EP0822151B1 - Tablet dispenser with outer housing and container - Google Patents

Abstract

A tablet dispenser has the sprung container (4) shrouded or gripped by the housing (2) at the operating section (8), where the outer edge (12) within the housing (2) matches or is at a gap (a). The housing (2) has an e.g. opening (14), aligned in the sliding direction of the inner container (4), with a sufficient sliding edge zone (13). The closure cap (9) is inserted into the opening of the housing (2) offset from its closed position, so that it acts as the operating unit or button to slide the inner container (4) in relation to the housing (2).

Description

The invention relates to a tablet dispenser, which has an outer Housing and a fitting in this housing, especially against a spring-loaded container with a separating device for when actuated - by the relative displacement between container and housing - tablet to be dispensed in each case has, with the relative displacement movement between Housing and container have a dispensing opening for a single tablet can be released.

Such tablet dispensers are for medication as well known for sweetener tablets.

From EP-0 408 774 B1 and from EP-0 600 123 B1 are included each known tablet dispenser, in which a part of the container protrudes from the housing so that it can be moved can be attacked. The donation opening is there each on the lower side of this tablet dispenser when in use.

Furthermore, such a tablet dispenser is known from DE-32 21 719 A1 known in which the container the housing in the use position protrudes at the top of a section so that it looks like a Button for the dispensing process can be pressed down. The In this case, the housing is at the bottom in the position of use Page closed and the donation opening is on one Lateral side in the lower area of this housing.

This is particularly the case with tablets used as medicines Problem that they are relatively quick due to the humidity become unusable. Such drugs are therefore becoming common stored in so-called blister packs, in which each tablet is individually and airtight packed. This is to achieve that even taking a tablet does not cause the remaining tablets with the atmosphere and humidity in Come into contact. However, blister packs have significant disadvantages with regard to their manufacture and disposal.

The tablet dispensers mentioned at the outset are well suited per se dispense a single tablet at a time, but the rest are Tablets are not protected against humidity.

There is therefore the task of a tablet dispenser of the beginning to create the type mentioned before and even after removing a Tablet is tight so that it is suitable due to humidity to take tablets at risk.

To solve this problem is the tablet dispenser mentioned at the beginning characterized in that one of the dispensing opening on the housing and the operating area for moving the inner container covering, removable closure cap with cap wall and Cap bottom is provided that the container on the actuation area of the housing overlapped or enclosed by the housing and coincides with the outside edge of the housing and / or a distance therefrom that the housing has a recess or the like, which is in the direction of displacement of the inner container is oriented and extends over the edge area to be moved and that the cap with its cap wall in one opposite their closed position offset position in the recess of the housing fits and engages in such a way that it can be used as a tool or actuation key to move the inner container relative to the housing - during the donation process - serves.

With this arrangement, it is also with the cap removed not possible to move the housing directly and thereby exercising a donation process. The tablet dispenser needs so the cap definitely to dispense a tablet to be able to. With this cap the donor is against Humidity completed, the user on the cap also can not do without later, because he always for them every new donation process is required. So he has the cap bring it back into its sealing closed position again and again they save space and are ready for the next donation process, store.

The closure cap therefore has two functions, by doing one thing above all keeps the humidity from inside the tablet dispenser, however is also required as an actuating part for the dispensing process itself. This also provides child safety.

It is particularly useful if the housing and the inner container and the cap an elongated or approximately rectangular Cross section - transverse to the direction of movement of the relative movement between Housing and inner container - and if the cap in a position opposite to their closed position and opposite to the direction the displacement movement in the direction of the longer dimension of the Cross-section laterally offset position with the housing and the slot-shaped recess in particular can be plugged together and can be brought into pressure connection with the inner container that it projects laterally over a narrow side of the container. The user So can remove the cap, laterally offset again "attach", with a wall corresponding to the narrow side of the Cap is inserted into the recess around the cap in contact and coupling connection with the inner Bring container, the recess of course so is dimensioned so that in this position the cap can be pressed in a button-like manner to start the actual dispensing process to effect. Then the cap can be from this operating position removed again and plugged in their closed position become.

It is particularly advantageous if the cap on the Dispensing process is arranged lower side and the removal opening on the narrow side towered over by the cap in the actuation position is provided. Thus, a tablet dispenser can be provided in which the displacement of the container within the housing of bottom up so that one released tablet more or less can be output by gravity. The one there Removal opening arranged on said narrow side lets in advantageously the laterally released tablet in the fall over this narrow side of the cap, so that this tablet is immediately caught by the cap and cannot accidentally fall to the ground. Even with one The tablet is collected with one hand.

Since the cap expediently the outside of the housing overlaps, it has such a dimension that on the housing two corresponding and directly opposite, in particular slot-shaped recesses for engaging the Cap wall are provided during the dispensing process, which at the same time to a stable plug-in coupling between the sealing cap and the housing leads in the actuation position for the dispensing process.

Embodiments of the closure cap and the housing in particular to improve the usability and also the tightness in Locked position are the subject of claims 5 to 11.

The features of claims 5 and 6 serve to improve the positioning of the cap in its staggered Position in which they act as an actuator for Moving the inner container is used and a should receive a defined position. At the same time, the Embodiment according to claim 5 also reinforcement and stiffening the cap if the parallel to the short walls provided web also the two longer walls of the cap combines.

The features of claims 7 to 10 relate primarily to the seat the cap on the housing in the closed position to achieve the best possible seal, especially the claims 9 and 10 contain features that prevent unwanted stripping of the Cap from its seat in the closed position as far as possible exclude.

Claim 11 contains a combination of features that a particular simple separation in connection with the displacement movement of the inner container.

So that the content of the tablet dispenser especially before it even better against humidity and environmental influences is sealed and protected, the edge of the cap can and the neighboring one in the closed position Wall area of the housing on the outside at least before first use be covered with a film, for example an adhesive tape, which then along the entire edge of the cap and there can circulate with the joint formed and in front of a First use can be deducted. Such are not uncommon Containers are stored for a long time after filling, if necessary also transported over long distances and in one End sales point in turn stored until it is first used and then their content is consumed relatively quickly. By the aforementioned Measure with the help of a joint between the sealing cap and the housing overlapping weather strip can be used during this entire time an even better protection against moisture or other Environmental influences are achieved as he also through the cap is achieved only after the start of use.

Fig.1

einen Längsschnitt parallel zu den kürzeren Schmalseiten eines erfindungsgemäßen Tablettenspenders durch das Gehäuse, den demgegenüber im Inneren gegen eine Rückstellkraft nach oben verschiebbaren Behälter und eine an der Unterseite, von wo aus die Verschiebebewegung durchgeführt wird, angeordnete Verschlußkappe,

Fig.2

einen senkrechten Längsschnitt, der rechtwinklig zu dem in Fig.1 und parallel zu den langen Seitenflächen des Tablettenspenders zwischen diesen verläuft,

Fig.3

eine Ansicht einer Schmalseite,

Fig.4

eine Ansicht einer Breitseite und

Fig.5

eine Draufsicht des in den Figuren 1 und 2 in zwei rechtwinklig zueinander angeordneten Schnitten angeordneten Tablettenspenders,

Fig.6

einen der Fig.2 entsprechenden Schnitt, nachdem die Verschlußkappe abgenommen und seitlich versetzt wieder aufgesteckt ist, wobei eine Wandung der Verschlußkappe in entsprechende schlitzförmige Aussparungen des Gehäuses eingreift und den inneren Behälter in Schieberichtung beaufschlagt,

Fig.7

eine der Fig.6 entsprechende Schnittdarstellung nach dem Eindrücken der Verschlußkappe in die Aussparung, wodurch sie in der dargestellten Anordnung von unten nach oben verschoben wird und dadurch den inneren Behälter gegenüber dem äußeren Gehäuse ebenfalls nach oben gegen eine Rückstellkraft verschiebt, so daß eine zuvor vereinzelte Tablette durch die seitlich angeordnete Spendeöffnung in die durch die seitliche Versetzung seitlich überstehende Verschlußkappe gelangt,

Fig.8

eine Ansicht der Breitseite des Spenders nach dem Anordnen der Verschlußkappe in Spendeposition gemäß Fig.6,

Fig.9

eine Stirnansicht des Spenders nach dem Versetzen der Verschlußkappe in die Ausgangslage zur Durchführung eines Spendevorganges,

Fig.10

eine Ansicht der Breitseite des Spenders nach dem Betätigen des Spendevorganges, wodurch die Verschlußkappe gegenüber ihrer in Fig.8 eingenommenen Position nach oben verschoben ist,

Fig.11

eine Ansicht der Schmalseite des Spenders nach dem Verschieben der Verschlußkappe zum Auslösen des Spendevorganges und

Fig.12

eine Draufsicht des Spenders in Spendeposition.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig.1

2 shows a longitudinal section parallel to the shorter narrow sides of a tablet dispenser according to the invention through the housing, the container, on the other hand, which can be displaced upwards against a restoring force, and a closure cap arranged on the underside, from where the displacement movement is carried out,

Fig.2

2 shows a vertical longitudinal section which runs at right angles to that in FIG. 1 and parallel to the long side faces of the tablet dispenser between them,

Figure 3

a view of a narrow side,

Figure 4

a view of a broadside and

Figure 5

1 is a top view of the tablet dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in two sections arranged at right angles to one another,

Figure 6

2 a section corresponding to FIG. 2 after the closure cap has been removed and laterally displaced, a wall of the closure cap engages in corresponding slot-shaped recesses in the housing and acts on the inner container in the sliding direction,

Figure 7

6 shows a sectional view corresponding to the pressing of the closure cap into the recess, as a result of which it is shifted from bottom to top in the arrangement shown and thereby also moves the inner container relative to the outer housing upward against a restoring force, so that a previously isolated one The tablet passes through the dispensing opening on the side and into the cap protruding laterally due to the lateral displacement,

Figure 8

6 shows a view of the broad side of the dispenser after the closure cap has been arranged in the dispensing position according to FIG. 6,

Figure 9

a front view of the dispenser after moving the cap into the starting position for performing a dispensing process,

Figure 10

3 shows a view of the broad side of the dispenser after the dispensing process has been actuated, as a result of which the closure cap is displaced upwards relative to its position assumed in FIG. 8,

Figure 11

a view of the narrow side of the dispenser after moving the cap to trigger the dispensing process and

Figure 12

a top view of the dispenser in the dispensing position.

A tablet dispenser designated as a whole has an outer one Housing 2 and a fitting in this housing 2; by him completely enclosed, against the force of a spring 3, in Embodiment of a leaf spring, sliding container 4, shaped like the inside of a matchbox. In the usual way, this tablet dispenser 1 is a whole provided with 5 designated separating device, which in the Actuation, ie when the container 4 is moved relative to the housing 2 one tablet 6 from the supply of several such tablets 6 through a donation opening 7 (see Fig. 7 and 9) issues.

Especially in Figures 1 to 5 you can see that on the housing 2 one of its dispensing opening 7 and the lower one in the use position Actuation area 8 for moving the inner container 4 covering, removable cap 9 with cap wall 10 and Cap base 11 is provided. Through Figures 2, 6 and 7 illustrates that the container 4 at the actuation area 8 of the Housing 2, in the embodiment in the lower area, in which the housing 2 is open, from the housing 2 down is overlapped and towered over and inside the housing 2 thereof lower outer edge 12 has a distance a in some areas, which according to Fig.7 in the still to be described actuation for dispensing a tablet 6 is enlarged because the container 4 for the Dispensing process in the position of use shown in the figures must be moved deeper into the housing 2 from the bottom up. This distance a is between the edge 12 of the housing 2 and the lower edge 13 of the container 4 facing this in the in Figures 2, 6 and 7 right area largest and can on the opposite side, the dispensing opening 7 almost or disappear entirely. However, this makes this lower edge 13 of the container 4 practical for normal pressure actuation enclosed inaccessible by the housing 2 and its edge 12.

In Figures 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10 it can be seen that the housing 2 a slot-shaped recess 14 in this case on two each other Has opposite broadsides from the lower edge 12 vertically upwards in the direction of displacement of the inner container 4 is directed and oriented and over which to be moved Edge area 13 is sufficient, ie in the starting position according to FIG Edge 13 "cuts". Figures 6, 7, 8 and 10 now show that the cap 9 with its cap wall 10 in one opposite according to their closed position shown in Figures 2 and 4 left offset position fits into this recess 14 of the housing 2 and is insertable and engages in such a way that it can be used as a tool or Actuation key for moving the inner container 4 relatively to the housing 2 and against the force of the spring 3 and also the Gravity can serve to dispense a tablet 6.

Starting from the closed position in Figure 2 is the closure cap 9 first peelable downwards, then something in the position shown can be moved to the left until you are rightmost in the drawing located area of its wall 10 with the slit-shaped Recess 14 is aligned, after which the cap 9 again can be moved up, this area of its wall 10 always deeper into the recess 14 until a pressure contact with the Edge 13 of the container 4 is formed. This arrangement is in Fig.6 and 8 shown.

Now the movement of the closure cap is upwards, that is to say in the opposite direction the action of the spring 3 continued until the top of the wall 10 has reached the end of the recess or recess 14 thereby the container 4 inside the housing 2 also upwards moved, so the donation opening 7 to let out the already isolated tablet 6 released so that at the opposite Movement then isolated a next tablet 6 in a known manner can be.

Due to the length of the recess 14, the displacement path can also be specified or limited during the donation process. It is the recess 14 is slit-shaped so that it is simultaneously as a guide for the wall 10 of the closure cap which it has received 9 and thus serves for a sufficiently precise adjustment movement.

In Figures 5 and 12 it is clear that the housing 2 and the inner container 4 and the cap 9 an elongated or have a rectangular cross-section or floor plan, that is Walls 10 of the cap 9 on an approximately rectangular Cap bottom 11 circulate, with two parallel longer and result in two narrow pieces of wall.

The closure cap 9 is according to Figure 6, 7, 8 and 10 in one opposite their closed position and in relation to the direction of the displacement movement when dispensing in the direction of the longer dimension of your Cross-section laterally offset position with the housing 2 and the slot-shaped recess 14 in the exemplary embodiment pluggable and with the inner container 4 and its lower Edge 13 can be brought into pressure connection so that it is a narrow side of the Container 4 and the housing protrudes laterally. Here is the cap 9, as already mentioned, on the lower side during the dispensing process arranged while the removal or donation opening 7 at the of the cap 9 provided in the actuating position narrow side is what can be clearly seen in Fig. 6 and 7. This will as shown in Fig. 7 and 12 additionally achieved that one at the dispensing process individualized and dispensed tablet 6 from the Cap 9 is caught, so not accidentally to the ground can fall. Thus, the cap 9 has a third function in addition to their function as a closure and their operating function. This is a significant one, especially for clumsy users Relief because they don’t use the donated tablet Hand or in any other way, but must this collection of the tablet 6 automatically by the arrangement the cap 9 takes place during the dispensing process when the Cap 9 the position required for this dispensing process occupies.

Due to the arrangement of the recess 14 on a longitudinal or Broad side of the housing 2 and the corresponding dimension of the Closure cap 9 shows that on the housing 2 two each other corresponding and directly opposite, in the embodiment slot-shaped recesses 14 for engaging the shorter ones To provide cap wall 10 during the dispensing process and are provided.

These two recesses lie in the views according to FIGS. 8 and 10 14 practically congruent in line of sight and the viewer sees a front recess 14 while in the sectional views 2, 6 and 7, the rear such Recess 14 can be seen.

In Figures 2, 6 and 7 it is shown that the closure cap 9 has a web 15 arranged in its interior, which in parallel Positioning slots arranged to the slot-shaped recesses 14 16 fits, which also on the broad sides of the housing 2 and the container 4 are approximately congruent one behind the other and engages in the positioning web 15 according to Figure 2 when the Cap 9 is arranged in the closed position. In parallel are further slots 17 in turn parallel to each other and arranged to the positioning slot 16 and the recess 14, in the web 15 provided in the cap 9 in the actuating position intervenes as shown in FIG. 7, where it then also lies below Edge 13 of the container 4 is pressurized so that the container 4 is detected when moving at two spaced locations counteracts canting while moving.

This inside the cap 9 opposite the bottom 11th upright positioning web 15 runs parallel to the short ones Narrow sides and has, as especially in Fig. 2 with the Center line ML clearly visible, opposite one narrow side of the Cap 9 and the housing 2 a smaller distance than opposite the other narrow side, so it is arranged off-center, so that the cap 9 only in the position shown and not rotated about 180 ° about a vertical axis on the housing 2 fits.

In Fig.1 it is shown that the positioning web 15 over the entire Width of the cap 9 is sufficient, that is, the opposite Walls 10 connects. In this case it is Positioning slot 16 also required in the housing 2. The bridge 15 could, however, as indicated by dashed lines, be shortened and of the two opposite walls 10 of the closure cap 9 keep enough distance that the housing 2 remains unslotted could and only the inner container 4 a corresponding slot 16 and 17 needed.

In the embodiment, it is provided that the housing 2 as a seat for the closure cap 9 a wall area 18 from one in Has the plug-in direction of the cap 9 oriented dimension, which corresponds to the depth of the cap 9, so that it according to Fig.1 to 4 forms a tight fit on the housing 2.

The housing 2 has for the seat of the cap 9 in Closed position a wall area 18 from the rest Wall area of reduced thickness, creating the outside or outside wall of the housing 2 jumps back all around at the seat of the cap 9. The dispensing opening 7 for the isolated tablet 6 in reduced wall area 18 of the housing with respect to the wall thickness 2 arranged, so is in the closed position of the cap 9 automatically closed and sealed. Through the Reduction of the wall thickness in the wall area 18 and a corresponding one Thickness of the walls 10 of the cap 9 is achieved that the Cap 9 according to Fig.1 and 2 in the closed position with the rest The outside of the tablet dispenser 1 and its housing 2 are flush is. It is also ensured that it is clamped is so that a secure closure is achieved that is not undesired can be opened. If necessary, a locking connection can be made be provided in the closed position.

In Figures 3 and 4 it is shown that the edge of the cap 9 and the wall area adjacent to it in the closed position Housing 2, so practically the free edge of the cap wall 10 existing but closed joint 19, at least on the outside before first use with a film, in the embodiment one Adhesive tape 20 is covered. This will make it airtight significantly improved, especially before first use, though without such a protective and sealing adhesive tape 20 the Cap 9 together with the wall area 18 a practical airtight closure of the tablet dispenser 1 and its housing 2 causes.

FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 show the separating device 5 still that the inner container 4 in the area of Tablet delivery or dispensing opening 7 a deformable, in particular towards the inside of the container 4, in Closed position, the projection 7 partially covering projection 21, which is due to the shift in the dispensing position by a inclined surface 22 on it against a restoring force, especially against its own elasticity, inside the Container 4 is movable and pivotable. This will give access blocked to the donation opening 7 for another tablet 6 and only when moving back to the starting position and thereby opposite movement of this projection 21 again for a tablet to be made available for the next dispensing process 6 released, while the previously isolated tablet 6 through the donation opening 7 can fall out.

Overall, there is a tablet dispenser 1, the interior of which a tightly enclosing the donation and activity area Cap 9 against the ingress of humidity and unfavorable environmental influences is protected, while at the same time a user is prevented from using this protective and sealing cap 9 simply subtracts and omits it because he donates it for the donation process needed.

The tablet dispenser 1 has an outer housing 2 and one in it Interior against a spring force displaceable container 4 with a Separating device 5, so that in each case a single tablet 6 can be output if such a displacement movement of the Container 4 is performed relative to the housing 2. So that Inside of this tablet dispenser 1 against humidity and thereby is protected against premature spoilage of the tablets 6, is on the housing 2 one of its dispensing opening 7 and the actuation area 8 covering, removable cap 9 provided, the same time after removing them in an offset position is put back on the output area and thereby as Actuating tool is used because the container 4 is not itself direct is accessible in the operating area, but there from the housing 2 is enclosed. The edge 13 of the container 4 is namely at most at the level of the edge 12 of the housing 2 and jumps even partially back against it, so that it with the wall 10 to act upon the closure cap 9 during the displacement movement is.

Claims (12)

1. Tablet dispenser (1) comprising an outer housing (2) and a container (4) which fits into this housing (2) and is movable by sliding, in particular, counter to a spring force, having a device (5) for separating off the tablet (6) which is to be delivered on actuation, the relative sliding movement between the housing and the container opening up a dispensing aperture (7) for a separated tablet, characterised in that on the housing (2) is provided a removable closure cap (9) with cap wall (10) and cap base (11), which covers the dispensing aperture (7) and the operating area (8) for moving the inner container (4), in that the housing (2) projects over or encloses the container (4) at the operating area (8) of the housing (2), and inside the housing (2) the container (4) coincides with the outer edge (12) thereof and/or is at a spacing (a) therefrom, in that the housing (2) has a recess (14) or the like which is oriented in the direction of movement of the inner container (4) and extends over the edge portion (13) thereof which is to be moved, and in that the closure cap (9) fits with its wall (10) into the recess (14) in the housing (2) in a position which is offset relative to its closed position and engages therein in such a way as to act as a tool or actuating button for moving the inner container (4) relative to the housing (2).
2. Tablet dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing (2) and the inner container (4) and the closure cap (9) have an oblong or substantially rectangular cross section and in that the closure cap (9) in a position which is laterally offset relative to its closed position and relative to the direction of the sliding movement along the longer side of this cross section can be fitted together with the housing (2) and the, in particular, slot-like recess (14) and can be pressure-connected to the inner container (4) in such a way that it projects laterally over a short side of the container (4).
3. Tablet dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cap (9) is mounted on the side which is at the bottom during the dispensing operation and the dispensing aperture (7) is provided on the short side over which the cap (9) projects in the actuating position.
4. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that two corresponding and directly opposite, particularly slot-like recesses (14) are provided on the housing (2) for engaging the cap wall (9) during the dispensing operation.
5. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the closure cap (9) has a strip (15) mounted inside it which fits into positioning slots (16) provided parallel to the slot-like recesses (14) in the container, when the closure cap (9) is in the closed position, and in that additional slots (17) for the strip (15) provided in the cap (9) are arranged parallel thereto in the actuating position.
6. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the positioning strip (15) standing up from the base (11) inside the closure cap (9) extends parallel to the short sides and in particular is at a shorter distance from one short side of the closure cap (9) than from the other short side.
7. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the housing (2) has, as the seat for the closure cap (9), a wall portion (18) with a dimension oriented in the direction of application of the closure cap (9) and corresponding to the depth of the closure cap (9).
8. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the closed position the housing (2) has, as the seat for the closure cap (9), a wall portion (18) which is less thick than the rest of the wall, the outer wall of the housing (2) being recessed all round at the seat for the closure cap (9).
9. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the dispensing aperture (7) for the separated tablet (6) is provided in that part (18) of the wall of the housing (2) which has a reduced thickness.
10. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that in the closed position the closure cap (9) is flush with the remainder of the exterior of the tablet dispenser (1) and in particular can be secured by clamping and/or latching.
11. Tablet dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the inner container (4) has, in the region of the tablet delivery or dispensing aperture (7), a deformable projection (21) which partly covers the dispensing aperture (7) in the closed position, which is movable into the interior of the container (4) counter to a recoil force, particularly its elasticity; by movement into the dispensing position by a sloping surface (22) provided thereon, so that it blocks access to the dispensing aperture (7) for any other tablets (6) and only releases a tablet (6) in readiness for the next dispensing operation once it has been returned to its starting position.
12. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge of the closure cap (9) and the part of the wall of the housing (2) adjacent thereto in the closed position and hence any joint (19) located between them in the closed position is covered and sealed on the outside, at least before the tablet dispenser (1) is used for the first time, by a film, such as an adhesive strip (20), for example.

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