EP0334729B1 - Article dispenser with reciprocating motion - Google Patents

Article dispenser with reciprocating motion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0334729B1
EP0334729B1 EP19890400742 EP89400742A EP0334729B1 EP 0334729 B1 EP0334729 B1 EP 0334729B1 EP 19890400742 EP19890400742 EP 19890400742 EP 89400742 A EP89400742 A EP 89400742A EP 0334729 B1 EP0334729 B1 EP 0334729B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movement
shutter
articles
sideways
neck
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19890400742
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0334729A1 (en
Inventor
Françoise Lemaire
Jean-Michel Farce
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I G Design
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I G Design
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Publication date
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B1/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers
    • B67B1/005—Feeding stoppers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D2583/04—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets
    • B65D2583/0472—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action
    • B65D2583/0477—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action the container is maintained in the same position during the dispensing of several successive articles or doses
    • B65D2583/0481—One reciprocating action, e.g. to or from

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for distributing objects according to the preamble of claim 1, intended to take on demand, from a reserve of equivalent objects having approximately the same dimensions, a predetermined number of these objects, which can be equal or greater than 1, and to deliver the objects thus collected.
  • Such devices are used in a wide variety of applications. Integrated into production lines, they can be used to supply, for example, blanks to be machined or components to be assembled in an assembly. In portable form, it can be used to distribute, for example, medicines or candies.
  • the shutter belongs to the second member and the corresponding erasing means comprise a stop belonging to the first member and coming to bear against the shutter for erase it during said movement, this stop may be constituted by an extreme edge of a wall of the first member limiting the chamber.
  • the invention relates in particular to a device in which the objects, in order to enter and leave the distribution chamber, move relative to the latter substantially in the direction of said reciprocating translational movement.
  • the action of the means for erasing the shutter and the means for engaging the retaining means depends only on the instantaneous relative position of the first and second members, and these means begin to act during a forward journey. during which the second member moves relative to the first member in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the objects, and ceases to act during the return journey.
  • the retaining means comprise at least one elastically deformable tongue for penetrating towards said location under the action of the engagement means.
  • This tongue can be cut in a wall of the first member arranged in the extension of a wall limiting the distribution chamber.
  • the engagement means comprise cooperating surfaces of the first and second members comprising at least one ramp to transform the relative translational movement of the latter into a movement of the retaining means transverse to the previous ones.
  • stop means on the first and second members to limit their relative translational movement, as well as in certain cases elastic means for returning these two members to a determined relative position.
  • the device illustrated is a portable device intended to dispense one by one of the tablets for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is therefore designed to be easily handled by a patient suffering from this disease, whose finger movements are therefore limited.
  • the device consists exclusively of two plastic parts, for example a polyethylene or polypropylene, namely a body 1 and a sleeve 2.
  • the body of generally tubular shape, is closed at one end by a bottom 3 and open at its opposite end 4.
  • the inside diameter of the body 1 is practically constant over its entire length, while its wall thickness and consequently its outside diameter vary, and are practically minimal over a part 5 between the open end 4 and a shoulder 6.
  • the part 5 of the body has, in the vicinity of the end 4, an external circumferential rib 7 whose external diameter corresponds substantially to the external diameter of the shoulder 6.
  • Another external circumferential rib 8 is provided in the vicinity of the shoulder 6, between the latter and the bottom 3.
  • the thin wall of the neck 5 is cut to form two flexible tongues 9 oriented longitudinally.
  • each tongue 9 has, closer to the fastener 10 than the free end 11, a projection 12 limited on the side of the bottom 3 by a radial planar surface 13 facing the shoulder 6, and towards the outside the body and on the side of the open end 4 by an inclined surface or ramp 14 approaching the axis of the tube in the direction of the end 4.
  • the surfaces 13 and 14 form between them an acute angle edge 15 located at a distance from the axis of the tubular body greater than the outside radius of the shoulder 6 and the rib 7.
  • the head 2 forms a tubular sleeve whose internal diameter is also substantially constant over its entire length and whose wall thickness and external diameter vary, this internal diameter being slightly greater than the external diameter of the rib 7 and of the section 22 of the body between the shoulder 6 and the rib 8.
  • From the internal face 16 of the sleeve in the vicinity of one end 17 of the latter, depend four flexible flaps 18 which, in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, extend in a radial plane so as to close off the internal space of the sleeve, leaving only an axial circular opening 19 and four radial slots 20 connected to the opening 19 and extending to the wall of the sleeve .
  • the head 2 is threaded onto the neck 5 of the body, the flaps 18 being substantially adjacent to the open end 4 of the latter and the end 17 of the head being turned to the same side as this end 4.
  • L 'opposite end 21 of the head surrounds the section 22 of the body between the shoulder 6 and the rib 8, at a certain distance from the latter.
  • Head 2 is substantially coaxial with body 1 due to of the guidance provided by the rib 7 and the section 22 cooperating with the internal face 16 of the head.
  • the internal face 16 of the sleeve 2 has, in the vicinity of the end 21, an annular recess limited by a substantially planar radial surface 23 and by a substantially frustoconical surface or ramp 24 which approaches the axis, from the surface 23, towards the end 17.
  • the surface 23 faces the surfaces 13 of the projections 12 presented by the tongues 9 of the body, and abuts therewith to limit in the position indicated in FIG. 1 the movement of relative sliding of the head on the body and preventing the separation of these two parts. In this position, the edges 15 of the projections 12 are housed in the annular recess of the head.
  • the operation of the device is as follows. Before assembly of the two parts, tablets not shown have been introduced into the body 1. This assembly is carried out by threading the head 2, by its end 21, on the neck 5 of the body. When the end 21 comes into contact with the protrusions 12 of the tongues 9, it cooperates with the ramps 14 to urge the tongues in elastic bending towards the axis of the body, thus erasing the protrusions 12 and allowing them to be crossed by the section of the head between the end 22 and the annular recess defined by the surfaces 23 and 24. The tongues are then brought back by their own elasticity to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the edges 15 of the projections 12 penetrating into the recess for prevent removal of the head.
  • the second is already immobilized by the tongues 9 as described above and cannot therefore leave the body during the same movement.
  • the device can be designed to distribute a number of objects greater than 1 with each movement, this number being determined by the relationship between the dimensions of the objects and the length of the distribution chamber 26 formed by the portion of the neck 5 located downstream of the tongues 9.
  • the cross section of the neck 5 must be calculated as a function of the dimensions of the objects so that they are aligned in a single column, and , if these dimensions are different according to the directions of the space, so that they occupy substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction of the neck.
  • Reliefs not shown can be provided on the external surface of the body 1 to facilitate its holding in the hand.
  • the slots 20 can be bridged by fasteners connecting the flaps 18, which will be broken during the first use.
  • the presence of these fasteners allows the buyer of a device stocked with drugs to verify that no samples have yet been taken.
  • the part of the latter projecting beyond the shutter can be reduced or eliminated.
  • the body may not have a tubular shape of constant circular section. It may in particular have a different section and / or be widened in its parts remote from the outlet end, provided that the objects to be dispensed are brought one by one at least to the retaining location.
  • the bottom 3 can be replaced by a removable plug allowing the device to be refilled.
  • the body can be open at its end opposite the outlet end, and can for example constitute a hopper, in particular in a production line. It can also be in the form of a gutter or channel extending substantially from top to bottom and open laterally.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de distribution d'objets selon le préambule de la revendication 1, destiné à prélever à la demande, dans une réserve d'objets équivalents ayant approximativement les mêmes dimensions, un nombre prédéterminé de ces objets, qui peut être égal ou supérieur à 1, et à délivrer les objets ainsi prélevés.The invention relates to a device for distributing objects according to the preamble of claim 1, intended to take on demand, from a reserve of equivalent objects having approximately the same dimensions, a predetermined number of these objects, which can be equal or greater than 1, and to deliver the objects thus collected.

De tels dispositifs sont utilisés dans des applications très diverses. Intégrés à des chaînes de fabrication, ils peuvent servir à approvisionner par exemple des ébauches à usiner ou des composants à monter dans un ensemble. Sous forme portable, il peut servir à distribuer par exemple des médicaments ou des friandises.Such devices are used in a wide variety of applications. Integrated into production lines, they can be used to supply, for example, blanks to be machined or components to be assembled in an assembly. In portable form, it can be used to distribute, for example, medicines or candies.

On connaît des dispositifs de distribution d'objets comprenant un premier organe formant magasin pour les objets à distribuer, et un second organe pouvant effectuer un mouvement alternatif de translation par rapport au premier organe de façon à libérer un nombre prédéterminé d'objets lors de chaque aller et retour de ce mouvement (voir p.e. AT-A-337907).There are known devices for dispensing objects comprising a first member forming a store for the objects to be dispensed, and a second member capable of carrying out a reciprocating movement of translation relative to the first member so as to release a predetermined number of objects during each back and forth of this movement (see eg AT-A-337907).

Le but de l'invention est de fournir un tel dispositif présentant tout ou partie des propriétés suivantes:

  • ― possibilité de traiter des objets de formes géométriques complexes;
  • ― tolérance suffisante quant aux dimensions des objets traités;
  • ― simplicité de réalisation et de fonctionnement;
  • ― excellent sûreté de fonctionnement, sans coincement ni erreur sur le nombre d'objets à distribuer ni détérioration de ces objets;
  • ― dans le cas d'un dispositif portable, facilité d'utilisation même par une personne malhabile.
The object of the invention is to provide such a device having all or part of the following properties:
  • - possibility of treating objects of complex geometric shapes;
  • - sufficient tolerance as to the dimensions of the objects treated;
  • - simplicity of construction and operation;
  • - excellent operational safety, without jamming or error in the number of objects to be distributed or deterioration of these objects;
  • - in the case of a portable device, ease of use even by an unskilled person.

A cet effet, selon l'invention, dans un appareil du genre ci-dessus comporte, l'obturateur appartient au second organe et les moyens d'effacement correspondants comprennent une butée appartenant au premier organe et venant s'appuyer contre l'obturateur pour l'effacer lors dudit mouvement, cette butée pouvant être constituée par un bord extrême d'une paroi du premier organe limitant la chambre.To this end, according to the invention, in an apparatus of the above kind comprises, the shutter belongs to the second member and the corresponding erasing means comprise a stop belonging to the first member and coming to bear against the shutter for erase it during said movement, this stop may be constituted by an extreme edge of a wall of the first member limiting the chamber.

L'invention vise en particulier un dispositif dans lequel les objets, pour pénétrer dans la chambre de distribution et en sortir, se déplacent par rapport à celle-ci sensiblement selon la direction dudit mouvement alternatif de translation.The invention relates in particular to a device in which the objects, in order to enter and leave the distribution chamber, move relative to the latter substantially in the direction of said reciprocating translational movement.

Avantageusement, l'action des moyens d'effacement de l'obturateur et des moyens d'engagement des moyens de retenue dépend uniquement de la position relative instantanée des premier et second organes, et ces moyens commencent d'agir pendant un trajet d'aller au cours duquel le second organe se déplace par rapport au premier organe dans le sens opposé au sens de déplacement des objets, et cesse d'agir pendant le trajet de retour.Advantageously, the action of the means for erasing the shutter and the means for engaging the retaining means depends only on the instantaneous relative position of the first and second members, and these means begin to act during a forward journey. during which the second member moves relative to the first member in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the objects, and ceases to act during the return journey.

L'invention prévoit également que les moyens de retenue comprennent au moins une languette déformable élastiquement pour pénétrer vers ledit emplacement sous l'action des moyens d'engagement. Cette languette peut être découpée dans une paroi du premier organe disposé dans le prolongement d'une paroi limitant la chambre de distribution.The invention also provides that the retaining means comprise at least one elastically deformable tongue for penetrating towards said location under the action of the engagement means. This tongue can be cut in a wall of the first member arranged in the extension of a wall limiting the distribution chamber.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens d'engagement comprennent des surfaces coopérantes des premier et second organes comportant au moins une rampe pour transformer le mouvement de translation relatif de ceux-ci en un mouvement des moyens de retenue transversal aux précédents.According to another characteristic of the invention, the engagement means comprise cooperating surfaces of the first and second members comprising at least one ramp to transform the relative translational movement of the latter into a movement of the retaining means transverse to the previous ones.

Il est en outre avantageux de prévoir des moyens de butée sur les premier et second organes pour limiter leur mouvement de translation relatif, ainsi que dans certains cas des moyens élastiques de rappel de ces deux organes vers une position relative déterminée.It is also advantageous to provide stop means on the first and second members to limit their relative translational movement, as well as in certain cases elastic means for returning these two members to a determined relative position.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description détaillée donnée ci-après d'un exemple de réalisation, et des dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • ― les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif de distribution d'objets selon l'invention, respectivement dans les deux positions extrêmes du mouvement relatif de ces deux organes
  • ― les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe respectivement selon les lignes III-III et IV-IV de la figure 1.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description given below of an exemplary embodiment, and from the appended drawings in which:
  • - Figures 1 and 2 are views in longitudinal section of an object distribution device according to the invention, respectively in the two extreme positions of the relative movement of these two members
  • - Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views respectively along lines III-III and IV-IV of Figure 1.

Le dispositif illustré est un dispositif portable destiné à distribuer un à un des comprimés pour le traitement des rhumatismes articulaires. Il est donc conçu pour être manipulé facilement par un patient atteint de cette maladie, dont les mouvements des doigts sont par conséquent limités.The device illustrated is a portable device intended to dispense one by one of the tablets for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is therefore designed to be easily handled by a patient suffering from this disease, whose finger movements are therefore limited.

Le dispositif est composé exclusivement de deux pièces en matière plastique, par exemple un polyéthylène ou en polypropylène, à savoir un corps 1 et un manchon 2. Le corps 1, de forme générale tubulaire, est fermé à une extrémité par un fond 3 et ouvert à son extrémité opposée 4. Le diamètre intérieur du corps 1 est pratiquement constant sur toute sa longueur, tandis que son épaisseur de paroi et par suite son diamètre extérieur varient, et sont pratiquement minimaux sur une partie 5 comprise entre l'extrémité ouverte 4 et un épaulement 6. La partie 5 du corps présente, au voisinage de l'extrémité 4, une nervure circonférentielle externe 7 dont le diamètre extérieur correspond sensiblement au diamètre extérieur de l'épaulement 6. Une autre nervure circonférentielle externe 8 est prévue au voisinage de l'épaulement 6, entre celui-ci et le fond 3. La paroi mince du col 5 est découpée pour former deux languettes flexibles 9 orientées longitudinalement. Ces deux languettes, diamétralement opposées, sont attachées au reste de la paroi en 10 au voisinage de l'épaulement 6, et leurs extrémités libres 11 sont tournées vers l'extrémité ouverte 4 du corps. La face externe de chaque languette 9 présente, plus près de l'attache 10 que de l'extrémité libre 11, une saillie 12 limitée du côté du fond 3 par une surface plane radiale 13 faisant face à l'épaulement 6, et vers l'extérieur du corps et du côté de l'extrémité ouverte 4 par une surface inclinée ou rampe 14 se rapprochant de l'axe du tube en direction de l'extrémité 4. Les surfaces 13 et 14 forment entre elles une arête à angle aigu 15 située à une distance de l'axe du corps tubulaire supérieure au rayon extérieur de l'épaulement 6 et de la nervure 7.The device consists exclusively of two plastic parts, for example a polyethylene or polypropylene, namely a body 1 and a sleeve 2. The body 1, of generally tubular shape, is closed at one end by a bottom 3 and open at its opposite end 4. The inside diameter of the body 1 is practically constant over its entire length, while its wall thickness and consequently its outside diameter vary, and are practically minimal over a part 5 between the open end 4 and a shoulder 6. The part 5 of the body has, in the vicinity of the end 4, an external circumferential rib 7 whose external diameter corresponds substantially to the external diameter of the shoulder 6. Another external circumferential rib 8 is provided in the vicinity of the shoulder 6, between the latter and the bottom 3. The thin wall of the neck 5 is cut to form two flexible tongues 9 oriented longitudinally. These two diametrically opposite tongues are attached to the rest of the wall at 10 in the vicinity of the shoulder 6, and their free ends 11 are turned towards the open end 4 of the body. The outer face of each tongue 9 has, closer to the fastener 10 than the free end 11, a projection 12 limited on the side of the bottom 3 by a radial planar surface 13 facing the shoulder 6, and towards the outside the body and on the side of the open end 4 by an inclined surface or ramp 14 approaching the axis of the tube in the direction of the end 4. The surfaces 13 and 14 form between them an acute angle edge 15 located at a distance from the axis of the tubular body greater than the outside radius of the shoulder 6 and the rib 7.

La tête 2 forme un manchon tubulaire dont le diamètre interne est également sensiblement constant sur toute sa longueur et dont l'épaisseur de paroi et le diamètre externe varient, ce diamètre interne étant légèrement supérieur au diamètre externe de la nervure 7 et de la section 22 du corps comprise entre l'épaulement 6 et la nervure 8. De la face interne 16 du manchon, au voisinage d'une extrémité 17 de celui-ci, dépendent quatre volets flexibles 18 qui, dans la position de repos représentée aux figures 1 et 4, s'étendent selon un plan radial de façon à obturer l'espace interne du manchon en laissant subsister seulement une ouverture circulaire axiale 19 et quatre fentes radiales 20 raccordées à l'ouverture 19 et s'étendant jusqu'à la paroi du manchon. Dans cette position, la tête 2 est enfilée sur le col 5 du corps, les volets 18 étant sensiblement adjacents à l'extrémité ouverte 4 de ce dernier et l'extrémité 17 de la tête étant tournée du même côté que cette extrémité 4. L'extrémité opposée 21 de la tête entoure la section 22 du corps comprise entre l'épaulement 6 et la nervure 8, à une certaine distance de cette dernière. La tête 2 est sensiblement coaxiale au corps 1 en raison du guidage assuré par la nervure 7 et la section 22 coopérant avec la face interne 16 de la tête.The head 2 forms a tubular sleeve whose internal diameter is also substantially constant over its entire length and whose wall thickness and external diameter vary, this internal diameter being slightly greater than the external diameter of the rib 7 and of the section 22 of the body between the shoulder 6 and the rib 8. From the internal face 16 of the sleeve, in the vicinity of one end 17 of the latter, depend four flexible flaps 18 which, in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, extend in a radial plane so as to close off the internal space of the sleeve, leaving only an axial circular opening 19 and four radial slots 20 connected to the opening 19 and extending to the wall of the sleeve . In this position, the head 2 is threaded onto the neck 5 of the body, the flaps 18 being substantially adjacent to the open end 4 of the latter and the end 17 of the head being turned to the same side as this end 4. L 'opposite end 21 of the head surrounds the section 22 of the body between the shoulder 6 and the rib 8, at a certain distance from the latter. Head 2 is substantially coaxial with body 1 due to of the guidance provided by the rib 7 and the section 22 cooperating with the internal face 16 of the head.

La face interne 16 du manchon 2 présente, au voisinage de l'extrémité 21, un évidement annulaire limité par une surface sensiblement plane radiale 23 et par une surface ou rampe 24 sensiblement tronconique qui se rapproche de l'axe, à partir de la surface 23, en direction de l'extrémité 17. La surface 23 fait face aux surfaces 13 des saillies 12 présentées par les languettes 9 du corps, et vient en butée avec celles-ci pour limiter dans la position indiquée à la figure 1 le mouvement de coulissement relatif de la tête sur le corps et empêcher la désolidarisation de ces deux pièces. Dans cette position, les arêtes 15 des saillies 12 sont logées dans l'évidement annulaire de la tête.The internal face 16 of the sleeve 2 has, in the vicinity of the end 21, an annular recess limited by a substantially planar radial surface 23 and by a substantially frustoconical surface or ramp 24 which approaches the axis, from the surface 23, towards the end 17. The surface 23 faces the surfaces 13 of the projections 12 presented by the tongues 9 of the body, and abuts therewith to limit in the position indicated in FIG. 1 the movement of relative sliding of the head on the body and preventing the separation of these two parts. In this position, the edges 15 of the projections 12 are housed in the annular recess of the head.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant. Avant assemblage des deux pièces, des comprimés non représentés ont été introduits dans le corps 1. Cet assemblage est réalisé en enfilant la tête 2, par son extrémité 21, sur le col 5 du corps. Lorsque l'extrémité 21 vient en contact avec les saillies 12 des languettes 9, elle coopère avec les rampes 14 pour solliciter les languettes en flexion élastique vers l'axe du corps, effaçant ainsi les saillies 12 et permettant leur franchissement par la section de la tête comprise entre l'extrémité 22 et l'évidement annulaire défini par les surfaces 23 et 24. Les languettes sont alors ramenées par leur propre élasticité dans la position illustrée à la figure 1, les arêtes 15 des saillies 12 pénétrant dans l'évidement pour empêcher le retrait de la tête.The operation of the device is as follows. Before assembly of the two parts, tablets not shown have been introduced into the body 1. This assembly is carried out by threading the head 2, by its end 21, on the neck 5 of the body. When the end 21 comes into contact with the protrusions 12 of the tongues 9, it cooperates with the ramps 14 to urge the tongues in elastic bending towards the axis of the body, thus erasing the protrusions 12 and allowing them to be crossed by the section of the head between the end 22 and the annular recess defined by the surfaces 23 and 24. The tongues are then brought back by their own elasticity to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the edges 15 of the projections 12 penetrating into the recess for prevent removal of the head.

Pour libérer l'un des comprimés contenus dans le corps 1, on oriente le dispositif tête en bas comme montré à la figure 1 et on appuie l'extrémité libre 17 de la tête contre une surface de réception 25 (figure 2) à peu près horizontale, qui peut être celle d'une table ou celle de la paume d'une main de l'utilisateur, l'autre main servant à tenir le corps 1. Dans cette position, un premier comprimé repose sur les volets 18 et est situé dans la chambre 26, tandis qu'un second comprimé reposant sur le premier est encadré par les extrémités 11 des languettes 9. On exerce alors une poussée axiale sur le corps vers le bas, ou sur la tête, au moyen de la paume, vers le haut. Il en résulte un mouvement de translation relatif des deux pièces, qui à son tour provoque les deux actions suivantes, illustrées à la figure 2:

  • ― D'une part, les arêtes 15 des languettes 9 balaient la surface en rampe 24 de la face interne 16 du manchon, qui les pousse progressivement vers l'intérieur du corps en déformant élastiquement les languettes. Les extrémités libres 11 de celles-ci pincent alors entre elles le second comprimé, l'immobilisant ainsi par rapport au corps.
  • ― D'autre part, l'extrémité libre 4 du col 5 pousse axialement vers le bas les volets 18 de la tête, qui fléchissent eux aussi élastiquement en dégageant progressivement un passage plus grand que l'ouverture 19. Lorsque ce passage est suffisant le premier comprimé qui reposait sur les volets 18 le franchit et tombe sur la surface 25.
To release one of the tablets contained in the body 1, orient the device upside down as shown in FIG. 1 and press the free end 17 of the head against a receiving surface 25 (FIG. 2) approximately. horizontal, which can be that of a table or that of the palm of a user's hand, the other hand used to hold the body 1. In this position, a first tablet rests on the flaps 18 and is located in the chamber 26, while a second tablet resting on the first is framed by the ends 11 of the tongues 9. An axial thrust is then exerted on the body downwards, or on the head, by means of the palm, upwards. This results in a relative translational movement of the two parts, which in turn causes the following two actions, illustrated in Figure 2:
  • - On the one hand, the edges 15 of the tongues 9 sweep the ramp surface 24 of the internal face 16 of the sleeve, which gradually pushes them towards the inside of the body by elastically deforming the tongues. The free ends 11 of these then pinch the second tablet between them, thus immobilizing it relative to the body.
  • - On the other hand, the free end 4 of the neck 5 pushes axially downward the flaps 18 of the head, which also bend elastically while gradually clearing a passage larger than the opening 19. When this passage is sufficient, the first tablet which rested on the flaps 18 crosses it and falls on the surface 25.

Lors de la sortie du premier comprimé, le second est déjà immobilisé par les languettes 9 comme décrit ci-dessus et ne peut par conséquent sortir du corps au cours du même mouvement.When the first tablet leaves, the second is already immobilized by the tongues 9 as described above and cannot therefore leave the body during the same movement.

Le trajet d'aller de ce mouvement est interrompu par le fait que l'extrémité 21 de la tête vient en butée contre la nervure 8 du corps. Si on soulève alors ce dernier, le mouvement relatif de retour est assuré par l'élasticité des volets 18 qui ramène ceux-ci dans la position radiale de la figure 1 en repoussant vers le haut l'extrémité 4 du corps. Ce mouvement en retour libère les languettes 9 qui s'écartent et relâchent le second comprimé, lequel tombe sur les volets 18 et est retenu par ceux-ci, le passage dégagé par ceux-ci étant redevenu trop petit pour que le comprimé puisse le franchir, en raison de la symétrie des trajets d'aller et de retour.The forward path of this movement is interrupted by the fact that the end 21 of the head abuts against the rib 8 of the body. If the latter is then raised, the relative return movement is ensured by the elasticity of the flaps 18 which brings them back to the radial position of FIG. 1 by pushing up the end 4 of the body. This return movement releases the tabs 9 which move apart and release the second tablet, which falls on the flaps 18 and is retained by them, the passage made by them having become too small for the tablet can cross it, due to the symmetry of the outward and return journeys.

Bien entendu le dispositif peut être conçu pour distribuer à chaque mouvement un nombre d'objets supérieur à 1, ce nombre étant déterminé par la relation entre les dimensions des objets et la longueur de la chambre de distribution 26 formée par la portion du col 5 située en aval des languettes 9. Pour assurer de façon fiable la distribution du nombre d'objets souhaité, la section transversale du col 5 doit être calculée en fonction des dimensions des objets de façon que ceux-ci y soient alignés en une colonne unique, et, si ces dimensions sont différentes selon les directions de l'espace, de façon qu'ils occupent sensiblement la même longueur dans la direction longitudinale du col. Il est clair également que, dans le cas où comme décrit la tête fait saillie au-delà de l'obturateur pour permettre de déposer le ou les objets à distribuer sur une surface d'appui, les dimensions du volume ainsi dégagé en aval de l'obturateur doivent être suffisantes pour recevoir ces objets sans gêner la refermeture de l'obturateur, compte tenu le cas échéant de la saillie formée par la paume de la main dans ce volume.Of course, the device can be designed to distribute a number of objects greater than 1 with each movement, this number being determined by the relationship between the dimensions of the objects and the length of the distribution chamber 26 formed by the portion of the neck 5 located downstream of the tongues 9. In order to reliably ensure the distribution of the desired number of objects, the cross section of the neck 5 must be calculated as a function of the dimensions of the objects so that they are aligned in a single column, and , if these dimensions are different according to the directions of the space, so that they occupy substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction of the neck. It is also clear that, in the case where, as described, the head protrudes beyond the shutter to allow the object or objects to be dispensed to be deposited on a bearing surface, the dimensions of the volume thus released downstream of the 'shutter must be sufficient to receive these objects without hindering the reclosure of the shutter, taking into account where appropriate the projection formed by the palm of the hand in this volume.

Des reliefs non représentés peuvent être prévus sur la surface externe du corps 1 pour faciliter sa tenue à la main.Reliefs not shown can be provided on the external surface of the body 1 to facilitate its holding in the hand.

Lors de la fabrication de la tête 9, par exemple par moulage, les fentes 20 peuvent être pontées par des attaches raccordant les volets 18, qui seront rompues lors de la première utilisation. La présence de ces attaches permet à l'acheteur d'un dispositif garni de médicaments de vérifier qu'aucun prélèvement n'y a encore été effectué.During the manufacture of the head 9, for example by molding, the slots 20 can be bridged by fasteners connecting the flaps 18, which will be broken during the first use. The presence of these fasteners allows the buyer of a device stocked with drugs to verify that no samples have yet been taken.

Dans le cas où la force élastique de l'obturateur n'est pas suffisante pour assurer le trajet de retour du mouvement alternatif, on peut prévoir à cet effet des moyens élastiques distincts.In the case where the elastic force of the shutter is not sufficient to ensure the return path of the reciprocating movement, separate elastic means can be provided for this purpose.

Lorsqu'on ne désire pas appuyer la tête du dispositif contre une surface de réception, la partie de celle-ci faisant saillie au-delà de l'obturateur peut être réduite ou supprimée.When it is not desired to press the head of the device against a receiving surface, the part of the latter projecting beyond the shutter can be reduced or eliminated.

Bien entendu le corps peut n'avoir pas une forme tubulaire de section circulaire constante. Il peut en particulier présenter une section différente et/ou être élargi dans ses parties éloignées de l'extrémité de sortie, pour autant que les objets à distribuer soient amenés un à un au moins à l'emplacement de retenue. Le fond 3 peut être remplacé par un bouchon amovible permettant de regarnir le dispositif. Dans le cas d'un dispositif fixe le corps peut être ouvert à son extrémité opposée à l'extrémité de sortie, et peut constituer par exemple une trémie, notamment dans une chaîne de fabrication. Il peut également être en forme de gouttière ou de canal s'étendant sensiblement de haut en bas et ouvert latéralement.Of course the body may not have a tubular shape of constant circular section. It may in particular have a different section and / or be widened in its parts remote from the outlet end, provided that the objects to be dispensed are brought one by one at least to the retaining location. The bottom 3 can be replaced by a removable plug allowing the device to be refilled. In the case of a fixed device, the body can be open at its end opposite the outlet end, and can for example constitute a hopper, in particular in a production line. It can also be in the form of a gutter or channel extending substantially from top to bottom and open laterally.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for the distribution of articles, comprising a first member (1) forming a magazine for the articles to be distributed and a second member (2) capable of executing an alternating translational movement in relation to the first member, so as to release a predetermined number of articles during each outgoing and incoming stroke of the said movement, this apparatus comprising:
― a distribution chamber (26) equipped with a sideways moveable shutter (18) and suitable for receiving the said number of articles;
― means (5) for successively conveying the articles contained in the magazine into the distribution chamber, these means defining a single retaining location where the next article to enter the chamber is situated after each outgoing and incoming stroke;
― sideways moveable retention means (9) for immobilising in the said retaining location the article which is situated there;
― means (4) for the sideways movement of the shutter which are suitable for opening under the action of the said movement, for a fraction of the duration of an outgoing and incoming stroke, a passage sufficient to allow the article or articles contained in the distribution chamber to leave the latter;
― means (24) for the engagement of the retention means, subject to the action of the said movement in order to immobilise the article present in the said location at least for the duration of opening of the passage by the shutter;
characterised in that
― the shutter (18) belongs to the second member (2), and in that the corresponding means for sideways movement comprise a stop (4) belonging to the first member and coming to bear against the shutter in order to move it sideways during the said movement.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the articles, in order to enter the chamber and leave it, are displaced relative to this chamber substantially in the direction of the said alternating translational movement.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised in that the means (4) for the sideways movement of the shutter (18) and the means (24) for the engagement of the retention means (9) begin to act during an outgoing travel, in the course of which the second member is displaced in relation to the first member in the opposite direction to the direction of displacement of the articles, and cease to act during the incoming travel.
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said stop consists of an end edge (4) of a wall of the first member limiting the said distribution chamber (26).
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retention means comprise at least one tongue (9) elastically deformable in order to penetrate towards the said retaining location under the action of the engagement means.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said tongue is cut out from a wall of the first member arranged in the extension of a wall limiting the distribution chamber.
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the engagement means comprise cooperating elements (15, 24) of the first and second members, comprising at least one ramp (24) for converting the relative translational movement of these into a movement of the retention means transverse relative to the preceding one.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second members have stop means (8, 13, 21, 23) for limiting their relative translational movement.
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises elastic means (18) for the return of the first and second members towards a specific relative position.
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first member or body (1) terminates in a neck (5) defining the said retaining location and the said distribution chamber (26), and in that the second member or head (2) is a sleeve capable of sliding externally on the neck between a first end position of minimum insertion of the neck, in which the shutter (18) is closed and the retention means (9) moved sideways, and a second end position of maximum insertion, in which the shutter is moved sideways and the retention means are engaged, and possessing at least one projection (18) directed radially inwards and elastically deformable to form the sideways moveable shutter, the means for sideways movement consisting of the free end (4) of the neck.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that the shutter (18) is substantially adjacent to the free end (4) of the neck (5) in the said first position and has sufficient elasticity to return the head into the said first position.
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 10 and 11, characterised in that the retention means comprise elastic tongues (9) cut out longitudinally from the wall of the neck at the level of the said retaining location
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterised in that the engagement means comprise projections (12) provided on the outer surface of the tongues (9) and cooperating with ramps (24) provided on the inner surface of the sleeve (2).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterised in that the inner surface of the sleeve has stop means (23) cooperating with the said projections of the tongues in order to limit the movement of the head to the said first end position.
15. Apparatus according to one of Claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the outer surface of the first member has a stop (8) cooperating with the end of the sleeve in order to limit the movement of the head to the said second end position.
16. Transportable apparatus according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterised in that the first member forms a closed vessel for containing a reserve of articles to be distributed.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, characterised in that the sleeve is extended beyond the shutter (18) in order, in cooperation with a receiving surface (25) on which its free edge (17) bears downwards, to define a receiving compartment for the article or articles released from the chamber as a result of a downward movement of the first member in relation to the receiving surface.
EP19890400742 1988-03-21 1989-03-16 Article dispenser with reciprocating motion Expired - Lifetime EP0334729B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8803631A FR2628715B1 (en) 1988-03-21 1988-03-21 DISTRIBUTOR OF ALTERNATIVE MOVEMENT OBJECTS
FR8803631 1988-03-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0334729A1 EP0334729A1 (en) 1989-09-27
EP0334729B1 true EP0334729B1 (en) 1991-12-11

Family

ID=9364450

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890400742 Expired - Lifetime EP0334729B1 (en) 1988-03-21 1989-03-16 Article dispenser with reciprocating motion

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0334729B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2668731B2 (en)
DE (1) DE68900523D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2628715B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19855764A1 (en) * 1998-12-03 2000-06-08 Weimer Pharma Gmbh Use of a carpule as a dispenser and device for this use
WO2000068109A1 (en) * 1999-05-08 2000-11-16 Friedrich Sanner Gmbh & Co. Kg Spritzgusswerk Tablet dispenser
US6726058B2 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-04-27 Csp Technologies, Inc. Dispenser for solid objects
JP6124458B2 (en) * 2013-11-29 2017-05-10 株式会社吉野工業所 Fixed quantity taking out tablet container

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE141081C (en) *
US2893599A (en) * 1954-11-30 1959-07-07 Richard S Kay Pill dispenser
DE1299572B (en) * 1959-11-14 1969-07-17 Latschbacher Kajetan Device for labeling or numbering wood
CH385413A (en) * 1961-01-05 1964-12-15 M & B Luchetta Fa Tubular container with dispenser for tablets and pills
US3854625A (en) * 1974-02-13 1974-12-17 E Kuebler Dispensing apparatus
AT337907B (en) * 1975-07-23 1977-07-25 Neumann Heinz DEVICE FOR DISPENSING OBJECTS SUCH AS TABLETS, CAPSULES, PILLS OR DGL.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2628715A1 (en) 1989-09-22
DE68900523D1 (en) 1992-01-23
EP0334729A1 (en) 1989-09-27
JPH01274985A (en) 1989-11-02
JP2668731B2 (en) 1997-10-27
FR2628715B1 (en) 1990-08-17

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