Convertible package dispenser
First Claim
1. A convertible package dispenser comprising a parallelepiped carton having a hollow interior sized to receive a plurality of packages to be dispensed, the carton being formed by first and second pairs of opposing longitudinal walls each rectangular in shape and one pair of opposing end walls, each end wall being smaller in size than each of the longitudinal walls, each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair having a width dimension and a length dimension greater than the width dimension) each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair further having a slot opening extending at least entirely across the width dimension, each slot opening being located proximal a longitudinal end of the longitudinal wall bearing the slot opening, a selectively removable cover element on each longitudinal wall of the first pair extending at least partially over the slot opening so as to prevent removal of any packages from the hollow interior of the carton through the slot opening while the cover element remains in place, and separation means for permitting selective removal of at least enough of one of the longitudinal walls of the first pair to convert the carton into an open top tray capable of retaining the plurality of packages for dispensation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A convertible package dispenser to dispense a plurality of identical, smaller packages, is provided by a parallelepiped carton having hollow interior sized to receive the plurality of packages arranged in a row. The carton is formed by first and second pairs of opposing, rectangular longitudinal walls and one pair of opposing end walls smaller in size than the longitudinal walls. First slot openings are provided in each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair proximal one of the end walls in order to remove packages from the carton. Another slot opening is provided through such longitudinal walls proximal an opposing longitudinal end of the wall to insert packages that were removed. Removable covers in the form of removable tab elements are provided over the slot openings to retain the packages within the carton until the carton is set up to dispense packages. The carton can be stood upright on one or either of the end walls, depending upon the location of the slot openings, to use the carton as a merchandize tower dispenser. Preferably, the two longitudinal walls with slot openings are printed with indicia in two different languages so that either side may be selected for use to dispense packages. In addition, cuts, cut-outs, lines of perforation or other lines/areas of weakness are provided extending through the pair of end walls and the second pair of longitudinal walls entirely around the carton so that the carton may be broken into two halves and one of the two halves used as a flat, dispenser tray. Preferably there is printed text in different languages on either end wall so that either end wall may be used as the front wall of the tray depending upon the language desired to be exhibited on the front of the tray.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A convertible package dispenser comprising a parallelepiped carton having a hollow interior sized to receive a plurality of packages to be dispensed, the carton being formed by first and second pairs of opposing longitudinal walls each rectangular in shape and one pair of opposing end walls, each end wall being smaller in size than each of the longitudinal walls, each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair having a width dimension and a length dimension greater than the width dimension) each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair further having a slot opening extending at least entirely across the width dimension, each slot opening being located proximal a longitudinal end of the longitudinal wall bearing the slot opening, a selectively removable cover element on each longitudinal wall of the first pair extending at least partially over the slot opening so as to prevent removal of any packages from the hollow interior of the carton through the slot opening while the cover element remains in place, and separation means for permitting selective removal of at least enough of one of the longitudinal walls of the first pair to convert the carton into an open top tray capable of retaining the plurality of packages for dispensation.
Specification