Tablet Dispenser

Abstract

A dispensing container is provided. The dispensing container includes an actuation cover; a dispensing cartridge and an outer shell. The dispensing cartridge includes a storage hopper. The storage hopper includes a first outlet. The storage hopper is configured for gravity feeding product adjacent the first outlet. The outer shell includes a central cavity and a second outlet. The dispensing cartridge is positioned within the central cavity. The dispensing cartridge is transitionable between an open orientation in which the first and second outlets are aligned providing a pathway through both the first and second outlets and a closed orientation wherein the first and second outlets are offset decreasing the size of the pathway.

1 . A dispensing container comprising:
 an actuation cover;   a dispensing cartridge including a storage hopper, the storage hopper including a first outlet; the storage hopper being configured for gravity feeding product adjacent the first outlet; and   an outer shell including a central cavity and a second outlet, the dispensing cartridge positioned within the central cavity, the dispensing cartridge transitionable between an open orientation in which the first and second outlets are aligned providing a pathway through both the first and second outlets and a closed orientation wherein the first and second outlets are offset decreasing the size of the pathway.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing container of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed orientation the pathway is completely closed. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing container of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing cartridge includes a holding cavity that holds a predetermined amount of product in the closed orientation that is to be dispensed when transitioned to the open orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing container of  claim 3 , wherein the holding cavity is immediately adjacent the holding cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing container of  claim 4 , wherein when the dispensing cartridge is aligned such that the gravity feed of the storage hopper is aligned with the pull of gravity the first outlet is laterally offset from the holding cavity, and not vertically below the holding cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing container of  claim 3 , further comprising a product limiting mechanism that is configured to prevent additional product from entering the holding cavity in the open orientation and configured to allow product to enter the holding cavity in the closed orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing container of  claim 6 , wherein the product limiting mechanism reduces the size of a mouth of the holding cavity in the open orientation to prevent additional product from passing through the mouth and into the holding cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing container of  claim 7 , wherein the product limiting mechanism is a wall that extends into the mouth of the holding cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing container of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing cartridge is axially positioned between a top wall of the actuation cover and a bottom wall of the outer shell, the actuation cover mechanically slidably affixed to the outer shell to secure the dispensing cartridge within a cavity generally defined by the actuation cover and the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing container of  claim 9 , further including a biasing mechanism interposed between the outer shell and the actuation cover biasing the actuation cover generally away from the outer shell. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing container of  claim 10 , wherein the biasing mechanism is interposed between the dispensing cartridge and the bottom wall of the outer shell biasing the dispensing cartridge away from the bottom wall and towards the top wall of the actuation cover. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing container of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing mechanism is integrally formed as a continuous piece with either the outer shell or the dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing container of  claim 11 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a coil spring formed separately from the outer shell and the dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing container of  claim 11 , wherein biasing mechanism biases the dispensing cartridge towards the closed orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing container of  claim 3 , wherein the outer shell defines a dispensing aperture through which product is dispensed, the dispensing aperture is downstream from the first and second outlets, a dispensing cavity is interposed between the dispensing aperture and the second outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing container of  15 , wherein the dispensing cavity is aligned with the direction of movement of the actuation cover relative to the outer shell. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing container of  claim 1 , further comprising product stored therein, the product sized such that only a single piece of product is dispensed at a time. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing container of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation cover closes the storage hopper of the dispensing cartridge.