EP0786420A2 - Tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser (1), for the delivery of individual tablets (2), has a container (4) which pivots within its housing (3) in relation to it. In the closed position, the dispensing opening (6) of the container is offset from the outlet opening of the housing by at least part of its swing path or by the whole of the closing movement swing path. A barrier (9) at the inner side of the housing is over the outlet opening which is not moved by the swing movement of the container and its channel (7) but slides through a swing action on the lowest tablet and over the next highest tablet in the outlet route.

Description

The invention relates to a tablet dispenser for individual dosing of tablets or tablet-shaped bodies, for example sweetener tablets, which tablet dispenser has a housing and a container suitable for accommodating the tablets - or is formed from this housing and this container - with the housing on a lower, in particular horizontal, bottom in the use position, a dispensing opening and the container has a dispensing opening arranged at the end of a channel directed downwards in the use position, the cross section of which corresponds approximately to the outline or size of the tablet and which is closed when not in use, the container being relatively closed the housing is movable so that the dispensing opening and the dispensing opening pass a single tablet together and the passage of the next tablet is blocked.

A comparable tablet dispenser is known, for example, from EP-A-0 408 774 or from EP-A-0 600 123. The container for the separation and dispensing process is shifted from top to bottom with the vertical orientation of the tablet dispenser relative to the housing and the dispensing opening of the container having channel must be partially adjusted through the outlet opening of the housing so that a tablet can fail. In addition, the container which can be moved in the housing requires a closable opening, that is to say a lid, in order to be able to be closed after it has been filled. These known tablet dispensers must therefore be constructed in three parts.

Ejecting the channel or a part of the container having the channel from the housing causes the risk of damage to this component, which is essential for the separation of the tablet, and even slight damage can suffice to render the entire tablet dispenser unusable. A sudden load, for example in the transverse direction, caused by an impact or knocking can either damage this part pushed out during the dispensing process itself or else damage the floor area through which this part having the channel has to be moved and guided.

For this reason, the vertical wall of the housing has also been pulled down so far in the case of tablet dispensers that the part of the container which can be pushed out remains within this outline of the housing wall. Although this can offer some lateral protection against mechanical damage, it enlarges the housing and makes its production more complex. In addition, this makes the actual donation opening difficult to access from the outside or completely inaccessible, so that if a tablet to be dispensed is jammed, the user has practically no possibility of helping the dispensing process.

Furthermore, in this solution with the deep-drawn vertical housing wall, there is no final bottom, which would then have to be set back into the interior relative to this housing wall, which would make production considerably more difficult. In this case, there is therefore a risk of contamination, for example, from highly splashing liquid if a tablet is dispensed is immediately dropped into such a liquid. Moisture penetrating into the tablet dispenser in this way can otherwise damage or dissolve the tablets in it so that they cake together and that this also jeopardizes their further function.

From DE 33 01 217 C2 a tablet dispenser for single dosing of a similar type is known, in which the container is open on a vertical narrow side and the housing on the analog narrow side has the dispensing opening in its lower region, so that a linear displacement of the container relative to that Housing leads to a side tablet release. This requires a certain skill of the user so that the tablet falling out laterally does not miss its target.

From DE-GM 92 00 269.2 a dispenser of another type is known, which is not intended and suitable for single dosing. An inner container is tilted relative to an outer housing to such an extent that it emerges from a large section of the housing to such an extent that its opening becomes free. A second section of the housing is required to enable this tilting movement. Apart from the lack of the possibility of individual dosing, there is also the risk of an unwanted opening when carrying this dispenser and in the event of vibrations or the like occurring in the process. This is because no restoring force is provided for the closed position.

It is therefore the task of creating a tablet dispenser of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which a safe separation and dispensing of one tablet is possible, the advantage of a lower bottom of the housing being retained in the position of use and still a part which can be pushed out of this bottom during the dispensing process is avoided.

The solution to this apparently contradictory task is in that the container is pivotable relative to the housing in this housing, that in the rest position the dispensing opening of the container is offset in the pivoting direction by at least part of the pivoting path or by the entire pivoting path and that on the inside of the housing above a lock is arranged in the dispensing opening, which is immovable relative to the housing when the container and the channel belonging to it are pivoted and can be moved under the lowest tablet during this pivoting and over the next higher tablet. The lock that cannot be moved relative to the housing is therefore not itself pushed under the next higher tablet and over the tablet to be dispensed, but only a relative displacement takes place due to the pivoting of the channel and the container.

By means of the solution in which the container containing the tablets is pivoted relative to the housing for the dispensing process, which of course also means a relative pivoting of the housing relative to the container in the reverse manner, parts that can be pushed out of the bottom and the dispensing opening of the housing can be avoided . By pivoting the dispensing opening and the dispensing opening can be brought into overlap so far that a tablet can fall through, and the separation of the tablet is very simple in that the lock is present within the housing, which is to a certain extent between the pushes the last two tablets or on which the last two tablets are pushed up and down so that only the lowest tablet in the position of use can fall out with sufficient or complete coverage of the dispensing opening with the dispensing opening. Nevertheless, the advantage is retained that there is a lower end plate which is closed except for the dispensing opening and which covers and protects the dispensing opening of the inner container when not in use. During the dispensing process, however, the lock provides some protection against the inside achieved.

The lock can be arranged as a locking projection on the inside of the housing above the dispensing opening at a distance from the bottom of the housing which corresponds approximately to the diameter or the largest dimension of the tablet oriented in the dispensing direction. Such a projection can be provided very easily, in particular in one piece, on the inside of the housing and represents a very simple arrangement for separating the last from the penultimate tablet when the stack of tablets located in the discharge channel swings into the dispensing position together with this channel is because then the lock is practically forced between the two tablets, so that the lower tablet can fall out when the openings are covered, while the upper one rests on the lock. The locking projection therefore only needs to be a correspondingly flat plate which can easily penetrate between two tablets, in particular if these have a round outer circumference which forms a funnel-shaped insertion opening for this locking projection.

It is particularly expedient for the manufacture and handling when filling the tablet dispenser if the container is open on at least one side which is substantially at right angles to the pivot axis and is approximately vertically oriented in the use position when this side is covered by the housing in the rest position and in the use position and if the container has a wall on the side opposite the open side, so that it is designed as a laterally open, slide-like or box-like container for filling and after filling through an opening approximately corresponding to its largest dimension in the direction of the spanned by the open side Plane can be inserted into the housing and can be locked or fixed in particular in the position of use.

A container is therefore provided which at least removes corresponds to the inner slide of a matchbox and can be filled from its open side before it is then inserted into the housing and thereby also closed on the open side. This results in the possibility of using only two parts to provide a tablet dispenser which is essentially closed during use and in which no part of the container has to be pushed out of the bottom of the housing during the dispensing process. The fact that a side of the container arranged at right angles to the pivot axis is left completely or possibly only partially open allows the filling to be carried out very easily from there and, moreover, this open side can be closed off well by a corresponding side wall of the housing in the use position, as is the case with it knows for example from EP-A-0 408 774.

The side of the container which is open for filling can be arranged approximately at right angles to the bottom of the housing and in the use position essentially vertically. For filling, the container is therefore advantageously tilted by 90 ° with respect to the later use position and can also be inserted into the housing in this position first. Since the open side of the container is then closed by the housing and even remains closed during the dispensing process, because the dispensing process does not require moving the container relative to the housing, but only swiveling, the tablet dispenser can be moved in any position after the container has been inserted be stored and transported without its filling falling out.

The edge of the container which delimits the open side of the container and runs to the opposite wall can close the insertion opening in the housing after it has been pushed into the housing. Since the container is only open on one side, it therefore has a wall opposite the open side and one protruding from it Edge, so that a corresponding receptacle is formed. This edge is therefore expediently dimensioned such that it closes the insertion opening of the housing after the container has been inserted, so that a completely closed tablet dispenser is formed.

The housing can have walls protruding from its bottom and the insertion opening can be arranged between two mutually opposite, parallel walls, which are in particular arranged substantially at right angles to the bottom. It is therefore practically provided between the walls extending from the bottom at the edges of the insertion opening, which is then later closed by parts of the housing itself.

The housing can have an opening or a similar recess or a resilient point in a transverse wall located at right angles to the two walls arranged parallel to one another, behind which the container is arranged and this opening or this flexible point can make the container accessible in the pivoting direction and a pressure on the container in the opening or on the resilient location of the housing can serve to pivot the container relative to the housing - or vice versa to pivot the housing relative to the container - in the dispensing position, in particular against a restoring force. Thus, no additional part on the tablet dispenser is required to carry out the pivoting movement and the container located in the housing is made so accessible in a very simple manner that the relative pivoting movement between these two parts can be carried out without problems.

For example, the part of the container which is accessible in the opening in the housing and, if necessary, somewhat engages in the rest position can be designed as a pushbutton. It results from the arrangement described above is simple to operate, in which the user can grasp the tablet dispenser practically with two fingers, one of which rests on the breakthrough or compliant point or pushbutton and the other of which is supported on a fixed, opposite housing wall, so that it is compressed of the two fingers triggers the dispensing process and a loosening of the finger pressure allows the restoring force to take effect, so that the resetting then takes place, through which the shaft comes out of the area of the lock so that the tablets in this shaft can slide by one tablet dimension, so that the next donation process is already prepared. The user can therefore also make repeated donation movements relatively quickly and thereby dispense one tablet after the other.

The breakthrough - for the pivoting during the dispensing process - can extend over the entire dimension of the transverse wall running parallel to the bottom of the housing and, if necessary, continue approximately to the extent around the corners located at the ends of the transverse wall into the neighboring walls of the housing arranged at right angles thereto , which corresponds to the degree of pivoting of the container relative to the housing in this cross-sectional area. The part of the container which can be reached through the opening in the housing can be gripped and pressed in correspondingly well, this pressing-in movement resulting in the desired pivoting because the pivot axis is at a distance from this opening and the pressure area.

Another embodiment of the invention of very considerable importance and great advantage can be that a projection is arranged in the pivoting direction in front of the dispensing opening of the container on the outside of the channel leading to this dispensing opening approximately flush with the plane formed by the edges of the dispensing opening, the dimensions of which are so are chosen that this projection in the rest position the discharge opening in the floor of the housing at least partially, in particular completely covers the inside. It can thereby be achieved that in the rest position of this projection as a closure completely or partially closes the inside of the dispensing opening located in the bottom of the housing, so that a practically completely closed dispenser can be made available, into which, for example, in a pocket during its transport No foreign objects can hinder the dispensing process later. This applies all the more, the more the inside projection covers the dispensing opening on the inside, that is to say the preferred solution provides for a complete inside cover.

The container may have a reduced cross-section in the region of its channel leading to the dispensing opening and adjacent to the bottom of the housing - in the position of use directly above it - so that a free space is formed in the pivoting direction between the container and the housing, and in this free space at least one return spring, in particular a leaf spring, can be arranged, which can be tensioned by pivoting the container into the dispensing position, which then generates the restoring force by which the container is pivoted back into the rest position by itself when the container is released. The space required for the pivoting movement is thus used to accommodate the return spring for the pivoting back from the dispensing position.

In an advantageous manner, the projection for closing the dispensing opening can protrude into the free space containing the return spring. Thus, the presence of the free space is simultaneously used to accommodate the locking projection for the dispensing opening.

The return spring can be designed in the form of a leaf spring and, in particular, can be connected in one piece to the container and with its free end on an inside part of the housing. in particular, be supported on a rib integrally connected to the housing, for example, or on the inside of the housing wall itself. It is thus also oriented in the approximately vertically oriented position of use, in which the pivot axis for the pivoting movement of the container extends approximately horizontally and the bottom is in its lowest, approximately horizontal position, from top to bottom, expediently with its upper end engages on the pivotable container, while its free bottom end, on the inside, is supported indirectly or directly on the housing.

An expedient tablet dispenser can be designed in such a way that the bottom of the housing and the cross sections parallel to it have a rectangular or square cross section and the pivot axis runs parallel to the longer or the shorter side of the rectangle. If it runs parallel to the shorter side of the rectangle, a somewhat larger swivel path can be provided, which is then oriented approximately in the direction of the longer side of the rectangle. In the opposite case, shorter swivel paths result, which could be preferred depending on the shape and size of the tablets.

It is expedient if the container is pivotally mounted in the housing by means of a rounded area and is locked in this mounting. A special pivot axis in the form of an axis part that would have to be injection molded or inserted can then be avoided. It is possible that on the inside of the housing and / or the outside of the container, matching projections and depressions for mutual locking, in particular an inseparable snap connection, are arranged. This has the additional advantage that a later user cannot pull the container out of the housing without destroying the tablet dispenser and possibly fill it with "wrong" tablets.

The housing may have a projection projecting into its interior which snaps or snaps into a slot in one of the walls of the container in the use position and in particular has a sawtooth-like shape, the steep limitation of the sawtooth-like projection engaging behind the slot end in the use position, so that over the flatter delimitation of the sawtooth-like protrusion allows the container to be pushed in, but it is then prevented from being pulled out by the steep delimitation.

An additional or different possibility of locking and connecting the container in the housing with the possibility of the relative pivotability of these two parts with respect to one another may consist in the fact that the housing has a protrusion in the interior in the direction of the pivot axis, which in the open at this point in the direction and rounded region of the container engages, the greatest thickness or thickness of this thickening being arranged in the axis for the pivoting movement and the edges of the open side of the container in this region being part-circular or circular and on the surface of the thickening next to its most inward projecting area so that the thickening centered and defines this rounded area of the container, but still allows pivoting.

Although the container could have an additional lid at its filling opening that can be closed by the housing, this can be saved due to the features and measures described above, which results in the additional possibility of using at least a portion of this open side of the container as a pivot bearing part, namely if A correspondingly designed thickening of the housing engages in an annular region of the open side and thus forms the counter bearing.

Overall, this results in a very simple tablet dispenser, in which the dispensing movement is indeed caused by a pressure movement which is customary and customary for users and a resulting relative movement between the housing and the container, but in the process the container and the housing are pivoted relative to one another and are no longer displaced are so that to release a tablet no longer has to be pushed out of the other part, so there is no additional risk of damage at this point.

A further possibility of latching can consist in that a thickening of the housing wall engages in a recess in the recess of the wall of the container opposite the open side, the center of the thickening and the recess corresponding to the pivot axis.

The projection used to close the dispensing opening can have a double function in that the projection used to close the dispensing opening is dimensioned such that it hits the inside of the opposite wall of the housing when the housing is pivoted and in the dispensing position of the dispensing opening and the dispensing opening. The dimensions and arrangements of the openings and the projection also relative to the housing walls are so chosen that the projection used for closing can simultaneously form a stop for limiting the pivoting movement. A separate stop could also be provided for this purpose, but this arrangement advantageously uses the stop simultaneously as a closure or, conversely, the closure simultaneously as a stop.

Fig.1

eine Seitenansicht und

Fig.2

eine demgegenüber um 90° gedrehte andere Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles eines erfindungsgemäßen Spenders, wobei das äußere Gehäuse und in Ausschnitten Teile eines inneren Behältnisses erkennbar sind,

Fig.3

einen Längsschnitt durch den Spender gem. Fig.2 mit der Blickrichtung gem. Fig.2, wobei das in das äußere Gehäuse durch eine Einschuböffnung einsetzbare Behältnis teilweise eingeschoben ist und teilweise noch aus der Einschuböffnung vorsteht,

Fig.4

eine der Fig.3 entsprechende Darstellung nach dem Füllen des Behältnisses und endgültigen Einschieben in die Gebrauchsposition, in der die Spendeöffnung des Behältnisses verschlossen ist,

Fig.5

einen Längsschnitt durch den Spender mit äußerem Gehäuse und innerem Behältnis gem. der Schnittlinie V-V in Fig.4 sowie

Fig.6

eine der Fig.4 entsprechende, teilweise im Längsschnitt gehaltene Ansicht des Behältnisses, wobei das Gehäuse im Schnitt dargestellt ist und das Behältnis in die Spendeposition verschwenkt ist,

Fig.7

eine Seitenansicht eines abgewandelten Ausführungsbeispieles eines erfindungsgemäßen Tablettenspenders, bei welchem die Verschwenkung eines inneren Behältnisses gegenüber dem äußeren Gehäuse in Richtung der kürzeren Querschnittsabmessung erfolgt,

Fig.8

einen Längsschnitt durch den Tablettenspender gem. Fig.7 mit einer Blickrichtung, die der Ansicht gem. Fig.7 entspricht,

Fig.9

einen gegenüber Fig.8 um 90° gedrehten Längsschnitt des Spenders etwa gem. der Schnittlinie IX-IX in Fig.7, wobei das Behältnis relativ zu dem Gehäuse in die Spendeposition verschwenkt ist,

Fig.10

einen der Fig.9 entsprechenden Längsschnitt des Tablettenspenders gem. der Schnittlinie IX-IX in Fig.7, wobei das Behältnis relativ zu dem Gehäuse durch die Kraft einer Rückstellfeder aus der Spendeposition in die Verschlußposition zurückverschwenkt ist sowie

Fig.11

eine gegenüber Fig.7 um 90° gedrehte Seitenansicht, wobei das Behältnis nur teilweise in das Gehäuse eingeschoben ist und seine offene Seite dem Betrachter zugewandt ist, von welcher aus eine Füllung mit den Tabletten vor dem endgültigen Einschieben und Verrasten erfolgen kann.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with their details that are essential to it, using the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a side view and

Fig. 2

another side view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention rotated by 90 °, the outer housing and parts of an inner container being recognizable,

Fig. 3

a longitudinal section through the dispenser acc. Fig.2 with the line of sight acc. 2, the container that can be inserted into the outer housing through an insertion opening being partially inserted and partially still protruding from the insertion opening,

Fig. 4

3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 after the container has been filled and finally inserted into the use position in which the dispensing opening of the container is closed,

Fig. 5

a longitudinal section through the dispenser with outer housing and inner container acc. the section line VV in Fig.4 and

Fig. 6

4 shows a view of the container, partly in longitudinal section, corresponding to FIG. 4, the housing being shown in section and the container being pivoted into the dispensing position,

Fig. 7

2 shows a side view of a modified exemplary embodiment of a tablet dispenser according to the invention, in which an inner container is pivoted relative to the outer housing in the direction of the shorter cross-sectional dimension,

Fig. 8

a longitudinal section through the tablet dispenser acc. Fig.7 with a viewing direction that the view acc. Fig. 7 corresponds to

Fig. 9

a longitudinal section of the dispenser rotated by 90 ° compared to FIG. the section line IX-IX in FIG. 7, the container being pivoted into the dispensing position relative to the housing,

Fig. 10

a longitudinal section of the tablet dispenser corresponding to FIG. the section line IX-IX in Figure 7, wherein the container is pivoted relative to the housing by the force of a return spring from the dispensing position into the closed position and

Fig. 11

a side view rotated by 90 ° in relation to FIG. 7, the container being only partially inserted into the housing and its open side facing the viewer, from which a filling with the tablets can take place before the final insertion and locking.

In the exemplary embodiments described below, parts that match, but may be of different design, are provided with the same reference numbers.

A tablet dispenser, generally designated 1, serves for the individual dosing of tablets 2, that is to say it takes up a larger supply of tablets 2 inside and allows the user to separate and release a single tablet 2 by a pressure movement, as shown in FIG. 6 , 8 and 9 is indicated.

In both exemplary embodiments, this tablet dispenser 1 has an outer housing 3 and a slipcase-like container 4, which fits into this housing 3, for receiving the tablets 2 3 and 11, the container 4 is only partially inserted into the housing 3 and it can be seen that it is open from the side of the beholder, that is to say similar to a lower part of a box or the slide of a matchbox, apart from the outer outline.

On a bottom 5, in the exemplary embodiment horizontal bottom 5, in the use position in which a tablet 2 can be dispensed, the housing 3 has a dispensing opening 6 and the container 4 has a dispensing opening 8 arranged at the end of a downward channel 7. The cross section of the dispensing opening 6 and the dispensing opening 8 corresponds approximately to the outline or the size of the tablet 2, so it can pass through if it is oriented correctly, but prevents the escape of several tablets 2 at the same time. Fig. 4 and acc. Fig.10 closed by the bottom 5. The container 4 is movable relative to the housing 3 so that the dispensing opening 8 and the dispensing opening 6 pass a single tablet 2 together and the passage of the next tablet is blocked.

In both exemplary embodiments, it is provided that the container 4 can be pivoted relative to the housing 3 within the housing 3, so that it can also be said in reverse that the housing 3 can be pivoted relative to the container 4. In the rest position, the dispensing opening 8 of the container 4 according to FIGS. 4 and 10 is offset in relation to the dispensing opening 6 of the housing 3 by at least part of the pivoting path or by the entire pivoting path in the pivoting direction, the pivoting direction being indicated in FIG. 4 by the double arrow Pf1 . It can be seen on the inside of the housing 3 above the dispensing opening 6, a lock 9, which is immovable relative to the housing 3 when pivoting the container 4 and the associated channel 7, because it according to the housing 3. Fig. 5 and 8 is in particular connected in one piece and under the this pivoting the bottom tablet 2 acc. Fig. 6 and acc. 8 and over which the next higher tablet 2 can be moved. Practically in the stack of tablets 2, which is located within the channel 7, between the lowest and the next higher tablet 2 by the pivoting movement, the lock 9 is effective, the two tablets mentioned being pushed past this lock 9 on both sides, so that the lower one Tablet 2 is not prevented from falling out by this lock 9, but the next higher tablet cannot fall out.

In the exemplary embodiment, the lock 9 is arranged as a locking projection on the inside of the housing 3 above the dispensing opening 6 at a distance from the bottom 5 of the housing 3, which is approximately the diameter or in accordance with the dispensing direction. corresponds to arrow Pf2 in FIGS. 6 and 9, the largest dimension of tablet 2. This locking projection forming the lock 9 can be seen particularly well in FIG. 5 on one of the housing walls, but also in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 8 on a corresponding area of the housing, the locking projection also being indicated in FIG. 11 with broken lines. It is also indicated in FIG. 3, although it is located above the drawing plane in the sectional illustration shown there. The same applies to Fig. 6, where the locking projection is also shown in its function, although it is actually above the drawing plane in this sectional view.

When viewing FIGS. 3 and 5 or 8 and 11 at the same time, it becomes clear that the container 4 is open on a side that is approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis A and is approximately vertically oriented in the position of use, that this side of the housing 3 or a housing wall 11 in the rest position and in the use position, that is, when donating, is covered, this housing wall 11 also simultaneously closing the channel 7 towards the same side. It can also be seen that the container 4 is in turn on the side opposite the open side has a wall 12 so that it is designed as a laterally open, slide-like or box-like container 4 for filling from the open side, in which the wall 12 is then arranged flat and horizontally. After filling, this container 4 can be inserted into the housing 3 in the direction of the plane spanned by the open side, and can be locked or fixed therein in the use position, by means of an insertion opening 13 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 11) corresponding approximately to its largest dimension. During this insertion process, the container 4 thus moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 or 11 into the position according to FIG. Fig. 4 or 10.

Thus, a tablet dispenser 1 can be produced from only two parts, one part of which is the container 4, which can be easily filled with the tablets 2 from the open side and then inserted through the insertion opening 13 into the housing 3, which is the second part of the Tablet dispenser 1 represents. Then the housing 3 closes the container 4, so that the tablets 2 can be stored safely. The pivotability already mentioned allows the tablets 2 to be separated and dispensed individually.

The side of the container 4 which is open for filling is arranged in the exemplary embodiment approximately at right angles to the bottom 5 of the housing 3 and in the use position essentially vertically.

3, 4 or 6 and FIG. 5 on the one hand, and analogously to FIGS. 7 to 10 and FIG. 11 on the other hand, it becomes clear that the wall 12 of this container 4 which delimits the open side of the container 4 and the opposite wall 12 of this container 4 running edge 14 after insertion of the container 4 into the housing 3 closes the insertion opening 13 located in the housing 3. The dimensions of these parts are chosen accordingly and you can see that a gem in the viewing direction. Fig. 3 or 11 part-circular course this edge 14 each has the largest lateral dimension of the container 4 and thus somewhat overlaps the edges of the insertion opening 13 in the use and closed positions. This overlap can be seen particularly well in FIGS. 4 and 6 on the one hand or FIGS. 9 and 10 on the other hand. This results in the tablet dispenser 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, which is closed on the outside and is composed of two parts.

In both exemplary embodiments, it is provided that the housing 3 has walls 11, 15, 16 and 17 which protrude from its base 5 and that the insertion opening 13 is arranged between two mutually opposite, parallel walls 11 and 15 which are essentially at right angles to the base 5 are arranged. The other walls 16 and 17, which are also parallel to one another and run at right angles to these walls 11 and 15, are shortened in comparison and thereby expose the insertion opening 13 over their practically entire width, which is closed by the upstanding edge 14, as can also be seen in FIG .1 or in Fig. 7 recognizes. The walls 16 and 17 form transverse walls to the first-mentioned walls 11 and 15 and are therefore also referred to below as "transverse wall 16" or "transverse wall 17".

In Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6 on the one hand and Figures 7, 9 and 10 on the other hand, and particularly clearly in Figures 3, 6 and 9, it is shown that the housing 3 is parallel to one another in one of the two at right angles to the two arranged walls 11 and 15 located transverse wall 17 has an opening 18 or the like recess, possibly also deviating from the exemplary embodiments shown, a resilient point behind which opening 18 the container 4 or an area of this container 4 is arranged accessible. This opening 18 makes the container 4 accessible in the pivoting direction and pressure on the container 4 in the passage 18 serves to move the container 4 relative to the housing 3 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG to pivot illustrated dispensing position against a restoring force to be described. In the same way, in the second exemplary embodiment, the container 4 can pass through the opening 18 from the initial and rest position according to FIG. Fig.10 in the dispensing position acc. 9 are pivoted, this also happening against a restoring force. The above-mentioned restoring force ensures that when the pressure on the container 4 is released or released, the container 4 is automatically pivoted in the opposite direction relative to the housing 3, that is to say into the rest position. The pivoting direction is indicated in FIG. 4 by the double arrow Pf1, which is also indicated in FIG. 9 and has been omitted in FIG. 10 for clarity.

In both exemplary embodiments, it is indicated that the part of the container 4 which is accessible in the opening 18 of the housing 3 and somewhat engages in the rest position is designed as a pushbutton 19, which facilitates actuation. In addition, the pushbutton 19 engaging somewhat in the opening 18 in the rest position can improve the fixing of the container 4 within the housing 3.

While in the embodiment according to 7 the opening 18 is arranged on the side of the housing 3 with the larger dimension and thus has a sufficient size, although it only extends over a part of this dimension, it is in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. Figures 1 to 6 dimensioned such that it extends over the entire dimension of the transverse wall 17 running parallel to the bottom 5 of the housing 3 and according to. 2 and 3 continues somewhat around the corners located at the ends of the transverse wall 17 into the adjacent walls 11 and 15 of the housing 3 arranged at right angles thereto, and approximately by the extent to which the pivoting of the container 4 relative to the housing 3 in corresponds to this cross-sectional area. This is particularly evident in FIG. 6, where in the pivoted position the outside of the push button 19 runs approximately on the boundary of the opening 18 in the walls 11 and 15.

In both exemplary embodiments, when comparing the cross sections arranged at right angles to one another, it can be seen that the channel 7 can only accommodate one tablet above the other when viewed in one viewing direction, while several tablets can also be arranged next to one another in the other viewing direction (FIG. 4) , but then a constriction 20 is arranged in the lower region of the channel 7, so that only one tablet 2 can exit there from the dispensing opening 8 formed by this constriction 20.

In the pivoting direction from the rest position into the dispensing position in front of the dispensing opening 8, one can see on the outside of the channel 7 leading to this dispensing opening 8 an approximately flush with the plane formed by the edges of the dispensing opening 8, a projection 21, the dimensions of which are selected such that it at rest acc. Fig. 4 or acc. 10 completely covers the dispensing opening 6 in the base 5 of the housing 3 on the inside and even protrudes slightly beyond it. The underside of this projection 21 is flat and flat, so that the projection 21 can be guided closely over the top of the bottom 5, that is, forms a good closure of the dispensing opening 6 when not in use.

6 and 9, it becomes clear that this projection 21 has a dual function in an expedient manner, because it also serves as a stop for limiting the pivoting movement with respect to the transverse wall 16, which it then abuts when the dispensing opening 6 and the Dispensing opening 8 are in line so that a single tablet 2 is released downward in the direction of arrow Pf2.

It is clear in the same figures that the container 4th in the area of its channel 7 leading to the dispensing opening 8 and adjacent to the bottom 5 of the housing 3 has a reduced cross section or a smaller side dimension, so that according to the pivoting direction. the arrow Pf1 between the container 4 and the housing 3, a free space 22 is formed at this point. This free space 22 is reduced by the mentioned pivoting movement and in this free space 22 there is a return spring 23, in the exemplary embodiment a leaf spring, which is tensioned by the pivoting of the container 4 into the dispensing position, which thus generates the restoring force in order to reverse this pivoting movement again do. The projection 21 for closing the dispensing opening 6 also protrudes into this free space 22 containing the return spring 23 and prevents a minimum of this free space 22 and the dispensing opening 8, in particular, can be pivoted too far with respect to the dispensing opening 6.

The return spring 23 is designed like a leaf spring and is integrally connected to the container 4 in both exemplary embodiments. In the embodiment according to 1 to 6, it is supported with its free end 23a on an inside part of the housing 3, namely on a rib 24 which is also integrally connected to the housing for this purpose and in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. Figures 7 to 11 on the inside of the transverse wall 16 of the housing 3 itself.

While the leaf or return spring 23 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is oriented from top to bottom and its free end 23a is arranged at its lowest point, it is in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 obliquely from the bottom to the bottom directed upwards and its free end 23a is at its upper part.

In both exemplary embodiments, the bottom 5 of the housing 3 and the cross sections parallel thereto are rectangular or square and the pivot axis A runs in the exemplary embodiment gen. Figures 7 to 11 parallel to the longer and in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 6 parallel to the shorter side of the rectangle. This can be chosen depending on the shape and size of the tablets 2, because the arrangement acc. Fig. 1 to 6 allows a slightly larger swivel path, which may not be necessary or undesirable with smaller tablets.

The container 4 is pivotally mounted in the housing 3 by means of at least one (FIG. 5) or by means of two (FIG. 8) rounded regions, as will be described, and is locked in this storage or in this position. One can see on the inside of the housing 3 and the outside of the container 4 matching projections and depressions for mutual locking, it being shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 that the housing 3 can each have at least one projection 25 projecting into its interior , which engages or snaps into a slot 26 in the wall-shaped edge 14 of the container 4 in the use position. The projection 25 has a sawtooth-like shape in this case, the steep boundary 25a engaging behind the slot end in the container 4 in the use position, so that the container 4 can no longer be pulled out into the position shown in FIG. In the opposite direction, however, it can be pushed over the inclined boundary 25b, which is possible due to its pivotability and a certain elasticity.

Furthermore, in both exemplary embodiments, the housing 3 has a thickening 27 projecting in the interior in the direction of the pivot axis A, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 to 11 there are even two such thickenings 27. 8 clearly shows that a thickening 27 engages in the area of the container 4 which is open and rounded at this point, the greatest thickness or thickness of this thickening 27 being arranged in the axis A for the pivoting movement and the edges 14 of the open side of the container 4 run in this area in the form of a part circle and rest on the surface of the thickening 27 next to its most inwardly projecting area, ie are centered by the thickening 27. 8 also shows on the opposite side the second thickening 27, which fits with a corresponding reduction in cross-section of the wall 12, as is also provided in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, where such a latching with the aid of a thickening 27 and a Cross-sectional reduction is provided at the appropriate point. This leads to a simultaneous latching and rotary bearing, which can be supplemented by the snap connection already mentioned with the aid of the projection 25, but does not have to be supplemented according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 6, where an additional latching is produced by the pushbutton 18 when not in use is.

Overall, a tablet dispenser 1 is therefore composed of only two parts that are easy to assemble, that is, allow quick assembly, but filling with the tablets 2 can also be carried out very easily before the final assembly. The operation of this tablet dispenser is also simple because the user only has to carry out a pressure movement in a known manner, through which the dispensing opening 8 is brought into overlap with the dispensing opening 6, so that a tablet 2 separated from the rest of the supply by a lock can fall out. A restoring force ensures that the reduction in the actuation pressure reverses the pivoting movement, as a result of which the tablet supply comes out of the area of the separation lock 9, so that the tablets can slide accordingly. This means that the dispensing process can be repeated as often as necessary until the tablet supply has ended. The tablets 2 can reach the channel 9 in the usual way through an inclined wall 29 and an inclined channel 30, as is known in principle, for example, from the tablet dispensers according to EP-A-0 408 774 or EP-A-0 600 123 . Located under the sloping wall 29 most of the already mentioned free space 22, in which the return spring 23 can also be arranged.

Since the container 4 is pivoted relative to the housing 3 and not moved by the dispensing movement, a slide part escaping from the housing 3 and thus a risk of damage to such a part is avoided from the outset.

The tablet dispenser 1 for the individual dosing of tablets 2 has an outer housing 3 and a container 4 which is relatively movable therein and holds the tablets 2. This container 4 has a downward channel 7, to which an inclined wall 29 and an inclined channel 30 lead so that the tablets 2 enter this channel 7, at the end of which a dispensing opening 8 is arranged, the dimensions of which correspond approximately to that of the tablet 2 and which is closed when not in use. The container 4 can be pivoted relative to the housing 3, as a result of which the dispensing opening 8 is brought into line with an output opening 6 of the housing 3, so that a previously separated tablet 2 can be dispensed. The pivoting movement causes a lock 9 to act in such a way that it separates the lowest tablet 2 in the discharge channel 7 from the next higher tablet before the two openings for the dispensing process are brought into line. Pushing out a part of the channel 7 from the housing 3 and its bottom 5 during the dispensing process is thus avoided.

Claims (20)

Tablet dispenser (1) for individual dosing of tablets (2) or tablet-shaped bodies, for example sweetener tablets, which tablet dispenser (1) has a housing (3) and a container (4) suitable for accommodating the tablets (2) in this housing (3). The housing (3) has a dispensing opening (6) on a lower, in particular horizontal, bottom (5) in the position of use, and the container (4) has a dispensing opening (8) arranged at the end of a channel (7) directed downwards in the position of use, the cross section of which corresponds approximately to the outline or the size of the tablet (2) and which is closed when not in use, the container (4) being movable relative to the housing (3) such that the dispensing opening (8) and the dispensing opening (6 ) pass a single tablet (2) together and the passage of the next tablet is blocked, characterized in that the container (4) swings relative to the housing (3) in this housing (3) kbar is that in the rest position the dispensing opening (8) of the container (4) is offset in relation to the dispensing opening (6) of the housing (3) by at least part of the pivoting path or by the entire pivoting path in the pivoting direction and that on the inside of the housing ( 3) a lock (9) is arranged above the dispensing opening (6), which is immovable when the container (4) and the channel (7) belonging to it are pivoted, and below which the bottom tablet (2) and above which are pivoted during this pivoting next higher tablet is displaceable. Tablet dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock (9) is arranged as a locking projection on the inside of the housing (3) above the dispensing opening (6) at a distance from the bottom (5) of the housing (3) which is approximately that Diameter or the largest dimension of the tablet (2) oriented in the dispensing direction. Tablet dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (4) is open on at least one side which is approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis (A) and is approximately vertically oriented in the position of use, that this side of the housing (3) is in the rest position and is covered in the position of use and that the container (4) on the opposite side of the open side has a wall (12) so that it is designed as a laterally open, slide-like or box-like container (4) for filling and after filling by one of its Largest dimension approximately corresponding opening (13) in the direction of the plane spanned by the open side in the housing (3) and in particular in the position of use can be locked or fixed therein. Tablet dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side of the container (4) which is open for filling is arranged approximately at right angles to the bottom (5) of the housing (3) and in the use position is essentially vertical. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the edge (14) of the container (4) delimiting the open side of the container (4) and extending to the opposite wall (12) after it has been pushed into the housing (3) closes the insertion opening (13) in the housing (3). Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (3) has walls (11, 15, 16, 17) rising from its base (5) and the insertion opening (13) between two mutually opposite, parallel walls (11, 15) is arranged, which are in particular arranged substantially at right angles to the floor (5). Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing (3) has an opening (18) or similar recess or a resiliently resilient element in a transverse wall (17) located at right angles to the two walls (11, 15) arranged parallel to one another Has point behind which the container (4) is arranged and that this opening (18) or this flexible point makes the container (4) accessible in the pivoting direction and that pressure on the container (4) in the opening (18) or via the flexible point of the housing (3) for pivoting the container (4) relative to the housing (3) in the dispensing position, in particular against a restoring force. Tablet dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the part of the container (4) which is accessible in the opening (18) of the housing (3) and which may engage somewhat in the rest position is designed as a pushbutton (19). Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the opening extends over the entire dimension of the transverse wall (17) running parallel to the bottom (5) of the housing (3) and possibly extends around the ends of the transverse wall (17). the existing corners up to the neighboring walls (11, 15) of the housing (3) arranged at right angles to it by about the amount corresponding to the amount of pivoting of the container (4) in this cross-sectional area. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the pivoting direction in front of the dispensing opening (8) of the container on the channel (7) leading to this dispensing opening (8) on the outside approximately flush with the plane formed by the edges of the dispensing opening (8), a projection (21) is arranged, the dimensions of which are chosen such that the projection in the rest position covers the dispensing opening (6) in the bottom (5) of the housing (3) at least partially, in particular completely on the inside. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the container (4) has a reduced cross-section in the region of its channel (7) leading to the dispensing opening (8) and adjacent to the bottom (5) of the housing (3), so that a free space (22) is formed in the pivoting direction between the container (4) and the housing (3), and that at least one return spring (23), in particular a leaf spring, is arranged in this free space, which is caused by the pivoting of the container (4 ) can be tensioned into the dispensing position. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the projection (21) for closing the dispensing opening (6) projects into the free space (22) containing the return spring (23). Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the return spring (23) is designed like a leaf spring and is connected in one piece to the container (4) and with its free end (23a) on an inside part of the housing (3), is supported in particular on a rib (24) connected to the housing for this purpose or on the inside of the housing wall itself. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the bottom (5) of the housing (3) and the cross sections parallel thereto are rectangular or square Have shape and the swivel axis (A) runs parallel to the longer or the shorter side of the rectangle. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the container (4) is pivotally mounted in the housing (3) by means of at least one rounded area and is locked in this mounting. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that on the inside of the housing (3) and / or the outside of the container (4) mutually matching projections and depressions are arranged for mutual locking, in particular a non-releasable snap connection. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the housing (3) has a projection (25) projecting into its interior, which protrudes into a slot (26) in the wall-shaped edge (14) of the container (4) in the use position engages or snaps into place and in particular has a sawtooth-like shape, the steep boundary (25a) of the sawtooth-like projection engaging behind the slot end in the use position. Tablet dispenser according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the inside of the housing (3) has a thickening (27) which projects in the direction of the pivot axis (A) and which extends into the region of the container (4) which is open and rounded at this point ) engages, the greatest thickness or thickness of this thickening (27) being arranged in the axis (A) for the pivoting movement and the edges (14) of the open side of the container (4) running in this area in a part-circular manner and on the surface of the thickening (27) lie next to their most inward-facing area. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a thickening (27) of the housing wall engages in a recess in the wall of the container (4) opposite the open side, the center of the thickening (27) and the recess of the pivot axis (A) corresponds. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection (21) serving to close the dispensing opening (6) is dimensioned in such a way that with the housing (3) pivoted and in the dispensing position of the dispensing opening (6) and the dispensing opening (8) forms a stop, in particular strikes the inside of the opposite wall of the housing (3).

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