The present application claims the benefit of priority of European Patent Application No. 112θ0 ^' 613 , 6, filing date Decembe 26, 2011 which is incorporated by reference herei in its entirety.

The present invent ion relates to a dispenser or opening a tape-like packaging, which tape-like packaging comprises first and second films reieasably connected to each other and forming envelopes respectively sealed around an object and disposed sequenti lly with a

predetermined pitch.

Dispensers of this type are well™ known and are used in the fields of biotechnology, in. the pharmaceutical or beverage industry during testing processes or opening and offering up in a grasping position sequentially the objects packaged in such a tape-like packaging,

in these fields the objects are sterile membranes or other disposable sterile laboratory a ..police that are used in laboratory processes in larger numbers.

One type of such dispenser and. details of a typicai t ape-like packaging for sterile rae branes to which, the dispenser of the present in ention pertains is described in EP0585145 A; . This tape-like packaging for such sterile membranes comprise a first continuous film, of a paper base and a second continuous film superposed on the first film, and made of a transparent plastic material. The envelopes are formed try sealing the first, and second films around the objects (i.e. sterile membranes), thereby forming the envelopes or pockets disposed

sequentially with the predetermined pitch! The envelopes can be opened and the objects can be released there from in. that the first, and second f i lms are pulled apart from each other, thereby separating the first and second films at the seals. in order to allow the pulling apart of the first and second films, the films must be resistant to traction along the tape.

An .example of an dvans e n dispenser described in EP0585145 Al has a pair of rollers which are each driven by a separate motor and which each wind up one of the first and second films after the f i iris have been

separated, A detector or sensor is provided for

measuring the length of the film wound onto the

respective rollers and a. control unit is provided and connected to the motors and to the sensors and to a pushbutton for starting the operation of the motors. When the push-button is operated* the motors are started and controlled on the basis of the information supplied by the sensors so that the rollers turn in synchronicity at the same peripheral winding speed and stop when each has wound on its periphery a length of tape or film equal to the pitch of the envelopes of the tape-like packaging.

The dispense also has a separator through which the tape-like packaging is passed, wherein, the envelopes are opened and the objects are released when the pulling forces acting on the first and second films spread apart the films at an outlet of the separator.

The tape-like packaging is typically shipped, and stored in a box-like container in a state folded in a Leporsllo- or accordion-like fashion with the benefit of the .individual envelopes and the membranes received therein being kept flat during storage and handling.

Another alternative is to simply wind up the tape-like packaging to a roil which may work as well with the common disadvantage of a certain bending of the envelopes and the membranes contained, therein.

Another dispenser for a tape-like packaging of this type containing sterile membranes is disclosed in

DE2980S100 hi. This dispenser likewise has a pair of driven, winding rollers for the separated films and the rollers are drivingly coupled through a drive belt with each other and with a pair of drive rollers forming a nip gap through which the tape- like packaging is conveyed before the films or the tape are spread apart.

A similar filter dispenser with a pair of winding rollers is disclosed in US6003722 B. In this dispense the rotatable rollers for winding up the separated films are mechanically driven and interconnected by a drive belt as well.

One disadvantage of the previously- k own dispensers for a tape-lik packaging is the relatively complex structure of the winding mechanisms and the drive means because separate winding rollers are used for each respective film of the tape-like packaging.. The complex mechanics and kinematics make it difficult to mount the tape-like packaging and the films and require complex mechanical o electronic means for synchronizing the rotation of the separate winding rollers. In addition, the complex mechanics increases the cost of product io and make the dispensers bulky and/or heavy. Furthermore, the complex mechanics make it difficult to clean and/or sterilise the devices in laboratory environments.

To solve at least some of the problems mentioned above is the object of the invention.

The invention accordingly provides a dispenser as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention provides a dispenser for opening a tape-like packaging as discussed above which comprises a space for holding a container of the tape- like packaging, guide elements for spreading apart and separating the first and second films at an outlet of a separator through which the tape-like packaging can be passed, thereby opening the envelopes and releasing the objects contained therein, when a pulling force is acting on the first and second films, and for guiding the separate separated films. The dispenser includes a receiver element that is rotat bly supported and that is adapted to reieasably hold and simultaneously wind up both the separated first and second films of the tape- like packaging, thereby imparting the pull. icq force on the films, A drive unit is provided for rotating the receiver element.

The provision of a receiver element that is adapted to releasabXy hold and simultaneously wind up both separated films of the tape-Alike packaging considerably reduces the complexity of the mechanical drive system and requires for example only a single motor. Since both separated films of the tape-like packaging are

simultaneously wound on the single common receiver element, loading of a tape-like packaging and unloading o the films after use to be discarded is considerably faster and easier to achieve than in previous dispensers having two separated winding rollers for the two

separated films.

Furthermore, the drive unit can be essentially reduced to an electronical ly-control led servo motor without any ·. n termed ^' ate t ransmission or to an

eiectronicaily-conf olled DC gear motor, if desired. The dispenser of the present invention is thus less costly and more robust since less mechanical parts and viewer parts in motion are involved as compared to existing dispensers with a complex gear or belt transmission.

The guide elements of the dispenser are preferably arranged to guide the separated first and second films around the space fo holding the container of the tape- like packaging _f from a front side of the space where the separator is located to a rear side thereof, ¾her the receiver element is located. ¾aii sections of the space for holding the container preferably form a part rrf the guide elements, With this structure the dispenser can be made considerably more compact than previous dispensers.

A control means is preferably provided for

controlling the operation of the drive unit such that it selectively rotates the receiver element for a rotational amount corresponding to the predetermined pitch of the envelopes of the tape-like packaging _* Such control means preferably comprises a sensor for detecting a marking on the tape-like packaging that is related to the pitch nd/or a timing circuit, for limiting operating time of the drive un.i >

A. switching element can be connected with a control means to activate the operation of the drive- unit and such switching element may comprise a mechanically operated switch, e.g. a manually operated switch or a foot switch, a sensor adapted to detect the presence of another element and/or a physical, property of such other element, i.e. the presence of a finger of a user, a metal or a plastic material, preferably of a forceps held in the vicinity of a grasping position, or a voice-ac ivated switching mechanism or even combinations thereof to allow multiple modes of activation, Such switching elements reduce the operation, of the dispenser to a one-hand or even a hands-free operation.

These and other aapects cm 11 become apparent from, the description of a preferred embodiment described below in connection with the attached drawing. In this

drawing :

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows the kinematic concept of guiding the films of the tape-like packaging in the dispenser shown in Figure 1,

Figs. 3 to 5 show the sequence of steps for loading the tape-like packaging into the dispenser of Figure 2, and

figs. 6 and 7 show an example of a receiver element for use in the dispenser of the invention in a closed and opened clamp position.

The dispenser shown in Figures 1 and £ comprises a housing 20 with a display section 22 and sensor and/or switch section 19 at a front side of the housing and the kinematic elements for guiding the tape-like packaging 1 and a space 3 in a compartment for receiving a transport container of this packaging located at a lateral side of the housing. A handle 21 is preferably retracta.fo.l located, at an upper part of the housing and can be unfolded to facilitate handling of the dispenser. The handle may foe fixed if cleaning simplicity is an issue because not gaps or interstices are present in such an embodiment ,

The kinematic concept for the tape-like packaging and its elements is shown in detail in Figure 2. In a central part of the lateral side wail there is located the space 3 for holding the transport container of the tape-like packaging (i.e. a cardboard or paper box 2) , The ^' tape-like packaging 1 is palled from the container at a front side and is guided _f still, in the form a tape, to a separator 6 , 7 through which the tape-like packaging 1 is passed.

Between the container and the separator a pair of opposing blocks & _r 5 are provided through which at least a sect eve; of the tape I passes. These blocks contain a senso that is adapted to sense markings on the tape-like packaging in that area of the tape passing through the blocks .

The separator in the embodiment comprises a pair of upper and lower rollers or pins 6, ? arranged such that the tape-like packaging 1 passes through a nip there between. At the outlet of the nip the first and second films of the tape-like packaging are separated from each other and spread apart whereby the envelopes of the tapelike packaging are opened one after each other and the objects contained therein are released and offered in a grasping posture.

A axis of the lower one 7 of the rollers or pins of the separator is displaced from the axis of the upper one 6 of the rollers o pins in the downs ream direction of the tape-conveying or passing direction. This provides the advantage that the lower film 11, e.g. the base ?

paper, is supported for a longer distance than the upper film 10, i.e. the plastic foil, so that the object 9, e.g _* the sterile membrane, remains supported until the user grips the membrane with a forceps <

Further guide elements are provided to guide the separated films around the space tor holding the

container of the tape-like packaging from the front side where the separator is located to a rear side where a receiver element 16 is located such as is described further below. As shown in Figure 2 the films are separately guided downstream in a transport direction along upper and lower wall sections 17, 13 del limiting the space 3 or compartment for receiving the container 2, and are then guided around further rollers or pins 12, 13, 14, 15 on the rear side of the receiver element Π 1 · so as to be joined again before the it .bus, joined but separated, are guided together to the single receiver element 16.

The receiver element 16 is rotatably supported on or in the housing ¾0 and is adapted to refeasably hold and simultaneously wind up both separated first and second films 10, 11 of the tape-like packaging on a single axis body and to simultaneously impart the pulling force on both films required to pull the tape from the container at the front aide and to spread apart the firms at the separator to open the envelopes.

For this purpose the receiver element includes a filing or clamping mechanism 23 for reieasabiy holding the first and second films on it. A possible structure of such fixing or clamping mechanism is shown in Figs, 6 and 7 and incl des an opening in the form of a groove 24 formed in an axis body through which the joined films 10, 11 are inserted from, an open axial end of the axis foody at the beginning of the process, and a winding surface 25 on which the joined films are wound together. An

eccentric clamping element 26 is arranged in the opening or groove 2 i and can be manually operated, i.e. rotated via a handle (not shown), to selectively fix/release the films 10, 11 in the groove. The Fig, 6 shows the

clamping mechanis in a closed clamp position ana Fig, 7 shows the same in. an opened clamp position. Another possibility would be to have a form locking or action looking reieasable engagement in or on the axis body of the receive element.

To release the cosed films at the end of the process when the films of the tape-like packaging are completely wound up and separated or when another type of packaging is to be loaded into the dispenser, the clamping

mechanism is released, and the films can foe removed together from the single receiver element. Another possible solution is a bobbin or roller drum with an expandable diameter or even a disposable or re-usable carrier that is empty mounted on the axis body of the rotatabie receiver element and is removed together with the films wound on it at the end of the process,

A drive unit is provided for rotating the receiver element. Such a drive oni.t may include an electric motor, preferably a servo motor that is preferably directly coupled to the receiver element 1€ and arranged in the housing 20 or that can even be .integrated into the axis body of the receiver element. If a servo motor is used, no mechanical transmission may be required.

To control, the operation of the drive unit, e.g, the motor _# a control means is provided that can selectively rotate the receiver element for a rotational amount corresponding to a predetermined pitch of the envelopes of the tape-like packaging. Such control means may comprise a sensor in the blocks 4 5 upstream of the separator for detecting the marking on the tape-like packaging,- i.e. a window or cutout or any other marking in or on the tape that can be detected by an optical sensor .

Alternatively, or in addition, the control means may include a timing ^' circuit for limiting an operating time of the drive unit following its activation by a sensor or a switching element. This funct ion may foe implemented in order to secure the system and to avoid an unintended continuous opening of envelopes. If the pitch is known, the operating time of the drive unit for opening each envelope may be predefined or may be altered and adapted so that the operation of the drive unit for a certain time with a known speed produces exactly the winding amount necessary for conveying the tape by one pitch and opening only a single individual envelops during each operation cycle. The control means may account for the increase in diameter of the ill cm wound on the single receiver element which leads to an increased pulling length, the larger the diameter becomes- To compensate, the operating time may be successively reduced.

in addition, the control means can be provided with a function that gives the user the possibilit to set and finely adjust a starting position of the tape like packaging! for the purpose of adjusting an output

position for the objects at the outlet of the separator. This can be done, for example, by providing a

potentiometer through which the receiver element can be finely rotated forward or rearward to adjust the output distance of the object (i.e. membrane). If the recei er eiem.ent is finely rotated to pull the tape the adjustment will be directly visible, if it is rotated in reverse, the adjustment will foe visible at the end of the next operation cycle. A scale can be provided to indicate the advancing/retracting rate of the objects.

To activate the drive unit the control means is cooperating with a switching element. This switching element may be a mechanically operated switch that is provided on the housing of the dispenser or on a foot pedal, a sensor adapted to detect - with or without physical contact {contactings) - the presence of another element and/or a physical property of another element, for example the presence of a finger of the user, a metal or a plastic material, preferably a forceps for grasping the steril mem ranes released frora the envelope and presented by the dispenser at the separator. Such a senso is preferably located in the vicinity of the outlet, of the separator for .traced at:o grasping of the membrane .

Another option is a voice-activated switching mechanism allowing the dispenser to e controlled by spoken commands (voice control 5.

The above-mentioned types of switching elements ma be either provided alone or in combination to allow multiple modes of operation and activation of the

dispenser. The advantages are that the dispenser may be operated by one hand or even in a hands-free mode.

in the preferred embodiment, the dispenser includes a rechargeable battery as a power supply for the drive unit, e.g. the motor, and any included electronics circuitry. The provision of the rechargeable battery allows a cordless operation and an autonomous use without additional power supply. This is of particular advantage since the power cable normally in the way on the working desk can be dispensed with. In the preferred embodiment the battery can be charged while the dispenser is

operating. In alternative embodiments the dispenser may be charged in a docking station or by means of a USB connection with a personal computer.

The Figures 3 to 5 show a sequence of steps for loading a tape- like packaging into the dispenser of the present invention,

At the beginning a transport cont iner, preferably disposable box of cardboard or paper, holding the tape- like packaging as known in the art is placed in. the space 3 of the: compartment on the side of the dispenser. Then, the tape 1 is purled out of its container and the forward end is passed between the blocks 1 , 5 with the sensor and then through the nip between the rollers or pins i , Ί constituting the separator. Depending on the tape-like packaging the user has to manoaily peel the first envelopes of th tape in order to manually separate the first and second films of the tape : e . a . the plastic film on the top and the paper base film on the bottom} for a certain length and this initial film length will be need for the loading of the system, Alternatively, a tape- like packaging may be provided with a starting length of unconnected films without envelopes facilitating the loading of the tape into the dispenser.

Downstream of the separator, the upper film 10, i.e. the plastic film is wound around the upper roller or pin 6 of the separator and is pulled rearward and slid along a top surface 13 of the container compartment , is then wound around a pair of rollers or pins 12 and 13.

Symmetrically, the lower film 11, i.e. the paper film, is wound around the lower roller or pin ^" i of the separator, is pulled rearward and is slid along the bottom surf ce 17 of the container compartment before it is also would around a pair of roller or pins 15 and la! on the rear side or ^" the dispenser.

At the second rollers or pins 13 and 15 the two films 10 and 11 are joined together and are, together, inserted through a fixing meetsa ;er i.e. the groove 24, of the receiver element 16. A clamping mechanism of the receiver element 16, for example one as described above in connection with Figs. 6 and ^' / , is closed, for example by operating a handle.

To operate the dispenser, a regaest is input through the switching element, as described above and the motor of the drive unit ie driven for a predefined distance and pulled through the separator or until a marking on the tape is detected by a sensor placed in the blocks 4 _f 5. Then, the drive unit stops the rotation of the receiver element. The same sequence is repeated for each cycle and each cycle consequently delivers one object, i.e. one sterile membrane, at the outlet of the separator. The controller of the drive unit effects a acceleration or the otor from a still stand until it reaches a targeted speed. The rotation is then

maintained at a constant speed until the motor stops when the hol or marking is detected on the tape-like

packaging or the motor has been rotating for a

predetermined maximum, of time allowed.

During the pulling of the tape the two films are laterally held in place and guided by .shoulder on the rolls or pin« and by guiding surfaces on the upper and lower surfaces of the container compartment and/or the various guide elements on which the tape and the

separated films are guided.

Additional guide elements can be provided (for example in the form of the pin or roller 8 shown in the drawing} and certain of the described guide elements can be integrated. Further, their structure and location is to be adapted to the particular location of the receive element .