Abstract:
A cap is attachable to a receptacle for co-acting therewithin enclosing medication and timing a predetermined interval for taking the medication defined by one timing schedule of a set of selectable timing schedules. An electronic timing circuit in the cap is constructed and arranged to provide an alarm signal designating a time for taking the medication at the expiration of a predetermined time interval defined by the timing schedule. A battery furnishes power to the electronic timing circuit. A switch is connected between the battery and the electronic timing circuit having an initial ship position preventing the flow of electrical energy from the battery to the electronic timing circuit and an on position allowing delivery of electrical power from the battery to the electronic timing circuit. The switch is constructed and arranged to be initially in the ship position and switch to the on position when the cap is first attached to the receptacle to close the receptacle.

Description:
The present invention relates in general to cap timing and more particularly concerns apparatus and techniques related to a cap that is attachable to a receptacle for timing a predetermined interval according to a timing schedule of a set of timing schedules to provide a sensible alarm signal at the expiration of the predetermined time interval. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For background reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,016,230 and 6,084,504 incorporated herein by reference. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of the invention is an improved device that is attachable to a receptacle for timing a predetermined interval according to a timing schedule of a set of timing schedules. The device has an electronic timing circuit that provides an alarm signal at the expiration of the predetermined time interval. The timing circuit includes a set of inputs and a set of outputs that are both connected to processing circuitry. The inputs correspond to the timing schedules and the outputs issue the alarm signals. 
   Embodiments of this aspect of the invention include one or more of the following features. 
   A selector mechanism allows the timing schedule to be mechanically selected. 
   The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a medication container having a cap according to the invention, attached to a receptacle; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  along a longitudinal axis extending through the cap and the container; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the bottom side of the housing of the container of  FIG. 2  showing a posterior side of the housing; 
       FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the inner topside of the housing of the container of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are a perspective view, of the topside and bottom side, respectively, of the trigger of the container of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring plate contact of the container of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of the inner topside of the housing assembled with the spring plate contact and the trigger of  FIG. 4   a  positioned in a ship position; 
       FIG. 6   b  is a perspective bottom view of the housing of the inner topside with trigger in the same position as  FIG. 6   a;    
       FIG. 7   a  is a perspective bottom view of the housing assembled with the trigger of  FIG. 4   a  positioned in a close position; 
       FIG. 7   b  is a perspective inner top view of the housing with trigger and spring plate contact in a close position; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective inner top view of the housing with trigger and spring plate contact in an activated open position; 
       FIG. 9   a  is perspective view of the anterior side of the timing device of the cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9   b  is a perspective view of the posterior side of the timing device of  FIG. 9   a;    
       FIG. 10  is a perspective inner top view of the housing with timing device of  FIG. 5   a;    
       FIG. 11   a  is a perspective top view of the top part of  FIG. 1   a    
       FIG. 11   b  is a perspective bottom view of the top part of  FIG. 1   a;    
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the seal of the container of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the reset button of the container of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view partially in cross section of the plastic parts of the complete cap, across the line over the LED and the reset button showing the interrelation of both mechanical and electrical components of the cap. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  a medication container  10  includes a receptacle  12  suitable for containing medication and a cap  14  that includes a timing device  16  ( FIG. 2 ) to provide an alarm signal according to a predetermined schedule that indicates the appropriate time to administer the medication. Based on a prescription, pharmacists can deliver caps  14  with different time and duration schedules. The electronic IC on the electronic device  16  is programmed with different schedules. Top part  18  carries the printed timing and duration schedule of cap  14 . 
   When medication container  10  activates the alarm signals, which may be a combination of a repetitive “beeping” sound and flashing LED  20 , a user opens medication container  10  by removing cap  14  from receptacle  12  to access the medication. At that time, medication container  10  senses that cap  14  was removed and resets the alarm after a predefined interval expires. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , medication container  10  is roughly cylindrical about a longitudinal axis  22 . To provide a reference for the structure of medication container  10  relative to longitudinal axis  22 , receptacle  12  extends in a posterior direction  24  of container end  26  of medication container  10 . Similarly, cap  14  extends in an anterior direction  28  and is located near an anterior end  30  of medication container  10 . Receptacle  12  is a hollow cylindrical member having a single opening  32  at an end nearest anterior end  30 . Cap  14  attaches over opening  32  to enclose the hollow space of receptacle  12 . 
   In addition to timing device  16 , cap  14  includes a trigger  36 , a housing  34  and top part  18 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4   a  and  4   b , trigger  36  is, typically a plastic (e.g. polypropylene) washer with several “legs”  38 , which activate or deactivate timing device  16 . Trigger  36  is sized to fit in cap  14  ( FIG. 6   a ). Tabs  38  ( FIG. 4   b ) of trigger  36  fit in the sleeves  40  ( FIG. 3   b ) of housing  34  and are positioned above grips  42  ( FIG. 3   a ) in housing  34  (see  FIG. 6   b ) at the nearest posterior side  26  of housing  34 . Sleeves  40  are formed in the surface  56  in housing  34  ( FIG. 3   b ). Each of tabs  38  is perpendicular to ring section  50  and extends in posterior direction  24 . Each tab  38  has a lip  52  located near posterior end  26 . The number of tabs  38  is typically half of the number of grips  42  of housing  34 . For a proper orientation of trigger  36  in housing  34 , an alignment pin  44  in housing  34  guides and positions its sleeve  46  ( FIG. 4   a ) of trigger  36 . Trigger  36  can rotate freely through a fixed angle  48 . When trigger  36  rotates inside housing  34 , tabs  38  move in reset areas  54  in the near posterior ends  24  of housing  34  ( FIG. 3   a ). Trigger  36  also has a ramp  84 , parallel to the ring section  50 , mounted in the anterior direction  28 . ( FIG. 4   a ) When cap  14  is assembled with trigger  36  inside, ramp  84  of trigger  36  is just free of the board section surface  86  of the electronic device  16 . By rotational movement of trigger  36 , ramp  84  can freely move beneath the board section surface  86 . The ridge  88  at the anterior of ring section  50  functions as a spacer to board surface  86 . Cap  14  in assembled position locates trigger  36  between board surface  86  and surface  56 . Trigger  36 , e.g., typically 35 mm in diameter by 11 mm in height is typically made of polypropylene. The trigger  36  also has a second ramp  89 . This ramp  89  is at the anterior of ring  50  at the same level. The posterior side of ramp  89  is typically 0.3 mm thinner than the ring section surface  50 . The cap  14  in assembled position locates spring plate contact  74  in a free space to trigger  36  at ramp  89  so that trigger  36  can rotate freely inside cap  14 . 
   Housing  34 , typically 39 mm in diameter by 24 mm in height, is typically made of polypropylene.  FIG. 3   b  shows spacers  58  at the side of ground surface  56  inside housing  34 . Spacers  58  are positioned directly to spacing posts  64 , beside inner wall  66  of the housing  34 . Spacer  60  is connected to alignment pin  68 . Spacer  60  is longer than spacers  58  so that the assembly of trigger  36  includes a notch  70  is the periphery of ring section  50 . ( FIG. 4   b ) Notch  70  moves beside spacer  60  when cap  14  is assembled and trigger  36  inserted into housing  34  so that sleeve  46  moves freely across alignment pin  44  of housing  34 . Alignment pins  68  and  44  extend together in anterior direction  28 . Trigger  36  can rotate because tabs  38  of trigger  36  are guided in sleeves  40  of housing  34 . Spacers  62  in the center of surface  56  are located to the center pin  72 . Spacers  62  together are guided by spring plate contact  74  in middle hole  76  ( FIG. 5 ). Spacers  58 ,  60  and  62  are positioned about housing  34  to provide space that accommodates portions of electronic devices  16 , which rests on spacers  58 ,  60  and  62 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a  and  3   b , housing  34  includes a mechanism to secure cap  14  in a closed position, and in combination with trigger  36 , comprises a mechanism to activate or deactivate alarm signals provided by timing device  16 . Housing  34  is typically generally cylindrical and has an opening  78  oriented toward receptacle  12 . 
   Housing  34  includes grips  42  and  80  disposed along a lower peripheral edge  82 . Grips  42  and  80  secure cap  14  to receptacle  12  and are spaced equidistantly about peripheral edge  82  as shown  3   a . Several position and align shapes are mounted in surface  56  of housing  34  to properly position spring plate contact  74 . An alignment ridge  90  positions spring plate contact  74  properly along edge line  92  ( FIG. 5 ) anterior inside  106  of housing  36 . A second alignment shape in surface  56  of housing  34  is a small rectangular profile  94 . During the assembly of cap  14  ramp  96  of spring plate contact  74  is preferably located to be visible opposite this profile  94  on surface  56 . A groove  100  is located inside housing  34  at the anterior side to position top part  18  for closing the complete cap  14 .  FIG. 14  shows grove  100  hollow shaped. The top part  18  has a ball-shaped ridge  102  at the outer periphery edge line  104 . During the complete assembly of cap  14 , ball shape ridge  102  in top part  18  fits in the hollow-shaped groove  100  of housing  34 . The entrance of the anterior side  106  of housing  34  is deformed slightly during assembly to ensure a good location of top part  18  in housing  34 . Spacers  108  beside the outer wall  114  of top part  18  and in the posterior direction will give extra restriction for the fixation of the top part  18  inside the housing. The anterior end  110  of all the spacing posts  64  in the housing keeps the top part  18  in longitudinal position, to restrict movement inside in posterior direction  24 . Top part  18  has notches  112 , equally divided across the periphery wall  114  for these spacing posts  64  inside housing  34 . An extra notch  116  fits alignment pin  68  in the housing  34  for radially positioning top part  18 . Notch  116  is deeper in anterior direction than the other notches  112 . In assembled position of cap  14 , the outer periphery wall  114  of top part  18  keeps the board  118  of electronic timing device  16  in a fixed position. The posterior end surface  122  of periphery wall  114  presses directly on anterior surface  120  of board  118 . Board  118  is longitudinally positioned with posterior side  86  to housing  34  and the anterior side  120  to the periphery wall surface  122  of top part  18 , which has features for furnishing substantially equally divided pressure to components on board  118  of timing device  16 . Two ring spacers  134  press battery holder  136  in its position on board  118 . Extension  138  functions for silicon button  140  for the reset and start function of the electronic device  16  of cap  13 . Silicon button  140  is fit in the top part  18  before definitive closing of cap  14  to allow assembly of cap  14  closing top part  18  into anterior side  106  in housing  34 . Silicon button  140  has a long cylindrical shape  142  at the anterior side  28  that stabs front surface  144  at the anterior side of top part  18 . An oval recess shape  146  is around this “button hole” in top part  18 . The anterior side of this cylindrical shape  142  fits in oval recess  146  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Oval recess shape  146  is dimensioned so that a normal finger can compress this button  142  to 2 mm deep in posterior direction  24 . There is carbon material in the posterior side of cylindrical shape  142 . When cap  14  is fully assembled, by pressing the button  140  on the anterior side in posterior direction, this carbon material establishes a connection to a small contact surface  194  on board  118 . 
   Silicon button  140  extends in the anterior direction into the extension  138  of top part  18 . Cylindrical base part  150  of cylindrical button  140  fits lightly between extended ribs  152  of the extension  138  of top part  18 . Full assembly of cap  14 , automatically positions the cylindrical round shape  142  to board  118  as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   The top part  18  includes anterior end opening  128  for accommodating LED  130  when cap  14  is assembled. End opening  80  is located of the end portion of top part  18  and is wider at an outer surface of top part  18  than at an inner surface of top part  18 . Thus, opening  128  provides an outward-facing funnel-shaped depression that accommodates LED  20 . This depression protects LED  20  from impact if, for example, medication container  10  is dropped. An audio port  132  is located in the center of top part  18 . This opening  132  allows the audible alarm to be heard without excessive attenuation when cap  14  is fully assembled. A recess  154  is located at the posterior side of audio port  132  to fit the highest component of audio cell  156  of the electronic device  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  9   a  and  9   b , timing device  16  comprises a timing circuit that produces an alarm signal according to a special timing schedule. When fully assembled, timing device  16  is adapted to fit into a relatively small volume between trigger  36  and housing  34 . Timing device  16  includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  118  that functions as a structural support for electronic device  16  and provides conductive paths and electrical contacts  148  for the timing circuit. PCB  118  is typically 1.2 mm thick and fits in housing  34 . To conserve space, electronic components of timing device  16  are mounted on the anterior side of PCB  118  and include two battery cells  158 , which are connected to board  118  by two battery holders  136  to typically provide electrical potential, a cylindrical audio cell  156  to provide audio alarm signals, a timing crystal  160  to control clock pulse frequency, a integrated circuit chip (IC)  162  and some resistors and two capacitors. 
   The posterior side  86  of board  118  has three main contacts for a normal function of cap  14 . Contact  164  is connected to IC  162  to switch the connection for open and close. Contact  166  is connected to the negative terminal of IC  162  and contact  168  is connected to the negative of the battery. These three contacts are used to activate the electronic circuit by contact  168  and to switch electronic device  16  between open and close of cap  14  of container  10 . The other two contacts  170  beside contact  168  are not connected in the electronic circuit. Contacts  170  during the ship position of the spring plate contact  74  allow contact finger  172  to directly engage board surface  86 . 
   The spring contact plate  74  has a ship position shown in  FIG. 6   a , at the anterior side  106  of housing  34  and is guided around spacers  62  in the center of surface  56 . During rotation spring plate contact  74  moves beside ridge  90  to edge line  92  of spring plate contact  74 . Contact fingers  172 ,  174  and  176  and ramp  96  are in the anterior position  28  of spring plate contact  74 . Ramp  96  is opposite rectangular shape  94  at ground surface  56  at the anterior side  106  in housing  36 . Rectangular shape  94  ridgeline  90  defines a ship position of spring plate contact  74  in the housing  34 . The two small posts  180  at the anterior side  106  of housing  34  at ground surface  56  fits beneath the two bent ramps  182  of spring plate contact  74  in ship position (see  FIG. 6   a ). 
   After assembly of spring plate contact  74  in housing  34 , trigger  36  fits inside anterior side  106  of housing  34  across the spring plate contact  74 . The tabs  38  of the trigger  36  are in the posterior position in housing  34 . Alignment is in  44  is in sleeve  46  and the spacer  60  is in notch  70  of trigger  36 . The three tabs  38  are just opposite grips  42  in housing  34 . Cap  14  of container  10  is then is in an open position ( FIG. 6   a  and  FIG. 6   b ). The assembled cap  14  can be removed from receptacle  12 . 
   To close cap  14  on receptacle  12 , connect the bayonet connection shapes between grips  42  of housing  34  and grips  186  of receptacle  12 . By this relative rotation between receptacle  12  to cap  14 , the front of the grip  188  rotates trigger  36  in housing  34 . The rotation angle of cap  14  against receptacle  12  is fixed by the bayonet mechanism. The bayonet mechanism functions as a child resistance closure of cap  14  to receptacle  12 . 
   To open cap  14 , press cap  14  in the posterior direction  24  and then rotate it in the open direction  190 . By this rotation the backsides  192  of grips  186  of receptacle  12  press tabs  38  of trigger  36  so trigger  36  makes an open rotation inside cap  14 . By this open and close movement  184  and  190  of cap  14  against receptacle  12 , cap  14  can mechanically “see” if it is open or closed from receptacle  12  because trigger  36  works as an interface between receptacle  12  and cap  14 . When cap  14  is first assembled, the mechanism of trigger  36  and spring plate contact  74  inside are positioned in a “ship position”. Batteries  158  are then disconnected from the electronic circuit of the timing device  16  to extend the warranty of batteries  158 . The caps, such as  14 , of medical containers, such as  10 , may be delivered separate from container  10 . A pharmacist can then fill receptacle  12  with medicine and close receptacle  12  with cap  14 . 
   Then trigger  36  for the first time rotates inside cap  14  to rotate spring plate contact  74  inside cap  14 . 
   Ridge  88  of trigger  36  then presses ramp  96  of spring plate contact  74  to rotate spring plate contact  74  in an activated position ( FIG. 7   b ). The two pins  180  at the anterior inner ground surface  56  in housing  34  will enter the two holes  178  of spring plate contact  74 , which is then fixed in that position, and contact fingers  172 ,  174  and  176  makes contact to the contact paths  168 ,  164  and  166  of posterior surface  86  of board  118  to connect to the electronic circuit of timing device  16 , so the electronic system is activated with battery cells  158  connected in circuit. In the assembled cap  14 , the spring plate contact  74  is between the posterior surface  86  of board  118  and the anterior surface  56  in housing  34 . The longitudinal forces of the three contact fingers  172 ,  174  and  176  press spring plate contact  74  to the anterior surface side  56  in housing  34 . Thus, when container  10  is opened, by rotating cap  14  against receptacle  12 , trigger  36  rotates and spring contact plate  74  is in position to surface  56  in housing  36  ( FIG. 8 ) so battery cells  158  remain connected for the remaining operational life of cap  14 . 
   When cap  14  is in a closed position ( FIG. 7   a    7   b ), the three tabs  38  of trigger  36  are opposite grips  42  of housing  34 . The position of  FIG. 7   a  is not possible without receptacle  12  because that is a closed position of cap  14  not then on receptacle  12 . It is not possible to fit receptacle  12  to cap  14  in this position. The grips  186  of receptacle  12  cannot fit inside the posterior side  78  of the housing  34 . The only possibility is that cap  14  must be in an open position as seen in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b.    
   When cap  14  is placed on receptacle  12 , the position of trigger  34  inside cap  14  is shown in  FIG. 7   b . Only contacts fingers  172  and  174  of spring plate contact  74  connect to contact paths  166  and  168  beneath the board surface  86 . The other contact  176  of spring plate contact  74  does connect to board surface  86 . In a closed position of cap  14  to receptacle  12 , the connection between the two contact paths  166  and  168  are not connected. The break connection of contact  176  is effected by ramp  84  of trigger  36 . Ramp  84  rotates with an open and closed rotation of cap  14  just below the board surface  86 . The top anterior surface  192  of ramp  84  slides to the surface  86  beneath board  118 . So in the open position of cap  14  trigger  36  assumes the position shown in  FIG. 8 . The contact lip  176  of spring plate contact  74  then has a free position so that it contacts contact point  164  beneath board  118 . The spring plate contact  74  in  FIG. 8  keeps the fixed activated position, by the two small posts  180  at the anterior ground surface  56  of housing  34  to fit inside the two holes  178  of the spring plate contact  74 . This position does not change after the first closing of cap  14 . 
     FIG. 10  shows timing device  16  in the anterior side  78  of housing  14 . Board  118  of timing device  16  supports the posterior direction  24  on the spacers  58 ,  60  and  62 . There are two main alignment pins  44  and  68  at the anterior surface  56  of housing  34  to position board  118  in position holes  124  and  126  to allow timing device  16  to assume only one position in anterior side  106  of housing  36 . Timing device  16  is locked up in posterior direction  28  the top part  18 . Before closing cap  14  with top part  18 , silicon button  140  having cylindrical base  150  with a small carbon surface is in assembled position of cap  14  just above anterior surface  120  of board  118  above contact surface  194  at the surface of the board  118 . When the top of button  140  is pressed, the carbon surface is forced to contacts  194  to make an electric connection for timing device  16  as seen in  FIG. 14 . Top part  18  has a number of functions. The boll-shaped ridge  102  at the outer wall  114  of trigger  36  fits in the groove  100  of wall  66  at the anterior side  106  of housing  34 . It locks the timing device  16  inside the housing  34 . The outer wall  114  of top part  18  presses surface  122  in posterior direction to the surface  120  of board  118  and locks button  140 . 
   Plastic seal  196  seals receptacle  12  normally air and water tight at the posterior side  78  inside housing  36 , behind grips  42  and  80  of housing  34  and behind grips  52  of tabs  38  of trigger  36 . A spacer ring  198  is mounted in the center of surface section  200  to keep the seal  196  in an assembled position of container  10  under pressure against receptacle  12 . 
   Button  140 , visible on the anterior side  30  of the cap  14 , can be used for adjusting the timing of sound and flash reminder of cap  14 . 
   When cap  14  is still in a not activated position, the two batteries  158  are not connected to the circuit device  16 . When button  140  on the topside  30  of cap  14  is pressed, activation will not occur until cap  14  is first placed on receptacle  12 . Then pressing button  140  at the topside  30  of activated cap  14 , turns LED  20  on the topside  30  on. Continuing to press button  140  longer than one second causes sound buzzer  156  of timing device  16  to give a beep and switch LED  20  off. Then timing device  16  begins counting time. If programmed, for example for “one time a day”, 24 hours after pressing button  140 , buzzer  156  produces alarm beeping signals and LED  20  flashing. First, beeping signals occur frequently, later less frequently. The beeping and flashing signals stop after half of the next setting time, in this case after 12 hours. This continues when cap  14  is not opened from receptacle  12 . When cap  14  is open, the beeping and flashing stops. If cap  14  is not opened after 48 hours, cap  14  again resumes beeping and flashing again. If container  10  is open before cap  14  begins beeping and flashing, timing device  16  will not start with beeping and flashing. This beeping and flashing repeats every 24 hours after the time when button  140  has been pressed. When it is desired to change the alert time, the button  140  can be pressed to change the time. After the new time, timing device  16  will react directly after 24 hours with the changed alert time. This programming is useful for patients taking a medication once a day. When the patient is to take the enclosed medication for example 2, 3 and 4 times a day, timing device  16  may be programmed differently, and the timing alert will react after shorter periods. 
   Upon closing cap  14  on receptacle  12 , timing device  16  produces a short beeping sound to inform the user that cap  14  has been reset. Upon placing cap  14  on receptacle  12  after the first time and not pressing button  140 , LED  20  gives only a flash upon closing cap  14  that is not time restricted. 
   The duration of the total alarm time may also be set by programming timing device  16 , depending on how much medication the patient will use. Timing device  16  may be programmed, for example, 1 month, or 3 months. When the time reaches the end of medication period, cap  14  gives upon closing of receptacle  12 , three beeps by three days before the end, two beeps by two days before the end and one long beep by the last day of the medical period of that medical container  10 . The beginning of this period occurs when button  140  is pressed for the first time. 
   There has been described novel apparatus and techniques for cap timing. It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses in modifications of and departures from the specific apparatus and techniques herein disclosed. Therefore, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination of features present in or possessed by the apparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limited solely by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.