Removable cap with timed signaling function

A removable cap for a vial containing a medicinal or pharmaceutical substance comprising:

• (1) a driving circuit for driving a signal means comprising one or more of an audible signal and/or a visible signal;
• (2) an on-off switch disposed on a part of the cap that closely contacts the vial when the cap is attached to the vial;
• (3) a control circuit, sensing the opening and closing of the cap with an on-off switch, wherein the control circuit commands the driving circuit to cause an acknowledgement signal when it senses the first and the second cycling of the on-off switch, and wherein, after the control circuit senses the third cycling of the on-off switch, the control circuit begins timing predetermined fixed time intervals and, at the end of each such predetermined fixed time interval, the control circuit commands the driving circuit to drive the signal means to emit its alert signal until such time that the on-off switch is opened;
• and
• (4) a source of power for powering the control circuit and the driving circuit.

An openable or removable cap for closing an opening in an open container containing a medicinal or pharmaceutical substance, the cap comprising a cap body enclosing substantially within it:

• (1) at least one signal means for signaling a user;
• (2) a signal driver means connected to each signal means for driving the signal means;
• (3) a sensing and control means comprising
• (a) a switch means, disposed on a surface of the cap, for sensing the opening and/or closing of the cap the container, and,
• (b) a control means, connected to and driven by the switch means,
• (i) for commanding the signal driver means to immediately cause an acknowledgement signal when the switch means senses the first opening and closing of the cap;
• (ii) for commanding the signal driver means to immediately cause an acknowledgement signal when the switch means senses the second opening and closing of the cap;
• and
• (iii) thereafter, for timing pre-set time intervals, with the opening and/or closing of the cap causing the control means to start timing the pre-set time interval;
• and, at the end of each pre-set time interval, for commanding the means for driving the signaling means to drive the signaling means;
• and
• (4) a source of power for the control means and the means for driving the signaling means.