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US4756423A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Indicator for taking medication

Assignee: Holtsch Metallwarenherstellung
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Filing: 1986-08-07
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Granted: 1988-07-12
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Expires: 2006-08-07
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Abstract

Abstract An indicator for taking medication having a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a different color, a second plate independently movable on the front face and having a images formed so that the colored portion is visible through at least one of them so as to form a plurality of indicator positions. The plates are movable relative to one another and releasably fixable in each of the indicator positions in which the colored portion is visible through a respective one of the images. In addition, the center area of the plate may have its own images and be independently movable relative to a surrounding outer ring. Further, a pill dispenser with a plurality of radial grooves containing pills may be attached under the second plate. The first and second plates have openings; when they are aligned, any pill within the corresponding groove may be removed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ernst P. Holtsch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 14:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; A61J2205/00; A61J2205/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 173 words
An indicator for taking medication comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; and releasably fixing means for releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions, said releasably fixing means including an engaging member fixed to one of said plates, the other of said plates having a plurality of receiving areas corresponding to each of said indicator positions, said engaging member being formed to engage with a respective one of said receiving areas by spring biasing into said respective one of said receiving areas to thereby releasably fix said plates together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 173 words
An indicator for taking medication comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; and releasably fixing means for releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions, said releasably fixing means including an engaging member fixed to one of said plates, the other of said plates having a plurality of receiving areas corresponding to each of said indicator positions, said engaging member being formed to engage with a respective one of said receiving areas by spring biasing into said respective one of said receiving areas to thereby releasably fix said plates together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving areas are formed as slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said engaging member is formed so that said plates are movable relative to each other in only one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said releasably fixing means includes a member pivotally holding said plates together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said releasably fixed means includes a member slidably holding said plates together, said plates being slidably movable relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said second plate is composed of transparent material; further comprising: a colored layer in said second plate of a color identical to said background color, said layer surrounding said windows to thereby define a shape of said images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said second plate has a color between said windows different from said color of said colored portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein asid plates are disc-shaped, said plurality of windows being circumferentially spaced apart from each other at a common radial level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said windows are formed to represent a scaled sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1; further comprising: a holder attached to one of said plates and releasably fixable to a container for medication.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said windows are arranged into at least two sets of windows, said colored portion being arranged to be visible simultaneously through at least one of said windows from each of said sets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said second plate has an additional colored portion visible through at least one of said windows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 42 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said second plate has a slotted window formed as a circumferential slot, said colored portion being arranged to be visible through said slotted window in at least one of said indicator positions as well.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The indicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said colored portion is removably fixed to said first plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 195 words
An indicator for taking medication, comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; releasably fixing means fo releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions, said second plate having an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion being arranged radially inside of said outer portion, each of said portions having a plurality of said windows, said colored portion being arranged to be simultaneously visible through at least one of said windows of each of said portions; and means for releasably fixing said inner portion to said outer portion so that said inner portion and said outer portion are alternatively movable independently of each other and movable in association with each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 195 words
An indicator for taking medication, comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; releasably fixing means fo releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions, said second plate having an inner portion and an outer portion, said inner portion being arranged radially inside of said outer portion, each of said portions having a plurality of said windows, said colored portion being arranged to be simultaneously visible through at least one of said windows of each of said portions; and means for releasably fixing said inner portion to said outer portion so that said inner portion and said outer portion are alternatively movable independently of each other and movable in association with each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 210 words
An indicator for taking medication, comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; releasably fixing means for releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions; a third plate; means for attaching said second and third plates together such that a space forms therebetween for placement of medication; and means for dispensing said medication from said space between said second and third plates and including a plurality of openings formed in one of said second and third plates so as be peripherally open, and a further opening formed in and movable with said first plate and also being peripherally open, said further opening being arranged to align with one of said plurality of openings when said first and second plates are at a corresponding one of said indicator positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 210 words
An indicator for taking medication, comprising: a first plate with a background color and at least one colored portion of a color different than said background color to provide contrast; a second plate independently movable on said first plate and having a plurality of alphanumerically formed windows each formed to have an alphanumeric shape and so that said colored portion appears in said windows alternatively during which only said colored portion is visible through each of said windows so as to form a plurality of indicator positions; releasably fixing means for releasably fixing said first plate and said second plate together in each of said indicator positions; a third plate; means for attaching said second and third plates together such that a space forms therebetween for placement of medication; and means for dispensing said medication from said space between said second and third plates and including a plurality of openings formed in one of said second and third plates so as be peripherally open, and a further opening formed in and movable with said first plate and also being peripherally open, said further opening being arranged to align with one of said plurality of openings when said first and second plates are at a corresponding one of said indicator positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
The indicator as defined in claim 16, wherein one of said second and third plates has a plurality of grooves into which said medication is individually receivable.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-07-12 1992-01-11 1992-07-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-07-12 1996-01-11 1996-07-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-07-12 2000-01-11 2000-07-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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