EP1829798A1

EP1829798A1 - Tablet container and dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1829798A1
Application number: EP05815887A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josep Maria Janes Autonell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-01
Filing date: 2005-11-11
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Also published as: ES1059046Y; ES1059046U; WO2006058934A1; EP1829798A4

Abstract

Tablet container-dispenser, which includes a container box (1) open on one of its sides and a lid (3) fitted to the box (1) with tilting with respect to the box and articulated around a pair of stubs (14) perpendicular to the main surfaces of the box (1), which has a flattened shape, with one of its sides open and with two recesses (7, 27) each in the contiguous zones.

Description

This invention refers to a tablet container and dispenser device.
As indicated by the title, this is a device that contains and protects a certain amount of pills, tablets and similar, assuring their preservation and facilitating their consumption when needed.
The new device includes an open and close mechanism that allows for gradual removal of the tablets at will, and it is easy and safe to use, even with one hand.
The container-dispenser is advantageously made in a size suitable for carrying in a pocket or purse and for use at any desired time.
The new container-dispenser consists of two main parts: a box-case that contains and protects the tablets until they are removed on a controlled basis, and an associated part for sealing the former that has a mechanism for opening the device to remove the tablets.
To facilitate the explanation, this description is accompanied by some drawings that show, by way of an illustrative but not limitative example, an execution of a tablet container and dispenser according to the principles of the claims.
In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the container box-case.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the open-close piece for removing the tablets, and figures 3 and 3bis are two views in perspective of the functional piece.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the complete container, also in perspective, in three positions of the functional open-close piece used to remove the tablets.

The elements designated with numbers in the drawings correspond to the parts indicated below.
The box-case 1 is a flattened cylinder or prism with an open side part 2 to receive the functional piece 3.
Piece 3 has an external elongated rectangular zone 4 which, at one end, is provided with a projecting tab which, when pressed down, preferentially with the thumb of one hand, opens the container. The other end of zone 4 defines a curvilinear notch 6 that fits into recess 7 of box-case 1.
Piece 3 has an internal projection in the shape of a triangular prism 8, which has an internal lateral surface 9 and an external lateral surface 10. Both are provided with two perforations 11 and 12, which together define part of the exit path of the tablets, designated with number 20.
Piece 3 also has an internal extension 13 provided with some stubs 14 functioning as axes of articulation that are each housed in recesses of box 1.
In addition, a rectilinear part 16 stems from piece 3 which is appreciably parallel to external part 4 and laterally forms a triangular flap 17 and a curvilinear extension 18, the end of which is contiguous to an internal lateral surface 21 of the box-case 1.
Zone 22 connects parts 3 and 16 and allows for articulation of these parts by way of a hinge.
Extension 18 has a perforation 19 which, in the closed position of figure 4, is a prolongation of perforation 20, but the tablets contained in box 1 are blocked by the lower zone 23 of lateral part 21.
A look at figures 4, 5 and 6 helps to understand the operation of the part that blocks and releases the tablets initially contained in the box-case 1.
In the closed position (figure 4), the tablets can pass through openings 19 and 20, but they are blocked in the lower zone 23 of surface 21 of the box.
The flexibility and elasticity properties of the plastic material used to make piece 3 and its extensions, as well as the shape of the latter, allow for the semi-open position shown in figure 5. This results from the application of a compression force against the end part of zone 4, specifically its tab 5. The internal part 22 acts as a hinge and permits the tilting of piece 3 around the stubs 14. The appendix 8 blocks the opening 19 of projection 18.
The extension 15 abuts with end 24 of the rectilinear part 16 and this, in turn, with the internal projection 25 of box 1. Piece 3 angularly extends from the open part 2 of box 1 and opening 12 gradually becomes uncovered. The tablet(s) that was(were) located in opening 20 slide along its lower inclined plane and, in the position of figure 6, they are free to exit to the exterior.
The design and sizing of the different parts of the container described above ensure that, in practically all cases, only one tablet will exit for each movement of the moving device (simply pressing on tab 5).

Claims

Tablet container-dispenser, characterized by the fact that it includes a container box (1) open on one of its sides and a lid (3) fitted to the box (1) which tilts with respect to the box and is articulated around a pair of stubs (14) perpendicular to the main surfaces of the box (1).
Tablet container-dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that box (1) has a flattened shape, with one of its lateral parts open and with two recesses (7, 27), respectively, in each of its contiguous zones.
Tablet container-dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the lid (3) fitted to the box (1) includes the following parts, made of a single piece of plastic material with flexible, elastic properties:
a) a narrow elongated rectangular part (4), with a length corresponding to the open part (2) of the box (1) and provided at its ends with a notch (5) and a curvilinear end (6) in correspondence with the recesses (7, 27) of the box itself (1);

b) an internal projection (8) in a triangular prismatic shape with two of its lateral surfaces forming an acute angle and provided with two openings (11, 12) each for the exiting tablets to pass through;

c) a second narrow rectangular part (16) joined to the part (4) by a perpendicular section (22) functioning as a hinge and with the possibility of tilting in relation to part (3);

d) a projection (13) provided with two stubs (14) for articulation of the lid (3) with respect to the box (1);

e) a curvilinear end (15) aimed towards the inside and next to the projection (13) of the articulation, functioning as a butt;

f) a flap (17) joined to the rectangular part (16) and an extension (18) provided with a perforation (19) for guiding and afterwards retaining the tablets inside the box (1).
Tablet container-dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the articulation of piece (3) with respect to the box (1) is achieved by elastic bending of the connection zone (22) of parts (3, 16) from the parallel closed position of the box (1) to the relative angular opened position.