Device for individually dispensing capsules or dragees, method and use

Abstract

A device for the individual dispensing of capsules or dragees, in particular hard capsules or coated soft capsules, comprises a first element (12) with a longitudinal axis X, and a second element (16) displaceable relative to the first element (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, which is in a first position in its rest state and is biased into the first position by an elastic element (46). The second element comprises a storage chamber (34) for capsules and an actuating element (38). The first element (12) comprises a dispensing opening (40) for a capsule and a metering device with a first locking element (42) and a second locking element (44).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for dispensing individual capsules or dragees, in particular hard capsules or coated soft capsules, and to a method for dispensing individual capsules or dragees in such a device. State of the art

[0002] Capsules or coated tablets with a capsule-like shape are used for both pharmaceutical dosage forms and dietary supplements. Coated soft capsules or hard capsules are often used. Hard capsules can contain a variety of contents, such as powder, granules, pellets, individual tablets, liquids, and even capsules. Furthermore, various combinations of the above-mentioned possible contents can be combined, such as various pellets, pellets and powder, powder and tablets, pellets and tablets, pellets and capsules, as well as pellets and tablets in liquids or powder and an inhalable content. Hard capsules are standardized with regard to different capsule sizes.

[0003] There is a need to facilitate the ingestion of capsules or coated tablets by creating a method for dispensing them that is as simple and senior-friendly as possible. With soft capsules, pushing them out of a blister pack is problematic due to the risk of damage to the soft capsules caused by excessive deformation forces. With hard capsules or coated tablets, removing them from a storage container into the hand is problematic, as too many capsules or coated tablets are often shaken into the palm of the hand, causing the excess to return to the container, where they may be contaminated by contact with the palm of the hand.

[0004] GB 2 350 605 A describes a tablet dispenser that dispenses individual tablets directly into an attachable cap. WO 2005 / 044702 A describes a device and method for individually dispensing capsules and represents the closest prior art. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the object of proposing a capsule dispenser which is easy to handle and enables hygienic removal of capsules or dragees.

[0006] This object is achieved by a device for separating and dispensing capsules or dragees having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 8. The use of the device is described by the features of claim 9. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims.

[0007] Where reference is made below to capsules or a capsule dispenser, it should be clear that reference is also made in the same way to coated tablets, which also have a capsule-like shape.

[0008] The device according to the invention for separating and dispensing capsules or coated tablets, in particular hard capsules or coated soft capsules, comprises a first element with a longitudinal axis and a second element that is displaceable relative to the first element in the direction of the longitudinal axis, which second element is in a first position when at rest and is biased into the first position by an elastic element. The second element comprises a storage space for capsules and an actuating element, and the first element comprises a dispensing opening for a capsule and a dosing device with a first blocking element and a second blocking element.The first locking element and the second locking element are arranged such that upon displacement of the second element relative to the first element against the pretension of the elastic element by a first distance into a first operating position, the actuating element actuates only the first locking element, and upon further displacement of the second element against the pretension of the elastic element relative to the first element by a second distance into a second operating position, the actuating element actuates both the first locking element and the second locking element.

[0009] The device according to the invention can be constructed from just a few individual parts. By sequentially actuating a first locking element and a second locking element, the individual steps required for separating and dispensing capsules can be implemented easily. The second element merely needs to be moved relative to the first element to actuate the dosing element. The elastic element, which preloads the second element into the first position, then automatically returns the device to its starting position. A user therefore only needs to perform a single actuation step, during which the second element is moved longitudinally relative to the first element to dispense a single capsule.By providing two separate locking elements that can be actuated in a temporal sequence, it is not even possible to dispense a sequence of capsules in the event of deliberate or inadvertent misuse of the device by permanently displacing the second element relative to the first element.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a dosing cap that can be releasably attached to the first element in the region of the dispensing opening. The provision of a dosing cap has the advantage that, even when a single capsule is dispensed as desired, it does not come into contact with the user's hand, since it is not necessary to either dispense the individual capsule directly into the palm of the hand or to dispense it onto a surface or into a container and then manually remove it. The provision of the dosing cap makes it possible to take the dispensed, individual capsule orally directly using the dosing cap.

[0011] Attaching the dosing cap in the area of the dispensing opening also has the additional advantage that the capsule dispenser can be tightly sealed in the area of the dispensing opening with the dosing cap attached.

[0012] Finally, the provision of a dosing cap has the advantage that the attachment of the dosing cap to the first element can be designed in such a way that even if the device is operated by children, they cannot remove the capsule from the dosing cap and inadvertently ingest it.

[0013] Preferably, the dosing cap is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the first element between a first dosing position and a second dosing position, wherein in the second dosing position there is a collecting volume between the dosing cap and the dispensing opening for receiving a capsule passing through the receiving opening. In other words, the dosing cap can be fastened to the first element such that only in the second dosing position is there a sufficiently dimensioned collecting volume for receiving a capsule, while in the first dosing position the dosing cap is arranged at a short distance from the dispensing opening. In this way, the device according to the invention is tightly closed with a small overall volume, thereby increasing the storage time of capsules that are sensitive to air humidity, for example.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element is substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis and rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the first element. In other words, the second element is not only displaceable relative to the first element in the direction of the longitudinal axis, but is also rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the first element. This further relative mobility can be used to provide a defined locking position between the first element and the second element, in which no displacement in the longitudinal direction of the second element relative to the first element is possible, so that, in the sense of a transport lock, the device cannot be accidentally actuated in this position.

[0015] However, this locked state not only serves as a transport lock, but can also serve as a child safety lock to prevent children from removing and taking a capsule.

[0016] According to the invention, the first locking element is elastically deformable by the displacement of the actuating element. This represents a very simple design of the first locking element, which, upon displacement of the second element relative to the first element by the first distance, is merely elastically displaceable from a rest position to an operating position and automatically returns elastically to the rest position when the actuating element is no longer engaged with the first locking element.

[0017] The second locking element is also elastically deformable by the displacement of the actuating element. Thus, if the second element is displaced relative to the first element by the second distance, the actuating element, which is part of the second element, is also displaced by the second distance and engages with the second locking element, which is elastically displaced from the rest position to the operating position. The second locking element also returns elastically to its rest position when the actuating element is no longer engaged with the second locking element.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the first element further comprises a separating device which, in the first operating position, extends into the storage space of the second element. The separating device serves to loosen the capsules located in the storage space of the second element and thus prevents several capsules located in the storage space from blocking each other in specific mutual arrangements and preventing any further capsules from migrating towards the dosing device. For this purpose, it has proven particularly suitable to design a separating device such that it extends into the storage space during operation of the device according to the invention and loosens the arrangement of the capsules located therein. This technical solution is also very simple and cost-effective to implement.In addition, the operation of the separation device is completely unnoticed by the user, so that no attention needs to be paid to ensuring safe separation.

[0019] The device according to the invention preferably further comprises a removable lid that closes a filling section of the storage chamber. The provision of a removable lid makes the device reusable, as it can be refilled with capsules once the original filling has been dispensed. Similarly, it is also possible to design the container such that the second element is firmly closed at the top, thus preventing the user from removing the lid.

[0020] Preferably, the device further comprises a dry canister in the storage space. This not only extends the service life of the device, but also the storage time, particularly in tropical countries, as humidity that penetrates the container or diffuses through the walls can be absorbed by the dry canister. The dry canister is a commercially available dry canister, such as those commonly used in the packaging of pharmaceutical products. Absorbents commonly used in dry canisters are silica gel or zeolites.

[0021] The method according to the invention for the individual dispensing of capsules, in particular hard capsules or coated soft capsules or dragees, in a device according to the invention comprises the steps: (a) moving the second element against the bias of the elastic element relative to the first element by a first distance from the first position to the first operating position, whereby the actuating element actuates the first locking element, which blocks the movement of a second capsule towards a first capsule located in a dispensing channel adjoining the dispensing opening; (b) further moving the second element against the bias of the elastic element relative to the first element by a second distance to a second operating position, in which the actuating element actuates both the first locking element and the second locking element, whereby the second locking element is actuated to expose the dispensing opening, allowing the first capsule to pass through the dispensing opening;(c) returning the second element to the first position under the bias of the elastic element, whereby the actuation of the first locking element and the second locking element by the actuating element is terminated and the second capsule advances towards the dispensing opening;

[0022] Since the device according to the invention is easy and intuitive to handle and the dosage of a single capsule is possible with a single actuating movement, but above all since a hygienic removal of a single capsule is possible, this device according to the invention can be used for hard capsules and coated soft capsules with pharmaceutically active ingredients or food supplements.

[0023] Finally, the device according to the invention can be easily provided with tamper-evident protection. For this purpose, it is merely necessary, for example, to apply a welded sealing film in such a way that it adheres to both the first element and the second element, thus preventing relative displacement between the first element and the second element. When providing a dosing cap on the device, a sealing film or an adhesive label can alternatively or additionally be provided between the first element and the dosing cap. This sealing film or adhesive label can be severed by the user in the area of the seam between the first element and the dosing cap, so that no capsule can be removed from the dosing cap without destroying the tamper-evident protection. Short description of the drawings

[0024] The invention is described below purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Fig. 1 shows an external view of the device according to the invention in the unactuated state; Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown device in the unactuated state; Fig. 3 shows section A in Fig. 2 enlarged; Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the device according to the invention in a first operating position; Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the Fig. 2 shown area B; Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the device according to the invention in a second operating position; and Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the Fig. 2 represented area C. Ways to implement the invention

[0025] The Fig. 1 The container 10 shown for separating and dispensing capsules comprises a first element 12 with a substantially cylindrical housing 14, which is designed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical to the rotation axis x.

[0026] A second element 16 extends longitudinally upwards beyond the first element 12, the term upwards being defined as if the Fig. 1 The container shown stands upright on a flat surface with the dispensing opening (explained later) facing downwards. The second element has a housing 18 which extends radially inwardly within the housing 14 of the first element 12 and is displaceable in the direction of arrow L relative to the housing 14 of the first element. Displacement against the direction indicated in Fig. 2 shown arrow direction L is only up to the Fig. 1 and 2 shown, unactuated state is possible, in which a stop 20 prevents further relative movement against the direction of arrow L of the second element 16 relative to the first element 12.

[0027] The second element 16 is provided with a filling opening 22, which is closed by a lid 24. The lid can either be firmly connected to the housing 18 of the second element after the container 10 has been filled by the manufacturer, or the lid 24 can be removed by a user to allow repeated filling of the container 10. A receptacle 66 can be integrated into the lid 24, which serves to insert a conventional, cylindrical dry canister.

[0028] On the underside of the container, a dosing cap 26 is detachably connected to the first element 12. For this purpose, the dosing cap can be manufactured in such a way that it can be pulled off the first element 12 in the direction of the arrow L and pushed onto the first element 12 in the opposite direction to the arrow L, where the dosing cap 26 can be frictionally fastened to the first element 12 of the container. Alternatively, the dosing cap can also be snapped on via a form-fitting connection or connected to the first element via a threaded connection. The dosing cap seals against the first element 12. In the illustration in Fig. 2A relatively large collecting volume 28 is provided for accommodating a capsule. According to an alternative design variant, a collecting volume 28 could only be present if the dosing cap 26 has already been partially removed from the first element, for example, by a relative rotation through a certain angular range, whereby the base 30 of the dosing cap 26 moves away from the base surface 32 of the first element 14, thereby creating a collecting volume 28.

[0029] The second element 16 has a storage chamber 34 for capsules to be dispensed. A drying canister (not shown) could also be provided in the storage chamber 34 to protect moisture-sensitive capsules by adsorbing moisture that has penetrated when the lid 24 is opened and the storage chamber 34 is refilled with capsules, thus removing it from the internal atmosphere in the storage chamber 34.

[0030] The housing 18 of the second element is provided in the lower region with a funnel-shaped taper 36 which merges into an annular section which represents an actuating element 38 of the container 10.

[0031] The first element 12 is provided with a dispensing opening 40 for a single capsule, which is located in the bottom surface 32 of the first element 12. Furthermore, a first locking element 42 and a second locking element 44, which are elastically deformable, are provided in the first element 12. The first locking element 42 and the second locking element 44 can either be formed integrally with the housing of the first element or be part of a separately provided dosing device 64 located in the first element 12.

[0032] As in Fig. 2As shown, an elastic element in the form of a helical spring 46 is provided, which rests on an annular shoulder 48 of the first element and rests in the region of the funnel-shaped section of the housing 18 of the second element, whereby the restoring force of the helical spring 46 displaces the second element 16 relative to the first element in the opposite direction to the arrow L until the first element and the second element abut against one another at the stop 20 and no further longitudinal displacement in the opposite direction to the arrow L is possible.

[0033] In the Fig. 3 is the one in Fig. 2shown area A is shown enlarged. Also shown more clearly is the dispensing channel 50 for capsules, which is fixedly arranged in the first element 12 and contains a first capsule 61 and a second capsule 62. The first capsule 61 is located in the dispensing channel closer to the dispensing opening 40. The first capsule 61 and the second capsule 62 lie directly against one another. However, they cannot leave the container through the dispensing opening 40 because the second blocking element 44 with its blocking lug 52 above the dispensing opening 40 holds the first capsule 61 and prevents it from moving further in the direction of gravity towards the dispensing opening 40.

[0034] The dispensing channel 50 widens at its top in a funnel shape to a separating end 60. Additionally, the dispensing channel can be provided with guide ribs 54, by which the elongated capsules entering the dispensing channel 50 of the first element from the storage space 34 of the second element are centered and aligned.

[0035] The first locking element 42 exerts in the Fig. 1 to 3 The container has no function in the unactuated state shown.

[0036] The operation of the container according to the invention is described in the following Fig. 4 to 7 The Fig. 4 and 5 a relative displacement of the second element 16 relative to the first element, wherein in the Fig. 4 and 5 the second element has been moved by a distance S1 relative to the first element by the user pressing on the cover 24 from above. Fig. 4 and 5 the first operating position of the device according to the invention is shown.

[0037] As in the Fig. 4 and the enlarged view of area B in Fig. 5 As can be seen, the displacement of the second element relative to the first element by the distance S1 results in the actuating element 38, which is part of the housing of the second element, pressing against the first locking element 42, whereby the first locking element 42 bends elastically and penetrates with its separating nose 56 into an opening 58 of the output channel 50.

[0038] Due to the elastic displacement of the separating nose 56 into the output channel 50, the second capsule 62 is prevented from falling downwards in the output channel 50 under the influence of gravity.

[0039] In the first operating position, the first capsule 61 cannot pass through the dispensing opening 40 and fall into the collecting volume 28 of the dosing cap 26 because the locking lug 52 of the second locking element 44 is in the locking position, in which it projects into the dispensing channel 50 and prevents a downward movement of the first capsule 61. Accordingly, in the first operating position, the second locking element 44 is in the position which is present in the unactuated state, which is Fig. 2 and 3 was presented.

[0040] Due to the relative movement of the second element 16 relative to the first element 12 by the distance S1, the separating end 60 of the dispensing channel 50 projects into the storage space 34. This has the effect that the capsules located in the storage space 34 (not shown) are loosened and the next capsule to be dispensed is moved into the dispensing channel 50. The capsules located in the storage space 34 tend to be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the highest possible packing density is created. In this case, several capsules arranged in contact with one another can wedge each other in the storage space so that no more capsules can fall downwards. This high packing density is eliminated by the separating end 60 of the dispensing channel 50 penetrating the storage space 34 from below when the container is actuated.

[0041] With a further relative movement of the second element relative to the first element in the direction of arrow L by pressure on the cover 24, the situation arises which is shown in the Figs. 6 and 7 This corresponds to the second operating position of the device according to the invention. It should be clear that the Fig. 4 and 5 The first operating position shown was shown only to illustrate the functioning of the container according to the invention, but ultimately it is a snapshot in the course of the continuous operation of the container. Figs. 6 and 7 The distance S2 shown is slightly longer than the distance S1. If one compares Figs. 6 and 7 with those after Fig. 4 and 5, it becomes clear that due to the further displacement of the second element relative to the first element in the direction of arrow L by the distance S2-S1, the actuating element 38 of the second element 16 abuts against the elastically deformable second locking element 44, whereby the locking element 44 is elastically deformed and the locking lug 52 retracts from the dispensing channel 50. As a result, the first capsule 61 is no longer prevented from falling downwards in the direction of gravity and through the dispensing opening 40 into the collecting volume 28 of the dosing cap 26.

[0042] The second capsule 62, however, is prevented from moving in the direction of gravity in the dispensing channel 50 in the second operating position because the separating nose 56 of the first blocking element 42 projects into the passage volume of the dispensing channel 50.

[0043] Will be after the Figs. 6 and 7When no more pressure is exerted on the lid 24 during the dispensing of a single capsule as shown in the drawing, the second element 16 is displaced relative to the first element 12 again in the longitudinal direction opposite to the direction of the arrow L by the action of the helical spring 46, until a further displacement movement is initiated by the Fig. 2 At the same time, the stop 20 shown in the figure is prevented. Fig. 4 to 7In the sequence described, the output channel 50 is first closed again in the region of the output opening 40 by the locking lug 52 elastically returning into the passage volume of the output channel 50 when the actuating element 38 no longer presses on the second locking element 44. In the further course of the elastic return movement of the second element relative to the first element, the actuating element 38 is also moved upwards, whereby the actuating element 38 no longer presses on the first locking element 42 and the first locking element 42 elastically returns to its unloaded position in which the separating lug 56 no longer projects into the output channel 50. This has the consequence that the Fig. 2 and 3The state shown is established, in which the previous second capsule falls downwards and takes the position of the former first capsule. Another capsule from the storage space 34 moves into the dispensing channel 50 and takes the position of the second capsule, which is located above and in contact with the first capsule that will be dispensed next.

[0044] In addition to the functionalities of the container 10 shown in the figures, an actuation lock can also be provided, which prevents a relative movement in the direction of arrow L of the second element relative to the first element. As shown in the figures, the housing 14 of the first element and the housing 18 of the second element are designed to be partially concentric relative to one another and substantially rotationally symmetrical relative to one another. Therefore, the second element can be rotated relative to the first element about the longitudinal axis X (see Fig. 1) can be rotated. By providing suitable locking elements, such as axially arranged locking grooves and locking ribs, a locking mechanism can be created. In this case, it is either possible for the first and second elements to be designed in such a way that a longitudinal displacement of the second element relative to the first element is only possible in a specific rotational position, while in all other positions a displacement movement is blocked, or for the second element to be locked in the longitudinal direction relative to the first element only in a defined angular position relative to one another, while in all other rotational positions relative to one another a longitudinal displacement between the second element and the first element is possible.

[0045] The container according to the invention is simple and intuitive to handle, allowing one-handed operation. Each actuation dispenses only a single capsule, which can then be taken directly using the dosing cap, thus avoiding contact with the user's palm and the associated risk of contamination. A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that, particularly when dosing coated soft capsules, it eliminates the need to press the soft capsules out of a blister pack, which could deform the capsules. The high tightness of the container also enables a long service life and storage time.

[0046] Regarding the materials used, the container according to the invention can be manufactured from pharmaceutically certified plastic materials, with the dosing cap preferably being made of a transparent material, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. Secondary packaging is not required.

[0047] If the dosing device is manufactured as a single unit comprising the dispensing channel, the first blocking element and the second blocking element, this unit can easily be replaced with a similarly constructed unit with a modified geometry in order to adapt the container for dosing capsules of different sizes. List of reference symbols

[0048] 10Container 12First element 14Housing of the first element 16Second element 18Housing of the second element 20Stop 22Filling opening 24Lid 26Dosing cap 28Collecting volume 30Bottom 32Bottom surface 34Storage space 36Funnel-shaped section 38Actuating element 40Dispensing opening 42First locking element 44Second locking element 46Coil spring 48Step 50Dispensing channel 52Locking lug 54Guide rib 56Separating lug 58Opening 60Separating end 61First capsule 62Second capsule 64Dosing device 66Receptacle for dry canister

Claims

1. A device for individually dispensing capsules or dragees, in particular hard capsules or coated soft capsules, comprising: - a first element (12) with a longitudinal axis X, and - a second element (16) which is displaceable relative to the first element (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and which is in a first position when at rest and is biased into the first position by an elastic element (46); wherein - the second element comprises: o a storage space (34) for capsules; and o an actuating element (38); and - the first element (12) comprises: o a dispensing opening (40) for a capsule; and o a dosing apparatus with a first locking element (42) which is elastically deformable by the displacement of the actuating element (38), and a second locking element (44) which is elastically deformable by the displacement of the actuating element (38); wherein ∘ the first locking element (42) and the second locking element (44) are arranged such that, when the second element (16) is displaced against the pretension of the elastic element (46) relative to the first element (12) by a first distance (S1) into a first operating position, the actuating element (38) actuates only the first locking element (42); and ∘ when the second element (16) is displaced against the pretension of the elastic element (46) relative to the first element (12) by a second distance (S2) into a second operating position, the actuating element (38) actuates both the first locking element (42) and the second locking element (44); characterised in that a dispensing channel (50) adjoins the dispensing opening (40); and when the second element (16) is displaced relative to the first element (12) by the first distance (S1), a separating end (60) of the dispensing channel (50) projects into the storage space (34).

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a dosing cap (26) which is releasably attached to the first element (12) in the region of the dispensing opening (40).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterised in that the dosing cap (26) is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis X relative to the first element (12) between a first dosing position and a second dosing position, wherein, in the second dosing position between the dosing cap (28) and the dispensing opening (40), there is a collection volume (28) for receiving a capsule or dragee passing through the receiving opening (40).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second element (16) is substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis X and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis X relative to the first element (12).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second element (16) can be arrested in the first position relative to the first element (12), wherein, in the arrested state, a displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the second element (16) relative to the first element (12) is locked.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a removable lid (24) which closes a filling section (22) of the storage space (34) of the second element (16).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dry canister in the storage space (34).

8. A method for individually dispensing capsules, in particular hard capsules, coated soft capsules or dragees, in a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - displacing the second element (16) against the pretension of the elastic element (46) relative to the first element (12) by a first distance (S1) from the first position into the first operating position, whereby the actuating element (38) actuates the first locking element (42) which locks the movement of a second capsule (62) in the direction of a first capsule (61) which is located in a dispensing channel (50) adjoining the dispensing opening (40), wherein a separating end (60) of the dispensing channel (50) projects into the storage space; - further displacing the second element (16) against the pretension of the elastic element (46) relative to the first element (12) by a second distance (S2) into a second operating position in which the actuating element (38) actuates both the first locking element (42) and the second locking element (44), whereby the second locking element (44) is actuated such that it exposes the dispensing opening (40), whereby the first capsule (61) can pass through the dispensing opening (40); - returning the second element (16) to the first position under the pretension of the elastic element (46), whereby the actuation of the first locking element (42) and the second locking element (44) by the actuating element (38) is terminated and the second capsule (62) moves in the direction of the dispensing opening (40).

9. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for hard capsules or coated soft capsules or dragees with pharmaceutically active ingredients or food supplements.

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