EP2809593B1 - Method for developing a tablet dispenser, and a tablet dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates firstly to a method for forming a tablet dispenser, for portioned dispensing of tablets, comprising a housing and an ejection part which can be inserted into the housing, wherein the dispensing part has an dispensing shaft and a dispensing part movable relative to the dispensing shaft against the force of a return spring.

In addition, the invention also relates to a tablet dispenser with the subject features listed above.

Such tablet dispensers have already become known in various respects. It is, for example, on the EP 1 052189 A2 directed. In the tablet dispenser known from the dispensing shaft is integrally connected to the return spring. In the course of insertion of the dispensing part in the housing, the connected parts are moved against each other, whereby the return spring is biased. However, this dislocation can also already set during transport and even immediately after removal from the injection molding machine. Early loading of the spring before the dispensing member is inserted into the housing can adversely affect the spring force. The state of the art is also on the US 2009/194556 A1 , the US 2003/234260 A1 , the US 2683554 A and the EP 0002403 A1 to refer.

Starting from the illustrated prior art, the invention is concerned with the task of specifying a method for forming a tablet dispenser and a tablet dispenser, in which predictably results in a favorable stress on the return spring.

This object is first achieved in the subject matter of claim 1, which is based on the fact that a clamping part is provided in a range of one of the after an injection process of the output part (3) unstressed return spring in the course of insertion of the output part (3) in the housing (2) occupied space is moved, whereby the return spring forcibly evades and thereby results in a bias in the return spring.
This object is further achieved in the subject matter of claim 2 with respect to a tablet dispenser, wherein it is provided that a clamping member (13) is provided, which is movable in a region of a space occupied by the unstressed return spring space (34), in the course of insertion of the Output part (3) in the housing (2), whereby the return spring (19) forcibly evades and thereby results in a bias in the return spring 19).
According to the method, the movement of the clamping part takes place in a region of the space occupied by the unstressed return spring in the course of insertion of the dispensing part into the housing or after insertion. Accordingly, with regard to the tablet dispenser, it is provided that the clamping part is movable into the housing during the insertion of the dispensing part or can be displaced after insertion into the clamping position.
The return spring extends after the injection process, without being under tension, in a physically occupied by her space. In a determinable period, in the course of insertion, and only then, or after insertion, a clamping part in this space, preferably in a part of this space is moved, whereby the return spring correspondingly forcibly evades and this results in a bias in the return spring. A bias in the return spring is advantageous and desirable because this gives the feel of a well-functioning device in a subsequent use of the tablet dispenser. In addition, it is ensured that the metering is relative to the output shaft in the desired non-actuated position. In this position, the discharge opening, which adjoins the output shaft down, is closed. It can not accidentally tablets fall out of the tablet dispenser.

The clamping part can be designed in various ways. It may initially be formed by a formed in the housing wall, preferably inwardly projecting projection. It may also be given by a movable relative to the housing wall, and preferably then in the course of insertion forcibly moved inward projection. The projection may be displaceable only after insertion in the cocking position, for example by an irreversible locking.

In the course of insertion, a portion of the spring, for example. A free end of the spring, which is preferably formed, accumulate on the clamping part or be actively moved by the clamping part. In both cases, the clamping part is in effect moved into the space previously occupied by the unstressed spring. Such a clamping projection can also be formed in the output part itself. In the latter case, the clamping part itself is movable relative to the output shaft and / or the metering.

It is preferred that the output part, which has the return spring, in a transport state in which it is after removal from a plastic injection molding machine, or in which it is offset after removal from the plastic injection molding machine, the return spring in a stowed position having. Preferably, the return spring is shielded in this case so that even with a bed of output parts, the return spring can not be acted upon. For example, this can be achieved by a cage structure which surrounds the return spring such that no parts of another dispensing part can penetrate so far that they touch the return spring. Furthermore, a plate-like structure can also be provided on the underside, which covers the return spring downwards. Surrounding the return spring walls and / or a ceiling can be provided.

Further preferably, it is provided that the output part consists of two or more sections, which moreover preferably together in one piece on page 4, above the WO 2013/114348 A1 be produced as a plastic injection molded part, but after demolding are brought to each other in a transport position. In the transport position, the portions are preferably locked together. In addition, the latching is preferably insoluble, ie not irrecoverable without destruction provided.

The sections may be pivotally interconnected about a vertical axis with respect to the completed tablet dispenser. In particular, one of the subsections can have the restoring spring and a first wall which shields it outwardly, in particular radially on the outside, and, more preferably, a part of the dispensing shaft, specifically that part which, in the unactuated position, results in the closure of the dispensing shaft downwards and has displaced one or more of the dispensed tablets into the dispensing position in the actuated position. In addition, it is preferably a lock member having a through hole, wherein in the unactuated position, the through hole is closed down by another portion de output part, which is preferably formed on the other portion, and in the actuated position with an opening , which is also preferably formed on the other portion, is in alignment.

In addition, a retaining part is preferably formed on the portion which has said lock part, which retracts upon actuation in the output shaft and thus prevents slipping further tablets or reduces the burden of the pillar column in the sense of a simple output of the dispensed tablet.

In the further section, a further preferred V-shaped storage space bottom is preferably formed on the upper side, which forms an abutment edge, which cooperates with an inner surface of the housing in the assembled state. By appropriate inclination, the soil conveys the tablets to be dispensed to the tray. The tablet shaft itself is preferably also formed in this further subsection, with the exception of the mentioned sections formed on the other subsection.

It is further preferred that a movement of the clamping part extends in a horizontal plane and / or that the return spring extends, at least substantially, in a horizontal plane. Here, the return spring is formed even with a certain thickness in the vertical direction. However, the longitudinal extent of the return spring is given in the horizontal direction. With respect to a mean or at least in a longitudinal direction, the return spring passing through the plane given said horizontal plane.

In a further preferred embodiment, the clamping part can be connected to the dispensing part or the housing via a predetermined breaking point in terms of manufacture. This predetermined breaking point is broken only in the course of insertion of the dispensing part into the housing.

As a result, the mobility of the clamping part is then released and the clamping part, as stated, moves in the space occupied by the unstressed spring space.

More preferably, the clamping part is connected via a hinge portion with the dispensing part or the housing. Even after separation of the predetermined breaking point, the clamping part thus remains connected to the dispensing part via the hinge section. It can be moved accordingly in the sense of a bend relative to the dispensing part.

Also, the dispensing part may have a plan corresponding to an inner free cross-section of the housing, but in the manufacturing state the clamping part is arranged projecting beyond this plan. Due to the fact that the clamping part protrudes beyond this outline, the outer boundary of the inner free cross section of the housing, it is necessarily moved inwards during insertion. It has on the outside also corresponding inclined surfaces which allow the interaction with the corresponding housing edge low. In the course of assembly, the clamping part must therefore escape inwardly, whereby the predetermined breaking points are broken and the clamping part further preferably pivoted along the remaining hinge connection.

It is further preferred that the housing has an oval-shaped inner free cross-section.

Fig. 1

den Tablettenspender vor Zusammensetzen des Gehäuses mit dem Ausgabeteil;

Fig. 2

das Ausgabeteil im Spritzzustand;

Fig. 3

das Ausgabeteil im verrasteten Zustand der Transportstellung;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Rückansicht des Ausgabeteils gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht eines Teilbereichs des Ausgabeteils von schräg oben;

Fig. 6

den Teilbereich gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Ansicht von schräg unten;

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht von unten des verrasteten Ausgabeteils;

Fig. 8

eine Ansicht gemäß Fig. 7, bei zusammengesetztem Spender;

Fig. 9

einen Querschnitt durch den Spender in der unbetätigten Stellung; und

Fig. 10

einen Querschnitt gemäß Fig. 9, in der betätigten Stellung.

In the following, the invention will be explained further with reference to the accompanying drawing, which, however, represents only one embodiment. Hereby shows:

Fig. 1

the tablet dispenser prior to assembly of the housing with the dispensing member;

Fig. 2

the dispensing part in the sprayed state;

Fig. 3

the output part in the locked state of the transport position;

Fig. 4

a perspective rear view of the dispensing part according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

a view of a portion of the dispensing part obliquely from above;

Fig. 6

the subarea according to Fig. 5 in a view obliquely from below;

Fig. 7

a bottom view of the latched output part;

Fig. 8

a view according to Fig. 7 , with composite donor;

Fig. 9

a cross section through the dispenser in the unactuated position; and

Fig. 10

a cross section according to Fig. 9 , in the actuated position.

Shown and described, first with reference to Fig. 1 , a tablet dispenser 1 before mounting a housing 2 and an output part 3. The housing 2 is formed in the embodiment and preferably with an oval-shaped cross-section. It has in its upper part an integral with a housing 4, see. also Fig. 9 , trained housing cover 5 on. In the ready for assembly according to Fig. 1 is the housing 2, which forms a corresponding storage space, filled with tablets, not shown.

The housing 2 further has an actuating window 6. The actuation window 6 can also be a flexible, integrally or fixedly formed on the housing wall 4 area. Preferred and in the embodiment, however, it is a through hole. In this through-hole, an actuating surface 7a formed on the actuating part 7 is exposed after assembly.

In Fig. 2 the dispensing part 3 is shown in the sprayed state. It has two sections 8 and 9, which are pivotable by a hinge connection 10 to each other. You are in the spray state in the open state according to Fig. 2 and are thereafter, preferably immediately in the spraying machine or thereafter, in a Verrastungszustand according to Fig. 3 brought. In this Verrastungszustand is a latch 11, see. Fig. 6 , engages on the section 9 in a latching opening 12 on the section 8. At the section 8 is further, as is apparent from the view Fig. 4 results, a clamping part 13 is formed. The clamping member 13 is pivotally connected via a hinge portion 14 to the section 8 and connected via one or more, in the embodiment two, predetermined breaking points 15 in the spray state continues to the section 8. The hinge region 14 on the one hand and the predetermined breaking points 15 on the other hand, with respect to a horizontal plane, are formed on opposite end regions of the clamping part 13. The predetermined breaking points 15 are pushed upon insertion of the dispensing part 3 into the housing 2 by running on or, as in the exemplary embodiment of a plurality of management areas 16 on a lower housing edge 17 inside and thus pushed the clamping member in total. In this case, the predetermined breaking points 15 and the clamping part 13 are pivoted overall about the pivoting region 14. The pivoting region 14 accordingly has a vertical pivoting axis.

The board regions 16 are preferred and in the embodiment integrally formed integrally with the clamping member 13.

The board areas 16 are formed in detail on ribs, which project outwardly, in the direction of the housing wall, in the assembled state. The ribs furthermore have, in detail, an upper insertion region 18, which acts as an insertion bevel and allows said deflection in the course of assembly.

In Fig. 5 is drawn for purposes of illustration, the section 9 isolated, but in principle it can also be made as a single part, in which case a preferred two-fold locking, at both corresponding end portions, is provided. The section 9 has the return spring 19. The return spring 19 is sheet-like, in a vertical orientation with respect to a leaf level, shaped. It has a free-standing end 20.

Further, the section 9 forms a metering 44. The metering part 44 basically ensures the portioned dispensing of one (or a certain number) of tablets at a dispensing operation. The metering 44 may be formed differently. It is essential to release the output shaft on actuation and a closure of the output shaft in non-operation.

In the exemplary embodiment, the metering part (44) initially has a Einfahrwandung 21, which in the assembled state in the output shaft 22, see. approximately Fig. 4 , retracted. It lies on the side of a vertical boundary wall of the output shaft 22. The protruding beyond an upper opening of the output shaft 22 cam portion 23 provides when moving the operating portion 7 for a loosening of the overlying tablet supply.

Further, a closure part 43 is integrally formed on the portion 9, which pushes a portion of the output shaft upwards in order to hold a pressure of the advancing tablets on the dispensed tablet.

In addition, in the section 9, the foot side of the Einfahrwandung 21, an output lock 24 is formed. In detail, the output lock 24 has a dispensing opening 25 and a closure section 26 arranged upstream of it in the dislocation direction during dispensing.

The details mentioned are from the perspective bottom view according to Fig. 6 in more detail.

As can be seen from the illustration according to Fig. 7 results, the return spring 19 is mounted in the assembled, ie latched, state of the output part 3 at a distance from a facing surface 27 of the clamping member 13. It is also shielded by a bottom 28 in which only a comparatively small window 29 is formed, which leaves the front end portion of the return spring 19 remain visible, down. Further, the return spring is also laterally, by the actuating part 7 on the one hand and the clamping part 13 on the other hand, in addition by housing sections 30, 31 and a ceiling portion 32 (see. Fig. 4 ) shielded in this state of the output part 3 before insertion into the housing 2. It is in a stash location.

When inserted into the housing 2 output part 3, see. Fig. 8 , The clamping member 13 in the manner described, by breaking the predetermined breaking points 15, moved inwards. It can be seen that the interaction of the inner surface 33 of the clamping member 13 with the free end 20 of the return spring 19. The clamping member 13 is in the previously occupied by the unstressed return spring 19 space, a portion thereof, space 34, moves.

As a result, the return spring 19 is constantly under a bias.

The operation of the tablet dispenser 1 is compared with the Figures 9 and 10 seen. For actuation, the operating member 7 is pushed inwardly by the user with respect to the housing, whereby the closure member 43 moves into the discharge chute 22 and shifts the tablet supply upwardly. The dispensing-ready tablet 35 is already in the dispensing opening 25 of the dispensing lock 24 and is moved in alignment with the dispensing window 37 in the dispensing part by said operation with the dispensing opening 25, which is closed on the underside by the bottom section 36 in the unactuated position then fall out below.

When the user removes the pressure from the operation key, the operation key is released from the position in accordance with the action of the return spring 19 Fig. 10 in the position according to Fig. 9 moved back, whereupon another tablet 35 is incident in the discharge opening 25.

As can also be seen, the output part 3 is formed on the bottom side with an overlapping collar 38, which engages over a lower end face 39 of the housing in the assembled state. Further, on a vertical wall 40 of the output part 3, on the bottom side, a circumferential locking bead 41 is formed, which cooperates for holding with a corresponding recess 42 in the inner surface of the housing wall 4. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 1 Pill dispenser 26 closure portion 2 casing 27 area 3 output part 28 ground 4 housing 29 window 5 housing cover 30 housing section 6 operating window 31 housing section 7 actuating member 32 ceiling section 7a actuating surface 33 palm 8th part Of 34 room 9 part Of 35 tablet 10 hinge connection 36 ground 11 locking lug 37 output window 12 latching opening 38 Cross-collar 13 tensioning part 39 face 14 hinge area 40 vertical wall 15 Breaking point 41 latching bead 16 Board area 42 recess 17 housing edge 43 closing part 18 insertion 44 metering 19 Return spring 20 The End 21 Roll-in (-ung) 22 output tray 23 cam section 24 dump gate 25 discharge opening

Claims (10)

1. Method for constructing a tablet dispenser (1) for metered dispensing of tablet (35), having a housing (2) and a dispensing part (3) that is insertable in the housing (2), wherein the dispensing part (3) comprises a dispensing chute (22) and a metering part (44) that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of a return spring (19), characterised in that a tensioning part (13) is provided that is moved into an area occupied by the unbiased return spring (19), preferably as the dispensing part (3) is inserted in the housing (2), thereby forcing displacement of the return spring (19) so that pretension is generated in the return spring.
2. Tablet dispenser (1) for dispensing individual tablets (35), having a housing (2) and a dispensing part (3) that is insertable in the housing (2), wherein the dispensing part (3) has a dispensing chute (22) and a metering part (44) arranged movably therein, wherein further the metering part (44) is movable against the force of a return spring (19) arranged inside the dispensing part (3), characterised in that a tensioning part (13) is provided, which is movable into an area (34) previously occupied by the unbiased return spring, preferably as the dispensing part (3) is inserted in the housing (2), thereby forcing displacement of the return spring (19) so that pretension is generated in the return spring (19).
3. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the operating position the tensioning part (13) is shifted against a movement tendency of the return spring (19) during a dispensing operation.
4. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing chute (22) extends essentially vertically.
5. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensioning part (13) is connected to dispensing part (3) via a predetermined breaking point (15) created in the production process.
6. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensioning part (13) is connected to dispensing part (3) via a hinge area (14) created in the production process.
7. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing part (3) is constructed as a single-part plastic injection moulded component.
8. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing part (3) has two subsections (8, 9), which are connected to one another in hinged manner, wherein one subsection (8) includes the tensioning part (13), and the other subsection (9) includes the metering part (44) and the return spring (19).
9. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing part (3) comprises a layout that matches an interior free cross section of the housing (2), but wherein the tensioning part (13) projects beyond the layout in the manufactured condition.
10. Tablet dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (2) has an oval interior free cross section.

Images