Sealed secure prescription vial apparatus and method

Abstract

A secure packaging unit utilizing an open top container that is filled and an intermediary section having an integral removable seal fixedly attached thereto after the open top container is filled thereby sealing the contents therein. A user is able to break out the removable seal and replace a standard lid upon the intermediary section/open top container combination thereby capping and containing the contents therein. Such a unit allows a pharmacist to fill a prescription in a manner that prevents third parties from tampering with the filled prescription between the time of filling and the time the customer removes the removable seal.

1 . A secure packaging unit for holding a material to be stored, said unit comprising: 
 an open top container for holding said material, said open top container defining a container passageway therein; and    a seal portion, said seal portion configured for fixed attachment to said container portion, said seal portion defining a seal portion passageway therethrough in alignment with said container passageway when said seal portion is fixed to said open top container, said passageway having a first end extending to a second end, said second end attaching to said container portion, said seal portion further comprising a seal membrane between said first and second ends dividing said seal portion passageway, said seal membrane configured for removal from said seal portion thereby allowing access through said seal portion passageway into said container passageway;    wherein after said material is placed into said open top container passageway said seal portion is fixed to said open top container thereby sealing said material within said passageway until said seal membrane is removed.    
   
   
       2 . The secure packaging unit of  claim 1  further comprising a lid portion configured for removable attachment to said seal portion first end.  
   
   
       3 . The secure packaging unit of claim I wherein said open top container comprises a base.  
   
   
       4 . The secure packaging unit of  claim 1  wherein said open top container base is generally clear in coloration for allowing an individual to view the actual color of the material placed in said open top container passageway.  
   
   
       5 . A secure packaging unit for holding a material to be stored, said unit comprising: 
 an open top container for holding said material, said open top container defining a container passageway therein;    a seal portion, said seal portion configured for fixed attachment to said container portion, said seal portion defining a seal portion passageway therethrough in alignment with said container passageway when said seal portion is fixed to said open top container, said passageway having a first end extending to a second end, said second end attaching to said container portion, said seal portion further comprising a seal membrane between said first and second ends dividing said seal portion passageway, said seal membrane configured for removal from said seal portion thereby allowing access through said seal portion passageway into said container passageway; and    a lid portion configured for removable attachment to said seal portion first end;    wherein after said material is placed into said open top container passageway said seal portion is fixed to said open top container thereby sealing said material within said passageway until said seal membrane is removed.    
   
   
       6 . The secure packaging unit of  claim 5  wherein said open top container comprises a base.  
   
   
       7 . The secure packaging unit of  claim 5  wherein said open top container base is generally clear in coloration for allowing an individual to view the actual color of the material placed in said open top container passageway.  
   
   
       8 . A secure prescription filling system, said system comprising the steps of: 
 providing an open top container for holding a material, said open top container defining a container passageway therein;    filling said open top container passageway with a medicament;    providing a seal portion, said seal portion configured for fixed attachment to said container portion, said seal portion defining a seal portion passageway therethrough in alignment with said container passageway when said seal portion is fixed to said open top container, said passageway having a first end extending to a second end, said second end attaching to said container portion, said seal portion further comprising a seal membrane between said first and second ends dividing said seal portion passageway, said seal membrane configured for removal from said seal portion thereby allowing access through said seal portion passageway into said container passageway;    fixing said seal portion to said open top container.    
   
   
       9 . The secure prescription filling system of  claim 8  comprising the additional step of providing a lid portion configured for removable attachment to said seal portion first end.  
   
   
       10 . The secure prescription filling system of  claim 8  comprising the additional step of removing said seal membrane to access said medicament.  
   
   
       11 . The secure prescription filling system of  claim 8  wherein said open top container comprises a base.  
   
   
       12 . The secure prescription filling system of  claim 8  wherein said open top container base is generally clear in coloration for allowing an individual to view the actual color of the material placed in said open top container passageway.