EP1841669B1 - Spender - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1841669B1
EP1841669B1 EP06709567A EP06709567A EP1841669B1 EP 1841669 B1 EP1841669 B1 EP 1841669B1 EP 06709567 A EP06709567 A EP 06709567A EP 06709567 A EP06709567 A EP 06709567A EP 1841669 B1 EP1841669 B1 EP 1841669B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
carousel
actuator
tablets
dispenser
tablet
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06709567A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1841669A2 (de
Inventor
Jonathan Eaves
Paul Hayton
James Roe
Richard Parker
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.)
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK 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
Priority claimed from GB0501456A external-priority patent/GB0501456D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0519306A external-priority patent/GB0519306D0/en
Application filed by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd filed Critical Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd
Priority to PL06709567T priority Critical patent/PL1841669T3/pl
Publication of EP1841669A2 publication Critical patent/EP1841669A2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1841669B1 publication Critical patent/EP1841669B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/0076—Medicament distribution means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
    • A61J7/02—Pill counting devices
    • 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
    • B65D83/0445—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 all the articles being stored in individual compartments
    • B65D83/0454—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 all the articles being stored in individual compartments the whole forming a circular container with rotating parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J2205/00—General identification or selection means
    • A61J2205/50—General identification or selection means using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
    • 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
    • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D2583/04—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets
    • B65D2583/0472—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action
    • B65D2583/0477—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action the container is maintained in the same position during the dispensing of several successive articles or doses
    • B65D2583/0481—One reciprocating action, e.g. to or from
    • B65D2583/0486—Linear action transformed in a rotational movement of the dispensing element

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a dispenser, in particular to a tablet dispenser.
  • Tablet dispensers able to dispense tablets one-by-one under the control of a user are known. Many such dispensers employ a blister pack of tablets. Others contain naked tablets, and are less wasteful in terms of packaging, but more prone to rattling, and to problems of jamming due to the difficulty in controlling the position of advancing tablets.
  • Document US-A-5 409 132 discloses a tablet dispenser with individual tablet compartments and a locking device.
  • a tablet dispenser according to claim 1.
  • the inside of the dispenser is sealed from the external atmosphere, when purchased.
  • the dispenser may be filled with an inert gas or contain a desiccant, when purchased.
  • the seatings of the carousel comprise an annular array.
  • the seatings are such as to prevent tablets moving relative to the carousel in the forwards, rearwards or inwards direction, but not in the outwards direction.
  • the seatings are cupped, but present no obstruction on their outer side. On their outer side they preferably lead to a downward tab, or ramp. However the outwards movement of a tablet is preferably obstructed by another part of the tablet dispenser, until it reaches the tablet dispensing position.
  • the carousel could have seatings for tablets on one side (i.e. face) only. Preferably, however, the carousel has seatings for tablets on both sides.
  • the carousel preferably has an annular array of seatings for tablets, on both sides.
  • there are seatings for tablets on one side of the carousel are displaced from the seatings for tablets on the other side, in the circumferential direction.
  • the seatings on each side of the carousel are mid-way between the seatings on the other side.
  • the guideway has a ring-shaped part, aligned with the carousel, and a spur leading from the ring-shaped part to the outlet.
  • the guideway may resemble the number "6", albeit with the spur being short, in some embodiments.
  • each guideway is as defined above; the two guideways may resemble two numbers "6" superimposed, having separate ring-shaped parts but a common spur leading from the ring-shaped parts to the outlet.
  • the tablets in the carousel are engaged between the carousel and the wall element(s) in such a way that they do not rattle, but they can slide along the guideway(s) when the actuator is operated.
  • the dispenser has a carousel holder inside it.
  • the carousel may be located between a wall of the carousel holder and a wall of the dispenser.
  • the carousel preferably has a hub, and the carousel holder and the wall preferably define seatings for the ends of the hub.
  • the spacing of the carousel and the carousel holder, and of the carousel and the wall, are such that tablets on the carousel are engaged therebetween, firmly enough not to rattle but not so firmly that, in use, the carousel is restrained from rotary movement or the tablets are inhibited from sliding along the guideways on operation of the actuator.
  • the carousel holder is preferably an internal part of the dispenser. Suitably it engages with one wall of the dispenser, thereby entrapping the carousel, and is then covered by a second wall of the dispenser; the first and second walls being two external shell-halves of the dispenser. Preferably those shell-halves sealingly engage together.
  • the tablet dispenser may have means to show the number of tablets dispensed, or the number remaining; for example a counter.
  • the carousel has indicia and a wall of the tablet dispenser has a window for viewing of indicia.
  • the indicia are numbers. However other indicia could be used.
  • the indicia could be successive lines or bars, reducing in length.
  • the window could be slot-shaped so that the visual impression, as the carousel rotated and tablets were dispensed, was of a bar or line which reduced in length (like a falling thermometer).
  • part of the carousel may be different in appearance from the rest of the carousel.
  • the part of the carousel different in appearance will generally be the one associated with the last few tablets to be dispensed. It might, for example, simply be different in colour. The user will see that the dispenser is almost exhausted by the fact that the colour seen through the window has changed - for example it may have become red.
  • the indicia are all carried on one side of the carousel, and there is only one window, even when tablets are carried on both sides of the carousel. If each tablet seating on one side of the carousel is associated with one of the indicia and there are no further indicia, the indicia will only indicate pairs of tablets. For example when the indicia are numbers they will be numbers in a series 2, 4, 6... etc. Preferably, however, each seating is associated with one of the indicia.
  • One way of achieving this is to provide lands for marking the first series of indicia (for example odd or even) in radial alignment with seatings, and further lands for indicating a second series of the remaining indicia (for example even or odd) between seatings.
  • the lands for the first series of indicia are provided by the aforementioned downward tabs, or ramps.
  • the tablets in the tablet dispenser are naked; preferably they are not pre-packaged using e.g. blister packaging.
  • the cavity for the carousel may be provided by the carousel holder and a wall or shell-half of the tablet dispenser.
  • the carousel holder could by itself provide the cavity, having two wall parts which engage together around the carousel. The carousel holder can then be handled and moved, and assembled with the other parts of the tablet dispenser.
  • the actuator is in the form of a button carrying teeth which engage with teeth on the carousel, the arrangement being such that depression of the button causes the carousel to turn.
  • the button is aligned with an opening in the centre of the carousel holder and with the hub of the carousel, and the teeth of the actuator pass through the opening and into the region of the hub, to engage with the teeth of the carousel.
  • the button returns to its starting position under a resilient force.
  • release of the button such that it returns to its rest position also causes the carousel to advance, and attain the correct position for the next occasion of use.
  • the carousel moves from one starting position to the next starting position it preferably releases a tablet, which falls through the outlet.
  • the tablet is thus released during the phase of movement of the carousel caused by the release of the button.
  • One wall of the tablet dispenser may have an upstanding boss which projects through the carousel and the carousel holder. Suitably it has cut-outs aligned with the teeth on the button, so as not to obstruct their movement; and preferably to guide the movement of the button.
  • the carousel has one ring of teeth facing towards the button, engagable with first teeth carried by the button; and a second ring of teeth facing away from the button, engagable with further teeth carried by the button.
  • Such further teeth are preferably carried on legs which pass through the central opening of the carousel.
  • the button is depressed the first teeth on the button engage the first ring of teeth on the carousel to advance it.
  • those teeth disengage but the teeth carried on legs engage with the teeth of the second ring of the carousel, to cause the second phase of movement.
  • the button has an annular skirt projecting from it, so that it is cup-shaped, having first teeth adjacent to the proximal end of the annular skirt, and second teeth, adjacent to the distal end of the annular skirt.
  • first teeth on the button engage the first ring of teeth on the carousel to advance it, to cause the first phase of movement.
  • second teeth on the button engage with the second ring of teeth on the carousel, to cause the second phase of movement.
  • the resilient means may comprise a tapering (e.g. conical) prong on one part and an array of prongs or legs on the other part, for example 3 or 4 in number, which define a space into which the conical prong advances when the actuator is depressed, but with progressive elastic displacement of the array of prongs.
  • One part is the button, the array of prongs being carried on its underside.
  • the other part is preferably a wall (or shell-half) of the tablet dispenser. When the button is released the array of prongs relaxes and raises the conical prong and thus the button.
  • the resilient means comprises a plurality of ramps declining in the distal direction (preferably 3 or 4) of the skirt and carried within the skirt; and an equal plurality of legs or prongs carried by the inner face of one wall of the tablet dispenser.
  • the legs or prongs are C- or U-shaped in cross-section, so as to embrace, and guide, the ramps.
  • the button can be located in one orientation only, in the tablet dispenser.
  • it may have only one unique shape feature; for example a flat portion, or a cut-out or a projection, co-operating with a complementary shape feature of its seating within the tablet dispenser.
  • the outlet has a closure.
  • the closure is a sliding closure.
  • the sliding closure may only be slid to open the tablet dispenser following a releasing step, by means of which the sliding closure is freed, to permit it to be slid.
  • the releasing step comprises configuring or displacing the closure to permit it to be slid.
  • the sliding closure comprises two limbs connected together at one end, and in their rest position splayed apart to a greater or lesser degree (the angle of separation preferably not exceeding 20°, however). They must be pressed together for the closure to be slid.
  • the closure has a locking lug which obstructs a part of the carousel, only when the closure is closed, so that the carousel cannot then turn.
  • the carousel can only turn once the closure has been moved to the open position.
  • closure when closed forms a seal over the outlet; at least when the dispenser is purchased.
  • the outlet and closure are covered by a peel-off seal, for example a foil, when the dispenser is purchased.
  • a peel-off seal for example a foil
  • the peel-off seal is readily visible so as to have a tamper-evident function.
  • Preferred features of the second aspect are as defined above in relation to the first aspect.
  • the carousel is assembled as part of the dispenser but without any tablets, and tablets are then fed into it via the outlet, while the carousel is turned in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is turned, in use.
  • the actuator Preferably this happens with the actuator not in place.
  • a tool is preferably engaged with the carousel, instead of the actuator. The tool is turned to turn the carousel in said opposite direction, whilst tablets are fed to the carousel via the outlet.
  • the tablets are set in place before the container is assembled before the first second walls are engaged together.
  • tablets may be placed on the inside of one wall of the carousel holder - held horizontal - in predetermined positions, and the carousel may be laid onto the carousel holder with the seatings aligned with the tablets.
  • the carousel has seatings also on its other side tablets may be laid in those seatings.
  • the appropriate wall of the tablet dispenser is then engaged with the first wall, so that the wall of the carousel holder and the all of the tablet dispenser entrap the tablets and the carousel.
  • the carousel holder may now be handled and moved.
  • the other parts of the tablet dispenser may now be engaged.
  • a method of manufacturing a tablet dispenser by assembly together of parts previously described, wherein the tablet dispenser is charged with tablets either by feeding them into the assembled tablet dispenser through the outlet, or by setting them into a carousel holder of the type described and then closing the carousel holder to entrap the carousel and tablets.
  • the first embodiment of tablet dispenser has upper and lower shell-halves 2, 4, a rotary tablet-dispensing mechanism provided between them, and an actuator in the form of a button 6 protruding through the wall of upper shell-half 2.
  • the two shell-halves together define an outlet for tablets, the outlet having a sliding closure 8 in a slideway 10.
  • the rotary tablet dispensing mechanism includes a carousel 12 and a carousel holder 14. When assembled the carousel is retained, in a manner permitting rotary movement, between the carousel holder 14 and the lower shell-half 4.
  • Lower shell-half 4 has on its inside a series of moulded-in formations ( Fig. 2E ). Notably, it has:
  • the carousel 12 is generally ring-shaped. It has a central cylindrical opening 42. On each of its sides it has nine seatings 44, for tablets. At the inner region of the carousel (i.e. adjacent to the opening 42) each seating has a cupped shape, but at the outer region of the carousel each seating terminates in a downwardly inclined tab or ramp 46a, 46b. There are nine seatings for tablets on one side of the carousel in an annular array and nine on the other side in an annular array. The seatings for tablets on one side of the carousel are circumferentially displaced from the seatings on the other side of the carousel, being halfway between them.
  • the lower side of the carousel is formed, around the central cylindrical opening 42, with an annular upstanding wall 50. At the base of this wall, and within it, is a ring of upstanding teeth 52, each with a slant upper face. These teeth 52 are spaced apart from each other by the width of one tooth. On the other side of the carousel, adjacent to the ring of teeth 52, is a second ring of teeth 54 identical to the ring of teeth 52, but circumferentially displaced from them by one tooth-width. This displacement can be seen in Figs. 2D and 3D .
  • the carousel holder shown in Figs. 2C and 3C contains said outlet, which is sealed with a peel-off foil (not shown) at the time of purchase.
  • the carousel holder has a smooth guideway, or track, 56 leading to it. It has a central cylindrical opening 58. On its outside it has four lugs 60 each having a pair of securement eyes 62.
  • the carousel holder 14 is of sufficient size to entrap a carousel 12 against the lower shell-half 4.
  • the carousel holder 14 is moulded with the slideway 10. In the slideway is secured the sliding closure 8.
  • the sliding closure 8 has a first portion 63 generally in the plane of the slideway and a second portion in the form of a locking lug 64, projecting orthogonally from the first portion. This locking lug 64 projects into the edge region of carousel holder 14, between an adjacent pair of tabs 46a, 46b.
  • the button 6 is shown in Figs. 2B and 3B . It has a cap 65 which carries on its inside three legs 66, spaced from each other by an interval of 120°. Each leg has an outwardly-extending foot 68 having a slant leading face 70. Inwardly of the legs 66 there are three prongs 72 which together define a space to receive the tapering prong 28 carried by lower shell-half 4.
  • the cap 65 of the button 6 has on its rim facing the lower shell-half 4 three teeth 74 spaced at 120° from each other. Each tooth 74 has a slant leading face 76.
  • Upper shell-half 2 has a cylindrical opening 78 similar in size to the opening 58.
  • the cylindrical opening 78 are two short cylindrical walls 80, 82, between which is defined an annular space 84.
  • annular space 84 Generally around this region there are provided four turret-like securement pegs 86.
  • the upper region of the shell-half 2 is generally open but the wall is formed with four parallel stiffening walls 87.
  • Lower shell-half 4 is placed with its inside wall facing upwards, and the carousel 12 is placed on it, with the central cylindrical opening 42 around the boss 22.
  • the annular upstanding wall 50 is thereby located against the inside wall of the shell-half 4, inside the annular well 40. In this position the carousel can be rotated freely about the boss. At this point no tablets are present.
  • the carousel holder 14 is then located over the carousel and the turret-like securement pegs 30 snap within one of the securement eyes 62, of each of the lugs 60.
  • the edge of the carousel holder sealingly engage against the inside wall of the shell-half 4.
  • the carousel is loaded with tablets, fed into it through the opening.
  • the carousel is turned in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is turned in use. This is achieved by a tool (not shown) which is inserted through the central cylindrical opening 58 in the carousel holder. The tool engages the carousel directly and turns it under the action of a stepper motor, until the requisite number of tablets (18 in this embodiment) have been loaded into the carousel.
  • the actuator button is engaged. This is done with the legs 66 aligned with the long axial slots 24.
  • the teeth 74 are aligned with the shorter axial slots 26.
  • the button is pressed into place; the legs 66 flex inwards to allow this to happen. Once they have got past the teeth 52, 54 on the carousel 12 they relax and keep the button in position.
  • the teeth 74 on the cap 65 of the button 6 are in proximity to the upper ring of teeth 54 on the carousel.
  • the tapering prong 28 is in the space between the prongs 72 of the button 6. The prongs are thereby flexed outwards. As a result of this elastic displacement and the tapering shape of the prong 28 there is a resulting force which urges the button upwards.
  • the next step of the assembly is to engage the upper shell-half 2. This is pressed into place.
  • the turret-like securement pegs 86 engage in the available securement eye 62 of each of the lugs 60. Further such parts interengage, as shown in the drawings, and need not be described further here.
  • the closure 8 is in its closed position. Not only is the slideway 10 closed, but the locking lug 64 is engaged with one of the downwardly-inclined tabs 46a, 46b of the carousel, preventing its rotation. Sliding the closure to the open position disengages the locking lug 64 from the tab and allows the carousel to be turned. The button is pressed and the teeth 74 engage with the ring of teeth 54 and advance the carousel. As the carousel turns it draws with it the tablets; this is a consequence of the cupped shape of the seatings 44.
  • the carousel When the button is released the carousel is urged upwards by the action of the prong 28 in the prongs 72 and the feet 68 of the button engage the other ring of teeth 52 to advance the carousel, to a position in which a tablet can leave the carousel and fall through the opening.
  • the void 36 is used to store a leaflet giving usage and safety instructions.
  • An alternative assembly method is to put the carousel holder in a horizontal position, guideway facing upwards. Tablets (8 in this embodiment) are laid onto it in predetermined positions. The carousel is then placed over the tablets; the seatings and tablets coincide. The exposed, upward-facing side of the carousel is then charged with 8 more tablets, placed in the seatings. The appropriate wall (shell-half) of the tablet dispenser is then engaged onto the carousel holder. This sub-unit may if needed be moved for assembly of the remaining parts, the button and the other shell-half.
  • FIG. 4-8B A second embodiment is shown in Figs. 4-8B . This differs from the first embodiment in three respects:
  • the tablet counter comprises indicia in the form of numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, .....16. Odd numbers 1, 3, 5.... 15 are carried on lands, constituted by the upper surfaces of tabs 100, which are radial outward extensions of the seatings 102 on the upper side of the carousel. Even numbers are provided on smaller lands 104 provided between the seatings 102. Thus the lands for the odd numbers are slightly displaced from the tabs for the even numbers, in the radial direction.
  • a viewing window 106 is provided in the upper shell-half 108 of the tablet dispenser. This can be seen in Fig. 4 . The window 106 is somewhat slot-shaped, to allow for the slight radial displacement of the odd and the even numbers.
  • the numbers are marked with a strongly contrasting tone to the rest of the carousel, in order to be readily legible through the window.
  • a strongly contrasting tone to the rest of the carousel, in order to be readily legible through the window.
  • they may be black, or a strong red colour, against a pale (e.g. grey or white) carousel.
  • the tablet counter may comprise only number markings 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 on the tabs 100. When two tablets have been dispensed the number "14" appears in the window; when two more tablets are dispensed the number "12" appears; and so on.
  • either of the sets of lands are marked with bars, and on successive lands the bars are of diminishing size. Through a slot-shaped window, the user sees a falling bar, and is given an indication when the pack is soon to be exhausted.
  • the carousel has a different colour in the region of the seatings leading up to the final tablet seating. For example it may be red. When the user sees the red colour through the window, he or she knows that the pack is soon to be exhausted. Typically, when the different colour becomes visible there may be 2-6 tablets left.
  • the lower shell-half 110 comprises four legs 112. Each leg is spaced from its adjacent legs by 90°. Each leg is C-shaped in cross-section, with the groove of each leg facing outwards.
  • the button 108 has an annular skirt 114. Within the skirt, carried on its inside wall, are four ramps 116. Each ramp is spaced from its adjacent ramps by 90°. The ramps decline as at 118 in the distal direction of the skirt, then terminate in short non-ramped portions 120.
  • the skirt has a single flat portion 122, to facilitate engagement of the button in its correct, unique, orientation.
  • the button carries four teeth 124 externally of, and at the proximal end of, the skirt, performing the same function as the teeth 74 of the first embodiment.
  • the button carries two teeth 126 externally of, and at the distal end of, the skirt, performing the same function as the three feet 68 of the first embodiment.
  • the sliding closure in the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a force must be applied to the sliding closure, orthogonal to the direction of sliding, before sliding can be effected.
  • this force allows an obstruction as between the sliding closure and adjoining structure of the pack to be cleared. Once the obstruction has been passed the force can be released and sliding movement still continued.
  • the sliding closure 128 of this second embodiment comprises a first part 130 which includes a locking lug 132, analogous to parts 63 and 64 of the first embodiment. However it also includes a second part 134 connected to the first part end-to-end by a bridge piece 136. The closure can only be slid when the second part 134 is depressed. During sliding movement the lateral edges of the first part 130 are guided within opposed grooves formed in the base of the pack, between the carousel holder and the respective shell-half; and the lateral edges of the second part 134 are guided within opposed grooves formed in the base of the pack, between the carousel holder and the respective shell-half.
  • the first part 130 is unobstructed and could undergo sliding movement within the pair of opposed grooves which receive its lateral edges.
  • the second part 134 could only do the same within the pair of grooves which guide its lateral edges, once a part 138 which it carries at its distal end is moved out of abutment with adjoining structure of the pack.
  • the part 138 projects towards the first part 130. It has a neck 140 and, on top of the neck, a head 142.
  • the head 142 has portions which project beyond the lateral limits of the neck 140; in other words the head 142 is wider than the neck 140.
  • One of the projections is shown in Fig. 8B as 144. There is an identical projection on the other side.
  • the second part of the sliding closure has a ridge 146, generally in the distal region of the second part 134 but not right at the distal end itself.
  • the purpose of the ridge 146 is to cause the user to press the first part in a way which will allow opening, at least for an adult. Provision of the ridge 146 somewhat set back from the distal end itself, means that the force needed to deflect the second part sufficiently for opening is achievable by an adult, but not by a child.
  • the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment and in such respects the description of the first embodiment given above applies also to the second embodiment.
  • Fig. 9 shows the carousel of the third embodiment.
  • the teeth within the hub are not shown.
  • the carousel again has tablet seatings 200, 202, on both sides but it will be seen that there are only four tablet seatings on each side. Consequently the tablet seatings on each side of the carousel are spaced at 90° intervals, and there are large lands 204 between them.
  • a tablet counter is provided in a simple way, by providing two numbers on each land, one at each end thereof. The numbers are equiangularly spaced so that there is the correct progression of numbers, 8, 7....1, 0.
  • the arrangement of teeth at the hub of the carousel is not shown. However this is the same in principle as that shown with reference to the first embodiment, but with the arrangement being such as to cause 45° of rotation, on each operation of the button.
  • Fig. 10 shows an inner carousel holder (the part not formed by a shell-half of the tablet dispenser). It is similar to the part shown in Fig. 3C but has a head part 210 projecting from it, projecting from its end opposite to the outlet of the tablet dispenser.
  • the head part has a main wall 212 and side walls 214, 216 but no front wall.
  • the main wall has resilient plastic tangs 218, 220.
  • PIL Product Information Leaflet
  • a further embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the carousel holder has two walls or shell-halves, and surrounds the carousel.
  • the carousel, carousel holder and tablets are a unit which is fitted between the shell-halves of the dispenser, by peg and eye fixings such as those described above.
  • To charge the carousel with tablets one wall of the carousel holder is kept in a horizontal position and tablets (8 in this embodiment) are laid onto it in predetermined positions. The carousel is then placed over the tablets; the seatings and tablets coincide. The exposed side of the carousel is then charged with tablets (8 more) and the second wall engaged with the first wall, such that the contacting edges form a seal.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Fats And Perfumes (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Tablettenspender, umfassend:
    ein Tablettenkarussell (12) mit einer Vielzahl von Aufnahmen (44) für Tabletten;
    ein Wandelement in beabstandetem Verhältnis zu dem Karussell, wobei das Karussell und das Wandelement zusammen eine Führungsbahn (16) für Tabletten bestimmen, die zu einem Auslass aus dem Spender führt, wobei Tabletten auf der Führungsbahn (16) sowohl mit dem Karussell als auch mit dem Wandelement in Kontakt stehen und dadurch zurückgehalten werden, bis sie freigegeben werden;
    einen Aktor (6), der beim Herunterdrücken ein Drehen des Karussells bewirkt, wobei eine Tablette durch den Auslass freigegeben wird; und
    federnde Mittel (112), die den Aktor (6) anheben, sobald der Aktor freigegeben worden ist.
  2. Tablettenspender gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Karussell auf einer Seite einen ersten Ring von Zähnen (52) und auf der anderen Seite einen zweiten Ring von Zähnen (54) aufweist und wobei der Aktor an seiner Unterseite erste Ausbildungen, welche auf den ersten Ring von Zähnen des Karussells einwirken, wenn der Aktor heruntergedrückt wird, um eine erste Rotationsbewegung des Karussells zu bewirken, sowie in von der Unterseite des Aktors beabstandetem Verhältnis getragene zweite Ausbildungen aufweist, welche auf den zweiten Ring von Zähnen des Karussells einwirken, wenn der Aktor in seine Ausgangsposition zurückgestellt wird, um eine zweite Rotationsbewegung des Karussells zu bewirken, wobei die zweite Rotationsbewegung des Karussells einen Schritt des Mechanismus abschließt.
  3. Tablettenspender gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Karussell (12) auf seinen beiden Seiten Aufnahmen für Tabletten aufweist.
  4. Tablettenspender gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei die Aufnahmen auf einer Seite des Karussells (12) in Umfangsrichtung von den Aufnahmen auf der anderen Seite versetzt sind.
  5. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Tabletten in dem Tablettenspender offen sind.
  6. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Tablettenspender einen Karussellhalter (14) enthält, der das Karussell gesichert hält, wobei der Karussellhalter entweder zwei Wände, die um das Karussell miteinander in Eingriff stehen, oder eine Wand aufweist, die um das Karussell mit einer Wand des Spenders in Eingriff steht.
  7. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Tablettenspender einen Auslass mit einem Schiebeverschluss (8, 128) aufweist, wobei der Schiebeverschluss Mittel zum Formen oder Versetzen des Schiebeverschlusses in der Weise aufweist, dass ermöglicht wird, ihn aufzuschieben.
  8. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Tablettenspender einen Auslass mit einem Verschluss (128) aufweist, der einen Sperrvorsprung (132) aufweist, welcher einen Teil des Karussells nur dann versperrt, wenn der Verschluss geschlossen ist, so dass das Karussell sich dann nicht drehen kann.
  9. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das federnde Mittel an einem Teil eine zulaufende Zinke (28) oder Rampe und an dem anderen Teil eine Anordnung aus Beinen oder Zinken umfasst, die einen Raum bestimmen, in welchen die zulaufende Zinke oder Rampe sich vorbewegt, wenn der Aktor heruntergedrückt wird, wobei eine elastische Versetzung der Anordnung aus Beinen oder Zinken bewirkt wird.
  10. Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das federnde Mittel einen Aktor in Form eines Knopfes mit einem davon abstehenden Rand (114) umfasst, wobei der Rand im Inneren eine Vielzahl von Rampen (116), die in distaler Richtung des Randes abfallen, und eine gleiche Vielzahl von Beinen oder Zinken aufweist, die an der inneren Fläche einer Wand des Tablettenspenders getragen werden, wobei, wenn der Knopf heruntergedrückt wird, die Beine oder Zinken versetzt werden und die Versetzung zum Entstehen einer Rückstellkraft führt, die zum Rückführen des Knopfes in seine Ausgangsposition wirkt.
  11. Mechanismus zum Erzeugen schrittweiser Rotationsbewegung aus einem Tablettenspender gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Mechanismus umfasst:
    ein Karussell mit einem ersten Ring von Zähnen (52) auf einer Seite und einem zweiten Ring von Zähnen (54) auf der anderen Seite;
    einen Aktor (6), der in zu der Rotationsebene des Karussells orthogonaler Richtung herunterdrückbar ist, um Rotation des Karussells zu bewirken;
    und federnde Mittel (112) zum Rückstellen des Aktors in seine Ausgangsposition, sobald er freigegeben worden ist,
    wobei der Aktor auf seiner Unterseite erste Ausbildungen, die auf den ersten Ring von Zähnen des Karussells einwirken, wenn der Aktor heruntergedrückt wird, um eine erste Rotationsbewegung des Karussells zu bewirken, sowie in von der Unterseite des Aktors beabstandetem Verhältnis getragene zweite Ausbildungen aufweist, welche auf den zweiten Ring von Zähnen des Karussells einwirken, wenn der Aktor in seine Ausgangsposition zurückgestellt wird, um eine zweite Rotationsbewegung des Karussells zu bewirken, wobei die zweite Rotationsbewegung des Karussells einen Schritt des Mechanismus abschließt; wobei der Spender umfasst:
    ein Tablettenkarussell mit einer Vielzahl von Aufnahmen für Tabletten;
    ein Wandelement in beabstandetem Verhältnis zu dem Karussell, wobei das Karussell und das Wandelement zusammen eine Führungsbahn (16) für Tabletten bestimmen, die zu einem Auslass aus dem Spender führt, wobei Tabletten auf der Führungsbahn (16) sowohl mit dem Karussell (12) als auch mit dem Wandelement in Kontakt stehen und dadurch zurückgehalten werden, bis sie freigegeben werden,
    einen Aktor (6), der beim Herunterdrücken ein Drehen des Karussells bewirkt, wobei eine Tablette durch den Auslass freigegeben wird; und
    federnde Mittel, die den Aktor anheben, sobald der Aktor freigegeben worden ist.
  12. Verfahren zum Zusammenbau eines Tablettenspenders gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 - 10, wobei der Tablettenspender mit Tabletten befüllt wird, indem diese entweder durch den Auslass in den zusammengesetzten Tablettenspender gefüllt werden oder indem sie in einen Karussellhalter (14) gemäß Anspruch 6 gesetzt werden und der Karussellhalter dann geschlossen wird, um das Karussell und die Tabletten festzuhalten.
EP06709567A 2005-01-25 2006-01-25 Spender Not-in-force EP1841669B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL06709567T PL1841669T3 (pl) 2005-01-25 2006-01-25 Dozownik

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0501456A GB0501456D0 (en) 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Dispenser
GB0519306A GB0519306D0 (en) 2005-09-22 2005-09-22 Dispenser
PCT/GB2006/000244 WO2006079798A2 (en) 2005-01-25 2006-01-25 Dispenser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1841669A2 EP1841669A2 (de) 2007-10-10
EP1841669B1 true EP1841669B1 (de) 2009-08-05

Family

ID=36096379

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06709567A Not-in-force EP1841669B1 (de) 2005-01-25 2006-01-25 Spender

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Country Link
EP (1) EP1841669B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE438575T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2006208923A1 (de)
DE (1) DE602006008271D1 (de)
ES (1) ES2330137T3 (de)
PL (1) PL1841669T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2006079798A2 (de)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0808158D0 (en) * 2008-05-06 2008-06-11 Harrison Nicholas Needle dispenser
DE202012003294U1 (de) * 2012-03-30 2013-07-01 Pöppelmann Holding GmbH & Co. KG Spender
DE102013101764A1 (de) * 2013-02-22 2014-08-28 Sanotact (HK) Limited Spender
WO2020072064A1 (en) * 2018-10-04 2020-04-09 Gsw Creative Corporation Pill dispenser

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3437236A (en) * 1967-09-26 1969-04-08 Ortho Pharma Corp Tablet dispensing device
US5226539A (en) * 1992-06-29 1993-07-13 Cheng Lung C Pill container
TW223015B (de) * 1992-07-01 1994-05-01 Duphar Int Res
US20030164380A1 (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-09-04 Rajneesh Taneja Packaging system for separately storing and dispensing together separate medication components
AU2003245305A1 (en) * 2002-05-20 2003-12-12 Comar Inc. Pill dispensing apparatus and system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006079798A3 (en) 2006-12-14
PL1841669T3 (pl) 2010-01-29
DE602006008271D1 (de) 2009-09-17
EP1841669A2 (de) 2007-10-10
WO2006079798A2 (en) 2006-08-03
ES2330137T3 (es) 2009-12-04
ATE438575T1 (de) 2009-08-15
AU2006208923A1 (en) 2006-08-03

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