Patent Publication Number: US-7896195-B2

Title: Tablet dispenser with isolated product hopper

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a product tablet dispenser with an isolated product hopper containing a plurality of product tablets. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Solid product compositions in tablet form are typically used because they are relatively easy to formulate and dispense in a desired dosage. Such product tablets may be used for a variety of products including detergents, sanitizers, rinse aids, fabric softeners, bleaches, optical brightening chemicals, starching chemicals, and cleaners and sanitizers in general. However, depending upon the type of product, the product tablets may be caustic, messy, or otherwise difficult to handle and/or susceptible to environmental conditions such as humidity or other chemicals that can cause the product to clump or dissolve and disrupt the dispensing of the product. 
     Dispensers are typically used to dispense product tablets. The use of dispensers reduces the handling of the product tablets and allows for easy dispensing of the product in the desired dosage. For dispensers including hoppers containing a plurality of product tablets, the prior art dispensers are typically not effective in reducing exposure of the product tablets to the environmental conditions in which the product tablets are dispensed. As a result of being exposed to the environmental conditions, the product tablets may clump or dissolve thereby clogging the dispenser. If the dispenser becomes clogged, the dispenser will not dispense the product tablets properly. 
     Prior art dispensers also include outlets with various types of sensors. One type of outlet that has been used includes a tube with two small holes on opposite sides of the tube, and a beam of light is emitted and received through the holes in the tube. As a product tablet is dispensed through the outlet, the product tablet momentarily interrupts the reception of the beam of light, and the sensor provides a signal pulse indicating that the product tablet has been dispensed. A drawback to this configuration is that it can result in blockage of the holes through which the beam of light passes thereby disabling the operation of the sensor. For example, the holes could be blocked by powder or small particles of the product tablets being dispensed, condensation, residual product, and other residue such as from evaporation of chemical laden moisture from the dishwashing machine. 
     It is desired to provide a tablet dispenser that will protect the product tablets from exposure to various environmental conditions such as moisture and chemicals during use of a dishwashing machine and to prevent interference with the operation of the sensors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment dispenser for dispensing product tablets includes a first disk member, a second disk member, and a third disk member. The first disk member includes a first aperture extending longitudinally through the first disk member, and the first disk member is rotatable. The second disk member includes a second aperture extending longitudinally through the second disk member, and the second disk member is stationary. The first aperture is intermittently aligned with the second aperture. The third disk member includes a third aperture extending longitudinally through the third disk member, and the third disk member is rotatable. The third disk member is intermittently aligned with the second aperture. The third aperture and the first aperture are positioned at different locations with respect to the second aperture thereby aligning with the second aperture at separate times resulting in an interrupted flow path for the product tablets. 
     A preferred embodiment tablet dispenser includes a hopper and an interrupted flow path. The hopper has a cavity configured and arranged to contain a plurality of product tablets. The interrupted flow path is in fluid communication with the cavity of the hopper. The flow path includes a first disk member having a first aperture, a second disk member having a second aperture, and a third disk member having a third aperture. A predetermined quantity of product tablets enter the first aperture, the first disk member is rotated to align the first aperture and the second aperture, the predetermined quantity of product tablets flow from the first aperture into the second aperture, the third disk member is rotated to align the second aperture and the third aperture, the predetermined quantity of product tablets flow from the second aperture into the third aperture, and the predetermined quantity of product tablets are dispensed. The flow path is sealed by the disk members to prevent exposure of the plurality of product tablets contained within the hopper to outside elements. 
     A preferred embodiment dispenser for dispensing product tablets includes a hopper, a first disk member, a second disk member, a third disk member, a motor, and a flow path. The hopper has a cavity and a bottom. The cavity is configured and arranged to contain the product tablets, and the bottom includes an opening providing access to the cavity. The first disk member is configured and arranged to fit within the cavity proximate the opening of the hopper. The first disk member includes a first aperture extending longitudinally through the first disk member. The second disk member, to which the bottom of the hopper is operatively connected, is stationary and includes a bore and a second aperture. The bore extends longitudinally through the second disk member proximate a center portion of the second disk member. The second aperture extends longitudinally through the second disk member and is intermittently aligned with the first aperture. The third disk member includes a boss and a third aperture. The boss extends through the bore of the second disk member and interconnects the third disk member and the first disk member. The third disk member and the first disk member are rotatable. The third aperture extends longitudinally through the third disk member and is intermittently aligned with the second aperture. The third aperture and the first aperture are positioned at different angles with respect to the second aperture. The motor is operatively connected to the third disk member, and the motor rotates the third disk member thereby rotating the first disk member. The flow path is created by aligning the apertures. The first aperture aligns with the second aperture and the third aperture aligns with the second aperture as the first disk member and the third disk member are rotated by the motor, wherein the flow path is interrupted thereby isolating the hopper from outside elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of a tablet dispenser constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded top perspective view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial bottom perspective view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded side perspective view of a sensor mechanism for use with the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  including a first disk member having a first dispensing aperture in a first position; 
         FIG. 7  is another top view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  including the first disk member having the first dispensing aperture shown in  FIG. 6  in a second position; 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  having a product tablet in the first dispensing aperture in the second position shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side cross-sectional view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  showing the product tablet being transferred from the first dispensing aperture rotated 180 degrees from the second position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to a second dispensing aperture in a second disk member; 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  showing the product tablet being transferred from the second dispensing aperture shown in  FIG. 9  to a third dispensing aperture in a third disk member; 
         FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1  showing the product tablet being transferred from the third dispensing aperture rotated 180 degrees from the position shown in  FIG. 10  to a fourth dispensing aperture in a fourth disk member and an outlet conduit; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the sensor mechanism shown in  FIG. 5  operatively connected to the tablet dispenser shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic drawing of disk members having dispensing apertures in another embodiment tablet dispenser constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment tablet dispenser constructed according to the principles of the present invention is designated by the numeral  100  in the drawings. 
     The preferred embodiment tablet dispenser  100  is preferably mounted to the top of the dishwashing machine and used to dispense a product such as a sanitizer in tablet form into a dishwashing machine (not shown) with proof of delivery to the user. The tablet dispenser  100  ensures that the use solution including the sanitizer is in the desired range of 50 to 100 ppm after the product tablet is dissolved. Because the environment in which the product tablet is dispensed includes moisture and vapor, it is desirable to isolate the product tablets within the tablet dispenser  100  from the humid environment within the dishwashing machine. It is recognized that the tablet dispenser  100  may be used to dispense many different types of products for use in many different types of applications and is not limited to the products and the applications described herein. For example, the present invention could also be used for detergents, rinse aids, fabric softeners, bleaches, optical brightening chemicals, starching chemicals, manual dishwashing products, cleaning products used in spray bottles or mop buckets, laundry products, animal feed supplements, and other suitable products. Further, the term “tablets” is used throughout, and it is understood that the term “tablets” includes product in the form of tablets, pellets, granules, or other suitable forms well known in the art. 
     The tablet dispenser  100  includes a hopper  101 , a dispensing mechanism including disk members creating an interrupted flow path through which product tablets  168  are dispensed, a motor or gear head  172  to drive the disk members, an outlet conduit  142 , and a sensor mechanism  155  to provide indication of proof of delivery of the product tablets  168 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the hopper  101  includes a side wall  102 , which is preferably a hollow cylindrical housing with a top opening  104 , a bottom opening  106 , and a cavity  105  configured and arranged to contain the plurality of product tablets  168 . The hopper  101  is used to store the product tablets  168  and is preferably located above the disk members. A wiper  109  may be operatively connected to the side wall  102  of the hopper  101  proximate the bottom of the hopper  101 . The wiper  109  is preferably a wedge shaped member. A fastener (not shown) may be inserted through an aperture  103  in the side wall  102  and an aperture  110  in the wiper  109  to operatively connect the wiper  109  to the hopper  101 . 
     The first disk member  112  preferably has a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bottom of the hopper  101  so that the first disk member  112  fits within the cavity  105  proximate the bottom of the hopper  101 . A hub  113  is operatively connected to the top of the first disk member  112  proximate the center thereof, and the hub is preferably frustoconical shaped to guide the product tablets  168  away from the center of the first disk member  112  to assist in minimizing the number of un-dispensed product tablets  168 . Apertures  114  extend longitudinally through the first disk member  112  on opposing sides of the hub  113  proximate the center of the first disk member  112 , and dispensing apertures  115  extend longitudinally through the first disk member  112  on opposing sides of the hub  113  proximate the edge of the first disk member  112 . 
     Preferably, the dispensing apertures  115  are placed 90 degrees from the apertures  114 . Although the dispensing apertures  115  preferably each contain one whole product tablet  168 , it is recognized that the product tablets  168  may become broken so the dispensing apertures  115  are configured and arranged to contain the equivalent of one to two product tablets  168 , broken and/or whole. Therefore, the term “product tablet” or “product tablets” used throughout includes whole tablets and/or portions of whole tablets. Although two dispensing apertures  115  are shown, it is recognized that one or more dispensing apertures may be used. Further, the top of the first disk member  112  may also include dispensing ramps  116 , which are declining, sloped grooves approaching the dispensing apertures  115 . The bottom of the first disk member  112  includes a recess  117  proximate the center of the first disk member  112  below the hub  113 . 
     The second disk member  120  preferably has a diameter greater than the diameter of the bottom of the hopper  101  and includes a groove  122  into which the bottom of the side wall  102  of the hopper  101  is placed to operatively connect the hopper  101  to the second disk member  120 . The second disk member  120  and the hopper  101  are preferably stationary. A bore  121  extends longitudinally through the center of the second disk member  120 , and a dispensing aperture  123  extends longitudinally through the second disk member  120  between the bore  121  and the groove  122 , more proximate the groove  122 , so that the dispensing aperture  123  intermittently aligns with the dispensing apertures  115  of the first disk member  112 . The second disk member  120  also includes apertures  124  between the groove  122  and the edge of the second disk member  120 . There are preferably four apertures  124  approximately 90 degrees apart from one another. 
     The wiper  109  mounted to the hopper  101  is also stationary and is preferably positioned proximate the first disk member  112  and aligned with the dispensing aperture  123 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the wiper  109  preferably does not contact the hub  113 , which guides the product tablets  168  away from the center of the first disk member  112  to assist in minimizing the number of un-dispensed product tablets  168 . As the first disk member  112  is rotated so that one of the dispensing apertures  115  aligns with the dispensing aperture  123  of the second disk member  120 , the wiper  109  diverts extraneous product tablets  168  that do not fit within the approaching dispensing aperture  115  away from the dispensing aperture  115  as the dispensing aperture  115  rotates past the wiper  109 . The dispensing aperture  115  is configured and arranged to contain a predetermined quantity of product tablets. In other words, the wiper  109  removes excess product tablets  168  proximate the dispensing aperture  115  as the dispensing aperture  115  is rotated proximate the dispensing aperture  123  thereby ensuring a desired number of product tablets  168  is transferred from the dispensing aperture  115  to the dispensing aperture  123  as the first disk member  112  is rotated to align the dispensing aperture  115  with the dispensing aperture  123 . The wiper  109  ensures that only the desired dosage is dispensed each time one of the dispensing apertures  115  aligns with the dispensing aperture  123 . Further, the ramp  116  assists in easing the extraneous product tablets  168  away from the dispensing aperture  115  and because the ramp  116  is gradual, the product tablets  168  do not get caught on an edge of the dispensing aperture  115  or crushed between the wiper  109  and the dispensing aperture  115  thereby causing the product tablets  168  to break. The wiper  109  eases excess product tablets  168  away from the dispensing aperture  115  along the ramp  116 , which reduces the occurrence of breakage of the excess product tablets  168 . 
     The third disk member  127  includes an upper boss  128  extending upward from the top proximate the center of the third disk member  127  and a lower boss  130  extending downward from the bottom proximate the center of the third disk member  127 . The upper boss  128  is configured and arranged to extend through the bore  121  of the second disk member  120  and into the recess  117  of the first disk member  112 . The upper boss  128  includes apertures  129  that align with apertures  114 , and a fastener (not shown) is inserted into the apertures  129  and  114  to interconnect the third disk member  127  and the first disk member  112 , which are preferably concurrently rotatable while the second disk member  120  is stationary. The lower boss  130  includes a notch  131  into which a coupling of a shaft of a motor  172  is inserted and operatively connected to the third disk member  127  to rotate the third disk member  127  and the first disk member  112 . The third disk member  127  includes preferably two opposing dispensing apertures  132 , which are preferably 90 degrees from the dispensing apertures  115  of the first disk member  112 , and are intermittently aligned with the dispensing aperture  123 . 
     Although two dispensing apertures  132  are shown, it is recognized that one or more dispensing apertures may be used. The first disk member  112  and the third disk member  127  are preferably concurrently rotated so that when the dispensing aperture  115  is aligned with the dispensing aperture  123 , the dispensing aperture  132  is approximately 90 degrees behind the dispensing apertures  115  and  123  and when the dispensing aperture  132  is aligned with the dispensing aperture  123 , the dispensing aperture  115  is approximately 90 degrees ahead of the dispensing apertures  123  and  132 . Therefore, the dispensing apertures  115  and  132  are preferably approximately 90 degrees apart with respect to the dispensing aperture  123 . It is recognized that as long as the dispensing apertures  115  and  132  do not align with the dispensing aperture  123  at substantially the same time, any number of degrees of separation is acceptable as long as there is not a direct flow path with at least a portion of the dispensing apertures  115 ,  123 , and  132 . 
     The fourth disk member  135 , which is optional, is preferably stationary and used to connect the outlet conduit  142  to the tablet dispenser  100 . The fourth disk member  135  includes a bore  136  extending longitudinally through the center of the fourth disk member  135  and a recess  137  in the top of the fourth disk member  135  proximate the center of the fourth disk member  135 . The recess  137  is configured and arranged to house the third disk member  127 , with the lower boss  130  extending into the bore  136 . The motor  172  extends into the bore  136  and is operatively connected to the lower boss  130 . Apertures  138  align with apertures  124  of the second disk member  120  and fasteners (not shown) are inserted into the apertures  138  and  124  to interconnect the fourth disk member  127  and the second disk member  120 . The fourth disk member  135  also includes a dispensing aperture  139  to which the outlet conduit  142  is operatively connected, and the dispensing aperture  139  is intermittently aligned with the dispensing apertures  132  of the third disk member  127 . The dispensing aperture  139  is preferably located approximately 180 degrees from the dispensing aperture  123  thereby further isolating the hopper  101  from the outlet conduit  142 . When the dispensing apertures  139  and  132  align, the product tablets  168  are dispensed from the dispensing aperture  132  to the dispensing aperture  139  and then through the outlet conduit  142 . 
     The outlet conduit  142  is preferably light transmissive meaning transparent and/or translucent. The outlet conduit  142  is preferably tubular having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is exposed to the humid conditions of the dishwashing machine and the wall of the outlet conduit  142  acts as a barrier protecting the exterior surface from exposure to the humid conditions. 
     The disk members execute the dispensing of the product tablets  168  through the respective dispensing apertures in an interrupted flow path to isolate the product tablets  168  within the hopper  101  from moisture and vapor generated by the dishwashing machine. The flow path is interrupted because as the disk members rotate there is not a continuous flow of the product tablets  168  from one dispensing aperture to the next dispensing aperture. The interrupted flow path “seals” the hopper  101  from the outside elements that have entered the outlet conduit  142 . Although it is recognized that some moisture and vapor or other outside elements may enter the hopper  101 , the disk members seal the hopper  101  in that the disk members help prevent and limit exposure of the product tablets  168  inside the hopper  101  to moisture and vapor or other outside elements. At least three disk members should be used to effectively isolate the hopper  101  from outside elements. Preferably, each dynamic (rotatable) disk member is positioned adjacent a static (stationary) disk member to isolate the hopper  101  from the humid environment of the dishwashing machine. 
     Preferably, the thickness of the first disk member  112  and the diameter of the dispensing aperture  115  are configured and arranged to contain a predetermined quantity of product tablets  168  thereby ensuring that the desired dosage is dispensed. In other words, the diameter and the height of the dispensing aperture  115  define a volume in which the product tablets  168  are contained thereby selecting the dose of product tablets  168 . The subsequent disk members are preferably thicker than the first disk member  112  and each subsequent dispensing aperture in the flow path has a diameter that is preferably slightly larger than the previous dispensing aperture diameter. The thicker disk members and the increasingly larger dispensing aperture diameters assist in preventing jamming of the dispenser as the product tablets are dispensed because the volumes in which the product tablets are contained increase as they move through the flow path. In addition, it is also preferable that the diameters of the dispensing apertures are tapered or at least countersunk so that the top of each dispensing aperture is smaller than the bottom of each dispensing aperture. 
     Although the preferred embodiment includes at least one static disk member and at least two dynamic disk members to isolate the hopper  101  from the humid environment of the dishwashing machine, it is recognized that additional disk members could be used to further isolate the hopper. The dispensing apertures could be any size or shape to accommodate varying sizes and shapes of product tablets. In addition, seal rings could be machined or molded directly onto the disk members to create a seal between the disks. It is also recognized that O-rings could be used to seal each of the dispensing apertures of the disk members against the adjacent disk member. 
     A frame  143 , shown in  FIG. 4 , may be used to elevate the tablet dispenser  100  with respect to the mounting surface, such as a dishwashing machine, to accommodate the motor  172  and the sensor mechanism  155 . The frame  143  is preferably an upside down U-shaped member having outward extending support members on each end. The frame  143  includes a top  144  with two sides  145  extending downward from two opposing sides of the top  144  and a flange  146  extending outward from each side  145 . The top  144  supports the hopper  101  and the disk members, and the flanges  146  support the frame  143  on the mounting surface. Connectors  147  such as bolts or other suitable fasteners may be used to connect the flanges  146  of the frame  143  to the mounting surface. 
     The preferred sensor mechanism  155 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12 , is an infrared light sensor including an emitter  156  and a receiver  157  operatively connected to a housing  158  proximate the outlet conduit  142  to provide indication of proof of delivery of the product tablets  168  into the dishwashing machine. The emitter  156  emits a light beam and the receiver  157  receives the light beam from the emitter  156 . It is recognized that other suitable types of sensors could be used such as a capacitive sensor. A capacitive sensor does not require an optical transmission and includes two electrodes with a signal in between the two electrodes. The signal changes when an object is proximate the signal. The electrodes would be mounted outside the tubing, and the sensitivity of the signal would be adjusted to not sense the tubing. 
     The housing  158  is preferably an upside down T-shaped tubular member including a first ledge  159  for supporting the emitter  156 , a second ledge  160  for supporting the receiver  157 , and a bore  162  through which the outlet conduit  142  extends. The housing  158  also includes a lateral aperture  161  on each side of the housing  158 , each lateral aperture  161  extending into the bore  162  to allow the beam of light being emitted from the emitter  156  and received by the receiver  157  to be transmitted through the housing and the outlet conduit  142 . Fasteners (not shown) may be inserted into apertures  164  to secure and seal the housing  158  to the mounting surface such as a dishwashing machine. The bottom of the housing  158  may also include circular grooves  163  around the bore  162  for O-rings (not shown) to seal the housing  158 , and therefore the outlet conduit  142 , from humid conditions inside the dishwashing machine. 
     The outlet conduit  142  extends from the tablet dispenser  100  to the dishwashing machine, and the sensor mechanism  155  operates through the outlet conduit  142 . The beam of light is emitted and received through the outlet conduit  142 . Because the O-ring seals the outlet conduit  142  to the dishwashing machine, the moisture and vapors within the dishwashing machine do not escape proximate the outlet conduit  142  and the sensor mechanism  155  is protected from the humid conditions inside the dishwashing machine. 
     Some possible contaminants that may interfere with the operation of the sensor mechanism  155  include various types of residue such as condensation, portions of the product tablet(s), and residual product. In addition, among other possible contaminants that may interfere with the operation of the sensor mechanism  155 , capillary action may cause the chemical laden moisture to seep up the outside of the outlet conduit  142  to the sensor mechanism  155  and eventually block the sensor mechanism  155 . Sealing the outlet conduit  142  to the dishwashing machine helps prevent this from happening. Sealing the outlet conduit  142  to the housing  158  isolates the components of the sensor mechanism  155 , including the emitter  156 , the receiver  157 , and the apertures  161  through which the beam of light passes. This isolation prevents the buildup of residual product and/or chemical exposure, which could obstruct the operation of the sensor mechanism  155 . 
     The sensor mechanism  155  preferably has a relatively high speed response time, preferably a 1 ms response time. The inside diameter of the outlet conduit  142  should be small enough so that the product tablet  168  dispensed through the outlet conduit  142  will pass through the light beam transmitted through the outlet conduit  142  to interrupt the receipt of the light beam by the receiver  157 . Preferably, the inside diameter of the outlet conduit  142  is slightly less than double the smallest product tablet dimension. 
     In operation, a container of product tablets  168  is docked onto the hopper  101 . A signal is provided to the tablet dispenser  100  to dispense product at the desired time. If the tablet dispenser  100  is used with a dishwashing machine to dispense a sanitizing product, the dishwashing machine will signal delivery of the product tablet  168  for the sanitizing rinse cycle of the dishwashing machine. Power is applied to the motor  172  or gear head to begin rotation of the dynamic disk members  112  and  127 . Rotation of the disk member  112  assists in the first dispensing aperture  115  receiving a product tablet  168  within the hopper  101 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . As the first disk member  112  rotates, the first dispensing aperture  115  of the first disk member  112  aligns with the second dispensing aperture  123  of the second disk member  120  and the product tablet  168  is transferred from the first dispensing aperture  115  to the second dispensing aperture  123 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The wiper  109  blocks additional product tablets  168  from entering the first dispensing aperture  115  when aligned with the second dispensing aperture  123 . 
     As the third disk member  127  rotates, preferably concurrently with the first disk member  112 , the third dispensing aperture  132  aligns with the second dispensing aperture  123  and the product tablet  168  is transferred from the second dispensing aperture  123  to the third dispensing aperture  132 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The third dispensing aperture  132  and the first dispensing aperture  115  are positioned at different locations with respect to the second dispensing aperture  123  thereby aligning with the second dispensing aperture  123  at separate times resulting in an interrupted flow path for the product tablets  168 . As the third disk member  127  continues to rotate, the third dispensing aperture  132  aligns with the fourth dispensing aperture  139  of the fourth disk member  135  and the product tablet  168  is transferred from the third dispensing aperture  132  to the fourth dispensing aperture  139 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The fourth dispensing aperture  139  is in fluid communication with the outlet conduit  142 , and the product tablet  168  is then dispensed through the outlet conduit  142  into the dishwashing machine. 
     As the product tablets  168  flow through the outlet conduit  142 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , the sensor mechanism  155  detects the delivery of the product tablet  168  into the dishwashing machine. When the delivery is sensed, the motor  172  or gear head is stopped and a delivery message is displayed. If no product tablet  168  is sensed within a specified time period, the motor  172  is stopped and an out of product message is displayed indicating that another container of product tablets  168  needs to be installed. 
       FIG. 13  shows a schematic drawing of three disk members having dispensing apertures of another embodiment tablet dispenser  200 . The first disk member  201  preferably has a thickness a between ⅜ and ½ inch, and the second disk member  202  and the third disk member  203  preferably each have a thickness larger than the thickness of the first disk member  201 . Preferably, the thickness b of the second disk member  202  and the thickness c of the third disk member  203  are between ¾ and ⅞ inch. 
     In addition, the first disk member  201  includes a first dispensing aperture  204 , the second disk member  202  includes a second dispensing aperture  205 , and the third disk member includes a third dispensing aperture  206 . Preferably, the first dispensing aperture  204  has a diameter configured and arranged to contain a predetermined quantity of product tablets thereby assisting in dispensing the desired dose of product. The second dispensing aperture  205  has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first dispensing aperture  204 , and the third dispensing aperture  206  has a diameter larger than the diameter of the second dispensing aperture  205 . 
     Most preferably, the dispensing apertures are tapered with a smaller diameter top and a larger diameter bottom, the adjacent tops and bottoms being approximately the same diameter. This ensures that there is more room for the product tablets proximate the bottom of each disk member, which assists in preventing jamming of the product tablets and assists in dispensing of the product tablets. The first dispensing aperture  204  of the first disk member  201  may or may not be tapered. 
     For product tablets having a diameter of approximately ⅜ inch, the dispensing aperture  204  preferably has a top diameter  204   a  and a bottom diameter  204   b  of slightly greater than ⅜ inch, preferably approximately 0.438 inch. The dispensing aperture  205  preferably has a top diameter  205   a  of approximately the same as the diameters  204   a  and  204   b  and a bottom diameter  205   b  of approximately 0.503 inch. The dispensing aperture  206  preferably has a top diameter  206   a  of approximately the same as the diameter  205   b  and a bottom diameter  206   b  of approximately 0.566 inch. The preferred diameters may be +/−0.020 inch. 
     As the product tablets are dispensed from the first disk member  201 , to the second disk member  202 , and to the third disk member  203 , the thickness of the second disk member  202  and the third disk member  203  are larger than the thickness of the first disk member  201  and the diameters of the dispensing apertures increase. Therefore, the volumes of the dispensing apertures increase, which assists in reducing the occurrence of the product tablets jamming in the tablet dispenser  200 . If the dispensing apertures are tapered, this further reduces the occurrence of the product tablets jamming in the table dispenser  200 . 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.