Device for singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips

• US 20120199601A1
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin G. Sawa
• Original Assignee: Kevin G. Sawa
• Inventors: Sawa, Kevin G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,341,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0811 with means for assisting dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0817 the articles being automatically urged towards the dispensing aperture, e.g. spring-loaded B65D83/0823 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48778 Containers specially adapted therefor, e.g. for dry storage

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.

Claims

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.

2. The container of claim 1 in which said closure means comprises a cap having a second dispensing aperture, said cap being rotatable relative to said container body in a first direction for selectively bringing said first and second dispensing apertures into alignment for opening a passage for removal of a single strip, and rotatable in a second direction for closing said passage.

3. The container of claim 2 in which said cap includes biasing means urging rotation in said second direction for closing said passage upon release by a user.

4. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which said capture element is disposed perpendicular to said container inner wall.

5. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which said capture element has an arrow-shaped cross-section that separates, captures and guides a single strip along the surface of said capture element and into said first dispensing aperture.

6. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which said capture element has a distal end which is angled and beveled relative to the container vertical axis for separating and guiding the insertion of strips to be dispensed.

7. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which at least one of the body, top and bottom ends, inner wall and internal capture element is made of a static electricity-dissipating conductive polymer.

8. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which at least one of the body, top and bottom ends, inner wall and internal capture element is made of a moldable polymeric material.

9. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which at least one of the top end and internal capture element is made of a metal.

10. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which at least two of said body, top and bottom ends, and capture element are molded as an integral unit.

11. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which the contents are viewable by a user.

12. The container of claim 1 or 2 including a single supply of dispensable strips pre-loaded by a manufacturer for single use.

13. The container of claim 1 or 2 including a replenishable supply of dispensable strips which are loadable by a manufacturer for multiple uses.

14. The container of claim 1 or 2 including a replenishable supply of dispensable strips which are reloadable by an end user for multiple uses.

15. The container of claim 1 or 2 including an electronic tracking device for inventory control and usage monitoring.

16. The container of claim 1 in which said container includes an integral desiccant.

17. The container of claim 2 in which said bottom end comprises a removable base cap and further includes a stand for the container having a tool to assist in the removal of the base cap from the container.

18. The container of claim 17 in which a desiccant is contained in said base cap.

19. The container of claim 17 in which said desiccant includes means for providing a visual indication of useful life.

20. The container of claim 1 or 2 in combination with an automated analyte meter means for dispensing a single said strip from the plurality of contained strips into the meter for use.

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.