EP0537997A1

EP0537997A1 - Child resistant compliance device

Info

Publication number: EP0537997A1
Application number: EP92309345A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth J. Gibilisco
Original assignee: Merck and Co Inc
Current assignee: Merck and Co Inc
Priority date: 1991-10-15
Filing date: 1992-10-14
Publication date: 1993-04-21
Also published as: CA2080036A1; JPH05200101A

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel child resistant compliance device comprising a transparent or opaque sliding lid (2), an elongated base or tray (4) having inserted therein trays (3) consisting of 1-3 rows capable of containing from 2-10 tablets, capsules or desired substance in solid form per row, a means for allowing said tablet, capsule or desired substance to exit from said device and a means for sequentially delivering additional tablets or capsules from said device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel child resistant compliance device comprising a transparent or opaque sliding lid, an elongated base or tray having inserted therein trays consisting of 1-3 rows capable of containing from 2-10 tablets, capsules or desired substance in solid form per row, a means for allowing said tablet capsule or desired substance to exit from said device and a means for sequentially delivering additional tablets or capsules from said device.
Various types of child resistant or safety containers have been developed which include a tray and a slidably engaging lid with the tray locked in the closed position using some type of locking mechanism. However, many of such containers are relatively complex in construction and operation, and largely require manual deformation of the lid and/or tray for releasing the locking mechanism prior to pulling open the tray. However, many of these pill and capsule containers, although child resistant, have proven inconvenient and cumbersome to operate for the users.
Typical child resistant bottle closures usually require the user to perform some preliminary manipulations before the bottle can be opened. For example, there are bottle closures that require the user to align a mark on the closure with a mark on the bottle in order to remove the closure (normally, a snap off cap). Other closures require the user to sqeeze or pinch the closure while simultaneously rotating it to remove it. Still, other closures require the user to exert downward pressure on the closure and simultaneously rotate the closure in order to remove it from the battle.
Although such closures are effective, they require the exertion of some strength by the user. Many users, because of illness, manual deformation, manual flexibility limitations, and the like either have difficulty in removing the closures or are unable to remove them at all. In addition, although such closures are touted as "child resistant", "tamper proof", and the like, observant and innovative children have been known to readily remove such closures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel child resistant compliance device which comprises a transparent or opaque sliding lid, an elongated base or (tray) having inserted therein trays consisting of 1-3 rows capable of containing from 2-10 tablets, capsules or desired substance in solid form per row, a means for allowing said tablets, capsules or desired substance to exist from said device and a means for sequentially delivering additional tablets or capsules from said device.
Compliance has always been a problem, specifically with older patients. Medication is not taken on time, or not at all. Patients sometimes forget if and when they took their medication. The device disclosed herein offers positive proof that medication has or has not been taken, and also offers a fool-proof mechanical means, since you cannot remove but one tablet/capsule at a time, and only in proper sequence. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a child resistant compliance device having a lid that cannot be closed unless medication or desired substance is first removed and, if necessary, can be operated with one hand.
It is another object of this invention to provide a child resistant compliance device that is easy to carry, opens only for enough to allow one tablet, capsule or desired substance to exist prior to closing and automatically advances to the second, third and etc. positions.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a child resistant compliance device adaptable to be used with a variety of dispensing means.
Additional objects of this invention will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims and upon reference of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of example of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure I shows a general cross-sectional view of the base and the transparent or opaque sliding lid having a safety clamp in closed position.
Figure II shows a cross-sectional view of the sliding lid with safety clamp in open position.
Figure III shows a cross-sectional view of ramps attached to the under side of the slidable lid shown in Figure II.
Figure IV shows a cross-sectional view of the base (tray) with hinge stop, living hinge and hinge door.
Figure V shows a general cross-sectional view of the base (tray) having two rows with sequential sectional compartments for tablet, capsule or desired substance delivery.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom line, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be further understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The child resistant compliance device described herein comprises a transparent or opaque sliding lid (2) having a directional thumb grip with child resistant top lid lock (1) inserted slidably in upper base track (4) being part of base (4). To the under side of slidable lid (2) is attached stationary ramps (5 and 6). The base or tray consists of numerous compartments (10) for storage of tablet, capsule or desired substance (13). At the top center of base or tray (4) is located spring loaded lock button (14) that connects with directional thumb grip (1) for child resistant.
In general, the child resistant device described herein consists of a base or tray having a transparent or opaque slidable lid with child resistant lock as shown in Figures I and II. Said slidable lid has attached underneath at the top said lid stationary ramps that permit movement across the top of said base or tray as shown in Figure III. Figure 4 depicts the sequential mechanism which controls the movements of the living hinge, hinge door and hinge stop which allows release of a single dose of required (tablet or capsule) medication in solid form. The lid cannot be closed unless the medication or desired substance is removed.
In practicing the concepts of this invention, it is found that the over-all demensions of the device disclosed herein is not critical and can range from 1 to 15 inches, width to length, respectively; preferably from 1 to 8 inches. Also, the size of the medication for delivery is not critical. However, as one skilled in the art can readily appreciate, the device disclosed herein is designed for child safety in combination with ease in administering daily or prescribed medication. If so desired, the date and/or number for each medicament can be inscribed on the slidable lid, thereby being useful to the elderly or patient having memory disorders.

Claims

A child resistant compliance device comprising:
a) a sliding lid having a safety clamp;

b) an elongated base having attached therein trays consisting of multiple rows for medication storage and

c) a means for sequential delivery of said medication from said device.
The device according to Claim 1, wherein said base consists of 1 to 3 rows having a capacity of 2 to 15 compartments per row.
The device according to Claim 2, wherein said base consists of two(2) rows having ten(10) compartments per row.