Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for housing at least one blister pack (comprising a generally planar face on one side thereof and one or more blisters on the opposite side thereof), the dispenser comprising a base portion, a lid portion, and a hinge portion connecting the base portion to the lid portion and about which the lid portion and/or base portion are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, e.g. in the form of an openable clamshell. The base portion and/or the lid portion has locating means for locating a blister pack within the dispenser and the locating means are adapted to enable sliding of the blister pack relative thereto in a direction substantially parallel to said planar face thereof between a storage position and at least one dispensing position. Preferred embodiments of the dispenser have ‘senior-friendly’ features and child resistant features.

1 . A dispenser for housing at least one blister pack (comprising a generally planar face on one side thereof and one or more blisters on the opposite side thereof), the dispenser comprising a base portion, a lid portion, and a hinge portion connecting the base portion to the lid portion and about which the lid portion and/or base portion are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the base portion and/or the lid portion having locating means for locating a blister pack within the dispenser, the locating means being adapted to enable sliding of the blister pack relative thereto in a direction substantially parallel to said planar face thereof between a storage position and at least one dispensing position. 
   
   
       2 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  comprising one or more openings, or areas which can be opened, though which an article can be dispensed from a blister aligned with said opening. 
   
   
       3 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  in which the lid and/or base portion define an opening through which a blister pack can be inserted into the dispenser when the lid and base portions are in the open or closed configuration. 
   
   
       4 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  in which said locating means is arranged to locate a blister pack in directions perpendicular to said direction of sliding. 
   
   
       5 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 4  in which said locating means comprise channels for receiving the edges of a blister pack. 
   
   
       6 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 4  in which said locating means is shaped to receive a rib, or intermittent rib, extending along a blister pack. 
   
   
       7 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  having indexing means for locating a blister pack in a series of dispensing positions. 
   
   
       8 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 7  in which the indexing means comprises a projection or resilient member arranged to interact with a series of projections extending out of the plane of the blister pack. 
   
   
       9 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 7  in which the indexing means comprises a resilient member of projection arranged to interact with protrusions and/or cut-outs along one or more edges of a blister pack. 
   
   
       10 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  in which the direction of sliding is substantially parallel to a hinge axis about which the lid and base portions are rotatable. 
   
   
       11 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  having means for preventing a blister pack from being detached therefrom in the direction of sliding. 
   
   
       12 . A dispenser as claimed  claim 1  in which the lid portion, once moved to an open position, is arranged to provide a receiving area for receiving an article dispensed from the blister pack. 
   
   
       13 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 , having closure means for closing said opening after a blister pack has been inserted into the dispenser. 
   
   
       14 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 14  in which the closure means is a snap-fit therewith. 
   
   
       15 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 13  in which said closure means is hingedly attached to the lid and/or the base portion. 
   
   
       16 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 13  in which said opening is provided at one end of the dispenser and a blister pack is arranged to slide in a direction away from said opening and out of an opposite end of the dispenser. 
   
   
       17 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  having fastening means for releasably fastening the lid and base portions together in the closed configuration. 
   
   
       18 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 17  in which the fastening means comprises at least two release means that need to be pressed and/or require forces to be applied thereto in at least two directions in order to release the fastening between the lid and base portions. 
   
   
       19 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  having first locating means in the lid portion for receiving a first blister pack and second locating means in the base portion for receiving a second blister pack. 
   
   
       20 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , formed from a substantially flat sheet of material by a press moulding or vacuum moulding process and/or by folding. 
   
   
       21 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  formed in one part by an injection moulding process. 
   
   
       22 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1  having one or more blister packs installed therein. 
   
   
       23 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 22  in which the or each blister pack comprises an array of blisters thereon. 
   
   
       24 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 22  in which the or each blister pack comprises a rib, or intermittent rib, along the edges thereof. 
   
   
       25 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 22  in which the or each blister pack has cut-outs along one or more edges thereof.