Article dispensing – With discharge assistant – Ejector with relatively movable outlet closure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-05-15
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
With discharge assistant
Ejector with relatively movable outlet closure
C221S226000, C221S227000, C221S270000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a dispensing package for similarly shaped items such as chewing gum, mints, razor blades or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Confectionery products, such as chewing gum, mints and the like, have been dispensed from many different types of containers for many years. For example, both stick and slab chewing gum have been dispensed from packages which have had a portion of the package removed or opened to expose the individual pieces of gum. Likewise, mints have been dispensed from packages which contain openings through which the mints are funneled outward. It would be advantageous to provide a dispensing package for confectionery products, such as chewing gum and mints, which would position a desired serving, i.e., one mint or one piece of gum, such that it could be easily removed by the consumer while using only one hand. At the same time, it would be advantageous for the dispensing package to provide the user with a means for moving the desired item into a position where it could be easily removed while retaining the remainder of the items safely within the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a dispensing package for confectionery items, such as gum and mints. The dispensing package contains a hollow container having a slot on one side and a dispensing door on one end adjacent to the slot. An elevator is located within the track for supporting and lifting the confectionery items. An elevator button is located on one end of the elevator and protrudes through the slot to allow the user to manually raise the elevator and the items located thereon. On the inside of the package and adjacent to the slot is a ratcheting track which corresponds with ratcheting protrusions on the elevator button. The ratcheting track and ratcheting protrusions allow the elevator to move upward in a manner such that only one item at a time is dispensed. Upon the exertion of manual force to lift the elevator button in an upward direction, the elevator is raised via the ratcheting track and protrusions and the top item contacts and pushes open the dispensing door. The product to be used is then removed through the dispensing door.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3777931 (1973-12-01), Fleming
patent: 4151931 (1979-05-01), Scherer et al.
patent: 5071033 (1991-12-01), Siwek
patent: 5253784 (1993-10-01), Kossel
patent: 5536472 (1996-07-01), Terashima et al.
patent: 6070759 (2000-06-01), Bridge et al.
Flynn Charles F.
Jarrells Johnny W.
Mandle James S.
Zinnbauer Jerry
Crawford Gene O.
Ellis Christopher P.
Federman Evan J.
Little Darryl C.
Warner-Lambert & Company
LandOfFree
Dispensing package does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispensing package, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispensing package will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2516292