DEVICE FOR SINGULATING AND DISPENSING RIGID AND SEMI-RIGID STRIPS

摘要

A container device for storing, singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips such as diagnostic test strips. A plurality of strips is contained and protected within a transparent container having an internal capture element for capturing and positioning a single strip adjacent a narrow normally-closed dispensing aperture. The aperture is exposed by rotating a spring-loaded container top cap to an open position. A detachable container base cap contains a desiccant and is replaceable. An optional stand stores the device in an upright position, and incorporates a tool to facilitate removal of the base cap for replenishing the container's contents or replacing the desiccant. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be incorporated for electronic inventory control. The device can also be used as an integrated test strip container/single strip dispensing means for an automated analyte meter module.

主权项

1. A device that separates and dispenses a single test strip from a plurality of substantially uniform test strips, each of the test strips having a strip length, a strip width, a strip thickness, a first strip surface disposed about a first face of the test strip defined by the strip length and the strip width, and a second strip surface disposed about a second face of the test strip defined by the strip length and the strip thickness, the device for use in a hollow cylindrical container having an open end, a closed bottom end, a height that is greater than the strip length, and a wall having an inner surface, the device comprising:
a disk member having a first side, a second side, a disk surface disposed about a circumference of the disk, and a first slot having a slot width and a slot length substantially corresponding to the strip thickness and the strip width, the slot sized to allow only the single test strip therethrough, a first slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the first slot corresponding to the slot width; a second slot surface disposed on an inner surface of the first slot corresponding to the slot length; a capture member disposed on the second side of the disk member and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, the capture member having a first planar surface that is coincident with the first slot surface and a first ridge surface that projects from the first planar surface and that is coincident with the second slot surface, and wherein the disk member is insertable in the container so that the inner surface of the wall of the container circumscribes the disk surface with the first side being proximate the open end and the second side being proximate the bottom end.