Handheld Apparatus for Disengagement of a Dose Unit from Its Packaging

Abstract

The present invention concerns a handheld apparatus for automated and directional disengagement of a dose unit ( 17 ), such as a pill from its packaging ( 16 ), said apparatus comprising a housing ( 2 ) having a first and second end, where the housing is provided with an opening for receiving and supporting a packaging and positioning of a dose unit in this packaging and holding means arranged adjacent to said opening of the second end; and expelling means comprising a plunger ( 5 ) which by actuation of drive means ( 1 ) can be pushed against the holding means and hereby having a dose unit disengaged. The advantage of this dispenser apparatus is that it automatically causes the pill to be disengaged from the blister pack, reducing the working environment problems by reducing the repetitive one-sided manual work load, and reducing contamination risks by directional placement of the dose unit.

1 . A handheld apparatus for directional disengagement of a dose unit from its packaging, said apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a first and second end, where the housing is provided with an opening for receiving and supporting a packaging and positioning of a dose unit in this packaging and holding means arranged adjacent to said opening of the second end; and   expelling means comprising a plunger which by actuation of drive means can be pushed against the holding means and hereby having a dose unit disengaged.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is pushed into the opening. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive means is activated by an activation button placed in the first end of the housing. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive means comprises an electric motor rotating a shaft, which is cooperating with a nut connected to the plunger. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an internal energy supply is provided. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive means comprises a pneumatically activated linear actuator. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is ergonomically shaped. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding means is pivotably arranged for movement between an active position and a passive position for storage of the apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding means is provided with an exit hole through which the dose unit is expelled. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding means is provided with a direction means placed beneath the exit hole. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the direction means is removable. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control system, said control system comprising data communication means, wherein said data communication means is adapted to perform a data exchange with a stationary unit. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the control means further include a battery charging system cooperating with corresponding electrical charging means in the stationary unit for recharging a battery pack including one or more battery cells in the apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is a reciprocating piston. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive means includes a DC electric motor and a gearing for transferring the rotational movement of the motor to a linear movement of the plunger. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is a pivoting member. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive means are adapted to compressing an activation spring member, which by its release expels the plunger from the housing. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dose unit is a pill. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the internal energy supply is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a hand support in the first end.