Dispensing container for metered dispensing of product
First Claim
1. A dispensing container, comprising:
- an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment;
an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and comprising a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and an open position,wherein the dispensing trough comprises an aperture sized and configured to allow a single unit of product to exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof, andwherein the outer casing further comprises a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides between the open position and the closed and locked position, the rib sized and configured to engage a unit of product within the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides towards the closed and locked position and urge the unit of product through the aperture of the dispensing trough.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing container is provided, including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, wherein the dispensing trough includes an aperture sized to allow a single unit of product exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof, and the outer casing further includes a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough.
88 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A dispensing container, comprising:
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an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and comprising a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and an open position, wherein the dispensing trough comprises an aperture sized and configured to allow a single unit of product to exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof, and wherein the outer casing further comprises a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides between the open position and the closed and locked position, the rib sized and configured to engage a unit of product within the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides towards the closed and locked position and urge the unit of product through the aperture of the dispensing trough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 28, 29)
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17. A dispensing container, comprising:
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an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and comprising a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and an open position, wherein the dispensing trough comprises an aperture sized and configured to allow a single unit of product to exit the dispensing trough at a first end of the dispensing trough facing the open end of the outer casing, and wherein the dispensing trough further comprises a slot at an opposing end thereof; a locking mechanism adapted for releasably locking the inner tray in the closed and locked position within the outer casing, the locking mechanism comprising a depressible button in the bottom of the outer casing, a projection extending from the bottom of the outer casing into the interior compartment proximal to the depressible button, and a flexible locking plate attached to the inner tray and facing the bottom of the outer casing, the flexible locking plate including an aperture sized and configured to engage the projection when the inner tray is in the closed and locked position, wherein the depressible button is positioned to deflect the flexible locking plate of the inner tray away from the projection when depressed; wherein a portion of the inner tray extends outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and comprises a raised surface adapted for grasping by a container user, the raised surface positioned to abut the top of the outer casing when the inner tray is in the closed and locked position, the outwardly-extending portion of the inner tray further comprising a bottom member that abuts the bottom of the outer casing, a depression sized and configured to aid grasping of the inner tray being defined between the bottom member of the outwardly-extending portion of the inner tray and the bottom of the outer casing; and wherein the outer casing further comprises a rib extending into the interior compartment from the bottom of the outer casing and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides between the open position and the closed and locked position, the rib sized and configured to engage a unit of product within the dispensing trough as the inner tray slides towards the closed and locked position and urge the unit of product through the aperture of the dispensing trough. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification