Test Strip Dispenser

• US 20080217354A1
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson), LifeScan IP Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Macleod, Andrew, Weber, Barry, Newman, Michael John, Hourmand, Yannick Pierre, Impey, Benjamin Erland, Earnshaw, Edwin Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,052,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/229
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2583/082 Details relating to containers for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0829 by means of an actuator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

In one aspect, a method of dispensing a test strip is provided in which the dispensed test strip remains stationary while the inner housing moves within an outer housing. In another embodiment, a test strip dispenser is provided that dispenses one test strip at a time. The test strip dispenser includes a movable inner housing nested inside an outer housing. A test strip dispensing system is also described.

Claims

1. A test strip dispenser comprising:

an inner housing having an interior volume to store a plurality of test strips, the inner housing having an aperture through which a test strip is dispensed, the inner housing including a groove;

a device that biases the inner housing in a first direction; and

an outer housing having an opening in substantial alignment with the aperture of the inner housing to allow for passage of the test strip, the outer housing having a guide member that mates with the groove of the inner housing so that the test strip remains stationary when the inner housing is moved along the guide member of the outer housing in a direction generally opposite the first direction.

2. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the groove comprises a T-shaped cross-section

3. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the groove is located on a first end of the inner housing.

4. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a T-shaped rail.

5. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the guide member is located on a first inner surface of the outer housing.

6. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner housing further comprises a channel near the aperture through which the test strip is dispensed and the channel is configured to accommodate one test strip at a time.

7. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a cap on the opening of the outer housing

8. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded platform within the inner housing that biases the plurality of test strips toward the proximal end of the inner housing.

9. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner housing is comprised of a first portion joined to a second portion.

10. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outer housing is comprised of a first member joined to a second member.

11. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the biasing device comprises a spring.

12. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the biasing device is located proximal to the guide member.

13. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, wherein the biasing device is located distal to a proximal end of the inner housing.

14. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, further including an anti-jamming mechanism comprised of at least one flipper pivotably attached to an outer surface of the inner housing that engages with a recess on a second inner surface of the outer housing.

15. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a spring locator on a proximal end of the guide member.

16. The test strip dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a spring locator on a proximal end of the inner housing.

17. A system for dispensing test strips, the system comprising:

a plurality of test strips;

a test strip dispenser comprising;

an inner housing having an interior volume to store the plurality of test strips, the inner housing having an aperture through which a test strip is dispensed, the inner housing including a groove;

a spring that biases the inner housing in a first direction; and

an outer housing having an opening in substantial alignment with the aperture of the inner housing to allow for passage of the test strip, the outer housing having a guide member that mates with the groove of the inner housing so that the test strip remains stationary when the inner housing is moved along the guide member of the outer housing in a direction generally opposite the first direction; and

a meter comprising;

a strip port configured to engage the inner housing of the test strip dispenser; and

a strip port connector disposed in the strip port so that when the strip port connector engages the test strip, the inner housing of the dispenser is moved along the guide member.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the strip port protrudes from a proximal end of the test meter and is configured to engage the test strip dispenser in one orientation.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the strip port comprises a D shaped member.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a spring that biases the plurality of test strips in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.