GB2524134A - Dispensing apparatus and blanks therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus in the form of a container comprises a plurality of panels, at least one of which having a removable section 26, defining an aperture, in the shape of an isosceles triangle. A short side of the triangle 27 is parallel to an edge of the container and two long sides extend away from the short side towards an apex 28. The removable section 26 also includes an elongate tongue 31 adjacent to and including the apex 28 and a fold line 30 extending transverse to the tongue 31. The dispensing apparatus is suitable for use with gloves. The container may be made from card. The triangular shape may be defined by perforations 29. The aperture may be symmetrical about a longitudinal plane of the container. The two long sides may have a concave median portion curving inwardly between the short side 27 and the apex 28. A blank 2 for making the apparatus is also disclosed, including base 22, top 21, two side 25, 16 and two end 23, 24 panels all integrally connected by fold lines 10, 11, 12.

Description

Dispensing apparatus and blanks therefor The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and particularly dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles such as disposable gloves, as well as blanks for making such dispensing apparatus.

Laboratory, industrial or medical gloves have for many years been packaged in card boxes with a removable perforated region, such that the gloves can be withdrawn through a hole in the relevant box when the perforated region has been removed.

As used herein, the term "glove" refers to a covering for a user's hand, which covering desirably includes four fingers and a thumb, a palm covering area and a dorsal portion for covering the back of a user's hand, as well as a cuff to fit around a user's wrist. Such a glove is preferably of an elastomer (latex) or of a polymer material such as PVC (plasticised) or of a suitable polyurethane. It is particularly preferred that the glove is formed as a unitary integral body, for example of dipped rubber or elastomer.

The present invention therefore comprises a dispensing apparatus in the form of a container having a plurality of panels defining a box-like structure, at least one panel having a removable section defining a dispensing aperture, the removable section having a generally isosceles triangle shape, with a short side of the isosceles triangle being substantially parallel to an edge of the box-like structure and two long sides extending away from the short side towards an apex, all the angles of the triangle being arcuate, and the two long sides having at least a median portion which is concave, curving inwardly between the short side and the apex, the removable section further including an elongate tongue adjacent to and including the apex, and also including a fold line extending transverse to the tongue. Preferably, the transverse fold line extends the full width of the tongue.

The box-like container is typically of card, and the removable section is preferably provided with a predetermined series of perforations defining the generally isosceles triangle shape. The term "generally isosceles triangle shape" is used herein in its usual sense to mean a three-sided geometrical shape with two equal sides converging to an apex, and one shorter side remote from the apex, with an axis of symmetry extending at right angles from the shorter side to the apex.

The dispensing aperture has a shape corresponding to the removable section once the latter has been removed. The aperture generally symmetrical about a longitudinal plane of the container, and preferably tapers inwardly from the shod side of the triangle (which is typically adjacent the edge of the box-like structure) towards the apex, which therefore forms a narrow end of the aperture of complementary shape to that of the tongue in the removable section. The short side of the triangle should be wide enough to permit a cuff end of a topmost glove in the container to be removed and dispensed through the dispensing aperture.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the narrow end of the aperture is at an intermediate portion of the container, typically substantially equispaced from the opposed ends of the container. The narrow end is preferably arcuate, such as substantially semi-circular.

The present invention further comprises a blank for making such a box-like structure, the blank comprising a foldable sheet (for example, of card), the blank including a base panel, a top panel, two side panels and two end panels, all integrally connected to one another by fold lines such that the sheet can be folded to the box-like structure, at least one of the panels (preferably the top panel) having a removable section as defined above.

The foldable sheet may be folded to the box shape and then glued or otherwise secured together; alternatively, selected ones of the panels may include complementary tongues and grooves, or complementary tongues and slots, for secure engagement with one another to form the box-like structure. Such complementary formulations are preferably provided on two short sides (ends) of the box-like structure.

Reference wifi now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustrative perspective view of an exemplary container according to the invention having a removable section; Figures 2 to 4 are similar views showing the removable sections at successive stages of removal; Figure 5 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 4, after the removable section has been removed, and with a glove being dispensed through the resultant aperture; Figure 6 is a plan view of an exemplary blank according to the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view, from the opposite end to that of Figure 5, showing the aperture and, in ghosted lines, the glove layout in the container; Figure 8 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 7, again showing the aperture and, in ghosted lines, the glove layout in the container; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the container of Figures 7 and 8. when full (containing a complete stack of gloves); and Figure 10 is a further sectional view of the container of Figures 7 and 8, when only partially full (containing a partial stack of gloves after some have been dispensed through the aperture).

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a container in the form of a cuboid shaped box 1, the box having a top face 21, a bottom face 22, longitudinally spaced end faces 23 and 24, and laterally spaced side faces extending between the end faces 23, 24. In the illustration, only the front side face 25 is visible, but it will be appreciated that there would be a corresponding rear side face (not visible in drawing but visible in Figure 6 which shows a blank, as will be described below). The box is intended to be symmetrical about a longitudinal plane bisecting each of the end faces 23 and 24. The top face 21 has a removable section 26 in the general shape of an isosceles triangle, with curved angles rather than sharp angles, which removable section extends from an end line 27 (which is spaced from end face 23) to an narrow end 28 midway between the opposed end faces 23 and 24. The narrow end 28 as shown is substantially semi-circular; alternatively the narrow end may include part only of a circle.

The shaped removable section or portion 26 has a maximum width at end line 27 and a minimum width at the narrow end 28; the removable section 26 has a smoothly tapered concave curved edge extending from the end line 27 to the narrow end 28.

The narrow end 28 forms a tongue in the removable section 26.

The removable section 26 can be removed manuafly (using a fingertip, for example) by pushing through the relevant rTlaterial forming the top face 21 around a series of perforations 29 defining the ultimate shape of the aperture. By means of such an aperture, individual gloves can be dispensed in turn, one by one, from the box, as will subsequently be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the removable section 26 includes, adjacent the narrow end 28, a pre-scored fold line 30 which extends transverse to the isosceles triangle and parallel to the end line 27 to define an end tab 31, for the full width of the tongue As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in order to open the box 1 and to permit gloves to be dispensed, the end tab 31 is first pressed down about the fold line 30, breaking the perForated lines at the narrow end 28 (see Figure 2). This creates an initial finger aperture; the whole removable section 26 can then be pulled away from the top face 21 (see Figures 3 and 4), thereby leaving an aperture 32 of shape corresponding to that of the original removable sectior 26. Then a glove 33 may be individually removed from the box 1 (see Figure 5) by pulling at the cuff end 34 thereof, in the direction of arrow A. Referring now to Figure 6, in which like parts are shown by like reference numerals, there is shown a blank 2 having integrally connected panels forming a top face 21, bottom face 22, end faces 23 and 24, front side face 25 and rear side face 16.

The top face 21 has a removable cut-out section 26 in the general shape of an isosceles triangle, with curved angles rather than sharp angles, which cut-out section extends from an end line 27 (which is spaced from end face 23) to an narrow end 28 midway between the opposed end faces 23 and 24. Further details of the removable section are as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

Bottom face 22 is connected to front side face 25 (that is, front in the orientation shown in Figs 1 to 6) by integral fold line 10; front side face 25 is connected to top face 21 by integral fold line 11; and top face 21 is connected to rear side face 16 (see Fgs 6 and 7) by integral fold line 12. The free edge 13 of bottom face 22 has an integral tab 14 which may be glued or otherwise secured to rear side face 16.

As shown, fold lines 10, 11 and 12 are all parallel, and they are all parallel to free edge 13, so that the blank may be folded to form a box-like structure of cuboid shape (with all faces being substantially rectangular).

End faces 23 and 24 each comprise a series of end flaps 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d; and 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d; which are connected to respective panels by corresponding fold lines. Specifically, end flaps 23a and 24a are connected to bottom face 22; end flaps 23b and 24h are connected to front side face 25; end flaps 23c and 24c are connected to top face 21; and end flaps 23d and 24d are connected to rear face 16.

End flaps 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d are provided with corresponding formations 23e, 23r, 23g and 23h arranged to engage with one another to provide the end face 23.

Similarly, end flaps 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are provided with corresponding formations 24e, 24f, 24g and 24h arranged to engage with one another to provide the end face 24.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 10 (in which like parts are denoted by like reference numerals). the layout of the gloves may be seen in Figures 7 and 8, with the cuff end 34 adjacent the end line 27 of the aperture 32.

Figures 9 and 10 show respectively a full stack of gloves in the box 1; as shown in Figure 10, the uppermost glove 33 is ready to be dispensed through the aperture 32 by pulling on the cuff end 34. It is envisaged that a biasing device (not shown) would be provided between the stack of gloves and the bottom face 22, so as to bias the stack towards the upper face 21 and thereby ensure that the nextmost glove is presented to the aperture for subsequent dispensing.

It is particularly preferred, as in the illustrated embodiment, that all the gloves in the stack are laid in the same orientation, with finger portions at one end (in the closed region of the box) and the free cuff ends at the other end for dispensing one by one, cuff first, through the aperture provided in the box by removal of the removable section. As indicated, the aperture is to be formed by pressing through a series of perforations around the periphery of the removable section opening, and then removing the section so pressed through.

Claims (7)

1. Claims 1 A dispensing apparatus in the form of a container having a plurality of panels defining a box-like structure, at least one of said panels having a removable section defining a dispensing aperture, the removable section and the dispensing aperture being of generally isosceles triangle shape, with a short side of the isosceles triangle, that is substantially parallel to an edge of the box-like structure, and two long sides that extend away from the short side towards an apex such that the dispensing aperture tapers inwardly from the short side towards the apex, the removable section further including an elongate tongue adjacent to and including the apex, and a fold line extending transverse to said tongue.
2. 2 A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transverse fold line extends the full width of the tongue.
3. 3 A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the box-like container is of card.
4. 4 A dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the removable section is provided with a predetermined series of perforations defining the generally isosceles triangle shape.
5. A dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing aperture is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal plane of the container.
6. 6 A dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apex end of the aperture is substantially equispaced between opposed ends of a face of the container.
7. 7 A dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the two long sides each have at least a median portion that is concave, said concave median portion curving inwardly between the short side and the apex 8 A blank for a box-like structure as defined in claim 1, the blank comprising a foldable sheet and including a base panel, a top panel, two side panels and two end panels, all integrally connected to one another by fold lines such that the sheet can be folded to the box-like structure, at least one of the panels having a removable section defining a dispensing aperture, the removable section and the dispensing aperture having a generally isosceles triangle shape, with a short side of the isosceles triangle being substantially parallel to an edge of the box-like structure and two long sides extending away from the short side towards an apex to form an elongate tongue extending substantially parallel to said edge, the removable section further including an elongate tongue adjacent to and including the apex, and a fold line extending transverse to said tongue.9 A dispensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transverse fold line extends the full width of the tongue.A blank according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the foldable sheet is of card.11 A blank according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the removable section is provided with a predetermined series of perforations defining the generally isosceles triangle shape.12 A blank according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the dispensing aperture is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis.13 A blank according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the dispensing aperture tapers inwardly from the short side towards the apex, so as to form a narrow end of the aperture.14 A blank according to claim 13, wherein the narrow end of the aperture is at an intermediate portion of the respective panel.A blank according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate portion is substantially equispaced from the opposed ends of the panel.16 A blank according to any of claims 8 to 15, wherein all the angles of the triangle are arcuate, and the two long sides each have at least a median portion that is concave, curving inwardly between the short side and the apex.17 A glove dispenser box, comprising dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, and a stack of gloves within said dispensing apparatus.18 A glove dispenser box according to claim 17, wherein all the gloves in the stack are laid in the same orientation, with free cuff ends of the gloves are at an end of the box adjacent the short side of the isosceles triangle.