US3210140A

US3210140A - Article dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3210140A
Application number: US293453A
Authority: US
Inventors: William T Smythe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-07-08
Filing date: 1963-07-08
Publication date: 1965-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-05

Description

Oct. 5, 1965 w. T. SMYTHE 3,210,140

ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 8', 1965 FIG. I

FIG. 3 f I; .1

INVENTOR. WILLIAM T SMYTl-IE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,210,140 ARTICLE DISPENSING DEVICE William T. Smythe, 231 S. Ranburn, Azusa, Calif. Filed July 8, 1963, Ser. No. 293,453 9 Claims. (Cl. 312-42) The present invention relates generally to an improved apparatus or device for dispensing small articles; more particularly, the invention relates to an improved and simplified device for dispensing standard cigarette packages and articles of similar configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing device of the invention has a rectilinear storage and dispensing passage which has open ends. A retainer flange extends inwardly from the lower end of a wall of the passage to retain articles. A deflector in the form of a ramp extends inwardly from an opposite passage wall, the deflector being spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage. In moving into the downmost position in the passage, an article, such as a package of cigarettes, is urged by the deflector toward the wall from which the retainer extends. The package is thus positioned between that wall and the deflector and is retained in that position by the retainer. To remove or dispense the package from the dispensing device, the lower portion of the package is manually grasped, appropriate spaces being provided adjacent the package for this purpose, and is tilted about the deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the lower portion of the package from the retainer. The package is then readily pulled or dispensed from the device.

Certain dimensions of the device are relatively critical with respect to providing an efficient, conveniently operable device for dispensing particular packages, such as packages of cigarettes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified device for dispensing standard cigarette packages and items of similar configuration.

An object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device according to the foregoing object, which is configurated and adapted to be readily adaptable for fabrication in decorative and/or artistic styles and configurations.

An object of this invention is the provision of a dispens ing device according to the foregoing object which is adapted to complement and enhance the decor and environment of homes and other environments.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispensing device for packages such as cigarette packages, wherein deflector means and retainer means extend into a passage to position a lowermost package for convenient manual manipulation to remove the package from the dispensing device.

An object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device according to the foregoing object wherein the lowermost package is pivoted about the deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the package from the retainer to release and remove the package from the dispensing device.

An object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device according to the foregoing object wherein particular critical dimensions are provided to effect proper and convenient operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those versed in the art from a consideration of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial view, partially in section, showing structural details of the operative features of the dispensing device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken at line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a partial elevational sectional view of the lower end portion of the dispensing device, taken at line 55 of FIGURE 4 and illustrating manual grasping of a package for removal of the package from the dispensing device; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view, partially in section, showing details of the lower end portion of the dispensing device.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein an upright vertical rectilinear container 10 has elongated passage which is open at its upper and lower ends. The packages to be dispensed, such as standard packages of cigarettes, are inserted into the upper end of the passage, .and are dispensed from the lower end, in the manner hereinafter described. As shown, the container 10 has a simplified configuration and has a large flat outer wall surface, which adapted for the provision of pleasing styling and decorative appearances.

The storage and dispensing passage is defined by a back or rear wall 12, a front wall 14 and two internal

side Wall members

16, 18. The side wall members are spaced or extend inwardly from

outer walls

22 and 24, respectively. The lower ends of the side wall members are spaced upwardly from the lower ends of the

outer walls

22 and 24, as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. The

side wall members

16, 18 have transversely extending portions 26, 2S and

end portions

32, 34 which extend.v downwardly along the

outer walls

22, 24 and are secured thereto, as by welding.

The upper end portions of

side wall members

16 and 18 are tapered, as shown in FIGURE 2 at 38 and 40, to facilitate and guide the insertion of packages into the passage. The upper edges of the side wall members are preferably secured to the

outer wall members

22 and 24 by crimping the upper edges of the outer walls over the upper edges of the side wall members, as indicated at 42 in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, a retainer or retainer flange 46 extends inwardly from the lower edge of the front wall 12. Deflectors 50, 52, in the form of ramps inwardly inclined in the downward direction, ex tend inwardly from the rear wall 14, the deflectors being spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage and from the retainer flange 46.

In the utilization of the device, a package, such as a package of cigarettes, moves into the lowermost position in the passage as the previous lowermost package is removed from the dispensing device. As a package moves downwardly into the lowermost position, the deflectors 50, 52 urge the package in the direction away from the rear wall 14 and toward the front wall 12. The lowermost package is thus positioned against the front wall 12 with its lower side engaging the retainer flange 46 so that the retainer 46 retains the packages in the passage.

To remove or dispense the lowermost package from the dispensing device, the lower portion of the lowermost package is manually grasped in the manner indicated in FIGURE 5, the finger and thumb being accommodated for this purpose by the spaces provided at the respective ends of the package, these spaces being defined by the

transverse portions

26, 28 and the

end portions

32, 34 of the

side wall members

16, 18, as shown. The lower end portion of the package is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 3, thereby pivoting the upper portion of the package about the fulcrum provided by the lower ends of the deflectors 50, 52. This movement disengages the lower end portion of the package from the retainer flange 46, as indicated in phantom out line in FIGURE 3, thereby permitting the package to be easily pulled from the lower end of the dispensing device. The removal of the lowermost package causes another package to move in the lowermost position, in which it is properly positioned by the deflectors 50, 52 and the retainer 46 for manual removal as hereinbefore described.

In order for the dispensing device to operate efiiciently and successfully in the dispensing of conventional cigarette packages, certain relative dimensions are relatively critical. For satisfactory operation, the passage should be 3.5 inches by 1.06 inches. The retainer flange 46 should extend inwardly 7 inch from the front wall 12. The lower edges of the deflectors 5t), 52 should extend inwardly 7 inch from the rear wall 14, and should be spaced 1.5 inches from the upper surface of the retainer flange 46. These dimensions are relatively critical within plus or minus inch.

From the foregoing, those versed in the art will appreciate that the present invention achieves the objects and realizes the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, as well as other advantages which will be apparent from the description and drawing.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the same is merely exemplary of presently preferred embodiments capable of attaining the objects and advantages hereinbefore mentioned, and that the invention is not limited thereto; variations will be readily apparent to those versed in the art, and the invention is entitled to the broadest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.

The inventor claims:

1. A device for dispensing articles, comprising means defining a rectilinear storage and dispensing passage having open ends and having front and rear walls extending substantially to the ends, retainer means extending inwardly from the lower end portion of a first wall of said passage to retain articles in the passage, and at least one deflector extending inwardly from a second wall of the passage opposite from said first wall and spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage and from said retainer means, whereby an article moving downwardly in the passage is urged by the deflector in a direction from the second wall to the first wall to be retained by said retainer, and whereby the article may be manually pivoted entirely within said passage about said deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the article from the retainer to dispense the article from the device.

2. A device for dispensing articles, comprising means defining a rectilinear storage and dispensing passage having open ends and having front and rear walls extending substantially to the ends, retainer means extending inwardly from the lower end portion of a first wall of said passage to retain articles in the passage, and at least one deflector in the form of a ramp inwardly inclined in the downward direction, said ramp extending from a second wall of the passage opposite from said first wall and being spaced upwardly from said retainer means, whereby the article during downward movement is urged by the ramp toward the first passage wall to engage said retainer to retain the article in the lower end portion of the passage, whereby the article may be manually pivoted entirely within said passage about the lower end of the deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the article from the retainer to dispense the article from the device.

3. A device for dispensing articles, comprising means defining a rectilinear storage and dispensing passage having open ends and having front and rear walls extending substantially to the ends, means defining spaces adjacent to the lower end of said passage to accommodate manual grasping of an article positioned in the lower end portion of the passage, retainer means extending inwardly from the lower end portion of a first wall of said passage to retain articles in the passage, and at least one dcflfictor extending inwardly from a second wall of the passage opposite from said first wall and spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage and from said retainer means, whereby an article moving downwardly in the passage is urged by the deflector in a direction from the second wall to the first wall to be retained by said retainer, and whereby the article may be manually pivoted entirely within said passage about said deflector .as a fulcrum to disengage the article from the retainer to dispense the article from the device.

4. A device for dispensing articles, comprising means defining a rectilinear storage and dispensing passage having open ends, means defining spaces adjacent to the lower end of said passage to accomodate manual grasping of an article positioned in the lower end portion of the passage, a retainer flange extending inwardly from the lower end portion of a first wall of the passage to retain articles in the passage, and at least one deflector extending inwardly from a second wall of the passage opposite from said first wall and spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage and from said retainer means, said second wall being substantially coextensive with said first wall, said passage having its lower end opening so dimensioned that the distance between the inner end of the retainer flange and the opposite second wall is the ruinimum necessary to permit passage of the article therebetween, whereby an article moving downwardly in the passage is urged by the deflector in a direction from the second wall to the first wall to be retained by said retainer, and whereby the article may be manually pivoted entirely within said passage about said deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the article from the retainer to dispense the article from the device.

I 5. A device for dispensing articles, comprising a rectilinear passage defined by a front wall, a rear wall and side wall members, said front wall being substantially coextensive with the rear wall, said side wall members being spaced inwardly from outer side walls and having their lower ends spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage to provide spaces for manual grasping of an article 1n the lower end portion of the passage, retainer means extending inwardly from the lower end portion of a first wall of said passage to retain articles in the passage, and at least one deflector extending inwardly from a second wall of the passage opposite from said first Wall and spaced upwardly from the lower end of the passage and from said retainer means, whereby an article moving downwardly in the passage is urged by the deflector in a d rection from the second wall to the first wall to be retained by said retainer, and whereby the article may be manually pivoted entirely within said passage about said deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the article from the retainer to dispense the article from the device.

6 A device for dispensing packages of cigarettes, comprising means defining a rectilinear storage and dispensing pazsrzgglti lifg lilpgaopen ends, said passage being defined by front wall being substantially coextensive with the rear wall, said front and rear walls being spaced apart a distance substantially of an inch greater than the thickness of a conventional cigarette package, a retainer flange extending inwardly substantially 7 of an inch from the lower end portion of said front wall, and at least one deflector extending inwardly substantially J of an inch from the rear wall and spaced upwardly from said retamer flange, whereby a package moving downwardly in the passage in an upright position is urged by the deflector in a direction from the second wall to the first wall to be retained by said retainer, and whereby the package may be manually pivoted about said deflector as a fulcrum to disengage the package from the retainer to dispense the package from the device.

rear wall and side wall members, said 5 6 7. A dispensing device according to claim 6 wherein References Cited by the Examiner said deflector is an inwardly extending ramp having its UNITED STATES PATENTS lower edge spaced substantially 1.5 inches upwardly from the upper surface of said retainer flange. 1,293,434 2/19 Hlnes et 312-45 8. A dispensing device according a claim 6, wherein 5 1382092 5 Kllmer the transverse dimension of said passage is substantially 35 2 Z g 1 3.5 inches, whereby cigarette packages of conventional 1980819 11/34 312:42 e g s re a ed" Bryan 9. A dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein 2:342:452 2/44 Cashier; 312 42 said front and rear passage walls are spaced apart slightly 10 in excess of one inch. CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING ARTICLES, COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING A RECTILINEAR STORAGE AND DISPENSING PASSAGE HAVING OPEN ENDS AND HAVING FRONT AND REAR WALLS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE ENDS, RETAINER MEANS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE LOWER END PORTION OF A FIRST WALL OF SAID PASSAGE TO RETAIN ARTICLES IN THE PASSAGE, AND AT LEAST ONE DEFLECTOR EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM A SECOND WALL OF THE PASSAGE OPPOSITE FROM SAID FIRST WALL AND SPACED UPWARDLY FROM THE LOWER END OF THE PASSAGE AND FROM SAID RETAINER MEANS, WHEREBY AN ARTICLE MOVING DOWNWARDLY IN THE PASSAGE IS URGED BY THE DEFLECTOR IN A DIRECTION FROM THE SECOND WALL TO THE FIRST WALL TO BE RETAINED BY SAID RETAINER, AND WHEREBY THE ARTICLE MAY BE MANUALLY PIVOTED ENGIRELY WITHIN SAID PASSAGE ABOUT SAID DEFLECTOR AS A FULCRUM TO DISENGAGE THE ARTICLE FROM THE RETAINER TO DISPENSE THE ARTICLE FROM THE DEVICE.