U.S. patent application number 10/675318 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for convenient solid product dispensing package.
Invention is credited to Hengami, David Todjar.
Application Number | 20050067476 10/675318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34377115 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050067476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hengami, David Todjar |
March 31, 2005 |
Convenient solid product dispensing package
Abstract
A hexagonal dispensing box suitable for mounting in a vehicle
cup holder includes a dispensing opening, and a slider which may
selectively open and close the dispensing opening. The dispensing
opening may be in the top or in one side of the box. The slider may
have stops to limit its movement, and may be guided by the box
construction. The slider may be attached to an actuation panel
extending down one side of the box, and the actuation panel may
also serve as a handle for removing the box from the cup holder
receptacle, and for handling the box.
Inventors: |
Hengami, David Todjar;
(Torrance, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
HOWARD HUGHES CENTER
6060 CENTER DRIVE
TENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
34377115 |
Appl. No.: |
10/675318 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/129.1 ;
229/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/723 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/129.1 ;
229/110 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box comprising:
a box having a substantially hexagonal sidewall configuration, and
a top and a bottom; a product-dispensing opening in the top of the
box adjacent one of the hexagonal sides of the box; a movable slide
for selectively opening and closing the product dispensing opening,
said slide having upper and lower surfaces; said slide being
hingedly connected to an actuation panel extending down a side of
said hexagonal box; whereby said dispensing opening may be opened
and closed by movement of said actuation panel and the resulting
shifting of the slide between open and closed positions.
2. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein said actuation panel includes arrangements for
initiating movement thereof.
3. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein the box top includes arrangements for guiding
the slide, on both the upper and the lower surfaces of the
slide.
4. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein stops are provided for limiting movement of said
slide.
5. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein the box or container has a transverse extent
between two and three inches.
6. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein the box or container contains small solid
product elements which are smaller than the opening for easy
dispensing through the opening.
7. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein inner and outer top layers are provided, and
wherein said movable slide is guided to move between the inner and
outer top layers as the product dispensing opening is opened and
closed.
8. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 1 wherein said box is formed from a single blank.
9. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box comprising:
a box having a substantially equilateral polygonal cross-sectional
sidewall configuration, and a top and a bottom; a
product-dispensing opening toward the top of the box; a movable
slide for selectively opening and closing the product dispensing
opening, said slide having upper and lower surfaces; and said slide
being hingedly connected to an actuation panel extending along one
surface of said box; whereby said dispensing opening may be opened
and closed by movement of said actuation panel and the resulting
shifting of the slide between open and closed positions.
10. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein said actuation panel includes arrangements for
initiating movement thereof.
11. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein the box includes arrangements for guiding the
slide, on both sides of the slide.
12. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein stops are provided for limiting movement of said
slide.
13. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein the box or container has a transverse extent
between two and three inches.
14. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein the box or container contains small solid
product elements which are smaller than the opening for easy
dispensing through the opening.
15. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein inner and outer top layers are provided, and
wherein said movable slide is guided to move between the inner and
outer top layers as the product dispensing opening is opened and
closed.
16. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein said box is formed from a single blank.
17. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 9 wherein said box has six sides.
18. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box
comprising: a box having a substantially equilateral polygonal
cross-sectional sidewall configuration, and a top and a bottom; a
product-dispensing opening toward the top of the box; a movable
slide for selectively opening and closing the product dispensing
opening; and an actuator connected to said slide for manual
actuation of the slide; whereby said dispensing opening may be
opened and closed by movement of said actuator panel and the
resulting shifting of the slide between open and closed
positions.
19. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 18 wherein the opening is in the top of said box.
20. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined
in claim 18 wherein the opening is in one side of said box adjacent
the top of the box.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to product dispensing packages which
may conveniently be stored in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many vehicles have cup holders in which drinks may be
conveniently held. However, relative to candy or other small pieces
of food, they are often sold in flexible paper or plastic bags
which are difficult to store in a vehicle. Once the packages are
opened, the foodstuff is often spilled onto the car seats and can
become sticky, or otherwise soil the interior of the vehicle.
[0003] Dispensing containers are known, and prior patents relating
to such dispensers are disclosed in the following patents:
[0004] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,402 granted Aug. 20,
2002
[0005] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,942 granted Mar. 26,
2002
[0006] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,332 granted Aug. 14,
2001
[0007] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,499 granted Sep. 12,
2000
[0008] C. G. von Stillfried U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,373 granted Apr. 9,
1996.
[0009] However, these containers are generally rectangular, with a
size and configuration such that there is normally no convenient
place to store them in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, one important object of the invention is to
provide a dispensing package which may be conveniently stored in a
vehicle.
[0011] In accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment of
the invention a hexagonal package or box for small solid products
is provided with a slide which selectively opens and closes an
opening in the package; and the cross-sectional extent of the
package is about 2 to 3 inches or about five to eight centimeters,
so that it readily fits into drink holders normally found in most
vehicles.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hexagonal
container or box may have a product-dispensing opening in the top,
and a slide integrally formed from the box material may be
selectively moved to open or close the opening. The opening is
preferably near one side of the top of the hexagonal box, and the
slide extends along the inner surface of the top of the box and is
secured to an actuating panel extending down the outside of the
box, and overlying one side of the hexagonal box. The actuating
panel is hingedly secured to the slide, and is adhered to a side
panel of the box at an area spaced down from the top of the box to
facilitate movement of the slide to open or close the dispensing
opening. The actuating panel may also serve as a handle for
removing the box from the vehicle drink holding receptacle, and for
passing the box to others, for example.
[0013] Additional aspects of the dispenser box may include (1)
stops to limit movement of the slide, (2) a gripping arrangement on
the slide actuator to facilitate opening and (3) top panels above
and below the slide to guide the slide as it is opened and
closed.
[0014] Incidentally, typical small products which may be dispensed
from the box would be candy, chewing gum and medical pills, for
examples.
[0015] Instead of a hexagonal configuration, the box may be in
other configurations such as 5, 7 or 8-sided boxes, or boxes having
equilateral polygonal configuration, scaled to fit into a vehicle
cup holder.
[0016] While the dispensing opening is preferably in the top of the
box, it may also be located in one side of the box, normally near
the top of the box.
[0017] One advantage of the design is the ease of manufacture, in
that the final box configuration can be realized by successively
folding the extending tabs in an appropriate order, without
requiring a separate manufacturing step of inserting the slider
into the box assembly.
[0018] Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the following detailed description, and
from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid product dispensing
package or box illustrating the principles of the invention,
mounted in one of the drink holders in a vehicle;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view of the box of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a blank from which the
box of FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed, shown from the inside of the
box;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box of FIGS. 1 and 2;
and
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment;
and
[0024] FIG. 6 shows an alternative blank for a top dispensing box
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While the specification describes particular embodiments of
the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise
variations of the present invention without departing from the
inventive concept.
[0026] Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a
product container or box 12 is shown mounted in a drink holder
recess 14 of an automobile. Also shown in FIG. 1 are the gearshift
lever 16 and a hand brake actuating lever 18.
[0027] As shown to advantage in FIGS. 2 and 4, the container or box
12 has a product-dispensing opening 20 located in the top of the
box near one of the sides 22 of the hexagonal box. In addition, a
slide 24 is mounted to selectively open and close the product
dispensing opening 20.
[0028] The slide 24 is hingedly coupled to an actuation panel 26
which overlies one of the sides 28 of the hexagonal box 12. The
actuator panel 26 has a lower portion 26' firmly adhered to side 28
of the box, so that the upper portion of actuator panel 26 may be
pivoted in and out to move slide 24 to close and open the dispenser
opening 20.
[0029] Also visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 are the cut-away zone 42 in
the top and the cut 44 at the junction between slide 24 and slide
actuator 26, which facilitate opening of the product container or
box. Thus, using a fingernail, for example, the cut 44 may be
engaged, and the slider 24 pulled back.
[0030] The inner end 24' of the slider 24 is slightly wider than
the outer portion of slider, and has shoulders 38 which engage
inwardly extending portions of the top or tabs secured to the top
to form stops. These stops prevent the slider 24 from being fully
pulled out of the box or container.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a view of a blank from which the box or container
12 is formed; and the view is taken from the side of the blank
which will subsequently be the inside of the box. To correlate the
construction of the box of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 with the blank of FIG.
3, note that the same reference numerals are used in FIG. 3 as are
shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Two sides 52 and 54, which are not fully
visible in FIGS. 2 and 4, are shown in FIG. 3. The inner top 34'
and opening 20' are also shown in FIG. 3; and inner top 34' is
adhered in place by flaps 56 and 58. The outer top 34 is adhered to
the sides of the box by flaps 60 and 62. The slider 24 is therefore
guided between the two top layers 34 and 34' as it shifts between
the open and the closed positions.
[0032] The bottom 64 of the box 12 is adhesively secured to the
sidewalls by the flaps 66 on the bottom 64 and by the flaps 68 at
the lower ends of the sidewalls. The flap 70 is adhesively bonded
to sidewall 54 to close the sidewall configuration of the box
12.
[0033] Incidentally, with reference to FIG. 3, the darker or bolder
line 71 extending part of the way between side wall 54 and
actuation panel 26, represents a cut, while the other lines shown
in FIG. 3 represent fold lines.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of an alternative hexagonal
box or package 82 with an opening 84 on the sidewall thereof. The
slider 86 is hingedly secured to the actuator 88, which in turn is
adhesively secured along base strip area 90 to the top 92 of the
box 82. The slider 86 may have an enlarged end, with shoulders 94
engaging the top 92 to provide a retraction stop.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a blank 102 from which the hexagonal box of
FIGS. 2 and 3 may be formed. The blank 102 of FIG. 6 is similar to
the blank of FIG. 3, but the blank 102 of FIG. 6 has been modified
to avoid the need for providing a second opening as shown at
reference numeral 20' in FIG. 3.
[0036] More specifically, the sides 104, the bottom 106, and the
slider 108 are substantially the same as shown and discussed above
for the corresponding parts of FIG. 3. The top 110 is also
substantially the same, but may have two additional box securing
flaps 112, while the similar function flaps 56 and 58 have been
deleted.
[0037] However, instead of the apertured inner top closure 34' of
FIG. 3, the embodiment 102 of FIG. 6 has an "unapertured" flap 114
and optional securing flap 116. The flap 114 is folded in before
the slider 108 followed by the top 110 and the flap 114 provides an
inner guide for the slider 108. With the foregoing sequence of tab
folding, the manufacturing steps are simplified, and the slider is
automatically located in its proper final position. Also, the
embodiment of FIG. 6 has the advantage of simplicity, as compared
with the blank of FIG. 3, and avoids the need to punch out the
second opening 20' as shown in FIG. 3.
[0038] In closing it is noted that preferred illustrative
embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in
detail. However, various alternatives and modifications may be
employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, by way of example and not of limitation, the
product boxes may be made using 5 or 7 sides or other similar
polygonal configurations, preferably equilateral and of sizes which
are conveniently storable in the drink holders for vehicles. One
arrangement for securing the boxes together has been shown, but
other equivalent bonding arrangements may not be used, with tabs
located in different positions to secure the box closed. The boxes
may be formed of cardboard, stiff waxed paper, or sheets of
plastic, for examples, with the box materials matched to the
intended contents. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the
specific configurations described in detail hereinabove.
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