WO1997028066A1 - Device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container - Google Patents

Device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997028066A1
WO1997028066A1 PCT/SE1996/001564 SE9601564W WO9728066A1 WO 1997028066 A1 WO1997028066 A1 WO 1997028066A1 SE 9601564 W SE9601564 W SE 9601564W WO 9728066 A1 WO9728066 A1 WO 9728066A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
container
opening
blades
inwardly directed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1996/001564
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Erik Rönlev
Original Assignee
Duma International Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Duma International Ab filed Critical Duma International Ab
Priority to AU10465/97A priority Critical patent/AU1046597A/en
Publication of WO1997028066A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997028066A1/en

Links

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
    • 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
    • B65D2583/049—One rotational action of a cylindrical, disc-like or sphere-like element around its own axis, e.g. step-by-step, reciprocating

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to these problems. According to the invention this is achieve by a body which is symmetric about a vertical axis being arranged rotatably within a cylindrical element coaxial with its axis of rotation. A plurality of blades are arranged on the body. The blades are arranged in a ring around the base of the body. The space between the blades is equally large around the whole ring. The size of the spaces is such as to permit passage of only one pill at a time from the interior of the container. The ring of blades communicates with the exterior of the container through an opening in the cylindrical element.
  • At least one blocking means is arranged along the element, in order to engage in at least one of the blades to fix the rotary position of the body.
  • the blocking force is overcome by means of a slight torque.
  • Above the opening in the cylindrical element is an inwardly directed projection which guides the pills out through the opening and prevents more than one pill being fed out on each occasion.
  • the pills are dispensed by falling down between the blades from the interior of the container.
  • the pill When the body is turned in either direction of rotation the pill is fed to the opening in the cylindrical element at the base of the body close to the blades.
  • a certain torque is necessary for the blades to pass at least one blocking means.
  • the blocking means When the blade passes the blocking means a sound is emitted, indicating that the body symmetric about its axis of rotation has been moved to a new position.
  • the blocking means also has the function of preventing the body from rotating past the opening, which might result in several pills spilling out of the container in uncontrolled manner.
  • a body symmetric about its axis of rotation is arranged movably inside a container.
  • the body is held in position inside an annular flange which is not closed, but has an opening.
  • the body symmetric about its axis of rotation is arranged in a cylindrical insert.
  • the cylindrical insert is provided with a cylindrical, inwardly directed element arranged at one end.
  • the cylindrical element has an opening that communicates with the body symmetric about its axis of rotation to feed out one pill at a time.
  • a projection is arranged at the opening so that only one pill at a time shall be guided out through the opening.
  • An outwardly directed cylindrical element may be arranged at the other end of the cylinder.
  • Figure 1 shows in perspective part of a preferred embodiment of the invention, this part being the body symmetric about its axis of rotation,
  • Figure 2 shows partially in longitudinal section through a container, the body symmetric about its axis of rotation arranged in the neck thereof.
  • Figure 3 shows partially in longitudinal section a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a part of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a cylindrical element which element secures the body symmetric about its axis of rotation inside the container.
  • Figure 5 shows the annular flange with opening, seen from outside the container
  • the device according to the invention comprises a rotatable part consisting of a body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, see Figure 1.
  • a ring of blades 2 is arranged on the body.
  • the blades 2 are arranged a specific distance from each other, the distance corresponding at least to the length of the pills to be dispensed from the container.
  • the rotatable body may be arranged either directly in the container or via a cylindrical element 7, see Figure 4. When the body 1 is rotatably arranged in the cylindrical element 7, these two elements form an insert in the container, see Figure 3.
  • Figure 2 shows how the body 1 is rotatably arranged in the neck of the container 3 with no extra insert element.
  • An inwardly directed flange 4a is arranged in the mouth of the container, the function of which is to keep the body 1 in place in the neck of the container.
  • the flange 4a is not completely annular and an opening 5a is therefore formed, see Figure 5, which communicates with the interior of the container to feed out pills via the blades 2.
  • the pills in the container fall down into the space formed between the wall of the container neck and the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation in the space between the blades 2, to be subsequently fed out one by one through the opening 5a with the aid of the blades 2 when the body is turned.
  • a projecting member 6a is arranged inside the ring of blades 2, immediately opposite the opening 5a in peripheral direction, see Figure 2, to prevent more than one pill at a time being fed out.
  • the projecting member 6a is shaped as a lid and has substantially the same size as the spaces mentioned above.
  • Blocking means (not shown) are arranged on the inner side of the flange 4a which provide resistance to rotation of the body 1. These blocking means are of the same type as the blocking means described in connection with the embodiment in Figures 3 and 4.
  • a cylindrical element 7, see Figure 4 is placed as an insert inside the container, together with a body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, see Figure 3.
  • One end of the cylindrical element comprises an inwardly directed flange 4b which holds the body 1 rotatably in place and is in the mouth of the container when the insert is in place.
  • At least one blocking means 8 is arranged on the flange 4b.
  • the blocking means 8 has preferably two functions, partly to block rotation and also to produce a sound upon passage past the blocking member 8 when the blocking force has been overcome when torque is applied on the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation.
  • the flange 4b has an opening 5b for dispensing pills.
  • the cylindrical element 7 is arranged inside the container.
  • the other end 9 of the element 7 is inserted into the container and, together with the side of the cylinder, secures the insert in the neck of said container.
  • Figure 3 shows the insert, comprising the cylindrical element 7 and the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, in place in the neck of the container 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser for individually dispensing pills or tablets. The device comprises a body which is symmetric about a vertical axis and arranged rotatably within a cylindrical element coaxial with its axis of rotation located in a container. A plurality of blades are arranged in a ring around the base of the body symmetric about a vertical axis.

Description

DEVICE FOR INDIVIDUALLY DISPENSING PILLS OR TABLETS FROM A CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container.
In hospitals and medical care establishments the staff must dispense pharmaceuticals to patients. Each patient shall have several different types of medicine and each ward has several patients with different requirements. The need for containers designed to distribute tablets and pills in a simple manner increases with the number of patients.
Most types of containers for medicine on the market today lack dispensing means, entailing constant physical handling of the medicines. This means that the staff at medical care establishments are obliged to dispense the pills as best they can, and are constantly in skin contact with various preparations.
The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to these problems. According to the invention this is achieve by a body which is symmetric about a vertical axis being arranged rotatably within a cylindrical element coaxial with its axis of rotation. A plurality of blades are arranged on the body. The blades are arranged in a ring around the base of the body. The space between the blades is equally large around the whole ring. The size of the spaces is such as to permit passage of only one pill at a time from the interior of the container. The ring of blades communicates with the exterior of the container through an opening in the cylindrical element.
At least one blocking means is arranged along the element, in order to engage in at least one of the blades to fix the rotary position of the body. The blocking force is overcome by means of a slight torque. Above the opening in the cylindrical element is an inwardly directed projection which guides the pills out through the opening and prevents more than one pill being fed out on each occasion. Description of the invention:
The pills are dispensed by falling down between the blades from the interior of the container. When the body is turned in either direction of rotation the pill is fed to the opening in the cylindrical element at the base of the body close to the blades. A certain torque is necessary for the blades to pass at least one blocking means. When the blade passes the blocking means a sound is emitted, indicating that the body symmetric about its axis of rotation has been moved to a new position. The blocking means also has the function of preventing the body from rotating past the opening, which might result in several pills spilling out of the container in uncontrolled manner.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a body symmetric about its axis of rotation is arranged movably inside a container. The body is held in position inside an annular flange which is not closed, but has an opening.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the body symmetric about its axis of rotation is arranged in a cylindrical insert. The cylindrical insert is provided with a cylindrical, inwardly directed element arranged at one end. The cylindrical element has an opening that communicates with the body symmetric about its axis of rotation to feed out one pill at a time. A projection is arranged at the opening so that only one pill at a time shall be guided out through the opening. An outwardly directed cylindrical element may be arranged at the other end of the cylinder.
The above and other preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
Detailed description of the invention:
The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows in perspective part of a preferred embodiment of the invention, this part being the body symmetric about its axis of rotation,
Figure 2 shows partially in longitudinal section through a container, the body symmetric about its axis of rotation arranged in the neck thereof.
Figure 3 shows partially in longitudinal section a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a part of the second preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a cylindrical element which element secures the body symmetric about its axis of rotation inside the container.
Figure 5 shows the annular flange with opening, seen from outside the container
The device according to the invention comprises a rotatable part consisting of a body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, see Figure 1. A ring of blades 2 is arranged on the body. The blades 2 are arranged a specific distance from each other, the distance corresponding at least to the length of the pills to be dispensed from the container. The rotatable body may be arranged either directly in the container or via a cylindrical element 7, see Figure 4. When the body 1 is rotatably arranged in the cylindrical element 7, these two elements form an insert in the container, see Figure 3.
Figure 2 shows how the body 1 is rotatably arranged in the neck of the container 3 with no extra insert element. An inwardly directed flange 4a is arranged in the mouth of the container, the function of which is to keep the body 1 in place in the neck of the container. The flange 4a is not completely annular and an opening 5a is therefore formed, see Figure 5, which communicates with the interior of the container to feed out pills via the blades 2. When the container is held with the mouth directed downwards, the pills in the container fall down into the space formed between the wall of the container neck and the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation in the space between the blades 2, to be subsequently fed out one by one through the opening 5a with the aid of the blades 2 when the body is turned. A projecting member 6a is arranged inside the ring of blades 2, immediately opposite the opening 5a in peripheral direction, see Figure 2, to prevent more than one pill at a time being fed out. The projecting member 6a is shaped as a lid and has substantially the same size as the spaces mentioned above. Blocking means (not shown) are arranged on the inner side of the flange 4a which provide resistance to rotation of the body 1. These blocking means are of the same type as the blocking means described in connection with the embodiment in Figures 3 and 4.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention a cylindrical element 7, see Figure 4, is placed as an insert inside the container, together with a body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, see Figure 3. One end of the cylindrical element comprises an inwardly directed flange 4b which holds the body 1 rotatably in place and is in the mouth of the container when the insert is in place. At least one blocking means 8 is arranged on the flange 4b. The blocking means 8 has preferably two functions, partly to block rotation and also to produce a sound upon passage past the blocking member 8 when the blocking force has been overcome when torque is applied on the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation. The flange 4b has an opening 5b for dispensing pills. Inside the opening is an inwardly directly projection 6b to prevent more than one pill being fed out on each occasion. The cylindrical element 7 is arranged inside the container. The other end 9 of the element 7 is inserted into the container and, together with the side of the cylinder, secures the insert in the neck of said container.
Figure 3 shows the insert, comprising the cylindrical element 7 and the body 1 symmetric about its axis of rotation, in place in the neck of the container 3.

Claims

CLA IM S
1. A device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container, said device being situated inside the container, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the device comprises a body which is symmetric about a vertical axis and arranged rotatably within a cylindrical element coaxial with its axis of rotation,
- which body is provided on its surface symmetric about a vertical axis with a ring of equally spaced blades, the spaces communicating with the interior of the container and having a size suited to permit passage of only one pill at a time,
- which element is provided with an opening, an inwardly directed projection and blocking means, said opening facing said ring, communicating with the exterior of the container and having a size suited to permit passage of only one pill at a time, which projection is arranged close to an axial end of said opening and which blocking means are arranged to engage in at least one of said blades to fix the rotary position of the body in relation to the element with a blocking force that is overcome by means of a relatively slight torque.
2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is integrated with the actual container.
3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said element is a separate insert in the container.
4. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein said blocking means comprises an inwardly directed member on the inner side of the element, arranged axially level with the blades, said inwardly directed member having a smallest distance to the axis of rotation that is somewhat less than the outer radius of the blades.
5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein said inwardly directed member is provided with a radial slit having a depth exceeding the difference between said distance and said radius.
6. A dispenser as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5 wherein at least one of said members and said ring of blades is flexible.
7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein either said member or said ring of blades is made of plastic.
8. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1-7, wherein said opening extends to one end of the element.
9. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1-8, wherein said element is provided with an inwardly directed flange situated axially at the other end of the opening from the end at which said project is arranged.
10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein said flange is situated at one end of the element.
11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein said opening extends to one end of the element and said flange has a break situated at said opening.
12. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein said element is provided with an inwardly directed flange situated axially at the other end of the opening from the end where said projection is arranged, said blocking means comprising at least one projection arranged axially on the flange.
PCT/SE1996/001564 1996-01-29 1996-11-28 Device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container WO1997028066A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10465/97A AU1046597A (en) 1996-01-29 1996-11-28 Device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9600309-0 1996-01-29
SE9600309A SE9600309L (en) 1996-01-29 1996-01-29 Dispensing device for piecewise dispensing of tablets from a container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997028066A1 true WO1997028066A1 (en) 1997-08-07

Family

ID=20401179

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1996/001564 WO1997028066A1 (en) 1996-01-29 1996-11-28 Device for individually dispensing pills or tablets from a container

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1046597A (en)
SE (1) SE9600309L (en)
WO (1) WO1997028066A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10004664B2 (en) 2016-01-28 2018-06-26 Sympill, Llc Pill dispenser
US10870091B2 (en) 2018-02-13 2020-12-22 Ecolab Usa Inc. System for dissolving solid chemicals and generating liquid solutions
US11383922B2 (en) 2018-02-05 2022-07-12 Ecolab Usa Inc. Packaging and docking system for non-contact chemical dispensing
US11401084B2 (en) 2019-02-05 2022-08-02 Ecolab Usa Inc. Packaging and docking system for non-contact chemical dispensing

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE374075B (en) * 1971-12-20 1975-02-24 N B Nilsson
DE2615423A1 (en) * 1976-04-09 1977-10-20 Klose Odo Individual tablet dispensing tin - has rotary insert with teeth resting on bottom and turned from outside
US4083452A (en) * 1976-07-26 1978-04-11 William Rossmo Container for medications and the like including locking device
AU1171683A (en) * 1977-08-15 1983-06-02 Johnsen & Jorgensen Plastics Limited Dispenser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE374075B (en) * 1971-12-20 1975-02-24 N B Nilsson
DE2615423A1 (en) * 1976-04-09 1977-10-20 Klose Odo Individual tablet dispensing tin - has rotary insert with teeth resting on bottom and turned from outside
US4083452A (en) * 1976-07-26 1978-04-11 William Rossmo Container for medications and the like including locking device
AU1171683A (en) * 1977-08-15 1983-06-02 Johnsen & Jorgensen Plastics Limited Dispenser

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10004664B2 (en) 2016-01-28 2018-06-26 Sympill, Llc Pill dispenser
US11383922B2 (en) 2018-02-05 2022-07-12 Ecolab Usa Inc. Packaging and docking system for non-contact chemical dispensing
US10870091B2 (en) 2018-02-13 2020-12-22 Ecolab Usa Inc. System for dissolving solid chemicals and generating liquid solutions
US11401084B2 (en) 2019-02-05 2022-08-02 Ecolab Usa Inc. Packaging and docking system for non-contact chemical dispensing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9600309D0 (en) 1996-01-29
AU1046597A (en) 1997-08-22
SE9600309L (en) 1997-07-30

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