EP1606193A1

EP1606193A1 - Tablet dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1606193A1
Application number: EP04719380A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Presche; Bernd Schreckenberg
Original assignee: RPC Bramlage GmbH
Current assignee: RPC Bramlage GmbH
Priority date: 2003-03-14
Filing date: 2004-03-11
Publication date: 2005-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-11
Also published as: EP1606193B1; JP2006520303A; ATE336444T1; US20060049202A1; ES2267058T3; RU2296090C2; CN1809502A; JP4203095B2; DE502004001205D1; RU2005121145A; PL1606193T3; WO2004080842A1; DE20304148U1; CN100542908C

Abstract

The invention relates to a tablet dispenser ( 1 ) for holding a large number of tablets ( 2 ) and for dispensing them one by one. The tablet dispenser is comprised of: a two-part dispenser housing consisting of two housing halves ( 10; 20 ) of the same length, which are assembled to form a box; a housing bottom part ( 10 ) with a dispensing opening ( 3 ), which is made in the sidewall ( 14 ) of a corner of the housing and via which the tablets ( 2 ) are individually dispensed from the dispenser housing, and; a housing top part ( 20 ) that does not have an end wall ( 23 ) on the side from which the tablets are dispensed. The housing parts are joined to one another in a manner that enables them to be displaced parallel to the container axis in opposite directions during which the dispensing opening ( 3 ) of the housing bottom part ( 10 ) is alternately opened and closed by the housing upper part ( 20 ). In order to dispense only one tablet ( 2 ') at a time while preventing an unintentional following of additional tablets ( 2 ), dosing elements are provided inside the dispenser housing that consist of a dead space barrier ( 11 ), which is mounted on the housing bottom part ( 10 ) at the corner opposite the dispensing opening ( 3 ), and of a barrier ( 21 ) that prevents tablets from following a single tablet to be dispensed, which is mounted on the housing top part ( 20 ) at the front end thereof. The dosing elements ( 11; 21 ) are designed and arranged so that they can be displaced relative to one another in such a manner that with each displacement travel of the housing halves ( 10; 20 ), only one tablet ( 2' ) at a time reaches the dispensing area of the dispensing opening ( 3 ).

Description

Pill dispenser

The invention relates to a tablet dispenser for storage and for single-portion dispensing of tablets, consisting of a two-part dispenser housing for receiving a larger number of tablets with a dispensing housing disposed in the dispensing opening through which the tablets are isolated discharged from the dispenser housing.

In known tablet dispensers of simple design, after opening the dispensing opening, which closes off, for example, a dispensing shaft, slipping of the product present in the container is possible, whereby an uncontrolled amount of the product can be released from the container undesirably.

Furthermore, dispensers with a dispenser housing arranged mechanically actuated device are known, released by the stroke-limited displacement within the dispenser housing a dispensing opening in the dispenser housing and a tablet per stroke is discharged from the dispenser housing. Such a tablet dispenser is described in German Offenlegungsschrift DE 29 22 350 A1. It consists of two telescopically movable housing parts, each having on its longitudinal side an output opening, which are arranged offset in the starting position against each other. By external pressure on the freely projecting end of the housing inner part as an actuating button, this shifts further into the housing outer part, whereby the two discharge openings made to coincide and a tablet is discharged. Log gleichzei ^¬ tig shifting in this shift finger of the housing inner part prevented in this case that more than one tablet is discharged. The disadvantage of this dispenser is that the freely accessible end of the housing inner part does not preclude accidental release of the dispensing mechanism with sufficient certainty. From the European patent EP 0 161 538 B1 a tablet dispenser is known in which also two housing parts forming the dispenser housing are pushed into one another, wherein a spring arranged on the housing inner part is supported on the wall of the housing outer part in the form of a tongue. Both housing parts are formed so that in the collapsed state, an output chamber is formed with obliquely thereto sloping sorting chute. The width of the sorting chute is matched to the thickness of a tablet ply and the dispensing chamber is dimensioned so that at least two tablets are pre-sorted and ready for dispensing one above the other. In the output, whereby the two housing openings are brought to coincide here by displacement of the two housing parts, a compartment finger is pushed between the two tablets, so that here also only one tablet is discharged.

A tablet dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A 2,502,311.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide an output device of the generic type so that with simple design and manufacturing means and without the help of a complex mechanical device after opening the discharge opening only one tablet is released and an unintentional follow-up of other tablets is omitted ,

The stated object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1 by a dispenser housing, which consists of two box-like superimposed housing halves of equal length, a lower housing part arranged in a housing corner discharge opening and an upper housing part without output side end wall, which are connected to each other, that in parallel to the container axis a mutually directed displacement is possible through which the discharge opening in the side wall of a corner of the housing Lower part is alternately opened and closed by the upper housing part.

The principle of action of the tablet dispenser according to the invention is as follows: By tilting the tablet dispenser with the issue corner as the lowest point, the tablets fall into this issue corner. By pushing back the upper housing part, whereby the lateral discharge opening in the side wall of the housing lower part is released, exactly one tablet remains in the output corner, while the remaining tablets are pushed back by metering elements.

As dosing according to the invention in the interior of the dispenser housing on the lower housing part at the opposite corner of the dispensing opening a dead space and on the upper housing part on the front side a caster arranged to each other so that only one tablet passes into the dispensing area of the dispensing opening and the open dispensing opening this foreclosed against trailing tablets becomes.

The caster on the upper housing part is nose-shaped with a discharge side stepped projecting wider back. It is arranged inside the interior of the dispenser housing so that the lateral distance of the wider back of the output side side wall of the housing upper part is larger and smaller from the output side side wall of the housing base than the diameter of the tray. This arrangement of the caster ensures that in the closed state of the tablet dispenser exactly one tablet in front of the closed dispensing opening between the output side side wall of the housing upper part and the back of the caster finds place and can be discharged by opening the discharge opening by moving the upper housing part. By contrast, subsequent tablets are pushed back as the space between the back of the caster and the sidewall of the lower housing part for a tablet is no longer sufficiently large enough. The shape and size of the caster is adapted to different sizes and shapes of the tablets by appropriate design and arrangement on the upper housing part.

The dead space in the housing interior dead space is arranged at the opposite side of the dispensing opening of the housing base, that in the initial position of the tablet dispenser fills the space between the caster and the side wall of the housing base and is displaced in the dispensing position of the tablet dispenser against the caster, so that they an otherwise possible slipping of tablets around the caster around prevented with advantage.

In tablet dispensers for flat tablets, the thickness of which is substantially less than the depth of the tablet dispenser, so that two or more tablets can be superimposed, for pre-dosing the tablets in the housing corner in the interior of the dispenser housing in the inlet area to the dispensing opening addition a ramp-shaped metering on Housing base arranged. This ramp-like dosing is for manufacturing reasons - usually such a tablet dispenser produced by the injection molding process - hollowed out from the outside of the housing formed with arranged in the cavity webs for stabilization. These webs then serve as needed at the same time to support the adhesive surface for example, a possible Bodenetiketts.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two housing halves of the dispenser housing are connected to each other at their longitudinal sides by a releasable locking mechanism, for example by a clip closure. Such a closure can be easily released again, for example, to refill the tablet dispenser after its emptying. In order to facilitate assembly of the upper housing part after filling of the lower housing part, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output-side end wall of the housing lower part has a recess which corresponds to the width of the wide back of the caster. This makes it easier to set the upper housing part in a dispensing direction counteracting direction on the lower housing part and to connect the two housing parts together without the filling material is clamped between the metering of the upper housing part and the lower housing part, which would complicate the assembly. The resulting gap is then closed with the tablet dispenser closed by the inserted into this recess wide back of the caster.

Thus, the upper housing part can not be moved too far in the tablet output, the sliding path of the upper housing part is limited according to the invention. For this purpose, a cam is arranged on the inside of the top surface of the upper housing part, which abuts in the end position on the rear wall of the housing lower part opposite the dispensing opening and thus blocks a further displacement. Furthermore, an arcuate web is arranged inside the top surface of the upper housing part, which grinds during the displacement of the upper housing part via the dead space, thereby complicating the unwanted opening and closing of the tablet dispenser and the audible and / or audible signals opening and closing. All dosing elements arranged in the interior of the housing as well as the cams limiting the displacement and the web which aggravates and signals the opening and closing are manufactured in one piece with the corresponding housing part.

In order to facilitate the closing of the tablet dispenser after dispensing a tablet, a return device with a spring element is arranged in the region of the upper housing part opposite the dispensing opening, which is supported on the rear end wall of the housing base. When the upper part of the housing is moved to dispense the tablet, this spring is tensioned and, after dispensing the tablet, then facilitates the return of the upper part of the housing to the starting position. When mounting the spring this can also be biased so that the spring force for automatic closing of the tablet dispenser is sufficiently large. As a spring element, for example, a claimable on bending spring bar or a compressible on compression coil spring can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, for better handling of the tablet dispenser, the upper part has a recess on its end wall opposite the dispensing opening. Through this recess, the end wall of the housing base is accessible in the starting position from the outside, whereby the displacement of the housing halves is facilitated by, for example, finger pressure on this end wall.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following explanation of schematically illustrated in the drawings embodiments.

Show it:

1 and 2 a tablet dispenser in perspective views in the starting position and in the dispensing position,

3 to 6, the housing parts of the tablet dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 in different views,

7 shows the tablet dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a horizontal section in the starting position,

8 shows the tablet dispenser of FIG. 7 in the dispensing position, FIG.

9 to 12, the housing parts of another tablet dispenser in different views, 13 to 16, the housing parts of a third tablet dispenser in different views,

17 shows a tablet dispenser with the housing parts of FIGS. 13 to 16 in a horizontal section in the starting position,

18 shows the tablet dispenser of FIG. 17 in the dispensing position, FIG.

19 and 20, the housing parts of a fourth tablet dispenser with a spring element.

The tablet dispenser 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 has a box-shaped design with a housing depth corresponding to the tablet height. In the dispensing position of Fig. 2, the upper housing part 20 against the lower housing part 10 is pushed back so far that a lateral discharge opening 3 of the housing base 10 is just released and a tablet 2 can be discharged.

In FIGS. 3 to 6, the two housing parts from which the tablet dispenser 1 is assembled are depicted in a respective plan view (FIGS. 3 and 5) and a perspective illustration (FIGS. 4 and 6). These are the lower housing part 10 and the upper housing part 20, which are both designed like a drawer and by pushing over their side walls 12, 13 and 23, 24 form the tablet dispenser 1 of Fig. 1 and 2, wherein a snap connection 4 after assembly, the falling apart of the two Prevents housing parts without blocking a deliberate shift ..

So that a displacement of the upper housing part 20 according to FIG. 2 is possible, only the lower housing part 10 has a front end wall 15, while the upper housing part 20 such a wall is missing. In order for this movement of the upper housing part 20 to take place only to a limited extent and not both housing parts can be pushed completely apart, the upper housing part 20 has at the rear of its top surface 27 has a cam 26 which in the displacement of the upper housing part 20 at the rear Stirn- wall 14 of the housing base 10 abuts, thus blocking further displacement. ^•

Inside the top surface 27 of the upper housing part 20, an arc-shaped web 5 is arranged next to the caster 21, which grinds over the dead space 11 of the housing lower part 10 during the displacement of the upper housing part 20. The height of the web 5 is so great that the web 5 complicates the unwanted opening and closing of the tablet dispenser 1 and generates an audible and / or tactile clicking when opening and closing.

When restoring the initial state by pushing back the upper housing part 20, the discharge opening 3 in the side wall 12 of the lower housing part 10 is closed again by the side wall 23 of the upper housing part 20, while the opposite shortened side wall 24 of the upper housing part 20 then against the step designed as a stop projecting end 13th 'of the side wall 13 of the lower housing part 10 abutting abuts. The dispensing opening 3 opposite end wall 28 of the upper housing part 20 has a semicircular recess 25 to make the end wall 14 of the lower housing part 10 accessible and the lower housing part 10 relative to the upper housing part 20 to the dispensing position of FIG. 2 easier to move.

In order to achieve the desired separation of the tablets 2 and to avoid the unwanted Nachrutschens other tablets 2 during the dispensing process 10 Dosierelemente are arranged in Gehäuseinnem on the upper housing part 20 and the lower housing part. In this case, the lower housing part 10 has a dead space block 11 opposite the discharge opening 3, and the upper housing part 20 has an overrun catch 21 arranged between the discharge opening 3 and the dead space block 11. The mode of action of these metering elements becomes clear from FIGS. 7 and 8. In the starting position of FIG. 7, precisely one tablet 2 'is located in the dispensing area of the tablet dispenser 1 at the dispensing opening 3, while the remaining upper space is almost completely filled by the dead space barrier 11 and the caster 21. The caster 21 has at its upper end a widened spine 22, the distance of which the output port 3 closing side wall 23 is so large that between this back 22 and the side wall 23, a tablet 2 'fits. Below the spine 22 is also a tablet 2 ", which fits into the channel between the side wall 12 of the lower housing part 10 and the opposite side surface of the narrower front part 29 of the caster 21.

In the dispensing position of FIG. 8, the upper housing part 20 is pushed so far relative to the lower housing part 10, that the cam 26 rests against the lower end wall 14 and the discharge opening 3 is released by the pushing back of the side wall 23. When the shift occurred at the same time the located in the gutter between the front part 29 of the caster 21 and the side wall 12 tablet 2 "pushed by the wider back 22 of the caster 21 with, since the distance between the back 22 and the side wall 12 of the housing base 10 is so small that the tablet 2 "finds no room here. Through this narrow space thus no slipping of tablets is possible. Also, the slipping of the tablets forward around the caster 21 is prevented because this path is now closed by the dead space 11.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show the housing parts of a tablet dispenser whose housing depth is substantially greater than the thickness of a single tablet. To separate the tablets, a metering element in the form of a ramp 16 is arranged in the dispensing area, which is manufactured in one piece with the lower housing part 10 ', whereby for production reasons, this ramp 16 is made hollow from the underside 19 of the housing lower part 10'. For stabilization this cavity are arranged at a distance webs 17 in this cavity, as shown in FIG. 11, which shows a plan view of the underside 19 of the housing lower part 10 '. The dead space barrier 11 'is widened up to this ramp 16, while now the caster 21' is designed significantly narrower than in the previous embodiments.

13 to 18 show a tablet dispenser 1 "in which the housing parts have been modified for easier assembly. The housing lower part 10" contains in its front end wall 15 a recess 18 whose width corresponds to the width of the back of the caster 21 " In order that the caster 21 "with its broad back in the starting position of the tablet dispenser 1" can completely fill this gap in the end wall 15 of the housing lower part 10 ", the caster 21" on the housing upper part 20 "is aligned with its front edge, as shown in FIGS 14 and 16 can be taken.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a tablet dispenser 1 "filled with tablets 2 in the starting position (FIG. 17) and in the dispenser position (FIG. 18), with the same functioning as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS to the front edge of the lower housing part 10 "arranged and the recess 18 in the initial position of the tablet dispenser 1" closing caster 21 "can be seen. The width of the recess 18 in such a tablet dispenser 1 "must be smaller than a tablet diameter, since otherwise a tablet could be discharged undesirably through the recess 18 as a further dispensing opening.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the housing parts 10 "'and 20'" of another (fourth) tablet dispenser. These housing parts 10 "'and 20'" are in principle the housing parts 10 and 20 of the tablet dispenser 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8, which have been supplemented here with a return device with a spring element 30. 19 shows a housing lower part 10 corresponding In conjunction with the rear end wall 14 so creates a rear dead space 35, which is not filled with tablets, but serves to receive a spring element 30. In Fig. 20, which shows the associated upper housing part 20 '", this spring element 30 is shown. It consists of a spring rod 31 which is diagonally angled at one end with a spring bar 32 is integrally connected. The spring bar 32 is arranged at a distance from the rear end wall 28 in the upper housing part 20 "so that the free end of the spring bar 32 is executed to the rear end wall 28. In the initial state of the tablet dispenser with superimposed housing parts 10 '" and 20'", this is located Spring element 30 within the rear dead space 35, wherein the spring bar 32 is supported on the barrier wall 34 and the free end of the spring bar 32 abuts against the rear end wall 14. Upon displacement of the upper housing part 20 '"for tablet output then imposed bending of the spring bar 31th which, after completion of the dispensing operation, returns the housing upper part 20 '"back to the initial state.

For ease of assembly and for the correct distance positioning of the spring bar 32 to the barrier wall 34 his facing the barrier wall 34 side is formed with insertion ribs 33. By appropriate choice of thickness of these insertion ribs 33, a bias of the spring rod 31 can be adjusted even in the initial state of the tablet dispenser.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. In particular with regard to the shape and size of the caster and the geometric design of the donor, a large adaptation to the size of the dispenser-containing tablets or other similar products such as pellets by the skilled person and possible. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 "tablet dispenser

2, 2 ', 2' tablets

3 discharge opening

4 snap connection

5 footbridge

10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'" housing base

11, 11 ', 11 "dead space lock

12 side wall (output side)

13 side wall

13 'side wall projection

14 front wall

15 end wall (output side)

16 ramp-like metering element

17 bridges

18 recess

19 housing underside

20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'" upper housing part

21, 21 ', 21 "caster

22 backs of 21

23 side wall (output side)

24 side wall

25 recess

26 cams

27 top surface (inner surface of the top)

28 rearward end wall

29 front part of 21

30 spring element

31 spring bar

32 spring bar 33 insertion ribs

34 barrier wall

35 rear dead space

Claims

claims

1. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") for storing a larger number of tablets (2) and their single-portioned output, consisting of a two-part dispenser housing of two box-shaped superposed housing halves (10, 10 ', 10", 10' "; 20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") of equal length, a lower housing part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'") in the side wall (14) of a housing corner arranged Ausgaboffnung (3), through which the tablets ( 2) isolated from the dispenser housing, and an upper housing part (20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") without output-side end wall (23), which are interconnected so that parallel to the container axis a mutually facing displacement is possible through the outlet opening (3) of the lower housing part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'") is alternately opened and closed by the upper housing part (20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'"), characterized in that the metering elements in the Interior of the dispenser housing on the housing lower part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10 '") at the opposite corner of the dispensing opening (3) a dead space lock (11, 11', 11 ") and on the upper housing part (20, 20 ', 20", 20' ") on the front side of a caster (21, 21 ', 21 ") are arranged, wherein the metering elements (11, 11', 11"; 21, 21 ', 21 ") are designed and arranged so as to be displaceable relative to one another such that each displacement stroke of the housing halves (10, 10', 10", 10 '", 20, 20', 20", 20 '") only has one tablet each (2) enters the discharge area of the discharge opening (3).

2. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the caster (21, 21', 21 ") nose-shaped with a discharge side stepped projecting wider spine (22) is formed and arranged so that the lateral distance of wider spine (22) from the output side side wall (23) of the upper housing part (20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") larger and from the output side side wall (12) of the housing lower part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'" ) is smaller than the diameter of the tablets (2).

3. Tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing interior located in the dead space lock (11, 11 ', 11") at the output opening (3) opposite corner of the housing lower part (10, 10', 10 ", 10 '") is dimensioned so that in the starting position of the tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") the space between the caster (21, 21', 21") and the output side wall (13) of the housing lower part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'") at least partially fills and in the dispensing position of the tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") is shifted so that with its lower edge the space between the caster (21, 21 ', 21") and the output side side wall (13) of the housing lower part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'") shuts forward and thus prevents otherwise possible slipping of tablets (2) around the front wheel lock (21, 21 ', 21 ") ,

4. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for flat tablets (2) whose thickness is substantially less than the housing depth, so that two or more tablets (2) ü can be located one above the other, for pre-dosing of the tablets (2) in the interior of the dispenser housing in the inlet region to the dispensing opening (3) out in addition a ramp-like dosing (16) on the lower housing part (10 ') is arranged.

5. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") according to claim 4, characterized in that the ramp-like metering element (16) from the bottom (19) of the housing lower part (10 ') hollowed out with arranged in this cavity webs (17) is designed for its stabilization ,

6. Tablet dispenser (1 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the output side end wall (15) of the housing lower part (10") has a recess (18) whose width is smaller than the diameter of the tray and the width the broad back (22) of the Running lock (21 ") corresponds and closed with the tablet dispenser (1") by the in this recess (18) inserted wide back (22) of the caster (21 ") is closed.

7. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the inside of the top surface (27) of the upper housing part (20, 20', 20 "), a cam (26) is arranged, which the sliding path of the upper housing part (20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") in the tablet output by abutment against the rear end wall (14) of the lower housing part (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'") opposite the discharge opening (3) limited.

8. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the inside of the top surface (27) of the upper part (20, 20', 20 ", 20 '") in addition to the caster (21, 21 ") an arcuate web (5) is arranged, which makes the unwanted opening and closing of the tablet dispenser (1, 1") by Kotakt with the dead space lock (11, 11 ") and the opening and closing acoustically and / or tactile signals.

9. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the output opening opposite region (3) of the housing upper part (20' ") is arranged a return device with a spring element (30), which is supported on the rear end wall (14) of the housing lower part (10 "') and in the tablet output by the displacement of the upper housing part (20'") is stretched.

10. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ') according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the output opening (3) opposite end wall (28) of the upper part (20, 20', 20 ", 20 '") a Recess (25) to facilitate the displacement of the housing halves (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'", 20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") from the outside.

11. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to

10, characterized in that the metering elements (11, 11 ', 11 "; 21, 21', 21"; 16) are made in one piece as segments with the housing halves (10, 10 ', 10 ", 20, 20', 20", 20 '") are made.

12. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to

11, characterized in that the two housing halves (10, 10 ', 10 ", 10'" 20, 20 ', 20 ", 20'") of the dispenser housing at its two longitudinal side walls (12, 13, 23, 24) by a releasable locking mechanism, for example by a clip closure (4), are interconnected.

13. tablet dispenser (1, 1 ") according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is refillable after its emptying.