Cutlery dispenser and related methods

• US 9,943,176 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Oakes, Shawn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US14/336,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20150028045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 221 1, 221 26, 221 32
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/12 dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack A47F1/087 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/526 Containers with means for displaying items at different heights
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/42 Chains of interconnected packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/46 containing articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The cutlery dispenser may include a case configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The cutlery dispenser also may include a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case and configured to be dispensed therefrom. The present disclosure also provides a method for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The method may include the step of providing a cutlery dispenser including a case and a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case. The method also may include the step of expanding the case from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The method further may include the step of dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band from the case.

Claims

1. A cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery, the dispenser comprising:

a case configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration; and

a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case and configured to be dispensed therefrom;

wherein the case comprises a base, a lid configured to pivot relative to the base to expand the case from the compact configuration into the expanded configuration, and an opening defined in a wall of the case and configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to be dispensed therethrough while the case is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the opening is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the wall of the case.

2. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner, and wherein each cutlery packet comprises a pouch and a cutlery utensil disposed within the pouch.

3. The cutlery dispenser of claim 2, wherein each cutlery packet is individually sealed by one or more seals extending along the pouch.

4. The cutlery dispenser of claim 2, wherein the cutlery packets are separably connected to one another by perforated zones extending between adjacent cutlery packets.

5. The cutlery dispenser of claim 2, wherein the cutlery packets have an elongated shape and are connected end to end.

6. The cutlery dispenser of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band is disposed within the case in a serpentine manner such that at least some of the cutlery packets are folded over one another.

7. The cutlery dispenser of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band is disposed within the case in a rolled manner such that at least some of the cutlery packets are rolled about one another.

8. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the compact configuration defines a first internal volume, wherein the expanded configuration defines a second internal volume greater than the first internal volume, and wherein the second internal volume is enclosed by the base and the lid.

9. The cutlery dispenser of claim 8, wherein the wrapped cutlery band substantially fills the first internal volume prior to being dispensed from the case.

10. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the expanded configuration defines a headspace between the wrapped cutlery band and a wall of the case, and wherein the headspace is configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to orient within the case for dispensing from the case.

11. The cutlery dispenser of claim 10, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets each comprising a cutlery utensil, and wherein a height of the headspace is greater than half of a length of the cutlery utensil.

12. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a slot and a tab configured to engage the slot when the case is in the expanded configuration and inhibit the lid from pivoting relative to the base.

13. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid is partially disposed within the base when the case is in the expanded configuration.

14. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base and the lid define a substantially closed internal space when the case is in the compact configuration and when the case is in the expanded configuration.

15. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined in a wall of the lid.

16. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner, wherein each cutlery packet comprises a pouch and a cutlery utensil disposed within the pouch, and wherein the opening is configured to allow the cutlery packets to be dispensed one at a time therethrough.

17. The cutlery dispenser of claim 16, wherein the wrapped cutlery band further comprises a starter strip positioned at a leading end of the wrapped cutlery band and extending through the opening, and wherein the starter strip is configured to facilitate pulling the wrapped cutlery band through the opening.

18. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle positioned within the opening and configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to be dispensed therethrough.

19. The cutlery dispenser of claim 18, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner, wherein each cutlery packet comprises a pouch and a cutlery utensil disposed within the pouch, and wherein the nozzle is configured to allow the cutlery packets to be dispensed one at a time therethrough.

20. The cutlery dispenser of claim 19, wherein the wrapped cutlery band further comprises a starter strip positioned at a leading end of the wrapped cutlery band and extending through the nozzle, and wherein the starter strip is configured to facilitate pulling the wrapped cutlery band through the nozzle.

21. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the case comprises a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the base at the first end of the case, wherein the opening is defined in a wall of the lid, and wherein the opening is positioned closer to the second end of the case than the first end of the case.

22. The cutlery dispenser of claim 21, wherein the first end of the case is a bottom end of the case, and wherein the second end of the case is a top end of the case.

23. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a first wall, a second wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall, a third wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall and positioned opposite the second wall, and a fourth wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall, wherein the opening is defined in the first wall of the lid, and wherein the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall of the lid each are partially disposed within the base when the case is in the expanded configuration.

24. The cutlery dispenser of claim 23, wherein the base comprises a first wall, a second wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall, a third wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall and positioned opposite the second wall, a fourth wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall, and a fifth wall attached to and oriented transverse to the first wall and positioned opposite the fourth wall, wherein the first wall of the lid is pivotally attached to the fifth wall of the base.

25. The cutlery dispenser of claim 24, wherein the first wall of the lid is a front wall of the lid, wherein the second wall of the lid is a first side wall of the lid, wherein the third wall of the lid is a second side wall of the lid, wherein the fourth wall of the lid is a top wall of the lid, wherein the first wall of the base is a back wall of the base, wherein the second wall of the base is a first side wall of the base, wherein the third wall of the base is a second side wall of the base, wherein the fourth wall of the base is a top wall of the base, and wherein the fifth wall of the base is a bottom wall of the base.

26. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the opening is positioned along an external surface of the case when the case is in the compact configuration and when the case is in the expanded configuration.

27. A method for dispensing wrapped cutlery, the method comprising:

providing a cutlery dispenser comprising a case and a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case, wherein the case comprises a base, a lid configured to pivot relative to the base, and an opening defined in a wall of the case and spaced apart from an outer periphery of the wall of the case;

expanding the case from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration by pivoting the lid relative to the base; and

dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band from the case through the opening while the case is in the expanded configuration.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein expanding the case from the compact configuration into the expanded configuration comprises creating a headspace between the wrapped cutlery band and a wall of the case, and wherein the headspace is configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to orient within the case for dispensing from the case.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets each comprising a cutlery utensil, and wherein a height of the headspace is greater than half of a length of the cutlery utensil.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the opening is defined in a wall of the lid.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the wrapped cutlery band comprises a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another in a serial manner, and wherein each cutlery packet comprises a pouch and a cutlery utensil disposed within the pouch.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band comprises pulling a first cutlery packet through the opening.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band further comprises separating the first cutlery packet from a second cutlery packet.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band further comprises pulling a second cutlery packet partially through the opening.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein pulling the second cutlery packet partially through the opening separates the first cutlery packet from the second cutlery packet.

37. The cutlery dispenser of claim 31, wherein the expanded configuration defines a headspace between the wrapped cutlery band and a wall of the case, and wherein the headspace is configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to orient within the case for dispensing from the case.

38. The cutlery dispenser of claim 31, wherein the opening is defined in a wall of the lid.

39. The cutlery dispenser of claim 31, wherein the lid is partially disposed within the base when the case is in the expanded configuration.

36. A cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery, the cutlery dispenser comprising:

a case configured to contain and allow a wrapped cutlery band to be dispensed therefrom, the wrapped cutlery band comprising a plurality of cutlery packets separably connected to one another;

wherein the case is configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration, wherein the case comprises a base, a lid configured to pivot relative to the base to expand the case from the compact configuration into the expanded configuration, and an opening defined in a wall of the case and configured to allow the wrapped cutlery band to be dispensed therethrough while the case is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the opening is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the wall of the case.