Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a radial array of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. The container has a plurality of radially extending slots formed by a plurality of dividing walls, and each slot is sized to receive a single test strip. A rotatably positionable cover is carried by the container for covering the plurality of radially extending slots. The cover includes an opening, which, when the cover rotates, aligns with one of the slots at a time to allow removal of a single test strip located within the respective slot. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring skin oils on a user&#39;s hand.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/430,179, filed on May 9, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,853, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to diagnostic test strips for testing biological fluids. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing and dispensing diagnostic test strips. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Diagnostic test strips are used to measure analyte concentrations in biological fluids. For example, diagnostic test strips are often used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. 
     To preserve their integrity, diagnostic test strips must be maintained in appropriate environmental conditions. That is, the test strips should be maintained at appropriate humidity levels, and should remain free of foreign substances. Furthermore, to avoid contamination by skin oils or foreign substances, test strips should not be handled prior to use. 
     Thus, to preserve test strips, they are typically maintained in a storage vial or the like. In order to use a test strip, a user must reach into the vial, and retrieve a single test strip. However, many users, such as diabetic patients, have impaired vision or physical dexterity. Such users may find it difficult to retrieve a single test strip from a storage vial. Further, users may accidentally touch multiple test strips while reaching into the storage vial to withdraw a test strip, and potentially contaminate the unused test strips. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus for storing diagnostic test strips in appropriate environmental conditions, and for conveniently dispensing the test strips one at a time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing a plurality of test strips and dispensing the test strips one at a time. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip which comprises a container including an outer wall and a plurality of radially extending slots formed by a plurality of dividing walls. Each slot is sized to receive a single test strip, and a rotatably positionable cover is carried by the container for covering the plurality of radially extending slots. The cover includes an opening so that when the cover rotates, the cover opening aligns with one of the slots at a time to allow removal of a single test strip located within the respective slot. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip comprises a vial with a plurality of radially extending slots, each slot adapted to store a test strip, means for exposing one of the plurality of radially extending slots to dispense a test strip stored in the exposed slot, and means for actuating the exposing means. 
     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for storing and dispensing test strips comprises the steps of storing a plurality of test strips in a radially arranged manner in a container, and covering the plurality of test strips in such a manner as to allow only one test strip at a time to be dispensed from the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage vial for storing and dispensing test strips, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the container of the storage vial of  FIG. 1 , with the lid and rotatable cover both removed to expose the radial slots within the vial; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 1 , with only the lid removed to expose the rotatable cover; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the rotatable cover of the storage vial of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a storage vial for storing and dispensing test strips, according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the spinner of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cut-away perspective view of the sleeve of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cam sleeve and the spinner of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view showing the interaction between the cam sleeve and the spinner of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the circled area in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is another top view showing the interaction between the cam sleeve and the spinner of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the circled area in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIGS. 13-16  are diagrams showing the operation of the storage vial of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a storage vial  100  for storing and dispensing test strips according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a container  102  with a plurality of radial slots  104  formed by a plurality of dividing walls  106 . Each slot  104  is sized to receive one test strip  108 . A rotatable cover  110  is positioned on top of the slots  104  to at least partially cover the plurality of slots  104  and prevent test strips received within the slots  104  from being removed from the slots  104 . The rotatable cover  110  has a cover opening  112  which is sized to allow one test strip  108  to pass through the cover opening  112 . The cover  110  may be rotated to align the cover opening  112  with one of the plurality of slots  104  to allow a test strip  108  located within the slot  104  to be dispensed. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the container  102  may be provided with a lid  114  to prevent humidity and other environmental contaminants from entering the container  102 . The lid  114  may be a separate detachable component, but preferably the lid  114  is connected to the container  102  by a hinge  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  114  is formed integrally with the container  102  so that it is connected to the container  102  by a living hinge  116 . The lid  114  preferably forms a substantially hermetic seal with the container  102 . Such seals are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore, a detailed description of the seal will be omitted for conciseness. The lid  114  has an extended portion  118  which serves as a handle for a user to conveniently open the lid  114 . For convenience of explanation, the lid  114  is only shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the container  102  after the lid  114  has been opened, with the rotatable cover  110  removed. The container  102  has a plurality of dividing walls  106  which form a plurality of slots  104 . Each slot  104  is sized to receive one test strip. A boss  120  is located at the center of the container  102 . The boss  120  has a recess  122 . The recess  122  has an undercut portion (not illustrated) to cooperate with an elongated shaft  124  located on the rotatable cover  110 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     Each of the dividing walls  106  extends radially inwardly from the outer wall  126  of the container  102 . In an exemplary embodiment, the dividing walls  106  extend inwardly for approximately one-half (½) the width of a test strip. This allows a larger number of strips to be contained within the container  102  because each test strip does not need to be enclosed on all sides. It also allows each of the dividing walls  106  to have a substantially even wall thickness, thereby improving moldability. In the illustrated embodiment, the dividing walls  106  are formed integrally with the container  102 . The dividing walls may, however, be formed separately as a sleeve to be inserted into the container  102 , as will be described in further detail in connection with the second exemplary embodiment. 
     The dividing walls  106  may be formed of a desiccant entrained polymer to regulate the specific relative humidity within the container  102  (to prevent damage to humidity-sensitive test strips). U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,937, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses one suitable desiccant entrained polymer. Forming the dividing walls  106  of a desiccant entrained polymer increases the exposed surface area of the desiccant entrained polymer, thereby improving humidity regulation within the container  102 . Alternatively, the container  102  may be formed of a polymer with an insert-molded desiccant, or a desiccant may be placed in the bottom of the container  102 , in the lid  114  of the container  102 , or in one or more of the slots  104 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the container  102  after the lid  114  has been opened, with the rotatable cover  110  shown in place. The cover  110  has a cover opening  112  which is sized to allow one test strip  108  to pass through the cover opening  112 . The cover  110  has a handle to allow a user to grasp the cover  110  to rotate the cover  110 . The outer diameter of the cover  110  is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer wall  126  of the container  102 . This provides a gap between the outer wall  126  and the cover  110  so that a user may peer into the slots  104  in the container  102  and visually determine how many test strips are remaining in the container  102 , and the placement of those test strips. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the rotatable cover  110 . The cover  110  has an upper surface  130  and a lower surface  132 . The lower surface  132  of the cover  110  has an elongated shaft  124 . The elongated shaft  124  is configured so that it is positionable within the recess  122  located in the boss  120  in the container  102 . Preferably, the elongated shaft  124  has an undercut portion  134  which cooperates with a mating portion (not illustrated) in the recess  122  of the boss  120 . In this way, the elongated shaft  124  can be snap-fit into the boss  120 . 
     The lower surface  132  of the cover  110  has detents  136  that engage the dividing walls  106  to control the rotation of the cover  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the detents  136  are formed by a plurality of extended protrusions. Preferably, the detents  136  are sized and positioned so that they align the cover opening  112  with one of the slots  104 . The detents  136  also provide tactile feedback to a user indicating when the cover  110  has been rotated to the next slot  104 . 
     The method of using the storage vial  100  for storing and dispensing test strips according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described. Initially, test strips are loaded into the radially extending slots  104  formed in the container  102  so that one test strip is located in each slot  104 . The rotatable cover  110  is then assembled to the container  102  by placing the elongated shaft  124  into the recess  122  in the boss  120 . The elongated shaft  124  is retained in the recess by a snap-fit or the like. The lid  114  is then placed on the container  102  to form a substantially hermetic seal. The storage vial  100  may now be stored, and the test strips will be protected from environmental hazards, such as moisture. Typically, the foregoing steps will be performed by a manufacturer, rather than an end user of the storage vial  100 . 
     To dispense a test strip, a user opens the lid  114  to expose the rotatable cover  110  and the cover opening  112 . The user rotates the cover  110  by manipulating the cover handle  128 , with the user&#39;s fingers or the like, so that the cover opening  112  is aligned with one of the slots  104 . The detents located on the cover  110  provide assistance in aligning the cover opening  112  with one of the slots  104 . When the cover opening  112  is aligned with a desired slot  104 , a user then inverts the container  102 . A test strip located within the slot  104  is dispensed through the cover opening  112  with the aid of gravity. The user may then grasp the dispensed test strip to withdraw the test strip from the container  102  and use the test strip. To dispense another test strip, the user rotates the cover  110  again to the next slot with an unused test strip. After dispensing the desired number of test strips, the user may then replace the lid  114  on the container  102  to store the remaining test strips for future use. 
     After all of the test strips stored in the container  102  have been dispensed, the storage vial  100  may be discarded, or may be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. Reusable embodiments of the container  102  are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-16 , a storage vial  200  for storing and dispensing test strips according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a container  200  with a plurality of radial slots  204  formed by a plurality of dividing walls  206 . Each slot  204  is sized to receive one test strip  208 . A rotatable spinner  210  forms a cover which is positioned on top of the slots  204  to at least partially cover the plurality of slots  204  and prevent test strips received within the slots  204  from being removed from the slots  204 . The spinner  210  has a cover opening  212  which is sized to allow one test strip to pass through the cover opening  212 . The spinner  210  is rotated by a pushbutton  214 . Each time the pushbutton  214  is pressed, the spinner  210  rotates so that the cover opening  212  is aligned with a new radial slot  204 . Once the spinner  210  is aligned with a slot  204  containing a test strip, a user may invert the container  200  to dispense the test strip. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the storage vial  200  includes a container  200 , a sleeve  216 , a biasing element  218 , a spinner  210 , and a cam sleeve  220 . 
     The container  200  is preferably formed of a substantially vapor impermeable material. The container  200  has a lid (not shown) which is substantially similar to the lid described with respect to the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the sleeve  216  has a plurality of dividing walls  206  which form a plurality of slots  204 . Each slot  204  is sized to receive one test strip. A boss  222  is located at the center of the sleeve  216 . The boss  222  has a recess  224 . The recess  224  receives an elongated shaft  226  located on the spinner  210 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     Each of the dividing walls  206  extends radially inwardly from the outer wall  228  of the sleeve  216 . In an exemplary embodiment, the dividing walls  206  extend inwardly for approximately two-thirds (⅔) the width of a test strip, for the reasons discussed above with respect to the first embodiment. A plurality of guiding ribs  230  may be formed on the outer surface of the boss  222 . The guiding ribs  230  help align test strips in the slots  204  to prevent the test strips from becoming misaligned. The outer diameter of the sleeve  216  is sized so that it fits snugly within the container  200 . 
     Preferably, the sleeve  216  is formed of a desiccant entrained polymer to regulate the specific relative humidity within the container  200 . As discussed above, forming the dividing walls  206  of a desiccant entrained polymer increases the exposed surface area of the desiccant entrained polymer, thereby improving humidity regulation within the container  200 . Alternatively, the sleeve  216  is formed of a standard polymer and a desiccant is placed within the container  200 . 
     The biasing element  218  is located between the spinner  210  and the sleeve  216 . The biasing element  218  may be, for example, a coil spring which fits around the elongated shaft  226  of the spinner  210 . The biasing element  218  applies a biasing force to press the spinner  210  in an upward direction (with reference to  FIG. 5 ). 
     As seen most clearly in  FIG. 6 , the spinner  210  has an upper surface  232  and a lower surface  234 , and a cover opening  212  which extends through the spinner  210 . The cover opening  212  is sized to allow one test strip to pass through the cover opening  212 . A plurality of first cams  236  are located around the outer periphery of the spinner  210 . The first cams  236  have first, angled cam surfaces  238 . 
     The spinner  210  has at least one flexing beam  240  located on the upper surface  232  of the spinner  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, four flexing beams  240  are provided. A pushbutton  214  is also provided on the upper surface  232  of the spinner  210 . 
     A portion  264  of the spinner  210  may be formed of an optically transparent material so that a user may determine how many test strips are in the storage vial  200 . The optically transparent portion  264  of the spinner  210  may be configured so that it magnifies the image being viewed, thus magnifying the edge of a strip. 
     An elongated shaft  226  is located on the lower surface  234  of the spinner  210 . The elongated shaft  226  preferably has a first portion  242  with a first, smaller diameter, and a second portion  244  with a larger diameter. The transition area between the first and second portions  242 ,  244  forms a stop  246 . The first portion  242  of the elongated shaft  226  is sized to fit within the recess  224  in the boss  222 . The stop  246  prevents the spinner  210  from being pressed too far downward, as will be discussed in detail further below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the cam sleeve  220  is a generally circular ring  248  which is sized to fit into the interior of the container  200 . On its interior surface, the cam sleeve  220  has a plurality of cam teeth  250 , and a plurality of second cams  252 . The second cams  252  have second, angled cam surfaces  254  which cooperate with the first, angled cam surfaces  238 , as will be discussed in detail below. 
     The spinner  210  and the cam sleeve  220  may be formed of a polymer or any other suitable material. They may also be formed of a desiccant entrained polymer, so long as the addition of the desiccant does not reduce the mechanical characteristics of the polymer enough to result in premature failure. 
     The method of using the storage vial  200  for storing and dispensing test strips according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described. Initially, test strips are loaded into the radially extending slots  204  formed in the sleeve  216  so that one test strip is located in each slot  204 . The sleeve  216  is then placed in the container  200 . The biasing element  218  is placed around the elongated shaft  226  of the spinner  210 , and the elongated shaft  226  is inserted into the boss  222  in the sleeve  216 . The cam sleeve  220  is then placed into the container  200 . Rotational alignment between the cam sleeve  220  and the slots  204  can be maintained during assembly by using keyways, visual alignment or other conventional methods. The teeth on the cam sleeve  220  overhang the spinner  210 , so that the cam sleeve  220  retains all of the components within the container  200 . The cam sleeve  220 , in turn, is retained in the container  200  by an undercut in the container  200 , or by affixing the cam sleeve  220  to the container  200  with adhesives, ultrasonic welding, or other conventional fixation methods. A replaceable lid (not shown but similar to the lid  114  of the previous embodiment) is then placed on the container  200  to form a substantially hermetic seal. The storage vial  200  may now be stored, and test strips will be protected from environmental hazards, such as moisture. Typically, these steps will be performed by a manufacturer, rather than an end user of the storage vial  200 . 
     To dispense a test strip, a user opens the lid and pushes the pushbutton  214  to rotate the spinner  210  to the next slot  204 .  FIGS. 9-16  illustrate the operation of the spinner  210  in detail. Initially, as seen in  FIG. 13 , before a user presses the pushbutton  214 , the first cams  236  on the spinner  210  are disposed above the second cams  252  on the cam sleeve  220  due to the biasing force of the biasing element  218 . And, as seen in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  13 , the flexing beams  240  are seated within the cam teeth  250 . The flexing beams  240  prevent the spinner  210  from freely rotating, and align the cover opening  212  with one of the plurality of slots  204 . 
     When a user begins to press the pushbutton  214  on the spinner  210  and overcomes the biasing force of the biasing element  218 , the spinner  210  is pressed lower into the container  200 . Thus, as seen in  FIG. 14 , the first cam surfaces  238  begin to engage the second cam surfaces  254 . Since the second cam surfaces  254  are fixed with respect to the container  200 , the contact between the first cam surfaces  238  and the second cam surfaces  254  causes the first cam surfaces  238  to move towards the right (with reference to the illustrations), thereby causing the spinner  210  to begin to rotate in a forward direction. At this time, the flexing beams  240  also begin to flex to pass by the cam teeth  250  located on the cam sleeve  220 . If the pushbutton is released at this point, the interaction of the flexing beams  240  with the cam teeth  250  will restore the spinner  210  to the original position shown in  FIG. 13 . This is because the surfaces  256  of the flexing beams  240  that contact the cam teeth  250  are rounded and have an ascending portion  258 , a top  260 , and a descending portion  262 . At this initial stage, the cam teeth  250  have not passed the tops  260  of the rounded surfaces  256 , and the ascending portions  258  of the rounded surfaces  256  of the flexing beams  240  engages the cam teeth  250  and generate a force in a reverse direction (i.e., a leftward direction). 
     If a user continues to press the pushbutton, however, the spinner  210  continues to rotate, and the tops  260  of the rounded surfaces  256  of the flexing beams  240  pass by the cam teeth  250 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  15 . At this position, the descending portions  262  of the rounded surfaces  256  of the flexing beams  240  generate a force in a forward direction (i.e. a rightward direction). Thus, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the first cams  236  contact the second cams  252 , so that the rotation of the spinner  210  is restricted. At this point, the stop  246  on the spinner  210  engages the boss  222  to prevent the spinner  210  from being pressed further into the housing. 
     Finally, when the user releases the pushbutton  214 , the biasing element  218  urges the spinner  210  upward. The first cams  236  are disengaged from the second cams  254 , and the descending portions  262  of the rounded surfaces  256  of the flexing beams  240  interact with the cam teeth  250  to generate a force which rotates the spinner  210  in a forward direction so that the cover opening  212  is aligned with the next slot  204 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Thus, the flexing beams  240  ensure that the spinner  210  is completely rotated to the next slot  204  so that the cover opening  212  is aligned with the next slot  204 . 
     After the cover opening  212  is aligned with a slot  204  containing a test strip, the user inverts the container  202 . A test strip located within the slot  204  is dispensed through the cover opening  212  with the aid of gravity. The user may then grasp the exposed test strip to withdraw the test strip from the container  200  and use the test strip. To dispense another test strip, the user rotates the cover  210  again by pressing the pushbutton  214  on the spinner  210 . After dispensing the desired number of test strips, the user may then replace the lid on the container  200  to store the remaining test strips for future use. 
     After all of the stored test strips stored in the container  202  have been dispensed, the storage vial  200  may be discarded, or may be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. Reusable embodiments of the container  102  are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6