WO2020003218A1

WO2020003218A1 - Plaster dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2020003218A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/055481
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew CLARIDGE; Stephen Ian Mann; James WELLACOTT
Original assignee: Inventorytech Limited
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2019-06-28
Publication date: 2020-01-02
Also published as: AU2019293538A1

Abstract

A dispensing system for packets of items. The system takes packets that include a protrusion that extends from the packet. The items are presented to be made available in the packet for individual removal from the packet by a user applying a force to an item. A dispenser is provided that has a housing to store and retain the packets and having an insertion zone configured and a guide channel configured to guide the protrusions from the insertion zone to a stacking zone inside the housing.

Description

PLASTER DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a plaster dispenser. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to a plaster dispenser capable of detecting removal of individual plasters from a plurality of consolidated plasters.

BACKGROUND

Plaster dispensers that can receive plaster packets are known. A plaster packet may have come in the form of a leaf of plasters containing multiple plasters, each individually removable. In some workplaces a plaster dispenser is located so that personnel can find and use plasters quickly and easily in the event of an injury.

Typically the plaster dispensers are refillable with new plaster packets should the plaster packet become empty of plasters. Such a plaster dispenser is shown in US7644818.

In some known systems, the number or use of plasters, leaves or packets in a dispenser is recorded for data collection.

In some existing systems, the entire leaf of plasters may get pulled out, when the customer or personnel only wants to access a single plaster. This may lead to product wastage and/or inaccurate data collection. In some existing systems, personnel are challenged in inserting packets of plasters correctly to replenish the dispenser, and may put plaster packets in the dispenser incorrectly leading to misuse and/or inaccurate data collection.

In some existing dispensers, the sensing of individual plasters is possible, where an individual plaster may be taken from a leaf of plasters. Typical systems may inaccurately record when an individual plaster is removed giving false positives or inaccurate data. This may lead to empty packets not being replaced, or lead to false data.

Many pull to release plasters currently on the market are pilfer proof plasters. These plasters are removed from their wrap once pulled, requiring immediate use. This means that they cannot be taken for use much later. An issue here is that if a wall fixed dispenser of such plasters is provided in a facility, the plaster may not be able to be taken to a far remote patient to use. Also, sometimes the act of pulling the plaster causes it to break or fold over itself rendering the plaster useless. Some of such plasters come presented from a box in leaves of 3, and often the tabs completely rip out of the box, the plaster rips in two, or folds on itself. Often a user will pull the plaster behind as well as the one in front, wasting plasters.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be

chronologically ordered in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plaster dispenser and/or plaster pack which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the

abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a packet of items comprising or including a pouch with opposed faces, a base and a mouth opposite the base and whether closed or not at sides of the pouch that extend between the mouth and the base, items at least in part within the pouch between the faces, and a closure of the mouth of the pouch and its items; wherein the pouch at or near its base has provision for being itself guidably received or for receiving an elongate member to be guidably received; and wherein, when the closure has been opened and/or removed, the items can individually be removed from the pouch.

In one embodiment, the sides of the pouch are at least in part unclosed.

In one embodiment, the provision is a projection to either side of the pouch, each able to be guidably received.

In one embodiment, an elongate member of, or receivable by, the base provides both projections.

In one embodiment, each item is a medical item each in its own packaging. In one embodiment, the face to face distance between the two face sides, away from the base can diminish as items are removed from the pouch.

In one embodiment, the packets are guidably received by a dispenser.

In one embodiment, the closure is a removable member that hinders removal of items from said packet when in a closed condition, and in a removed condition is removed from the packet to allow removal of items from said packet.

In one embodiment, the removable member is configured to be removed from a packet at the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, at least one of the closed and removed conditions of removable member is detectable.

In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a detector to detect the condition of the removable member.

In one embodiment, the packet further comprises one or more RFID tags configures to relate to at least one specific packet characteristic.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag changes state depending on the packet condition.

In a second aspect the present invention may be said to be a dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of items of a kind as herein described, the system comprising or including; a dispenser to receive, hold and store at least two packets, wherein the packets are sequentially received via an insertion zone inside the dispenser for guided progression serially to a dispensing zone of the dispenser, the dispensing zone allowing for the foremost packet a) closure opening and/or removal, b) after step a) removal of individual items from that packet, and c) at depletion of items from that packet, removal of the depleted packet via the dispensing zone thereby to present that packet next in the guided progression.

In one embodiment, each packet has an elongate member as its provision and each end of that elongate member is to be supported above the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, the elongate member is a rod received in, but projecting at each end from, a sleeve at the base of the packet. In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a cabinet having an opening at the insertion zone, an opening at the dispensing zone, a guide provision for the base of each packet or its elongate member projected ends, a provision to allow a depleted packet removal via the dispensing zone, and at least one sensor to monitor the status of the dispenser with respect to its packet(s).

In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one RFID reader to read an RFID tag on each packet.

In yet a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a dispensing assembly where a cabinet makes available individual items, each one of several dangling from a common packet itself suspended by the cabinet, and each common packet being one of a series to make available in series its content of items; wherein when loaded into the cabinet each packet is dangling its content of items.

In still a further aspect the present invention may be said to be, in

combination, a. a dispenser to dispense serially from packets of items withdrawable from each packet, the dispenser comprising or including, apparatus defining a cabinet with an opening at an insertion zone for serially inserting the packets and an opening at an item dispensing and a depleted packet dispensing zone, and

b. at least two said packet of items, the or each packet having a form that allows guidance by its base region within the dispenser and the foremost packet's inverted presentation for item withdrawal via the item dispensing opening.

In yet a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a dispensing system comprising a a. a packet of items comprising or including opposed faces extending downwards away from a base to form a mouth, the items retained at least in part within the mouth between the faces, the packet further comprising protrusions that extend laterally from the base, wherein the items are available in the packet for individual removal from the packet by a user applying a force to an item, and

b. a dispenser defining a housing to store and retain the packets and comprising

i. an insertion zone configured to receive a packet mouth end first, and a guide channel configured to guide the protrusions from the insertion zone to a stacking zone configured to retain packets not at a dispensing zone, where the dispensing zone allows access from outside the housing to the items to be removed from a packet at the dispensing zone, and

ii. an item detector to detect the removal of an item from the packet.

In one embodiment, the force actuates a spring biased lever of the housing which is configured to actuate once the spring bias is overcome by said force, wherein upon actuation the lever contacts or triggers said item detector.

In one embodiment, the item detector is a contact detector.

In one embodiment, the item detector is a force detector.

In one embodiment, the protrusions are collinear and located either side of the base.

In one embodiment, the protrusions support the packet in the dispenser.

In one embodiment, the protrusions act on the lever when at the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, the lever supports the protrusions of a packet at the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, the item detector detects contact with the lever

In one embodiment, the protrusions and guide channel prevent insertion of the packet base end first.

In one embodiment, the dispenser can store multiple packets at the stacking zone.

In one embodiment, the packets stacked at the stacking zone are supported by their protrusions.

In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises one or more biased members that support the stacked packets.

In one embodiment, the items of the stacked packets are not accessible to the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, a packet at the dispensing zone prevents access to a stacked packet. In one embodiment, actuation of an ejection system allows egress of a packet from the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, the biased members are configured to allow a stacked packet to move to the dispensing zone if sufficient force is applied to the packet towards the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, there are two biased members.

In one embodiment, the biased members are configured to move linearly and independently of each other.

In one embodiment, the biased members separate the protrusion of the stacked packets from the packet at the dispensing zone.

In one embodiment, a packet comprises a removable member that hinders removal of items from said packet when in the closed condition, and allows removal of items from said packet when in the open condition.

In one embodiment, the removable member condition is detectable.

In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a detector to detect the condition.

In one embodiment, any user can insert a packet into the dispenser.

In one embodiment, insertion of a packet into the dispenser does not require any tools or unlocking of the dispenser.

In one embodiment, the items are configured in the form of leaves, where there are two or more items in a leaf.

In one embodiment, there are multiple leaves in packet.

In one embodiment, the leaves are not easily removed and/or the items are more easily removed than the leaves.

In one embodiment, a single item can be removed from the packet. In one embodiment, a single item removed from a packet at the dispensing zone will be sensed by the item detector.

In one embodiment, the system records the number of items removed.

In one embodiment, the system determines when a packet is empty or near empty.

In one embodiment, the system determines when replenishment of packets is required.

In one embodiment, the system is configured to automatically order more packets.

In one embodiment, the system determines if a previously withdrawn packet is entered into the dispenser.

In one embodiment, the packets comprise RFID tags relating to specific packet characteristics.

In one embodiment, the system comprises RFID readers to read said RFID tags.

In one embodiment, the or a RFID tag changes state depending on the condition.

In one embodiment, the state can be determined by the system.

In one embodiment, the items are plasters.

In one embodiment, the items are plasters each plaster enclosed in pack or wrap.

In one embodiment, the items are plasters each individually wrapped.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an array of consumable items to each to be individually removed from the array for consumption, the array comprising an adhesive strip a plurality of items of a flat elongate format having a first and an opposed second end, each adhered in part at a first end of each item to said adhesive strip in manner so that each two adjacent of said items are in a partial overlapping

relationship to each other at the adhesive strip and the second end of each item is presented for grasping by a user to pull the item to release it from the adhesive strip.

In one embodiment, the adhesive strip has an adhesive on one face side that is able to releasably hold each item to the strip.

In one embodiment, the face opposed the said one face side presents no adhesive.

In one embodiment, the adhesive strip is elongate and the items project from the strip with their elongate direction perpendicular to the elongate direction of the strip.

In one embodiment, the elongate direction of each item is parallel to each other.

In one embodiment, the items are individually wrapped plasters, the wrapping of the item adhering to the strip.

In one embodiment, the items are stored in a packet.

In one embodiment, the array is provided with a second adhesive strip located on the other side of the items at the first end to capture the first ends of the items between the first mentioned adhesive strip and the second adhesive strip.

In one embodiment the items are of a rectangular form factor.

In one embodiment the items comprise of a medical plaster.

In one embodiment the items are arranged side by side each in overlapping relationship with each other.

In one embodiment, the overlapping relationship is less than 70% of the width of the items.

In one embodiment, the overlapping relationship is less than 50% of the width of the items.

In one embodiment, the overlapping relationship is more than 30% of the width of the items. In one embodiment, the adhesive strip is part of a packet as herein before described.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a packet of items comprising or including opposed faces extending downwards away from a base to form a mouth, the items arranged as a array as herein described retained at the base and presented at the mouth between the faces.

In one embodiment, the packet further comprising protrusions that extend laterally from the base, wherein the items are available in the packet for individual removal from the packet by a user applying a force to an item.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification [and claims] means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification [and claims] which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.)

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a front perspective view of a plaster dispenser system including a plaster packet and associated plasters ready for dispensing.

Figure 2: shows a front view of Figure 1.

Figure 3: shows a cross section view A-A of Figure 2.

Figure 4: shows the cross section of Figure 3, with a plaster packet being inserted into the insertion zone in the incorrect direction.

Figure 5: shows the cross section of Figure 3, with a plaster packet ready for dispensing at the dispensing zone and two stacked plaster packets.

Figures 6A-6E: shows a cross sectional side view highlighting the steps of pulling a plaster packet through the loading system to the dispensing zone.

Figures 7A-7B: shows a cross sectional side view of the loading system showing the dispensing mechanism being actuated during dispensing of a plaster.

Figure 8: shows a cross sectional side view of the loading system with a user actuating the ejection system to remove a plaster packet.

Figure 9: shows a front perspective view of a plaster packet containing plasters with a removable tab engaged with the plaster packet.

Figure 10: shows the plaster packet of Figure 9 with the removable member removed.

Figure 11: shows a cross sectional side view of a rotary loading system.

Figure 12: shows a perspective view of an array of plasters arranged on an adhesive strip.

Figure 13: shows an end view of the plasters of figure 12

Figure 14: shows a variation of figure 13 with two adhesive strips applied one to each side of the array of plasters,

Figure 15: shows a packet containing a plurality of arrays of plasters of figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, a dispensing system according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1000.

The plaster dispenser 1000 comprises of a dispenser/body 7. The dispenser 7 is configured to receive, store, present and egress packets 1 containing plasters 2.

The dispenser body may be secured to a fixed or mobile structure such as a wall of a building or to a trolley or automotive vehicle. The packets 1 include a leaf of a plurality of plasters 2, each plaster accommodated in an individual plastic or paper pocket or wrap. The pockets are all directed in the same direction as each other from where they are held, preferably away from a base 15 of the packet 1 as seen in figure 9.

The dispenser allows a user to withdraw an individual plaster 2 from the packet 1 when the packet 1 is at a dispensing zone 107 of the dispenser 1000.

The packets 1 may be entered into an entry opening 101 of the housing of the dispenser 1000. The packets can then proceed down to a storing zone 106, to eventually move to a dispensing zone 107 in the housing. When the packets 1 are empty of items 2 the packets 1 are able to be ejected via an exit opening 102 of the housing. The entry opening 101 and the exit opening 102 may be merely openings of a single larger opening 100 of the housing, wherein the single opening 100 is intermediate and between the entry opening 101 and the exit opening 102.

Intermediate the entry opening 101 and the exit opening 102 is the storing zone 106 that can store packets 1 when they are not at the dispensing zone 107. Such packets may form a stack of packets 5, or a packet not present at the dispensing zone 107 called a packet 6. A packet at the dispensing zone 107 is labelled with the reference numeral 4 as seen in Figure 5.

The packets 1 are mounted to follow a pathway 103 which is somewhat continuous with the single opening 100. The pathway may start from entry opening 101 and proceed towards or to the exit opening 102. This will be described in more detail later.

One embodiment of a packet 1 is shown in Figures 9 & 10. Figure 9 shows a packet 1 with a provision that at least acts as a hanger for the packet 1 in the dispenser. The provision may be an elongate member, projections and/or multiple protrusions. The protrusions also help guide the packets 1 through the dispenser body 7. The hanger or protrusions may be in the form of a rod 3 located at the base 15 of a packet 1. The rod preferably extends laterally from the base of the packet. The rod 3 in some embodiments may be housed within a sleeve 16 at the base 15 of a packet 1.

In this embodiment the packet 1 is formed of primarily a body 12, having a base 16 at or towards the rod 3. The body 12 forming a pouch formed of two opposing faces 17 forming a mouth 18 opposite the base 16. The items 2 of the packet 1 are preferably intermediate the mouth 18. The packet may also comprise a removable member 11 that together with the body 12, forms the packet 1. The removable member 11 may be removed from the body 12 when it is desired for a user to remove items 2 from the packet 1. The removal of the removable member 11 may be performed before or after insertion of the packet 1 into the housing 7. Preferably the removal of the removable member 11 is performed after insertion of the packet 1 into the housing 7.

Preferably the removable member is removably attached to the body 12 by a removable means or engagement feature 13 as shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment the removable means or feature 13 is a slit 13. The removable member 11 can protrude into the slit 13 to retain the removable member 11 with the body 12. When required, a user can remove the removable member 11 from the body 12 to gain access to the items 2. The removable member 11 is located an opposite end on the body 12, from the base, where the rod 3 is located.

In one preferred embodiment, when the removable member 11 is removed from the body 12, a status of the packet 1 is changed from a closed condition to an open condition. The condition mentioned herein, refers to whether or not the packet 1 has been opened or it is still closed. The condition is preferably able to be read by a sensor.

Preferably the removable member 11 has an RFID tag that is destroyed or changes state when this member 11 is removed and the determination and condition of the packet whether it is opened or closed can hence be determined by an RFID reader.

In a preferred embodiment the act of removing the removable member 11 from the packet body 12 changes the state of an RFID tag. The state of the RFID tag is able to be read by the dispenser system 1000. The reader may be located in the housing 7, in one embodiment the RFID sensor/reader as shown as reference 114 in Figure 5. It is envisaged that there may be multiple locations to have and hold this reader 114. In other embodiments the condition is received wirelessly by a receiver that is part of the dispensing system.

In other embodiments the reader 114 may be an optical sensor that can sense when the removable member 11 is removed from the body 12. The sensor may be a motion sensor or an object sensor as an example.

In other embodiments the removable member is a tearable member, a removable or breakable string, or member connected via perforations with the body 12. These changeable states of removable member is the desired mechanism used, so the condition of the packet 1 can be determined by the dispensing system 1000.

As mentioned previously, there is a pathway 103 that the rod 3 of a packet 1 will follow/be guided by after it has been inserted into the entry opening 101. This pathway 103 is defined at each side of the dispenser and each said path way guidably receives an end of the rod 3 of the packet from the entry opening 101 to the dispensing zone 107. At the dispensing zone 107, the removable member 11 and/or the items 2 are available to be accessed by a user via the dispensing opening.

Intermediate the entry opening 101 and dispensing zone 107 is the storing zone 106 for packets not presented to a user. Packets 1 at the storing zone 106 are available to be used after a packet 1 at the dispensing zone 107 has been removed from the dispenser 7. Figure 5 shows two packets 1 at the stored zone 106, and a packet 1 at the dispensing zone 107.

Preferably the packet 1 has indicia 14 shown on the outside of the packet 1 to indicate to a person, the preferred direction of insertion in both the horizontal and vertical orientation of the packet 1 into the entry opening 101 of the dispenser body 7.

The packet 1 is preferably configured to only be inserted in one direction into the entry opener 101. As shown in Figure 9, the direction of the arrow 14 shows the direction of insertion of the packet 1 into the entry opening 101. Figure 4 shows a packet 1 being inserted in the incorrect orientation into the dispenser. The rod 3 of the packet 1 needs to enter the entry opening 101 last. It is not possible to push the other end of the packet 1 containing the rod 3 into the entry opening 101 first as the rod 3 will follow the path 103 that will not allow the rest of the packet 1 to enter into the entry opening 101. It is possible that a user can insert the packet upside down, however this does not affect the function of the dispensing system.

The dispenser 7 in one embodiment comprises a loading system 300 that aids in the functionality of the dispensing system 1000. The loading system 300 in particular is shown in Figures 3, 6, 7 & 8. In one embodiment, the loading system 300 comprises one or more movably biased members 301 8i 302 that control the movement of the rods 3 of different packets 1.

The loading system 300 of a preferred embodiment comprises a biased first member 301 and a biased second member 302. These members control / restrict the movement of packets, or more particularly rods 3 of the packets 1, from the stacking/ storing zone 106 to the dispensing zone 107. Figure 6A shows the rods 3 of three packets being held initially at the storing zone 106. Figure 6B depicts the loading system when a user is applying force down onto packet 1. The downwards force on the packet 1, pulls down the respective rod 3 onto the first member 301. Once a significant force has been applied, the rod 3 is able to actuate the first member 301, so the rod 3 can move past the first member 301. The rod 3 does not move around the first member 301, due to be constrained by the pathway 103.

The first member 301 is spring biased towards occlusion of the pathway 103. As the member 301 is pushed out of the way via the pulled rod 3, the member 301 moves so the rod 3 can go past the member 301. Preferably the member 301 has a sloping surface that is acted upon by the rod 3, so the downwards force of the rod 3 onto the sloping surface of the member 301 is converted into lateral movement of the member 301. The second member is similarly configured.

Once the rod 3 is past the first member 301 it is then hindered by the second member 302 as shown in Figure 6C. The user continues to pull the packet 1 down, pulling the rod 3 past the second member 302, to overcome a spring bias much like the first member 301, this is shown in Figure 6D. The second member 302 is configured to act much the same as the first member 301.

Once the rod 3 is past the member 302, it comes to rest against a lever 111 at the dispensing zone 107. The second member 302 retains the rod 3 at the dispensing zone 107. The second member 302 retains and prevents the rod 3 from moving upwards away from the lever 111 as shown in figure 6E.

Figure 6E shows the final location of a rod 3 at the dispensing zone 107. In this location the packet 1 is presented to a user, or at least the removable member 11 and/or items 2 are.

The loading system 300 allows a single packet 1 to be moved to the dispensing region 107 at a time. This has numerous benefits. One such benefit being that only one packet 1 is loaded against the lever 111 at any one time. This ensures accurate readings of the lever 111 actuation. Other benefits are that the packets 1 do not get jammed up at the dispensing region 107 as they are separated from the stored packets.

Other embodiments of a loading system may be envisaged and are within the scope of the invention. For example the first member 301 may be a single actuated member, or it may be two separate members provided for each lateral side of the rod 3, and likewise for the second member also. I.e. there may be either two members, that have extensions that extend out about the packet to engage with the rod 3, or there may be four members relating to two first members and two second members that are distinct from one another and relate to each side of the rod 3.

In other embodiments the loading system may comprise a rotary type first and/or or second member. A rotary dial 303, as shown in Figure 11, may be used to allow only a single rod to enter into a slot 304 at the periphery of the rotary dial at one time. The rotary dial having multiple slots, each slot to engage an end of a single rod 3 at one time. In other embodiments, there may be two rotary dials, one for each lateral side of the rod 3, or a single rotary dial that has lateral extensions to engage with each side of the rod 3. The rotary dial may have a bias type system that allows a user to rotate the dial one slot at a time, so each slot is filled with a rod of a new packet from the stored region. The slots are preferably configured to dispense the rods at the dispensing region.

Preferably the dispensing system 1000 allows collation of data regarding the removal of items 2 from a packet 1. Preferably the dispensing system 1000 comprises a sensor able to record the removal of an item 2 from a packet 1. In the embodiment shown in the figures, a force sensor is utilised. The force exerted by a user onto an item, and required to remove an item from 1 packet 1 is also used to trigger a force sensor. Each time the force sensor is triggered, the system determines that an item has been removed, and reports and/or records data appropriately.

As shown in Figures 7A & 7B, the dispensing system 1000 comprises a lever 111. The lever 111 is mounted and dependent from the housing to pivot relative to the housing. The lever is actuated each time a plaster or item 2 is removed from a packet 1. The movement of the lever 111 is due to the force from a user being applied to an item 2 to remove the item 2 from the packet 1. The force to actuate the lever 111 is less than the force required to remove an item 2. As such, the lever 111 will always be actuated during removal of an item 2.

Preferably the lever 111 has a spring bias to return it to its original position as shown in Figure 7A. The downwards force required to pull the item 2 out of the packet 1 is greater than the spring bias so that the lever 111 is able to move about its pivot point 113. The lever 111 is at least partially supported by the pivot point, or axle, and the axle is dependent from the body 7. As the lever 111 moves about its pivot point 113, the lever 111 operates or contacts a sensor 110 that can record an actuation movement of the lever 111. Preferably the lever has a stop to stop the movement at a predetermined range. At the end of this movement, as shown in Figure 7B, the force of the packet 1 on the lever 111 is able to increase due to the packet 1 not being able to move the lever any further, thus allowing the user to pull the item 2 from the packet 1 with an increased force.

The spring of the lever 111 creates a force dead zone so that the lever 111 is not pressing on the force sensors 110 until a reasonable force is exerted which is greater than the force from jiggling, or handling of the packet 1, in order to help prevent false readings.

Once an item 2 separates from the packet 1, the force on the packet 1 is released, allowing the lever 111 to be biased back to its original biased position by the spring. One actuation of the lever 111 towards to contact the sensor 110 is recorded as one item 2 taken from the packet. For example, if a packet contained ten items, one actuation of the lever 111 would be indicated to determine that there are now nine items left in the packet. Preferably, the dispensing system 1000 can then use this data to order new packets 1 when the packets 1 are near empty. Furthermore, the dispensing system 1000 may collate this data with data of how many packets 1 are remaining in storage, to determine if further packets are required to be ordered.

There may be many configurations and adaptations to the item actuation recording system that a person skilled in the art may make, yet it is still envisaged that these modifications are within the scope of the invention.

Once all items 2 from a packet 1 at the dispensing zone are removed from the packet, the packet 1 can removed from the dispenser 7. At the dispensing zone 107, pulling down of the packet 1 does not remove the packet 1 from the dispenser 7. Instead, a user must operate an ejection system 120. This may comprise, in one embodiment, an ejection member 121 and an operable ejection button 122. Wherein the ejection button 122 operates or actuates the ejection member 121. The ejection system 120 allows a user to actuate the ejection button 122 to allow egress of the rod 3 of the packet 1 at the dispensing zone 107 to egress the entire packet 1 from the exit opening 102. This ejection system 120 is shown in Figure 8. The operation of the ejection system 120 may also be monitored or sensed, so as to add to the data collected by the system 1000.

Preferably the distance between the faces forming the pouch is diminished as items are removed, making the packet thinner. The ejection system 120 may also comprises a slot 123 on the front wall that allows the rod 3 to be easily removed from the housing or body 7 when the rod 3 is egressed from the dispensing zone 107 by operation of the member 121. The slot extends the width of the exit opening 102 so it is a similar width as the rod 3.

Once the empty packet is removed, a user can then access the stored packets behind the since removed packet. The user can pull the next packet 1 down past both the first and second members 301 & 302 to the dispensing zone 107. The removable member 11 can then be removed from the now present packet 1 at the dispensing zone 107, so a user can access the items 2 of the present packet.

Another feature of the present invention is that the items 2 are held in a leaf within the packet 1. Preferably there are multiple leaves within a packet 1, and the leaves are held in tightly to the packet 1 so that an individual item 2 can be pulled out from the leaf before the leaf is pulled out from the packet 1. In the embodiments shown there are two items 2 arranged coplanar in a packet 1 forming a leaf.

Another feature of this invention is that preferably a user is only able to access a packet 1 that is at the dispensing zone 107. A user is not able to access the stored packets and/or the items 2 of the stored packets 1 until the packet presented at the dispensing zone 107 is removed.

Due to the arrangement of the rod 3 triggering a sensor indirectly via actuating a lever 111, there can be an efficient use of the sensors 110. This configuration of the sensor 110 requires less force to trigger the sensor 110 when actuated via lever. This allows the system to use smaller, or less sensors compared to prior art systems.

There may only need to be two sensors 110, one related to each end of the rod 3. However it is envisaged there could be one sensor 110 only, relating to just one end of the rod 3. There may be still be two levers 111, relating to each end of the rod, or there may only be one lever, and the other end of the rod is static when the packet 1 is pulled. Preferably each sensor is configured to be triggered with its own respective lever 111.

The use of a hanger rod 3 increases the likelihood that the alignment of the packet 1 in the housing 7 is correct, and often the packet 1 is held more in the correct orientation compared to the prior art. This is because the housing 7 is able to provide a more rigid hold on the rod 3, compared to packets without rigid protrusions, like the rod 3. A tab (not shown) may be located at the top and middle of the exit opening 102. This downwardly protruding tab is coplanar with the front wall 8 of the dispenser 7. The tab helps ensure that the force applied to the packets is applied downwards onto the force sensors 110, even if the user pulls more towards a direction

perpendicular to the front wall 8. The tab (not shown) acts as a fulcrum to translate the horizontal pull on the packets into downwards force of the hanger rods 3 onto the lever(s) 111.

In a further embodiment, RFIDs, barcodes, or other sensable or detectable features are located on each packet 1 so as to track the order of insertion into the dispenser 10. Such features could be RFID tags/readers, scanners/barcodes, or capacitive sensors to determine pressure against a side wall or similar. These detectable features or sensors may also track the location and number of packets within the dispensing system 1000. The number of plasters or items 2 of the packet 1 at the dispensing zone 107 may also be tracked. If a packet 1 has had items 2 removed from it, and it is withdrawn from the dispenser 7 and then reinserted back into the dispenser 7 at the entry opening 101 then this will be detected by the system 1000, and the appropriate number of items held by the dispenser 10 determined.

In further embodiments, RFID tags on the items, and complementary RFID readers in the dispenser can detect when items 2 are removed from a packet 1. This embodiment may or may not utilise the lever system 111 and detector 110. This embodiment may rely solely on the RFID detection of items being removed from the dispenser to determine item removal, or may integrate the RFID data of removed items 2 with the lever system 111 and detector 110 for a more robust system. As described above, other detecting and sensing methods may be used instead of RFID, such as optical sensors/sensing.

There may be optical or other types of sensors too, such as barcode sensors to sense the expiry date and other features of the packets or items 2.

Another aspect is a different type of plaster packet provided either for use with the dispenser as described above or for separate use. Figure 12-15 show a plurality of items 300 arranged as an array adhesively amounted to an adhesive strip 301. The items are preferably individually wrapped plasters, the wrap having a rectangular form factor. The items are planar and rectangular is shape and have a first and second face side. The items have a first end 302 and an opposed second end 303. The items are adhered to the adhesive strip 301 in a manner to be able to be released therefrom. The interface of the item and the adhesive strip is such that the adhesion is weak enough for the items to be pulled from the adhesive strip. A force parallel the direction of the plane of the items can be applied by a person to sheer release the item from the adhesive strip. The greater the surface area contact at the interface the greater the resistance to release of the items from the adhesive strip. To reduce the force to resist removal by the adhesive interface can be adjusted for a given adhesive by reducing the surface area in adhesive contact. The items can hence be set for adhesion to the adhesive strip by setting the length of the strip in contact with the adhesive strip. In addition or alternatively the items can be provide in side by side overlap as seen in the figures so that the surface area in contact with the adhesive strip can be set on accordance with the degree of overlap. By overlapping the items and applying adhesive strip the adhesive strip holds the items until a user pulls on an item to remove it from the strip. The force to release the item can be adjusted by changing plaster overlap, the area of adhesive strip applied onto the item, and adhesive strength of strip. Item overlap accommodates for varying widths in the items such as plasters between suppliers, as well as making it easier to select just one plaster. An assembly of plasters (items) can be created by stacking multiple layers of arrays of plasters together and the adhesive strip can hold the stack together as seen in figure 15. An assembly of stacked plasters are then able to be inserted into external packaging 1. This may be of a kind as described above in respect of the leaved arrangement of plasters or other. A force applied to a plaster to release it from the adhesive strip can be sufficient to allow a sensing of the removal as herein before described.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A packet of items comprising or including a pouch with opposed faces, a base and a mouth opposite the base and whether closed or not at sides of the pouch that extend between the mouth and the base, items at least in part within the pouch between the faces, and a closure of the mouth of the pouch and its items; wherein the pouch at or near its base has provision for being itself guidably received or for receiving an elongate member to be guidably received; and wherein, when the closure has been opened and/or removed, the items can individually be removed from the pouch.

2. A packet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of the pouch are at least in part unclosed.

3. A packet as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the provision is a projection to either side of the pouch, each able to be guidably received.

4. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein an elongate member of, or receivable by, the base provides both projections.

5. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein each item is a medical item each in its own packaging.

6. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein the face to face

distance between the two face sides, away from the base can diminish as items are removed from the pouch.

7. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the packets are

guidably received by a dispenser.

8. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the closure is a

removable member that hinders removal of items from said packet when in a closed condition, and in a removed condition is removed from the packet to allow removal of items from said packet.

9. A packet as claimed in claim 8 wherein the removable member is configured to be removed from a packet at the dispensing zone.

10. A packet as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein at least one of the closed and removed conditions of removable member is detectable.

11. A packet as claimed in claim 10 wherein the dispenser comprises a detector to detect the condition of the removable member.

12. A packet as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10 comprising one or more RFID tags configures to relate to at least one specific packet characteristic.

13. A packet as claimed in claim 12 wherein the RFID tag changes state

depending on the packet condition.

14. A dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of items of a kind as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13, the system comprising or including; a dispenser to receive, hold and store at least two packets, wherein the packets are sequentially received via an insertion zone inside the dispenser for guided progression serially to a dispensing zone of the dispenser, the dispensing zone allowing for the foremost packet a) closure opening and/or removal, b) after step a) removal of individual items from that packet, and c) at depletion of items from that packet, removal of the depleted packet via the dispensing zone thereby to present that packet next in the guided

progression.

15. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 14 wherein each packet has an

elongate member as its provision and each end of that elongate member is to be supported above the dispensing zone.

16. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the elongate member is a rod received in, but projecting at each end from, a sleeve at the base of the packet.

17. A dispensing system as claimed in anyone of claims 14 to 16 wherein the dispenser comprises a cabinet having an opening at the insertion zone, an opening at the dispensing zone, a guide provision for the base of each packet or its elongate member projected ends, a provision to allow a depleted packet removal via the dispensing zone, and at least one sensor to monitor the status of the dispenser with respect to its packet(s).

18. A dispenser as claimed in anyone of claims 14 to 17 wherein the system

comprises at least one RFID reader to read an RFID tag on each packet.

19. A dispensing assembly where a cabinet makes available individual items, each one of several dangling from a common packet itself suspended by the cabinet, and each common packet being one of a series to make available in series its content of items; wherein when loaded into the cabinet each packet is dangling its content of items.

20. In combination, a. a dispenser to dispense serially from packets of items

withdrawable from each packet, the dispenser comprising or including, apparatus defining a cabinet with an opening at an insertion zone for serially inserting the packets and an opening at an item dispensing and a depleted packet dispensing zone, and

21. A dispensing system comprising a a. a packet of items comprising or including opposed faces extending

downwards away from a base to form a mouth, the items retained at least in part within the mouth between the faces, the packet further comprising protrusions that extend laterally from the base, wherein the items are available in the packet for individual removal from the packet by a user applying a force to an item, and

b. a dispenser defining a housing to store and retain the packets and

comprising

ii. an item detector to detect the removal of an item from the

packet.

22. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the force actuates a

spring biased lever of the housing which is configured to actuate once the spring bias is overcome by said force, wherein upon actuation the lever contacts or triggers said item detector.

23. A dispenser as claimed in claim 21 wherein the item detector is a contact detector.

24. A dispenser as claimed in claim 21 or 23 wherein the item detector is a force detector.

25. A dispenser as claimed in claimed in anyone of claims 21 to 24 wherein the protrusions are collinear and located either side of the base.

26. A dispenser as claimed in anyone of claims 21 to 25 wherein the protrusions support the packet in the dispenser.

27. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22 wherein the protrusions act on the lever when at the dispensing zone.

28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22 wherein the lever supports the protrusions of a packet at the dispensing zone.

29. A dispenser as claimed in claim 22 wherein the item detector detects contact with the lever

30. A dispenser as claimed in anyone of claims 21 to 29 wherein the dispenser comprises one or more biased members that support the stacked packets.

31. A dispenser as claimed in claim in claim 30 wherein the biased members are configured to allow a stacked packet to move to the dispensing zone if sufficient force is applied to the packet towards the dispensing zone.

32. An array of consumable items to each to be individually removed from the array for consumption, the array comprising an adhesive strip, a plurality of items of a flat elongate format having a first and an opposed second end, each adhered in part at a first end of each item to said adhesive strip in manner so that each two adjacent of said items are in a partial overlapping relationship to each other at the adhesive strip and the second end of each item is presented for grasping by a user to pull the item to release it from the adhesive strip.

33. An array of consumable items as claimed in claim 32 wherein the adhesive strip is has an adhesive on one face side that is able to releasably hold each item to the strip.

34. An array of consumable items as claimed in claim 32 or 33 wherein the face opposed the said one face side presents no adhesive.

35. An array of consumable items as claimed in anyone of claims 32 to 34

wherein the adhesive strip is elongate and the items project from the strip with their elongate direction perpendicular to the elongate direction of the strip.

36. An array of consumable items as claimed in anyone of claims 32 to 35

wherein the elongate direction of each item is parallel to each other.

37. An array of consumable items as claimed in anyone of claims 32 to 36

wherein the items are individually wrapped plasters, the wrapping of the item adhering to the strip.

38. An array of consumable items as claimed in anyone of claims 32 to 37

wherein the items are stored in a packet.

39. A packet of items comprising or including opposed faces extending downwards away from a base to form a mouth, the items arranged as a array as claimed in anyone of claims 32 to 38 retained at the base and presented at the mouth between the faces.

40. A packet as claimed in claim 39 wherein the packet further comprising

protrusions that extend laterally from the base, wherein the items are available in the packet for individual removal from the packet by a user applying a force to an item.