Device for singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips
First Claim
1. A container for storing, singulating and dispensing to a user individual strips of rigid and semi-rigid material comprising:
- (a) a container having a body with a vertical axis, top and bottom ends, and an inner wall, said top end having a first dispensing aperture sized to permit the passage of a single strip,(b) closure means for selectively exposing said first dispensing aperture for the passage of a single strip, and(c) an internal capture element corresponding in size and shape to a single strip, said capture element being aligned with said first dispensing aperture and having at least one capture ridge for capturing and guiding said single strip into said first dispensing aperture for grasping by a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A container device for storing, singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips such as diagnostic test strips. A plurality of strips is contained and protected within a transparent container having an internal capture element for capturing and positioning a single strip adjacent a narrow normally-closed dispensing aperture. The aperture is exposed by rotating a spring-loaded container top cap to an open position. A detachable container base cap contains a desiccant and is replaceable. An optional stand stores the device in an upright position, and incorporates a tool to facilitate removal of the base cap for replenishing the container'"'"'s contents or replacing the desiccant. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be incorporated for electronic inventory control. The device can also be used as an integrated test strip container/single strip dispensing means for an automated analyte meter module.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A container for storing, singulating and dispensing to a user individual strips of rigid and semi-rigid material comprising:
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(a) a container having a body with a vertical axis, top and bottom ends, and an inner wall, said top end having a first dispensing aperture sized to permit the passage of a single strip, (b) closure means for selectively exposing said first dispensing aperture for the passage of a single strip, and (c) an internal capture element corresponding in size and shape to a single strip, said capture element being aligned with said first dispensing aperture and having at least one capture ridge for capturing and guiding said single strip into said first dispensing aperture for grasping by a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. The method of singulating and dispensing individual rigid and semi-rigid strips comprising the steps of
(a) providing a cylindrical container adapted to receive a plurality of individual said strips in axially inserted relation within the container, said container having a strip dispensing aperture and including single strip capture means rotationally operable by a user to selectively separate and capture a single said strip from said plurality of strips; -
(b) inserting a plurality of said strips into said container; (c) manipulating said strip capture means to present a captured strip to said strip dispensing aperture; and (d) dispensing said strip through said strip dispensing aperture.
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Specification