The disclosed subject matter relates to a canister and bracket system and a method for releasably mounting a canister with a bracket.
Containers, such as boxes, packets, or canisters, can be used to house and dispense articles. Certain containers can be fixedly mounted to surfaces, such as walls, doors, or carts. However, such containers can be difficult to remove and replace once the articles are depleted.
Other containers can be disposable. Such disposable containers can be free standing or stored or mounted using, for example, a container holder, cage, support bracket, or the like. Certain support brackets, such as metal support brackets, can include a flat horizontal support surface on which the disposable container can be placed and rested. Additionally, some support brackets typically have components that surround most of the container to limit movement thereof and secure the container within the support bracket. Unfortunately, such metal support brackets can be relatively heavy and expensive as compared with disposable containers. Moreover, metal support brackets and particularly those with a horizontal support surface, project outward from the surface on which the bracket is mounted. As such, a person or object moving past the rigid bracket can collide with the bracket causing harm or damage.
Accordingly, there remains a continued need for an efficient and economic system for a canister and bracket assembly. The presently disclosed subject matter satisfies these and other needs.
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a canister and bracket system is provided. The system includes a canister comprising a sidewall defining a first retaining section and a second retaining section disposed less than 180 degrees from the first retaining section with respect to an outer circumferential boundary of the canister; and a bracket attachable with the canister. The bracket includes a first holding feature, a second holding feature, and a connection portion that extends between the first holding feature and the second holding feature. The first holding feature is receivable in the first retaining section and is releasably engagable with the first retaining section of the canister and the second holding feature is receivable in second retaining section and is releasably engagable with the second retaining section of the canister. When the bracket is coupled with and supports the canister, the bracket interfaces with less than 180 degrees of the canister about the outer circumferential boundary.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method for releasably mounting a canister with a bracket is disclosed. The method includes providing a canister comprising a sidewall defining a first retaining section and a second retaining section disposed less than 180 degrees from the first retaining section with respect to an outer circumferential boundary of the canister. The method further includes providing a bracket comprising a first holding feature, a second holding feature, and a connection portion that extends between the first holding feature and the second holding feature. The method further includes coupling the canister with the bracket such that the first holding feature is receivable in the first retaining section and is releasably engagable with the first retaining section and the second holding feature is receivable in second retaining section and is releasably engagable with the second retaining section, wherein when the bracket is coupled with and supports the canister the bracket interfaces with than 180 degrees of the canister about the outer circumferential boundary.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, A canister is disclosed. The canister comprises a base surface; and a sidewall coupled to the base surface. The sidewall defines a first retaining section and a second retaining section disposed less than 180 degrees from the first retaining section with respect to an outer circumferential boundary of the canister. The first retaining section and second retaining section are respectively grippable by at least one of a thumb and fingers of a person or a first holding feature and a second holding feature of a bracket. 23. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a bracket is disclosed. The bracket includes a first holding feature and a second holding feature, wherein the first holding feature is receivable in a first retaining section of a canister and is releasably engagable with the first retaining section of the canister and the second holding feature is receivable in a second retaining section and is releasably engagable with the second retaining section of the canister. A connection portion is coupled to and extending between the first holding feature and the second holding feature. A first tab is coupled to the first holding feature and a second tab is coupled to the second holding feature. Movement of the first and second tabs alters the configuration of the first holding feature and the second holding feature to disengage a canister coupled to the bracket therefrom, wherein when the bracket is coupled with and supports the canister the bracket interfaces with less than 180 degrees of the canister about an outer circumferential boundary of the canister.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and are provided for purpose of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
The subject matter of the application will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, exemplary embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The systems and corresponding methods of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the canister and bracket.
The system, method, and devices presented herein can be used to mount a container, such as a canister, to a bracket that is secured to a surface, such as a wall or an intravenous (IV) pole. For example, the disclosed subject matter is particularly suitable for coupling a disposable plastic container for dispensing articles, such as sanitizing wipes, with a plastic bracket that is secured to a wall or an IV pole.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a representative canister in accordance with the disclosed subject matter is shown in
The system, device and method described herein are suitable for use with a wide variety of containers and brackets. However, for purpose of understanding, reference is made to canisters for dispensing articles such as germicidal disposable wipes or hand sanitizing wipes. Representative embodiments of canister and bracket systems according to the disclosed subject matter are depicted in
For example and not limitation, as shown in
As best depicted in
A second embodiment of a canister and bracket system 20 is provided in
According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the retaining sections 110 of the canisters 100, 200, and 300 remain consistent and uniform in dimension such that any sized canister 100, 200, 300 can be coupled with the same dimensioned bracket, as further discussed herein. In another embodiment, the retaining sections of the canisters 100, 200, 300 can be designed to interface with uniquely sized brackets for a given canister dimension.
As best shown in
As best depicted in
As noted herein, the canister 100 of
For each respective retaining section, the front edge 115 and the rear edge 116 of each respective retaining section can be disposed at a minimum of approximately 5 degrees from each other to a maximum of approximately 84 degrees from each other, as shown schematically in
The maximum and minimum distance dimensions between the first retaining section and the second retaining section is further shown in
Accordingly, the rear edge 116 of the first retaining section and the rear edge 116 of the second retaining section can be disposed from each other at a minimum of at least 10 degrees (corresponding to 5 degrees per side with respect to the transverse axis) along the outer circumferential boundary of the canister, and can be disposed from each other at a maximum of at least 168 degrees (corresponding to 89 degrees per side with respect to the transverse axis less the minimum width of 5 degrees of the retaining section per side) along the outer circumferential boundary of the canister.
For purposes of example and with respect to the representative canister of
As shown in
Each respective front edge 115 and the rear edge 116 of the first and second retaining sections defines an indentation 117 therebetween. As shown in the cross-sections of
The canister is coupleable with a suitable bracket, as described herein and as shown in
The holding features 401 can prevent axial removal of the canister 100 by engaging at least one of the top retaining surface 111 or the bottom retaining surface 112 of the retaining sections 110. As such, the at least one of the top retaining surface or bottom retaining surface of each respective first and second retaining section restricts disengagement of the canister from the bracket. The length of the holding feature is less than the length of the retaining sections of the canister to allow the bracket to fit within the indentation of the canister. Depending on the respective lengths, the fit of the bracket within the indentation can include a tight, approximately flush fit or the fit can have some degree of vertical movement between the canister and the bracket. Depending on the fit, the top of the holding features of the bracket can be the primary support of the top retaining surfaces 111 of the canister. With brackets that have closer tolerances with the retaining sections, both the top and bottom of the holding features of the bracket can together work to support the top retaining surface and the bottom retaining surface of the canister. With some degree of difference in the length of the holding features with respect to the length of the retaining sections, the canister will still easily connect with and disengage with the bracket with a suitable amount of force, as described herein.
As best depicted in
For purpose of illustration and not limitation, the bracket 400 further includes a first tab 420 coupled to the first holding feature 401 and a second tab 420 coupled to the second holding feature 401. When the canister is coupled with the bracket, movement of the first or second tabs 420 away from the canister releases the first holding feature from the first retaining section and releases the second holding feature from the second retaining section to disengage the canister from the bracket. Such movement of the tabs increases the radius of curvature of the abutment surfaces, which allows for the disengagement of the retaining sections from the holding sections to release the canister. Each tab is configured to release the holding feature 401 from the retaining section 110 of the canister upon application of pressure or with respect to an applied force.
The connecting portion 430 of the bracket couples the first and second holding features 401 together. The connecting portion 430 can further define apertures 431 configured to increase flexibility of the bracket. The apertures further allow for reduction of material and can reduce the cost of the bracket.
For example and not limitation, the bracket 400 further can include a fastening portion 440 opposite the first and second holding features to secure the bracket 400 to the further surface, such as a substrate. As depicted in
The first leg is distanced from the second leg at a suitable dimension, as shown in
Additionally, the holding features 401 and retaining sections 110 can be designed such that an amount of force to remove the canister 100 from the bracket 400 is less than an amount of force to remove the bracket 400 from the substrate surface. Accordingly, a minimum predetermined force imposed upon the canister that disengages the canister from the bracket is less than a minimum force required to unsecure the bracket from the substrate. For purpose of illustration and not limitation, the force to initially attach the canister 100 to the bracket 400 can be relatively nominal (e.g., approximately 2-5 lbs.), the force to remove the canister 100 from the bracket 400 can be greater (e.g., approximately 20-40 lbs.), and the force to remove the bracket 400 from the further surface, i.e., substrate, can be greater than such previous force amounts. The actual force to remove the canister 100 from the bracket 400 can vary depending on the materials used therein (i.e. such as dispensing wipes) and the dimensions of the various features of the canister, such as for example, the fasteners/anchors used to secure the bracket 400 to the substrate, the material of the substrate (e.g., sheetrock, studs, metal, plywood, or other suitable materials for a wall, a post, a door, or a cart), and the like.
It is appreciated that the bracket according to the disclosed subject matter can be used with a plurality of different devices that include the complementary retaining sections, as described herein. For example, the bracket could be used with a flashlight that includes complementary retaining sections as described herein with respect to the exemplary canister. In one embodiment, the bracket can be used with the containers as described in U.S. Design application No.: 29/520,705, U.S. Design application No. 29/520,713, and U.S. Design application No. 29/520,730, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Furthermore, the canister according to the disclosed subject matter can be used with different brackets that include complementary holding features.
For example and not limitation, the disclosed subject matter can be used in a fast-paced medical/hospital environments. When medical staff rushing down halls in an emergency situation, the canister and bracket assembly according to the disclosed subject matter can be run into or otherwise disturbed. The disclosed subject matter can allow the canister to disengage from the bracket with less force than that required to remove the bracket from the wall (or a pole, cart, etc.) to which the bracket is mounted. As such, the give and flexibility of the bracket prevents any harm to individuals running into the assembly as the canister pops off the bracket instead of acting as a rigid member potentially harming the individual.
Furthermore, since the bracket can have low side profile, the canister and bracket assembly system can be closer to a wall substrate than other known assemblies. For example and not limitation, the depth dimension of the bracket can be less than 4 inches, less than 2.325 inches in another embodiment, or less than 2.25 inches in a further embodiment. As such, the bracket can have any suitable depth dimension D and profile as needed.
As previously referenced, the canister can further include a lid, as shown in
For purpose of illustration and not limitation, each lid 500, 600 can include an annular portion 510 having an outer edge 511, an inner edge 512, an exterior surface 531, and an interior surface 532. For example, the interior surface 532 can engage the ridge 131 of the finished portion 130. Exemplary finished portions are depicted in
Additionally or alternatively, each lid 500, 600 can include a tab 502 attached to and extending away from the closure portion 501. The closure portion 501 can cover the first aperture 522 and the dispensing aperture 521 when in the closed configuration (e.g., when the rim 503 engages the annular portion 510). Additionally, the closure portion 501 can be moved to the open configuration to allow access to the first aperture 522 and a the dispensing aperture 521.
The exemplary method of
At 702, a bracket 400 is secured to a further surface, such as a substrate. The bracket 400 can include holding features 401 to releasably engage the interior surfaces 113 of the retaining sections 110, as described herein. The holding features 401 can prevent axial removal of the canister 100 (or 200, 300) by engaging at least one of the top retaining surface 111 or bottom retaining surface 112 of the retaining sections 110 and by allowing the ridge and abutment surfaces of the bracket to interface with the indentation and protrusions of the canister, as described herein.
At 703, the canister 100 (or 200, 300) can be releasably attached to the bracket 400 by engaging the holding features 401 to the interior surfaces 113 of the retaining sections 110, as described herein. As embodied herein, the bracket 400 further can include a connecting portion 430 between the holding features 401, as described herein. Releasably attaching the canister to the bracket can include flexing at least one of the holding features 401 via the tabs and the connecting region 430 to engage the retaining sections 110 with the holding feature 401 of the canister.
As embodied herein, at 704, the canister 100 (or 200, 300) can be optionally released from the bracket 400 with an amount of force less than an amount of force to remove the bracket from the substrate, as described herein. Releasing the canister 100 (or 200, 300) from the bracket can include applying pressure to the tab 420 of the bracket to release and disengage the holding feature 401 from the retaining section 110.
For purpose of illustration and not limitation, the containers and brackets described herein can be formed from any material suitable for containers or brackets including metal, plastic, other polymers, or suitable composite materials. That is, the disclosed subject matter is suitable for a wide variety of containers and brackets. For purpose of illustration and not limitation, a canister can be made up of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, polymer, composite material, or a combination thereof. As such, the plastic can include high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Additionally, fillers, laminates, or multiple layers can be incorporated into the canister. For example and not limitation, the bracket can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), nylon, polycarbonates (PC), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The canisters and brackets can be formed by any suitable technique, including, but not limited to, blow molding, injection molding, rotational molding, three-dimensional printing/additive manufacturing (AM), thermoforming, and/or compression molding.
In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below and those disclosed above. As such, the particular features disclosed herein can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combinations. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed. For example, the canister has been described as circular and tubular with retaining sections spaced at less than 180 degrees for engaging with the bracket. However, the canister may be of other cross sections (e.g., square, elliptical, rectangular etc.) such that the retaining sections and bracket engage at less than 50% of the distance around the canister.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/107,621, filed Jan. 26, 2015, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US16/14907 | 1/26/2016 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62107621 | Jan 2015 | US |