Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/08—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
  • B42D5/00—Sheets united without binding to form pads or blocks
  • B42D5/003—Note-pads
  • B42D5/005—Supports for note-pads
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
  • B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
  • B42F7/00—Filing appliances without fastening means
  • B42F7/14—Boxes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/08—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
  • B65D83/0805—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession through an aperture in a wall
  • B65D83/0811—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession through an aperture in a wall with means for assisting dispensing
  • B65D83/0817—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession through an aperture in a wall with means for assisting dispensing the articles being automatically urged towards the dispensing aperture, e.g. spring-loaded

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an open top dispenser.
• the present invention relates to a dispenser that allows for easy loading and reloading of pads of repositionable notes of different sizes.
• the dispenser is particularly suited for dispensing repositionable notes in a z-stacked configuration.
• Repositionable paper notes are used widely today. Some notes are assembled in a z-stacked (also referred to as "fan fold") construction. In such a construction, the note, typically square, but can also be rectangular, or special die cut shaped, has opposing front and back surfaces. On the back surface, along an edge or region of the note is a stripe of repositionable adhesive. The front of the note may contain a release coating. The notes are stacked so that the adhesive stripe of each note is positioned on alternating ends of the pad of notes. Commercially available pads of repositionable notes are available from 3M Company under the Post-it® brand.
• dispensers for pads of repositionable notes There are a wide variety of dispensers for pads of repositionable notes. Examples of commercially available dispensers include those from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, such as the Designer Series Pop-Up Notes Dispenser, DS440-VP or DS330- VA for 4 by 4 inch or 3 by 3 inch notes respectively, the Professional Design Pop-Up Notes Dispenser, PRO440-VP or PRO330 for 4 by 4 inch or 3 by 3 inch notes respectively. 3M also offers a Professional Design Pop-Up Dispenser PRO331-RB for 3 by 3 inch note with a pen holder where the dispenser is mountable on a vertical surface. These dispensers offer attractive designs and are functional. There is a continuing need for different dispensers for the market place.
• the invention pertains to a dispenser having a primary cavity having first and second sides and an open end and a closed end, the open end allowing for the insertion and the removal of a pad of notes.
• the dispenser further comprises a base defining the closed end of the dispenser; front and rear portions, each portion having first and second ends and opposing inside and outside surfaces, the front and rear portions disposed on the base such that the second end of each portion is proximate to the base, the front portion comprises a slot extending from the first end to the second end; and a biasing mechanism disposed proximate the rear portion.
• An advantage of the present invention is that it provides the user with the versatility of using differently sized pads of repositionable notes.
• the dispenser is mounted on a vertical surface and has a cavity for holding writing instruments providing the user with added convenience.
• dispensers require two motions or steps to load a pad of repositionable notes, such as, e.g., one motion to open a cover and a second motion to load the pad.
• one motion is used to depress a plunger in the dispenser and another motion is used to slide in the pad.
• One advantage of present invention is that it allows the loading of the pad in one motion, simply by sliding the pad into the opening of the dispenser. The sliding action simultaneously depresses a plate on the biasing mechanism and loads the pad, as further explained in detail below.
• the term "about” is presumed to modify all numerical values.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a front plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a partial fragmented view of an exemplary biasing mechanism for use with an embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 6a is a side cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 2 taken along line 6a — 6a;
• Figure 6b is a side cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 6a loaded with a pad of notes;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 loaded with a pad of notes and utensils; and Figure 8 is a partial fragmented view of another exemplary biasing mechanism for use with an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 9 is a top plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention. These figures are idealized, are not drawn to scale, and are intended merely for illustrative purposes.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser 1 having base 10, front portion 20 and rear portion 30 together forming primary cavity 12 having first side 50a and second side 50b.
• the front portion has first edge 23 defining the open end of the dispenser, second edge 24 and opposing inside surface (not shown) and outside surface 21.
• the rear portion has first edge 33 defining the open end of the dispenser, second edge 34, and opposing inside surface 32 and outside surface 31.
• the front portion includes first front portion 20a and second front portion 20b divided by slot 28.
• the first and second front portion includes aperture 28a and 28b respectively.
• the slot extends from first edge 23 to second edge 24.
• the front and rear portions are disposed on the base such that the second edge of each portion 24, 34 respectively lie proximate to the base thereby defining the closed end of the dispenser.
• Proximate to the first side of the dispenser lies internal wall 13 extending from rear portion. The presence of the internal wall forms secondary cavity 14.
• the front and rear portions are separate components joined together at side seams 50a and 50b.
• the front and rear portions are formed as an integral unit.
• the front and rear portions and the base are formed as an integral unit.
• the front and or back portion can be made with translucent materials and can further include indicia and or graphics.
• Figure 1 also shows exemplary biasing mechanism 40 that can be used in the present invention. As further described below, the biasing mechanism biases a pad of notes (not shown) against the inner surface of front portion 20.
• FIG 2, 5, 6a and 6b show various views of the dispenser of Figure 1 and particularly to biasing mechanism 40.
• the dispenser has a length dimension L and a depth dimension D.
• biasing mechanism extends from inside surface 32 of rear portion 30 to inside surface 22 of front portion 20 to bias a pad of repositionable notes against the inside surface of the front portion.
• Figure 5 better shows the biasing mechanism, which includes arms 42 having means for attaching the mechanism to the rear portion.
• One exemplary means for attaching the mechanism include pins 44 adapted for engagement with opening 35 in the rear portion. Extending from the arm is plate 46 having opposing mounting surface 46a and support surface 46b.
• ribs 49 extend from the edge of plate 46.
• the ribs are spaced to accommodate a specific size pad of repositionable notes, such as a pad of 3 inch by 3 inch notes.
• the ribs help control the shuttling of the pad during dispensing.
• the dispenser may further include a pair of guides disposed in the interior surface of the front portion spaced to accommodate a specific size pad of repositionable notes.
• Spring 48 disposed on inside surface 32 of the rear portion, supports and biases the plate towards the front portion.
• Disposed on outside surface 31 of the rear portion is means for attaching the dispenser to a surface, such as work surfaces, walls, refrigerator doors, and the like.
• a surface such as work surfaces, walls, refrigerator doors, and the like.
• This particular embodiment shows that one exemplary means for attaching the dispenser is a composite 60 having releasable adhesive strip 62 and hooking devices 64 that would mate with complementary hooking devices pre-attached to the surface.
• Exemplary releasable adhesive strip products are available from 3M Company under the CommandTM brand of product lines.
• FIG 8 shows an exploded view of another exemplary biasing mechanism that can be used for the dispenser of the present invention.
• the biasing mechanism includes plate 146 having mounting surface 146a and opposing support surface (not shown).
• a pair of pins 144 extend from opposing side edges 146c and 146d near top edge 146b of the plate.
• the pins are adapted for engagement with a pair of hooks 135 extending from the interior surface of the rear portion in the primary cavity.
• the pins and hooks together create a hinge.
• Torsion spring 148 having a central coil mounted on extension 149, has two arms, the first arm contacting inside surface 132 of rear portion 130 and a second arm contacting the support surface of the plate. The extension upon which the torsion spring is lies mounted between the hooks.
• Figure 3 shows a front plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1 having a height dimension H.
• Aperture 28a in first front panel 20a and aperture 28b in second front panel 20b provides decorative features to the dispenser, especially where a multicolored pad of notes is used.
• a pad of notes may contain alternating blue color and green color notes, so that as a blue note is being dispensed a green note can be seen.
• the dispenser provides a decorative design element to its environment.
• Slot 28, rounded at first edge 23 has a spacing dimension Si at the first edge. Away from first edge 23, the walls of the slot become substantially straight and have a spacing dimension S 2 approaching second end 24 of the front portion. As shown, Si is greater than S 2 .
• the slot has a dimension where the spacing Si is smaller than the spacing S 2 so that there slot has a necked down region near top edge 23 of the front portion.
• Figure 4 shows a bottom plan view of the dispenser of Figure 1 showing an exposed surface of the base 10 having an oblong shape with rounded sides.
• Other shapes can be used, such as, but not limited to, rectangles.
• Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 loaded with pad of repositionable notes 70 where first note 71 extends through the slot.
• Writing utensils 80 have been inserted into the secondary cavity.
• the pad of repositionable note has two opposing edges that contain stripes of repositionable adhesive on a backside of each note.
• the pad is loaded into the dispenser such that the stripes of repositionable adhesive is substantially parallel to the slot.
• Figure 9 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention.
• the dispenser is shown without a biasing mechanism and without a means for attaching the dispenser to a surface.
• First internal wall 113 lies proximate to first side 150a to form secondary cavity 114. The internal wall extends from the inside surface of the rear portion towards the front portion.
• the internal wall extends from the inside surface of the rear portion to the inside surface of the front portion.
• the secondary cavity can be used to hold writing instruments, such as pens, markers, and the like.
• second internal wall 115 can be added proximate second side 150b.
• a pair of guides 125 extend from internal surface 122 of front portion 120.
• the distance between the first and second internal walls accommodates a specific pad size, such as, e.g., a pad of 4 inch by 4 inch repositionable notes.
• the front portions are translucent. In such a case, it may be desirable not to have internal walls 113 and 115 that extend from the rear portion to be in contact with front portions.
• the dispenser can be made of a variety of materials including, plastics, metals, and woods. Suitable plastic materials include, but not limited to, ABS (acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene polymer) and polystyrene.
• the dispenser has a length L of 5/4 inch, a height H of 3.63 inch, and a depth D of 1 inch.
• the dispenser has a first internal wall disposed 1 inch from its first side (depicted schematically as L 2 in Fig. 9) such that the primary cavity is AVi inches.
• the dispenser has a second internal wall disposed A inch from its second side (depicted schematically as L3 in Fig. 9). The distance between the first and second internal walls is 4.125 inch.
• the dispenser also has a pair of guides, extending from the interior surface of the front portion, spaced 3.125 inches apart. In this way, this particular dispenser is capable of holding two sizes of pads of repositionable notes, a 4 inch by 4 inch pad and a 3 inch by 3 inch pad.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=38957096

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (37)

• 2006
  • 2006-07-21 US US11/490,631 patent/US20080017659A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2007
  • 2007-07-09 EP EP07799395A patent/EP2043879B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-07-09 KR KR1020097001139A patent/KR101346951B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-07-09 JP JP2009520889A patent/JP5054104B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-07-09 WO PCT/US2007/073044 patent/WO2008011290A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (4)

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