EP2809593A1 - Method for developing a tablet dispenser, and a tablet dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates firstly to a method for developing a tablet dispenser, and also to a tablet dispenser (1) for the portioned distribution of tablets (35), comprising a housing (2) and a distribution part (3) which can be inserted into the housing (2), said distribution part (3) having a distribution shaft (22) and a metering part (44) that moves relative to said distribution shaft against the force of a return spring (19). In order for said return spring to be loaded in an advantageous manner, it is suggested that a tensioning part (13) is provided which, preferably in the course of inserting said distribution part (3) into the housing (2), is moved into a region of a space occupied by the non-tensioned return spring (19).

Description

 Method of forming a tablet dispenser and tablet dispenser

The invention relates firstly to a method for forming a tablet dispenser, for portioned dispensing of tablets, comprising a housing and an ejection part which can be inserted into the housing, wherein the dispensing part has an dispensing shaft and a dispensing part movable relative to the dispensing shaft against the force of a return spring.

In addition, the invention also relates to a tablet dispenser with the subject features listed above.

Such tablet dispensers have already become known in various respects. Reference is made, for example, to EP 1 052 189 A2. In the case of the tablet dispenser known from this, the dispensing shaft is connected in one piece with the return spring. In the course of insertion of the dispensing part in the housing, the connected parts are moved against each other, whereby the return spring is biased. However, this dislocation can also already set during transport and even immediately after removal from the injection molding machine. Early loading of the spring before the dispensing member is inserted into the housing can adversely affect the spring force.

Starting from the illustrated prior art, the invention according to a first aspect with the task to provide a method for forming a tablet dispenser and a tablet dispenser, in which predictably results in a favorable stress on the return spring.

A possible solution to the problem is given according to a first inventive idea in a method in which a clamping part, the further in the Tablet dispenser is provided, preferably in the course of insertion of the dispensing part is moved into the housing in a region of a space occupied by the unstrained return spring space. A further possible solution of the problem is given objectively in a tablet dispenser in which a clamping part is provided which, preferably in the course of insertion of the dispensing part into the housing, is movable into a region of a space occupied by the unstressed return spring.

The return spring extends after the injection process, without being under tension, in a physically occupied space. In a determinable time, preferably in the course of insertion, and only then, a clamping part in this space, preferably in a part of this space is moved, whereby the return spring correspondingly forcibly evades and thereby results in a bias in the return spring. A preload in the return spring is advantageous and desirable because this gives the feel of a well-functioning device in a subsequent use of the tablet dispenser. In addition, it is ensured that the metering is relative to the output shaft in the desired non-actuated position. In this position, the discharge opening, which adjoins the output shaft down, is closed. It can not accidentally tablets fall out of the tablet dispenser.

The clamping part can be designed in various ways. It may initially be formed by a formed in the housing wall, preferably inwardly projecting projection. It may also be given by a movable relative to the housing wall, and preferably then in the course of insertion forcibly moved inward projection. The projection may be displaceable only after insertion in the cocking position, for example by an irreversible locking. In the course of insertion, a portion of the spring, for example. A free end of the spring, which is preferably formed, accumulate on the clamping part or be actively moved by the clamping part. In both cases, the clamping part is in effect moved into the space previously occupied by the unstressed spring. Such a clamping projection can also be formed in the output part itself. In the latter case, the clamping part itself is movable relative to the output shaft and / or the metering.

Further features of the invention are described below, also in the figure-description and the drawing, often in their preferred assignment to the previously discussed concepts or illustrated, but they can also be assigned to only one or more individual features, here described or illustrated in the drawing, or independently or in another overall concept, be of importance.

Thus, it is preferred that the output part having the return spring, in a transport state in which it is after demoulding from a plastic injection machine, or in which it is offset after removal from the plastic injection molding machine, the return spring in a stowed position , Preferably, the return spring is shielded in this case so that even with a bed of output parts, the return spring can not be acted upon. For example, this can be achieved by a cage structure which surrounds the return spring such that no parts of another dispensing part can penetrate so far that they touch the return spring. Furthermore, a plate-like structure can also be provided on the underside, which covers the return spring downwards. Surrounding the return spring walls and / or a ceiling can be provided.

More preferably, it is provided that the output part consists of two or more sections, which moreover preferably together in one piece be produced as a plastic injection molded part, but after demolding are brought to each other in a transport position. In the transport position, the portions are preferably locked together. In addition, the latching is preferably insoluble, that is, it can not be canceled without destruction.

The sections may be pivotally interconnected about a vertical axis with respect to the completed tablet dispenser. In particular, one of the subsections can have the restoring spring and a first wall which shields it outwardly, in particular radially on the outside, and, more preferably, a part of the dispensing shaft, preferably that part which in the unactuated position follows the closure of the dispensing shaft below and in the actuated position has offset one or more of the issued tablets in the dispensing position. In addition, it is preferably a lock part which has a passage opening, wherein in the unactuated position the passage opening is closed downwards by a further section of the discharge part, which is preferably formed on the other part section, and in the actuated position an opening, which is preferably also formed on the other part of section, is in alignment.

In addition, a retaining part is preferably formed on the section which has the said lock part, which retracts into the output shaft upon actuation and thus prevents further tablets from slipping or reduces the load on the tablet column in the sense of a simple dispensing of the tablet to be dispensed ,

In the further subsection, a further preferred V-shaped storage space bottom is preferably formed on the top side, which forms an abutment edge, which is assembled with an inner surface of the housing in the assembled state. menwirkt. By appropriate inclination, the soil conveys the tablets to be dispensed to the tray. The tablet shaft itself is preferably also formed in this further subsection, with the exception of the mentioned sections formed on the other subsection.

It is further preferred that a movement of the clamping part extends in a horizontal plane and / or that the return spring extends, at least substantially, in a horizontal plane. Here, the return spring is formed even with a certain thickness in the vertical direction. However, the longitudinal extension of the return spring is given in the horizontal direction. With respect to a mean or at least in a longitudinal direction, the return spring passing through the plane given said horizontal plane.

In a further preferred embodiment, the clamping part can be connected to the dispensing part or the housing via a predetermined breaking point in terms of production. This predetermined breaking point is broken only in the course of insertion of the dispensing part into the housing.

As a result, the mobility of the clamping part is then released and the clamping part, as stated, moves in the space occupied by the unstressed spring space.

More preferably, the clamping part is connected via a hinge portion with the dispensing part or the housing. Even after separation of the predetermined breaking point, the clamping part thus remains connected to the dispensing part via the hinge section. It can be moved accordingly in the sense of a bend relative to the dispensing part.

The dispensing part may also have a plan corresponding to an inner free cross-section of the housing, but in the production state the clamping part is arranged projecting beyond this plan. Due to the fact that the clamping part protrudes beyond this outline, the outer boundary of the inner free cross section of the housing, it is necessarily moved inwards during insertion. It has on the outside also corresponding inclined surfaces which allow the interaction with the corresponding housing edge low. In the course of assembly, the clamping part must therefore escape inwardly, whereby the predetermined breaking points are broken and the clamping part further preferably pivoted along the remaining hinge connection.

It is further preferred that the housing has an oval-shaped inner free cross-section.

In the following, the invention will be explained further with reference to the accompanying drawing, which, however, represents only one embodiment. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1 shows the tablet dispenser before assembling the housing with the dispensing part; FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the dispensing part in the injection state; FIG.

3 shows the output part in the latched state of the transport position.

4 is a perspective rear view of the dispensing part according to FIG.

 3;

5 is a view of a portion of the dispensing part obliquely from above. 6 shows the subregion according to FIG. 5 in a view obliquely from below; FIG.

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the latched output member;

FIG. 8 is a view according to FIG. 7, with the dispenser assembled; FIG.

9 shows a cross section through the dispenser in the unactuated position. and

Fig. 10 is a cross section according to FIG. 9, in the actuated position.

1, a tablet dispenser 1 is shown and described prior to mounting a housing 2 and an output part 3. The housing 2 is formed in the exemplary embodiment and preferably with an oval-shaped cross-section. It has in its upper part an integral with a housing 4, see. Also Fig. 9, formed housing cover 5 on. In the ready-to-mount state according to FIG. 1, the housing 2, which correspondingly forms a storage space, is filled with tablets, not shown.

The housing 2 further has an actuating window 6. The actuation window 6 can also be a flexible, integrally or fixedly formed on the housing wall 4 area. However, in the exemplary embodiment it is a passage opening. In this through-hole, an actuating surface 7a formed on the actuating part 7 is exposed after assembly.

In Fig. 2, the output part 3 is shown in the injection state. It has two sections 8 and 9, which are pivotable by a hinge connection 10 lent to each other. You are in the sprayed state in the opening stood in accordance with FIG. 2 and thereafter, preferably immediately in the injection molding machine or thereafter, brought into a latching state according to FIG. 3. In this Verrastungszustand is a latch 11, see. Fig. 6, at the portion 9 engaged in a locking opening 12 on the section 8. At the portion 8 is further, as is apparent from the view of FIG. 4, a clamping member 13 is formed. The clamping member 13 is pivotally connected via a hinge portion 14 to the section 8 and connected via one or more, in the embodiment two, predetermined breaking points 15 in the spray state continues to the section 8. The hinge region 14 on the one hand and the predetermined breaking points 15 on the other hand are, with respect to a horizontal plane, formed on opposite end regions of the clamping part 13. The predetermined breaking points 15 are pushed inward upon insertion of the dispensing part 3 into the housing 2 by running on one or, as in the exemplary embodiment of several, board areas 16 on a lower housing edge 17 and thus pushing the clamping part inwards overall. In this case, the predetermined breaking points 15 and the clamping part 13 are pivoted overall about the pivoting region 14. The pivoting region 14 accordingly has a vertical pivoting axis. The board regions 16 are preferred and in the embodiment integrally formed integrally with the clamping member 13.

The board areas 16 are formed in detail on ribs, which project outwardly, in the direction of the housing wall, in the assembled state. The ribs furthermore have, in detail, an upper insertion region 18, which acts as an insertion bevel and allows said deflection in the course of assembly.

In Fig. 5 is drawn for purposes of illustration, the section 9 isolated, but in principle it can also be made as a single part, in which case a preferred two-fold locking, at both corresponding end portions, is provided. The section 9 has the return spring 19. The return spring 19 is sheet-like, in a vertical orientation with respect to a leaf level, shaped. It has a free-standing end 20.

Further, the section 9 forms a metering 44. The metering part 44 basically ensures the portioned dispensing of one (or a certain number) of tablets at a dispensing operation. The metering 44 may be formed differently. It is essential to release the output shaft on actuation and a closure of the output shaft in non-operation.

In the exemplary embodiment, the metering part (44) initially has a Einfahrwandung 21, which in the assembled state in the output shaft 22, see. about Fig. 4, retracted. It lies on the side of a vertical boundary wall of the output shaft 22. The protruding beyond an upper opening of the output shaft 22 cam portion 23 provides when moving the operating portion 7 for a loosening of the overlying tablet supply.

Furthermore, a closure part 43 is integrally formed on the section 9, which upon actuation shifts a section of the output shaft upwards in order to prevent a pressure of the advancing tablets on the tablet to be dispensed.

In addition, in the section 9, the foot side of the Einfahrwandung 21, an output lock 24 is formed. In detail, the output lock 24 has a dispensing opening 25 and a closure section 26 arranged upstream of it in the dislocation direction during dispensing.

The above details are apparent from the perspective bottom view of FIG. 6 in further detail. As can be seen from the illustration according to FIG. 7, the return spring 19 is arranged in the assembled, ie latched, state of the dispensing part 3 at a distance from a facing surface 27 of the clamping part 13. It is also shielded by a bottom 28 in which only a comparatively small window 29 is formed, which leaves the front end portion of the return spring 19 remain visible, down. Furthermore, the return spring is also laterally, by the actuating part 7 on the one hand and the clamping part 13 on the other hand, by housing sections 30, 31 and a ceiling portion 32 (see Fig .. 4) in this state of the output part 3 before insertion into the housing shielded. It is in a stash location.

When inserted into the housing 2 output part 3, see. Fig. 8, the clamping member 13 in the manner described, by breaking the predetermined breaking points 15, moved inwards. It can be seen that the interaction of the inner surface 33 of the clamping member 13 with the free end 20 of the return spring 19. The clamping member 13 is in the previously occupied by the unstressed return spring 19 space, a portion thereof, space 34, moves. As a result, the return spring 19 is constantly under a bias.

The operation of the tablet dispenser 1 can be seen in the comparison of Figures 9 and 10. For actuation, the operating member 7 is pushed inwardly by the user with respect to the housing, whereby the closure member 43 moves into the discharge chute 22 and shifts the tablet supply upwardly. The dispensing-ready tablet 35 is already in the dispensing opening 25 of the dispensing lock 24 and is moved in alignment with the dispensing window 37 in the dispensing part by said operation with the dispensing opening 25, which is closed at the bottom by the bottom section 36 in the unactuated position and then fall out below. When the user removes the pressure from the actuating button, the actuating button is moved back by the action of the return spring 19 from the position shown in FIG. 10 in the position shown in FIG. 9, whereupon another tablet 35 is incident in the discharge opening 25.

As can also be seen, the output part 3 is formed on the bottom side with an overlapping collar 38, which engages over a lower end face 39 of the housing in the assembled state. Further, on a vertical wall 40 of the output part 3, on the bottom side, a circumferential locking bead 41 is formed, which cooperates for holding with a corresponding recess 42 in the inner surface of the housing wall 4.

All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated / attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also incorporated in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of including features of these documents in claims of the present application. The subclaims characterize in their optionally sibling version independent inventive developments of the prior art, in particular to make on the basis of these claims divisional applications.

LIST OF REFERENCES Tablet dispenser 26 Closure section Housing 27 Surface

 Output part 28 ground

 Housing wall 29 windows

 Housing cover 30 Housing section Operation window 31 Housing section Actuating section 32 Ceiling section Actuating surface 33 Inner surface

 Part 34 space

 Part 35 tablet

0 hinge connection 36 floor

1 detent 37 output window 2 detent opening 38 overlapping collar 3 clamping part 39 end face

4 Hinge area 40 Vertical wall5 Predetermined breaking point 41 Locking bead

6 Board area 42 Recess 7 Housing edge 43 Locking part8 Insertion area 44 Dosing part

9 return spring

0 end

1 drive-in wall

2 output shaft

3 cam section

4 output lock

5 discharge opening

Claims

1. A method for forming a tablet dispenser (1) for the portioned dispensing of tablets (35), comprising a housing (2) and an output part (3) which can be inserted into the housing (2), wherein the dispensing part (3) has an output shaft (22). and a relative to the output shaft against the force of a return spring (19) movable metering part (44), characterized in that a clamping part (13) is provided which preferably in the course of inserting the output part (3) in the housing (2) is moved into an area of a space occupied by the unstressed return spring (19). 2. A tablet dispenser (1) for single dispensing of tablets (35), comprising a housing (2) and an insertable into the housing (2) output part (3), wherein the output part (3) has an output shaft (22) and a movable therein Dosing part (44), wherein further the metering part (44) against the force of a in the output part (3) arranged return spring (19) is movable, characterized in that a clamping part (13) is provided which preferably in the course of inserting the Dispensing part (3) in the housing (2), in a region of a space occupied by the unstrained return spring space (34) is movable. 3. tablet dispenser according to claim 2 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the clamping part (13) is offset in the operating position against movement of the return spring (19) in a dispensing operation. 4. Tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the Output shaft (22) extends substantially vertically. 5. tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the clamping part (13) via a predetermined breaking point (15) in terms of production with the Output part (3) is connected. 6. tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the clamping part (13) in terms of production via a hinge region (14) is connected to the output part (3). 7. tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the output part (3) is designed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part. 8. tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the output part (3) has two mutually hinge-like movable sections (8, 9), wherein the one section (8) the clamping part (13) and the other section (9), the metering part (44) and the return spring (19). 9. Tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the Output part (3) has an inner free cross section of the housing (2) corresponding plan, but in the manufacturing state, the clamping part (13) protrudes beyond the floor plan. Tablet dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the housing (2) has an oval-shaped inner free cross-section.