A container with an aid device for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container which can hold tablets or liquids, for example, for use in the pharmaceutical industry and in particular to a compliance aid device arranged on such a container for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due.

Background of the Invention Most medications, whether prescribed by a physician or an over the counter (OTC) medicine, are more effective when taken at the right times as recommended or prescribed by the doctor, pharmacist, and/or the pharmaceutical company. Compliance with these instructions allows the patient the best opportunity for the medication to have its full desired effect. Many medicines, which are prescribed, have a reduced effectiveness if they are not taken at specific, regular intervals or if taken other than prescribed. However, the people for whom such medicines are prescribed may, for one reason or another, be uncertain as to when they last took the medicine or when to take the next dose. If the patient is not sure about a dose of medication, then he/she may be afraid to take another dose because they fear either overmedication or undermedication. This problem can be an annoyance or it can be a serious concern depending on the medication involved.

US 6,152,067 Al and WO2005/023173 Al represent two prior art medication dosage reminder devices to be attached to a medication container. These are typically separate articles made of for example paper, cardboard or a plastic sheet material that are to be mounted on or attached to a container. This fastening procedure incorporates an extra procedure, which has to be made in either the packaging and/or labelling process or by the patient himself. Further, due to the material used and that the device is attached on the outside of the container the device can be harmed in normal handling of the container, for example in a handbag or in a user's pocket. Accordingly, the construction of the above known devices are not particularly robust and comprises small details to be handled that

has been proven difficult to deal with especially for elderly patients or patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or some other kind of hand impediments.

The Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a container that overcomes or alleviates the drawbacks of the known devices and which provides a container with a compliance aid device that has a simple but effective means for providing an indication of the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due. Such compliance aid devices are especially important for the elderly patient with failing memory or the patient who takes a large number of different medications.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a robust (and senior friendly) compliance aid device, which is easy to handle and operate by elderly patients as well as by patients suffering from some kind of hand impediment.

Summary of the Invention

The above mentioned object is achieved by providing a container for solids or liquids, comprising a hollow body which holds the content, a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container and a compliance aid device arranged on the container to indicate the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due. The compliance aid comprises a movable first part and a second part, wherein the first part is moved to a new indicating position in relation to the second part and locked in the new position.

The main advantage with the invention is that it provides a container with a compliance aid that is robust and easy to handle as it is easily moved by hand to a new indicating position in relation to the second part. The first part is locked in the new indicating position, which minimizes the risk that it accidentally moved to an incorrect indicating position.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the first and second parts are provided with means for stepwise movement of the first part in relation to the second part. The stepwise movement of the first part of the compliance aid involves pressing and pushing the first part for unlocking it and then move it to a new indicating position which means it cannot be moved by accident.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the first part is provided with locking means for locking the first part in a chosen indicating position. This makes the device reliable as it is locked in its indicating position and cannot be moved by accident.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the first part is provided with an integrated resilient arm for unlocking the first part from the locking means. This is a simple but effective way to unlock the first part. As the resilient arm is integrated with the first part, the number of parts for assembling the device can be kept at a low level.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the first part is arranged between the hollow body and the second part. A gap is provided between the hollow body and the second part for receiving the first part, which means that the first part is, secured in- between the hollow body and the second part making the construction of the device robust.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a portion of the first part is arranged on the inside of the hollow body. The compliance aid device, thus the first and second part, is an integrated part of the container, which makes the device robust.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the first part comprises an indicator means for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the second part is provided with means corresponding to the locking means of the first part for locking the first part in an

indicating position. The first and the second parts interact with each other to form the compliance aid device.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the second part is provided with indentations for receiving the locking means of the first part.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the second part is provided with time indications for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the container is provided with time indications for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container provided with the compliance aid device, Figure 2 is a magnified view of an embodiment of the first part of the compliance aid device,

Figure 3 shows a magnified view of an embodiment of the second part of the compliance aid device, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the part of the container provided with the compliance aid.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the container for solids or liquids provided with a compliance aid device according to the present invention. The container 1 comprises a hollow body 2 which holds the content, a closure 3 which cooperates with the body to

close the container and a compliance aid device 4, 5 for indicating the time at which the last dose was taken or when the next dose is due comprising a movable first part 4 and a second part 5. The compliance aid is manually moved to a new indicating position, i.e. the user moves the first part 4 by hand using his/hers hand, hands or fingers. When the first part has reached a new indicating position it is locked there by the second part 5 of the compliance aid device. The first part 4 is arranged between the hollow body 2 and the second part 5 and movable in two directions in relation to the hollow body and the second part. The first and second parts are provided with means 6, 8, 7, 9 for stepwise movement of the first part in relation to the second part, each step corresponds to a new indicating position. These means are the locking means 6 and the resilient member 8 on the first part and the indentations 7 and protruding members 9 on the second part.

Fig. 2 shows the first part 4 of the compliance aid device in detail. It has a resilient member 8 making it possible to unlock the first part from the second part and move it to a new indicating position. The resilient member is an integrated part of the first part and also made of the same material. In one embodiment, the first part and the hollow body are made from a polymeric material. The first part is further provided with at least one locking means 6 for locking the first part in an indicating position in relation to the second part. The locking means 6 fit into corresponding indentations 7 on the second part 5. In the shown embodiment of the first part the locking means 6 are two protruding knobs on each side of the resilient member 8. When the first part is to be moved to a new indicating position, it is slightly depressed by a user's hand and/or fingers to remove the locking means 6 of the first part from the indentations 7 of the second part such that the first part is freely movable in relation to the second part. The first part also has indicator means 10 for pointing at the time indication.

Fig. 3 shows the second part 5 of the compliance aid device in detail. On the inside, i.e. the side facing the hollow body, it is provided with several indentions 7 and projections 9 along at least one line. The indentations and projections are parts of the locking means for locking the first part in an indicating position. On the outside of the second part 5, i.e. the

side facing the user, it is provided with time indications such as signs indicating days and/or hours. In one embodiment of the device, the time indications are integrated in the material of the second part. Further time indications may be provided on label(s) on the hollow body and/or on the first or second part. The second part is also provided with fastening means 15, 17 such that it can be attached to the container. However, the second part may as well be made as a part of the container itself.

Fig. 4 illustrates the locking mechanism of the compliance aid device. The first part 4 is arranged in a space 13 between the hollow body and the second part. When the first part is to be moved to a new indicating position, the first part is slightly depressed by a user's hand and/or fingers to remove the locking means 6 of the first part from the indentations 7 of the second part such that the first part is freely movable in relation to the second part. Due to the spring effect in the resilient member 8 the locking means 6 is released from the indentation 7 as the first part is depressed.

Further, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments but can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.