Richard D Paoletti

US Patent:

20050023173, Feb 3, 2005

Filed:

Jul 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/632191

Inventors:

Richard Paoletti - Lincoln University PA, US

International Classification:

B65D051/00

US Classification:

206459500, 215230000, 215246000

Abstract:

The present invention provides for method and system in which a heat-shrinkable plastic cover is placed over an individual conventional medicine container. The cover is heat shrunk around the container to form a tight-fitting seal which covers the majority of the original medication container. The seal must be opened in order to gain entry into an individual medication container just prior to the use or the administration of the product in the container. The seal includes an easy-open mechanism, such as a pull-tab or perforated tear strip. The purpose of the seal is to distinguish high-alert medications and requires an additional safety step in the medication administration process by requiring the removal of an additional cover which entirely encloses the container. The non-adhesive nature of the seal is significant in that the removal of the seal does not damage the original product labeling or leave unwanted residue on the medication container. The seal includes an integrated warning statement directed to point-of-use, high-alert medication preparations for the person preparing the medication for use. The level of repackaging would distinguish categories of high-alert medications, alerting users as to the classification of the medication. Application of the seal offers the user visual cues and “tactile awareness” different from the look and feel of the original container to distinguish high-alert medications from other medications.