Search

US-12616640-B1 - Container having a contents volume indicator

US12616640B1US 12616640 B1US12616640 B1US 12616640B1US-12616640-B1

Abstract

An aspect of the present disclosure is related to a medication container that includes a receptacle with an interior, a bottom wall, and an open top. A refill indicator is disposed in the interior of the receptacle and in contact with the bottom wall and extends towards the open top. The refill indicator has a top surface. A plurality of pills are disposed in the receptacle, and a pill count of the pills is greater than a predetermined notification pill count such that at least one of the pills contacts the top surface of the refill indicator. The refill indicator is sized and shaped such that the top surface is free of pills when the pill count is at or is less than the notification pill count to notify a user that a refill may be necessary.

Inventors

  • Peter A. Rosomoff

Assignees

  • EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20201201

Claims (12)

  1. 1 . A medication container, comprising: a receptacle having a bottom wall and an open top and at least one side wall and an interior; a refill indicator disposed in the interior of the receptacle and in contact with the bottom wall extending towards the open top, the refill indicator having an annular shape and having an inner wall that surrounds a notification volume; the bottom wall and the at least one side wall and the refill indicator together defining a single pill chamber that can hold pills within the receptacle for both storage and removal; a plurality of pills disposed in the single pill chamber within the receptacle, a pill count of the plurality of pills being greater than a non-zero predetermined notification pill count that can fit in the notification volume such that at least one of the plurality of pills at least partially covers the top surface of the refill indicator; the top surface being angled downwardly towards the inner wall to guide pills on the top surface towards the notification volume; wherein the predetermined notification pill count is a predetermined supply of pills for a patient so that the patient can obtain more pills prior to the pill count reaching zero; and wherein the refill indicator has a cut to allow the refill indicator to be compressed when it is inserted through the open top of the receptacle.
  2. 2 . The medication container as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the refill indicator is made as a separate piece from the receptacle.
  3. 3 . The medication container as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the refill indicator has an outer wall that is biased against a sidewall of the receptacle.
  4. 4 . The medication container as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the notification volume has a cylindrical shape.
  5. 5 . The medication container as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the refill indicator is spaced inwardly of a sidewall of the receptacle.
  6. 6 . A medication container, comprising: a receptacle having a bottom wall and an open top and at least one side wall and an interior; a refill indicator disposed in the interior of the receptacle and in contact with the bottom wall extending towards the open top, the refill indicator having an annular shape and having an inner wall that surrounds a notification volume; the bottom wall and the at least one side wall and the refill indicator together defining a single pill chamber that can hold pills within the receptacle for both storage and removal; a plurality of pills disposed in the single pill chamber within the receptacle, a pill count of the plurality of pills being greater than a non-zero predetermined notification pill count that can fit in the notification volume such that at least one of the plurality of pills at least partially covers the top surface of the refill indicator; the top surface being angled downwardly towards the inner wall to guide pills on the top surface towards the notification volume; wherein the predetermined notification pill count is a predetermined supply of pills for a patient so that the patient can obtain more pills prior to the pill count reaching zero; wherein the refill indicator has a cut to allow the refill indicator to be compressed when it is inserted through the open top of the receptacle; wherein the refill indicator is made as a separate piece from the receptacle; and wherein the refill indicator has an outer wall that is biased against a sidewall of the receptacle.
  7. 7 . The medication container as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the notification volume has a cylindrical shape.
  8. 8 . The medication container as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the refill indicator is spaced inwardly of a sidewall of the receptacle.
  9. 9 . The medication container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall is circular and the at least one side wall is cylindrical.
  10. 10 . The medication container of claim 9 , wherein the bottom wall and the at least one side wall are monolithic and a top of the at least one side wall is engageable by a cap to close the interior of the receptacle.
  11. 11 . The medication container of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall is circular and the at least one side wall is cylindrical.
  12. 12 . The medication container of claim 11 , wherein the bottom wall and the at least one side wall are monolithic and a top of the at least one side wall is engageable by a cap to close the interior of the receptacle.

Description

FIELD The present disclosure is related generally to a medication container that can inform a user when a quantity of medications within the container is running low. BACKGROUND Patients' failure to follow a prescribed medication regimen is a continuing problem in the health industry. This problem frequently occurs when patients run out of medication before they are able to obtain more, and thus, there is a delay between when the patient runs out of medication and when they are able to purchase and obtain more of the medication. SUMMARY An aspect of the present disclosure is related to a medication container that includes a receptacle with an interior, a bottom wall, and an open top. A refill indicator is disposed in the interior of the receptacle and in contact with the bottom wall and extends towards the open top. The refill indicator has a top surface. A plurality of pills are disposed in the receptacle, and a pill count of the pills is greater than a predetermined notification pill count such that at least one of the pills contacts the top surface of the refill indicator. The refill indicator is sized and shaped such that the top surface is free of pills when the pill count is at or is less than the notification pill count to notify a user that a refill may be necessary. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator is made as a separate piece from the receptacle. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator is in a snap-fitting engagement with the bottom wall of the receptacle. In an exemplary embodiment, the refill indicator has an inner wall that surrounds a notification volume that is sized to accommodate no greater than the notification pill count. In an example embodiment, the top surface is angled downwardly towards the inner wall to guide any pills on the top surface towards the notification volume. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator has an outer wall that is biased against a sidewall of the receptacle. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator has an annular shape and has a cut to allow the refill indicator to be compressed when it is inserted through the open top of the receptacle. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator is shaped and sized such that a volume inside of the receptacle surrounding the refill indicator and between the bottom wall of the receptacle and the top surface is a notification volume that can accommodate no greater than the notification pill count. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator is spaced inwardly of a sidewall of the receptacle. In an example embodiment, the notification pill count when the top surface is free of pills is a first notification pill count, and the refill indicator further includes a shoulder that is spaced between the bottom wall of the receptacle and the top surface. The shoulder is free of pills when the pill count is at or less than a second notification pill count that is less than the first notification pill count. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator and the bottom wall of the receptacle are engaged with one another with at least one spring finger. Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a method of filling a medication container. The method includes the step of inserting a refill indicator that has a top surface into an interior of the receptacle. The method proceeds with the step of attaching the refill indicator with a bottom wall of the receptacle. The method continues with the step of filling the receptacle with pills until at least one of the pills at least partially rests against the top surface of the refill indicator. In an example embodiment, the step of attaching the refill indicator with the bottom wall of the receptacle is a snap-fitting operation. In an example embodiment, the snap-fitting operation involves snapping at least one spring finger on the receptacle or the refill indicator into a notch on the other of the receptacle and the refill indicator. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a system for filling medication containers. The system includes a plurality of receptacles, including at least one type of receptacle and at least one second type of receptacle that is different than the first type of receptacle. The system further includes a plurality of refill indicators, including at least one first type of refill indicator and at least one second type of refill indicator that is different than the first type of refill indicator. The system further includes a refill indicator device that is configured to select and place either of the first and second types of refill indicators into either of the first and second types of receptacles. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator device is further configured to fixedly attach either of the first and second types of refill indicators with a bottom wall of either of the first and second types of receptacles in a similar manner. In an example embodiment, the refill indicator device is configured