CA2114116C - Dispenser for moisture-sensitive packages - Google Patents
Dispenser for moisture-sensitive packages Download PDFInfo
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- CA2114116C CA2114116C CA002114116A CA2114116A CA2114116C CA 2114116 C CA2114116 C CA 2114116C CA 002114116 A CA002114116 A CA 002114116A CA 2114116 A CA2114116 A CA 2114116A CA 2114116 C CA2114116 C CA 2114116C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- aperture
- wall
- cover
- dispenser
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
- B65D5/724—Internal fittings facilitating the discharge of contents, e.g. guiding panels, movable bottoms or lifting strips
Abstract
A unit dose package dispenser (1) including a drawer (13) and ramp (7) such that unit dose packages are urged through an aperture (10) and into the drawer (13). The ramp (7) is elevated from the bottom region (6) of the container (1) so as to isolate the contents of the container from moisture. A cover (14) formed integrally with the container front wall (4) tends to protect the con-tents of the drawer (13) from moisture in the surrounding environment.
Description
WO 93/04936 ~ '~ ~ ~ 1 1 6 PCT/US92/06496 DISPENSER FOR~MOYSTURE-SENSITIVE PACKAGES
Baclcaround of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of and device for dispensing moisture-sensitive unit dose packages. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a method of and a device for storing .and dispensing multiple unit dose packages from a centr~a7L location in a humid or moist environment oven a period of one to four weeks.
Baclcaround of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of and device for dispensing moisture-sensitive unit dose packages. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a method of and a device for storing .and dispensing multiple unit dose packages from a centr~a7L location in a humid or moist environment oven a period of one to four weeks.
2. Description of Related Technolocy Unit dose packages are packages containing a single premeasured amount of a product which is used in some subsequent proceas, such as cleaning. In that case, a package of detergent, formed into a tablet, a packet of powder or granu~.es, or perhaps a gelatin material is added to a given amount of water to create a cleaning solution having the appropriate concentration of active cleaning ingredient.
Unit dose packages must be protected from their environment and kept dry in order to be functional. The product must be kept chemically functional and physically usable during it.s shelf life. If unit dose, moisture-sensitive products absorb an unacceptable amount of moisture, which is typically a very small amount of moisture, the product may not meet i:unctional claims and may not be removable from the package. A unit dose package dispensing device which permits moisture to be introduced into the package may spoil or render useless a large percentage of the package's contents, thins discouraging a customer from buying a similar product in t:he future. Thus, the marketability of moisture-sensitive unit dose products is protected and enhanced by a storage and dispensing device that preserves a dry environment for the product even when the package is stored in moist surroundings, such as in a kitchen or bathroom.
Moisture can also be introduced into a package by the wet hands of a user attempting to withdraw one of the unit dose containers. Also, since the user's hands may be wet, it is impractical for them to unscrew or manipulate a complicated packaging device in order to obtain the unit dose package, since their hands are slippery and cannot grip a complicated container easily.
Ideally, the container should be made of an inexpensive material, such as cardboard, and should provide some protection for the contents when not in use.
The dispenser should not present a serious impediment to obtaining the product when desired so as to waste time or require undue manual dexterity.
Cardboard c artons b Baring s ome s imilarity t o t he p resent i nvention are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,000,624, issued to Pexton, discloses a cardboard carton having a trough that extends outwardly from a bottom portion of 1o the carton. The Pexton device, however, does not disclose any method of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture once the trough is extended into a dispensing position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,029, issued to Buford, discloses a display carton for bulk items which has a separate, insertable platform insert. The carton has a front bin z5 wall which is pivotable to an open position when a tear strip is removed.
When the bin is in its open position, there is no means by which the contents of the container are protected from moisture.
U.S. Pat. No.1,645,771, issued to Pillsbury, discloses a combined container and dispenser having an outwardly extending trough near a bottom portion of the 2 o container. However, the Pillsbury device does not disclose a method of protecting the contents to be dispensed from moisture when the dispensing trough is extended into its dispensing position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,707, issued to Rendall et al., discloses a convertible shipping carton and self-feeder which contains a plurality of troughs near a bottom 25 region of the container. However, the Rendall et al. disclosure does not teach or suggest a method of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture when the troughs are extended into a dispensing position.
s - --2a U.S. Pat. No. 2,847,153, issued to Guyer et al., discloses a dispenser box having a lower trough extending across the width of the container. However, Guyer et al.
does not disclose a means of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture.
i U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,052, issued to Torigian, discloses a mufti-layer tray dispensing package, which includes a series ~BS,~t'fUT~ S~~ET
S
WO 93/04936 ~ '~ ~ ~ 1 ~ 6 _ PCT/US92/06496 of trays stacked vertically, and which may be removed from the dispenser package by removing a portion of the end panel itself, thereby forming a sort of lid. However, the Torigian disclosure assumes that the product to be dispensed is already in a waterproof container, and so the lid formed by the end panel is in a horizontal or higher position whenever a tray is rem~wed far enough to allow the product to be accessible. ~rhe horizontal position of the end panel lid does not encourage the efficient runoff of moisture should it impinge the surface of the box, and similarly, the Torigian device requir~as both the lifting of the lid and the removal of the tray in order to gain access to the product being dispensed.
Finally, 17.5. P,at. No. 4,186,866, issued to Zicko, discloses a d:Lspens~er container with a cover. Zicko discloses a trough :having a hinged lid, but the trough is located at thEa extreme bottom of the container, thereby providing no protection against a moist surface upon which the container may mast, should water seep through the cardboard bottom. ;Similarly, Zicko does not anticipate protection from a moist environment insofar as apertures are included in the sides of the box for viewing its contents.
Zicko also doss not anticipate the need for insertion and withdrawing o!: the trough itself, since no means is provided for easily gripping the trough lip to withdraw it from the container housing.
Summary of the Invention The present invention has been achieved after full consideration of them foregoing problems.
Accordingly, them present invention includes a corrugated carton having a two--piece design including a dispensing feature intendled for moisture sensitive unit dose packages.
The material used is preferably an "E-FLUTE" corrugated bleached board. The' carton has a self-contained drawer that pulls out from the nnain carton body to become the sole access point for the product to be dispensed. There is an integral awning feature or cover that automatically closes off the WO 93/04936 ~ s PCT/US92/06496 drawer opening whenever the product is not being dispensed.
The dispensing feature includes a ramp that is located near the bottom of the carton, but elevated some distance above the bottom to provide for protection from moist surfaces.
The slanted ramp near, but elevated above, the bottom of the interior of the carton aids in moving the unit dose packages into the drawer residing beneath the awning. Once the package is empty, it may be easily crushed and recycled.
The dispensing feature protects multiple, water-sensitive unit dose packages from moisture by limiting the amount of product exposed to the outside environment at any one time.
This is accomplished first by limiting the number of unit dose packages present in the drawer, and secondly by using an integral awning that covers the product being held in the drawer between dispensing events.
Since the drawer feature is located near the bottom of the container and is the only access point, hand access is limited. With water-sensitive unit dose products, it is critical that they be protected from wet hands. In the present invention, since only a partial length of a human finger can gain access into the drawer, it reduces the chance that a unit dose product, other than the one being removed at the time, will get wet. Also, since the user must reach in from the bottom, rather than the top, moisture is kept from dripping down into the entire carton of unit dose product.
Furthermore, the slanted ramp near the bottom of the carton moves unit dose packages forward into the dispensing drawer while limiting hand access into the remainder of the package.
Finally, the package is easy to use since the awning may be lifted by one hand and the unit dose package removed with the same hand as needed.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a dispensing apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken along lines 2-2, of the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1;
WO 93/04936 ~ ~ PCT/US92/06496 FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank of cardboard or the hike for forming the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1; and FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank of 5 paperboard ox' the .Like for forming the pivoting drawer contained in the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. 1, an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown generally at 1. The apparatus is formed generally in the shape of a rectangular solid, and includes cover 2, left side wall 3, and front surface 4.
As may be seen in Fig. 2, the dispenser 1 also includes a rear wall 5 and a bottom surface 6.
Placed within t:he box can be a variety of unit dose items, such as tablets, pellets or the like (not shown).
Typically, such unit dose packages are water-soluble and must be protected from moisture until the time of intended use.
When protected from moisture, the shelf life of the unit dose packages may be tyF~ically on the order of months.
Within container 1 is a ramp 7 which is supported between a first region 8 of rear wall 5 and a relatively lower die cut second region 9 of front wall 4. Unit dose packages coming into contact with the ramp will therefore be urged in a direction towards the front wall 4 of container 1.
Immediately above region 9 of front wall 4 is an opening 10 within front wall 4, typically extending across the entire width of front wall 4 and being of sufficient height to permit access to the unit dose packages within container 1.
Pivotably mounted within box 1 is a drawer 13 including side wall 11 iahich pivots at its base along die cut region 9 of front wall 4, through an angular displacement defined by angle 12. Anille 12 must be chosen to be large enough so that access to the unit dose packages within container 1 is possible, yet need :be no larger than is necessary to permit the retrieval of one or two of the unit dose packages at one time.
Unit dose packages must be protected from their environment and kept dry in order to be functional. The product must be kept chemically functional and physically usable during it.s shelf life. If unit dose, moisture-sensitive products absorb an unacceptable amount of moisture, which is typically a very small amount of moisture, the product may not meet i:unctional claims and may not be removable from the package. A unit dose package dispensing device which permits moisture to be introduced into the package may spoil or render useless a large percentage of the package's contents, thins discouraging a customer from buying a similar product in t:he future. Thus, the marketability of moisture-sensitive unit dose products is protected and enhanced by a storage and dispensing device that preserves a dry environment for the product even when the package is stored in moist surroundings, such as in a kitchen or bathroom.
Moisture can also be introduced into a package by the wet hands of a user attempting to withdraw one of the unit dose containers. Also, since the user's hands may be wet, it is impractical for them to unscrew or manipulate a complicated packaging device in order to obtain the unit dose package, since their hands are slippery and cannot grip a complicated container easily.
Ideally, the container should be made of an inexpensive material, such as cardboard, and should provide some protection for the contents when not in use.
The dispenser should not present a serious impediment to obtaining the product when desired so as to waste time or require undue manual dexterity.
Cardboard c artons b Baring s ome s imilarity t o t he p resent i nvention are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,000,624, issued to Pexton, discloses a cardboard carton having a trough that extends outwardly from a bottom portion of 1o the carton. The Pexton device, however, does not disclose any method of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture once the trough is extended into a dispensing position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,029, issued to Buford, discloses a display carton for bulk items which has a separate, insertable platform insert. The carton has a front bin z5 wall which is pivotable to an open position when a tear strip is removed.
When the bin is in its open position, there is no means by which the contents of the container are protected from moisture.
U.S. Pat. No.1,645,771, issued to Pillsbury, discloses a combined container and dispenser having an outwardly extending trough near a bottom portion of the 2 o container. However, the Pillsbury device does not disclose a method of protecting the contents to be dispensed from moisture when the dispensing trough is extended into its dispensing position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,707, issued to Rendall et al., discloses a convertible shipping carton and self-feeder which contains a plurality of troughs near a bottom 25 region of the container. However, the Rendall et al. disclosure does not teach or suggest a method of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture when the troughs are extended into a dispensing position.
s - --2a U.S. Pat. No. 2,847,153, issued to Guyer et al., discloses a dispenser box having a lower trough extending across the width of the container. However, Guyer et al.
does not disclose a means of protecting the contents of the trough from moisture.
i U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,052, issued to Torigian, discloses a mufti-layer tray dispensing package, which includes a series ~BS,~t'fUT~ S~~ET
S
WO 93/04936 ~ '~ ~ ~ 1 ~ 6 _ PCT/US92/06496 of trays stacked vertically, and which may be removed from the dispenser package by removing a portion of the end panel itself, thereby forming a sort of lid. However, the Torigian disclosure assumes that the product to be dispensed is already in a waterproof container, and so the lid formed by the end panel is in a horizontal or higher position whenever a tray is rem~wed far enough to allow the product to be accessible. ~rhe horizontal position of the end panel lid does not encourage the efficient runoff of moisture should it impinge the surface of the box, and similarly, the Torigian device requir~as both the lifting of the lid and the removal of the tray in order to gain access to the product being dispensed.
Finally, 17.5. P,at. No. 4,186,866, issued to Zicko, discloses a d:Lspens~er container with a cover. Zicko discloses a trough :having a hinged lid, but the trough is located at thEa extreme bottom of the container, thereby providing no protection against a moist surface upon which the container may mast, should water seep through the cardboard bottom. ;Similarly, Zicko does not anticipate protection from a moist environment insofar as apertures are included in the sides of the box for viewing its contents.
Zicko also doss not anticipate the need for insertion and withdrawing o!: the trough itself, since no means is provided for easily gripping the trough lip to withdraw it from the container housing.
Summary of the Invention The present invention has been achieved after full consideration of them foregoing problems.
Accordingly, them present invention includes a corrugated carton having a two--piece design including a dispensing feature intendled for moisture sensitive unit dose packages.
The material used is preferably an "E-FLUTE" corrugated bleached board. The' carton has a self-contained drawer that pulls out from the nnain carton body to become the sole access point for the product to be dispensed. There is an integral awning feature or cover that automatically closes off the WO 93/04936 ~ s PCT/US92/06496 drawer opening whenever the product is not being dispensed.
The dispensing feature includes a ramp that is located near the bottom of the carton, but elevated some distance above the bottom to provide for protection from moist surfaces.
The slanted ramp near, but elevated above, the bottom of the interior of the carton aids in moving the unit dose packages into the drawer residing beneath the awning. Once the package is empty, it may be easily crushed and recycled.
The dispensing feature protects multiple, water-sensitive unit dose packages from moisture by limiting the amount of product exposed to the outside environment at any one time.
This is accomplished first by limiting the number of unit dose packages present in the drawer, and secondly by using an integral awning that covers the product being held in the drawer between dispensing events.
Since the drawer feature is located near the bottom of the container and is the only access point, hand access is limited. With water-sensitive unit dose products, it is critical that they be protected from wet hands. In the present invention, since only a partial length of a human finger can gain access into the drawer, it reduces the chance that a unit dose product, other than the one being removed at the time, will get wet. Also, since the user must reach in from the bottom, rather than the top, moisture is kept from dripping down into the entire carton of unit dose product.
Furthermore, the slanted ramp near the bottom of the carton moves unit dose packages forward into the dispensing drawer while limiting hand access into the remainder of the package.
Finally, the package is easy to use since the awning may be lifted by one hand and the unit dose package removed with the same hand as needed.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a dispensing apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken along lines 2-2, of the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1;
WO 93/04936 ~ ~ PCT/US92/06496 FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank of cardboard or the hike for forming the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1; and FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank of 5 paperboard ox' the .Like for forming the pivoting drawer contained in the apparatus depicted in Fig. 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. 1, an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown generally at 1. The apparatus is formed generally in the shape of a rectangular solid, and includes cover 2, left side wall 3, and front surface 4.
As may be seen in Fig. 2, the dispenser 1 also includes a rear wall 5 and a bottom surface 6.
Placed within t:he box can be a variety of unit dose items, such as tablets, pellets or the like (not shown).
Typically, such unit dose packages are water-soluble and must be protected from moisture until the time of intended use.
When protected from moisture, the shelf life of the unit dose packages may be tyF~ically on the order of months.
Within container 1 is a ramp 7 which is supported between a first region 8 of rear wall 5 and a relatively lower die cut second region 9 of front wall 4. Unit dose packages coming into contact with the ramp will therefore be urged in a direction towards the front wall 4 of container 1.
Immediately above region 9 of front wall 4 is an opening 10 within front wall 4, typically extending across the entire width of front wall 4 and being of sufficient height to permit access to the unit dose packages within container 1.
Pivotably mounted within box 1 is a drawer 13 including side wall 11 iahich pivots at its base along die cut region 9 of front wall 4, through an angular displacement defined by angle 12. Anille 12 must be chosen to be large enough so that access to the unit dose packages within container 1 is possible, yet need :be no larger than is necessary to permit the retrieval of one or two of the unit dose packages at one time.
6 1 '~ 6 PCT/US92/06496 . 6 When drawer 13 is fully extended from container 1, the drawer 13 assumes an angle of between approximately 30~ and 70 with relation to front wall 4. When drawer 13 is fully withdrawn or closed within container 1, drawer 13 is substantially flush with front wall 4 of container 1. Side wall 11 is shown in its withdrawn position as 11' in Fig. 2.
Cover 14 pivots about score line 15 of front wall 4, permitting cover 14 to travel through an angular displacement at least equal to angle 16, the upward movement of cover 14 being restrained by the position of wall 4 and the downward movement of cover 14 being restrained by the position of drawer 13. When drawer 13 and its associated side wall 11 is withdrawn to position 11', cover 14 may travel through the additional angular displacement of angle 17, thereby permitting cover 14 to be substantially flush with front wall 4. The drawer 13 may have perforations (not shown) in a bottom region in order to facilitate drainage.
In order to facilitate manipulation of cover 14, indentation 18 is formed along leading edge 19 of cover 14.
Similarly, as shown in Fig. 4, indentation 20 is formed within leading edge 21 of drawer 13 in order to facilitate inserting and withdrawing of trough 11 with relation to the interior of container 1.
The actual construction of container 1 may best be envisioned by reference to Fig. 3. Side wall 22 is joined to front wall 4 along score line 23 while bottom flap 24 forms a portion of bottom member 6. Upper flap 25 is folded along score line 26 to reside beneath top 2.
Similarly, side flap 3 joins front wall 4 along score line 27, while bottom flap 28 is folded along score line 29 to form part of bottom member 6. Upper flap 30 is folded along score line 31 to reside opposite upper flap 25 and beneath cover 2. Upper flaps 25 and 30 are held in place beneath cover 2 by means of flap 32 which is folded along score line 33.
Lower flap 34 folds along score line 35 to form a portion of bottom member 6.
'~ ~1 1~1 16 Finally, rear wall 5 is folded into place along score line 36, while lower flap 37 is folded along score line 38 to form the remainder of bottom portion 6. Side flap 39 is folded along score line 40 to be secured to side wall 22 by a suitable adhesive, staples or the like.
Typically, the container 1 is constructed of an "E-FLUTE," corrugated bleached board, but may be constructed of any material providing sufficient rigidity and resistance to moisture. In. the ease of some paperboard materials, the interior of the container 1 may be coated or lined with a plastic or other moisture barrier material (not shown), and a desiccant material (not shown) may be placed within the interior of container 1.
Referring to Fi.g. 4, the construction of the drawer 13 may be visualized. The drawer 13 is formed integrally with left side member 41., which thereafter becomes side wall 11 along score line 42. and is formed integrally with right side member 43 along score line 44. Ramp 7 is integrally formed with drawer 13 along score line 45. To the rear of ramp 7 is vertical support member 46 which joins ramp 7 along score line 47.
Left side panel 48 is formed integrally with ramp 7 along score line 49, with. left side panel 48 being bent along split score line 50. Adjoining split score line 50 is support panel 51 which is bent along score line 52 to create vertical support flap 53, which is glued or otherwise fastened so as to overlay a portion of vertical support member 46.
Similarly, right side panel 54 adjoins ramp 7 along score line 55 and adjoins panel 56 along split score line 57.
Panel 56 is integrally formed with vertical support flap 58 along score line 59, vertical support flap 58 being glued or otherwise fastened so as to overlie a portion of vertical support member 46. As with the rest of the container, the drawer structvure 13 may be constructed of any suitably rigid material such as paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or the like. In the case o:f potentially water permeable materials, the drawer structure 13 may be coated with a suitable water ~1 1~1 16 ..
impervious material, plastic liner or the~like.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
Cover 14 pivots about score line 15 of front wall 4, permitting cover 14 to travel through an angular displacement at least equal to angle 16, the upward movement of cover 14 being restrained by the position of wall 4 and the downward movement of cover 14 being restrained by the position of drawer 13. When drawer 13 and its associated side wall 11 is withdrawn to position 11', cover 14 may travel through the additional angular displacement of angle 17, thereby permitting cover 14 to be substantially flush with front wall 4. The drawer 13 may have perforations (not shown) in a bottom region in order to facilitate drainage.
In order to facilitate manipulation of cover 14, indentation 18 is formed along leading edge 19 of cover 14.
Similarly, as shown in Fig. 4, indentation 20 is formed within leading edge 21 of drawer 13 in order to facilitate inserting and withdrawing of trough 11 with relation to the interior of container 1.
The actual construction of container 1 may best be envisioned by reference to Fig. 3. Side wall 22 is joined to front wall 4 along score line 23 while bottom flap 24 forms a portion of bottom member 6. Upper flap 25 is folded along score line 26 to reside beneath top 2.
Similarly, side flap 3 joins front wall 4 along score line 27, while bottom flap 28 is folded along score line 29 to form part of bottom member 6. Upper flap 30 is folded along score line 31 to reside opposite upper flap 25 and beneath cover 2. Upper flaps 25 and 30 are held in place beneath cover 2 by means of flap 32 which is folded along score line 33.
Lower flap 34 folds along score line 35 to form a portion of bottom member 6.
'~ ~1 1~1 16 Finally, rear wall 5 is folded into place along score line 36, while lower flap 37 is folded along score line 38 to form the remainder of bottom portion 6. Side flap 39 is folded along score line 40 to be secured to side wall 22 by a suitable adhesive, staples or the like.
Typically, the container 1 is constructed of an "E-FLUTE," corrugated bleached board, but may be constructed of any material providing sufficient rigidity and resistance to moisture. In. the ease of some paperboard materials, the interior of the container 1 may be coated or lined with a plastic or other moisture barrier material (not shown), and a desiccant material (not shown) may be placed within the interior of container 1.
Referring to Fi.g. 4, the construction of the drawer 13 may be visualized. The drawer 13 is formed integrally with left side member 41., which thereafter becomes side wall 11 along score line 42. and is formed integrally with right side member 43 along score line 44. Ramp 7 is integrally formed with drawer 13 along score line 45. To the rear of ramp 7 is vertical support member 46 which joins ramp 7 along score line 47.
Left side panel 48 is formed integrally with ramp 7 along score line 49, with. left side panel 48 being bent along split score line 50. Adjoining split score line 50 is support panel 51 which is bent along score line 52 to create vertical support flap 53, which is glued or otherwise fastened so as to overlay a portion of vertical support member 46.
Similarly, right side panel 54 adjoins ramp 7 along score line 55 and adjoins panel 56 along split score line 57.
Panel 56 is integrally formed with vertical support flap 58 along score line 59, vertical support flap 58 being glued or otherwise fastened so as to overlie a portion of vertical support member 46. As with the rest of the container, the drawer structvure 13 may be constructed of any suitably rigid material such as paperboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or the like. In the case o:f potentially water permeable materials, the drawer structure 13 may be coated with a suitable water ~1 1~1 16 ..
impervious material, plastic liner or the~like.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
Claims (11)
1. A method of dispensing and storing moisture-sensitive packages from a filled container (1), comprising the steps of and characterized in that:
(a) urging at least some of the packages toward a substantially covered exit aperture (10) which is formed within the container (1) by supporting said packages upon an inclined ramp (7), the entire ramp being spaced above a bottom surface (6) of the container (1) and which has a lower portion proximate said aperture (10);
(b) pivoting a wall (13) which is formed integrally with the ramp (7), the wall (13) substantially completely obstructing the aperture (10) in a first position and permitting access through the aperture (10) to the packages within the container (1) when the wall (13) is pivoted to a second position;
(c) lifting a cover (14) so as to permit access through the aperture (10) into the container (1), wherein the cover (14) is formed integrally with a surface of the container (1) which contains the aperture (10), the cover (14) being capable of substantially obstructing the aperture (10); and (d) releasing the cover (14) so as to substantially cover the aperture (10) automatically subsequent to removal of one of said packages from the container (1) through the aperture (10).
(a) urging at least some of the packages toward a substantially covered exit aperture (10) which is formed within the container (1) by supporting said packages upon an inclined ramp (7), the entire ramp being spaced above a bottom surface (6) of the container (1) and which has a lower portion proximate said aperture (10);
(b) pivoting a wall (13) which is formed integrally with the ramp (7), the wall (13) substantially completely obstructing the aperture (10) in a first position and permitting access through the aperture (10) to the packages within the container (1) when the wall (13) is pivoted to a second position;
(c) lifting a cover (14) so as to permit access through the aperture (10) into the container (1), wherein the cover (14) is formed integrally with a surface of the container (1) which contains the aperture (10), the cover (14) being capable of substantially obstructing the aperture (10); and (d) releasing the cover (14) so as to substantially cover the aperture (10) automatically subsequent to removal of one of said packages from the container (1) through the aperture (10).
2. The method claim 1, wherein a region (9) where the wall (13) and the ramp (7) are joined is perforated, thereby permitting moisture reaching the region (9) to drain through the perforations and away from the packages.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein an edge of the cover (14) includes a cover indentation (18), thereby facilitating lifting of the cover (14).
4. The method of claim 3, wherein a leading edge of the wall (13) includes a wall indentation (20), thereby facilitating insertion and withdrawal of the wall (13).
5. A dispenser and container (1) for moisture-sensitive packages, having front (4), rear (5) and side (3) container walls interconnected along parallel fold lines (27) and defining an open ended enclosure, there being a total of at least three container walls, the dispenser and container (1) having flap elements (2, 6) which form a closure for an upper end and a lower end of said open ended enclosure, thereby forming an enclosed rectangular volume, characterized in that:
(a) a drawer structure, the drawer structure being elevated above the lower end of the container, the drawer structure including an inclined ramp (7), the entire ramp (7) being spaced above a bottom surface (6) of the container (1), the ramp (7) being integral with and pivotable with respect to a front drawer wall (13) of the drawer structure;
(b) an aperture (10), the aperture (10) being formed within the front wall (4) of the container (1), the aperture (10) being located adjacent to the drawer structure end a lower portion of the ramp (7); and (c) an aperture cover (14), the aperture cover (14) being defined by a transverse score line (15) in the front wall (4) of the container, such that the aperture cover (14) is foldable relative to the front wall (4) by folding the cover (14) along the transverse score line (15), the cover (14) being capable of substantially obstructing the aperture (10).
Wherein the front drawer wall (13) is positionable between first and second positions, wherein the first position substantially obstructs the aperture (10) and the second position permits access through the aperture (10) to the packages on the ramp (7).
(a) a drawer structure, the drawer structure being elevated above the lower end of the container, the drawer structure including an inclined ramp (7), the entire ramp (7) being spaced above a bottom surface (6) of the container (1), the ramp (7) being integral with and pivotable with respect to a front drawer wall (13) of the drawer structure;
(b) an aperture (10), the aperture (10) being formed within the front wall (4) of the container (1), the aperture (10) being located adjacent to the drawer structure end a lower portion of the ramp (7); and (c) an aperture cover (14), the aperture cover (14) being defined by a transverse score line (15) in the front wall (4) of the container, such that the aperture cover (14) is foldable relative to the front wall (4) by folding the cover (14) along the transverse score line (15), the cover (14) being capable of substantially obstructing the aperture (10).
Wherein the front drawer wall (13) is positionable between first and second positions, wherein the first position substantially obstructs the aperture (10) and the second position permits access through the aperture (10) to the packages on the ramp (7).
6. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 5, furthered comprising a moisture impermeable liner, the moisture impermeable liner residing within an interior of the container.
7. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 5, further comprising an indentation (18) formed within a leading edge of the aperture cover (14), the indentation (18) facilitating movement of the cover (14).
8. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 7, wherein an indentation (20) is formed in the front wall (13), thereby facilitating movement of the front drawer wall (13).
9. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 5, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive packages each contain a detergent which can be added to a solvent to form a cleaning solution.
10. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 5, wherein the dispenser and container (1) is made of a cardboard material.
11. The dispenser and container (1) of claim 5, wherein the front drawer wall (13) is substantially flush with said front container wall (4) when in the first position, and the front drawer wall (13) assumes an angle of approximately 30 degrees to 70 degrees with respect to the front container wall (4) when in the second position.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/756,458 US5249737A (en) | 1991-09-09 | 1991-09-09 | Method for dispensing moisture-sensitive unit dose packages |
| US756,458 | 1991-09-09 | ||
| PCT/US1992/006496 WO1993004936A1 (en) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-08-04 | Dispenser for moisture-sensitive packages |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2114116A1 CA2114116A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 |
| CA2114116C true CA2114116C (en) | 2003-12-02 |
Family
ID=25043580
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002114116A Expired - Lifetime CA2114116C (en) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-08-04 | Dispenser for moisture-sensitive packages |
Country Status (11)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US5249737A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0603209B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH06510263A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE122633T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU655067B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2114116C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69202568T2 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI941028A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9205121A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ244023A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993004936A1 (en) |
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| US20120261432A1 (en) * | 2011-04-18 | 2012-10-18 | Walling Bradford J | Cartons for dispersing systems |
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| US20130153597A1 (en) * | 2011-12-20 | 2013-06-20 | Robert Michael Hill | Wipes Dispenser with Angled Dispensing |
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| US10179671B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-01-15 | Tidi Products, Llc | Dispenser-packaging for protective eyewear |
| US11427378B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-08-30 | Tidi Products, Llc | Eye shield dispenser |
| US10065762B2 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2018-09-04 | Tidi Products, Llc | Dispenser having a tower portion and an insert portion |
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| US20160185484A1 (en) * | 2013-08-08 | 2016-06-30 | Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc | Carton for dispensing articles |
| JP6361393B2 (en) * | 2014-09-16 | 2018-07-25 | 大日本印刷株式会社 | Swing carton |
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| USD813666S1 (en) | 2016-08-11 | 2018-03-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | Breast milk storage container |
| US10988280B2 (en) * | 2017-09-12 | 2021-04-27 | Bedford Systems Llc | Secondary insertion feature for assembled package |
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| USD930389S1 (en) | 2019-02-25 | 2021-09-14 | Medline Industries, Inc. | Dispenser |
| USD947022S1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2022-03-29 | Altria Client Services Llc | Carton/dispenser package |
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| US10787289B1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2020-09-29 | Altria Client Services Llc | Blank with platform panel and foot panel, and package with platform panel and foot panel |
| US10787288B1 (en) | 2019-05-17 | 2020-09-29 | Altria Client Services Llc | Blanks and packages for consumer items |
| IT202100011468A1 (en) | 2021-05-05 | 2022-11-05 | Roberto Daghino | Container for dispensing sachets and the like |
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-
1991
- 1991-09-09 US US07/756,458 patent/US5249737A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-08-04 AT AT92917202T patent/ATE122633T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-08-04 JP JP5505187A patent/JPH06510263A/en active Pending
- 1992-08-04 WO PCT/US1992/006496 patent/WO1993004936A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1992-08-04 DE DE69202568T patent/DE69202568T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-08-04 EP EP92917202A patent/EP0603209B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-08-04 AU AU24175/92A patent/AU655067B2/en not_active Expired
- 1992-08-04 CA CA002114116A patent/CA2114116C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-08-19 NZ NZ244023A patent/NZ244023A/en unknown
- 1992-09-08 MX MX9205121A patent/MX9205121A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1993
- 1993-05-05 US US08/058,158 patent/US5328082A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-03-03 FI FI941028A patent/FI941028A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI941028A0 (en) | 1994-03-03 |
| DE69202568T2 (en) | 1995-09-28 |
| DE69202568D1 (en) | 1995-06-22 |
| US5249737A (en) | 1993-10-05 |
| AU655067B2 (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| NZ244023A (en) | 1994-10-26 |
| EP0603209A1 (en) | 1994-06-29 |
| AU2417592A (en) | 1993-04-05 |
| EP0603209B1 (en) | 1995-05-17 |
| MX9205121A (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| FI941028A (en) | 1994-03-03 |
| JPH06510263A (en) | 1994-11-17 |
| US5328082A (en) | 1994-07-12 |
| CA2114116A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 |
| ATE122633T1 (en) | 1995-06-15 |
| WO1993004936A1 (en) | 1993-03-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |