Abstract:
An improved container for storing prescription medication and an improved prescription container labeling system. A method of storing medication using the labeling system and containers.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/005,304 filed Dec. 3, 2007. The complete disclosure of application 61/005,304 is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to containers for prescription medication and a method of labeling the containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Labeled containers for prescription medication are known. Typically, the prescription medication containers are generally cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shape is desirable at least because for a given amount of container material a cylindrical shaped container provides a relatively large container volume. Containers for prescription medication generally included labels thereon. The labels are typically adhered to the curved surface of the container and include words oriented horizontally around the container. The present disclosure provides an improved prescription medication container and label arrangement. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure provides an improved container for storing prescription medication. The disclosure is also directed to an improved prescription container labeling system and a method of storing medication using the labeling system and containers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a plurality of labeled medication containers according to the present disclosure arranged on an upper shelf and plurality of prior art labeled prescription medication containers arranged on a lower shelf; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front end view of a labeled medication container according to the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3A  is a front side view of the labeled medication container according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3B  is a back side view of the labeled medication container according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  is a first example of a four panel label according to the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4B  is a second example of a four panel label according to the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4C  is a third example of a four panel label according to the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a medication container and double-sided cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-section view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 5A  along line  5 D- 5 D of  FIG. 5B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5E  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5F  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a medication container and double-sided cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 6A ;  FIG. 6C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6D  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6E  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a medication container (no cap) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the medication container of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7C  is an end view of the medication container of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7D  is a cross-section view of the medication container of  FIG. 7A  along line  7 D- 7 D of  FIG. 7B ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7E  is a top view of the medication container of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7F  is a bottom view of the medication container of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a medication container and cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 8A ;  FIG. 8C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8D  is a cross-section view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 8A  along line  8 D- 8 D of  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8E  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8F  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a medication container and double-sided cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9D  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9E  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a medication container (no cap) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of the medication container of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10C  is an end view of the medication container of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10D  is a cross-section view of the medication container of  FIG. 10A  along lines  10 D- 10 D of  FIG. 10B ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10E  is a top view of the medication container of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10F  is a bottom view of the medication container of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a medication container and cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11D  is a cross-section view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 11   a  along line  11 D- 11 D of  FIG. 11B ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11E  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 11F  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a medication container and double-sided cap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0051]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 12C  is an end view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 12D  is a top view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 12E  is a bottom view of the medication container and cap of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a medication container (no cap) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0056]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the medication container of  FIG. 13A ;  FIG. 13C  is an end view of the medication container of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 13D  is a cross section view of the medication container of  FIG. 13A  along lines  13 D- 13 D of  FIG. 13B ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 13E  is a top view of the medication container of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 13F  is a bottom view of the medication container of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a two-sided cap for a medication container; 
           [0061]      FIG. 14B  is a top view of the cap of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 14C  is a side view of the cap of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0063]      FIG. 14D  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 14A  along line  14 D- 14 D of  FIG. 14C ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 14E  is a bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of a non-child proof cap for a medication container; 
           [0066]      FIG. 15B  is a top view of the cap of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 15C  is a side view of the cap of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 15D  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 15A  along line  15 D- 15 D of  FIG. 15C ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 15E  is a bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of a child proof cap for a medication container; 
           [0071]      FIG. 16B  is a top view of the cap of  FIG. 16A , 
           [0072]      FIG. 16C  is a side view of the cap of  FIG. 16A ; 
           [0073]      FIG. 16D  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 16A  along line  16 D- 16 D of  FIG. 16C ; 
           [0074]      FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of the labeling network system; 
           [0075]      FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a double-sided cap, similar to the embodiment of the cap illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6F , but in this case showing a 10-sided cap; 
           [0076]      FIG. 18B  is a top plan view of the cap of  FIG. 18A ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 18C  is a bottom plan view of the cap of  FIG. 18A ; 
           [0078]      FIG. 18D  is a side-elevational view of the cap of  FIG. 18A ; and 
           [0079]      FIG. 18E  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 18A  taken along the line  18 E- 18 E of  FIG. 18D . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 1  an embodiment of the medication container system according to the present disclosure is shown on an upper shelf  10 , and prior art medication containers are shown on a lower shelf  12 . The prior art containers are generally cylindrical in shape and have a medication label affixed around the outer curved surface of the container. Given the cylindrical shape of the depicted prior art containers and the orientation of the text on the labels, the labels can be difficult to read without physically rotating the container. In addition, the cylindrical shape of the prior art containers can be difficult to horizontally stack and align so that the labels face outwardly. Prior art container  14  is shown aligned so that the label faces outwardly, whereas prior art containers  16 ,  18 ,  20  are misaligned. The diameter of the prior art containers limit the amount of information and/or the font size of the information that can be included on the label of the containers. 
         [0081]    The medication container system of the depicted embodiment includes a plurality of containers  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  that are shaped such that they can be easily horizontally stacked and aligned such that a particular portion of the label is facing outward. In the depicted embodiment, the wall of the containers configured to face outwardly (also referred to herein as the spine, end face, front face, front surface) is generally flat, as compared to the surface of an entirely cylindrical container of the prior art. In the depicted embodiment, the end face is taller than it is wide. The text on the end face is arranged vertically on the bottle so that the text can be of a sufficiently large font size yet still not extend out of view. 
         [0082]    It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the text can be arranged differently. For example, the text can be arranged horizontally when the width of the end face is large enough to accommodate text that is of sufficiently large font size. In the depicted embodiment the end surface includes the user name (also referred to herein as the patient name), the name of the medication (also referred to herein as the name of the drug, vitamin, or supplement), and dosage information. 
         [0083]    It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments different classes or types or combinations of such information can be included on the surface of the spine. For example, in an alternative embodiment the spine can include the user&#39;s name and a supplement name without dosage information. In the depicted embodiment the spine is used to convey the most relevant information about the content within the container. For example, in some embodiments the expiration date and doctor&#39;s name are less relevant than the patient&#39;s name and medication name; therefore, in those embodiments the expiration date and doctor&#39;s name are not included on the spine of the containers. It should be appreciated that the relative relevance of particular types of information can vary depending on the particular application, for example, the medication context verses the supplement context. 
         [0084]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the plurality of containers  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  contain medication for a number of different individuals. In the depicted embodiment, containers  22 ,  30  contain Jerry&#39;s medications, containers  24 ,  28  contain Jenny&#39;s medications, and containers  26 ,  32  contain James&#39;s medication. In addition to, or in place of, including the name of the user on the spine, the spine, or a portion of the spine, can be otherwise coded to correspond to particular users or medications. For example, the labels on containers  22 ,  30  containing Jerry&#39;s medications can be of a first color, containers  24 ,  28  containing Jenny&#39;s medications can be of a second color, and containers  26 ,  32  containing James&#39;s medication can be of a third color. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B, an example medication container  34  is shown.  FIG. 2  shows the end face  36  of the container  34 ,  FIG. 3A  shows a first side face  38 , and  FIG. 3B  shows a second side face  40 . The side surfaces  38  and  40  are opposed surfaces of the container and have the same general shape. In the depicted embodiment the area of the side surfaces  38  and  40  is larger than the area of the end face  36 . The area of the side surfaces  38 ,  40  of the depicted embodiment is greater than twice the area of the end surface  36 . In the depicted embodiment labels are affixed to both of the side surfaces. The labels are affixed to the surface of the container to communicate information to the user in an organized and user-friendly manner. 
         [0086]    In the depicted embodiment, only one of the end faces is shown, as they are identical. The label on end face  36  includes the first and last name of the user (James Smith), an identification of the medication (Amoxicillin 500 mg), and dosage information (2 polls 3×&#39;s daily for 7 days). In the depicted embodiment, the label on the first and second side faces  38 ,  40  includes some of the same information on the end face  36 , as well as some additional information. Additionally, the first side  38  face includes quantity information (QTY: 30), refill information (Refills: DR. AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED), doctor name (Dr. Smith), date the prescription was filled (Date: Mar. 27, 2006), date the medication expires (EXP: Aug. 8, 2008), manufacture information (MFG: SANDOZ, NO: 00781-2613-05), and drug store information (NOBEL DRUG, RX 6601987-1348). 
         [0087]    In the depicted embodiment the text on the first side  38  is horizontally oriented and in smaller font that the text on the end face  36 . In the depicted embodiment, the second side face  40  includes side effect and/or warning information oriented horizontally, along with visual icons. In the depicted embodiment the text size of the warnings is sufficiently small to allow the second side to contain all the necessary warning information thereon. 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C, three labels  100  are shown. In the depicted embodiment the labels  100  are configured to be affixed to a medication container. 
         [0089]    Each of the labels  100  includes four panels  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104  that can be aligned on four outer surfaces of a medication container. The panels  101 - 104  can be connected together as a single strip and connected to the container as one unit, or it can be separated into more than one piece and connected separately. In the depicted embodiment the labels  100  include text of various font sizes, font types, and letter orientations. In addition, the labels  100  in each of the FIGS. include highlighting of different color. It should be appreciate that in alternative embodiments the label  100  may include more or fewer panels. For example, an alternative embodiment can include an additional panel configured to be adhered to the bottom surface of the container or the cap of the container. In such an embodiment the containers can be stacked one on top of each other on their side surface and still be identified easily. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   f ,  6   a - e , and  7   a - f , a medium height container embodiment of a medication container is shown. The container  42  includes an upper end  44  configured to connect to a two-sided cap  46 , a lower end  48  configured to support the container on a horizontal surface, an end surface  50  extending from the lower end to the upper end, a side surface  52  extending from the lower end to the upper end. In the depicted embodiment the end surface  50  and the side surface  52  are substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to each other. The area of the side surface  52  is greater than the area of the end surface  50 . In the depicted embodiment, the lower end  48  includes a rectangular shaped base  49  from which the end and side walls of the container extend. The two-sided cap  46  has a child proof side and a non-child proof side. The child proof side is shown engaged with the upper end  44  of the container  42 . Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6E , the non-child proof side of the cap  46  is shown engaged with the upper end  44  of the container  42 . Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7F , the container  42  is shown without the cap. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8F ,  9 A- 9 E, and  10 A- 10 F, a short container embodiment of a medication container  112  is shown. The short container  112  includes similar features as described above with reference to the medium height container. The short height container includes an upper end  114 , a lower end  118 , an end surface  120  extending from the lower end  118  to the upper end  114 , and a side surface  122  extending from the lower end  118  to the upper end  114 . The end surface  120  and the side surface  122  are substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to each other. The area of the side surface  122  is greater than the area of the end surface  120 . The lower end  118  includes a rectangular shaped base  119  from which the end and side walls of the container extend. The two-sided cap  116  has a child proof side  124  and a non-child proof side  126 . 
         [0092]    The child proof side  124  is shown engaged with the upper end  114  of the container  112 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9E , the non-child proof side  126  of the cap  116  is shown engaged with the upper end  114  of the container  112 . Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10F , the container  114  is shown without the cap  116 . 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11F ,  12 A- 12 E, and  13 A- 13 F, a tall container embodiment of a medication container  132  is shown. The tall container  132  includes similar features as described above with reference to the medium height container  112 . The tall height container  132  includes an upper end  134 , a lower end  138 , an end surface  140  extending from the lower end  138  to the upper end  134 , and a side surface  142  extending from the lower end  138  to the upper end  134 . The end surface  140  and the side surface  142  are substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to each other. The area of the side surface  142  is greater than the area of the end surface  140 . The lower end  138  includes a rectangular shaped base  139  from which the end  140  and side walls  142  of the container  132  extend. The two-sided cap  136  has a child proof side  144  and a non-child proof side  146 . The child proof side  144  is shown engaged with the upper end  134  of the container  132 . Referring to  FIGS. 12   a - 12   e , the non-child proof side  146  of the cap  136  is shown engaged with the upper end  134  of the container  132 . Referring to  FIGS. 13A-13F , the container is shown without the cap  136 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14E , the two-sided cap  46  is shown in greater detail. The two-sided cap includes a first side  54  that provides a non-child proof connection to the container, whereas the second side  56  provides a child proof connection to the container. Referring to  FIGS. 15A-15E , a child proof single-sided cap  58  is shown. Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16D , a non-child proof single-sided cap  60  is shown. 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , a schematic illustration of the labeling network system is shown. The system includes a printer  62  at the location where the bottle is filled and labeled (e.g., a pharmacy). The printer  62  is loaded with blank labels  70  that are sized to fit a particular medication container  64 , and the printer  62  is configured to print the labels  70 , for example, the labels  100  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C . The printer  62  is connected to local computers and/or network computers  66  such that at least one of the doctor&#39;s office or pharmacist&#39;s office  68  can populate the fields on the label  70  with the desired information. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 18A-18E  show another embodiment of a two-sided cap  150  analogous to the two-sided cap  246  described in connection with  FIGS. 14A-14E . In this embodiment, however, the two-sided cap  150  has an outer wall  152  that is segmented into ten sides  154 . Each of the sides  154  is serrated or ribbed  155 , to provide better friction or gripping action by a user. Perpendicular to the sides  154  is a platform  156 . Extending from the platform  156  and radially spaced from the sides  154  is the non-child proof connection  158 . The non-child proof connection  158  includes a wall  160  projecting perpendicular from the platform  156 . The wall  160  includes one or more threads  162 . The threads  162  engage mating threads on the bottle to provide a non-child proof screw-off connection. In  FIGS. 18C and 18E , features of the child-proof connection  168  can be seen. The child-proof connection  168  includes a plurality of lugs  170 . The lugs  170  engage structure on the bottle to result in a connection that is child-proof. 
         [0097]    The above represents examples and principles of the inventive concepts. Many embodiments can be made according to these principles.