Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CHILD-RESISTANT DISPENSER, METHOD OF DISPENSING A UNIT OF
PRODUCT FROM A DISPENSER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RE LA ED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of United States Patent
Application
Serial No. 62/478,677 filed March 30, 2017, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to dispensers and, more
specifically, to
child-resistant dispensers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Containers for dispensing solid products intended for human
consumption, such as
pharmaceuticals, snacks, mints, gum, candy, and the like, are often configured
as hand-held
containers that can be easily stored and transported. Some consumable
products, such as
pharmaceuticals, require containers having a certain level of child
resistance. Child
resistance features are intended to delay a young child's access to the
contents of the
container. Generally, commercially available child-resistant packaging designs
rely upon
working principles that require a combination of hand-finger strength, hand-
finger dexterity,
and specific cognitive abilities. For example, pharmaceutical pills are often
packaged in a
bottle having a cap that can only be removed by applying downward pressure
while twisting
the cap. The downward pressure requires a certain level of strength, the
combination of
downward pressure and twisting requires a certain level of dexterity, and the
combination of
downward pressure and twisting is not intuitive and is unlikely to be
discovered by accident,
thus requiring a certain level of cognitive ability.
[0004] Conventional bottles with twist-and-press caps have certain
disadvantages. For
example, if a child does manage to open the bottle, immediate access is
provided to the entire
contents of the bottle. Further, if an adult user fails to place the cap in
the properly secured
position, there is no secondary mechanism for preventing access by a child.
Some aged
adults or adults with disabilities may lack sufficient strength or dexterity
to open the twist-
and-press caps. Additionally, extracting the right amount of product once the
cap is removed
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may be difficult for those with reduced dexterity who may not be able to reach
into the bottle
to pull out the desired amount of product. The contents of the container may
be poured out,
but this requires that the unused contents to be put back in the container,
which may be
problematic for those with reduced dexterity. Additionally, pouring the
contents out also
poses a risk of contamination of the unused contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser is
configured to
provide a single unit dispense of contained product. The child-resistant
features are
overcome by a combination of squeezing and pressing motions that can be
accomplished by a
single hand. The dispenser restricts access to the product contained within
such that
overcoming the child-resistant features results in access to a single unit of
product, rather
than the entire contents. According to some embodiments, the dispenser
includes a slider
positioned within a housing. The slider includes a dispensing chute that moves
downward
relative to the housing to a dispensing position. A single unit of product
positioned at the end
of the dispensing chute is dispensed from the chute when the dispensing chute
moves to the
dispensing position. The slider is restrained within the housing by one or
more retention
features that are overcome by a squeezing motion applied to the sides of the
dispenser. The
slider is moved downward by a pressing motion on the top of the slider, which
is accessible
through an opening in the housing. Once the downward press is released, the
slider returns
from its dispensing position.
[0006] According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser includes
a housing
comprising a first moveable member disposed on a first side of the housing;
and a slider
disposed in the housing and configured to slide from a closed position to a
dispensing
position, the slider comprising a first engagement portion that engages a
first stop on the
housing, wherein the engagement between the first engagement portion and the
first stop
restricts movement of the slider to the dispensing position and the first
moveable member is
configured to disengage the first engagement portion from the first stop in
response to a first
release force applied to the first moveable member.
[0007] In any of these embodiments, the slider may be configured to slide
to the
dispensing position in response to application of a dispensing force applied
to the slider when
the first engagement portion is disengaged from the first stop, and the slider
may be restricted
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from sliding to the dispensing position in response to application of the
dispensing force to
the slider when the first engagement portion is engaged with the first stop.
10008] In any of these embodiments, the housing may include a second
moveable
member disposed on a second side of the housing that is opposite to the first
side, the slider
may include a second engagement portion that engages a second stop on the
housing, and the
second moveable member may be configured to disengage the second moveable
member
from the second stop in response to a second release force applied to the
second moveable
member.
[0009] In any of these embodiments, the first and second moveable members
may be
configured to disengage the first and second engagement portions by flexing
inwardly. In
any of these embodiments, the slider may include a dispensing chute, and the
dispenser may
be configured to dispense a single unit of product from the dispensing chute
when the slider
is in the dispensing position.
[0010] In any of these embodiments, the housing may include a protrusion
that restricts
product from exiting the dispenser when the slider is in the dispensing
position. In any of
these embodiments, the dispensing chute may include a recess for accommodating
a single
unit of product, and the recess may be aligned with the protrusion when the
slider is in the
dispensing position.
[0011] In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a first sloping
side that
intersects the dispensing chute at a first location and a second sloping side
that intersects the
dispensing chute at a second location and the first location and the second
location may be
offset. In any of these embodiments, the housing may include an open end to
provide user
access to an end of the slider.
[0012] In any of these embodiments, the end of the slider may be configured
to close the
open end of the housing when the slider is in the closed position. In any of
these
embodiments, the dispenser may be a handheld dispenser. In any of these
embodiments, the
dispenser may be configured for single-handed dispensing.
[0013] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to
dispense in
response to a squeezing force applied to the housing by a hand and a
simultaneous press
applied to an end of the slider by the hand. In any of these embodiments, the
dispenser may
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be configured to dispense a single unit of product during each dispense. In
any of these
embodiments, the dispenser may include a resilient member that acts against
movement of
the slider from the closed position to the dispensing position. In any of
these embodiments,
the resilient member and the slider may be molded as a single piece.
[0014] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include an interlock
between the
slider and the housing that is configured to permit movement of the slider
from the closed
position to the dispensing position and to prevent withdrawal of the slider
from the housing.
[0015] According to some embodiments, a prefilled child-resistant dispenser
includes a
housing comprising a first moveable member disposed on a first side of the
housing; and a
slider disposed in the housing and configured to slide from a closed position
to a dispensing
position, the slider comprising a first engagement portion that engages a
first stop on the
housing; and product contained within the dispenser for dispensing by the
dispenser, wherein
the engagement between the first engagement portion and the first stop
restricts movement of
the slider to the dispensing position and the first moveable member is
configured to
disengage the first engagement portion from the first stop in response to a
first release force
applied to the first moveable member.
[0016] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include packaging
encasing the
housing and the slider.
[0017] According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser includes
a housing; a
slider disposed in the housing; an engagement between the housing and the
slider that is
configured to prevent the slider from moving to a dispensing position; and a
release
configured to release the engagement between the housing and the slider in
response to a
pressing force on the release.
[0018] In any of these embodiments, at least a portion of the release may
be configured to
move in a first direction to release the engagement between the housing and
the slider and the
slider may be configured to move to the dispensing position in a second
direction that is
transverse to the first direction.
[0019] In any of these embodiments, at least a portion of the release may
be configured to
move inwardly to release the engagement between the housing and the slider. In
any of these
embodiments, the release may include first and second moveable members
disposed on
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opposite sides of the housing that are configured to move inwardly to release
the engagement
between the housing and the slider.
[0020] In any of these embodiments, the first and second moveable members
may be
formed from cutouts in the housing. In any of these embodiments, the release
may include a
first engagement portion on a first side of the slider and a first stop on the
housing. In any of
these embodiments, the release may include a second engagement portion on a
second side of
the slider and a second stop on the housing.
[0021] In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a dispensing
chute, and the
dispenser may be configured to dispense a single unit of product from the
dispensing chute
when the slider is in the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments,
the housing may
include a protrusion that restricts product from exiting the dispenser when
the slider is in the
dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the dispensing chute may
include a recess
for accommodating a single unit of product, and the recess may be aligned with
the
protrusion when the slider is in the dispensing position.
[0022] In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a first sloping
side that
intersects the dispensing chute at a first location and a second sloping side
that intersects the
dispensing chute at a second location and the first location and the second
location are offset.
In any of these embodiments, the housing may include an open end to provide
user access to
an end of the slider. In any of these embodiments, the end of the slider may
be configured to
close the open end of the housing when the slider is in a closed position.
[0023] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be a handheld
dispenser. In any
of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured for single-handed
dispensing. In any
of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to dispense in response
to squeezing
forces applied to the housing by a hand and a simultaneous press applied to an
end of the
slider by the hand.
[0024] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to
dispense a single
unit of product during each dispense. In any of these embodiments, the
dispenser may
include a resilient member that acts against movement of the slider from the
closed position
to the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the resilient member
and slider may
be molded as a single piece. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may
include an
interlock between the slider and the housing that is configured to permit
movement of the
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slider from the closed position to the dispensing position and to prevent
withdrawal of the
slider from the housing.
[0025] According to some embodiments, a prefilled child-resistant dispenser
includes a
housing; a slider disposed in the housing; an engagement between the housing
and the slider
that is configured to prevent the slider from moving to a dispensing position;
a release
configured to release the engagement between the housing and the slider in
response to a
pressing force on the release; and product contained within the dispenser for
dispensing by
the dispenser.
[0026] In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include packaging
encasing the
housing and the slider.
[0027] According to some embodiments, a method of dispensing a unit of
product from a
dispenser that comprises a housing and a slider disposed in the housing
includes moving at
least a portion of a release disposed on the housing to release an engagement
between the
slider and the housing that prevents the slider from moving to a dispensing
position; while the
engagement is released, moving the slider within the housing to a dispensing
position in
which a single unit of product is dispensed.
[0028] In any of these embodiments, moving the slider within the housing
may include
applying a dispensing force to an end of the slider. In any of these
embodiments, the method
may include returning the slider from the dispensing position by reducing or
removing the
dispensing force. In any of these embodiments, moving at least a portion of a
release
disposed on the housing may include applying squeezing forces to the
dispenser. In any of
these embodiments, moving the slider within the housing may include applying a
dispensing
force to an end of the slider while applying the squeezing forces to the
dispenser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
100301 FIGs. IA and I B are front and rear perspective views of a dispenser
in a closed
position according to a first embodiment;
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[0031] FIGs. 2A and 2B are exploded front and rear perspective views of the
dispenser of
FIGs. 1A-B;
[0032] FIGs. 3A and 3B are front and rear perspective views of the
dispenser of
FIGs. 1A-1B in a dispensing configuration;
[0033] FIGs. 4A-4C are sectional views through a first section of the
dispenser of
FIGs. 1A-1B showing a dispensing process;
[0034] FIGs. 5A-5C are sectional views through a second section of the
dispenser of
FIGs. 1A-1B showing the dispensing process;
[0035] FIGs. 6A and 6B are perspective and sectional views of the dispenser
of
FIGs. 1A-1B in a filling configuration;
[0036] FIG. 7 shows the dispenser of FIGs. 1A-1B in a filling configuration
filled with
exemplary product;
[0037] FIGs. 8A and 8B are perspective and sectional showing the dispenser
of
FIGs. 1A-1B in a closed configuration with contained exemplary product;
[0038] FIGs. 9A and 9B are front and rear perspective views of a dispenser
in a closed
position according to a second embodiment;
[0039] FIGs. 10A and 10B are front and rear perspective exploded views
illustrating the
assembly of the dispenser of FIGs. 9A and 9B;
[0040] FIGs. 11A and 11B are front and rear perspective views of the
dispenser of
FIGs. 9A-9B in a dispensing position;
[0041] FIG. 12A is a first sectional view of the dispenser of FIGs. 9A and
9B in the
closed position with exemplary product;
[0042] FIG. 12B is a second sectional view of a portion of the dispenser of
FIGs. 9A and
9B in the closed position with exemplary product;
[0043] FIG. 13A is a first sectional view of the dispenser of FIGs. 9A-9B
in the
dispensing position with exemplary product; and
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[0044] FIG. 13B is a second sectional view of a portion of the dispenser of
FIGs. 9A-9B
in the dispensing position with exemplary product
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0045] Described below are embodiments of dispensers that include single
product unit
dispensing with a combination of dispensing motions of sufficient complexity
to resist
dispensing of the product by a young child, while allowing one-handed
dispensing by an
adult. Dispensers may restrict access to the product contained within such
that overcoming
the child-resistant features results in access to just a single unit of
product, rather than the
entire contents. According to some embodiments, the dispenser includes just
two
components¨a housing and a slidable tray disposed within the housing¨which
enables the
dispenser to be made easily and cheaply.
[0046] According to some embodiments, the dispenser includes a slidable
tray retained
within a housing by one or more retention features. The retention features may
be overcome
by a squeezing motion on the sides of the housing. Once the retention features
are overcome
and while the squeezing motion continues, a downward press on the tray results
in downward
motion of the tray relative to the housing to a dispensing position within the
housing. The
tray funnels product into a dispensing chute at one end of the tray. Product
moves
downwardly along the chute to a recessed portion at the end of the chute that
accommodates a
single unit of product. As the tray moves downward, the recessed portion moves
past a
protrusion extending inwardly from a wall of the housing, and, once the
protrusion is cleared,
the product is dispensed. Upon release of the downward press, the tray may
return from its
dispensing position.
[0047] According to some embodiments, the dispenser may be filled with
product during
the manufacturing process by inserting the tray partially into the housing,
filling the tray with
product, and inserting the tray fully into the housing. One or more locking
features may lock
the tray within the housing to prevent it from being withdrawn out of the
housing. Thus,
access to the product is restricted to the product dispensed through the
dispensing procedure.
[0048] FIGS. IA and I B illustrate a child-resistant, single unit dispenser
in a closed
configuration, according to one embodiment. Dispenser 100 includes a housing
110 and a
slidable dispensing tray 150 that is disposed within housing 110. Housing 110
includes
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bottom wall 112, top opening 114, front wall 116, rear wall 118, and side
walls 120.
Dispenser 100 may rely at least partially upon gravity to guide product
through the dispenser,
and, therefore, the use of terms such as "bottom" and "top" are used with
reference to the
orientation of dispenser 100 in a nominal position in which product gathers
above the
location of the dispenser from which product is dispensed. However, it is to
be understood
that dispenser 100 may be used in any suitable orientation as long as the
orientation enables
product to be urged toward the dispensing location of the dispenser.
[0049] Top opening 114 receives tray 150 during assembly, as will be
described in more
detail below. Rear wall 118 of housing 110 includes a cutout 122 to
accommodate a user's
finger during the dispensing procedure, as will be discussed in more detail
below. In the
closed configuration shown in FIGs. 1A-1B, tray 150 is in a closed position
with its top 156
located near to or aligned with the top opening 114 of housing 110. The top
156 of tray 150
is dimensioned such that tray 150 is able to slide within housing 110, for
example, by
providing a small amount of clearance. In some embodiments, the clearance is
minimized to
reduce the ability of contaminants to enter the product containment area of
dispenser 100. In
some embodiments, a gasket or other sealing means are provided between the
tray 150 and
the inner surface of housing 110.
[0050] In this embodiment, both side walls 120 include moveable members in
the form of
flexing tabs 124, which are part of the first child-resistant feature of
dispenser 100 that must
be overcome to dispense product. Flexing tabs 124 are used to disengage
engagement
portions on the slidable tray 150 from stops in housing 110 to enable movement
of slidable
tray 150 within housing 110 during dispensing, as will be discussed in more
detail below. In
some embodiments, only one side includes a flexing tab 124. Flexing tabs 124
may include
one or more indicators, such as indicator 126, to indicate to a user the
action required for
dispensing. In some embodiments, one or more additional indicators, such as
indicator 128,
can be located on or near the upper rear portion of tray (or a similar area on
housing 110) to
indicate to a user the action required for dispensing. In the embodiment
illustrated in FiGs.
1A-1B, the indicators are in the fonn of the numbers "1" and "2" to indicate
the order of
operations to dispense the product. A user first presses flexing tabs 124
inwardly before
pressing on the top 156 of tray 150 for dispensing. This dispensing operation
will be
described in more detail below. In the configuration of FiGs. 1A-1B, the
dispenser is closed
and product within cannot exit the dispenser regardless of the dispenser's
orientation.
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[00511 FIGs. 2A and 2B are front and rear exploded views, respectively, of
dispenser 100. Tray 150 includes compartment 170, which is the space in which
the majority
of product contained within dispenser 100 is held, and dispensing chute 152
along which
product travels during dispensing, as will be discussed in more detail below.
Extending
laterally on either side of chute 152 are two optional wings 157 that extend
through
corresponding aperture portions 136 (FIG. 6A) in the bottom 112 of housing 110
to guide
chute 152 through an aperture 138 in bottom 112 of housing 110 (FIG. 6A) as it
slides from
its closed position to its dispensing position. To guide product into chute
152, tray 150
includes a first guide ramp 158 formed by first wall 159 on one side of the
chute and a second
guide ramp 160 formed by second wall 161 on the opposite side of the chute. In
the
illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 nearest
the chute have a
greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 adjacent the
lateral side walls
162 of tray 150. The meeting point 164 between the first guide ramp 158 and
chute 152 is at
a lower position than the meeting point 166 between the second guide ramp 160
and chute
152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters the chute.
The amount of
offset and the slope angles of the first portions of the guide ramps 158 and
160 can be tailored
to the shape of the product. In some embodiments, additional guiding features
are provided
within compartment 170 to properly orient product as it enters the chute. Tray
150 includes
resilient member 168, which provides a return force for returning tray 150
from its dispensing
position to its closed position, as will be explained in more detail below.
[00521 For assembly, tray 150 slides into the opening in the top 114 of
housing 110. Tray
150 is retained within housing 110 by retention features on the housing and
the tray that
include projections 172 on the lateral sides of tray 150. As described in more
detail below,
projections 172 engage with corresponding retention features of housing 110 to
allow tray
150 to be inserted into housing 110 but to prevent tray 150 from being
completely withdrawn
out of housing 110.
[0053] Tray 150 includes two resilient arms 174 located on either side and
having
ends 176 that abut stops within housing 110 to position tray 150 in a closed
position and to
prevent tray 150 from being moved to a dispensing position. As will be
described in more
detail below, when tray 150 is in its closed position, inward movement of
flexing tabs 124
results in inward movement of resilient arms 174 of tray 150 such that ends
176 of resilient
aims 174 are able to move past the stops within housing 110. Thus, flexing
tabs 124 serve as
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a release for releasing the engagement of resilient arms 174 with the stops.
When flexing
tabs 124 are pressed inwardly in this way, tray 150 can be moved downward to
its dispensing
position by a pressing force on the top 156 of tray 150.
[0054] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate dispenser 100 in a dispensing
configuration. Slidable
tray 150 is positioned lower within housing 110 in a dispensing position.
Dispensing chute
152 of tray 150 projects from the bottom 112 of housing 110. A single unit of
contained
product can be dispensed from the front 154 of dispensing chute 152 when the
tray 150 is in
this dispensing position, as will be described in more detail below. The top
156 of tray 150
has moved downward, away from top 114 of housing 110 to a recessed position.
In this
embodiment, top 156 of tray 150 remains above the lowest portion of cutout
122.
[0055] FIGs. 4A-4C illustrate section views of dispenser 100 taken along a
plane
extending parallel to front side 116 of housing 110 to show the interface
between tray 150
and housing 110. FIG. 4A shows the dispenser in the closed configuration, FIG.
4B shows
the dispenser in the closed configuration with the first child-resistant
feature¨flexing tabs
124¨flexed inwardly, and FIG. 4C shows the dispenser in the dispensing
configuration. As
illustrated in FIG. 4A, housing 110 includes ribs 130 along the lower ends of
side walls 120.
The upper ends of ribs 130 provide stops against which the ends 176 of
resilient antis 174
abut to prevent tray 150 from sliding further down in housing 110. To prevent
tray 150 from
sliding upward out of housing 110, an interlock is provided in the form of
projections 132
project inwardly from side walls 120 of housing 110 and projections 172 on
tray 150.
Projections 132 serve as stops for projections 172 on tray 150 to prevent tray
150 from being
withdrawn out of housing 110.
[0056] Resilient member 168 extends downwardly from the outer face of first
wall 159 of
tray 150. Resilient member 168 curves past the midline of tray 150, passing
behind chute
152. The distal end of resilient member 168 is proximate the inner side of
bottom wall 112.
In some embodiments, resilient member 168 is flexed to a certain degree when
tray 150 is in
the closed position to preload tray 150 in its closed position. This preload,
which forces
projections 172 on tray 150 against projections 132 on the side walls 120 of
housing 110,
may allow an amount of clearance between the ends 176 of resilient arms 174
and ribs 130 to
prevent over-constraining resilient arms 174.
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[0057] Flexing tabs 124 of housing 110 align with the ends 176 of resilient
arms 174.
Ribs 130 provide stops against which the ends 176 of resilient arms may rest.
This is the first
child-resistant feature of dispenser 100, as downward movement of tray 150 is
prevented by
this engagement. To overcome this feature, a user presses inwardly on flexing
tabs 124. For
example, a user may place the thumb on a flexing tab 124 on one side of
dispenser 100 and
the middle finger on the flexing tab 124 on the other side of dispenser 100
and bring the
fmgers toward one another in a squeezing motion, causing flexing tabs 124 to
flex inwardly.
In embodiments having a flexing tab 124 on only one side, the operation may be
generally
the same except that only one tab flexes inwardly.
[0058] Flexing tabs 124 may be made by cutting out a U-shaped cutout in the
side 120 of
housing 110. In some embodiments, the flexing tabs neck near the connection
point with the
rest of the body to enable the flexing tabs to sufficiently flex. In some
embodiments, one or
more moveable members that are separate from the housing are used instead of
the flexing
tabs. One or more resilient members may be used to join the moveable members
to the
housing while allowing the moveable members to move inwardly. For example, a
resilient
band may be attached to the housing and a moveable member such that a pressing
force on
the moveable member causes a flexing of the resilient band. Likewise, a
moveable
component that is separate from the tray may be used in addition to or instead
of resilient
aims 174. For example, a pivoting piece may be pivotably connected to the tray
and may be
engaged with a resilient member disposed on the tray, such as a torsion
spring, that provides a
return force to urge the pivoting piece back into engagement with the stop on
the housing. In
some embodiments, one or more connectors and/or linkages are used to connect
the moveable
members on the housing to the moveable portions on the tray that provide the
engagement
between the tray and housing that prevents movement of the tray within the
housing. For
example, instead of direct contact between the moveable member and the flexing
arm on the
tray, a separate pin or arm may link the moveable member to a moveable
engagement portion
on the tray.
[0059] As flexing tabs 124 are moved inwardly (by a user press on flexing
tabs 124), as
shown in FIG. 4B, the ends 176 of resilient arms 174 are moved inwardly. As
ends 1.76 of
resilient arms 174 move inwardly, they clear ribs 130, which enables tray 150
to be moved
downwardly as shown in FIG. 4C. Once ends 176 clear ribs 130, a user press on
the top 156
of tray 150 causes tray 150 to move downward. The user press may be done with
the index
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fmger while the thumb and middle finger continue to apply pressure to flexing
tabs 124 or
with a finger of another hand. The cutout 122 is generally configured to
accommodate a
user's finger as the finger pushes down on the tray 150 and the tray 150
slides downward
within housing 110. In some embodiments, a cutout is also provided on the
opposite side¨
e.g., the front 116¨to accommodate dispensing with the dispenser in multiple
orientations in
the user's hand. The requirement of the downward press of tray 150 is the
second child-
resistant feature of dispenser 100. Thus, to overcome the child-resistant
features, according
to some embodiments, a user applies a squeeze and press combination of
movements to the
dispenser. As is apparent, the downward press operation is generally
perpendicular to the
operation of squeezing flexing tabs 124 together. Such different operations
are generally
difficult for children to perfonn. In some embodiments, the flexing tabs 124
and/or resilient
member 168 may be configured such that the magnitudes of the forces required
to flex these
features are greater than what a typical child is able to generate, which can
be considered as
an additional child-resistant feature.
[0060] As tray 150 moves downward, chute 152 emerges from the bottom wall
112 of
housing 110. The downward movement of tray 150 is arrested by the contact of
ends 176 of
resilient arms 174 with the inner face of bottom wall 112 of housing 110. In
this dispensing
position, a product positioned in the lower part of chute 152 is dispensed. In
some
embodiments, the downward motion of tray 150 may be stopped by some other
engagement
between the tray and the housing. For example, the chute 152 may have a
projection that
stops against an inner surface of the housing or some protruding feature
within the housing.
[0061] Resilient member 168 allows tray 150 to move downward by flexing.
Resilient
member 168 curves inwardly and contacts the bottom wall of housing 110 such
that the
downward movement of tray 150 causes resilient member to flex. In some
embodiments, the
end of resilient member 168 that contacts the bottom wall of housing 110
remains in place as
resilient member 168 flexes throughout the dispensing process. In some
embodiments, the
end of resilient member 168 moves along the bottom of housing 110 while
flexing, which
may enable a longer stroke of tray 150 during the dispensing process.
[0062] The flexing of resilient member 168 causes a force acting against
the downward
movement of tray 150. As a user reduces pmssure on the top 156 of tray 150,
tray 150 will
be urged upward to its closed position by resilient member 168. Resilient
member 168 may
be formed (e.g., molded) as a continuous piece with tray 150 such that
dispenser 100 includes
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just two pieces¨housing 110 and tray 150. In some embodiments, a coil spring,
torsion
spring, or other resilient member may be included instead of or in addition to
resilient
member 168 to provide or augment the tray return function. In some
embodiments, no
resilient member is provided, and tray 150 remains in its dispensing position
until a user
pushes chute 152 back into housing 110.
[00631 The lower portion of compartment 170 of tray 150 provides a
funneling shape for
guiding product into chute 152. First and second walls 159, 161 slope
downwardly and
inwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 158
and 160 nearest
the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 158 and
160 adjacent to
the lateral side walls 162 of tray 150. The meeting point 164 between the
first guide ramp
158 and chute 152 is at a lower position than the meeting point 166 between
second guide
ramp 160 and chute 152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it
enters chute
152 and helps prevent product from getting stuck at the entry to chute 152.
Thus, dispenser
100 relies on a combination of tray configuration and gravity to guide product
into the
dispensing position within chute 152. Generally, chute 152 is configured to
extend vertically
when the dispenser is oriented with the exposed top 156 of tray 150 facing
vertically upward
to maximize gravity's effect on the movement of product through the chute when
the
dispenser is in its nominal position. However, chute 152 may be oriented non-
vertically so
long as gravity acts to urge product along the chute to the dispensing end.
[0064] FIGs. 5A-C are sectional views of dispenser 100 taken along a plane
that is
parallel to the side walls 120 of housing 110 and that bisects the dispenser.
Exemplary
product, in the form of tablets, is included to illustrate the manner of
dispensing of the
product in this embodiment. FIG. 5A shows dispenser 100 in its closed
configuration with
three tablets 178a-c located in chute 152. Tablet 178a is located in the
lowest portion of
chute 152, partially in a recess 180 in the distal end of chute 152. A
projection in the form of
rib 134, which is aligned with recess 180, projects from the inner surface of
the front side 116
of housing 110. The distance between rib 134 and the back of recess 180 is
based on the size
of the tablets 178a-c such that the tablets can pass between rib 134 and
recess 180. In the
example shown in the FIGs. 5A-C, the distance between rib 134 and the back of
recess 180 is
slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 178a-c. The upper portion of rib
134 includes a
ramped surface that serves to direct a tablet into recess 180. The height of
recess 180 is
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selected to accommodate a single unit of product (e.g., a single tablet,
tablet 178a) such that a
second unit of product is positioned in necking section 182 and out of recess
180.
[0065] Necking section 182, which is located above recess 180, is formed by
the inner
surface of the front wall 116 and necking wall 184 of chute 152. The distance
between the
inner surface of the front wall 116 and necking wall 184 is based on the size
of the tablets
178a-c such that the tablets can fit into necking section 182. In the example
shown in the
FIGs. 5A-C, the distance between the inner surface of the front wall 116 and
necking wall
184 is slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 178a-c, which allows
tablet 178b to be
positioned in necking section 182. Chute 152 also includes a ramped wall 186
located at its
upper end. Ramped wall 186 serves to guide product forward to necking section
182.
[0066] FIG. 5B illustrates dispenser 100 in its dispensing configuration
with tray 150 in a
lowered position relative to its position in FIG. SA. Chute 152 protrudes from
the bottom
side 112 of housing 110. Tablet 178a passed between recess 180 and rib 134.
Ramp 188,
provided at the bottom of chute 152, urges tablet 178a forward out of chute
152 and into a
user's hand, thus completing the dispensing of a single unit of product.
Tablet 178b is
retained within dispenser 100 by the narrowness of the passage between rib 134
and necking
wall 184. During the downward motion of tray 150, tablet 178b also moves
downward until
it hits the upper ramped portion of rib 134. Tablet 178b stops moving downward
while tray
150 continues to move downward. Thus, necking wall 184 slides past stationary
tablet 178b
to the position illustrated in FIG. 5B, creating a pinch point that tablet
178b cannot enter,
ensuring that only one unit of product is dispensed.
[0067] FIG. SC illustrates the return of dispenser 100 to its closed
configuration.
Tray 150 is back to its closed position with chute 152 retracted back within
housing 110.
Tablet 178b has moved into recess 180, and tablet 178c has moved into necking
section 182.
[0068] FIG. 6A-8B illustrate a filling process for filling dispenser 100
with product,
according to some embodiments. This process may be performed by the
manufacturer before
dispenser 100 is provided to consumers. Dispenser 100 may be configured such
that, once it
has been filled and closed, it cannot be reopened during normal use.
[0069] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate dispenser 100 in the filling
configuration, according to
some embodiments. In FIG. 6B, front side 116 of housing 110 is removed to show
the
interface between tray 150 and housing 110. Tray 150 is partially inserted
into the open top
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114 of housing 110. As tray 150 is pushed into housing 110, ends 176 of
resilient arms 174
come into contact with projections 132 of side walls 120 of housing 110. Ends
176 are urged
inwardly by the sloped upper sides of projections 132 allowing ends 176 to
slide past
projections 132. Once past projections 132, ends 176 spring outwardly. The
lower surfaces
of projections 132 and the upper surface of ends 176 can be configured to
prevent tray 150
from being pulled backward. For example, one or more of these mating surfaces
can have a
high degree of slope such that the application of a pulling force on tray 150
for pulling tray
150 out of housing 110 does not result in an inward urging of ends 176. Thus,
projections
132 serve as a catch for retaining tray 150 within housing 110. In some
embodiments, the
lower surfaces of projections 132 and the upper surface of ends 176 can be
configured to
allow extraction of tray 150 from housing 110 by providing a sufficiently low
slope such that
an extracting force of sufficient magnitude will result in the inward urging
of ends 176,
allowing ends 176 to move backward, past projections 132. With tray 150 in the
filling
position, the tray may be filled with product.
[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates dispenser 100 in its filling configuration with
product (a plurality
of tablets in this example) located in compartment 170. In some embodiments,
tray 150 may
be filled with product prior to insertion of tray 150 into housing 110. Once
tray 150 is filled
with product, tray 150 is pushed fully into housing 110, as shown in FIGs. 8A
and 8B, to the
closed position.
[0071] As tray 150 is pushed into housing 110, projections 172 on the
lateral sides of tray
150 come into contact with projections 132 of side walls 120 of housing 110.
According to
some embodiments, the compliance of the lateral sides of tray 150 and/or of
the side walls
120 of housing 110 allow projections 172 to move inwardly relative to
projections 132. This
relative movement may include a combination of inward movement of projections
172 and
outward movement of projections 132. In some embodiments, projections 172 are
resilient
tabs that project upwardly (i.e., toward the top 156 of tray 150) and flex
inwardly to move
past projections 132 of housing 110. Once past projections 132, projections
172 and/or
projection 132 return to their nominal positions. The lower surfaces of
projections 132 and
the upper surface of ends 176 can be configured to prevent tray 150 from being
moved
backward, out of housing 110. For example, one or more of these mating
surfaces can have a
high degree of slope such that the application of a pulling force on tray 150
for pulling tray
150 out of housing 110 does not result in an inward urging of projections 172.
Thus,
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projections 132 serve as a catch for retaining tray 150 within housing 110 in
its closed
position. In some embodiments, the lower surfaces of projections 132 and the
upper surface
of projections 172 can be configured to allow extraction of tray 150 from
housing 110 by
providing a sufficiently low slope such that an extracting force of sufficient
magnitude will
result in the inward urging of projections 172, allowing tray 150 to move
backward, past
projections 132.
[0072] In the closed configuration, the ends 176 of resilient anus 174 abut
the upper ends
of ribs 130, preventing tray 150 from being pushed further downward, as
discussed above.
Thus, in the closed configuration, tray 150 is firmly secured in its closed
position. Any
further movement of tray 150 downward requires operation of the child-
resistant features.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the bottom 112 of housing 110 includes
aperture 138
shaped to accommodate chute 152 when it projects from the bottom 112 during
dispensing.
Aperture 138 includes two side portions 136 for accommodating wings 157 that
project from
the sides of chute 152. Side portions 136 guide wings 157 as chute 152 slides
through
aperture 138. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, wings 157 include rounded ends that
can help center
chute 152 in aperture 138 as wings 157 slide through side portions 136 of
aperture 138.
[0074] Dispenser 100 is illustrated with dispensing chute 152 centrally
located proximate
the front side of the housing and configured to dispense a unit of product
toward the front
side of the housing. However, the dispensing chute may be configured to
protrude through
any portion of the lower end of the housing and to dispense the product in any
direction. For
example, the dispensing chute may be proximate to either lateral side (e.g.,
side 120) of the
housing or the back of the housing, and the dispensing chute may be configured
to dispense a
unit of product toward the lateral side (e.g., side 120), toward the back side
of the housing, or
in a compound direction, such as toward the front-side or toward the rear-
side.
[0075] In some embodiments, the dispensing chute does not extend past an
end of the
housing. For example, the housing may include a wall extending along the
bottom of the
housing, and the dispensing chute may not extend past the wall. This
arrangement may
protect the dispensing chute and/or reduce the chances of contamination of the
dispensing
chute. In some embodiments, the dispensing chute is retained within the
housing throughout
the dispensing process. For example, an aperture provided in the bottom of the
housing may
communicate with a chamber into which the dispensing chute extends in its
dispensing
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position, and product may exit the dispensing chute into the chamber, and then
it may drop
down through the aperture to the user.
[0076] FIGs. 9A-13B illustrate a dispenser according to a second
embodiment. In this
embodiment, the location of the side flexing tabs is different than the
location in dispenser
100, and the chute does not protrude from the bottom of the housing during
dispensing, but
instead is retained within the housing, with the product emerging from a slot
in the lower
portion of the front side of the housing, as will be described in more detail
below. Like
dispenser 100, this embodiment requires squeezing of the flexing tabs on the
sides of the
housing followed by pressing on the top of the dispensing tray to dispense a
single unit of
product. Many of the parts and features of this second embodiment are similar
to those
described above (having like numbers), and they represent parts that operate
similarly to the
parts described above. Therefore, a detailed description of some of these
parts is omitted.
[0077] FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate dispenser 1100 in a closed configuration.
Dispenser 1100 includes a housing 1110 and a slidable dispensing tray 1150
that is disposed
within housing 1110. Housing 1110 includes bottom wall 1112, top opening 1114,
front wall
1116, rear wall 1118, and side walls 1120. Like dispenser 100, top opening
1114 receives
tray 1150 during assembly. Rear wall 1118 of housing 1110 includes a cutout
1122 to
accommodate a user's finger during the dispensing procedure. In some
embodiments, a
cutout is provided on the opposite side¨e.g., the front wall 1116¨to
accommodate
dispensing with the dispenser in multiple orientations in the user's hand. In
the closed
configuration shown in FIGs. 9A-9B, tray 1150 is in a closed position with its
top 1156
located near to or aligned with the top 1114 of housing 1110.
[0078] In this embodiment, both side walls 1120 include flexing tabs 1124
that are part of
the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100 that must be overcome to
dispense product
in similar fashion to the operation of dispenser 100. Flexing tabs 1124 are
used to disengage
retainers on the slidable tray 1150 to enable movement of slidable tray 1150
within housing
1110 during dispensing. In some embodiments, only one side includes flexing
tab 1124.
Unlike dispenser 100, the flexing tabs 1124 are located toward the upper end
of housing
1110. Flexing tabs 1124 may include one or more indicators, such as indicators
1126, to
indicate to a user the action required for dispensing. In this embodiment,
indicators 1126 are
in the form of ridges that indicate to a user where to place their fingers. In
the illustrated
embodiment, indicator 1128, in the form of a depression sized to accommodate a
user's
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fmger, is provided on tray 1150 to indicate to a user that a finger should be
placed on
indicator 1128 for dispensing.
[0079] Unlike dispenser 100, dispenser 1100 includes a dispensing aperture
1140 in the
lower middle portion of the front side 1116 of housing 1110 through which
product is
dispensed. As will be described in more detail below, the end of the
dispensing chute of tray
1150 slides within channel 1190 of housing 1110 to a dispensing position
aligned with
aperture 1140 and does not protrude from the bottom of dispenser 1100 during
dispensing.
Thus, dispensed product emerges from dispenser 1100 through aperture 1140.
[0080] FIGs. 10A and 10B are front and rear exploded views, respectively,
of
dispenser 1100. Channel 1190 includes side walls 1192 and rear wall 1194.
Aperture 1140 is
the lower, front-facing portion of channel 1190. In this embodiment, the
bottom of channel
1190 is open. In some embodiments, a wall may be provided (e.g., a portion of
bottom wall
1112) that closes off the bottom of channel 1190. Tray 1150 includes
compartment 1170 for
holding product contained within dispenser 1100 and dispensing chute 1152,
which slides
within channel 1190. To guide product into chute 1152, tray 1150 includes a
first guide ramp
1158 formed by first wall 1159 on one side of the chute and a second guide
ramp 1160
formed by second wall 1161 on the opposite side of the chute. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 nearest the chute have a greater
slope than the
portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 adjacent to the lateral side walls
1162 of tray
1150. The meeting point 1164 between first guide ramp 1158 and chute 1152 is
at a higher
position than the meeting point 1166 between second guide ramp 1160 and chute
1152. This
offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters the chute. The amount
of offset and
the slope angles of the first portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 can be
selected based
on the shape of the product. In some embodiments, additional guiding features
are provided
within compartment 1170 to properly orient product as it enters the chute. For
example, one
or more walls may be provided within compartment 1170 to funnel product
towards chute
1152.
[0081] To assemble dispenser 1100, tray 1150 slides into the opening in the
top 1114 of
housing 1110 with the open side of compartment 1170 aligned with front side
1116 of
housing 1110. Tray 1150 includes two resilient arms 1174 extending upwardly
toward the
top 1156 of tray 1150 and having ends 1176 that, when tray 1150 is in the
closed position,
align with flexing tabs 1124 and abut projecting ribs within housing 1110.
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[0082] FIGs. 11A and 11B illustrate dispenser 1100 in a dispensing
configuration.
Slidable tray 1150 is positioned lower within housing 1110 in a dispensing
position. The
lower portion of dispensing chute 1152 aligns with aperture 1140. Unlike with
dispenser
100, dispensing chute 1152 of tray 1150 does not project from the bottom 1112
of housing
1110. Instead, dispensing chute 1152 remains within housing 1110. A single
unit of
contained product can be dispensed out of aperture 1140 from the front 1154 of
dispensing
chute 1152 when tray 1150 is in this dispensing position. The top 1156 of tray
1150 has
moved downward away from top 1114 of housing 1110 to a recessed position. In
this
embodiment, top 1156 of tray 1150 may remain above the lowest portion of
cutout 1122.
[0083] FIG. 12A illustrates dispenser 1100 in the closed configuration with
the
front 1116 of housing 1110 removed to show the interface between tray 1150 and
housing
1110. FIG. 12B is a sectional view through plane A-A of FIG. 12A, showing
details of the
dispensing portion of housing 1110 and chute 1152. FIG. 13A illustrates
dispenser 1100 in
the dispensing configuration with the front 1116 of housing 1110 removed to
show the
interface between tray 1150 and housing 1110. FIG. 13B is a sectional view
through plane
B-B of FIG. 13A, showing details of the dispensing portion of housing 1110 and
chute 1152.
[0084] Housing 1110 includes ribs 1130 located along side walls 1120, just
beneath
flexing tabs 1124. Ribs 1130 provide stops against which the ends 1176 of
resilient arms
1174 abut to prevent tray 1150 from sliding further down in housing 1110. To
prevent tray
1150 from sliding upward out of housing 1110, interlocking features are
provided on the
housing and the tray, which engage one another once the tray has been pushed
downward to
its closed position during assembly of dispenser 1100. The interlocking
features include a
first catch portion 1184 provided at the end of a bending member 1183 that
extends from the
lower, rear portion of chute 1152, and second catch portion 1144 provided on
rear wall 1194
of channel 1190, as shown in FIG. 12B. First catch portion 1184 mates with
second catch
portion 1144 to prevent tray 1150 from being withdrawn from its closed
position. First catch
portion 1184 includes a sloped end face 1185a that slides along the sloped end
face 1145a of
second catch portion 1144 as tray 1150 moves downward to its closed position.
Bending
member 1183 bends from a nominal position toward the front of dispenser 1100
as the sloped
faces slide past each other. Once the sloped faces 1145a and 1185a clear one
another,
bending member 1183 springs back into nominal position. Lip 1185b on first
catch portion
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1184 and lip 1145b on second catch portion 1144 overhang one another to
prevent upward
movement of tray 1150 out of its closed position.
[0085] Tray 1150 includes two resilient members 1168, which provide a
return force for
returning tray 1150 from its dispensing position to its closed position.
Resilient members
1168 extend downwardly from the outer face of first wall 1159 of tray 1150.
Resilient
members 1168 curve inwardly, ending at the bottom wall 1112 of housing 1110 on
either side
of side walls 1192 of channel 1190. In some embodiments, resilient members
1168 are
flexed to a certain degree when tray 1150 is in the closed position to preload
tray 1150 in its
closed position.
[0086] Flexing tabs 1124 of housing 1110 abut ends 1176 of resilient aims
1174,
preventing tray 1150 from moving downward from its closed position. Similarly
to
dispenser 100, this is the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100. To
overcome this
feature, a user presses inwardly on flexing tabs 1124. For example, a user may
place the
thumb on a flexing tab 1124 on one side of dispenser 1100 and the middle
finger on the
flexing tab 1124 on the other side of dispenser 1100 and bring the fingers
toward one another,
causing flexing tabs 1124 to flex inwardly. In embodiments having a flexing
tab 1124 on
only one side, the operation may be generally the same except that only one
side flexes
inwardly.
[0087] As flexing tabs 1124 are moved inwardly (by a user press on flexing
tabs 1124),
the ends 1176 of resilient arms 1174 are moved inwardly. As ends 1176 of
resilient aims
1174 move inwardly, they clear ribs 1130, which enables tray 1150 to be moved
downwardly
to its dispensing position. Once ends 1176 clear ribs 1130, a user press on
the top 1156 of
tray 1150 causes tray 1150 to move downward. The user press may be done with
the index
fmger while the thumb and middle finger continue to apply pressure to flexing
tabs 1124 or
with a finger of another hand. The requirement of the downward press of tray
1150 is the
second child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100. This second child-resistant
feature requires
force and movement that is generally perpendicular to the force and movement
required for
the first child-resistant feature of squeezing flexing tabs 1124 together. As
with dispenser
100, these distinct operations are generally difficult for children to
perform. In some
embodiments, the flexing tabs 1124 and/or resilient member 1168 may be
configured such
that the magnitudes of the forces required to flex these featums are greater
than what a typical
child is able to generate, which can be considered as an additional child-
resistant feature.
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[0088] As tray 1150 moves downward, chute 1152 slides within channel 1190
of
housing 1110. The downward movement of tray 1150 is arrested by the contact of
projections 1196 extending from the sides of chute 1152 with the upper end
side walls 1192
of channel 1190. In this dispensing position, a product positioned in the
lower part of chute
1152 is dispensed through aperture 1140.
[0089] Resilient members 1168 allow tray 1150 to move downward by flexing
outwardly.
This outward flexing causes a force acting against the downward movement of
tray 1150. As
a user reduces pressure on the top 1156 of tray 1150, tray 1150 will be urged
upward to its
closed position by resilient members 1168. Resilient members 1168 may be
formed (e.g.,
molded) as a continuous piece with tray 1150 such that dispenser 1100 includes
just two
pieces¨housing 1110 and tray 1150. In some embodiments, a coil spring, torsion
spring, or
other resilient member may be included instead of or in addition to resilient
members 1168 to
provide or augment the tray return function.
[0090] The lower portion of compartment 1170 of tray 1150 provides a
funneling shape
for guiding product into chute 1152. First and second walls 1159 and 1161
slope
downwardly and inwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the
guide ramps
1158 and 1160 nearest the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the
guide ramps
1158 and 1160 adjacent to the lateral side walls 1162 of tray 1150. The
meeting point 1164
between first guide ramp 1158 and chute 1152 is at a higher position than the
meeting point
1166 between second guide ramp 1160 and chute 1152. This offset arrangement
helps orient
the product as it enters the chute and helps prevent product from getting
stuck at the entry to
chute 1152. In some embodiments, there is no offset and the meeting points are
horizontally
aligned.
[0091] Two units of exemplary product, in the form of tablets 1178a-b, are
located in
chute 1152 to illustrate the dispensing of the product in this embodiment.
Tablet 1178a is
located in the lowest portion of chute 1152, partially in a recess 1180 in the
distal end of
chute 1152. A rib 1134, which is aligned with recess 1180, projects from the
inner surface of
the front side 1116 of housing 1110 just above aperture 1140. The distance
between rib 1134
and the back of recess 1180 is based on the size of the tablets 1178a-b such
that the tablets
can pass between rib 1134 and recess 1180. In the example shown in the FIGs.
12A-13B, the
distance between rib 1134 and the back of recess 1180 is slightly larger than
the diameter of
tablets 1178a-b. The upper portion of rib 1134 includes a ramped surface that
serves to direct
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a tablet into recess 1180. The height of recess 1180 is selected to
accommodate a single unit
of product (e.g., a single tablet, tablet 1178a) such that a second unit of
product is positioned
in necking section 1182 and out of recess 1180.
[0092] Necking section 1182, which is located above recess 1180, is formed
by the inner
surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall 1181 of chute 1152. The
distance between
the inner surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall 1181 is based on the
size of the
tablets 1178a-b such that the tablets can fit into necking section 1182. In
the example shown,
the distance between the inner surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall
1181 is
slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 1178a-b, which allows tablet
1178b to be
positioned in necking section 1182. Chute 1152 also includes a ramped wall
1186 located at
its upper end. Ramped wall 1186 serves to guide product forward into necking
section 1182.
[0093] FIGs. 13A and 13B illustrate dispenser 1100 in its dispensing
configuration with
tray 1150 in a lowered position relative to its closed position. The bottom
end of chute 1152
is located proximate the bottom side 1.112 of housing 1110. Tablet 1178a
passed between
recess 1180 and rib 1134, and it is poised to roll down ramp 1186, provided at
the bottom of
chute 1152, and out of aperture 1140 into a user's hand, thus completing the
dispensing of a
single unit of product. Tablet 1178b is retained within dispenser 1100 by the
narrowness of
the passage between rib 1134 and necking wall 1181 such that tablet 1178b is
position above
necking section 1182. During the downward dispensing motion of tray 1150,
necking wall
1181 slides past stationary tablet 1178b to the position illustrated in FIG.
13B, creating a
pinch point that tablet 1178b cannot enter, ensuring that only one unit of
product is
dispensed.
[0094] Dispenser 1100 is illustrated with dispensing chute 1152 centrally
located
proximate the front side of the housing and configured to dispense a unit of
product from the
front side of the housing. However, the dispensing chute may be located in any
portion of the
lower end of the housing and may dispense product in any direction. For
example, the
dispensing chute may be proximate to either lateral side (e.g., side 1120) of
the housing or the
back of the housing, and the dispensing chute may be configured to dispense a
unit of product
from the lateral side (e.g., side 1120), from the back side of the housing, or
in a compound
direction, such as from any corner.
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[0095] Aperture 1140 is illustrated as including a cutout portion of the
front side of the
housing and a cutout portion of the bottom side of the housing. However, in
some
embodiments, apertuir 1140 includes a cutout of only one of the front side or
bottom side of
the housing. For example, aperture 1140 may include a single aperture in the
bottom of the
housing that may communicate with a chamber into which the dispensing chute
extends in its
dispensing position, and product may exit the dispensing chute into the
chamber, and then it
may drop down through the aperture to the user.
[0096] As described above, tray 150 and tray 1150 have the general shape of
a "tray" or
"drawer" with side walls, a top wall, a back wall, and an open front. However,
other
embodiments may include various other structural forms providing the principal
functionality
discussed above. For example, a moveable member (also referred to herein as a
"slidable
member" or "slider") may be closed on the front side (e.g., shaped like a
"cartridge"). A
slidable member may be partially enclosed. For example, a slidable member may
be
enclosed on just one end, such as having a top portion that is enclosed (i.e.,
having front and
back sides, lateral sides, and a top side). The enclosed top portion may
extend from the upper
end of the housing such that the top and portions of the sides of the slidable
member extend
beyond the housing. A user presses on the top of the slidable member in
accordance with the
principles described above, but when the slidable member is in its dispensing
position the
enclosed end may protrude from the housing or may be flush with the housing.
In these
embodiments, the housing may not include a cutout for accommodating a finger
since the
slidable member remains protruding from or flush with the top of the housing
throughout the
dispensing procedure. In some embodiments, the slidable member may include a
frame or
shell that connects a top portion¨the portion that the user presses on¨to the
child-resistant
side features and bottom dispensing chute. In some embodiments, the slidable
member may
be in multiple parts that are separately inserted into the housing. For
example, a slidable
member may include two pieces, a first piece that is inserted into the housing
before filling
and a second piece that is inserted into the housing after the housing with
the first piece is
filled with product. The second piece may be attached to the first piece in
any suitable ways,
such as using fasteners, glue, interlocking features, pins, etc., to lock the
pieces of the slider
together after filling. In some embodiments, the slidable member may be
manufactured and
filled separately from the housing. The slidable member may be filled and then
sealed (for
example, using a sealing film) for later assembly into the housing.
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[0097] Embodiments can be configured to contain and dispense any size and
shape of
product in any quantity. Exemplary product shapes include pills, tablets,
spheres, orbs, coins,
cubes, beads, ovoids, obloids, cylinders, and the like. Cross-sectional shape
of the products
can vary, and exemplary cross-sectional shapes include circles, squares,
ovals, rectangles,
triangles, and the like. Dimensions of the product may vary depending on its
shape. An
example of product, according to some embodiments includes a tablet-shaped
product that
has a diameter of about 6.4 mm and a thickness of about 3.4 mm. Diameters of
typical
product can include diameters of at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 6 mm,
at least 7 mm,
or at least 10 mm. Diameters of typical product can include diameters of at
most 6 mm, at
most 8 mm, at most 10 mm, at most 15 mm, or at most 20 mm. Thickness of
typical product
can include thicknesses of at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, at least 1.5 mm, at
least 2 mm, or at
least 2.25 mm. Thickness of typical product can include thicknesses of at most
2 mm, at
most 3 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 10 mm, or at most 15 mm. The number of
product units
stored in the dispenser, according to various embodiments, may vary depending
on the size of
the dispenser, the size of the product units, and/or the recommended dosage.
For example, a
dispenser for a 30-day supply of a pharmaceutical dosed at one unit once per
day may include
30 units, whereas a dispenser for a 30-day supply of a pharmaceutical dosed at
one unit twice
per day may include 60 units. Typically, quantities of product will typically
be in the range
of about 5 to about 500 units and, more typically, from about 5 to about 100
units.
[0098] The outer shape of the dispensers can vary without departing from
the principles
discussed above. Although the dispenser embodiments illustrated in the
drawings have
certain contours, dispensers with other exterior surface designs could also be
used. Any sides
or edges of the dispensers according to various embodiments may be flattened,
rounded,
and/or beveled. Various surfaces or edges of the dispenser could be concave or
convex.
Opposing sides, ends, or edges of the dispenser can be parallel or non-
parallel such that the
dispenser becomes narrower in one or more dimensions.
[0099] Dimensions of the dispensers described herein can vary without
departing from
the invention. In preferred embodiments, the dispensers have a size suitable
for handheld
manipulation and operation. For example, according to some embodiments, the
dispenser
may be sized to fit in a typical adult hand and to enable the primary and
secondary child-
resistant features to be overcome with the fingers of a typical adult hand, as
described above.
Exemplary dimensions for handheld embodiments include heights (the dimension
from the
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tray insertion end to the dispensing end) in the range of about 50 mm to about
200 mm,
preferably about 60 mm to about 150 mm, and more preferably about 70 mm to
about 100
mm. Exemplary widths (the dimension between lateral sides) include the range
of about 20
mm to about 150 mm, preferably about 30 mm to about 100 mm, and more
preferably about
40 mm to about 60 mm. Exemplary depths (the dimension from the front side to
the back
side of the housing) can range from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, preferably
about 10 mm to
about 30 mm, and more preferably about 15 mm to about 25 mm. In some
embodiments, the
size of the dispenser may be selected to provide enough room for labelling,
such as dosage
labelling, government required labelling, etc..
[00100] Dispensers may be constructed of any suitable material. Examples of
suitable
materials include metal, wood, cardboard, laminate paperboard, corrugated
paper, plastics,
and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics include low density polyethylene
(LDPE),
polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), Nylon, thermoplastic elastomer, and
polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). Other plastic materials may also be suitable. In some
embodiments, the
dispenser may be made by any method and from any plastic material selected
primarily that
facilitates mass-production at a low unit cost while having strength and
resilience suitable for
secure storage of products in shipping, warehousing, retailing, and consumer
use
environments. The material may also be selected for its ability to be
impermeable, chemically
inert, stable, and compatible with the product to be contained and with the
environment in
which the dispenser will be used. Different portions of the dispenser may be
constructed
from different materials. For example, the housing may be constructed of one
material while
the tray is constructed from a different material. Different portions of the
dispenser may also
be produced according to different methods. For example, the tray may be
molded as a single
continuous piece, whereas the housing may be constructed from multiple molded
pieces. In
some embodiments, the housing may be molded from multiple pieces that are then
permanently attached together, such as by gluing.
[00101] A method for filling a dispenser, according to some embodiments,
includes filling
the tray with product prior to sliding the tray into the housing and then
sliding the tray into
the housing to its closed position. In some embodiments, the tray may be
partially inserted
into the housing to a filling position, the tray may then be filled with
product and then fully
inserted into the housing to its closed position. As described above, as the
tray moves to its
closed position, retaining features on the housing and the tray engage to
prevent the tray from
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being withdrawn from the housing. For example, as illustrated in FIGs. 4A-4C,
dispenser
100 includes projections 132 on housing 110 that serve as stops for
projections 172 on tray
150. Once the retaining features are engaged, the dispenser is in its closed
configuration.
The dispenser may be packaged for display at retail stores.
[00102] As part of a final packaging process, once the dispensers are filled
with the
desired product, the dispensers can be over-wrapped or over-sealed with a film
material, or
shrink-wrapped with such a material. The outer packaging material can vary,
and the
selection of packaging is typically based on factors such as aesthetics,
transparency, comfort
of handling, desired barrier properties (e.g., so as to provide protection
from exposure to
oxygen or radiation, or so as to provide protection from loss of moisture),
and the like.
Packaging material may be in the form of a film, such as a laminated film.
Representative
materials that can be used to provide components or layers of film materials
or laminated
films include polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer, oriented
polypropylene,
linear low density polyethylene, polyvinylidene dichloride, polyester
terephthalate, ethylene
methaciylic acid co-polymer, metallacene linear low density polyethylene,
cellulosic
materials (e.g., cellophane), and the like. Exemplary packaging materials
include
plastic/metal films, plastic/metal films that are paper coated, plastic
laminate films, paper or
cardboard boxes or backing, and the like.
[00103] Accordingly, child-resistant single product unit dispensers may be
provided that
can be made at a low cost. Dispensers, according to the above features, can
have as little as
two components that can be made easily and cheaply. Dispensers can be
permanently closed
such that product access is restricted to product that is dispensed through
the dispensing
processes described above. Consumers cannot gain access to the main
compartment holding
the product (e.g., consiuners cannot gain access to the main compartment
without a tool or
without breaking the dispenser).
[00104] The child-resistant feature of dispensers, according to the above
principles,
requires a two-step process to dispense product that is difficult for young
children to perform.
Moreover, overcoming the two-step child resistant feature results in access to
only a single
unit of product. Thus, dispensers according to some embodiments provide
enhanced child
resistance compared with conventional twist-and-press cap pharmaceutical
containers.
Additionally, dispensers, according to the above features, easily dispense a
single unit of
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product, which is advantageous over many conventional screw cap bottles in
which a user
may have difficulty pouring just a single unit out of an opened bottle.
[00105] The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been
described
with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions
above are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The
embodiments
were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the
techniques and their
practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best
utilize the
techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to
the particular
use contemplated.
[00106] Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with
reference to
the accompanying figures, it is to be noted that various changes and
modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications
are to be
understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples
as defined by
the claims. Finally, the entire disclosure of the patents and publications
referred to in this
application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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