EP1363844A1 - Distributeurs de pastilles - Google Patents

Distributeurs de pastilles

Info

Publication number
EP1363844A1
EP1363844A1 EP02712065A EP02712065A EP1363844A1 EP 1363844 A1 EP1363844 A1 EP 1363844A1 EP 02712065 A EP02712065 A EP 02712065A EP 02712065 A EP02712065 A EP 02712065A EP 1363844 A1 EP1363844 A1 EP 1363844A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pellets
laminar member
opening
channel
passage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02712065A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Alastair Guy Linden Kingsland
Stephen Fredrick Kelsey
John Madock Kelso
Gerard O'brian
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Packaging Innovation Ltd
Original Assignee
Packaging Innovation Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Packaging Innovation Ltd filed Critical Packaging Innovation Ltd
Publication of EP1363844A1 publication Critical patent/EP1363844A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • B65D83/0436—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation the articles being dispensed by pinching action on a flexible tube

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to pellet dispensers.
  • Disposable pellet dispensers which comprise a housing defining a reservoir containing a plurality of pellets such as peppermint spheres or sugar substitute tablets.
  • the housing is provided with an opening on the underside which is closed by spring-loaded gate or door.
  • the gate or door can be opened to release one or more pellets through the opening to fall into a waiting receptacle or cupped hand lying below the opening.
  • Mechanisms may be provided to ensure the release of a predetermined number (eg one) of pellets each time the door is opened.
  • a pellet dispenser comprising a reservoir for storing pellets, an opening through which pellets can be discharged, a channel leading from the reservoir to the opening and a mechanism for controlling the discharge of pellets from the reservoir via the channel and through the opening in discrete batches of at least one pellet, the mechanism comprising a resilient and flexible laminar member, operation means for flexing the laminar member to vary its arcuate profile, arm means mounted at a discrete location on the laminar member and carrying a shutter so positioned as to move into and out of a position in which it can obstruct the passage of pellets from the channel through the opening in response to a change in arcuate profile of the laminar member, and obstruction means mounted at another discrete location on the laminar members so positioned as to move into and out of a position in which it can obstruct the passage of pellets from the reservoir to the channel in response to a change in arcuate profile of the laminar member, the obstruction means not obstructing the passage of
  • a pellet dispenser comprising a housing containing a flexible resilient laminar member separating the housing into first and second compartments, the first compartment defining a reservoir for storing pellets there, second compartment having a discharge opening for discharging pellets, the laminar member defining an aperture through which pellets can pass from the first to the second compartments, and being free to flex and change its arcuate profile in response to lateral pressure, a pair of arms mounted on the laminar member on opposite sides of the aperture to extend towards the opening, each arm carrying a door, the doors closing the opening when the laminar member adopts a first arcuate profile and moving away from the opening when the laminar member adopts a second arcuate profile, an obstruction mounted on the laminar member and movable between a first position in which it obstructs the passage of pellets through the aperture from one compartment to the other when the laminar member adopts the second arcuate profile and a second position in which it does not obstruct the passage
  • a pellet dispenser comprising a reservoir for storing pellets, an opening through which pellets can be discharged, a channel leading from the reservoir to the opening and a mechanism for controlling the discharge of pellets from the reservoir via the channel and through the opening in discrete batches of at least one pellet, the mechanism comprising a two part laminar member in which the two parts are hingedly interconnected, operation means for acting on the laminar member to vary the angular relationship between the two parts, arm means mounted at a discrete location on the laminar member and carrying a shutter so positioned as to move into and out of a position in which it can obstruct the passage of pellets from the channel through the opening in response to a change angular relationship between the two parts of the laminar member, and obstruction means mounted at another discrete location on the laminar member so positioned as to move into and out of a position in which it can obstruct the passage of pellets from the reservoir to the channel in response to a change in the angular relationship between
  • Figure 2 is an under plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the dispenser of Figure 1 with the discharge gates open;
  • Figure 5 is a side view of the lower portion of Figure 4;
  • Figures 6 to 8 are longitudinal sections through the lower portion of the dispenser in different operative states
  • Figure 9 and 10 are plan views of the lower portion of the dispenser in a non- discharging and discharging state respectively; and Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of the dispenser.
  • the dispenser shown in Figure 1 is a disposable dispenser 2 for storing generally spherical confectionery pellets and dispensing them in discrete batches (eg two) through a gated opening in the underside.
  • the dispenser 2 has a generally egg-shaped housing 4 slightly flattened in a direction at right angles to its major axis (see Figure 2) so as to be of generally oval cross- section.
  • the upper axial end 6 of the housing is flattened to define a planar surface so that when the housing is inverted, it can rest stably on a horizontal flat support surface.
  • the opposite axial end of the housing 4 defines a generally circular opening 8 access from which is controlled by a pair of doors 10.
  • the housing consists of two generally similar sized portions 12 and 14 which can be separated or secured together by a snap lock action.
  • the rim on the underside of the portion 12 is provided with an interrupted downwardly projecting flange 16 sized to fit within the open upper end of the portion 14.
  • the flange 16 has a radially outwardly projecting rib 18 which is arranged to engage and snap fit into a circumferentially extending groove (not shown) located in the inner wall, just below the rim, of the portion 14.
  • the upper portion 12 defines a storage chamber for storing the pellets to be dispensed.
  • the lower portion houses a dispensing mechanism which controls the number of pellets dispensed on each operation as well as the opening and closing of the doors 10.
  • An actuation button 20 for initiating the dispensing operation is located in the side wall of the lower portion 14.
  • Figures 4 and 5 shows respectively a front elevation and a side elevation of the lower portion 14 of the housing 4 after the button 20 has been pressed to open the doors 10 and release a pair of pellets 22.
  • FIGS 6 to 8 which illustrate the mechamsm in different states of operation.
  • the mechamsm includes a generally oval flexible but resilient plastics disc or diaphragm 24.
  • the rim of the disc 24 is located in a generally circumferentially extending arcuate groove 26 in the inner surface of the wall of the lower housing portion 14.
  • the wall is selectively thickened at this point to define the groove 26.
  • the plane of the groove 26 is intersects a circular opening 28 in the wall on the opposite side of the lower housing portion 14.
  • the opening 28 accommodates the button 20 which is integral with the housing portion 14 over a short or arcuate section spaced from the plane of the groove 26 to form a living hinge 30.
  • the inner surface of the button 20 is provided with a rib 31 generally aligned with the groove 26 to engage the disc 24 to assist in holding it captive between the hinge 30 and the rib 31 within the lower housing portion 14.
  • the disc 24 has a central opening 32 sized to just comfortably allow the passage of pellets 22 therethrough, into a cylindrical channel 38 defined by a pair of mating half cylindrical members 34, 36.
  • the opening 32 and the channel 38 are preferably coaxial and have the same diameter.
  • each half cylindrical member 34 and 36 is provided with a cut-out 40 at each end so leave a short central arc portion which is attached to and integral with the underside of the disc 24.
  • the arc portions preferably subtend an angle of 90° or less.
  • each cylindrical member 34, 36 carries a respective, partially dome shaped, door 10.
  • the doors 10 In the closed position shown in Figure 6, the doors 10 define a generally dome shaped closure for the opening 8 in the housing with the rim of the dome being arranged in axially extending abutting relationship with the rim of the opening 8.
  • the lower ends of the cylindrical members 34 and 36 may carry a generally planar door lying abutting relationship with the rim of the opening 8.
  • the disc 24 also supports a pair of spaced generally parallel extending bars 42 whose function and operation will be described in more detail later on.
  • the button 20 when the button 20 is pressed, it will cause the disc 24 to dish or bow into the shape of an arc.
  • the disc 24 may be pre-disposed to bow slightly in the direction of the opening 8 so that the disc 24 will always bow in the same direction when squeezed by the button 20.
  • the locations on the disc 24 at which the two half cylindrical members 34 and 38 are attached will have two components of motion, one directly axially downwards and the other radially outwards.
  • the rim of the dome defined by the doors 10 will become axially spaced from the rim of the opemng 8 and, at the same time, the distal ends of the two half cylindrical members 34, 36 will become radially separated. This in turn causes the two doors 10 progressively to separate until the gap between the doors 10 approaches the diameter of the opening 32. This will then allow the free flow of pellets 22 through the opening 8.
  • the pair of generally parallel bars 42 act to control the flow as will now be described.
  • the bars 42 are positioned over the opening 32 to extend at right angles to the direction in which the button 20 is operated. In their normal position, before the button 20 is operated, their separation in the area of the opening 32 is just slightly greater than the diameter of the pellets so that the pellets can fall through the opening 32 to fill the channel 38.
  • the extent to which the channel 38 can be filled can be adjusted by mounting radially inwardly directed projections (not shown) on one or both half cylindrical portions 34 and 36 to limit the travel of the pellets down the channel when the two half cylindrical portions are in mating engagement.
  • the bars 40 which are of flexible and resilient material are secured to the disc only at their opposite and portions, their central portions remaining free.
  • the central portions of the bars are biased or bowed very slightly towards each other.
  • the disc 24 In operation when the button 20 is pressed, the disc 24 will dish or bow to bring the opposite edges of each bar 40 closer together. Each bar will accordingly bow inwardly to such an extent that the spacing between the bars over the opening is reduced to obstruct any further pellets from gaining entry to the opening. Meanwhile, progressive dishing of the disc 24 will cause the doors 10 to open wide and discharge only those pellets contained in the channel 38.
  • buttons 20 may be hingedly connected to the upper portion or some other component.
  • two buttons 20 may be provided one on each of the two opposite sides of the disc 24 mounted on respective openings 28 on the wall on opposite sides of the upper or lower housing portion.
  • a pair of flexible resilient arms 50 are mounted on diagonally opposite sides of the opening 32 A on the underside of the disc 24A.
  • the arms 50 extend at an angle of substantially 45° to the disc 24A when at rest towards each other.
  • the arms 50 project into the channel 38A through the cut-outs 40A. With the disc 24A in its lower, at rest, position the spacing between the distal ends of the two arms 50 is sufficient to admit the pellets there past.
  • a pair of elongate stops 52 project generally axially inwardly from the wall of housing portion 14A immediately adjacent the opening 8 A towards and into engagement with a respective arm 50.
  • the axis of the dispenser is that axis which is coaxial with the cylindrical channel 38 and passes through the centres of the opening 32 and the disc 24.
  • the resilient and laminar members can be replaced by a stiff planar member which has a diametrically extending hinge interconnecting its two halves.
  • the planar member has a central opening and carries the mating half cylindrical member as well as the parallel bars of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10.
  • Biassing means eg a spring
  • Further means maybe provided to prevent the planar members from flexing to move beyond the coplanar position in a direction away from the discharge opening 8.
  • hinged planar member is similar to the disc 24 except that the displacement trajectory of the doors will be slightly different.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur de pastilles ovoïde pourvu d'un diaphragme généralement ovale (24) qui sépare la partie supérieure du réservoir de pastilles (12) de la partie inférieure de la décharge (14) comportant un orifice de décharge (8). On peut appliquer une pression latérale sur le diaphragme (24) à l'aide d'un bouton (20) se trouvant sur le côté de la boîte pour baisser le diaphragme (24). Ce diaphragme (24), qui possède une ouverture centrale (32), est relié de part et d'autre de cette ouverture à deux branches semi-cylindriques (34, 36) qui forment une voie (38) entre l'ouverture (32) et l'orifice (8). Deux battants d'accouplement (10) fermant ledit orifice (8) sont entraînés par les extrémités distales des branches (34, 36). Lorsque le diaphragme (24) subit une pression, les extrémités distales des branches (34, 36) se séparent pour ouvrir les battants (10). Deux tiges (42) sont fixées au diaphragme (24), au niveau de ses côtés opposés. Lorsque le diaphragme (24) subit une pression, les segments intermédiaires des tiges (42), qui se situent normalement de part et d'autre de l'ouverture, se replient vers l'intérieur l'une vers l'autre, obstruant ainsi le passage des pastilles du réservoir via l'ouverture (32).
EP02712065A 2001-02-23 2002-02-15 Distributeurs de pastilles Withdrawn EP1363844A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0104448A GB2372498B (en) 2001-02-23 2001-02-23 Pellet dispensers
GB0104448 2001-02-23
PCT/GB2002/000624 WO2002068291A1 (fr) 2001-02-23 2002-02-15 Distributeurs de pastilles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1363844A1 true EP1363844A1 (fr) 2003-11-26

Family

ID=9909325

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02712065A Withdrawn EP1363844A1 (fr) 2001-02-23 2002-02-15 Distributeurs de pastilles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20040182879A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1363844A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2372498B (fr)
WO (1) WO2002068291A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10311460B4 (de) * 2003-03-15 2007-05-16 Gaplast Gmbh Dosierspender für im wesentlichen kugelförmige oder ballige Inhaltskörper eines Behälters
WO2012024668A2 (fr) * 2010-08-20 2012-02-23 Joseph Amin Système de bouchon distributeur de dose
US9289025B2 (en) * 2013-01-29 2016-03-22 Aashika DAMODAR Flat-to-heel convertible outsole
JP5877290B1 (ja) * 2015-09-29 2016-03-02 公一 大塚 錠剤ケース
CN110537748B (zh) * 2019-10-08 2024-05-31 杭州合章文化创意有限公司 一种驱蚊衣

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB603092A (en) * 1945-04-17 1948-06-09 John Gibbs Carline Improvements in or relating to containers for use in delivering articles individually
US2960259A (en) * 1956-06-25 1960-11-15 James A Mcintosh Dispenser for pills or pellets and the like
US3306493A (en) * 1964-08-24 1967-02-28 Continental Can Co Dispensing container
US3481513A (en) * 1968-03-06 1969-12-02 Gerson L Ram Metering safety cap device
US3591043A (en) * 1969-04-21 1971-07-06 Kelly Murphy Article container and dispenser
PT73931B (en) * 1980-11-10 1983-11-30 Merck & Co Inc Medicament dispensing container
US4653668A (en) * 1980-11-10 1987-03-31 Merck & Co., Inc. Medicament dispensing container
FR2659300B1 (fr) * 1990-03-08 1994-04-29 Bourbon Communication Boite equipee d'un dispositif de distribution unitaire des produits qu'elle contient.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO02068291A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0104448D0 (en) 2001-04-11
GB2372498A (en) 2002-08-28
GB2372498B (en) 2004-11-17
US20040182879A1 (en) 2004-09-23
WO2002068291A1 (fr) 2002-09-06

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