Abstract:
The invention relates a combined sample dispenser and order form comprising a backing sheet that may be prepared from cardboard and a generally planar retaining member, such as a clear plastic sheet, attached to the backing sheet along at least a portion thereof. The retaining member or plastic sheet defines a distention or pocket along a portion of its broad surface, that may contain samples of the product being dispensed, such as sample medications provided to physicians by pharmaceutical manufacturers. The invention is also useful for the sale of certain consumable items, including hardware, where the order form may be used by the consumer to directly request additional quantities of the product.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Ser. No. 08/687,828, filed Jul. 26,1996 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/234,056 filed on Apr. 28, 1994, now abandoned now U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,208. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to sample containers/dispenser and particularly to a prescription sample card for simultaneously providing a sample of an article, such as a pill, and a prescription or order form for additional quantities of the item. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been the practice of pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide physicians with sample medications to be dispensed to patients. In addition, the physician may be provided with multi-sheet pads of paper or multi-sheet prescription pads preprinted with the name of a medication to be prescribed. These practices allow a physician to dispense a sample of a medication before a patient can obtain a full prescription of the medication, and to write a specific prescription conveniently. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     A number of pharmaceutical dispensing systems have appeared in the prior art. These systems, however, fail to provide an economical as well as convenient means of dispensing prescription medication with an attached preprinted prescription sheet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,149 to O&#39;Meara, issued Sep. 15, 1953, which provides both a writing surface and packaging for tablets or capsules, relates to a combination package memo-pad. Holes in the pad of paper provide pockets for the tablets or capsules, which can be sealed in a flanged envelope. The envelope containing the medicinal tablets or capsules can be inserted between the sheets of paper so as to be displayed through the holes. A physician can remove one or more tablets found in the sealed flanged envelope to give a patient, and may then may write directions for the patient on the uppermost sheet of paper and remove it from the pad. The remaining sheets of paper and unused medicine are retained by the physician for later use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,893 to Volekening et al., issued Mar. 17, 1959, relates to a package with a removable information sheet, e.g., a sheet of printed matter pertaining to the contents of the package. The package consists of a commodity-containing section and a pocket section. The pocket section can contain, for example, an information sheet, label, direction sheet, or a booklet pertaining to the contents of the commodity-containing section. A physician would give the commodity section to a patient and retain the information for his own use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,47,358 to Meyers, issued Oct. 17, 1967, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,992 to Osborne et al., issued Nov. 23, 1971, relate to drug distribution devices for use by nurses in a hospital or by a pharmacist in which information regarding distribution of medication or preloaded syringes is controlled by recordation. U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,053 to Stagnitto et al., issued February 19, 1980, relates to a medicinal dispenser kit in which a pharmacist places a prescribed amount of a given medicine, into a sealable envelope. U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,820 to Mangini et al., issued Sep. 17, 1991, relates to a tray of containers of drugs with a package insert. Each container has a multipart flag label which consists of self-adhesive stickers to be used for labeling, inventory. billing, etc. 
     From the above, it can be seen that the prior art does not provide a convenient and economical means for dispensing sample medication attached to a preprinted prescription sheet so as to benefit physician and patient alike. Accordingly, it is toward the fulfillment of this need by the provision of such a combined product that the present invention is directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a combination sample dispensing and ordering device is prepared which may in one embodiment be a prescription sample card. The sample dispensing and ordering device includes a backing member, a planar retaining member and an ordering assembly. The planar retaining member, which is attached to the backing member, defines a distention along a portion of its broad surface to contain a sample or samples of an article. The ordering assembly is disposed between the backing member and the retaining member. 
     More particularly, the device of the invention may be prepared as a prescription medication sample dispenser and prescription assembly. The prescription assembly includes a preprinted prescription form for the medication, and may include additional printed information about the medication. 
     In its use as a prescription sampler and pad, the device of the invention provides a physician with a convenient system for dispensing a sample of prescription medication to a patient, as well as a prescription for the same medication. In this aspect, the device of the invention comprises a backing member, for example cardboard, onto which a retaining member, for example a clear plastic sheet defining a distention such as a blister bubble, is secured. The distention or blister bubble which may contain samples of medication, may be backed with a pierceable material, such as foil or paper, so as to protect and facilitate removal of the sample medication. If a pierceable material is not used, the backing for the blister bubble is the backing member. A first prescription sheet, which may be accompanied by a second sheet containing information, may be removably attached to the backing member. The prescription sheet, which may be personalized for an individual physician, is used to write a prescription for an additional quantity for the sample medication. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sample dispenser and order device comprises a backing member having a front face and a rear face. The retaining member is secured to the front face and which contains the sample article such as a prescription medicine and also retains the ordering assembly such as the prescription sheet or ordering information to the front side of the backing member. A fold line is formed in the sample dispenser and order device intermediate the sample of the article contained within a distention in the retaining member and the prescription or ordering information such that the backing member is folded along the fold line that extends laterally fully across the sample dispenser and order device. As such the backing material and the retaining member are folded backwardly about the fold line such that the overall sample dispenser and order device dispenser is reduced in overall dimensions for convenience of storage and presentation and so that the sample article becomes externally located at the rear of the overall dispenser package. In this manner, the overall dispenser is more convenient for the user to store in a suitable cabinet or in a smaller tray yet the dispenser is fitted conveniently within the cabinet and/or tray for ease of dispensing and presentation. 
     Accordingly, in this embodiment, the sample dispenser can be stored in a more convenient location for the physician and can fit easily into a container that can be within the facilities of the physician at close hand for dispensing to the patient. 
     Among the advantages of the present invention, each sample of medication can be provided with a preprinted prescription form for that particular sample medication. The physician who utilizes the present invention does not have to search a cabinet filled with sample medications and then search again for a specific prescription pad. The physician needs only to fill out the prescription sheet provided with the sample to allow a patient to obtain an additional quantity of the attached sample medication. Another advantage to the present invention is that it allows the patient to commence treatment immediately, rather than delaying treatment until the prescription can be filled. 
     Analogously, the invention provides for attachment of an order form, such as a postage-paid order form, or similar form. An individual to whom a sample of a non-prescription article, e.g., medication or device, is given can use the order form to obtain an additional quantity of the article. Thus, the present invention advantageously simultaneously provides a sample of an article with means for obtaining an additional quantity of the article. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device which simultaneously supplies a sample of an article and means for obtaining more of the article. 
     More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a sample of a prescription medication and a preprinted prescription form for prescribing such a medication. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that simultaneously provides a sample of a non-prescription conveniently packaged with an order form for obtaining more of the article. 
     It is a still further object to provide a device that is conveniently sized so as to be storable in multiple quantities in a container for ease of dispensing by the user, such as a physician. 
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the consideration of the ensuing description which proceeds with reference to the following illustration drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a combination sample dispensing and ordering device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a combination sample dispensing and ordering device in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a combination sample dispensing and ordering device in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the folded version embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6A is a front view of the device of FIG. 6 in its folded configuration. 
     FIG. 6B is a top view of the device so FIG. 6 in its folded configuration. 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a still further folded version embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a front view of the device of FIG. 7 in its folded configuration. 
     FIG. 7B is a rear view of the device of FIG. 7 in its folded configuration. 
     FIG. 7C is a top view of the device of FIG. 7 in its folded configuration. 
     FIG. 8 is a isometric view of a container for displaying and holding a plurality of the devices in their folded configurations. 
     FIG. 9 is isometric view of a cabinet that can conveniently hold a plurality of the containers of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a isometric view of the cabinet of FIG. 9 that contains the plurality of containers of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a combined sample dispenser and order device  10  is illustrated. Device  10  comprises a backing member  12  and a planar retaining member  14  attached thereto. In turn, retaining member  14  defines a distention  16  to hold product samples. Backing member  12  can be any firm material which resists bending or flexing, such as stiff plastic or cardboard, or a composite, or other suitable material. In a specific embodiment, backing member  12  is made of cardboard. Backing member  12  has a front face  12   a  as well as a back face  12   b.    
     The planar retaining member  14  can be made of any material in which a distention or cavity  16  can be formed. In a specific aspect, the retaining member is a moldable plastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the material is clear or transparent to permit the sample prescription medication to be viewed. Retaining member  14  is secured to the front face of backing member  12  along at least one edge. Any means can be used to secure the retaining member to the backing member, for example, by stapling, clipping, sonic welds, or adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, the planar retaining member is attached to the back member along its four side edges. In another embodiment, the planar retaining member is attached to the backing member alone the top edge in order to permit lifting and to provide access to the ordering assembly. 
     As noted above, retaining member  14  has at least one article containing distention  16 . such as a blister bubble. Distention  16  may be modified to accommodate different sizes and quantities of sample product or article  18 . The remaining portion of the planar retaining member extends over the sample prescription card. 
     A seal of pierceable material, not shown, such as foil or paper may cover the back of the distension to enhance shelf life or facilitate removal of the article. In one embodiment, the backing member may define a portal covered by such prescribed material. The distention is superimposed over such a portal. Alternatively, the retaining member may be attached on one side, defining a hinge, whereby lifting the retaining member provides access to the article by piercing the pierceable material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, there is an excised portion  20  of the same dimensions and locations as the ordering assembly. This excised portion permits access to the ordering assembly for inscription and removal. 
     In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the extending portion of the planar retaining member can be lifted to provide access to the ordering assembly. 
     Alternatively modification provides that the extending portion is cut along three sides  20   a  corresponding to the dimensions and locations of the ordering assembly to form a flap which is lifted to access the prescription assembly, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The preprinted ordering assembly  22  is comprised of a single order form  24 , and may include one or more sheets containing additional information  26  concerning the article. The ordering assembly can be secured to the backing member along one or more edges in any suitable manner, for example, staple, clip or adhesive, so as to permit lifting and removal of the ordering assembly. Additionally, the ordering assembly may be perforated, scored or weakened in some manner,  28 , in order to facilitate removal from the sample prescription card. 
     In another embodiment the ordering assembly may be a portion of the backing member, which may itself contain a preprinted order or prescription form. Accordingly, the backing member can be detachable from the device, so that the completed order form can be used to obtain an additional quantity of the article. In a further embodiment, the retaining member can also be detachable. 
     As a still further embodiment, the combined dispenser and order device  10  is shown in plan view in FIG. 6 as a folded version and which enables the convenient storage and presentation of the device. As shown in FIG. 6, the backing member  12 . again can be any stiff cardboard or similar material and has a front face  12  and a back face  12   b (not shown in FIG.  6 ). Again, the planar retaining member  14  is attached to the backing member  12  and has at least one distention  16  In the FIG. 6 embodiment, there are two such distentions  16 , however, as will be seen, various number of distentions can be employed in carrying out the present invention. The ordering assembly  22  can comprise a prescription form as shown in the Figure and which can be covered by the retaining member  14 . Alternatively, as will be seen, the retaining member  14  may be confined to a certain portion of the overall device  10  and the prescription form can be printed on a removable sheet on the front face  12   a  of the backing member  12 . 
     In this embodiment a fold line  32  is formed in the device  10  by means such as scoring, or in some similar manner, weakening the material so that the sample dispenser and order device  10  can be folded at the fold line  32 . The fold line  32  may alternatively be made by removing a portion of the material along the fold line  32  to create a weakened portion of the device  10  substantially entirely across the device  10 . As shown, the fold line  32  extends laterally entirely across the sample dispenser and order device  10  and is located intermediate the location of the order assembly  24  on backing member  12  and the location of the sample product  18  contained within the distentions  16 . Turning to FIG. 6A and 6B, there is shown the sample dispenser and order device  10  of FIG. 6 in its folded configuration and wherein the front face  12   a  of the sample dispenser and order device  10  locates the ordering assembly  22 , such as the prescription or other material and the rear of the sample dispenser and order device  10  therein locates the distention  16  that contains the sample article  18  such as a prescription medicine. 
     As can readily be seen in FIG. 6B, by the folding procedure, the overall sample dispenser and order devices  10  can be readily stacked together in close proximity to each other, that is, the sample dispenser and order devices  10  can be layered together and take up relatively little space with a minimum of dead space therebetween. The ability to tightly stack multiples of the sample dispenser and order devices  10  is facilitated by the reduced dimensions of the perimeter, such that the devices  10  can be placed in a convenient tray or cabinet for use by the physician as will be later explained. 
     Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a plan view of a still further embodiment of the foldable configuration wherein only one distention  16  is employed that contains the sample article and there is further shown in FIG. 7A, a front view showing the ordering assembly  22  as is convenient for the physician to access and note the indicia on the device  10  that enables the physician to identify the particular sample of article desired to be dispensed. In the rear view of FIG. 7B, there is shown the sample article contained within the distention  16  and, in this embodiment, the distention  16  is displaced with respect to the center line of the device  10  and is offset. By the use of the offset location of the sample article  18 , the sample dispenser and order device  10  can be intermixed, front to back, as seen in FIG.  7 C and are thus capable of being fitted together with a minimum of dead space to enable a multiple number of the devices  10  to be stacked together into a single container. 
     In FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view of a typical container  34  that contains a plurality of the sample dispenser and order devices  10  of the folded configuration and, as can be seen, the reduced dimensions brought about by the folding procedure allows the container  34  to be relatively small and convenient to the physician and yet have a pleasing presentation to the physician. By the folding configuration, therefore, the container  34  can be of a relatively small size and yet, as explained with respect to the previous Figures, the positioning of the distention  16  containing the sample article such as a medicine, allows a considerable number of sample dispenser and order devices  10  to be fitted into a single container  34 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of a sample cabinet  36  that can be used to contain the various containers, each having a plurality of sample dispensers  10  contained therein and the sample cabinet  36  can have a plurality of partitions  38  so as to allow each container to be placed into an individual compartment  40  for the convenience of refilling the containers by the physician. In FIG. 10, there is shown a perspective view of the sample cabinet  36  and which has been filled with the various containers  34  so that the overall sample prescription or other material can readily be available to he physician to store the prescription and to access the cabinet to distribute the prescription as desired. 
     As used herein, the term “ordering assembly” refers to an assembly that comprises an order form useful for obtaining an additional quantity of the sample article. In a preferred embodiment, the term “ordering form” refers to a prescription form. The order form preferably contains preprinted information, space for which is provided on the ordering form  30 . In a preferred embodiment, a prescription form is preprinted with the name and dosage of the sample medication, the doctor&#39;s name, address, and Drug Enforcement Number, a space for the patient&#39;s name and address as well as spaces and boxes for the doctor to complete regarding the amount of the prescription and whether there are to be refills. The prescription form is prepared in preprinted form to follow all of the formats of the respective states in which the form may be distributed and used. 
     Alternatively, the order form can contain a preprinted postal or mailing address, and space for inscribing ordering information such as name and address, the amount being ordered, and perhaps a method of payment. The order form may be a post card with prepaid postage, or a form to be sent in a separate envelope. 
     The sample articles may be removed from the distension by removing the backing member. If a seal of pierceable material covers the back of the distension it must be peeled from the back of the planar retaining member or pierced, for example by cutting or piercing with a sharp object, to remove the article. 
     As noted above, a sample of any article can be provided in the device of the present invention. Preferably, the article is on the order of about 0.5 cm to about 10 cm in any dimension. Examples of such articles are pills, capsules and tablets of prescription or non-prescription medications. Small tubes of creams, lotions, and the like or small packages of cosmetics can also be provided. In a further aspect, the distention may contain devices such as a condom, cosmetic brush, razor blade, and the like. 
     In a further aspect the article may be a food or a food additive, such as a flavoring or color agent, as well as non-food articles, such as, for example, hardware fittings that may desirably accompany O.E.M. equipment, to facilitate the reordering of fungible, consumable parts. 
     The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific examples disclosed herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will be apparent to one of skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.