Dispenser with automatically advancing indicator

Abstract

A manually operated object dispenser includes a cover that rotates relative to a base allowing easy access to a storage compartment and allowing stored objects to be dispensed. A rotatable reminder wheel disposed beneath the cover automatically advances to a next position with each use, exposing indicia through a window on the cover. The dispenser comprises two sets of ratchet prongs and teeth: the first set engaged when the cover is rotated to an open position, while the second set is engaged when the cover is subsequently rotated to a closed position. Accordingly, the reminder wheel moves a predetermined distance to incrementally expose indicia through the window with each object that is dispensed. One embodiment of the dispenser includes a storage tray for storing objects and an access port through which the objects are dispensed. Another embodiment of the dispenser is attached to an external storage compartment.

1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a base including a storage tray for storing a plurality of objects;   a reminder wheel operable to rotate about a vertical centerline of the base, the reminder wheel comprising:
 a plurality of indicia disposed sequentially and at predetermined intervals along a top surface of the reminder wheel; 
 a first set of ratchet prongs disposed along an inner perimeter of the reminder wheel; and 
 a second set of ratchet prongs disposed along an outer perimeter of the reminder wheel; 
   a cover rotatably attached to the base to allow the cover to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cover defining:
 a reminder window through which an indicium of the plurality of indicia disposed along the top surface of the reminder wheel is exposed; 
 an access window that communicates with the storage tray when the cover rotates to the open position to provide for dispensing objects from the storage tray; and 
 a cover ratchet disposed on an underside of the cover to operatively engage the second set of ratchet prongs disposed along the outer perimeter of the reminder wheel and provide for rotation of the reminder wheel with the cover when the cover rotates in a first radial direction; and 
   an inner ratchet ring attached to the base and operative to engage the first set of ratchet prongs disposed along the inner perimeter of the reminder wheel and prevent the reminder wheel from rotating with the cover when the cover rotates in a second radial direction.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 rotation of the cover in the first radial direction transitions the cover from the closed position to the open position; and   rotation of the cover in the second radial direction transitions the cover from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is in the closed position;   the first indicium continues to be displayed through the reminder window when the cover is rotated to the open position; and   a next sequential indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is subsequently rotated to the closed position.   
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a lock tab flexibly attached to the base, wherein the lock tab engages the access window to inhibit rotation of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein the lock tab slides below the cover when the cover is rotated to the open position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein a top surface of the lock tab includes one or more raised dimples adapted to engage the underside of the cover and provide an air gap between the top surface of the lock tab and the underside of the cover when the cover is rotated to the open position. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of an outer surface of the cover includes a cover gripping surface and a portion of an outer surface of the base includes a base gripping surface, and wherein the cover gripping surface is aligned with the base gripping surface when the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . A dispenser comprising:
 an external storage container for storing a plurality of objects;   a base releasably attached to the external storage container, the base defining a dispenser port;   a reminder wheel operable to rotate about a vertical centerline of the base, the reminder wheel comprising:
 a plurality of indicia disposed sequentially and at predetermined intervals along a top surface of the reminder wheel; 
 a first set of ratchet prongs disposed along an inner perimeter of the reminder wheel; and 
 a second set of ratchet prongs disposed along an outer perimeter of the reminder wheel; 
   a cover rotatably attached to the base to allow the cover to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cover defining:
 a reminder window through which an indicium of the plurality of indicia disposed along the top surface of the reminder wheel is exposed; 
 an access window that aligns with the dispenser port when the cover rotates to the open position to provide for dispensing objects from the external storage container; and 
 a cover ratchet disposed on an underside of the cover to operatively engage the second set of ratchet prongs disposed along the outer perimeter of the reminder wheel and provide for rotation of the reminder wheel with the cover when the cover rotates in a first radial direction; and 
   an inner ratchet ring attached to the base and operative to engage the first set of ratchet prongs disposed along the inner perimeter of the reminder wheel and prevent the reminder wheel from rotating with the cover when the cover rotates in a second radial direction.   
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein:
 rotation of the cover in the first radial direction transitions the cover from the closed position to the open position; and   rotation of the cover in the second radial direction transitions the cover from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein:
 a first indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is in the closed position;   the first indicium continues to be displayed through the reminder window when the cover is rotated to the open position; and   a next sequential indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is subsequently rotated to the closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a lock tab flexibly attached to the base, wherein the lock tab engages the access window to inhibit rotation of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein the lock tab slides below the cover when the cover is rotated to the open position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein:
 a top surface of the lock tab includes one or more raised dimples adapted to engage the underside of the cover and provide an air gap between the top surface of the lock tab and the underside of the cover when the cover is rotated to the open position; and   a portion of an outer surface of the cover includes a cover gripping surface, a portion of an outer surface of the base includes a base gripping surface, and wherein the cover gripping surface is aligned with the base gripping surface when the cover is in the closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the external storage container and the base each include complimentary threads for releasably attaching the base to the external storage container. 
     
     
         13 . A dispenser comprising:
 a cylindrical base;   a reminder wheel operable to rotate about a vertical centerline of the base, the reminder wheel comprising:
 a plurality of indicia disposed sequentially and at predetermined intervals along a top surface of the reminder wheel; 
 a first set of ratchet prongs disposed along an inner perimeter of the reminder wheel; and 
 a second set of ratchet prongs disposed along an outer perimeter of the reminder wheel; 
   a cover rotatably attached to the base to allow the cover to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the cover defining:
 a reminder window through which an indicium of the plurality of indicia disposed along the top surface of the reminder wheel is exposed; 
 an access window for dispensing objects; and 
 a cover ratchet disposed on the underside of the cover to operatively engage the second set of ratchet prongs disposed along the outer perimeter of the reminder wheel and provide for rotation of the reminder wheel with the cover when the cover rotates in a first radial direction; and 
   an inner ratchet ring attached to the base and operative to engage the first set of ratchet prongs disposed along the inner perimeter of the reminder wheel and prevent the reminder wheel from rotating with the cover when the cover rotates in a second radial direction.   
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the base includes a storage tray for storing a plurality of objects; and   the cover access window communicates with the storage tray when the cover rotates to the open position to provide for dispensing objects from the storage tray.   
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an external storage container releasably attached to the base, wherein the external storage container is adapted to store a plurality of objects.   
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the base defines a dispensing port that aligns with the cover access window when the cover rotates to the open position to provide for dispensing objects from the external storage container. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the external storage container and the base each include complimentary threads for releasably attaching the external storage container to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein:
 rotation of the cover in the first radial direction transitions the cover from the closed position to the open position; and   rotation of the cover in the second radial direction transitions the cover from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a first indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is in the closed position;   the first indicium continues to be displayed through the reminder window when the cover is rotated to the open position; and   a next sequential indicium is displayed through the reminder window when the cover is subsequently rotated to the closed position.   
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , the dispenser further comprising:
 a lock tab flexibly attached to the base, wherein the lock tab engages the access window to inhibit rotation of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein the lock tab slides below the cover when the cover is rotated to the open position.