Apparatus and method for dispensing elongated items

Abstract

This invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for singularly dispensing elongated items. Specifically, this invention may include an elongated body forming a channel and a baffle to separate at least one elongated item from a plurality of elongated items. The width of the channel is preferably less than twice a thickness of the elongated item so that an elongated item may align under an aperture. The elongated item may then pass one at a time through the aperture to minimize potential cross-contamination. This apparatus and method may be particularly useful for dispensing dental applicators or other tooth cleaning devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of this invention may be better understood when the specification is read in view of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective interior view of the apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus dispensing an elongated item according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is an outline of the interior contour of the apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an outline of the exterior contour of the apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an elongated item, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for singularly dispensing an elongated item comprising: an elongated body having a top, an inner wall, and an interior volume;a baffle disposed on the inner wall within the interior volume and oriented relative to the inner wall;the baffle forming a channel to receive at least one elongated item, the channel having a width less than twice a thickness of an elongated item; andan aperture in the top above the channel and adapted to permit passage of a single item.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has an asymmetric cross section.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has an eccentric cross section.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has a generally cylindrical shape cut by a chord.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has a generally smooth inside contour formed by: a first interior arc having an angle of about 270 degrees and a first interior radius;a first interior generally linear portion with a length less than the first interior radius and connecting to the first interior arc;a second interior arc having an angle of about 90 degrees curving inward and a second interior radius less than the first interior radius, the second interior arc connecting to the first interior generally linear portion;a second interior generally linear portion with a length less than the length of the first interior generally linear portion and connecting to the second interior arc;a third interior arc having an angle of about 180 degrees curving inward and a third interior radius such that twice the third interior radius has a length less than twice the thickness of an elongated item, the third interior arc connecting to the second interior generally linear portion;a third interior generally linear portion with a length less than the second interior generally linear portion and connecting to the third interior arc;a fourth interior arc having an angle of about 180 degrees curving opposite the third interior arc and a radius less than the radius of the third interior arc, the fourth interior arc connecting to the third interior generally linear portion;a fourth interior generally linear portion having a length about equal to the length of the third interior generally linear portion and connecting to the fourth interior arc;a fifth interior generally linear portion angling outward from the fourth interior generally linear portion and connecting to the first interior arc.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has an inside contour formed by: an interior arc of the inner wall having an angle of less than about 360 degrees;an interior section of the inner wall connecting to the interior arc;a baffle running generally parallel along the interior section and forming a channel therebetween.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has an smooth outside contour formed by: a first exterior arc having an angle of about 270 degrees and a first exterior radius;a first exterior generally linear portion with a length less than the first exterior radius and connecting to the first exterior arc;a second exterior arc having an angle of about 180 degrees curving inward and a second exterior radius less than the first exterior radius, the second exterior arc connecting to the first exterior generally linear portion;a third exterior arc having an angle of about 180 degrees curving opposite the second exterior arc and a third exterior radius less than the second exterior radius, the third exterior arc connecting to the second exterior arc;a fourth exterior arc curving inward and connecting to an end of the first exterior arc.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated body has a outside contour forming a “comma” shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable cap on the top of the body.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the cap hingedly connects to the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable cover over the aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the cover hingedly connects to the top.

13. An apparatus for singularly dispensing an item comprising: an elongated, semi-cylindrical, hand-held, plastic body having a top, an inner wall, a flat side portion, and an interior volume;a baffle disposed on the inner wall within the interior volume and oriented relative to the inner wall;the baffle forming a channel to receive at least one elongated item, the channel having a width less than twice a thickness of an elongated item;a removable cap disposed on the top of and hingedly connecting to the body;an aperture in the cap above the channel and adapted to permit passage of a single item; anda removable cover over the aperture and hingedly connecting to the cap.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the side has a length about equal to a length of the elongated item.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the plastic body is substantially transparent.

16. A method for singularly dispensing an item from a plurality of elongated items comprising: providing an apparatus having an elongated body having a top, an inner wall, and an interior volume, a baffle disposed on the inner wall within the interior volume and oriented relative to the inner wall, the baffle forming a channel to receive at least one elongated item, the channel having a width less than twice a thickness of an elongated item, an aperture in the top above the channel and adapted to permit passage of a single item, and a plurality of elongated items within the interior volume;rotating the apparatus;urging at least one elongated item around the baffle, along the inner wall and into the channel, the at least one elongated item aligned within the channel and separated from the remaining plurality of elongated items; andreciprocating the apparatus to pass one elongated item through the aperture.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising opening a cover on the aperture before reciprocating to singularly pass at least one elongated item and closing the cover after reciprocating.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising aligning a column of laterally oriented elongated items in the channel.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the elongated item comprises a dental applicator.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the baffle supports a weight of the remaining plurality of elongated items to allow unimpeded movement of the laterally oriented elongated items in the channel.