiment, cover assemblies 202 are designed so
that the weakened portion 222 fractures and the locking tab attachment area
252
appears opaque before lifting the outer end of the cover 220 to a maximum of
approximately sixty (60) thousandths of an inch. Such embodiment allows for
tolerance present within the plastic. It is contemplated that different
straining points
may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant
invention as specified for different pill sizes. It is further contemplated
that the
separation may occur with the fracturing of the cover 202 from the medication
dispenser 200, but is not required.
In additional embodiments, the fracturing of the cover 220 results in an
audible sound such as a"click." Such feature provides an additional way of
determining when a cover has been fractured. For example, the fracturing of a
newly placed non-fractured cover will result in the generation of an audible
clicking
sound. If the previously fractured tab were to be placed back onto the cover
frame,
such activity would be detected by a user for a user would not hear the
audible click
when removing the previously fractured cover.
In even further exemplary embodiments, the amount of pressure
required to be exerted by a user may be utilized to determine cover
fracturing. For
example, in order to fracture a newly placed non-fractured cover, a user must
exert a
greater amount of pressure in order to remove the cover when compared to
amount
of pressure required to remove a previously fractured cover which had been
placed
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back onto the cover frame. Such feature provides an additional manner in which
a
user may detect cover fracturing.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant
advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent
that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of
the
components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention or
without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before
described
being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the
following
claims to encompass and include such changes.
