Patent ID: 12186274

Reference numerals in the embodiments and denotations thereof:

100—Reminder apparatus;110—housing;120—rotation block;130—identification structure;111—viewing window;121—circumferential outer wall of rotation block;112—abutting inner wall;122—damping structure;1221—polygonal abutting section;131—first identification portion;132—second identification portion;12211—abutting face;12211a—abutting faces at two ends;12211b—abutting face at a middle section;12211aa—first face;1221ab—second face;12211ba—third face;12211bb—fourth face;113—base;114—lid;1132—arc-shaped section;123—toggle structure;1231—toggle lever;1111—first inner wall;1112—second inner wall;114a—receiving space;1131—second latch;1141—first latch;1141a—first arc-shaped face;1131a—second arc-shaped face;1141b—first flat face;1131b—second flat face;1113—spacer plate;200—medication container;210—container body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments containing the technical solutions of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments hereinafter are only used to clearly describe the technical solutions of the present disclosure. Therefore, these embodiments are only used as examples, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of present disclosure are only intended to illustrate the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, instead of limiting the present disclosure. The terms “comprise,” “include,” and any variations thereof in the specification, claims, and the description of the drawings of the present disclosure are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.

In the description of the present disclosure, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like are only used for distinguishing different objects, but shall not be understood as indication or implication of relative importance or implicit indication of the number of the specific technical features, the specific sequence or priorities. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “multiple” or “a plurality of” signifies at least two, unless otherwise specified.

The terms “example” and “embodiment” in this specification signify that the specific characteristic, structures or features described with reference to the embodiments may be covered in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. This term, when appears in various positions of the specification, neither indicates the same embodiment, nor indicates an independent or optional embodiment that is exclusive of the other embodiments. A person skilled in the art would implicitly or explicitly understand that the embodiments described in this specification may be incorporated with other embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “and/or” is merely an association relationship for describing associated objects, which represents that there may exist three types of relationships, for example, A and/or B may represent three situations: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. In addition, the symbol “/” generally represents an “or” relationship between associated objects before and after the symbol.

In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term “multiple” or “a plurality of” signifies more than two (including two), unless otherwise specified. Likewise, the term “a plurality of groups” or “multiple groups” signifies more than two groups (including two groups), and the term “a plurality of pieces” or “multiple pieces” signifies more than two pieces (including two pieces).

In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “central,” “transversal,” “longitudinal,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial,” “circumferential,” and the like indicate orientations and position relationships which are based on the illustrations in the accompanying drawings, and these terms are merely for ease and brevity of the description, instead of indicating or implying that the devices or elements shall have a particular orientation and shall be structured and operated based on the particular orientation. Accordingly, these terms shall not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and defined, the terms “mounted,” “coupled,” “connected,” “fixed,” and derivative forms thereof shall be understood in a broad sense, which, for example, may be understood as fixed connection, detachable connection or integral connection; may be understood as mechanical connection or electrical connection, or understood as direct connection, indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or communication between the interiors of two elements or interactions between two elements. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the actual circumstances and contexts.

For patients who need to take varieties of medications frequently, they may easily forget to take medications, or miss the current medications or take an overdose of medications, resulting in insufficient dose or causing damages to their health. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a reminder apparatus for the patients for reminding them to take medications.

To overcome the above problem, the present disclosure provides a reminder apparatus. In the reminder apparatus, a rotation block is rotatably arranged on a rotation block, and a viewing window is defined on a housing, such that in the case that the rotation block is rotated, an identification structure on a surface of the rotation block may be exposed via the viewing window. In this way, the exposed identification structure may be configured to remind a user whether a medication is taken or whether an item is finished.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2,FIG.1illustrates a schematic structural view of a reminder apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2illustrates a schematic structural view of the reminder apparatus with a housing removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a reminder apparatus100. The reminder apparatus100includes: a housing110and a rotation block120; wherein the rotation block120is rotatably arranged in the housing110, an identification structure130is arranged on a surface of the rotation block120, and a viewing window111is defined on the housing110, such that the identification structure130is exposable via the viewing window111in the case that the rotation block120is rotated.

The reminder apparatus100is configured to remind users whether a pre-scheduled item needs to be performed, for example, reminding items that need to be performed in daily life, especially some periodical items. The reminder apparatus100may be a reminder apparatus for medication taking, or may be a reminder apparatus for other daily-scheduled items.

The identification structure130may be a time text, a label, a sticker, a scale, a recessed mark or the like, and is configured to remind users whether an item is to be performed.

Specifically, the reminder apparatus100may be placed in the vicinity of a medication bottle or attached on the medication bottle, and the identification structure130may be a colored label for reminding a patient whether the medication has been taken. In practice, the rotation block120may be rotated in advance, such that the colored label is hidden in the housing110. In this state, the user is reminded to take the medication when necessary. In the case that the user takes the medication, the rotation block120is rotated, such that the colored label is exposed via the viewing window111, to remind the user that this medication taking is finished. In this way, the user is prevented from forgetting to take the medication or taking the medication repeatedly. Further, a plurality of rotation blocks may be arranged, for example, three rotation blocks. The three rotation blocks are rotated, such that three identification structures130are hidden in the housing110. The patient is reminded to take the medication in the morning, at the noon and in the evening every day. When the patient takes the medication in the morning, one of the rotation blocks120is rotated, such that one of the identification structures130is exposed to remind the patient that he or she has taken the medication in the morning, whereas he or she subsequently needs to take the medication at the noon and in the evening. When the patient has taken the medication at the noon, another of the rotation blocks120is rotated. In this case, two of the identification structures130are exposed to remind the patient that he or she has taken the medication in the morning and at the noon, whereas he or she needs to take the medication in the evening. Such operations are repeated until the patient finishes the medication taking in the evening. Preferably, the identification structure130may be set to texts saying morning, noon and evening, or date identifications of morning, noon and evening may be arranged on the housing110in the vicinity of the rotation block120to remind the patient whether the medication has been taken at the specific time.

The rotation block120is rotatably arranged in the housing110, such that in the case that the rotation block120is placed in the housing110, the rotation block120is rotatably engaged with the housing110. The engagement between the rotation block120and the housing110is structurally simple, which facilitates manufacturing, and lowers manufacturing costs. The identification structure120is arranged on the surface of the rotation block120, and the viewing window111is defined on the housing110, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated, the identification structure130is exposed via the viewing window111. In this way, the user may know, from the exposed identification structure130, whether the current medication has been taken. Nevertheless, in the case that the identification structure130is not exposed, the user may be reminded, by the identification structure130, to take the medication at a specific time.

Still referring toFIG.2, in further combination withFIG.3andFIG.4,FIG.3illustrates a schematic top view of the reminder apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.4illustrates a schematic sectional view taken along an A-A direction inFIG.3. In an optional embodiment, the identification structure130is arranged a circumferential outer wall121of the rotation block120, and the housing110is provided with an abutting inner wall112opposite to the viewing window111; wherein a damping structure122is arranged on the circumferential outer wall of the rotation block120, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated, the damping structure122is engaged with the abutting inner wall112to increase an action force between the rotation block120and the housing110.

The damping structure122is preferably made of an elastic material. In the case that the rotation block is rotated, the damping structure122is abutted against the abutting inner wall112and is elastically deformed, such that the rotation block is rotatable relative to the housing.

The damping structure122may be a wavy elastic sheet arranged on the rotation block120, and correspondingly, a wavy elastic sheet may also be arranged on the abutting inner wall112. By engagement between these two wavy elastic sheets, the action force between the rotation block120and the housing110may be increased, and meanwhile a tactile sense of the user when rotating the rotation block120is improved. The damping structure122may also be a rubber ring sleeved onto an outer wall of the rotation block120to increase a friction resistance between the rotation block120and the housing110.

In the case that the abutting inner wall112is arranged on the housing110, the damping structure122on the rotation block120is rotated to be engaged with the abutting inner wall112to increase the action force between the rotation block120and the housing110during rotation of the rotation block120, which achieves a better damping effect. In this way, the tactile sense of the user when rotating the rotation block120may be improved. In addition, the damping structure122is arranged on the circumferential outer wall of the rotation block120, such that in the case that the reminder apparatus100is shaken, the rotation block120may not be easily rotated due to a reaction force between the damping structure122and the abutting inner wall112, and the identification structure130is still maintained at an original properly-adjusted state. This prevents incorrect reminders.

Still referring toFIG.2toFIG.4, in an optional embodiment, the damping structure122includes a polygonal abutting section1221; wherein the polygonal abutting section1221includes a plurality of adjacent abutting faces12211, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated, the plurality of abutting faces12211are successively abuttable against the abutting inner wall112to fix the rotation block120to different rotation positions.

The damping structure122is set to the polygonal abutting section including the plurality of adjacent abutting faces12211, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated, the plurality of abutting faces12211are successively abutted against the abutting inner wall112. Specifically, in the case that a state where one of the plurality of abutting faces12211is abutted against the abutting inner wall112is transitioned to a state where another of the plurality of abutting faces12211is abutted against the abutting inner wall112, a greater reaction force may be caused between a joint of these two abutting faces12211and the abutting inner wall112, such that a better damping effect is achieved. In addition, in the case that the plurality of abutting faces12211are successively abutted against and engaged with the abutting inner wall112, the tactile sense of the user when rotating the rotation block120is effectively improved.

Still referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, in an optional embodiment, the identification structure130includes a first identification portion131and a second identification portion132; wherein the first identification portion131and the second identification portion132are arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotation block120, such that the first identification portion131is exposed via the viewing window111in the case that the rotation block120is rotated along a first direction, and the second identification portion132is exposed via the viewing window111in the case that the rotation block120is rotated along a second direction; and along the circumferential direction of the rotation block120, an area of the abutting face12211aat either of two ends is greater than an area of the abutting face12211bat a middle section, and one of the abutting faces12211aat the two ends is arranged away from the first identification portion131along a radial direction of the rotation block120, and the other of the abutting faces12211aat the two ends is arranged away from the second identification portion132along the radial direction of the rotation block120.

In the first direction and the second direction, one is a clockwise direction, and the other is a counterclockwise direction. Still referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, the abutting faces12211aat the two ends include a first face12211aaand a second face12211ab; wherein the first face12211aais arranged away from the first identification portion131along the radial direction of the rotation block120, and the second face12211abis arranged away from the second identification portion132along the radial direction of the rotation block120. The abutting face12211bat the middle section may include a third face12211baand a fourth face12211bb.

Specifically, the first identification portion131may be a green label, and the second identification portion132may be a red label; wherein the second identification portion132may be configured to remind the user that the medication needs to be taken at the specific time, and the first identification portion132is configured to remind the user that the medication has been taken. Specifically, in the case that the user finds that the second identification portion132is exposed via the viewing window111(as illustrated inFIG.4), the user takes the medication. Upon completion of the medication taking, the rotation block120is rotated along the clockwise direction, and during the rotation, the second face122lab, the fourth face12211bb, the third face12211ba, and the first face12211aaare successively abutted against and engaged with the abutting inner wall112, such that the second identification portion132is hidden in the housing110, and the first identification portion131is exposed via the viewing window111to record the medication taking and remind completion of the medication taking.

The first identification portion131and the second identification portion132are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotation block120, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated along the two directions, the first identification portion131and the second identification portion132are respectively exposed to remind the patient of two different medication taking items, such that the patient is prevented from forgetting to take the medication or repeatedly taking the medication. The abutting faces12211aat the two ends are arranged away from the identification structure130along the radial direction of the rotation block120, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated along the two directions, one of the abutting faces12211aat the two ends is abutted against the abutting inner wall, and hence the first identification portion131or the second identification portion132is exposed. In addition, since the area of the abutting face12211aat either of the two ends is greater than the area of the abutting face12211bat the middle section, the abutting faces12211aat the two ends are more stably abutted against the abutting inner wall112, such that in the case that the rotation block120is properly rotated, the first identification portion131or the second identification portion132is maintained in a better state. This prevents the case where in the case that the rotation block120is touched by mistake, the state of the identification structure130is changed and thus the medication taking item is incorrectly reminded to the patient.

Still referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, in an optional embodiment, the housing110includes a base113and a lid114; wherein the lid114is covered on and fixed to the base113to define a receiving space114a, and the rotation block120is arranged in the receiving space114a.

Still referring toFIG.4, a first latch1141is arranged on an inner wall of the lid114, wherein the inner wall is disposed on the side of the rotation block120, and a second latch1131is arranged on a side where the lid114is covered on the base113; wherein the second latch1131and the first latch1141are oppositely arranged, such that the lid114is covered on the base113via the first latch1141and the second latch1131that are engaged with each other; and wherein the first latch1141is protruded from an inner wall of the lid114, the second latch1131is protruded from an inner wall of the base113, the first latch1141and the second latch1131respectively include a first arc-shaped face1141aand a second arc-shaped face1131a, wherein during assembling the lid114and the base113, the first arc-shaped face1141aand the second arc-shaped face1131apush each other and are deformed, such that the first latch1141and the second latch1131are engaged and fixed. In addition, the first latch1141and the second latch1142respectively include a first flat face1141band a second flat face1131b; wherein the first flat face1141band the second flat face1131bare engaged with each other in the case that the first latch1141and the second latch1131push each other.

The housing110is set to include the base113and the lid114, such that during assembling of the reminder apparatus100, the rotation block120may be firstly placed in the lid114, and then the lid114is covered on and fixed to the base113. In this case, the assembling of the reminder apparatus100is completed. The entire process is convenient and quick, and easy to operate. In this way, an efficiency of assembling the reminder apparatus100may be effectively improved.

Still referring toFIG.2andFIG.4, in an optional embodiment, the viewing window111is defined on the lid114, and the base113includes an arc-shaped section1132recessed toward the lid114; wherein the abutting inner wall112is formed on an inner wall of the arc-shaped section1132.

Specifically, an outer wall of the arc-shaped section1132on the base113may be attached to the medication bottle having an arc-shaped surface by an absorption structure or an adhesive to fix the base113onto the medication bottle, such that the reminder apparatus100is movable with the medication bottle. This more conveniently reminds the patient whether the medication needs to be taken.

The base113is set to include the arc-shaped section1132recessed towards the lid114, such that in the case that the rotation block120is rotated, the damping structure122is more tightly abutted against an inner wall of the arc-shaped section1132. In this way, structural stability of the rotation block120is enhanced.

Still referring toFIG.1, in an optional embodiment, a toggle structure123is arranged on the circumferential outer wall of the rotation block120; wherein the toggle structure123is exposed via the viewing window111.

Specifically, the toggle structure123may be a recess arranged in the circumferential outer wall of the rotation block120, and a finger is inserted into the recess via the viewing window111and toggle the recess to drive the rotation block120to rotate.

The toggle structure123is arranged on the circumferential outer wall of the rotation block120, and the toggle structure123is exposed via the viewing window111, such that it is convenient to apply a force to the toggle structure123to drive the rotation block120to rotate.

Still referring toFIG.1andFIG.3, in an optional embodiment, the toggle structure123includes a toggle lever1231; wherein the toggle lever1231is protruded from a surface of the housing110via the viewing window111, such that in the case that the rotation block120rotates, the toggle lever1231is abutted against inner walls on two opposite sides of the viewing window111along a circumferential direction of the rotation block120to restrict a maximum stroke of the rotation block120.

Still referring toFIG.1, the inner walls on the two opposite sides of the viewing window111include: a first inner wall1111and a second inner wall1112. In the case that the toggle lever1231is toggled along a counterclockwise direction, the toggle lever1231is abutted against the first inner wall1111to restrict continuous rotation of the rotation block120, and in the case that the toggle lever1231is toggled along a clockwise direction, the toggle lever1231is abutted against the second inner wall1112to restrict continuous rotation of the rotation block120.

The toggle lever1231is protruded from a surface of the housing110, such that the user may directly and conveniently apply a force to the toggle lever1231to drive the rotation block120to rotate, with no need of stretching his or her finger into the viewing window111that is narrow and small. Further, the toggle lever1231is abutted against inner walls on two opposite sides of the viewing window111along the circumferential direction of the rotation block120to restrict the maximum stroke of the rotation block120. This prevents the identification structure130to be exposed from being hidden in the housing110due to over-rotation of the rotation block120, and finally ensures accuracy of exposing the identification structure130.

Still referring toFIG.1, in an optional embodiment, a plurality of rotation blocks120are arranged; wherein the plurality of rotation blocks120are axially arranged in the housing110, a plurality of viewing windows111are defined on the housing110, the number of rotation blocks120is equal to the number of viewing windows111, and the rotation blocks120are arranged in one-to-one correspondence to the viewing windows111.

Specifically, the number of rotation blocks120is preferably seven, days Monday to Sunday are marked on the identification structure130or at positions on the housing110corresponding to the rotation block120. The rotation block120is rotated such that the identification structure130is hidden in the housing110to remind the patient that the medication needs to be taken for seven days. When the patient takes the medication on Monday, he or she rotates the rotation block120corresponding to Monday, such that the identification structure130on the rotation block is exposed via the viewing window111to remind the patient that he or she has taken the medication Monday. As times goes to Tuesday, when the patient finds that the identification structure corresponding to Tuesday says that he or she needs to take the medication, the patient takes the medication for Tuesday and rotates the rotation block120corresponding to Tuesday, such that the identification structure130is exposed to remind that the user has taken the medication for Tuesday. Such operations are repeatedly performed until the user takes the medication for Sunday. The state of the identification structure130may remind the patient of the time when he or she has taken the medication and the time for the patient to take the medication. In the case that the patient finishes medication taking for a cycle, the rotation block120may be reset to remind the patient again whether the medication is taken.

The plurality of rotation blocks120are arranged in the housing110along the axial direction, the plurality of viewing windows111are defined on the housing110, and the rotation blocks120are in one-to-one correspondence to the viewing windows, such that within a medication administration cycle, the rotation block120only needs to be rotated once, and the reminder apparatus100is capable of reminding the patient that he or she needs to take the medication for multiple times within the cycle. Each time the patient takes the medication, one rotation block120is rotated to record and remind that the current medication has been taken. The rotation blocks120that have not been rotated remind that the patient needs to take the medication at the proper time. This prevents the patient from forgetting to take the medication or repeatedly taking the medication.

Referring toFIG.4andFIG.5,FIG.5illustrates a schematic structural view of the reminder apparatus with a base removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A spacer plate1113is arranged between each two adjacent rotation blocks on the housing110; wherein the spacer plate1113is configured to space the adjacent rotation blocks120apart and limit the rotation blocks120. Specifically, in the case that one of the rotation blocks120is rotated, the spacer plate1113may prevent the adjacent rotation blocks120from being rotated due to direct contact between the rotation blocks120, and may limit the rotation blocks120.

Referring toFIG.6,FIG.6illustrates a schematic structural view of a medication container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a medication container200. The medication container200includes: a container body210and the reminder apparatus100as described in any of the above solutions; wherein the container body210is configured to receive a medication, and the reminder apparatus100is fixed to the container body210.

The medication body210may be a medication bottle, a medication box or the like structure configured to receive medications. The base113is adaptive to the container body210in terms of appearance, such that the base113is attached to or engaged on the container body210, such that it is convenient to remind the patient whether the medication has been taken.

It should be finally noted that the above-described embodiments are merely for illustration of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to these embodiments, a person skilled in the art may also make various modifications to the technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments, or make equivalent replacements to a part of or all technical features contained therein. Such modifications or replacement, made without departing from the principles of the present disclosure, shall fall within the scope defined by the claims and the specification of the present disclosure. Especially, various technical features mentioned in various embodiments may be combined in any fashion as long as there is no structural conflict. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein in this specification, but also includes all the technical solutions falling within the scope subject to the appended claims.