Abstract:
A pharmacy bottle system includes a bottle and a ring. The bottle is formed as a single piece of molded plastic material and includes a body and a neck. The body defines an interior cavity. The interior cavity extends from a first end to a second end of the interior cavity. The body includes a spine portion covering the first end of the interior cavity. The spine portion defines a spine width measured from a front to a back of spine portion. The neck extends from the second end of the interior cavity and has an opening therethrough providing access to the interior cavity. The ring is secured about the neck of the bottle. The ring defines a ring width measured between a front and a back of the ring. The ring width is larger than the spine width. The neck extends above a top surface of the ring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/185,271, filed Jul. 18, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/705,881, filed Feb. 15, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,391, issued Jul. 19, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/862,503, filed Sep. 27, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,533 issued Feb. 16, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,907, filed Jan. 25, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,205 issued Dec. 25, 2007, which are all incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Virtually everyone consumes prescription pharmaceuticals at one time or another. In each instance, the consumer is faced with a series of procedural steps and information. The procedural steps include submitting the prescription, waiting for it, picking up the prescription, and signing applicable notices. In some cases, the prescription is modified to satisfy the demands of the patient&#39;s insurance company. A large volume of information about the patient, pharmacy, physician, and drug is provided on the prescription sticker on the bottle, juxtaposed with numerous warning or cautionary labels haphazardly placed on the bottle. Additional information is provided on one or more printed, folded sheets, which are included with the prescription bottle. 
     Faced with this relatively chaotic presentation of seemingly obscure facts and requests, consumers can easily misunderstand many aspects related to their prescription. This situation is compounded when a consumer takes several prescriptions and/or when several members of the household each have one or more prescriptions, causing the multiple instructions and warnings to become overwhelming. 
     In addition, conventional pharmacy bottles can be difficult to grasp when opening, particularly for patients with arthritis and/or limited joint mobility and strength. Reduced vision also is a problem since distinguishing between multiple similar bottles requires very close inspection of the already confusing combination of the warnings and prescription label. 
     Given the importance of accuracy in consuming prescription medicine, the current confusion and difficulty for patient&#39;s to read and understand pharmaceutical prescription information is not acceptable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a pharmacy bottle system includes a bottle and a ring. The bottle is formed as a single piece of molded plastic material and includes a body and a neck. The body defines an interior cavity therein. The interior cavity extends from the first end of the interior cavity to a second end of the interior cavity. The body includes a spine portion covering a first end of the interior cavity. The spine portion defines an exterior spine width measured from a front of the spine portion to a back of spine portion. The neck extends from the second end of the interior cavity and has an opening therethrough providing access to the interior cavity. The ring is secured about the neck of the bottle. The ring defines an exterior ring width measured between a front of the ring and a back of the ring. The exterior ring width is larger than the exterior spine width. The neck extends above a top surface of the ring. Other embodiments and associated methods are also disclosed herein and provide additional advantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration, including isometric views of a pharmacy bottle system including a plurality of bottles, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is sectional view of  FIG. 2A  taken along lines  2 B- 2 B. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of a front portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a plan view of a side portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3C  is a plan view of a rear portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3D  is an isometric view of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a pharmacy bottle schematically illustrating a partially applied label, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a pharmacy bottle label, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a pharmacy bottle label, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is plan view of a pharmacy label system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is partial plan view of a pharmacy label system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a control monitor of a prescription label system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a plan view of a front portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a plan view of a side portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9C  is a plan view of a rear portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a plurality of pharmacy bottles, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a plan view of a rear portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a plan view of a side portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a front portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13A  is a plan view of a front portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a plan view of a side portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13C  is a plan view of a rear portion of a pharmacy bottle, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a pharmacy bottle system and label system that significantly enhances a consumer&#39;s experience in filling a prescription at a retail pharmacy. In one embodiment, a pharmacy bottle system comprises a container, label, color ring, and a cap. The bottle container is sized and shaped to hold a medication from a prescription, such as pills, syrup, or other forms of medication. The bottle container includes a pair of generally flat, relatively large surfaces on opposite sides of the container for bearing the label, thereby making the label substantially easier to read. The label is configured for placement as a single piece or separate pieces, depending upon the type or size of the bottle container, to cover both of the opposite faces of the bottle container. Each label differentiates between types of information by segregating the different types of information onto different areas of the container and/or onto different areas of the label. In one embodiment, warning information is placed on a second portion of the label that is applied to a back portion of the bottle container, while conventional prescription information, such as patient name, drug name, physician name etc. is placed on a first portion of the label that is applied to a front portion of the bottle container. In one aspect, this arrangement of the location of the different types of information becomes fixed from prescription to prescription, so that a particular type of prescription-related information (e.g., drug name, warnings, patient name) is found at a fixed, dedicated location on the label and/or portion of bottle container each time a consumer fills a prescription. 
     In another embodiment, information on a portion of the label (e.g. a front portion or back portion) is further differentiated into primary information such as patient name, drug name and dose, and usage instructions and secondary information such as physician name/address, pharmacy name/address, etc. The primary information is presented in larger and/or bolder fonts, spaced away from secondary information, so that primary information conspicuously stands out to the consumer. In another embodiment, primary information is placed at an upper portion of the label and bottle container since it is the information most often required and used, with secondary information placed at a lower portion of label and bottle container to reflect its less frequent use. 
     In one embodiment, a bottle container is configured with a reverse orientation so that when a prescription label is applied to the container, the bottle appears right side up when its cap is in contact with a support surface (e.g. counter or table) and the container extends vertically upward from the cap in a manner that would initially appear to be upside down. The label on the bottle is configured with its text oriented to be read on the label with the bottle in this reverse orientation (e.g., cap down, container up). In one aspect, at least one face of the bottle container (that displays the label) is tilted slightly at an angle (relative to a vertical plane), so that the label can be read more easily when the bottle is supported on its cap, or held by a patient, in the reverse orientation (e.g., cap down, container up). 
     In one embodiment, a resilient, flexible colored ring is removably mounted around a mouth of the bottle container with different color rings being used by a pharmacy to aid consumers in distinguishing among prescriptions for different family members or among multiple types of medications for an individual. Each family member, or each type of medication, is assigned a different color. 
     In one embodiment, a bottle container and label are configured to form a slot on a back portion (or front portion) of the pharmacy bottle for removably receiving a patient information card within the slot. In another embodiment, a magnifying tool is substituted for the information card. In one aspect, the slot is oriented to enable slidable insertion and removal of the patient information card, and sized and shaped to enable a small portion of the card to protrude out of the slot (when fully inserted within the slot) to unobtrusively draw attention to the presence of the patient information card. 
     A label applied to the bottle container, the patient card, as well as other labels and printed information associated with filling prescriptions is provided by a label system. The label system comprises a complete integrated set of labels, sheets, and cards that is generated for each prescription by the pharmacist to expedite processing the prescription. In one embodiment, the label system is generated and customizable by a control monitor, via a user interface, operable by the pharmacist or retail administration. The label system also includes information such a patient monograph or other items that is generated along with the other labels, sheets, and cards when filling a prescription, so that the label system provides a single tool for producing all printed information used to process a prescription. 
     In another embodiment, different types of bottles enable different ways to enhance readability of printed information and patient handling of the bottles. Each of the different types of bottles in embodiments of the invention are used with the same label system, which is already adapted for application to the different types of bottles without requiring specific customization of the label each time a different type of bottle is used. 
     These embodiments and other embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated in greater detail in association with  FIGS. 1-13C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, pharmacy bottle system  10  comprises a plurality of bottles  12  with a cap  14  and ring  50  on each bottle  12 . Each bottle  12  comprises a container  20  and a label  60 . Container  20  comprises front portion  22 , side portion  24 , spine portion  26 , rear portion  28 , and mouth  40 . Mouth  40  includes opening  43  and threaded neck  42  for threadably engaging cap  14  to cover opening  43 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , label  60  is adhesively secured to container  20 . Label  60  comprises a mechanism to display all prescription related information on a face of bottle  12 , including patient information, drug information, physician information, retail pharmacy information, etc which is strategically distributed throughout front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66  of label  60 . 
     In addition, back portion  66  of label  60  and back portion  28  of container  20  form a slot  69  which is adapted to removably receive information card  68 , such as a patient information card which provides more extensive information, such as side effects, detailed manner of use, contraindications, pill description, etc. Information card  68  is sized and shaped to be removably insertable into slot  69 , either as a single sheet or folded sheet. In one embodiment, slot  69  is oriented laterally so that information card  68  is slidable laterally relative to rear portion  66  of container  20 , in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of container  20  (shown as line A in  FIG. 3A ). This orientation causes information card  68  to protrude slightly outward from slot  69 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , making information card  68  easily noticeable by a consumer in a manner that does not obscure the faces of label  60  nor detract from the overall function (e.g., does not obstruct operation of cap  14 ) and appearance of bottle  12 . 
     Container  20  presents a unique combination of different shapes, surfaces, and features in one bottle  12 . First, bottle  12  stands upright on a support surface  11 , such as a table or counter, by placing cap  14  down onto the support surface  11  to cause container  20  to extend upwardly from support surface  11 . In this orientation, spine portion  26  is considered a top of bottle  12  while cap  14  (which covers a mouth of bottle  12 ) is considered a bottom of bottle  12 . From the standpoint of a conventional pharmacy bottle, this feature causes pharmacy bottle  12  to appear upside-down in orientation. However, this seemingly upside-down orientation of bottle  12  is actually a right-side-up orientation and maximizes readability of label  60  on container  20  and presents unique ways of handling a pharmacy bottle  12 , as further described below. Moreover, this right-side-up orientation can be achieved by manually holding bottle  12  with spine portion  26  in a relatively higher position relative to cap  14  so that label  60  on bottle  12  can be read in an orientation from the spine portion  26  toward cap  14 . 
     Second, in one embodiment, front portion  22  and back portion  28  of container  20  define a substantially planar surface that is rectangularly shaped, thereby defining a generally flat, broad surface especially suited for reading information on label  60 . For example, this surface enables display of information in a manner in which all of the printed information on that surface can be read without turning or rotating bottle  12 . In one embodiment, front portion  22  and back portion  28  of container  20  each extend at a slight angle relative to a vertical plane (shown as vertical plane V in  FIG. 2B ), so that when cap bottle is set on a support surface  11  (via cap  14 ), front portion  22  and back portion  28  are tilted slightly upward to improve readability of label  60 . This easy-read tilting feature is enabled by the size, shape, and position of side portions  24 , relative to front portion  22  and back portion  24  of container  20 . 
     Third, as shown in  FIGS. 1  (and  2 A- 2 B) side portions  24  of container  20  are generally trapezoidally shaped, being interposed between front portion  22  and back portion  28 . Each side portion  24  has a top portion  25 A that is positioned adjacent to and that is joined to spine portion  26  of container  20 , a top portion of front portion  22  of container  20 , and a top portion of back portion  28  of container  20 . Each side portion  24  also has a base portion  25 B that is positioned adjacent to and that is joined to mouth  40  of container at a bottom portion of front portion  22  of container  20  and a bottom portion of back portion  28  of container  20 . In one embodiment, base portion  25 B of each side portion  24  is relatively longer than a length of top portion  25 A of each side portion  24 , thereby producing the easy-read tilt feature of bottle  12 . In one embodiment, the relative length between top portion  25 A and base portion  25 B is selected to produce a desired degree of tilt, which partially determines tilt angles (α1, α2, and α3) illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Accordingly, the generally trapezoidal shape of side portions  24  contributes to the easy-read tilt feature of front and back portions  22  and  28  of container  20 . 
     Fourth, as shown in  FIG. 1 , relatively broad, substantially planar front and back portions  22 ,  28  of container  20  also enable a bottle  12  to be set down onto a support surface  11  without the bottle  12  rolling along the support surface  11 . In particular, the breadth and relative flatness of front portion  22  or back portion  28  prevent rolling of bottles when either one of those front or back portions  22 ,  28  are placed directly on support surface  11 . 
     Spine portion  26  of container  20  comprises a slightly curved surface, providing a junction between front portion  22 , back portion  28  and side portions  24 . Side portions  24 , front portion  22 , and back portion  28  also join each other adjacent mouth  40 . 
     Bottle  12  comprises multiple distinct profiles, depending upon the view taken of bottle  12 , with each profile uniquely enhancing a patient&#39;s experience with bottle  12 . In a first view, in which a consumer directly faces front portion  22  or back portion  28  of container  20 , bottle  12  has a wide profile and generally flat, rectangular appearance. In a second view, in which a consumer directly faces either one of side portions  24  of container  20 , bottle  12  has a narrow profile and a generally flat, trapezoidal appearance (or generally cone-shaped appearance). Bottle  12  also includes at least one more distinct profile that is seen when directly facing spine portion  26 , which reveals a relatively narrow profile. 
     Accordingly, the combination of these three distinct profiles presents a radically different pharmacy bottle, with the distinct profiles contributing to the enhanced presentation of prescription-related information to the patient, as well as handling, storage, and retrieval of the bottle, as further described throughout this application. 
     In one embodiment, front portion  22  and back portion  28  are generally symmetric with each other regarding a size and general shape (e.g., generally rectangular) and side portions  24  are generally symmetric with each other regarding a size and general shape (e.g., generally trapezoidal). In another embodiment, front portion  22  and back portion  28  are generally asymmetric with each other regarding a size or a general shape and side portions  24  are generally asymmetric with each other regarding a size or a general shape. 
     In one embodiment, bottle  12  comprises ring  50 . Ring  50  encircles a portion of threaded neck  42  and includes a color component for uniquely distinguishing between different bottles  12 . In one embodiment, one color ring  50  represents a first type of medication while a second color ring represents a second type of medication. In another embodiment, one color ring  50  represents a first member of a patient&#39;s family while a second, different colored ring  50  represents a second member of the same patient&#39;s family. Additional uniquely colored rings can represent additional types of medication or additional family members, respectively. In another embodiment, different colored rings represent other parameters useful for uniquely identifying each single bottle among a plurality of bottles  12 . In another embodiment, ring  50  is not mounted to bottle  12  for using color differentiation via ring  50 . In another embodiment, ring  50  is removably mounted to bottle  12  but comprises a neutral color that does not differentiate between different bottles, such as the color of container  20 . Accordingly, ring  50  further contributes to easy-to-follow presentation of information to the patient and others. 
     In addition to the benefits of the placement and orientation of label  60  on the various surfaces of container  20 , label  60  includes additional features. In one embodiment, label  60  includes front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66 . Front portion  64  of label  60  comprises, among other things, a patient identifier and a drug identifier while back portion  66  comprises warnings. Spine portion  65  comprises a patient identifier or drug identifier, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The segregation of the different types of information onto different portions of label  60 , and therefore onto different portions of bottle  12 , contribute to patient readability of pharmacy bottle  12 . In one embodiment, front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66  of label  60  directly correspond to front portion  22 , spine portion  26 , and back portion  28  of container  20 , respectively, to cause viewing of each type of information on bottle  12  on a separate face of bottle  12 . In addition, front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66  of label  60  present three different readable faces of bottle  12  that are generally perpendicular to each other. Two of the faces, front portion  64  and back portion  66  of label  60 , when applied to container  20 , face in opposite directions relative to bottle  12 , and hence are at a generally 180 degree angle relative to each other. Accordingly, in one embodiment, container  20  presents a three-faced container  20 , with each face being generally perpendicular to each other so that in coordination with the three distinct portions of label  60  (e.g., front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portions  66 ), bottle  12  provides three distinct, highly segregated reading surfaces for patient. This feature enhances separation of prescription-related information onto different areas of bottle  12 . Moreover, once a pharmacist or retailer designates one of the faces (e.g., a back face) of container  20  for a particular type of information (e.g., warning), the patient can rely on the same type of information being presented at that location of bottle  12  whenever a prescription is filled from that pharmacist or retailer. This feature reduces patient confusion, since a patient no longer has to search over the face of a conventional pharmacy bottle to determine where each piece of information is located in order to be able to coherently read the information on the pharmacy bottle. 
     In addition, in another embodiment, label  60  includes additional features for segregating information to ease patient readability of bottle  12 . For example, as seen in  FIG. 1 , front portion  64  of label  60  includes a drug identifier (e.g., a drug name in  FIG. 1  or AMOXYCILLIN in  FIG. 2A ) that is presented in a large font, substantially larger than a font on front portion  64  to facilitate quick differentiation of one pharmacy bottle  12  relative to other pharmacy bottles  12 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , a drug identifier is also configured in a bold font, in contrast to a normal font for other information on front portion  64  of label  60 . In another embodiment, a drug identifier additionally comprises a colored text or a background having a color or grey-level intensity (e.g., grey shading) that is different than a color or shading of a background of other information (e.g., white) on front portion  64  of label  60  to further distinguish drug name on front portion  64  of label  60 . 
     In one embodiment, spine portion  65  of label  60  is blank, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A  to relieve the patient of viewing too much information. In another embodiment, spine portion  65  of label  60  comprises a drug identifier and/or patient identifier in a prominently displayed, large font, as further illustrated in association with  FIG. 4 . This feature enables easy differentiation of one pharmacy bottle  12  from another based on a type of prescription or patient identity when viewing bottle  12  from a viewing angle on spine portion  26 , particularly where viewing front portion  64  or back portion  66  of label  60  is not possible or less convenient to patient. 
     Back portion  66  of label  60  comprises warnings extending horizontally across back portion  66  in a stacked, generally parallel arrangement. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, one or more warnings include a pictogram, icon, or other symbol (e.g., a square, triangle, circle, etc.) unique to a particular warning or condition, and that is positioned immediately to the left of the text of the warning, thereby providing an easy visual message to the reader. These symbols are particularly useful for consumers having limited reading ability, because of language challenges or eyesight problems. 
     Additional aspects of label  60  will be described in more detail, particularly in association with  FIGS. 4-7 , and more generally in association with  FIGS. 2-13C . 
     Accordingly, the full combination and interaction of the container, ring, label, and cap present an entirely different experience for a patient to use a pharmacy bottle, according to the embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 3A-13C  present additional aspects of these embodiments. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  further illustrate the easy-read tilt feature of front portions and back portions  22  and  28  of bottle  12 , respectively.  FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of bottle  12  with label  60  and  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2A  taken along lines  2 B- 2 B. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a first angle (α1) between the front portion  22  and a generally vertical plane (shown as line V in  FIG. 2B ), and a second angle (α2) between back portion  28  of container  20  and a generally vertical plane (V), is about 5 degrees while third angle (α3) is about 10 degrees. The first angle (α1) between front portion  22  and the generally vertical plane (V), and the second angle (α2) between back portion  28  and a generally vertical plane (V) are substantially identical. In another embodiment, the first angle (α1) and second angle (α2) can be larger or smaller than about 5 degrees to achieve a desired degree of vertical tilt of front portion  22  and back portion  28  to adjust readability of label  60 . In one embodiment, angles (α1) and (α2) are about 2 to 20 degrees while angle (α3) is about 4 to 40 degrees. 
     In another embodiment, the first angle (α1) between front portion  22  relative to a generally vertical plane (V) and the second angle (α2) between back portion  28  relative to a generally vertical plane (V) are different from each other, thereby enabling one of the back portion  28  or the front portion  22  to extend at less of an angle relative to a generally vertical plane (V) and the respective other front portion  22  or back portion  28  to extend at a more of angle relative to that generally vertical plane (V). This feature enables favoring readability of one of the front portion  22  or back portion  28  (with a greater tilt angle) relative to the respective front portion or back portion  28  (with a lesser tilt angle). 
     Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the generally trapezoidal shape of side portions  24  cause front portion  22  of container  20  and back portion  28  of container  20  to be oriented to converge with each other adjacent spine portion  26  of container  20  and to be oriented to diverge relative to each other adjacent mouth  40  of container  20 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  also further illustrate features relating to removable insertion of patient information card  68 , and its protrusion from slot  69  in its fully inserted state. As shown in  FIG. 2B , back portion  28  of container  20  further comprises recess  90  having recess surface  99  and edges  92  and  96 . Recess surface  99  is a depression formed in the surface of back portion  28  of container  20 . Back portion  66  of label  60  is secured onto back portion  28  of container  20  wherein a substantial portion of back portion  66  extends over recess surface  99 , thereby forming slot  69 . Recess surface  99  is sized and shaped, and has a depth relative to the remainder of back portion  28  of container  20  and relative to a thickness of information card  68 , to enable slidable reception of information card  68  (when recess  90  is covered by back portion  66  of label  60 ). Recess  90  is further described and illustrated in association with  FIG. 3C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B  (and  FIG. 3B ), third angle (α3) is formed within container  20  between front portion  22  and back portion  28 , with spine portion  26  generally defining a vertex of that angle. This third angle expresses a general convergence of front portion  22  and back portion  28  adjacent spine portion  26 . In addition, front portion  22  and back portion  28  of container  20  (expressed by width W2) are relatively wide surfaces, being substantially wider than a width of cap  14  or opening  43  of mouth  40 . Along with the general convergence of front portion  22  and back portion  28  of container  20  near spine portion  26  (due to the generally trapezoidal shape of side portions  24 ), this wide-bottle arrangement enables grasping of container  20  between a thumb and fingers of one hand with the thumb on one of front portion  22  or back portion  28 , and the fingers placed on a respective one of front portion  22  or back portion  28 . This opposed thumb-forefinger grip is easier for some people suffering from reduced mobility and flexibility in their hands and fingers, as compared to gripping of a conventional generally cylindrical pharmacy bottle with a fist-type gripping action. Moreover, when the consumer grasps cap  14  in their other hand to begin removing cap  14 , the relatively wide surface of front portions  22  and back portions  28  enable the full width of fingers to be spread across those surfaces, enabling greater leverage to rotate cap  14  relative to container  20 , or vice versa. In particular, the ability to exert forces at distances further away from an axis of rotation (A) of container  20  and cap  14  reduces the amount of hand force required to cause rotational motion necessary to rotate cap relative to threaded neck  42  of mouth  40  of container  20 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2B , mouth  40  of container  20  further comprises collar  70 , neck  72 , and shoulder  74 . Collar  70  is formed as part of threaded neck  42  while shoulder  74  defines a junction between mouth  40  and the remainder (e.g., a body) of container  20  via neck  72 . Ring  50  slidably fits over threaded neck  42  (including collar  70 ) onto neck  72 , and is held in place at that location by collar  70 , shoulder  74  and a compressive force of ring  50  exerted on neck  72 . In one embodiment, ring  50  is made from a resilient, elastomeric material or stretchable polymeric material. An interior of cap  14  threadedly engages threaded neck  42  of mouth  40  to secure cap  14  in place over opening  43  and while an exterior of cap  14  to act as a base to contact support surface  11  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A ) to support container  20  in a generally vertically upright position (e.g., an upside-down orientation for a conventional pharmacy bottle). 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate additional features of bottle  12 , according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , front portion  22  of container  20  and back portion  28  of container  20  are opposite to, and spaced from each other while side portions  24  are opposite to, and spaced from each other. In addition, spine portion  26  and mouth  40  are opposite to, and spaced from each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , in one embodiment bottle  12  further comprises array  80  of protrusions  82  on each side portion  24  located adjacent base portion  25 B of side portions  24 . Each protrusion  82 , and the entire protrusion array  80 , are not limited to the geometrical configuration and shapes shown in  FIG. 3B  (e.g., a vertically stacked group of linear ridges), and can comprise other shapes (e.g., protrusions that are round, triangular, square, etc.) and other grouped configurations (e.g., cross pattern, concentric circle, irregular patterns, etc.). In another embodiment, other embodiments such as pharmacy bottle  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-2A  include protrusion array  80  in a manner substantially the same as in  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
       FIG. 3C  is a plan view of a back portion  28  of container  20 , and illustrates additional aspects of recess  90  and back portion  28 .  FIG. 3D  is an isometric view further illustrating the features and attributes described in association with  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , recess  90  comprises upper edge  92 , inner edge  94 , lower edge  96 , outer edge  98 , and recess surface  99 . Edges  92  and  94  define upper and lower boundaries of recess  90  while inner edge  94  defines a lateral boundary of recess  90 . Accordingly, recess  90  extends only partially laterally across a width of back portion  28  of container  20 , terminating at inner edge  94 . Outer edge  98  joins with an outer side of side portion  24  to partially form an opening of slot  69  (when label  60  is present). As further shown in  FIG. 3C , back portion  28  includes upper contact portion  100 , side contact portion  102 , and lower contact portion  104  which together surround recess  90 . Portions  100 ,  102 , and/or  104  define a single or separate contact surfaces for adhesively securing back portion  66  of label  60  to back portion  28  of container  20 , thereby enabling extension of a portion of back portion  66  of label  60  over recess  90  to form slot  69  in bottle  12 . As illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 2B ,  3 A and  3 C, in one embodiment, front portion  22  is characterized by an absence of any recess (e.g., an absence of a recess similar to recess  90  of back portion  28 ). 
     In one embodiment, back portion  28  of container  20  also comprises lip  85 , which forms a protrusion on bottom portion  104  of back portion  28 . Lip  85  enables precise placement of label  60  so that label  60  is properly aligned on back portion  28 , particularly to enable placement of a non-stick portion of label  60  over recess  90 , as will be further described in association with  FIGS. 6-7 . 
     Inner edge  94  of recess  90  prevents further sliding movement of an information card  68  laterally inward through slot  69 , thereby helping to removably secure information card  68  in slot  69 . This arrangement also causes the outer side of card  68  to protrude slightly outward from slot  69  (when card  68  is properly sized). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , upper edge  92  and lower edge  96  of recess  90  define guides to help maintain lateral motion of information card  68  in and out of slot  69 , and to maintain information card  68  within slot  69 . In one embodiment, a distance between a back of back portion  66  of label  60  (e.g., non-stick portion  296  in  FIG. 7 ), and recess  99 , is selected to be large enough to enable slidable movement of information card  68  within slot  69 , but snug enough to help retain information card  68  via frictional engagement and/or simple surface contact. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a bottle  12  with a label  60  partially applied to container  20 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  schematically illustrates placement of a single piece label  60  onto a container  20 . In this example, back portion  66  of label  60  is adhesively secured to back portion  28  of container  20 , and then label  60  is wrapped around container  20  by guiding spine portion  65  of label  60  onto spine portion  26  of container  20  ( FIG. 3B ) and front portion  64  of label  60  onto front portion  22  of container  20  for adhesive securing thereon. One feature of a single piece wrap-around label  60  is that any text on back portion  66  of label  60  is oriented at a 180 degree angle relative to text or images on front portion  64  of label  60 . This reverse orientation or upside-down orientation of text of front portion  64  relative to back portion  66  enables the wrap-around application of label  60  to be secured onto two different opposite surfaces, each surface facing 180 degrees relative to each other. 
       FIG. 4  also further illustrates differentiation of different types of information on label  60  to enhance patient readability of label  60 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , front portion  64  of label  60  comprises patient identifier  132 , drug identifier  140 , dose identifier  142 , usage identifier  144 , prescription data  146 , and vendor data  148 . In one embodiment, patient identifier  132  and drug identifier  140  are printed in a bold, large font positioned near a top portion of front portion  64  of label  60  so that they will appear adjacent a top region of front portion  28  of container  20 , substantially as shown in  FIGS. 1-2A . In one embodiment, dose identifier  142  and usage identifier  144  are positioned below patient identifier  132  and drug identifier  140  in a plain font (i.e., not bolded) of a smaller size than the font of patient identifier  132  and drug identifier  140 . Other information which is of less immediate concern to the patient is positioned adjacent a bottom area of front portion  64  of label  60 , such as prescription data  146  (e.g., physician name, expiration date, refills, etc) and/or vendor data  148  (e.g., name/address of retail pharmacy), which are also printed in smaller, plain font (as additionally shown in  FIG. 2A ). In one embodiment, front portion  64  of label  60  comprises primary information printed at the top region (e.g. drug identifier  140 , and patient identifier  132 ) and secondary information at bottom region (e.g. vendor data). 
     The positioning of different types of information and types of text and font on label  60  can be modified and/or selected via control monitor  400 , as further described in association with  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , rear portion  66  of label  60  comprises caution header  118 , warning one  120 , warning two  122 , and warning three  124 . These warnings typically relate to dangers associated with side effects such as dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, etc. as well as concerns relating to consuming certain foods or alcohol while taking a medication. In one embodiment, one or more warnings include a symbol  125  (e.g., sign, pictogram, letter, etc) to provide a non-text indicator of the nature of the warning adjacent symbol  125 . Substantially similar warnings and symbols are also illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Spine portion  65  of label  60  comprises drug identifier  130  and/or patient identifier. In one embodiment, identifier  130  is in bold, large font letters to enhance quick identification of one bottle  12  relative to other bottles  12 . 
     In one embodiment, front portion  64  has a height (H4) generally equal to a height (H6). Spine portion  65  has a height (H5). In one embodiment, height H4 and height H6 are substantially equal to each other and height (H5) is substantially less than height H4 or H6. Label  60  has a width (W3) that is generally equal to a width of front portion  22  and/or back portion  28  of container  20 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are plan views which illustrate additional aspects of label  60  and label  170  (e.g., a smaller version of label  60 ), according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5A , label  60  comprises a printed surface having an adhesive backing except for non-stick portion  180  (shown in dashed lines). Non-stick portion  180  includes outer edge  182 , inner edge  184 , lower edge  186 , and upper edge  188 . Edge  190  of back portion  66  of label  60  designates an edge at an opposite side of outer edge  182  of non-stick portion  180 . In one embodiment, non-stick portion  180  has a width (W4) that extends laterally across a majority of the width (W3) of back portion  66  of label  60  to create sufficient lateral depth to form slot  69  ( FIG. 1 ) for receiving information card  68 . At the same time, this width (W4) of non-stick portion  180  enables side adhesive portion  194 , of back portion  66  of label  60 , to provide adhesive attachment of back portion  66  of label  60  to side portion  102  of back portion  28  of container  20  ( FIG. 3C ). Bottom adhesive portion  192  of back portion  66  of label  60  is also sized and shaped (having a height H8) for adhesive attachment to bottom portion  104  of back portion  28  of container  20  ( FIG. 3C ). 
     Non-stick portion  180  extends vertically across a majority of the height of back portion  66  (having a height H7) to create sufficient vertical space for slot  69  ( FIG. 1 ) for receiving information card  68 . 
     In one embodiment, label  60  is sized and shaped for larger pharmacy bottles, such as 30 dram and 60 dram bottles, while label  170  is sized and shaped for smaller pharmacy bottles, such as 15 dram. Accordingly, label  170  comprises substantially the same attributes and features of label  60 , except being proportionally smaller to accommodate a smaller bottle size. 
     In one embodiment, label  60  includes a separation line  198  (also later identified as line  285  in  FIG. 6 ) to enable separation of front portion  64  of label  60  from back portion  66  and spine portion  65  of label  60  to enable placement of label  60  on a  60  dram pharmacy bottle in a split arrangement. In this embodiment, front portion  64  of label  60 , once separated from back portion  66  and spine portion  65 , is placed on a front portion of a large pharmacy bottle and back portion  66  and spine portion  65  are placed on a back portion of the large pharmacy bottle, as will be described further in association with  FIGS. 9A-9C . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a label system  200 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , label system  200  comprises adhesive label sheet  202  and paper sheet  204  joined via anchor mechanism  206 . Label system  200  is stocked as a blank sheet and insertable into a printer via insertion edge  208  to enable printing of prescription information onto label sheet  202  and paper sheet  204 . Label sheet  202  is an adhesive label suited for receiving printing on its face and having an adhesive backing that is releasably secured to a non-stick sheet while paper sheet  204  is a conventional paper sheet suitable for printing information thereon. 
     Paper sheet  204  comprises receipt  246 , patient information card  250 , and drug monograph  260  (or other detailed synopsis) divided by separable seams  262  to enable separation of receipt  246 , patient information card  250 , and drug monograph  260  from each other. In one embodiment, patient information card  250  corresponds to patient information card  68  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2A ). 
     Label sheet  202  comprises first bottle label  220 , second bottle label  222 , bag tag  224 , refill label  226 , unit-of-use label  228 , acknowledgement label  240 , HIPPA label  242 , and prescription tag  244 . 
     In one embodiment, first bottle label  220  and second bottle label  222  have substantially the same features and attributes as label  60  and label  170  as described in association with  FIGS. 1-5B . In another embodiment, labels  220  and  222  have features and attributes determined by control monitor  400 , as described in association with  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , first bottle label  220  is sized and shaped for larger and medium sized bottles, such as 60 dram and 30 dram bottles. First bottle label  220  comprises front portion  280 , spine portion  282 , back portion  284  including non-stick portion  286 . These components are described in greater detail in association with  FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, a separation line  285  enables separation of front portion  280  relative to back portion  284  and spine portion  282  for application of front portion  280  to a front portion of a bottle separate from application of back portion  284  (and spine portion  282 ) on a back portion of a bottle. In one embodiment, front portion  280 , spine portion  282 , and back portion  284  of label  220  correspond directly to front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66  of label  60 , as previously described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-5B . 
     Second bottle label  222  is sized and shaped for smaller-sized bottles, such as a  15 -dram bottle. Second bottle label  222  comprises front portion  290 , spine portion  292 , and back portion  294  including non-stick portion  296 . These components are described in greater detail in association with  FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, a separation line  295  enables separation of front portion  290  relative to back portion  294  and spine portion  292  for application of front portion  290  to a front portion of a bottle separate from application of back portion  294  (and spine portion  292 ) onto a back portion of a bottle. In one embodiment, front portion  290 , spine portion  292 , and back portion  294  of label  222  correspond directly to front portion  64 , spine portion  65 , and back portion  66  of label  60  and label  170 , as previously described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-5B . 
     Bag tag label  224  includes retail-sorting information and is removable for adhesive placement on a retail bag for identifying the bag with a particular patient and prescription. Refill label  226  includes retail information relating to processing refill prescriptions. Unit-of-use label  228  is sized and shaped for application to smaller single dose packaging, such as liquid vials, eye droppers, etc., and includes basic prescription information (e.g., patient, drug name, and dose) and/or usage instructions, but is not limited to those types of information. 
     Acknowledgement label  240  comprises a mechanism for the patient to acknowledge receipt of the drug and/or confirmation of instructions on how to take the drug. HIPAA label  242  comprises a notice to the patient, which the patient countersigns, regarding confidentiality and sharing of patient information. Prescription tag  244  is a label used in-house by the pharmacist or technician for handling the prescription. 
     In use, a pharmacist or technician enters or recalls patient and prescription information into a control module (via a graphical user interface) and then directs printing of that information onto label system  200 . The various labels and information sheets/cards are separated from each other and/or removed from label system  200  for placement on bottles, bags, etc, or used for internal retail purposes. Accordingly, label system  200  enables generating a comprehensive set of information to fill and deliver a prescription to a consumer in an efficient, highly readable and organized manner, thereby improving consumer use of the prescription and retail delivery. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial view of  FIG. 6 , schematically illustrating back portion  294  of label  222  folded over on top of front portion  290  of label  222  at separation line  295  as back portion  294  and spine portion  295  have been releasably removed from the non-stick sheet underlying label  222 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , this maneuver reveals non-stick backing portion  298  and open portion  299 , which directly corresponds in size, shape, orientation, and placement of non-stick portion  296  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 ) of label  222 . As further shown in  FIG. 7 , the back side of label  222  comprises non-stick portion  296  and adhesive portion  297 . Adhesive portion  297  directly corresponds in size, shape, orientation, and placement of non-stick portion  298  of the backing sheet. Non-stick portion  296  of label  222  corresponds to the portion of a label (e.g., label  60 ) that extends over a recess on a back portion of a pharmacy bottle to form a slot for removably receiving a patient information card, as previously described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 5A-5B . In one embodiment, non-stick portion  296  of label  22  extends only partially across a width of back portion  294  of label  22 . In another embodiment, non-stick portion  296  of label  22  extends across the entire width of back portion  294  of label  222 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a control monitor  400 , according to an embodiment of the invention, that is viewable and operable via a user interface of a computer system (not shown) for controlling printing of label system  200  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) including what types of information are printed, how the information is organized, etc. as expressed through selectable parameters of control monitor  400 . Accordingly, control monitor  400  enables a pharmacist or other operator to customize label system  200  (shown in  FIGS. 6-7 ) to meet changing regulations, retail practices, and consumer preferences. In one embodiment, parameters of control monitor  400  can be applied to affect one or more other parameters of control monitor  400  on a parameter-by-parameter basis, or by groups of parameters, at the discretion of the operator of control monitor  400 , as applicable based on the type of parameter being applied or controlled. In another embodiment, parameters of control monitor  400  can be applied to affect one or more labels, sheets, or portions of a label or sheet on an label-by-label basis, on a sheet-by-sheet basis or by groups of labels and/or sheets, at the discretion of the operator of control monitor  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , control monitor  400  comprises general module  402 , plain paper module  404 , label module  406 , and data module  408 . Control monitor  400  also represents a memory in which control monitor  400  is stored for use with a computer system, and control monitor  400  includes but is not limited to software, hardware, firmware, and other known forms of electronic memory. 
     General module  402  comprises size parameter  410 , shape parameter  412 , location parameter  414 , orientation parameter  416 , non-stick parameter  418 , plain parameter  420 , separation parameter  422 , border parameter  424 , anchor parameter  426 , and side parameter  428 . General module  402  also comprises font module  440 , which includes color parameter  442 , size parameter  444 , type parameter  446 , symbol parameter  448 , orientation parameter  450 , and spacing/border parameter  452 . 
     General module  402  controls general aspects of label system  200  as a whole or as individual portions of label system  200 . In one embodiment, one or more of these parameters such as size, shape, orientation of labels, and other general parameters can be pre-programmed or selected for a particular state or region, so that a pharmacist or technician need not select those parameters each time that a prescription is filled. 
     Size parameter  410  and shape parameter  412  separately control the size and shape, respectively, of a label or other portion (e.g., sheet, card, anchor, non-stick portion, etc.) of a label system, such as label system  200 . Location parameter  414  and orientation parameter  416  separately control the location and orientation, respectively, of a label or other portion (e.g., sheet, card, anchor, non-stick portion, etc.) of a label system, such as label system  200 . 
     Non-stick portion  418  and plain parameter  420  separately control which portions of label system  200  will be non-stick portions (e.g., non-stick portion  296  in  FIG. 7 ) of an adhesively backed label or region (e.g., adhesive portion  297  of label  222  of  FIG. 7 ) and which portions of label system  200  will be plain paper portions (e.g., monograph  260  in  FIG. 6 ), respectively, relative to adhesive label portions of label system  200 . 
     Separation parameter  422  and border parameter  424  separately control creation of separation lines and borders, respectively, between adjacent labels or other adjacent portions (e.g., sheet, card, anchor, non-stick portion, etc.) of a label system, such as label system  200 . Anchor parameter  426  controls the creation, location, and the nature of anchor points or seams (e.g., anchor mechanism  206  in  FIG. 6 ) between adjacent portions (e.g. label sheet  202  and paper sheet  204 ) of a label system, such as label system  200 . Side parameter  416  controls whether or not printing of information occurs on one or both sides of a label or paper sheet of a label system  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , general module  402  also comprises font module  440 , which includes color parameter  442 , size parameter  444 , type parameter  446 , symbol parameter  448 , orientation parameter  450 , and spacing/border parameter  452 . Font module  440  controls various aspects of printing on a label system via, but not limited to, the following parameters. Color parameter  442 , size parameter  444 , type parameter  446 , and symbol parameter  448  separately control the color, size, type of font, and symbols, respectively, of any printed matter on a label system, such as label system  200 . Orientation parameter  450  controls the orientation (e.g., vertical, horizontal, angled, upside down, right side up, etc.) of any printed matter on a label system, such as label system  200 . Spacing/border parameter  452  controls the spacing and/or borders between adjacent portions of printed matter to enhance patient differentiation between different types of information on a label system, such as label system  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , paper module  404  comprises receipt parameter  454 , information card parameter  456 , and monograph parameter  458 . Paper module  404  controls printing matter on plain paper sheets that form portions of a label system, such as paper portion  204  of label system  200  of  FIG. 6 . Paper module  404  can activate or deactivate inclusion of plain paper sheets as part of label system  200 . Receipt parameter  454  of plain module  404  controls selective inclusion of a receipt as part of label system  200 . Information card parameter  456  controls selective inclusion of an information card, such as patient information card  68  ( FIG. 1 ), as part of a label system  200  generated via control monitor  400 . Monograph parameter  458  controls selective inclusion of a monograph or other patient information sheet, such as sheet  260  ( FIG. 4 ), as part of a label system generated via control monitor  400 . 
     Upon activation of one or more parameters of paper module  404 , various aspects of printed matter, including its content and appearance, are further customizable or controllable via data module  408  and/or general module  402 . 
     Label module  406  of control monitor  400  comprises large parameter  460 , small parameter  462 , front parameter  464 , back parameter  466 , spine parameter  468 , and bottle-type parameter  470 . Label module  406  also comprises acknowledgement parameter  472 , unit-of-use parameter  474 , notice parameter  476 , prescription info parameter  478 , refill parameter  480 , bag-tag parameter  482 , and other parameter  484 . 
     Large parameter  460 , small parameter  462 , separately control pre-programmed parameters for large label sets and for small label sets, such as large bottle label  220  and small bottle label  222  of label system  200  ( FIG. 6 ), respectively. Front parameter  464 , back parameter  466 , and spine parameter  468 , control various aspects (e.g., inclusion, relative sizing and shapes, etc.) of a front portion, back portion, and spine portion of a label, such as label  220  or label  222  of label system of  FIG. 6 . Bottle-type parameter  470  controls generating labels to fit a particular type of bottle upon selection of the bottle type by the operator, via cooperation with other parameters of label module  406  and via cooperation with general module  402 . In one embodiment, bottle-type parameter  470  enables pre-selection of an entire family of parameters in label module  406  and general module  402  of control monitor  400  to generate a label system, such as label system  200 , suited for a respective type of bottle, including but not limited to, a first type of bottle (e.g., bottle  12  in  FIGS. 1-3D ), a second type of bottle (e.g., bottle  500  in  FIGS. 9A-9C ), and a third type of bottle (e.g., bottles  600 , 700  in  FIGS. 10-13C ). 
     Data module  408  of control monitor  400  controls which data, and where and how that data is expressed as printed matter on a label system for a bottle. Data module  408  enables control over entry, storage, retrieval, and display of this data for use in manipulating parameters of various modules, including data module  408 , of control monitor  400 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , data module  408  comprises patient parameter  490 , drug parameter  491 , usage parameter  492 , dose parameter  493 , warning parameter  494 , additional parameter  495 , physician parameter  496 , vendor parameter  497 , and regulation parameter  498 . 
     Patient parameter  490  of data module  408  controls patient data such as name, address, phone, identification number(s), etc. while drug parameter  491  controls drug data such as drug name, drug supplier, etc. Usage parameter  492  controls data relating to proper usage of a drug while dose parameter  492  controls data relating to the prescribed dose of a drug. Warning parameter  494  controls data relating to cautions and warnings associated with a drug or other interacting substance/liquid. Additional parameter  495  enables an operator of control monitor  400  to add additional relevant data to a label or label system, on a case-by-case basis. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , physician parameter  496  of data module  408  controls data relating to physician name, physician address, etc., while vendor parameter  497  controls data relating to the name, location, phone, and logo (or other marketing aspect) of a vendor that dispenses the drug in one of their retail locations (e.g. pharmacy department of a Target® store). Regulation parameter  498  shapes which data is used and how it is used on a label generated by control monitor  400  by designating, incorporating, and/or applying local, county, state, and/or federal regulations in the manner of using or displaying data on a pharmaceutical bottle, label, packaging, etc. 
     Accordingly, control monitor  400  enables generating a label system, including an entire family of labels, sheets, and other types of printed matter for placement on and use with pharmacy bottles, as described and illustrated throughout this application. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  comprise plan views of a pharmacy bottle  500 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 9A , pharmacy bottle  500  comprises front portion  502 , side portion  504 , back portion  506 , bottom portion  508  and top portion  510  with shoulder  512 . Front portion  502 , side portions  504 , and back portion  506  each define a generally rectangularly shaped surface and a generally planar surface. Pharmacy bottle  500  also comprises mouth  40  with opening  43  and threaded neck  42 , as well as collar  70  and neck space  72 . In one embodiment, pharmacy bottle  500  comprises protrusion array  80  on one or both side portions  504 . In another embodiment, pharmacy bottle  500  comprises side portions  504  without a protrusion array  80 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C , bottle  500  comprises slot  532  for removably receiving card  530 , in a manner substantially the same as the interaction of slot  69  with patient information card  68  in previously described embodiments of the invention. Slot  532  is defined by recess  540  and back portion  522  of label  515 . 
     Front portion  502  receives a front portion  520  of a label  515 , while back portion  506  of bottle  500  receives a back portion  522  and spine portion  524  of label  515 . Front portion  520 , spine portion  524 , and back portion  522  of label  515  comprises generally the same features and attributes of label  60 ,  170  as previously described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-5B . However,  FIGS. 9A-9C  further illustrate the separation of front portion  520  of label  515  from spine portion  524  and back portion  522  of label  515  to enable placement on the larger size bottle ( 60  dram) that has a different shape and right-side up orientation when a bottom portion  508  of bottle  12  is placed on a support surface  11 . 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of pharmacy bottles  600 , according to an embodiment of the invention, with the bottle  600  on the left primarily showing a front portion  602  and side portion  606  of bottle  600  and the bottle  600  on the right primarily showing a back portion  604  and side portion  608  of the bottle  600 . Front portion  602 , back portion  604 , and side portions  606 ,  608  each define a generally rectangularly shaped surface, and with front portion  602  and back portion  604  also forming a generally planar surface. As shown in  FIG. 10 , pharmacy bottle  600  comprises a container also including a bottom portion  610 , as well as cap  14  and/or ring  50 , as previously described in association with  FIGS. 1-4  and  9 A- 9 C. 
     Label  640  on bottle  600  forms a slot  650  for removably receiving a patient information card  652 , in a manner substantially the same as for the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  and  9 A- 9 C. In one embodiment, patient information card  640  corresponds to patient information card  250  of label system  200  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Formation of slot  650  is described in more detail in association with  FIG. 11A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , pharmacy bottle  600  comprises protrusion  620 . In one embodiment, protrusion  620  comprises a ring  621  formed in an elongated, annular pattern and that is raised from a surface  624  of side portions  606 ,  608 . Ring  621  defines a recessed surface  622 . In one embodiment, recessed surface  622  receives a label  630  from label system  400  for placement within ring of protrusion  620 . Locating a label, such as one bearing a vendor identifier, patient identifier, drug identifier, and/or physician identifier, within protrusion  620  makes display of the label  630  more prominent, drawing attention to the information recessed within the protrusion. In one embodiment, protrusion  620  also can be used to aid gripping bottle. 
     In other embodiments, protrusion  620  is not strictly limited to the elongated ring  620 , but can include other shapes and configurations, such as a rectangular shaped protrusion, a circular shaped protrusion, an elliptical-shaped protrusion, a triangular-shaped protrusion, etc. Finally, in another embodiment, bottle  12  does not include protrusion  620  on side portions  606  and  608 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , label  640  comprises a front portion  642  adhesively secured to front portion  602  of bottle  600  and a back portion  644  adhesively secured to back portion  604  of bottle  600 . Label  640  has substantially the same features and attributes of labels of label system  200  of  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, label  640  is selected as label  222  from label system  200  in which front portion  290  of label  222  corresponds to front portion  642  of label  640  and back portion  294  and spine portion  295  of label  222  corresponds to back portion  644  of label  640 . In one embodiment, label  222  is generated from control monitor  400  to omit spine portion  295  so that back portion  644  of label  640  corresponds only to back portion  294  of label  222  with spine portion  295  not defining an area interposed between back portion  294  and front portion  290  of label  222 . 
     In addition, when label  640  is selected as the type of label  222  from label system  200  ( FIG. 6 ), front portion  642  is separated from back portion  644  before application to bottle  600  via a separation line corresponding to separation line  295  of label  222  ( FIG. 6 ). Accordingly, this embodiment further illustrates the ability of label  222  (or label  220 ) having a single printed configuration to be used in a split arrangement on one type of bottle, such as bottle  600  shown in  FIG. 10 , and to be used as a single piece label on a second type of bottle, such as bottle  12  in  FIG. 4 , in which the label  60  (corresponding to label  220 ,  222  from  FIG. 6 ), is wrapped around the surfaces of bottle  12  while maintaining the entire label  222  as one piece. 
       FIG. 11A  is a plan view of a rear portion of bottle  600 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 11A , rear portion  604  of bottle  600  comprises recess  660 , upper contact portion  670 , and lower contact portion  672 . Upper contact portion  670  and lower contact portion  672  are disposed on opposites sides of, and surround, recess  660 . Rear portion  604  is sized and shaped to receive adhesive attachment of a label, such as rear portion  284  of label system  200  ( FIG. 4 ), onto upper contact portion  670  and lower contact portion  672  with the remainder of the rear portion of the label extending over recess  660  as further explained below. Recess  660  is formed as a depression in the surface of rear portion  604  to enable formation of slot  650  (shown in  FIG. 10 ), in a manner substantially the same as for the formation of slots in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , and  9 A- 9 C, to enable receipt of a patient information card  640 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11A , recess  660  on rear portion  604  of bottle  600  extends laterally across the entire width of the face of rear portion  604 . This feature enables the patient information card (e.g., patient information card  250  shown in  FIG. 6  or patient card  68  in  FIG. 1 ) to extend out either lateral side of the recess (left or right side of the bottle), thereby enabling greater flexibility in inserting and/or removing the patient information card relative to the slot (e.g. slot  650 ). In addition, this feature enables relatively larger patient information cards to be inserted into a slot with a full lateral width recess, since the patient information card can protrude out both sides of the slot, if necessary, to help accommodate the larger sized patient information card. 
     Moreover, in other embodiments, a recess that extends laterally across the entire width of rear portion of a bottle (such as rear portion  604  of bottle  600 ) can be substituted for the recess in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3D ,  FIGS. 9A-9C , and/or  FIGS. 13A-13C  which extends laterally only partially across the entire width of the rear portion of those respective embodiments. 
     In another embodiment, the recess  660  that extends laterally across the entire width of rear portion  604  of bottle  600  can be replaced with a recess, such as recess  90  ( FIG. 3C ), recess  760  ( FIG. 13C ) and other recesses, in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3D ,  FIGS. 9A-9C , and/or  FIGS. 13A-13C  which extends laterally only partially across the entire width of the rear portion of those respective embodiments. Accordingly, in this embodiment of bottle  600 , recess  660  would extend only partially across the face of rear portion  604 . 
       FIG. 11B  is plan view of one side of bottle  600 , that represents either side portion  606  or side portion  608  ( FIG. 10 ) of bottle  600 , further illustrating protrusion  620  and surface  624 . In one embodiment, side portions  606  and  608  are substantially the same as each other in size, shape, orientation, and overall configuration. 
     In another embodiment, side portions  606  and  608  are dissimilar to each other. As shown in  FIG. 12 , one aspect of this embodiment includes side portion  606  including protrusion  620 , substantially as shown in  FIG. 11B , and side portion  608  including side portion  652  having a generally flat surface with curved edges, such as a curved upper edge  654 , a curved lower edge  656 , and a curved side edge  658 . 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  are plan views of a pharmacy bottle  700 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , bottle  700  comprises front portion  702 , back portion  704 , side portions  706  and  708 , and top portion  712 . Bottle  700  has substantially the same features and attributes as bottle  600 , previously described in association with  FIGS. 10-12 , except for differences relating to a greater height of bottle  700  and the relative proportion of features on the front portion  702 , back portion  704 , and side portions  706 ,  708 . In one aspect, recess  760  has substantially the same features and attributes of recesses previously described in association with  FIGS. 1-3D  and  9 A- 12  relating to formation of a slot (e.g., slot  650  in  FIG. 10 ) in combination with a label, such as label  640  in  FIG. 10 , to enable slidable insertion and removal of a patient information card, such as patient information card  652  of  FIG. 10  relative to the slot. 
     In one embodiment, each side portion  706 , 708  comprises a protrusion  720 , including ring  721  and surface  722 , and surface  718 , having substantially the same features and attributes as side portions  620  of bottle  600  of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , except for the difference ring  720  being relatively smaller in proportion to an increased surface  718  on side portions  706 ,  708  relative to a larger total surface area of surface  718  on bottle  700 . In another embodiment, only one side portion of the two side portions  706 ,  708  comprises a protrusion  720 . In another embodiment, bottle  700  comprises no protrusions  720  on either one of side portions  706 ,  708 . 
     Embodiments of the invention significantly enhance a patient&#39;s experience in becoming informed about a prescription directly from the prescription bottle and significantly enhance a retail pharmacy&#39;s ability to consistently fill and deliver the prescription in a manner that maintains the patient&#39;s satisfactory experiences with a pharmacy purchase. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof