WO1996030282A1

WO1996030282A1 - Portable dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1996030282A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/003633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralph R. Burin; Ronald L. Ream
Original assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
Priority date: 1995-03-27
Filing date: 1996-03-12
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Also published as: AU5255096A

Abstract

A portable dispenser (10) is provided for storing and dispensing articles (22). The dispenser has a plurality of reservoirs (22) for storing articles, and each reservoir has a top and a bottom. A plurality of dispensing devices (54) corresponding to the plurality of reservoirs are positioned at the bottom of each reservoir. An outlet chamber (28) is positioned below the dispensing devices (54), and the outlet chamber (28) is common to the plurality of dispensing devices (54). The dispensing devices (54) dispense one or more articles (26) into the outlet chamber (28), from which it can be retrieved by a user.

Description

S P E C I F I C A T I O N

T_U1£ "PORTABLE DISPENSER" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 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. For example, 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.

In the marketplace, store shelves are crowded with competing products. 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.

Perhaps the most powerful consumer-attracting feature is to provide a product package that has utility in addition to the utility of holding the contents. For example, a consumer might purchase cologne because it is in a bottle shaped like a car or the bust of a President. Such packages have amusement utility. Likewise, when a child or young adult is the consumer, a candy package can attract more sales when the package serves a dual purpose as a toy. An example of such a product is the Bubble Beeper distributed by Amurol Products Company.

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. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

To this end, in an embodiment, 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. The - 3 -

dispensing means dispenses at least one of the stored articles into the outlet chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, 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. When the button is in the normal position, 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. When the button is in the dispensing position, 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.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a dispenser wherein the articles are gumballs or spherical confectioneries.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the invention provides a dispenser that has a selectively closeable door for access to the top of the reservoirs. In a still further embodiment of the invention, 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 -

In a related embodiment of the invention, the tube is serpentine in shape.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a selectively closeable outlet hatch for access to the outlet chamber.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring chamber is shaped to receive and dispense a single spherical confectionery.

In another embodiment of the invention, the dispenser has a housing and a front panel.

In a yet another embodiment of the invention, 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.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser that displays to a consumer separately stored types of articles. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser that is portable.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments as well as the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the invention described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like numerals designate like parts, 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. In Figure l, 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.

Referring to Figure 3, the reservoirs 22 within tie dispenser 10 have inner dividers 24. The inner dividers 24 keep the contents of the respective reservoirs 22 separated.

In Figures 4 and 5, 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. Of course, articles of other types and shapes could be stored in the dispenser 10. 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. At the top 16 of the dispenser 10 is a selectively closeable door 34. The selectively closeable door 34 is shown connected to the housing 30 by means of a living hinge 36. As shown, the housing 30 and selectively closeable door 34 are formed as a single component, preferably from a resilient plastic. Alternatively, 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. Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, 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.

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.

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.

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.

When a user releases the button 48, 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.

At the bottom 18 of the dispenser is a selectively closeable outlet hatch 56 for access to the outlet chamber 28. When the outlet hatch 56 is opened, a dispensed article 26 can be retrieved from 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. Preferably, the tube 60 is constructed at least partially of transparent material so that a dispensed article 26 can be seen. To retrieve a dispensed article 26, 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.

It should be understood that various changes and modif cations to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A portable dispenser for storing and dispensing articles comprising: a plurality of reservoirs for storing articles, each reservoir having a top and a bottom; a plurality of dispensing means corresponding to the plurality of reservoirs at the bottom of each reservoir; and an outlet chamber positioned below the dispensing means; wherein the dispensing means dispenses one or more articles into the outlet chamber.

2. The dispenser of Claim 1 wherein the articles are confectioneries. 3. The dispenser of Claim 1 further comprising a selectively closeable door for access to the reservoirs. 4. The dispenser of Claim 3 wherein the selectively closeable door is connected to the dispenser by a living hinge. 5. The dispenser of Claim 1 further comprising a tube in communication with the outlet chamber.

6. The dispenser of Claim 5 wherein the tube is serpentine _*n shape.

7. The dispenser of Claim 1 further comprising a selectively closeable outlet hatch for access to the outlet chamber.

8. The dispenser of Claim 1 wherein each dispensing means comprises: a button that is alternately moveable between a normal position and a dispensing position; and a measuring chamber; such that when the button is in the normal position, 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; and when the button is in the dispensing position, 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.

9. The dispenser of Claim 8 wherein the measuring chamber is shaped to receive and dispense a single article. io. The dispenser of Claim 1 wherein the dispenser further comprises a housing and a front panel.

11. The dispenser of Claim 10 wherein the front panel is transparent to display the reservoirs.

12. A dispenser for storing and dispensing spherical confectioneries comprising: a plurality of reservoirs for storing spherical confectioneries, each reservoir having a top and a bottom; a plurality of dispensing means corresponding to the plurality of reservoirs at the bottom of each reservoir; an outlet chamber positioned below the dispensing means, the outlet chamber being common to the plurality of dispensing means; and wherein the dispensing means dispenses one or more spherical confectioneries into the outlet chamber.

13. The dispenser of Claim 12 further comprising a selectively closeable door for access to the reservoirs. 14. The dispenser of Claim 12 further comprising a tube in communication with the outlet chamber that is disposed below the outlet chamber.

15. The dispenser of Claim 12 further comprising a selectively closeable outlet hatch for access to the outlet chamber.

16. The dispenser of Claim 12 wherein each dispensing means comprises: a button that is alternately moveable between a normal position and a dispensing position; and a measuring chamber; such that when the button is in the normal position, the measuring chamber is in communication with the reservoir to allow a spherical confectionery to enter the measuring chamber from the reservoir, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the outlet chamber to allow a spherical confectionery to exit the measuring chamber; and when the button is in the dispensing position, the measuring chamber is in communication with the outlet chamber to allow a spherical confectionery to pass from the measuring chamber to the outlet chamber, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the reservoir to allow a spherical confectionery to pass from the reservoir to the measuring chamber.

17. A portable dispenser for storing and dispensing articles comprising: a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir having a top and a bottom; a plurality of dispensing means corresponding to the plurality of reservoirs for dispensing at least one article from the bottom of a corresponding reservoir; an outlet chamber positioned below the dispensing means, the outlet chamber being common to the plurality of dispensing means, the outlet chamber being shaped to receive the dispensed at least one article; and a tube that is disposed below the outlet chamber and extends along a portion of the portable dispenser, the tube being in communication with the outlet chamber so that the dispensed at least one article falls into the tube from the outlet chamber, the tube being sized such that the dispensed at least one article can pass through the tube; wherein the dispenser is so constructed and arranged such that the dispenser can be held in a user's hand and turned upside-down to retrieve the dispensed at least one article from the tube.

18. The dispenser of Claim 17 wherein each dispensing means comprises: a button that is alternately moveable between a normal position and a dispensing position; a measuring chamber having a top and bottom, the measuring chamber being connected to the button so that the measuring chamber alternately moves with the button between the normal position and the dispensing position; and a spring that biases the button in the normal position such that when the button is in the normal position, the measuring chamber is in communication with the reservoir to allow the at least one article to enter the measuring chamber from the reservoir, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the outlet chamber to allow the at least one article to exit the measuring chamber; and when the button is in the dispensing position, the measuring chamber is in communication with the outlet chamber to allow the at least one article to pass from the measuring chamber to the outlet chamber, but the measuring chamber is not in communication with the reservoir to allow the at least one article to pass from the reservoir to the measuring chamber.

19. The dispenser of Claim 17 further comprising a selectively closeable door for access to the top of the reservoirs.

20. The dispenser of Claim 17 wherein the tube is serpentine in shape.

21. The dispenser of Claim 17 further comprising a transparent front panel for displaying the plurality of reservoirs.