CHILD-RESISTANT DISPENSER, METHOD OF DISPENSING A UNIT OF PRODUCT FROM A DISPENSER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to dispensers and, more specifically, to child-resistant dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for dispensing solid products intended for human consumption, such as pharmaceuticals, snacks, mints, gum, candy, and the like, are often configured as hand-held containers that can be easily stored and transported. Some consumable products, such as pharmaceuticals, require containers having a certain level of child resistance. Child resistance features are intended to delay a young child's access to the contents of the container. Generally, commercially available child-resistant packaging designs rely upon working principles that require a combination of hand-finger strength, hand-finger dexterity, and specific cognitive abilities. For example, pharmaceutical pills are often packaged in a bottle having a cap that can only be removed by applying downward pressure while twisting the cap. The downward pressure requires a certain level of strength, the combination of downward pressure and twisting requires a certain level of dexterity, and the combination of downward pressure and twisting is not intuitive and is unlikely to be discovered by accident, thus requiring a certain level of cognitive ability.

Conventional bottles with twist-and-press caps have certain disadvantages. For example, if a child does manage to open the bottle, immediate access is provided to the entire contents of the bottle. Further, if an adult user fails to place the cap in the properly secured position, there is no secondary mechanism for preventing access by a child. Some aged adults or adults with disabilities may lack sufficient strength or dexterity to open the twist-and-press caps. Additionally, extracting the right amount of product once the cap is removed may be difficult for those with reduced dexterity who may not be able to reach into the bottle to pull out the desired amount of product, The contents of the container may be poured out, but this requires that the unused contents to be put back in the container, which may be problematic for those with reduced dexterity. Additionally, pouring the contents out also poses a risk of contamination of the unused contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser is configured to provide a single unit dispense of contained product. The child-resistant features are overcome by a combination of squeezing and pressing motions that can be accomplished by a single hand. The dispenser restricts access to the product contained within such that overcoming the child-resistant features results in access to a single unit of product, rather than the entire contents. According to some embodiments, the dispenser includes a slider positioned within a housing. The slider includes a dispensing chute that moves downward relative to the housing to a dispensing position. A single unit of product positioned at the end of the dispensing chute is dispensed from the chute when the dispensing chute moves to the dispensing position. The slider is restrained within the housing by one or more retention features that are overcome by a squeezing motion applied to the sides of the dispenser. The slider is moved downward by a pressing motion on the top of the slider, which is accessible through an opening in the housing. Once the downward press is released, the slider returns from its dispensing position.

According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser includes a housing comprising a first moveable member disposed on a first side of the housing; and a slider disposed in the housing and configured to slide from a closed position to a dispensing position, the slider comprising a first engagement portion that engages a first stop on the housing, wherein the engagement between the first engagement portion and the first stop restricts movement of the slider to the dispensing position and the first moveable member is configured to disengage the first engagement portion from the first stop in response to a first release force applied to the first moveable member.

In any of these embodiments, the slider may be configured to slide to the dispensing position in response to application of a dispensing force applied to the slider when the first engagement portion is disengaged from the first stop, and the slider may be restricted from sliding to the dispensing position in response to application of the dispensing force to the slider when the first engagement portion is engaged with the first stop.

In any of these embodiments, the housing may include a second moveable member disposed on a second side of the housing that is opposite to the first side, the slider may include a second engagement portion that engages a second stop on the housing, and the second moveable member may be configured to disengage the second moveable member from the second stop in response to a second release force applied to the second moveable member.

In any of these embodiments, the first and second moveable members may be configured to disengage the first and second engagement portions by flexing inwardly. In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a dispensing chute, and the dispenser may be configured to dispense a single unit of product from the dispensing chute when the slider is in the dispensing position.

In any of these embodiments, the housing may include a protrusion that restricts product from exiting the dispenser when the slider is in the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the dispensing chute may include a recess for accommodating a single unit of product, and the recess may be aligned with the protrusion when the slider is in the dispensing position.

In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a first sloping side that intersects the dispensing chute at a first location and a second sloping side that intersects the dispensing chute at a second location and the first location and the second location may be offset. In any of these embodiments, the housing may include an open end to provide user access to an end of the slider.

In any of these embodiments, the end of the slider may be configured to close the open end of the housing when the slider is in the closed position. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be a handheld dispenser, in any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured for single-handed dispensing.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to dispense in response to a squeezing force applied to the housing by a hand and a simultaneous press applied to an end of the slider by the hand. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to dispense a single unit of product during each dispense. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include a resilient member that acts against movement of the slider from the closed position to the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the resilient member and the slider may be molded as a single piece.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include an interlock between the slider and the housing that is configured to permit movement of the slider from the closed position to the dispensing position and to prevent withdrawal of the slider from the housing.

According to some embodiments, a prefilled child-resistant dispenser includes a housing comprising a first moveable member disposed on a first side of the housing; and a slider disposed in the housing and configured to slide from a closed position to a dispensing position, the slider comprising a first engagement portion that engages a first stop on the housing; and product contained within the dispenser for dispensing by the dispenser, wherein the engagement between the first engagement portion and the first stop restricts movement of the slider to the dispensing position and the first moveable member is configured to disengage the first engagement portion from the first stop in response to a first release force applied to the first moveable member.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include packaging encasing the housing and the slider.

According to some embodiments, a child-resistant dispenser includes a housing; a slider disposed in the housing; an engagement between the housing and the slider that is configured to prevent the slider from moving to a dispensing position; and a release configured to release the engagement between the housing and the slider in response to a pressing force on the release.

In any of these embodiments, at least a portion of the release may be configured to move in a first direction to release the engagement between the housing and the slider and the slider may be configured to move to the dispensing position in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction.

In any of these embodiments, at least a portion of the release may be configured to move inwardly to release the engagement between the housing and the slider. In any of these embodiments, the release may include first and second moveable members disposed on opposite sides of the housing that are configured to move inwardly to release the engagement between the housing and the slider.

In any of these embodiments, the first and second moveable members may be formed from cutouts in the housing. In any of these embodiments, the release may include a first engagement portion on a first side of the slider and a first stop on the housing. In any of these embodiments, the release may include a second engagement portion on a second side of the slider and a second stop on the housing.

In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a dispensing chute, and the dispenser may be configured to dispense a single unit of product from the dispensing chute when the slider is in the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the housing may include a protrusion that restricts product from exiting the dispenser when the slider is in the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the dispensing chute may include a recess for accommodating a single unit of product, and the recess may be aligned with the protrusion when the slider is in the dispensing position.

In any of these embodiments, the slider may include a first sloping side that intersects the dispensing chute at a first location and a second sloping side that intersects the dispensing chute at a second location and the first location and the second location are offset. In any of these embodiments, the housing may include an open end to provide user access to an end of the slider. in any of these embodiments, the end of the slider may be configured to close the open end of the housing when the slider is in a closed position.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be a handheld dispenser. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured for single-handed dispensing. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to dispense in response to squeezing forces applied to the housing by a hand and a simultaneous press applied to an end of the slider by the hand.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may be configured to dispense a single unit of product during each dispense. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include a resilient member that acts against movement of the slider from the closed position to the dispensing position. In any of these embodiments, the resilient member and slider may be molded as a single piece. In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include an interlock between the slider and the housing that is configured to permit movement of the slider from the closed position to the dispensing position and to prevent withdrawal of the slider from the housing.

According to some embodiments, a prefilled child-resistant dispenser includes a housing; a slider disposed in the housing; an engagement between the housing and the slider that is configured to prevent the slider from moving to a dispensing position; a release configured to release the engagement between the housing and the slider in response to a pressing force on the release; and product contained within the dispenser for dispensing by the dispenser.

In any of these embodiments, the dispenser may include packaging encasing the housing and the slider.

According to some embodiments, a method of dispensing a unit of product from a dispenser that comprises a housing and a slider disposed in the housing includes moving at least a portion of a release disposed on the housing to release an engagement between the slider and the housing that prevents the slider from moving to a dispensing position; while the engagement is released, moving the slider within the housing to a dispensing position in which a single unit of product is dispensed.

In any of these embodiments, moving the slider within the housing may include applying a dispensing force to an end of the slider. In any of these embodiments, the method may include returning the slider from the dispensing position by reducing or removing the dispensing force. In any of these embodiments, moving at least a portion of a release disposed on the housing may include applying squeezing forces to the dispenser. In any of these embodiments, moving the slider within the housing may include applying a dispensing force to an end of the slider while applying the squeezing forces to the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of a dispenser in a closed position according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded front and rear perspective views of the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-B;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front and rear perspective views of the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B in a dispensing configuration;

FIGS. 4A-4C are sectional views through a first section of the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B showing a dispensing process;

FIGS. 5A-5C are sectional views through a second section of the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B showing the dispensing process;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective and sectional views of the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B in a filling configuration;

FIG. 7 shows the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B in a filling configuration filled with exemplary product;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective and sectional showing the dispenser of FIGS. 1A-1B in a closed configuration with contained exemplary product;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are front and rear perspective views of a dispenser in a closed position according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and rear perspective exploded views illustrating the assembly of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and rear perspective views of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A-9B in a dispensing position;

FIG. 12A is a first sectional view of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A and 9B in the closed position with exemplary product;

FIG. 12B is a second sectional view of a portion of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A and 9B in the closed position with exemplary product;

FIG. 13A is a first sectional view of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A-9B in the dispensing position with exemplary product; and

FIG. 13B is a second sectional view of a portion of the dispenser of FIGS. 9A-9B in the dispensing position with exemplary product,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Described below are embodiments of dispensers that include single product unit dispensing with a combination of dispensing motions of sufficient complexity to resist dispensing of the product by a young child, while allowing one-handed dispensing by an adult. Dispensers may restrict access to the product contained within such that overcoming the child-resistant features results in access to just a single unit of product, rather than the entire contents. According to some embodiments, the dispenser includes just two components a housing and a slidable tray disposed within the housing—which enables the dispenser to be made easily and cheaply.

According to some embodiments, the dispenser includes a slidable tray retained within a housing by one or more retention features. The retention features may be overcome by a squeezing motion on the sides of the housing. Once the retention features are overcome and while the squeezing motion continues, a downward press on the tray results in downward motion of the tray relative to the housing to a dispensing position within the housing. The tray funnels product into a dispensing chute at one end of the tray. Product moves downwardly along the chute to a recessed portion at the end of the chute that accommodates a single unit of product. As the tray moves downward, the recessed portion moves past a protrusion extending inwardly from a wall of the housing, and, once the protrusion is cleared, the product is dispensed, Upon release of the downward press, the tray may return from its dispensing position.

According to some embodiments, the dispenser may be filled with product during the manufacturing process by inserting the tray partially into the housing, filling the tray with product, and inserting the tray fully into the housing. One or more locking features may lock the tray within the housing to prevent it from being withdrawn out of the housing. Thus, access to the product is restricted to the product dispensed through the dispensing procedure.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a child-resistant, single unit dispenser in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment. Dispenser 100 includes a housing 110 and a slidable dispensing tray 150 that is disposed within housing 110. Housing 110 includes bottom wall 112, top opening 114, front wall 116, rear wall 118, and side walls 120. Dispenser 100 may rely at least partially upon gravity to guide product through the dispenser, and, therefore, the use of terms such as “bottom” and “top” are used with reference to the orientation of dispenser 100 in a nominal position in which product gathers above the location of the dispenser from which product is dispensed. However, it is to be understood that dispenser 100 may be used in any suitable orientation as long as the orientation enables product to be urged toward the dispensing location of the dispenser.

Top opening 114 receives tray 150 during assembly, as will be described in more detail below. Rear wall 118 of housing 110 includes a cutout 122 to accommodate a user's finger during the dispensing procedure, as will be discussed in more detail below. In the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, tray 150 is in a closed position with its top 156 located near to or aligned with the top opening 114 of housing 110. The top 156 of tray 150 is dimensioned such that tray 150 is able to slide within housing 110, for example, by providing a small amount of clearance. In some embodiments, the clearance is minimized to reduce the ability of contaminants to enter the product containment area of dispenser 100. In some embodiments, a gasket or other sealing means are provided between the tray 150 and the inner surface of housing 110.

In this embodiment, both side walls 120 include moveable members in the form of flexing tabs 124, which are part of the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 100 that must be overcome to dispense product. Flexing tabs 124 are used to disengage engagement portions on the slidable tray 150 from stops in housing 110 to enable movement of slidable tray 150 within housing 110 during dispensing, as will be discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, only one side includes a flexing tab 124. Flexing tabs 124 may include one or more indicators, such as indicator 126, to indicate to a user the action required for dispensing. In some embodiments, one or more additional indicators, such as indicator 128. can be located on or near the upper rear portion of tray (or a similar area on housing 110) to indicate to a user the action required for dispensing. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, the indicators are in the form of the numbers “1” and “2” to indicate the order of operations to dispense the product. A user first presses flexing tabs 124 inwardly before pressing on the top 156 of tray 150 for dispensing. This dispensing operation will be described in more detail below. In the configuration of FIGS. 1A-1B, the dispenser is closed and product within cannot exit the dispenser regardless of the dispenser's orientation.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and rear exploded views, respectively, of dispenser 100. Tray 150 includes compartment 170, which is the space in which the majority of product contained within dispenser 100 is held, and dispensing chute 152 along which product travels during dispensing, as will be discussed in more detail below. Extending laterally on either side of chute 152 are two optional wings 157 that extend through corresponding aperture portions 136 (FIG. 6A) in the bottom 112 of housing 110 to guide chute 152 through an aperture 138 in bottom 112 of housing 110 (FIG. 6A) as it slides from its closed position to its dispensing position. To guide product into chute 152, tray 150 includes a first guide ramp 158 formed by first wall 159 on one side of the chute and a second guide ramp 160 formed by second wall 161 on the opposite side of the chute. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 nearest the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 adjacent the lateral side walls 162 of tray 150. The meeting point 164 between the first guide ramp 158 and chute 152 is at a lower position than the meeting point 166 between the second guide ramp 160 and chute 152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters the chute. The amount of offset and the slope angles of the first portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 can be tailored to the shape of the product. In some embodiments, additional guiding features are provided within compartment 170 to properly orient product as it enters the chute. Tray 150 includes resilient member 168, which provides a return force for returning tray 150 from its dispensing position to its closed position, as will be explained in more detail below.

For assembly, tray 150 slides into the opening in the top 114 of housing 110. Tray 150 is retained within housing 110 by retention features on the housing and the tray that include projections 172 on the lateral sides of tray 150. As described in more detail below, projections 172 engage with corresponding retention features of housing 110 to allow tray 150 to be inserted into housing 110 but to prevent tray 150 from being completely withdrawn out of housing 110.

Tray 150 includes two resilient arms 174 located on either side and having ends 176 that abut stops within housing 110 to position tray 150 in a closed position and to prevent tray 150 from being moved to a dispensing position. As will be described in more detail below, when tray 150 is in its closed position, inward movement of flexing tabs 124 results in inward movement of resilient arms 174 of tray 150 such that ends 176 of resilient arms 174 are able to move past the stops within housing 110. Thus, flexing tabs 124 serve as a release for releasing the engagement of resilient arms 174 with the stops. When flexing tabs 124 are pressed inwardly in this way, tray 150 can be moved downward to its dispensing position by a pressing force on the top 156 of tray 150.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate dispenser 100 in a dispensing configuration. Slidable tray 150 is positioned lower within housing 110 in a dispensing position. Dispensing chute 152 of tray 150 projects from the bottom 112 of housing 110. A single unit of contained product can be dispensed from the front 154 of dispensing chute 152 when the tray 150 is in this dispensing position, as will be described in more detail below. The top 156 of tray 150 has moved downward, away from top 114 of housing 110 to a recessed position. In this embodiment, top 156 of tray 150 remains above the lowest portion of cutout 122.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate section views of dispenser 100 taken along a plane extending parallel to front side 116 of housing 110 to show the interface between tray 150 and housing 110. FIG. 4A shows the dispenser in the closed configuration. FIG. 4B shows the dispenser in the closed configuration with the first child-resistant feature—flexing tabs 124—flexed inwardly, and FIG. 4C shows the dispenser in the dispensing configuration. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, housing 110 includes ribs 130 along the lower ends of side walls 120. The upper ends of ribs 130 provide stops against which the ends 176 of resilient arms 174 abut to prevent tray 150 from sliding further down in housing 110. To prevent tray 150 from sliding upward out of housing 110, an interlock is provided in the form of projections 132 project inwardly from side walls 120 of housing 110 and projections 172 on tray 150. Projections 132 serve as stops for projections 172 on tray 150 to prevent tray 150 from being withdrawn out of housing 110.

Resilient member 168 extends downwardly from e outer face of first wall 159 of tray 150. Resilient member 168 curves past the midline of tray 150, passing behind chute 152. The distal end of resilient member 168 is proximate the inner side of bottom wall 112. In some embodiments, resilient member 168 is flexed to a certain degree when tray 150 is in the closed position to preload tray 150 in its closed position. This preload, which forces projections 172 on tray 150 against projections 132 on the side walls 120 of housing 110, may allow an amount of clearance between the ends 176 of resilient arms 174 and ribs 130 to prevent over-constraining resilient arms 174.

Flexing tabs 124 of housing 110 align with the ends 176 of resilient arms 174. Ribs 130 provide stops against which the ends 176 of resilient arms may rest. This is the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 100, as downward movement of tray 150 is prevented by this engagement. To overcome this feature, a user presses inwardly on flexing tabs 124. For example, a user may place the thumb on a flexing tab 124 on one side of dispenser 100 and the middle finger on the flexing tab 124 on the other side of dispenser 100 and bring the fingers toward one another in a squeezing motion, causing flexing tabs 124 to flex inwardly. In embodiments having a flexing tab 124 on only one side, the operation may be generally the same except that only one tab flexes inwardly.

Flexing tabs 124 may be made by cutting out a U-shaped cutout in the side 120 of housing 110. In some embodiments, the flexing tabs neck near the connection point with the rest of the body to enable the flexing tabs to sufficiently flex. In some embodiments, one or more moveable members that are separate from the housing are used instead of the flexing tabs. One or more resilient members may be used to join the moveable members to the housing while allowing the moveable members to move inwardly. For example, a resilient band may be attached to the housing and a moveable member such that a pressing force on the moveable member causes a flexing of the resilient band. Likewise, a moveable component that is separate from the tray may be used in addition to or instead of resilient arms 174. For example, a pivoting piece may be pivotably connected to the tray and may be engaged with a resilient member disposed on the tray, such as a torsion spring, that provides a return force to urge the pivoting piece back into engagement with the stop on the housing. In some embodiments, one or more connectors and/or linkages are used to connect the moveable members on the housing to the moveable portions on the tray that provide the engagement between the tray and housing that prevents movement of the tray within the housing. For example, instead of direct contact between the moveable member and the flexing arm on the tray, a separate pin or arm may link the moveable member to a moveable engagement portion on the tray.

As flexing tabs 124 are moved inwardly (by a user press on flexing tabs 124), as shown in FIG. 4B, the ends 176 of resilient arms 174 are moved inwardly. As ends 176 of resilient arms 174 move inwardly, they clear ribs 130, which enables tray 150 to be moved downwardly as shown in FIG. 4C. Once ends 176 clear ribs 130, a user press on the top 156 of tray 150 causes tray 150 to move downward. The user press may be done with the index finger while the thumb and middle finger continue to apply pressure to flexing tabs 124 or with a finger of another hand. The cutout 122 is generally configured to accommodate a user's finger as the finger pushes down on the tray 150 and the tray 150 slides downward within housing 110. In some embodiments, a cutout is also provided on the opposite side—e.g., the front 116—to accommodate dispensing with the dispenser in multiple orientations in the user's hand. The requirement of the downward press of tray 150 is the second child-resistant feature of dispenser 100. Thus, to overcome the child-resistant features, according to some embodiments, a user applies a squeeze and press combination of movements to the dispenser. As is apparent, the downward press operation is generally perpendicular to the operation of squeezing flexing tabs 124 together. Such different operations are generally difficult for children to perform. In some embodiments, the flexing tabs 124 and/or resilient member 168 may be configured such that the magnitudes of the forces required to flex these features are greater than what a typical child is able to generate, which can be considered as an additional child-resistant feature.

As tray 150 moves downward, chute 152 emerges from the bottom wall 112 of housing 110. The downward movement of tray 150 is arrested by the contact of ends 176 of resilient arms 174 with the inner face of bottom wall 112 of housing 110. In this dispensing position, a product positioned in the lower part of chute 152 is dispensed. In some embodiments, the downward motion of tray 150 may be stopped by some other engagement between the tray and the housing. For example, the chute 152 may have a projection that stops against an inner surface of the housing or some protruding feature within the housing.

Resilient member 168 allows tray 150 to move downward by flexing. Resilient member 168 curves inwardly and contacts the bottom wall of housing 110 such that the downward movement of tray 150 causes resilient member to flex. In some embodiments, the end of resilient member 168 that contacts the bottom wall of housing 110 remains in place as resilient member 168 flexes throughout the dispensing process. In some embodiments, the end of resilient member 168 moves along the bottom of housing 110 while flexing, which may enable a longer stroke of tray 150 during the dispensing process.

The flexing of resilient member 168 causes a force acting against the downward movement of tray 150. As a user reduces pressure on the top 156 of tray 150, tray 150 will be urged upward to its closed position by resilient member 168. Resilient member 168 may be formed (e.g., molded) as a continuous piece with tray 150 such that dispenser 100 includes just two pieces—housing 110 and tray 150. In some embodiments, a coil spring, torsion spring, or other resilient member may be included instead of or in addition to resilient member 168 to provide or augment the tray return function. In some embodiments, no resilient member is provided, and tray 150 remains in its dispensing position until a user pushes chute 152 back into housing 110.

The lower portion of compartment 170 of tray 150 provides a funneling shape for guiding product into chute 152. First and second walls 159, 161 slope downwardly and inwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 nearest the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 158 and 160 adjacent to the lateral side walls 162 of tray 150. The meeting point 164 between the first guide ramp 158 and chute 152 is at a lower position than the meeting point 166 between second guide ramp 160 and chute 152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters chute 152 and helps prevent product from getting stuck at the enter to chute 152. Thus, dispenser 100 relies on a combination of tray configuration and gravity to guide product into the dispensing position within chute 152. Generally, chute 152 is configured to extend vertically when the dispenser is oriented with the exposed top 156 of tray 150 facing vertically upward to maximize gravity's effect on the movement of product through the chute when the dispenser is in its nominal position. However, chute 152 may be oriented non-vertically so long as gravity acts to urge product along the chute to the dispensing end.

FIGS. 5A-C are sectional views of dispenser 100 taken along a plane that is parallel to the side walls 120 of housing 110 and that bisects the dispenser. Exemplary product, in the form of tablets, is included to illustrate the manner of dispensing of the product in this embodiment. FIG. 5A shows dispenser 100 in its closed configuration with three tablets 178a-c located in chute 152. Tablet 178a is located in the lowest portion of chute 152. partially in a recess 180 in the distal end of chute 152. A projection in the form of rib 134, which is aligned with recess 180, projects from the inner surface of the front side 116 of housing 110. The distance between rib 134 and the back of recess 180 is based on the size of the tablets 178a-c such that the tablets can pass between rib 134 and recess 180. In the example shown in the FIGS. 5A-C, the distance between rib 134 and the back of recess 180 is slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 178a-c. The upper portion of rib 134 includes a ramped surface that serves to direct a tablet into recess 180. The height of recess 180 is selected to accommodate a single unit of product (e.g., a single tablet, tablet 178a) such that a second unit of product is positioned in necking section 182 and out of recess 180.

Necking section 182, which is located above recess 180, is formed by the inner surface of the front wall 116 and necking wall 184 of chute 152. The distance between the inner surface of the front wall 116 and necking wall 184 is based on the size of the tablets 178a-c such that the tablets can fit into necking section 182. In the example shown in the FIGS. 5A-C, the distance between the inner surface of the front wall 116 and necking wall 184 is slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 178a-c, which allows tablet 178b to be positioned in necking section 182. Chute 152 also includes a ramped wall 186 located at its upper end. Ramped wall 186 serves to guide product forward to necking section 182.

FIG. 5B illustrates dispenser 100 in its dispensing configuration with tray 150 in a lowered position relative to its position in FIG. 5A. Chute 152 protrudes from the bottom side 112 of housing 110. Tablet 178a passed between recess 180 and rib 134. Ramp 188, provided at the bottom of chute 152, urges tablet 178a forward out of chute 152 and into a user's hand, thus completing the dispensing of a single unit of product. Tablet 178b is retained within dispenser 100 by the narrowness of the passage between rib 134 and necking wall 184. During the downward motion of tray 150, tablet 178b also moves downward until it hits the upper ramped portion of rib 134. Tablet 178b stops moving downward while tray 150 continues to move downward. Thus, necking wall 184 slides past stationary tablet 178b to the position illustrated in FIG. 5B, creating a pinch point that tablet 178b cannot enter, ensuring that only one unit of product is dispensed.

FIG. 5C illustrates the return of dispenser 100 to its closed configuration. Tray 150 is back to its closed position with chute 152 retracted back within housing 110. Tablet 178b has moved into recess 180, and tablet 178c has moved into necking section 182.

FIG. 6A-8B illustrate a filling process for filling dispenser 100 with product, according to some embodiments. This process may be performed by the manufacturer before dispenser 100 is provided to consumers. Dispenser 100 may be configured such that, once it has been filled and closed, it cannot be reopened during normal use.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate dispenser 100 in the filling configuration, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 6B, front side 116 of housing 110 is removed to show the interface between tray 150 and housing 110. Tray 150 is partially inserted into the open top 114 of housing 110. As tray 150 is pushed into housing 110, ends 176 of resilient arms 174 come into contact with projections 132 of side walls 120 of housing 110. Ends 176 are urged inwardly by the sloped upper sides of projections 132 allowing ends 176 to slide past projections 132. Once past projections 132, ends 176 spring outwardly. The lower surfaces of projections 132 and the upper surface of ends 176 can be configured to prevent tray 150 from being pulled backward. For example, one or more of these mating surfaces can have a high degree of slope such that the application of a pulling force on tray 150 for pulling tray 150 out of housing 110 does not result in an inward urging of ends 176. Thus, projections 132 serve as a catch for retaining tray 150 within housing 110. In some embodiments, the lower surfaces of projections 132 and the upper surface of ends 176 can be configured to allow extraction of tray 150 from housing 110 by providing a sufficiently low slope such that an extracting force of sufficient magnitude will result in the inward urging of ends 176, allowing ends 176 to move backward, past projections 132. With tray 150 in the filling position, the tray may be filled with product.

FIG. 7 illustrates dispenser 100 in its filling configuration with product (a plurality of tablets in this example) located in compartment 170. In some embodiments, tray 150 may be filled with product prior to insertion of tray 150 into housing 110. Once tray 150 is filled with product, tray 150 is pushed fully into housing 110, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, to the closed position.

As tray 150 is pushed into housing 110, projections 172 on the lateral sides of tray 150 come into contact with projections 132 of side walls 120 of housing 110. According to some embodiments, the compliance of the lateral sides of tray 150 and/or of the side walls 120 of housing 110 allow projections 172 to move inwardly relative to projections 132. This relative movement may include a combination of inward movement of projections 172 and outward movement of projections 132. In some embodiments, projections 172 are resilient tabs that project upwardly (i.e., toward the top 156 of tray 150) and flex inwardly to move past projections 132 of housing 110. Once past projections 132, projections 172 and/or projection 132 return to their nominal positions. The lower surfaces of projections 132 and the upper surface of ends 176 can be configured to prevent tray 150 from being moved backward, out of housing 110. For example, one or more of these mating surfaces can have a high degree of slope such that the application of a pulling force on tray 150 for pulling tray 150 out of housing 110 does not result in an inward urging of projections 172. Thus, projections 132 serve as a catch for retaining tray 150 within housing 110 in its closed position. In some embodiments, the lower surfaces of projections 132 and the upper surface of projections 172 can be configured to allow extraction of tray 150 from housing 110 by providing a sufficiently low slope such that an extracting force of sufficient magnitude will result in the inward urging of projections 172, allowing tray 150 to move backward, past projections 132.

In the closed configuration, the ends 176 of resilient arms 174 abut the upper ends of ribs 130, preventing tray 150 from being pushed further downward, as discussed above. Thus, in the closed configuration, tray 150 is finely secured in its closed position. Any further movement of tray 150 downward requires operation of the child-resistant features.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the bottom 112 of housing 110 includes aperture 138 shaped to accommodate chute 152 when it projects from the bottom 112 during dispensing. Aperture 138 includes two side portions 136 for accommodating wings 157 that project from the sides of chute 152. Side portions 136 guide wings 157 as chute 152 slides through aperture 138. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, wings 157 include rounded ends that can help center chute 152 in aperture 138 as wings 157 slide through side portions 136 of aperture 138.

Dispenser 100 is illustrated with dispensing chute 152 centrally located proximate the front side of the housing and configured to dispense a unit of product toward the front side of the housing. However, the dispensing chute may be configured to protrude through any portion of the lower end of the housing and to dispense the product in any direction. For example, the dispensing chute may be proximate to either lateral side (e.g., side 120) of the housing or the back of the housing, and the dispensing chute may be configured to dispense a unit of product toward the lateral side (e.g., side 120), toward the back side of the housing, or in a compound direction, such as toward the front-side or toward the rear-side.

In some embodiments, the dispensing chute does not extend past an end of the housing. For example, the housing may include a wall extending along the bottom of the housing, and the dispensing chute may not extend past the wall. This arrangement may protect the dispensing chute and/or reduce the chances of contamination of the dispensing chute. In some embodiments, the dispensing chute is retained within the housing throughout the dispensing process. For example, an aperture provided in the bottom of the housing may communicate with a chamber into which the dispensing chute extends in its dispensing position, and product may exit the dispensing chute into the chamber, and then it may drop down through the aperture to the user.

FIGS. 9A-13B illustrate a dispenser according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the location of the side flexing tabs is different than the location in dispenser 100, and the chute does not protrude from the bottom of the housing during dispensing, but instead is retained within the housing, with the product emerging from a slot in the lower portion of the front side of the housing, as will be described in more detail below. Like dispenser 100, this embodiment requires squeezing of the flexing tabs on the sides of the housing followed by pressing on the top of the dispensing tray to dispense a single unit of product. Many of the parts and features of this second embodiment are similar to those described above (having like numbers), and they represent parts that operate similarly to the parts described above. Therefore, a detailed description of some of these parts is omitted.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate dispenser 1100 in a closed configuration. Dispenser 1100 includes a housing 1110 and a slidable dispensing tray 1150 that is disposed within housing 1110. Housing 1110 includes bottom wall 1112, top opening 1114, front wall 1116, rear wall 1118, and side walls 1120. Like dispenser 100, top opening 1114 receives tray 1150 during assembly. Rear wall 1118 of housing 1110 includes a cutout 1122 to accommodate a user's finger during the dispensing procedure. In some embodiments, a cutout is provided on the opposite side e.g., the front wall 1116 to accommodate dispensing with the dispenser in multiple orientations in the user's hand. In the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, tray 1150 is in a closed position with its top 1156 located near to or aligned with the top 1114 of housing 1110.

In this embodiment, both side walls 1120 include flexing tabs 1124 that are part of the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100 that must be overcome to dispense product in similar fashion to the operation of dispenser 100. Flexing tabs 1124 are used to disengage retainers on the slidable tray 1150 to enable movement of slidable tray 1150 within housing 1110 during dispensing. In some embodiments, only one side includes flexing tab 1124. Unlike dispenser 100, the flexing tabs 1124 are located toward the upper end of housing 1110. Flexing tabs 1124 may include one or more indicators, such as indicators 1126, to indicate to a user the action required for dispensing. In this embodiment, indicators 1126 are in the form of ridges that indicate to a user where to place their fingers. In the illustrated embodiment, indicator 1128, in the form of a depression sized to accommodate a user's finger, is provided on tray 1150 to indicate to a user that a finger should be placed on indicator 1128 for dispensing.

Unlike dispenser 100, dispenser 1100 includes a dispensing aperture 1140 in the lower middle portion of the front side 1116 of housing 1110 through which product is dispensed. As will be described in more detail below, the end of the dispensing chute of tray 1150 slides within channel 1190 of housing 1110 to a dispensing position aligned with aperture 1140 and does not protrude from the bottom of dispenser 1100 during dispensing. Thus, dispensed product emerges from dispenser 1100 through aperture 1140.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and rear exploded views, respectively, of dispenser 1100. Channel 1190 includes side walls 1192 and rear wall 1194. Aperture 1140 is the lower, front-facing portion of channel 1190. In this embodiment, the bottom of channel 1190 is open. In some embodiments, a wall may be provided (e.g., a portion of bottom wall 1112) that closes off the bottom of channel 1190. Tray 1150 includes compartment 1170 for holding product contained within dispenser 1100 and dispensing chute 1152, which slides within channel 1190. To guide product into chute 1152, tray 1150 includes a first guide ramp 1158 formed by first wall 1159 on one side of the chute and a second guide ramp 1160 formed by second wall 1161 on the opposite side of the chute. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 nearest the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 adjacent to the lateral side walls 1162 of tray 1150. The meeting point 1164 between first guide ramp 1158 and chute 1152 is at a higher position than the meeting point 1166 between second guide ramp 1160 and chute 1152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters the chute. The amount of offset and the slope angles of the first portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 can be selected based on the shape of the product. In some embodiments, additional guiding features are provided within compartment 1170 to properly orient product as it enters the chute. For example, one or more walls may be provided within compartment 1170 to funnel product towards chute 1152.

To assemble dispenser 1100, tray 1150 slides into the opening in the top 1114 of housing 1110 with the open side of compartment 1170 aligned with front side 1116 of housing 1110. Tray 1150 includes two resilient arms 1174 extending upwardly toward the top 1156 of tray 1150 and having ends 1176 that, when tray 1150 is in the closed position, align with flexing tabs 1124 and abut projecting ribs within housing 1110.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate dispenser 1100 in a dispensing configuration. Slidable tray 1150 is positioned lower within housing 1110 in a dispensing position. The lower portion of dispensing chute 1152 aligns with aperture 1140. Unlike with dispenser 100, dispensing chute 1152 of tray 1150 does not project from the bottom 1112 of housing 1110. Instead, dispensing chute 1152 remains within housing 1110. A single unit of contained product can be dispensed out of aperture 1140 from the front 1154 of dispensing chute 1152 when tray 1150 is in this dispensing position. The top 1156 of tray 1150 has moved downward away from top 1114 of housing 1110 to a recessed position. In this embodiment, top 1156 of tray 1150 may remain above the lowest portion of cutout 1122.

FIG. 12A illustrates dispenser 1100 in the closed configuration with the front 1116 of housing 1110 removed to show the interface between tray 1150 and housing 1110. FIG. 12B is a sectional view through plane A-A of FIG. 12A, showing details of the dispensing portion of housing 1110 and chute 1152. FIG. 13A illustrates dispenser 1100 in the dispensing configuration with the front 1116 of housing 1110 removed to show the interface between tray 1150 and housing 1110. FIG. 13B is a sectional view through plane B-B of FIG. 13A, showing details of the dispensing portion of housing 1110 and chute 1152.

Housing 1110 includes ribs 1130 located along side walls 1120, just beneath flexing tabs 1124. Ribs 1130 provide stops against which the ends 1176 of resilient arms 1174 abut to prevent tray 1150 from sliding further down in housing 1110. To prevent tray 1150 from sliding upward out of housing 1110, interlocking features are provided on the housing and the tray, which engage one another once the tray has been pushed downward to its closed position during assembly of dispenser 1100. The interlocking features include a first catch portion 1184 provided at the end of a bending member 1183 that extends from the lower, rear portion of chute 1152, and second catch portion 1144 provided on rear wall 1194 of channel 1190, as shown in FIG. 12B. First catch portion 1184 mates with second catch portion 1144 to prevent tray 1150 from being withdrawn from its closed position. First catch portion 1184 includes a sloped end face 1185a that slides along the sloped end face 1145a of second catch portion 1144 as tray 1150 moves downward to its closed position. Bending member 1183 bends from a nominal position toward the front of dispenser 1100 as the sloped faces slide past each other. Once the sloped faces 1145a and 1185a clear one another, bending member 1183 springs back into nominal position. Lip 1185b on first catch portion 1184 and lip 1145b on second catch portion 1144 overhang one a o prevent upward movement of tray 1150 out of its closed position.

Tray 1150 includes two resilient members 1168, which provide a return force for returning tray 1150 from its dispensing position to its closed position. Resilient members 1168 extend downwardly from the outer face of first wall 1159 of tray 1150. Resilient members 1168 curve inwardly, ending at the bottom wall 1112 of housing 1110 on either side of side walls 1192 of channel 1190. In some embodiments, resilient members 1168 are flexed to a certain degree when tray 1150 is in the closed position to preload tray 1150 in its closed position.

Flexing tabs 1124 of housing 1110 abut ends 1176 of resilient arms 1174, preventing tray 1150 from moving downward from its closed position. Similarly to dispenser 100, this is the first child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100. To overcome this feature, a user presses inwardly on flexing tabs 1124. For example, a user may place the thumb on a flexing tab 1124 on one side of dispenser 1100 and the middle finger on the flexing tab 1124 on the other side of dispenser 1100 and bring the fingers toward one another, causing flexing tabs 1124 to flex inwardly. In embodiments having a flexing tab 1124 on only one side, the operation may be generally the same except that only one side flexes inwardly.

As flexing tabs 1124 are moved inwardly (by a user press on flexing tabs 1124), the ends 1176 of resilient arms 1174 are moved inwardly. As ends 1176 of resilient arms 1174 move inwardly, they clear ribs 1130, which enables tray 1150 to be moved downwardly to its dispensing position. Once ends 1176 clear ribs 1130, a user press on the top 1156 of tray 1150 causes tray 1150 to move downward. The user press may be done with the index finger while the thumb and middle finger continue to apply pressure to flexing tabs 1124 or with a finger of another hand. The requirement of the downward press of tray 1150 is the second child-resistant feature of dispenser 1100. This second child-resistant feature requires force and movement that is generally perpendicular to the force and movement required for the first child-resistant feature of squeezing flexing tabs 1124 together. As with dispenser 100, these distinct operations are generally difficult for children to perform. In some embodiments, the flexing tabs 1124 and/or resilient member 1168 may be configured such that the magnitudes of the forces required to flex these features are greater than what a typical child is able to generate, which can be considered as an additional child-resistant feature.

As tray 1150 moves downward, chute 1152 slides within channel 1190 of housing 1110. The downward movement of tray 1150 is arrested by the contact of projections 1196 extending from the sides of chute 1152 with the upper end side walls 1192 of channel 1190. In this dispensing position, a product positioned in the lower part of chute 1152 is dispensed through aperture 1140.

Resilient members 1168 allow tray 1150 to move downward by flexing outwardly. This outward flexing causes a force acting against the downward movement of tray 1150. As a user reduces pressure on the top 1156 of tray 1150, tray 1150 will be urged upward to its closed position by resilient members 1168. Resilient members 1168 may be formed (e.g., molded) as a continuous piece with tray 1150 such that dispenser 1100 includes just two pieces—housing 1110 and tray 1150. In some embodiments, a coil spring, torsion spring, or other resilient member may be included instead of or in addition to resilient members 1168 to provide or augment the tray return function.

The lower portion of compartment 1170 of tray 1150 provides a funneling shape for guiding product into chute 1152. First and second walls 1159 and 1161 slope downwardly and inwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 nearest the chute have a greater slope than the portions of the guide ramps 1158 and 1160 adjacent to the lateral side walls 1162 of tray 1150. The meeting point 1164 between first guide ramp 1158 and chute 1152 is at a higher position than the meeting point 1166 between second guide ramp 1160 and chute 1152. This offset arrangement helps orient the product as it enters the chute and helps prevent product from getting stuck at the entry to chute 1152. In some embodiments, there is no offset and the meeting points are horizontally aligned.

Two units of exemplary product, in the form of tablets 1178a-b, are located in chute 1152 to illustrate the dispensing of the product in this embodiment. Tablet 1178a is located in the lowest portion of chute 1152, partially in a recess 1180 in the distal end of chute 1152. A rib 1134, which is aligned with recess 1180, projects from the inner surface of the front side 1116 of housing 1110 just above aperture 1140. The distance between rib 1134 and the back of recess 1180 is based on the size of the tablets 1178a-b such that the tablets can pass between rib 1134 and recess 1180. in the example shown in the FIGS. 12A-13B, the distance between rib 1134 and the back of recess 1180 is slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 1178a-b. The upper portion of rib 1134 includes a ramped surface that serves to direct a tablet into recess 1180. The height of recess 1180 is selected to accommodate a single unit of product (e.g., a single tablet, tablet 1178a) such that a second unit of product is positioned in necking section 1182 and out of recess 1180.

Necking section 1182, which is located above recess 1180, is formed by the inner surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall 1181 of chute 1152. The distance between the inner surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall 1181 is based on the size of the tablets 1178a-b such that the tablets can fit into necking section 1182. In the example shown, the distance between the inner surface of the front wall 1116 and necking wall 1181 is slightly larger than the diameter of tablets 1178a-b, which allows tablet 1178b to be positioned in necking section 1182. Chute 1152 also includes a ramped wall 1186 located at its upper end. Ramped wall 1186 serves to guide product forward into necking section 1182.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate dispenser 1100 in its dispensing configuration with tray 1150 in a lowered position relative to its closed position. The bottom end of chute 1152 is located proximate the bottom side 1112 of housing 1110. Tablet 1178a passed between recess 1180 and rib 1134, and it is poised to roll down ramp 1186, provided at the bottom of chute 1152, and out of aperture 1140 into a user's hand, thus completing the dispensing of a single unit of product. Tablet 1178b is retained within dispenser 1100 by the narrowness of the passage between rib 1134 and necking wall 1181 such that tablet 1178b is position above necking section 1182. During the downward dispensing motion of tray 1150, necking wall 1181 slides past stationary tablet 1178b to the position illustrated in FIG. 13B, creating a pinch point that tablet 1178b cannot enter, ensuring that only one unit of product is dispensed.

Dispenser 1100 is illustrated with dispensing chute 1152 centrally located proximate the front side of the housing and configured to dispense a unit of product from the front side of the housing. However, the dispensing chute may be located in any portion of the lower end of the housing and may dispense product in any direction. For example, the dispensing chute may be proximate to either lateral side (e.g., side 1120) of the housing or the back of the housing, and the dispensing chute may be configured to dispense a unit of product from the lateral side (e.g., side 1120), from the back side of the housing, or in a compound direction, such as from any corner.

Aperture 1140 is illustrated as including a cutout portion of the front side of the housing and a cutout portion of the bottom side of the housing. However, in some embodiments, aperture 1140 includes a cutout of only one of the front side or bottom side of the housing. For example, aperture 1140 may include a single aperture in the bottom of the housing that may communicate with a chamber into which the dispensing chute extends in its dispensing position, and product may exit the dispensing chute into the chamber, and then it may drop down through the aperture to the user.

As described above, tray 150 and tray 1150 have the general shape of a “tray” or “drawer” with side walls, a top wall, a back wall, and an open front. However, other embodiments may include various other structural forms providing the principal functionality discussed above. For example, a moveable member (also referred to herein as a “slidable member” or “slider”) may be closed on the front side (e.g., shaped like a “cartridge”). A slidable member may be partially enclosed. For example, a slidable member may be enclosed on just one end, such as having a top portion that is enclosed (i.e., having front and back sides, lateral sides, and a top side). The enclosed top portion may extend from the upper end of the housing such that the top and portions of the sides of the slidable member extend beyond the housing. A user presses on the top of the slidable member in accordance with the principles described above, but when the slidable member is in its dispensing position the enclosed end may protrude from the housing or may be flush with the housing. In these embodiments, the housing may not include a cutout for accommodating a finger since the slidable member remains protruding from or flush with the top of the housing throughout the dispensing procedure. In some embodiments, the slidable member may include a frame or shell that connects a top portion the portion that the user presses on to the child-resistant side features and bottom dispensing chute. In some embodiments, the slidable member may be in multiple parts that are separately inserted into the housing. For example, a slidable member may include two pieces, a first piece that is inserted into the housing before filling and a second piece that is inserted into the housing after the housing with the first piece is filled with product. The second piece may be attached to the first piece in any suitable ways, such as using fasteners, glue, interlocking features, pins, etc., to lock the pieces of the slider together after filling. In some embodiments, the slidable member may be manufactured and filled separately from the housing. The slidable member may be filled and then sealed (for example, using a sealing film) for later assembly into the housing.

Embodiments can be configured to contain and dispense any size and shape of product in any quantity. Exemplary product shapes include pills, tablets, spheres, orbs, coins, cubes, beads, ovoids, obloids, cylinders, and the like. Cross-sectional shape of the products can vary, and exemplary cross-sectional shapes include circles, squares, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and the like. Dimensions of the product may vary depending on its shape. An example of product, according to some embodiments includes a tablet-shaped product that has a diameter of about 6.4 mm and a thickness of about 3.4 mm. Diameters of typical product can include diameters of at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, or at least 10 mm. Diameters of typical product can include diameters of at most 6 mm, at most 8 mm, at most 10 mm, at most 15 mm, or at most 20 mm. Thickness of typical product can include thicknesses of at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, at least 1.5 mm, at least 2 mm, or at least 2.25 mm. Thickness of typical product can include thicknesses of at most 2 mm, at most 3 mm, at most 5 mm, at most 10 mm, or at most 15 mm. The number of product units stored in the dispenser, according to various embodiments, may vary depending on the size of the dispenser, the size of the product units, and/or the recommended dosage. For example, a dispenser for a 30-day supply of a pharmaceutical dosed at one unit once per day may include 30 units, whereas a dispenser for a 30-day supply of a pharmaceutical dosed at one unit twice per day may include 60 units. Typically, quantities of product will typically be in the range of about 5 to about 500 units and, more typically, from about 5 to about 100 units.

The outer shape of the dispensers can vary without departing from the principles discussed above. Although the dispenser embodiments illustrated in the drawings have certain contours, dispensers with other exterior surface designs could also be used. Any sides or edges of the dispensers according to various embodiments may be flattened, rounded, and/or beveled. Various surfaces or edges of the dispenser could be concave or convex. Opposing sides, ends, or edges of the dispenser can be parallel or non-parallel such that the dispenser becomes narrower in one or more dimensions.

Dimensions of the dispensers described herein can vary without departing from the invention. In preferred embodiments, the dispensers have a size suitable for handheld manipulation and operation. For example, according to some embodiments, the dispenser may be sized to fit in a typical adult hand and to enable the primary and secondary child-resistant features to be overcome with the fingers of a typical adult hand, as described above. Exemplary dimensions for handheld embodiments include heights (the dimension from the tray insertion end to the dispensing end) in the range of about 50 mm to about 200 mm, preferably about 60 mm to about 150 mm, and more preferably about 70 mm to about 100 mm. Exemplary widths (the dimension between lateral sides) include the range of about 20 nun to about 150 mm, preferably about 30 mm to about 100 mm, and more preferably about 40 mm to about 60 mm. Exemplary depths (the dimension from the front side to the back side of the housing) can range from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, preferably about 10 mm to about 30 mm, and more preferably about 15 mm to about 25 mm. In some embodiments, the size of the dispenser may be selected to provide enough room for labelling, such as dosage labelling, government required labelling, etc.

Dispensers may be constructed of any suitable material. Examples of suitable materials include metal, wood, cardboard, laminate paperboard, corrugated paper, plastics, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics include low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), Nylon, thermoplastic elastomer, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Other plastic materials may also be suitable. In some embodiments, the dispenser may be made by any method and from any plastic material selected primarily that facilitates mass-production at a low unit cost while having strength and resilience suitable for secure storage of products in shipping, warehousing, retailing, and consumer use environments. The material may also be selected for its ability to be impermeable, chemically inert, stable, and compatible with the product to be contained and with the environment in which the dispenser will be used. Different portions of the dispenser may be constructed from different materials. For example, the housing may be constructed of one material while the tray is constructed from a different material. Different portions of the dispenser may also be produced according to different methods. For example, the tray may be molded as a single continuous piece, whereas the housing may be constructed from multiple molded pieces. In some embodiments, the housing may be molded from multiple pieces that are then permanently attached together, such as by gluing.

A method for filling a dispenser, according to some embodiments, includes filling the tray with product prior to sliding the tray into the housing and then sliding the tray into the housing to its closed position. In some embodiments, the tray may be partially inserted into the housing to a filling position, the tray may then be filled with product and then fully inserted into the housing to its closed position. As described above, as the tray moves to its closed position, retaining features on the housing and the tray engage to prevent the tray from being withdrawn from the housing. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, dispenser 100 includes projections 132 on housing 110 that serve as stops for projections 172 on tray 150. Once the retaining features are engaged, the dispenser is in its closed configuration. The dispenser may be packaged for display at retail stores.

As part of a final packaging process, once the dispensers are filled with the desired product, the dispensers can be over-wrapped or over-sealed with a film material, or shrink-wrapped with such a material. The outer packaging material can vary, and the selection of packaging is typically based on factors such as aesthetics, transparency, comfort of handling, desired barrier properties (e.g., so as to provide protection from exposure to oxygen or radiation, or so as to provide protection from loss of moisture), and the like. Packaging material may be in the form of a film, such as a laminated film. Representative materials that can be used to provide components or layers of film materials or laminated films include polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer, oriented polypropylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyvinylidene dichloride, polyester terephthalate, ethylene methacrylic acid co-polymer, metallacene linear low density polyethylene, cellulosic materials (e.g., cellophane), and the like. Exemplary packaging materials include plastic/metal films, plastic/metal films that are paper coated, plastic laminate films, paper or cardboard boxes or backing, and the like.

Accordingly, child-resistant single product unit dispensers may be provided that can be made at a low cost. Dispensers, according to the above features, can have as little as two components that can be made easily and cheaply. Dispensers can be permanently closed such that product access is restricted to product that is dispensed through the dispensing processes described above. Consumers cannot gain access to the main compartment holding the product (e.g., consumers cannot gain access to the main compartment without a tool or without breaking the dispenser).

The child-resistant feature of dispensers, according to the above principles, requires a two-step process to dispense product that is difficult for young children to perform. Moreover, overcoming the two-step child resistant feature results in access to only a single unit of product. Thus, dispensers according to some embodiments provide enhanced child resistance compared with conventional twist-and-press cap pharmaceutical containers. Additionally, dispensers, according to the above features, easily dispense a single unit of product, which is advantageous over many conventional screw cap bottles in which a user may have difficulty pouring just a single unit out of an opened bottle.

The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims. Finally, the entire disclosure of the patents and publications referred to in this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

CHILD-RESISTANT DISPENSER, METHOD OF DISPENSING A UNIT OF PRODUCT FROM A DISPENSER

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

PCT Information

Provisional Applications (1)