EP0380548A1

EP0380548A1 - Container for dispensing predetermined quantities of granules

Info

Publication number: EP0380548A1
Application number: EP19880908710
Authority: EP
Inventors: Louis Kedves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-23
Filing date: 1988-09-22
Publication date: 1990-08-08
Also published as: FR2620686A1; FR2620686B1; AU2537988A; WO1989002862A1

Abstract

Le capuchon (2) remonte verticalement son tube (8) qui traverse le clapet (5), prend dans le réservoir (1) 5 granules (12), par exemple redescend avec et les verse, insalissables, sous la langue. Le clapet se referme sur le dernier granule et avant le suivant. Le nombre est réglé par le piston (11) et sa tige (15), dont l'encoche (16) est coincée par le trou (16-b) du fond (42) du capuchon. Ici, après réglage, la tige est cassée et le capuchon est refermé hermétiquement par l'étiquette (36). Certains modèles sont réglables de côté. L'embouchure (3), le clapet et le tube peuvent être rapportés à l'appareil, qui n'a que le couple réservoir-capuchon à manipuler. Même un aveugle, un manchot, un vieillard peut immédiatement et sans perte, prendre et verser sa dose exacte, partout, en toutes circonstances.The cap (2) goes up vertically its tube (8) which crosses the valve (5), takes in the tank (1) 5 granules (12), for example descends with and pours, unbreakable, under the tongue. The valve closes on the last granule and before the next. The number is adjusted by the piston (11) and its rod (15), the notch (16) of which is wedged by the hole (16-b) in the bottom (42) of the cap. Here, after adjustment, the rod is broken and the cap is hermetically closed by the label (36). Some models are adjustable from the side. The mouthpiece (3), the valve and the tube can be attached to the device, which has only the reservoir-cap pair to handle. Even a blind man, a penguin, an old man can immediately and without loss, take and pour his exact dose, everywhere, in all circumstances.

Description

DOSER-DISPENSER TANK FOR PELLETS.

The present invention relates to a manual metering-dispensing tank for grain products, in particular for homeopathic granules. The Figure 1-a represents my idea of departure, a physical law, that "If a vertical tube, closed from below, crosses a flexible valve which closes the entry of a tank and draws from it the maximum quantity of elements that 'it can contain, when it comes out, the valve closes behind the last absorbed element and just in front of the next element. -The invention is conceived after this idea. Figure 1 attached shows schematically, in partial section, a homeopathic granule distribution tube This tube essentially comprises a main body (l) which receives the granules and a cap (2) which fits onto this body by narrow axial coiling To pour the number of prescribed granules, for example 5 At each take by the patient, you must remove the cap and carefully extract the granules from the tube! - We can easily understand that it is very difficult with this kind of dispenser to quickly achieve a correct dosage. necessary effect that these granules do not touch the patient's hand and that they are poured directly under the tongue. In addition, it very often happens that granules fall to the ground and are lost to the patient. Another drawback of these known devices is that in order to facilitate extraction and dosing, they comprise a 3-th piece, a so-called "dosing cap" often salivated ...

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It relates for this purpose to a manual metering-dispensing tank for seed products which has only two parts for the patient: a main body which contains the granules and an axial cap for closing the main body. -The main body has a mouth in the form of an internal bottleneck and this mouth is closed by a flexible split olapet. The axial cap has, inside, an axial longitudinal tube with an internal diameter greater than that of the granules, this tube being open at its free end close to the ex free end of the cap and closed at its end close to the bottom of the cap, -here. The mouth of this tube is located below that of the cap _. and its depth is adjusted so that it can receive a stack of a determined number of granules corresponding to the orderly dose. The axial distance between the mouths of this tube and the cap is less than the maximum distance of fitting of the cap on the main body necessary for the total closure of the metering-dispensing tank. In this way, this closing operation causes the vertical penetration of the tube into the split flexible valve and the descent, by gravity, of the granules into the tube. The invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the following description of some nonlimiting examples of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 2 is a partial exploded view of the metering-dispensing tank according to the invention. - Figure 3 is a detail view from above of the flexible valve used in this metering-dispensing tank.

- Figures 4,5,6,7 and 8 show the different operating phases of the manual metering-dispensing tank of Figure 2.

- Figure 9 shows a variant of the cap comprising the metering tube. - Figure 10 shows a variant where the valve and the tube are brought.

- Figures 10-a and 10-b show in detail the variant of Figure 10.

- Figure 10-c shows a variant of the fitted valve holder having separation and flow bars.

- Figures 11,12, 13 and 14 are still other variants of the cap, with the possible axial adjustment, -as in the previous cases.

- Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 show another form of adjustment of Isa dose of grains or granules taken by the tube of the cap, this adjustment being with lateral action.

- Figures 19 and 20 show a variant of the device according to Figures 15 to 18.. . - Figure 21 shows in detail the mechan is me of Figures 19 and 20.

- Figure 22 shows plugs each carrying a pick-up tube.

- Figure 23 shows a label covering the bottom of the cap.

- Figure 24 shows a label covering the cap adjustment device. - Figure 25 shows an additional sealing and protection cap.

- Figure 26 shows a variant of the axial adjustment rod having breakthrough grooves.

Referring to Figure 2, -Ge manual dispenser-dispenser manual for grain products, for example for homeopathic granules, -has a main body (1) and a cap (2) which is able to fit onto this body (1) on narrow ooulissement, in the same way as current devices, for example that shown in Figure 1 above.

On the other hand, the body (l) has a mouth, a tunnel (3), the inner part of which has the shape of a bottleneck (4). the angle of this neck is, for example, about 20º. In addition, this mouth is closed by a flexible split valve (5), which is shown in more detail in Figure 3, and which comprises in this example two orthogonal slots (6 and 7). Note that the valve (5) can Stre reported as here, but it can also be designed in the mass of the tank (l), as well as being of different materials. The axial cap (2) is extremely special, and it has, inside, an axial longitudinal tube (8) with an inner diameter greater than that of the granules (12) to allow their easy flow, this tube being open at its end. free (9) near the free end (10) of the cap (2) and closed at its other end by the piston (11), - here-near the bottom (42) of the cap.

Note that the tube (8) can be designed in the mass of the cap (2) as here, but it can also be attached to the cap in any way.-The mouth (9) of this inner tube (8) is located below that of the cap (2), and its depth (p) is adjusted so that it can receive a stack of a determined number of granules (12) corresponding to the orderly dosage dose. (d) between the mouths of this tube (8) and of the cap (2) is less than the maximum distance (D) of fitting of the cap on the main body, necessary for the total closure of the metering-distributing reservoir. It follows, as will be seen below, that this closing operation leads to the penetration of the tube (8) into the valve (5), and, when the tank (l) is then turned downwards, the possibility of lowering a predetermined number of sep granules into this tube .

Figures 4 to 8 illustrate particularly well the operation of this device:

- Figure 4 shows the metering-dispensing tank as it is delivered, filled with homeopathic granules (12), - but, of course, the rod (15) can be retracted into the cap to its position number 2. -This metering-dispensing tank may include, at this stage, a self-adhesive label (13) which surrounds the tank (l). This label limits the insertion at this stage of the cap (2) on the body (l), so this cap remains at a distance (d) from its maximum penetration. (D) cited above. This Figure (4) also shows that, in this storage position, the mouth (9) of the tube ( 8) comes just flush with the valve (5) and therefore exerts no pressure on this valve. In the tube (8) can slide a piston (it) which allows to adjust the effective depth (p) of the tube. non-limiting example of embodiment, this piston (it) can be adjusted and moved by means of a rod (15) which has self-breaking grooves (16). es also allow the wedging of this rod in the central hole (16-b) of the bottom (32) of the cap, the shape of which is provided complementary for this purpose. so that the tube receives 1 at maximum dose of granules, which is equal to five in this example, - number which is indicated by one of the signals (45) .- Of course, if one wants to carry out the adjustment of the tube (8) for a dose of less than 5, it suffices to push the rod (15) until it comes to be caught by its 2-th notch, or its 3-th, etc. - Figure 5 shows the first phase of using this device: after, of course, having torn the label (13), the cap (2) is pushed in on the main body (1), until this cap is, this faith here, fully fitted. This sinking operation causes the tube (8) to penetrate through the valve (5), and therefore to open it. The position in Figure 5 shows the cap fully depressed, and therefore the tube (8 fully inserted into the body (l). This action has the further effect of separating the granules (I2) which are, in their normal position from storage, agglomerated to one another, in particular by electrostatic forces. -The body (l) and the cap (2) being turned down together, the granules tend to descend into the tube (8) under the effect of gravity. We favor this descent by tapping lightly on the body (l) with the finger. - It should be noted that the mouth of the body (l) is advantageously cut in a bevel (4), - which facilitates lowering.

- Figure 6. The operation of Figure 5 having been completed, the cap (2) is then gradually removed from the body (l), - then M Figure 7 shows that when the tube (8) reaches below the level of the valve (5), this valve gradually closes on and after the last granule (12) programmed and prevents the other granules from going lower. It should be noted that the valve closes just after the last granule dosed and just before the next, a fact which allows a certain tolerance in their size. The device is therefore ready for later use. - At this stage, the tube (8) is full of the desired dose, in this case 5 granules. - As shown in Figure 8, - to absorb these granules, simply turn the cap (2) with this tube directly into the mouth and the granules fall into it without being able to be soiled by any external contact, - the tube (8 ) being far enough back in the cap (2).

- Figure 9 shows a variant of the device in which the dosage is adjusted by a part (17) placed in the tube (8). Here this piece sets the dose to 3 granules, the amount most often prescribed in homeopathy.

- Figure 10 shows how we can adapt the device of the invention on all existing tubes, such as that of Figure 1. This adaptation simply requires the addition of additional parts, the valve holder and the tube holder (19) in particular, which are produced separately and then brought back inside the already existing tubes.

- Figure 10-a presents a valve holder (18) complementary which fixes its valve (5) by a threaded plug (43) σlassique. - The Figure 10-b presents a tube holder (il) in detail.

Figure 10-c presents a valve holder (18) having bars (18-a) to separate the granules and facilitate their flow. - Figure 11 shows a variant in which the piston (it) is smooth sliding in the tube (8). - Figure 12 shows another variant for which the stroke of the piston (11), which is also smooth sliding, -is limited downwards by an auxiliary blocking piece (20).

- Figure 13 shows the possibility of combining a setting by notches (16) and a soft setting, - this soft setting being achieved by an auxiliary piston (22).

- Figure 14 shows another variant which includes a flexible bulb (23), of the dropper type. This flexible pear being able to facilitate the introduction of the granules into the tube (8) by suction and their extraction by blowing. - Figures 15 to 21: In all the previous examples, the metering adjustment in the take-off tube (8) was carried out by axial displacement of a rod itself axial. -It is understood that the invention is not limited to this type of adjustment, and Figures 15 to 21, for example, show two other types of adjustment devices in which the adjustment action is performed by pressing a button, on a head or the like, which is placed laterally with respect to the cap.

Referring to Figures 15 to 18, there is provided an axial pusher (24) which can slide in the split tube (8) (33) for this purpose. This pusher (24) has a lateral head (25), the free part of which, with its indicator (26), is accessible from the outside via an opening (27), formed in the cap (2). -As seen in Figure 17, the opening is normally covered by a self-adhesive label (28). This opening is equipped with notches (29), which cooperate in a complementary manner with a stud (30) provided on the head (25), - Figures 17 and lδ.The head and the pusher (24) are connected by a tongue flexible (it) which is shaped to be able, as seen in FIG. 18, to tilt laterally in the transverse plane. - The adjustment is made as follows, - Figure 17: we take off the label (28) which hides the opening (27) of the cap (2), - then, the pin (30) being fitted into a notch ( 29), it is easily understood that the pusher (24) is normally locked in this position. -To change the setting, simply tilt the tongue (31), as shown in Figure 18, - to remove the pin from its corresponding slot, then move the head in an axial direction or in the 'other, to emanate the nipple in front of the new desired graduation. - This pin therefore snaps back into the desired notch, so that the pusher (24) is again locked in this adjustment position, -as seen in Figure 17.

As is obvious, the label (28) is then folded down so as to hermetically cover the adjustment orifice, this label also participating in the blocking of the head (25). Figures 19, 20 and 21 represent a variant embodiment of the previous device. - In this case, a pusher (24) is still provided, but its blocking device is somewhat different: the tongue (31) which was mentioned previously is replaced by a short section which forms a neck (32), - and which is able to slide in a groove (33) provided with pairs of regularly notched side notches (34). This device also comprises a head (25) accessible as previously from the outside. It also has a self-adhesive label (28). - The axial adjustment of the pusher (24) is done simply by pushing its head (25) in an axial direction, so as to move the assembly, - (25), (32), (24), - this displacement being performed until the neck (32) snaps securely into a couple of associated notches (34). -Note that on the Figure 20 the cap (2) is closed by a plug (40).

- Figure 22 shows two plugs (41) carrying, - one a tube (8) with its linked slot (33), - Figures 15 and 16, - and the other. A tube (8) whose slot ( 33) has adjustment notches (34), - see Figure 20. These complementary plugs are to be installed in their respective caps (20).

- the Figure 23-a shows a variant of cap (2) whose protective rim (35) is closed by the adhesive label (36). The Figure 23-b shows this label detached from the rim and one sees the rod (15) broken after its adjustment. The label is then glued to the rim, - Figure 23-a, - to ensure the tightness of the cap and to consolidate the adjustment.

- Figure 24-a presents the self-adhesive label (28) which hermetically covers the opening (27) of the cap (2). On the Figure 24-b the label is raised and unrolled, - so that one sees the head (25) positioned on the number three. -By covering the opening (27), Figure 27-a, - we also block by this label the adjustment head (25) .- On Figure 24-b, we can see in a very practical way the numbers 2,3 , 4 and 5 are indicated on the edge of the opening (27) of the cap (2).

- Figure 25 presents another variant, in which it is an additional cap (37) which achieves both the sealing of the original cap (2) and the protection of the adjusting rod (15), - all of which displacement lengths are thus possible, without this rod being able to be broken unintentionally.

- Figure 26 shows a variant of the adjusting rod (15), - whose adjustment notches (16) are only used for positioning by the central hole (16-a) of the bottom (42) of the cap (2) and it is at the circular "grooves" (46) that the break of the rod (15) takes place. - The enlargement of the design is intended to better distinguish the details of the rod (15) as well as the location of the signals (45) on the cylinder and on the flats.

Claims

REVENDIC ATION S. 1) - Manual metering-dispensing tank for grain or granular products (12), - this tank comprising:

- a main body (1) storing the granules (12), - a main axial cap (2) for closing this main body, - the whole of this device being characterized in:

- that the main body (1) has, - designed in its mass or added, - a mouth (3) in the internal form of a bottleneck (4), with a smooth flow slope (4) - or grooved (18 -at) ; - that this mouth (3) is closed, - designed in its mass or attached, - by a flexible split valve (5) made of a single material or more;

- that the axial cap (2) comprises, - designed in its mass or attached, - inside a longitudinal, axial tube (8) with an internal diameter greater than that of the granules (12), - this tube being open to its free end (9) near the free end (10) of capuohon (2) and closed at its other end near the bottom (42) of the cap (2), - or by its own bottom, or by an object or by a member of the mechanism for adjusting the quantity of granules (12);

- that the mouth (9) of this previous tube (8) is located below that (3) of the cap (2), - its variable depth being adjusted so that this tube (8) can receive a stack of a predetermined number of granules (12) corresponding to the ordered dose, - and the axial distance (d) between the mouths of this tube and of the cap (2) being less than the maximum distance (D) of fitting of the cap on the main body (l) necessary for closing the metering tank -distriber (l) and (2), - so that this closing operation causes the penetration of the tube (8) into the split flexible valve (5), - and, the body (l) with its cap (2) being turned down, - Figures 4 to 7, - the possibility of lowering into the tube (8) a predetermined number of granules (12);

- that the oapuchόn (2) may or may not have a protective rim (35) as well as an additional cap (37), - capable of covering its bottom (42) and protect the adjustment rod (15);

- that the axial or lateral openings of the cap (2) can be closed or released by self-adhesive labels (13, 28 and 36), - capable of ensuring its sealing and also the blocking of adjustment mechanisms; - that his invention was conceived from the idea or starting law according to which "if a vertical tube (2) closed from below passes through a flexible valve (5) which closes the inlet of a tank (1) and draws from it the maximum quantity of elements (12) that it can contain, at the moment it emerges, the valve closes behind the last absorbed element and just in front of the next element ". 2) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claim 1), - characterized in that the depth (p) of the tube (8) is adjustable.

3) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claim 1), - characterized in that this depth (p) is adjustable by means of an axial rod (15).

4) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the adjustment rod (15) comprises notches of self-breaking

(16), which are able to snap into the complementary axial opening (16-a) provided for this purpose in the bottom (42) of the cap (2).

5) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claim 1), - characterized in that the adjustment rod (15-a) comprises non-brittle notches (46) capable of engaging in a complementary opening (16-a) provided for this purpose in the bottom (42) of the cap (2) and, moreover, breakable grooves (44) with flat or inclined edges.

6) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claim 2, -caractérisé in that this depth is adjustable both laterally by a pusher (24) which is actuated by a side head (25) and which has locking means, that by notches (29) embedding a pin (30), or by notches (34) embedding a neck (32).

7) - Metering-dispensing tank according to claim 2), - characterized in that this depth is determinable by a piece (17) placed in the tube (8) to adjust a stable number such as 3, 1a dose most often used in homeopathy.