Switches for medication container caps

A method comprising:

• sealing a medication container, by coupling a cap of the medication container comprising a cap to a storage portion of the medication container;
• changing a state of a mechanical switch based on the sealing of a medication container;
• in response to the switch changing state, activating a timer disposed within the cap;
• and
• activating a visual indicator based on an elapsed time since the activation of the timer reaching a pre-determined threshold,
• wherein the cap comprises:
• a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having first and second sides and a set of electrical contacts comprising first and second electrical contacts;
• the mechanical switch, the mechanical switch physically coupled to the PCB at a first electrical contact formed on the PCB and comprising a switching member, the switching member comprising:
• a coupling feature physically coupling a first end of the switching member to the PCB at the first electrical contact;
• a first portion extending adjacent to the first side of the PCB from the coupling feature;
• a second portion extending from the first portion through an opening through the PCB;
• and
• a third portion extending from the second portion and adjacent to the second side of the PCB;
• a second electrical contact formed on the second side of the PCB;
• a signal source coupled to the other of the first or second electrical contacts;
• a timer physically coupled to the PCB and electrically coupled to one of the first or the second electrical contacts;
• a press plate positioned adjacent to the first portion of the switching member and the first side of the PCB, wherein the press plate applies a deflection force to the first portion of the switching member towards the PCB when the cap is coupled to the storage portion;
• wherein:
• the third portion of the switching member contacts the second electrical contact in a rest position to establish an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts,
• the third portion of the switching member is biased towards the rest position based on a deformation of the coupling feature or the first portion;
• and
• deflection of the first portion towards the PCB causes the third portion to break contact with the second electrical contact.

A cap assembly for a medication container, comprising:

• a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having first and second sides and a set of electrical contacts comprising first and second electrical contacts;
• a mechanical switch physically coupled to the PCB at a first electrical contact formed on the PCB, the mechanical switch comprising a switching member, the switching member comprising:
• a coupling feature physically coupling a first end of the switching member to the PCB at the first electrical contact;
• a first portion extending adjacent to the first side of the PCB from the coupling feature;
• a second portion extending from the first portion through an opening through the PCB;
• and
• a third portion extending from the second portion and adjacent to the second side of the PCB;
• a second electrical contact formed on the second side of the PCB;
• wherein:
• the third portion of the switching member contacts the second electrical contact in a rest position to establish an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts,
• the third portion of the switching member is biased towards the rest position based on a deformation of the coupling feature or the first portion;
• and
• deflection of the first portion towards the PCB causes the third portion to break contact with the second electrical contact.

A medication container comprising:

• a storage portion enclosing a volume to store medication and having an opening providing access to the volume, and
• a cap configured to releasably couple to and seal the storage portion, the cap comprising:
• a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having a first side, a second side, and a set of electrical contacts comprising first and second electrical contacts;
• a mechanical switch physically coupled to the PCB at a first electrical contact formed on the PCB, the mechanical switch comprising a switching member, the switching member comprising a coupling feature physically coupling a first end of the switching member to the PCB at the first electrical contact and extending adjacent to the first side of the PCB from the coupling feature towards the second electrical contact, a second end of the switching member in contact with the second electrical contact when the switching member is in a rest position;
• a signal source coupled to the second electrical contact;
• a press plate positioned adjacent to the PCB and comprising at least one protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to extend through a corresponding cutout in the PCB to deflect the switching member away from the PCB when the cap is coupled to the storage portion;
• wherein:
• the switching member is biased towards the rest position;
• and
• deflection of the switching member away from the PCB causes the switching member to break contact with the second electrical contact.