EP0470919A1 - Dosing dispenser, particularly for homeopathic pellets, pills, lozenges and other similar products - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser with which it is possible to dose and dispense simultaneously a defined number of homeopathic granules, pills, tablets, or similar products, without touching them. It consists of a solid cylindrical disc pierced by four openings (1) and a cylindrical drum (4) whose upper face is its selective membrane and whose lower face is its pre-selective membrane. The system of grooves on the neck of the tube and the longitudinal tooth (36) in the cover providing a click mechanism, as well as the figures and the number indicator in relief relative to the body of the tube, allow it to be used in the dark and by the unsighted. <IMAGE>

Description

Dispensing dispensing device, in particular for pills, homeopathic granules, (medicines) or other similar products.

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing by dosing simultaneously a determined number of homeopathic granules, tablets or similar products.

Certain pharmaceutical products and in particular homeopathic products which are often in the form of granules should preferably not be touched by the hands and are sold in suitable containers fitted with a stopper in which the granules are collected in order to bring them to the mouth.

However, this method does not easily count the number of granules prescribed. On the other hand, the traditional distributors known: the patents GB 1 385 900, US 3 099 365, FR 7 720 996, FR 2 625 982 A, EP 0 337 146 A, EP A 002 403, EP A 0 155 711 and US A 3 243 081 are designed to dispense by removing the granules one by one, therefore counting them until the exact number is obtained in the lid. This represents a longer handling time and the need to raise the tube to eye level to check the number of granules passing through the lid.

Other drawbacks exist in particular that of the presence of "misfires" most often due to the fact that the granules present in bulk in the tube, form a bridged arch above the sampling opening blocking the granules and the preventing it from passing through the holes to be discharged into the cover.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and mainly, the simultaneous dosing and distribution of a determined number of homeopathic granules. The present model, based on an example of a known homeopathic tube, allows a dosage of granules ranging from 1 to 4; that is to say either 1, 2, 3 or 4 granules on demand and issued at the same time.

Another object of the invention is to produce a dispenser of simple construction.

To this end, the metering distributor according to the invention, incorporated in -or mounted on- a container containing the products in bulk is characterized by these two distinct parts.

The upper part, which in the case of this model fits into the cover of the known type of tube, is composed of a solid disc with a diameter substantially smaller than the internal diameter of said cover, and a thickness equal to the diameter of the product contained in the tube of the type also known.

This disc is pierced with four orifices with a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the product contained in the tube. These holes are arranged on the circumference of a circle located inside the disc and having the same center.

These openings are open on two sides: towards the tube and towards the outside. A flat cover, attached to the top of the cover of the known type of tube, covers the openings on the side facing outwards so that, when this cover closes the openings, its flat surface comes into contact with the entire flat surface of the disc - so that it will only be possible for a single pellet to enter each orifice of the disc.

A special location of the disc holes is necessary for the proper functioning of the metering distributor. A more detailed description which will be given later will show its importance.

The lower part is inserted into the tube. It is composed of a hollow cylindrical drum with a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said tube except for its upper membrane or selective membrane which will have exactly the same diameter as the external diameter of the tube. So that, when this drum is inserted through its lower membrane or pre-selective membrane into the neck of the tube, the selective membrane cannot be introduced and will thus stop the sinking of the drum, thus covering the opening of the tube. This hollow cylindrical drum has a depth greater than twice the diameter of a granule.

The pre-selective membrane is pierced with five orifices substantially greater than the diameter of a granule or, with four orifices with a diameter greater than the diameter of a granule. These orifices are arranged on the circumference of a circle located inside the preselective membrane. This circle has the same diameter and center as the circle on the disc.

The selective membrane is pierced with four orifices of different sizes. The first is the same diameter as the diameter of the orifices of the disc. The second is initially identical to the first, but widens on one side by a distance substantially less than a third of the diameter of the first orifice, so as to form an orifice stretched by one side. The third stretches by a distance substantially less than two thirds of the same diameter and the fourth by a distance substantially less than the diameter of the first orifice. These four different orifices are arranged on the circumference of a circle located inside the selective membrane. This circle has the same diameter and center as those on the disc and the preselective membrane.

In an advantageous embodiment, the metering distributor uses the known tube on which a modification is brought about by the addition on the neck of said tube and on its external cylinder, of longitudinal grooves, as well as a longitudinal tooth grafted inside of the cover.

When the tube is closed by its cover, the longitudinal tooth is placed in a groove, so that by turning the cover to bring the mark written above, above a number corresponding to the number of granules desired, this mark is fixed every time, exactly above each digit and not in an intermediate position. This process allows, thanks to the click caused by the passage of the tooth on the grooves, and knowing that each groove has a corresponding number, the use of this metering distributor in the dark.

This metering distributor is also provided with a numbering engraved on the body of the tube. The numbers in this numbering are embossed relative to the body of the tube, and are either in Braille or in Arabic characters. There is also a raised mark on the tube cover. This system makes it possible to choose the number of granules desired even by blind people.

Other details and advantages will emerge from the description which will be given below of a metering distributor according to the invention, the disc of which comprises four orifices thus giving the choice of simultaneously extracting a number of granules varying from 1 to 4. This number of possibilities may vary and extend beyond four, depending on the diameter of the container relative to the diameter of the objects to be distributed.

This description is given by way of example only and does not limit the invention. The reference notations refer to the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the metering dispenser according to the invention, incorporated in a tube of known type. The flat cover added to it is wide open. FIG. 1a represents an aerial view of the cover of the tube thus making it possible to see the longitudinal tooth.

Figures 2a and 2b are a perspective view of the two components of the metering distributor according to the invention.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are an aerial view of these same elements.

FIG. 4 shows these two elements superimposed during the operation of this metering distributor according to the invention.

Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e show the different combinations of openings of the orifices of the two elements making up this metering dispenser according to the invention, thus making it possible to obtain the prescribed dose.

Figures 6a and 6b are longitudinal sections of the metering distributor, according to the invention, during its operation.

The metering distributor according to the invention consists of two elements:

The full cylindrical disc (1) Fig. 2a with a diameter (2) Fig. 3a substantially smaller than the internal diameter (3) FIG. 1 of the cover (4) of the known type of tube (5). This disc (1) is pierced with four holes (6, 7, 8, 9) Fig. 2a and 3a, open on both sides, of a diameter (10) substantially greater than the diameter of the largest granule (11) FIG. 6 and a depth (12) Fig. 2a equal to the diameter of the same granule. The holes (6, 7, 8, 9) are arranged on the circumference of a circle (13) Fig. 3a inside the disc (1) and on its face. This disc (1) is inserted into the cover (4) of the tube (5).

The hollow cylindrical drum (14) Fig. 2b has a selective membrane (15) Fig. 2b, 3b with a diameter (16) equal to the outside diameter (17) Fig. 1 from the neck of the tube (5). The selective membrane (15) is pierced with four holes (18, 19, 20, 21) Fig. 3b of different widths. The diameter (22) of the orifice (18) is substantially greater than the diameter of the largest granule (11). The orifice (19) widens by a distance substantially less than a third of the arcuate diameter (23). The orifice (20) widens by a distance substantially less than two thirds of the arcuate diameter (23). The orifice (21) widens by a distance substantially less than the arcuate diameter (23). These holes are arranged on the circumference of a circle (24) Fig. 3b inside the selective membrane (15) and on its face. This circle (24) is identical to the circle (13) of the disc (1).

The location of these holes (18, 19, 20, 21) on the circumference of the circle (24) is not accidental. It is essential that the distance (25) Fig. 3b separating the orifice (18) from the largest orifice (21) or the smallest, to obtain the spacing (26) FIG. 1, Fig. 4 the widest between the numbering numbers (27). Said selective membrane (15) is in close contact with the part bottom of the disc (1) and, is in rotation with the disc (1) on the same virtual axis. This rotation is obtained by the shape of the tube which is a cylinder.

The pre-selective membrane (28) Figs. 2b, 3c with an outside diameter (29) substantially smaller than the inside diameter (30) FIG. 1 of the tube, is pierced with five holes (31) Fig. 3c with a diameter (32) substantially greater than the diameter of the largest granule (11). These orifices (31) are arranged on the circumference of a circle (33) inside the pre-selective membrane (28) and on its face. This circle (33) is identical to the circle (13) and (24).

This hollow cylindrical drum (14) has a depth, airlock, (34) FIG. 2b substantially greater than twice the diameter of the largest granule (11).

Thus when the metering distributor is placed in the container, the full disc (1) is inserted in the cover (4) and, the hollow cylindrical drum (14) is introduced into the tube (5) by its pre-membrane. selective (28) and sinks until the selective membrane (15) covers the opening of the tube (5).

When the metering distributor according to the invention is held upside down Figs. 6a and 6b, the pre-selective membrane (28) allows the passage to an unspecified number - greater than 4 or 5 and less than twenty - of granules of the tube (5) inside (35) Figs. 2b, 6b of the cylindrical drum (14) which can only contain a limited number of granules (at most twenty). The granules having crossed the pre-selective membrane (28) are in contact with the selective membrane (15) Figs. 6a and 6b, which will open or close depending on the position of the mark (36) Figs. 1 and 4 on the numbering (27), the number of corresponding orifices Figs. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e.

Figure 5a allows us to see the disc (1) and the selective membrane (15) superimposed. The holes (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) are all closed by the surfaces (37) located between the holes (18, 19, 20, 21) of the selective membrane (15). The granules contained in the tube cannot be introduced into the openings of the disc. This is the zero position of the mark (36) Fig. 4.

FIG. 5b allows us to see position 1 of the reference (36). An orifice (9) is open and will only receive a granule.

Figure 5c allows us to see position 2 of the reference (36). Two openings (9) and (6) are open.

Figure 5d allows us to see position 3 of the reference (36). Three openings (9), (6) and (7 ') are open.

Figure 5e allows us to see position 4 of the coordinate system. All the openings (9), (6), (7) and (8) are open. It is more particularly noted that the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) are in superposition with the orifices (18, 19, 20, 21) by their original circle.

The metering distributor according to the invention comprises a flat cover (43) Figs. 1 and 4 fixed on the cover (4) of the known type of tube (5). This flat cover (43) according to the invention obstructs the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) thus not allowing and when it (43) closes the top of the cover (4) of the tube ( 5), that a pellet to house. This flat cover (43) comprises according to the invention on its internal face a lug (38) Figs. 1 and 4 which sinks into the hollow (39) to keep it in the closed position. This cover (43) comprises, according to the invention, a tongue (40) located at its periphery to allow easy and quick opening.
This metering distributor, according to the invention and to improve its system for selecting the number of granules, has provided the outer cylinder on the side of the tube with longitudinal grooves (42) FIG. 1 corresponding to each of the digits of the numbering (27) and the inside of the cover of said tube with a longitudinal tooth (41) so as to cause the mark (36) to be fixed exactly above each digit of the numbering (27 ′). By this method, a click is heard when the tooth (41) passes over each groove (42).

The numbering (27 ′) mentioned above is composed of five figures in relief on the body of the tube (5). These figures can be in Arabic characters or in Braille, Fig. 1. The mark (36) also in relief, is on the body of the cover (4) is on its lower edge Fig. 1.

To extract a precise number of granules, the user must place the mark (36) of the cover (4) on one of the four digits of the numbering (27), turn the tube upside down, so that the granules fall by their weight on the pre-selective membrane (28) thus eliminating the phenomenon of vault with the limited number of granules (from 4 to 12 approximately) passed from the tube (5) inside the hollow cylindrical drum (14). Said granules are in contact with the selective membrane (15) and its orifices, some of which have opened up following the first step mentioned above. Slightly shake the tube, put the mark (36) on the numbering position (27 ′) to close the holes again with the selective membrane (15), straighten the tube, head in top, and remove the flat cover (43) to find the number of granules required in the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) allowing their absorption without contact with the hands.

In another embodiment, the metering distributor is provided with the same disc (1) inserted in the cover (4) of the tube (5) and the only selective membrane (15), the drum (14) and the membrane preselective (28) having been eliminated. The risk caused by the arch phenomenon is more sensitive, but may be remedied by shaking the tube more strongly.

In the case of this type of metering dispenser, the selective membrane (15) can be actuated from the outside, therefore in rotation on the disc (1), by a projection system which can be manipulated with the finger or the nail and making it possible to place the mark (36) on a number on the numbering (27) to obtain the opening or closing of the corresponding number of holes in the disc (1). The dispensing dispenser according to the invention can also be used to dispense by dosing, products which would not necessarily be granules.

Claims (11)

1 Device for simultaneously dispensing and dosing a determined number of homeopathic granules, pills, tablets or similar products, incorporated in -or mounted on- a container (5) intended to contain these products (11). This device is characterized by: a solid cylindrical disc (1) placed on a hollow cylindrical drum (14) and movable in rotation relative to it along the same virtual axis (44) FIG. 2. This drum has a pre-selective membrane (15) and a selective membrane (28). The numbering (27) makes it possible to choose the number of product units (11) desired. The flat cover (43) obstructs the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) and allows only one pellet to be housed in each orifice. A system of longitudinal grooves (42) and a tooth (41) allows the mark (36) an exact position above each digit of the numbering (27). 2 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the solid cylindrical disc (1) is pierced with four orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) open towards the outside and towards the container (5). 3 Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) are of a diameter (10) substantially greater than the diameter of the product (11) to be dispensed by metering and, of a depth (12 ) equal to the diameter of the product (11). These orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) are superimposed on the orifices (18, 19, 20, 21) of the selective membrane (15) by their original circle FIG. 5th. 4 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the hollow cylindrical drum (14) is of a depth (34) greater than twice the diameter of the product (11) to be dispensed, and serves as an airlock (34) for the preselected products. 5 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a pre-selective membrane (28) is pierced with five orifices (31), substantially wider than the diameter of the product (11) to be dispensed, to filter a number of product (11 ) from the container (5) to the drum lock (34). 6 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a selective membrane (15) pierced with four orifices (18, 19, 20, 21) of different sizes allows the opening or closing, depending on the location of the mark (36) on one of numbering numbers (27), of the same number of holes (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1). 7 Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the different sizes of the orifices (18, 19, 20, 21) of the selective membrane (15) allow the assay to be carried out. The orifice (18) is substantially greater than the diameter of the product (11), the orifice (19) stretches by a distance substantially less than a third of the arcuate diameter (23). The orifice (20) stretches a distance substantially less than two thirds of the arcuate diameter (23). The orifice (21) stretches a distance less than the arcuate diameter (23). The holes (18, 19, 20, 21) are superimposed by their original circle, at the "four" position of the mark (36) on the numbering (27), with the holes (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1) Fig. 5th. 8 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the numbering (27) comprises figures and a raised marker. Said figures can be either in Braille or in Arabic characters and allow the number of product units (11) desired to be chosen, even by the blind. 9 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the presence of longitudinal grooves (42), engraved on the neck of the tube (5) and on its outer wall and corresponding to each of the raised figures of the numbering (27) and, a longitudinal tooth (41) fixed inside the cover (4), allow to stop exactly the mark (36) above each number of the numbering (27) and not in an intermediate position. The click emitted during the passage of the tooth (41) on the grooves (42), allows the use of said device even in the dark. 10 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the cover (4) is provided with a second flat cover (43) obstructing the orifices (6, 7, 8, 9) of the disc (1), so that each orifice, when the selective membrane (15) opens, can only accommodate one granule. 11 Device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises an ergo (38), on the flat internal face of the cover (43), which, by sinking into the hollow (39) of the disc (1) maintains the cover ( 43) in the closed position, itself provided with a tongue (40) located at its periphery.

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