Dispenser

Details Dispenser Dispenser

1999-07-02

2001-04-24

Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)

Article dispensing

With means for blocking or disabling ejector or releaser

C221S152000, C221S209000, C221S246000, C221S273000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220480

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a dispenser.
Various dispensers for dispensing pills are known. It is desirable in some applications for the dispenser to be able to dispense one and only one pill on each operation of the dispenser. Some prior art dispensers do not function reliably in that the dispenser may dispense more than one pill or no pills at all on operation of the dispenser. In addition, with some pills, it is essential or at least desirable for the pills not to be touched so that the pills can be kept clean and sterile.
There is a general need for an improved pill dispenser as many prior art dispensers do not operate reliably and consistently.
According to the present invention, there is provided a pill dispenser for dispensing pills, the dispenser comprising: a container for holding pills, the container being closed at one end and open at an opposite end; and, a sleeve in which the container is slidably received; the dispenser having an outlet through which a pill can pass from the container and a gate for closing the outlet to prevent a pill passing through the outlet; the arrangement being such that the gate is opened when the container is moved in the sleeve so that a pill can pass through the open end of the container to the outlet to be dispensed from the dispenser.
The gate may be carried by the sleeve.
The gate may be a resilient flexible arm.
The dispenser may have a cam which biases the gate to its open position when the container is moved towards the outlet end of the dispenser to allow a pill to pass to and through the outlet.
The dispenser preferably has a stop for preventing second and further pills being dispensed after a first pill has moved past the stop. The stop may be an abutment which projects into the outlet. The stop may be carried by the sleeve so that the stop moves into the outlet when the container is moved in the sleeve towards the outlet end of the dispenser.
The passage from the container to the outlet may be a stepped funnel having a plurality of steps of decreasing diameter from the container to the outlet for example preferably eccentric in cross-sectional shape and may be elliptical or oval for example.
The container may have an external annular rib which is received in an internal retaining groove in the sleeve for movement therein as the container is moved back and forth in the sleeve. The sleeve may have an internal annular recess in which the annular rib may be received when the dispenser is not in use.
For ease of manufacture and assembly, the dispenser may include an outlet plug which is received in the open end of the container. Where a cam is provided, the cam may be carried by the plug. The plug may also carry the stop where provided. The plug may also provide the stepped funnel to the outlet where provided.
The container may include a tube therein. This serves to keep the contents clean and sterile by keeping the contents out of contact with the container. The tube may be glass. Where an outlet plug is provided, the plug may have a first collar received in the tube.
The dispenser may have biasing means for biasing the container away from the outlet. The biasing means may be a resilient return spring carried by the sleeve.
There may be provided a cap for fitting to a neck of the dispenser. The dispenser may be arranged to dispense a pill directly into the cap. This can help to avoid pills being handled by the user.
The pills which can be dispensed from the dispenser of the invention include medicines, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, artificial sweeteners and any other material which can be provided in a pill form.


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