Dispenser apparatus for an economic use of a multi-zone disposable strip

• US 5,802,940 A
• Filed: 04/29/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asulab SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Asulab SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Inventors: Jaeger, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rachuba, Maurina T.
• Application Number:
  US08/638,799
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 83/207, 83/222, 83/226, 83/229, 83/257, 83/276, 225/10, 225/16, 221/70, 221/71, 221/72, 221/73, 221/74, 206/530, 206/531, 206/538
• US Class Current: 83/207
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0882 and for cutting interconnected articles cutting devices for dispensers intended for re-use B65H35/008
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/211 Manually operated feed-out mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4453 Work moved solely by movable abutment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4493 Tool motion initiates work feed and vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4511 On return stroke of tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4582 Work advance occurs during return stroke of tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/463 Work-feed element contacts and moves with work

Abstract

A dispenser apparatus having a guiding plate (59) and a cylindrical extension (74) with a groove (75), the cylindrical extension preferably being coupled to a cover (22) for enabling backwards movement of a disposable strip (34) in the apparatus prior to the separation of a disposable zone (Z1 to Z9) of the strip. The strip can be moved forward step-by-step, after it has been inserted into the apparatus, via a sliding button (23) which acts on a cursor (35) to which the strip (34) can be coupled and which can circulate into a passage (29) provided in the case (20) of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly applicable to dispensing devices for objects such as medical tablets, and to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for use with disposable strips, each comprising several detachable successive utilization zones along its longitudinal axis, said apparatus comprising:

a case with an hinged cover able to move between an open position and a closed position, said case defining a circulation passage having an upstream end for the introduction of said strip and a downstream end at the opposite side,

a forward feed mechanism for bringing said strip out of the circulation passage with a constant pitch step by step movement,

means for cutting said strip, and

a sliding unit, mounted so as to move in said passage, attached to said forward feed mechanism and coupled to the downstream end of a strip when said strip is introduced, wherein said dispenser apparatus also comprises a guiding plate, cooperating with a groove located in a cylindrical extension of said means for cutting said strip, to form means for controlling backward movement of said strip over a predetermined distance less than one forward step after said strip has carried out such a step.

2. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movement of a strip is coupled to the means for cutting said strip so that said strip is cut only after the backward movement of said strip.

3. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the backward movement of a strip also controls the forward movement of said strip over a distance less than one forward step of said strip.

4. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movement of a strip is actuated by said cover during the respective opening or closing movement or movements of said cover.

5. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising resilient means carried by said sliding unit for blocking and coupling said sliding unit and said strip, and

wherein said sliding unit comprises a cursor mounted so as to slide in said circulation passage and provided with a hooked spring co-operating with said forward feed mechanism.

6. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said forward feed mechanism comprises a ratchet bar co-operating with said hooked spring to assure said coupling and to enable the step by step forward feed of said cursor, and wherein said ratchet bar is coupled to a control button mounted freely in said case to control said step by step movement.

7. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said ratchet bar is mounted in said case parallel to said circulation passage so as to carry out an orbital movement in its own plane, said ratchet bar having serrated edged toothing for, during each orbital movement corresponding to one forward step of said cursor, engaging with said hooked spring.

8. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said orbital movement has a rectangular outline.

9. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said ratchet bar has at least one cut in which a tightening screws, fixed in relation to said case, are engaged to define with said cut said orbital movement.

10. A dispenser apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a resilient return spring is provided for drawing backwards said ratchet bar.

11. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein indexing catches are provided in said circulation passage with the pitch of said step by step movement and wherein said hooked spring is arranged to engage with said indexing catches to fix each position of said cursor.