U.S. patent number 3,743,084 [Application Number 05/087,904] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-03 for carrier-dispenser package.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Livingston C. Douglas.
United States Patent |
3,743,084 |
Douglas |
July 3, 1973 |
CARRIER-DISPENSER PACKAGE
Abstract
An article carrying and dispensing package having two
interengaging sections. Each of the two sections have selectively
stagger arranged convex, article carrying cavities so that when the
sections are mated in face-to-face relationship there is
intermittent fitting to form a single layer package. The package
may include a suitable housing for the mated sections.
Inventors: |
Douglas; Livingston C. (Leonia,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Colgate-Palmolive Company (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22207952 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/087,904 |
Filed: |
November 9, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532; 206/539;
281/19.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
75/38 (20130101); B65D 75/327 (20130101); B65D
2585/56 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
75/28 (20060101); B65D 75/38 (20060101); B65D
75/34 (20060101); B65d 083/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/46P,42,56A,65R,65S,78B,8A,DIG.5,DIG.11 ;229/9-11,19-20
;281/17,19R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,506,271 |
|
Nov 1965 |
|
NL |
|
266,01 |
|
May 1950 |
|
CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Lowrance; George E.
Assistant Examiner: Lipman; Steven E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A package comprising a compact carrier-dispenser and an outer
case therefore, said carrier-dispenser comprising at least two
opposed commodity carrying units and a linking panel connecting
said opposed units, said linking panel being integrally connected
at one edge of each of the opposed units, each of said units having
a mating layer and a backing layer, means for attaching said mating
layer to said backing layer, said backing layer being made of a
rupturable material, said mating layer having raised portions and
slightly indented spacial areas arranged in a checkerboard pattern,
said raised portions providing commodity compartments in said
mating layer of each unit; said raised portions in each unit being
positioned to mate with the raised portions of said opposing unit
when said units are pivoted about the linking panel, the raised
portions of one unit register within the indented spacial areas of
the opposing unit forming a layered alignment of commodity
compartments; said linking panel having a height at least equal to
that of the commodity compartment so that there is no tension upon
the commodity units and is made of biased, shape retaining material
which acts as a living hinge holding said units in mated position
when not in use and returns them to mated position after use; said
outer case having a plurality of opposed panels comprising a back
panel, two opposed side panels each of which is integrally
connected to said back panel at its longitudinal edges, said side
panels having a height at least equal to the height of said linking
panel, two closure panels, each of which is integrally connected to
a side panel at its longitudinal edge, said closure panels pivot
about said longitudinal edges and fold upon each other forming an
enclosure, and means for securing said closure panels in closed
position, said back panel having a slot therein, said
carrier-dispenser having a tab attached to the backing layer of one
of said commodity carrying units, said slot in said back panel
being positioned to accept said tab to attach said
carrier-dispenser to said back panel, said closure panels folding
over said carrier-dispenser to secure same in said outer case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a compact carrier-dispenser package for
carrying and dispensing individually small articles such as
tablets, capsules, pills and similar items, and other articles such
as disposable thermometers, needles, cotton swabs and the like.
Broadly, the carrier-dispenser comprises at least two selectively
staggered commodity compartment assemblages which are mated. The
commodity compartments are so arranged and constructed that one
assemblage cooperatively mates with the other assemblage forming a
single compact layer of commodities. Each assemblage has a top and
bottom layer. The top layer has a plurality of convex cavities
selectively arranged which bulge outward forming a space for
placing the commodity; said top layer is referred to as the mating
layer. The bottom layer is referred to as the backing layer and can
be sealingly secured or fastened to the mating layer by a variety
of means, e.g. stitching adhesives, crimping and heat sealing. The
commodity compartments are so constructed and arranged that when
one assemblage is mated with the other, the convex cavities, or
otherwise known as bulges, in one mating layer register with the
unraised portions of the other mating layer which are located
adjacent to the convex cavities of each mating layer. The unraised
portions are spaces which result when the bulges (convex cavities)
are formed in the top or mating layers. The unraised portions or
otherwise referred to as recesses, may have slight indentations to
facilitate the fitting of the bulges of one mating sheet in the
recesses of the other.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a compact
package for a maximum number of articles to be held in a minimum
amount of space. By selectively constructing the commodity
compartments on to separate sheets and then coupling said sheets
forming a single layer of commodities, less bulk space is needed
than if all the compartments were constructed upon one sheet,
thereby resulting in a compact, convenient to carry package.
Besides the package being easy for the user to carry and rendering
the articles for ready individual use, the contents of the package
are maintained in an isolated sanitary condition until each is
ready for use.
The invention can be practiced in various ways. Although, simply,
one assemblage can be placed on the other assemblage (i.e. top
layer of one interengaging top layer of the other), it is
preferable to secure them in an engaged or coupled position to
facilitate carrying and to maintain compactness. If one were to
place the coupled assemblage in one's pocket or purse, they would
separate if they were not secured and the benefits of its compact
construction would not be made use of. The assemblage can be
secured by means of a spring hinge or "living hinge" at their edges
thereby securing the assemblage or commodity holding unit in a
coupled position when not in use. If one desires to remove a
commodity they can easily uncouple the units and dislodge an
article from one of the compartments.
Besides being a spring hinge, the means can be a
pressure-responsive adhesive applied to the surface of each mating
sheet so that by applying slight pressure on the units they will be
secured in a coupled position. A rubber band placed around the
assembly will also maintain it in an engaged position. Similarly,
band wraps or overwraps can be used. Hook devices may also be
attached to the units and provide a suitable securing means.
Outer covers can also be used and there are a myriad of forms and
shapes which they may take. Illustrative are envelopes, rectangular
case with four sides and two open ends for slidably receiving and
removing the assembly, case similar to the structure of make-up
compacts whereby assembly may be placed inside and can be closed
and secured, an outer case with a plurality of panels which
surround the assembly and has means attached for securing panels in
a folded position about the units. There are many other means for
securing the units in a coupled position, and there is no intention
to be limited to those illustrated here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The structural features and advantages of the present invention
will be better understood from the following detailed description
of embodiments, as now contemplated, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insert receiving outer case
with the insert; the assemblages are in an unmated position and the
positioning of the insert in the outer case is indicated.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the insert with the assemblages in the
horizontal plane showing the selective staggering of the commodity
compartments.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the insert taken along the line
3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the insert assemblages folded
over, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3, and mated.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an outer
case for the insert. Also shown is the insert with the assemblages
mated and ready for placement in the case.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the
commodity compartments for holding elongated articles.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate
similar parts throughout the various views, and particularly to
FIG. 1, in which 10 designates an insert receiving case or
enclosure having a plurality of integral, opposed panels of which
the back member 11 is central to the other panels. The insert
receiving case may be made from a variety of materials. Stiff
paper, cardboard, plastic, leather and similar shape retaining
material are exemplary of suitable material. Back member 11 is
substantially rectangular in shape having transverse edges 12 and
13 and longitudinal edges 14 and 15. The longitudinal edges may
also be referred to as fold lines. Situated near transverse edge 13
and running parallel to it but slightly shorter in length is a
raised slot 16 for inserting the commodity holder. This slot or
means for further securing the insert may be formed by various
ways. As shown the slot is formed by material integral with the
back panel which is almost equal to it in dimensions and is
attached to the back member either by adhesive or stitching thereby
forming the means for slidably receiving the tablet insert 40.
Adjacent to and integrally hinged to the back panel along the fold
lines 14 and 15 are side panels 17 and 18 respectively. The side
panels have longitudinal edges 14 and 15 respectively in common
with the back panel 11. The side panels 17 and 18 are also
rectangular in shape and have longitudinal and transverse edges
also. Side panel 17 has transverse edges 19 and 20 and side panel
18 has 21 (not shown) and 22. The longitudinal edges are 23 and 24
and as previously mentioned edges 14 and 15.
Adjacent and integrally hinged to side panels 17 and 18 are opposed
closure panels 25 and 26. Closure panel 25 is adjacent to side
panel 17 and has longitudinal edge 23 in common with side panel 17.
Closure panel 26 is adjacent to side panel 18 and has in common
with it the longitudinal edge 24. The closure panels 25 and 26 also
have rectangular shapes and transverse and longitudinal edges.
Closure panel 25 has transverse edges 27 and 28 and longitudinal
edges 23 and 31. Closure panel 26 has transverse edges 29 and 30
and longitudinal edges 24 and 32.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, case 10 is open; however, closure panels
25 and 26 fold inward and downward and when in closed position
panels 25 and 26 are parallel to the back panel and are
perpendicular to the side panels at the common fold lines 23 and 24
respectively.
Means for securing the closure panels in a folded position is
attached to both panels. FIG. 1 illustrates one of many means to
secure closure panels in a closed position. That means is a snap
which has the projecting portion 34 (under surface shown) of the
snap on the upper surface of closure panel 25 and the receiving
portion 33 on the under surface of panel 26. When closing the case,
closure panel 25 is folded inwardly, pivoting along the fold line
23, then closure panel 26 is folded inwardly and downwardly and the
receiving portion 33 of the snap engages the projected portion 34.
The dimensions of the closure panels 25 and 26 are substantially
similar. The size of the side panels are different. Side panel 18
is slightly larger along its transverse edge than side panel 17 so
that when the closure panels are folded in and snapped closed the
shape of the case remains rectangular and no tension is exerted on
the tablets held in the insert. The variation between the size of
the side panels is in the transverse length. The difference in the
transverse length is at least equal to the thickness of the closure
panel 25. Side panels 17 and 18 provide the height for a
multicompartment tablet insert.
The tablet holding insert is also illustrated in FIG. 1 and
designated as numeral 40. The insert has two commodity holding
units or assemblages 50 and 60 which are similarly constructed.
Each unit is composed of a pair of layers made from suitable
material so constructed that tablets are held between them. Unit 50
is composed of mating layer 51 and backing layer 52; Unit 60 is
composed of mating layer 61 and backing layer 62. The mating layers
51 and 61 are identical in construction, similarly are backing
layers 52 and 62.
The tablet holding insert can be formed of suitable flexible
material such as cellophane, polyisoprene hydrochloride, metallic
foil, plastic, paper or the like. The mating and backing layers
need not be made from identical material. The tab 41 for securing
insert to outer case should be formed from material which will
retain its shape so that it can slide easily within the pocket 16
of the back member.
The mating layers have bulges or outward projected convex cavities
53 and 63. In the cavities are placed tablets which are secured in
the compartment by the backing layer. Those remaining portions of
the mating layer which are not bulges or raised portions are flat
or slightly concave and are designated as 54 and 64 and referred to
as areas of registration for the convex projections of the mating
layers. The arrangement of commodity compartments in both units or
assemblages is identical.
The insert tab is shown in the drawings as a separate segment
attached to the base of the backing layer; however, it may be
formed from a joining of a portion of each of the backing layers of
the assemblages. The backing layers may be extended longitudinally
beyond the length of the mating layers. These extended sections can
be joined to form a tab or tongue for inserting the commodity
holder in slot 16 of the outer case 10.
Shown in FIG. 2 is the selective staggering of commodity
compartments 51 and 61. Also shown is linking panel 42 which
connects assemblage 50 to assemblage 60. Also shown is folding
edges 43 and 44. Viewing the arrangements in a longitudinal
direction (along line 3--3), each row has the same number of
commodity units. The rows differ in the positioning of the
commodity compartments. Any row could begin with a commodity
compartment followed by a space or recess and this alternating
pattern would continue throughout the row. The adjacent row or rows
would begin with a space or recess followed by a commodity
compartment and this alternating pattern would continue throughout
the row. The alternating arrangement forms a checkerboard pattern.
The checkerboard pattern of the raised portions and spacial areas
permits the registering of the raised portions in one mating sheet
with the unraised portions (spacial areas) of the other mating
sheet forming a single layer of commodity compartments.
In order for one unit of the commodity carrier to fold upon the
other unit without putting tension upon the commodities held
therein linking panel 42 is provided and is at least equal to the
height of the commodity compartments. This relationship is shown in
FIG. 3 which is a side view of the carrier 40 taken along the line
3--3 of FIG. 2.
Unit 60 folds about the line 43 and overlies unit 50. There is
cooperative fitting between the units by means of the mating layers
which oppose each other. The projections of one mating layer fit
within and register with the flat portions or slightly indented or
concave portions of the mating layer of the other unit. This
cooperative mating is shown in FIG. 4, where unit 60 is pivoted
about the fold line 43 and engages unit 50, projections 63 of unit
60 fit securely in unraised or indented portions 54 of unit 50, and
projections 53 of unit 50 fit securely in unraised or indented
portions 64 of unit 60. The mating of the units 50 and 60 forms a
single layer of commodity compartments as shown.
The mated units are now ready for placement in the outer case 10
(FIG. 1) or 70 (FIG. 5). With regard to case 10 tab 41 is inserted
in slot 16 and the closure panels are folded inward and secured in
closing engagement by snap 33-34. The mating units can also be made
without a tab as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. These units when mated can
then be easily slid into outer case or sleeve 70. Sleeve 70 has
opposed top and bottom panels, a pair of opposed sides joining the
panels and two opposed open ends formed by the joining of the
panels and sides. The panels have cut-a-way portions at each of
their ends for accommodating the thumb and index finger for easy
removal of the insert assembly.
FIG. 6 represents another embodiment 75 of the present invention
which is useful for carrying and dispensing elongated articles such
as disposable thermometers or syringe, needles, cotton swabs and
the like. Illustrated are the elongated tube-like compartments 83
and 93 which are arranged in a staggered pattern in mating layers
81 and 91 so that when the units are mated a single layer of
elongated compartments is formed. Mating of unit 80 with unit 90 is
accomplished by registration of convex elongated commodity cavity
83 of unit 80 with flat or indented space 94 of unit 90. Similarly
elongated cavity 93 of unit 90 fits between convex cavities 83 of
unit 80 and registers with space 84.
The modified assembly 75 is constructed similarly to assembly 40 in
that assembly 75 comprises mating layers 81 and 91, backing layers
82 and 92, linking panel 76 with folding edges 77 and 78, commodity
compartments 83 and 93 and register spaces 84 and 94. Similarly,
when assemblage 90 is pivoted about fold line 78 and mated with
assemblage 80, a single layer of elongated compartments is formed.
The assembly 75 is also capable of being inserted in outer case 10
or 70 depending upon whether a tab is attached to the backing layer
or not. If a tab is attached it may be inserted in case 10; if not
attached, it may be inserted in case 70. Of course, case 10 may be
made without slot 16 and then it would not make any difference as
to whether a tab is present. However, it is preferred to have a
slot or pocket in case 10 since this holds the assembly more
securely.
To facilitate removal of the articles from the commodity carrying
insert, the units may be made of foil which is rupturable in
response to pressure exerted on the top of the commodity
compartment thereby dispensing the commodity therein. Additionally,
perforations may be provided along the fold line of the commodity
holding units so that when one unit has been expanded of all its
commodities it may be removed and discarded by ripping it along the
tear line. The commodity compartments may take shapes other than
those illustrated, depending upon the shape of the commodity.
The package provides a substantial supply of commodities to be held
in it. Although the compartments are shown in the drawing as having
flat surfaces, the invention is not limited thereto but includes
round or bubble shaped compartments among others. When all the
articles are consumed which are contained in one of the paired
units, the paired units can be replaced by another one and stored
in the same outer case.
Also provided is a neat, attractive convenient to carry package
which enables the user to quickly and easily remove or discharge
articles as required for use and there are no signs to onlookers
that the package is a pill container. The articles contained within
are also restrained from undesired movement.
Also within the purview of the invention is a package of any
convenient number of paired commodity holding units and a means for
maintaining paired units in a coupled position, such as an outer
case. The paired units and the securing means can be held together
by shrink wrap, overwrap, or band wrap.
The present invention enables the user to carry a maximum amount of
pills in a minimum amount of space. The unique arrangements of the
commodity compartments for cooperative mating of the units holding
the articles, forming a compact single layer of tablets eliminates
the inconvenience of bulky holders for large amounts of pills. By
practicing the present invention more articles can be held in a
space smaller than that which would be required to hold the same
number of pills if the commodity compartments were arranged on a
single sheet.
* * * * *