Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING AND DISPENSING ITEMS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to the distribution and dispensing of , items,
and
preferably to the distribution of bulk dry food in a sealed packaging unit,
and the
dispensing thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An increasingly popular method for distributing and selling food has been
through
the use of bulk dry food dispensers. Purchasing food in bulk allows the
consumer to
determine the exact amount they would like to purchase instead of having it
dictated to
them by the major companies. Initially, retailers and manufacturers used open
bins to
distribute bulk food. However, health regulations and laws have made the use
of open bins
problematic. The retailer is worried about the hygienic aspect of the open
bins and
liability. Moreover, the use of open bins is prohibited in some countries.
There are essentially three entities comprising the distribution chain for
bulk dry
food: manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Generally, manufacturers are
concerned
with the following aspects of bulk dry food distribution: first, to ensure
product quality
and freshness; second, to ensure that only their products are used in bins;
and third, the
efficient utilization of space. Retailers are generally concerned with the
following aspects
of bulk dry food distribution: first, to ensure product quality and freshness;
second, to
offer a large variety of products; and third, the efficient utilization of
space. Consumers
are generally concerned with the following aspects of bulk dry food
distribution: first,
product quality and freshness; second, the ability to purchase a variety of
products; and
third, ease of dispenser use.
Prior art gravity bins cannot ensure the manufacturers' product quality and
freshness. The manufacturers package their products in large bags and send
them to the
retailers. The retailers take these large bags and fill the gravity bins, but
there is a
significant amount of contact with the product, therefore, product quality and
freshness is
compromised. The refilling process is therefore, complicated and inefficient.
Moreover, both manufacturers and retailers have a need for an efficient use of
available retail space. Prior art dispensing units are cumbersome. Prior art
displays take
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up a great deal of retail space. As a result, space that could be used to
display products is
wasted. Further, many prior art displays take up existing shelf space in the
retail store.
Finally, prior art dispensers are not capable of dispensing sticky/difficult
food
products. Prior art dispensing units lack the ability to move products forward
because
these dispensers rely only on gravity to move the product forward. Therefore,
the variety
of dry food products that can be dispensed from prior art dispensers is
limited because it is
not possible for the units to dispense, for example, Gummi BearsTM, and other
sticky food
products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some aspects of the present invention provide the ability to contain a wide
variety
of products in a reduced space, and others enhance product quality and
freshness control,
and/or efficient refill capability, andlor automatic product rotation, and/or
the ability to
dispense sticky food products, for example, Gummi BearsTM, efficiently.
The dispenser is a two-part system, comprising a dispensing unit and a
disposable
packaging unit. The packaging unit is filled and sealed at the production
point, therefore
assuring product quality and freshness, and shipped directly to the retailer.
Moreover, an
individual may easily replace the packaging unit when emptied with a filled
one without
direct contact with the product until the contents are ready for final
consumption. Further,
the packaging unit allows individual ordering thereof by the retailer, thereby
eliminating
previously required inventory space.
In one embodiment of the invention, the dispensing unit and packaging unit
form
an air and moisture tight seal when assembled, maintaining the dryness and
freshness of
the product. In one embodiment of the invention, the product is dispensed when
a handle
on the dispensing unit is pulled in a downward motion. This action activates a
scoop
function. The product is dispensed in a first-in, first-out manner. The
dispensing unit
agitates the product by means of its scoop and moves it forward through a
discharge
opening. In one embodiment of the invention, a flow control device may be
attached to the
inside of the dispensing unit spout in order to avoid product overflow. The
amount of
product being dispensed is not predetermined, but is dependent on the product
and its flow
rate and the amount of time the user holds the handle down.
The present invention provides a manufacturer with the ability to package and
ship
their products in individual sealed packaging units. This ability enhances
quality control.
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The packaging unit preferably comprises a rigid body container initially open
at one end.
At the filling location, the packaging unit is oriented with its open end at
the top thereof so
the product to be packaged is dropped into this open end to fill the
container. This initially
open end of the container has a slot slidably to receive a packaging unit-
closing slide
element, which covers over the open end of the container. After filling, this
element is slid
into place and a piece of sealing paper is then applied over this now closed
end of the
container to seal the packaging unit-forming container.
Upon arrival at the retailer, the filled packaging unit is then attached to
the
dispensing unit without the need to handle the product. Another one of the
features of the
invention involves the manner in which a filled packaging unit is attached to
the dispensing
unit. The dispensing unit preferably has an open packaging unit-receiving
upper end and a
normally closed bottom discharge end. A holder for the dispensing unit is
provided which
could be in a pullout drawer of a display rack unit forming another aspect of
the invention.
The initially open end of the packaging unit covered by the slide element is
preferably
1 S dropped into the open upper end of the dispensing unit that snap fits with
the packaging
unit. The interfitted assembly of the packaging and dispensing unit is then
placed onto a
display and product dispensing rack, the slide element is then pulled from the
then bottom
end of the dispensing unit so that the contents of the packaging unit drop
into the
dispensing unit and the unit is ready to dispense its contents. The dispensing
unit is
situated at the bottom of the assembly so that the operation of the handle
will cause a
desired quantity of the product involved to drop into a bag held under the
dispensing unit
by the purchaser.
The refilling process is simple and more efficient than those of the prior
art, and
provides the manufacturer the product quality and freshness control they
desire during
shipment and after arrival at the retailer. The dispensing and packaging unit
assemblies
can be arranged on said display rack in a 360-degree circle. This gives the
ability to
display product on a freestanding, walk around display. Additionally, product
can be
exhibited on two other displays that are free standing and make the most
efficient use of
existing space while still offering a wide variety of products to the final
customer. These
additional display units include an end-cap display and in-line display. The
end-cap display
and in-line displays can be combined to create a display that meets the
individual needs of
the retailer. Displays do not take up existing retail shelf space, and can fit
in areas of the
store that could not normally have a display because of their various designs
and flexibility
in the display combinations to meet specific retailer needs. In one embodiment
of the
invention, the dispensing unit has the ability to move products forward into
the dispenser
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opening by means of the specially equipped scoop. In this embodiment, the
dispenser
handle is attached to the scoop, which agitates and moves the product forward
when the
handle is pulled down, thereby increasing the amount of products that can be
offered to the
final consumer. Manufacturers have a great variety of products, including hard
to dispense
goods such as Gummi BearsTM, and the dispensing unit is the only existing
dispensing unit
that is equipped to dispense gummy or sticky food products efficiently. Other
features and
advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification
taken in
conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view which shows the assembly of the dispensing and
packaging units in condition to be placed upon the display rack.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of all of the parts of the dispensing
and
packaging units.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, broken-away perspective view, in partial section, of
the
dispensing unit.
FIG. 4 is another fragmentary broken-away perspective view, in partial
section, of
the dispensing unit viewed from a different angle from that shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4A is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view in partial section
showing
the attachment of a spring to the dispensing unit which holds parts of the
dispensing unit
together.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section view of the assembly of the
dispensing and packaging units after the packaging unit closing slide element
has been
removed from the packaging unit.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the dispensing unit shown in
FIG. 5
as the handle thereof is pulled down to discharge the contents in the
previously closed
bottom of the dispensing unit through the discharge spout thereof; the drawing
further
showing the scoop rotating and pushing particulate forward through the spout.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the packaging unit showing the slot therein
which
slidably receives the slide element.
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FIG. 8A is a fragmentary cross-section through the packaging unit with the
slide
element in place thereon.
FIG. 8B is another fragmentary sectional view through the packaging unit
showing
the end of the slide element folded over adjacent to the side of the
packaging.
5 FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate the process of attaching a dispensing unit to a
packaging
unit in one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the relationship between the various
entities
in the dry food packaging and distribution supply chain.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a circular walk-around display rack unit with
an
assembled ready-to-dispense dispensing and packaging unit mounted thereon.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an elongated walk-around display rack unit
with
one such assembly mounted thereon.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of an in-line display rack unit with
one
such assembly mounted thereon.
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of an assembly of a dispensing and packaging
unit in
its orientation when mounted on a circular display rack.
FIG. 1 S is a cross-section of the packaging unit of Figure 14, as seen in
section
plane 15-15.
FIG. 16 is an elevational view of an assembly of a dispensing and packaging
unit in
its orientation when mounted either in an in-line display rack unit or along a
straight
section of an island display rack unit.
FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of the packaging unit of Figure 16, taken
along
section plane 17-17 thereof.
FIG. 18 shows an empty, fully used assembly of a dispensing and packaging unit
being removed from a display rack unit.
FIG. 19 illustrates the empty assembly shown in Figure 18 being placed into a
receptacle of an assembly drawer of a display rack unit base.
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FIG. 19A is a sectional view through the receptacle assembly drawer shown in
Figure 19 after the empty assembly there shown has been fully inserted into
said assembly
drawer receptacle.
FIG. 20 shows the empty packaging unit being removed from the dispensing unit
supported in the assembly drawer of the display rack unit shown in FIG 19A.
FIG. 21 shows the first step in the process of assembling a new filled
packaging
unit with an empty dispensing unit placed in this assembly drawer.
FIG. 22 shows the thus assembled packaging and dispensing units being placed
into
a row of a display rack unit.
FIG. 23 shows the material-retaining slide element being removed from the full
packaging unit just placed onto the display rack unit.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of packaging
and
distributing particulate materials of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating in greater detail one embodiment of the
step of
attaching a dispensing unit to the packaging unit.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a packaging unit in which a material-
retaining
slide element has been inserted.
FIG. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary view which illustrates in detail the
connection
of the pull-down handle of the dispensing unit to the scoop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms,
there
is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred
embodiment of
the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to
limit the broad
aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.
FIGS. 1-4 and 26 illustrate an embodiment of a particulate material dispenser
in
accordance with the invention. As shown in Figure 1-2, the dispenser 100 is a
two-part
system, comprising a dispensing unit 200 and a packaging unit 300. As best
shown in FIG.
2, the packaging unit 300 comprises a blow molded plastic shell 310 forming a
rigid
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container body having an open end 350, a closed end 360, and four walls 370a,
370b, 370c
and 370d adjoining the open end 350 and extending to the closed end 360. In
one
embodiment, the packaging unit 300 has a plurality of ribs 320 formed in the
walls 370a,
370b, 370c and 370d. The plurality of ribs 320 strengthens the packaging unit
300 for
shipping purposes. Further, wall 370a of the packaging unit 300 has a slot 330
proximal to
the open end 350 thereof and through which a material-retaining slide element
400 is
slidably received.
FIG. 26 shows the slide element 400 inserted into the packaging unit 300 to
close
and seal the packaging unit to protect the packaging unit 300 for shipping to
a retailer and
storage before use.
As best shown in FIG.2, the slide element 400 is a thin, rigid, plate-like
structure
which fits and slides into the slot 330. It has a bendable rigid handle 420
projecting from
an edge of the slide element. The rigid handle 420 joins the rest of the slide
element at a
groove 430 shown in FIG. 2, permitting the handle to be folded away from the
rest of the
slide element. The handle 420 contains two holes 440 through which the handle
may be
grasped for removal of the slide element from the packaging unit 300.
FIG. 8A is an illustration of a cross-section of a material-retaining element
emplaced into a packaging unit in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. As
shown in Figure 8A, the packaging unit 300 has a slide element receiving area
320, which
receives the slide element 400 as it is slidably inserted into the packaging
unit 300. The
packaging unit 300 expands as the slide element 400 is inserted. This action
secures the
slide element in place and forms an airtight seal in the packaging unit.
FIG. 8B is a cross-section including that of the slide element 400 and its
handle 420
and the packaging unit. The slide element 400 is shown inserted into the slot
330 of the
packaging unit. The rigid handle 420 of the slide element is shown bent so
that the rigid
handle 420 is flush with a wall of the packaging unit 300. This configuration
enables the
packaging unit 300 in combination with the slide element 400 and its handle
420 to occupy
a minimum of space when transported with other packaging units in an exterior
container.
Returning to FIGS. 1-4, in one embodiment of the invention, the dispensing
unit
200 is constructed of an injection molded plastic shell 270 integrated with a
spout 240.
The spout 240 ends at a bottom opening 242 through which particulate items are
dispensed. The dispensing unit 200 also has an open assembly end 295 at which
the
dispensing unit 200 is attached to the packaging unit 300. Opposing holes 290,
292 and
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294 are located on the shell 270 distal to the spout 240. Additionally, a
plurality of
fasteners 280 are located in the interior of the shell 270 proximate to the
open assembly
end 295. In one embodiment of the invention, fourteen fasteners 280, five to
each side of
the dispensing unit 200, and two each to the top and bottom of the dispensing
unit 200, are
located directly inside the distal end of the dispensing unit 200. The
injection mold
process effectively increases the clarity and durability of the dispensing
unit 200. This
production method also improves the precision fit and interaction between the
various parts
of the dispensing unit 200. The injection mold process also eliminates
secondary
operations, e.g., manually drilled holes, which in turn eliminate structural
inconsistencies
in the dispensing unit 200.
The dispensing unit also comprises an optional flow control device 250 shown
in
Figure 3. In one embodiment of the invention, the flow control device 250 is a
plastic
plate having a central hole 252 surrounded by one or more perforated
concentric rings 254.
In practice, the manufacturer or retailer may adjust the size of the hole in
the flow control
device 250 by removing material between the perforations 256 of the one or
more
perforated concentric rings 254.
The flow control device 250 is shown in Figure 3 covering the inlet to the
spout
240 in the interior of the shell 270. Thus the flow control device 250 limits
the flow of
particulate items through the spout 240, significantly reducing the amount of
spillage.
Therefore, the flow rate of particulate items out of the dispensing unit 200
increases with
the overall area occupied by the holes 252, 254, and 256 in the flow control
device. The
flow control device also allows for the dispensing of slow flowing particulate
materials,
eliminating the need to replace the entire dispensing unit.
The dispensing unit 200 further comprises a handle 210, a plurality of springs
230,
and a scoop 220. In one embodiment of the invention, the dispensing unit also
comprises a
label cover 260 best shown in FIG. 6.
As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 27, the handle 210 comprises a base 216, and
two
arms 218 projecting from the base 216. The handle 210 further comprises a
mounting
element 212 on each of the two arms 218. Each mounting element 212 is located
adjacent
to the ends of the two arms 218. Each mounting element 212 comprises a pin 214
projecting from an abutment 213 best shown in FIG. 27.
As best shown in FIG. 2, the scoop 220 comprises a plate 226 connected to an
agitator 222 by a first wall 227 and a second wall 228. The plate is molded to
follow the
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contours of the shell 270. The agitator 222 is a connecting rod running along
the back end
of the scoop 220. In one embodiment of the invention, the agitator 222 has a
triangular
cross-section. As shown in Figs. 3 and 27, the scoop further comprises a brace
224 on the
exterior of each of the first wall 227 and the second wall 228. Interior to
each brace 224 is
a receiving hole 225.
The handle 210 is mounted to the scoop 220 through the hole 290 in the shell
270.
The pin 214 and abutment 213 of each mounting element 212 are engaged with
each brace
224 and receiving hole 225, respectively, of the scoop 220.
As is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and/or 4A, each of the plurality of springs 230
is
substantially C-shaped and has a first end 236 for attachment to the shell
270. Projecting
from a first edge 237 of the first end 236 is a first pin 232 and a second pin
234. Each of
the plurality of springs 230 also has a second end 237. A notch 238 is
embedded in a
second edge 238 of the second end 237.
Each of the plurality of springs 230 is attached to the shell 270 by mounting
pin
232 into hole 292 and mounting pin 234 into hole 294. The plurality of springs
engage the
arms 218 of the handle 210 at the notch 238.
As best shown in FIG.6, in one embodiment of the invention, the label cover
260 is
attached to the base 216 of the handle.
In operation, the plate 226 moves adjacent to the shell 270 and optionally the
flow
control device 250 as the handle 210 is moved. The movement of the plate 226
opens and
closes the dispensing unit 200 at the spout 240. Moreover, the plate 226
rotates and pushes
the particulate items forward through the spout 240. The agitator 222 moves
particulate
items forward to the spout 240. Further, the agitator 222 helps prevent
products from
becoming stuck in the dispensing unit 200.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate how the addition of a scoop 220 operated by the
dispensing
unit pull-down handle 210 aids in the discharge of the particulate material
from the
dispensing unit. FIG. 5 shows the scoop 220 covering the inlet of the
discharge spout 240
of the dispensing unit. As is shown in Figure 5, the scoop 220 closes the
spout 240 when
the handle 210 is in its raised position.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing unit 200
showing the
scoop position when the handle 210 is pulled down to rotate the scoop 220 to
uncover the
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inlet to the discharge spout 240. In so doing, it also pushes the particulate
material forward
through the spout 240.
FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate the process of attaching a dispensing unit to a
packaging
S
unit in one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the packaging unit
300 has a first
stop 940 and a second stop 980. The first stop 940 is a slot formed between a
first rib 960
and a slide element receiving area 970 of the packaging unit 300. The second
stop 980 is a
slot formed between the slide element receiving area 970 and a second rib 990
of the
packaging unit 300. The dispensing unit attaches to the first stop 940 and the
second stop
980 of the packaging unit 920 by one or more fasteners 910.
10 As is illustrated in Figure 9A, in the first step of the process, a
dispensing unit 200
is attached to a packaging unit 300 at the first stop 940 in the packaging
unit 300. As is
further illustrated in Figure 9A, a slide element is in place in the slide
element receiving
area 970 of the packaging unit 300 . The presence of the slide element
prevents the
dispensing unit 900 from engaging the packaging unit at the second stop 980.
Figure 9B illustrates the second step of the attachment process. As shown in
Figure
9B, the slide element 400 has been removed from the packaging unit 300. At
this point,
the dispensing unit 200 is free to attach to the packaging unit 300 at the
second stop 980 by
the one or more of the fasteners 910.
The process illustrated in Figures 9A-9B ensures that an airtight seal is
created
when the dispensing unit 200 is attached to the packaging unit 300 after
removal of the
slide element and the further insertion of the packaging unit into the
dispensing unit
occurring when the second stop is reached as just described. In accordance
with another
aspect of the invention the initial assembly of the of the packaging and
display units and
the removal of the slide element from the packaging unit takes place in a pull-
out drawer
1170 in the base of display rack units 1170 or 1270 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
These
assembled packaging and dispensing units after removal of the slide elements
thereof are
mounted on these racks in the store involved.
FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a circular walk-around display unit in
accordance with the invention. As shown in Figure 11, the walk-around display
unit 1100
has a plurality of vertically spaced circular rows 1110 of packaging and
dispensing unit
support sections each including an upper holding ring 1120 and a lower holding
ring 1130.
The walk-around display unit 1100 has a circular base 1160 comprising at least
one
assembly drawer 1170 and an open top circular spill tray 1140. The spill tray
1140 has a
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curved cross-section and comprises a plurality of subtrays 1150. The walk-
around display
unit 1100 has a central support member 1180.
The central support member 1180 is mounted to the circular base 1160 and
supports each of the plurality of the referred to support sections. Further,
the plurality of
subtrays 1150 fit into and are held in place by the circular base 1160.
Each of these support sections holds one or more assembled pairs of dispensing
and
packaging units arranged in a circle about the support post. Each of these
pairs of
assembled packaging and dispensing units is held in place on the rack with the
spout of the
dispensing unit facing outward and downward from the central support member
1180. A
user holds the open top of the bag to be filled around the open bottom of a
selected
dispensing unit. The spill tray 1140 catches extraneous particulate material
which does
not fall into the bag held by the user around the discharge spout involved.
FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of an assembly drawer in accordance with
the
invention. As shown in Figure 19, the assembly drawer 1910 slidably interacts
with a
circular base 1900. The assembly drawer 1910 comprises an upper surface 1940
into
which a dispensing unit receptacle 1920 and a trash receptacle 1930 are
emplaced.
FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of an island display rack unit in
accordance
with the invention. As shown in Figure 12, the island display rack unit 1200
has a plurality
of oblong rows 1210 of support racks. Each of the plurality of oblong rows
1210 of
support racks comprises an upper holding structure 1220 and a lower holding
structure
1230. In one embodiment of the invention, the island display unit 1200 has an
oblong base
1260 comprising one or more assembly drawers 1270. The island display unit
1200 has an
oblong spill tray 1240. The spill tray 1240 has a curved cross-section. The
spill nay 1240
comprises a plurality of subtrays 1250. The island display unit 1200 further
comprises two
or more support members 1280, 1290.
The two or more support members 1280, 1290 are mounted to the oblong base
1260. Moreover, the two or more support members 1280, 1290 support each of the
plurality of oblong rows 1210. Further, the plurality of subtrays 1250 fit
into and are held
in place by the oblong base 1260. As is shown in Figure 12, one subtray is
shown in a
second position where it may be removed from the island display unit 1200.
Each of the plurality of oblong rows 1210 of support racks holds one or more
assembled pairs of assembled dispensing and packaging units 1295 in a position
so that the
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spout of the dispensing unit faces outward and downward from the interior of
the island
display unit 1200. Further, each particulate item dispenser 1295 is held in
each row 1210
at an angle sufficient for the force of gravity to enhance the flow of
particulate material
from the spout of the dispensing unit involved when its handle 210 is pulled
down. The
spill tray 1240 catches extraneous particulate material as the material falls
from the spout.
FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a support rack for an in-line display
rack
unit. As shown in Figure 13, the support rack 1300 has a plurality of straight
rows 1310 of
rack slots for holding assembled pairs of dispensing and packaging units. Each
of the
plurality of straight rows 1310 of rack slots contains an upper holding
structure 1320 and a
lower holding structure 1330. Each of the plurality of straight rows 1310 of
rack slots
holds one or more assembled pairs of assembled dispensing and packaging units
1340.
Each assembled pair of these units is held in place so that the spout of the
dispensing unit
faces outward and downward at an angle sufficient for the force of gravity to
enhance the
flow of particulate items from the spout of the assembled particulate item
dispenser 1340.
1 S FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate two embodiments of an assembled dispensing and
packaging unit respectively used in circular and straight line or elongated
racks in
accordance with the invention. FIG. 14 illustrates a first embodiment of such
an assembly
1410 a dispenser emplaced in a circular display unit with its slide element
removed. As
shown in Figure 14, the assembly includes a tapered packaging unit 300 and a
dispensing
unit 200 attached to the open bottom end of the packaging unit 300. The
packaging unit
rests on an upper ring 1430 and the dispensing unit 200 rests on a lower ring
1440. The
spout 240 of the dispensing unit 200 is positioned so that particulate
material may be
dispensed outside the lower ring 1440.
FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-section of the tapered packaging unit 300 of
Figure 14.
As shown in Figure 15, the packaging unit is trapezoidal in cross-section.
More
specifically, the packaging unit is wider at the top of the unit, W, than the
bottom, X. This
trapezoidal configuration maximizes spatial efficiency for the emplacement of
a plurality
of the assemblies in a walk-around display unit.
FIG. 16 illustrates a second embodiment where the packaging unit 300' is not
tapered so that it is more suitable for support on either a display rack of an
in-line display
unit or along a straight section of an oblong row of an island display rack
unit. As shown
in Figure 16, the assembly there shown comprises a packaging unit 300' and a
dispensing
unit 200'. The packaging unit 300' rests on an upper holding structure 1630
and a lower
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holding structure 1640. The spout 240 dispensing unit 200' of the dispensing
unit 200' is
positioned so that particulate material may be dispensed outside the lower
holding structure
1640.
FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of the packaging unit 300' of Figure 16.
As
shown in Figure 16, the packaging unit is rectangular in cross-section. More
specifically,
the dimensions of the packaging unit are similar at the top of the unit at Y,
and at the
bottom of the unit at Z. This rectangular configuration maximizes spatial
efficiency for the
emplacement of a plurality of assemblies 1410' in either a rack of an in-line
display rack
unit or along a straight section of a row of an island display rack unit.
FIGS. 18-23 illustrate the process of replacing a used packaging unit 300
still
attached to a dispensing unit 200 with a new full packaging unit. Figure 18
illustrates a
used packaging unit 200 still attached to a dispensing unit 200 as it is being
removed from
a display rack unit. The dispensing unit is shown containing some particulate
material
1810. Figure 19 illustrates the assembly of Figure 18 being placed into a
dispensing unit
receptacle 1920 of display rack drawer 1910. Placement of the used assembly
into the
receptacle 1920 enhances the efficient replacement of the empty packaging
unit.
Moreover, placement of an initially unattached dispensing unit into the
receptacle 1920
enables the efficient assembly of the dispensing unit to a packaging unit.
FIG. 19A shows
the used dispensing unit 200 attached to the used packaging unit 300 of Figure
18 in the
receptacle 1920 of the assembly drawer 1910 of the display rack unit base 1900
of Figure
19.
Figure 20 shows removal of the used packaging unit 300 from the dispensing
unit
200 by pulling it from the dispensing unit . Any remaining particulate
material 1810
should remain within the dispensing unit 200.
FIG. 21 shows the first step in the process of assembling a dispensing unit
200 to
an unused packaging unit 300. As shown in Figure 21, in one embodiment of the
invention, an unused packaging unit contains a seal 2110. In one embodiment,
the seal
2110 is paper. In a second embodiment, the seal 2110 is constructed of a
plastic material.
The seal 2110 protects the packaging unit from damage during transport and
storage. As is
shown in Figure 21, the seal 2110 is removed from the packaging unit before it
is
assembled to the dispensing unit. As is further shown in Figure 21, the
packaging unit also
contains a material-retaining slide element 400.
CA 02431511 2003-12-09
14
The packaging unit 300 is placed into the dispensing unit 200, and attaches to
the
dispensing unit 200 by the force of gravity. In doing so, it snaps the
previously mentioned
first stop position.
FIG. 22 shows the assembled dispensing and new packaging unit being placed
into
a row of a display rack unit. At this step, the material-retaining slide
element 400 remains
in the packaging unit 300.
FIG. 23 shows the material-retaining slide element 400 being removed from the
packaging unit. At this step, the dispensing unit 200 becomes attached to the
packaging
unit 300 by snapping into the said second stop position.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of packaging
and
distributing particulate materials of the present invention. As shown in
Figure 24, the
method begins at step 2400, and continues to step 2410, in which a packaging
unit is
received at a packaging location. A packaging location may be a warehouse or
factory at
which a particulate material manufacturer or subcontractor fills, seals and
ships a
packaging unit to a distribution location.
Next, at step 2420, the packaging unit is filled with particulate material.
Next, at
step 2430, the packaging unit is sealed with a material-retaining slide
element. In one
embodiment, the material-retaining slide element forms an integral seal with
the packaging
unit. Additionally, the packaging unit may be sealed with a second protective
seal before
being prepared for shipping.
Next, at step 2440, the packaging unit is shipped to a dispensing location. A
dispensing location may be a supermarket, or any location where the
particulate material is
distributed. The method continues at step 2450, where a dispensing unit is
attached to the
packaging unit at the dispensing location. Next, at step 2460, the particulate
material is
dispensed. Finally, at step 2470, the method ends.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating in greater detail one embodiment of the
step of
attaching a dispensing unit to the packaging unit. As shown in Fig. 25, the
method begins
at step 2500, where it continues from step 2440 of Fig. 24. Next, at step
2552, a
dispensing unit is attached to a first position on the packaging unit. The
method continues
at step 2554, where the material-retaining slide element is removed from the
packaging
unit. Next, at step 2556, the dispensing unit is finally attached to the
packaging unit at a
CA 02431511 2003-12-09
second position on the dispensing unit. Finally, at step 2510, the method
continues at step
2460 of Figure 24.
FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the relationship between entities in the
particulate material packaging and distribution supply chain. As shown in
Figure 10, a
5 material-retaining slide element manufacturer 1000 distributes material-
retaining slide
elements to a manufacturer of packaging units 1010. The packaging unit
manufacturer
1010 distributes both packaging units and retaining elements to a particulate
material
packager. A manufacturer of particulate material products 1020 is also
involved in the
supply chain. The particulate material manufacturer also distributes
particulate items to a
10 particulate material packager. The particulate item packager loads the
particulate material
into the packaging units 1030.
Next, the particulate material packager distributes sealed packaging units to
a
distribution center 1040, where the sealed packaging units are next
distributed to one or
more retail centers 1050.
15 While the specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous
modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of
the
invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying
Claims.