EP1038797B1

EP1038797B1 - Pocket dispenser for products such as sweets and pills

Info

Publication number: EP1038797B1
Application number: EP00200950A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Jacobus Gerardus Bakker; Jan Adolf Ernst Sperna Weiland
Original assignee: Sara Lee DE NV
Current assignee: Sara Lee DE NV
Priority date: 1999-03-15
Filing date: 2000-03-15
Publication date: 2004-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-15
Also published as: DE60016071T2; NL1011561C2; DE60016071D1; EP1038797A1; ATE283213T1; ES2228400T3

Abstract

The pocket dispenser (1) for measuredly dispensing products such as pills and sweeteners comprises at least one storage space (4) for storing the products to be dispensed, an outlet opening (8), and a dispensing mechanism (10) for dispensing a predetermined number of products from the storage space (4) via the outlet opening (8) when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized by a user. The pocket dispenser (1) is composed of an exchangeable cartridge (2) comprising the storage space (4) and the dispensing mechanism (10), and a holder (6) detachably connected with the cartridge (2). <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a pocket dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1.

This invention also relates to a cartridge according to the preamble of claim 11.

Such a pocket dispenser and cartridge are known inter alia from the European patent application EP-A-0113219.

In this known pocket dispenser, the cartridge has an open bottom, such that the cartridge is not able to hold the products when the cartridge is removed from the holder. This known pocket dispenser is therefore to be considered as a disposable pocket dispenser as a whole.

A disadvantage of the known pocket dispenser is that this pocket dispenser is to be disposed of as a whole: it will be given away as a whole and later it will be thrown away as a whole when the cartridge is empty. This entails a lot of waste and unnecessary pollution of the environment. The object of the invention is to provide a solution to this problem.

Accordingly, the pocket dispenser is characterized in that the cartridge comprises the dispensing mechanism wherein the storage space is completely formed by the cartridge so that the cartridge can hold the products in every position of the cartridge when the cartridge is separated from the holder.

Since the cartridge comprises the dispensing mechanism, the holder is no longer subject to wear. With the current techniques, manufacturing the cartridge which includes a dispensing mechanism does not entail any appreciable increase of costs so that, on the one hand a reduction of costs is realized in that the holder does not need to be replaced, and on the other the environmental impact is further reduced with respect to the known pocket dispensers.

In particular, the dispensing mechanism comprises at least one chamber which is designed to be displaceable relative to the outlet opening between a first and second position, the chamber in the first position being in open communication with the storage space, so that the chamber can be filled from the storage space with the predetermined number of products, and the chamber in the second position being in open communication with the outlet opening for dispensing the products contained in the chamber. Such a dispensing mechanism has been found to work particularly reliably.

Preferably, further, the chamber is designed to be translatable between the first and second position by a rectilinear movement.

According to a highly advanced embodiment of the pocket dispenser, further, the cartridge comprises a lock which blocks the dispensing mechanism when the cartridge is disposed outside the holder, and the holder energizes the lock for removing the blocking when the cartridge is inserted into the holder. This prevents tablets being accidentally dispensed when the cartridge is removed from the holder.

In particular, furthermore, an unused cartridge is provided with a breakable connection which blocks the dispensing mechanism and which is arranged to be broken when the dispensing mechanism is energized for the first time. What is thus achieved is that when a new cartridge is purchased, it is guaranteed that the contents of the cartridge have not been tampered with.

The cartridge according to the invention is characterized by the characterising part of claim 11.

DE-28-225-81-A discloses a dispensing container which comprises a housing and a rotatable storage-cylinder. This storage-cylinder has an open end for refilling the storage-cylinder with dispensable products. The storage-cylinder is not a cartridge which can hold the product to be dispensed when removed from the housing.

In GB-1-234-811 a pocket dispenser is described which comprises a cartridge which has an open bottom. Therefore, this cartridge is not able to hold the products independently of the holder.

The invention will presently be further explained with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1a shows a holder without cartridge of a pocket dispenser not according to the invention;

Fig. 1b shows a cartridge of a pocket dispenser according to Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1c shows the holder according to Fig. 1a fitted with the cartridge according to Fig. 1b;

Fig. 1d is a side elevation of the pocket dispenser according to Fig. 1c;

Fig. 1e shows in perspective a view of an upper cap of the holder according to Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1f shows an operating button of the holder according to Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1g shows a bottom cap of the holder according to Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1h shows a cross section of a part of the holder according to Fig. 1a, when a push button is not energized;

Fig. 1i shows the cross section according to Fig. 1h when an operating button is energized;

Fig. 2a shows a top plan view of a pocket dispenser according to the invention, with a cartridge partly slipped into a holder of the pocket dispenser;

Fig. 2b shows a side elevation of the pocket dispenser according to Fig. 2a;

Fig. 2c shows a front view of the pocket dispenser according to Fig. 2a, with the cartridge inserted into the holder;

Fig. 3a is a top plan view of the cartridge according to Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3b is a side elevation of the cartridge according to Fig. 3a;

Fig. 3c shows in detail a part of the side elevation according to Fig. 3b;

Fig. 3d is a cross section of the cartridge according to Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4a is a bottom view in the direction of the arrow P according to Fig. 3b of an upper portion of the cartridge;

Fig. 4b is a top plan view in the direction of the arrow S according to Fig. 3b of a lower portion of the cartridge according to Fig. 3b;

Fig. 5a is a top plan view of a portion of the holder according to Fig. 2a in the direction of the arrow P of Fig. 2b;

Fig. 5b is a side elevation of a portion of the holder in the direction of the arrow P of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a is a top plan view of a lower portion of the holder of Fig. 5b in the direction of the arrow S of Fig. 5b; and

Fig. 6b is a bottom view in the direction of the arrow Q of Fig. 5b of an upper portion of the holder according to Fig. 5b. Further, the invention relates to the holder of the pocket dispenser.

In Fig. 1c, reference numeral 1 designates a pocket dispenser not according to the invention for measuredly dispensing products such as pills and sweeteners. The pocket dispenser is made up of an exchangeable cartridge (Fig. 1b) which comprises a storage space 4 (Figs. 1h and 1i) for the sweeteners. Further, the dispenser comprises a holder 6 (Fig. 1a) detachably connected with the cartridge 2, which holder is provided with an outlet opening 8 and a dispensing mechanism 10 (Fig. 1h and 1i) for dispensing a predetermined number of products from the storage space 4 of the exchangeable cartridge 2 via the outlet opening.

In this example, the holder 6 is made up of a bottom 12 (Fig. 1h), an upper cap 14 (Fig. 1e) and an operating button 16 (Fig. 1f). The operating button comprises a chamber 18 which is designed to be displaceable relative to the cartridge 2 and the outlet opening 8, between a first position (Fig. 1h) and a second position (Fig. 1i). Between an underside of the chamber 18 and the bottom 12, a springing element 20 is present, which urges the chamber 18 into the first position, as shown in Fig. 1h.

The operation of the device is as follows. The cartridge as shown in Fig. 1b can be slipped from a side of the holder 6 as shown in Fig. 1a into a receiving space 22 of the holder. The cartridge 2 is thereby snapped between two opposite

upright walls

24, 26, which bound the receiving space 22. This results in a situation as shown in Figs. 1c and 1d. The cartridge is provided with an opening 28 for dispensing the products 30 which are contained in the storage space 4 of an exchangeable cartridge 2. When the chamber 18 is in the first position, as shown in Fig. 1h, exactly one product can be received in the chamber 18. When a user subsequently depresses the operating button 16, so that the chamber 18 is brought into the second position, the chamber is set into open communication with the outlet opening 8 for dispensing the products contained in the chamber 18. In this example, the chamber 18 is so dimensioned that only one product 30 can be received in the chamber. It is also possible, however, that a predetermined plurality of products can be received in the chamber 18. After the product 30 has thus been dispensed via the outlet opening 18, a user will release the button 16, whereupon the button 16 returns from the second position to the first position. In the first position, the chamber is again in open communication with the storage space 4 of the exchangeable cartridge 2, and can thus be filled with a new product 30 to be dispensed in turn when the operating button 16 is energized.

When all products 30 have been dispensed, the exchangeable cartridge 2 can be uncoupled from the holder 6. The exchangeable cartridge can then be discarded. The holder 6 can then be charged again with a new exchangeable cartridge 2, which in turn is completely filled with new products 30 to be dispensed.

The exterior of the exchangeable cartridge 2, at any rate at least a part of it that is visible, can be provided with various colors or color patterns and/or designs. In this way, the dispenser 1 can each time be given a different appearance and/or color by coupling the holder 6 with the exchangeable cartridge each time having a different color and/or picture.

Presently, referring to Figs. 2-6, a pocket dispenser according to the invention will be discussed. Parts corresponding to Fig. 1 have been provided with the same reference numeral.

The pocket dispenser is likewise composed of a cartridge 2 and a holder 6, the cartridge 2 and the holder 6 being also detachably connected with each other. When the cartridge 2 has been slipped into the holder 6, they form in combination a slit-shaped outlet opening 8. An upper nose-shaped portion 32 of the cartridge and a lower portion 34 of the holder (see Fig. 2b) form the contours of the outlet opening 8 (see Fig. 2c).

The holder 6 in this example is composed of a lower portion 36 which comprises the bottom 12 (see Fig. 6a), and an upper portion 38 which comprises the upper cap 14 (see Fig. 6b). The cartridge 2 is again provided with the storage space 4. Further, the cartridge 2 comprises the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a predetermined number of products from the storage space 4 of the exchangeable cartridge 2 via the outlet opening 8. The cartridge is of divided construction and comprises an upper portion 44 (Fig. 4b) and a lower portion 46 (Fig. 4c) which are connected with each other through a snap connection.

On the outer side of the cartridge, the storage space 4 is bounded substantially by upright sidewalls 42 which are connected with the upper portion 44 (see Fig. 4b) of the cartridge. The lower portion 46 of the cartridge is provided with upright walls 48 which form a channel from the storage space 4 to the chamber 18. In use, the lower portion 46 and the upper portion 44 are connected with each other as shown in Fig. 3b.

In Fig. 4a, the dotted line 50 indicates the supply path of pills or tablets from the storage space 4 to the chamber 18. It is noted that the bounding upper wall of the upper portion of the cartridge 44 comprises downwardly extending

sidewalls

54, 55 forming the boundary of the supply path 50 upwardly in vertical direction. The intermediate space 56 formed between these upright sidewalls could also be filled with, for instance, plastic injection molding material. What is achieved by the specific tortuous shape of the inner upright sidewall 55, however, is that the products 30 cannot sit in this space 56. Thus a saving of material of which the cartridge is manufactured is realized.

The cartridge further comprises springing means 20 resiliently connecting the nose-shaped portion 32 with a bottom 57 of the cartridge.

The chamber 18 is bounded by upright sidewalls 58 which are connected with the nose-shaped part 32. A bottom 60 of the chamber 18 is formed by a portion of the bottom 57 of the cartridge. This bottom is provided with upright ribs 59 with a view to saving material. The product to be dispensed sits on these ribs. The chamber 18 is bounded at its upper end by an upper wall 62, which forms a part of the upper wall 52 of the upper portion 44 of the cartridge.

When the chamber is in the first position, the exit 28 of the chamber 18 is closed by an upright sidewall 64 extending downwards from the nose-shaped part.

The operation of the dispensing device described up to this point is as follows. When the cartridge 2 has been slipped into the holder, tablets will move from the storage space 4 in the direction of the chamber 18, following the supply channel 50. The chamber 18 is so dimensioned that only one product 30 can be received in it. When subsequently a downward force is exerted on the button 16 formed in the upper wall 52 of the cartridge, the entire upper portion 44 of the cartridge as well as the entire bottom 57 of the cartridge will move down. However, the nose-shaped portion 32 and, connected thereto, the upright sidewalls 58 and 64 of the chamber 18 do not move down, since the nose-shaped portion 32 and hence also the upright sidewalls 58, 64 are connected with the bottom 60 of the cartridge via the springing means 20. Because the bottom 60 of the chamber forms part of the bottom 57 of the cartridge, it will likewise move down relative to the nose-shaped part 32. Thus the outlet opening 28 of the cartridge is cleared and a product 30 can be dispensed via the opening 8 of the pocket dispenser.

When, accordingly, the button 16 is energized, the chamber 18 will move translatably by a rectilinear movement from a first, upper position to a second, lower position, whereby thereupon the outlet opening 28 is cleared.

When subsequently the force that is exerted on the push button 16 is removed, the chamber will move back again from the second position to the first position, so that the opening 28 is closed again.

As the chamber moves from the first position to the second position, the position of the nose-shaped portion 32 relative to the holder 6 remains unchanged. By contrast, the upper wall of the cartridge as well as the bottom 57 of the cartridge and all that is fixedly connected with these two parts tilt about a rotation axis 66 relative to the holder 6. The rotation axis 66 is schematically indicated in Fig. 4b. The nose-shaped part 32, as well as the parts fixedly connected therewith, in particular the upright sidewalls 58, 64, then do not rotate about the rotation axis 66.

The cartridge further comprises a lock 70 which blocks the dispensing mechanism when the cartridge is disposed outside the holder 6, whilst the holder energizes the lock for removing the blocking when the cartridge is slipped into the holder. The lock 70 in this example comprises two upright sidewalls 72 of the cartridge which are connected with the nose-shaped portion 32 (see Fig. 3c and Fig. 4a). Further, the lock comprises upright sidewalls 74 which are connected with the upper portion 44 of the holder (see Fig. 4b). The upright sidewalls 72 are springingly pressed towards each other by the holder when the cartridge 2 is slipped into the holder 6. The upright sidewalls 72 each comprise a shoulder with a portion 76 which is staggered away from the nose-shaped portion 32.

The portion 76 is staggered rearwardly at the underside of the cartridge. Further, the upright sidewalls 74 of the upper portion each comprise a shoulder with a portion 78 which is staggered towards the nose-shaped portion 32. The portion 78 is disposed above the portion 76. As can be properly seen in Fig. 3c, the portion 76 consequently lies against the portion 78. The underside 80 of the portion 78 then rests on the upper side 82 of the portion 76. As a consequence, it is not possible to move the push button 16 downwards relative to the nose-shaped part 32; in other words, the dispensing mechanism of the cartridge is blocked. When, on the other hand, the cartridge is placed in the holder, the parts 76 will be bent towards each other by the sidewalls of the holder, so that the upper portion 82 thereof no longer is disposed against the lower portion 80 of the forwardly staggered portion 78. The lock is thus released, and upon displacement of the chamber from the first position to the second position the portions 76 and 80 move alongside each other. When, however, the cartridge is subsequently taken from the holder again, the parts 72 spring back into their former position, so that the lock is established again. Further, a cartridge, when it has not been used before, is provided with a breakable connection which blocks the dispensing mechanism and which is arranged to be broken when the dispensing mechanism is energized for the first time. In this example, the breakable connection is formed by a film-like connection 86 between the upright walls 58 of the chamber 18 on the one hand, and the bottom 57 of the cartridge on the other. The film-like connection is therefore formed entirely in the lower portion 46 of the cartridge. The film-like connection has as an advantage that a user, before proceeding to use the cartridge, can ascertain that the cartridge has not been opened. In use, the cartridge is slipped into the holder, and the lock 70 referred to is released. When subsequently the button 16 is energized, the film-like connection 80 breaks and the product 30 can be dispensed.

In a preferred embodiment of the pocket dispenser the cartridge comprises a snap mechanism which makes a clicking sound when the dispenser is energized.

In this example, the cartridge is made up of the lower portion 46 and the upper portion 44, which can be attached to each other by means of a snap connection for forming the cartridge. Both parts are manufactured by an injection molding process. The exact dividing line which divides the cartridge into the two parts, however, can also be chosen differently. This likewise applies to the holder 6. The holder 6 is also made up of a lower portion 36 and an upper portion 38 which are connected to each other through a snap connection. Both parts in this example have also been manufactured through an injection molding process.

The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments outlined hereinbefore. Thus, alternative dispensing mechanisms where, instead of one product, more products are dispensed simultaneously, also fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Also, the pocket dispenser can have other outward forms than discussed hereinbefore. Such variants are all understood to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A pocket dispenser (1) for measuredly dispensing products (30) such as pills and sweeteners, comprising at least one storage space (4) for storing the products (30) to be dispensed, an outlet opening (8), and a dispensing mechanism (10) for dispensing a predetermined number of products (30) from the storage space (4) via the outlet opening (8) when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized by a user, the pocket dispenser (1) being composed of a cartridge (2) for holding the products (30) to be dispensed and a holder (6) comprising a receiving space (22) for holding the cartridge (2), wherein the cartridge (2) comprises the storage space (4) and wherein the holder is detachable connected with the cartridge (2) wherein the pocket dispenser is designed for repeatedly dispensing said predetermined amount of products while the holder and the cartridge are in an assembled condition and form the pocket dispenser, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises the dispensing mechanism (10) wherein the storage space (4) is completely formed by the cartridge (2) so that the cartridge (2) can hold the products (30) in every position of the cartridge (2) if the cartridge (2) is separated from the holder (6).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (6) and the cartridge (2) each comprise a part of the outlet opening (8).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dispensing mechanism (10) comprises at least one chamber (18) which is designed to be displaceable relative to the outlet opening (8) between a first and second position, the chamber (18) in the first position being in open communication with the storage space (4), so that the chamber (18) can be filled from the storage space (4) with the predetermined number of products, and the chamber (18) in the second position being in open communication with the outlet opening (8) for dispensing the products contained in the chamber (18).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the chamber (18) is designed to be translatable between the first and second position by a rectilinear movement.
A pocket dispenser (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises a push button (16) for moving the chamber (18) from the first position to the second position upon energization of the push button (16).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cartridge (2) further comprises springing means (20) for moving the chamber (18) back from the second position to the first position.
A pocket dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of an outer side of the cartridge (2) is visible on an outer side of the pocket dispenser (11).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge (2) is provided with a lock (70) which blocks the dispensing mechanism (10) when the cartridge (12) is disposed outside the holder (6), while the holder (6) energizes the lock (70) for removing the blocking (12) when the cartridge (2) is slipped into the holder (6).
A pocket dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an unused cartridge (2) is provided with a breakable connection which blocks the dispensing mechanism (10) and which is arranged to be broken when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized for the first time.
A pocket dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge (2) further comprises a snap mechanism which makes a clicking sound when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized.
A cartridge (2) arranged to be detachably assembled with a holder (6) to form a pocket dispenser (1) for repeatedly and measuredly dispensing products (30) such as pills and sweeteners while the holder (6) and the cartridge (2) are in an assembled condition and form the pocket dispenser (1), the cartridge (2) comprising at least one storage space (4) for storing the products (30) to be dispensed, and the pocket dispenser (1) comprising an outlet opening (8) and a dispensing mechanism (10) for dispensing a predetermined number of products (30) from the storage space (4) via the outlet opening (8) when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized by a user, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises the dispensing mechanism (10) wherein the storage space (4) is completely formed by the cartridge (2) so that the cartridge (2) can hold the products (30) in every position of the cartridge (2) if the cartridge (2) is separated from the holder (6).
A cartridge (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises at least a part of the outlet opening (8).
A cartridge (2) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the dispensing mechanism (10) comprises at least one chamber (18) which is designed to be displaceable relative to the outlet opening (8) between a first and second position, the chamber (18) in the first position being in open communication with the storage space (4), so that the chamber (18) can be filled from the storage space (4) with the predetermined number of products, and the chamber (18) in the second position being in open communication with the outlet opening (8) for dispensing the products (30) contained in the chamber (18).
A cartridge (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that the chamber (18) is designed to be translatable between the first and second position by a rectilinear movement.
A cartridge (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises a push button (16) for moving the chamber (18) from the first to the second position upon energization of the push button (16).
A cartridge (2) according to claim 15, characterized in that the cartridge (2) further comprises springing means (20) for moving the chamber (18) back from the second position to the first position.
A cartridge (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 11-16, characterized in that the cartridge (2) is so arranged that at least a part of an outer side of the cartridge (2) is visible on an outer side of the holder when the cartridge is placed in the holder (6).
A cartridge (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 11-17, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises a lock (70) which blocks the dispensing mechanism (10) when the cartridge (2) is disposed outside the holder (6), the cartridge (2) being so designed that the holder (6) energizes the lock (70) for removing the blocking when the cartridge (2) is slipped into the holder (6).
A cartridge (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 11-18, characterized in that an unused cartridge (2) is provided with a breakable connection which blocks the dispensing mechanism (10) and which is arranged to be broken when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized for the first time.
A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims 11-19, characterized in that the cartridge (2) further comprises a snap mechanism which makes a clicking sound when the dispensing mechanism (10) is energized.