WO2010112938A1

WO2010112938A1 - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010112938A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/050579
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alex Mitchell
Original assignee: Frank Sammeroff Limited
Priority date: 2009-04-03
Filing date: 2010-04-01
Publication date: 2010-10-07
Also published as: GB0905837D0

Abstract

A container comprising a plurality of holders pivotably mounted to a base member, wherein at least a first and second holder are coupled together such that pivoting of the first holder causes pivoting of the second holder, and wherein the second holder is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

Description

Dispensing Apparatus

The present invention relates to containers. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to containers or dispensing apparatus such as first aid kits, tool boxes, CD racks, vending machines and the like.

It is known to provide containers which, when opened, display most or all of the contents of the container to the user. Examples of this are certain types of tool boxes which allow the user to see all of the tools within the box and readily select the desired tool. This works well for tool boxes opened from the top and where the various trays remain horizontal as they spread apart during opening. Lateral spreading of the trays causes no problems as there are no lateral constraints to be accommodated. However, this is not the case for other types of containers.

Some containers have a number of holders arranged in a matrix, the container having three side walls which impose lateral constraints, and each holder being movable towards a user to display the contents of the holder to the user. The matrix could be a single column or a single row or it could have a number of rows and columns.

When the container contains items such as tools or first aid equipment, it is desirable that the moving of one holder causes all of the holders to move towards the user so that all the items are displayed. This movement could be linear sliding or pivoting. However, when the holders slide out they tend to obscure each other and so pivoting is preferred.

However, with conventional arrangements, pivoting of each of the holders will cause interference between adjacent holders as shown in Fig 1. To overcome this, the profile of the holders can be modified as shown in Fig 2. However, the contents of the holders must be the same or less in height to the depth of the holder or the contents will interfere with the adjacent holder. Indeed, the contents are often a set of the same products and so they are uniform in height within each holder. In such a case, the maximum height of the product which can be stored must be the same or less than the smallest depth of the holder, such as at a rear portion of the holder shown in Fig 3. There is therefore a substantial reduction in the usable volume provided by the holders, and a waste of usable volume at intermediate portions of the container.

It is desirable to provide an arrangement which eliminates or decreases the reduction in the usable volume provided by the holders, particularly at intermediate portions of the container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container comprising: a plurality of holders pivotably mounted to a base member, wherein at least a first and second holder are coupled together such that pivoting of the first holder causes pivoting of the second holder, and wherein the second holder is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

The term, "holder" is intended to cover a tray, rack or the like. It may support an item from below or laterally, or the item may be suspended from the holder.

The first and second holders may be coupled together such that pivoting of the second holder causes pivoting of the first holder.

The first holder may be adapted to pivot about a fixed pivot point. The fixed pivot point may be provided at a rear portion of the holder.

The movable pivot point of the second holder may be adapted such that the distance between the movable pivot point and the fixed pivot point of the first holder increases during pivoting of one of the first and second holders. The movable pivot point of the second holder may be provided at a rear portion of the holder.

The first and second holder may be coupled together such that pivoting of the first holder causes linear displacement of the second holder. The first holder may be located above the second holder. This arrangement can improve visibility of the contents of the container as lower holders also move towards the user.

The container may include a third holder which is coupled to at least one of the first and second holder, preferably to the second holder. The third holder may be adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

The movable pivot point of the third holder may be adapted such that the distance between the movable pivot point and the movable pivot point of the second holder increases during pivoting of one of the second and third holders.

The movable pivot point of the third holder may be provided at a rear portion of the holder.

The plurality of holders may be pivotably mounted to the base member about a pivot pin. The pivot pin of the second holder may be mounted within a slot provided at the base member. The pivot pin of the third holder may be mounted within a slot provided at the base member.

The base member slot may be linear. The base member slot may be vertical. Alternatively, the base member slot may be horizontal. Alternatively, the base member slot may be oblique or arcuate in orientation. This arrangement causes linear displacement of a holder which can improve visibility of the contents of the container. The length of the base member slot of the third holder may be greater than the length of the base member slot of the second holder.

The first and second holders may be coupled together by a link member. The second and third holders may be coupled together by a link member.

Alternatively, one of the first and second holders may include a slot and the other of the first and second holders may include a pin mounted within the slot for coupling the first and second holders together. One of the second and third holders may include a slot and the other of the second and third holders may include a pin mounted within the slot for coupling the second and third holders together.

The depth of one or more of the first, second and third holders may be substantially uniform from a rear to a front portion of the holder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of coupling a plurality of holders which are pivotably mounted to a base member of a container, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a first and second holder together such that pivoting of the first holder causes pivoting of the second holder; and adapting the second holder to pivot about a movable pivot point.

The method may include arranging the first holder to pivot about a fixed pivot point. The method may include increasing the distance between the movable pivot point of the second holder and the fixed pivot point of the first holder when one of the first and second holders is pivoted.

The method may include providing a third holder which is coupled to at least the second holder. The third holder may be adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

The method may include increasing the distance between the movable pivot point of the third holder and the movable pivot point of the second holder when one of the second and third holders is pivoted.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of holders of a known container;

Figure 2 is a side view of modified holders of a known container;

Figure 3 is a side view of the modified holder of Figure 2 and showing the reduction in usable volume;

Figure 4 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention in (a) a closed and (b) an open state; and

Figure 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention in (a) a closed, (b) a first partially open, (c) a second partially open and (d) an open state.

Figure 1 shows the holders 110 a known container in which the holders 1 10 are arranged to pivot open together. Due to the generally cuboidal shape of the holders 110, pivoting of the holders 110 causes the maximum vertical depth 112 of each holder 110 to increase (from the depth 114 of the holder 110 to the diagonal corner-to-corner distance). With conventional arrangements, this pivoting will therefore cause interference 116 between adjacent holders 1 10.

One method of overcoming this interference is to modify the profile of the holders 110. The top edge 118 can be modified so that the depth 114 of the holder 110 decreases from a front 120 to a rear 122 portion of the holder. The top edge 118 can be linear (but oblique in orientation) or sinusoidal as shown in Fig 2 to better match the increase in the maximum vertical depth 112 as the holder 110 rotates. However, in either case, there is a reduction 124 in usable volume 126 as shown in Fig 3 since the contents of the holder 110 must be the same or less in height to the depth 1 14 of the holder 110 or the contents will interfere with the adjacent holder 110. There is an even greater reduction 128 in usable volume 126 if the contents of the holder 110 are the same products and are therefore uniform in height since the height of the products can be no greater than the depth at the rear portion 122 of the holder 110. Furthermore, this unused space 128 must be provided between every adjacent holder 110, i.e. at intermediate portions of the container.

Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention. As with the conventional container, the container 10 has a number of holders arranged in a vertical matrix within a base member 30. The holders are coupled together so that pivoting of one holder causes pivoting of the other holders. However, for the container according to the invention, at least one of the holders is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

The container has a front 12 and a rear 14. A first holder 20 has a fixed pivot point 40 near to the rear 14 which comprises a pin 60 mounted in apertures 31 of the base member 30. The first holder 20 and a second holder 22 are coupled together so that pivoting of either holder in a direction 90 towards the front 12 causes pivoting of the other holder. To achieve this, a first mechanical link 50 is connected at one end to the pivot point 42 of the second holder 22 and at the other end to the first holder 20 at a location offset from the fixed pivot point 40 and intermediate to the front 12 and rear 14 of the container 10. A second mechanical link 52 is connected at one end to a front portion of the first holder 20 and at the other end to the second holder 22 at a location offset from the pivot point 42 and intermediate to the front 12 and rear 14 of the container 10. When, for example, the first holder 20 is pivoted, the second link 52 moves downwards 92, as it is offset from the first pivot 40, causing pivoting of the second holder 22, as the second link 52 exerts a downwards force upon the second holder 22 at a location offset from the second pivot 42.

The pivot point 42 of the second holder 22 comprises a pin 62 mounted in vertically extending slots 32 of the base member 30. When the container 10 is in the closed position (Figure 4(a)), the pin 62 is located at a top portion of the slot 32. When the first holder 20 is pivoted, the first link 50 moves downwards 92, as it is offset from the first pivot 40, exerting a downwards force at the pin 62 of the second holder 22. The pin 62 can accommodate this by moving downwards within the slot 32.

The pivot point 42 of the second holder 22 is therefore movable. This has the effect of increasing the distance between the movable pivot point 42 and the fixed pivot point 40 of the first holder 20 during pivoting of one of the first and second holders. Consequently, the first and second holders move apart in relative terms. This can be arranged (in terms of the length of the links and the offset distances) to be sufficient to allow pivoting of the first and second holders without interference but with little more moving apart so as not to substantially reduce the usable space.

In addition, no modification of the profile of the first and second holders is required. Also, the full depth of the first and second holders can be utilised. The container 10 includes a third holder 24 which is coupled to the second holder. The second link 52 extends beyond the connection to the second holder 22 to the pivot point 44 of the third holder 24. Also, a third link 54 connects a front portion of the second holder 22 to an intermediate portion of the third holder 24. When one of the holders is pivoted, the third link 54 pivots the third holder 24 while the second link 52 exerts a downwards force at the pin 64 of the third holder 24.

The pivot point 44 of the third holder 24 is also movable as it also comprises a pin 64 within a vertical slot 64. Therefore, the distance between the pivot point 42 of the second holder 22 and the pivot point 44 of the third holder 24 is increased during pivoting of any of the holders.

Similarly, the container 10 includes a fourth holder 26 which is coupled to the second and third holders. The third link 54 extends beyond the connection to the third holder 24 to the pivot point 46 of the fourth holder 26 and a fourth link 56 connects the third and fourth holders.

The length of the base member slots increase from the second to the fourth holder. This is because the slot must accommodate the downwards movement of each holder above as well as downwards movement of the associated holder. Therefore, the amount of downwards movement proportionally increases from the top to the bottom of the container 10.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, and like features are given like reference numerals. Only two holders are shown although more could be provided. This embodiment is similar except that the mechanical links have been replaced. The first holder 20 includes a bracket 80 having a horizontally extending slot 82. The second holder 22 has a pin 84 at a rear top portion of the second holder 22 which is mounted within the slot 82. Also, each holder has a pin at the top front portion of the holder which is connected to a vertical link 86 such that each holder can pivot but not move linearly relative to the link 86. As before, the first holder 20 has a fixed pivot point 40 and the second holder 22 has a movable pivot point 42.

The user can open the container 10 by pressing downwards on a flange 87 of the link 86. Downwards movement of the link 86 causes pivoting of the holders about their pivot points. In addition, the pin 84 of the second holder 22 can move from a rear to a front portion of the slot 82. This causes relative movement apart of the first and second holders which is accommodated by the movable pivot point 42.

The present invention allows all of the depth of the holders to be utilized. While downwards movement of the holders must be accommodated, this it done at a bottom portion of the container 10 rather than at intermediate portions which is more practical and ergonomic for the user.

Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention. In particular, a similar arrangement could be used for containers in which the holders are arranged in a row rather than a column or for containers having a plurality of rows and columns. Also, there is no upper limit to the number of holders that the container may have.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a plurality of holders pivotably mounted to a base member, wherein at least a first and second holder are coupled together such that pivoting of the first holder causes pivoting of the second holder, and wherein the second holder is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the first and second holders are coupled together such that pivoting of the second holder causes pivoting of the first holder.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first holder is adapted to pivot about a fixed pivot point.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movable pivot point of the second holder is adapted such that the distance between the movable pivot point and the fixed pivot point of the first holder increases during pivoting of one of the first and second holders.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second holder are coupled together such that pivoting of the first holder causes linear displacement of the second holder.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first holder is located above the second holder.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container includes a third holder which is coupled to at least one of the first and second holder.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the third holder is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

9. A container as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the movable pivot point of the third holder is adapted such that the distance between the movable pivot point and the movable pivot point of the second holder increases during pivoting of one of the second and third holders.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of holders is pivotably mounted to the base member about a pivot pin.

11. A container as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the pivot pin of the second holder is mounted within a slot provided at the base member.

12. A container as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein the base member slot is linear.

13. A container as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the base member slot is vertical.

14. A container as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the length of the base member slot of the third holder is greater than the length of the base member slot of the second holder.

15. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second holders are coupled together by a link member.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second and third holders are coupled together by a link member.

17. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein one of the first and second holders includes a slot and the other of the first and second holders includes a pin mounted within the slot for coupling the first and second holders together.

18. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 to 17, wherein one of the second and third holders includes a slot and the other of the second and third holders includes a pin mounted within the slot for coupling the second and third holders together.

19. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the depth of one or more of the first, second and third holders is substantially uniform from a rear to a front portion of the holder.

20. A method of coupling a plurality of holders which are pivotably mounted to a base member of a container, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a first and second holder together such that pivoting of the first holder causes pivoting of the second holder; and adapting the second holder to pivot about a movable pivot point.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the first and second holders are coupled together such that pivoting of the second holder causes pivoting of the first holder.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 , including arranging the first holder to pivot about a fixed pivot point.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, including increasing the distance between the movable pivot point of the second holder and the fixed pivot point of the first holder when one of the first and second holders is pivoted.

24. A method as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 23, including providing a third holder which is coupled to at least the second holder.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the third holder is adapted to pivot about a movable pivot point.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 24 or 25, including increasing the distance between the movable pivot point of the third holder and the movable pivot point of the second holder when one of the second and third holders is pivoted.