U.S. patent application number 17/173361 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-19 for eyewear dispensing assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is O&M Halyard, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nicholas Damiani, Marshall R. Dean, Peymaun Ghafouri-Kia, Khoa T. Lien.
Application Number | 20210253299 17/173361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005460378 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210253299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dean; Marshall R. ; et
al. |
August 19, 2021 |
Eyewear Dispensing Assembly
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a dispensing assembly for
dispensing articles, such as disposable eyewear (e.g., face
shields, safety glasses, goggles, etc.), face masks, gloves, etc.
The dispensing assembly includes a container having a plurality of
exterior panels. The exterior panels define an internal chamber and
a dispenser opening on the container including a first portion and
a second portion defined by a flap on one of the plurality of
external panels. The dispensing assembly also includes a folded
portion contained within the internal chamber. The folded portion
includes a plurality of folded sections configured together and is
disposed adjacent an article storage area. The article storage area
is configured to receive a plurality of articles. The flap
functions as a retention mechanism and the folded portion functions
as a ramp to facilitate the removal of an individual article from
the article storage area within the internal chamber in an
efficient manner.
Inventors: |
Dean; Marshall R.; (Cumming,
GA) ; Ghafouri-Kia; Peymaun; (Alpharetta, GA)
; Lien; Khoa T.; (Alpharetta, GA) ; Damiani;
Nicholas; (Fairport, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O&M Halyard, Inc. |
Mechanicsville |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005460378 |
Appl. No.: |
17/173361 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62975905 |
Feb 13, 2020 |
|
|
|
63085295 |
Sep 30, 2020 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/62 20130101; B65D
5/724 20130101; B65D 5/725 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72; B65D 5/62 20060101 B65D005/62 |
Claims
1. A dispensing assembly, comprising: a container comprising a
front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first
side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the front panel, the
rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel,
and the second side panel define an internal chamber; a flap,
wherein the flap is present on the front panel to define an opening
in the front panel, wherein the opening includes a first portion
and a second portion, wherein the first portion is defined by the
first side panel and a first edge of the flap and the second
portion is defined by the second side panel and a second edge of
the flap; and a folded portion contained within the internal
chamber, the article dispensing component comprising a first panel
and a second panel configured together to form an article storage
area, the article storage area configured to receive a plurality of
articles, wherein the first panel is stationary and the second
panel is biased towards the first panel via one or more flexible
members, the first and second panels comprising one or more aligned
recesses configured to receive the one or more flexible
members.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap is separated from an
upper portion of the front panel via a border or fold line.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises a
base portion positioned below the flap.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein a lower edge of the flap is
separated from an upper edge of the base portion of the front
panel.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the lower edge of the flap is
separated from the upper edge of the base portion by a distance
ranging from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2 millimeters.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap has a height ranging
from about 50 millimeters to about 80 millimeters.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap has a width ranging
from about 25 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a height of the flap
to a width of the flap ranges from about 1.05 to about 2.5
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap each include a plurality of radii of
curvature.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap each include a first radius of
curvature ranging from about 3 millimeters to about 5
millimeters.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap each include a second radius of
curvature ranging from about 11 millimeters to about 14
millimeters.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap each include a third radius of
curvature ranging from about 45 millimeters to about 70
millimeters.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap each include a fourth radius of
curvature ranging from about 2.5 millimeters to about 4
millimeters.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the folded portion includes a
plurality of folds.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the folded portion includes a
horizontal section extending from an upper edge of a base portion
of the front panel to a fold, wherein the fold is located between
the front panel and the rear panel with respect to a horizontal
direction or x-direction, wherein the fold is folded at an angle to
define an angled section of the folded portion extending from the
fold to the rear panel, wherein the angled section has an angle
ranging from about 100.degree. to about 170.degree. with respect to
the horizontal or x-direction.
16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front
panel, the rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first
side panel, and the second side panel is constructed of carton
cardboard stock, paperboard, heavy structural paper, container
stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic coated paper, a plastic
sheet, a wax-coated paper, or a combination thereof.
17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the folded portion is
constructed of carton cardboard stock, paperboard, heavy structural
paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic coated
paper, a plastic sheet, a wax-coated paper, or a combination
thereof.
18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the articles comprise personal
protective equipment.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the personal protective
equipment comprises protective eyewear.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the protective eyewear
comprises a face shield, glasses, or goggles.
21. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one insert
configured to retain the articles within the internal chamber.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one insert is
configured to cover at least a portion of the opening.
23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one insert is a
dust cover insert configured to cover the entire opening.
24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one insert
comprises an elongated portion configured to prevent tangling of
the articles within the internal chamber.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/975,905, filed on Feb. 13, 2020, and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/085,295, filed on Sep. 30,
2020, which are each incorporated herein in their entireties by
reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a dispensing
assembly, and more particularly to an eyewear (e.g., face shield,
safety glasses, goggle, etc.) dispensing assembly and methods of
making same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A variety of single use, disposable products such as eyewear
(e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles, etc.), face masks,
gloves, and the like are often packaged in bulk in dispensing
cartons. These dispensing cartons frequently have an opening or
dispensing orifice cover for removal of the articles individually
from the carton.
[0004] Because such single use, disposable products are often used
in healthcare settings as personal protective equipment (PPE) to
prevent hazardous biological fluids from coming into contact with
healthcare professionals, it is important for healthcare
professionals to have efficient and easy access to these
products.
[0005] In the case of protective eyewear in particular, single use,
disposable products may be shipped in a container or box in bulk,
and the products may remain the container or box until needed. When
a face shield, protective glasses, or goggles is needed, a
healthcare worker typically locates the container, opens the
container, removes a single face shield, pair of glasses, or
goggles from the container, and then closes the container. This
process can be time-consuming, particular in a fast-paced
healthcare environment where the amount of time to don personal
protective equipment can make a difference in patient outcomes.
Further, it is common for eyewear to be shipped separately and then
need to be assembled by the user, which elevates the need for a
user to assemble. In this regard, it would be helpful if the
packaging in which the eyewear was shipped could provide a
consistent means of storing and dispensing the eyewear, where
eyewear is typically handled in a loose bulk polybag.
[0006] As such, a need exists for new and improved dispensing
assemblies for dispensing personal protective equipment (PPE)
products. More specifically, assemblies that effectively dispense
individual products, e.g., eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety
glasses, goggles, etc.) without a risk of the additional products
in the dispenser being dispensed as well would be welcomed in the
art in order to reduce waste. The need for such assemblies is
particularly apparent for larger volume packages having contents
that move around substantially and may be easily removed from a
dispenser opening, particularly in a health care environment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a
dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes a container
comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom
panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the
front panel, the rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the
first side panel, and the second side panel define an internal
chamber; a flap, wherein the flap is present on the front panel to
define an opening in the front panel, wherein the opening includes
a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is
defined by the first side panel and a first edge of the flap and
the second portion is defined by the second side panel and a second
edge of the flap; and a folded portion contained within the
internal chamber, the article dispensing component comprising a
first panel and a second panel configured together to form an
article storage area, the article storage area configured to
receive a plurality of articles, wherein the first panel is
stationary and the second panel is biased towards the first panel
via one or more flexible members, the first and second panels
comprising one or more aligned recesses configured to receive the
one or more flexible members.
[0009] In another embodiment, the flap can be separated from an
upper portion of the front panel via a border or fold line.
[0010] In still another embodiment, the front panel can include a
base portion positioned below the flap. Further, a lower edge of
the flap can be separated from an upper edge of the base portion of
the front panel. In addition, the lower edge of the flap can be
separated from the upper edge of the base portion by a distance
ranging from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2 millimeters.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the flap can have a height
ranging from about 50 millimeters to about 80 millimeters.
[0012] In one more embodiment, the flap can have a width ranging
from about 25 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.
[0013] In an additional embodiment, a ratio of a height of the flap
to a width of the flap can range from about 1.05 to about 2.5 In
another embodiment, the first edge of the flap and the second edge
of the flap can each include a plurality of radii of curvature.
[0014] In still another embodiment, the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap can each include a first radius of
curvature ranging from about 3 millimeters to about 5
millimeters.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap can each include a second radius of
curvature ranging from about 11 millimeters to about 14
millimeters.
[0016] In one more embodiment, the first edge of the flap and the
second edge of the flap can each include a third radius of
curvature ranging from about 45 millimeters to about 70
millimeters.
[0017] In an additional embodiment, the first edge of the flap and
the second edge of the flap can each include a fourth radius of
curvature ranging from about 2.5 millimeters to about 4
millimeters.
[0018] In another embodiment, the folded portion can include a
plurality of folds. Further, the folded portion can include a
horizontal section extending from an upper edge of a base portion
of the front panel to a fold, wherein the fold can be located
between the front panel and the rear panel with respect to a
horizontal direction or x-direction, wherein the fold can be folded
at an angle to define an angled section of the folded portion
extending from the fold to the rear panel, wherein the angled
section can have an angle ranging from about 100.degree. to about
170.degree. with respect to the horizontal or x-direction.
[0019] In one more embodiment, at least one of the front panel, the
rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel,
and the second side panel can be constructed of carton cardboard
stock, paperboard, heavy structural paper, container stock,
corrugated paperboard, plastic coated paper, a plastic sheet, a
wax-coated paper, or a combination thereof.
[0020] In another embodiment, the folded portion can be constructed
of carton cardboard stock, paperboard, heavy structural paper,
container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic coated paper, a
plastic sheet, a wax-coated paper, or a combination thereof.
[0021] In still another embodiment, the articles can include
personal protective equipment. Further, the personal protective
equipment can include protective eyewear. For example, the
protective eyewear can include a face shield, glasses, or
goggles.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the dispensing assembly can include
at least one insert configured to retain the articles within the
internal chamber. Moreover, the at least one insert can be
configured to cover at least a portion of the opening. Further, the
at least one insert can be a dust cover insert configured to cover
the entire opening. Moreover, the at least one insert can include
an elongated portion configured to prevent tangling of the articles
within the internal chamber.
[0023] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a
dispensing assembly for dispensing a plurality of articles, such as
eyewear (e.g., face shields) according to the present disclosure,
where the dispensing assembly includes a panel having a flap and an
internal chamber containing a folded portion, where the flap and
folded portion facilitate dispensing of the articles from the
assembly;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an empty perspective view of one
embodiment of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an empty front view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a side panel view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure, where the specific arrangement of the folded portion in
the internal chamber is shown in detail;
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure, where the specific arrangement of the flap and the
folded portion are shown in detail;
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a panel view of one embodiment of the
dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure,
where the specific arrangement of the folded portion and a
plurality of articles to be dispensed from the internal chamber is
shown in detail;
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a zoomed-in front view of one embodiment
of dispensing assembly of FIG. 1, where the dispensing assembly
includes a panel having a flap and an internal chamber containing a
folded portion, where the flap and the folded portion facilitate
dispensing of the articles from the assembly according to the
present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 8A illustrates a front view of a dust cover insert of
the dispensing assembly;
[0033] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure, where the dust cover insert of FIG. 8A is inserted in
the container;
[0034] FIG. 9A illustrates a front view of a retaining insert
according to one particular embodiment of the dispensing
assembly;
[0035] FIG. 9B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure, where the retaining insert of FIG. 9A is inserted in
the container;
[0036] FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of a retaining insert
according to one particular embodiment of the dispensing
assembly;
[0037] FIG. 10B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 according to the present
disclosure, where the retaining insert of FIG. 10A is inserted in
the container; and
[0038] FIG. 10C illustrates a top view of the dispensing assembly
of FIG. 10B having the retaining insert inserted into the
container.
[0039] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or
analogous features or elements of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0041] Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to a
dispensing assembly for dispensing articles, such as personal
protective equipment including but not limited to disposable
eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles, etc.), face
masks, gloves, etc. The dispensing assembly includes a container
having a plurality of panels (e.g., a front panel, a rear panel, a
top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side
panel) that define an internal chamber for storing the articles
until the articles need to be dispensed. One of the panels (e.g.,
the front panel) includes a dispenser opening on the container
including a first portion and a second portion defined by a flap on
one of the plurality of panels (e.g., a flap on the front panel).
The dispensing assembly also includes a folded portion contained
within the internal chamber. The folded portion includes a
plurality of folded sections (e.g., a plurality of horizontal (x)
direction sections, vertical (y) direction sections, and angled
sections) defined by a plurality of folds. Further, the folded
portion is disposed adjacent an article storage area, and the
storage area is configured to receive a plurality of articles. The
dispensing assembly may also include at least one insert, such as a
retaining insert, that is configured to support the articles and
prevent tangling of the articles within the container. The insert
can be a dust cover insert that covers the dispenser opening during
transport or storage. The present inventors have found that the
specific design of the flap allows it to function as a retention
mechanism and that the specific design of the folded portion allows
it to function as a ramp to facilitate the removal of an individual
article from the article storage area within the internal chamber
in an efficient manner. Moreover, the present inventors have found
that the specific design of the one or more inserts can prevent
tangling of articles within the container from occurring during
shipping or storage.
[0042] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front
view of one embodiment of a dispensing assembly 10 for dispensing a
plurality of articles 38, such as eyewear (e.g., face shields)
according to the present disclosure, where the dispensing assembly
10 includes a panel having a flap and an internal chamber
containing a folded portion, where the flap and the folded portion
facilitate dispensing of the articles from the assembly of an
exemplary dispensing assembly 10 or package for dispensing articles
38 such as, for example, disposable eyewear (e.g., face shields,
safety glasses, goggles, etc.) face masks, examination gloves,
paper products (e.g., tissues, paper towels, etc.), dust mitts, or
the like. As shown, the dispensing assembly 10 includes a container
12 having a plurality of panels including front panel 20, rear
panel 22, top panel 24, bottom panel 26, first side panel 28, and
second side panel 30. The plurality of panels may be constructed of
any suitable material such as, for example, carton cardboard stock,
paperboard, heavy structural paper, container stock, corrugated
paperboard, plastic coated paper, a plastic sheet, a wax-coated
paper or the like, or a combination thereof.
[0043] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 the exterior panels of the
container 12 define an internal chamber 16 and an opening 18 on,
for instance, the front panel 20, of the container 12 for
dispensing articles therethrough. The opening 18 can include a
first portion 18A and a second portion 18B defined by a flap 14
near a base portion 40 of the front panel 20, the first and second
side panels 28 and 30, and an upper edge 50 of the base portion 40
of the front panel 20. Specifically, the first portion 18A can be
defined by a first edge 15A of the flap 14, an edge 29 of the first
side panel 28, and the upper edge 50 of the base portion 40, while
the second portion 18B can be defined by a second edge 15B of the
flap 14, an edge 31 of the second side panel 30, and the upper edge
50 of the base portion 40. The opening 18 can further include
finger holes 19 disposed on the first and second side panels 28 and
30. Each of the finger holes 19 can be a rounded shape, such as a
half-circle extending from the edges 29 and 31 into the side panels
28 and 30, respectively. The finger holes 19 can have a diameter of
about 1 inch to provide sufficient size and space for a user to
reach into the holes 19 with their fingers to assist with removing
contents from the opening 18.
[0044] Further, as shown, the flap 14 can be defined or separated
from an upper portion 41 of the front panel 20 by a border or fold
line 44 and a lower edge 42 of the flap 14 can be separated from
the upper edge 50 of the base portion 40 of the front panel 20 by a
distance or height H2 (see FIG. 7). The various features of the
flap 14 will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 7
below, but it is to be understood that the flap 14 generally
functions as a retention mechanism to hold the articles 38 to be
individually dispensed in the article storage area 36 of the
internal chamber 16 of the container 12 until an article 38 is
ready to be individually dispensed, at which time the folded
portion 34 in the folded portion area 32 serves as a ramp to assist
a user in removing an article 38 from the container 12 by grasping
the article 38 from one or both sections 18A and 18B of the
opening, whereby the lower edge 42 of the flap 14 moves away from
the rear panel 22 to allow for sufficient space to remove the
article 38. In other words, the user overcomes the retention
mechanism feature of the flap 14 to remove an article 36 as the
folded portion 34 acts as a ramp to guide an individual article 36
toward and through the opening 18. In this manner, the flap 14
holds the articles 36 within the internal chamber 16 of the
container until an article 36 is needed by a user. In addition, in
certain embodiments, it should be understood that either or both of
the side panels 28, 30 or the top panel 24 may be configured to
open, thereby allowing insertion during packaging or removal as
needed of a plurality of articles 36 as described herein.
[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 4-5, the folded portion 34 positioned
in the folded portion area 32 of the internal chamber 16 of the
container 12 of the dispensing assembly 10 is shown in more detail.
The folded portion 34 is folded so that it forms a ramp adjacent
the bottom panel 26 of the container 12 and is defined by a first
end 46 and a second end 48. As shown, when the folded portion 34 is
inside the container 12, the first end 46 is positioned between the
front panel 20 and the midpoint M of the side panels 18, 20
midpoint M below the upper edge 50 of the base portion 40 of the
front panel 20. Meanwhile, the second end 48 is positioned where
the lower panel 26 and the rear panel 30 meet at the bottom of the
container 12. In order to have a ramped shape to guide the articles
38 to be dispensed from the inner chamber 16, the folded portion 34
is folded at various locations between the first end 46 and the
second end 48. Specifically, a first fold F1 is formed at a right
angle to define a middle horizontal section 52 extending in the
x-direction between a midpoint M of the side panels 18, 20 and
partially towards the front panel 20 near the upper edge 50 of the
base portion 40 in the y-direction, where the middle horizontal
section 52 is defined by the first end 46 and the first fold F1 of
the folded portion 34. Further, the folded portion 34 also includes
a middle vertical section 54 extending in the y-direction that is
defined by the first fold F1 and a second fold F2, which is formed
at a right angle, where the first fold F1 and the second fold F2
are generally aligned adjacent or at the midpoint M of the side
panels 18, 20 and adjacent the bottom panel 26. In addition, the
folded portion 34 includes a lower horizontal section 56 extending
in the x-direction that is defined by the second fold F2 and a
third fold F3, which is formed at a right angle where the bottom
panel 26 and the front panel 20 meet. Moreover, the folded portion
34 also includes a front vertical section 58 extending in the
y-direction that is defined by the third fold F3 and a fourth fold
F4, which is formed at a right angle adjacent the upper edge 50 of
the base portion 40 of the front panel 20. Furthermore, the folded
portion 34 includes an upper horizontal section 60 extending in the
x-direction that is defined by the fourth fold F4 and a fifth fold
F5, which is generally aligned with the upper edge 50 of the base
portion 40 of the front panel 20 in the y-direction and at or
adjacent the midpoint M of the side panels 18, 20 in the
x-direction. As shown, the fifth fold F5 is folded at a first angle
.theta..sub.1 that ranges from about 100.degree. to 170.degree.,
such as from about 115.degree. to about 165.degree., such as from
about 130.degree. to about 160.degree. with respect to the
x-direction in order to form a ramp in the folded portion 34. In
other words, the upper horizontal section 60 extending from the
upper edge 50 of the base portion 40 of the front panel 20 to a
fold F5, where the fold F5 is located between the front panel 20
and the rear panel 30 in the x-direction, wherein the fold F5 is
angled to then define an angled section 62 that extends from the
fold F5 to the rear panel 30, where the angled section 62 also has
an angle ranging from about 100.degree. to about 170.degree., such
as from about 115.degree. to about 165.degree., such as from about
130.degree. to about 160.degree. with respect to the horizontal or
x-direction. As also shown, the angled section 62 of the folded
portion 34, which can be called the ramped portion of the folded
portion 34, is defined by the fifth fold F5 and a sixth fold F6,
which has a second angle .theta..sub.2 that ranges from about
10.degree. to 80.degree., such as from about 15.degree. to about
65.degree., such as from about 20.degree. to about 50.degree. with
respect to the y-axis and which is located adjacent the rear panel
22. The folded portion 34 also includes a rear vertical section 64
extending in the y-direction adjacent the rear panel 22 that is
defined by the sixth fold F6 and the second end 48 of the folded
portion 34.
[0046] Further, like the container 12, the folded portion 34 may be
constructed of any suitable material such as, for example, carton
cardboard stock, paperboard, heavy structural paper, container
stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic coated paper, a plastic
sheet, wax-coated paper or the like, or a combination thereof.
Regardless of the particular material from which the folded portion
34 is formed and referring to FIG. 6, the specific arrangement of
the folded portion 34, including the location of the fold and the
angles of the folds create a ramp that facilitates the individual,
on-demand dispensing of the articles 38 from the article storage
area 36 of the internal chamber 16 of the container 12 in that the
ramp guides the articles 38 toward the dispenser opening 18. For
instance, when the articles are face shields 38 have shields 66 and
arms 68 that are stacked one on top of the other in the article
storage area 36, as the face shield 38 is grasped by one or both
arms 68 by a user and pulled towards the first section 18A and the
second section 18B of the opening 18 (see FIG. 1), the angled or
ramped section 62 of the folded portion 34 guides the face shield
38 towards the opening as the user grasping the face shield
overcomes the retention mechanism provided by the flap 14 in the
front panel 20 so that the individual face shield 38 being grasped
can be dispensed.
[0047] The various features of the flap 14 that allow it to serve
as a retention mechanism to hold the articles 38 inside the
container until dispensing is desired are now discussed in detail
with respect to FIG. 7. Specifically, with the dispensing assembly
10 of the present disclosure, the flap 14 extends from the upper
portion 41 of the front panel 20 and is defined by a border or fold
line 44 to an upper edge 50 of the base portion 40 of the front
panel 20. As shown, the flap 14 has a height H, which also defines
the height of the first section 18A and the second section 18B of
the opening 18, in the y-direction ranging from about 50
millimeters to about 80 millimeters, such as from about 55
millimeters to about 75 millimeters, such as from about 60
millimeters to about 70 millimeters. In addition, the flap 14 has a
width W in the z-direction ranging from about 25 millimeters to
about 50 millimeters, such as from about 30 millimeters to about 45
millimeters, such as from about 35 millimeters to about 40
millimeters at its narrowest point near the lower edge 42. As such,
the ratio of the height H to the width W of the flap 14 ranges from
about 1.05 to about 2.5, such as from about 1.25 to about 2.25,
such as from about 1.5 to 2. In addition, to allow for a user to
apply adequate force to overcome the retention mechanism component
of the flap 14, the flap 14 does not contact the upper edge 50 of
the base portion 40 of the front panel, and the lower edge 42 of
the flap 14 and the upper edge 50 of the base portion 40 are
separated by a distance or height H2 in the y-direction ranging
from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2 millimeters, such as from
about 0.75 millimeters to about 1.75 millimeters, such as from
about 0.1 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters. The flap 14 also
includes various radii of curvature spaced along both edges (e.g.,
first edge 15A and second edge 15B) of the flap 14 that define the
openings 18A and 18B. For instance, each edge 15A and 15B of the
flap 14 includes four radii of curvature RC1, RC2, RC3, and RC4
extending from an area of the flap 14 closest toward the top panel
24 to an area of the flap 14 closest to the bottom panel 26 in the
y-direction, where the fourth radius of curvature RC4 at each edge
15A, 15B is where each edge 15A, 15B meets the lower edge 42 of the
flap 14.
[0048] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first
radius of curvature RC1 positioned near the fold line or border 44
can range from about 3 millimeters to about 5 millimeters, such as
from about 3.25 millimeters to about 4.75 millimeters, such as from
about 3.5 millimeters to about 4.5 millimeters. Further, the second
radius of curvature RC2 can range from about 11 millimeters to
about 14 millimeters, such as from about 11.5 millimeters to about
13.5 millimeters, such as from about 12 millimeters to about 13
millimeters, while the third radius of curvature RC3 can range from
about 45 millimeters to about 70 millimeters, such as from about 50
millimeters to about 65 millimeters, such as from about 55
millimeters to about 50 millimeters. In addition, the fourth radius
of curvature RC4 can range from about 2.5 millimeters to about 4
millimeters, such as from about 2.75 millimeters to about 3.75
millimeters, such as from about 3 millimeters to about 3.5
millimeters. Without intending to be limited by any particular
theory, the present inventors have found that the rounded edges
formed by the various radii of curvature allow for the repeated
deflection of the flap 14 without damage to the packaging material
by providing a curved edge instead of a corner which would increase
stress.
[0049] The dispensing assembly 10 of the present invention can
further include a dust cover insert 100 as shown in FIGS. 8A-B. The
dust cover insert 100 includes a body 102 that can be formed from a
single flat sheet design. The body 102 can include an elongated
portion 104 and a dust cover portion 106. The dust cover portion
106 is configured to cover the openings 18A and 18B of the
container 12 when the dust cover insert 100 is inserted within the
container 12. The dust cover portion 106 has a dust cover body 108
having a first side tab 110, a second side tab 112, and a lower tab
114 extending from the dust cover body 108, as shown in FIG. 8A.
The dust cover body 108 may be defined by a lower edge 116, from
which the lower tab 114 protrudes, a first side edge 118, from
which the first side tab 110 protrudes, a second side edge 120,
from which the second side tab 112 protrudes, and first and second
upper edges 122 and 124, respectively. Optionally, the dust cover
body 108 may have a first side upper angled edge 126 extending
between the first side edge 118 and the first upper edge 122, and a
second side upper angled edge 128 extending between the second side
edge 120 and the second upper edge 124. However, it is to be
understood that the dust cover body 108 may be formed in any
suitable shape to cover the dispenser opening 18. Moreover,
transitions between adjacent edges of the insert 100 may be
radiused, as shown between upper edges 122 and 124 and the elongate
portion 102, or angled, as shown, e.g., between the first side edge
118 and the first side tab 110. The dust cover body 108 may have a
width in the z-direction approximately equal to the width of the
dispenser opening 18 and/or the front panel 20, and a height in the
vertical y-direction at least as tall as the height H of the
dispenser opening 18. The first and second upper edges 122 and 124
can be in communication with and extend from the elongated portion
104 of the body 102 of the dust cover insert 100. For instance, as
shown in FIG. 8A, the first and second upper edges 122 and 124 can
be generally collinear with each other. The first side tab 110 can
be folded along a line 111 to distinguish the first side tab 110
from the body 108 of the dust cover portion 106. The line 111 may
be generally collinear with the first side edge 118. The second
side tab 112 can be folded along a line 113 to distinguish the
second side tab 112 from the body 108 of the dust cover portion
106. The line 113 may be generally collinear with the second side
edge 120. The lower tab 114 can be folded along a line 115 to
distinguish the lower tab 114 from the body 108 of the dust cover
portion 106. The line 115 can be generally collinear with the lower
edge 116.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 8B, when the dust cover insert 100 is
inserted into the container 12 with the dust cover portion 106
towards the bottom side 26 of the container 12, the dust cover body
108 can cover the openings 18A and 18B of the container 12. As
shown in FIG. 8B, the first side tab 110 can be disposed along the
first side panel 28 of the container 12, and the second side tab
112 can be disposed along the second side panel 30 of the container
12, when the dust cover insert 100 is inserted within the container
12. Moreover, the lower tab 114 may be disposed along the front
panel 20 when the insert 100 is inserted within the container 12.
For instance, the lower tab 114 may be inserted such that it is
disposed between the base portion 40 of the front panel 20 and the
front vertical section 58 of the folded insert 34 (see FIG. 6). If
the lower tab 114 is folded along the line 115, then the lower tab
114 may be disposed at an angle relative to the front panel 20 of
the container 12.
[0051] Thus, by covering the dispenser opening 18, the dust cover
insert 100 can provide protection of the eyewear from any damage or
wear and tear from shipping and/or a storage environment. Moreover,
as will be described in further detail below, the elongated portion
104 of the dust cover insert 100 can act as a retaining system by
preventing eyewear frames from tangling among each other within the
container 12, e.g., during shipment.
[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing assembly 10
may include a retaining insert, such as those illustrated in FIGS.
9A-B and 10A-C. Referring now to FIGS. 9A-B, a first embodiment of
a retaining insert 160 is shown. The retaining insert 160 can be
formed from a single flat sheet having a retaining body 162 and a
pull tab 172. The retaining insert 160 may be constructed of any
suitable material such as, for example, carton cardboard stock,
paperboard, heavy structural paper, container stock, corrugated
paperboard, plastic coated paper, a plastic sheet, a wax-coated
paper or the like, or a combination thereof. The retaining insert
160 may be defined by a first side edge 164, a second side edge
166, a lower edge 168, and an upper edge 170. A line 171, which may
be visible or invisible, may separate the retaining body 162 from
the pull tab 172. The retaining body 162 is configured to be
inserted within the container 12 such that the retaining body 162
blocks at least a portion of the openings 18A and/or 18B to retain
the eyewear articles 38 within the container and prevent eyewear
articles 38 from being removed when the retaining insert 160 is in
place. The retaining body 162 may have a dimension lengthwise that
is about the same as a length or height of the container 12. The
pull tab 172 is configured to extend or protrude from the top panel
24 of the container 12. A user may pull the pull tab 172 to remove
the retaining insert 160 from the container 12 without opening the
top panel 24. Once the retaining insert 160 is removed, a user is
enabled to access the eyewear articles 38 through the dispenser
opening 18.
[0053] A second embodiment of a retaining insert 180 is shown in
FIGS. 10A-10C. The retaining insert 180 can be formed from a single
flat sheet 190 and may be constructed of any suitable material such
as, for example, carton cardboard stock, paperboard, heavy
structural paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic
coated paper, a plastic sheet, a wax-coated paper or the like, or a
combination thereof. The retaining insert 180 includes a retaining
body 182, a first side tab 184 extending from a first or left side
of the retaining body 182, a second side tab 186 extending from a
second or right side of the retaining body 182, and a top tab or
panel 188 extending from an upper side of the retaining body 182.
The sheet 190 can include a first side fold line 194 where the
retaining body 182 and the first side tab 184 meet, a second side
fold line 196 where the retaining body 182 and the second side tab
186 meet, and a third side fold line 198 where the retaining body
192 and the top tab 188 meet. The fold lines 194, 196, 198 may be
visible, such as with markings, printed lines or symbols,
perforations, or other visible indicia, or they may not be visibly
denoted on the sheet 190. When the sheet 190 is folded along the
first fold line 194 and the second fold line 196, the first side
tab 184 and the second side tab 186 may be folded toward each other
such that the retaining insert forms a triangular shape 192 as
shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C.
[0054] The retaining insert 180 is configured to be inserted into
the container 12 such that the retaining body 182 blocks at least a
portion of the openings 18A and/or 18B to retain the eyewear
articles 38 within the container 12 and prevent eyewear articles 38
from being removed when the retaining insert 180 is in place. The
retaining body 182 may have a dimension lengthwise that is about
the same as a length or height of the container 12 in the vertical
y-direction. As described above, the first side tab 184 and the
second side tab 186 are configured to fold toward each other to
form a triangle shape 192 with the retaining body 182 within the
container 12, as shown in FIG. 10C. When the articles are face
shields 38 having shields 66 and arms 68, the arms 68 can extend
around the sides of the triangle 192 formed by the first side tab
184 and the second side tab 186 in order to prevent tangling of the
arms 68 within the container 12. The top tab 188 of the retaining
insert 180 can fold in a direction away from the first and second
side tabs 184, 186 in the x-direction such that the top tab 188
extends toward the front panel 20 of the container, as shown in
FIG. 10C. In this arrangement, the top tab 188 assists to center
the triangle 192 within the container 12 as shown. However, it is
to be understood that the top tab 188 can be an optional feature of
retaining insert 180 and that the retaining insert 180 may not
include a top tab 188 and/or the top tab 188 may not be folded
along the fold line 198 such that the top tab 188 does not assist
in the spacing or centering of the triangle 192 in the container
12. As described above with regard to the first embodiment of the
retaining insert 160, once the retaining insert 180 is removed from
the container 12, a user is enabled to access the eyewear articles
38 through the dispenser opening 18.
[0055] Regardless of the particular material from which the dust
cover insert 100 or retaining inserts 160, 180 are formed, the
specific arrangement of the dust cover insert 100, retaining insert
160 and/or retaining insert 180, creates a support within the
container 12 that prevents the articles 38 from being dislodged or
unintentionally dispensed from the article storage area 36 of the
internal chamber 16 of the container 12 in that the inserts 100,
160, 180 block the articles 38 from exiting from the dispenser
opening 18. For instance, when the articles are face shields 38
having shields 66 and arms 68 that are stacked one on top of the
other in the article storage area 36, the inserts 100, 160, 180
block at least a portion of the dispenser opening 18 such that the
shields 66 cannot be pulled through the dispenser opening 18.
Specifically, the dust cover insert 100, retaining insert 160 or
retaining insert 180 can be inserted between the front panel 20 and
the folded insert 34 of the container 12, e.g., wedged between the
front panel 20 and the folded insert 34 to achieve a secure fit.
Moreover, the elongated portion 104 of the insert 100, and the body
portions 162 and 182 of the retaining inserts 160, 180,
respectively, can facilitate supporting the face shields 38 by
being disposed between the arms 68 of the shields 38 and prevent
the arms 68 from being tangled.
[0056] The plurality of articles as described herein is desirably a
plurality of disposable articles. As used herein, the term
"disposable" refers to a product that is so inexpensive that it may
economically be discarded after only a single use. Products that
are "disposable" are typically intended for single use. The term
"single-use" refers to a product that is intended to be used only
once and is not intended to be re-used, re-conditioned, restored or
repaired after that use. Such products offer advantages in clinical
settings by reducing the potential for contamination or infection.
In addition, these products can enhance workflow since they are not
collected and assembled for reprocessing and reuse. Examples of
disposable articles include disposable eyewear (e.g., face shields,
safety glasses, goggles, etc.), disposable face masks, disposable
examination gloves, and the like.
[0057] While various patents have been incorporated herein by
reference, to the extent there is any inconsistency between
incorporated material and that of the written specification, the
written specification shall control. In addition, while the
disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific
embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various alterations, modifications and other changes may
be made to the disclosure without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the
claims cover all such modifications, alterations and other changes
encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *