Polygonal Medication Packaging with Gravity-Actuated Dosage Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication reminder devices are difficult to use, especially for individuals with hand-related issues, and require active setting of indicators, which can be confusing and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A medication packaging system with a cap or container featuring a polygonal peripheral side surface and indicia associated with each edge, allowing users to easily indicate next or previous dosage times by simply laying the packaging on a flat surface, with optional weighted or magnetic disks or sleeves to display the correct information without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reminder device incorporates active setting mechanisms (windows, knobs, dials), then the device can indicate dosage time, but the device becomes difficult to manage and use, especially for those with hand problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage time indication accuracyVSAvoiduser operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure itself serves as the indicator mechanism. The polygonal cap or container with indicia on its sides automatically displays dosage information based on its orientation on a flat surface, eliminating the need for separate active setting mechanisms. The structure serves both containment and indication functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to actively set an indicator to show dosage time, the invention inverts the approach by having the dosage time information passively displayed through the orientation of the packaging on a flat surface. The indication emerges from the placement rather than requiring adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the packaging uses a polygonal shape with indicia on each side, then the device eliminates the need for active setting, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operation simplicityVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polygonal cap or container serves multiple functions: it contains the medication, provides structural integrity, and displays dosage information through its orientation. The same structural elements serve both containment and indication purposes, avoiding the need for separate complexity-inducing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging uses an asymmetric polygonal shape with indicia positioned on specific sides rather than symmetric labeling. This asymmetric design allows the structure itself to encode dosage information through its orientation, simplifying user interaction while maintaining clear indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the indicia are placed on the polygonal surface, then the dosage information is easily visible, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage information visibilityVSAvoidindicia positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dosage information is segmented into discrete indicia positioned on each side of the polygonal packaging. Each side or group of sides displays specific dosage information (e.g., morning, noon, evening doses), making the information easily detectable while allowing for straightforward manufacturing of each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides an intuitive and cost-effective method for indicating dosage times without the need for active setting, making it easier for users to remember their medication schedule, particularly beneficial for those with dexterity issues.

Implementation Method 1

a weighted or magnetic disk rotatable under gravitational forces or magnetic attraction forces relative to an axes which passes through a center of the top of the cap or the container body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a weighted or magnetic disk rotatable under gravitational forces or magnetic attraction forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS7886909B2Method and apparatus for indicating dosage time

Publication Date: 2011.02.15 ROBINSON BRETT

AI summary

Medication packaging is designed with one or more of a container, cap, or externally applied ring which fits over the container having a polygonal peripheral side surface. Edges of the polygonal peripheral side surface assure that the packaging lays flat on a flat surface or is attached flat to a metal surface by magnetic forces. Indicia on one or more of the container, cap or externally applied ring is positioned when the user places the packaging on a flat surface such that at a predetermined location the previous dose or last dose is viewable by the user. Each indicia is associated with one edge of the polygonal peripheral side surface. A disk or sleeve member can be used to occlude indicia that is unrelated to the previous or next dose, and the disk or sleeve member can be operated by gravitational or magnetic forces without manipulation by the user.