EP1502877A1 - Distributeur - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1502877A1
EP1502877A1 EP03017251A EP03017251A EP1502877A1 EP 1502877 A1 EP1502877 A1 EP 1502877A1 EP 03017251 A EP03017251 A EP 03017251A EP 03017251 A EP03017251 A EP 03017251A EP 1502877 A1 EP1502877 A1 EP 1502877A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispensing
dispenser
orifice
items
actuating part
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03017251A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Claude Benoit-Gonin
Philippe Bardet
André Orssaud
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Crown Packaging Technology Inc
Original Assignee
Crown Packaging Technology Inc
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 Crown Packaging Technology Inc filed Critical Crown Packaging Technology Inc
Priority to EP03017251A priority Critical patent/EP1502877A1/fr
Priority to EP04741274A priority patent/EP1648799B1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2004/008352 priority patent/WO2005014431A1/fr
Priority to DE602004010268T priority patent/DE602004010268D1/de
Publication of EP1502877A1 publication Critical patent/EP1502877A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • 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
    • B65D83/049—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 forming a part of a removable closure, e.g. gripping teeth, cavity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D2583/04—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets
    • B65D2583/0472—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action
    • B65D2583/0477—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action the container is maintained in the same position during the dispensing of several successive articles or doses
    • B65D2583/0481—One reciprocating action, e.g. to or from

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a dispenser for holding a plurality of individual items and allowing them to be dispensed.
  • a common form of dispenser of this type is a tablet dispenser for medicaments, sweeteners or the like product.
  • Tablet dispensers usually comprise a body for containing a plurality of items to be dispensed, and an actuating means operable by the user to cause an item to be dispensed from the body.
  • the actuating means may be, for example, a push-button (EP 0 894 736), a rotatable part (US 6,142,337) or a squeezable shell (WO 00/68109).
  • tablets are dispensed directly out of the dispenser.
  • medicaments are dispensed directly into the hand of the user, and sweetening tablets are dispensed directly into a beverage.
  • tablets may be misdirected and then lost as they are dispensed; if a user's hand is required to catch the tablets as they are dispensed this prohibits two-handed operation of the actuating means, which may be necessary for those without the strength or dexterity to operate the actuating means with a single hand; the items which will be dispensed may be water-soluble and therefore it would be preferable not to dispense them directly onto a user's hand; if items are dispensed directly into a beverage the number of tablets dispensed may be forgotten during the dispensing operation and therefore an accurate dose will not be possible.
  • the present invention seeks to address the above problems.
  • the present invention provides a dispenser comprising a container body which, in use, contains a plurality of items to be dispensed, a dispensing part having an orifice movable from a non-dispensing position in which items cannot pass through the orifice to a dispensing position in which an item can pass from the container body through the orifice, and an actuating part operable to move the dispensing part to the dispensing position, characterised that, the dispenser is arranged so that, in use, items passing through the orifice are released into the actuating part.
  • the present invention therefore uses the actuating part not only to actuate item-release means, but also to catch items as they are dispensed. Once the required number of items has been dispensed the items can be removed from the actuating part.
  • the actuating part may be removable completely from the remainder of the dispenser so that the items can be easily removed.
  • the dispenser may be adapted to dispense items individually into the actuating part. This allows the required number of items to be accurately dispensed into the actuating part prior to the items leaving the dispenser.
  • the dispensing orifice may be defined by one or more dispensing members movable in response to movement of the actuating part.
  • the or each dispensing member may be adapted to move radially outwardly or inwardly to move the dispensing part to the dispensing position.
  • the number and form of the dispensing member/s can be matched to any particular application. The only essential requirement is that it/they define an orifice adapted to restrict/allow the passage of items when the dispensing part is in the non-dispensing/dispensing position.
  • the actuating part may include a projection which, together with the dispensing member/s, defines a restricted dispensing zone adjacent the orifice into which a single item can pass when the dispensing part is moved to the dispensing position. Inclusion of the projection therefore allows items to be dispensed individually into the actuating part.
  • the projection may also be adapted to cause the dispensing member/s to move as the actuating part is moved.
  • the projection therefore serves a dual function.
  • the dispensing part may be biassed towards the non-dispensing position so that following the dispensing of one or more items, the dispensing part automatically returns to the non-dispensing position.
  • the dispenser may further comprise a tamperband.
  • the tamperband may be situated such that it must be removed before the actuating part can be operated to move the dispensing part. The dispenser cannot be operated before the tamperband is removed.
  • dispensing members When a plurality of dispensing members are used and they move radially outwardly to move the dispensing part to the dispensing position, they may define a circular orifice. In the non-dispensing position the orifice defined by the dispensing members is smaller than an item. When the actuating part is operated the dispensing members move radially outwardly and increase the size of the circular orifice.
  • the members may define an ovoid orifice in the non-dispensing position.
  • the actuating part When the actuating part is operated the dispensing members move radially inwardly and circularise the orifice.
  • the items are shaped such that they cannot pass through an ovoid orifice but can pass through a circular orifice which may have the same circumference; for example the items could be disc-shape or spherical.
  • a dispenser generally indicated (10) comprising a body part (20), a dispensing part (30) and an actuating part (50) [Fig.1 shows just the parts (20, 30) before the part (50) has been added].
  • the body part (20) is a cylindrical container for holding items to be dispensed.
  • the body part (20) is closed at one end by a disc-shape end plate (21), and the dispensing part (30) is connected to the other end of the body part (20).
  • the actuating part (50) is a cap comprising a top plate (51) and a cylindrical skirt (52) which depends from the periphery of the plate (51).
  • the top plate (51) includes a central frustoconical depression which forms a frustoconical projection (53) in the interior of the actuating part (50).
  • the projection (53) defines an annular channel (55) around its periphery.
  • annular bead At the open end of the skirt (52) is an annular bead (54) the purpose of which is described in more detail below.
  • the dispensing part (30) comprises a lower connecting portion (31) and an upper dispensing portion (32).
  • the connecting portion (31) comprises a lower tubular skirt (33) sized to fit inside the body part (20).
  • the outer wall of the connecting portion (31) has a flange (34) approximately half way along its length. The flange (34) acts as a depth stop to limit the amount the connecting portion (31) can be inserted into the body part (20).
  • the outer wall of the connecting portion (31) has an annular groove (35) sized and positioned so that when the connecting portion is fully inserted into the body part (20) it aligns with an annular bead (22) on the inner surface of the body part (best shown in Figs. 3a to 3f).
  • the bead (22) thereby retains the dispensing part (30) in the body part (20).
  • the connecting portion (31) extends with an upper tubular skirt (36).
  • the upper tubular skirt (36) includes an annular groove (37) which is trapezoidal in section.
  • the groove (37) receives the bead (54) from the inside surface of the cap skirt (52) to clip the actuating part (50) onto the dispensing part (30) in such a way that the actuating part (50) can move axially with respect to the dispensing part (30), with the bead (54) sliding axially in the groove (37).
  • the dispensing portion (32) of the dispensing part (30) extends from the upper tubular skirt (36).
  • the dispensing portion (32) comprises three identical dispensing members (38).
  • Each of the members (38) includes a link portion (39) which extends orthogonally from the upper tubular skirt (36) to connect the member (38) to the skirt (36) in such a way that the member (38) can resiliently flex in the radial direction.
  • Each member (38) further comprises a curved plate (40) which is shaped so that together the members (38) form a frustoconical structure with a central circular orifice (41) at its end remote from the link portions (38).
  • the orifice (41) is shaped and configured, i.e. adapted, to the items to be dispensed.
  • Each of the members (38) further includes a leg (42) which extends from the outer surface of the plate (40).
  • annular tamper evident band 60
  • Figs. 3a to 3f show the upper part of the dispenser in an inverted, as used, state compared to Figs.1 and 2
  • Fig.3a shows the dispenser in an unopened and unused configuration.
  • the tamper band (60) is connected between the lower edge of the skirt (54) and the flange (34).
  • the actuating part (50) is thereby locked in a first axial position in which the bead (54) is at the upper end of the groove (37).
  • the dispensing member legs (42) are held away from the actuating part projection (53) and the members (38) are in a rest position in which the orifice (41) is too small for an item to pass through.
  • Fig.3b shows the dispenser with the tamper band (60) removed. There is now a gap (G) between the lower edge of the skirt (52) and the flange (34).
  • actuating part (50) has been moved to a second, lower axial position. This is possible because of the gap (G) and because the bead (54) can slide from the upper end of the groove (37) to the lower end.
  • the movement of the actuating part (50) causes the legs (42) to contact the projection (53) and to move progressively down its widening exterior surface. As a result the dispensing members (38) pivot about the intersection between the link members (39) and the plates (40).
  • the circular orifice (41) increases in size until a first item (70) can pass through.
  • the first item (70) passes through the orifice (41) and onto the projection (53).
  • the space between the orifice (41) and the projection (53) is sufficient only for a single item; accordingly only a single item can be released from the orifice (41) whilst it is at its increased size.
  • the actuating part (50) is released, the resilience of the dispensing members (38) forces the actuating part (50) back to the first axial position, shown in Fig.3d.
  • the first item (70) can now fall into the channel (55) surrounding the projection (53).
  • a second item (75) cannot pass through the now constricted orifice (41).
  • the second item (75) can now pass into the space between the orifice (41) and the projection (53), as shown in Fig.3e.
  • the actuating part (50) is released again the second item (75) falls into the channel (55) and a third item (80) moves to the orifice (41), but cannot pass through.
  • the actuating part (50) can be removed by pulling it axially so that the bead (54) passes out of the groove (37).
  • the actuating part (50) now functions as a cup which contains the items ready for use, as shown in Fig.4.
  • a second type of dispenser (110) is shown in Figs. 5 to 7, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts in relation to Figs. 1 to 4.
  • the dispenser (110) is of the same general construction as the dispenser. However, whilst in the first dispenser (10) the dispensing members (38) are adapted to move radially outwardly, in this second dispenser (110) the members (138) are adapted to move radially inwardly.
  • the dispensing part (130) comprises two dispensing members (138) each of which includes a link portion (139) extending from the top of the groove (137).
  • the plates (140) together define a hemispherical structure with an elliptical orifice (141) at its centre.
  • the actuating part skirt (152) comprises a lower first skirt portion (156) and an upper second skirt portion (157) of reduced diameter.
  • the portions (156, 157) are joined by an intermediate, inwardly inclined portion (158).
  • a central projection (153) depends from the top plate of the actuating part.
  • the operation of the dispenser (110) is similar to the dispenser (10) in that the tamper band (160) is first removed and the actuating part (150) is then depressed. In this dispenser (110), however, depressing the actuating part (150) causes the legs (142) to progressively contact further down the intermediate skirt portion (158), which forces the dispensing members (138) radially inwardly (Fig.7c).
  • the plates (140) are formed so that they contact each other in the rest position (see Fig.5). Accordingly, when the dispensing members (138) are forced inwardly the plates (140) are forced against each other and the areas around the orifice (141) are bowed outwardly. This tends to circularise the oral orifice (141).
  • spherical items (170, 175, 180) can pass through the orifice (141) in the same sequence shown for the first dispenser (10).
  • the central projection (153) does not cause the members (138) to move, but does restrict dispensing of items in the same way as the projection (53) of the first embodiment.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
EP03017251A 2003-07-30 2003-07-30 Distributeur Withdrawn EP1502877A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03017251A EP1502877A1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2003-07-30 Distributeur
EP04741274A EP1648799B1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2004-07-26 Distributeur
PCT/EP2004/008352 WO2005014431A1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2004-07-26 Distributeur
DE602004010268T DE602004010268D1 (de) 2003-07-30 2004-07-26 Spender

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03017251A EP1502877A1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2003-07-30 Distributeur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1502877A1 true EP1502877A1 (fr) 2005-02-02

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ID=33522310

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03017251A Withdrawn EP1502877A1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2003-07-30 Distributeur
EP04741274A Expired - Lifetime EP1648799B1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2004-07-26 Distributeur

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04741274A Expired - Lifetime EP1648799B1 (fr) 2003-07-30 2004-07-26 Distributeur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1502877A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602004010268D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005014431A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100654182B1 (ko) * 2005-09-26 2006-12-06 씨제이 주식회사 용기 구조체
FR2894943A1 (fr) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-22 Plastohm S A Sa Distributeur pour tout produit de type comprimes.
FR2967657A1 (fr) * 2010-11-18 2012-05-25 Defi Internat Distributeur unitaire de capsules de beaute

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3481513A (en) * 1968-03-06 1969-12-02 Gerson L Ram Metering safety cap device
EP0002403A1 (fr) * 1977-11-28 1979-06-13 LABORATOIRES SUPPO-STERIL Société à responsabilité limitée dite: Bouchon pour le comptage et la distribution de granules disposées dans un récipient
FR2625982A1 (fr) * 1988-01-19 1989-07-21 Gagey Etienne Appareil distributeur, notamment pour des pilules, des medicaments, ou des produits de confiserie
FR2717453A1 (fr) * 1994-03-17 1995-09-22 Materiel Ste Tech Exploit Tube distributeur de granules.
FR2764583A1 (fr) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-18 Airsec Sa Tube de conditionnement avec mecanisme distributeur pour granules ou produits similaires
FR2788040A1 (fr) * 1998-12-31 2000-07-07 Airsec Sa Distributeur d'objets

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3481513A (en) * 1968-03-06 1969-12-02 Gerson L Ram Metering safety cap device
EP0002403A1 (fr) * 1977-11-28 1979-06-13 LABORATOIRES SUPPO-STERIL Société à responsabilité limitée dite: Bouchon pour le comptage et la distribution de granules disposées dans un récipient
FR2625982A1 (fr) * 1988-01-19 1989-07-21 Gagey Etienne Appareil distributeur, notamment pour des pilules, des medicaments, ou des produits de confiserie
FR2717453A1 (fr) * 1994-03-17 1995-09-22 Materiel Ste Tech Exploit Tube distributeur de granules.
FR2764583A1 (fr) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-18 Airsec Sa Tube de conditionnement avec mecanisme distributeur pour granules ou produits similaires
FR2788040A1 (fr) * 1998-12-31 2000-07-07 Airsec Sa Distributeur d'objets

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100654182B1 (ko) * 2005-09-26 2006-12-06 씨제이 주식회사 용기 구조체
FR2894943A1 (fr) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-22 Plastohm S A Sa Distributeur pour tout produit de type comprimes.
WO2007071837A2 (fr) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-28 Plastohm Sa Distributeur pour tout produit de type comprimes
WO2007071837A3 (fr) * 2005-12-19 2007-08-16 Plastohm Sa Distributeur pour tout produit de type comprimes
FR2967657A1 (fr) * 2010-11-18 2012-05-25 Defi Internat Distributeur unitaire de capsules de beaute

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1648799B1 (fr) 2007-11-21
WO2005014431A1 (fr) 2005-02-17
DE602004010268D1 (de) 2008-01-03
EP1648799A1 (fr) 2006-04-26

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