Device for singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips

Abstract

A container device for storing, singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips such as diagnostic test strips. A plurality of strips is contained and protected within a transparent container having an internal capture element for capturing and positioning a single strip adjacent a narrow normally-closed dispensing aperture. The aperture is exposed by rotating a spring-loaded container top cap to an open position. A detachable container base cap contains a desiccant and is replaceable. An optional stand stores the device in an upright position, and incorporates a tool to facilitate removal of the base cap for replenishing the container's contents or replacing the desiccant. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be incorporated for electronic inventory control. The device can also be used as an integrated test strip container/single strip dispensing means for an automated analyte meter module.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device that separates and dispenses a single test strip from a plurality of substantially uniform test strips, each of the test strips having a strip length, a strip width, a strip thickness, a first strip surface disposed about a first face of the test strip defined by the strip length and the strip width, and a second strip surface disposed about a second face of the test strip defined by the strip length and the strip thickness, the device for use in a hollow cylindrical container having an open end, a closed bottom end, a height that is greater than the strip length, and a wall having an inner surface, the device comprising:
 a disk member having a first side, a second side, a disk surface disposed about a circumference of the disk, and a first slot having a slot width and a slot length substantially corresponding to the strip thickness and the strip width, the slot sized to allow only the single test strip therethrough,   a first slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the first slot corresponding to the slot width;   a second slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the first slot corresponding to the slot length;   a capture member disposed on the second side of the disk member and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, the capture member having a first planar surface that is coincident with the first slot surface and a first ridge surface that projects from the first planar surface and that is coincident with the second slot surface, and wherein the disk member is insertable in the container so that the inner surface of the wall of the container circumscribes the disk surface with the first side being proximate the open end and the second side being proximate the bottom end.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the capture member further comprises a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface disposed apart by a capture member thickness, and a second ridge surface that projects from the second planar surface,   wherein the disk member comprises a second slot, the second slot having a third slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the second slot that corresponds to a width of the second slot, and a fourth slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the second slot that corresponds to a length of the second slot,   wherein the third slot surface is coincident with the second ridge surface and the fourth slot surface is coincident with the second planar surface.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first ridge surface projects from the first planar surface by a distance that is less than a combined thickness of the single test strip and a second test strip. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first planar surface has a width that is less than a combined width of the single test strip and a second test strip. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the capture member has a length that is greater than the strip length. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first ridge surface projects from the first planar surface by a distance that is less than a combined thickness of the single test strip and a second test strip, wherein the first planar surface has a width that is less than a combined width of the single test strip and a second test strip, and wherein the capture member has a length that is greater than the strip length. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for storing and dispensing a single test strip from a plurality of substantially uniform test strips, the apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical container having an open end, a closed bottom end, a height, and a wall having an inner surface; and   a device that has a disk member having a rectangular aperture through the disk member and a capture member adjacent to and projecting perpendicular from the rectangular aperture, the capture member having a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are coincident with two perpendicular surfaces of the rectangular aperture, the device operable to separate a single strip from the plurality of strips, guide the single strip along the second surface, and dispense only the single test strip through the rectangular aperture,   wherein the disk member has a circumferential surface disposed adjacent the surface of the inner wall, and   wherein the capture member is disposed between the bottom end of the container and the disk member so that the single test strip is dispensed therefrom.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a desiccant disposed in the container between the disk member and the bottom end, wherein the desiccant is at least one desiccant type selected from the group consisting of: a granular type, a polymer entrained type, and a color-indicating polymer-entrained type. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the desiccant is a color-indicating polymer-entrained type, and wherein the container has a portion that is transparent. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom end is a removable base cap. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the desiccant is co-molded or press fit into said base cap. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the container has a low UV transmission rate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the device and the container are an integral unit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the wall is transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the disk member is fixed in rotational alignment with the container. 
     
     
         16 . Use of the apparatus according to  claim 7 .