DISPENSER OF INDIVIDUAL CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS

Abstract

 The invention refers to a dispenser of individual consumable products such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc. The dispenser comprises a storage container (10) with a funnel-shaped bottom (11), a displaceable element (20) enclosing the storage container, a housing (30) that is fixedly connected with the storage container and displaceable with respect to the displaceable element which is in turn fixedly connected with the dispensing mechanism (40). When using it, the user pulls the displaceable mechanism downwards such that the dispensing mechanism receives a product from the storage container, while a spring that is biased between the housing and the dispensing mechanism returns the latter to the original position and simultaneously lifts a product from the storage container to the upper surface of the dispenser so that the user may collect it. The advantage over known dispensers lies in that it can be manipulated with one hand only.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention refers to a dispenser of individual consumable products such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc.

Prior Art

[0002] A vast variety of dispensers of individual products, especially tablets, is known from prior art.

[0003] Patent EP 0 284 557 B1 discloses a tablet dispenser with a funnel-shaped tablet store, a tablet orientation space, at least one tablet separating channel and a tablet distributing mechanism. Tablets pass under the action of gravity from a starting point in the tablet store to a discharge point in the tablet delivery mechanism. The tablet dispenser comprises two mutually rotation-prevented and longitudinally displaceable parts. If the upper part is actuated in longitudinal direction, it moves with respect to the lower part, which causes actuation of the tablet delivery mechanism.

[0004] A similar solution is disclosed in US 5 405 047. A tablet dispenser of this solution also consists of two parts which are telescopically inserted one into another and mutually displaceable in longitudinal direction. A dispensing mechanism is designed in a way to prevent a next tablet in a column from getting damaged when a tablet is dispensed.

[0005] Patent application US 2013/0008918 discloses a dispensing container including an actuation cover, a dispensing cartridge and an outer shell. The dispensing cartridge includes a storage hopper with a dispensing outlet. The actuation cover is connected with the dispensing cartridge and they are displaceable in longitudinal direction with respect to the outer shell. The dispenser is actuated by a pressure exerted on the actuation cover, while a spring that is arranged between the outer shell and the dispensing cartridge returns the parts to their starting position.

[0006] All mentioned dispensers share a common property, namely a user activates them manually by pushing a dispenser in its longitudinal direction. An object exits the dispenser at a bottom side under the action of gravity. The product needs to be intercepted with another hand. This poses an obstacle in some cases, for instance while driving a car.

Technical Problem

[0007] The technical problem is how to conceive a dispenser of individual consumable products such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc. that will have a simple structure and could be manipulated by one hand only.

Solution to the Technical Problem

[0008] The technical problem is solved by a dispenser of individual consumable products such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc., said dispenser comprising:

• a storage container for storing products comprising a funnel-shaped bottom of the storage container with a first central opening, a circumferential wall of the storage container, and an upper wall of the storage container with a second central opening, wherein the diameters of the first and second central openings are substantially identical,
• a displaceable element comprising a circumferential wall of the displaceable element, a flange of the displaceable element that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall of the displaceable element, and guiding elements of the displaceable element that extend downwards from the flange of the displaceable element parallel to the circumferential wall of the displaceable element, wherein the inner diameter of the flange of the displaceable element is larger than the diameter of the storage container such that the latter can slide within said flange,

• a housing comprising a housing bottom, a circumferential wall of the housing and a flange of the housing that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall of the housing, wherein the flange of the housing is provided with holes for receiving the guiding elements of the displaceable element,
• a dispensing mechanism comprising a cylindrical wall engaging with the first central opening of the storage container, an upper wall of the dispensing mechanism closing the cylindrical wall at the upper end, and a flange of the dispensing mechanism that extends outwards from the bottom end of the cylindrical wall substantially in parallel to the bottom of the storage container, wherein the flange of the dispensing mechanism is detachably connected with distal ends of the guiding elements of the displaceable element by a first snap-fit connection,

wherein the flange of the housing is detachably connected with the bottom end of the storage container by a fourth snap-fit connection.

[0009] The dispenser further comprises a helical spring mounted with one end at the upper wall of the dispensing mechanism and with another end at the bottom of the housing.

[0010] The dispenser of the products is formed of any plastic material suitable for storing food.

[0011] When using it, the user pulls the displaceable element downwards such that the upper wall of the dispensing mechanism sinks into a plurality of products to be dispensed. Due to the funnel-shaped bottom of the storage container the products concentrate on the upper wall of the dispensing mechanism under the force of gravity. The concave shape of the upper wall of the dispensing mechanism allows only one product to be present on the wall when the displaceable element is released, said product being lifted by means of the spring to a level of the upper wall of the storage container where the user can easily collect it.

[0012] An advantage of the dispenser of individual products of the invention over known dispensers lies in that it can be manipulated by one hand only. The dispenser can be actuated by one hand in that the user pulls the displaceable element downwards, and after a return stroke that can be triggered by the user or by a biased spring the product is collected easily with the same hand from the upper surface of the dispenser. While a product is dispensed, it needs not be intercepted with another hand. The dispenser is especially suitable for use in a vehicle because a driver does not have both hands free while driving. The dispenser of products can be mounted to a vehicle dashboard by means of an adequate holder and the user may use it while driving without being distracted. It goes without saying that the dispenser of products can be used in other environments and situations.

Figure 1: Dispenser of individual products

Figure 2: Cross-section of a displaceable element with four guiding elements

Figure 3: Top view of a housing

Figure 4: Cross-section of the housing

Figure 5: Cross-section of the dispensing mechanism

Figure 6: Cross-section of a storage container

Figure 7: Dispenser of individual products in a position pushed downwards

Figure 8: Dispenser of individual products in a dispensing position

[0013] The invention will be described in more detail in the continuation.

[0014] The technical problem is solved by a dispenser 1 of individual consumable products, such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc., said dispenser comprising:

• a storage container 10 for storing products comprising a funnel-shaped bottom 11 of the storage container with a first central opening 12, a circumferential wall 13 of the storage container, and an upper wall 14 of the storage container with a second central opening 15, wherein the diameters of the first 12 and second 15 central openings are substantially identical,
• a displaceable element 20 comprising a circumferential wall 21 of the displaceable element, a flange 22 of the displaceable element that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall 21 of the displaceable element, and guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element that extend downwards from the flange 22 of the displaceable element parallel to the circumferential wall 21 of the displaceable element, wherein the inner diameter of the flange 22 of the displaceable element is larger than the diameter of the storage container 10 such that the latter can slide within said flange,
• a housing 30 comprising a housing bottom 31, a circumferential wall 35 of the housing and a flange 32 of the housing that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall 35 of the housing, wherein the flange 32 of the housing is provided with holes 33 for receiving the guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element,
• a dispensing mechanism 40 comprising a cylindrical wall 41 engaging with the first central opening 12 of the storage container, an upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism closing the cylindrical wall 41 at the upper end, and a flange 43 of the dispensing mechanism that extends outwards from the bottom end of the cylindrical wall 41 substantially in parallel to the bottom 11 of the storage container, wherein the flange 43 of the dispensing mechanism is detachably connected with distal ends of the guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element by a first snap-fit connection 71,

wherein the flange 32 of the housing is detachably connected with the bottom end of the storage container 10 by a fourth snap-fit connection 74.

[0015] The dispenser further comprises a helical spring 50 mounted with one end at the upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism and with another end at the bottom 31 of the housing.

[0016] The upper wall 14 of the storage container is detachably connected with the circumferential wall 13 of the storage container by a second snap-fit connection 72, which allows the storage container 10 to be refilled. The upper wall 14 of the storage container can be formed in a concave way in order to prevent a dispensed product to fall to the ground.

[0017] The number of guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element is at least two, preferably at least three.

[0018] The circumferential wall 35 of the housing is transversally divided into two parts that are mutually connected by a third snap-fit connection 73 and this makes it possible to arrange the dispensing mechanism into the housing 30 while the dispenser is manufactured. The circumferential wall 21 of the displaceable element projects over the circumferential wall 35 of the housing. It will be understood that the guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element, which glidingly engage into the holes 33 for receiving the guiding elements of the displaceable element, can be realized in various ways without departing from the essence of the invention. The guiding elements of the displaceable element can be formed as line segments of the cylindrical wall, as circular bars and the like. The holes 33 are formed in compliance with the shape and arrangement of the guiding elements 23 of the displaceable element.

[0019] The upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism can be formed in a concave manner to provide for a more reliable support to a product to be dispensed.

[0020] The dispenser 1 of products can further be provided with a cover 60 that covers the dispenser of products from the upper side. The cover 60 may be formed in a way to snap-fit at the upper end of the circumferential wall 21 of the displaceable element by means of a fifth snap-fit connection 75.

[0021] A preferred shape of the cross-section of the dispenser 1 of products is round. It will be understood that a dispenser having a different cross-section, e. g. oval, elliptical or polygonal, may be conceived as well.

[0022] On the bottom side of the upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism a first cylindrical holder 44 for a helical spring can be integrally formed, said holder holding a helical spring 50 from the inner side or from the outer side. On the upper side of the bottom 31 of the housing a second cylindrical holder 34 of the helical spring can be integrally formed, said holder holding the helical spring 50 from the inner side or from the outer side. The first 44 and second 34 holder of the helical spring prevent the spring from getting bent. On the upper side of the bottom 31 of the housing a stop 36 can be integrally formed, against which stop the first cylindrical holder 44 of the helical spring abuts when the dispenser 1 of products is in its position pushed downwards.

[0023] The dispenser 1 of the products is formed of any plastic material suitable for storing food.

[0024] When using it, the user pulls the displaceable element 20 downwards such that the upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism sinks into a plurality of products. Due to the funnel-shaped bottom 11 of the storage container the products concentrate on the upper wall 42 of the dispensing mechanism under the force of gravity. The concave shape of the upper wall of the dispensing mechanism allows only one product to be present on the upper wall when the displaceable element 20 is released, said product being lifted by means of the spring 50 to a level of the upper wall 14 of the storage container where the user can easily collect it.

Claims

1. Dispenser (1) of individual consumable products, such as candies, chewing gums, lozenges, tablets, etc., said dispenser comprising:

- a storage container (10) for storing products,

- a displaceable element (20),

- a housing (30), and

- a dispensing mechanism (40),

characterized in
that the storage container (10) comprises a funnel-shaped bottom (11) of the storage container with a first central opening (12), a circumferential wall (13) of the storage container, and an upper wall (14) of the storage container with a second central opening (15), wherein the diameters of the first (12) and second (15) central openings are substantially identical,
that the displaceable element (20) comprises a circumferential wall (21) of the displaceable element, a flange (22) of the displaceable element that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall (21) of the displaceable element, and guiding elements (23) of the displaceable element that extend downwards from the flange (22) of the displaceable element parallel to the circumferential wall (21) of the displaceable element, wherein the inner diameter of the flange (22) of the displaceable element is larger than the diameter of the storage container (10) such that the latter can slide within said flange,
that the housing (30) comprises a housing bottom (31), a circumferential wall (35) of the housing and a flange (32) of the housing that extends inwards from the upper end of the circumferential wall (35) of the housing, wherein the flange (32) of the housing is provided with holes (33) for receiving the guiding elements (23) of the displaceable element,
that the dispensing mechanism (40) comprises a cylindrical wall (41) engaging with the first central opening (12) of the storage container, an upper wall (42) of the dispensing mechanism closing the cylindrical wall (41) at the upper end, and a flange (43) of the dispensing mechanism that extends outwards from the bottom end of the cylindrical wall (41) substantially in parallel to the bottom (11) of the storage container, wherein the flange (43) of the dispensing mechanism is detachably connected with distal ends of the guiding elements (23) of the displaceable element by a first snap-fit connection (71),
wherein the flange (32) of the housing is detachably connected with the bottom end of the storage container (10) by a fourth snap-fit connection (74).

2. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a helical spring (50) mounted with one end at the upper wall (42) of the dispensing mechanism and with another end at the bottom (31) of the housing.

3. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the upper wall (14) of the storage container is detachably connected with the circumferential wall (13) of the storage container by a second snap-fit connection (72).

4. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the upper wall (14) of the storage container is formed in a concave manner.

5. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the circumferential wall (35) of the housing is transversally divided into two parts that are mutually connected by a third snap-fit connection (73).

6. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the upper wall (42) of the dispensing mechanism is formed in a concave manner.

7. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a cover (60).

8. Dispenser (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the cover (60) is formed in a way to snap-fit at the upper end of the circumferential wall (21) of the displaceable element by means of a fifth snap-fit connection (75).

9. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the shape of the dispenser in cross-section is selected among the following shapes: round, oval, elliptical, polygonal.

10. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9 characterized in that a first cylindrical holder (44) for a helical spring can be integrally formed on the bottom side of the upper wall (42) of the dispensing mechanism, said holder holding a helical spring (50) from the inner side or from the outer side.

11. Dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10 characterized in that a second cylindrical holder (34) of the helical spring is integrally formed on the upper side of the housing bottom (31), said holder holding the helical spring (50) from the inner side or from the outer side.

12. Dispenser (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that it is formed of any plastic material suitable for storing food.

13. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the circumferential wall (21) of the displaceable element projects over the circumferential wall (35) of the housing.

14. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the guiding elements (23) of the displaceable element are formed as line segments of the cylindrical wall.

15. Dispenser (1) according to any of preceding claims characterized in that the guiding elements of the displaceable element are formed as circular bars.

Drawing