Abstract:
A medication timing device including a base carrying a circuit with a timing device, a switch for activating the timing device, a signal device activated by the timing device, and a battery coupled to the timing device and the signal device, and a top coupled to the base and covering the circuit. The top is moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is tripped. A fastening element fastens the base to a medication container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application entitled MEDICATION TIMING DEVICE, serial No. 60/211,504, filed Jun. 14, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention- relates to the health care industry. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to timing devices. 
     In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention concerns timing devices for signaling medication consumption. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As medical technology advances and the pharmaceutical industry develop more medications, individuals in society continue to use more medication. As medications increase in effectiveness and expand in treatment, more and more individuals use more medication. This is particularly true with the elderly. The average age of people is increasing, partly due to developments in medications. Many elderly people take multiple medications at various intervals throughout the day. When one type of medication is used, it is often difficult to remember to take it on time and consistently. When multiple medications are involved, doses can be missed. Often this can have detrimental consequences. 
     There are many timing devices available today. Many are computerized to allow programming of times, types and quantities of medications. Often they will signal the individual when a medication is required. While these devices provide good warnings, and are very programmable, they often must be carried at all times, are often bulky, and are very difficult to use and program. 
     While medication is primarily discussed here, it should be noted that these same problems occur with reference to dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals and herbs. 
     It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved medication timing device. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a medication timing device which is present with the medication at all times. 
     And another object of the invention is to provide a medication timing device which is simple and easy to use. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a medication timing device which is inexpensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a medication timing device including a base, a circuit, a top, and fastening means for fastening the base to a medication container. The base has a first surface and an opposing second surface, and carries the circuit. The circuit has a timing device, a switch for activating the timing device, a signal device activated by the timing device, and a battery coupled to the timing device and the signal device. The top is coupled to the first surface of the base and covers the circuit. The top is moveable between a normal expanded position and a compressed position in which the switch is tripped. 
     In a specific embodiment, the timing device times a single unchangeable interval of time, and actuates the signal device at the termination of the interval of time. 
     Also provided is a method of timing medication dosages including the steps of providing a container having a body and a cover couplable to the body. A timing device is provided including a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a circuit carried by the base and including a timing device and a switch for activating the timing device. A top is coupled to the first surface of the base covering the circuit. The timing device is fastened to one of a top surface of the cover of the container and a bottom surface of the body of the container. The timing device is activated for a single unchangeable interval of time and a signal is emitted upon termination of the interval of time. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a medication timing device according to the present invention as it would appear on a medication container. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, similar t o FIG. 2, of the device of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified flow diagram of the operation of the medication timing device according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram of a method of taking medication according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a medication timing device, generally designated  10 , coupled to a cover  12  of a medication container  14 . Cover  12  closes a body  15  of container  14 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that medication container  14  can be substantially any container used to store medication. Cover  12  is typically circular with a generally planar top surface  16 . Often these caps or covers  12  include childproof features. It should also be noted that the term medication as used herein, includes drugs, vitamins, minerals, herbs, pharmaceuticals, etc. 
     With additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, medication timing device  10  includes a base  20  and a top  22 . Base  20  is typically circular and includes a generally planar bottom surface  23  that is sized to correspond to top surface  16  of cover  12 . An adhesive layer  24  is carried by bottom surface  23 , adhering device  10  to cover  12 . Adhesive layer  24  is protected by a removable protective sheet  25 , which is removed prior to adhering device  10  to cover  12 . Base  20  carries a circuit board  26  having a timing device, a start stop switch, a battery and a signal device such as a beeper. Top  22  is coupled to base  12  covering circuit board  26 . Top  22  optionally includes fail safe bosses  28  extending therefrom to engage optional fail safe connections  27  on circuit board  26 . Top  22  can be attached to base  20  in many different ways, such as by snap fit, friction fit, adhesives, fasteners, etc. Top  22  is formed of a flexible material so that it can be flexed toward base  20 . Depressing top  22  actuates the timing element of circuit board  26 . To prevent accidental actuation, a delay is included. In other words, top  22  must be depressed for a predetermined period of time to activate or trip the timer. To facilitate use, the interval of the timer is printed upon top  22 . 
     While device  10  has been illustrated and described as being attached to cover  12 , it should be understood that in an alternate embodiment, device  10  can be attached to the bottom of container  14  and function is an identical manner. 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of the operation of medication timing device  10  is illustrated. The initial step is an attaching step  30  wherein protective sheet  25  is removed and device  10  is attached to cover  12  with adhesive layer  24 . This can be performed by the individual taking the medication, or preferably, by a pharmacist when the medication is presented. In an activation step  32 , an individual depresses top  22  for a given period of time, such as three seconds, to start the timer. It should be noted that until the timer is activated there is no power consumption, thereby conserving battery power. A feedback step  33  informs the user the cycle has begun. This signal can be visual, audio, etc., and is three beeps in this embodiment. Typically, device  10  is activated after the medication has been taken. Device  10  can be reset at any time by repeating steps  32  and  33 . If device  10  is not reset, a timing step  34  occurs, in which the timer begins a countdown. The time interval coincides with the interval between applications of medication. In this example, a four hour period is employed. A signal step  36  includes device  10  emitting a signal to notify the individual that a medication is required. At this point, in a deactivation step  38 , the individual can depress top  22  to stop the signal. The individual then knows to take the medication and reset device  10 , going through steps  32  through  38  again. Once stopped, there is again no power consumption until the timer is reset. Alternatively, if it is a special occasion such as bedtime and medication is not required throughout the night, device  10  can remain inactive. Thus the individual&#39;s sleep will not be disturbed. When next the medication is taken, step  32  can be performed and the cycle restarted. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a method of taking medication, employing device  10  is illustrated. The initial step is an attaching step  40  wherein protective sheet  25  is removed and device  10  is attached to cover  12  or the bottom of container  14 . The individual begins the cycle with a medication step  42  wherein the individual takes the medication. In an activation step  43 , an individual depresses top  22  for a given period of time, such as three seconds, to start the timer. After the desired time interval, an alarm is activated  44 . This signal can be visual, audio, etc., and is three beeps in this embodiment. At this point, in a deactivation step  46 , the individual can depress top  22  to stop the signal. The individual then knows to take the medication in a medication step  48  and reset device  10  by returning to step  43  and beginning the cycle again. Alternatively, if the individual takes the medication early  50 , device  10  can be reset by going back to step  43 . If it is a special occasion such as bedtime and medication is not required throughout the night, device  10  can remain inactive. Thus the individual&#39;s sleep will not be disturbed. When next the medication is taken, step  32  can be performed and the cycle restarted. 
     Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.