GB2435027A

GB2435027A - Container for use in administering medicine

Info

Publication number: GB2435027A
Application number: GB0602484A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shurbhi Shah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Also published as: GB0602484D0

Abstract

A container holds separately both a substance 12, and a liquid 4, with which the substance 12 is to be administered. Typically the substance 12 is a medicine, herb, or health supplement/ tablet, while the liquid 4 is typically water. The means for holding the substance 12 typically take the form of a re-closable lid 5 which fits over the liquid filled container. The lid 5 may include a re-closable storage compartment 11, so that the container can be re-used. The container may also contain a metered volume of liquid 4 that corresponds to the amount needed to administer/ dissolve the substance/ tablet 12.

Description

1 2435027

CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a container for separately containing both a substance, such as a medicine, herb or health supplement, and a liquid, with which the substance is to be administered.

Substances, such as medicines, herbs or health supplements, have to be taken periodically, often at regular intervals during the day. Where the substances are in the form of tablets or capsules, this requires a supply of a liquid, typically water, to facilitate swallowing. Alternatively, substances have to be introduced into a liquid, typically water, for example, for dissolution or dis-integration, prior to administration, again requiring a supply of liquid.

Often such substances have to be taken away from the home or the workplace where a convenient supply of a liquid would not be at hand, and thus a user would be required to locate a supply of liquid, which may not be convenient. In addition, where the substance has to be introduced in a liquid, it can be necessary to provide a metered volume of liquid, which would additionally require a measuring vessel.

The present inventor has recognized that a liquid container could be devised which provides both for the storage of a substance, which has to be administered with a liquid, and a supply of liquid, thereby avoiding the need for a user to locate a supply of liquid at the time of administration. In addition, such a container advantageously allows a predetermined volume of liquid to contained, which may be required where the substance is to be introduced into the liquid. * SS *.SS

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container for separately containing both a substance and a liquid, with which the substance is to be administered. *.s * S 5*SS I. *

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Preferably, the container comprises a receptacle for containing a volume of a liquid, and a lid for closing the receptacle, such as to seal the contained volume of liquid therein.

In one embodiment the lid is re-closable.

In one embodiment the container includes a storage compartment in which the substance is stored separately of the liquid.

In one embodiment the lid includes the storage compartment.

In one embodiment the storage compartment is defined in part by the lid and a closure member which acts to close the storage compartment.

In one embodiment the closure member comprises a sheet element which is sealed to the upper surface of the lid.

In one embodiment the closure member provides only for single use.

In one embodiment the closure member is re-closable.

In one embodiment the container contains a volume of liquid.

In one embodiment the container contains a metered volume of liquid.

In one embodiment the liquid is flavoured.

: ** In one embodiment the liquid comprises water.

* *. S * S* S * In one embodiment the container contains a substance. S. ** * S *

* In one embodiment the substance comprises one of a tablet, where soluble or insoluble, capsule or powder. S.. * S *.SS

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S S S.

In one embodiment the substance comprises a medicine, herb or health supplement.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the container of Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section I-I in Figure 3) of the container of Figure 1.

The container comprises a receptacle 3 for containing a volume of a liquid 4, typically water, and optionally flavoured water, and a lid 5 for closing the receptacle 3, such as to seal the contained volume of liquid 4 therein.

In one embodiment the receptacle 3 can contain a metered volume of liquid 4.

In one embodiment the receptacle 3 can include a graduated scale which allows for a user to measure a predetermined volume of liquid 4.

In this embodiment the receptacle 3 includes a sealing lip 7 which extends about the upper, open end of the receptacle 3 and the lid 5 includes a sealing flange 9 about the periphery thereof, which is a sealing fit with the sealing lip 7 on the receptacle 3. With this configuration, the lid 5 is a snap fit to the receptacle 3 and allows for repeated opening and closing of the container. S..

S * 5S5 S. * S * *

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In an alternative embodiment the lid 5 can comprise a sheet element, typically a foil, which is sealed to the upper, open end of the receptacle 3, typically by heat or adhesive bonding. In this embodiment the lid 5 is opened either by peeling the same from the receptacle 3 or piercing the same.

The lid 5 includes a storage compartment 11 in which a substance 12 to be administered, in this embodiment a tablet, where soluble or insoluble, capsule or powder, is stored.

In this embodiment the storage compartment 11 is defined in part by a recess 14 in the lid 5 and a closure member 15 which acts to close the storage compartment 11.

In this embodiment the closure member 15 comprises a sheet element, typically a foil, which is sealed to the upper surface of the lid 5, typically by heat or adhesive bonding. In this embodiment the storage compartment 15 is opened by peeling the closure member 15 from the surface of the lid 5.

In an alternative embodiment the storage compartment 11 could be opened by piercing the closure member 15.

In one embodiment the closure member 15 provides only for single use, but in other embodiments can be re-closable.

In an alternative embodiment the closure member 15 and the lid 5 can include sealing elements, for example, in the form of a sealing lip and a sealing flange in the manner of the sealing connection between the : receptacle 3 and the lid 5. This configuration allows for re-closure of the storage compartment 11

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In use, the storage compartment 11 is opened to obtain the substance 12 to be administered, in this embodiment by peeling the closure member 15 from the surface of the lid 5, and the lid 5 is opened to provide access to the * S. S... S. * * * I.

contained liquid 4, in this embodiment by removing the lid 5 from the receptacle 3.

Where the substance 12 is in a form which is to be swallowed, such as tablets or capsules, the substance 12 is swallowed with the liquid 4.

Where the substance 12 is to be introduced into the contained liquid 4 prior to administration, such as soluble tablets and powders, typically for oral administration, the substance 12 is introduced into the liquid 4. Typically, the substance 12 either dissolves or disintegrates in the contained liquid 4, and, following dissolution or disintegration, the liquid 4 is then ready for administration.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. S. * S * 55S *5** S * 5.5 5* 55 * S I.. * a * 5 * S.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A container for separately containing both a substance and a liquid, with which the substance is to be administered.

2. The container of claim 1, comprising a receptacle for containing a volume of a liquid, and a lid for closing the receptacle, such as to seal the contained volume of liquid therein.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the lid is re-closable.

4. The container of any of claims 1 to 3, including a storage compartment in which the substance is stored separately of the liquid.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the lid includes the storage compartment.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the storage compartment is defined in part by the lid and a closure member which acts to close the storage compartment.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the closure member comprises a sheet element which is sealed to the upper surface of the lid.

8. The container of claim 6 or 7, wherein the closure member provides only for single use.

9. The container of claim 6 or 7, wherein the closure member is re-closable.

10. The container of any of claims 1 to 9, where containing a volume of liquid. iii. a.

11. The container of claim 10, where containing a metered volume of liquid.

12. The container of claim 10 or 11, wherein the liquid comprises water.

13. The container of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid is flavoured.

14. The container of any of claims 1 to 13, where containing a substance.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the substance comprises one of a tablet, where soluble or insoluble, capsule or powder.

16. The container of claim 14 or 15, wherein the substance comprises a medicine, herb or health supplement.

17. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. S. S... * * S. ** * S *

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S **.e S. * * *.