WO2007071837A2 - Dispenser for dispensing any type of tablet-like product - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging for any type of tablet-like product (2) or similar, held loosely in a container which is itself surmounted and closed at the top by a dispenser (4) capable of delivering the tablets (2) contained inside it via an external receptacle or bucket (6) from which the consumer takes the tablets (2) one at a time; the packaging being characterized in that the part forming the dispenser comprises: - a tablet (2) receiving and discharging chamber (7), the side (7b) of the chamber (7) being at least partially inclined - and a divider (8) mounted in a fixed position in the receiving chamber (7) and defining at least two possible passages, of which one is a preferential passage in order to guide the tablets appropriately oriented towards the exit bucket (6).

Description

 DISTRIBUTOR FOR ANY COMPRESSED PRODUCT

The present invention relates to a packaging for any product, such as tablets or the like.

By tablet or like terms, this includes any dry and solid form product encompassing not only tablets but also soft capsules, capsules, lozenges, pills, and the like.

For all of this type of product, and in order to simplify the text, the term "tablet" will be adopted in a general way.

In known manner, these tablets are arranged in bulk in a container.

In use, the user must lean it to take a tablet, or he must introduce his fingers to take the tablet. This represents a lack of hygiene evident because several tablets are then soiled by contact with the fingers.

Often the containers are narrow and it is difficult to introduce the fingers, especially when the tablet level has become too low for them to be easily accessible.

There are also containers associated with a dispenser, the tablets being taken by bending the container and shaking the packaging, so that only one tablet is released. But the problem lies in the fact that it is often several tablets that come out at once, and it is difficult to obtain the same number of tablets each time. In addition, excess tablets that come out get dirty when they touch the hand, resulting in poor hygiene when they have to be put back in the container because they are out too many.

There are also containers associated with tablet dispensing systems one by one, but they are rather reserved for round-shaped tablets, and their mechanisms are not suitable for larger tablets or for capsules that are size too important for this type of dispenser.

These dispensing systems require moving parts with specific rotational movements of a workpiece relative to each other, traction, compression or other, as well as specific bearing areas on parts of the dispensing system.

It is also possible that these tablets are toxic and irritating, and should not be affected, such as solid pellets of chlorine or fertilizer, for example.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these various disadvantages and to allow a simple unitary distribution of tablets, capsules or the like, regardless of the forms thereof by limiting gestures or complex movements. For this purpose, the invention relates to a packaging for any product, for example tablets or the like, arranged in bulk in a container, itself surmounted and closed at its upper part by a dispenser capable of delivering the tablets contained, by the intermediate of an external receptacle or bucket in which the consumer takes the tablets to the unit, characterized in that the portion forming the dispenser comprises: - a chamber for receiving and discharging the tablets, which, when the container is turned over, , are in bulk at an enlarged base of said chamber, in communication with the container, the lateral part of the chamber being at least partially inclined towards an open top thereof, opposite its base, and in communication with

a distributor arranged fixedly at the level of the enlarged base of the receiving chamber, and defining at least two possible passages, arranged in such a way as to allow only one of the tablets to pass through them in one or other of them. a direction chosen, blocking those who are not on the one hand, and guiding those who are properly oriented towards the exit trough on the other hand.

The dispenser associated with the container consists of a set of parts fixed relative to each other.

The energy required for the orientation and distribution of the tablets can be provided by the mixing caused by the overturning of the container and associated dispenser. The invention also relates to the features which will become apparent in the course of the description which follows, and which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

This description given by way of nonlimiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a packaging according to a first embodiment of the invention. 'invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing portion of the packaging according to Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the dispensing portion according to FIG. 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a packaging according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a packaging according to FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a packaging according to Figure 4, after assembly of the various components.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the dispensing portion of the packaging according to FIG. 4.

Figure 8 is an end view of the dispensing portion according to Figure 7. Figure 9 is a plan view of a package according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the dispensing portion of the packaging according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end view of the dispensing portion according to FIG. 10. Packaging 1 shown generally in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is for any product, for example tablets 2 or the like.

These are arranged in bulk in a container 3, itself surmounted and closed at its upper part by a dispenser 4 which can be closed by a plug 5.

This dispenser 4 is therefore able to dispense the tablets 2 via an external receptacle 6 or trough, in which the consumer takes the tablets 2 to the unit.

In a general manner, and according to the essential characteristic of the invention, the part forming the distributor 4 comprises:

a chamber 7 for receiving and discharging tablets 2, which, when the container 3 is turned over, is in bulk at an enlarged base 7a of said chamber 7, in communication with the container 3, the lateral part 7b of the chamber 7 being at least partially inclined towards an open top 7c thereof, opposite its base 7a, and in communication with - a distributor 8 fixedly arranged at the enlarged base 7a of the receiving chamber I ₁ and defining at least two possible passages 9a, 9b, 9c, arranged in such a way as to pass only one of the two tablets properly oriented in a chosen direction, by blocking those which are not not on the one hand, and by guiding those who are properly oriented towards the exit trough 6 on the other hand. According to another essential characteristic of the invention, at least one of the passages 9c defined by the distributor 8 is in the axial alignment of the trough 6, to constitute a preferential passage, the other 9a, 9b constituting auxiliary passages , in case a tablet does not appear in front of the preferential passage 9c.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trough 6 is of a size and shape substantially corresponding to that of the tablet 2 to be dispensed, and has an upper opening βa directed upwards in order to release the said tablet 2 by inverting the container and of the associated dispenser down, then allow, if necessary, the presentation in the bucket 6 of another tablet 2 by repositioning it in its original position and repeating the dispensing movement.

Still according to the present embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the distributor 8 disposed in the receiving chamber 7 of the tablets 2 is constituted by at least one fin 10a, 10b, 10c, on either side of which are made the passages 9a, 9b, 9c of the tablets 2, one of which 9c is preferential and the other 9a, 9b auxiliary.

More specifically, this distributor 8 is constituted by three fins 10a, 10b, 10c forming between them 120 ° angles around a longitudinal axis ZZ '. This axis is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis XX 'of the distributor 1. Furthermore, the receiving chamber 7 is formed by a cone portion whose axis of revolution WW is oblique with respect to said axis XX' of the distributor 1 Thus, room 7 presents a right side wall 7d and offset from the axis XX 'to be in alignment with the bottom of the bucket 6 also offset from the center of a perpendicular end wall 11. The housing defined by the right wall 7d of the cone portion forming the chamber 7 and two of the fins 10b, 10c of the distributor 8 constitute the preferred passage 9c of the tablet 2. The passage or passages 9a, 9b constitute the auxiliary passage (s) and are defined by the inclined wall 7b of the cone 7 and the third fin 10a associated with the two previous 10b, 10c.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the distributor 8A is constituted by four fins 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d forming between them 90 ° angles around a longitudinal axis XX ' confused with that of the distributor IA. The receiving chamber 7A is formed by a portion of cone whose axis of revolution coincides with that of the distributor IA, so as to define the passages 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, one of which is enlarged by a recess 13d 14 at the oblique wall 7Aa of the chamber 7A to form a preferred passage 13d located right of the trough 6A also central, located in the axis of the distributor IA, the other three passages constituting auxiliary passages.

Of course, it is possible to make a distributor 8A with one, two or three distribution fins, rather than four, while maintaining the same configuration to the distributor IA.

According to a third variant embodiment, represented in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the distributor 8B is constituted by a stud 15 disposed on a wall 16 of the receiving chamber 7B, inclined towards the bucket 6B with which the chamber 7B communicates, said pad 15 being formed along a longitudinal axis offset and parallel to the axis longitudinally of the distributor 8B, so as to define firstly a preferential passage 17a between the inclined wall 16 carrying the pad 15 and the wall of the chamber 7B vis-a-vis the tablets 2 having a good orientation, and on the other hand two auxiliary passages 17b, 17c on either side of the stud 15.

Of course, other embodiments of the splitter can be imagined, such as central tube, bar over the entire width of the chamber, succession of peripheral studs, etc. to form a distributor allowing a preferential passage and at least one auxiliary passage.

Claims

1. Packaging (1) for any compressed product (2) or similar, arranged in bulk in a container (3), itself surmounted and closed at its upper part by a dispenser (4) able to deliver the tablets ( 2) contents, via an external receptacle or bucket (6) in which the consumer takes the tablets (2) to the unit, characterized in that the portion forming the dispenser comprises: - a receiving chamber and for discharging (7) the tablets (2), which, during the overturning of the container (3), occur in bulk at an enlarged base (7a) of said chamber (7), in communication with the container ( 3), the lateral part (7b) of the chamber (7) being at least partially inclined towards an open top (7c) thereof, opposite its base (7a), and in communication with a distributor (8) fixedly arranged at the level of the enlarged base (7a) of the receiving chamber (7), and defining at least two possible passages (9a, 9b, 9c), one of which (9c) is in the axial alignment of the bucket (6), to constitute a preferred passage, the others (9a, 9b) constituting auxiliary passages, in the case where a tablet does not appear in front of the preferential passage (9c). 2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the bucket (6) is of dimensions and shape substantially corresponding to that of the tablet (2) to be dispensed, and has an upper opening (6a) directed upwards to release said tablet (2) by inverting the container and associated dispenser downwards, and then allow, if necessary, the presentation in the bucket (β) of another tablet (2). 3. Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving chamber (7) is formed by a cone portion whose axis of revolution (WW) is oblique with respect to said axis (XX ') of the distributor (1), so as to have a right side wall (7d) and offset with respect to this axis (XX') to be in alignment with the bottom of the bucket (6) also offset relative to the center of a perpendicular end wall (11), the housing defined by the right wall (7d) of the cone portion forming the chamber (7) and two of the vanes (10b, 10c) of the distributor (8 ) constituting the preferential passage (9c) of the tablet (2), the passage or passages (9a, 9b) constituting the auxiliary passage or passages being defined by the inclined wall (7b) of the cone (7) and, by the third fin ( 10a) associated with the two previous ones (10b, 10c). 4. Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the distributor (8) disposed in the receiving chamber (7) of the tablets (2) is constituted by at least three fins (10a, 10b, 10c) forming between them angles at 120 ° about a longitudinal axis (ZZ ') offset from the longitudinal axis (XX') of the distributor (I) / and from of which are made the passages (9a, 9b, 9c) tablets (2), one (9c) is preferential and the other (9a, 9b) auxiliaries. 5. Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the distributor (8A) is constituted by four fins (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) forming between them angles at 90 ° about a longitudinal axis (XX ') coinciding with that of the distributor (IA), and in that the receiving chamber (7A) is formed by a cone portion whose axis of revolution coincides with that of the distributor (IA), so defining the passages (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) one of which (13d) is widened by a recess (14) at the oblique wall (7Aa) of the chamber (7A) to constitute a preferential passage ( 13d) located in the right of the trough (6A) also central, located in the axis of the distributor (IA), the other three passages constituting auxiliary passages. 6. Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the distributor (8B) is constituted by a stud (15) disposed on a wall (16) of the receiving chamber (7B), inclined towards the bucket (6B) with which the chamber (7B) communicates, said pad (15) being made along a longitudinal axis offset and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distributor (8B), so as to define on the one hand a preferential passage (17a) between the inclined wall (16) carrying the stud (15) and the wall of the chamber (7B) facing the tablets ( 2) appearing according to a good orientation, and secondly two auxiliary passages (17b, 17c) on either side of the stud (15).