Storage container, kit and method of retrofitting a container

Abstract

A storage container 10 having a body 14 with a rotatable lid 12 for storing items such as medicine, vitamins or a foodstuff has a set of indicium-displaying areas 20 displaying indicia 22 correspondin

Description

The present invention relates to a storage container for improving compliance with a diet or a medicine regimen. The present invention further relates to a kit and a method of retrofitting a container for enabling a user to track when they may access the contents of the container. A user who is prescribed a course of medicine or vitamins may need to take a dose periodically, such as daily, yet certain users may struggle to remember to comply with the medicine regimen. A missed dose or accidentally taking two doses may result in serious consequences. Failure to obtain a timely refill and thus, running out of medicine, is a further reason why users may fail to comply with the medicine regimen. Many medicine bottles are also difficult to open by design, so as to be childproof. For people with insufficient dexterity or grasp strength, such as the elderly, accessing medicine contained within a childproof medicine bottle may be difficult. In an alternative scenario, the user may want to lose weight by restricting, but not eliminating, their intake of certain food items, such as unhealthy snacks. Barriers to following such a diet include insufficient willpower, as well as remembering whether the user has already had a restricted food item that day. An existing solution to address either scenario is to provide a dial on the top of the lid of a storage container indicating a day of the week of last access and / or of next access to the items within the container. However, a dial is an additional moving part which increases the complexity of manufacture and assembly. More parts means more raw materials, in turn increasing costs as well as being environmentally unfriendly. The dial may be obscured and / or accidentally rotated by the user’s hand when the user repositions the lid. Dexterity may be required to accurately move the dial. The size of indicia on the dial may be too small to read for certain users. A larger dial, such as to be able to display larger indicia, may result in the lid being less ergonomic and harder to grasp. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage container for storing items such as medicine, vitamins or a foodstuff therein, the storage container comprising a lid, a container body, a set of indicium-displaying areas, each indiciumdisplaying area displaying an indicium corresponding to a day of the week; an indicator, wherein the set of indicium-displaying areas is provided along the perimeter of one of the lid and the container body, and the indicator being provided on the other of the lid and the container body, the lid being rotatable relative to the container body such that the indicator is alignable with one indicium-displaying for indicating the day of the week a user last accessed any medicine, vitamin or foodstuff and / or can access any medicine, vitamin or foodstuff stored within the storage container for improving compliance with a medicine-regimen or a diet. Although days of the week are provided here, it is understood the storage container can be easily adapted for different frequencies or medicine regimens, as required. The storage container enables a user to remember more easily whether they have taken a medicine dose, a vitamin or eaten a restricted food item, which improves compliance with a medicine-regimen or a diet. The storage container is also easy to use. The positioning of the indicator and indicium-displaying areas with indicia on the container and lid, as well as the interaction of the lid and the container enables a user to easily read the indicia. The lid and the container body need to interact to indicate the day. Providing indicium-displaying areas around a perimeter of the lid or container body enables associated indicia to be larger, and thus more easily legible, even if the lid is small. No dial on top of the lid is required unlike the prior art, such that the manufacture and assembly of the storage container are simplified. Less materials required during manufacture is environmentally friendlier. Less materials also reduces the weight of the lid, at least compared to a lid having a dial, such that the lid is easier to lift for users with limited physical strength. Preferably, the lid and the container body may be threadless. The user can simply translate the lid into and out of engagement, without needing to apply any rotation or twisting force. The storage container is simple to open and close, even for users with little strength and particularly limited wrist strength. Beneficially, the lid and the container body may be sealingly engageable via interference fit. Interference fit is a simple closure mechanism, which requires the lid translating or sliding relative to the container body. A seal may prevent or inhibit access and / or fluid exchange with the surrounding environment. A sealed environment preserves the freshness of the items. Beneficially, the container body may comprise an opening, a base, a peripheral wall upstanding from the base, a height of the container body being defined along the direction from the base to the opening. Advantageously, the peripheral wall may further form a convex shoulder. A storage container having a shoulder is wider at the base than at the opening. A wider base provides greater stability. For a given opening size, a storage container with a shoulder has a greater volume and thus can store a greater volume of items. Furthermore, the set of indicium-displaying areas may be provided on the container body and the indicator may be provided on the lid. The interaction of the indicator on the lid and the indicium-displaying areas on the container body is required in order for an indicium-displaying area to be indicated. Providing the set of indicium-displaying areas on the container body presents a number of advantages. When closing the storage container by engaging the lid with the container body, the user’s hand grasping the lid does not obscure the indicium-displaying areas, unlike storage containers with lids on which the indicium-displaying areas are provided. If the container body has a characteristic extent or dimension in transverse cross-section which is greater than the corresponding dimension of the lid, the indicium-displaying areas on the container body can have a greater surface area and / or the spacing between indicium-displaying areas may be increased. A greater surface area enables indicia of bigger size to be used, which may be beneficial for users with poor eyesight such as the elderly. Greater spacing between indicium-displaying areas and thus between indicia may also reduce the risk of accidentally indicating the wrong day. Even in storage containers having a characteristic dimension which is constant along the height and / or in the absence of any shoulder, the indicium-displaying areas may span a major portion of the height of the container body. This enables indicia with larger sizes to be used. It may even be envisioned that the indicia may include more than one letter to indicate the day, so as to reduce the risk of a mistake. For example, the abbreviations “SU”, “Sun” or even the whole word “Sunday” may be used instead of the letter “S”. Additionally, the set of indicium-displaying areas may be provided on the shoulder. If the indicium-displaying areas are provided on the shoulder, the surface area and / or spacing between indicium-displaying areas may be even further increased. The size of the indicia may be increased so that the indicia are more legible. The position of the indiciumdisplaying areas on the shoulder may result in the indicia being angled at least in part upwards, towards the user for convenience of use. This may negate the need for the user to lift the storage container and / or bend downward in order to view the indicia. Optionally, the lid may further comprise a handle. Additionally or alternatively, the container body may comprise one or more handles. A handle is more ergonomic. A handle remove the necessity for a user to grip a lid tightly by its edge, which certain users with limited hand strength may find challenging. Beneficially, the storage container may further comprise an elastomeric sealing ring. The seal formed by the lid and the container body is further enhanced. An elastomeric material may deform to accommodate an ill-fitting lid so as to provide a seal. The manufacturing tolerances of the lid and / or of the container body may be increased, which facilitates manufacture. The elastomeric sealing ring, such as rubber or silicone, may additionally prevent or inhibit accidental rotation of the lid relative to the container body. Furthermore, the lid may comprise ratchet teeth and the container body may comprise a pawl, or vice-versa, for restricting the rotation of the lid to one direction. A ratchet enables rotation of the lid solely in one direction. In turn, the indicator can only move in one direction relative to the indicium-displaying areas. This reduces or eliminates the risk of the indicator being moved in the wrong direction. Furthermore, the storage container may be at least in part formed of a transparent or a translucent material for enabling a user to view the contents of the storage container without opening the storage container. The user can easily see how many items remain in the container body. If the container body is used to store a plurality of different types of items, such as in separate sub-volumes, the user can easily identify which type of item are stored without opening the storage container and / or which type of item they are retrieving. Optionally, the peripheral wall may comprise a transparent or translucent window. A window provides a transparent or translucent portion to view the contents of the container body. The remainder of the peripheral wall may be opaque. Opacity may help protect the items, such as from the sun. Furthermore, in the case of a diet, opacity may reduce the visibility of the items, and thereby reduce the temptation of the user. Furthermore, the window may extend along at least a major extent of the height of the container body. A transparent or translucent portion, which may span all or substantially all the height of the container body, enables the user to view inside the container body without needing to open the storage container. The type and / or remaining quantity of items in the container body may be viewed at any time, regardless of the quantity of remaining items. The freshness of the items within may be preserved for longer. In the case of a diet, not needing to remove the container body may decrease the temptation of the user. Optionally, the storage container may further comprise a second set of indiciumdisplaying areas containing one or more indicium-displaying areas. Additionally, the second set of indicium-displaying areas may be spaced along at least part of the height of the container body. Preferably, the second set of indicium-displaying areas may display an indicium corresponding to a level indicator indicative of a quantity of remaining items for enabling a user to know the quantity of remaining items contained within the storage container by reading the indicium closest to an upper level of the items stored within the container body and visible via the window, or via the transparent or translucent material. Alternatively or additionally, each indicium-displaying area may display an indicium corresponding to a level indicator indicative of a period of time for enabling a user to know how long until the storage container is empty. The second set of indiciumdisplaying areas and any associated indicia, provide an indication of any or all of: the quantity of items used up thus far, the quantity of items remaining, the time until the container body is empty. The second set of indicium-displaying areas provides, in conjunction with the upper level of the items, an indication of how many more hours, days, weeks or months’ of supply are left before the user runs out of items. Furthermore, the or a said indicium-displaying area from the second set may display a reminder indicium for reminding the user to obtain a refill of the items. If continuity of treatment is important, an interruption in the medicine-regimen may have serious consequences. However, delays in obtaining medicine are common, such as due to needing to book and attend a doctor’s appointment, obtaining a prescription, travelling to a pharmacy to fulfil the prescription, and issues in the medicine supply line. The reminder indicium reminds the user to take proactive steps in a timely fashion so as to obtain the medicine before the supply of items runs out. Optionally, the indicia of the second set may be separably positionable on the indiciumdisplaying areas for adjusting the height of the level indicators according to different types of items having different volumes, or for customisability. The indicia of the second set and / or the indicium-displaying areas may have a support or surface and connection means or a connector, such as adhesive, to permit the indicia and / or indicium-displaying areas to be connected, optionally removably connected, to the storage container. Repositionability allows the storage container to be used for different types of items. Larger items occupy a greater volume such that fewer items may be stored within a given volume. If the user knows the volume of the storage container and the average volume of an item, the user can calculate the required height of indicium-displaying areas and / or indicia for greater accuracy. The user can select the indicia and / or indicium-displaying area from a range of possibilities. Customisability may increase compliance in children. Beneficially, the storage container may further comprise misalignment inhibiting means. The misalignment inhibiting means prevents or reduces the risk of the indicator indicating a position intermediate between two indicia such that it is unclear which indicia the user intended to indicate. Additionally, the storage container may further comprise an internal partition extending along the height of the container body partitioning an internal volume of the container body into two sub-volumes for storing a different type of item in each sub-volume. The same container can be used to store different types of items, such as different types of medicine. The user only has to open one storage container to access all the items they need to retrieve, instead of having to open and close a range of storage containers able to receive solely one type of item. Having to open a single container reduces or eliminates the need to open multiple containers, which may be particularly beneficial for users having low dexterity. Optionally, a said second set of indicium-displaying area may be associated with each sub-volume. The items may have different volumes and / or need to be taken at different frequencies and thus, the rate of depletion may vary according to the type of item. Multiple second sets may accommodate this scenario. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for retrofitting a container, the kit comprising a set of indicium-displaying areas, means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas and / or indicator to a container, and an indicator. The kit can be used convert an existing container into a storage container suitable for receiving items such as medicine or restricted food items. Optionally, the kit may further comprise a lid. The lid may include the indicator. The lid may be threadless to facilitate engagement and disengagement with the container body. The lid may have the indicator connected thereto or integrally formed therewith. The lid may even include the misalignment inhibitor means, such as indexing or by virtue of having a shape enabling the lid to close the container body only in a range of discrete positions. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of retrofitting a container, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a kit, preferably in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; b] attaching the set of indiciumdisplaying areas using the means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas to one of: a container and a lid, and attaching the indicator to the other of the container and the lid. An existing container can be retrofitted using a kit. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded representation of a first embodiment of a storage container, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side representation of a second embodiment of a storage container, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 is a side representation of a third embodiment of a storage container, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows a side representation of a fourth embodiment of a storage container, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 illustrates a side representation of a fifth embodiment of a storage container, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 6 shows a perspective representation of a kit for retrofitting a storage container in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a storage container indicated generally at 10. The storage container 10 in-use enables items to be stored within. Examples of items include medicine, vitamins, or a foodstuff. The items may be in any form, such as liquid, powder, pills or other similar suitable form. A foodstuff may include biscuits, by way of example only. The storage container 10 or any part thereof may be formed at least in part of metal, plastics, glass, card, paper, fabric, carbon fibre, glass fibre, wood, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. The storage container 10 has a lid 12, a container body 14, sealing means 16, an indicator 18, at least one indicium-displaying area 20, at least one indicium 22, and misalignment inhibiting means 24, and an internal partition 26, but any of the above may be omitted and / or a plurality of any of the above may be provided. The lid 12 in-use enables the container body 14 to be selectively opened or closed. The lid 12 preferably has a lid body 28, and optionally, a handle 30. The lid body 28 is preferably non-permeable to liquid and / or to gas. Thus, the lid body 28, when engaged with the container body 14, can prevent or inhibit moisture entry into the container body 14. This may be beneficial if the item or items stored within the storage container 10 would be spoiled by moisture. The lid body 28 or part thereof has a shape in plan view. The shape in plan view of the lid 12 matches or is complementary to a shape of the container body 14. Preferably, the shape is circular but non circular may be an option. The lid body 28 further has a container-engagement portion 32. The handle 30 in-use enables a user to easily grasp and move the lid 12. The handle 30 is more ergonomic. The container body 14 defines a volume for receiving one or more items 34. The container body 14 comprises an opening 36, a lid-engagement portion 38, a base 40, and at least one wall 42, but any of the above may be omitted and / or a plurality of any of the above may be provided. Furthermore, the container body 14 has a height 44. The height 44 is preferably defined as a distance along the direction from the base 40 to the opening 36. The height 44 is illustrated in Figure 1 as a dashed double-headed arrow. The opening 36 in-use provides access to the volume. The opening 36 is selectively closed by the lid 12. The opening 36 is preferably complementarily shaped to the lid body 28. The opening 36 is thus preferably circular, but non circular may be an option. The lid-engagement portion 38 in-use is engageable with the container-engagement portion 32. Thus, the lid-engagement portion 38 and the container-engagement portion 32 are complementary to each other. Preferably, the lid-engagement portion 38 and the container-engagement portion 32 do not comprise screw threads but a screw threaded arrangement may be envisioned. In other words, the lid 12 and the container body 14 are threadless. More preferably, the lid 12 and the container body 14 are engageable via interference fit. The base 40 may be or be substantially planar. The base 40 in-use may engage with a supporting surface such as a table or a shelf to orient the storage container 10 in an upright orientation. The base 40 has a periphery 46 and a characteristic dimension 48. If the base 40 has a circular shape, the periphery 46 is a circumference and the characteristic dimension 48 is a base diameter. The characteristic dimension 48 of the base 40 is illustrated in Figure 1 as a dashed double headed arrow. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 42 is curved in transverse crosssection. More preferably, the peripheral wall 42 is oval or circular in transverse crosssection. Alternative shapes in cross-section may be envisioned, such as triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, heptagonal, by way of examples only. This may require a plurality of peripheral walls. For clarity, the direction from the base 40 to the opening 36 may be referred to as a longitudinal axis. Any plane which is parallel with or which contains the longitudinal axis may be referred to as an axial plane, ora longitudinal plane. Thus, an axial cross-section is a cross-section in an axial plane. Furthermore, a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis may be referred to as a transverse plane. A transverse cross-section is a cross-section in a transverse plane. The at least one wall 42 is upstanding from the base 40, and more preferably from at or adjacent the periphery thereof. Thus, the at least one wall 42 may be referred to as a peripheral wall. The at least one peripheral wall 42 preferably extends from the base 40 and forms an angle therewith. The angle is preferably 90° but any alternative to 90° may be envisioned, such as an acute angle or an obtuse angle. Optionally, the container body 14 has a wider portion 50a, a shoulder 50b and a narrower portion 50c. Similarly to the base 40, each of the wider portion 50a and the narrower portion 50c has a characteristic dimension. The characteristic dimension of the narrower portion 50c is smaller than the characteristic dimension of the wider portion 50a. Optionally, the characteristic dimension of the wider portion 50a may match the characteristic dimension 48 of the base 40. In axial or longitudinal cross-section, at least part of the peripheral wall 42 may be linear but non-linear, or part linear may be options. The shoulder 50b is intermediate between the wider portion 50a and the narrower portion 50c along the height 44 of the container body 14. The shoulder 50b is preferably curved in longitudinal cross-section but non-curved or part curved may be options. As examples of alternatives to a curved convex shoulder, the shoulder may be provided as an angular corner. In a third alternative the shoulder may be provided as a portion chamfered in longitudinal cross-section. In three-dimensions, the chamfered portion may define a frusto-conical surface or a frusto-pyramidal surface. Optionally, the storage container may be at least in part formed of a transparent or translucent material. The transparent or translucent material may in-use enable a user to view the contents of the storage container 10 without opening the storage container 10. More preferably, the or at least one peripheral wall 42 has a window 52. The window 52 may be provided by at least part of the peripheral wall 42 being formed of an at least partially transparent or translucent material. The material may include glass, or plastics, by way of example. Furthermore, the transparent window extends along at least a major extent of the height 44 of the container body 14. In an alternative embodiment, the window may extend only along a minor extent of the height. A plurality of windows may be envisioned. The sealing means 16, also referred to as a sealing portion or seal, in-use enhances or provides a seal between the lid 12 and the container body 14. The sealing means 16 may include a sealing ring, more preferably an elastomeric sealing ring, such as a rubber or silicone ring. As previously mentioned, the storage container 10 includes at least one and more preferably a plurality of indicium-displaying areas 20. Each indicium-displaying area 20 in-use provides a support for an indicium 22. An indicium-displaying area 20 may be a surface or a zone. Optionally one or more indicia 22 may be provided on one or more indicium-displaying areas 20. Optionally, the surface provided by the or each indicium-displaying area 20 may enable indicia to be rubbed or wiped off and re-written thereupon. The surface may include melamine, glass, porcelain or any combination thereof. These materials are typically used to provide whiteboards. Alternatively, the surface may include porcelain enamelled steel. Porcelain enamelled steel is typically used in blackboards. The storage container 10 may optionally further include at least one pen containing erasable ink for writing on white boards and / or chalk. The ink may be permanent ink, erasable only with alcohol. This may prevent or inhibit accidentally erasing of the indicia 22. There is at least one set of indicium-displaying areas 20. A set may include any number of indicium-displaying areas 20, including one, or at least two indicium-displaying areas 20. The or at least one said indicium-displaying area 20 of the first set of indiciumdisplaying areas 20 may be for displaying an indicium 22 corresponding to a day of the week. Thus, the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 may include seven indiciumdisplaying areas 20. Correspondingly, seven indicia 22 may be provided, each indicium 22 corresponding to a day of the week. If the user needs to take the medicine and / or vitamins multiple times a day, a multiple of seven indicium-displaying areas 20 and indicia 22 may be envisioned. There could be for example indicium-displaying areas 20 and indicia 22 corresponding to “Monday Morning”, “Monday Noon”, “Monday Evening”, byways of example only. The indicia 22 are preferably two-dimensional. However, it may easily be envisioned that one or more of the indicia may be three-dimensional, such as by having a raised profile or thickness, or by being formed as recesses. Braille may be envisioned. Indicia may thus be tactile. The indicia 22 are preferably permanently connected or integrally formed with the indicium-displaying area 20 but non-integrally formed or separably connected therewith may be possible. Here, an indicium 22 includes one or more letters but one or more letters, one or more numbers, one or more symbols, or any combination thereof may be envisioned. The first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 may be provided at least one of: the container body 14 and the lid 12. More preferably, the indicium-displaying areas 20 of the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 are distributed around or spread out around the perimeter of one of the lid 12 and the container body 14. In other words, the indiciumdisplaying areas 20 of the first set are spaced apart, preferably equally, from each other along an inner or outer surface of the container body 14 or of the lid 12 in a transverse cross-section. More preferably, the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 are provided on the container body 14. If the container body 14 has a shoulder 50b, the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 may be provided on the shoulder 50b. The indicating means or indicator 18 is in-use positionable to indicate or point to an indicium-displaying area 20 of the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20. As such, the indicator 18 is adapted to indicate a specific day of the week for improving compliance with a medicine-regimen or a diet. The day indicated may be the day on which a user can next access any medicine or foodstuff stored within the storage container. Alternatively, the day indicated may instead correspond to the last day on which the user accessed the volume and any items 34 within the container body 14. The indicator 18 is here two-dimensional. The indicator 18 may be in the form of one or more indicia and / or one or more symbols, such as dot, line or, as shown, an arrow. Furthermore, the indicator 18 is permanently connected or integrally formed with the storage container 10 but non-integrally formed or separably connectable are options. The indicator 18 may be written, printed or drawn on an inner and / or outer surface of the storage container 10. The indicator 18 may be provided on either or both of the container body 14 and the lid 12. More preferably, if the first set of indicium-displaying areas 20 is provided on one of the container body 14 and the lid 12, the indicator 18 is preferably provided on the other of the lid 12 and the container body 14. In the shown embodiment, the indicator 18 is on the lid 12. The lid 12 is preferably rotatable relative to the container body 14. If sealing means 16 are provided, rotation of the lid 12 relative to the container body 14 may be prevented or inhibited when the lid 12 and the container body 14 are engaged. Similarly, rotation may be prevented or inhibited when the lid 12 and the container body 14 are engaged if the lid 12 and the container body 14 have a non-circular shape in transverse cross-section. In such cases, the lid 12 and the container body 14 may need to be disengaged from each other, such as by lifting the lid 12, in order for the lid 12 to be rotatable relative to the container body 14. However, if may easily be envisioned that rotatability of the lid 12 may be possible when the lid 12 and the container body 14 are engaged, for instance if the shape is circular and in the absence of any seal. Preferably, the indicator 18 may be alignable with only one indicium-displaying area 20 and / or only one indicium 22 at any time. This prevents or inhibits unclarity over which day is indicated. To this aim, the storage container 10 may optionally include a misalignment inhibiting means 24, as previously mentioned. The misalignment inhibiting means 24 may be referred to as a misalignment prevention portion, or a misalignment inhibitor. The misalignment inhibiting means 24 in-use prevents or inhibits the indicator 18 from indicating elsewhere than at an indicium 22 and / or indicium-displaying area 20 of the first set. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the misalignment inhibiting means 24 prevents the arrow from pointing between indicia 22 and / or between indicium-displaying areas 20. The misalignment inhibiting means 24 may take any suitable form. For example, the misalignment inhibiting means 24 may comprise indexing, such as pips and / or notches, or grooves and at least one tooth. Optionally, a further or second set of indicium-displaying areas 20 comprising one or more indicium-displaying areas 20 may be provided. The second set of indiciumdisplaying areas 20 are spaced along at least part of the height 44 of the container body 14. In other words, the second set of indicium-displaying areas 20 are distributed longitudinally along the container body 14. Each indicium-displaying area 20 of the second set displays an indicium 22. For clarity, indicia associated with the second set may be referred to as secondary indicia 22b. Indicia associated with the first set may be referred to as primary indicia 22a. The or each secondary indicium may be or may include a level indicator. The level indicator or indicators may provide an indication of a quantity of remaining items for enabling a user to know how many remaining items are contained within the storage container by reading the secondary indicium closest to an upper level of the items stored within the container body 14. This may be facilitated by viewing the items via the window 52, or through the transparent or translucent material, if provided. Alternatively or additionally, the level indicator or indicators may indicate a period of time for enabling a user to know how long until the storage container 10 is empty. The indication is again provided by the interaction of the or a secondary indicium, the translucency or transparency of at least part of the storage container 10, and the relative position of an upper level of items within the container body 14. The or the plurality of secondary indicia 22b may even be or may include a reminder indicium for reminding the user to obtain a refill of the items 34. The first indicia 22 and / or secondary indicia 22b may be permanently formed on their respective indicium-displaying areas 20, but non-permanently formed, such as separably connectable thereto may be options. For instance, the first and / or second indicia may be written on, printed, drawn on or adhered to the indicium-displaying areas 20. Either or both sets may be connectable, and optionally separably connectable, to the storage container 10. Connectability enables the user to select the location, such as around the perimeter in transverse cross-section and / or along the height, of the or each indicium-displaying area 20. Separably connectable enables a user to attach, detach and reattach an indicium-displaying area 20, for additional adjustability. For example, different types of items having different volumes, such that, for a container body 14 of a specific volume, a greater or smaller quantity of items may be stored. The rate at which the upper level of the items 34 will lower may also vary with the volume of the items 34. Thus, repositionable indicium-displaying areas 20 enable the storage container 10 to be repurposed for storing different categories of items by enabling the user to adjust the height of the level indicators according to different types of items 34 having different volumes. The internal partition 26 in-use sub-divides the volume of the container body 14 into a plurality of sub-volumes. The partition 26 is visible in Figure 1 through the window 52. In the case of one internal partition 26, two sub-volumes are provided. Additional partitions may divide the volume into at least three sub-volumes. Different types of items may be stored in each sub-volume. The or each partition 26 extends along at least part of the height of the container body 14. The or each partition 26 may be permanently connected or integrally formed with the container body 14. However, non-integrally formed, such as connectable, may be envisioned, for example for enabling the partition 26 to be removed or added, as required. Optionally, there may be a plurality of second sets of indicium-displaying areas 20, one second set associated with each sub-volume. In-use, the user obtains a storage container 10. If not already assembled, for example, if the storage container 10 is provided as a kit of parts, the user assembles the storage container 10. To assemble the storage container 10, the user may undertake any or all of the following steps as required, not necessarily in the following order. If a connectable partition 26 is provided and the user wants to divide the volume into two sub-volumes, the partition 26 is inserted into and connected with the container body 14. If the one or more primary indicia 22a and / or one or more secondary indicia 22b are not already provided, the user may add these to the corresponding indicium-displaying areas 20. If the indicator 18 is not already provided, the user may add these to the corresponding indicium-displaying areas 20. If one or more indicium-displaying areas 20 of the first set and / or of the second set are not connected or integrally formed with the storage container 10, the user connects, such as which an adhesive, the, each or at least one indicium-displaying area 20 to the storage container 10. Optionally, the user may reposition any repositionable indicium-displaying areas 20 already connected to the storage container 10, if wanted. Once assembled, the storage container 10 can be used to help with following a diet or a medicine regimen. The user inserts items into the volume or at least one sub-volume thereof. The lid 12 is connected to the container body 14, to close or, preferably, seal the volume. If provided, the sealing means 16 provides or improves the seal formed between the lid 12 and the container body 14. Before or after connecting to the container body 14, the lid 12 is rotated relative to the container body 14 until the indicator 18 is aligned with a primary indicium 22. The primary indicium 22 corresponds in this instance to a first day of the week on which the user may access the volume and / or sub-volume to retrieve an item 34. The user can easily read the day of the week indicated by the interaction of the primary indicium 22 and the indicator 18. On the relevant day indicated by the indicator 18, the user disengages the lid 12 from the container body 14. This preferably involves grasping the handle 30 if provided, and lifting the lid 12 off. The container body 14 can be tilted to cause an item 34 to fall out. Alternatively, the user may insert their hand through the opening 36 and into the volume depending on the dimensions of the opening 36. Upon grasping the relevant item or items, optionally from one or more sub-volumes if the volume is sub-divided by a partition 26. The user may remove their hand from the storage container 10. The user re-closes the storage container 10. Before or after closing the storage container 10, the user rotates the lid 12 so that the indicator 18 is aligned with a primary indicium 22 indicative of the next day the user may retrieve an item 34. The misalignment inhibiting means 24, if provided, reduces the likelihood of unclarity by preventing or inhibiting misalignment of the indicator 18, and an indicium-displaying area 20 and / or indicium 22. The above steps are repeated in accordance with the diet or medicine regimen followed. As the above steps are repeated, the quantity of items 34 stored within the container body 14 decreases. If the container body 14 is formed at least in part of a transparent or translucent material, the user can see the remaining quantity of items 34 therethrough. Optionally, the quantity of remaining items 34 and / or the time until depletion may be quantified by reading the closest secondary indicium 22. In Figure 1, there are two subvolumes, containing different types of items 34. Approximately a quarter of the left subvolume is taken up by the spherical pills, as indicated by the secondary indicium 22 of 25%. Approximately half of the pills in the right sub-volume remain as the level of the fabiform pills is closer to the secondary indicium 22 of 50%. If a reminder indicium is provided, upon the level of the remaining items 34 reaching the reminder indicium, the user may take proactive steps into obtain a refill before they run out of items 34. Once the refill is obtained, and optionally once the storage container 10 is empty, the user can simply refill the storage container 10. If the storage container 10 is to be put to a different use, such as for storing a different type of item, the user may reposition any or all indicia 22 and / or indicium-displaying areas 20. The secondary indicia 22b may further help with compliance with the medicine regimen by providing a second check. For instance, when the user fills up the storage container 10 they may know the exact quantity of items and / how long until the storage container 10 is expected to be empty again. As an illustration, the user may insert a quantity of pills sufficient for a period of 6 months. Around three months later, the remaining quantity of pills should be approximately half of the original quantity. The level of the pills should thus be at or adjacent to an indicium-displaying area 20 and / or associated indicium 22 indicating that the amount is half the original amount and / or that there are 3 months left until the storage container 10 is empty. Any deviation would indicate that the user has forgotten or taken too many pills. Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of a storage container 110. The second embodiment of the storage container 10 is similar to the first embodiment of the storage container 10. Detailed description of the common features and of the caveats is omitted for brevity. Features of the second embodiment of the storage container 110 which are similar to those of the first embodiment have similar reference numerals, with the prefix “1” added. The storage container 110 of the second embodiment has no handle, no window, no second set of indicium-displaying, no sealing means, and no partition, but any of these features may be considered. The first set of indicium-displaying areas 120 is preferably provided on the narrower portion 150c of the container body 114, rather than on the shoulder 150b. The uses of the second embodiment are similar or identical to those of the first. Detailed description of the common steps and caveats is omitted for brevity. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a third embodiment of a storage container 210. The third embodiment of the storage container 210 is similar to the second embodiment of the storage container 110. Detailed description of the common features and of the caveats is omitted for brevity. Features of the third embodiment of the storage container 210 which are similar to those of the second embodiment have similar reference numerals, with the prefix “2” replacing the previous prefix. Each indicium-displaying area 220 of the first set of indicium-displaying areas 220 preferably extends along a major extent of the height 244 of the container body 214. Furthermore, the first set of indicium-displaying areas 220 may extend along the wider portion 250a, and optionally on the shoulder 250b of the container body 214. In the third embodiment, the primary indicia 222a spell out the days of the week in full, as shown. The uses of the third embodiment are identical to those of the first and second embodiments. Detailed description of the common steps and caveats is omitted for brevity. Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a storage container 310. The fourth embodiment of the storage container 310 is similar to the second embodiment of the storage container 110. Detailed description of the common features and of the caveats is omitted for brevity. Features of the fourth embodiment of the storage container 310 which are similar to those of the second embodiment have similar reference numerals, with the prefix “3” replacing the previous prefix. The indicator 318 in the fourth embodiment may be provided as a window or aperture in the lid 312. The first set of indicium-displaying areas 320 are provided around the narrow portion of the container body 314, more preferably where the lid 312 overlaps with the container body 314. When the window or aperture overlaps with an indicium-displaying area 320, the indicium 322 displayed on the indicium-displaying area 320 is visible through the indicator 318 in the form of a window. In the illustrated example, the indicium 322 “M” is visible, indicating that the next day to access the volume is Monday. The lid 312 obscures other indicium-displaying areas 320 and / or other indicia 322. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the lid 312 further includes ratchet teeth 354 and the container body 314 comprises a pawl or pawl element 356 for restricting the rotation of the lid 312 to one angular orientation. The opposite arrangement may easily be envisioned. The contours of the ratchet teeth 354 and pawl element 356 are shown in dashed lines in Figure 4. A spring, not shown, may be provided such that the pawl 356 may be spring-loaded to ensure engagement with the ratchet teeth 354. The uses of the fourth embodiment are identical to those of the first. Detailed description of the common steps and caveats is omitted for brevity. The interaction of the pawl 356 and ratchet teeth 354 prevent the lid 12 from be rotated in one direction. Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a fifth embodiment of a storage container 410. The fifth embodiment of the storage container 410 is similar to the first embodiment of the container body 14. Detailed description of the common features and of the caveats is omitted for brevity. Features of the fifth embodiment of the storage container 410 which are similar to those of the first embodiment have similar reference numerals, with the prefix “4” added. In the fifth embodiment, there are no second set of indicium-displaying areas, no transparent or translucent window, no sealing means, no misalignment inhibiting means, no partition, nor is any part of the storage container 410 and / or of the container body 414 transparent nor translucent. However, any of the above features may be provided. The first set of indicium-displaying areas 420 and associated indicia 422 only extend around less than half the perimeter of the storage container 410. All indicia 422 can thus be viewed simultaneously. The storage container 410 is preferably fully formed of metal. The indicator 418 and / or the first set of indicium-displaying areas 420 are non-detachable from the container body 414. The uses of the fifth embodiment are identical to those of the first. Detailed description of the common steps and caveats is omitted for brevity. Referring now to 6, there is shown a kit for retrofitting a container to provide a sixth embodiment of a storage container 510. The kit has a set of indicium-displaying areas 520, means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas and / or for attaching an indicator 558, an indicator 518, a lid 512, a container body 514 but any of the above may be omitted and / or a plurality of any of the above may be provided. The set of indicium-displaying areas 520 preferably includes one or more indiciumdisplaying areas 520, similar to the one or more indicium-displaying areas 20 of the first embodiment. Indicia 522 may be provided in or on, or may be connected to, printed, drawn or written on the indicium-displaying areas 520. The means for attaching the indicium-displaying areas 558 in-use enables the surface of the or each indicium-displaying area 520 and / or the indicator 518 to be connected to a further surface, such as that of a container. The means for attaching indicium-displaying areas 558 may also be referred to as an attachment element. The means may include an adhesive, such as glue or double-sided adhesive tape, by way of examples. The means may be provided on the underside of the surface of the or each indicium -displaying area 520. The kit may also include an indicator 518, similar to the first embodiment. The lid 512 and / or the container body 514 may be similar to the first embodiment. Detailed description of the common features and caveats is omitted for brevity. In-use, the user obtains a kit to retrofit an existing container, not shown. The user connects the set of indicium-displaying areas 520 using the means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas 558 to one of: a container body 514 and a lid 512. The indicator 518 is attached to or formed on the other of the container body 514 and the lid 512. If the lid of the original container is not suitable, the user can replace the lid of the original container with a lid 512 of the kit, if provided. Alternatively, if the lid of the original container is suitable but the container body 514 is unsuitable, the original container body may be replaced by the container body 514 of the kit, if provided. The user can then use the retrofitted storage container 510 by following the same steps as for the first embodiment. It may be envisioned that in any of the above embodiments, the whole storage container or at least the whole container body may be formed of an at least partially transparent or translucent window. In any of the above embodiments, the indicator and / or the indicia may be three-dimensional so as to be tactile. For example, the indicator may be provided as a protrusion or a recessed portion. Braille indicia may be provided. A tactile indicator and tactile indicia may enable visually-impaired users to use the storage container. The first set and / or second set of indicium-displaying areas may be permanently formed with the storage container. Each set comprises preferably a plurality of indicium-displaying areas, each having a separate indicium in the above embodiments. As an alternative in any of the above embodiments, a set may comprise a single indicium-displaying area having multiple, spaced-apart indicia. For example, the single indicium-displaying area may be provided as a strip. The indicia, such as those corresponding to days of the week, may be spaced apart along the length of the strip. A single strip may be faster to install than multiple, individual indicium-displaying areas. In any of the above embodiments, the misalignment inhibiting means may be provided by the shapes of the lid and of the container body in transverse cross-section. The shapes may be such that the lid and the container body can only be engaged with each other in a relative position from a discrete range of relative positions. For example, the shape may be polygonal. The polygonal shape may prevent or inhibit accidental rotation of the lid relative to the container body. If the shape in transverse cross-section is a regular heptagon, there are only seven positions in which the lid can engage with the container body, each position resulting in a distinct day of the week being indicated by the indicator. Any of the features and caveats that are provided in one of the embodiments may easily be provided or applicable to any of the other embodiments. For example, any of the embodiments may be provided with a pawl and ratchet teeth. Whilst a preferred shape may have been specified for any of the above-described features, any alternative shape may be envisioned in any of transverse or lateral crosssection, longitudinal cross-section, in side view, or in plan view. The shape may be any or any combination of: curved, part curved, non-curved, linear, part linear, non-linear, a broken line, any polygon, whether regular or irregular, having one or more chamfered and / or rounded corners, a triangle, a quadrilateral, such as a square, a rectangle, a trapezium, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, or any other polygon, a cross, an ellipse, a circle, part circular, an oval, or any abstract shape. It is therefore possible to provide a storage container which improves adherence to a medicine-regimen or a diet. The storage container is easy to use. The positioning of the indicator and indicium-displaying areas with indicia on the container and lid, as well as the interaction of the lid and the container enables a user to easily read the indicia. If the indicium-displaying areas are provided on the container body, the indicia are not obscured by the user’s hand when closing the container with the lid. It is also possible to provide a kit and a method of retrofit which enables an existing container to be retrofitted for aiding compliance with a diet or a medicine regimen. The words ‘comprises / comprising’ and the words ‘having / including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A storage container for storing items such as medicine, vitamins, or a foodstuff therein, the storage container comprising:a lid,a container body,a set of indicium-displaying areas, each indicium-displaying area displaying an indicium corresponding to a day of the week;an indicator,wherein the set of indicium-displaying areas is provided along the perimeter of one of the lid and the container body, and the indicator being provided on the other of the lid and the container body, the lid being rotatable relative to the container body such that the indicator is alignable with one indicium-displaying area for indicating the day of the week a user last accessed any medicine, vitamin or foodstuff and / or can access any medicine, vitamin or foodstuff stored within the storage container for improving compliance with a medicine-regimen or a diet.

2. A storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid and the container body are threadless.

3. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lid and the container body are sealingly engageable via interference fit.

4. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body comprises an opening, a base, a peripheral wall upstanding from the base, a height of the container body being defined along the direction from the base to the opening.

5. A storage container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the peripheral wall further forming a convex shoulder.

6. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of indicium-displaying areas are provided on the container body and the indicator is provided on the lid.

7. A storage container as claimed in claim 6 when depending on claim 5, wherein the set of indicium-displaying areas is provided on the shoulder.

8. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid further comprises a handle.

9. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an elastomeric sealing ring.

10. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid comprises ratchet teeth and the container body comprises a pawl, or vice-versa, for restricting the rotation of the lid to one direction.

11. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage container is at least in part formed of a transparent or a translucent material for enabling a user to view the contents of the storage container without opening the storage container.

12. A storage container as claimed in claim 11 when depending on claim 4, wherein the peripheral wall comprises a transparent or a translucent window.

13. A storage container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the window extends along at least a major extent of the height of the container body.

14. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second set of indicium-displaying areas containing one or more indicium-displaying areas.

15. A storage container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second set of indiciumdisplaying areas are spaced along the height of the container body.

16. A storage container as claimed in claim 15 when depending on any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the second set of indicium-displaying areas display an indicium corresponding to a level indicator indicative of a quantity of remaining items for enabling a user to know the quantity of remaining items contained within the storage container by reading the indicium closest to an upper level of the items stored within the container body and visible via the window, or via the transparent or translucent material.

17. A storage container as claimed in claim 15 when depending on any one of claims 11 to 13, or as claimed in claim 16, wherein each indicium-displaying area displays an indicium corresponding to a level indicator indicative of a period of time for enabling a user to know how long until the storage container is empty.

18. A storage container as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the or a said indicium-displaying area from the second set displays a reminder indicium for reminding the user to obtain a refill of the items.

19. A storage container as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the indicia of the second set are separably positionable on the indicium-displaying areas for adjusting the height of the level indicators according to different types of items having different volumes, or for customisability.

20. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising misalignment inhibiting means.

21. A storage container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal partition extending along at least part of the height of the 5 container body partitioning an internal volume of the container body into two subvolumes for storing a different type of item in each sub-volume.

22. A storage container as claimed in claim 21 when depending on any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein a said second set of indicium-displaying area is associated with each sub-volume.10 23. A kit for retrofitting a container, the kit comprising a set of indicium-displaying areas,means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas and / or the indicator to a container, and an indicator.

24. A kit as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a lid.

25. A method of retrofitting a container, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing 15 a kit as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24; b] attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas using the means for attaching the set of indicium-displaying areas to one of: a container and a lid, and attaching the indicator to the other of the container and the lid.

Images