Tilting Trap Chamber

This invention relates to a package for powdered material, and especially such to be discharged from the package in well-measured amounts, as for example bulk laxative, i.e. laxative in powdered state.

The conventional type of package, consisting of a jar with lid and dosing spoon, shows several disadvantages, both from a hygienic point of view, implying contamination risk for the drug due to the fact that the dosing spoon, table-spoon or the like repeatedly are inserted into the drug, and also because it may be difficult for old and weak patients to remove the lid from the jar as well as to see and measure the correct amount of drug. Improvements have been made, and at present also throw-away bags are available. These, however, are expensive and difficult to open by many old and weak patients. So far, no efficient method has been suggested for solving the aforesaid difficulties.

The said difficulties have been solved by the present invention, in that it has been given the characterizing features defined in the attached claims.

The invention is described in greater detail in the following, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention in its upright position.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention in its inverted position.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention having a measured amount of material ready to be dispensed.

FIG. 4 shown a cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention with the measured amount of material being dispensed.

The Figures are vertical sections of the packge containing a bulk laxative 6. The package shown by way of example is assumed to consist of the jar or container B proper and of a lid A attached thereon. The attachment per se of the lid does not constitute a measure of inventive merit and, therefore, is neither shown nor described here in detail. Within the package, i.e. in the present case on the inside of the lid, an oblique plate 1 extends between the longitudinal sides of the lid and one end wall and is located below a discharge opening 5 in the lid, which opening extends between the longitudinal sides and is covered by a freely pivotal closure cover 4, which as can be seen is suspended at a joint in the lid A. In above said plate 1 a downward directed flap 2 is provided in the way illustrated in the drawing and extends between the long sides of the lid. Said flap has such a height that a passage 8 is formed between the flap 2 and the plate 1. In the embodiment shown, the free edge of the plate 1 is located on a level higher than the lower edge of the flap 2 and thereby prevents material from flowing directly through the passage 8 without first being stopped by the flap 2, when the package is being turned. The said level, however, depends on the material and its flow properties. The lid A is provided on the inside of its side opposed to said plate with a shield 3, which extends between the long sides of the lid and from the short side of the lid to the top side thereof. The shield 3 and flap 2 are shown in the drawing to be of a homogenous material, but of course may consist of suitably jointed-in sheets.

The plate 1, flap 2 and shield 3 together form a channel or passage, through which the powdered laxative can flow when the jar is turned upside down.

The function of the plate 1, flap 2 and shield 3 will become apparent from the following, where it is explained how the package is utilized in connection with the dispensing of a precise amount of laxative. In FIG. 1 the package is shown in upright position, the laxative lying on the jar bottom, for example in an amount as indicated. The jar then is turned upside down to the position shown in FIG. 2, whereby the laxative positions itself upon the plate 1 and shield 3 and flows down on the lid, filling the same all the way to the flap 2. Due to gravitation, the closure cover 4 opens. A definite amount of laxative, thus, has filled the lid between the plate 1, flap 2 and shield 3. The package then is turned to upright position according to FIG. 3, by turning the package clockwise. When the package as said is being turned, the definite amount of laxative flows through the passage 8 and positions itself upon the plate 1 in the pocket formed by the plate and the end wall of the lid. The said definite amount is designated by 7. The remaining drug again positions itself on the bottom of the package. The closure cover 4 again closes the opening. The package again is turned, counter-clockwise, to upside down position according to FIG. 4, in which position the closure cover 4 automatically opens, and the measured laxative amount 7 flows out through the opening 5. At the same time a new determined amount of laxative positions itself between the flap 2 and shield 3, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

When the definite amount 7 has been discharged from the package, the package again is turned to the position shown in FIG. 3, whereafter for a new measuring the package is turned counter-clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 4, and a new measured amount of laxative leaves the package.

From the aforesaid is apparent that the package only has to be taken in one hand, for example the right hand, and be turned up and down between the positions shown, without requiring a change of the grasp. For every turning up and down of the package, an accurately measured amount of drug leaves through the opening 5. This can continue as long as there is drug in the package, except of course when there is only so little left in the package, that the pocket formed between the plate 1 and the lid wall is not filled completely, and the amount is not sufficient to constitute an entire dose.

The present invention, thus, renders it possible to dispense an accurately measured amount as long as there is enough powdered material in the package. Such dispensing has not been possible with conventional measuring packages, at which the measured amount changes as the amount contained in the package changes. The present invention does not require any measuring vessel nor must the package be opened. The risk of contamination is thereby eliminated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plate 1 is formed with two portions extending angularly relative to one another. This is for practical reasons, namely to prevent the pocket between the plate 1 and the lid end wall from becoming too deep or too "pointed", which would imply that the material can adhere in the pocket.

By said angular arrangement of the plate, also a more distinct control of the material (good angle of repose) in the positions according to FIGS. 2 and 4 is obtained; at the same time the height of the passage 8 and the distance between the upper portion of the lid and the free edge of the plate 1 can be determined independently of the extension of the plate in general.

It is possible, of course, within the scope of the invention to change in inclination of the plate, the shape of the flap and also the inclination of the shield, depending on the material to be contained in the container and on the measured amount to be discharged threfrom. The package may also be formed in one piece, as a throw-away package, or be provided with a bottom opening for filling. The package, of course, may have forms other than the one shown. One requirement, however, is that the wall portions above the plate connect continuously to the edges of the discharge opening, and that the flap has a surface, which also connects to the opening, as is the case at the embodiment described.