Tablet dispenser for dispensing individual tablets

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser comprising (i) a container body ( 10 ), (ii) a storage region ( 12 ) which is disposed within the container body ( 10 ) and which in use contains a multiplicity of items (C) to be individually dispensed, (iii) a dispensing outlet ( 14 ), (iv) a passage between the storage region ( 12 ) and the dispensing outlet ( 14 ), (v) a valve member ( 38 ) disposed between said storage region ( 12 ) and said outlet ( 14 ) moveable between an open position and a closed position, (vi) a stop member ( 117 ) spaced from said valve member ( 38 ) so as to define a passage region ( 24 ) of a size to accommodate an item (C) to be dispensed, said stop member ( 117 ) being moveable into and out of a closed position in which it prevents passage of an item (C) through said passage region ( 24 ), and (vii) manually operable means ( 34 ) for moving said valve member ( 38 ) and said stop member ( 117 ).

1 . A dispenser comprising: 
 (i) a container body,    (ii) a storage region which is disposed within the container body and which in use contains a multiplicity of items to be individually dispensed,    (iii) a dispensing outlet,    (iv) a passage between the storage region and the dispensing outlet,    (v) a valve member disposed between said storage region and said outlet and moveable transversely in said passage between an open position and a closed position,    (vi) a stop means spaced from said valve member so as to define a passage region of a size to accommodate an item to be dispensed, said stop means being moveable into and out of a closed position in which it prevents passage of an item through said passage region, and    (vii) manually operable means for moving said valve member and said stop means, the arrangement being such that when the manually operable means is operated to move said valve member into its open position said stop means is moved into its closed position, and when the said valve member is in its closed position said stop means is in a position in which it permits passage of an item.    
     
     
         2 . A dispenser according to  claim 1  in which the stop means is located upstream of the valve member.  
     
     
         3 . A dispenser according to  claim 1  in which the stop means is located downstream of the valve member.  
     
     
         4 . A dispenser according to  claim 1  to  3 , wherein said passage region is of a size to accept only a single item.  
     
     
         5 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the container body is comprised of a pair of moulded body parts.  
     
     
         6 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the container body is of a size and shape which can be held in the hand.  
     
     
         7 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein there is defined a retaining region which, when the dispenser is held in a predetermined orientation, temporarily retains the dispensed item until it is required to be discharged from the outlet.  
     
     
         8 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve member is formed integrally with the manually operable means.  
     
     
         9 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein a control member is positioned above said passage region so as to assist in orientating an item to be dispensed correctly for entry into said passage region.  
     
     
         10 . A dispenser comprising 
 (i) a hollow body,    (ii) a storage region which is defined within the hollow body and which in use contains a multiplicity of items to be individually dispensed,    (iii) a dispensing outlet in the hollow body,    (iv) a passage in the hollow body between the storage region and the dispensing outlet,    (v) a valve within the body for controlling the flow of items through the passage from the storage region to the dispensing outlet, and    (vi) manually operable means for operating the valve, characterised in that said manually operable means is integrally formed with a surrounding wall region of the hollow body.    
     
     
         11 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the manually operable means is formed integrally with the body.  
     
     
         12 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the manually operable means comprises a button.  
     
     
         13 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the manually operable means is connected with the surrounding wall region of the body by means of an integral resilient wall region.  
     
     
         14 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve includes a valve member which is within the body and integrally formed with the manually operable means.  
     
     
         15 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the stop means is integrally formed with said manually operable means.  
     
     
         16 . A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein deformation of said integral resilient wall region results in the opening of internal valve which is formed integrally with said wall region, and closing of stop means to prevent multiple items being dispensed.