Chain Dispenser

Abstract

A device for dispensing a desired length of chain from a closed container having an opening in one side thereof comprising a plate formed of resilient material for disposition within said container opening and having a dispensing aperture developed by intersecting slots which latter define gripping fingers for allowing passage of the material from the container while restraining same against return thereinto.

Description

This invention relates in general to dispensers for continuous material and, more particularly, to a dispensing device for continuous lengths of chain.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensing device which is adapted for use with cartons as made of fiberboard, cardboard and the like, so as to permit of use of relatively cheaply produced containers as distinguished from the metal containers customarily heretofore utilized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensing device constituting a lightweight, easily formed plate adapted for facile installation upon a standard carton without necessitating costly or time-consuming modification of the latter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensing device suitably formed to provide elements engaging the chain to allow ready withdrawal of the same from the associated container while preventing inadvertent return of the same thereinto.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensing device of the character stated which may be most cheaply manufactured so that, if desired, the same, together with the associated carton, may be disposed after exhaustion of the initially retained chain.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a chain dispensing device which will permit of shipment of the container with said device in mounted disposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton having a chain dispensing device mounted therein which latter is constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the chain dispensing device.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the chain dispensing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 1 generally designates a container, such as of carton type, being fabricated, as of fiberboard, cardboard, or the like, which is in fully closed state and is provided with an opening 2 in one wall, as at 3 thereof; said wall being the one presented upwardly or forwardly during usage. As illustrated in FIG. 1, wall 3 may be comprised of a pair of cooperating closure flaps 4,5 having coordinating recesses 4', 5' for development of opening 2 when said flaps 4,5 are in carton-closing condition. Mounted on the inside face of wall 3 for disposition across opening 2, is a chain dispensing device 6 comprising a flat plate 7, as formed of a suitable plastic, having a limited inherent resiliency. Said plate 7 may be maintained in operative position by any convenient means, such as, by means of staples or like fasteners s used for joining flaps 4,5. It is, of course, obvious that plate 7 may be fixed in position by other means, including adhesives, a retaining pocket, and the like. Formed substantially centrally of plate 7 for exposure within opening 2, is a pair of slots or elongated apertures 8,8' which intersected, in X-formation, at a central opening 9. Said slots 8,8' and opening 9 define two pair of opposed gripping fingers, designated 10,10' and 11,11'; the former being resiliently bendable about axes normal to those about which the latter are so bendable. In inoperative condition, opening 9 is of considerably less cross section than the links of chain to be dispensed by said device 6.

In usage, container 1 is provided with a continuous length of chain C and one free end thereof is pulled through opening 9 causing outward urging of fingers 10,10', 11,11', which by reason of the material of construction, are biased inwardly or toward the plate of plate 7 so that the same snugly engage the portion of the chain extending therethrough (see FIG. 2). Such outward flexing of the said fingers serves to effectively enlarge opening 9 to permit plate 7 to accommodate chain of various size and construction. Withdrawing, as by pulling, of chain C through dispenser device 6 overcomes the bias of said gripping fingers 10,10', 11,11' permitting the withdrawn portion to be cut after a preselected length has been presented. Upon discontinuance of the chain withdrawing force, gripping fingers 10,10', 11,11' are released for tight embracing, through inherent bias, of the particular link or links, designated 12, of chain C within opening 9 at that juncture.

Chain C is thereby prevented by device 6 from inadvertently returning completely within container 1 so that a portion of said chain C, is at 13, will be caused to remain exteriorly of carton 1 for facilitating subsequent withdrawing as required.

As is apparent from the foregoing, container 1 and plate 7 may be so economically manufactured that the same may be discarded upon depletion of the chain supply originally provided. However, reusage may be easily effected, as by opening of flaps 4,5, through withdrawal of the staples 8 for resupplying of the container 1; with reclosure being easily effected. Opening 9 provides a convenient holding point for retaining said plate 7 in position during securement of the staples 8.

The present invention thus adapts cheaply manufactured containers for chain shipping and dispensing, as at a retail establishment, obviating the use of costly metal containers which have customarily been maintained in an open state, permitting of the entry of moisture, debris and other foreign matter injurious to the contained chain.

Claims

1. The combination of a container having an opening in one wall, a length of chain stored within said container for dispensing, and of a dispenser plate constructed of relatively rigid, yet resilient material and secured to said container wall coveringly of said opening, said plate having a central aperture and intersecting elongated slots with the point of intersection coinciding with the said aperture, first and second pair of opposed gripping fingers defined by said plate aperture and slots; said fingers being inherently biased into planar aligned condition with respect to said plate; said first pair of gripping fingers being resiliently bendable about an axis normal to the corresponding axis of said second pair of gripping fingers, said chain being lengthwise dispensable through said aperture; said aperture having a transverse extent less than the width of said chain so that upon the application of a withdrawal force upon same, said gripping fingers will be flexingly urged by said chain against their inherent bias outwardly of the plane of said plate to permit passage of said chain and upon termination of chain withdrawal said gripping fingers will be returned inwardly toward the plane of said plate under influence of said inherent bias for effecting snug engagement of the adjacent portion of said chain therebetween to prevent return of same to within the container.