U.S. patent application number 11/369702 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for cartridge based dispenser system and method.
Invention is credited to Admir James Mesalic.
Application Number | 20070210097 11/369702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38477903 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070210097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mesalic; Admir James |
September 13, 2007 |
Cartridge based dispenser system and method
Abstract
A dispenser cartridge receptacle is disclosed comprising: a body
having a rear face, a front face, a top and a bottom; a tab member
disposed opposite said front face and attached thereto by a tab
offset member; and two side extensions, each having a top and a
bottom, extending outwardly from said front face; wherein said
front face and two side extensions define a cavity therebetween for
receiving dispenser cartridges therein.
Inventors: |
Mesalic; Admir James;
(Summerlin, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNABENDLAW
600 PROSPECT AVE
BROOKLYN
NY
11215
US
|
Family ID: |
38477903 |
Appl. No.: |
11/369702 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/045 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/24 20060101
A47K010/24 |
Claims
1. A dispenser cartridge receptacle comprising: a body having a
rear face, a front face, a top and a bottom; a tab member disposed
opposite said front face and attached thereto by a tab offset
member; and two side extensions, each having a top and a bottom,
extending outwardly from said front face; wherein said front face
and two side extensions define a cavity therebetween for receiving
dispenser cartridges therein.
2. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 1 wherein: said
cavity defines two inner receiving grooves and one outer receiving
groove, said inner receiving grooves and said outer receiving
groove being non-coplanar.
3. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 2 wherein: said
outer receiving groove is defined by said side extensions and said
tab member; and said inner receiving grooves are each defined by
one side extension and said tab offset member.
4. The dispenser cartridge receptacle claim 3 wherein said front
face, said tab offset member and said tab member form a channel
therebetween having two opposite ends, said channel being open on
one end and closed on the opposite end.
5. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 1, further
comprising: an inner finger extending outwardly from each of said
side extensions; and an inner receiving groove defined by one of
said side extensions, said inner finger of said side extension, a
portion of said front face adjacent to said one of said side
extensions, said tab member offset and a portion of said tab member
opposite said portion of said front face.
6. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 5, wherein said
inner receiving groove has a width of approximately 10.4
centimeters.
7. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 5, further
comprising: an outer finger extending outwardly from each of said
side extensions; and an outer receiving groove defined by said
outer and inner fingers of said side extensions and said tab
member.
8. The dispenser cartridge receptacle of claim 7 wherein said outer
receiving groove has a width of approximately 24.3 centimeters.
9. A cartridge standoff mount adapted to be received into a
dispenser cartridge receptacle comprising: a base member having top
and bottom surfaces; at least two front surfaces having undersides
and top sides, said front surfaces being attached to said top
surface of said base member by inner vertical members disposed
between said undersides of said front surfaces and said top surface
of said base member, said front surfaces further having extensions
which extend beyond said inner vertical members and being
substantially parallel to said top surface of said base member; a
channel defined by said front surface extensions, said inner
vertical members and said top surface of said base member; and a
top slot defined by adjacent ones of said top surface
extensions.
10. The cartridge standoff mount of claim 9, further comprising
outer vertical members extending downwardly from said underside of
said top surfaces and spaced apart from inner vertical members; and
a pass through channel defined by one of said undersides of said
top surfaces, and said outer and inner vertical members extending
from said one of said top surfaces.
11. The cartridge standoff mount of claim 10, where in said top
slot has a width of approximately 3 cm.
12. A method of dispensing items from a cartridge containing items
to be dispensed through an aperture in said cartridge comprising
the steps of: providing a cartridge adapted for mounting in a
cartridge receptacle; and inserting said cartridge into a
receptacle for receiving said cartridge so that said aperture is
accessible to a user; wherein said cartridge receptacle comprises:
a body having a rear face, a front face, a top and a bottom; a tab
member disposed opposite said front face and attached thereto by a
tab offset member, said front face, tab offset member and tab
member defining a slot therebetween; and two side extensions, each
having a top and a bottom, extending outwardly from said front
face; said front face and two side extensions defining a cavity
therebetween for receiving dispenser cartridges therein.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said cartridge receives said tab
member in said step of inserting said cartridge into said
receptacle.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein said cartridge receptacle
further comprises: an inner finger extending outwardly from each of
said side extensions; and an inner receiving groove defined by one
of said side extensions, said inner finger of said side extension,
a portion of said front face adjacent to said one of said side
extensions, said tab member offset and a portion of said tab member
opposite said portion of said front face.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said cartridge is inserted into
said inner receiving groove in said step of inserting said
cartridge into said receptacle.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said inner receiving groove has
a width of approximately 10.4 centimeters.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein said cartridge receptacle
further comprises: an outer finger extending outwardly from each of
said side extensions; and an outer receiving groove defined by said
outer and inner fingers of said side extensions and said tab
member.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said cartridge is inserted into
said outer receiving groove in said step of inserting said
cartridge into said receptacle.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said outer receiving groove has
a width of approximately 24.3 centimeters.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
dispensers for consumable products, and more specifically to the
field of dispenser systems for dispensing protective coverings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention is directed to a new and useful
dispenser package receptacle, a dispenser package and a standoff
mount for the package. The subject invention also relates to
methods for dispensing items from dispenser packages using
dispenser package receptacles.
[0003] A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
dispenser cartridge receptacle having a body having: a rear face, a
front face, a top and a bottom; a tab member disposed opposite the
front face and attached thereto by a tab offset member; and two
side extensions, each having a top and a bottom, extending
outwardly from the front face; wherein the front face and two side
extensions define a central cavity therebetween for receiving
dispenser cartridges therein.
[0004] The dispenser cartridge receptacle may also include an inner
finger extending outwardly from each of the side extensions; and an
inner receiving groove defined by one of the side extensions, the
inner finger of the side extension, a portion of the front face
adjacent to the one of the side extensions, the tab member offset
and a portion of the tab member opposite the portion of the front
face. The inner receiving groove may have a width of approximately
10.4 centimeters.
[0005] The dispenser cartridge receptacle may also have an outer
finger extending outwardly from each of the side extensions and an
outer receiving groove defined by the outer and inner fingers of
the side extensions and the tab member. The outer receiving groove
may have a width of approximately 24.3 centimeters.
[0006] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention
includes a cartridge standoff mount adapted to be received into a
dispenser cartridge receptacle, having: a base member having top
and bottom surfaces; at least two front surfaces having undersides
and top sides, the front surfaces being attached to the top surface
of the base member by inner vertical members disposed between the
undersides of the front surfaces and the top surface of the base
member; the front surfaces further having extensions which extend
beyond the inner vertical members and being substantially parallel
to the top surface of the base member; a central channel defined by
the front surface extensions, the inner vertical members and the
top surface of the base member; and a top slot defined by adjacent
ones of the top surface extensions.
[0007] The cartridge standoff mount may also have an outer vertical
members extending downwardly from the underside of the top surfaces
and spaced apart from inner vertical members and a pass through
channel defined by one of the undersides of the top surfaces, and
the outer and inner vertical members extending from the one of the
top surfaces. The top slot may have a width of approximately 3
cm.
[0008] The present invention also discloses a method of dispensing
items from a cartridge containing items to be dispensed through an
aperture in the cartridge having the steps of: providing a
cartridge adapted for mounting in a cartridge receptacle and
inserting the cartridge into a receptacle for receiving the
cartridge so that the aperture is accessible to a user. In this
embodiment, the cartridge receptacle, includes a body having a rear
face, a front face, a top and a bottom; a tab member disposed
opposite the front face and attached thereto by a tab offset
member, the front face, tab offset member and tab member defining a
slot therebetween; and two side extensions, each having a top and a
bottom, extending outwardly from the front face; the front face and
two side extensions defining a central cavity therebetween for
receiving dispenser cartridges therein.
[0009] The cartridge may receive the tab member in the step of
inserting the cartridge into the receptacle, and the cartridge
receptacle may further have: an inner finger extending outwardly
from each of the side extensions; and an inner receiving groove
defined by one of the side extensions, the inner finger of the side
extension, a portion of the front face adjacent to the one of the
side extensions, the tab member offset and a portion of the tab
member opposite the portion of the front face.
[0010] The cartridge may be inserted into the inner receiving
groove in the step of inserting the cartridge into the receptacle,
and the inner receiving groove may have a width of approximately
10.4 centimeters. Additionally, the cartridge receptacle may
further have: an outer finger extending outwardly from each of the
side extensions; and an outer receiving groove defined by the outer
and inner fingers of the side extensions and the tab member. The
cartridge may be inserted into the outer receiving groove in the
step of inserting the cartridge into the receptacle. The outer
receiving groove may have a width of approximately 24.3
centimeters.
[0011] These and other aspects of the subject invention will become
more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art
from the following detailed description of the invention taken in
conjunction with the drawings described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the
subject invention pertains will more readily understand how to make
and use the subject invention, preferred embodiments thereof will
be described in detail herein with reference to the drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
mounting structure of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting structure of
FIG. 1 operatively attached to a product package.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a receptacle structure of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3B is a wire-frame perspective view of a receptacle
structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
including two cartridges mounted therein.
[0017] FIG. 4 is top view of the receptacle structure of FIGS. 3A
and 3B.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a mounting bracket of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of a mounting bracket of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment
of a dispenser cartridge of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment
of a dispenser cartridge of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another preferred
embodiment of a dispenser cartridge of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top view of the cartridge dispenser depicted in
FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a top view of the cartridge dispenser depicted in
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0026] Generally speaking, the present invention includes a
mounting structure, which may be operatively affixed to a product
package. The mounting structure may then be operatively coupled to
a receptacle structure, which is in turn affixed to a structure
such as a chair, high chair, wall, table or the like.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a mounting structure 1, which includes two or
more front faces 30, side surfaces 32 and faces 35. Central channel
10 runs transversely through mounting structure 1 and is defined by
inner vertical members 33, base member 31 and front surface
extensions 36, which extend from front surfaces 30 over a portion
of base member 31. Central channel 10 has two ends and is generally
rectangular in cross section. It includes generally rectangular
apertures 11 on each end and top slot 12 positioned opposite from
base member 31. Top slot 12 is formed between two or more front
surfaces 30 and base member 31. Base member 31 also has a bottom
surface, not shown, which faces away from top slot 12. This bottom
surface effectively forms the underside of mounting structure
1.
[0028] Front surfaces 30 are fixedly attached to base member 31 by
means of inner vertical members and angled faces 21. Angled faces
21 may be formed at any angle relative to the plane of base member
31, up to an including 90 degrees. Outer vertical members 34 extend
downwardly from front surfaces 30, forming pass through channels 40
between the outer vertical members 34 and inner vertical members
33. Pass through channel opening 41 is formed in faces 35.
[0029] Mounting structure 1 is shown operatively attached to
package 13 in FIG. 2 on the underside of structure 1 (not shown).
This attachment may be achieved by means of adhesive, hook-and-loop
fabric, tape, or any other means which securely maintains mounting
structure 1 in contact with package 13. Alternatively, mounting
structure 1 may be integrally formed with a package for dispensing
items.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, package 13 may be
operatively attached to receptacle 50, which may in turn be mounted
on a surface, by sliding mounting structure 1 into central cavity
53 of receptacle 50. Mounting structure 1 may then be retained in
receptacle 50 by means of central channel 10, which operatively
mates with tab member 60. Additionally, a bottom plate of
receptacle 50 (not shown) may help to maintain package 13 in
receptacle 50 by providing upward support to package 13. Likewise,
mounting structure 1 may include flanges or fingers on its side
surfaces 32 (not shown) which operatively mate with inner slots 71
and/or outer slots 72 of receptacle 50, thereby helping to maintain
package 13 in receptacle 50.
[0031] Package 13 may be maintained on a surface without use of a
receptacle by passing fastening means such as rope, string, tape,
hook and loop fabric or the like through pass through channel
opening 41 into pass through channel 40, and then secured about a
suitable structure such as a chair back or the like.
[0032] Ultimately, receptacle 50 may accept and maintain any
package configured to be operatively received and maintained by
receptacle 50.
[0033] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 depict a receptacle structure of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle structure
50 includes rear face (not shown) and front face 52. A central
cavity 53 is formed adjacent to front face 52 between side
extensions 70, which extend substantially perpendicularly from
front face 52. Each side extension 70 includes an outer finger 74
and inner finger 73 that extend substantially perpendicularly from
side extension 70 into central cavity 53. Inner slot 71 is formed
between inner finger 73 and front face 52. Outer slot 72 is formed
between inner finger 73 and outer finger 74. Outer slots 72 and
inner slots 71 are open at the top of receptacle 50 and closed at
the bottom.
[0034] Tab member 60 is a generally planar member positioned
substantially parallel to front face 52 and is maintained at a
fixed distance from front face 52 by tab member offset 61. Tab
member slots 62 are formed between tab member 60, tab member offset
61, and front face 52. Inner receiving grooves 63 are formed in the
space defined by the combination of inner slots 71, tab member
slots 62 and the portion of front face 52 located therebetween.
Outer receiving groove 64 is formed in the space between and
including outer slots 72 and is further defined by the face of tab
member 60.
[0035] A bottom plate (not shown) may be configured to generally
conform to the shape of central cavity 53 and may include inner
tabs and outer tabs which correspond to inner slot 71 and outer
slot 72 respectively. The bottom plate may also includes a rear
groove which conforms to tab member 61 and slots 62. The bottom
plate may be operatively placed within central cavity by inserting
it at the top of receptacle 50 and downwardly sliding the bottom
plate until it rests at the bottom of slots 71 and 72,
corresponding to the bottom of receptacle 50. In this manner, the
bottom plate may form a support surface for objects placed in
receptacle 50. Alternatively, the bottom plate may be integrally
formed with or affixed to receptacle 50.
[0036] Receptacle 50 may also include mounting holes 81 formed in
front face 52 and extending through to rear face 51 to permit
direct mounting of the unit onto a surface such as a wall, chair
back, or the like by means of screws, nails or similar means.
Alternatively, mounting holes 81 may align with mounting holes 103
in tab 102 of mounting bracket 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and
6. In such embodiments, mounting bracket 100 may include clamping
member 101. In operation, clamping member 101 is placed around any
suitable structure such as a chair leg, chair arm post, column or
the like. Thereafter, clamping bolts 104 may be passed through
openings 105 and may be tightened to retain mounting bracket 100
securely on the structure to which it is mounted. Receptacle 50 may
then be affixed to tab 102 by means of nut-and-bolt assemblies
placed through mounting holes 81 and 103. Alternatively, receptacle
50 may be adapted to clip or clamp onto tab 102.
[0037] FIG. 3B shows two smaller sized cartridges, depicted in more
detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, disposed in inner receiving grooves
63. Alternatively but not shown, a single, larger sized cartridge,
depicted in more detail in FIGS. 9 and 11, may be disposed in outer
receiving groove 64. Because the inner receiving grooves 63 and
outer receiving groove 64 are offset from one another (that is,
they are not co-planar), a single receptacle 50 can alternately
accommodate both sizes of cartridges. Furthermore, as previously
discussed, packages may also be mounted on receptacle 50 by means
of tab member 60, and so receptacle 50 may accommodate no less than
three types of packages and/or package mounts.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 11, two preferred
embodiments of the dispenser cartridge of the present invention are
shown. Cartridge body 110 houses the articles to be dispensed from
the cartridge. Mounting structure 112 is fixed to the bottom of
cartridge body 110 via mounting structure supports 116. At either
end of mounting structure 112 are slots 120, formed between
cartridge body 110, mounting structure supports 116 and ends 114.
The dispenser cartridge depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 may be
inserted into the inner receiving groove of a dispenser cartridge
receptacle by placing ends 114 in inner slots 71 of the structure
of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 and accepting inner finger 73 of that
structure in slots 120. Similarly, the dispenser cartridge of FIGS.
10 and 11 may be inserted into the outer receiving groove of a
dispenser cartridge receptacle by inserting ends 114 in outer slots
72 of the structure of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 and accepting outer
finger 74 of that structure in slots 120.
[0039] Aperture 123 is located at the top of dispenser cartridge
110, and includes membrane 122, composed of a plastic, cellophane,
or similar material. Membrane 122 includes slit 124 through which
articles may be dispensed.
[0040] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the pertinent art that changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.
* * * * *