Product dispenser

• US 6,581,799 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLC (Energizer Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eveready Battery Company Incorporated (Energizer Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Furth, David A., Pirro, Jeffrey P., Chapman, Richard H., Ferguson, Mark A., Hedman, Jonathan W., Garrant, Steven S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Noland, Kenneth W.
• Application Number:
  US09/658,201
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 221/79, 221/87, 221/88, 221/82, 221/76, 221/2, 221/7, 221/13, 221/115, 221/105, 221/268, 221/232, 221/231, 221/272, 206/701, 206/703, 206/704
• US Class Current: 221/88
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2313/04 of magnetic type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2313/10 Adhesive or cohesive means for holding the contents attached to the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2583/0481 One reciprocating action, e.g. to or from
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0409 the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation B65D83/0445 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0454 the whole forming a circular container with rotating parts B65D83/0463 takes precedence

Abstract

A product dispenser comprising a cover, a slidable push element, a base and a landing is provided. The cover and the base are rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis. The cover comprises a roof opening in which the push element slides in opposing directions, advancing product from the interior of the cover onto the landing. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser houses miniature zinc air batteries, secured to the base using an adhesive platform. When a cell is advanced from the interior of the cover onto the landing, the cell is separated from the adhesive platform, allowing air to pass into the cell and the cell to be activated. The landing preferably comprises a magnet for releasably securing product. The dispenser is then used as an inserter for orienting and placing the product in position in a device. The product is not directly handled during its removal from the dispenser or during its insertion into a device. In the case of a zinc air cell, the cell is untabbed without any direct handling of tab material by the user, and the material functioning as a tab stays with the dispenser upon separation from the cell.

Claims

1. A dispenser for transporting, housing and dispensing product, said dispenser comprising:

a cover comprising a roof and an opening in said roof;

a push element slidably engaged along the roof opening;

a base; and

a landing for removably retaining product,

wherein said cover and said base are rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the push element has a first position in which said element is fully retracted and a second position in which said element is partially or fully extended.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said cover further comprises at least one frictional engagement structure contacting the push element when said element is in the second position.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein said at least one frictional engagement structure contacts the push element during the first position of said element.

5. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said cover and base are only rotatable with respect to each other when said push element is in the first position.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said landing is inclined from the plane of the base.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said landing further comprises a magnet.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein said magnet is exposed.

9. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein said magnet is embedded within said landing.

10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein said magnet comprises a planar surface.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises an adhesive platform.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein said platform comprises a plurality of adhesive layers.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein said outermost adhesive layer is covered with an overcoat layer with one or more cutouts exposing the underlying adhesive.

14. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising one or more products secured to the platform.

15. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising one or more products secured to the platform.

16. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising one or more products secured to the platform.

17. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising one or more products secured to the base with an adhesive applied to discrete locations of the base.

18. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said cover can be removably connected with said base.

19. The dispenser of claim 18, said cover further comprising at least one snap hook connector.

20. The dispenser of claim 19, said snap hook connector further comprising a rib.

21. The dispenser of claim 20, the base further comprising a ridge and spaced turrets, said turrets further comprising grooves.

22. The dispenser of claim 21, wherein upon connection of said cover and said base, said snap hook connector engages said ridge and said snap hook connector rib engages said turret groove.

23. The dispenser of claim 22, said push element further comprising a rudder that prevents rotation of said base with respect to said cover when said rudder occupies the space between said turret.

24. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said landing is integral with said cover.

25. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said landing is integral with said base.

26. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises at least one storage compartment.

27. The dispenser of claim 26, wherein said base further comprises a cover over said storage compartment.

28. The dispenser of claim 27, wherein said storage compartment cover is rotatable with respect to said base and further comprises at least one opening.

29. The dispenser of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises at least one opening.

30. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises a rib along at least a portion of the inner surface of said cover.

31. The dispenser of claim 30, said base further comprising a gasket layer secured on one side to said base.