Product dispensing apparatus, gate and methods for assembling and using same

• US 7,306,138 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William S. Shadrach
• Original Assignee: William S. Shadrach
• Inventors: Shadrach, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Tri M.
• Application Number:
  US11/003,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 229/220, 229/125.12, 229/116.1, 229/116.3, 229/102, 229/122.1, 206/815
• US Class Current: 229/122.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/18 by folding a single blank to U-shape to form the base of the container and opposite sides of the body portion, the remaining sides being formed primarily by extensions of one or more of these opposite sides, e.g. flaps hinged thereto B65D5/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4237 located in a compartment formed by a container wall and additional panel or panels formed integrally with the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/548 for opening containers formed by erecting a blank to U-shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6685 formed by extensions hinged to the upper edge of a container body formed by erecting a blank to U-shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/723 Sliding elements for covering and uncovering discharge openings of containers, e.g. slide-closures

Abstract

Embodiments of a product dispensing apparatus, gate and methods for assembling and using are disclosed. A particularly, useful feature of the embodiments is a movable gate having tabs with perforation which may be formed as part of a unitary body configured for assembly into a product dispensing apparatus. According to an additional feature, the gate may be configured to separate from the tabs upon first use and then be used to open and close or at least partially close a portal for accessing products within the product dispensing apparatus. According to other features, the gate may also be configured to slide up and down, from side-to-side or move within a channel formed in part by the tabs at the perforations and by other gate-enclosing panels.

Claims

1. A gate for a product dispensing apparatus formed from a two-dimensional unitary form configured for assembly into the product dispensing apparatus having an interior sized for storing, transporting and dispensing a plurality of products, wherein the two-dimensional unitary form comprises:

a first panel;

a gate panel connected to the first panel along a fold line and comprising a gate;

two gate-enclosing panels surrounding the gate panel;

wherein the gate panel further comprises a plurality of tabs connected to the gate along tab perforations, the plurality of tabs configured to be affixed between the two gate-enclosing panels during the assembly, the tab perforations defining edges of a channel in which the gate is configured to slide after the tab perforations are broken;

wherein the two gate-enclosing panels are each configured with aligned portals sized for dispensing the products when the gate is in an open configuration; and

wherein the aligned portals initially comprise aligned and perforated areas in the two gate-enclosing panels and aligned openings upon removal of the perforated areas.

2. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the gate panel including the plurality of tabs are configured for placement between the two gate-enclosing panels during the assembly of the product dispensing apparatus.

3. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the gate further comprises a handle extending into the first panel and defined by first panel perforations configured for separating the handle of the gate from the first panel during a first use.

4. The gate according to claim 3, wherein the handle further comprises a mechanism for inserting a finger to grasp the handle.

5. The gate according to claim 4, wherein the mechanism comprises one of the following:

an opening, perforations outlining an area configured to form an opening when the area is removed, perforations configured to allow insertion of the finger when broken, or a slit configured to allow insertion of the finger therethrough.

6. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the gate of the gate panel is configured for separating from the plurality of tabs along the tab perforations upon first use by pulling the handle.

7. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the gate is further configured to slide either direction between an open position and a closed position while disposed in sliding contact between the two gate-enclosing panels after a first use to provide access to and storage of the plurality of products.

8. The gate according to claim 1, wherein the perforated areas in the two gate-enclosing panels that form openings upon removal are identically aligned.

9. A product dispensing apparatus formed from a two-dimensional unitary form having a plurality of panels and configured for assembly into a container having an interior, wherein the interior is sized for storing, transporting and dispensing a plurality of products, the two-dimensional unitary form, comprising:

a top panel;

two gate-enclosing panels;

a gate panel connected to the top panel along a fold line, the gate panel located between the two gate-enclosing panels, the gate panel including a gate and tabs configured for initially securing the gate between the two gate-enclosing panels during the assembly, the gate configured for separating from the tabs along tab perforations and sliding between the two gate-enclosing panels during use, the tab perforations defining edges of a channel in which the gate is configured to slide after the tab perforations are broken;

wherein the two gate-enclosing panels are each configured with aligned portals sized for dispensing the products when the gate is in an open configuration; and

wherein the aligned portals initially comprise aligned and perforated areas in the two gate-enclosing panels and aligned openings upon removal of the perforated areas.

10. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the gate panel further comprises perforations between the tabs and the gate.

11. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the perforations comprise micro-perforations.

12. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the perforations comprise slots separated by narrow bridges.

13. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the gate further comprises a handle formed into the top panel, outlined in part by perforations in the top panel.

14. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the gate further comprises a mechanism for inserting a finger to grasp the handle during use and for separating the handle from the top panel along the perforations.

15. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mechanism comprises one of the following:

an opening, perforations outlining an area configured to form an opening when the area is removed, a slit configured to allow insertion of the finger therethrough, or perforations configured to allow insertion of the finger when the perforations are broken.

16. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the aligned portals comprise cutouts in the two gate-enclosing panels.

17. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of products comprises a product or a product in a container.

18. The product dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the perforated areas in the two gate-enclosing panels that form openings upon removal are identically aligned.

19. A method of forming a movable gate for a product dispensing apparatus, comprising:

providing a two-dimensional unitary form configured for assembly into the product dispensing apparatus having an interior sized for storing, transporting and dispensing a plurality of products, wherein the two-dimensional unitary form comprises;

a first panel;

a gate panel including a gate, a handle, a plurality of tabs, the handle connected to the gate and extending into the first panel, plurality of tabs connected to the gate along tab perforations, the handle defined by a fold line and first panel perforations, the tab perforations defining edges of a channel in which the gate is configured to slide after the tab perforations are broken;

two gate-enclosing panels surrounding the gate panel;

wherein the two gate-enclosing panels are each configured with aligned portals sized for dispensing the products when the gate is in an open configuration; and

wherein the aligned portals initially comprise aligned and perforated areas in the two gate-enclosing panels and aligned openings upon removal of the perforated areas;

placing the gate panel in between the two gate-enclosing panels; and

affixing the plurality of tabs to the two gate-enclosing panels.

20. The method of forming a movable gate according to claim 19, further comprising:

separating the handle of the gate from the first panel along the first panel perforations; and

separating the gate from two gate-enclosing panels along the tab perforations.