US3397671A - Reminder-dispenser device - Google Patents

Description

All@ 20, 1958 M. o. HARTMAN, JR.. ETAI.` 3,397,671

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Unted States Patent O 3,397,671 REMINDER-DISPENSER DEVICE Maurice D. Hartman, Jr., Harleysville, and Raymond Finkelston, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Sparks Corporation, Harleysville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 441,449 7 Claims. (Cl. 116-121) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The instant invention is concerned essentially with a reminder-dispenser for pills and the like which includes a holder, a carrier held by the holder, a plurality of individually openable pill pockets on the carrier and accessible when the carrier is held by the holder, and indicia means associated with the holder for selective location relative to the carrier indicating the period of consumption of pills in respective pockets.

This invention relates generally to the art of packaging, and is especially concerned with packages for reminding the user of consumption periods and for dispensing articles in accordance With the reminder.

While the package of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed for use with pharmaceuticals, such as conventional contraceptive pills requiring daily consumption for a specified period and beginning at a certain date, it is appreciated that the device is capable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to -be comprehended herein.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a package of pills, or the like, wherein the user of consumer is automatically reminded of the period for next pill consumption, and wherein the proper pill is dispensed for consumption at the proper time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reminder-dispenser device for pills and the like having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable in use, convenient in operation, and which can be economically produced for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exempliiied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View showing one embodiment of a reminder-dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the pres-ent invention, and illustrating one initial condition of use;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational View showing a component part of the package of FIGURE l, apart from the remainder thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, enlarged for clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a partial rear view taken generally along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3, broken away for convenience of illustration;

FIGURE 5 is a front view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing another initial condition of use of the instant device;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention in closed position;

Patented Aug. 20, 1968 ICC to FIGURE 7, partly broken away and enlarged for clarity;

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view showing a component of the device of FIGURES 6-8, apart from the remainder thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8, enlarged for clarity;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 11-11 of IFIGURE 8, also enlarged;

FIGURE 12 is a partial rear elevational view taken lgenerally along the line 12-12 of FIGURE l0; and

FIGURE 13 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- UR-ES 7 and 8, but illustrating another initial condition of use.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-5 thereof, areminder-dispenser of the present invention is there generally designated 20 and includes a holder 21 composed of a pair of generally congruent facing sheets or walls 22 and 23. Interposed in sandwiched relation between the holder walls 22 and 23 is a carrier, `generally designated 24 carrying pills 25 or other suitable articles.

The holder wall 22 may be considered as the front wall, and the holder wall 23 as the rear wall, and the front and rear holder walls may he fabricated of a single sheet, if desired, provided with a fold 27 joining the lower edges of the holder walls. The front and rear holder walls 22 and 23 may be of generally elongate configuration, as illustrated, or of other desired configuration and may have their lower margins 28 and 29 adhesively secured in facing engagement to yieldably maintain the walls in their facing relation. Thus, the holder walls 22 and 23 are normally disposed in adjacent facing relation and may be spread apart, if desired, as for engagement therebetween of the carrier 24, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The carrier front wall 22, is formed with one or more series or rows of thru apertures, such as the apertures 30 arranged in an upper row, and the apertures 31 arranged in a lower row. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper apertures 30 are each located directly over a respective lower aperture 31. The rear holder wall 23 is also provided with a plurality of apertures each located in registry with a respective aperture of the front wall, an upper row of rear-wall apertures 32 being in respective registry with the front-Wall apertures 30, and a lower row of rear-wall apertures 3-3 being located in respective registry with the front-wall apertures 31.

In addition, the front- wall apertures 30 and 31 are provided with suitable indicia or marking adjacent thereto on the outer side of the front wall, such as the successive day or period markings 35 associated with respective adjacent apertures 30, and the day or period markings 36 respectively associated with adjacent apertures 31. It will be apparent that successive markings or indicia 35 indicate successive periods or days for pill consumption, reading from left to right, as -do successive markings 36.

The holder walls 22 and 23 are provided with a series of transversely extending lines of weakening or perforation, as at 37, each such line extending entirely across the holder and located in spaced relation between an adjacent pair of upper-row openings 30 and the corresponding adjacent pair of lower-row openings 31. The holder may be provided with six such lines of weakening 37, whereby a left-hand end portion of the holder may be selectively removed by severance along a selected line 37 to leave a desired marking 35 leftmost on the holder. `Of course, other than six weakened lines 37 may be provided, if desired, say corresponding to hours or other periods, rather than days.

The carrier 24 includes a carrier sheet 40, say of transparent plastic material, which may be of generally rectangular-outline configuration and thermoformed or otherwise provided with one or more rows of hollow protrusions or pockets, the protrusions of an upper row being designated 41, and the protrusions of a lower row being designated 42. The hollow protrustions or blisters 41 and 42 are located in correspondence with the spacing of holes 30 and 31 so as to project forwardly through such holes when the carrier sheet is located on the rear or inner side of the front holder wall 22.

Secured in facing engagement with the rear side of carrier sheet 4t), and extending in closing relation across the several hollow protrusions or blisters 41 and 42, is a rupturable closure sheet 43. The closure sheet 43 may be generally congruent with the carrier sheet 4() and may be formed of aluminum foil or other suitable moisturevapor barrier, advantageously heat sealed to the carrier sheet. Advantageously, the closure sheet 43 is provided on its rear or outer surface with indicia or markings each associated with respective, adjacent blister 41 and 42. Such markings may be numerical, as indicated at 45 and 46 in FIGURE 4 and located for exposure through rear holder wall openings 32 and 33.

In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 24 is provided with twenty pockets or blisters 41 and 42 each containing a single pill 25, the numerical indicia 45 being associated with the upper row of pill pockets and designating the same numerals 1 through 1G, from right to left, while indicia 46 are associated with the lower row of pill pockets and respectively designate the latter numerals 11 through 20, also from right to left.

Prior to consumption of the pills 25, the carrier 24 is placed in its sandwiched relation between the holder walls 22 and 23 such that pill number 1 is presented through the particular front-wall hole 30 having indicia 35 designating the starting day or other period. In the embodiment of FIGURE l, the carrier 24 has been located in the leftmost position in the holder 21 corresponding to a starting period of Monday. Thus, pill 25 in pocket number 1, as observed through rear-wall hole 32, is consumed first, as by local rupture of the closure sheet to remove the pill. Successive pills, as numerically indicated through holes 32 and 33 are consumed on successive days or periods, as indicated by indicia 35 and 36, first the upper row and then the lower row. It will be observed that the day or period 36 indicated beneath each day or period 35 is three days later than the latter, so that the proper day for pill number 11 is indicated to follow that indicated for pill number 10 wherever the carrier is positioned.

While the embodiment of FIGURE l has illustrated the carrier positioned at its leftmost location for commencing on Monday, it is appreciated tht the carrier may be positioned at any desired location for commencing on any day of the week. FIGURE 5 illustrates the carrier positioned for commencing on Saturday. It will there be seen that the portion of holder 21 leftward of the carrier 24 has been removed to leave the beginning period leftmost. This serves to minimize the size of the reminderdispenser device, and assure proper location of the carrier 24 in the holder 21, even if the carrier should be inadvertently removed and replaced.

A modified embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated in FIGURES 6-13, the reminder-dispenser device being shown in FIGURE 6 in its closed condition, as for storage, shipment or the like7 and there generally designated 50. The reminder-dispenser device 5t) includes a holder, generally designated 51, a carrier 52 carried by the holder, and indicia means 53 associated with the holder and carrier.

The holder may include a pair of facing `sheets or front and rear Walls 55 and 56, which may be connected together along their lower edges, as by a 'fold 57, see FIG- URE l0, and have their upper margins secured in facing engagement by any suitable adhesive, as at 58.

The rear wall 56 may extend laterally beyond the front wall 55, the leftward extension being designated 59, as in FIGURE 8, and the rightward extension being designated 6?. A front sheet or panel 61 is secured in facing :relation with the extension 59, as by a fold 62 connecting the lower edges of the extension 59 and panel 61, and suitable adhesive 63 securing the upper portions in facing engagement. Also, a lfront panel 64 is suitably secured in facing relation with the extension 60, as by a fold 65 securing together the lower edges of the extension and panel, and other securing means (not shown). The extension 60 and its panel 64 combine to define an upwardly opening pocket 66, say for safe keeping of an informational circular, or the like. Interiorly between the extension 59 and its front panel 61 there is provided a slideway or guideway 67, Ifor a purpose `appearing presently.

As best seen in FIGURE 6, the extensions 59 and 60, and their respective panels 61 and 64 are swingable forwardly into overlying relation with the front panel 55 to a closed position, as for storage, and returnable to an open position of FIG'URE 7, as for use.

The front wall 55 may be formed with a pair of upper and lower rows of apertures, the apertures of the upper row being designated 70, and the apertures of the lower row being designated 71. The apertures and 71 may be twenty in number, each row being ten in number and the apertures of the upper row being arranged directly above respective apertures of the lower row. Further, the forward face of front wall 55 may be provided with indicia or markings 72, being numerical markings from 1 through 10 and each associated with a respective aperture 70, while additional numerical indicia or markings 73, 11 through 20 are associated with respective Iapertures 71.

Also associated with each aperture 70 is a thru opening or hole 74 `formed in the front wall 55, the openings or windows 74 each being located adjacent to a respective aperture 70. A similar series of thru openings or windows 75 are formed in the front wall 55 each respectively adjacent to one of the apertures 71.

The rear wall 56 is formed with a pair of upper and lower rows of thru openings or apertures in respective registry with the front- wall apertures 70 and 71. In particular, see FIGURES 10-12, the rear wall 56 is formed with an upper row of apertures 77 in respective registry with the front-wall apertures 70, and is further formed with a lower row of thru openings or apertures 7S in respective registry with the front-wall apertures 71.

Interiorly between the facing front and rear walls 55 and 56 is located the carrier 52 which includes a generally rectangular carrier sheet 79, say of transparent plastic, formed with upper and lower rows of hollow protrusions or blisters and 81. The blisters 80 and 81 define pockets for pills 82. Secured to the inner or rear face of the carrier sheet 79 is a closure sheet 83 of moisturevapor-proof, rupturable materal, say aluminum foil. The closure sheet 83 extends in closing relation across all of the blisters 80 and 81 and may advantageously be heat sealed to the carrier sheet 79.

In position between the front and rear walls 55 and 56, the protrusions or blisters 80 and 81 of the carrier sheet 79 respectively project forwardly through front- wall apertures 70 and 71.

Slidably inserted between the rear side of closure sheet S3 and rear wall 56 is the indicia member or sheet 53. As best seen in FIGURE l0, the vertical extent of carrier 52 is less than the distance between windows 74 `and 75, while the vertical extent of indicator sheet 53 is greater than the distance between windows 74 and 75, so that upper and lower portions of the indicator sheet are exposed `forwardly through the windows. That is, the windows 74 associated with apertures 70 are spaced above the apertures, while the windows 75 associated with apertures 71 are spaced below the latter apertures.

The indicator card or sheet 53 is best seen in FIGURE 9, and there shown of elongate, generally rectangular configuration and formed with an upper row of thru apertures or holes 85, and a lower row of thru apertures or holes 86. The vertical spacing of the rows of apertures 85 and 86 corresponds to that of the front- wall apertures 70 and 71, and the rear- wall apertures 77 and 78, and the space between adjacent apertures 85 and 86 of the same row is substantially the same as that of apertures 70 and 71, and 77 and 78. However, the apertures 85 of the upper row in indicator sheet 53 are sixteen in number, as are the apertures 86 of the lower row. This is essential to insure that a series of ten apertures may be employed commencing with any selected day of the week, as will appear presently. Of course, other desired periods of pill consumption may be employed and correspondingly other numbers of indicator-sheet apertures may be utilized. The indicator sheet 53 is provided with indicia or markings 87 located above and associated with respective apertures 85 corresponding to the days of the week and arranged in normal sequence. Similarly, there is provided on the indicator sheet 53, in respective association with and located below the lower row of apertures 86 indicia 88 indicating the days of the week in normal sequence.

The indicator member or sheet 53 is of a length greater than that of front and rear walls 55 and 56, and as shown in FIGURE 8 extends from between the front and rear walls into the slide-way or space 67 between extension 59' and front panel 61. The indicator sheet 53 is slidably received between the front and rear walls 55 and 56 and extension 59 and panel 61, having its rightward end extending through a cut or slit 90 in the front wall 55 Iand provided with a tab 91 to facilitate manual sliding of the indicator sheet. The leftward region of the indicator sheet 53 may be formed with a plurality of generally parallel, vertically extending folds or creases 92, While the rightward region of the indicator sheet is advantageously formed with a plurality of parallel, vertically extending lines of perforation or weakness, as at 93.

In the condition of use shown in FIGURES 6-8, the indicator member 53 has been slidably inserted to its full extent between the walls 55 and 56, and extension 59 and panel 61. This locates the period indicia Sunday visually exposed through the window 74 corresponding to pocket designated 1. Should any other beginning period be desired, it is only necessary to slide the indicator sheet 53 rightward to locate the desired indicia 87 for exposure through the window 74 adjacent to pill pocket 1. At any of these selected locations, a fold line 92 is located in alignment with the fold 95 between rear panel 56 and extension 59 to facilitate folding of the latter to its closed position. Further, to assure proper location of the indicator sheet 53 for its entire useful life, any rightward portion extending beyond the slit 90 may be severed and removed, as along one of the weakened lines 93. This condition is shown in FIGURE 13, wherein the beginning period is Thursday and an unused rightward portion of indicator sheet 53 has been severed for removal.

Following this initial locating procedure, it is then only necessary to withdraw pills 82 in numerical sequence on the indicated periods or days, this pill withdrawal is effected by local rupture of the closure sheet 83 adjacent to the particular pill, and removal thereof through the adjacent aligned apertures 85 and 77, or 86 and 78.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a reminder-dispenser device which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by Way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like, said dispenser comprising a holder including spaced walls, a carrier held in position by said holder, a plurality of individually openable pill pockets on said carrier and accessible for opening when said carrier is held by said holder, and indicia means associated with said holder for selective location relative to said carrier to indicate the period of consumption of pills in respective pockets, said indicia means indicating successive periods of pill consumption and being selectively positionable relative to said holder and carrier for location relative to said pill pockets to indicate the desired beginning and each successive period of pill consumption, said indicia means comprising a slide member slidable between said walls and carrying markings of successive periods of pill consumption, one of said walls being open to expose said markings proximate to respective pill pockets.

2. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like, said dispenser comprising a holder, a carrier held in position by said holder, a plurality of individually openable pill pockets on said carrier and accessible for opening when said carrier is held by said holder, and indicia means associated with said holder for selective location relative to said carrier to indicate the period of consumption of pills in respective pockets, said holder comprising a pair of walls secured together in facing relation and movable away from each other for receiving said carrier, said walls each having a row of apertures with the apertures of each row in respective registry with the apertures of the other row, said indicia means comprising markings of successive periods respectively associated with successive apertures of one Wall, said carrier comprising a carrier sheet having a series of blisters defining said pill pockets and protruding on one side of said carrier sheet and opening on the other side of said carrier sheet, said series of blisters being less in number than the apertures in a row, and a closure sheet on said other side of said carrier sheet closing said blisters, said carrier and closure sheets being engageable between said Walls with said blisters protruding through a group of less than all the apertures of said one wall and selectively positionable to locate the pill pockets respectively proximate to proper indicia markings.

3. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like according to claim 2, said walls being formed with lines of weakness at locations intermediate adjacent apertures for selective removal of apertured Wall portions carrying markings of periods prior to the desired beginning period.

4. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like, said dispenser comprising a holder, a carrier held in position by said holder, a plurality of individually openable pill pockets on said carrier and accessible for opening when said carrier is held by said holder, and indicia means associated with said holder for selective location relative to said carrier to indicate the period of consumption of pills in respective pockets, said holder comprising a pair of facing walls secured together at spaced locations, said walls each having a row of apertures with the apertures of each wall in respective registry with the apertures of the other wall, said indicia means comprising an indicia sheet provided with a series of markings of successive periods of pill consumption and slidably carried by said holder for location of the markings of said series respectively adjacent to selected apertures of one of said rows, and said carrier comprising a carrier sheet interposed between said walls, said carrier sheet being formed with a plurality of blisters defining said pockets and projecting through respective apertures of said one row to retain said carrier sheet in position.

5. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like according to claim 4, said indicia sheet being interposed between said walls and slidably positionable along said rows of apertures, one of said walls being open to expose said markings.

6. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like according to claim S, the markings of said series being greater in number than the apertures of one of said rows for selective positioning of said indicia sheet with a desired marking proximate to the initial aperture of said one row.

7. A reminder-dispenser for pills and the like according to claim 6, said indicia sheet being formed with severance lines extending between adjacent markings for removal of unnecessary material of said indicia sheet after proper positioning.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 364,623 6/1887 Beidler 206-42 Burnham 206-42 OMeara 206-42 Sweet 206-42 Jenner 206-42 Ruoss et al 116--121 Kaufman et a1 206-42 Grunewald et al 20G-42 Finkelston et al. 206-42 Sparks 206-42 Greif et al 206-42 LOUIS I. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

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