Pill holder and reminder device

Abstract

More and more pills are supplied as blister packs. The present invention therefore provides a cover/holder for a blister pack of pills, which is capable of issuing a warning when ingestion is next due. When the blister pack of pills is inserted into the holder, an electric circuit is activated so that a timer then begins and once the timing period has been attained this initiates an alarm, the timing period is based on the recommend ingestion intervals. When the blister pack of pills is removed for ingestion the circuit is open and not functioning, once replaced the circuit is closed and timing commencement begins again. When the blister pack is made of foil, the foil itself may be used to close the electric circuit.

1 . A holder for blister packs containing a timer and reminder/warning device whereby the timer is activated upon insertion of the blister pack so that a reminder/warning is emitted when the next ingestion is due.  
     
     
         2 . A holder according to  claim 1 , in which electrical contacts are provided on the inner surface of the holder such that upon insertion of a foil based blister pack into the holder the foil of the blister pack closes the circuit between the contacts and so activates a reminder/warning device to flag when the next ingestion is due.  
     
     
         3 . A holder according to  claim 1 , provided with a switch on its inner surface that is closed upon insertion of the blister pack to activate the reminder/warning device.  
     
     
         4 . A holder according to  claim 1 , in which the timer is activated by closure of a cover on the holder.  
     
     
         5 . A holder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the reminder/warning device consists of a power source, an electrically operated timer and an electrically operated alarm forming a circuit with the electrical contacts or switch.  
     
     
         6 . A holder according to  claim 1 ,  claim 2 , or  claim 4 , in which two sets of contacts are provided on opposite inner surfaces of the holder.  
     
     
         7 . A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reminder/warning device provides a sound to remind that the next ingestion is due.  
     
     
         8 . A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reminder/warning device provides a light to remind that the next ingestion is due.  
     
     
         9 . A holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reminder/warning device provides a radio signal beamed to a remote location to provide a reminder that the next ingestion is due.  
     
     
         10 . A holder according to any of the preceding claims, also containing a device that indicates when the timer is activated.  
     
     
         11 . A holder according to  claim 10 , in which the device is a light.