EP0750571A1 - Granule dispensing tube - Google Patents

Granule dispensing tube

Info

Publication number
EP0750571A1
EP0750571A1 EP95913192A EP95913192A EP0750571A1 EP 0750571 A1 EP0750571 A1 EP 0750571A1 EP 95913192 A EP95913192 A EP 95913192A EP 95913192 A EP95913192 A EP 95913192A EP 0750571 A1 EP0750571 A1 EP 0750571A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
cover
cap
finger
towards
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95913192A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Henri Borrel
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.)
TECHNIQUE D'EXPLOITATION DE MATERIEL Ste
Original Assignee
TECHNIQUE D'EXPLOITATION DE MATERIEL Ste
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 TECHNIQUE D'EXPLOITATION DE MATERIEL Ste filed Critical TECHNIQUE D'EXPLOITATION DE MATERIEL Ste
Publication of EP0750571A1 publication Critical patent/EP0750571A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65D83/049—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 forming a part of a removable closure, e.g. gripping teeth, cavity
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a pellet dispensing tube. It can be homeopathic granules or other drugs, but also confectionery of spherical shape, other spherical objects, such as hunting pellets for example, or even granules of products which one wants to avoid contact with the skin - caustic soda or pesticides -.
  • Such dispensing tubes are used in particular, when the granule must not be touched before swallowing it - for a drug - or using it.
  • This type of tube has the disadvantage that it is difficult to accurately count the granules. Often, too, more granules than desired exit the tube. They must then be carefully poured back into the tube.
  • tubes with a dispenser There are also tubes with a dispenser. These tubes are in two parts: a lower part provided with a bottom serving as a reservoir, and an upper part, cooperating with a cover and serving as a distributor.
  • the upper part comprises at least two parts: a first fitting on the lower part and a second movable in rotation relative to the first around the axis of the tube.
  • This second part protrudes from the first on the side of the opening of the tube and is notched on its outer periphery on the projecting side.
  • the cover is provided with internal ribs, cooperating with the notches of the moving part in rotation. So when the cover is in place on the tube, by turning the cover, the moving part is rotated.
  • This moving part has a transverse wall, closing the tube and provided with an opening through which only one granule can exit at a time. A finger curved towards the axis of the opening and fixed on the transverse wall projects towards the inside of the tube.
  • Compartments arranged in the fixed wall of the tube which can only contain one granule, are located between the curved end of the finger and the transverse wall.
  • the granules are set in motion by the curved finger and fall into the compartments arranged for them.
  • the opening of the transverse wall during rotation is facing a compartment, the granule which has fallen into the compartment may fall into the cover.
  • the finger being curved towards the axis of the opening, it is not possible for other granules to borrow the passage thus opened. The granules therefore fall one by one into the cover. When there is enough in the lid, just stop the rotation.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a reliable granule distribution tube, comprising a minimum of parts, of a simple assembly, requiring no welding.
  • the distributor tube which it offers is of the type comprising a circular cylindrical tube serving as a reservoir, a cover into which the granules can fall and at least one piece of flexible material, with good elastic memory, which cooperates with the cover.
  • a distributor allowing the granules to exit one by one from the reservoir when the cover rotates around the axis of the tube, closing the tube, comprising at least one opening with a diameter slightly greater than that of the granules contained in the tube, at the edge of which protrude towards the outside of the tube at least two tongues offset radially, curved towards the axis of the opening, so that a granule can pass through the opening and take place between the tongues without power exit to the cover.
  • the cover has at least one blade extending axially, on the one hand wide enough to be able to pass between the tongues, between which a passage is provided for the blade when the cover is rotated around the axis of the tube, in order to drive the granule towards the lid by elastic deformation of the tongues, and on the other hand acting during the rotation of the lid around the axis of the tube on means provided on the piece of flexible material to put in move the granules contained in the cylindrical tube.
  • this distributor tube has only three parts. All these parts can be molded and the manufacture of the tube and its assembly are facilitated.
  • the tube contains granules and you want to bring out a predetermined number, just turn it over so that the cover is down and drive the cover in rotation around the axis of the tube until that the desired number of pellets fell into the cover.
  • a granule can pass through each opening of the piece of flexible material and be housed between the tongues.
  • the cover blade passes between the tabs and drives out the granule which falls into the cover.
  • the housing between the tabs is free and another granule can be accommodated there. It is therefore enough to pass the cover blade between the tabs quite often to dislodge the desired number of granules there.
  • the granules may have trouble falling through the openings between the tabs. This is why means are provided for setting the granules in motion inside the cylindrical tube.
  • the piece of flexible material comprises at least one cap of substantially hemispherical shape projecting towards the cover and in which, on the tube side, is a finger, extending substantially axially when the cap is not deformed, and the cover blade is quite long and the cap placed so that, during the rotation of the cover around the axis of the tube, the cover blade deforms the cap, pushing it towards the inside the tube.
  • the cover blade deforms the or the caps, causing the cap finger to move, which then sets the granules in motion. In this way, the latter fall more easily through the openings.
  • each cap finger extends from the top of the corresponding cap towards an opening of the piece of flexible material.
  • the cap fingers then push the granules towards the corresponding opening.
  • the granules are not only set in motion, but also directed towards the opening. If moreover between a cap having a finger and
  • the opening towards which the finger is oriented are two studs, on either side of the finger of the cap, spaced enough apart from one another to allow a granule to pass, then the granules are further guided towards the openings.
  • the piece of flexible material has at least one finger substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical tube projecting from one side towards the inside of the tube and the other side towards the cover and placed so that, when the cover rotates around the axis of the tube, the blade meets each finger.
  • the fingers are moved directly by the blade of the cover and this movement is transmitted to the granules by the end of the finger located inside the cylindrical tube.
  • each finger of the piece of flexible material is mounted in the wall of this piece closing the tube and having the openings and at the level of each finger this wall has a thinning of material.
  • the wall of the piece of flexible material on which the fingers are fixed can flexibly deform and does not disturb the transmission of the movement given by the blade of the cover.
  • the piece of flexible material has two diametrically opposite openings alternating with the means provided to set the granules in motion inside the tube, the latter, the center of the openings and the blade of the cover being located at the same distance from the axis of the tube. It is preferable that the cover closes the tube tightly. To avoid a complex part shape,
  • the invention proposes to make use of the sealing properties of the flexible material and that the plastic part comprises a tubular part engaging in the tube containing the granules ending in a flange bearing on the upper edge of the tube and d an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cover.
  • the material constituting the flexible material part is advantageously a mixture of polyethylene and elastomer.
  • the tube has a tab which snaps irreversibly into a pawl secured to the cover and not accessible.
  • the piece of flexible material and the cover are put in place, by snapping the tab into the ratchet of the cover.
  • the latter is not accessible, the only way to open the tube is to break the tongue. The user who breaks the tongue is then guaranteed that the tube has not been opened since it was filled.
  • Figure 1 shows in exploded perspective a dispensing tube according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line
  • FIG. 5 shows in exploded perspective a second embodiment of a dispensing tube according to the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 for this second embodiment.
  • the distributor tube shown in Figure 1 consists of three parts:
  • the cylindrical tube 1 serves as a reservoir. It has a bottom and is open at its upper end. It has at its upper edge an external shoulder 4, intended to serve as a stop for the cover 3.
  • the piece of flexible material 2 is intended to close the tube 1. It comprises a cylindrical tubular part intended to engage in the tube 1 with a slight tightening, and a circular transverse wall 6 in which are arranged two openings 7 and are formed two 8 hemispherical caps.
  • the flexible material used is a mixture of polyethylene and elastomer.
  • the two openings 7 and the two caps 8 are located at the same distance from the axis of the tube 1 and are regularly distributed over the circular wall 6, alternating an opening 7 with a cap 8.
  • the openings 7 are of a diameter slightly greater than that of a granule 9 that the tube 1 is intended to contain. Thus only one granule can pass at a time through the opening 7.
  • Two tongues 10 offset radially project at the edge of each opening 7 towards the outside of the tube. They are curved towards the axis of the opening 7, forming above this opening a vault, without however joining at the top of this vault.
  • the tabs 10 are curved above the opening at a height substantially equal to the diameter of a granule 9.
  • the tongues 10 even if they do not meet, are however such that, not deformed, they retain the granule 9 and prevent it from going out towards the outside the tube.
  • the hemispherical caps 8 are concave on the side of the circular transverse wall 6 situated towards the tube 1.
  • a finger 11 extending axially, is integral with each cap 8. It is fixed to the cap 8 on the concave side thereof.
  • the base of the finger 11 extends from the top of the cap 8 towards an opening 7 and the finger is located in the half of the cap 8 located on the side of this opening 7.
  • Pads 12 are fixed on the circular transverse wall 6, on the side of the tube 1. They extend axially. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, there are three of them. On each side of each finger 11, between the cap 8 and the opening 7, there is a stud 12. A stud 12, placed at the center of the transverse wall 6, is common to the two fingers 11, the other two are diametrically opposed.
  • the cover 3 is cylindrical tubular, of the same outside diameter as the tube 1. This tube is closed at one end by a bottom and has a shoulder on the side opposite the bottom, on its inner wall. Thus the cover 3 can fit onto the tube 1.
  • the circular transverse wall 6 of the piece of flexible material 2 has at its periphery a flange of diameter substantially equal to the largest inside diameter of the cover, so as to ensure a tight closure when the cover is in place on the tube 1 provided with the piece of flexible material 2.
  • the collar of the piece of flexible material 2 rests on the upper edge of the tube 1.
  • the cover 3 comprises a blade 13 extending axially towards the tube 1. This blade 13 of the cover is placed at the same distance from the axis of the tube as are the caps 8 and the openings 7.
  • the base of the blade 13 is in an arc of a circle and its length is such that, when the cover 3 is in place on the tube 1, provided with the piece of flexible material 2, the blade 13 of the cover arrives substantially at the level of the circular transverse wall 6.
  • the tongues 10 are placed so that around the openings 7 that the blade 13 of the cover can pass between them when the cover 3 is rotated about the axis of the tube.
  • the tube 1 serving as a reservoir is filled with granules 9. It is then closed with the piece of flexible material 2 and the cover 3 covers the assembly while ensuring the tightness of the tube.
  • the tube 1 To take out the granules 9 one by one from the tube 1, the tube 1 must be turned over so that the cover 3 is at the bottom. The piece of flexible material 2 prevents these from falling into the cover 3. A granule 9 then falls through an opening 7 and is found between two tongues 10. Then turning the cover 3 around the axis of the tube while maintaining the tube 1 fixed, the blade 13 of the cover will pass between these two tongues 10 and dislodge the granule 9 which then falls into the cover. Continuing the rotation, the blade 13 presses on a cap 8 and deforms it, then causing finger 11 of the cap to move towards an opening 7. In its movement, finger 11 of the cap causes a granule 9 which is then directed towards this opening 7 and guided towards it by the studs 12.
  • the blade 13 of the cover by deforming the caps 8 allows the granules 9 to exit through the openings 7 and to be housed between two tongues 10 and passing between the tongues 10, it dislodges the granules 9 which fall into the cover. It is important that the flexible material used has a good elastic memory, so that after deformation, the tongues 10 and the caps 8 return to their initial position. When a sufficient number of granules 9 has fallen into the cover 3, it suffices to stop the rotation of the cover 3, to remove the latter. Then, without touching them, the desired number of granules 9 was removed from the tube 1.
  • the tube 1 proper is provided on its outer wall with a latching tab 14 which snaps in in a pawl 15 fixed on the cover.
  • the pawl 15 is covered by a protective cover 16 so that it is not possible to click the tab 14 of the pawl 15.
  • the only solution for removing the cover 3 is then to break the click tab 14.
  • the user if he breaks this tab himself, then he is sure that he is the first user of the dispensing tube.
  • This inviolability system could be replaced for example by a self-adhesive label which would overlap the tube 1 and the cover 3.
  • the advantage of the solution with the latching system is that, when the tube is overturned, the protrusion formed by this system prevents the tube from rolling.
  • the cover 3 can be brought to the mouth of the user. It is therefore preferable not to have glue on it.
  • FIG. 5 A second embodiment for the piece of flexible material 2 is shown in Figures 5 and 6.
  • the cylindrical tube 1, the cover 3 remain unchanged.
  • the general shape of the piece of flexible material 2 is not changed.
  • the caps 8 and the fingers 11 are replaced.
  • the circular transverse wall 6 in which the openings 7 are arranged has, alternately with the latter, two thinned zones 17. Parallel to the axis of the cylindrical tube 1, and therefore orthogonally to the transverse wall 6, extend on either side of this wall, at each thinned zone 17, a finger 18.
  • the fingers 18, the openings 7 and the blade of the cover 13 are all placed at substantially the same distance from the axis of the tube 1.
  • the operation of the distributor tube remains unchanged.
  • the cover 3 rotates around the axis of the tube, the cover blade 13 meets the fingers 18 and tilts them.
  • the thinning of material produced at the areas 17 allows good transmission of the movement to the granules 9 and by elasticity recalls the fingers 18 in their initial position. All this effectively sets the granules 9 in motion thus ensuring the proper functioning of the dispensing tube.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example. On the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments according to the same principle.
  • the number of caps or fingers and openings can be different from two. There may also be more openings than caps / fingers or vice versa.
  • the cover can also include several blades.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

A tube comprising a tubular member (1) forming a reservoir, a flexible element (2) and a cap (3). The tube is sealed by the flexible element (2) which comprises at least one aperture (7) with at least two projecting tabs (10) provided around the edge thereof which face out of the tubular member (1) and are curved towards the axis of the aperture (7), whereby a granule passing through the aperture (7) becomes lodged between the tabs (10) and cannot pass through into the cap (3). The cap (3) includes at least one axially extending blade (13) for engaging the flexible element (2), pushing the granule caught between the tabs (10) out into the cap (3) by resiliently bending the tabs (10), and moving the granules (9) around the inside of the tubular member (1).

Description

"TUBE DISTRIBUTEUR DE GRANULES" L'invention concerne un tube distributeur de granules. Il peut s'agir de granules homéopathiques ou d'autres médicaments, mais aussi de confiseries de forme sphériques, d'autres objets sphériques, tels des plombs de chasse par exemple, ou bien encore des granules de produits dont on veut éviter le contact avec la peau - soude caustique ou pesticides-. "PELLET DISPENSING TUBE" The invention relates to a pellet dispensing tube. It can be homeopathic granules or other drugs, but also confectionery of spherical shape, other spherical objects, such as hunting pellets for example, or even granules of products which one wants to avoid contact with the skin - caustic soda or pesticides -.
De tels tubes distributeurs sont notamment utilisés, lorsqu'il ne faut pas toucher le granule avant de l'avaler -pour un médicament- ou de l'utiliser.Such dispensing tubes are used in particular, when the granule must not be touched before swallowing it - for a drug - or using it.
Souvent, il faut aussi compter le nombre de granules dont n a besoin.Often, you also need to count the number of granules n needs.
Pour sortir des granules d'un tube en les comptant, il est connu d'utiliser un tube fermé par un bouchon comportant au moins une cavité et un couvercle venant couvrir le tube bouché. Lorsque le tube est ouvert, il faut précautionneusement verser le nombre de granules voulu dans la cavité du bouchon, puis, s'il s'agit d'un médicament, porter le bouchon à la bouche pour avaler les granules. Le couvercle a alors pour fonction de garder le bouchon à l'abri des poussières et microbes avant le premier usage, puisque le bouchon est porté à la bouche.To take granules out of a tube by counting them, it is known to use a tube closed by a plug comprising at least one cavity and a cover covering the blocked tube. When the tube is open, carefully pour the required number of granules into the cavity of the stopper, then, if it is a drug, bring the stopper to your mouth to swallow the granules. The cover then has the function of keeping the stopper safe from dust and microbes before first use, since the stopper is worn by mouth.
Ce type de tube présente l'inconvénient qu'il est difficile de compter précisément les granules. Souvent aussi, plus de granules que souhaité sortent du tube. Il faut alors les reverser avec soin dans le tube.This type of tube has the disadvantage that it is difficult to accurately count the granules. Often, too, more granules than desired exit the tube. They must then be carefully poured back into the tube.
Il existe également des tubes avec un distributeur. Ces tubes sont en deux parties : une partie inférieure munie d'un fond servant de réservoir, et une partie supérieure, coopérant avec un couvercle et servant de distributeur.There are also tubes with a dispenser. These tubes are in two parts: a lower part provided with a bottom serving as a reservoir, and an upper part, cooperating with a cover and serving as a distributor.
La partie supérieure comporte deux pièces au moins : une première s'emboitant sur la partie inférieure et une seconde mobile en rotation par rapport à la première autour de l'axe du tube. Cette seconde partie dépasse de la première du côté de 1'ouverture du tube et est crantée sur sa périphérie extérieure du côté dépassant. Le couvercle est muni de nervures intérieures, coopérant avec les crans de la pièce mobile en rotation. Ainsi lorsque le couvercle est en place sur le tube, en tournant le couvercle, la pièce mobile est entrainée en rotation. Cette pièce mobile comporte une paroi transversale, fermant le tube et munie d'une ouverture au travers de laquelle un seul granule peut sortir à la fois. Un doigt recourbé vers l'axe de l'ouverture et fixé sur la paroi transversale fait saillie vers l'intérieur du tube. Entre l'extrémité recourbée du doigt et la paroi transversale il y a de la place pour un seul granule. Des compartiments aménagés dans la paroi fixe du tube, ne pouvant contenir qu'un granule, sont situés entre l'extrémité recourbée du doigt et la paroi transversale. Lorsque le tube est renversé, et que l'on fait tourner la pièce mobile, les granules sont mis en mouvement par le doigt recourbé et tombent dans les compartiments aménagés pour eux. Lorsqu'alors l'ouverture de la paroi transversale au cours de la rotation est face à un compartiment, le granule tombé dans le compartiment peut tomber dans le couvercle. Le doigt étant recourbé vers l'axe de l'ouverture, il n'est pas possible à d'autres granules d'emprunter le passage ainsi ouvert. Les granules tombent donc un à un dans le couvercle. Lorsqu'il y en a assez dans le couvercle, il suffit de cesser la rotation.The upper part comprises at least two parts: a first fitting on the lower part and a second movable in rotation relative to the first around the axis of the tube. This second part protrudes from the first on the side of the opening of the tube and is notched on its outer periphery on the projecting side. The cover is provided with internal ribs, cooperating with the notches of the moving part in rotation. So when the cover is in place on the tube, by turning the cover, the moving part is rotated. This moving part has a transverse wall, closing the tube and provided with an opening through which only one granule can exit at a time. A finger curved towards the axis of the opening and fixed on the transverse wall projects towards the inside of the tube. Between the curved end of the finger and the transverse wall there is room for a single granule. Compartments arranged in the fixed wall of the tube, which can only contain one granule, are located between the curved end of the finger and the transverse wall. When the tube is overturned, and the moving part is rotated, the granules are set in motion by the curved finger and fall into the compartments arranged for them. When the opening of the transverse wall during rotation is facing a compartment, the granule which has fallen into the compartment may fall into the cover. The finger being curved towards the axis of the opening, it is not possible for other granules to borrow the passage thus opened. The granules therefore fall one by one into the cover. When there is enough in the lid, just stop the rotation.
L'inconvénient de ce système est qu'il est composé de pièces assez complexes, que son montage n'est pas aisé, qu'il est nécessaire de réaliser des soudures pour obtenir un tel distributeur et qu'enfin, au cours de la rotation, les granules peuvent se mettre dans une position bloquant le dispositif.The disadvantage of this system is that it is composed of fairly complex parts, that it is not easy to assemble, that it is necessary to weld to obtain such a distributor and that, finally, during rotation , the granules can be put in a position blocking the device.
Le but de 1'invention est donc de fournir un tube distributeur de granules fiable, comportant un minimum de pièces, d'un montage simple, ne nécessitant aucune soudur .The object of the invention is therefore to provide a reliable granule distribution tube, comprising a minimum of parts, of a simple assembly, requiring no welding.
A cet effet, le tube distributeur qu'elle propose est du type comportant un tube cylindrique circulaire servant de réservoir, un couvercle dans lequel peuvent tomber les granules et au moins une pièce en matériau souple, à bonne mémoire élastique, qui coopère avec le couvercle pour constituer avec lui un distributeur permettant aux granules de sortir un à un du réservoir lorsque le couvercle tourne autour de l'axe du tube, fermant le tube, comportant au moins une ouverture de diamètre légèrement supérieur à celui des granules contenus dans le tube, au bord de laquelle font saillie vers 1'extérieur du tube au moins deux languettes décalées radialement, recourbées vers l'axe de l'ouverture, de telle sorte qu'un granule puisse passer par l'ouverture et prendre place entre les languettes sans pouvoir sortir vers le couvercle. Il est caractérisé en ce que le couvercle possède au moins une lame s'étendant axialement, d'une part assez large pour pouvoir passer entre les languettes, entre lesquelles un passage est prévu pour la lame lors de la rotation du couvercle autour de l'axe du tube, afin de chasser le granule vers le couvercle par déformation élastique des languettes, et d'autre part agissant lors de la rotation du couvercle autour de l'axe du tube sur des moyens prévus sur la pièce en matériau souple pour mettre en mouvement les granules contenus dans le tube cylindrique.To this end, the distributor tube which it offers is of the type comprising a circular cylindrical tube serving as a reservoir, a cover into which the granules can fall and at least one piece of flexible material, with good elastic memory, which cooperates with the cover. to constitute with it a distributor allowing the granules to exit one by one from the reservoir when the cover rotates around the axis of the tube, closing the tube, comprising at least one opening with a diameter slightly greater than that of the granules contained in the tube, at the edge of which protrude towards the outside of the tube at least two tongues offset radially, curved towards the axis of the opening, so that a granule can pass through the opening and take place between the tongues without power exit to the cover. It is characterized in that the cover has at least one blade extending axially, on the one hand wide enough to be able to pass between the tongues, between which a passage is provided for the blade when the cover is rotated around the axis of the tube, in order to drive the granule towards the lid by elastic deformation of the tongues, and on the other hand acting during the rotation of the lid around the axis of the tube on means provided on the piece of flexible material to put in move the granules contained in the cylindrical tube.
Ainsi ce tube distributeur ne comporte que trois pièces. Toutes ces pièces peuvent être moulées et la fabrication du tube et son montage sont facilités.Thus this distributor tube has only three parts. All these parts can be molded and the manufacture of the tube and its assembly are facilitated.
Lorsque le tube contient des granules et qu'on désire en faire sortir un nombre prédéterminé, il suffit de le retourner de telle sorte que le couvercle soit vers le bas et d'entrainer le couvercle en rotation autour de l'axe du tube jusqu'à ce que le nombre souhaité de granules soit tombé dans le couvercle. En retournant le tube, un granule peut passer dans chaque ouverture de la pièce en matériau souple et se loger entre les languettes. En faisant tourner le couvercle, la lame du couvercle passe entre les languettes et chasse le granule qui tombe dans le couvercle. Le logement entre les languettes est libre et un autre granule peut venir s'y loger. Il suffit donc de faire passer assez souvent le lame du couvercle entre les languettes pour y déloger le nombre de granules souhaité.When the tube contains granules and you want to bring out a predetermined number, just turn it over so that the cover is down and drive the cover in rotation around the axis of the tube until that the desired number of pellets fell into the cover. By inverting the tube, a granule can pass through each opening of the piece of flexible material and be housed between the tongues. By turning the cover, the cover blade passes between the tabs and drives out the granule which falls into the cover. The housing between the tabs is free and another granule can be accommodated there. It is therefore enough to pass the cover blade between the tabs quite often to dislodge the desired number of granules there.
Malgré l'action de la pesanteur, les granules peuvent avoir du mal à tomber au travers des ouvertures entre les languettes. C'est pourquoi des moyens sont prévus pour mettre les granules en mouvement à 1'intérieur du tube cylindrique.Despite the action of gravity, the granules may have trouble falling through the openings between the tabs. This is why means are provided for setting the granules in motion inside the cylindrical tube.
L'invention propose divers moyens pour mettre les granules en mouvement. Dans une première forme de réalisation, la pièce en matériau souple comporte au moins une calotte de forme sensiblement hémisphérique faisant saillie vers le couvercle et dans laquelle, côté tube, se trouve un doigt, s'étendant sensiblement axialement lorsque la calotte n'est pas déformée, et que la lame du couvercle est assez longue et la calotte placée de telle sorte que, au cours de la rotation du couvercle autour de l'axe du tube, la lame du couvercle vienne déformer la calotte, en la repoussant vers l'intérieur du tube.The invention provides various means for setting the granules in motion. In a first embodiment, the piece of flexible material comprises at least one cap of substantially hemispherical shape projecting towards the cover and in which, on the tube side, is a finger, extending substantially axially when the cap is not deformed, and the cover blade is quite long and the cap placed so that, during the rotation of the cover around the axis of the tube, the cover blade deforms the cap, pushing it towards the inside the tube.
Ainsi, lorsque le couvercle tourne, la lame du couvercle vient déformer la -ou les- calottes, faisant alors bouger le doigt de calotte, qui met alors en mouvement les granules. De cette façon, ces derniers tombent plus facilement au travers des ouvertures.Thus, when the cover rotates, the cover blade deforms the or the caps, causing the cap finger to move, which then sets the granules in motion. In this way, the latter fall more easily through the openings.
Avantageusement, la base de chaque doigt de calotte s'étend à partir du sommet de la calotte correspondante vers une ouverture de la pièce en matériau souple. Les doigts de calotte poussent alors les granules vers l'ouverture correspondante. Les granules ne sont pas seulement mis en mouvement, mais également dirigés vers 1'ouverture. Si de plus entre une calotte possédant un doigt etAdvantageously, the base of each cap finger extends from the top of the corresponding cap towards an opening of the piece of flexible material. The cap fingers then push the granules towards the corresponding opening. The granules are not only set in motion, but also directed towards the opening. If moreover between a cap having a finger and
1'ouverture vers laquelle est orientée le doigt se trouvent deux plots, de part et d'autre du doigt de la calotte, assez espacés l'un de l'autre pour laisser passer un granule, alors les granules sont de plus guidés vers les ouvertures.The opening towards which the finger is oriented are two studs, on either side of the finger of the cap, spaced enough apart from one another to allow a granule to pass, then the granules are further guided towards the openings.
Selon une autre forme de réalisation des moyens pour mettre les granules en mouvement, la pièce en matériau souple présente au moins un doigt sensiblement parallèle à l'axe du tube cylindrique faisant saillie d'un côté vers l'intérieur du tube et de l'autre côté vers le couvercle et placé de telle sorte que, lors de la rotation du couvercle autour de l'axe du tube, la lame rencontre chaque doigt. Ainsi les doigts sont mis en mouvement directement par la lame du couvercle et ce mouvement est transmis aux granules par l'extrémité du doigt situé à l'intérieur du tube cylindrique.According to another embodiment of the means for setting the granules in motion, the piece of flexible material has at least one finger substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical tube projecting from one side towards the inside of the tube and the other side towards the cover and placed so that, when the cover rotates around the axis of the tube, the blade meets each finger. Thus the fingers are moved directly by the blade of the cover and this movement is transmitted to the granules by the end of the finger located inside the cylindrical tube.
De préférence, chaque doigt de la pièce en matériau souple est monté dans la paroi de cette pièce fermant le tube et présentant les ouvertures et au niveau de chaque doigt cette paroi présente un amincissement de matière. De cette manière, la paroi de la pièce en matériau souple sur laquelle sont fixés les doigts peut se déformer avec souplesse et ne perturbe pas la transmission du mouvement donné par la lame du couvercle. Dans une forme d'exécution préférée, la pièce en matière souple comporte deux ouvertures diamétralement opposées alternant avec les moyens prévus pour mettre les granules en mouvement à l'intérieur du tube, ces derniers, le centre des ouvertures et la lame du couvercle se situant à une même distance de l'axe du tube. Il est préférable que le couvercle ferme le tube de façon étanche. Pour éviter une forme de pièce complexe,Preferably, each finger of the piece of flexible material is mounted in the wall of this piece closing the tube and having the openings and at the level of each finger this wall has a thinning of material. In this way, the wall of the piece of flexible material on which the fingers are fixed can flexibly deform and does not disturb the transmission of the movement given by the blade of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the piece of flexible material has two diametrically opposite openings alternating with the means provided to set the granules in motion inside the tube, the latter, the center of the openings and the blade of the cover being located at the same distance from the axis of the tube. It is preferable that the cover closes the tube tightly. To avoid a complex part shape,
1'invention propose de se servir des propriétés d'étanchéification du matériau souple et que la pièce en matière plastique comporte une partie tubulaire s'engageant dans le tube contenant les granules se terminant par une collerette prenant appui sur le bord supérieur du tube et d'un diamètre extérieur sensiblement égal au diamètre intérieur du couvercle. Le matériau constituant la pièce en matière souple est avantageusement un mélange de polyéthylène et d'élastomère.The invention proposes to make use of the sealing properties of the flexible material and that the plastic part comprises a tubular part engaging in the tube containing the granules ending in a flange bearing on the upper edge of the tube and d an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cover. The material constituting the flexible material part is advantageously a mixture of polyethylene and elastomer.
Pour assurer son inviolabilité, le tube possède une languette venant s'encliqueter de façon irréversible dans un cliquet solidaire du couvercle et non accessible.To ensure its inviolability, the tube has a tab which snaps irreversibly into a pawl secured to the cover and not accessible.
Ainsi, lorsque le tube est rempli, on met en place la pièce en matériau souple et le couvercle, en encliquetant la languette dans le cliquet du couvercle. Ce dernier n'étant pas accessible, la seule manière pour ouvrir le tube est alors de casser la languette. On garantit alors à l'utilisateur qui casse la languette, que le tube n'a pas été ouvert depuis son remplissage.Thus, when the tube is filled, the piece of flexible material and the cover are put in place, by snapping the tab into the ratchet of the cover. The latter is not accessible, the only way to open the tube is to break the tongue. The user who breaks the tongue is then guaranteed that the tube has not been opened since it was filled.
De toute façon, l'invention sera bien comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit en référence au dessin schématique annexé, représentant à titre d'exemple non limitatif deux formes d'exécution d'un tube distributeur de granules selon l'invention.In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing, representing by way of nonlimiting example two embodiments of a granule dispensing tube according to the invention .
La figure 1 montre en perspective éclatée un tube distributeur selon l'invention. La figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligneFigure 1 shows in exploded perspective a dispensing tube according to the invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line
II-II de la figure 1 à l'échelle agrandie de l'ensemble monté.II-II of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale of the mounted assembly.
La figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligneFigure 3 is a sectional view along the line
III-III de la figure 2. La figure 4 est une vue en coupe à échelle agrandie selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3. La figure 5 montre en perspective éclatée une seconde forme d'exécution d'un tube distributeur selon 1'invention.III-III of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale along the line IV-IV of Figure 3. FIG. 5 shows in exploded perspective a second embodiment of a dispensing tube according to the invention.
La figure 6 est une vue correspondant à la figure 4 pour cette seconde forme d'exécution.Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 for this second embodiment.
Le tube distributeur représenté à la figure 1 est constitué de trois pièces :The distributor tube shown in Figure 1 consists of three parts:
- un tube cylindrique 1 en matière synthétique- a cylindrical tube 1 made of synthetic material
- une pièce en matériau souple 2 - un couvercle 3 en matière synthétique transparente ou translucide.- a piece of flexible material 2 - a cover 3 of transparent or translucent synthetic material.
Le tube cylindrique 1 sert de réservoir. Il possède un fond et est ouvert à son extrémité supérieure. Il présente à son bord supérieur un épaulement extérieur 4, destiné à servir de butée au couvercle 3.The cylindrical tube 1 serves as a reservoir. It has a bottom and is open at its upper end. It has at its upper edge an external shoulder 4, intended to serve as a stop for the cover 3.
La pièce en matériau souple 2 est destinée à fermer le tube 1. Elle comporte une partie tubulaire cylindrique destinée à s'engager dans le tube 1 avec un léger serrage, et une paroi transversale circulaire 6 dans laquelle sont aménagées deux ouvertures 7 et sont formées deux calottes 8 hémisphériques. Le matériau souple utilisé est un mélange de polyéthylène et d'élastomère.The piece of flexible material 2 is intended to close the tube 1. It comprises a cylindrical tubular part intended to engage in the tube 1 with a slight tightening, and a circular transverse wall 6 in which are arranged two openings 7 and are formed two 8 hemispherical caps. The flexible material used is a mixture of polyethylene and elastomer.
Les deux ouvertures 7 et les deux calottes 8 sont situées à une même distance de l'axe du tube 1 et sont régulièrement réparties sur la paroi circulaire 6, en alternant une ouverture 7 avec une calotte 8.The two openings 7 and the two caps 8 are located at the same distance from the axis of the tube 1 and are regularly distributed over the circular wall 6, alternating an opening 7 with a cap 8.
Les ouvertures 7 sont d'un diamètre légèrement supérieur à celui d'un granule 9 que le tube 1 est destiné à contenir. Ainsi un seul granule peut passer à la fois par l'ouverture 7. Deux languettes 10 décalées radialement font saillie au bord de chaque ouverture 7 vers l'extérieur du tube. Elles sont recourbées vers l'axe de l'ouverture 7, formant au-dessus de cette ouverture une voûte, sans cependant se rejoindre au sommet de cette voûte. Les languettes 10 sont recourbées au dessus de 1'ouverture à une hauteur sensiblement égale au diamètre d'un granule 9. Ainsi un tel granule peut loger entre deux languettes 10. Les languettes 10, même si elles ne se rejoignent pas, sont cependant telles que, non déformées, elles retiennent le granule 9 et l'empêchent de sortir vers l'extérieur du tube.The openings 7 are of a diameter slightly greater than that of a granule 9 that the tube 1 is intended to contain. Thus only one granule can pass at a time through the opening 7. Two tongues 10 offset radially project at the edge of each opening 7 towards the outside of the tube. They are curved towards the axis of the opening 7, forming above this opening a vault, without however joining at the top of this vault. The tabs 10 are curved above the opening at a height substantially equal to the diameter of a granule 9. Thus such a granule can be housed between two tongues 10. The tongues 10, even if they do not meet, are however such that, not deformed, they retain the granule 9 and prevent it from going out towards the outside the tube.
Les calottes hémisphériques 8 sont concaves du côté de la paroi transversale circulaire 6 située vers le tube 1. Un doigt 11 s'étendant axialement, est solidaire de chaque calotte 8. Il est fixé à la calotte 8 du côté concave de celle-ci. La base du doigt 11 s'étend du sommet de la calotte 8 vers une ouverture 7 et le doigt se situe dans la moitié de la calotte 8 se situant du côté de cette ouverture 7.The hemispherical caps 8 are concave on the side of the circular transverse wall 6 situated towards the tube 1. A finger 11 extending axially, is integral with each cap 8. It is fixed to the cap 8 on the concave side thereof. The base of the finger 11 extends from the top of the cap 8 towards an opening 7 and the finger is located in the half of the cap 8 located on the side of this opening 7.
Des plots 12 sont fixés sur la paroi transversale circulaire 6, du côté du tube 1. Ils s'étendent axialement. Dans la forme d'exécution représentée au dessin, ils sont au nombre de trois. De part et d'autre de chaque doigt 11, entre la calotte 8 et l'ouverture 7, se trouve un plot 12. Un plot 12, placé au centre de la paroi transversale 6, est commun aux deux doigts 11, les deux autres sont diamétralement opposés.Pads 12 are fixed on the circular transverse wall 6, on the side of the tube 1. They extend axially. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, there are three of them. On each side of each finger 11, between the cap 8 and the opening 7, there is a stud 12. A stud 12, placed at the center of the transverse wall 6, is common to the two fingers 11, the other two are diametrically opposed.
Le couvercle 3 est tubulaire cylindrique, de même diamètre extérieur que le tube 1. Ce tube est fermé à une extrémité par un fond et présente du côté opposé au fond, sur sa paroi intérieure, un épaulement. Ainsi le couvercle 3 peut s'emboîter sur le tube 1. De plus, la paroi transversale circulaire 6 de la pièce en matériau souple 2 présente à sa périphérie une collerette de diamètre sensiblement égal au plus grand diamètre intérieur du couvercle, de façon à assurer une fermeture étanche lorsque le couvercle est en place sur le tube 1 muni de la pièce en matériau souple 2. La collerette de la pièce en matériau souple 2 repose sur le bord supérieur du tube 1. Le couvercle 3 comporte une lame 13 s'étendant axialement vers le tube 1. Cette lame 13 du couvercle est placée à la même distance de l'axe du tube que le sont les calottes 8 et les ouvertures 7. La base de la lame 13 est en arc de cercle et sa longueur est telle que, lorsque le couvercle 3 est en place sur le tube 1, muni de la pièce en matériau souple 2, la lame 13 du couvercle arrive sensiblement au niveau de la paroi transversale circulaire 6. Les languettes 10 sont placées de telle sorte autour des ouvertures 7 que la lame 13 du couvercle puisse passer entre elles lorsque le couvercle 3 est en rotation autour de l'axe du tube.The cover 3 is cylindrical tubular, of the same outside diameter as the tube 1. This tube is closed at one end by a bottom and has a shoulder on the side opposite the bottom, on its inner wall. Thus the cover 3 can fit onto the tube 1. In addition, the circular transverse wall 6 of the piece of flexible material 2 has at its periphery a flange of diameter substantially equal to the largest inside diameter of the cover, so as to ensure a tight closure when the cover is in place on the tube 1 provided with the piece of flexible material 2. The collar of the piece of flexible material 2 rests on the upper edge of the tube 1. The cover 3 comprises a blade 13 extending axially towards the tube 1. This blade 13 of the cover is placed at the same distance from the axis of the tube as are the caps 8 and the openings 7. The base of the blade 13 is in an arc of a circle and its length is such that, when the cover 3 is in place on the tube 1, provided with the piece of flexible material 2, the blade 13 of the cover arrives substantially at the level of the circular transverse wall 6. The tongues 10 are placed so that around the openings 7 that the blade 13 of the cover can pass between them when the cover 3 is rotated about the axis of the tube.
Le fonctionnement du tube distributeur dont les pièces constituantes viennent d'être décrites est alors le suivant.The operation of the distributor tube, the constituent parts of which have just been described, is as follows.
Le tube 1 servant de réservoir est rempli de granules 9. Il est alors fermé avec la pièce en matériau souple 2 et le couvercle 3 vient coiffer 1'ensemble en assurant l'étanchéité du tube.The tube 1 serving as a reservoir is filled with granules 9. It is then closed with the piece of flexible material 2 and the cover 3 covers the assembly while ensuring the tightness of the tube.
Pour sortir un à un les granules 9 du tube 1, il faut retourner le tube 1 de telle sorte que le couvercle 3 se retrouve vers le bas. La pièce en matériau souple 2 empêche ceux-ci de tomber dans le couvercle 3. Un granule 9 tombe alors à travers une ouverture 7 et se retrouve entre deux languettes 10. En tournant alors le couvercle 3 autour de l'axe du tube en maintenant le tube 1 fixe, la lame 13 du couvercle va passer entre ces deux languettes 10 et déloger le granule 9 qui tombe alors dans le couvercle. En poursuivant la rotation, la lame 13 vient appuyer sur une calotte 8 et la déforme, faisant alors bouger le doigt 11 de la calotte vers une ouverture 7. Dans son mouvement, le doigt 11 de la calotte entraine un granule 9 qui est dirigé alors vers cette ouverture 7 et guidé vers celle-ci par les plots 12.To take out the granules 9 one by one from the tube 1, the tube 1 must be turned over so that the cover 3 is at the bottom. The piece of flexible material 2 prevents these from falling into the cover 3. A granule 9 then falls through an opening 7 and is found between two tongues 10. Then turning the cover 3 around the axis of the tube while maintaining the tube 1 fixed, the blade 13 of the cover will pass between these two tongues 10 and dislodge the granule 9 which then falls into the cover. Continuing the rotation, the blade 13 presses on a cap 8 and deforms it, then causing finger 11 of the cap to move towards an opening 7. In its movement, finger 11 of the cap causes a granule 9 which is then directed towards this opening 7 and guided towards it by the studs 12.
Ainsi, la lame 13 du couvercle en déformant les calottes 8 permet aux granules 9 de sortir par les ouvertures 7 et de se loger entre deux languettes 10 et en passant entre les languettes 10, elle déloge les granules 9 qui tombent dans le couvercle. Il est important que le matériau souple utilisé ait une bonne mémoire élastique, pour que après déformation, les languettes 10 et les calottes 8 reviennent dans leur position initiale. Lorsqu'un nombre suffisant de granules 9 est tombé dans le couvercle 3, il suffit de stopper la rotation du couvercle 3, de retirer celui-ci. On a alors, sans les toucher, sorti le nombre de granules 9 souhaité du tube 1. Pour garantir l'inviolabilité du tube distributeur, le tube 1 proprement dit est muni sur sa paroi extérieure d'une languette de cliquetage 14 venant s'encliqueter dans une cliquet 15 fixé sur le couvercle. Le cliquet 15 est recouvert par un cache de protection 16 afin qu'il ne soit pas possible de décliqueter la languette 14 du cliquet 15. La seule solution pour retirer le couvercle 3 est alors de casser la languette de cliquetage 14. L'utilisateur, s'il rompt lui-même cette languette, est alors sûr qu'il est le premier utilisateur du tube distributeur. Ce système d'inviolabilité pourrait être remplacé par exemple par une étiquette auto-collante qui chevaucherait le tube 1 et le couvercle 3. L'avantage de la solution avec le système d'encliquetage est que, lorsque le tube est renversé, la saillie formée par ce système empêche le tube de rouler. De plus, suivant le type de granules contenus dans le tube, le couvercle 3 peut être amené à la bouche de l'utilisateur. Il est alors préférable de ne pas avoir de colle sur celui-ci.Thus, the blade 13 of the cover by deforming the caps 8 allows the granules 9 to exit through the openings 7 and to be housed between two tongues 10 and passing between the tongues 10, it dislodges the granules 9 which fall into the cover. It is important that the flexible material used has a good elastic memory, so that after deformation, the tongues 10 and the caps 8 return to their initial position. When a sufficient number of granules 9 has fallen into the cover 3, it suffices to stop the rotation of the cover 3, to remove the latter. Then, without touching them, the desired number of granules 9 was removed from the tube 1. To guarantee the inviolability of the dispensing tube, the tube 1 proper is provided on its outer wall with a latching tab 14 which snaps in in a pawl 15 fixed on the cover. The pawl 15 is covered by a protective cover 16 so that it is not possible to click the tab 14 of the pawl 15. The only solution for removing the cover 3 is then to break the click tab 14. The user, if he breaks this tab himself, then he is sure that he is the first user of the dispensing tube. This inviolability system could be replaced for example by a self-adhesive label which would overlap the tube 1 and the cover 3. The advantage of the solution with the latching system is that, when the tube is overturned, the protrusion formed by this system prevents the tube from rolling. In addition, depending on the type of granules contained in the tube, the cover 3 can be brought to the mouth of the user. It is therefore preferable not to have glue on it.
Une seconde forme d'exécution pour la pièce en matériau souple 2 est représentée sur les figures 5 et 6. Le tube cylindrique 1, le couvercle 3 restent inchangés. La forme générale de la pièce en matériau souple 2 n'est pas modifiée. Les calottes 8 et les doigts 11 sont remplacés. La paroi transversale circulaire 6 dans laquelle sont aménagées les ouvertures 7 présente, en alternance avec ces dernières, deux zones amincies 17. Parallèlement à l'axe du tube cylindrique 1, et donc orthogonalement à la paroi transversale 6, s'étendent de part et d•autre de cette paroi, au niveau de chaque zone amincie 17, un doigt 18. Les doigts 18, les ouvertures 7 et la lame du couvercle 13 sont tous placés à sensiblement même distance de l'axe du tube 1.A second embodiment for the piece of flexible material 2 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The cylindrical tube 1, the cover 3 remain unchanged. The general shape of the piece of flexible material 2 is not changed. The caps 8 and the fingers 11 are replaced. The circular transverse wall 6 in which the openings 7 are arranged has, alternately with the latter, two thinned zones 17. Parallel to the axis of the cylindrical tube 1, and therefore orthogonally to the transverse wall 6, extend on either side of this wall, at each thinned zone 17, a finger 18. The fingers 18, the openings 7 and the blade of the cover 13 are all placed at substantially the same distance from the axis of the tube 1.
Le fonctionnement du tube distributeur reste inchangé. Lors de la rotation du couvercle 3 autour de l'axe du tube, la lame du couvercle 13 rencontre les doigts 18 et les incline. L'amincissement de matière réalisé au niveau des zones 17 permet une bonne transmission du mouvement aux granules 9 et par élasticité rappelle les doigts 18 dans leur position initiale. Tout ceci met efficacement les granules 9 en mouvement assurant ainsi le bon fonctionnement du tube distributeur.The operation of the distributor tube remains unchanged. When the cover 3 rotates around the axis of the tube, the cover blade 13 meets the fingers 18 and tilts them. The thinning of material produced at the areas 17 allows good transmission of the movement to the granules 9 and by elasticity recalls the fingers 18 in their initial position. All this effectively sets the granules 9 in motion thus ensuring the proper functioning of the dispensing tube.
Comme il va de soi, l'invention ne se limite pas à la forme d'exécution décrite ci-dessus à titre d'exemple. Elle en embrasse au contraire toutes les variantes de réalisation selon le même principe. Ainsi le nombre de calottes ou de doigts et d'ouvertures peut être différent de deux. Il peut également y avoir plus d'ouvertures que de calottes/doigts ou inversement. Le couvercle peut aussi comporter plusieurs lames. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example. On the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments according to the same principle. Thus the number of caps or fingers and openings can be different from two. There may also be more openings than caps / fingers or vice versa. The cover can also include several blades.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Tube distributeur de granules comportant un tube cylindrique circulaire (1) servant de réservoir, un couvercle (3) dans lequel peuvent tomber les granules (9) et au moins une pièce en matériau souple (2) , à bonne mémoire élastique, qui coopère avec le couvercle (3) pour constituer avec lui un distributeur permettant aux granules (9) de sortir un à un du réservoir lorsque le couvercle (3) tourne autour de l'axe du tube, fermant le tube (1) , comportant au moins une ouverture (7) de diamètre légèrement supérieur à celui des granules contenus dans le tube, au bord de laquelle font saillie vers l'extérieur du tube au moins deux languettes (10) décalées radialement, recourbées vers l'axe de l'ouverture (7) , de telle sorte qu'un granule (9) puisse passer par l'ouverture (7) et prendre place entre les languettes (10) sans pouvoir sortir vers le couvercle (3) , caractérisé en ce que le couvercle (3) possède au moins une lame (13) s'étendant axialement, d'une part assez large pour pouvoir passer entre les languettes (10) , entre lesquelles un passage est prévu pour la lame (13) lors de la rotation du couvercle (3) autour de l'axe du tube, afin de chasser le granule vers le couvercle (3) par déformation élastique des languettes (10), et d'autre part agissant lors de la rotation du couvercle (3) autour de l'axe du tube sur des moyens (8,11) prévus sur la pièce en matériau souple (2) pour mettre en mouvement les granules contenus dans le tube cylindrique (1) .1. Granule distribution tube comprising a circular cylindrical tube (1) serving as a reservoir, a cover (3) into which the granules (9) can fall and at least one piece of flexible material (2), with good elastic memory, which cooperates with the cover (3) to constitute with it a distributor allowing the granules (9) to exit one by one from the reservoir when the cover (3) rotates around the axis of the tube, closing the tube (1), comprising at at least one opening (7) of diameter slightly greater than that of the granules contained in the tube, at the edge of which protrude towards the outside of the tube at least two tongues (10) offset radially, bent towards the axis of the opening (7), so that a granule (9) can pass through the opening (7) and take place between the tongues (10) without being able to exit towards the cover (3), characterized in that the cover (3 ) has at least one blade (13) extending axially, on the one hand ass ez large to be able to pass between the tongues (10), between which a passage is provided for the blade (13) during the rotation of the cover (3) around the axis of the tube, in order to drive the granule towards the cover ( 3) by elastic deformation of the tongues (10), and on the other hand acting during the rotation of the cover (3) around the axis of the tube on means (8,11) provided on the piece of flexible material (2 ) to set in motion the granules contained in the cylindrical tube (1).
2. Tube distributeur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la pièce en matériau souple (2) comporte au moins une calotte (8) de forme sensiblement hémisphérique faisant saillie vers le couvercle (3) et dans laquelle, côté tube, se trouve un doigt (11) , s'étendant sensiblement axialement lorsque la calotte n'est pas déformée, et en ce que la lame du couvercle (13) est assez longue et la calotte (8) placée de telle sorte que, au cours de la rotation du couvercle (3) autour de l'axe du tube, la lame du couvercle (13) vienne déformer la calotte (8), en la repoussant vers l'intérieur du tube.2. Dispensing tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the piece of flexible material (2) comprises at least one cap (8) of substantially hemispherical shape projecting towards the cover (3) and in which, tube side, is a finger (11), extending substantially axially when the cap is not deformed, and in that the blade of the cover (13) is quite long and the cap (8) placed so that, during the rotation of the cover (3) around the axis of the tube, the blade of the cover (13) comes to deform the cap (8), pushing it towards the inside of the tube.
3. Tube distributeur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la base de chaque doigt de calotte3. Dispensing tube according to claim 2, characterized in that the base of each cap finger
(11) s'étend à partir du sommet de la calotte (8) correspondante vers une ouverture (7) de la pièce en matériau souple (2) .(11) extends from the top of the corresponding cap (8) to an opening (7) of the piece of flexible material (2).
4. Tube distributeur selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que, entre une calotte (8) possédant un doigt (11) et l'ouverture (7) vers laquelle est orientée le doigt (11) se trouvent deux plots (12) , de part et d'autre du doigt de la calotte (11), assez espacés l'un de l'autre pour laisser passer un granule (9). 4. Dispensing tube according to claim 3, characterized in that, between a cap (8) having a finger (11) and the opening (7) towards which the finger (11) is oriented, are two studs (12), on either side of the finger of the cap (11), spaced enough apart from one another to allow a granule (9) to pass.
5. Tube distributeur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la pièce en matériau souple (2) présente au moins un doigt (18) sensiblement parallèle à l'axe du tube cylindrique faisant saillie d'un côté vers l'intérieur du tube (1) et de l'autre côté vers le couvercle (3) et placé de telle sorte que, lors de la rotation du couvercle (3) autour de l'axe du tube, la lame (13) rencontre chaque doigt.5. Dispensing tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the piece of flexible material (2) has at least one finger (18) substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical tube projecting from one side towards the inside of the tube (1) and on the other side towards the cover (3) and placed so that, when the cover (3) rotates around the axis of the tube, the blade (13) meets each finger.
6. Tube distributeur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que chaque doigt (18) de la pièce en matériau souple (2) est monté dans la paroi . (6) de cette pièce fermant le tube (1) et présentant les ouvertures (7) et en ce que, au niveau de chaque doigt (18) , cette paroi (6) présente un amincissement de matière (17) .6. Dispensing tube according to claim 5, characterized in that each finger (18) of the piece of flexible material (2) is mounted in the wall. (6) of this part closing the tube (1) and having the openings (7) and in that, at the level of each finger (18), this wall (6) has a thinning of material (17).
7. Tube distributeur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la pièce en matière plastique comporte une partie tubulaire s'engageant dans le tube (1) contenant les granules (9) se terminant par une collerette prenant appui sur le bord supérieur du tube et d'un diamètre extérieur sensiblement égal au diamètre intérieur du couvercle. 7. Dispensing tube according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plastic part comprises a tubular part engaging in the tube (1) containing the granules (9) ending in a flange bearing on the upper edge of the tube and an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cover.
8. Tube distributeur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que la pièce en matière souple (2) comporte deux ouvertures (7) diamétralement opposées alternant avec les moyens (8,11,) prévus pour mettre les granules (9) en mouvement à l'intérieur du tube (1), ces derniers, le centre des ouvertures et la lame du couvercle se situant à une même distance de l'axe du tube.8. Dispensing tube according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the piece of flexible material (2) has two diametrically opposite openings (7) alternating with the means (8,11,) provided for placing the granules ( 9) moving inside the tube (1), the latter, the center of the openings and the cover blade being located at the same distance from the axis of the tube.
9. Tube distributeur selon l'un des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que la pièce en matière souple (2) est constituée d'un mélange de polyéthylène et d'élastomère.9. Dispensing tube according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the piece of flexible material (2) consists of a mixture of polyethylene and elastomer.
10. Tube distributeur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le tube possède une languette (14) venant s'encliqueter de façon irréversible dans un cliquet (15) solidaire du couvercle et non accessible. 10. Dispensing tube according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tube has a tongue (14) which engages irreversibly in a pawl (15) integral with the cover and not accessible.
EP95913192A 1994-03-17 1995-03-13 Granule dispensing tube Withdrawn EP0750571A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9403374 1994-03-17
FR9403374A FR2717453B1 (en) 1994-03-17 1994-03-17 Granule distributor tube.
PCT/FR1995/000295 WO1995025050A1 (en) 1994-03-17 1995-03-13 Granule dispensing tube

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0750571A1 true EP0750571A1 (en) 1997-01-02

Family

ID=9461318

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95913192A Withdrawn EP0750571A1 (en) 1994-03-17 1995-03-13 Granule dispensing tube

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0750571A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2075195A (en)
FR (1) FR2717453B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1995025050A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2793778B1 (en) 1999-05-19 2001-06-22 Charles Feuillade PELLET COUNTING AND DISPENSING DEVICE
EP1502877A1 (en) * 2003-07-30 2005-02-02 CROWN Packaging Technology, Inc. A dispenser
DE102005001001A1 (en) * 2005-01-07 2006-07-20 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg Dosing device, in particular medicament dosing device and use of a dosing device
FR2967657B1 (en) * 2010-11-18 2012-11-16 Defi Internat UNIT DISTRIBUTOR OF CAPSULES OF BEAUTY

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE899117A (en) * 1984-03-09 1984-07-02 Unda S A DISPENSER FOR PILLS, GRANULES, TABLETS OR THE LIKE IN A ROUND OR SUBSTANTIALLY ROUND FORM.
FR2642729B1 (en) * 1989-02-06 1991-06-21 Suppo Steril Laboratoires CLOSING DEVICE, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR A PLUG AND MEANS FOR ITS AXIAL RETENTION AND ITS ANGULAR POSITIONING

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9525050A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2717453B1 (en) 1996-04-12
AU2075195A (en) 1995-10-03
WO1995025050A1 (en) 1995-09-21
FR2717453A1 (en) 1995-09-22

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