JP2009519871A - Pediatric safety dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

  The dispenser (10) includes a container (12) and a dispensing cap (14) attached to the open end (30) of the container (12). The dispensing cap (14) includes a base portion (40) that defines a compartment (74) for receiving some items from the container (12) and a rotating portion (42) that includes a discharge fin (92). . The rotating part (42) rotates so that the discharge fin (92) can contact some items in the compartment (74) so that some items can be dispensed through the open end of the compartment (74). can do.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 60 / 751,080, filed Dec. 16, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  The present invention relates generally to dispensers, and more particularly to a bulk-fill dispenser that includes a pediatric safety mechanism.

  Bulk filling dispensers are a convenient packaging form for many applications. For example, bulk filling dispensers are useful for dispensing candy, mint, gumball, and other bulk filling items. The bulk-fill dispenser is also useful for users who are filled with prescription drugs because the dispenser is refillable and reusable.

  However, in dispensing applications involving pills, tablets and other medications, the use of a bulk-fill dispenser presents a problem in that the child can easily access the items stored in the dispenser. Therefore, in such dispensing applications, it is desirable to have a bulk-fill dispenser that includes a pediatric safety mechanism.

  Another problem with a bulk-fill dispenser, for example in prescription drug applications, is that the bulk-fill dispenser is not configured to deliver a single dose. Rather, the user is required to pour out some items stored therein and return the excess amount to the container. It is therefore desirable to have a bulk-fill dispenser that dispenses a single dose.

  There is a need for a bulk-fill dispenser that is easy to operate, includes a pediatric safety mechanism, and is configured to dispense a dose.

  Various embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a dispenser that includes an improved dispensing cap. This improved dispensing cap is received within and attached to the open end of the container of bulk-filled items. The dispensing cap includes a metering compartment configured to receive a single item or a few items from the bulk filler container of the dispenser. The dispensing cap also includes a moving or rotating part with attached fin or wedge elements. The fins can be inserted into the weighing compartment to contact some items, isolate and distribute the items. Furthermore, the fin prevents additional items from entering the weighing compartment.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the dispenser includes a dispensing cap that is secured to the open end of the container. The dispensing cap includes a base portion that defines a compartment or chamber in which one item or some items can be received from a container. The rotating part is pivotally attached to the base part. The rotating part is used to contact and isolate an item received in the compartment and to move the item toward or through the open end of the compartment. Including a discharge fin sized and positioned to be inserted into the

  The rotating part also includes a cover part. This cover portion is positioned to cover, close or close the open end of the compartment when the item is aligned within the passageway and pushed into the compartment. The cover portion is removed from the open end of the compartment when the rotating portion is turned to form an opening through which items in the compartment can pass and exit the compartment. Since the cover portion and the discharge fin are integral with the rotating portion, the discharge fin is inserted into the compartment in a single motion, the cover portion is removed from the open end of the compartment, and an item or some item is in the compartment. Distributed from.

  The exemplary dispenser includes a safety mechanism or structure that prevents the rotating portion from free rotation or otherwise fixes the position of the rotating portion. An exemplary safety mechanism is a cantilever that contacts the edge of the dispenser. In order to release this safety mechanism, the cantilever can be bent inward to displace it beyond the edge of the dispenser, after which the rotating part can rotate and the dispenser can operate.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the compartment is at least partially defined by a separation wall that is offset from the side wall of the container and extends between the front and rear walls of the container. This exemplary separation wall extends into the container so as to define a passageway that leads to or leads to the compartment. In alternative embodiments, such as when the bulk container has a wide shoulder or is a round bottle, the compartment can be defined at least in part by a plurality of separation walls. Further, as explained above, the slot is disposed in the separation wall so that the fin can be inserted through the slot and into the compartment.

  The foregoing has extensively outlined several aspects and features of the present invention which should be considered merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in different ways, or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects of the invention and a more comprehensive understanding thereof, in addition to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Can be obtained by reference.

  As a requirement, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that can be implemented in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “exemplary” is used to broadly refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, samples, prototypes or modalities. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features being exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and teachings for those skilled in the art to use the invention in various ways. Should be interpreted as a representative basis for.

  Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate some of the various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a bulk-fill dispenser. Generally described, the dispenser includes a bulk filling container and a dispensing cap. The dispensing cap is arranged to meter and dispense or discharge some contents of the dispenser when operated. The dispensing cap further includes a pediatric safety mechanism such that a combined set of operations is required to operate the dispensing cap and dispense the contents.

  1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser 10 includes an open container 12 and a dispensing cap 14 at one end. In the exemplary embodiment, the elements of dispenser 10 are arranged and configured to dispense tablets 16 one by one. This exemplary tablet 16 has a substantially oval shape. In alternative embodiments, the dispenser 10 is arranged and sized to dispense an item having a different size or shape than that of the exemplary tablet 16, or to dispense a plurality of tablets 16 or other items. Note that it can be scaled or dimensioned. For example, the dispenser 10 can be configured to dispense items such as round or spherical, elliptical, square, couplet-shaped, capsule-shaped, pill-shaped, combinations thereof.

  The exemplary container 12 includes a cylindrical structure defined by a front wall 20, a rear wall 22, and side walls 24, 26. One of the ends of the cylindrical structure is surrounded by the bottom wall 28, and the other of the ends is an open end 30 including the edge E1. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the sidewalls 24, 26 include an opening or recess 32 disposed proximate to the open end 30. The recess 32 is dimensioned and positioned to receive a detent to provide a means for securing as will be described in more detail below.

  The container 12 can be formed from any suitable material and by any suitable method. In the exemplary embodiment, the container 12 is formed from a transparent or translucent material so that the tablet 16 is visible to facilitate dispensing operations, as will be described in more detail below. However, in alternative embodiments, as an additional pediatric safety mechanism, the material from which the container 12 is formed may be opaque. Note that the container 12 can constrain the orientation of the contents of the dispenser 10 to assist in the dispensing operation. For example, the container 12 can be sized such that the tablet 16 remains in sliding contact with the front wall 20 and the rear wall 22.

  With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the dispensing cap 14 includes a base portion 40 and a rotating portion 42. Base portion 40 includes elements that define a passage through which tablet 16 may exit container 12. In addition, this base part functionally receives the rotating part 42. Base portion 40 includes a cylindrical structure defined by front wall 50, rear wall 52, and side walls 54, 56. The bottom end portion of the cylindrical structure portion of the base portion 40 includes an opening 57 and a bottom wall 58 that partially surrounds the bottom end portion of the cylindrical structure portion. The top end portion of the cylindrical structure portion is an open end portion 60 defined by the edge portion E3.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is dimensioned such that the lower portion 62 can be received within the open end 30 of the container 12. The upper portion 64 of the base portion 40 is defined by the lower portion 62 and the upper portion 64 so that the outer surface of the upper portion 64 is offset outwardly from the outer surface of the lower portion 62 and the edge E2 is offset. Dimensioned to be achieved. A lower portion 62 of the side walls 54, 56 is received in the recess 32 of the container 12 and is dimensioned and positioned to engage the recess 32, as will be described in more detail below. including.

  The base portion 40 is disposed between and substantially parallel to the side walls 54, 56 so that it can extend longitudinally through the tubular structure of the base portion 40. A separation wall 70 is further included. The separation wall 70 extends between the front wall 50 and the rear wall 52 and substantially perpendicular to the front wall 50 and the rear wall 52. The lower end of the separation wall 70 extends from the bottom wall 58. Separation wall 70 defines a boundary between bottom wall 58 and opening 57. In alternative embodiments, such as a container 12 having an offset or wide shoulder at the open end 30 or having a circular cross section, the base portion 40 may include a plurality of separation walls 70.

  The size of the opening 57 and the position of the separation wall 70 including the distance at which the separation wall 70 is offset from the side wall 58 are decisions in the design based at least in part on the dimensions and shape of the tablet 16. The portion of the separation wall 70 extending in the cylindrical structure portion of the base portion 40 partitions the space inside the cylindrical structure portion into a measuring chamber or compartment 74 and a rotation space 76. The illustrated weighing compartment 74 is at least partially defined by a separation wall 70, a side wall 54, a portion of the front and rear walls 50, 52, an opening 57, and an opening end 59. The illustrated rotating space 76 is at least partially defined by the separation wall 70, the bottom wall 58, the side wall 56 and portions of the front wall 50 and the rear wall 52.

  Base portion 40 further includes an element that receives and rotationally engages rotating portion 42. Front wall 50 and rear wall 52 are dimensioned and positioned to receive axial protrusions and align along the axis about which rotating portion 42 rotates, as will be described in more detail below. The opening 78 is included. The front wall 50 and the rear wall 52 further include a retaining opening 80 that is sized and positioned to receive a detent, as will be described in more detail below.

  A vertical slot 84 is disposed in the separation wall 70. Here, the vertical slot 84 extends from the upper end of the separation wall 70 to a second point below the bottom wall 58. A substantially horizontal slot 86 is disposed in the bottom wall 58. The horizontal slot 86 extends from the separation wall 70 toward the side wall 56. The horizontal slot 86 and the vertical slot 84 are substantially coplanar and intersect where the bottom wall 58 meets the separation wall 70.

  1-3, the rotating portion 42 includes a lever 90 that functions as a pivot lid and a wedge element or discharge fin 92 that extends from the bottom surface of the lever 90. The discharge fin 92 includes a first edge 94 and a second edge 96 that are designed to be operable, as described in more detail below. The lever 90 has an axial projection 98 dimensioned and positioned to be received in the opening 78 and a detent 100 dimensioned and positioned to be received in the holding opening 80. Including. The lever 90 can include a contact portion 110 and a cover portion 112 that function as described in more detail below. The lever 90 further includes a safety mechanism or structural element. An exemplary safety mechanism is a safety cantilever 114 defined by a notch 116, as described in more detail below.

  The dispenser 10 can be assembled according to the following non-limiting method. The dispensing cap 14 can be assembled when the rotating portion 42 is received within the open end 60 of the base portion 40. Specifically, axial projections 98 are received in the respective openings 78. Thereby, the rotating part 42 is pivotally connected to the base part 40. The dispensing cap 14 can be assembled with the container 12 when the lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is received within the open end 30 of the container 12. The lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is the container 12 until the edge E1 at the open end 30 of the container 12 contacts the edge E2 of the base portion 40 and the detent 68 is received in the opening 32. Is inserted into the open end 30 of the. The dispensing cap 14 is thereby secured to the container 12 to form the dispenser 10.

  Alternative embodiments include, but are not limited to, screw caps, ring tops, push tops, mechanical clasps, chemical bonds, glues or other adhesives, threaded ends, snaps Various means are contemplated for securing the dispensing cap 14 to the container 12, including fastening structures or structures, press fits, combinations thereof, and the like. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the dispensing cap can be integral with the container.

  Thereafter, the outer surface of the lower portion 62 of the walls 50, 52, 54, 56 of the base portion 40 is adjacent to or contacts the inner surface of the walls 20, 22, 24, 26 of the container 12, respectively. . In addition, the lower end of the separation wall 70 extends into the container 12 to define a passage in which the item is aligned before it is moved or pushed into the metering compartment 74.

  The discharge fins 92 are coplanar with the slots 84, 86 and can be rotated from the rotating space 76 into the metering compartment 74 or else inserted into the metering compartment 74. Extends from the bottom wall 58 of the base portion 40 to prevent the tablet 16 in the container 12 from contacting the second edge 70 of the discharge fin 92 when the discharge fin 92 is disposed in the horizontal slot 86. In order to be able to do so, it is possible to provide a guide G which is arranged close to where the slots 84, 86 are connected to each other.

  The cover portion 112 of the lever 90 provides a means for opening and closing the dispensing open end 59 of the metering compartment 74. Specifically, when the lever 90 is in the closed position, the cover portion 112 closes, closes or covers the dispensing opening end 59 of the metering compartment 74. When the lever 90 rotates, the cover part 112 is displaced so as to cover the dispensing opening end 59 of the weighing compartment 74.

  Referring to FIG. 1, when the dispensing cap 14 is in the closed position, the rotating portion 42 is releasably locked in place by a safety mechanism or structure. Specifically, the free end of the safety cantilever 114 is blocked or contacted by the edge E3 of the open end 60 and the cover portion 112 is blocked by the top edge of the separation wall 70. (Best shown in Figure 2). Accordingly, the rotating portion 42 is constrained or otherwise cannot rotate substantially with respect to the base portion 40. Further, in the closed position, the detents 100 releasably engage within the respective holding openings 80 to further secure the rotating portion 42. In the closed position, the discharge fin 92 is disposed in the rotation space 76 and the lever 90 covers the open end 60 of the base portion 40.

  In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser 10 is operable to weigh and dispense tablets 16 one by one. The dispenser starts with the dispensing cap 14 in the closed position and aligns the tablet 16 from the container 12 with a passage or chute defined at least partially by the lower end of the separation wall 70 extending into the container 12. 10 is rotated, actuated, directed or otherwise turned. The tablet 16 is pushed along this passage, passes through the opening 57 and enters the weighing compartment 74.

  The tablets 16 can then be dispensed by the dispenser 10 in a single pivoting motion after the safety mechanism is released or actuated. To release the safety mechanism, the safety cantilever 114 is bent inward. While the safety cantilever 114 is bent inward, the contact portion 110 is pushed into the rotating space 76 to dispense the tablet 16. The rotating portion 42 thereby axially aligns with the opening 78 so that the cover portion 112 rotates from the open end 60 of the base portion 26 to form an opening through which the tablet 16 can pass and exit the dispenser 10. It rotates about the axis defined by the protrusion 98. At the same time, the discharge fin 92 rotates through the slots 84, 86 and the first edge 94 of the discharge fin 92 contacts the tablet 16 and is inserted into the metering compartment 74 to isolate the tablet 16. Thereafter, the tablet 16 is dispensed from the metering compartment 74 through the opening. The second end 96 of the discharge fin 92 prevents additional tablets 16 from entering the metering compartment 74 so that only the tablets 16 in the metering compartment 74 are dispensed.

  In this exemplary embodiment, the rotating portion 42 is for inserting the wedge element or discharge fin 92 into the metering compartment 74 such that the leading edge 94 of the discharge fin 92 rotates into the metering compartment 74. Provides a means. In an alternative embodiment, the means for inserting the wedge element into the metering compartment can include a moving part such that the leading edge of the wedge element slides or moves into the metering compartment.

  In some embodiments, the tablet 16 must be oriented properly at the dispenser 10 before the tablet 16 is defined by the separation wall 70 or aligned within the passage through the opening 57. Note that this is not possible.

  Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. If the elements introduced and described above are present and are substantially similar to the elements present in this embodiment, the same element number will be prefixed with the prefix “2” or prefix “1” It has been used by replacing with “3”. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 212 is substantially similar to the container 212 shown in FIG. 6, and the safety cantilever 114 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially similar to the safety cantilever 314 shown in FIG. It is. Thus, although the elements shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-9 are introduced, only those features that underlie further discussion will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the dispenser 210 is illustrated. The dispenser 210 includes a container 212 for holding a plurality of pills 216 and a dispensing cap 214 attached to the open end 230 of the container 212. Generally described, this dispensing cap 214 functions to dispense pills 216 in a single dose manner.

  The illustrated container 212 has a substantially cylindrical shape, although the shape of the container 212 is merely a design decision as described above. The dispensing cap 214 can be attached to the container 212 by a snap-on structure, threaded end, press fit, or other means for attachment as described above.

  With reference to FIGS. 6-9, the dispensing cap 214 includes a base portion 240, a rotating portion 242, and an indexing ring 244. Base portion 240 has a bottom wall 258 that prevents pills 216 from exiting open end 230 of container 212, and a bottom wall 258 through which articles can enter a chamber, groove, throat, or compartment 274. And an opening 257. Base portion 240 is configured to receive rotating portion 242 within open end 260. A slot 286 is disposed in the wall of the bottom wall 258 and / or the compartment 274. Base portion 240 further includes an opening or recess 278 that receives a detent or protrusion.

  The rotating portion 242 includes a lever 290 and an axial projection 298 that is received and pivotally secured in the recess 278 so that the lever can pivot about an axis defined by the axial projection 298. including. The lever 290 includes a cover portion 312 that covers the outer open end 259 of the compartment 274 or otherwise covers the open end 260 of the base portion 240 when the rotating portion 242 is rotated to the closed position. The lever 290 further includes a contact portion 310 that is pressed to rotate the rotating portion 242 to the open position, thereby removing the cover portion 312 from covering the outer open end 259 of the compartment 274. The rotating portion 242 further includes a discharge fin or wedge element 292 that extends from the lever 290. The wedge element 292 is sized and positioned to be received in the slot 286 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position and to be inserted into the compartment 274 when the rotating portion 242 is in the open position. Is done. Wedge element 292 has a first edge 294 that contacts and isolates one or more pills 216 when wedge element 292 is inserted into compartment 274, and wedge element 292 is inserted into compartment 274. A second edge 296 that prevents other pills 216 from entering the compartment 274 when otherwise done, or otherwise occludes the opening 257.

  Base portion 240 is further configured to slidably receive indexing ring 244. An indexing ring 244 slides on the outside of the cylindrical side wall 266 of the base portion 240. The dispensing cap 214 includes means for positioning the indexing ring 244 relative to the base portion 240. In the exemplary embodiment, the positioning means includes a rib 267 extending outwardly from the cylindrical side wall 266 and a recess 269 disposed in the inner surface of the indexing ring 244 that slidably contacts the cylindrical side wall 266. ,including. The rib 267 and the recess 269 are releasably engaged with each other so that the indexing ring 244 can be positioned in various positions relative to the base portion 240, as described in more detail below. Dimensioned and positioned.

  The dispensing cap 214 further includes means for releasably securing the position of the indexing ring 244. In the exemplary embodiment, indexing ring 244 includes indentations 272 that are spaced around the periphery of the outer surface of indexing ring 244. This indentation 272 corresponds to or at least partially defines the position of the indexing ring 244. The rotating portion 242 extends downward from the distal end of the lever 290 adjacent to the cover portion 312 and is a protective or locking structure that is dimensioned and positioned to be received in the recess 272 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position. Part 282. When the locking structure 282 is aligned and received in one of the recesses 272, the position of the indexing ring 244 is fixed.

  The dispensing cap 214 further includes means for releasably securing the position of the rotating portion 242 in the closed position. Lever 290 includes a safety cantilever 314 disposed adjacent to contact portion 310. A rib or detent 315 extends from the distal end of the safety cantilever 314 so that it can contact the edge or surface of the base portion 240 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position. Thereby, the safety cantilever 314 prevents movement of the rotating part 242 toward the open position, or otherwise fixes the position of the rotating part 242.

  It should be understood that the means for fixing the position of the rotating part is not limited to a safety cantilever or a safety cantilever arrangement. For example, the safety cantilever is an element of the base portion and can extend to contact the rotating portion.

  An exemplary method for dispensing pills 216 from dispenser 210 will now be described. The dispenser 210 is oriented or rotated to align, guide, advance and / or push the pill 216 into the compartment 274. Means for alignment may include a structure defining a passage or chute leading into the compartment 274, or a pill 216 that is not properly oriented or not aligned, as described above. It may include the shape or dimensions of the compartment 274 itself such that it is impeded. After the pill 216 is received in the compartment 274, the means for fixing the position of the rotating part 242 is opened. Specifically, the safety cantilever 314 is bent inward so that the detent 315 is displaced from the edge or surface of the base portion 240. Thereafter, the rotating portion 242 is pivoted to the open position, whereby the wedge element 292 is inserted into the compartment 274 to contact and isolate the pill 216 and the cover portion 312 is rotated from the open end 259 of the compartment 274. By doing so, an opening is formed through which pill 216 can be dispensed from compartment 274 and force can be applied to contact portion 310 of lever 290 such that pill 216 is dispensed from compartment 274. In this exemplary embodiment, the inserting, opening, and dispensing steps are completed with a single pivoting motion. Further, when the wedge element 292 is inserted into the compartment 274, the wedge element 292 provides a means to prevent or prevent the pill 216 in the container 212 from moving into the compartment 274.

  When the rotating portion 242 is in the open position, the protective or locking structure 282 is recessed in the indexing ring 244 so that the indexing ring 244 can be alternately positioned to indicate, for example, that the pill 216 has been dispensed. Removed from 272 or displaced. Thus, each location can be labeled to help the user follow a defined schedule for dispensing pills 216. For example, when pill 216 is being dispensed against the location labeled “Tuesday”, the user may indicate that the next time to dispense pill 216 is “Wednesday”. The tapping ring 244 can be rotated or clicked to another position labeled “Wednesday”.

  It is not required by law to present and teach all possible embodiments of the claims and is economically very expensive. Thus, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser in a closed position according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in an open position. FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the dispenser of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a dispensing cap base of the dispenser of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distribution cap base of FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the dispensing cap of the dispenser of FIG. FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the distribution cap of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the distribution cap of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Dispenser
12 containers
14 Dispensing cap
16 tablets
20 Front wall
22 Rear wall
24, 26 side wall
28 Bottom wall
30 Open end
32 Recess, opening
40 Base part
42 Rotating part
50 Front wall
52 Rear wall
54, 56 Side wall
57 opening
58 Bottom wall
59 Open end
60 Open end
62 Lower part
64 Upper part
68 Detent
70 Separation wall
74 compartments
76 Rotating space
78 Opening, recess
80 Retention opening
84 Vertical slot
86 horizontal slots
90 lever
92 Wedge element, discharge fin
94 First edge
96 Second edge
98 Axial protrusion
100 Detent
110 Contact area
112 Cover part
114 safety cantilever
116 Notch
210 dispenser
212 containers
214 dispensing cap
216 pills
230 Open end
240 base part
242 rotating parts
244 Indexing ring
257 opening
258 Bottom wall
259 Outside opening edge
260 Open end
266 Cylindrical sidewall
267 Ribs
269 recess
272 Recess
274 compartment
278 Opening, recess
282 Protection structure and lock structure
286 slots
290 lever
292 Release fin, wedge element
294 1st edge
296 Second edge
298 Axial protrusion
310 Contact area
312 Cover part
314 Safety cantilever
315 Ribs, detents
E1 edge
E2 edge
E3 edge
G Guide 10

Claims (21)

A container (12);
A compartment (74) comprising a first open end close to the container (12) and a second open end close to the open end (59) of the dispenser (10) A compartment (74) configured to receive items from said container (12);
A rotating part (42) including a wedge element (92);
In a dispenser (10) with
The rotating portion (42) positions the wedge element (92) to be stored outside the compartment (74) and inserts the wedge element (92) into the compartment (74). A dispenser (10) that is operable as follows. The rotating part (42) further comprises a cover (112);
The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion (42) is operable to position the cover (112) to open and close the second end of the compartment (74). Ten).   The dispenser (10) of claim 1, further comprising means for releasably securing the position of the rotating portion (42).   The passage between the container (12) and the compartment (74) is at least partially defined by a separation wall (70) extending into the container (12). Dispenser (10).   The dispenser (10) of claim 4, wherein an item is aligned along the passage defined by the separation wall (70) before entering the compartment (74).   The wedge element (92) further comprises a first edge (94) and a second edge (96), the wedge element (92) being positionable in the compartment (74), The first edge (94) functions to discharge some items from the compartment (74) through the second open end, and the second edge (96) functions. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein an item is prevented from exiting the container (12).   The dispenser (210) of claim 1, further comprising an indexing ring (244) slidably engaged with the dispenser (210).   The dispenser (210) of claim 7, further comprising means for fixing the position of the indexing ring (244).   Means for fixing the position of the indexing ring (244) include at least one indentation (272) formed in the indexing ring (244) and a locking structure extending from the rotating portion (242). The dispenser (210) of claim 8, wherein the locking structure (282) can be lockably received within the at least one indentation (272). Aligning the first tablet (16) within the passageway;
Pushing the first tablet (16) into the compartment (74) along the passageway;
Inserting a wedge element (92) into the compartment (74) to isolate the first tablet (16);
Opening the cover (112) of the dispenser (10);
Dispensing the first tablet (16) from the compartment (74), the method for dispensing articles from an article dispenser (10).   The method of claim 10, further comprising releasing the safety mechanism (114).   The method of claim 10, further comprising preventing a second tablet (16) from exiting the container (12).   Closing the cover (112) of the dispenser (10), removing the wedge element (92) from the compartment (74), and placing the second tablet (16) in the compartment (74). 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of pushing.   11. The method of claim 10, wherein the inserting, opening, and dispensing steps are completed with a single pivoting motion.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the removing and closing steps are completed with a single pivoting motion.   11. The method of claim 10, further comprising rotating the indexing ring from a first position to a second position. A container (12);
A compartment (74) comprising a first open end close to the container (12) and a second open end close to the open end (59) of the dispenser (10) A compartment (74) configured to receive items from said container (12);
A wedge element (92);
Means for positioning the wedge element (92), the wedge element (92) being positionable outside the compartment (74), and the first opening of the compartment (74); Means proximate to an end and positionable to be inserted into the compartment (74);
A cover (112);
Means for positioning the cover (112) to open and close the second open end of the compartment (74);
A dispenser (10) comprising:   The dispenser (10) of claim 17, further comprising means for releasably securing the position of the wedge element (92) and means for releasably securing the position of the cover (112). ).   The dispenser (10) of claim 17, wherein the compartment (74) defines a substantially straight path between the first open end and the second open end. .   The dispenser (10) of claim 17, wherein the second open end of the compartment (74) is the open end (59) of the dispenser (10).   21. A dispenser (10) according to claim 20, wherein the cover (112) can be lifted from a front open end (59) of the dispenser (10).

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