Earplug dispenser having a haptic feedback

Abstract

A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs is provided. An exemplary dispenser includes a first dispensing mechanism portion and a second dispensing mechanism portion that interacts with the first dispensing mechanism portion during rotation of the handle. Interaction between the first dispensing mechanism portion and the second dispensing mechanism affects a rotational resistance (τ) at the handle such that rotational resistance (τ) varies between a maximum rotational resistance (τmax) and a minimum rotational resistance (τmin) as the handle is rotated by a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs, comprising:
 a dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis and comprising,
 a separator assembly defining a well and one or more bores each open to the well; 
 an index assembly including a handle and a plate connected to the handle defining a dispensing aperture, the index assembly rotatably coupled with the separator assembly such that individual bores may be selectively aligned with the dispensing aperture by user rotation of the handle; 
 a first dispensing mechanism portion; and 
 a second dispensing mechanism portion that interacts with the first dispensing mechanism portion during rotation of the handle; 
 wherein interaction between the first dispensing mechanism portion and the second dispensing mechanism affects a rotational resistance (τ) at the handle such that rotational resistance (τ) varies between a maximum rotational resistance (τmax) and a minimum rotational resistance (τmin) as the handle is rotated by a user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion has a varying stiffness 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein rotational resistance (τ) is indicative of a relative positioning of the dispensing aperture and a bore. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing mechanism exhibits a first rotational resistance (τ 1 ) at the handle when the dispensing aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and a second rotational resistance (τ 1 ) at the handle when the dispensing aperture is not aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and (τ 2 )>(2*τ 1 ). 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein 25 N·cm<(τmax)<150 N·cm. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein 0 N·cm<(τmin)<25 N·cm. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein 45 N·cm<(τmax)<85 N·cm and 2 N·cm<(τmin)<15 N·cm. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion includes one or more stiffening elements. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion includes a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion is elastically deformed by the second dispensing mechanism portion during use. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion is an annular hub. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the annular hub includes a shape selected from the group consisting of an oval and an ellipse. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the annular hub is integrally formed with the separator assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the annular hub includes one or more stiffening elements. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing mechanism portion is selected from the group consisting of an annular hub, a peripheral edge of the plate, a major surface of the plate, one or more lobes. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the second dispensing mechanism portion includes one or more lobes. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the plate includes a peripheral edge and the one or more lobes protrude from the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the second dispensing mechanism portion is selected from the group consisting of an annular hub, a peripheral edge of the plate, a major surface of the plate, one or more lobes. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the index assembly further includes a mixing body, and the second dispensing mechanism portion comprises a surface of the mixing body. 
     
     
         20 . A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs, comprising:
 a dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis and comprising,
 a separator assembly defining a well and a plurality of bores each open to the well; 
 an annular hub; and 
 an index assembly including a handle, a plate connected to the handle defining a dispensing aperture, and one or more lobes, the index assembly rotatably coupled to the separator assembly such that the dispensing aperture may be selectively aligned with individual bores by a manually-applied rotational force, 
 wherein interaction between the one or more lobes and the annular hub affects a rotational resistance (τ) at the handle such that rotational resistance (τ) varies between a maximum rotational resistance (τmax) and a minimum rotational resistance (τmin) as the handle is rotated by a user. 
   
     
     
         21 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein 25 N·cm<(τmax)<150 N·cm and 2 N·cm<(τmin)<25 N·cm. 
     
     
         22 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein dispensing mechanism exhibits a first rotational resistance (τ 1 ) at the handle when the dispensing aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and a second rotational resistance at the handle when the dispensing aperture is not aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and (τ 2 )>(2*τ 1 ). 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the plate includes a peripheral edge and the one or more lobes protrude from the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         24 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the index assembly further includes a mixing body, and the one or more lobes protrude from an outer surface of the mixing body. 
     
     
         25 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the annular hub is integrally formed with separator assembly. 
     
     
         26 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the annular hub exhibits a stiffness that varies around a perimeter. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the annular hub includes one or more stiffening elements such that the annular hub exhibits a non-uniform stiffness around a perimeter. 
     
     
         28 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the annular hub has a thickness (t), and thickness (t) varies around a perimeter of the hub. 
     
     
         29 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the annular hub is elastically deformed by the one or more lobes during use. 
     
     
         30 . A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs, comprising:
 a dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis and comprising, a separator assembly defining a well and a plurality of bores each open to the well and having an annular hub including one or more stiffening elements; and   an index assembly including a handle, a plate connected to the handle defining a dispensing aperture, and one or more lobes protruding from a peripheral edge of the plate, the index assembly rotatably coupled to the separator assembly such that the dispensing aperture may be selectively aligned with individual bores by a manually-applied rotational force,   wherein the plate is positioned within the annular hub and the one or more lobes are in at least intermittent contact with the annular hub such that dispensing mechanism exhibits a first rotational resistance (τ 1 ) at the handle when the dispensing aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and a second rotational resistance at the handle when the dispensing aperture is not aligned with one of the plurality of bores, and (τ 2 )>(2*τ 1 ).