Device and method for administering medicine

Abstract

A device for administering medicine to a person includes a housing that supports an edible carrier. An element is disposed within the edible carrier for forming a recess within the edible carrier when the element and edible carrier are separated. The method includes the steps of forming the recess within the edible carrier, placing medicine within the recess, and administering the edible carrier and medicine combination to the recipient. The edible carrier provides lubrication and a pleasant taste to the person receiving the medicine. The housing may be in the form a spoon with the edible carrier sealed to the spoon.

1 . A device for administering medicine to a person; the device comprising:
 a housing;   an edible carrier carried by the housing; the edible carrier being removably carried by the housing; the edible carrier adapted to provide lubrication that assists the swallowing of the medicine by the person; and   a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier; the probe element being removable from the edible carrier and adapted to form a recess in the edible carrier for receiving the medicine that is to be administered to the person.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the edible carrier is a gelatin-based edible material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has at least first and second portions and the probe element is connected to the second portion of the housing; the second portion of the housing being removable from the first portion of the housing to expose to the edible carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has at least first and second portions with the second portion of the housing being removable from the first portion of the housing; the probe element extending through the second portion of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a handle. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the probe element is carried by the handle of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the handle defines a groove; at least a portion of the probe element being disposed in the groove defined by the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a seal cooperating with the housing to cover the edible carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the seal defines a tab that is movable from a first position to a second position; the second position allowing the tab to function as a grip adapted to help the user remove the seal from the housing. 
     
     
         10 . A device for administering medicine to a person; the device comprising:
 a housing in the shape of a spoon having a head and a handle;   an edible carrier removably carried by the head of the spoon; the edible carrier being in the form of a gelatinous substance;   a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier; the probe element being removable from the edible carrier and adapted to form a recess in the edible carrier for receiving the medicine that is to be administered to the person;   the probe element being aligned with the handle of the housing; and   a seal disposed over the edible carrier.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle defines a groove; at least a portion of the probe element being disposed in the groove defined by the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the probe element is movable from a first position to a second position within the groove of the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the seal defines a tab that is movable from a first position to a second position; the second position allowing the tab to function as a grip adapted to help the user remove the seal from the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an outer seal surrounding the entire housing. 
     
     
         15 . A method of administering medicine to a person; the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an edible carrier carried by a housing with a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier;   removing the probe element from the edible carrier to form a recess in the edible carrier;   positioning medicine to be administered to the person in the recess of the edible carrier; and   placing the edible carrier with the medicine in the recess in the person's mouth.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of placing the medicine to be administered in a groove defined by the housing before the medicine is positioned in the recess of the edible carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of positioning medicine includes the step of pushing the medicine along the groove of the housing into the recess. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of pushing the medicine with the probe element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the recess formed in the edible carrier has an opening and further comprising the steps of locating the edible carrier in the head of a spoon before the edible carrier is placed in the person's mouth and positioning the opening of the recess toward a handle portion of the spoon. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of providing the edible carrier with a seal that has a tab, moving the tab from a first position to a second position, and using the tab to remove the seal from the edible carrier.