DISPENSER FOR POUCHED CONTENTS

DISTRIBUTEUR POUR CONTENUS EN SACHETS

English Abstract

Disclosed is a dispenser for dispensing a continuous strip of pouches. The
dispenser comprises a box with right
(14a) and left (14b) side panels wherein one of the side panels includes a
tuck flap insert (24), a rear panel (18a) and a rear panel
glue flap (18b), a pair of bottom closure panels (16a, 16b) and bottom closure
flaps (16c, 16d), a pair of top closure panels (12a,
12b) and a top closure flap (12c) wherein one of the top panels includes a top
tuck flap (22) adapted to fit into the tuck flap insert
(24), and a front section (20). The front section includes lower and upper
front panels and a gate flap (26). The gate flap touches
one of the top closure panels such that the strip of pouches within the box
can be dispensed out the front section and held in place
by the gate flap.

French Abstract

L'invention porte sur un distributeur pour distribuer une bande continue de sachets. Le distributeur comprend une boîte pourvue de panneaux latéraux droit (14a) et gauche (14b), l'un des panneaux latéraux comprenant un insert de rabat repliable (24), un panneau arrière (18a) et un rabat doté de colle de panneau arrière (18b), une paire de panneaux de fermeture inférieurs (16a, 16b) et de rabats de fermeture inférieurs (16c, 16d), une paire de panneaux de fermeture supérieurs (12a, 12b) et un rabat de fermeture supérieur (12c), l'un des panneaux supérieurs comprenant un rabat repliable supérieur (22) apte à s'adapter dans l'insert de rabat repliable (24), et une section avant. La section avant comprend des panneaux avant inférieurs et supérieurs et un rabat doté dune encoche (26). Le rabat doté dune encoche touche l'un des panneaux de fermeture supérieurs, de telle sorte que la bande de sachets à l'intérieur de la boîte peut être distribuée à partir de la section avant et maintenue en place par le rabat doté dune encoche.

Claims

Claims:
1. A dispenser for dispensing a continuous strip of pouches, the dispenser
comprising:
a box comprised of:
a pair of side panels each having at least one shared perimeter edge wherein
one of the side panels includes a tuck flap insert;
at least one rear panel having at least one shared perimeter edge;
at least one bottom closure panel and at least one bottom closure flap, the at
least one bottom closure panel having at least one shared perimeter edge;
at least one top closure panel and at least one top closure flap, one of said
at
least one top closure panel having at least one shared perimeter edge wherein
one of
the top panels includes a top tuck flap extending therefrom adapted to fit
into the tuck
flap insert; and
a front section comprised of:
a front panel;
an upper front panel connected along a perimeter edge with the front
panel wherein said upper front panel angles inward and upward with respect to
the interior of the box, and further coupled on either side with the side
panels;
a gate flap connected along a perimeter edge with the upper front panel
that angles back outward and further upward; and
wherein the gate flap terminates substantially close to or touches a top
closure panel such that the continuous strip of pouches contained within the
box can be dispensed out the front section and held in place by the gate flap,
and further wherein the angle of the gate flap prevents the continuous strip
of
pouches from being retracted into the box.
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2. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a rear panel glue flap.
3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side, rear, top, and front section
panels and flaps
are comprised of paperboard material.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the box is assembled from a paperboard
blank of the
side, rear, top, and front section panels and flaps.
5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side, rear, top, and front section
panels and flaps
are comprised of a polymer material.
6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side, rear, top, and front section
panels and flaps
are comprised of cardboard material.
7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side, rear, top, and front section
panels and flaps
are comprised of metallic material.
8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the side, rear, top, and front section
panels and flaps
are comprised of any combination of paperboard, cardboard, polymer, and
metallic material.
8

9. A blank for forming a box dispenser for dispensing a continuous strip of
pouches
right and left side panels wherein one of the side panels includes a tuck flap
insert;
at least one rear panel;
at least one bottom closure panel;
at least one bottom closure flap;
at least one top closure panel wherein one of the at least one top closure
panels
includes a top tuck flap extending therefrom adapted to fit into the tuck flap
insert;
a front section comprised of:
a front panel;
an upper front panel connected along a perimeter edge with the front
panel and further connected along either side to the right and left side
panels;
and
a gate flap connected along a perimeter edge with the upper front panel.
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Description

CA 02722930 2010-10-28
WO 2010/002677 PCT/US2009/048568
DISPENSER FOR POUCHED CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Disclosed is a dispenser for dispensing a continuous strip of pouches.
The dispenser
comprises a box that includes right and left side panels wherein one of the
side panels includes
a tuck flap insert, a rear panel and a rear panel glue flap, a pair of bottom
closure panels and
bottom closure flaps, a pair of top closure panels and a top closure flap
wherein one of the top
panels includes a top tuck flap extending therefrom adapted to fit into the
tuck flap insert, and
a front section. The front section includes lower and upper front panels
wherein the upper
front panel angles inward and upward with respect to the interior of the box,
a gate flap
connected along a perimeter edge with the upper front panel that angles back
outward and
further upward. The gate flap terminates approaches or touches one of the top
closure panels
such that the continuous strip of pouches contained within the box can be
dispensed out the
front section and held in place by the gate flap while also preventing the
continuous strip of
pouches from being retracted into the box.
[0002] The dispenser panels can be comprised of paperboard, cardboard,
polymer, and metallic
material and any combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a blank that can be formed into a
dispenser.
[0004] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a continuous strip of pouches
suitable for use with the
invention.
[0005] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a continuous strip of pouches
suitable for use with the
invention.
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[0006] Figure 4 is a side view of the dispenser.
[0007] Figure 5 is a front view of the dispenser.
[0008] Figure 6 is a first isometric view of the dispenser.
[0009] Figure 7 is a second isometric view of the dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Embodiments of the invention disclose a dispenser for dispensing a
continuous feed of a
strip of connected pouches. The pouches can contain prescription medication,
vitamins, or
other small objects. The dispenser is generally a box constructed from a pre-
cut and shaped
paperboard blank. Once constructed, the dispenser can be loaded with a
continuous strip of
connected pouches such that the strip can be withdrawn or removed a pouch at a
time. Certain
design elements and attributes maintain the strip in an operative position
within the dispenser.
The dispenser also includes a biased gate flap that prevents the strip from
being re-fed back
into the dispenser the way it just exited.
[0011] The dispenser is shown as being made from a foldable paperboard pre-cut
blank.
However, the dispenser may be constructed of other materials including, but
not limited to,
cardboard, polymer, metal, etc., or combinations thereof.
[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a blank 10 that can be formed into a
dispenser. The
blank 10 is generally comprised of a series of panels that comprise the front,
rear, sides, top,
and bottom of the dispenser. Additional features in the front provide the
dispenser with the
ability to hold and dispense a continuous strip of pouches. Viewing the
illustrated blank 10 of
Figure 1, there is shown a first top closure panel 12a, a second top closure
panel 12b and a top
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closure flap 12c. Also shown are right and left side panels 14a, 14b. Top
closure panel 12b
further includes a top tuck flap 22 that is designed to fit within a tuck flap
insert 24 that is
located along the seam where top closure panel 12a and right side panel 14a
meet. The top
tuck flap 22 and tuck flap insert 24 provide a locking mechanism for the
dispenser to keep it
from unfolding upon assembly. Also shown are a pair of bottom closure panels
la, 16b and a
pair of bottom closure flaps 16c, 16d as well as a rear panel 18a and a rear
panel glue flap 18b.
Bottom closure panels 16a and 16b include partial score lines that assist in
the assembly of the
dispenser by holding the bottom together. A front panel 20 extends about one
half the height
of the right and left side panels 14a, 14b leaving space for an opening into
the cavity defined by
the dispenser when assembled. The upper half of the front side is comprised of
an upper front
panel 28 that is connected to the right and left side panels 14a, 14b. Semi-
perforated score
lines 32 allow the upper front panel 28 to be easily folded such that the
upper front panel 28
provides a resting surface for pouches being dispensed from the dispenser. The
upper front
panel 28 also includes a gate flap 26. The gate flap 26 acts as a one way
valve that allows
pouches to be withdrawn from the dispenser when assembled but not to be re-
inserted. The
gate flap 26 and upper front panel 28 are separated by an elliptical score 27
that allows the
gate flap 26 to be partially folded back over the upper front panel 28. Once
assembled the
upper front panel 28 and gate flap 26 collapse into the interior of the
dispenser into a fixed
position/angle that allows for continuous feeding of pouches as well as a
landing area for the
pouches to rest upon. The gate flap 26 is angled such that the pouches can
only be moved
easily in a single direction. The upper front panel 28 further includes a
plurality of parallel ribs
34 that provide enhanced strength to the upper front panel 28.
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[0013] The blank 10 is generally assembled by folding along the seams of the
various panels
into a box like dispenser apparatus. Once the box is assembled, rear panel
glue flap 18b will be
on the interior side of the dispenser and can be adhered to rear panel 18a
which will be on the
exterior.
[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a continuous strip of pouches 60
suitable for use with
the dispenser. The pouch contents 66 can include pharmaceutical, vitamin, or
other small
objects. Each pouch 62 is separated by a perforation line 64 that can be
completely severed by
manual manipulation.
[0015] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a continuous strip of pouches 60
suitable for use with
the dispenser. The pouches 62 are generally laid out in a continuous strip and
folded back over
one another repeatedly to form a stack that can be inserted into an assemble
dispenser. The
continuous strip of pouches 60 can be inserted into the dispenser by removing
top tuck flap 22
from tuck flap insert 24 and lifting top closure panels 12a and 12b to expose
the interior cavity
of the dispenser. The continuous strip of pouches 60 can then be laid into the
dispenser such
that one end is proximate to the opening defined by the upper front panel 28
and gate flap 26.
The first pouch 62 can be withdrawn to the extent that it rests upon the upper
front panel 28
and can be easily grasped and pulled by manual manipulation. The gate flap 26
is biased
upwards and gently presses against the top closure panels 12a, 12b of the
dispenser such that
it can retain the continuous strip of pouches in place. The gate flap 26 also
is angled forward
such that pulling on the continuous strip of pouches 60 will allow the pouches
to be removed
from the dispenser. However, the angle of the gate flap 26 will prevent the
continuous strip of
pouches 60 from being "stuffed" or forced back into the dispenser.
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[0016] Figure 4 is a side view of the dispenser showing a continuous strip of
pouches 60
contained within the internal chamber of the dispenser. In this view, the
front of the dispenser
is to the left. Front panel 20 rises about one half the height of left side
panel 14b. Upper front
panel 28 angles inward and upward with respect to the interior chamber of the
dispenser. Gate
flap 26 is connected to upper front panel 28 along elliptical score 27 and
angles backward and
upward over upper front panel 28 until it makes contact with top closure panel
12a. The
continuous strip of pouches 60 is shown folded accordion style and set within
the chamber of
the dispenser. The leading pouch 62 is sticking out from the dispenser such
that gate flap 26 is
pressing against the next pouch and holding it in place within the dispenser.
When the user
wishes to tear off a pouch he gently pulls the strip out until he can grasp
the lead pouch and
tear it along its perforation 64 with the next pouch. Based on the angles of
the upper front
panel 28 and the gate flap 26, the continuous strip of pouches 60 remains in
place and cannot
be accidentally forced back into the dispenser. It is a quick, easy, and
convenient apparatus for
dispensing a continuous strip of pouches 60.
[0017] Figure 5 is a front view of the dispenser. Front panel 20 is connected
with upper front
panel 28 along a foldable seam. Upper front panel 28 angles back and up
relative to front panel
20 in this view. Gate flap 26 is connected to upper front panel 28 along
elliptical score line 27
and angles up and forward relative to upper front panel 28 until it contacts
top closure panel
12a. An outline of rear panel glue flap 18b as well as rear panel 18a can be
seen looking
straight through the front off the dispenser.
[0018] Figure 6 is a first isometric view of the dispenser. Front panel 20 is
connected with
upper front panel 28 along a foldable seam. Upper front panel 28 angles back
and up relative
to front panel 20 in this view. The upper front panel 28 is connected to right
and left side
panels 14a, 14b with the aid of semi-perforated score lines 32. Gate flap 26
is foldable with

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upper front panel 28 along elliptical score line 27 and angles up and forward
relative to upper
front panel 28 until it contacts top closure panel 12b. Also shown are a
plurality of ribs 34 that
provide additional strength and stability to upper front panel 28. The
remaining elements and
panels that comprise the dispenser can also be seen.
[0019] Figure 7 is a second isometric view of the dispenser further
illustrating the assembly and
construction of the dispenser.
[0020] Suitably, the package may, for example, be used to store
pharmaceuticals preparations
requiring repeat periodic dosage regimens. As used herein, the term
"pharmaceutical
preparation" is intended to include prescribed or over the counter drugs or
supplements,
vitamins or other medicaments, or any other materials suitable for containment
in a package of
foil/paperboard or plastic construction.
[0021] It is believed that the present invention includes many other
embodiments that may not
be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those
skilled in the art
from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as
being limited only
to the foregoing examples or only to the designated preferred embodiments.
6

Representative Drawing