Abstract:
A carrying case for carrying and organizing medication is disclosed. The carrying case comprises a first compartment and second compartment, with the first and second compartments relatively foldable along a common fold line between an open position and a closed position. The first and second compartments are disposed in face-to-face relationship when the first and second compartments are in the closed position. A plurality of slots are defined in at least one of the compartments, and a plurality of inserts are provided. Each of the inserts is sized for insertion into a corresponding one of the slots, with each of the inserts having at least one closeable chamber. A divider panel is provided, with the divider panel mounted for shiftable movement between a folded position in which the divider panel is disposed over at least one of the compartments and an unfolded position in which the divider panel permits access to the at least one compartment.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from United States Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/294,167, filed May 29, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to carrying cases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a carrying case that permits medication, such as prescription medication, and/or vitamins or supplements, to be transported in bulk and to be organized into discrete dosages.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Many people must take a number of prescription medications on a daily basis. In fact, many people must take multiple doses of a number of different medications every day. The task of organizing and tracking the daily doses is often daunting. This task is made even more difficult by the fact that some of the medications must be taken, for example, one time per day, while other medications must be taken two, three, or more times per day. Of course, care must be taken not to miss a dose or duplicate a dose. Organizing and tracking vitamins and supplements present the same problems.  
           [0004]    It is one thing to organize and track various medications, vitamins, and/or supplements at home. However, much of this organization may fall by the wayside when a person travels, as people often just throw all of their medications into a bag. Another problem is presented by the fact that many people see more than one doctor, each of which has or will prescribe different medications. In order to protect against drug interaction, a doctor must know about all of the medications a patient is taking, and in what doses. In many circumstances, patients may not recall with a great deal of accuracy all of the medications they may be taking, and in what doses. The foregoing concerns are merely exemplary.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable medicine organizing and carrying case assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the divider panel folded to cover one of the compartments;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in a closed position;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the manner by which the carrying case may be closed with a lock;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is an exploded view in perspective of the carrying case illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating one side of the divider panel;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary and partially exploded view in perspective of a foam insert having slots for receiving one or more pill inserts, and further showing one pill insert disposed in one of the slots and another pill insert removed from one of the slots;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a pill insert;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 9 is another fragmentary view in perspective of the pill insert shown in FIG. 8;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 8;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 11 is another fragmentary view in perspective of the pill insert shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pill insert having an optional wall divider wall panel;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the divider wall panel of FIG. 12 received in an internal slot;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate form for the slotted member for receiving the pill inserts;  
         [0019]    FIGS.  15 - 17  illustrate additional optional features for use with the disclosed embodiments;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 18 illustrates another alternate form for the slotted member for receiving the pill inserts; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 19 illustrates an optional eraseable dry board for use with the carrying case of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    The following description of the disclosed embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead, the following description is intended to be illustrative of the principles of the invention so that others may follow its teachings.  
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, a portable medicine organizing and carrying case assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral  10 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrying case  10  includes a first compartment  12  and a second compartment  14 . The first compartment  12  includes a bottom wall  16  (obscured in FIG. 1 but visible in FIG. 5) and surrounding sidewalls  18   a,    18   b ,  18   c  and  18   d.  The second compartment  14  includes a bottom wall  20  (obscured in FIG. 1 but visible in FIGS. 2 and 5) and surrounding sidewalls  22   a,    22   b,    22   c  and  22   d.  The first and second compartments  12 ,  14  are relatively foldable along a common hinge line  24  between the open position of FIGS. 1 and 2, and the closed position of FIG. 3.  
         [0024]    A closing device  26  (FIG. 3) is provided for securing the carrying case  10  in the closed position. In the disclosed embodiment, the closing device  26  is a zipper which extends along the interface  27  between the first and second compartments  12  and  14 . Alternatively, other suitable closing devices may be employed, such as, by way of examples and not limitations, snaps, straps, buckles, hook and loop closures, or other suitable mechanisms. Further, in the disclosed embodiment, the exterior of the case may be constructed of  70 D PVC material, such as is available from Custom Creative Products of Carpinteria, Calif.  
         [0025]    Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a divider panel  28  is joined to the compartment  12  along a hinge line  30 . In the embodiment shown, the divider panel is joined to the sidewall  18   d.  Alternatively, the divider panel may be joined to any one of the remaining sidewalls  18   a,    18   b  and  18   c.  As a further alternative, the divider panel  28  may be pivotally joined by a suitable hinge to any one of the sidewalls  22   a - d  of the second compartment  14 . A support  32  is provided inside the first compartment  12 . The support  32  is positioned within the compartment  12  to provide support for a free edge  34  of the divider panel  28  when the divider panel  28  is in the position of FIG. 2. Preferably, the support  32  and the free edge  34  of the divider panel  28  will include corresponding hook and loop closures  36   a,    36   b,  respectively, which help to secure the divider panel  28  in the position of FIG. 2.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a slotted member  38  is shown. The slotted member  38  includes a plurality of edges  38   a,    38   b,    38   c  and  38   d,  and is sized to be removably received in the second compartment  14 . In the disclosed embodiment, the slotted member  38  is frictionally secured in place in the second compartment  14  by friction between the sidewalls  38   a - d  and the surrounding sidewalls  22   a - d  of the second compartment  14 . Alternatively, the slotted member  38  may be secured to the second compartment by a hook and loop closure (not shown) or other suitable fastener (not shown). Further, in the disclosed embodiment the slotted member is constructed of foam, such as a polyurethane foam or any other suitable foam material.  
         [0027]    The slotted member  38  includes a plurality of slots  42 , which in the disclosed embodiment are substantially identical. Although in the illustrated device  10 , seven slots  42  are provided, they are identical and, thus, only a single one of the slots  42  will be described in detail. The slot  42  includes a bottom wall  44  and a plurality of surrounding sidewalls  46   a,    46   b,    46   c  and  46   d.  Alternatively, depending on the depth of the slotted member  38 , the bottom wall  44  may be defined by a portion of the bottom wall  20  of the second compartment  14 . Each of the slots  42  is sized to receive a pill insert  48 . Each of the pill inserts  48  includes a plurality of sidewalls  48   a - 48   d.  In FIG. 7, one such pill insert  48  is shown inserted in one of the slots  42 , while another such pill insert  48  is shown removed from the slotted member  38 . In the disclosed embodiment, the pill inserts  48  are frictionally secured in place in their corresponding slots  42  by friction between at least some of the sidewalls  44   a - d  of the slots  42  and at least some of the surrounding sidewalls  48   a - d  of the pill inserts  48 . Each of the pill inserts  48  includes a plurality of interior walls, for example, interior walls  50   a,    50   b  and  50   c,  thus dividing each pill insert  48  into a plurality of chambers, for example, chambers  52   a,    52   b,    52   c  and  52   d.  As an alternative, greater or fewer interior walls may be employed, thus dividing the pill insert  48  into greater or fewer chambers. Each chamber  52   a - d  includes a top wall  54   a - d , respectively, which is openable along a hinge line  56   a - d , respectively. Each of the top walls  54   a - d  will preferably include an extended portion  58 .  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 - 11 , a representative chamber  52  is shown.  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 10, the underside of each of the top walls  54  may include a latch  60 , which in the disclosed embodiment is a hook  62  which engages a flange  64 . It will be understood that the pill inserts  48  may take the form of a continuous insert (i.e., an insert having four chambers as shown in FIG. 7), or else the inserts  48  may be comprised of four individually formed chambers  52 , such as the individual chambers  52  is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and  11 .  
         [0030]    Preferably, each insert  48  (or each individual chamber  52 ) will have indicia  66  (FIGS. 7, 8,  12  and  14 ) imprinted or otherwise formed thereon. In the disclosed embodiment, the indicia  66  is printed or formed on each of the top walls  54   a - d . According to the disclosed embodiment, each of the inserts  48  will have indicia indicative of separate days of the week (e.g., Sunday through Saturday). Still preferably, the indicia  66  on each of the top walls  54   a - d  of the chambers  52   a - d  may be indicative of different times of the day (e.g., a.m., p.m., and other suitable times such as noon, etc.).  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a pouch  68  may be provided in the first compartment  12 . In the disclosed embodiment, the pouch is preferably a flexible waterproof plastic pouch having an elastic strip  70 , such that the pouch  68  will safely hold liquid medications (shown in phantom in FIG. 5) therein. The pouch will preferably be secured along one of the sidewalls  18   b  of the first compartment  12 , such as by using hook and loop closures or other suitable securement means. A medication bag  72  maybe provided, which in the disclosed embodiment is constructed of a nylon mesh material.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 6, the divider panel  28  includes a pair of faces  74 ,  76 , (the face  76  is visible in FIGS. 1 and 5). At least one of the faces, e.g., the face  74 , may include one or more pouches or pockets  78   a - 78   c.  Each of the pockets  78   a - c  is sized to receive written material, such as, by way of examples and not limitations, appointment cards, business cards, medical history information, drug interaction information, and other suitable types of information.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, at least one of the chambers, e.g., the chamber  52   b  in the example shown, may include an internal slot  80  which receives a separate wall panel  82 , thus dividing the chamber  52   b  into two subchambers  52   b - 1  and  52   b - 2 .  
         [0034]    Optional clear or translucent flexible flaps  139  (FIGS. 17 and 18) may be provided over either or both of the first and second compartments  12 ,  14 . Such clear and flexible flaps  139  may be constructed of commercially available materials, such as, by way of example rather than limitation, clear vinyl. A mesh material may be used as well. The flexible flap  139  may also be translucent, or alternatively, opaque (although if opaque the flap may, depending on its size, obstruct the user&#39;s view). Further, a handle  84  and/or a shoulder strap  86  may be provided (FIGS. 2 and 3).  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 3 and  4 , the zipper may include a pair of hand pulls, each of which may include an aperture, thus enabling the carrying case  10  to be secured in the closed position of FIG. 3 using a lock  88 .  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the pocket  78   a  may be formed on the face  74  of the divider panel  28 , while the pockets  78   b  and  78   c  may be formed on the other face  76  of the divider panel  28 . As outlined above, each of the pockets  78   a - c  may be sized to receive written material, such as, by way of examples and not limitations, appointment cards, business cards, medical history information, drug interaction information, and other suitable types of information. Other configurations may be chosen.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 18, an alternate form for the slotted member is shown and is referred to by the reference numeral  138 . The slotted member  138  includes a plurality of edges  138   a,    138   b,    138   c  and  138   d,  and is sized to be removably received in the second compartment  114 . In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the slotted member  138  may be secured in the second compartment  114  by a one or more strips  115  of hook and loop closure material, which engage complementary strips (not shown) on the underside of the slotted member  138 . Alternatively, or in addition to the hook and loop closures, the slotted member  138  may be secured in the second compartment  114  by the clear vinyl flap  139  secured to any one of the surrounding sidewalls  122   a - d  of the second compartment  114 , in this case the sidewall  122   a,  or to another sidewall (FIG. 17). The vinyl flap  139  may include a strip  141  of hook and loop closure material, which engages a corresponding strip  143  on a flap  145  on an opposite one of the sidewalls, in this case the sidewall  122   c.  Alternatively, the slotted member  138  may be frictionally secured in place in the second compartment  114  by friction between the sidewalls  138   a - d  and the surrounding sidewalls  122   a - d  of the second compartment  114 .  
         [0038]    The slotted member  138  includes a plurality of slots  142 , which in the disclosed embodiment are substantially identical. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, seven slots  142  are provided. Each of the slots  142  are sized to receive a pill insert  148 . Each of the pill inserts  148  is divided into a plurality of chambers. In FIG. 18, one such pill insert  148  is shown inserted in one of the slots  142 , while another such pill insert  148  is shown removed from the slotted member  138 . In the disclosed embodiment, the slotted member  138 , which is constructed of a rigid plastic material as opposed to foam as discussed above with respect to the first embodiment, may include one or more apertures  147  to enable the inserts  148  to be dislodged from their corresponding slots  142  (when the slotted member  138  has been removed from the second compartment  114 ). Each of the pill inserts  148  includes a plurality of interior walls, for example, interior walls  150   a,    150   b,    150   c,    150   d,    150   e,    150   f,  thus dividing each pill insert  148  into a plurality of chambers, for example, chambers  152   a - 152   g.  The total number of chambers may be customized based on the needs of the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the slotted member  138  and the pill inserts  148  may be purchased as a unit from Apothecary Products of Burnsville, Minn. The pill inserts  148  are also available in a four chamber configuration.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 19, an optional eraseable board or insert  160  may be provided. Preferably, the insert  160  is foldable along a fold line  162 , and includes indicia  164  (which may, in the disclosed example, match the indicia  66  discussed above). The insert  160  may also include indicia  166  indicative of the day of the week or any other suitable time increment. As shown in FIG. 19, still other indicia may be provided which may prove suitable to the user.  
         [0040]    An optional pen or other writing instrument may be provided. The pen (not shown) may be conveniently attached to any available surface in the carrying case disclosed herein such as by, for example, a hook and loop closure mechanism, an elastic strap, a pocket, or by any other suitable means of attachment.  
         [0041]    From the foregoing, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the disclosed device provides a system for transporting and organizing medication. By virtue of this system, all medication and medical information can be transported to, for example, a treating physician&#39;s office, an emergency room, or the like, thereby providing the treating physician, paramedics, or any other health care provider with information concerning the patient&#39;s treatment and minimizing the likelihood of over medicating the patient and/or providing the patient with conflicting medications. The disclosed system also provides a reminding mechanism wherein pills are organized into dosages for specific periods thereby facilitating proper following of medication treatment plans. At the same time, the disclosed system provides a convenient storage facility for bulk medications, whether they are in pill, liquid, powder, or gel form.  
         [0042]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although the teachings of the invention have been illustrated in connection with certain embodiments, there is no intent to limit the scope of this patent to such embodiments. On the contrary, the intention of this patent is to cover all modifications and embodiments fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.