Method and apparatus for dispensing diagnostic test strips

• US 20090321467A1
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embecta Corporation
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Lovell, John, West, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a radial array of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. The container has a plurality of radially extending slots formed by a plurality of dividing walls, and each slot is sized to receive a single test strip. A rotatably positionable cover is carried by the container for covering the plurality of radially extending slots. The cover includes an opening, which, when the cover rotates, aligns with one of the slots at a time to allow removal of a single test strip located within the respective slot. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring skin oils on a user'"'"'s hand.

Claims

1. A method for storing and dispensing test strips, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of test strips in a radially arranged manner in a container having a replaceable lid; and

selectively uncovering at least one test strip in such a manner as to allow only one test strip at a time to be dispensed from the container.

2. The method for storing and dispensing test strips according to claim 1, further comprising the step of inverting the container to dispense a test strip.

3. The method for storing and dispensing test strips according to claim 1, further comprising the step of exposing one of the plurality of radially arranged test strips to allow the exposed test strip to be dispensed from the container.

4. The method for storing and dispensing test strips according to claim 3, wherein the step of exposing one of the plurality of radially arranged test strips comprises rotating a cover member.

5. The method for storing and dispensing test strips according to claim 4, wherein the step of rotating the cover member comprises the step of manipulating a handle disposed on the cover member.

6. The method for storing and dispensing test strips according to claim 4, wherein the step of rotating the cover member comprises the step of pressing a button disposed on the cover member.

7. A method for storing and dispensing test strips, comprising the steps of:

selectively opening and closing a lid for substantially hermetically sealing a container;

radially arranging a plurality of test strips in the container; and

rotating a cover to selectively expose a single one of the plurality of test strips.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of inverting the container to dispense the exposed test strip through the cover.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of rotating the cover comprises overcoming a biasing element biasing the cover to maintain alignment between an opening in the cover and a first region of the container for containing one of the plurality of test strips, such that the opening aligns with a second region of the container for containing another one of the plurality of test strips.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of rotating the cover comprises aligning an opening in the cover with a region of the container for containing one of the plurality of test strips.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of rotating the cover comprises manipulating a handle disposed on the cover.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of rotating the cover comprises depressing a button disposed on the cover.

13. A method for storing and dispensing test strips, comprising the steps of:

providing a container for radially arranging a plurality of test strips therein;

exposing a single one of the plurality of test strips by rotating a cover disposed on the container and having and opening therein; and

operating a lid for selectively opening the container and closing and substantially hermetically sealing the container.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of inverting the container to dispense the exposed test strip through the cover opening.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a biasing element biasing the cover to maintain alignment between the opening and a first region of the container for containing one of the plurality of test strips, such that the biasing element is overcome to align the opening with a second region of the container for containing another one of the plurality of test strips.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of exposing a single one of the test strips comprises manipulating a handle disposed on the cover.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of exposing a single one of the test strips comprises depressing a button disposed on the cover.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of exposing a single one of the test strips further comprises:

providing a first set of cam surfaces on the cover; and

providing a second set of cam surfaces on the container that are operatively engageable with the first set of cam surfaces to rotate the cover upon depression of the button.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of providing the second set of cam surfaces comprises:

providing a cam sleeve on which the second set of cam surfaces are disposed; and

fixedly engaging the cam sleeve with the container.