EP0583956A1 - Tablettenspender - Google Patents

Tablettenspender Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0583956A1
EP0583956A1 EP93306406A EP93306406A EP0583956A1 EP 0583956 A1 EP0583956 A1 EP 0583956A1 EP 93306406 A EP93306406 A EP 93306406A EP 93306406 A EP93306406 A EP 93306406A EP 0583956 A1 EP0583956 A1 EP 0583956A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plunger
dispenser
housing
inner section
tablet
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP93306406A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0583956B1 (de
Inventor
Lyn Trevor Evans
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Manuplastics Ltd
Original Assignee
Manuplastics Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Manuplastics Ltd filed Critical Manuplastics Ltd
Publication of EP0583956A1 publication Critical patent/EP0583956A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0583956B1 publication Critical patent/EP0583956B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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 present invention relates to a tablet dispenser, in particular, a dispenser which releases a single tablet when the dispensing mechanism is activated.
  • Dispensers which release a single tablet each time the dispenser is activated are particularly common containers for sweetening tablets which are the substitute for sugar in coffee and tea, for-example.
  • the user is able to repeatedly activate the dispenser, which usually comprises a plunger mechanism, as required until the chosen level of sweetness is reached.
  • Tablet dispensers are known for use in dispensing sweetening tablets which comprise a plastic housing and a plunger mechanism which must be activated to release a tablet.
  • the plunger mechanism comprises a fixed part and a moving part which are configured such that the tablets are held within a cavity from which a single tablet can be released when the moving part slides over the fixed part.
  • the tablets move through a system of channels between the cavity and outlet from the dispenser.
  • the dispenser is provided with a metal spring which biases the moving part into a closed position in which the tablets are sealed within the dispenser. When the moving part is pressed, the spring allows movement with respect to the fixed part and a tablet is released.
  • the spring then pulls the moving part back into a closed position
  • the spring can also serve a further purpose in that when the moving part is pressed, the spring, if configured in a certain manner, will bend and makes an audible "click" which indicates to the user that a tablet is being released.
  • the known dispensers are manufactured in plastic but the spring is metal.
  • the combination of materials complicates the manufacturing process since, whilst the plastic parts can be injection moulded, the metal spring must be assembled separately and often manually.
  • a further disadvantage with the combination of materials is that the dispenser is not easy to recycle after use. The dispenser must be either disassembled or broken to remove the metal part before recycling - a time consuming procedure which reduces the benefits of recycling because costs increase.
  • a further complication found with metal parts is that they can rust and could contaminate the contents of the dispenser as well as jamming the dispensing mechanism.
  • a tablet dispenser comprising an outer hollow housing, an inner section located within the housing and a plunger slidable with respect to the housing and inner section, the plunger and inner section co-operating to define a cavity for storing a plurality of tablets from which a single tablet can be dispensed by activating the plunger, wherein the plunger is biased into a closed position by an integrally moulded plastic spring means and wherein the dispenser further comprises a plastic mechanism which provides an audible sound when the plunger is actuated.
  • the dispenser is injection moulded entirely in plastic.
  • the plunger and housing are provided with interfering parts which produce the audible sound when the plunger moves with respect to the housing.
  • the plunger comprises an integrally moulded projection which co-operates with a stem extending from the base of the housing.
  • the plunger and the inner section are provided with interfering parts which produce the audible sound when the plunger moves with respect to the inner section.
  • the plastic spring means is a flexible plastic leaf extending between the plunger and a fixed seat on the housing.
  • the dispenser is manufactured entirely in polystyrene.
  • Figure 1 shows a tablet dispenser as would be seen by the user comprising an outer hollow housing 1 and a cap 24 which forms part of a plunger 2 which is pressed to activate the dispensing mechanism.
  • the outer housing 1 would be covered in surface graphics indicating to the user the name of the product and the manufacturer as well as other required details.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the dispenser in Figure 1 which indicates how the cap 24 and housing 1 slope in the upper portion.
  • Figure 3 depicts the dispenser in Figure 1 with part of the outer housing 1 broken away to reveal the internal dispensing mechanism. In this view, most of the parts which are visible are located on the plunger 2. Comparison with Figures 4 and 6 reveals that the remaining parts form part of the outer housing 1.
  • Figure 3 shows that the plunger 2 comprises an upper half-cylindrical portion 3 and a lower plate 4 which are joined by a sloped surface 5.
  • the sloped surface 5 slants downwardly and inwardly from the outer housing 1.
  • the plunger 2 also comprises a spring 6 which is integrally moulded with the plunger.
  • the spring 6 extends from the sloped surface 5 to a fixed seat 7 which forms part of the base 8 of the outer housing 1.
  • a fixed stem 9 is also shown which forms part of the base 8 (see also Figure 6).
  • the lower plate 4 is provided with a projecting ridge 10 which interferes with stem 9 when the plunger 2 is activated by pressing downwardly to provide an audible "click".
  • the plunger 2 can slide in outer housing 1 and the spring 6 will ensure that the plunger returns to its original closed position as soon as a tablet has been dispensed.
  • Figure 4 shows the parts located on one face of plunger 2 without the outer housing 1.
  • a lower tab 11 can also be seen which will sit in a co-operating recess 28 in the base 8 of outer housing 1.
  • Figure 5 shows the other face of plunger 2 to that visible in Figures 3 and 4.
  • a system of channels 12 is visible through which tablets stored in the cavity formed by half-cylinder 3 and sloped surface 5 can be dispensed and released through outlet 13.
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional view in direction X-X in Figure 1 of the outer housing 1.
  • the outer housing is essentially a hollow cylindrical construction open at its upper end and provided with a base 8 at its lower end.
  • a stem 9 extends from the base 8 which interferes with ridge 10 on the plunger 2 to provide the audible "click”.
  • Two longitudinal ribs 14 and 15 spaced by 180° are located on opposite sides of the inner surface of the outer housing 1 which serve to locate the plunger 2 and inner section 16 (see Figures 7, 8 and 9).
  • FIG 7 is a perspective view of the inner section 16 of the dispenser.
  • the inner section 16 is constructed such that it co-operates with plunger 2 to define an inner cavity for storing and dispensing the tablets.
  • the inner section 16 comprises a sloped surface 17 and a lower plate 18.
  • the sloped surfaces 5 and 17 will form a "V" shape and tablets will be released from the apex of the "V" shape into the system of channels 12.
  • There is an integrally moulded fin 19 which makes the construction more rigid and serves to locate the inner section 16 on the base 8 of the housing 1.
  • a hooked portion 20 extends from the lower plate 18 which is constructed to be a "snap-fit" in a recess 21 in base 8 of the housing 1 (see Figure 13).
  • Figure 8 is a view of one face of inner section 16 in direction A in Figure 7 and Figure 9 is a view of the other face in direction B in Figure 7.
  • Figures 10a and 10b show clearly the relationship between each stop and the channel system 12. It can be seen that when the plunger 2 is not activated (Figure 10a) the stops 22a and 22b block the passage of tablets X,Y,Z, etc., from the outlet 13 and when the plunger 2 is activated ( Figure 10b) by pressing downwardly the passage of the tablets is unblocked and a single tablet Z will be released from outlet 13. Stops 22c and 22d abut with a ridge 23 on plunger 2 which prevents excessive movement of plunger 2 during activation. The plunger 2 is shown linearly whereas the stops 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d on inner section 16 are shown hatched to distinguish the moving parts. Only one table Z can be released when the plunger 2 is activated, the second tablet Y will fall and sit in contact with stop 22b until the plunger 2 is activated again.
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cap 24 which forms the top of the plunger 2.
  • the inner surface of the cap 24 is provided with three lugs 25 which are tapered slightly and will form an interference fit with the upper portion 2a of plunger 2 (see Figures 4 and 5).
  • Upper portion 2a comprises an annular rim which will slide between the outer wall 26 and inner wall 27 of cap 24.
  • Figure 13 is a view from below of the base 8 of outer housing 1 which depicts the outlet 28 from the dispenser and the recess 21 within which hooked portion 20 of the inner section 16 is a "snap-fit".
  • the seat 7 upon which spring 6 sits can also be seen.
  • the tablet dispenser is assembled by first pressing inner section 16 inside housing 1 until the hooked portion 20 "snaps" into recess 21. Plunger 2 is then pressed into the housing 1, the positions of the inner section 16 and plunger 2 being defined by the longitudinal ribs 15. The dispenser is then filled with tablets and the cap 24 placed on the upper portion 2a of plunger 2. The interference fit will ensure that the cap 24 does not become dislodged if the dispenser is dropped, for example.
  • the entire dispenser is injection moulded in a plastic material, preferably polystyrene. Clearly, this will simplify the manufacturing and assembly of the dispenser and has the added advantage that the dispenser can be recycled when empty.
  • audible "click” could be produced by interfering parts on the plunger 2 and inner section 16 rather than the plunger 2 and the housing 1.
  • the present invention is likely to have widespread application in the field of dispensing devices which are now required to meet high standards of recyclability and also to satisfy the general demand for products which are environmentally friendly.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Formation And Processing Of Food Products (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Noodles (AREA)
  • Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
EP93306406A 1992-08-19 1993-08-13 Tablettenspender Expired - Lifetime EP0583956B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9217651A GB2270906B (en) 1992-08-19 1992-08-19 A tablet dispenser
GB9217651 1992-08-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0583956A1 true EP0583956A1 (de) 1994-02-23
EP0583956B1 EP0583956B1 (de) 1997-03-05

Family

ID=10720627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93306406A Expired - Lifetime EP0583956B1 (de) 1992-08-19 1993-08-13 Tablettenspender

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0583956B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE149459T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69308423T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2098667T3 (de)
GB (1) GB2270906B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0600123B1 (de) * 1992-12-03 1995-11-15 Kerplas Neuenburg Gmbh Kunststoffverpackungen Tablettenspender mit einer unteren Ausfallöffnung
GB2339566A (en) * 1998-07-13 2000-02-02 Rpc Containers Ltd Tablet dispenser
EP1002745A1 (de) * 1998-11-17 2000-05-24 Sanaro S.A. Federbelasteter Drücker und mit einem solchen Drücker ausgerüstete Tabletten-Spendereinrichtung
US9248949B2 (en) 2008-11-26 2016-02-02 Bayer Intellectual Property Gmbh Cartridge, a pharmaceutical dispenser containing the cartridge, and applications of said cartridge and said pharmaceutical dispenser
WO2023111635A1 (en) * 2021-12-14 2023-06-22 A. Nattermann & Cie Gmbh Fluid dispensing device and mechanical energy storage

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6315163B1 (en) 1999-12-29 2001-11-13 Allure Home Creation Co., Inc. Sound emitting dispenser
GB2412369A (en) * 2004-03-25 2005-09-28 Fold Hill Foods Ltd A tablet dispenser
DE102011117623B3 (de) * 2011-11-04 2013-02-14 Boehringer Ingelheim International Gmbh Tablettenspender

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2013636A (en) * 1977-10-28 1979-08-15 Boots Co Ltd Container
EP0236039A2 (de) * 1986-03-01 1987-09-09 The Boots Company PLC Tablettenspender
US4767023A (en) * 1985-04-27 1988-08-30 Bramlage Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Dispenser for tablets
DE3716307A1 (de) * 1987-05-15 1988-11-24 Bramlage Gmbh Behaeltnis zur einzel-portionierten ausgabe von tabletten

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3017376A1 (de) * 1979-06-01 1981-11-12 Bramlage Gmbh, 2842 Lohne Behaeltnis zur einzel-portionierten ausgabe von tabletten
DE3018041A1 (de) * 1979-06-23 1981-11-12 Schuckmann, Alfred Von, 4178 Kevelaer Behaeltnis zur einzel-portionierten ausgabe von tabletten
DE8815878U1 (de) * 1988-06-09 1989-10-12 Bramlage Gmbh, 2842 Lohne, De
US5108006A (en) * 1990-04-27 1992-04-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Tablet dispenser with locking means

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2013636A (en) * 1977-10-28 1979-08-15 Boots Co Ltd Container
US4767023A (en) * 1985-04-27 1988-08-30 Bramlage Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Dispenser for tablets
EP0236039A2 (de) * 1986-03-01 1987-09-09 The Boots Company PLC Tablettenspender
DE3716307A1 (de) * 1987-05-15 1988-11-24 Bramlage Gmbh Behaeltnis zur einzel-portionierten ausgabe von tabletten

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0600123B1 (de) * 1992-12-03 1995-11-15 Kerplas Neuenburg Gmbh Kunststoffverpackungen Tablettenspender mit einer unteren Ausfallöffnung
GB2339566A (en) * 1998-07-13 2000-02-02 Rpc Containers Ltd Tablet dispenser
EP1002745A1 (de) * 1998-11-17 2000-05-24 Sanaro S.A. Federbelasteter Drücker und mit einem solchen Drücker ausgerüstete Tabletten-Spendereinrichtung
US9248949B2 (en) 2008-11-26 2016-02-02 Bayer Intellectual Property Gmbh Cartridge, a pharmaceutical dispenser containing the cartridge, and applications of said cartridge and said pharmaceutical dispenser
WO2023111635A1 (en) * 2021-12-14 2023-06-22 A. Nattermann & Cie Gmbh Fluid dispensing device and mechanical energy storage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2270906A (en) 1994-03-30
GB2270906B (en) 1995-08-23
DE69308423T2 (de) 1997-06-19
ATE149459T1 (de) 1997-03-15
EP0583956B1 (de) 1997-03-05
ES2098667T3 (es) 1997-05-01
GB9217651D0 (en) 1992-09-30
DE69308423D1 (de) 1997-04-10

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