Article dispensing – Plural sources – stacks or compartments – With discharge means for each source
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-27
2001-10-30
Skaggs, H. Grant (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Plural sources, stacks or compartments
With discharge means for each source
C221S266000, C221S287000, C221S283000, C222S368000, C222S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308860
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to dispensing of products and particularly to dispensing of consumable products such as pills, and other fine food products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Containers come in all shapes and sizes and with all types of caps, tops, and other openings from which the contents are to be dispensed. As the complexity of these containers increases, so does the frustration many experience in attempting to gain access to the contents of those containers.
This frustration is particularly acute for those who have below-average manual dexterity such as the elderly or the physically disabled. Many of those individuals also take a number of different medications daily. Each medication is usually in a different sized or shaped container and many of those containers have different tops. Furthermore, many of these persons take vitamins or other tablet-shaped food supplements. Accordingly, these persons must manage a large number of different containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome these and other drawbacks with other containers and dispensing systems.
Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing mechanism which allows for easy delivery of specific amounts of a food product or single unites of tablet-type products.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which is attachable to many different sizes and shapes of containers in which food or tablets may be stored. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which dispenses multiple sizes of food particles or tablets.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system providing easy delivery of tablets and/or food products from a plurality of containers.
According to these and other objects of the present invention, a dispensing mechanism for a container is provided. The dispensing mechanism comprises a housing having an open top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing is attached to a container opening. An adjustable opening is disposed at the bottom of the housing and may be adjusted to permit one of the contents of the container to pass from the housing.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing system is provided. The dispensing system comprises one or more containers and one or more dispensing mechanisms. Each dispensing mechanism comprises a housing having an open top portion and a bottom portion. The dispensing mechanism may be as described above. Additionally, one or more holding assemblies for supporting at least one container and at least one dispensing mechanism may be provided. Each holding assembly may comprise a base portion and one or more supporting portions, connected to the base portion, for receiving and supporting at least one container.
One advantage of the present invention is the ability to dispense tablets or other smaller container contents easily without requiring the user to remove and replace a lid each time. Additionally, the dispensing mechanism of the present invention may comprise an attachment mechanism that adapts to different size containers, permitting a single dispensing mechanism to be used with a wide variety of containers and therefore reducing the number of sizes required to be manufactured.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the present disclosure.
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Hunton & Williams
Skaggs H. Grant
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