Abstract:
A pharmacy bottle for prescription medication is shown that conveys information thereon to the patient that is clear and understandable. Colored rings are attachable to the cap of the pharmacy bottle to convey general information. Increased surface area of the pharmacy bottle is provided for more specific information to be conveyed to the patient via the label adhered thereto. Further, more detailed information about the prescription is conveyed to the patient by ancillary information sheet(s) inserted through slot(s) into space formed in walls of the pharmacy bottle. One end of the ancillary information sheet(s) forms a tab extending from the slot(s) that may be pulled by the patient to remove the ancillary information sheet from the space via the slot(s) for review by the patient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to pharmacy bottles and, more particularly, a pharmacy bottle that conveys the maximum amount of information to a patient receiving prescription medication. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For a patient that buys prescription medication, the amount of information and warnings conveyed to the patient is overwhelming. Typically, there is a label stuck to the bottle with various information and warnings thereon. For example, the prescribing physician will be named, the patient will be named, the type and dosage of medication will be given, as well as, how often the patient should take the medication each day. There probably will be a reminder concerning refills and warnings about the medication. 
         [0003]    Because there is not enough room on the label that is stuck on the bottle to give all of the warnings and side effect of the medication, the bottle containing the medication is typically put in a bag and stapled to the top of the bag is additional product information or warnings. As a practical matter, normally the patient tears open the bag, gets out the bottle containing the medication and throws the bag with all of the product information and/or warnings stapled thereto away. It is very rare that a patient reads the product information or warnings that are stapled to the bag before it is thrown away. 
         [0004]    If it was practical to put more product information or warnings with the container that has the medication therein, typically the patient will stand a much higher probability of reading the product information or warnings. If the product information or warnings are stapled to the bag, normally such product information or warnings are never read. 
         [0005]    As an example of an attempt by the industry to add more information to the label, U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,205 by Adler et al shows a generally wedge shaped bottle with a curved top that allows the label to be wrapped thereover. The bottle opening is at the bottom. Due to a recess between the label and the bottle, additional product information can be inserted in that recess. However, since the bottle as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,205 has been on the market, it has received a large amount of criticism by the consuming public. 
         [0006]    One of the largest manufacturers of containers for prescription drugs is Berry Plastics Corporation. While Berry Plastics has a complete line of prescription containers that can be selected by “family” or “size” on their website of www.berryplastics.com, the containers have the problem of insufficient room to put all of the information concerning the medication on the container so it can be seen by the patient. The most common line by Berry Plastics is the “Friendly &amp; Safe” prescription container with the locking top. The Friendly &amp; Safe prescription containers come in a number of different sizes. Regardless of the size, the problem of sufficient surface area to put all of the information needed on a pharmacy container still exists. 
         [0007]    While a lack of space to put proper warnings and/or information on the prescription container is a problem, many patients take their medication by shape of the pill, shape of the bottle or other external factors other than reading the label itself. If there are multiple people in the household taking prescription medication, such as an elderly couple, some times the individuals get confused and take the other persons medication. While various systems have been devised to avoid the confusion, mistakes still occur. 
         [0008]    The best reminder system would be one the patient can devise for themself. For example, an elderly couple, both of whom take prescription medication, might have different colors for their bottles or caps. As an example, the wife can take the color red and the husband take the color green. Therefore, all of the medication in the red capped container is for the wife and all of the medication in the green capped container is for the husband. 
         [0009]    Another example may be different colors being used as reminders of when to take the medication. The color black could be used for medication to be taken in the evening and the color white for medication to be taken in the morning. 
         [0010]    Whatever system is being used, there is a drastic need to convey information in an easy to understand form to the patient that is taking the prescription medication. Some information such as warnings should be given in detail. However, other information such as whose medication it is may be conveyed by colors. Whatever system is used, the object is to convey the maximum amount of information to the patient in a manner the patient will absorb and utilize. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pharmacy bottle that conveys the maximum amount of information to the patient. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a pharmacy bottle for prescription medication where essentially all of the vertical surfaces of the pharmacy bottle may be used to convey information to the patient. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pharmacy bottle for prescription medication that conveys the maximum amount of information to the patient on the vertical surfaces area thereof, but also has a slot where additional information can be inserted. 
         [0014]    It is even another object of the present invention to provide a pharmacy bottle for prescription medication that has a slot access to a space between an internal wall and an external wall where ancillary information sheets can be inserted for the patient. 
         [0015]    It is yet another object to provide a pharmacy bottle for prescription medications where the most critical information is communicated to the patient in the vertical surface area of the pharmacy bottle, but a slotted space in the wall contains ancillary information sheets for the patient about the prescription medication. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide colored rings that can be attached the cap of a pharmacy bottle for prescription medications, the colored rings being selectable by the patient to provide quick visual reminders to the patient when taking the prescription medication 
         [0017]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide colored rings for a pharmacy bottle of prescription medication, which colored rings are clipped into pre-existing slots in the cap for the pharmacy bottle. 
         [0018]    A new pharmacy bottle for prescription medication has been designed to maximize the amount of information communicated to the patient receiving the prescription medication. Essentially all of the vertical surfaces for the prescription bottle are available to receive labels adhered thereto. These labels will contain information to be conveyed to the patient such as (a) name of the doctor, (b) name of the patient, (c) name of the drug, (d) dosage of the drug, (e) refills of the drug, (f) frequency with which the drug is to be taken, (g) bar code for the drug, and/or (h) warnings for the drug. These are just some of the information that should be conveyed to the patient or pharmacist about the prescription medication. 
         [0019]    Further, general information should be conveyed to the patient concerning the drug, such as how the drug is used, side effects, drug interactions, just to give a few some examples. However, all of the additional information concerning the drug typically will not fit on the label attached to the bottle. If the size of the print for the information on label is reduced, the likelihood of the information ever being read by the patient is likewise reduced. By having an inner wall and an outer wall of the pharmacy bottle, the additional information concerning the prescription medication can be put on an ancillary information sheet and inserted through a slot into that space with a tab extending from the slot so the ancillary information sheet can be subsequently retrieved by the patient. Thereafter, if there is a missed dose, overdose, drug interaction, or drug side effects, the patient can quickly retrieve the ancillary information sheet from the slot by pulling on the tab extending therefrom. The patient can then read the additional information on the ancillary information sheet concerning the prescription medication and act accordingly. 
         [0020]    One way of providing the additional information is a “bottle within a bottle” with a space therebetween. The external wall of the outer bottle would have a slot or slots therein into which the ancillary information sheet may be inserted, but leaving a tab portion extending outside the slot. The ancillary information sheet may be on a single printed sheet, folded printed sheets, or multiple printed sheets the size being determined by the amount of information to be conveyed. This additional information is referred to in this application as an “ancillary information sheet,” which can be removed at any time and read by the patient. The information contained on the ancillary information sheet is in addition to the information contained on the label that is attached to the pharmacy bottle. 
         [0021]    While the ancillary information sheet can be inserted on the side of the pharmacy bottle, also an ancillary information sheet can be inserted from the top into a top slot between an internal wall and an external wall of the pharmacy bottle. Single or multiple ancillary information sheets can included in one or more slots. 
         [0022]    For the less observant patient that does not read the information contained on the label, colored rings may be attached to the bottle cap. The most common type of bottle cap is sold under the mark “Friendly &amp; Safe” by Berry Plastics Corporation. The Friendly &amp; Safe cap has interlocking tabs and probably constitutes the majority of the caps used in the pharmacy industry for prescription medication in solid form such as pills or tablets. By having interlocking extensions that fit in the indentations of the Friendly &amp; Safe cap, colored rings can be attached to the cap. The colored ring or rings could be selected based upon the preferences of the patient. For example, if more than one patient lives in a household, each of which has their own prescription medication, a different colored ring can be used by each patient. When picking up the medication, the appropriately colored ring could be attached to the Friendly &amp; Safe cap. 
         [0023]    Assume the patient wants different colored rings to remind themselves of when the medication is to be taken. For example, a black ring could be used to indicate the medication is to be taken in he evening or at night or a white ring could be used to indicate the medication is to be taken in the morning. The tabs extending downward from the colored ring can lock into the indentations of the Friendly &amp; Safe cap. Multiple colored rings could be used on a cap if desired. The purpose of the colored rings is to ensure the right patient is taking the right medication at the right time. This is a quick visual indication to the patient. 
         [0024]    While only certain shaped pharmacy bottles are shown, the variety of shapes are almost endless with slots being formed between an internal wall and an external wall through which ancillary information sheets can be inserted. The pharmacy bottles can be rectangular or circular. The bottle caps or the cover for the opening in the pharmacy bottle could be of any type. The objective is to convey as much information to the patient receiving the prescription medication as possible, yet still convey the information in a form that has the highest probability of being utilized and understood by the patient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a pharmacy bottle for prescription medication. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of the pharmacy bottle for prescription medication as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of different colored rings that can be attached to the bottle cap as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  with the cap exploded therefrom. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2  along section lines  5 - 5 . 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a pharmacy bottle for prescription medication dispensed in pill form with a slideable top opening. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a circular pharmacy bottle for prescription medication with the bottle cap exploded therefrom. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8  taken along section lines  9 - 9 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a rectangular pharmacy bottle for prescription medication. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 10  taken along section line  11 - 11 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a typical label that may be applied to the external vertical surfaces of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a typical ancillary information sheet that may be inserted in the slot of the pharmacy bottle shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  in combination, a pharmacy bottle  10  is shown with a safety cap  12  thereon. The safety cap  12  may be the “Friendly &amp; Safe” type manufactured by Berry Plastics Corporation. The pharmacy bottle  10  is rectangular in shape with rounded external corners  14  (see  FIG. 3 ) between the front surface  16 , left side  18 , back surface  20  and right side  22 . A label  24  is stuck to the pharmacy bottle  10  and wrapped around the front surface  16 , left side  18 , back surface  20  and right side  22 . A typical such label  24  is shown in  FIG. 14 . The rounded external corners  14  allow the label  24  to be wrapped around and stuck to the external surfaces pharmacy bottle  10  in one simple motion by the pharmacist or technician. 
         [0043]    By use of a rectangular pharmacy bottle  10 , the maximum amount of information can be conveyed on the label  24  for good comprehension by the patient receiving the prescription medication. For example, in referring to the prescription medicine being prescribed for John Doe as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , information that is desirable to be contained on the label  24  is illustrated. On the front surface  15  would be all of the warnings that would typically be conveyed to the patient. On the left side  18  would be given the patient&#39;s name and when to take the medication. On the back side surface  20 , the doctor&#39;s name, patient&#39;s name, type of drug, dosage, refills, and expiration date would be indicated. While this is referred to as the “back surface,” it is the surface the patient will have the greatest tendency to review. On the right side  22  would be the bar code information that is important to the pharmacy selling the medication. With the use of the label  24  on the pharmacy bottle  10 , a maximum amount of information can be conveyed to the patient in a manner the patient could readily comprehend. 
         [0044]    Normally when a pharmacist gives a pharmacy bottle containing prescription medication to the person picking up the prescription, additional information concerning the prescription such as side effects or what to do in the event of overdosage or skipped medication, is contained in additional information sheets. However, the patient upon receiving the prescription medication almost always tears open the bag and throws away the additional information. The additional information is rarely read by the patient. 
         [0045]    The present invention shows a pharmacy bottle  10  that has a slot  28  in which an ancillary information sheet  26  can be inserted. The pharmacy bottle  10  has an external wall  30  spaced apart from and internal wall  32  (see  FIG. 5 ). The slot  28  connects to the space  34  formed between the external wall  30  and internal wall  32 . By having rounded internal corners  36 , an ancillary information sheet  26  can be inserted through slot  28  and wrapped around the internal wall  32  in a manner as shown in  FIG. 5 . By proper planning on the size of the ancillary information sheet  26 , a tab  38  will remain visible by extending beyond the slot  28 . The tab  38  may contain the patient&#39;s name or the type of medication thereon. The ancillary information sheet  26  wraps around between the external wall  30  and the internal wall  32  until it reaches a terminating wall  40  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0046]    A typical ancillary information sheet  26  is shown in  FIG. 15 . The patient&#39;s name and the drug being prescribed may be on opposite sides of the tab  38 . The ancillary information sheet  26  as shown in  FIG. 15  is folded along the center line. The ancillary information sheet  26  will give considerable additional information about the prescription medication than is physically possible to put on the label  24 . Thereafter, if the patient wants to read further information about the medication, the patient can do so, including such things as side effects, drug interactions, precautions or other drug related information. 
         [0047]    To hold the ancillary information sheet  26  in place, side tabs  42  are provided on either side thereof (see  FIG. 15 ). The side tabs  42  will deform when inserted through slot  28 , but thereafter resist the removal of the ancillary information sheet  26 . With a slight tug, the patient can overcome the resistance of the side tabs  42  and remove the ancillary information sheet  26  from the slot  28 . 
         [0048]    The internal wall  32 , in combination with the safety cap  12  and a bottom for the pharmacy bottle  10 , forms a totally enclosed container for the prescription medication. No access is provided to the inside of the totally enclosed container except by removing the safety cap  12 . There is no connection between the space  34  formed between the external wall  30  and the internal wall  32  and the inside of the pharmacy bottle  10 . This lack of connection prevents contamination of the prescription medication. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 1A , a colored ring  44  is shown exploded above the safety cap  12 . The safety cap  12  has indentions  46  formed therein. The indentions  46  form internal tabs (not shown) that connect with locking lugs  48  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Extending inward and down from the colored ring  44  are interna” ring tabs  50 . The internal ring tabs  50  fit into the indentations  46  in the safety cap  12 . By use of the internal ring tabs  50  inserted into the indentations  46 , the colored ring  44  can be secured on the safety cap  12 . 
         [0050]    By having a selection of colored rings such as (a) white colored ring  52 , (b) black colored ring  54 , (c) red colored ring  56 , (d) green colored ring  58 , (e) blue colored ring  60  or (f) brown colored ring  62  as shown in  FIG. 1C , the patient can select whatever color the patient so desires to provide reminders to the patient. For example, if there is more than one person in the household, a different colored ring  44  can be used to indicate the particular patient&#39;s medication. If a visual reminder is desired to provide the patient information as to which time of day a particular medication should be taken, for example black colored ring  54  could indicate the medication is taken in the evening and white colored ring  52  could indicate the medication is taken in the morning. 
         [0051]    Even a combination of colored rings can be used. For example, the outermost colored ring can indicate the particular patient and the innermost colored ring could indicate the time of day the medication should be taken. 
         [0052]    To add to the convenience of the pharmacy bottle  10  and to make it more user friendly in the medicine cabinet, a circular indentation  64  is provided in the bottom thereof. The circular indentation  64  has arcing walls  66  on either side thereof. The circular indentation  64  and the arcing wall  66  are just enough so that the safety cap  12  with any colored rings  44  thereon will fit inside of the circular indentation  64 . This allows similar shaped pharmacy bottles to be stacked inside of a medicine cabinet where the patient resides. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in combination, a pharmacy container  68  is shown for solid medication such as pills. The pharmacy container  68  has a label  24  adhered thereto similar to the label  24  described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Also, the pharmacy container  68  has an ancillary information sheet  26  again, similar to the ancillary information sheet  26  described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A and 1B . An ancillary information sheet  26  is shown in  FIG. 15  and a typical label  24  is shown is  FIG. 14 . 
         [0054]    The pharmacy container  68  does not have the traditional screw on cap, but instead has a slideable lid  70  to close opening  72  in top  74 . Opening  72  has tabs  76  on either side thereof. The tab  76  abuts raised portions  78  on either side of sliding slideable lid  70  to keep the opening  72  closed when medication is not being retrieved from pharmacy container  68 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates the slideable lid  70  in the closed position.  FIG. 6B  illustrates the slideable lid  70  in the opened position. The pharmacy container  68  as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  is stackable within the pharmacy cabinet. Also, the pharmacy container  68  has the maximum space available for the label  24  to convey the most information to the patient. Also, ancillary information sheet  26  is inserted through slot  28  into a space similar to space  34  as described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  in combination, another alternative design is shown for a pharmacy bottle  80 . The pharmacy bottle  80  has a safety cap  12 , the same as illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The pharmacy bottle  80  which is of a cylindrical shape, has an external cylinder  82  and internal cylinder  84 . The external cylinder  82  is approximately the same size and shape as a thirty dram prescription container with a Friendly &amp; Safe cap as manufactured by Berry Plastics Corporation. However, the external cylinder  82  has a slot  86  therein through which an ancillary information sheet  26  can be inserted. The ancillary information sheet  26  is similar to the ancillary information sheet shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0056]    While the ancillary information sheet  26  will have further information about the prescription medication, the ancillary information sheet  26  may have other information as well. For example, coupons or discounts for related medication could be included to increase sales of the pharmacy. Other marketing information could be included to increase sales of other products, related or unrelated. 
         [0057]    The internal cylinder  84  is of a smaller diameter then external cylinder  82  and may have a diameter similar to the diameter of a twenty dram prescription medication bottle as manufactured by Berry Plastics Corporation, except there are no locking tabs at the top thereof. The internal cylinder  84  inside of external cylinder  82  defines a cylindrical space  88  therebetween. Therefore, when the ancillary information sheet  26  is inserted through slot  86 , it is directed by the internal cylinder  84  into the cylindrical space  88  and wraps therearound as can be seen in the top view of  FIG. 8  and the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 . The external cylinder  82  will have locking tabs  90  thereon for engaging the safety cap  12  in the same manner as described in connection with  FIG. 2 . The label  92  that is applied to the pharmacy bottle  80  would contain the traditional information thereon as is normally contained on labels adhered to thirty dram bottles. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  11 ,  12 , and  13  in combination, a square pharmacy container  94  is illustrated. The square pharmacy container  94  may have the traditional safety cap  12  attached to top thereof to close the top opening  96 . The side walls of the square pharmacy container  94  consists of a front wall  98 , left side wall  100 , back wall  102  and right side wall  104 . The walls  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104  are thicker than most pharmacy containers so that slots  106 ,  108 ,  110  and  112  are formed in each of the walls  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104 , respectively. While the depth of the slots  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  can be any depth, the most desirable depth would be slightly short of the height of the square pharmacy bottle  94  so that the slots  106 ,  108 ,  110 , or  112  does not extend through the bottom thereof. Into each of these slots  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 , can be inserted ancillary information sheets  114 ,  116 ,  118  and  120 , respectively. The ancillary information sheets  114 ,  116 ,  118  and  120  can put additional drug information thereon and be inserted into the respective slots  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 . If the pharmacy wants to convey additional information (such as sales or coupons) to the patient, it can also be inserted in one of the slots  106 ,  108 ,  110  or  112 . 
         [0059]    The traditional information for most drugs will be contained on the stick on label  122  that wraps around the square pharmacy container  94 . An example of the traditional information, but arranged in a different format, is shown in the label  24  in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0060]    In the present invention, the objective is to convey as much information to the patient as possible either in the stick on label or in ancillary information sheets that remain with the pharmacy bottle. To keep the ancillary information sheets with the pharmacy bottle, a slot is provided in the pharmacy bottle in which the ancillary information sheet may be inserted. Colored rings may be attached to the bottle to provide further quick visual reminders to the patient when taking the medication.