FR2867459A1 - Homeopathic granule dispensing device, has part presenting unit that isolates chamber from granule storage and another unit that elastically deforms chamber to compensate effects of retaining units - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a chamber (23) comprising a part (2) with retaining units (21, 22) permitting to retain granules. The part (2) cooperates with another part (3) when pressure is exerted in a transversal direction on a ferrule (1), at a level of the chamber. The part (3) presents a unit that isolates the chamber from a granule storage and another unit that elastically deforms the chamber to compensate effects of the retaining units.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing granules

homeopathic.

  Homeopathic granule dispensing devices generally consist of a tubular-shaped envelope whose one end is closed while the other comprises an extraction mechanism for taking the granules contained in said envelope for transferring them into a receiving chamber. In general, the extraction mechanism comprises a hopper open on the pellet store and which opens into a chamber capable of containing a single granule, said chamber being associated with means making it possible to isolate it from said tank and to open it on outside to release the granule it contains.

  A dispensing device for homeopathic granules must have certain peculiarities related in particular to the administration protocol of these granules. Indeed, the homeopathic granules must not be held in hand and must pass directly from the dispensing device to the mouth. Knowing that each dose is generally made up of three to five granules, that a treatment comprises several daily intake of several different products, and that several people from the same family can be in treatment, it is necessary that the dispenser devices are above all reliable from the counting point of view.

  However, currently known dispensing devices and the most frequently used, are far from allowing a reliable count, which is in particular due to the physical peculiarities of the granules.

  Indeed, these granules are not of a great regularity of manufacture, when they are spherical their diameter is irregular, it oscillates, without limitation, between 3.8 and 4.2 mm, but they are most often ovoid, their smaller dimension being 3.5 mm while their largest is 4.5 mm.

  Thus, to allow the passage of the largest granules while maintaining a safety margin, it is necessary to provide a chamber minimum dimension of 4.7 mm. However, because of the existence of granules of very small dimensions, such a chamber is able to contain more than one of these small granules, the additional portion of granule being found at the means of closing the admission light , which may result in either a fractionation of said granule or damage to the dispensing device.

  On the other hand, the granules generally consist of porous sugar balls to allow the absorption of the active ingredient in the last manufacturing step, which has the consequence of generating a rough surface which favors the attachment of the granules with each other. the others, a phenomenon that is amplified at the slightest trace of moisture. These specificities of the granules contribute to annoying the regular passage of the granules, and counting them one by one.

  Many types of dispensing devices for homeopathic granules are already known. The most known are those comprising one or more rotary chambers arranged downstream of a storage chamber. These devices have many disadvantages, on the one hand they are of the aforementioned type comprising a distribution chamber sized to accommodate the largest granules, on the other hand they require both hands to be manipulated, and to be worn at eye level to control counting. It will be noted, however, that these devices have certain advantages over others, that of allowing the stirring of the granules contained in the storage chamber, thus avoiding a clogging phenomenon, and that of being reversible in order to return to said chamber a surplus of granules.

  Other devices comprise a flexible chamber associated with a pin operated by the user and forcing the passage of the granule through said chamber. The risks of jamming are identical, the effort applied by the user depends on the diameter of the granule, and it is possible to penetrate two small granules in the chamber. These devices have other disadvantages, in particular that, unlike the aforementioned devices, the mechanism is not reversible, and they do not allow mixing.

  Also known axial pressure distributor devices, which have the advantage of being used with one hand, and allow to count and distribute the granules one by one. These dispenser devices operate on the principle of a force passage of the granule through a light closed by a flexible element. The passage is caused by the punching of the granule, acting on the best placed granule, so that there can be no double distribution. On the other hand, this mechanism is not reversible, and there is no mixing of the granules which leads to frequent defusing. Finally, these dispensing devices are of a relatively complex design, in that they include a large number of parts.

  The device described in document FR 2.665.317, whose operation is satisfactory but whose manufacture requires many parts that must be oriented during their assembly, and whose molds are expensive, is thus known.

  Conversely, the device of EP 393.573 is known, which comprises only three parts which advantageously do not need to be oriented during assembly, and whose molds are of a reasonable complexity. On the other hand, its operation is not satisfactory, besides its non-reversibility and the fact that it does not move the granules while its entry cone is practically self-locking, and it can not prevent double distributions.

  The present invention aims to remedy all the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a dispensing device homeopathic granules, simple and inexpensive design, allowing to count the granules one by one for sure, while allowing the mixing of granules.

  The dispensing device for homeopathic granules according to the invention is of the type in the form of a tubular envelope closed at one end while the other is provided with a mechanism for extracting granules one by one, the latter comprising a hopper open on the pellet store and which opens into a chamber capable of containing a granule, said chamber being associated with means making it possible to isolate it from said store and to open it on the outside to release the granule which it contains and is essentially characterized in that said chamber comprises a first piece provided with means for retaining a granule and which, under the action of a pressure exerted in the transverse direction on said envelope to the right of said chamber , cooperates with a second piece having two parts, a first adapted to isolate said chamber of said reserve, and a second able to elastically deform said chamber in said to annihilate the effects of said retaining means.

  The dimensions of the chamber are determined to accommodate the larger granules, while the retaining means are designed to retain the smaller granules.

  Advantageously, the pressure exerted on the envelope further allows the mixing of the granules of the reserve.

  According to an additional feature of the device according to the invention, the part of the second part intended to isolate the chamber is in the form of an element capable of penetrating into said chamber at a height substantially less than the maximum height that a granule.

  This feature avoids double distribution. Indeed, if the granule contained in the chamber is of the largest size, the end of the portion of the second piece for isolating the chamber will deform on the granule and be placed above it and so the isolate from other granules. If the granule contained in the chamber is of the smallest size, a second granule may be present at the inlet of said chamber, however the end of the portion of the second piece intended to isolate said chamber abuts against the base said second granule with the effect of raising it and isolating the first granule.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, the part of the second part intended to isolate the chamber is in the form of a flexible element adapted, under transverse pressure, to block the granule placed above the one placed in said room.

  According to another additional feature of the device according to the invention, the two parts are integral with the inner wall of the envelope and are molded therefrom.

  Advantageously, the dispensing device according to the invention consists of the unoriented assembly of three parts, namely a closed envelope at one end forming a reservoir, a ferrule assembled to said casing, incorporating the dispensing mechanism, and a stopper. . These three parts can be made of a semi-rigid plastic material such as polypropylene, the variation of the thicknesses to obtain rigidity or flexibility where it is necessary.

  According to another additional characteristic of the device according to the invention, one of the zones of the first or of the second part intended to come into sliding contact with one another is provided with at least one means adapted to create a resistance limited to said sliding, during the realization of a transverse pressure.

  This means capable of creating a resistance may consist of a notch on which momentarily abuts the other part, and which requires increasing the transverse pressure to go beyond. This means aims on the one hand to create a firm and constant touch, on the other hand to produce a sound announcing the distribution of a granule, finally, because of the increase of the transverse pressure and the sudden release which results, to stir the granules of the reserve.

  According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first part of the chamber is in the form of an element which is of C-shaped cross section, whose lateral opening is too narrow to allow the passage a granule, and which is provided below and internally at least two facing prominences adapted to reduce the lower opening so as to prohibit the passage of a granule, while the second piece has the shape of a wedge which, under the transverse pressure, penetrates into said element by its lateral opening to widen it to release said granule.

  According to a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first part of the chamber is in the form of an element which is of C-shaped cross section, whose lateral opening, formed between two longitudinal edges, is too narrow to allow the passage of a granule, one of said longitudinal edges being fixedly secured to the envelope while the other is externally equipped with a lug, and which is provided below and internally at least two protrusions facing able to reduce the lower opening so as to prohibit the passage of a granule, while the second piece has the shape of a suitable element, under the transverse pressure, to abut on said pin so deforming said C-section member and expanding said lateral opening to release the pellet.

  According to a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first and second parts are identical, each has a gutter shape so that their approximation creates a channel, while the crushing of one against the other under the effect of the transverse pressure, causes their deformation and the retraction of the granule retaining means.

  The advantages and characteristics of the device according to the invention will become more clearly apparent from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents several non-limiting embodiments thereof.

  In the accompanying drawing: - Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a first embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view in elevation and in section of the same device.

  - Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the same device during use.

  FIG. 4 represents a diagrammatic elevation and sectional view of the same device during its use.

  - Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a second embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention.

  - Figure 6 shows the same view of the same device 15 during use.

  - Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a third embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention.

  - Figure 8 shows the same view of the same device 20 during use.

  The dispensing device of homeopathic granules according to the invention comprises tubular casing closed at one end while the other is provided with a mechanism for extracting granules one by one shown in the accompanying figures.

  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a first embodiment of a mechanism for extracting granules G, which is in the form of a shell 1 from molding a semi-rigid plastic material , and intended to be abutted to an envelope, not shown, containing a reserve of granules G. This shell 1 internally comprises two parts each integral with the inner wall 10, and facing each other, namely a first part 2 which is intended to constitute a chamber for receiving a granule G, and a second part 3 intended to cooperate with the first.

  The first part 2 consists of a substantially tubular element with an axis parallel to that of the shell 1, of C-shaped cross section, that is to say which presents laterally, on the opposite side to that of attachment of the part 2 at the wall 10, that is to say on the side facing the second part 3, an opening 20 delimited by longitudinal edges 21, and which is of a width that does not allow the passage of a granule G , so small that it can be.

  This part 2 comprises below, that is to say on the opposite side to the reserve of granules G, two protrusions 22 extending inwards so as to reduce the opening 23 to prevent the passage from below. a granule G so small that it can be.

  The part 2 is thus open on the reserve of granules G, and a granule G can thus descend from the latter and take place in the room 2 without however being able to go beyond it since it can pass through the opening 20, nor by the opening 23.

  The piece 3 consists of element having the shape of a wedge both in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction. It comprises in fact an upper surface inclined from the outside towards the inside so as to direct the granules towards the upper opening of the part 2, while in the transverse direction, it has the shape of a sector pointed towards the opening 20 of the part 2, that is to say that these lateral faces 31 form an angle so as to converge from outside to inside.

  Referring more particularly to Figure 2, it can be seen that the part 3 has a lower face 32 substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shell 1 and which lies in plane which cuts the part 2 substantially below the top of the granule G who occupies it.

  Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that under the action of a pressure P exerted transversely on the shell 1, on either side thereof and simultaneously, by means of the thumb and index for example, an elastic deformation of the ferrule 1 is obtained, with the result that the part 3 co-operates internally with the part 2.

  Thus, at first the end 33 of the piece 3, is inserted into the opening 20 to separate the granule G placed in the room 2 of those of the reserve, then in a second time the edges 21 come into contact with the side faces 31, and because of the divergence of the latter, the part 2 opens, that is to say that the opening 20 widens and the longitudinal edges 21 can no longer retain the granule G, while the prominences 22 deviate from each other, so that the granule G comes out of the room.

  Preferably, the end 33 of the part 3 has a certain flexibility in order to be able to easily interfere between the two granules.

  Note the presence of notches 34, visible in Figures 1 and 3, made in the faces 31 and which are intended to temporarily receive the longitudinal edges 21 during sliding of the latter on the faces 31, to create an effect of hit, produce a sound and trigger by spring effect riddling granules reserve.

  After releasing the pressure P, the shell 1 returns to its original shape and is ready for a new job.

  Note that the dispensing device is preferably associated with a plug, not shown, intended to be abutted to the shell 1 on the side opposite the reserve of course, in order to collect the granules G counted by the device. It will therefore be understood that the distribution is reversible since it is sufficient to return the dispensing device and operate it to reintegrate into the reserve one or more granules extracted by mistake.

  The dispensing device according to the invention thus makes it possible to overcome all the disadvantages of the existing devices while being reliable and above all of a low manufacturing cost, since it requires only three parts to be assembled without orientation, and the most elaborate of which know the ferrule 1, can come from a mold of low complexity.

  Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there can be seen a second embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention.

  The shell 1 contains two parts 4 and 5 facing each other, a first part 4 consists of a substantially tubular element of axis parallel to that of the shell 1, of C-shaped cross section, that is to say which has laterally, on the side facing the second part 5, an opening 40, delimited by longitudinal edges 41 and which is of a width that does not allow the passage of a granule G. The part 4 has two lower prominences 42 extending inwardly so as to reduce the lower opening 43 and prevent the passage from below a granule G. In addition to being connected to the shell 1 on the side diametrically opposite the opening 40 by a bridge 44 of material, the part 4 is connected to the shell 1 by a bridge 45 of material which extends from a longitudinal edge 41, so as to immobilize part of the part 4. On the other side, the piece 4 comprises a lug 46 which extends outwards.

  The piece 5 is in the form of a plate which is connected to the ferrule 1 by means of two bridges of material, a first bridge 50 on the side diametrically opposite the piece 4, and a second bridge 51 connecting the piece 5 to proximity of the attachment of the part 4 by the bridge 45, so that during a pressure P is observed in addition to their approximation, a pivoting of the part 5 so that its end 53 opposite to that attached to the bridge 51 come to repel the lug 46 to cause the opening of the part 4.

  It should be noted that in this embodiment the means used to isolate the granule G from the rest of the reserve are different from those of the first embodiment, although they may be identical, and vice versa.

  Note also that the end 53 intended to cooperate with the lug 46 is provided with a notch 54 whose role is similar to that of the notches 34 of the previous embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the part 5 comprises, at the right of the part 4, a transverse and flexible blade 52 adapted, when the parts 4 and 5 come together, to jam the granule placed immediately above that arranged in the part 4.

  Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, we can see a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the shell 1 incorporates two parts 6 and 7 identical and facing each other.

  The parts 6 and 7 have an L-shaped cross-section, that is to say they have a large wing, respectively 60 and 70, and a small wing, respectively 61 and 71, forming between them a right angle . The parts 6 and 7 are arranged relative to each other to form a chamber 9 of section in the form of a rectangle, the diagonal of which substantially coincides with the diameter of the ferrule 1.

  The large wings 60 and 70 each comprise lower, on the inner side and near their free edge, a prominence, respectively 62 and 72. These prominences 62 and 72 are intended to prohibit the passage of a granule G placed between the pieces 6 and 7.

  Furthermore, each of the parts 6 and 7 has superiorly, on the inner side, in the angle formed by the two wings 60 and 61, and 70 and 71, two prominences, respectively 63 and 73.

  In FIG. 8 it can be seen that under the action of a pressure P exerted transversely on the ferrule 1, on both sides of it and simultaneously, by means of the thumb and the index for example, the parts 6 and 7 move closer so that the chamber 9 is deformed to become square section, while the prominences 62 and 72 are moving away from each other no longer prohibit the passage of a granule, and that the prominences 63 and 73 come closer to each other to prevent the entry of the chamber to another granule.

  It will be noted that advantageously, the two parts 6 and 7 are connected to each other by flexible bridges 64 and 74, respectively connecting the wings 60 and 71, and the wings 70 and 61.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can not be limited to the foregoing description of several of its embodiments, may undergo some modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

  1) dispensing device of homeopathic granules of the type in the form of a tubular casing (1) closed at one end while the other is provided with a mechanism for extracting granules (G) one by one, this last comprising a hopper open on the pellet store and which opens into a chamber (23; 43; 9) adapted to contain a granule, said chamber (23; 43; 9) being associated with means for isolating it from said reserve and open on the outside to release the granule it contains, characterized in that said chamber (23; 43; 9) comprises a first piece (2; 4; 6, 7) provided with means (21; , 22, 41, 42, 62) for retaining a granule (G) and which, under the action of a pressure (P) exerted in the transverse direction on said envelope (1) in line with said chamber ( 23, 43;  9) cooperates with a second part (3; 5; 6,7) having two parts, a first part (33; 52; 63,73) adapted to isolate said chamber (23; 43; 9) from said reserve; second (31; 53) adapted to elastically deform said chamber (23; 43; 9) so as to annihilate the effects of said retaining means (21, 22; 41, 42; 62).   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the second piece (3; 6, 7) for isolating the chamber (23; 9) is in the form of a member (33; 63, 73). ) capable of penetrating into said chamber (23; 9) at a height substantially less than the maximum height that a granule (G) can have.   3) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the portion of the second piece (5) for isolating the chamber (43) is in the form of a flexible element (52) fit, under the transverse pressure (P), to block the granule (G) placed above that placed in said chamber (43).   4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two parts (2, 3; 4, 5; 6, 7) are integral with the inner wall (10) of the casing (1) and come molding of the latter.   5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the areas (31; 53) of the first or the second part (2, 3; 4, 5) intended to come into contact with each other. sliding on one another, is provided with at least one means (34; 54) adapted to create a resistance limited to said sliding, during the realization of a transverse pressure (P).   6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (2) of the chamber (23) is in the form of a member which is of C-shaped cross section, of which the lateral opening (20) is too narrow to allow the passage of a granule (G), and which is provided inferiorly and internally with at least two prominences (22) facing able to reduce the lower opening so as to prohibit the passage of a granule (G), while the second piece (3) has the shape of a wedge which, under the transverse pressure (P), enters said element (2) by its lateral opening (20) in order to expand it to release said granule (G).   7) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first part (4) of the chamber (43) is in the form of an element which is of C-shaped cross section, whose lateral opening (40), formed between two longitudinal edges (41), is too narrow to allow the passage of a granule (G), one of said longitudinal edges (41) (1) while the other (46), and which is provided fixedly secured to the casing is externally equipped with a lower lug and internally with at least two prominences the lower opening granule (G), while the (42) facing suitable to reduce sort of prohibiting the passage of a second part (5) has the form of a suitable element, under the transverse pressure (P), to abut on said pin (46) so as to deform said element ( 4) of C-section and widening said lateral opening (40) to release the granule (G).   8) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first and second parts (6, 7) are identical, each has a gutter shape so that their approximation creates a channel (9), while the crushing of one against the other under the effect of the transverse pressure (P), causes their deformation and the retraction of the means (42) retaining the granule (G).