Abstract:
A container for permanently securing a blister card includes a top, a bottom, and a spine connecting by a hinge. The top and bottom each includes one half of a child-resistant latch system. The top having a latch with latch recesses and a pair of latch arms formed at a front edge of the top. The bottom having an identical arrangement with a latch with latch recesses and a pair of latch arms formed at the front edge. The latch recesses in the top latch align with the latch arms in the bottom, while the latch recesses in the bottom latch align with the latch arms in the top. The recesses in both latches secure the latch arms respectively and remain in a locked position until uses presses upon the upper surface of the latches and separates the top and bottom about the hinge.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from, and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/988,165, filed Nov. 15, 2007 and entitled Container for Housing Medication, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to packaging suitable for storing and dispensing medication and more specifically to containers that house blister cards that provide a simple method for determining whether a dose has been taken while meeting child resistance standards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is well known that medications, such as pills, tablets, and capsules, must be administered over a dosing period. In many circumstances, the medications can be harmful to children, so law-makers have passed regulations concerning child resistant packaging. The use of child resistant packaging is well known throughout the art, and has been utilized for goods ranging from household items to pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical industry has settled on two main methods of dispensing medication, either loosely in a “amber” bottle or more discretely in a blister card. 
         [0004]    The traditional child-resistant “amber” bottle utilizes a “push and turn” cap by which the person wishing to open the bottle must press down to release a locking mechanism before turning the cap. These bottles are effective for mass distribution of a medication, but have significant drawbacks. First, “push and turn” cap&#39;s are often smaller in size, so that they do not provide a sufficiently stable gripping surface to allow a user of limited dexterity, i.e. the elderly, to access the medication in side easily. Secondly, the level of chemical stability of the individual pills has been a serious concern. Pills that are dispensed in traditional “amber bottles” are often handled and put back into the bottle or, since the bottle is being constantly opened and closed, causing excessive contamination and moisture often enter the bottle. For example, hand moisture and body oils can significantly reduce the shelf-life and effectiveness of a medication. Finally, “amber bottles” provide no compliance feature that informs the user as to whether or not a dose has been taken during that dosing period, be it a morning, afternoon, day, or week. 
         [0005]    The other well-known medication packaging is “unit dose” packaging or blister cards. Blister cards are typically formed from flexible materials with a plurality of cavities that receive and dispense one pill. An open side of each cavity is covered with a pierceable foil seal. The user simply pushes a selected pill through the foil seal in order to remove the medication from its individual blister on the card. Blister card packaging ensures stability and allows for patient compliance, although it often does not provide sufficient protection for the medication or child resistance. The pierceable foil seal could be difficult to pierce or remove without damaging the dose, so some blister cards are equipped with a tab the user can pull to remove the foil seal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    The present invention provides a senior-friendly, child resistant medication dispenser for containing a blister card that includes a permanently locking spine mechanism that secures a blister card inside the container. The container having a two handed press and separate child resistant feature wherein the user must simultaneously press at least two buttons with enough force to bend the buttons as to release them from tabs holding the buttons in a locked position. Once the buttons are depressed with sufficient force as to clear the locking arms the buttons are then separated and the top and bottom of the container are separated about a hinge. 
         [0007]    The spine mechanism is integrated into the top of the container and separates the top into multiple sections. The spine uses a hook implement on its inner surface at the peripheral edge farthest from the hinge to snap and lock permanently onto a catch mechanism that is part of the bottom of the container. The catch mechanism is a stiff plastic surface that includes a relatively deep ledge for the hook to bind upon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front top perspective view of a child resistant container with attached blister card with unattached spine mechanism in an open position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the child resistant container as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the child resistant container with an attached spine mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front top perspective view of the child resistant container in a closed position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the child resistant container shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the child resistant container shown in  FIG. 5 , as taken along lines  100 - 100 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the child resistant container shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the child resistant container shown in  FIG. 7 , as taken along lines  200 - 200 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a front top perspective view of the child resistant container in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a front top perspective view of the child resistant container shown in  FIG. 8 , in a closed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , senior-friendly, child-resistant container  1  that includes a top  2 , a bottom  20 , a hinge  18 , a spine  40 , and a latch system  50 . More particularly, top  2  includes top wall  3 , angled walls  8 , sidewalls  6 , curved corner walls  11  and  12 , and curved walls  4  and  5 . Angled walls  8  project downward and outwardly from angled edges  14  of top wall  3 . Sidewalls  6  project downward from side edge  13  of angled walls  14  creating top rim  15  around the perimeter of top  2 . Curved walls  4  and  5  project outwards from rear edges  9  and  10  respectively of top wall  3  connecting to hinge  18 . Curved corner walls  11  and  12  project from the sidewalls  6  toward latch edge  7 . Latch walls  67  and  68  project downward from top wall  3  at latch edge  7 . 
         [0021]    Bottom  20  includes bottom wall  21 , angled walls  25 , sidewalls  23 , curved wall  22 , curved corner walls  27  and  28 , spine catch  32 , and support walls  36 . Angled walls  25  projects both upwardly and outwardly from angled edge  30  of bottom wall  21 . Sidewalls  23  project upward from side edge  29  of angled wall  25  forming bottom rim  31  about the perimeter of bottom  20 . Curved corner walls  27  and  28  project forward from sidewalls  23  toward latch edge  24 . Latch walls  69  and  70  project upward from bottom wall  21  at latch edge  24 . Curved wall  22  projects upward from bottom wall  21  connecting to hinge  18  and to top  2 . Top  2  and bottom  20  open and close about hinge  18  wherein the top rim  15  and bottom rim  31  created a closed seal of container  1 . 
         [0022]    Spine catch  32  including lower wall  35 , horizontal wall  34  and upper wall  33  projects upward from the upper surface of bottom wall  21 . More particularly, lower wall  35  projects upward from the upper surface of bottom wall  21  near latch edge  24 . Horizontal wall  34  projects forward toward latch edge  24  and turns upward forming upper wall  33  creating spine catch  32 . Support walls  36  including a front end  37  and abutments  38  project upward from the upper surface of bottom wall  21  and run the length of bottom  20  from rear edge  26  to front end  37 . Blister card  75  having pill tabs  79  is set upon support walls  36  and pushed forward against abutments  38 . 
         [0023]    Spine  40  including spine wall  42 , rim  43 , and rounded wall  44  rotates about hinge  41  clamping down upon the back surface of blister card  75 . Rounded wall  44  extends downward from rim  43  of spine wall  42  connected to container by via hinge  41 . Ledge  45  projects from the inner surface of rounded wall  44  such that when spine  40  is in a clamped position rounded wall  44  extends beyond the upper wall  33  of spine catch  32  and ledge  45  bends the spine catch  32  inward. Once ledge  45  is lowered beyond the height of upper wall  33 , ledge  45  hooks into horizontal wall  34  releasing the pressure off of the upper wall  33  and permanently attaching the spine  40  to spine catch  32  trapping blister card  75 . Blister card  75  further including cavities  77  holding medication (not shown) cannot be removed from container  1 . 
         [0024]    Child-resistant latch system  50  including top latch  51   a , bottom latch  51   b , top latch arms  61   a , and bottom latch arms  61   b  seals the top  2  and bottom  20  about hinge  18  until a user opens container  1 . Top latch  51   a  including curved wall  52   a  projecting downward from latch hinge  53   a  attached to top wall  3  at latch edge  7  and extending forward over front wall  68 . Lip  53   a  bulges from the lower edge or curved wall  52   a  to create an additional impediment for releasing child-resistant latch system  50 . Lip wall  56   a  and sidewall  57 a project inward from the outer surface of curved wall  52   a  to form latch recesses  55   a . Bottom latch  51   b  includes curved wall  52   b  projecting upward from latch hinge  53   b  attached to bottom wall  21  at latch edge  24  and extending forward over front wall  69 . Lip  54   b  bulges from the upper edge of curved wall  52   b  to create an additional impediment to releasing child-resistant latch system  50 . Lip wall  56   b  and sidewall  57   b  project inward from the outer surface of curved  52   b  to form latch recesses  55   b.    
         [0025]    Top latch arms  61   a  includes two short walls  62   a  projecting toward one another in front of front wall  67  in a mirrored relation, whereby creating gap  65 . Flanges  63   a  project downward from the inner bottom edges of short walls  62   a . The short walls  62   a  and flanges  63   a  are formed to identically align with and fit perfectly within latch recesses  55   b  of bottom latch  51   b . Bottom latch arms  61   b  includes two short walls  62   b  projecting toward one another in front of front wall  69  in a mirrored relation, whereby creating gap  66 . Flanges  63   b  project upward from the inner upper edges of short walls  62   b . The short walls  62   b  and flanges  63   b  are formed to identically align with and fit perfectly within latch recesses  55   a  of top latch  51   a    
         [0026]    As a result of closing top  2  and bottom  20  about hinge  18 , lip  54   a  makes contact with flanges  63   b  forcing the top latch  51   a  toward bottom front wall  70 . Curved wall  52   a  is pressed beneath bottom latch arms  61   b  until short walls  62   b  and flanges  63   b  enter into latch recesses  55   a  fitting over lip wall  56   a  and within sidewall  57   a . Simultaneously, lip  54   b  makes contact with flanges  63   a  forcing the bottom latch  51   b  toward top front wall  67 . Curved wall  52   b  is pressed beneath top latch arms  61   a  until short walls  62   a  and flanges  63   aa  enter into latch recesses  5   b  fitting over lip wall  56   b  and within sidewall  57   b . The combination of top latch  51   a  and bottom latch  51   b  with top latch arms  61   a  and bottom latch arms  61   b  create the child-resistance latch system  50  of container  1 . A user can release the child-resistant latch system  50  by simultaneously pressing upon the curved surface  52   a  of top latch  51   a  and curved surface  52   b  of bottom latch  51   b . Latch hinges  53   a  and  53   b  bend allowing top latch  51   a  and bottom latch  51   b  to lower toward front walls  68  and  69  respectively. Latch recesses  55   a  and  55   b  release latch arms  61   a  and  61   b  allowing top latch  51   a  and bottom latch  51   b  to slide underneath the latch arms  61   a  and  61   b . The user must then retain pressure on both the top latch  51   a  and bottom latch  51   b , which pulling or pushing the top  2  and bottom  20  in opposite directions about hinge  18 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , another embodiment of child-resistant latch system  80  includes top latch  81   a , bottom latch  81   b , top latch arms  92   a  and bottom latch arms  92   b . Top latch  81   a  including curved wall  82   a  projecting downward from latch hinge  83   a  attached to top wall  3  at latch edge  7  and extending forward over front wall  97 . Lower wall  86   a , sidewalls  87   a , and nook  88   a  project inward from the outer surface of curved wall  82   a  to form latch recesses  85   a . Nook  88   a  including back wall  89   a  (not shown), front wall  90   a  (not shown), and sidewalls  91   a  (not shown) create a secondary area within latch recess  85   a . Bottom latch  81   b  includes curved wall  82   b  projecting upward from latch hinge  83   b  attached to bottom wall  21  at latch edge  24  and extending forward over front wall  102 . Lower wall  86   b  and sidewalls  87   b  and nook  88   b  project inward from the outer surface of curved wall  82   b  to form latch recesses  85   b . Nook  88   b  including back wall  89   b  (not shown), front wall  90   b  (not shown), and sidewalls  91   b  (not shown) create a secondary area within latch recess  85   b.    
         [0028]    Top latch arms  92   a  including hook walls  92   a  project outward and downward from latch edge  7  of top wall  3  creating gap  95  between ledge  94   a  formed at the distal edge of hook walls  93   a  and front wall  97 . Bottom latch arms  92   b  including hook walls  92   b  project outward and upward from latch edge  24  of bottom wall  21  creating gap  96  between ledge  94   b  formed at the distal edge of hook walls  93   b  and front wall  102 . 
         [0029]    Similarly, as a result as closing top  2  and bottom  20  about hinge  18 , top latch  81   a  lowers toward bottom latch arms  92   b  causing bottom latch arms  92   b  to enter into latch recesses  85   a  entering between side walls  87   a  and making contact with lower wall  86   a . Ledges  94   b  enter nooks  88   a  in top latch  81   a  clamping itself on the front wall  90   a  and holding top latch  81   a  to bottom latch arms  92   b . At the same time, bottom latch  81   b  enters top latch arms  92   a  causing bottom latch arms  92   a  to enter into latch recess  85   b  entering between side walls  87   b  and making contact with lower wall  86   b . Ledges  94   a  enters nooks  88   b  in bottom latch  81   b  clamping itself on the front wall  90   b  and holding bottom latch  81   b  to top latch arms  92   a . Again, in order to open container  1 , the user presses upon the curved walls  82   a  and  82   b  releasing latch arms  92   a  and  92   b  from nooks  88   a  and  88   b . Then the user pulls apart the top  2  from bottom  20  along hinge  18  simultaneously. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.