Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is an indicator cap for indicating each time a bottle is opened and re-closed having an outer cover shaped in the manner of a conventional bottle cap with a window in the top piece of the cap. The cap is designed to be attached to the sealing cap of the container such that some motion can occur between the two caps during opening and closing of the container, and this lost motion drive is used to advance the indicator. Underneath the window, and within the body of the device, is an indicator wheel having numbers, days, times, etc. engraved or printed thereon which are visible through the window to indicate the next time a dose of the medication should be taken. The indicator wheel contains a pawl formed therein or attached thereto that engages a set of teeth, formed in the underside of the top piece of the outer cover, only when the device is being opened. This engagement causes the indicator wheel to move to the next index location each time the cap is opened. Underneath the indicator wheel, and attached to the outer cover is a snap cover which contains a pawl formed therein or attached thereto. The pawl engages a set of teeth on the indicator wheel to prevent the indicator wheel from moving with respect to the ratchet when the device is being closed. The pawls on the two wheels, and the teeth formed opposite the pawls are designed such that the index wheel moves to a new location upon opening the cap, and is kept in that location when the cap is closed, allowing the window in the top piece to uncover the next indicator as the device is closed. Both pawls are formed or attached such that space is provided for the pawl to move out of the way when being moved in a direction where the teeth are disengaged. The pawl moves away from the teeth as the teeth slide over the pawl, and as the movement is completed, the pawl makes an audible sound as it snaps back into place. Thus, the device makes a sound when it has been opened a sufficient amount for the index to move to the next location, and it also makes a sound when is has been closed sufficiently to re-cock the mechanism for the next cycle. The device also has an extension plug that attaches between the snap cover and the sealing cap to allow the indicator cap to be attached to a sealing cap that is larger than the outer cover. Also disclosed in an alternative embodiment wherein the snap cover and the sealing cap are formed as a single unit. A second alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the lost motion drive is formed by a retainer disc, a separate ratchet, and a bottom piece for attachment to the sealing cap of the bottle.

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First Claim