U.S. patent application number 11/321283 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for convenient solid product dispensing package.
Invention is credited to David Todjar Hengami.
Application Number | 20060124709 11/321283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34377115 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060124709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hengami; David Todjar |
June 15, 2006 |
Convenient solid product dispensing package
Abstract
A car cup holder dispensing box has a hexagonal shape with a
dispensing closure including a precision stopping mechanism and is
all made of one sheet of paper stock. 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: |
LAUSON & ASSOCIATES
1334 PARK VIEW AVENUE, SUITE 100
MANHATTAN BEACH
CA
90266
US
|
Family ID: |
34377115 |
Appl. No.: |
11/321283 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10675318 |
Sep 29, 2003 |
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11321283 |
Dec 27, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/110 ;
229/129.1; 229/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/723 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/110 ;
229/220; 229/129.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/00 20060101
B65D005/00; B65D 17/00 20060101 B65D017/00 |
Claims
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
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS
[0001] This application is continuation-in-part of utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/675,318 filed Sep. 29, 2003 of the same
title (now abandoned).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to product dispensing packages which
may conveniently be stored in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many vehicles have cup holders in which drinks may be
conveniently held. Candy or other small pieces of food, however,
are typically 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.
[0004] Dispensing containers are known, and prior patents relating
to such dispensers are disclosed in the following patents:
[0005] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,402 granted Aug. 20,
2002
[0006] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,942 granted Mar. 26,
2002
[0007] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,332 granted Aug. 14,
2001
[0008] D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,499 granted Sep. 12,
2000
[0009] C. G. von Stillfried U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,373 granted Apr. 9,
1996.
[0010] These containers are generally rectangular, however, with a
size and configuration such that there is normally no convenient
place to store them in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, one important object of the invention is to
provide a dispensing package which may be conveniently stored in a
vehicle.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
The actuating panel and stops are formed and fit together in such a
way to offer precise operation as described herein.
[0015] Incidentally, typical small products which may be dispensed
from the box would be candy, chewing gum and medical pills, for
examples.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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, thereby increasing production speed
especially in mass production.
[0019] The package of the present invention is most convenient for
mothers with small children, as when the kids leave the vehicle the
box may be placed in the cup holder avoiding accidents later and
making a mess on the vehicle seats. 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
[0020] 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;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of the box of FIG. 1;
[0022] 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;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box of FIGS. 1 and 2;
and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment;
and
[0025] FIG. 6 shows an alternative blank for a top dispensing box
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a second alternative blank for the top
dispensing box shown above.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first steps in
forming the box of the second-alternative blank.
[0028] FIG. 9 shows the second steps in forming this box.
[0029] FIG. 10 shows the third steps in forming this box.
[0030] FIG. 11 shows this box flattened for storage until filling
and completing of the box.
[0031] FIG. 12 shows the first steps in closing the top of the
box.
[0032] FIG. 13 shows the second steps in closing the top of the
box.
[0033] FIG. 14 shows the box with the top closed.
[0034] FIG. 15 shows the loading of candy or other small pieces of
food into the bottom of the box.
[0035] FIG. 16 shows the steps in closing the bottom of the
box.
[0036] Finally, FIG. 17 shows the completed box with the bottom
closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] FIG. 7-17 show an alternate embodiment blank 118 and steps
to erect and fill such a hexagonal box similar in some respects to
the box 12 described above but offering various improvements. The
overall configuration of the box was changed to reduce material
costs, strengthen the box, and make it easier to manufacture and
operate better.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows the inside (non-print) side of the blank 118 of
the hexagonal box. In comparison to the above-described boxes, the
inner top 34' (FIG. 3) or top flap 114 (FIG. 6) were largely
eliminated, and the side flap 70 reduced in size 50% resulting in
material savings. Moreover, a newly-shaped slider 120 has angled
stop portions 122 that operate more smoothly and without catching
on the sides of the box as explained below. Note the small steps
123, 143 that engage one another. The opening 124 is oval rather
than having any sharp corners. Except for the outer portions the
blank 118 is symmetrical simplifying manufacture.
[0052] FIGS. 8-11 show the initial steps in erecting the box. The
blank 118 is folded between sidewalls 132 and 134 and between
sidewalls 138 and 140 (FIG. 8), and then again between sidewalls
138 and 140 and between 126/128 and 132 (FIG. 9). The side flap 144
rectangular-shaped glue area 146 is adhered to the inside side
panel 132, while the inside actuation panel 128 glue area 148 is
adhered to the outside sidewall 142 (Fog. 10). Then the box can be
pressed flat (FIG. 11) and stored until ready to be filled.
[0053] FIGS. 12-17 show the filling process and completion of the
final formed package. First the top of the box is closed by folding
the four (4) flaps 150, 152, 154 and 156 (FIG. 12). Next the slider
120 is folded and then the top 160 followed by the two flaps 162,
164 (FIG. 13) which completes the top portion of the box (FIG. 14).
Then the box is inverted and the contents added through the open
bottom and the flaps 166, 168 folded (FIG. 15), and the bottom 170
folded including the three (3) flaps 172, 174 and 176 completing
the forming of the package.
[0054] In closing it is noted that preferred illustrative
embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in
detail. Various alternatives and modifications may be employed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
however. 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.
* * * * *