GB2361471A

GB2361471A - Tablet dispenser with rotor

Info

Publication number: GB2361471A
Application number: GB0103924A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Cragie; Ian Buxton
Original assignee: Invicta Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Invicta Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-19
Filing date: 2001-02-19
Publication date: 2001-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-19
Also published as: GB0003806D0; GB0103924D0; GB2361471B

Abstract

A dispenser (10) for tablets or the like comprises a rotor (22) mounted for rotation in a container (12). The rotor has a plurality of recesses (24) which form holding spaces between the rotor and the container for holding at least one tablet or the like to be dispensed. Actuation means (40, 46, 50, 52, 58) is provided enabling rotation of the rotor from a position in which one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with a dispensing aperture (14) in the container, to a position in which a further one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with the aperture. A shield (20) is also provided which prevents a tablet or the like held in the container from entering a holding space when it is in substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture. The actuation means may comprise a resiliently biased push button (40) operatively connected to the rotor such that depression of the button rotates the rotor relative to the container in a first direction of rotation.

Description

2361471 INV1380.UK TITLE: DISPENSER FOR TABLETS OR THE LIKE The present

invention relates to a dispenser for tablets or similar articles.

Dispensers for dispensing tablets or the like, one at a time, are already known. Such dispensers usually include a holder for holding a number of tablets, the holder having a dispensing channel into which the tablets feed under gravity. The holder is slidably received in the open end of an outer container or sleeve, such that the dispensing channel of the holder is aligned with an aperture in the base of the outer container or sleeve. The dispensing channel and holder are biased away from the aperture.

In order to dispense a tablet, pressure is applied to the holder against the biasing when the 10 holder slides axially within the outer container or sleeve. This action opens the dispensi g channel to extend through the aperture, thereby enabling a tablet to be dispensed.

Dispensers of this type are prone to jamming. Furthermore, tablets are sometimes not dispensed consecutively as required because tablets fail to enter the dispensing channel due to its restrictive shape.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser for tablets or the like, the dispenser comprising a rotor mounted for rotation in a container, the rotor having a plurality of recesses fon-ning holding spaces between the rotor and the container for holding at least one tablet or the like to be dispensed, actuation means enabling rotation of the rotor from a position in which one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with a dispensing aperture in the container, to a position in which a farther one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with the aperture, and a shield for preventing a tablet or the like held in the container from entering a holding space when it is in substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture.

RM380.UK 2 In a preferred embodiment the rotor has a guide surface for guiding at least one tablet or the like held in the container into each of the holding spaces which are not in substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture.

Preferably, the container is of cylindrical shape with a closed end and an open end, in which case the rotor may be inserted into the container through the open end and is located adjacent the closed end. In this embodiment of the invention the dispensing aperture may be provided in the closed end of the cylinder adjacent the cylindrical side wall.

The actuation means for creating rotational movement of the rotor may comprise a resiliently biased push button that is operatively connected to the rotor such that depression of the button rotates the rotor in a first direction of rotation. The button may be connected to the rotor via a ratchet mechanism such that repeated depression of the button moves the rotor sequentially in the first direction of rotation to bring successive holding spaces into substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture.

Alternatively, the required movement may be provided by a cap connected directly to the rotor so that manual twisting of the cap causes the rotor to rotate.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the various claims.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2a shows a section taken through line A-A in Fig. 2; INVI380.UK 3 Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the invention.; Fig. 5 shows an exploded isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 shows a view similar to that of Fig. 5 but showing the components of the fourth embodiment in section; and Fig. 7 shows a view similar to Fig. 6 but taken from a different angle.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a tablet dispenser is indicated generally at 10. The dispenser comprises a cylindrical container 12 with a base 16 at one end, and open at its other end 18.

An aperture 14 is provided in the base 16 through which one or more tablets (not shown) are dispensable. The aperture 14 is positioned adjacent to the side wall 13 of the container 12 and is sized to allow a tablet to pass through it.

A flat blade or shield 20 which forms part of the side wall 13 (or else is attached to the side wall) is positioned directly above and in spaced relation to the aperture 14. The blade 20 has similar dimensions to the aperture 14 and lies in a plane parallel with the plane of the base 16. The blade 20 acts as a shield to prevent more than one tablet being dispensed at a time, and is discussed ftuther below.

A rotor, indicated generally at 22, includes a drive shaft 28 connected to a dispensing portion 30. The dispensing portion 30 comprises a generally pentagonal hollow body, with five castellations or projections 26 extending outward of the body, and spaced evenly between five flats 27.

Between the castellations 26 are recesses or spaces 24, see Fig. 2a. The radially outer end INVI380.UK 4 of each castellation 26 is formed in an arc, so that when the rotor is inserted into the container 12 the castellations are a snug fit with the inside surface of the cylinder 12 and act as a bearing for the rotor on rotation of the rotor 22 relative to the cylinder 12. The end of the rotor 22 rests on the base 16 of the container 12.

A conical tablet guiding surface 32 extends downwards and radially outwards from the drive shaft 28 and over the castellations 26. When the container is in a substantially upright position, a tablet coming into contact with the surface 32 tends to slide, under the action of gravity, into one of the spaces 24 between the container 12, the castellations 26 and the generally circular body of the rotor 22. Each space 24 is dimensioned to accept only one tablet, and is further referred to as a holding space or channel 24.

A circumferential groove or slot 37 in the generally cylindrical body of the rotor 22 extends through each of the castellations 26. As the rotor 22 rotates, the fixed blade 20 slides within the moving slot 36. When the rotor has rotated sufficiently for the blade 20 to be in a position substantially between two adjacent castellations 26, the blade shields the holding space 24 between the castellations, which is also in line with the aperture 14. In this position the holding space 24 is also in line with the dispensing aperture 14, thus enabling a tablet held in the holding space to be dispensed.

A resilient pawl 34, integrally moulded with or attached to the base 16 of the container 12 indexes in one of the comers 36 on the underside of the hollow body of the rotor 22, and holds the rotor temporarily in the dispensing position described above. When the rotor 22 is rotated the indexed comer 36 - see Fig. 2a moves away from the pawl 34 which flexes accordingly. The back of the flat 27 on the inside of the hollow body of the rotor 22 and adjacent to the comer 36, moves along the pawl until the pawl indexes in the next comer 36 of the pentagonal body of the rotor. In this position, the next holding space 24 is positioned between the aperture 14 and blade 20. A tablet held in this next holding space 24 can then be dispensed through the aperture 14. The holding space 24 previously in this position has moved past the aperture 14 and blade 20 for receiving another tablet from the tablet guiding surface 32.

INVI380.UK 5 Turning now to the manner of creating rotational movement of the rotor, the preferred arTangement is illustrated in Fig. I where a cylindrical push button 40 actuates rotation of the rotor 22 relative to the container 12. The push button 40 has lugs 42 provided on its periphery which are received in axial grooves 44 in the side wall 13 of the container 12 at its open end 18. The push button 40 can be depressed into the container 12 and is returned to its rest position by the bias of a spring 46, which extends axially of the push button 40 into the drive shaft 28 of the rotor 22.

The side wall or skirt 48 of the push button 40 is provided with five partially overlapping spirally extending cam slots 50. These cam slots 50 engage five respective cam followers 54 provided on the periphery of a circular plate 52. An aperture 56 in the centre of the plate 52 locates over the end of the drive shaft 28 of the rotor through which the spring 46 also extends.

A set of five resilient pawls 58 are integral with, or attached to, the plate 52 around the periphery of the aperture 56. The tips of the pawls 58 extend into the aperture 56 and resiliently engage with axial slots 60 provided in the end of the drive shaft 28.

In use, when the push button 40 is depressed, the cam followers 54 are forced to rotate by the action of the spiral cam slots 50, thus causing the plate 52 to rotate anti-clockwise. The resilient pawls 58 and slots 60 are arranged to enable this rotation to be passed to the rotor, which indexes by one holding space as described above. When the push button 40 moves back along the cylindrical container 12 under the bias of the spring 46 to its rest position (as seen in Fig. 2), the plate is caused to rotate in the opposite direction i.e., clockwise.

However, this movement is not passed to the rotor, because in this second or return direction, the pawls 58 flex out of the slots 60 and move around the drive shaft 28. When the push button 40 reaches its rest position, the pawls 58 are relocated in respective slots 60, which are angularly off-set from the previously engaged slots.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 3, the drive shaft 28 of the rNV138O.UK 6 rotor 22 is attached directly to a rotatable cap 62. The side wall of the cap 62 is knurled at 64 to enable rotation of the cap by hand, as indicated by arrow B. The arrangement of the rotor 28, aperture 14, blade 20, and resilient pawl 34 are exactly the same as in the previous embodiment.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 4, the drive shaft 28 or rotor 22 is caused to rotate by means of a push button 66 which extends from the side of the container 12. The top 68 of the container 12 is either permanently sealed or is removable enabling refilling of the container. The push button 66 moves as indicated by arrow C and is returned to its rest position under the bias of a spring (not shown).

A yet further embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 5 to 7. The dispenser 10 shown in Figures 5 to 7 is similar to the dispenser 10 described above in relation to Figures I to 2a and the same reference numerals are used to indicate common features.

The dispenser 10 comprises a cylindrical container 12, a rotor 22 and a push button 40. In this embodiment the base 16 of the container is provided as part of a separate end closure 69 which is attached to the main body of the cylindrical container 12 during assembly of the dispenser.

The rotor 22, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 rather than having a solid castellation projecting outwardly from the junction of adjoining flats 27 is provided with two relatively thin projection members 26 which define the recess or holding spaces 24. However, the rotor 22 could be provided with solid castellations similar to those of the rotor 22 shown in Figures 1 to 2a A cam member 70 locates within the hollow body of the rotor and co-operates with the rotor and a with a spigot 71 projecting axially upwards from the base 16 to convert axial movement of the push button into rotary movement of the rotor.

INVI380.UK 7 The cam member 70 is made of plastics and has a main body 72 and an integral resilient spring portion 73 which extends axially between the main body 72 and the base 16 of the container. The main body 72 has a central recess 74 having cam surfaces that co-operate with spiral or fluted cam surfaces 75 on the spigot.

The push button 40 is held captive in the cylindrical container 12 by means of a Range 83 on the end of the container but is able to move axially within the container. The button 40 has a stem 76 which extends axially towards the rotor and which passes through a central opening 77 in the rotor to engage an end 78 of the cam member 70. When the button is depressed, the stem 76 contacts the end 78 of the cam member and pushes 10 the main body 72 down over the spigot compressing the spring portion 73. As the main body 72 moves down the spigot 71, the co-operating cam surfaces on the spigot 71 and the main body 72 cause the main body portion to rotate in a first direction of rotation, anti-clockwise as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The rotary movement of the main body 72 is transmitted to the rotor by a resilient ratchet arm 15 79 which extends from the main body 72 to engage one of a series of wedge shaped cams 80 formed internally of the rotor. Each cam 80 has a relatively shallow face 81 and a relatively steep face 82. The ratchet arm 79 engages with the relatively steep face 82 of one of the cams 80 when it rotates in the first, anti-clockwise, direction to rotate the rotor as the button is depressed. 20 When the button is released, the resilience of the spring portion 73 biases the main body 72 and the button 40 back in the opposite direction. As the main body 72 moves back up the spigot 7 1, it is caused to rotate in the opposite direction, clockwise as shown in the Figures. However, this movement is not transmitted to the rotor because the ratchet arm 79 disconnects from the steep face 82 of the cam 80 with which it was engaged. As the button 25 40 and the main body 72 are returned to their starting or rest positions, the ratchet arm 79 flexes over the relatively shallow face 81 of an adjacent cam 80 to engage the steep face 82 of that cam 80 so that a ftirther depression of the button will again rotate the rotor in the anti- INVI38O.UK 8 clockwise direction.

The rotor 22 may be held captive in the end closure member 69 by means of a ridge, (not shown) formed in the side wall of the end closure which engages in the slot 37 in the rotor. Thus the end closure 69, rotor 22, and cam member 70 can be manufactured as a sub5 assembly for later assembly with the container 12.

A Rirther ratchet means in the form of a wedged shaped ramp or detent 84 is provided on one face of the shield 20. The ramp 84 engages a radially extending surface of one of the castellations or projections 26 as it passes over the shield to prevent the rotor from being rotated back in the opposite direction, clockwise as shown.

In other variations of the invention, the rotor 22 can have any convenient number of recesses 24 or castellations 26, for example 3, 6 or 8. The holding spaces or recesses 24 between the castellations 26 can be dimensioned to receive more than one tablet. The blade 20 need not run in a slot, but can simply cover the upper sides of the castellations.

In one actuation of the push button 40, or other actuating mechanism, the rotor 22 can be indexed more than once thereby dispensing more than one tablet.

The dispenser of the invention has been designed primarily for dispensing sweets, typically small mints. In this application one mint at a time is dispensed and the dispenser would be a tluow away item to be discarded when the dispenser contents had been eaten.

Alternatively, in other applications such as the dispensing of pharmaceutical tablets, it may be desirable to recharge the dispenser once emptied. Further, two or more tablets could be dispensed upon each depression of the button 40. If desired, means could be included to adjust the number of tablets dispensed at any one time.

Additionally, the dispenser could be colour-coded so that, for example, a red dispenser would dispense one tablet, a blue dispenser two tablets and so on.

INVI38O.UK 9

Claims

1. A dispenser for tablets or the like, the dispenser comprising a rotor mounted for rotation in a container, the rotor having a plurality of recesses forming holding spaces between the rotor and the container for holding at least one tablet or the like to be dispensed, actuation means enabling rotation of the rotor from a position in which one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with a dispensing aperture in the container, to a position in which a Rirther one of the holding spaces is substantially aligned with the aperture, and a shield for preventing a tablet or the like held in the container from entering a holding space when it is in substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim I in which the rotor has a guide surface for guiding at least one tablet or the like held in the container into each of the holding spaces which are not in substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the container is cylindrical having an open end and a closed end, the rotor being mounted adjacent the closed end.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 in which the closed end is provided as part of a separate closure member attached to a main container body.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 in which the dispensing aperture is provided in the closed end of the cylinder adjacent the cylindrical side wall.

6. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the actuation means comprises a resiliently biased push button operatively connected to the rotor such that depression of the button rotates the rotor in a first direction of rotation.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 in which the push button is operatively connected R-,TV1380.UK 10 to the rotor via a ratchet mechanism so that repeated depression of the button moves the rotor sequentially in a first direction of rotation to bring successive holding spaces into substantial alignment with the dispensing aperture..

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the push button is constrained for movement axially relative to the container, cam means being provided to convert axial movement of the push button into rotary movement of the rotor.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 3, in which the push button is mounted in the open end of the container.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, in which the cam means comprises a cam plate having a plurality of cam followers which engage in corresponding spiral slots formed in a side wall of the button such that the cam plate is caused to rotate relative to the container in the first direction of rotation when the button is depressed and is caused to rotate in the opposite direction of rotation when the button is subsequently released.

11 A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, in which a drive shaft extends axially from the rotor toward the push button passing through an opening in the cam plate, the cam plate having a number of resilient pawls which engage in corresponding slots in the drive shaft, the arrangement being such that rotational movement of the cam plate in the first direction of rotation when the button is depressed is transferred to the drive shaft, and hence to the rotor, by the pawls, the pawls disengaging from the slots in which they are engaged when the cam plate rotates in the opposite direction of rotation as the button is released and re-engaging in farther respective slots in the drive shaft which are angularly off-set from the previously engaged slots when the button reaches a rest position.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 11, in which the push button is axially biased toward the rest position by a spring means operative between the button and the drive shaft.

INVI380.UK 11

13. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in which the rotor has a hollow body and the cam means comprises a cam member arranged inside the hollow body of the rotor, the cam member having a central recess which receives a spigot extending axially away from the closed end of the container, the central recess of the cam member having cam surfaces which co-operate with corresponding cam surfaces on the spigot the button having a stem which passes through an opening in the rotor to contact the cam member, the arrangement being such that depression of the button moves the cam member over the spigot towards the closed end, during which movement the co-operating cam surfaces cause the cam member to rotate in the first direction, on release of the button, the cam member is biased to move over the spigot away from the closed end and is caused to rotate in the opposite direction by the co operating cam surfaces.

14. A dispenser as claimed in claim 13 in which the cam member has a ratchet arm projecting therefrom for engagement with a cam surface on the rotor to rotate the rotor in the first direction when the cam member rotates in the first direction as a result of the button being depressed, the ratchet arm disengaging from the cam surface when the cam member rotates in the opposite direction of rotation as the button is released, the ratchet arm engaging a further cam surface angularly displaced from the previously engaged cam surface when the cam member reaches a rest position.

15. A dispenser as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 in which the cam member is biased away from the closed end of the container by a spring means.

16. A dispenser as claimed in claim 15 in which the cam member is made of plastics and the spring means is formed integrally with the cam member.

17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7in which the push button is mounted for movement substantially tangentially to a circle drawn about the axis of rotation of the rotor.

1MV1380.UK 12

18. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the actuation means comprises a rotatable cap operatively connected to the rotor.

19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18 when dependent on claim 3, in which the cap is mounted in the open end of the container and is connected to the rotor via a drive shaft.

A dispenser as claimed in any previous claim in which the rotor is constrained to rotate in a first direction of rotation only.

21. A dispenser as claimed in claim 20 in a which a flexible pawl is provided on the container for engagement with the rotor, the pawl allowing the rotor to rotate only in a first direction of rotation relative to the container.

22. A dispenser as claimed in claim 21 when dependent on claim 3 in which the pawl is provided on the closed end of the container.

23. A dispenser as claimed in claim 20 in which a detent is provided on the shield, the detent contacting a surface on the rotor to prevent the rotor from rotating in a direction of rotation opposite from the first direction.

24. A dispenser as claimed any previous claim when dependent on claim 3, in which the rotor comprises a generally pentagonal body having five castellations extending radially outwardly from the body, each castellation being provided substantially at the junction between adjacent flats of the body.

25. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24 in which the radially outer surface of the castellations is curved to correspond with the curved surface of the container.

26. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures I to 2a, or Figure 3 or Figure 4, or Figures 5 to 7resutls pushes the cam INVI380.UK 13 member of the accompanying drawings.