Dispenser device, dispenser system, use of dispenser device or dispenser system, and method for manufacturing a dispenser system.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser system (200) and a dispenser device (100) for taking out (distributing) one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers (110) in a hollow carrier (120). The present invention also relates to the use of such a dispenser system (200) or dispenser device (100) for taking out (distributing) one container (110). The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a dispenser system (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to dispensing one container from a nested stack of multiple containers within a hollow carrier. The present invention also relates to dispensing one container from a nested stack of multiple containers within a hollow carrier while reducing the risk of double dispensing (dispensing two at the same time).

[0002] The present invention includes a dispenser device, a dispenser system, the use of such a dispenser device or dispenser system, and a method of manufacturing such a dispenser system.

Background Art

[0003] Dispensing (removing one by one) of multiple containers (which can be called, for example, cups, caps (CAP; carrier polymer systems), tubes, or wells, etc. in various applications) is an important step in many medical analysis systems. Before samples are loaded and tests or analyses are performed, multiple containers need to be individually dispensed into the process chamber.

[0004] There are several solutions for removing containers from a nested stack of multiple containers within a hollow carrier. For example, there are solutions in related technologies that involve using a dispenser unit together with a robotic gripper, which handle the transfer of small test tubes (cups, caps, containers, wells) from an ImmunoCAP / EliA carrier to the process chamber of a Phadia device such as a Phadia250, Phadia1000, or Phadia2500. These dispensing solutions also include solutions for preventing two (or more) test tubes in a stacked state from being double-dispensed (i.e., dispensed at the same time) into one process chamber.

[0005] While the aforementioned dispensing solutions can achieve the desired outcome of dispensing multiple containers and also provide solutions to prevent double dispensing, existing dispenser devices and systems suffer from the problem of being complex and costly to manufacture because they consist of numerous individual interacting parts or components. As the number of interacting components increases, so does the complexity of operating the dispenser device and system. Furthermore, the expected lifespan of the device or system is shortened due to the increased risk of one of the numerous components failing or wearing out, or the risk of loss of interconnection between two components. In addition, troubleshooting the device or system becomes more complex when there are many components to consider. Moreover, in the event of a failure, replacing one or more components in a complex structure can be difficult, potentially necessitating the replacement of the entire, expensive dispensing device.

[0006] There is still a clear need for improved dispensing solutions that reduce manufacturing and usage complexity, offer enhanced robustness, and lower manufacturing costs.

[0007] Furthermore, despite existing complex mechanisms to prevent double dispensing, there is a problem in that double dispensing errors can still occur occasionally. Therefore, there is also a need for improved solutions to prevent double dispensing. [Overview of the project]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a less complex solution for removing containers from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier. This is achieved by a dispensing system, a dispensing apparatus, a use of the dispensing system or apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the dispensing system, according to the appended independent claims.

[0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, a dispenser system is provided for dispensing one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier. The hollow carrier has an open end for dispensing multiple containers from the carrier and at least two elastic carrier claws. Each carrier claw extends distally from the open end in the longitudinal direction of the carrier and grips the lower edge of the rim of one container positioned within the carrier. The dispenser system comprises at least one dispenser device. Each of the at least one dispenser device has a hollow cylindrical body for holding one carrier, the hollow cylindrical body having a receiving end for receiving the carrier and a dispensing end for dispensing one container from the open end of the carrier. Each of the at least one dispenser device also has at least two elastic dispenser claws. Each dispenser claw extends distally from the dispensing end in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body and grips the lower edge of the rim of one container positioned within the carrier. The at least two dispenser claws are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end, and at a first rotational position of the carrier relative to the dispenser device, each dispenser claw overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws, and at a second rotational position of the carrier relative to the dispenser device, each dispenser claw does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws. The dispenser system further comprises an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to move the hollow carrier from a neutral position to a dispensing position relative to the dispenser device by moving the hollow carrier in a first direction from the receiving end to the dispensing end along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or by moving the dispenser device in a second direction opposite to the first direction.The actuator assembly is further configured to move the hollow carrier in the second direction along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or move the dispenser device in the first direction, so that the hollow carrier moves from the dispensing position to the neutral position relative to the dispenser device. The actuator assembly is also configured to rotate either the carrier or the dispenser device around the longitudinal axis between the first rotation position and the second rotation position relative to the other.

[0010] Preferably, the dispenser system according to the present invention has a much less complex design, is more robust, easier to replace, has a much lower manufacturing cost, and is less complex to operate compared to existing solutions. In fact, the dispenser device of the dispenser system is preferably manufactured as a single part (integrated). Of course, the different parts of the dispenser device can be manufactured separately and assembled into a single dispenser device in any preferred mode known in the art, but manufacturing it as a single solid part further improves simplicity / low complexity and robustness compared to existing dispensing solutions. Furthermore, the dispenser device according to the present invention preferably comprises only one part, is a passive device, thereby greatly reducing the complexity of operation of the dispenser device or system and greatly increasing the robustness of the dispenser device and any system in which it may be installed. Thus, instead of a dispensing device that includes parts that move relative to each other, such as container separators and electric components, the dispensing system of the present invention requires only movement between the entire passive dispensing device and the carrier contained therein. The relative movement between the one-piece (integrated) passive dispenser device and the carrier results in the outward deflection or bending of the elastic carrier claws and elastic dispenser claws, and subsequent repositioning, which is necessary to achieve the dispensing of one container from the carrier.

[0011] The number of elastic dispenser claws may be the same as the number of elastic carrier claws. In this case, each elastic dispenser claw overlaps with one elastic carrier claw, and each elastic carrier claw overlaps with one elastic dispenser claw at the first rotational position relative to the carrier and the dispenser device. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws may be less than the number of elastic carrier claws. In this case, each elastic dispenser claw overlaps with at least one elastic carrier claw, but each elastic carrier claw does not need to overlap with one elastic dispenser claw at the first rotational position. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws may be greater than the number of elastic carrier claws. In this case, for at least one elastic carrier claw, multiple (more than one) elastic dispenser claws overlap with that elastic carrier claw at the first rotational position. Preferably, in all of these embodiments, each elastic dispenser claw overlaps with at least one elastic carrier claw at the first rotational position. This overlap at the first rotational position allows the elastic dispenser claws to bend or flex radially outward when the actuator moves the carrier in the first direction and / or when the actuator moves the dispenser device in the second direction, and allows the gripping end of each elastic dispenser claw to release the grip on the lower edge of the upper edge of the container (the bottom container) that it was previously holding.

[0012] Preferably, the at least two elastic dispenser claws are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body. This allows the dispenser device to be manufactured as a single (integrated) part. This is advantageous because it increases the robustness of the dispenser device and reduces the complexity and cost of manufacturing it.

[0013] The dispenser device may be manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, My Claw Tight Plate, steel, or any other material suitable for functioning as a spring, i.e., a material that is elastic or resilient and capable of storing mechanical energy and is suitable for a particular application and / or manufacturing process. Preferably, by using a material having the desired elasticity or resilience, the dispenser claws can be made elastic, thereby enabling them to grip the lower edge of the rim of a container positioned in the carrier and prevent the container from being removed when the container should be held in place, and enabling them to bend or flex radially outward on the carrier claws to release the grip on the lower edge of the rim of the container when the container should be removed.

[0014] The dispenser system may include a dispenser fixing device positioned to hold the dispenser device. This allows the passive dispenser device to be securely held in a predetermined position.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic carrier claws are configured to bend radially outward to a release position in which one container is released from the carrier. Each hollow cylindrical body of the at least one dispenser device may be dimensioned to fit around the hollow carrier so as to prevent the elastic carrier claws from bending to the release position except when the hollow carrier is in the dispensing position relative to the dispenser device. Advantageously, this effectively prevents double dispensing because, except when intended, i.e., when the hollow carrier is in the dispensing position relative to the dispenser device, the hollow carrier is fitted into the dispenser device, preventing the elastic carrier claws from bending to the release position.

[0016] The dispenser system may further include a controller configured to generate a control signal. The control signal may be configured to control the actuator assembly to: - move the hollow carrier in a first direction from the receiving end to the dispensing end along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or move the dispenser device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position relative to the dispenser device; - move the hollow carrier in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or move the dispenser device in a first direction, so that the hollow carrier moves from the dispensing position to the neutral position relative to the dispenser device; and / or - rotate one or both of the carrier and the dispenser device around the longitudinal axis between a first rotation position and a second rotation position relative to the other. Preferably, the movement of the hollow carrier and / or dispenser device during the dispensing process can be controlled and executed in an automatic and precise manner.

[0017] In a second aspect of the present invention, a dispenser device is provided for dispensing one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier. The hollow carrier has an open end for dispensing multiple containers from the carrier and at least two elastic carrier claws. Each carrier claw extends distally from the open end in the longitudinal direction of the carrier and grips the lower edge of the rim of one container positioned within the carrier. The dispenser device has a hollow cylindrical body for holding one carrier, the hollow cylindrical body having a receiving end for receiving the carrier and a dispensing end for dispensing one container from the open end of the carrier. The dispenser device further has at least two elastic dispenser claws. Each dispenser claw extends distally from the dispensing end in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body and grips the lower edge of the rim of one container positioned within the carrier. The at least two dispenser claws are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end, and at the first rotational position of the carrier relative to the dispenser device, each dispenser claw overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws, and at the second rotational position of the carrier relative to the dispenser device, each dispenser claw does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws.

[0018] As previously described regarding dispenser systems, preferably, the dispenser device according to the present invention has a much less complex design, is more robust, easier to replace, has a much lower manufacturing cost, and is less complex to operate compared to existing dispenser devices. In fact, it is preferable that the dispenser device be manufactured as a single piece (integrated). In such embodiments, the at least two elastic dispenser claws are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body. Of course, the different parts of the dispenser device can be manufactured separately and assembled into a single dispenser device in any preferred manner known in the art, but manufacturing it as a single solid piece further improves simplicity / low complexity and robustness compared to existing dispensing solutions. The dispenser device preferably comprises only one piece, but is a passive device, which enhances the robustness of the device. Thus, instead of a dispensing device that includes parts that move relative to each other, such as container separators and electric components, the dispensing device of the present invention requires only movement between the entire passive dispensing device and the carrier contained therein. The relative movement between the one-piece (integrated) passive dispenser device and the carrier results in the outward deflection or bending of the elastic carrier claws and elastic dispenser claws, and subsequent repositioning, which is necessary to achieve the dispensing of one container from the carrier.

[0019] As previously described for the dispenser system, the number of elastic dispenser claws may be the same as the number of elastic carrier claws. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws may be less than the number of elastic carrier claws. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws may be greater than the number of elastic carrier claws. Preferably, in all of these embodiments, each elastic dispenser claw overlaps with at least one elastic carrier claw. This overlap in the neutral position causes the elastic dispenser claws to bend or flex radially outward when the actuator moves the carrier in a first direction and / or the dispenser device in a second direction so that the carrier and the dispenser device are positioned relative to each other in a dispensing position, causing the gripping end of each elastic dispenser claw to release its grip on the lower edge of the upper edge of the container (the bottom container) that it was previously gripping.

[0020] As previously described for dispenser systems, the dispenser device may be manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, Myclaw Tight Plate, steel, or any other material suitable for functioning as a spring, i.e., a material that is elastic or resilient and capable of storing mechanical energy and is suitable for a particular application and / or manufacturing process. This allows the dispenser claws to grip the lower edge of the rim of a container positioned within the carrier, preventing the container from being removed when the container should be held in place, and to bend or flex radially outward on the carrier claws to release the grip on the lower edge of the rim of the container when the container should be removed.

[0021] The hollow cylindrical body of the dispenser device may be sized to fit around a hollow carrier, and the elastic carrier claws of the hollow carrier may bend radially outward to a release position in which one container is released from the carrier, except when the hollow carrier is moved in a first direction from the receiving end toward the dispensing end along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, or when the dispenser device is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier and the dispenser device are in a dispensing position relative to each other.

[0022] A third aspect of the present invention involves the use of a dispenser device or dispenser system for taking one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier, according to any of the multiple embodiments described herein (including the summary of the invention, the detailed description of the invention, and the claims).

[0023] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a dispenser system. The method comprises the step of providing a hollow carrier, the hollow carrier having an open end for dispensing a plurality of containers from the carrier and at least two elastic carrier claws, each carrier claw extending distally from the open end in the longitudinal direction of the carrier to grip the lower edge of the edge of one container positioned within the carrier. The method further comprises the step of providing at least one dispenser device, the at least one dispenser device having a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder having a receiving end for receiving the carrier and a dispensing end for dispensing one container from the open end of the carrier, the at least one dispenser device further having at least two elastic dispenser claws arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end, each dispenser claw extending distally from the dispensing end in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder. The method further comprises the step of providing an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to move the hollow carrier from a neutral position to a dispensing position relative to the dispenser device by moving the hollow carrier in a first direction from the receiving end to the dispensing end along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or moving the dispenser device in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The actuator assembly is also configured to move the hollow carrier from a dispensing position to a neutral position relative to the dispenser device by moving the hollow carrier in a second direction along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the hollow cylindrical body, and / or moving the dispenser device in a first direction. The actuator assembly is further configured to rotate one or both of the carrier and / or the dispenser device around the longitudinal axis between a first rotation position and a second rotation position relative to the other.The actuator assembly is further configured to introduce the hollow carrier into the hollow cylinder of the dispenser device such that, at the first rotational position of the carrier, each dispenser claw grips the lower edge of the rim of one container in which the at least two elastic dispenser claws are positioned within the carrier, and each dispenser claw overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws respectively, and at the second rotational position of the carrier, each dispenser claw does not overlap with each of the at least two carrier claws.

[0024] Preferably, the manufacture of the dispenser system is significantly simplified, much less expensive and less time-consuming compared to the manufacture of known dispenser systems with a number of separate parts (potentially relatively movable and interacting parts).

[0025] Any of the advantages described above in connection with one aspect of the invention, e.g., a dispenser system, are equally applicable in corresponding embodiments of other aspects of the invention, e.g., a dispenser device, the use of such a dispenser system or dispenser device, and a method of manufacturing such a dispenser system.

[0026] Many additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically shows a dispenser system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 schematically shows a dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3]Figure 3 schematically shows one container that can be taken out from a nested stack of multiple containers using multiple embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4a] Figure 4a schematically shows a hollow carrier for holding a nested stack of multiple containers. [Figure 4b] Figure 4b schematically shows a hollow carrier for holding a nested stack of multiple containers. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows a dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically shows a dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention that holds a hollow carrier holding a nested stack of multiple containers. [Figure 7] Figures 7 to 10c schematically show a series of steps performed to remove one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 8a] Figures 7 to 10c schematically show a series of steps performed to remove one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 8b] Figures 7 to 10c schematically show a series of steps performed to remove one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 9a] Figures 7 to 10c schematically show a series of steps performed to remove one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 9b]Figures 7 to 10c schematically illustrate a series of steps performed to extract one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 10a] Figures 7 to 10c schematically illustrate a series of steps performed to extract one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 10b] Figures 7 to 10c schematically illustrate a series of steps performed to extract one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 10c] Figures 7 to 10c schematically illustrate a series of steps performed to extract one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier using a dispenser system or dispenser apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a dispenser system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] All figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale, and generally show only the parts necessary to illustrate each embodiment, with other parts being omitted or merely suggested. Reference numerals appearing in multiple drawings refer to the same subject or feature throughout the drawings unless otherwise specified.

[0030] Dispenser systems, dispenser devices, methods for manufacturing such dispenser systems, and uses of such dispenser systems or dispenser devices are provided to solve the problem of how to extract (dispense) one container from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier, while reducing complexity in the manufacture and use of dispenser systems or devices, lowering manufacturing costs, and increasing robustness. Embodiments of the present invention further provide an improved solution for preventing double dispensing.

[0031] The sizes, dimensions, angles, relationships, etc., described herein should not be understood as encompassing only precise given values, but rather as including slight variations due to manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, it should be noted that the features of the various embodiments described herein can be freely combined unless such combinations are explicitly stated to be inappropriate.

[0032] In this specification, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7 to 10c, are referred to. The first direction D1 is the direction from the receiving end of the dispenser device to the dispensing end of the dispenser device, along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100. In other words, the longitudinal axis A coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100. Hereinafter, the first direction may also be called the downward direction. The second direction D2 is opposite to the first direction D1 and is therefore oriented from the dispensing end to the receiving end along the same longitudinal axis of symmetry, and may hereafter be called the upward direction. Throughout this disclosure, when a feature of an element is referred to as “upper” (e.g., the upper edge of the container) or “lower” (e.g., the lower edge of the upper edge), this should be understood as being above or below other features of that element along a downward first direction D1 or an upward second direction D2. For example, the “bottommost” container in a nested stack of containers should be understood as the container furthest from the receiving end in the first direction D1 (downward). Throughout this disclosure, it is assumed that the dispenser device is held in an upright position, i.e., the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispenser device coincides with the vertical. This is for ease of explanation, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the longitudinal axis of the dispenser device may deviate from the vertical during the manufacture or assembly of the dispenser system or during the use of the dispenser device or system described herein.

[0033] In a first aspect of the present invention, a dispenser system 200 for taking one container 110 from a nested stack of multiple containers 110 in a hollow carrier 120 is first described with reference to Figures 1, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6.

[0034] Figure 1 schematically shows a dispenser system 200 for dispensing one container 110 from a nested stack of multiple containers 110 in a hollow carrier 120, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The hollow carrier 120 has an open end 122 for dispensing a container 110 from the carrier 120, as shown in Figure 4a. Figure 4a schematically shows a hollow carrier 120 for holding a nested stack of multiple containers 110. Referring to Figure 3, a schematic container 110 is shown, with an upper brim 112 having an upper edge 113 and a lower edge 111. The hollow carrier 120 has at least two elastic carrier claws 126, each carrier claw 126 extending distally from the open end 122 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 120 to grip the lower edge 111 of the brim 112 of a single container 110 positioned within the carrier 120.

[0035] As shown in the drawing, the bottom container in the stack, that is, the container that will be dispensed next, is held in place by the carrier claw 126 before it is dispensed. In other words, the bottom container in the stack is the bottom container that has not yet been dispensed. Therefore, when one container is dispensed and is no longer present in the stack, the next container (the container that will be dispensed next) becomes the bottom container in the stack. For reference, referring to Figures 4a and 4b, Figure 4a shows a schematic diagram of an empty hollow carrier 120, and Figure 4b shows the same hollow carrier 120 holding a nested stack of multiple containers 110. In Figure 4b, the bottom container in the nested stack, that is, the container that will be dispensed next, is referred to as 110'. After the bottom container 110' in the stack is removed, the next / successor container 110'' becomes the bottom container in the nested tuck. After container 110'' is removed, container 110'' becomes the bottom container in the nested tuck.

[0036] The hollow carrier 120 (which may also be simply referred to herein as carrier 120) may have a continuous or partially tapered wall along its entire length or part thereof, such that the inner circumference of the carrier 120 at least at the open end 122 is smaller than the inner circumference at the opposite end of the carrier 120. In some embodiments, depending on the shape of the container 110 to be dispensed, such a design may be suitable for holding a nested stack of multiple containers 110 within the carrier 120. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the shape and size of the container 110, carrier 120, the interior of the hollow cylindrical body 130, the elastic carrier claws 126, the dispenser claws 140, etc., can vary considerably within the scope of the claimed invention, as long as the functions described herein are achieved. As can be further understood from Figure 4b, the upper edges 112 of two adjacent containers 110 in a nested stack are typically separated by a distance d. This distance d may, of course, vary depending on the size and shape (i.e., design) of the multiple containers 110 to be stacked. By providing a distance d between the upper edges 112 of two adjacent containers 110 in a nested stack configuration, it is facilitated for the carrier claws 126 or dispenser claws 140 to grasp the lower edge 111 of the upper edge 112 of one of the nested stack containers 110. This distance d may be selected to fit the gripping ends (grasping ends) of the carrier and / or dispenser claws, and the containers may be designed accordingly.

[0037] The dispenser system 200 comprises at least one dispenser device 100 and one actuator assembly 150 or one actuator assembly for each dispenser device 100. Hereinafter, the dispenser system 200 will be described according to its simplest configuration, which includes a single dispenser device 100 and one actuator assembly 150. In embodiments where the system 200 contains multiple dispenser devices 100, the configuration and function of each dispenser device 100 are the same as those described below for a single dispenser device 100. In embodiments where the system 200 contains multiple actuator assemblies 150, the configuration and function of each actuator assembly 150 are the same as those described below for a single actuator assembly 150.

[0038] The dispenser device 100 includes a hollow cylindrical body 130 for holding the carrier 120. As schematically shown in the dispenser device 100 of Figure 5, the hollow cylindrical body 130 has a receiving end 131 for receiving the carrier 120 and a dispensing end 132 for taking (dispensing) the container 110 from the open end 122 of the carrier 120. Thus, the positioning of one container 110 within the carrier 120 also means that when the carrier 120 is positioned or held within the hollow cylindrical body 130, that container 110 is included in a nested stack of multiple containers 110 within the carrier 120.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in the drawings, the dispenser device 100 comprises at least two elastic dispenser claws 140, each dispenser claw 140 extending distally from the dispensing end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body 130 to grip the lower edge 111 of the edge 112 of a container 110 positioned within the carrier 120. The at least two dispenser claws 140 are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end 132, and at the first rotation position ROTP1 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100, each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with one of at least two carrier claws 126, and at the second rotation position ROTP2 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100, each dispenser claw 140 does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws 126.

[0040] The actuator assembly 150 is configured to move the hollow carrier 120 in a first direction D1 from the receiving end 131 to the dispensing end 132 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or move the dispenser device 100 in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier 120 moves from a neutral position NP relative to the dispenser device 100 to a dispensing position DP. In other words, the actuator assembly 150 is configured to move one or both of the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A, starting from a starting point where the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device are positioned in a neutral position NP relative to each other, so that the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 move from a neutral position NP relative to each other to a dispensing position DP relative to each other.

[0041] The dispensing position DP is the relative position between the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 along axis A, at which point the bottom container 110' in the nested stack of multiple containers 110 can be dispensed. At any other relative position between the dispenser device 100 and the carrier 120 (collectively referred to herein as the neutral position NP), the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 prevents the carrier claws 126 from bending outward and releasing their grip on the lower edge 111' of the edge 112' of the bottom container 110' (thus preventing the container from being dispensed).

[0042] The actuator assembly 150 is further configured to move the hollow carrier 120 in a second direction D2 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or move the dispenser device 100 in a first direction D1, so that the hollow carrier 120 moves from a dispensing position DP to a neutral position NP relative to the dispenser device 100. In other words, the actuator assembly 150 is configured to move one or both of the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A, starting from a starting point where the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device are positioned in a dispensing position DP relative to each other, so that the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 move from a dispensing position DP to a neutral position NP relative to each other.

[0043] The actuator assembly 150 is further configured to rotate either the carrier 120 or the dispenser device 100 around the longitudinal axis A relative to the other between a first rotation position ROTP1 and a second rotation position ROTP2. In other words, the actuator assembly 150 is configured to rotate the carrier 120 around the longitudinal axis A, rotate the dispenser device 100 around the longitudinal axis A, or rotate both the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 around the longitudinal axis A.

[0044] The actuator assembly 150 has at least one actuator configured to move the carrier 120 in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 along the longitudinal axis A of the hollow cylindrical body 130. The same at least one actuator may be configured to rotate the carrier 120 around the longitudinal axis A relative to the dispenser device 100. Alternatively, the actuator assembly may have at least one additional actuator configured to rotate the carrier 120 around the longitudinal axis A relative to the dispenser device 100.

[0045] The number of dispenser claws 140 may be less than, equal to, or greater than the number of carrier claws 126. In all of these embodiments, each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with (at least) one carrier claw 126 at the first rotation position ROTP1 of the carrier 120, and each dispenser claw 140 is bent or flexed radially outward by the carrier claw 126 it overlaps with, when its distal end, i.e., grip end, overlaps with the carrier claw 126 in the vertical direction (height direction). This is the case, for example, when the hollow carrier 120 and the dispensing device 100 are in a dispensing position DP relative to each other. However, each elastic carrier claw 126 does not need to overlap with one elastic dispenser claw 140 at the first rotation position ROTP1.

[0046] Each dispenser claw 140 extending distally in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 130 includes extending distally in the main longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 130 within a certain tolerance. For example, each dispenser claw 140 may extend distally in the exact longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 130, or it may extend in a direction that forms an angle of up to 25 degrees radially inward from the exact longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder 130. Depending on the material and dimensions of the components of the dispenser system, and depending on the outer dimensions of the hollow carrier from which the container is drawn, other deflection angles from the longitudinal direction may also be preferable. Similarly, each carrier claw 126 extending distally from the open end 122 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 120 includes extending distally in the main longitudinal direction of the carrier 120 within a certain tolerance, depending on the design of the hollow carrier 120.

[0047] The elastic claws 126, 140 may also be called elastic elements configured to grip. As described herein and shown in the drawings, each of the elastic carrier claws 126 and each of the elastic dispenser claws 140 grips the lower edge 111 of the brim 112 of the container 110 positioned within the carrier 120, unless the elastic carrier claw 126 or elastic dispenser claw 140 is bent or flexed radially outward. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the claws are essentially elements that constitute a gripping means. As shown in the drawings, the grip end (i.e., distal end) of each elastic carrier claw 126 or each dispenser claw 140 may extend radially inward relative to the principal extension direction of the claw as a whole to facilitate gripping. In Figure 4a, the inwardly extending grip end of one of the multiple carrier claws 126 is shown by a dashed line 127. Similarly, in Figure 5, the grip end extending inward from one of the multiple dispenser claws 140 is indicated by the dashed line 141.

[0048] For the sake of completeness of explanation, Figure 6 schematically shows a dispenser device 100 holding a hollow carrier 120 that holds a nested stack of multiple containers 110, according to any embodiment described herein. The bottom container 110' is held by a carrier claw 126 and is ready to be dispensed. In Figure 6, the dispenser device 100 and the hollow carrier 120 are in a neutral position NP relative to each other and further in a first rotational position ROTP1 relative to each other. Each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with at least one of each of the two carrier claws 126.

[0049] The fact that each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with at least one of the two carrier claws 126 at the first rotational position ROTP1 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100 means that each dispenser claw 140 at least partially overlaps with at least one of the two carrier claws 126. Preferably, at least half of the width of each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with at least one of the two carrier claws 126, but this is not necessarily required. Also preferably, each dispenser claw 140 is circumferentially aligned with at least one of the two carrier claws 126, that is, the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispenser claw 140 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of each carrier claw 126, but this is not necessarily required. As a result, when the grip end of the dispenser claw 140 overlaps vertically (in the height direction) with the carrier claw 126 at the first rotation position ROTP1, each dispenser claw 140 can be bent or flexed radially outward by one (or more) carrier claws 126. This is shown in Figures 7 to 10c, which illustrate the process of using the dispenser device or system according to the present invention for dispensing a container 110.

[0050] The fact that each dispenser claw 140 does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws 126 at the second rotation position ROTP2 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100 means that no part of the dispenser claw 140 overlaps with any part of the at least two carrier claws 126. This can also be described as each dispenser claw 140 being circumferentially offset from each of the at least two carrier claws 126. As a result, at the second rotation position ROTP2, the dispenser claws 140 cannot be bent or flexed radially outward by the carrier claws 126. This is shown in Figures 7 to 10c, which illustrate the process of using the dispenser device or system according to the present invention for dispensing a container 110.

[0051] Preferably, the dispenser system 200 according to the present invention has a much less complex design, is more robust, easier to replace, has a much lower manufacturing cost, and is less complex to operate compared to existing solutions. Preferably, at least two elastic dispenser claws 140 are integrated with a hollow cylindrical body 130, and the dispenser device 100 of the dispenser system 200 is manufactured as a single piece (integrated). Of course, the different parts of the dispenser device 100 can be manufactured separately and assembled into a single dispenser device in any preferred embodiment known in the art, but manufacturing it as a single solid part further improves the simplicity / low complexity and robustness of the dispenser device 100 and system 200 according to the embodiments herein compared to existing dispensing solutions. Furthermore, the dispenser device 100 according to the present invention preferably comprises only one component and is a passive device, thereby greatly reducing the complexity of the operation of the dispenser device 100 or system 200, and greatly increasing the robustness of the dispenser device 100 and the system 200 in which it is installed. Thus, instead of a dispensing device that includes components that move relative to each other, such as container separators and electric components, the dispensing system 200 of the present invention requires only movement between the entire passive dispensing device 100 and the carrier 120 contained therein. The relative movement between the one-component (integrated) passive dispenser device 100 and the carrier 120 results in the radially outward deflection and subsequent repositioning (return to the original radially inward) of the elastic carrier claws 126 and elastic dispenser claws 140, which are required to achieve the removal (dispensing) of one container from the carrier.

[0052] This allows the dispenser device to be manufactured as a single, integrated unit. Advantageously, this increases the robustness of the dispenser device and reduces the complexity and cost of its manufacture.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the dispenser system 200 may include a dispenser fixing device 160 positioned to hold the dispenser device 100. This ensures that the dispenser device 100 is securely held in place during the dispensing process.

[0054] The dispenser system 200 may further include a controller 170 configured to generate a control signal C. The control signal C may be configured to control an actuator assembly 150 in any embodiment of the dispenser system 200 described herein, such that the hollow carrier 120 moves in a first direction D1 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130 from the receiving end 131 to the dispensing end 132, and / or moves the dispenser device 100 in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1, so that the hollow carrier 120 moves from a neutral position NP to a dispensing position DP relative to the dispenser device 100. Alternatively or additionally, in these embodiments, the control signal C may be configured to control the actuator assembly 150 in any of the embodiments of the dispenser system 200 described herein, to move the hollow carrier 120 in a second direction D2 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or move the dispenser device 100 in a first direction D1, so that the hollow carrier 120 moves from a dispensing position DP to a neutral position NP relative to the dispenser device 100. Alternatively or additionally, in these embodiments, the control signal C may be configured to control the actuator assembly 150 in any of the embodiments of the dispenser system 200 described herein, to rotate one or both of the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 around the longitudinal axis A between a first rotation position ROTP1 and a second rotation position ROTP2 relative to the other. In these embodiments, the actuator assembly 150 is configured to be controlled in response to the control signal C.

[0055] The elastic carrier claws 126 may be configured to bend or flex radially outward until a release position RP is reached, when one container 100 is released from the carrier 120. In this embodiment, the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 is sized to fit around the hollow carrier 120 to prevent the elastic carrier claws 126 from bending to the release position RP, except when the hollow carrier 120 is in the dispensing position DP relative to the dispenser device 100. Advantageously, this effectively prevents double dispensing from occurring, because, except when intended, i.e., when the hollow carrier 120 is in the dispensing position DP relative to the dispenser device 100, the hollow carrier 120 is fitted into the dispenser device 100, preventing the elastic carrier claws 126 from bending to their release position RP. This is further illustrated in Figures 7 to 10c and will be further explained in relation to those drawings.

[0056] The dispenser device 100 may be manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, Myclaw Tight Plate, steel, or any other material suitable for functioning as a spring, i.e., a material that is elastic or resilient and capable of storing mechanical energy and is suitable for a particular application and / or manufacturing process.

[0057] In one non-limiting embodiment, the carrier 120 may be manufactured from styrene, but other suitable materials or combinations of materials may also be used depending on the application and / or manufacturing process.

[0058] In non-limiting embodiments, the container 110 may be any type of EliA® well or ImmunoCAP® container, and the hollow carrier may be a hollow carrier for holding the EliA® well or ImmunoCAP® container. The dispenser device 100 and dispenser system 200 of the present invention can, of course, be adapted to fit containers and carriers of other dimensions.

[0059] In a second aspect of the present invention, a dispenser device 100 for taking one container 110 from a nested stack of multiple containers 110 in a hollow carrier 120 is described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6. All features described with respect to the dispenser system 200 with respect to Figures 3, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6 are also described with respect to the dispenser device 100 and will not be described again.

[0060] Figure 2 schematically shows a dispenser device 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. At least one dispenser device 100 of the dispenser system 200 may be a dispenser device according to any embodiment described as a second aspect of the present invention. Correspondingly, any embodiment of the dispenser device 100 described in relation to the dispenser system 200, i.e., in the first aspect of the present invention, may be applied to the dispenser device 100 of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figures 3, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6, a dispenser device 100 for taking one container 110 from a nested stack of multiple containers 110 within a hollow carrier 120 is shown. The hollow carrier 120 has an open end 122 for taking a container 110 from the carrier 120 and at least two elastic carrier claws 126, each carrier claw 126 extending distally from the open end 122 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 120 to grip the lower edge 111 of the edge 112 of a single container 110 positioned within the carrier 120. The dispenser device 100 includes a hollow cylindrical body 130 for holding the carrier 120, the hollow cylindrical body 130 having a receiving end 131 for receiving the carrier 120 and a dispensing end 132 for taking (dispensing) a container 110 from the open end 122 of the carrier 120. The dispenser device 100 further comprises at least two elastic dispenser claws 140, each dispenser claw 140 extending distally from the dispensing end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body 130 to grip the lower edge 111 of the edge 112 of a container 110 positioned within the carrier 120. The at least two dispenser claws 140 are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end 132, and at the first rotation position ROTP1 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100, each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with one of at least two carrier claws 126, and at the second rotation position ROTP2 of the carrier 120 relative to the dispenser device 100, each dispenser claw 140 does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws 126.

[0062] As a result, the dispenser device 100 has a much less complex design compared to existing dispenser devices, is more robust, easier to replace, has a much lower manufacturing cost, and is less complex to operate.

[0063] The dispenser device 100 is preferably manufactured as a single piece (integrated). In such embodiments, at least two elastic dispenser claws 140 are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body 130. Alternatively, different parts of the dispenser device may be manufactured separately and assembled into a single dispenser device in any preferred manner known in the art. The dispenser device 100 preferably comprises only one piece, but is a passive device, which enhances the robustness of the device. Thus, instead of a dispensing device that includes parts that move relative to each other, such as container separators and electric components, the dispensing device 100 of the present invention requires only movement between the entire passive dispensing device 100 and the carrier 120 contained therein. The relative movement between the one-piece (integrated) passive dispenser device 100 and the carrier 120 results in outward deflection or bending of the elastic carrier claws 126 and elastic dispenser claws 140, and subsequent repositioning, which is required to achieve the dispensing of one container 110 from the carrier 120. The required movement can be achieved manually by an operator holding and moving at least one of the dispenser device 100 and the carrier 120, or it can be achieved automatically by one or more actuators performing the movement as described herein, for example by at least one actuator of the actuator assembly 150 described herein. In these embodiments, the actuator assembly 150 can be controlled by a controller 160 to perform the required movement.

[0064] The number of elastic dispenser claws 140 may be the same as the number of elastic carrier claws 126. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws 140 may be less than the number of elastic carrier claws 126. Alternatively, the number of elastic dispenser claws 140 may be more than the number of elastic carrier claws 126. Preferably, in all of these embodiments, each elastic dispenser claw 140 overlaps with at least one elastic carrier claw 126 at the first rotation position ROTP1. This overlap causes the elastic dispenser claws 140 to bend or flex radially outward when the carrier 120 is moved in a first direction D1 and / or the dispenser device 100 is moved in a second direction D2, causing the grip end of each elastic dispenser claw 140 to release its grip on the lower edge of the upper edge of the container 110 (the bottommost container 110) that it was previously gripping.

[0065] As described herein, the dispenser device 100 may be manufactured from an indeformable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, Myclaw Tight Plate, steel, or any other material suitable for functioning as a spring, i.e., a material that is elastic or resilient and capable of storing mechanical energy and is suitable for a particular application and / or manufacturing process. By manufacturing the dispenser device 100 from a material having these properties, or a combination of such materials, it is possible for the dispenser claws 140 to grip the lower edge 111 of the rim 112 of a container 110 positioned within the carrier 120 to prevent the container 110 from being removed when the container 110 should be held in place, and to bend or flex radially outward on the overlapping carrier claws 126 to release the grip on the lower edge 111 of the rim 112 of the container 110 when the container 110 should be removed.

[0066] The hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 may be sized to fit around the hollow carrier 120, and the elastic carrier claws 126 of the hollow carrier 120 may be prevented from bending radially outward to a release position RP in which one container 110 is released from the carrier 120, except when the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are in a dispensing position DP relative to each other, by moving the hollow carrier 120 in a first direction D1 from the receiving end to the dispensing end along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or moving the dispenser device 100 in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. Figure 10a shows the release position RP of the carrier claws 126, i.e., the elastic carrier claws 126 of the carrier 120 bent radially outward to release one container 110 from the carrier 120.

[0067] A third aspect of the present invention includes the use of a dispenser system 200 according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, or a dispenser device 100 according to any embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, for taking one container 110 from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier 120.

[0068] Referring to Figures 7 to 10c, an exemplary series of steps performed to remove one container 110 (the bottom container 110') from a nested stack of multiple containers 110 in a hollow carrier 120 using a dispenser device 100 or dispenser system 200 according to any embodiment described herein is described.

[0069] All movements in the first direction D1, all movements in the second direction D2, and all rotational movements between the first rotational position ROTP1 and the second rotational position ROTP2, as described in the steps of Figures 7 to 10c, can be performed by the actuator assembly 150 according to any embodiment described herein, manually, or in combination thereof. When the movement is performed by the actuator assembly 150, the movement may be performed in response to a control signal C.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, the hollow carrier 120 may be introduced into the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 and lowered, i.e., moved downward in a first direction D1. Alternatively or additionally, the dispenser device 100 may be moved upward in a second direction D2 to obtain a similar relative displacement between the hollow carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 along axis A. In this step, the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are in a first rotational position ROTP1 relative to each other, with each dispenser claw 140 overlapping with one of at least two carrier claws 126. The carrier 120 is moved in the first direction D1 and / or the dispenser device 100 is moved in the second direction D2 until the carrier 120 is held by the hollow cylindrical body 130 and the carrier claws 126 contact or are thereby gripped by their respective overlapping dispenser claws 140. Now, the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are in a neutral position NP relative to each other.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8a, the carrier 120 is then moved further in the first direction D1 (or, alternatively or additionally, the dispenser device 100 is moved further in the second direction D2). This causes the elastic dispenser claws 140 to bend or flex radially outward on the carrier claws 126 as the grip end 141 of each dispenser claw 140 passes over the grip end 127 of the carrier claw 126 over which the dispenser claw 140 overlaps. The carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are still in the first rotational position ROTP1 relative to each other. This means that the carrier claws 126 are applying a spring force to the dispenser claws 140, and the overlap at the first rotational position ROTP1 prevents the dispenser claws 140 from returning to their original position (i.e., unbent). Figure 8b shows the movement in Figure 8a continuing until the grip end 127 of the carrier claw 126 is positioned between the edge 112' of the bottom container 110' in the nested stack and the edge 112' of the subsequent container 110''. In other words, the grip end 127 of the carrier claw 126 is positioned within a gap represented by a vertical distance d. Now the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 have moved along axis A to the dispensing position DP relative to each other. This is because the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 no longer prevents the carrier claw 126 from bending radially outward to the release position RP. However, since the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are still in the first rotational position ROTP1 relative to each other, the overlapping dispenser claws 140 prevent the carrier claws 126 from bending outward and releasing their grip on the edge 112' of the bottom container 110'.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9a, at least one of the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 is rotated relative to each other about axis A, moving the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 from a first rotational position ROTP1 to a second rotational position ROTP2 relative to each other. At the second rotational position ROTP2 shown in Figure 9, each dispenser claw 140 does not overlap with each of the carrier claws 126. Now that there is no overlap between the carrier claws 126 and the dispenser claws 140, and the carrier claws 126 no longer prevent the dispenser claws 140 from releasing the accumulated spring force and bending back to their original position, the rotation causes the dispenser claws 140 to bend or straighten back radially inward. The dispenser claw 140 is positioned within a gap represented by a distance d in the vertical direction, thereby engaging, i.e., gripping, the lower edge 111" of the rim 112" of the subsequent container 110". Figure 9b shows a different rotational view of Figure 9a. From the view in Figure 9b (Figure), it can be more clearly understood that the rotation to the second rotational position ROTP2 flexes the dispenser claw 140 back to its original position, engaging, i.e., gripping, the lower edge 111" of the rim 112" of the subsequent container 110".

[0073] Figure 10a shows how the carrier 120 is moved upward in a second direction D2 along axis A (or, alternatively or additionally, the dispenser device 100 is moved downward in a first direction D1). This movement causes the dispenser claws 140 to contact and engage with the upper edge 113' of the edge 112' of the bottom container 110', and the bottom container 110' is pushed down in the first direction D1 by the dispenser claws 140. Simultaneously, the relative upward displacement of the carrier 120 causes the carrier claws 126 to bend or flex radially outward as the grip ends 127 of each carrier claw 126 pass the lower edge 111' of the edge 112' of the bottom container 110', leading them to their release position RP. Initially, the carrier claw 126 still grips the lower edge 111' of the rim 112' of the bottom container 110', but the greater force of the dispenser claw 140 pushes against the upper edge 113' of the rim 112' of the bottom container 110', forcing it to open / bend radially outward. As a result, the carrier claw 126 no longer grips the lower edge 111' of the bottom container 110'. The bending to the release position also loads a spring force onto the carrier claw 126. As the relative movement along axis A, as described with respect to Figure 10a, continues, the carrier claw 126 passes the upper edge 113' of the rim 112' of the bottom container 110'. As shown in Figure 10b, this releases the spring force accumulated on the carrier claw 126, causing it to deflect or bend back radially inward from the release position RP to its original position. This causes them to engage with the lower edge 111" of the rim 112" of the subsequent container 110" and grip it. Simultaneously, the continuation of this relative movement pushes the bottom container 110' downward by the dispenser claws 140 that engage with it. Now that the bottom container 110' is no longer held in place, it is removed (dispensed) by the push of the dispenser claws 140. This is shown in Figure 10c. After the bottom container 110' is removed from the nested stack of containers 110, the subsequent container 110" becomes the new bottom container in the nested stack of containers 110.

[0074] Now, the carrier claw 126 grips the lower edge 111" of the rim 112" of the subsequent container 110" (i.e., the new bottom container), thus preventing double dispensing. According to embodiments herein, the risk of double dispensing is further reduced by the fact that the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 is sized to fit around the hollow carrier 120, preventing the elastic carrier claw 126 from bending to the release position RP except when the hollow carrier 120 is in the dispensing position DP relative to the dispenser device 100. Now, since the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are back to their neutral position NP relative to each other, the carrier claw 126 is prevented from bending to the release position RP. As shown in Figure 10c, at this point, the carrier claw 126 is partially inside the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100, as indicated by the dotted circle 128. This effectively prevents the carrier claw 126 from bending to the release position RP.

[0075] After step 10c, at least one of the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 is rotated until the carrier 120 and the dispenser device 100 are in a relative position along axis A as shown in Figure 7, which is the first rotational position ROTP1 relative to each other. The process from Figure 8a to Figure 10c is repeated to remove the next bottom container in the nested stack from the carrier 120.

[0076] A method for manufacturing a dispenser system 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 11. The method shown in Figure 11 consists of the following steps.

[0077] In step 1100, a hollow carrier 120 is provided. The hollow carrier 120 has an open end 122 for removing a plurality of containers 110 from the carrier 120 and at least two elastic carrier claws 126, each carrier claw 126 extending distally from the open end 122 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 120 to grip the lower edge 111 of the edge 112 of one container 110 positioned within the carrier 120.

[0078] The hollow carrier 120 is a hollow carrier described herein in relation to other aspects of the present invention.

[0079] In step 1110, at least one dispenser device 100 is provided. The at least one dispenser device 100 has a hollow cylindrical body 130, which has a receiving end 131 for receiving a carrier 120 and a dispensing end 132 for taking one container 110 from an open end 122 of the carrier 120. The dispenser device 110 further has at least two elastic dispenser claws 140 arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end 132, each dispenser claw 140 extending distally from the dispensing end 132 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body 130.

[0080] The dispenser device 100 is a dispenser device according to any embodiment described herein.

[0081] In step 1120, an actuator assembly 150 is provided. The actuator assembly 150 is configured to move the hollow carrier 120 from a neutral position NP to a dispensing position DP relative to the dispenser device 100 by moving the hollow carrier 120 in a first direction D1 from the receiving end 131 to the dispensing end 132 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or by moving the dispenser device 100 in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. The actuator assembly 150 is further configured to move the hollow carrier 120 from a dispensing position DP to a neutral position MP relative to the dispenser device 100 by moving the hollow carrier 120 in a second direction D2 along the longitudinal axis of symmetry A of the hollow cylindrical body 130, and / or by moving the dispenser device 100 in the first direction D1. The actuator assembly 150 is also configured to rotate at least one of the carrier 120 or the dispenser device 100 around the longitudinal axis A between a first rotational position ROTP1 and a second rotational position ROTP2 relative to the other.

[0082] Actuator assembly 150 is an actuator assembly according to any embodiment described herein.

[0083] In step 1130, the hollow carrier 120 is introduced into the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100, and at least two elastic dispenser claws 140 grip the lower edge 111 of the edge 112 of one container 110 positioned within the carrier 120, such that at the first rotation position ROTP1 of the carrier 120, each dispenser claw 140 overlaps with at least one of the two carrier claws 126, and at the second rotation position ROTP2 of the carrier 120, each dispenser claw 140 does not overlap with at least one of the two carrier claws 126.

[0084] In some embodiments, the hollow carrier 120 is introduced into the hollow cylindrical body 130 of the dispenser device 100 by an actuator assembly 150. Preferably, this provides automatic and reliable introduction of the carrier 120, which is controllable in response to a control signal generated by a controller 170. Alternatively, the carrier 120 may be introduced manually. This alternative preferably reduces the complexity of the system, enabling a less complex, lower-cost, and smaller dispenser system 200.

[0085] At this stage (process), the carrier 120 is introduced to the neutral position NP and is ready to be removed from the first container 110 (i.e., the bottom container 110' in the nested stack of containers within the carrier 120).

[0086] Modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by examining the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims.

[0087] When used herein, the term “comprises / comprising” shall be construed as identifying the presence of the described features, integers, processes, or components. The term shall not exclude the presence or addition of one or more additional elements, features, integers, processes, components, or groups thereof. The indefinite article “a” or “an” shall not exclude the plural form. In a claim, the word “or” shall not be construed as exclusive OR (sometimes called “XOR”). Conversely, expressions such as “A or B” shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, cover all cases of “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B.” The mere fact that several particular means are described in different dependent claims shall not imply that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously. No reference numeral in a claim shall be construed as limiting scope.

[0088] It should also be noted that the features of the various embodiments described herein can be freely combined unless such combination is explicitly stated to be inappropriate.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and can be freely modified within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser system (200) for taking one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers (110) in a hollow carrier (120), The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw (126) extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The dispenser system (200) is, At least one dispenser device (100) and Actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The at least one dispenser device (100) is - A hollow cylindrical body (130) for holding one carrier (120) and - At least two elastic dispenser claws (140), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of one container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The at least two dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), At the first rotational position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126). At the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). The actuator assembly (150) is - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) toward the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device (100) is moved in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), and - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between the first rotation position (ROTP1) and the second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way A dispenser system (200) characterized by the following features.

2. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is the same as the number of elastic carrier claws (126). The dispenser system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described in claim 1.

3. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is less than the number of elastic carrier claws (126). The dispenser system (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body (130). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The dispenser device (100) is manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, a tack plate, or steel. A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A dispenser fixing device (160) is positioned to hold the dispenser device (100). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the above.

7. The elastic carrier claw (126) is configured to bend radially outward until a release position (RP) is reached in which one container (110) is released from the carrier (120). Each hollow cylindrical body (130) of the at least one dispenser device (100) is sized to fit around the hollow carrier (120) and prevents the elastic carrier claw (126) from bending to the release position (RP) except when the hollow carrier (120) is in the dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A controller configured to generate a control signal (C). Furthermore, The control signal controls the actuator assembly (150), - Move the hollow carrier (120) in the first direction (D1) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or move the dispenser device in the second direction (D2), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - Move the hollow carrier (120) in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or move the dispenser device (100) in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), or - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between the first rotation position (ROTP1) and the second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A dispenser device (100) for taking one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers (110) in a hollow carrier (120), The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw (126) extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The dispenser device (100) is At least one dispenser device (100) and Actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The at least one dispenser device (100) is - A hollow cylindrical body (130) for holding one carrier (120) and - At least two elastic dispenser claws (140), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of one container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The at least two dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), At the first rotational position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126). At the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). A dispenser device (100) characterized by the following:

10. The at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to feature 9.

11. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is the same as the number of elastic carrier claws (126) of the carrier (120) received within the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 9 or 10.

12. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is less than the number of elastic carrier claws (126) of the carrier (120) received within the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 9 or 10.

13. The dispenser device (100) is manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, a tack plate, or steel. A dispenser device (100) according to any one of 9 to 12, characterized by the features described herein.

14. The hollow cylindrical body (130) of the dispenser device (100) is sized to fit around the hollow carrier (120), and the elastic carrier claws (126) of the hollow carrier (120) prevent the hollow carrier (120) from bending radially outward until a release position (RP) is reached in which a container (110) is released from the carrier (120), except when the hollow carrier (120) and the dispenser device (100) are in a dispensing position (DP) relative to each other, either when the hollow carrier (120) is moved in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) to the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130) or when the dispenser device (100) is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction. A dispenser device (100) according to any one of 9 to 13, characterized by the features described herein.

15. For removing one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier (120), Use of a dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or a dispenser device (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

16. A method for manufacturing a dispenser system (200), A process for providing a hollow carrier (120), A step of providing at least one dispenser device (100), A step of providing an actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The at least one dispenser device (100) is A hollow cylindrical body (130) and At least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130), The actuator assembly (150) is - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) toward the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device (100) is moved in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), and - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between a first rotation position (ROTP1) and a second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way, This method further, A step of introducing the hollow carrier (120) into the hollow cylindrical body (130) of the dispenser device (100), wherein the at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) grip the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120), such that at the first rotation position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126), and at the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). A method characterized by comprising:

17. A dispenser system (200) for taking one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers (110) in a hollow carrier (120), The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw (126) extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The elastic carrier claw (126) is configured to bend radially outward until a release position (RP) is reached in which one container (110) is released from the carrier (120). The dispenser system (200) is, At least one dispenser device (100) and Actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The at least one dispenser device (100) is - A hollow cylindrical body (130) for holding one carrier (120) and - At least two elastic dispenser claws (140), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of one container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The at least two dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), At the first rotational position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126). At the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). The actuator assembly (150) is - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) toward the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device (100) is moved in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), and - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between the first rotation position (ROTP1) and the second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way A dispenser system (200) characterized by the following features.

18. Each hollow cylindrical body (130) of the at least one dispenser device (100) is sized to fit around the hollow carrier (120) and prevents the elastic carrier claw (126) from bending to the release position (RP) except when the hollow carrier (120) is in the dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). The dispenser system (200) according to claim 17, characterized by the features described herein.

19. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is the same as the number of elastic carrier claws (126). The dispenser system (200) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 17 or 18.

20. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is less than the number of elastic carrier claws (126). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. The at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body (130). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. The dispenser device (100) is manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, a tack plate, or steel. A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

23. A dispenser fixing device (160) is positioned to hold the dispenser device (100). A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 22, further comprising the above.

24. A controller configured to generate a control signal (C). Furthermore, The control signal controls the actuator assembly (150), - Move the hollow carrier (120) in the first direction (D1) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or move the dispenser device in the second direction (D2), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - Move the hollow carrier (120) in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or move the dispenser device (100) in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), or - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between the first rotation position (ROTP1) and the second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way A dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 23.

25. A dispenser device (100) for taking one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers (110) in a hollow carrier (120), The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw (126) extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The elastic carrier claw (126) is configured to bend radially outward until a release position (RP) is reached in which one container (110) is released from the carrier (120). The dispenser device (100) is At least one dispenser device (100) and Actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The at least one dispenser device (100) is - A hollow cylindrical body (130) for holding one carrier (120) and - At least two elastic dispenser claws (140), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of one container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The at least two dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), At the first rotational position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126). At the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120) relative to the dispenser device (100), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). A dispenser device (100) characterized by the following:

26. The at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are integrated with the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to claim 25, characterized by the features described above.

27. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is the same as the number of elastic carrier claws (126) of the carrier (120) received within the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by the features described herein.

28. The number of elastic dispenser claws (140) is less than the number of elastic carrier claws (126) of the carrier (120) received within the hollow cylindrical body (130). The dispenser device (100) according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by the features described herein.

29. The dispenser device (100) is manufactured from an immovable plastic material, polyethylene, styrene, a tack plate, or steel. A dispenser device (100) according to any one of 25 to 28, characterized by the above.

30. The hollow cylindrical body (130) of the dispenser device (100) is sized to fit around the hollow carrier (120), and the elastic carrier claws (126) of the hollow carrier (120) prevent the hollow carrier (120) from bending radially outward until a single container (110) is released from the carrier (120) to the release position (RP). A dispenser device (100) according to any one of 25 to 29, characterized by the features described herein.

31. For removing one container (110) from a nested stack of multiple containers in a hollow carrier (120), Use of a dispenser system (200) according to any one of claims 17 to 24, or a dispenser device (100) according to any one of claims 25 to 30.

32. A method for manufacturing a dispenser system (200), A process for providing a hollow carrier (120), A step of providing at least one dispenser device (100), A step of providing an actuator assembly (150), Equipped with, The aforementioned hollow carrier (120) is An open end (122) for removing multiple containers (110) from the carrier (120), At least two elastic carrier claws (126), It has, Each carrier claw extends distally from the open end (122) in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (120) and grips the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120). The elastic carrier claw (126) is configured to bend radially outward until a release position (RP) is reached in which one container (110) is released from the carrier (120). The at least one dispenser device (100) is A hollow cylindrical body (130) and At least two elastic dispenser claws (140) are arranged along the circumference of the dispensing end (132), It has, The aforementioned hollow cylindrical body (130) A receiving end (131) for receiving the carrier (120), A dispensing end (132) for taking out one container (110) from the open end (122) of the carrier (120), It has, Each dispenser claw (140) extends distally from the dispensing end (132) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylindrical body (130), The actuator assembly (150) is - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) toward the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device is moved in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction, so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from a neutral position (NP) to a dispensing position (DP) relative to the dispenser device (100). - The hollow carrier (120) is moved in the second direction (D2) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130), or the dispenser device (100) is moved in the first direction (DI), so that the hollow carrier (120) moves from the dispensing position (DP) to the neutral position (NP) relative to the dispenser device (100), and - Rotate one of the carrier (120) or the dispenser device (100) around the longitudinal axis (A) between a first rotation position (ROTP1) and a second rotation position (ROTP2) relative to the other. It is configured in such a way, This method further, A step of introducing the hollow carrier (120) into the hollow cylindrical body (130) of the dispenser device (100), wherein the at least two elastic dispenser claws (140) grip the lower edge (111) of the edge (112) of a container (110) positioned within the carrier (120), such that at the first rotation position (ROTP1) of the carrier (120), each dispenser claw (140) overlaps with one of the at least two carrier claws (126), and at the second rotation position (ROTP2) of the carrier (120), each dispenser claw (140) does not overlap with any of the at least two carrier claws (126). A method characterized by comprising:

33. The step of providing at least one dispenser device (100) having a hollow cylindrical body (130) is, The process of providing at least one dispenser device (100) wherein the elastic carrier claws (126) of the hollow carrier (120) prevent the hollow carrier (120) from bending radially outward until a container (110) is released from the carrier (120), except when the hollow carrier (120) and the dispenser device (100) are in a dispensing position (DP) relative to each other, by moving the hollow carrier (120) in a first direction (D1) from the receiving end (131) to the dispensing end (132) along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (A) of the hollow cylindrical body (130) or by moving the dispenser device (100) in a second direction (D2) opposite to the first direction. including The method according to feature 32.

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