EP1245505A1 - Dispensing device for solid entities, of granular type, and tubular package containing such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The gravity dispenser of a number of granules withdrawn from a reserve (3) comprises a socket (5) with a cylindrical wall and a barrel (6) with partitions (61,62). The partitions form a capture cage communicating freely on one side with the reserve and on the other side with an outlet (7). An internal finger (8) rotating with the socket extends coaxially with one end (8a) located within the partition. The fall by gravity of the load is controlled by a cylindrical surface in the end of the finger which varies, by relative rotation between the socket and the barrel, the outlet of a edge section preventing outflow to a an open section releasing the load.

Description

The present invention relates to the distribution, by gravity, of a charge constituted by a predetermined whole number of solid entities, having substantially the same shape and the same basic dimensions, for example granules.

More specifically, the invention relates, on the one hand to a device distribution, having the aforementioned function, and on the other hand a tube of conditioning of a reserve of solid entities such as previously defined, incorporating such a device.

(a) une douille ayant une paroi cylindrique ;

(b) un barillet comprenant des moyens de cloisonnement, disposés dans la section interne dudit barillet, ménageant au moins une cage de capture, laquelle communique, d'un côté, librement, avec la réserve des entités à distribuer, en l'occurrence des granulés contenus dans le tube, et de l'autre côté, de manière contrôlée, avec une sortie d'évacuation un à un desdits granulés ; de manière générale, la cage de capture est agencée pour recevoir par gravité uniquement un nombre entier prédéterminé desdits granulés, par exemple un seul granulé.

In particular, for the distribution to the unit of granules of a drug, of the homeopathic type, a device has already been described and proposed, incorporated or assembled with a tube for conditioning said granules, comprising, coaxially assembled one to each other, but free to rotate relative to each other, around a common axis:

(a) a socket having a cylindrical wall;

(b) a barrel comprising partitioning means, arranged in the internal section of said barrel, providing at least one capture cage, which communicates, on one side, freely, with the reserve of the entities to be distributed, in this case granules contained in the tube, and on the other side, in a controlled manner, with a discharge outlet one by one of said granules; in general, the capture cage is arranged to receive by gravity only a predetermined whole number of said granules, for example a single granule.

Reference will be made in particular to documents FR-A-2 634 181, US-A-5,549,217, FR-A-2,748,001, US-A-3,991,908, US-A-3,874,574, FR-A-2 657 592 and EP-A-O 274 414.

Distribution solutions proposed by the prior art have the disadvantage of requiring the production of different parts relatively complex, both in their manufacture and in their assembly.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for distribution, of the aforementioned type, limited to two pieces, each of which may be produced by molding or injection of a plastic material, without difficulty particular, and can be assembled automatically, without requiring special provisions, such as an indexing mechanism.

(1) un doigt interne, solidaire en rotation de la douille, qui s'étend coaxialement jusqu'à une extrémité libre disposée au sein des moyens de cloisonnement du barillet ;

(2) des moyens de contrôle de la descente par gravité de la charge constitués par un nombre entier prédéterminé d'entités solides, ces moyens étant ménagés, en regard de la cage de capture, sur l'extrémité libre du doigt interne et sur la paroi interne opposée de la douille ou du barillet, pour faire varier, par rotation relative entre la douille et le barillet, la section d'un orifice de passage existant au travers dudit barillet vers la sortie d'évacuation des entités solides, d'une section d'arrêt interdisant l'écoulement de la charge, à une section ouverte libérant la même charge.

A dispensing device according to the invention essentially comprises a socket and a barrel, as defined above, and in combination:

(1) an internal finger, integral in rotation with the sleeve, which extends coaxially to a free end disposed within the partitioning means of the barrel;

(2) means for controlling the descent by gravity of the load constituted by a predetermined whole number of solid entities, these means being arranged, facing the capture cage, on the free end of the internal finger and on the opposite internal wall of the sleeve or barrel, to vary, by relative rotation between the sleeve and the barrel, the section of a passage orifice existing through said barrel towards the outlet for evacuation of solid entities, of a stop section preventing the flow of the load, to an open section releasing the same load.

• la figure 1 représente, vu en coupe axiale, un tube de conditionnement incorporant un dispositif de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe du dispositif de distribution représenté à la figure 1, selon plan de coupe II-II ; selon les figures 1 et 2, la position angulaire relative de la douille et du barillet décrits ci-après détermine une section d'arrêt interdisant l'écoulement de la charge des entités solides à distribuer ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe, à échelle agrandie du dispositif de distribution représenté aux figures 1 et 2, incorporé dans un tube de conditionnement selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe, selon plan de coupe IV-IV du dispositif représenté à la figure 3 ; selon les figures 3 et 4, la position angulaire relative entre la douille et le barillet décrit ci-après, détermine une section d'arrêt et une section ouverte, respectivement pour les cages de capture, opposées l'une à l'autre et décrites ci-après ;
• la figure 5 représente à échelle agrandie un détail de la figure 3 ;
• les figures 6 à 11 représentent trois positions angulaires relatives entre la douille 5 et le barillet 6, respectivement d'arrêt ou fermeture de l'une des cages de capture, et d'ouverture pour l'autre desdites cages (cf. figures 6 et 7), de fermeture pour les deux cages de capture (cf. figures 8 et 9), et d'ouverture pour l'une des cages de capture et de fermeture pour l'autre desdites cages (cf. figures 10 et 11) ;
• les figures 6, 8 et 10 sont des vues en coupe axiale ;
• tandis que les figures 7, 9 et 11 sont des vues correspondantes, en coupe transversale ou diamétrale.

The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 shows, seen in axial section, a packaging tube incorporating a dispensing device according to the invention;
• 2 shows a sectional view of the dispensing device shown in Figure 1, according to section plane II-II; according to Figures 1 and 2, the relative angular position of the sleeve and the barrel described below determines a stop section preventing the flow of the load of solid entities to be distributed;
• 3 shows a sectional view, on an enlarged scale of the dispensing device shown in Figures 1 and 2, incorporated in a packaging tube according to the invention;
• Figure 4 shows a sectional view along sectional plane IV-IV of the device shown in Figure 3; according to Figures 3 and 4, the relative angular position between the sleeve and the barrel described below, determines a stop section and an open section, respectively for the capture cages, opposite to each other and described below;
• Figure 5 shows on an enlarged scale a detail of Figure 3;
• FIGS. 6 to 11 represent three relative angular positions between the sleeve 5 and the barrel 6, respectively for stopping or closing one of the capture cages, and for opening the other of said cages (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7), closing for the two capture cages (cf. FIGS. 8 and 9), and opening for one of the capture and closing cages for the other of said cages (cf. FIGS. 10 and 11);
• Figures 6, 8 and 10 are views in axial section;
• while Figures 7, 9 and 11 are corresponding views, in cross section or diametral.

Throughout the description below, the terms "granules" and "solid entities" will be used interchangeably; and the term "charge" denotes a predetermined whole number of said solid entities, being understood that this number is in the example described below equal to unity.

In accordance with Figures 1 and 2, a tube 1 of packaging of a reserve of granules, shown individually under the references (A, B), incorporate or integrate, a device 2 of distribution described below.

• un corps cylindrique 12 agencé pour contenir la réserve 3 de granulés (A,B), dont la collerette opposée à son fond constitue une douille 5, appartenant au dispositif de distribution décrit ci-après ;
• et un capuchon 13 agencé pour être retenu sur un barillet 6, appartenant au même dispositif de distribution que celui décrit ci-après ; comme montré plus particulièrement par la figure 3. Le capuchon 13 forme, dans la position renversée montrée sur la totalité des figures en annexe, un gobelet de réception du granulé distribué à l'unité. Ce capuchon comporte un moletage extérieur 14, et un rainurage interne 15 coopérant avec des pions correspondant 16 ménagés sur le barillet 5, de manière à lier en rotation le capuchon 13 et le barillet 6, tout en permettant la séparation du capuchon 13 par rapport au même barillet 6.

This tube 1 includes:

• a cylindrical body 12 arranged to contain the reserve 3 of granules (A, B), the flange opposite its bottom constitutes a socket 5, belonging to the dispensing device described below;
• and a cap 13 arranged to be retained on a barrel 6, belonging to the same distribution device as that described below; as shown more particularly in FIG. 3. The cap 13 forms, in the inverted position shown in all of the appended figures, a cup for receiving the granule distributed by the unit. This cap has an external knurling 14, and an internal grooving 15 cooperating with corresponding pins 16 formed on the barrel 5, so as to link in rotation the cap 13 and the barrel 6, while allowing the separation of the cap 13 relative to the same barrel 6.

An internal finger 8 is secured or integral with the wall of the body 12, and more precisely its bottom 17, by a radial veil 114, providing a passage 115 for the rotation of the barrel 6 belonging to the distribution device described below.

All components or components of tube 1 and dispensing device 2 described below, are obtained by injection molding of any suitable plastic.

(a) la douille 5 ayant une paroi cylindrique 51 faisant partie de la paroi elle-même cylindrique du corps 12 du tube 1 ;

(b) le barillet 6 comprenant des moyens 61 et 62 de cloisonnement, disposés dans la section interne dudit barillet, ménageant au moins une cage 63 ou 64 de capture d'un granulé (A) ou (B).

The distribution device 2 according to the invention comprises, assembled coaxially with one another, but free to rotate with respect to one another, around a common axis:

(a) the sleeve 5 having a cylindrical wall 51 forming part of the itself cylindrical wall of the body 12 of the tube 1;

(b) the barrel 6 comprising partitioning means 61 and 62, arranged in the internal section of said barrel, providing at least one cage 63 or 64 for capturing a granule (A) or (B).

Each capture cage 63 or 64 communicates, on one side, freely, with the reserve 3 of granules (A, B), that is to say with the interior of the cylindrical body 12, and on the other side, in a controlled manner (as described below), with an outlet 7 for discharging the granules distributed to the cap 13.

Each capture cage 63 or 64 is arranged to receive by gravity only one granule;

The internal finger 8 is therefore integral in rotation with the socket 5, due to the construction described above. He's stretching axially around the common axis 4 of assembly of the sleeve 5 and the barrel 6, up to a free end 8a disposed within the means of partitioning 61 and 62 of the barrel 6.

As described more precisely below, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, and considering for example the capture cage 63, means for controlling the descent by gravity of the granules are provided on the free end 8a of the internal finger 8, and / or on the internal wall opposite the sleeve 5 (not shown) or the barrel 6, to vary, only by relative rotation between the socket 5 and the barrel 6, an orifice 9 passing through the barrel 6 towards the outlet 7 for discharging the granules, and opposite the capture cage 63. More specifically, this passage opening 9 varies from one stop section, more particularly shown in Figures 4 and 7, concerning the cage capture 63, preventing the flow of granules (A, B), to a section open, more particularly represented in FIG. 11 as regards the capture cage 63, releasing the captured granules.

As shown in particular in FIG. 4, the orifice of passage 9 is partly determined by a radial extension fin, at namely 66 for the capture cage 63, and 67 for the capture cage 64, and this for the gravity retention of a granule. This fin is located from side of the cylindrical wall 51 of the sleeve 5, as shown in particular in Figure 4, or on the side of the inner finger 8, as not shown.

To vary the section of the passage opening 9, present in each capture cage 63 or 64, a surface area 68 cylindrical is provided, on the outside, on the internal face of the sleeve 5 (as shown in Figure 4) or barrel 6 (as not shown) and / or on the inside, around the periphery of the free end 8a of the internal finger 8. Thus are determined, a first dimension radial of the passage orifice 9, preventing the flow of the granules, in a first angular position (see Figure 4), or in a first angular stroke of the barrel 6 relative to the sleeve 5, and a second radial dimension releasing each granule (A) or (B), in a second angular position (see Figure 11 for example), or according to a second angular, separate or complementary course of the first race angular previously defined.

More particularly, and by way of example, as shown in the accompanying drawing, the cylindrical inner face of the sleeve 5 (or of the barrel 6), opposite the capture cage 63 or 64, constitutes directly a cylindrical bearing, and a counter-bearing 8b, also of surface cylindrical, whose axis is coaxial or coincident with common axis 4, is formed on the free end 8a of the internal finger 8.

As shown in Figure 4, the counterbearing 8b extends angularly, with respect to a reference axis 10, and in the direction timetable 11 for rotation of the barrel 6 relative to the sleeve 5, by one edge longitudinal attack 81, disposed at 45 °, at a longitudinal edge 82 exhaust arranged at 315 °, always relative to the axis of reference 10. Thanks to this arrangement, the external angular distance between the longitudinal leading edges 81 and exhaust 82, corresponding to a first angular stroke of the barrel 6 relative to the socket 5, prevents the flow of pellets caught in the cages 63 and 64 respectively, and a second angular travel of 90 °, at inside the longitudinal leading edges 81 and trailing 82 allows release the granule captured in each cage 63 or 64.

The partitioning means comprise two partitions 61 and 62, parallel to each other, and symmetrical with respect to a diameter of the barrel 6. Thus, in cooperation with the free end 8a of the finger 8, find the two capture cages 63 and 64, angularly arranged arranged at 180 ° to each other. The total symmetry of the barrel avoids having to orient it when assembling it with the other elements.

As indicated above, the cylindrical wall 51 of the socket 5 determines at least in part a store for the reserve 3 of granules (A, B).

• conformément aux figures 6 et 7, dans une position angulaire relative de départ entre la douille 5 et le barillet 6, un granulé (A) se trouve capturé ; dans cette position, les cloisons 61 et 62 sont parallèles à l'axe 10 ; la section de l'orifice de passage 9 interdit la descente du granulé (A) ;
• dans la position angulaire relative représentée aux figures 8 et 9, c'est-à-dire à 90° de la position représentée aux figures 6 et 7, l'orifice de passage 9 demeure avoir la même section, interdisant toujours la descente du granulé (A) ;
• dans la position angulaire relative représentée aux figures 10 et 11, à 180° de la position représentée aux figures 6 et 7, l'orifice de passage 9 a une section ouverte suffisamment large, notamment en termes de dimension radiale, pour libérer le granulé (A) capturé vers la sortie 7 d'évacuation vers le capuchon 13.

The operation of the previously described distribution device can be illustrated by FIGS. 6 to 11, with reference for example to the capture cage 63:

• according to Figures 6 and 7, in a relative angular starting position between the sleeve 5 and the barrel 6, a granule (A) is captured; in this position, the partitions 61 and 62 are parallel to the axis 10; the section of the passage orifice 9 prohibits the descent of the granule (A);
• in the relative angular position represented in FIGS. 8 and 9, that is to say at 90 ° from the position represented in FIGS. 6 and 7, the passage orifice 9 remains to have the same section, always preventing the descent of the granule (AT) ;
• in the relative angular position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, at 180 ° from the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the passage orifice 9 has an open section which is sufficiently wide, in particular in terms of radial dimension, to release the granule ( A) captured towards the outlet 7 for evacuation towards the cap 13.

As shown in Figures 8 to 11, another granule (B) is finds captured in opposite cage 64, and goes through the same positions relative angles than those described above, so that at each half-turn of the barrel 6 relative to the sleeve 5, a granule found released towards the cap 13.

Claims (11)

Device (2) for distributing, by gravity, a load constituted by a predetermined whole number of solid entities (A, B), having substantially the same shape and the same elementary dimensions, for example granules, taken from a reserve (3) of said entities, said device comprising, assembled coaxially with one another, but free to rotate with respect to one another, about a common axis (4): (a) a socket (5) having a cylindrical wall (51); (b) a barrel (6) comprising partitioning means (61, 62), disposed in the internal section of said barrel, providing at least one capture cage (63, 64) communicating, on one side, freely, with the reserve (3) of the entities (A, B) to be distributed, and on the other side, in a controlled manner, with an outlet (7) for discharging said load, said capture cage (63, 64) being arranged for receiving gravity only said load; characterized in that , in combination: (1) an internal finger (8), integral in rotation with said sleeve, extends coaxially to a free end (8a) disposed within the partitioning means (61, 62) of the barrel (6); (2) means (8b, 68) for controlling the descent by gravity of the load are provided, opposite the capture cage (63, 64), on the free end (8a) of the internal finger (8) and on the opposite internal wall of the sleeve (5) or of the barrel (6), in order to vary, by relative rotation between the sleeve (5) and the barrel (6), the section of a passage orifice (9) existing through said barrel (6) towards the discharge outlet (7), from a stop section (Fig. 4 and 7) preventing the flow of the load, to an open section (Fig. 11) releasing said charge. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage orifice (9) is partly determined by a fin (66, 67) of radial extension, on the side of the cylindrical wall (51), of the sleeve (5 ) or on the side of the internal finger (8), for the gravity retention of said load. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a bearing surface (68) of cylindrical surface is provided, on the outside, on the internal face of the sleeve (5) or of the barrel (6), and / or on the inside on the periphery of the free end (8a) of the internal finger (8), so as to determine a first radial dimension of the passage orifice (9), preventing the flow of the load, in a first angular position (Fig. .4) or on a first angular stroke of the barrel (6) relative to the sleeve (5), and a second radial dimension, releasing said load, in a second angular position (Fig. 11), or on a second angular stroke , distinct from the first angular stroke. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylindrical internal face of the socket (5) or of the barrel (6), facing the catching box (63, 64), directly constitutes a span, and a counter span ( 8b) of cylindrical surface coaxial with the common axis (4) is formed on the free end (8a) of the internal finger (8). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the counter-bearing (8b) extends angularly, relative to a reference axis (10), and clockwise (11), from a longitudinal leading edge ( 81) disposed at + 45 °, at a longitudinal exhaust edge (82) disposed at + 315 °, relative to the reference axis (10) (see Fig. 4), the external angular distance between the edges longitudinal attack (81) and trailing (82) corresponding to a first angular stroke of the barrel (6) relative to the sleeve (5), to prohibit the flow of the load, and a second angular stroke of 90 °, inside the longitudinal leading (81) and trailing (82) edges making it possible to release said load. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the partitioning means comprise two partitions (61, 62) parallel and symmetrical with respect to a diameter of the barrel (6), providing two capture cages (63, 64), angularly arranged at 180 ° relative to each other, the barrel (6) thus being completely symmetrical. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical wall (51) of the sleeve (5) at least partly determines a magazine for the reserve (3) of solid entities. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined whole number of physical entities is equal to one. Tube (1) for packaging a reserve (3) of entities solids (A, B), incorporating or integrating a device (2) according to one any one of claims 1 to 8, for the distribution of a load constituted by a predetermined whole number of said solid entities. Tube according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises: a cylindrical body (12) arranged to contain the reserve (3) of solid entities (A, B), the flange opposite its bottom constitutes the socket (5) of the dispensing device; a cap (13) arranged to be retained on said barrel (6) of the dispensing device, while being linked in rotation to the latter. Tube according to claim 10, characterized in that the internal finger (8) is secured to the wall of the body (12) by a radial veil (114) providing a passage (115) for the rotation of the barrel (6).

Images