DE102009026267A1 - Tablet splitter for use by e.g. handicapped person, has housing with base element and lid element coupled with one another via hinge, and cutting element designed as blade, where blade and lid element form one-piece part - Google Patents

Abstract

The splitter (1) has a housing with a base element (2) and a lid element (3) coupled with one another via a hinge (5). A splitting device exhibits a cutting element, which is arranged in one of the base and lid elements of the housing. The cutting element is designed as a blade, where the blade and the lid element form a one-piece part. The blade is made of liquid crystal polymer. The base element exhibits a receiving device for receiving a tablet. The receiving device exhibits additional clamping elements for accommodating the tablet.

Description

Technical area

The The invention relates to a tablet divider in the form of a container with a hinged lid for cutting and shredding medications in tablet form.

State of the art

at taking medicines, vitamins and nutritional supplements in tablet form it is often necessary and also for cost reasons, stored in blister Sharing tablets, especially in a half or a quarter. To divide the tablet are appropriate in some tablet forms Notches provided by means of a knife or similar designed cutting instruments by applying pressure or Cutting force share the appropriate tablet. Usually occurs but also the problem on that the tablet of course not shared at the exact necessary location, so that the desired half or the desired Quarter can not be achieved. In addition, the tablet is often crumbled, so that an exact dosage can no longer be given. The Fragments caused by abrasion or by pressing arise, are then no longer usable.

Especially in institutions such as old people's homes, hospitals, etc. then the tablets thus produced are no longer usable. Often, parts of the divided tablet fall to the floor, in cracks or behind objects, so these are not are more findable. Even the small tablet parts can often disappear, so that they are no longer the intended patient and possibly so from children or babies found and then eaten.

To solve this problem, various devices are already known. Such devices are divided into two categories, namely those with means for breaking the tablets and those means for cutting the tablet. Means for breaking the tablet are for example from the DE 10304688 B (MERCKLE GMBH) 05.02.2003, DE 19641495 C (GAPLAST GMBH) 09.10.1996, DE 19946088 A (BRUNO GRUBER) 25.09.1999 as well EP 0382452 B (MERCK) 05.02.1990 known.

Tablet divider of the other category are for example from the DE 20000294 U (HELMUT HOLLE) 08.01.2000 as well as companies such as 3M Medica (product name Exakt S) known.

at The category of tablet breakers is a complex mechanism necessary to provide the force to be applied and they are available at the determined point to be able to make. Due to the variety of different Tablet shapes and sizes, however, occur again and again the case one that destroys the tablet anyway, in particular crumbles and then can not be dosed correctly.

Further it is necessary with such tablet dividers also different Use liners to keep the tablet ready for fragmentation can be held. Only in this way can it be the exact one Pressure is exerted on the tablet. Designed by it Such a tablet divider very unwieldy and usually not easy to carry in a simple way (for example in the handbag, in the jacket pocket etc.).

tablet divider with the cutter fix this problem, since they are for Apply the cutting force having a cutting blade. The main issue in known tablet dividers is on the one hand in the risk of injury through the protruding blade, and on the other in the insertion and positioning the tablet is placed in the holder.

The Cutting blade, which is necessary for dividing the tablet, is as a separate component firmly in the injection molded part of the tablet divider arranged. As a rule, this is arranged in the cover element, because provided in the bottom element, the holder for the tablet is. To divide the tablet is placed in the bottom element of the tablet divider and there by a wedge-shaped bracket positionally held. By closing the tablet divider, that is Leading the lid member to the floor element, finds a mixed form between cutting and pressing instead, so that by folding the tablet is then divided accordingly. As such, the tablet can either be folded from the collapsed state stored or dispensed through a separate container. The separate container is part of the bottom element of the tablet divider.

Especially However, there is a considerable burden on old, sick and disabled people Problem that a risk of injury from the protruding blade exists, since in particular with hard tablets an improper Use of the tablet divider is done. Even if the lid element is open is left, there is still a significant risk of injury, because the blade needs to be very sharp to get the appropriate cutting edge and be able to perform pressure movement. Also at Let this small form of tablet divider dissolve in young children Problems, because by simply folding also quite a Finger can be pinched or even separated.

One Another disadvantage is that the tablets still after cutting apart can be further cut through the blade, so that a lot of tablet crumbs and tablet waste results.

Further are different for the preparation of such a tablet divider Procedural steps necessary. Among other things, after production the can the cutting knife are inserted and against falling out, For example, by gluing, be secured.

Farther it was found that, especially with frequent use the attachment of the cutting blade within the cover element wears off and so the cutting blade accidentally falls out of the holder. It is usually a steel blade or a stainless steel blade, which is fixed by means of adhesive in the cover element. An alternative Mounting provides for the heating of the plastic, in the blade is used. Thus, a force-locking Composite achieved between plastic and blade. The dissolution the blade from the cover element leads to a increased risk of injury and on the other hand that the Tablet divider is no longer functional. A Repair is usually no longer possible.

Object of the invention

The The invention therefore has the task of an improved tablet divider to provide that easy to handle, reliable and is practicable and also reduces the corresponding risk of injury. In addition, a production should be cost-effective.

Solution of the task

The Solution of the problem is solved by the features of the claim 1 provided.

Advantages of the invention

Of the Tablet dividers according to the invention are particularly distinguished characterized in that it consists exclusively of two components, namely the bottom element and the cover element. Both elements are over a hinge pivotally connected together. The hinge is arranged on an end face of the cover element. The for The fragmentation of the tablet necessary blade is an integral part the lid member and consists in a first embodiment from the same plastic that makes up the case of the tablet divider consists.

A According to the invention further development provides that the blade from a polymer, namely from a highly crystalline, Thermotropic plastic, characterized by high strength and characterized in particular by low wall thicknesses. The so-called LCP polymer replaces the stainless steel blade and corresponds also the medical requirements. It is, if necessary, Resistant to all common chemicals and also sterilization methods, such as gamma radiation, sterilizing steam autoclaves or other chemical processes. LCP polymers are also used in numerous medical applications used, for example, for surgical instruments, dental tools, Sterilizable trays and apparatus, drug dosing systems and diagnostic instruments. The blade can thus be in same manufacturing process in the plastic mold for make the lid and bottom element so that no further processing the tablet divider produced by the injection molding process necessary is.

One Another major advantage of the tablet divider is that the plastic blade is arranged so that they do not Risk of injury causes more. The blade is already inside the lid member sunk arranged so that they only can exert the appropriate cutting action. This means, that the free end of the blade is not arranged at the same height is like the edge of the corresponding lid member. This will be Injuries caused by improper treatment. Especially can thereby the separation of objects, in particular Fingers can also be avoided in a very simple way.

Further There is a further significant advantage of the inventive Tablet divider in that he has a mortar having. This has the property that tablets either in the split or even in the whole state with a pressure either coarse or finely chopped, leaving small tablet crumbs arise. This allows the previously divided tablet administer in a simple way.

Further the tablet divider according to the invention contains a supply for not yet divided but also already divided Tablets on. Also a simple output device of a split Tablet is provided, whereas the other divided tablet automatically falls into a storage chamber.

In order to avoid that the tablet, which is to be cut, leaves the corresponding device, according to the invention a receiving device which is v-shaped in plan view is provided, which has a corresponding detent. This can be done in a very simple manner, since the Aufnahmeein direction is freely accessible, the tablet are introduced and the lid member can be folded without the tablet falls out or moves away due to the existing pressure.

The V-shaped design has two movable about a pivot point Thighs on when inserting the tablet to be divided be pressed apart, so that an automatic Clamping can be done.

advantageously, the housing of the tablet divider consists of two elements (a bottom member and a lid member) hingedly connected to each other. In one of the elements is the dicing device arranged, wherein in the other part of the receiving device described above is provided for fixing and dividing the tablet. Closes to the receiving device itself, preferably away from the hinge-like connection. This recording device is advantageously designed such that a part for storage the one part of the separated tablet and a part for receiving the other part of the separated tablet is suitable. A part the recording is specially designed. It also looks in the wall of the housing an output unit before, over that part of the divided tablet can be dispensed, without opening the case. This leaves the rest Part of the tablet inside the case and will be as appropriate stored.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description, the claims and the drawings.

drawings

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tablet divider;

2 a further perspective view of the tablet divider according to 1 , but in the open state;

3 a further perspective view, but a plan view of the tablet divider according to 1 ;

4 a perspective view of another embodiment of the tablet divider in the open state;

5 a perspective view of the tablet divider according to 4 but opposite 4 in the closed state.

Description of the embodiments

In The following figures are three variants of the inventive Tablet divider shown below in more detail become.

In the 1 and 2 is a first embodiment of a tablet divider 1 shown. The tablet divider 1 consists of a floor element 2 and a lid member 3 , where both elements (bottom element 2 and cover element 3 ) on one end face 4 about a hinge 5 swivel joint (in and against arrow direction 6 ) are interconnected. At the in 1 illustrated embodiment of the tablet divider 1 is in particular the representation on the underside of the floor element 2 shown. It has a reinforcing element 7 that's a big part of the range of tablet dividers 1 occupies. This reinforcement part 7 This is why it is necessary to be able to absorb the forces that occur as a result of cutting, separating or even crumbling the tablet.

In 2 is the tablet divider 1 according to 1 shown in an open view. The cover element 3 is also with the floor element 2 over the hinge 5 pivotally connected, showing that the tablet divider 1 exclusively of two components, namely the floor element 2 and the lid member 3 consists. The floor element 2 includes several functional areas. A first important functional area is that for receiving the tablet to be shared. This cradle 8th is formed v-shaped in plan view and has on its side facing the tablet side corresponding bulges, so that tablets of different sizes can be kept. This also avoids that when closing the tablet divider 1 in the direction of the arrow 6 ' the tablet from the cradle 8th from slipping out. In addition, another functional area, namely the fragmentation area 9 intended. Here the tablet is cut into crumbs accordingly. In order to bring about the division process, is in the cover element 3 the blade according to the invention 10 arranged. It is an integral part of the cover element 3 and the blade 10 , which is designed as a cutting edge, consists in the inventive embodiment of the tablet divider 1 from an LCP polymer, which is preferably produced in the same injection process as the cover element 3 , In addition, the blade 10 designed so that they are in height 11 such that it is smaller than the height 12 passing through the edge of the lid element 3 is formed. Therefore, in side view on the lid member 3 the blade 10 set lower than the cover element 3 itself, so that unwanted injuries can be successfully avoided.

Furthermore, the cover element 3 a smash part 13 on top of that with the smash area 9 interacts. It has a mortar-like configuration, so that by folding lid and bottom element 2 . 3 in the direction of the arrow 6 ' the tablet in the smash area 9 is crumbled.

If the tablet is divided, then, as previously described, the lid member 3 in the direction of the arrow 6 ' on the floor element 2 pivoted. The blade 10 then separates the tablet to be separated into two corresponding parts, one part into a chamber part 14.1 and the other in the chamber part 14.2 , which is part of the floor element 2 is, falls. A particular embodiment of the second chamber part 14.2 is that an output area 15 is provided, over the closed state then the separate tablet can be issued.

In 3 is again the output area 15 of the novel tablet divider 1 clearly shown. The further part of the separated tablet remains in the tablet divider 1 kept in stock.

In the 4 and 5 is another embodiment of the tablet divider 200 shown. The tablet divider 200 consists of a floor element 202 and a lid member 203 , where both elements (bottom element 202 and cover element 203 on a front side 204 about a hinge 205 swivel joint (in and against arrow direction 206 ) are interconnected.

In 4 is the tablet divider 200 shown in an open view. The cover element 203 is also here with the bottom element 202 over the hinge 205 pivotally connected, showing that the tablet divider 200 exclusively of two components, namely the floor element 202 and the lid member 203 consists. The floor element 202 includes several functional areas. A first important functional area is that for receiving the tablet to be shared. This cradle 208 is v-shaped in plan view and has on its side facing the tablet side corresponding balancing, so that tablets of different sizes can be kept. This also avoids that when closing the tablet divider 200 in the direction of the arrow 206 ' the tablet from the cradle 208 from slipping out. In addition, another functional area, namely the fragmentation area 209 intended. Here the tablet is cut into crumbs accordingly. To bring about the division process is in the cover element 203 the blade according to the invention 210 arranged. It is an integral part of the cover element 203 and the blade 210 , which is designed as a cutting edge, consists in the inventive embodiment of the tablet divider 200 from an LCP polymer, which is produced in the same injection process as the cover element 203 , In addition, the blade 210 designed so that they are in height 211 such that it is smaller than the height 212 passing through the edge of the lid element 203 is formed. Therefore, in side view on the lid member 203 the blade 210 set lower than the cover element 203 itself, so that unwanted injuries can be successfully avoided.

Furthermore, the cover element 203 a smash part 213 on top of that with the smash area 209 interacts. It has a mortar-like configuration, so that by folding lid and bottom element 202 . 203 in the direction of the arrow 206 ' the tablet in the smash area 209 is crumbled.

If the tablet is divided, then, as previously described, the lid member 203 in the direction of the arrow 206 ' on the floor element 202 pivoted. The blade 210 then separates the tablet to be separated into two corresponding parts, one part into a chamber part 214.1 and the other in the chamber part 214.2 , which is part of the floor element 202 is, falls. A particular embodiment of the second chamber part 214.2 is that an output area 215 is provided, over the closed state then the separate tablet can be issued.

In 5 is again the output area 215 of the novel tablet divider 200 clearly shown. The further part of the separated tablet remains in the tablet divider 200 kept in stock.

The inventive embodiments of the tablet divider 1 . 200 are characterized by the fact that it can be produced in a single injection molding process. An insertion of a metallic blade 10 . 210 and gluing this blade 10 . 210 with the plastic part is completely eliminated. The replacement of the blade 10 . 210 is provided by the fact that preferably an LCP polymer with a very thin wall thickness is used as a cutting or breaking element. Conceivable, however, are other types of plastic that allow a cutting-like training.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 200

Tablettenzerteiler

2, 202

floor element

3, 203

cover element

4, 204

front

5, 205

hinge

6 206

arrow

6 ' 206

arrow

7, 207

reinforcing element

8th, 208

cradle

9 209

Zertrümmerbereich

10 210

blade

11 211

height

12 212

height

13 213

Zertrümmerteil

14.1, 214.1

chamber member

14.2, 214.2

chamber member

15 215

output range

217

handle element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10304688 B [0004]
• - DE 19641495 C [0004]
• - DE 19946088A [0004]
• EP 0382452 B [0004]
• - DE 20000294 U [0005]

Claims (6)

Tablet dividers for dividing and / or shredding medicaments, such as tablets or the like, comprising a housing and a dividing device, the housing comprising two elements, namely a bottom element and a cover element, which are hinged together and the dividing device comprises a cutting element is arranged in one of the element of the housing, characterized in that the cutting element is a blade ( 10 ; 210 ) and the blade ( 10 ; 210 ) and the cover element ( 3 ; 203 ) form an integral part. Tablettenzerteilter according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade ( 10 ; 210 ) consists of LCP polymer. Tablettenzerteilter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom element ( 2 ; 202 ) of the tablet divider ( 1 ; 200 ) a receiving device ( 8th ; 208 ) for receiving the corresponding medicament. Tablet divider according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving device ( 8th ) has additional clamping elements for captive receiving a medicament. Tablet divider according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device ( 8th ) a storage area with two chamber parts ( 14.1 . 14.2 ; 214.1 . 214.2 ), whereby a chamber part ( 14.1 ; 214.1 ) for receiving and storing a divided drug and the other chamber part ( 14.2 ; 214.2 ) is suitable for receiving the other divided drug. Tablettenzerteilter according to claim 5, characterized in that a chamber part ( 14.2 ; 214.2 ) an output area ( 15 ; 215 ) for dispensing the divided medicament.

Images