Device and method for administering medicine

#1. Technical Field

#The disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for administering medicine. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a device for forming a recess in an edible carrier wherein medicine is placed in the recess and the edible carrier combined with the medicine are delivered to the person who needs the medicine. The device is used to help adults and children who have difficulties swallowing pills and capsules

#2. Background Information

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a first exemplary configuration of the device for administering medicine to a recipient.

#FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the probe element has been removed from the housing to form the recess in the edible carrier.

#FIG. 3 shows the edible carrier placed on a spoon.

#The exemplary device configurations depicted in the accompanying drawings are generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. Each device 10 is used to provide an edible carrier 12 that is used to administer medicine to a recipient. The medicine 20 used with edible carrier 12 is a single or a plurality of dry pills, a single or a plurality of caplets, a single or a plurality of capsules, a single or a plurality of gel tabs, a powdered dose, or essentially any other form of medicine that may be placed in another carrier. The disclosure also provides methods for administering medicine to the recipient by using edible carrier 12 and methods of using device 10.

#Each configuration of device 10 includes a housing 14 that supports edible carrier 12 in a manner that allows edible carrier 12 to be readily removed from housing 14. Housing 14 is provided in different shapes and sizes including a spoon-shaped housing and a pocket-shaped housing. At least a portion of an element 16 is disposed within edible carrier 12 for forming a recess 18 within edible carrier 12 when element 16 and edible carrier 12 are separated. The method includes the steps of forming a recess 18 within edible carrier 12, placing medicine 20 within recess 18, and administering edible carrier 12 and medicine 20 combination to the recipient. The method includes the steps of either adding medicine 20 to edible carrier 12 when edible carrier 12 is held within or on housing 14 or after edible carrier 12 is removed from housing 14.

#Edible carrier 12 is formed from an edible material that is easy to swallow and has a self-supporting body capable of defining recess 18 and maintaining its shape about medicine 20 for long enough for medicine 20 to be swallowed by the recipient. Edible carrier 12 may be provided in the form of an edible gelatinous dessert substance made from gelatin, water, and optionally sweetener, flavoring, and/or coloring. Edible carrier 12 may be formed a variety of the products sold by Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC under the Federally-registered trademark JELL-O®. Edible carrier 12 may be a traditional gelatin-based dessert composition. The amount of water used to form carrier 12 partially controls the density of the carrier. Edible carrier 12 may be configured to be stable at room temperature for long periods of time. Edible carrier 12 may be provided in different colors and favors. Edible carrier 12 also may be provided in compositions that are not gelatin-based such as an edible polymer-based substance. Edible carrier 12 may be configured to have a pleasant taste and provides lubrication for assisting the recipient in swallowing medicine 20.