Individual film packet dispenser and tray dispenser

• US 5,323,920 A
• Filed: 07/26/1993
• Issued: 06/28/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Maurer, Thomas A., Provencher, Robert P., Foeller, David E., Harris, Clark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Noland, Kenneth W.
• Application Number:
  US08/103,361
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 221/197, 221/271, 221/276, 221/283, 221/232, 221/312 R, 221/312 B, 221/268, 221/287, 221/85, 221/270, 221/255, 312/60, 312/61, 312/50, 312/42, 312/35, 211/49.1, 211/59.2, 211/50, 211/51, 378/169
• US Class Current: 221/197
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/10 having mechanical dispensing means , e.g. with buttons or handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0829 by means of an actuator
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/042 for dental applications radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51; individual packages for X-ray film G03C3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 3/003 Individual packages for X-ray film, e.g. for dental applications

Abstract

A tray and dispenser for holding and dispensing individual film packets from a stack of film packets provided in a tray. The tray comprises a bottom wall, an first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls. The side and end walls extend upwardly from the bottom wall and terminate in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets. The second end wall is provided with a support surface for supporting a stack of film packets placed in the recess when the tray is placed in the vertical position. The bottom wall of the tray is provided with ribs for spacing the stack of film packets a predetermined distance from the surface of the bottom wall and forming a rear space behind the bottom packet. The second end wall is also provided with an access opening for allowing access to the packet disposed on the bottom of the stack of film packets when the tray is placed in the substantial vertical position. The dispenser comprises a shell support structure which forms an internal chamber for receiving at least the lower portion of the tray and holding the tray in a substantially vertical position. A stripping member is provided for removing in seriatim the film packets from the recess in the tray. The stripper includes a stripper member having a configuration for insertion into the access opening in the bottom end wall and the rear space of the tray for removing the bottom packet.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing individual film packets in seriatim from a stack of packets placed in a tray, the dispenser comprising the tray comprising a bottom wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls, the side and said end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall terminating in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets, the second end wall having a support surface for supporting the stack of film packets when the tray is disposed in the substantially vertical position, the bottom wall having means for forming a rear space behind the bottom packet of the stack of film packets, and means for providing access to the rear space behind the bottom packet of the stack of film packets, said dispenser further comprising:

a base;

a top placed over the base, said base and top forming an internal chamber for receiving at least the second portion of the tray; and

stripping means secured to the dispenser for removing in seriatim the film packets from the recess and dispensing the packets from the dispenser.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said means for providing access to the rear space comprises an access opening provided in the second end wall.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said stripper means comprising a stripping arm having a clip member disposed at the end of the arm for insertion into the access opening, said clip member having a support surface and a finger retaining portion, said finger retaining portion being capable of being positioned in the rear space behind the bottom film packet placed in the recess such that when said stripper arm is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stack of film packets the bottom packet of film will be removed from the stack of film packets.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said finger retaining member having an outer engaging surface which is substantially planar, said outer engaging surface being disposed at an angle with respect to the bottom surface of the bottom packet of about 45 degrees, said finger retaining portion having a shape such that a single packet of film is captured between said finger retaining portion and support surface of said clip.

5. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein a mounting plate is secured to said top and bottom for securing said dispenser to a wall or other fixture.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1 further comprising biasing means for biasing said stripping means at a predetermined position.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6 wherein said stripping means is normally biased such that it is in the dispensing position.

8. A dispenser for dispensing individual film packets in seriatim from a stack of packets placed in a tray, the dispenser comprising the tray comprising a bottom wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls, the side and end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall terminating in an upper rim to define an open top and a recess for receiving a stack of film packets, the second end wall having a support surface for supporting the stack of film packets when the tray is disposed in the substantially vertical position, the bottom wall having means for forming a rear space behind the bottom packet of the stack of film packets, and means for providing access to the rear space behind the bottom packet of the stack of film packets, said dispenser further comprising:

a shell support structure forming an internal chamber for receiving at least the lower portion of the tray so that the tray is held in a substantially vertical position; and

stripping means secured to said dispenser for removing in seriatim the film packets from the recess of the tray and for dispensing the packets from said dispenser.

9. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said shell support structure comprises a base and a top, said top being designed to be placed on the base.

10. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said means for providing access to the rear space comprises an access opening provided in the second end wall.

11. A dispenser according to claim 10 wherein said stripper means comprising a stripping am having a clip member disposed at the end of the arm for insertion into the access opening in the second end wall of the tray, said clip member having a support surface and a finger retaining portion, said finger retaining portion being capable of being positioned in the rear space behind the bottom film packet placed in the recess such that when said stripper arm is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stack of film packets the bottom packet of film will be removed from the stack of film packets, said finger retaining portion having a shape such that a single packet of film is captured between said finger retaining portion and support surface of said clip member.

12. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said dispenser is provided with a shield for protecting the tray from stray radiation.

13. A dispenser according to claim 8 further comprising biasing means for biasing the stripping means at predetermined position.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.

15. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said shell support structure is made of a plastic material.