EP3105145B1 - Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets, récipient - Google Patents

Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets, récipient Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3105145B1
EP3105145B1 EP15706392.6A EP15706392A EP3105145B1 EP 3105145 B1 EP3105145 B1 EP 3105145B1 EP 15706392 A EP15706392 A EP 15706392A EP 3105145 B1 EP3105145 B1 EP 3105145B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
objects
chamber
conduit
configuration
shutter
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.)
Active
Application number
EP15706392.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3105145A1 (fr
Inventor
Hugues Brouard
Guillaume ZOCZEK
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.)
STI Plastics SAS
Original Assignee
STI Plastics SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to PL15706392T priority Critical patent/PL3105145T3/pl
Publication of EP3105145A1 publication Critical patent/EP3105145A1/fr
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Publication of EP3105145B1 publication Critical patent/EP3105145B1/fr
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Classifications

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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for counting and dispensing objects such as beads, granules, micro-granules, tablets or capsules, and a container containing such objects and comprising such a device, in particular a tube of homeopathic granules.
  • a fixed number of granules must be administered to a patient, without said granules being handled directly by the patient.
  • a certain number of distributors have thus been developed in order to deliver a determined number of granules.
  • the document EP 0 002 403 discloses a granule dispenser arranged at the end of a granule-containing container and comprising a rotating disc having a granule flow port and a granule retainer remaining in the container.
  • the rotating disc To release a granule, the rotating disc must be brought into a first position in which it allows the admission of a granule into a cell arranged in a stopper fixed on the container and then the rotating disc must be rotated so as to bring the passage opening vis-à-vis the cell to allow the passage of the granule in the plug.
  • a granule dispenser comprising a chute having a helical flow path of the granules and a member comprising a housing for a granule and slidably movable between a position of admission of a granule from the ramp and a release position of the granule.
  • the document FR 2 867 459 discloses a granule dispenser whose operation is based on an elastic deformation of said dispenser by applying a pressure in a direction transverse to the flow direction of the granules.
  • the document CA 1,297,844 describes a granule dispenser arranged at the end of a tube and comprising a chimney adapted to pivot between a position centered with respect to the tube allowing the admission of a determined number of granules and a position which is off-center with respect to the tube in which it blocks the passage of granules and allows the release of granules out of the container.
  • the document FR 2 928 356 discloses a tablet dispenser comprising a tablet reservoir and a slide tray having a housing for a tablet.
  • Said drawer is designed to adopt different successive positions in which it communicates or not on the one hand with the tank and on the other hand with an outlet to allow the release of a single tablet at a time.
  • the homeopathic granules are objects of substantially spherical shape but whose dimensions are likely to vary in a relatively wide range around a nominal diameter.
  • the documents DE 10 2011 112 953 , WO 2009/018392 and WO 2009/080309 describe devices for counting and distributing such objects.
  • An object of the invention is therefore to design a device for counting and dispensing objects which avoids the problems encountered with existing distributors and in particular which limits or even eliminates the risks of jamming or malfunction of the dispenser and which minimizes the forces exerted. on objects in order to preserve their integrity.
  • An object of the invention is also to design a device that allows reliable counting of delivered objects.
  • Another object of the invention is to design a counting and dispensing device that can be manufactured with a reduced number of elements and with processes compatible with mass production, in order to ensure the economic competitiveness of the distributor through compared to existing devices.
  • the first element is slidably arranged with respect to the second element in an axial direction of the conduit so that, during a portion of the operating sequence, the first element extends beyond the second element towards upstream with respect to the direction of flow of the objects, so as to provide a stirring objects to count and distribute located upstream of the conduit.
  • the duct has, at its upstream end, an inclined wall so as to orient and / or guide in the duct the objects to count and distribute.
  • the first element comprises a generally tubular body having two pairs of opposite radial openings and two pairs of flexible arms having a protrusion engaged in an opening respective radial of the body
  • the second element has a generally tubular shape whose wall is pierced by a pair of non-rectilinear grooves in which two respective flexible arms move during the sliding of the first element in the second element, the profile of said grooves being designed to vary the engagement of the protrusion of the flexible arms in the conduit.
  • Each pair of protrusions together define a shutter whose aperture or shutter configuration depends on the distance between two opposing protrusions.
  • the second element is slidably arranged with respect to the first element in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the conduit.
  • the first element has a generally tubular shape whose wall is pierced by two pairs of openings and the second element has two pairs of parallel arms extending perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conduit, each arm having a protrusion selectively engaged in the conduit through a respective opening.
  • the distance between two protrusions vis-à-vis is small enough to prevent the passage of an object; in addition, each arm has a portion devoid of such protrusion.
  • the conduit is at least partially closed by two protrusions vis-a-vis, thus defining a shutter in shutter configuration, or the conduit is not closed by said protrusions, thereby defining the open configuration of said shutter.
  • each protrusion has a beveled shape. This beveled shape cooperates with the convex end of each object to avoid shearing said object during operation of the shutter.
  • said beveled protrusions vis-à-vis are not contiguous.
  • the device further comprises a relative return device of the first and second elements.
  • said return device comprises an elastic return member integral with the first or the second element.
  • the first and second elements are each made in one piece and the device consists solely of said first and second elements.
  • Another object of the invention relates to a container containing objects and comprising a device for counting and dispensing said objects as described above.
  • the objects are homeopathic granules, capsules, tablets, capsules or micro-granules.
  • the invention applies generally to the distribution of any object having a spherical or spheroidal shape or an elongate shape with convex ends.
  • the objects may have a symmetry of revolution with respect to the axis that extends between the two convex ends.
  • the term "elongated” means an object whose largest dimension (or length) extends between the two convex ends.
  • the elongate objects are intended to be oriented in one duct of the counting and dispensing device one after the other in the direction of their largest dimension.
  • Said capsule may be defined as having a cylindrical portion of circular section and two symmetrical hemispherical ends, the radius of curvature of which is equal to the radius of the cylindrical portion. The distance between the two hemispherical ends is greater than the diameter of the circular portion.
  • the Figure 1B illustrates a spherical object, such as a granule.
  • the figure 1C illustrates a micro-granule, which is a micro-tablet, with a diameter typically ranging from 0.8 to 4 mm, having a constant cylindrical section over a length typically equal to the diameter and having ends whose section is narrowing, typically shaped spherical cap.
  • a capsule is represented on the figure 1D .
  • Said capsule can be defined as an ellipsoid of revolution.
  • the figure 1E illustrates an object having a cylindrical portion of circular section and two symmetrical pointed ends. The distance between the pointed ends is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion.
  • the figure 1F illustrates an object having a cylindrical portion of circular section and two symmetrical rounded ends.
  • the radius of curvature may be larger or smaller but the case where the ends are flat is excluded.
  • the figure 1G presents a limit case where the variation of the end sections decreases very rapidly, without being a constant section cylinder, and for which devices according to the invention are efficient.
  • the figure 1H illustrates the case of a tablet which, contrary to the objects of the Figures 1A to 1G , does not present symmetry of revolution.
  • This object can be defined as having a straight cylindrical portion whose base is an ellipse and two ellipsoid-shaped faces. The ends of the object correspond to the ends of the major axis of the ellipse.
  • the objects may be granules, micro-granules, capsules, tablets, eggs or capsules.
  • any object having one of the variant forms described above, regardless of its dimensions and proportions, may be distributed in a predetermined number by means of a device according to the invention.
  • the invention is therefore applicable in a general manner in any field of industry, including agribusiness, in which it is necessary to distribute a given number of objects.
  • FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate the principle of operation of the shutters 1A, 1B in a metering and dispensing device (also called “distributor” in the rest of the text) according to the invention, applied by way of example to the distribution of balls 2.
  • a metering and dispensing device also called “distributor” in the rest of the text
  • the reservoir 3 of balls 2 is located in the upper part of the distributor and communicates with a conduit 100 for dispensing the balls which extends along a longitudinal axis X.
  • the flow direction of the balls of the reservoir 3 towards the exit of the dispenser is represented by the arrow.
  • the X axis is oriented in a vertical or oblique direction, with the reservoir above the distributor, to allow the balls to flow by gravity in the conduit 100.
  • the duct 100 has, perpendicularly to the axis X, a section adapted for the passage of a single ball, so that the balls are superimposed in the duct 100.
  • the section of the duct 100 is adapted for the passage of objects in the direction of their length, that is to say that the objects are superimposed in the duct 100 with their convex ends in vis-a-vis.
  • the section of the duct 100 does not allow the passage of an object in another orientation than that of its length, or the simultaneous passage of two objects or more through a given section of the duct.
  • the junction between the ball reservoir and the dispenser is in the form of a funnel which makes it possible to avoid an arching of the balls at the entrance of the duct 100.
  • the spherical or elongated objects with Convex ends considering their symmetries, can tend to be organized in such a way that, being taken by the center of the bottom of a reservoir, they themselves form a stable, pseudo-tubular structure and thus hollow in its center. , which can not subside, so that the sampling can continue, only under the action of a mechanical stirring.
  • the inner section of the reservoir 3 is generally greater than that of the conduit 100 and the inner wall of the reservoir advantageously comprises a portion 1130 inclined downstream in the direction of a narrowing of the section.
  • the upstream end of the duct 100 has a wall 1030 which is inclined in the same direction as the portion 1130.
  • the shutters 1A and 1B are respectively located in downstream portions and upstream of the duct 100 with respect to the direction of flow of the balls.
  • the shutters 1A and 1B delimit between them a portion of the duct 100 which is a chamber 101 intended to contain a determined number of balls.
  • the chamber is intended to receive a single ball, that is to say that the distance between the shutters 1A and 1B along the X axis is equal to the nominal diameter of a ball, but less than 1.5 times the nominal diameter of a ball.
  • the dispenser according to the invention can be designed so that the chamber 101 comprises two or more balls; it suffices to adapt the distance between the shutters 1A and 1B.
  • the chamber 101 thus fulfills the function of counting the beads to be dispensed while offering the possibility of absorbing the dimensional tolerances inherent in the manufacturing processes of said objects.
  • the Figure 2A illustrates a state of the dispenser in which the two shutters 1A, 1B are both in shutter configuration of the chamber 101, which is then empty.
  • the portions vis-à-vis the shutters 1A, 1B are not contiguous but spaced apart by an interval less than the diameter of a ball, so as to block the passage of a ball 2 present in the conduit directly upstream of the shutter 1B.
  • the fact that the shutters are not contiguous has the advantage of allowing to retain the balls without exerting shear on a ball contained in the chamber 101.
  • the portions vis-à-vis shutters advantageously have a bevelled profile.
  • the Figure 2B illustrates a state of the dispenser in which the upstream shutter 1B is in the open position of the chamber 101 while the downstream shutter 1A remains in the shutter configuration.
  • the transition from the state of the Figure 2A to that of the Figure 2B is obtained by a relative sliding of two elements of the dispenser, embodiments of which will be described in detail below.
  • the sliding is operated in the axial direction, the element 10 which comprises the passage 100 being moved downstream relative to an element 11 of the fixed distributor relative to the reservoir 3.
  • the funnel-shaped portion 1030 of the element 10 is ideally, but non-imperatively, in the extension of the inclined portion 1130 of the reservoir 3, which facilitates the entry of the balls into the duct 100.
  • the predetermined number of balls to be received in the chamber 101 (here, a single ball 2) enters said chamber.
  • the Figure 2C illustrates a state of the dispenser in which the upstream 1B and downstream 1A shutters are in the shutter configuration of the chamber 101.
  • the transition from the state of the Figure 2B to that of the Figure 2C is obtained by a relative sliding of the two elements of the dispenser. In the embodiment illustrated here, this sliding is operated in the axial direction, from downstream to upstream.
  • the ball 2 is thus retained in the chamber 101 between the two shutters, no ball being able to enter the chamber 101 or leave it.
  • shutter 1B be beveled allows that during the closing movement of said shutter is avoided to exert a shear stress on the ball contained in the chamber 101 or the ball located directly upstream of said shutter 1B.
  • 2D figure illustrates a state of the dispenser in which the upstream shutter 1B remains in configuration of the chamber 101 while the downstream shutter 1A is in the opening configuration of said chamber.
  • the transition from the state of the Figure 2C to that of the 2D figure is obtained by a relative sliding of the two elements of the dispenser.
  • this sliding is operated in the axial direction, from downstream to upstream. It should be noted that this sliding effect has the effect of the element 10 in the tank 3, thus producing a stirring of the balls which very effectively avoids a possible jamming of the balls at the tank inlet.
  • the opening of the downstream shutter 1A allows the ball 2 (or the balls if two or more balls were contained in the chamber 101) to escape from the chamber and thus be extracted from the dispenser.
  • the next step in the operating sequence includes closing the shutter 1A, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 2A .
  • the transition from the state of the 2D figure to that of the Figure 2A is obtained by a relative sliding of the two elements of the dispenser. In the embodiment illustrated here, this sliding is operated in the axial direction, from upstream to downstream.
  • the conformation of the shutters namely the fact that they are not contiguous in the shutter configuration and that they have a bevelled profile, makes it possible to avoid exerting a shear stress on an inserted ball in the chamber 101 or on a ball upstream of the shutter 1B which would have partially engaged in the chamber 101 and this, even if the size of the balls varies in a specific range.
  • the figure 3A corresponds to the case where a ball 2 whose diameter is equal to the nominal diameter ⁇ n of the balls is in the chamber 101 (it is considered here that the chamber 101 is designed to receive a single ball, but this embodiment is not limiting) .
  • the distance between the shutters 1A and 1B which is defined as the distance between the planes perpendicular to the X axis containing the tip of each bevel, is such that the upper end of the ball is flush with the plane containing the end of the bevel of the upstream shutter 1B.
  • the ball 2 just upstream of the shutter 1B is in contact both with the ball 2 contained in the chamber 101 and with the upstream portion of the bevel of the shutter 1B.
  • the figure 3B corresponds to the case where a ball 2 whose diameter is equal to the maximum diameter (noted ⁇ s) of the balls given manufacturing tolerances is in the chamber 101.
  • the distance between the shutters 1A and 1B is identical to that of the distributor of the figure 3A .
  • the upper end of the ball 2 contained in the chamber 101 protrudes upstream of the plane containing the end of the bevel of the upstream shutter 1B.
  • the upstream shutter 1B has an opening sufficient to not exert stress on the ball 2 contained in the chamber 101.
  • the ball 2 just upstream of the shutter 1B is in contact only with the ball 2 contained in the chamber 101 .
  • the figure 3C corresponds to the case where a ball 2 is in the chamber 101, the diameter of the ball being equal to the minimum diameter (noted ⁇ i) of the balls taking into account the manufacturing processes and the tolerances they generate.
  • the distance between the shutters 1A and 1B is identical to that of the distributor of the Figures 3A and 3B .
  • the upper end of the ball 2 contained in the chamber 101 is set back downstream with respect to the plane containing the end of the bevel of the upstream shutter 1B.
  • the invention is not limited to the distribution of beads and the figure 4 illustrates by way of example the operation of the dispenser for the dispensing of capsules.
  • a container containing capsules 2 is shown in capsule dispensing position, the reservoir 3 being positioned above the elements 10, 11 which constitute the dispenser.
  • the operating principle of the dispenser is similar to that illustrated on the Figures 2A to 2D .
  • the element 10, which comprises the capsule distribution conduit 100, is slidably arranged in the element 11, which is integral with the container 3.
  • the element 10 and the element 11 each have, in their upstream part, a respective inclined wall 1030, 1130.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5E a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention.
  • This distributor is similar to the one shown on the Figures 2A to 2D and on the figure 4 .
  • the Figure 5A is an exploded perspective view of the two elements 10, 11 of the distributor which cooperate to form the shutters.
  • the arrow indicates the flow direction of the balls from upstream to downstream.
  • the element 11 has a generally tubular shape extending along the axis X and whose wall is pierced by two diametrically opposite parallel grooves 112 which extend from the downstream edge of the element 11.
  • the grooves 112 are not rectilinear but have two portions 112A, 112B inclined in opposite directions on either side of a point of inflection 112C.
  • the wall of the element 11 is also pierced with two diametrically opposed parallel rectilinear grooves 113 which extend from the downstream edge of the element 11.
  • the element 10 is slidably arranged in the element 11, in the axial direction X.
  • the element 10 comprises a body 103 of generally tubular shape extending along the axis X and whose inner wall defines the conduit 100 for dispensing the balls.
  • the element 10 also comprises two pairs of flexible arms 102A, 102B which extend radially substantially orthogonally to the straight arms 105.
  • the flexible arms 102A, 102B of the element 10 are inserted into the grooves 112 of the element 11 while the straight arms 105 of the element 10 are inserted into the rectilinear grooves 113 of the element 11.
  • the arms 102A, 102B follow the path of the inclined grooves 112 and the cooperation of said arms with said grooves forms the shutters 1A, 1B and imposes the different configurations of said shutters.
  • the element 11 of the dispenser When used to distribute the balls, the element 11 of the dispenser is generally fixed relative to the hand of the user, while the element 10 is slid into the element 11.
  • the element 10 is located in the downstream part of the element 11, the downstream edges of said elements being substantially in the same plane.
  • the flexible arms 102A, 102B are in the downstream portion 112A of the grooves 112.
  • the arms 102A which are downstream of the arms 102B, are offset relative thereto about the X axis.
  • the slope of the downstream portion 112A of the grooves 112 tends to bring the arms 102A toward each other while moving the arms 102B away from each other, so that the arms 102A define a downstream shutter in the shutter configuration while the arms 102B define an upstream shutter in aperture configuration.
  • the Figure 5C illustrates a situation in which, compared to Figure 5A the sliding of the element 10 in the element 11 continued in the upstream direction.
  • the upstream arms 102 having passed the point of inflection 112C of the grooves 112 are in the upstream portion 112B of said grooves, which has a slope in the opposite direction to that of the downstream portion 112A.
  • the arms 102A are still in the downstream portion 112A of the grooves 112 they tend to deviate from each other to provide a downstream shutter in opening configuration while the arms 102B tend to get closer to one another. other to provide an upstream shutter in a shutter configuration.
  • the grooves 112, 113 of the element 11 do not extend over the entire height thereof and thus provide a stop of the element 10 upstream.
  • the element 10 is advantageously made by injection of a thermoplastic polymer material, which makes it possible to manufacture in one piece the arms 102A, 102B extending radially from the body 103 and connected thereto by a hinge 106 which is typically obtained by a local decrease in the thickness of the material.
  • Said hinge 106 folds each arm 10A, 102B towards the body 103, as illustrated in FIG. figure 5E .
  • each arm 102A, 102B comprises a protrusion 104, which advantageously takes the form of a rounded and bevelled portion, arranged facing an opening 103A, 103B of the body when the arms 102A, 102B are folded towards the body.
  • the protrusions 104 extend in pairs more or less inside the conduit 100, and thus form the upstream and downstream shutters which define the chamber intended to receive the ball or balls to distribute.
  • the sliding of the element 10 in the element 11 in the axial direction provides a stirring of the balls contained in the reservoir and thus avoids the bracing phenomena by geometric organization of the spherical objects or elongated with convex ends.
  • this stirring makes it possible to orient the objects so as to make them enter the duct 100 in the direction of their length, as explained with reference to the figure 4 .
  • this dispenser which is particularly simple since it consists solely of two parts (each in one piece), namely the elements 10 and 11, allows both an efficient mixing of objects and an accurate count of objects to be distributed.
  • the dispenser 1 comprises an element 10 of generally tubular shape extending along the axis X and whose inner wall defines the conduit 100 for dispensing the balls.
  • the wall of said element 10 comprises diametrically opposed openings 107 and each surrounded by two ribs 107A, 107B protruding from the outer wall of the element 10.
  • the dispenser further comprises an element 11 adapted to slide on the element 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axis X being guided between the ribs 107A, 107B.
  • the element 11 comprises two parallel arms 110, 111 which extend perpendicularly to the axis X, said arms 110, 111 being connected by a wall 114 extending in a plane perpendicular to said arms.
  • each arm 110, 111 has a respective protrusion 110A, 111B (which is advantageously beveled) vis-à-vis the protrusion of the opposite arm.
  • the protrusion 110A of an arm 110 is not situated entirely opposite the protrusion 111B of the arm 111: a central part of each of the arms 110, 111 is provided with a protrusion, said protrusion continuing towards one end of the arms 111 and towards the opposite end of the arms 110.
  • Each protrusion allows the element 11 to slide between the ribs 107A, 107B of the element 10.
  • the end of said protrusion extends towards the inside of the conduit 100 when the protrusion is opposite the opening 107.
  • the protrusions 111B vis-à-vis therefore form an upstream shutter and the protrusions 110A vis-à-vis form a shutter downstream.
  • the sequence of operation of said shutters is similar to that described with reference to Figures 2A-2D , the difference residing in that the relative sliding of the elements 10 and 11 is operated here in a plane perpendicular to the axis X.
  • the embodiment of Figures 6A to 6C therefore does not provide controlled mixing of the objects in the tank.
  • the chamber 101 defined between said shutters is designed to receive four balls (cf. Figure 6C ), but it goes without saying that it could be designed to accommodate a different number of balls or spherical or elongated objects with convex ends, including a single object.
  • the wall of the member 10 is illustrated with a plurality of apertures 107 and corresponding ribs 107A, 107B. Only one pair of openings upstream of the chamber 101 and a pair of openings downstream of said chamber is sufficient to make the dispenser. However, the presence of several openings and ribs makes it possible to adjust the number of balls received in the chamber 101 by simply changing the spacing of the arms 110, 111 of the element 11 along the axis X.
  • each of the elements 10 and 11 can be made in one piece.
  • the distributor is therefore made only two pieces whose assembly is very simple.
  • the dispenser may comprise a relative return device elements 10 and 11, regardless of the embodiment envisaged.
  • This return device may for example comprise an elastic member arranged between the elements 10 and 11 so as to bring back the two upstream and downstream shutters respectively in the opening configuration and in the shutter configuration of the chamber.
  • said elastic return member can be made in one piece with one of the first and second elements described above and can thus be achieved without adding a part in one and the other architecture.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5E thus illustrate a perspective view of the element 11 and a perspective view of the distributor 1 assembled according to a variant of the embodiment of the Figures 5A-5E .
  • the elements already described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E are not described again.
  • the element 11 comprises a curved blade 115 (for example S-shaped) which extends in the axial direction, said blade being connected to the wall of the element 11 at its end 115A, the opposite end 115B being free .
  • a curved blade 115 for example S-shaped
  • the blade 115 is an integral part of the element 11 and can thus be produced by molding the element 11.
  • the blade 115 has a certain elasticity which depends on its shape, its dimensions and the material used.
  • the element 10 comprises, at its downstream end, a collar 116 comprising a bearing surface intended to be opposite the free end 115B of the elastic blade when the element 10 is slidably mounted in the
  • the flange 116 comprises, on the upstream side, a bearing surface 116A on which the free end 115B of the blade 115 can rest.
  • the element 11 comprises abutment members 117 forming an abutment downstream of the collar 116.
  • the blade 115 tends to push the element 10 in the axial direction downstream, in a position in which the upstream shutter is in the open configuration and the downstream shutter is in the shutter configuration, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 7B (see also Figure 2B ).
  • the element 10 When it is desired to distribute objects, the element 10 is slid in the axial direction upstream, against the force exerted by the blade 115.
  • this sliding places the two shutters in the shutter configuration of the chamber (cf. Figure 2C ).
  • the sliding continues upstream, the upstream shutter remains in shutter configuration while the downstream shutter goes into the opening configuration of the chamber (cf. 2D figure ). In doing so, the object or objects that were contained in the chamber are released from the dispenser.
  • FIGS 8A and 8B respectively illustrate a perspective view of the element 11 and a perspective view of the distributor 1 assembled according to a variant of the embodiment of the Figures 6A-6C .
  • the elements already described with reference to Figures 6A to 6C are not described again.
  • the wall 114 has a longitudinal notch 114A in which extends a curved blade 115 projecting in the direction of the arms 110, 111, the blade 115 being integral with the wall 114 at one of its ends 115A.
  • the blade 115 is an integral part of the element 11 and can thus be produced by molding the element 11.
  • the blade 115 has a certain elasticity which depends on its shape, its dimensions and the material used.
  • the blade 115 tends to push the element 10 in the direction opposite to that of the wall 114, in a position in which the upstream shutter is in the configuration of aperture and the shutter downstream is in the shutter configuration, as illustrated on the Figure 8B .
  • the element 10 When it is desired to distribute objects, the element 10 is slid towards the wall 114, against the force exerted by the blade 115.
  • this sliding places the two shutters in shutter configuration of the chamber by cooperation of the element 11 simultaneously with the protrusions 110A and 111B of the two arms.
  • the sliding continues in the direction of the wall 114, the upstream shutter remains in closed configuration by cooperation of the element 10 with the protrusion 111B, while the downstream shutter goes into the opening configuration of the chamber, the element 10 disengaging from the protrusion 110A. In doing so, the object or objects that were contained in the chamber are released from the dispenser.
  • the element 10 is then released, which is pushed back by the blade 115 in the direction opposite to the wall 114 and which thus returns it to the configuration illustrated in FIG. Figure 8B .
  • the upstream shutter being in the opening configuration of the chamber, new objects may be introduced into the chamber while being retained by the downstream shutter which is in the closed configuration.
  • the dispenser whose various embodiments have been described above may be in the form of a component to be assembled on a reservoir containing objects to be dispensed.
  • the dispenser then has dimensions to fit on an existing tank, such as a tube, including a tube for homeopathic granules.
  • the securing of the dispenser on the container is carried out by any appropriate means, including welding, gluing, latching, etc.
  • the dispenser may comprise the reservoir, for example by ensuring that one of the elements is manufactured in one piece with the reservoir.
  • the distributor has an axial sliding architecture (embodiment of the FIGS. 5A to 5E )
  • the element 11 which is integrated in the tank, the element 10 comprising the distribution duct 100 being movable in axial sliding and thus allowing the stirring of the objects contained in the tank.
  • the distributor has a sliding architecture in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
  • the element 10 comprising the distribution duct 100 is advantageously integrated with the reservoir, the element 11 being movable.

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)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
EP15706392.6A 2014-02-12 2015-02-12 Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets, récipient Active EP3105145B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL15706392T PL3105145T3 (pl) 2014-02-12 2015-02-12 Urządzenie do liczenia i dozowania przedmiotów, pojemnik

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1451065A FR3017377B1 (fr) 2014-02-12 2014-02-12 Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets
PCT/EP2015/052972 WO2015121353A1 (fr) 2014-02-12 2015-02-12 Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3105145A1 EP3105145A1 (fr) 2016-12-21
EP3105145B1 true EP3105145B1 (fr) 2017-11-29

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US (1) US11147741B2 (zh)
EP (1) EP3105145B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP6492098B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR102340682B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN106132842B (zh)
BR (1) BR112016018212B1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2938147C (zh)
ES (1) ES2661133T3 (zh)
FR (1) FR3017377B1 (zh)
MY (1) MY188440A (zh)
PL (1) PL3105145T3 (zh)
PT (1) PT3105145T (zh)
RU (1) RU2670035C2 (zh)
TR (1) TR201802520T4 (zh)
WO (1) WO2015121353A1 (zh)

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FR3017377B1 (fr) * 2014-02-12 2017-01-13 Stiplastics Dispositif de comptage et de distribution d'objets
ES2914403T3 (es) * 2017-12-12 2022-06-10 Gd Spa Envase dispensador con abertura deslizante para artículos a granel
FR3088625B1 (fr) * 2018-11-20 2020-12-18 Stiplastics Dispositif securise de comptage et de distribution d’objets
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2016136431A3 (zh) 2018-08-06
FR3017377B1 (fr) 2017-01-13
ES2661133T3 (es) 2018-03-27
JP6492098B2 (ja) 2019-03-27
CN106132842A (zh) 2016-11-16
BR112016018212B1 (pt) 2022-02-15
BR112016018212A2 (zh) 2017-08-08
FR3017377A1 (fr) 2015-08-14
EP3105145A1 (fr) 2016-12-21
CN106132842B (zh) 2018-10-30
PT3105145T (pt) 2018-03-08
CA2938147C (fr) 2023-05-23
JP2017512155A (ja) 2017-05-18
US20160346166A1 (en) 2016-12-01
MY188440A (en) 2021-12-09
KR20160125995A (ko) 2016-11-01
PL3105145T3 (pl) 2018-05-30
KR102340682B1 (ko) 2021-12-17
RU2016136431A (ru) 2018-03-15
CA2938147A1 (fr) 2015-08-20
US11147741B2 (en) 2021-10-19
WO2015121353A1 (fr) 2015-08-20
RU2670035C2 (ru) 2018-10-17
TR201802520T4 (tr) 2018-03-21

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