Method for developing a tablet dispenser, and a tablet dispenser

• US 10,077,148 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2013
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPC Bramlage GmbH (Berry Global Group Inc.)
• Original Assignee: RPC Bramlage GmbH (Berry Global Group Inc.)
• Inventors: Goettke, Sabine
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ojofeitimi, Ayodeji T
• Application Number:
  US14/388,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20150076170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,044 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0409 the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation B65D83/0445 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

The invention relates firstly to a method for constructing a tablet dispenser, and also a tablet dispenser (1), for the dose-controlled issue of tablets (35), having a housing (2) and a dispensing part (3) that is insertable in the housing (2), wherein the dispensing part (3) has a dispensing chute (22) and a metering part (44) that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of a return spring (19). In order to achieve favorable loading of the return spring, it is suggested to provide a tensioning part (13), which is moved into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring (19), preferably as the dispensing part (3) is inserted in the housing (2).

Claims

1. A method for constructing a tablet dispenser for metered dispensing of a tablet, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part comprises a return spring, a dispensing chute, and a metering part that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of the return spring,

wherein the dispensing part further comprises a tensioning part that is moved into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing, and

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a disruption area having a predetermined breaking point and further by a hinge area,

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the dispensing part being inserted into the housing the dispensing part and the housing are in an unassembled position, and

wherein in the unassembled position the return spring of the dispensing part is disposed at a distance from the tensioning part of the dispensing part.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing part is a two-part member comprising a first subsection and a second subsection, and

wherein prior to the dispensing part being inserted into the housing, the dispensing part is assembled by interlocking the first subsection to the second subsection.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein prior to the dispensing part being inserted into the housing the dispensing part and the housing are in an unassembled position, and

wherein in the unassembled position and when the first subsection of the dispensing part is interlocked to the second subsection of the dispensing part the return spring of the dispensing part is disposed at a distance from the tensioning part of the dispensing part.

5. A tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part has a dispensing chute and a metering part arranged movably therein,

wherein further the metering part is movable against the force of a return spring arranged inside the dispensing part,

wherein the dispensing part further has a tensioning part which is movable into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing,

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a disruption area having a predetermined breaking point and further by a hinge area;

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position, by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure, and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well.

6. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning part is in a position ready to operate of the dispenser shifted against a movement tendency of the return spring during a dispensing operation.

7. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing chute extends essentially vertically.

8. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning part is connected to the dispensing part via a breaking point.

9. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning part is connected to the dispensing part via a hinge area.

10. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing part is constructed as a single-part plastic injection molded component.

11. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing part has two subsections, which are connected to one another in hinged manner, and wherein one subsection includes the tensioning part, and the other subsection includes the metering part and the return spring.

12. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing part comprises a layout that matches an interior free cross section of the housing, and wherein the tensioning part projects beyond the layout.

13. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the housing has an oval interior free cross section.

14. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, wherein in an unassembled position the dispensing part is not inserted into the housing, and

wherein in the unassembled position the return spring arranged inside the dispensing part is disposed at a distance from the tensioning part of the dispensing part.

15. A method for constructing a tablet dispenser for metered dispensing of a tablet, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part comprises a return spring, a dispensing chute, and a metering part that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of the return spring,

wherein the dispensing part further comprises a tensioning part that is moved into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing, and

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a disruption area having a predetermined breaking point and further by a hinge area,

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well;

wherein said first side of said tensioning part (13) is an inner surface (33) which cooperates with a free end (20) of said return spring (19);

said tensioning part (13) being within said cage structure (34);

wherein said second side of said tensioning part (13) has multiple protruding areas (16) on said second side; and

wherein said multiple protruding areas (16) contact an enclosing collar (38) of the housing;

said protruding areas (16) are on ribs that protrude outwardly toward the enclosing collar in the assembled state;

said ribs have an introduction area (18) on top, which functions as an insertion bevel and enables deflection during assembly.

16. A tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part has a dispensing chute and a metering part arranged movably therein,

wherein further the metering part is movable against the force of a return spring arranged inside the dispensing part,

wherein the dispensing part further has a tensioning part which is movable into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing,

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a disruption area having a predetermined breaking point and further by a hinge area;

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position, by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure, and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well;

wherein said first side of said tensioning part (13) is an inner surface (33) which cooperates with a free end (20) of said return spring (19);

said tensioning part (13) being within said cage structure (34);

wherein said second side of said tensioning part (13) has multiple protruding areas (16) on said second side; and

wherein said multiple protruding areas (16) contact an enclosing collar (38) of the housing;

said protruding areas (16) are on ribs that protrude outwardly toward the enclosing collar in the assembled state;

said ribs have an introduction area (18) on top, which functions as an insertion bevel and enables deflection during assembly.

17. A method for constructing a tablet dispenser for metered dispensing of a tablet, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part comprises a return spring, a dispensing chute, and a metering part that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of the return spring,

wherein the dispensing part further comprises a tensioning part that is moved into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing, and

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a hinge area,

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well.

18. A tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part has a dispensing chute and a metering part arranged movably therein,

wherein further the metering part is movable against the force of a return spring arranged inside the dispensing part,

wherein the dispensing part further has a tensioning part which is movable into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing,

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a hinge area;

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position, by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure, and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well.

19. A method for constructing a tablet dispenser for metered dispensing of a tablet, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part comprises a return spring, a dispensing chute, and a metering part that is movable relative to the dispensing chute against the force of the return spring,

wherein the dispensing part further comprises a tensioning part that is moved into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing, and

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a hinge area,

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well;

wherein said first side of said tensioning part (13) is an inner surface (33) which cooperates with a free end (20) of said return spring (19);

said tensioning part (13) being within said cage structure (34);

wherein said second side of said tensioning part (13) has multiple protruding areas (16) on said second side; and

wherein said multiple protruding areas (16) contact an enclosing collar (38) of the housing;

said protruding areas (16) are on ribs that protrude outwardly toward the enclosing collar in the assembled position;

said ribs have an introduction area (18) on top, which functions as an insertion bevel and enables deflection during assembly.

20. A tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets, having a housing and a dispensing part that is insertable in the housing into an assembled position within the housing,

wherein the dispensing part has a dispensing chute and a metering part arranged movably therein,

wherein further the metering part is movable against the force of a return spring arranged inside the dispensing part,

wherein the dispensing part further has a tensioning part which is movable into an area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring such that pretension is generated in the return spring as the dispensing part is inserted in the housing, the tensioning part having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side,

wherein the return spring is under prestress in both a dispensing condition and in a non-dispensing condition due to the tensioning part being moved into the area previously occupied by the unbiased return spring when the dispensing part is inserted in the housing,

wherein the return spring is disposed within the housing when the dispensing part has been inserted in the housing,

wherein when the tablet dispenser is in the assembled position and in the non-dispensing condition, the first side of the tensioning part is engaged by the return spring and the second side of the tensioning part is engaged by an inner surface of the housing;

wherein the tensioning part being combined in a non-assembled condition with a remaining part by a hinge area;

wherein after the insertion of the dispensing part into the housing the tensioning part remains in a tensioning position, by a non-returnable detent;

wherein the return spring in the non-assembled condition already is housed into a hidden position by means of a cage structure, and

wherein an underside of the tensioning part is shielded by a bottom, that a lateral side of the return spring is shielded by an actuating part on one side and the tensioning part on the other side, and that there are housing sections and a roof area shielding the tensioning part in this condition as well;

wherein said first side of said tensioning part (13) is an inner surface (33) which cooperates with a free end (20) of said return spring (19);

said tensioning part (13) being within said cage structure (34);

wherein said second side of said tensioning part (13) has multiple protruding areas (16) on said second side; and

wherein said multiple protruding areas (16) contact an enclosing collar (38) of the housing;

said protruding areas (16) are on ribs that protrude outwardly toward the enclosing collar in the assembled position;

said ribs have an introduction area (18) on top, which functions as an insertion bevel and enables deflection during assembly.