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WO1996030282A1 - Distributeur portatif - Google Patents

Distributeur portatif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996030282A1
WO1996030282A1 PCT/US1996/003633 US9603633W WO9630282A1 WO 1996030282 A1 WO1996030282 A1 WO 1996030282A1 US 9603633 W US9603633 W US 9603633W WO 9630282 A1 WO9630282 A1 WO 9630282A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
measuring chamber
chamber
reservoir
outlet chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1996/003633
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ralph R. Burin
Ronald L. Ream
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WM Wrigley Jr Co
Original Assignee
WM Wrigley Jr Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WM Wrigley Jr Co filed Critical WM Wrigley Jr Co
Priority to AU52550/96A priority Critical patent/AU5255096A/en
Publication of WO1996030282A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996030282A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
    • B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
    • 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
    • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D2583/04—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets
    • B65D2583/0472—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action
    • B65D2583/0477—For dispensing annular, disc-shaped or spherical or like small articles or tablets characterised by the dispensing action the container is maintained in the same position during the dispensing of several successive articles or doses
    • B65D2583/0481—One reciprocating action, e.g. to or from

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an apparatus for storing and dispensing articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus for storing various types of articles and selectively dispensing an amount of a stored article.
  • Dispensing containers are known in the art. For example, vending machines and gu ball machines are known dispensing containers.
  • Portable dispensing containers for storing and dispensing items such as candy are also known.
  • Pez dispensers and Tic-Tac containers are known portable candy dispensers. Portability is a desired feature in dispensing containers, as consumers often wish to purchase small items in a packaged quantity, as opposed to individually. Such portable dispensers can additionally serve as the package that a consumer sees on a store shelf.
  • Package design is a highly important in creating a product that stands out from the crov.'d and attracts consumers. Therefore, eye-catching design features are desirable. Traditionally, such features include unique label colors and styles, or package shapes. For many products, packaging that displays the contents is desirable. Such features of a package can lure a consumer into a sale that might not otherwise have been made, or that would have been lost to a competitor.
  • Another desirable package feature is the ability to provide a variety of articles to a consumer in a single package. Ease of selection is maximized when such articles are separated within the package by variety, such as color or flavor. Also, a package that includes a convenient means for dispensing an amount of contents is desirable.
  • the present invention provides a dispensing container that overcomes deficiencies and provides greater advantages than known prior art dispensing containers. More specifically, the present invention provides a portable dispenser for storing quantities of various types of confectionery products in a segregated manner and a means for selectively dispensing the confectionery product.
  • the present invention provides a dispenser for storing and dispensing articles having plurality of reservoirs for storing articles, each reservoir having a top and a bottom.
  • the reservoirs can be in a side-by-side arrangement.
  • a plurality of dispensing means correspond to the plurality of reservoirs, and are positioned at the bottom of each reservoir.
  • An outlet chamber is positioned below the plurality of dispensing means and the outlet chamber is common to the plurality of dispensing means.
  • dispensing means dispenses at least one of the stored articles into the outlet chamber.
  • each dispensing means has a button that is alternately moveable between a normal position and a dispensing position.
  • Each dispensing means also has a measuring chamber.
  • the measuring chamber is in communication with the reservoir to allow an article to enter the measuring chamber from the reservoir, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the outlet chamber to allow an article to exit the measuring chamber.
  • the measuring chamber is in communication with the outlet chamber to allow an article to pass from the measuring chamber to the outlet chamber, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the reservoir to allow an article to pass from the reservoir to the measuring chamber.
  • the invention provides a dispenser wherein the articles are gumballs or spherical confectioneries.
  • the invention provides a dispenser that has a selectively closeable door for access to the top of the reservoirs.
  • the dispenser and the selectively closeable door are made of a plastic and the selectively closeable door is connected to the dispenser by a living hinge.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a tube in communication with the outlet chamber that is disposed below the outlet chamber and which curves upward along the portable dispenser. - 4 -
  • the tube is serpentine in shape.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a selectively closeable outlet hatch for access to the outlet chamber.
  • the measuring chamber is shaped to receive and dispense a single spherical confectionery.
  • the dispenser has a housing and a front panel.
  • the front panel is transparent to display the reservoirs.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser that separately stores different types of articles.
  • Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser that can easily dispense a specific amount of a selected article.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is that it has amusement utility, as the invention provides a dispenser that is entertaining to use.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispenser of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a side elevational view of the dispenser.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a front elevational view of the dispenser.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser taken generally along line IV-IV of Figure 3 and shows a button in its normal position.
  • Figure 5 also illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line IV-IV of Figure 3, but shows a button in its dispensing position.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a front elevational view of the housing.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a rear elevational view of the front panel.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line VIII-VIII of Figure 4 and shows the buttons in their normal positions.
  • Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken generally along line IX-IX of Figure 5 and shows one button in its dispensing position.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of an another embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 illustrates a side view of the dispenser of Figure 10.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a front elevational view of the dispenser of Figure 10 with a portion broken away to show the tube in communication with the outlet chamber.
  • Figure 1 generally illustrates a dispenser 10.
  • the dispenser 10 has a front 12, a rear 14, top 16, a bottom 18, and sides 20.
  • the dispenser 10 has one or more reservoir 22.
  • three reservoirs 22 are shown. Of course, more or less reservoirs 22 can be provided.
  • Figure 2 a side view, illustrates the slim contour of the dispenser 10, which makes it easily portable.
  • the reservoirs 22 within tie dispenser 10 have inner dividers 24.
  • the inner dividers 24 keep the contents of the respective reservoirs 22 separated.
  • a plurality of articles 26 are illustrated as they reside in a reservoir 22.
  • the articles 26 are preferably spherical confectioneries, such as gumballs, jawbreakers or other spherical confectioneries.
  • articles of other types and shapes could be stored in the dispenser 10.
  • an outlet chamber 28 In the bottom of the dispenser 10 is an outlet chamber 28.
  • the dispenser 10 has a housing 30 and a front panel 32.
  • the housing 30 and front panel 32 are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, respectively.
  • the housing 30 and front panel 32 cooperatively fit together.
  • the front panel 32 is preferably transparent so that the contents of the reservoirs 22 can be seen.
  • a selectively closeable door 34 is shown connected to the housing 30 by means of a living hinge 36.
  • the housing 30 and selectively closeable door 34 are formed as a single component, preferably from a resilient plastic.
  • the living hinge 36 could be a traditional mechanical hinge.
  • the selectively closeable door 34 pivots on the living hinge 36 between open and closed positions.
  • a ramp 38 is formed in the housing 30 and extends inwardly from the rear 14 of the housing 30. Disposed along the bottom of the ramp 38 is a horizontal panel 40, which is also formed in the housing 30 and extending rearwardly to the back of the housing 30. Below horizontal panel 40 is a shelf 42 which extends horizontally inward from the rear of housing 30.
  • each sleeve 46 Extending inwardly from the front of the housing 30 are sleeves 46. At the bottom 18 of each sleeve 46 is an inwardly directed stop 50. At the front of each sleeve 46 is an annular retaining ledge 52. Slidably disposed within each sleeve 46 is a button 48. Between the horizontal panel 40 and shelf 42 are springs 44. A spring 44 is provided, respectively, for each button 48. Preferably, the springs 44 are tubular in shape, however, other types of springs could be used. Each button 48 is in contact with its respective spring 44. Also, each button 48 is normally biased in a normal position by its respective spring 44 so that the button 48 is biased against its associated retaining ledge 52, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 8.
  • each button 48 Operable with each button 48 is a measuring chamber 54.
  • the measuring chamber 54 is preferably a hollow piece adjacently connected to the button 48.
  • the measuring chamber 54 is slidable with its respective button 48.
  • the button 48 When the button 48 is in its normal position, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, the button 48 is biased against the retaining ledge 52, and the stop 50 closes the bottom of the measuring chamber 54. Furthermore, when the button 48 is in its normal position, the measuring chamber 54 is positioned at the bottom of its respective reservoir 22 such that the ramp 38 funnels a stored article 26 into the measuring chamber 54. Preferably, the measuring chamber 54 is sized such that it can receive only one article 26. However, the measuring chamber 54 can be sized to receive an amovmt of articles greater than one.
  • the button 48 is designed to be pushed by a user. When the button 48 is pushed, it slides rearward within its respective sleeve 46 to a dispensing position, compressing its respective spring 44.
  • Figures 5 and 9 illustrate a button in the dispensing position. Pushing the button 48 causes the respective measuring chamber 54 to slide rearward. As the measuring chamber 54 slides rearward, the top of the measuring chamber 54 slides under the horizontal panel 40, so that an article cannot fall into the measuring chamber 54. Simultaneously, the bottom of the measuring chamber 54 slides inwardly beyond the stop 50, opening the bottom of the measuring chamber 54. This dispenses an article 26 by causing the article 26 which was inside the measuring chamber 54 to fall downward by gravity into the outlet chamber 28.
  • the spring 44 Liases the measuring chamber 54 and button 48 to the normal position, where another article 26 or amount of articles 26 falls into the measuring chamber 54.
  • a selectively closeable outlet hatch 56 for access to the outlet chamber 28.
  • the outlet hatch 56 is preferably connected to the housing 30 by a second living hinge 58.
  • Figures 10, 11, and 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the outlet chamber 28 is in communication with a tube 60 that is disposed along the bottom 18 of the housing 30 and upward along one side 20 of the dispenser 10. Near the top 16, the tube 60 has an opening 62. From the outlet chamber 28, a dispensed article 26 falls downward into the tube 60.
  • the tube 60 is sized to allow a dispensed article 26 to pass though it.
  • the tube 60 is constructed at least partially of transparent material so that a dispensed article 26 can be seen.
  • a user can turn the dispenser 10 upside-down so that the article 26 travels through the tube 60 and out of the opening 62.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un distributeur portatif (10) destiné à conserver et à distribuer des articles (22), et qui possède une pluralité de compartiments (22) pour conserver des articles, chacun de ceux-ci présentant un sommet et une base. On a placé une pluralité de dispositifs (54) distributeurs, correspondant à la pluralité de compartiments, au niveau de la base de chacun de ceux-ci. Une chambre (28) de sortie commune à la pluralité de dispositifs (54) distributeurs est située sous ceux-ci (54). Ces dispositifs (54) distribuent un ou plusieurs articles (26) dans la chambre (28) de sortie, à partir de laquelle les articles sont récupérés par un utilisateur.
PCT/US1996/003633 1995-03-27 1996-03-12 Distributeur portatif Ceased WO1996030282A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU52550/96A AU5255096A (en) 1995-03-27 1996-03-12 Portable dispenser

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41098295A 1995-03-27 1995-03-27
US08/410,982 1995-03-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996030282A1 true WO1996030282A1 (fr) 1996-10-03

Family

ID=23627072

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/003633 Ceased WO1996030282A1 (fr) 1995-03-27 1996-03-12 Distributeur portatif

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5255096A (fr)
WO (1) WO1996030282A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998013275A3 (fr) * 1996-09-27 1998-06-18 Rpc Containers Ltd Distributeur de pastilles
EP0916595A3 (fr) * 1997-11-17 1999-06-09 RPC Bramlage GmbH Distributeur de pilules
WO2006040294A1 (fr) * 2004-10-07 2006-04-20 Symrise Gmbh & Co. Kg Distributeur doseur pour produits consommables
WO2022261700A1 (fr) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-22 Woosoo Pty Ltd Distributeur de granulés

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US792923A (en) * 1903-12-18 1905-06-20 William N Porter Money-changing apparatus.
US1175907A (en) * 1915-02-19 1916-03-14 R L Mcnair Magazine cartridge-belt.
US1444863A (en) * 1921-03-19 1923-02-13 J C W Bland Vending machine
US1600158A (en) * 1924-05-31 1926-09-14 Robert M Williams Vending machine
US1666849A (en) * 1925-08-07 1928-04-17 Nat Sales Machine Company Vending machine
US1940909A (en) * 1933-09-23 1933-12-26 Bayer Company Inc Display stand
US2683554A (en) * 1951-04-21 1954-07-13 Jr George C Mulhauser Pill dispenser
US2684783A (en) * 1951-06-08 1954-07-27 Chef Way Inc Pellet feeding structure
US3398857A (en) * 1966-03-11 1968-08-27 Alio Peter Container and dispenser with trap means
US3896968A (en) * 1974-04-29 1975-07-29 Harold T Pehr Dispensing pill box
DE2807011A1 (de) * 1978-02-18 1979-08-23 Fritz Meckenstock Behaelter fuer tabletten o.dgl. mit einer vorrichtung zur einzelabgabe der tabletten
US4415098A (en) * 1981-06-15 1983-11-15 Abbott Laboratories Single bead dispenser
US4557690A (en) * 1983-06-03 1985-12-10 Les Fils D'auguste Maillefer Societe Anonyme A. Ballaigues Accessory for use in dentistry

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US792923A (en) * 1903-12-18 1905-06-20 William N Porter Money-changing apparatus.
US1175907A (en) * 1915-02-19 1916-03-14 R L Mcnair Magazine cartridge-belt.
US1444863A (en) * 1921-03-19 1923-02-13 J C W Bland Vending machine
US1600158A (en) * 1924-05-31 1926-09-14 Robert M Williams Vending machine
US1666849A (en) * 1925-08-07 1928-04-17 Nat Sales Machine Company Vending machine
US1940909A (en) * 1933-09-23 1933-12-26 Bayer Company Inc Display stand
US2683554A (en) * 1951-04-21 1954-07-13 Jr George C Mulhauser Pill dispenser
US2684783A (en) * 1951-06-08 1954-07-27 Chef Way Inc Pellet feeding structure
US3398857A (en) * 1966-03-11 1968-08-27 Alio Peter Container and dispenser with trap means
US3896968A (en) * 1974-04-29 1975-07-29 Harold T Pehr Dispensing pill box
DE2807011A1 (de) * 1978-02-18 1979-08-23 Fritz Meckenstock Behaelter fuer tabletten o.dgl. mit einer vorrichtung zur einzelabgabe der tabletten
US4415098A (en) * 1981-06-15 1983-11-15 Abbott Laboratories Single bead dispenser
US4557690A (en) * 1983-06-03 1985-12-10 Les Fils D'auguste Maillefer Societe Anonyme A. Ballaigues Accessory for use in dentistry

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998013275A3 (fr) * 1996-09-27 1998-06-18 Rpc Containers Ltd Distributeur de pastilles
EP0916595A3 (fr) * 1997-11-17 1999-06-09 RPC Bramlage GmbH Distributeur de pilules
WO2006040294A1 (fr) * 2004-10-07 2006-04-20 Symrise Gmbh & Co. Kg Distributeur doseur pour produits consommables
WO2022261700A1 (fr) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-22 Woosoo Pty Ltd Distributeur de granulés

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5255096A (en) 1996-10-16

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