IP Library Granted Patent US 8,842,501
Granted Patent B2
US 8,842,501 · App. 13/015,223 · Granted Sep 23, 2014

Systems and methods for timing dosage periods

Inventors: Robert J. Ziemba (Cincinnati, OH); Vernon D. Ortenzi (Burlington, KY)
Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
B65D77/00G04B47/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,842,501
App. No.
13/015,223
Granted
Sep 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for tracking dosage periods are disclosed. The systems and methods may include setting a timer ( 140 ) to a predetermined value corresponding to a dosage period in response to the engagement of a cover ( 110 ) to a container ( 120 ). An indication may be provided that corresponds to a remaining period in the dosage period set by the engagement of the cover ( 110 ) and container ( 120 ). The indication may also indicate a remaining time period in the dosage period.

Claims (36)

1. A pharmaceutical product supply, comprising:

a container;

a cover detachably engageable with said container;

pharmaceutical product disposed in said container;

a timer responsive to a movement of said cover into a closed position and relative to said container, wherein said timer comprises an initial timer value corresponding to a predetermined dosage period; and

an indicator in operative communication with said timer for indicating a timer value, wherein said timer is initiated by disposing said cover in said closed position and relative to said container, wherein said timer counts down from said initial timer value upon said timer being initiated and said indicator provides an indication of a corresponding said timer value, wherein said timer value is viewable on an exterior of said cover, wherein said cover comprises each of said timer and said indicator, and wherein said cover further comprises dosage period indicia on said exterior of said cover, that remains visible during operation of said timer, and that conveys said predetermined dosage period.

2. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said timer is set to said initial timer value by said movement of said cover into said closed position.

3. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor responsive to disposing said cover in said closed position, wherein said timer is operatively interconnected with said sensor.

4. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 3 , wherein said cover comprises said sensor.

5. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a viewing window through which said indicator is viewable from said exterior of said cover.

6. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises a multicolor display, and wherein a plurality of colors of said multicolor display correspond to a plurality of timer values.

7. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises a quantitative indicia corresponding to said timer value.

8. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises an instruction to administer said pharmaceutical product.

9. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 8 , wherein said instruction to administer said pharmaceutical product is indicated at the conclusion of said timer.

10. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said timer value comprises a remaining portion of said predetermined dosage period.

11. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined dosage period corresponds to said pharmaceutical product.

12. A pharmaceutical product supply system, comprising:

a container;

a plurality of covers that are each detachably engageable with said container, wherein a first group of said plurality of covers is associated with a first predetermined dosage period and each cover in said first group comprises first dosage period indicia on an exterior of said cover that conveys said first predetermined dosage period, wherein a second group of said plurality of covers is associated with a second predetermined dosage period that is different from said first predetermined dosage period and each cover in said second group comprises second dosage period indicia on an exterior of said cover that conveys said second predetermined dosage period, and wherein one of said plurality of covers is selected and is detachably engaged with said container;

pharmaceutical product disposed in said container;

a timer responsive to a movement of said cover into a closed position and relative to said container, wherein said timer comprises an initial timer value corresponding to said predetermined dosage period for said cover; and

an indicator in operative communication with said timer for indicating a timer value on said exterior of said cover, wherein said timer is initiated by disposing said cover in said closed position and relative to said container, and wherein said timer counts down from said initial timer value upon said timer being initiated and said indicator provides an indication of a corresponding said timer value on said exterior of said cover.

13. The pharmaceutical product supply system of claim 12 , wherein said first dosage period indicia and said second dosage period indicia comprise said initial timer value for said first group and said second group, respectively.

14. The pharmaceutical product supply system of claim 12 , wherein said cover comprises each of said timer and said indicator.

15. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said timer is set to said initial timer value by said movement of said cover into said closed position.

16. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , further comprising:

a sensor responsive to disposing said cover in said closed position, wherein said timer is operatively interconnected with said sensor.

17. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 16 , wherein said cover comprises said sensor.

18. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said cover comprises a viewing window through which said indicator is viewable from said exterior of said cover.

19. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said indicator comprises a multicolor display, and wherein a plurality of colors of said multicolor display correspond to a plurality of timer values.

20. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said indicator comprises a quantitative indicia corresponding to said timer value.

21. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said indicator comprises an instruction to administer said pharmaceutical product.

22. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 21 , wherein said instruction to administer said pharmaceutical product is indicated at the conclusion of said timer.

23. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said timer value comprises a remaining portion of said predetermined dosage period.

24. The pharmaceutical product supply of claim 12 , wherein said predetermined dosage period corresponds to said pharmaceutical product.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2025
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: SPECGX LLC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
Reel/Frame 072324/0740 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: SPECGX LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072313/0063 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 060434, FRAME 0536 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC
Reel/Frame 065601/0347 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 032480, FRAME 0001 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: THERAKOS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE S.A.; MALLINCKRODT CB LLC; MALLINCKRODT FINANCE GMBH; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS INC.); MALLINCKRODT CARRIBEAN, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US POOL LLC; MNK 2011 LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT INC.); LUDLOW LLC (F/K/A LUDLOW CORPORATION); CNS THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; LAFAYETTE PHARMACEUTICALS LLC; LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC; MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT VETERINARY, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC; IMC EXPLORATION COMPANY; MEH, INC.; MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT ARD IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED); OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC (F/K/A OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.); SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC (F/K/A VTESSE INC.); MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING D.A.C.); INFACARE PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ST SHARED SERVICES LLC; IKARIA THERAPEUTICS LLC; INO THERAPEUTICS LLC
Reel/Frame 065609/0322 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 065595/0376 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS AT REEL 060389/FRAME 0913 Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC (F/K/A OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 065583/0465 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 060434/0536 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT ARD IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY); SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE LLC (F/K/A VTESSE INC.)
Reel/Frame 060389/0839 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 060389/0913 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE INC.; MALLINCKRODT LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051256/0829 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2017
From: MALLINCKRODT LLC
To: SPECGX LLC
Reel/Frame 044891/0376 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: MALLINCKRODT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE S.A.; MALLINCKRODT CB LLC; MALLINCKRODT FINANCE GMBH; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS INC.; MALLINCKRODT CARIBBEAN, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US POOL LLC; MALLINCKRODT INC.; LUDLOW CORPORATION; CNS THERAPEUTICS, INC.; ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; LAFAYETTE PHARMACEUTICALS LLC; LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC; MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INC; MALLINCKRODT VETERINARY, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC; IMC EXPLORATION COMPANY; MEH, INC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 032480/0001 →
CHANGE OF LEGAL ENTITY Recorded Dec 14, 2011
From: MALLINCKRODT INC.
To: MALLINCKRODT LLC.
Reel/Frame 027380/0626 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2011
From: ZIEMBA, ROBERT J.; ORTENZI, VERNON D.
To: MALLINCKRODT INC.
Reel/Frame 026283/0882 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61300377 · Feb 1, 2010
Related Publication 20110216627A1 · Sep 8, 2011