US3301388A - Playing card dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 31, 1967 J. w. ROCKWELL PLAYING CARD DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 FIG. 3-

ATTORNEY Jan. 31', 1967 J.w. ROCKWELL 3,301,388

PLAYING CARb DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil'ed Oct. 22 1965 INVENTOR. (fi l/V155 l/l/ RUCK h/[ZL BY w/ ATT 0 J n- 1 67 J. w. ROCKWELL 3,301,388

' PLAYING CARD DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR. JA/WS w Roam/[14 RM W Bu/= 1 ATTORNEY United States Patent 01 3,301,388 PLAYING CARD DISPENSER James W. Rockwell, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Standard Packaging Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of-Virginia Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 502,182 1 Claim. (Cl. 20644.12)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements for storing decks of playing cards and dispensing same on a self serving basis at the point of sale.

Playing cards are now sold through a number of different retail sales outlets such as Stationers, tobacco stores, drug stores, super markets, department stores and the like. Usually the decks of cards are displayed and stored on or in conventional store shelves, display cases, conventional playing card racks and other similar display devices or fixtures. In making a sale of playing cards the most frequent procedure is to have the purchaser point out his selection .of cards in a display case and the retail store clerk will secure the selected type of cards from the case or a storage area behind the case. Sales of playing cards may also be made by requiring thepurchaser to select and .pick up a deck of cards from a display rack'or stand and then take the cards over to a cashier to make the necessary payment. The attendant disadvantage of these usual forms of sale is that the dealer must allocate a considerable amount of store space to display and provide storage for the cards. Often a store clerk is necessary to retrieve the selected cards from storage.

The present invention eliminates these difficulties as it provides (1) a unique and compact storage carton or oartridgethat requires a very limited amount of space and (2) a self service feature allowing the purchaser to remove the selected decks of cards from the device and pay a cashier or clerk for the purchase.

The principal object of this invention is, therefore. to provide a playing card dispenser that is compact in nature; stores several packaged decks of playing cards; has a self-service dispensing feature; and can be easily and economically manufactured.

Other objects inherent in the structure described, pictured and claimed will become more fully apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends this invention will be described with reference to the drawings which illustrate it.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the cartridge disposed in operative position within the frame and partially loaded with decks of playing cards;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the inner surface of the cartridge blank prior to assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view of the cartridge partially assembled;

FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of the cartridge completely assembled and partially loaded with decks of playni-g cards; and

FIGURE 5 is a front perspective view of the frame without the cartridge seated therein.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the device comprises a frame generally designated which sup-ports a storage cartridge generally designated 11. The lower portion of frame 10 has a platform generally designated 12 which supports the cartridge 11 and coacts with the cartridge for easy ,removal of a deck of playing cards as explained below.

As seen in FIGURE 2, cartridge 11 is formed from a blank 13 die cut to the format shown in the drawing. Blank 13 has a series of panels formed by a plurality of score lines so that the blank may be folded into an assembled position to form the cartridge 11. It is to Patented Jan. 31, 1967 "ice be understood that the die cutting and the formation of the score or fold line may be easily produced and manufactured on standard box and carton forming equipment. As shown by the broken lines in F IGURES l and 4, cartridge 11 holds a plurality of packaged decks of playing cards. The cards are horizontally disposed in the cartridge in a stacked relationship, one deck positioned above the other. The cartridge is manufactured in the required height for holding the desired number of card decks. The interior dimensions of the cartridge 11 is approximately the same as the overall peripheral dimensions of the packaged decks of cards that are to be placed in the cartridge for dispensing.

The actual construction blank 13 comprises a bottom panel formed by score lines 15, 16 and 17. Side panels 18 and 19 are formed contiguous with the respective scores 15 and 17 and lie adjacent each side of bottom panel 14.

Referring further to FIGURE 2, a series of four panels are formed adjacent and above the side panel 19 by score lines. These panels comprise an overlapping rear panel 20 formed contiguous with the right hand edge of side panel 19 and separated therefrom by score 21. Along the left hand edge of side panel 19 is a front panel 22, formed by means of score 23. The third panel in this series consists of an overlapping side panel 24 formed contiguous with front panel 22 by means of score 25.

The upper edge of side panel 19 has a truncated partial closure panel 26 formed by score 27. Panel 19 also has a diamond die cut aperture 28 cut out of the panel so that when cartridge 11 is assembled and loaded with decks of playing cards the number of cards remaining in the car tri'dge can be ascertained. This feature will be explained below.

Included in this series of panels is a pair of locking tabs 29 and 30 formed along the outer edge of panel 24 by means of the respective scores 31 and 32. Also overlapping panel 20 has a cut out portion 39a along the die cut edge adjacent the center portion of blank 13. The cut 39a assists in mounting cartridge 11 on frame 10 as hereinafter explained.

Still referring to FIGURE 2, a second series of panels are disposed adjacent the side panel 18. This second series of panels comprise rear panel 33 on the right hand side of panel 18 and joined thereto by score 34. Also included is a closure panel 35 joined to the lower edge of panel 18 by score 36 and an adhesive flap 37 of triangular configuration joined to the right hand side of closure panel 35 by score 38.

To assist in mounting cartirdge 11 on frame 10 the die cut edge of rear panel 33 adjacent the center portion of blank 13 has a U-shaped cut out 39 that mates and corresponds with cut 3 9a on panel 20 when the blank is assembled. It is also to be noted that two locking tab apertures 40 and 41 are disposed along the score 34 for receiving respectively tabs 30 and 29 when blank 13 is assembled.

Bottom panel 14 has an adhesive flap joined to its right hand edge along score 16. Similar to flap 37 this flap is also of triangular configuration and is herein designated as adhesive flap 42. The score 16 joins flap 42 to panel 14. Score 1 6 has an elongated aperture 43 die cut through the blank to receive locking means which are integral with frame 10 to hold cartridge 11 in place when mounted on the frame.

It is to be noted that the blank is die cut in U-shaped configuration along the left hand edge 14a of panel 14 and 18 and the lower edges of panels 19, 22 and 24 facing the center of the blank. This configuration forms the delivery opening for removal of playing cards when the blank is assembled.

Assembly of the blank is best understood from viewing FIGURES 2-4. With respect to FIGURE 3, first the right hand series of panels ( panels 19, 20, 22 and 24) are folded to a vertical position along score 17. Second, the left hand series of panels, ( panels 18, 33, 35 and flap 37) are likewise folded along the score line 15. Thus the two series of panels adjacent bottom panel 14 are now in position vertically with respect to panel 14. Next panels 22 and 24 are folded along their respective scores 23 and 25 so that front panel 22 is disposed vertically over the edge 14a of bottom panel 14 and panel 24 is brought around in overlapping relation with the now vertically disposed side panel 18. Rear panel 33 is folded generally inward along its score 34 and likewise overlapping rear panel 20 is folded along score 21 so that it is in overlapping relation with rear panel 33. In this position rear panels 20 and 33 are disposed substantially vertically over score 16. Closure panel 35 is now folded partially over the assembly along score 36 and adhesive flap 37 is folded down along score 38 in a substantially vertical position so that it is in a generally overlapping position with respect to the upper portion of rear panels 20 and 33. At this point the blank is now in the position seen in FIGURE 3.

It is seen in this position that cut outs 39a and 39 of the respective rear panels 20 and 33 overlap each other in mating relationship to provide a void above aperture 43 so that the two rear panels will not interfere with the cartridge anchoring means on frame 10. To complete assembly panel 24 is folded in a tight overlapping relationship with rear panel 1 8 and locking tabs 29 and 30 are inserted into their respective locking apertures 41 and 40. Tabs 29 and 30 may be bent along their respective scores 31 and 32 to fit tightly against the inner surface of rear panel 33 and secured thereto by an adhesive if desired. Partial rear panel 20 is also tightly folded in overlapping relation with rear panel 33. Next the partial closure panel 26 is folded at right angles along its score 27 and the closure panel 35 is brought down over it to close the top of the cartridge. If it is desired to seal the cartridge shut, an adhesive may be applied to either of panels 26 or 35 in their respective overlapping areas. It is to be understood that if a considerable amount of opening and closing is desired a more suitable means for closing panels 26 and 35 may be used.

To hold cartridge 11 in the assembled position, adhesive is applied to the inner surfaces of the flaps 37 and 42 that contact the rear panels 20 and 33. Flap 37 is brought down along score 38 in an overlapping relation and secured to panel 33 and 20 by means of the adhesive. Likewise flap 42 is folded vertically up along score 16 in a similar over-lapping relation and secured to panel 33 and 20. The overlapping relation of the two adhesive flaps 37 and 42 over rear panels 20 and 33 hold and tightly secure the cartridge in its fully assembled position which is shown in FIGURE 4. Outside of sealing the closure panel 35 it is not necessary to use an adhesive in any place except flaps 37 and 42 to hold the cartridge 11 in assembled position.

As seen from FIGURE 4, a delivery opening 44- formed by the U-shaped die out along the edge 14a and panels 19, 22 and 24 position an open space along the bottom of the assembled cartridge so that purchaser can grasp the lowermost deck of cards and draw it out. Also, the aperture 2 8 provides a sight through side panel 17 into the chamber of the cartridge. Usually the sides of decks of playing cards inside of the chamber will be seen through the aperture 28. However, when all but two decks are dispensed, the blank interior of the cartridge will 'be visible indicating a refill or a new fully packaged cartridge is necessary.

Turning now to the frame which supports cartridge 11 the device may be made of metal or thermoplastics. The frame, as best seen in FIGURE 5 comprises a'vertical member 45. Two eyelets 46 and 47 are formed through the surface of member so that the frame 10 may be supported on a wall or the like in conventional manner by wood screws positioned in the neck portions of eyelets 46 and 47. Member 45 also has a cartridge anchoring device formed integral with the member and comprising a supporting stud 48 extending out at right angles to member 45 and a lip 49 extending upward at right angles from stud 48. Lip 49 protrudes through aperture 43 of cartridge 11 when the latter is placed on frame 10 thus preventing any forward movement of the lower portion of cartridge 11.

A supporting platform 12 is provided on the same plane as stud 48. This platform is of box like configuration and is formed integrally with the lower portion of frame 10 to support cartridge 11 as well as the frame 10. It also provides a delivery surface for decks of cards being dispensed. The platform 12 comprises vertical walls 50 and 51 and a front wall 52 integrally joined to each other and to the lower portion of member 45. Walls 50-52 support member 45 in vertical position and also support a delivery wall 53 along their upper edges. Wall 53 forms the delivery platform and the base to support cartridge 11. To hold the upper portion of cartridge 11 securely in position there is provided a series of plates 54 and 55 joined together by front plate 56. These plates form a ring adjacent the forward surface of member 45 and when cartridge 11 is lowered onto wall 53 to the posit-ion shown in FIGURE 1 the plates hold the upper part of the cartridge in place in the frame 10.

In operation, packaged decks of playing cards 57 are horizontally placed in stacked relationship within cartridge 11 by opening the closure panels 26 and 35. ' Panels 26 and 35 are then sealed shut. The fully loaded cartridge is lowered down through the rings formed by plates 54, 55 and 56 onto the supporting wall 53 of platform 12. In lowering the cartridge it is readily understood that lip 49 is inserted into apertures 43 adjacent bottom panel 14 of the cartridge so that the lip will prevent any forward motion of the bottom of the cartridge over delivery wall 53. The dispenser may now be placed on a supporting wall by means of eyelets 46 and 47 or merely disposed upright over any suitable flat supporting surface. It is now ready for operation. The purchaser merely grasps the lowest deck of cards 57 which appears in the delivery opening 44 and draws the deck out of the cartridge and over the forward portion of delivery wall 53. At this point the packaged deck stacked immediately above the delivered deck will fall into delivery position and appear in the opening 44. This latter deck is now ready to be dispensed for the next sale. To assist in the selection of cards, reproductions of the design of the card backs and packages may be printed on the cartridge.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

A device for dispensing individual decks of playing cards comprising a vertically disposed elongated member; a plurality of plates integral with said elongated member and extending outwardly therefrom forming a ring at one end of said elongated member; a box member integral with said elongated member and disposed at the end opposite said ring forming plates, said box member having a horizontal planar delivery wall extending out from said elongated member in registry with the ring formed by said plates, the horizontal planar delivery wall having vertical side and end wall s'depending therefrom for supporting said device on a flat surface; and a cartridge having a bottom panel, a series of side, front and closure panels adjacent said bottom panel forming an enclosure contiguous with and over the bottom panel, the side, front and bottom panels of said cartridge having a cut-out portion forming a delivery opening at the end of the cartridge formed 'by said bottom panel; said cartridge being disposed in said elongated member in vertical position parallel thereto and through the ring formed by said plates, the bottom panel of said cartridge being supported by and dis-posed over the planar delivery wall of said box member positioning the delivery opening of said cartridge contiguous with and over the planar delivery wall, whereby deoks of playing cards may be drawn out of the delivery opening and out over said planar delivery wall.

6 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1928 Genest 22146 5/ 1934 Einson;

l/1939 Chaney 206--44.12

1/1956 Ryan 206-44.12 X 11/ 1960 Johnson.

7/ 1965 Hatcher 248-311 X FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1957 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANC ENE, Primary Examiner.

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