WO2001087732A1

WO2001087732A1 - Product dispenser and method of making same

Info

Publication number: WO2001087732A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/000815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dieter Koch; Stefan Bernsau; Julio C. Casanova; Steven S. Garrant
Original assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.; Koch Maschinenbau Gmbh
Priority date: 2000-05-15
Filing date: 2000-05-15
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: AU5417100A

Abstract

A rotary product dispenser (10) having a display card (12) with a first card (16A) substantially overlapping a second card (16B). The first card has an aperture (18) formed therein and an interstice (26A) provided between the first and second cards at a location adjacent to the aperture. The product dispenser also includes a rotatable container (20) configured to retain products, such as batteries. The container has a peripheral edge (32) disposed in the interstice between the first and second cards and a main body extending through the aperture. The container is rotatable to a plurality of positions to position the products for dispensing through a dispensing opening in the display card.

Description

PRODUCT DISPENSER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

The present invention generally relates to the display and dispensing of product and, more particularly, to a spin-type package and product dispenser for dispensing small items such as miniature batteries.

A common practice for displaying small and lightweight retail items, such as batteries, is to package the items in thermoformed blister packages and place the packages on shelves or hang the packages on hooks on various display racks. Conventional battery blister packages are composed of a display card, which provides a generally stiff supportive backing, usually composed of cardboard, and a thermoformed polymeric blister, generally of translucent or transparent material, attached to the display card. The display card provides support for displaying the merchandise for sale and contains print with suitable indicia, such as advertising, trademarks, and instructions. In some battery packages, the thermoformed blister generally comprises a face-sealed blister heat sealed to the front surface of the display card with a predetermined number of batteries trapped between the blister and the card.

In other battery packages, batteries are dispensed into cavities in one-half of a polymeric blister, the blister is fitted within a cut-out in the display card, and the blister and card are folded over together like a clam shell. The flanges of the blister rest on the card around the periphery of the cut-out so that the flanges support the blister and prevent the blister from falling out. The folded blister forms a closed container around the batteries, and the blister flanges are trapped between the two layers of the folded card. The two layers of blister card are bonded together, and the blister flanges are generally bonded to the card in at least several places so that the flanges will not inadvertently come out from between the two layers- of the card. Therefore, the blister is not rotatable or slidable within the display card. Accordingly, the blister isolates the batteries from the purchaser and prevents inadvertent damage that can result from repeated handling prior to sale, while further allowing for the orderly display of batteries for sale to purchasers.

With battery display packages, batteries of the same size are commonly made available to consumers for purchase in a package containing a predetermined number of batteries. Miniature batteries, such as those frequently used in hearing aids, are displayed and sold in blister type packages, which commonly contain four to eight batteries packaged in each display package. According to one approach, the polymeric blister is heat sealed on the front side of the cardboard display card, and an openable flap is formed in the rear side of the display card to allow access to the products contained therein. Another approach is the rotary dispenser approach, in which a spin-type polymeric container is attached at its centre, by means of a rotatable bearing, to the display card and is rotatable on the front surface of the card to rotate the products contained therein to any one of a number of positions for dispensing the individual products from the rear surface of the package via the opening. The spin-type battery package dispenser is rotated so that the product to be dispensed is aligned with the opening to allow removal of the product.

While the aforementioned conventional packages for batteries have significant advantages over other conventional product packaging approaches, they possess some inherent disadvantages. With packages having fixed type blisters, the purchaser may have difficulty removing the contents contained in the package, and the packages generally are not reusable. The conventional spin-type battery dispensers are susceptible to damage, which can lead to inadvertent loss of product from the package or theft of the product. For example, the cardboard display card can be bent away from the polymeric container to create a possible opening through which product may be removed.

Accordingly, there is a need, heretofore unfulfilled, for a relatively inexpensive product package and dispenser for displaying products for sale to consumers and dispensing the individual products in a manner that minimises the possibility of product loss or theft. It is further desirable to provide for such a package and dispenser that offers the capability of conveniently storing product in an organised fashion. The present invention provides for a product dispenser that is easy to use for storing and dispensing product, such as batteries, and is less susceptible to loss of product. To achieve this, the present invention provides for a rotary product dispenser having a support member with a first layer of material substantially overlapping a second layer of material. The first layer of material has an aperture formed therein and an interstice is provided between the first and second layers at a location adjacent to the aperture. The product dispenser also includes a rotatable container configured to retain product. The container has a peripheral edge disposed in the interstice between the first and second layers of the support member and has a main body extending through the aperture. The container is rotatable to a plurality of positions to position the product for dispensing therefrom.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufactxtring a rotary product dispenser is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a container having a main body and a peripheral flange, and placing product in the container. The method also includes the steps of forming a support member having a first layer of material substantially overlapping a second layer of material, with the first layer of material having an aperture formed therein, and providing an interstice between the first and second layers of material at a region adjacent to the aperture. The method further comprises the step of assembling the container on the support member so that the peripheral edge of the container is disposed in the interstice between the first and second layers of material and extending the main body of the container through the aperture such that the container may be rotated to allow for the dispensing of the product contained in the container.

The rotatable container is preferably made of or includes a portion made of a transparent or translucent material, so that the nature and number of product may be visible through it.

The rotatable container is preferably configured to retain a plurality of identical or similar products, such as small (e.g. button) batteries, spaced apart from each other in a plane parallel to the plane of the second layer of material, and preferably spaced apart circumferentially. The container is, therefore, preferably of generally circular cross-section through a plane parallel to the plane of the second layer of material. Rotation of the container allows the products to be placed, one by one, adjacent a portion of the second layer of material through which each may, in turn, be removed.

Although the container is preferably of generally circular cross-section, it will be understood that the precise shape may vary from circular, provided that it is capable of substantially unimpeded rotation within the support member.

The present invention is further illustrated by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a spin-type battery package and dispenser for holding miniature batteries according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through lines II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the spin-type battery dispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the battery dispenser of FIG. 1 illustrating a tab and opening for accessing batteries;

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of a spin-type battery dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the battery dispenser shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view of a spin-type battery dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is. a rear perspective view of the battery dispenser shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view of a spin-type battery dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the battery dispenser shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a spin-type battery dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded assembly view of the battery dispenser shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the battery dispenser shown in FIG. 11.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 9, and 11. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and -step sequences except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and physical characteristics relating to the specific embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1, a spin-type product display package and dispenser 10, referred to hereinafter as dispenser 10, is shown for housing and dispensing a plurality of miniature batteries, such as air cell batteries (commonly referred to as hearing aid batteries), for use in hearing aid devices, according to one example. The dispenser 10 shown houses six miniature batteries, according to one example, in a combination display card and rotatable merchandise container. While the dispenser 10 is shown and described herein for dispensing miniature batteries, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides for a product display package and dispenser that may house products of various sizes, shapes, and numbers, which may include batteries as well as other types of products, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The spin-type dispenser 10 generally includes a display card 12 having a substantially planar main body and a polymeric blister merchandise container 20 supported on the display card 12 and rotatable relative to the display card 12. The display card 12 includes an upper section 14 made of one or more layers of material, such as cardboard, and a lower section 16 made up of at least two or more layers of like material, and may include three layers 16A-16C as shown. Display card 12 generally includes a lower edge, vertical side edges on the left and rights sides, and an upper edge. Formed near the upper edge of upper section 14 of display card 12 is a cut-out aperture 18 which allows the display card 12 to be hung from a hook on a display rack. In addition, the display card 12 may include print with indicia such as advertising, trademarks, and instructions.

The lower section 16 of display card 12 is made up of a plurality of overlapping layers 16A-16C, which sandwich the thermoformed blister container 20 between two of the layers 16A and 16B, and yet allows for rotational movement of the thermoformed blister container 20 relative o-the display card 12. .The front layer 16A of the lower section 16_ f display card 12 has an aperture 28 formed therein through which the main body of the thermoformed blister container 20 extends. Thermoformed blister container 20 forms a housing that traps products, such as batteries, between the housing and the middle layer 16B of display card 12. The thermoformed blister container 20 has individual product containment pockets 24, which trap the individual products packaged in dispenser 10. It should also be appreciated that at least one or more of the display card layers 16 A, 16B, and 16C are formed with an embossed region 26 adjacent to aperture 28 which forms an interstice, e.g. slot, for receiving a peripheral flange of thermoformed blister container 20. In addition, the thermoformed blister container 20 preferably has an integrally formed upstanding handle 22 which allows a user to easily manipulate and rotate the thermoformed blister 20 amongst a plurality of available positions to selectively dispense the products as explained herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, the thermoformed blister container 20 is shown sandwiched along its peripheral flange 32 between the front and middle layers 16A and 16B of the display card 12. The embossed region 26 provides an interstice 26 A into which the peripheral flange 32 of container 20 is disposed and is free to rotate, while the front layer 16A prevents the thermoformed blister container 20 and products contained therein from being removed through the front layer 16A. The embossed region 26 in front layer 16A is raised relative to the surrounding surface of layer 16A, while embossed regions 26 in layers 16B and 16C are preferably lowered. Also shown is battery 30 trapped in compartment 24 between the middle layer 16B of display card 12 and the thermoformed blister container 20. The battery 30 is generally engaged by and is movable within compartment pocket 24 as the thermoformed blister is rotated relative to the display card 12. It should be appreciated that container 20 may be rotated between a plurality of positions to locate a selected battery 30 adjacent to a dispensing opening to remove the battery 30 from the battery dispenser 10 through a cutout formed in the middle and rear layers 16B and 16C, respectively, of display card 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the assembly of the spin-type battery dispenser 10 is shown, according to one embodiment. The display card 12 may be formed of a single die-cut blank having four sections 14, 16A, 16B, and 16C. Section 16B is intended to fold under section 16A along the left vertical edge to form the front and middle layers, while section 16C is intended to fold under section 16B along the right vertical edge to form the rear layer. Accordingly, by folding sections 16B and 16C under section 16A, the display card 12 uses a continuous piece of material which retains the thermoformed blister container 20 along the left and right vertical edges of display card 12 and is therefore less susceptible to being torn open along the left and right vertical edges as compared to the use of bonding separate layers one on top another. In addition, display card 12 has perforations 15 which separate the upper section 14 from the lower section 16 and allows a consumer to tear off the upper section 14 following purchase at a retail store to provide an even more compact battery dispenser.. Further, the middle layer 16B of display card 12 has a tab 40 extending from the upper edge and formed by parallel slits 42, and the rear layer 16C has a cut-out 44 that aligns with tab 40. The thermoformed blister container 20 is assembled to display card 12 by insertion forward from the rear side of front layer 16A so that the peripheral flange 32 contacts the bottom surface of layer 16A, while the front central main body of thermoformed blister container 20 extends through aperture 28. On the front side of thermoformed blister container 20 is a raised surface 36 which is intended to contact the rear surface of layer 16A within the embossed region 26, such that raised surface 36 slides within the embossed region 26 during relative rotational movement. In addition, raised surface 36 provides added space into which sealing tabs adhered to the bottom surface of air cells may project beyond the perimeter of the cell. The rear surface of peripheral flange 32 has three equi-angularly spaced apart semi-spherical dimples 34, which extend downward so as to contact the front surface of middle layer 16B of display card 12. Dimples 34 provide reduced surface area contact with middle layer 16B to reduce the amount of rotating friction and thereby allow for rotation of thermoformed blister container 20 relative to display card 12 with reduced effort.

With the thermoformed blister container 20 inserted in aperture 28 of front layer 16A, the individual batteries 30 are loaded into the corresponding containment pockets 24 and section 16B is folded on the left side under front layer 16A to form the middle layer of display card 12 and serves to cover the batteries and thermoformed blister container 20 along the rear side. In addition, rear- layer 16C is folded on the right side under middle . layer 16B and is bonded via glue or is heat sealed to hold layers 16A-16C of the display card 12 closed.

The rear side of the spin-type battery dispenser 10 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The rear side includes tab 40, which is intended to be pulled out through cut-out 44 to provide a dispensing opening to access one of the compartments 24 at a time to remove product 30 housed therein. Tab 40 may be pulled open and then pushed closed again to prevent product from being dispensed. Accordingly, the battery dispenser 10 may be used to dispense new products, one at a time, and may be reused to house used products. It should also be appreciated that tab 40 may be held in the closed position by friction along its vertical edges against the sides of cut-out 44 in rear layer 16C or may otherwise be held closed to form a reclosable locking member.

Referring to FIG. 5, the assembly of a spin-type battery dispenser 110 is illustrated according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The spin-type battery dispenser 110 similarly receives the thermoformed blister container 20 and houses product, such as batteries 30, as explained hereinabove. However, the display card 12 of dispenser 110 is configured to include a horizontally arranged tab 50 formed by two rows of horizontal perforations 52 in the rear section 16C. In addition, the middle section 16B of display card 12 has a cut-out 54 formed extending from the outer side edge. As is more clearly seen in FIG. 6, tab 50 is intended to be torn along perforations 52 to provide a dispensing opening in the back side of battery package 110 to allow for access to the individual products contained therein.

Referring to FIG. 7, the assembly of a spin-type battery dispenser 210 is illustrated according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The spin-type battery dispenser 210 likewise has a thermoformed blister container 20, which is received in aperture 28 in display card 12 and houses product, such as batteries 30. However, the lower section 16 of display card 12 has only a first layer 216A on the front side and a second layer 216B on the rear side, instead of three layers. At least one or both of layers 16A and 16B have an embossed region 26 such as is explained above. The rear layer 16B, which folds along the right side vertical edge, .has a tab 62 extending from the-upper edge, which is intended to be torn along perforations 64 to provide access to the product. In addition, the rear surface of thermoformed blister container 20 has a sheet of tearable material 60, such as aluminium foil, attached thereto to contain the product 30 in the individual containment pockets 24.

As is more clearly shown in FIG. 8, the tab 62 on the rear side of the display card 12 may be opened outwardly by tearing along perforations 64 to expose the aluminium foil 60. When a particular battery 30 is aligned with the dispensing opening formed by the removal of tab 62, that particular battery 30 may be forced outward by depressing the corresponding pocket 24 such that the battery 30 tears through the aluminium foil 60 to dispense the battery 30 from the dispenser 210. The aluminium foil 60 preferably tears open in a local region so as not to affect the sealed closure of the other products contained in the battery package. When other products are desired to be removed from the package 210, the thermoformed blister container 20 is rotated to another position to align another product with the dispensing opening formed by the removal of tab 62, and the aligned product is forced against the adjacent portion of aluminium foil 60 to tear the foil 60 and dispense the product therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 9, the assembly of a spin-type battery dispenser 310 is illustrated according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The spin-type battery dispenser 310 likewise employs the thermoformed blister container 20 containing a plurality of batteries 30. Unlike the above described embodiments, the dispenser 310 employs a substantially uniform thickness two-layer display card 312 formed of a single sheet of cardboard. Display card 312 includes a first section 316A which forms the front layer of display card 312, and second and third sections 316C and 316B which together form the rear layer of display card 312. Section 316C is folded along the left vertical edge of front section 316 A to form one-half of the rear layer, while section 316B is folded along the right vertical edge of front layer 316 A to form the other half of the rear layer of display card 312. Accordingly, the edges of layers 316C and 316B come together in a juxtaposed position to form a substantially continuous rear layer through the entire rear side of display card 312. Accordingly, display card 312 is easily formed from a single sheet of material to achieve a substantially uniform thickness throughout the display card.

The front layer 316 A, as well as sections 316C and 316B forming the rear layer, each have embossed sections 26 formed therein for formmg the interstice into which the peripheral flange 32 of blister container 20 is disposed. Further, sections 316B and 316C are shown having a pair of flap sections 350 with perforated edges, and which align with each other to provide the dispensing opening, once pulled open or removed. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 10, flap sections 350 allow battery 30 to be dispensed through the dispensing opening formed in the rear layer of display card 312.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a spin-type battery dispenser 410 is illustrated according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The spin-type battery dispenser 410 is movable both rotationally and linearly with respect to the display card 412. Display card 412 likewise may be formed of a single sheet of material as shown having a section 416 A forming a front layer, and sections 416C and 416B which form a rear layer. The front layer 416A has an elongated opening 428 formed therein for receiving the main body of the blister container 20. Opening 428 may include a rounded end at its lower side, and may include a horizontally level end, or alternatively a rounded end, at its upper side. Opening 428 is elongated to permit the blister container 20 to be rotatable within opening 428 and to further permit the blister container 20 to be movable linearly between a raised and lowered position. To permit the linear motion of blister container 20, embossed regions 426 formed in layers 416A-416C, likewise are elongated to provide an interstice that permits both the rotational and linear motion. With particular reference to FIG. 13, the linear motion of blister container 20 is further illustrated therein. The blister container 20 may be stored in the normally closed position disposed at the lower end of display card 412. Blister container 20 is slidable within the interstice formed by embossed regions 426 to move the container 20 to a raised position toward the upper end of display card 412. In the raised upper position, blister container 20 is aligned in position with the dispensing opening 444 to allow for product, such as battery 30, to be dispensed from the battery package 410. Accordingly, the blister container 20 slides upward to a dispensing position and is further rotatable to selectively dispense a selected product from the container 20, and may be linearly moved back to its lower non-dispensing position to prevent product from being dispensed. Further, the blister container 20 may contain products arranged in multiple concentric rings so that the products are accessible for dispensing one ring at a time by moving the container 20 linearly from one position to another.

The various embodiments of battery dispenser 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 are shown and described herein having a display card 12 made of cardboard and a container 20 made of a polymeπc material, and more particularly made of a polymeric thermoformed blister. However, it should be appreciated that the container 20 could otherwise be formed using injection moulding techniques. Also, the display card 12 could be made up of alternate materials such as a polymeric material and may include combinations of materials on the front and rear sides. For example, display card 12 could be substantially made of a polymeric thermoformed material or could include a cardboard layer on the front or rear side thereof.

Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the spin-type battery dispenser 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 of the present invention advantageously provides for an easy-to-use dispenser for displaying and selectively dispensing product. The battery package of the present invention is less susceptible to spillage of product since the thermoformed blister container 20 is sandwiched between two layers of display card 12. In addition, the thermoformed blister container 20 is packaged in a manner that is easy to rotate and easy to operate by a consumer to selectively dispense the product. It will be understood by those who practice the invention and those skilled in the art, that various modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A rotary product dispenser comprising:

a support member comprising a first layer of material substantially overlapping a second layer of material, said first layer of material having an aperture fonried therein, and said support member having an interstice provided between said first and second layers and adjacent said aperture; and

a container configured to retain product, said container having a peripheral edge disposed in said interstice and a main body for retaining said product extending through the aperture, characterised in that said container is rotatable to a plurality of positions to position the product for dispensing therefrom.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein product is disposed between said container and said second layer of material.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said second layer of material has a dispensing aperture formed therein to allow the product to be dispensed through said dispensing aperture.

4. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member has an embossed section formed in at least one of said first and second layers adjacent to said aperture to provide for said interstice.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said support member has an embossed section formed in both of said first and second layers adjacent to said aperture to provide for said interstice.

6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said second layer of material has a tab that may be opened to expose said product for dispensing from the container, and said tab may be closed to retain product in said container.

7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second layers of material each comprise a card.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein said support member comprises a display card made up of first and second cards.

9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said container has a handle.

10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said container comprises a tliermoformed blister.

11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said dispenser is a battery dispenser for dispensing a plurality of batteries.

12. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said container is also linearly slidable relative to said support member.

13. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member is formed from a single sheet of material, and said first and second layers are formed by folding said single sheet of material.

14. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said container further comprises a plurality of raised surfaces formed on the peripheral edge for engaging one of said first and second layers of said support member within the interstice.

15. A rotary battery dispenser for housing and dispensing one or more batteries, said battery dispenser comprising:

a support member having a first layer of material substantially overlapping a second layer of material, said first layer of material having an aperture formed therein, and said support member having an interstice provided between said first and second layers at a location adjacent to said aperture;

a rotatable container having a peripheral edge disposed in said interstice formed between said first and second layers of said support member and a main body expending through the aperture; and one or more batteries retained in said container, wherein said container is rotatable to a plurality of positions to position the product for dispensing therefrom.

16. A dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said one or more batteries are disposed between said container and said second layer of material.

17. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein said second layer of material has a dispensing aperture formed therein to allow said one or more batteries to be dispensed through said dispensing aperture.

18. A dispenser according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein at least one of the first and second layers of said support member has an embossed section formed around said aperture to provide for said interstice.

19. A dispenser according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said second layer of material has a tab that may be opened to expose said at least one or more batteries for dispensing from the container, and said tab may be closed to retain product in said container.

20. A rotary product dispenser comprising:

a display card having a first card layer substantially overlapping a second card layer, said first card layer having an aperture formed therein, and said display card having an interstice provided between said first and second card layers at a location adjacent to said aperture; and

a blister container configured to retain product, said blister container having a peripheral edge disposed in said interstice formed between said first and second card layers of said display card and a main body extending through the aperture, wherein said container is rotatable to a plurality of positions to align the product with a dispensing opening in the display card to enable dispensing of the aligned product.

21. A dispenser according to claim 20, wherein said blister container retains miniature batteries.

22. A dispenser according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein said display card comprises cardboard and said blister container comprises a thermoformed polymeric material.

23. A method of manufacturing a rotary dispenser for dispensing product, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a container having a main body and a peripheral flange;

placing product in said container;

forming a support member having a first layer of material substantially overlapping a second layer of material, said first layer of material having an aperture formed therein;

providing an interstice fonned between said first and second layers of material at a region adjacent to said aperture; and

assembling said container on said support member so that the peripheral edge of the container is disposed in the interstice between the first and second layers of material such that the container may be rotated to allow for the dispensing of the product contained in the container.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of forming said support member further includes the steps of providing a sheet of material having a central section with the aperture formed therein, a left section, and a right section, wherein said left and right sections are folded over and onto the central section.

25. A method according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein said container is substantially circular, said container being rotatable among said plurality of positions to dispense the product therefrom.

26. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein said method further comprises the step of forming a removable tab in the second layer of material for exposing product for dispensing from the container.

27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein said step of placing product in said container comprises placing miniature batteries in said container.

28. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein said step of forming a support member includes forming said aperture to allow said container to be rotated and moved linearly relative to said support member.