Comestible product dispensers and methods of making and using same

Abstract

A first product dispenser is provided and includes a top member defining an opening, a divider connected to the top member and a bottom member sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. The bottom member defines an opening. The divider is positioned and the bottom member is coupled in a sliding relationship within the top member so that the openings defined by the top member and the bottom member can be aligned to dispense a certain number of the products. A second product dispenser is provided and includes a first housing and a second housing, which each have a plurality of dividers. The dispenser also includes a trigger. When the trigger is pressed, the container is translated sequentially along the dividers of the first and second housings to dispense one of the products.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to packaging or dispensers for storing and dispensing comestible products.

The packaging for comestible products is very important to the look, marketing and storage of the product. Very often, in addition to text on the packaging, the packaging also attempts to visually convey a message about the type of product, the taste of the product or the purpose of the product. For example, packages for cinnamon or cherry tasting products are often red, grape tasting product packaging is often purple, etc. Once the consumer has identified a desired brand, the consumer can typically choose a product based solely on the color of the packaging.

In marketing the product, packaging can convey other information besides taste whereby the consumer can thereby associate the product with its effect by simply viewing the packaging.

There are also practical facets to packaging comestible products, namely, keeping the products from being damaged during shipping, keeping the products fresh, and in certain instances providing a reusable package. Some comestible products do not require that the packaging be robust, sturdy or reusable.

Other comestible products are packaged in pieces and may or may not be provided in a reusable package, as desired by the manufacturer. If it is felt that only a portion of the products may be consumed in one sitting, the manufacturer may wish to provide a box having a hingedly connected lid.

With certain comestible products, the consumer tears open a package and removes a product or piece of the product. One problem with this type of packaging is that the remaining product tends to fall out of the package after the consumer removes one or more pieces from the package. Another problem with these packages is that it becomes difficult, especially with a newly opened package, to remove a piece without ripping open a significant portion of the package.

Attempting to provide a package that holds the product even after the removal of one or more pieces of the product can make removing the comestible product more difficult. Tightly packing the product may aid in holding the product at the expense of gaining access to the product.

It is therefore desirable to provide a comestible product dispenser that enables a user to be able to remove a desired number of pieces of comestible product from the dispenser.

It is also desirable to provide a comestible product dispenser that maintains the products even after a number of the products have been removed from the dispenser.

Furthermore, it is desirable to provide comestible products in a dispenser, wherein the products are readily accessible and removable.

It is also desirable to provide a comestible product dispenser that is re-usable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides multiple apparatuses and methods for dispensing products, such as products that are individually unpackaged. The products in one embodiment are comestible products. The teachings of the present invention, however, are not dependent upon the products being any particular type as long as the products can fit within the product dispensers described herein. The dispensers herein, regardless of what product is being dispensed, are configured to be highly functional, to have an aesthetic element, and to provide a suitable tactile feel for the user and consumer.

It is believed that users of these products, and in particular younger users, find certain features desirable and undesirable in the packaging of products consumed on a daily basis, such as comestible products. Specifically, it is believed that consumers desire a compact shape for easy, everyday storage. It is an added benefit to the manufacturer if the shape is also innovative and/or sleek looking. Such a shape gains customer attention. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a dispenser that is intuitive and easy to determine how to use. Still further, consumers, especially young consumers, desire the dispenser to be quiet and to not require too much manipulation, so that the products can be dispensed in an easy and discrete manner.

Moreover, control over product dispensing is important. That is, consumers want to be able dispense only a desired amount of product. To that end, especially in the case of individually unpackaged products, it is desirable that the products do not stick or clump together. One-handed operation is also desirable.

The present invention provides in an embodiment, a dispenser including a top member defining an opening and a divider connected to the top member. The dispenser also includes a bottom member sized to hold a plurality of comestible products where the bottom member defines an opening. The divider is so constructed and arranged to separate and dispense a designated number of the comestible products. The bottom member is coupled in a sliding relationship within the top member so that the openings defined by the top member and the bottom member can be aligned to dispense the designated number of the products.

In an embodiment, the bottom member includes a plurality of walls and a door hingedly connected to one of the walls.

In an embodiment, the bottom member includes a plurality of walls and a biasing member attached to one of the walls to bias the bottom member away from the top member.

A second comestible product dispenser is provided where the dispenser includes a first housing defining an opening and a second housing. The dispenser also includes a container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. The container defines an opening and is adapted to be removably inserted within the second housing. The second housing is coupled in a sliding relationship within the first housing so that the openings defined by the first housing and the container can be aligned to dispense one of the products.

In an embodiment, the container defines a second opening. A door is hingedly connected to the container and positioned adjacent to the second opening. The door is movable toward and away from the second opening to open and close the door with regard to the container.

In an embodiment, a seal is provided and positioned adjacent to the opening. The seal is removably attached to the container. The seal prevents tampering with the comestible products in the container. In one embodiment, the seal is a tamper resistant tab.

A third dispenser is provided and includes a first component having a first aperture. The dispenser also includes a second component including a second aperture and a biasing member. The second component is adapted to hold a plurality of comestible products. The second component is slidingly engaged within the first component so that the second component can be moved from an initial position to a second position. In the second position, the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned to dispense one of the products. The biasing member biases the second component away from the first component so that the second component moves from the second position to the initial position after the desired number of the products are dispensed from the dispenser.

In an embodiment, the biasing member includes a substantially planar member attached to said second component. In another embodiment, the biasing member includes a spring.

A fourth dispenser is provided and includes a first housing including a plurality of dividers and a second housing including a plurality of dividers. The second housing is matingly press-fitted to the first housing to hold the first and second housings together. The dispenser also includes a container which is positioned between the first and second housings. The container is sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. The dispenser also includes an input member or trigger positioned between the first and second housings. The input member includes a first arm coupled in a sliding relationship with the first housing and a second arm coupled in a sliding relationship with the second housing. The input member is slidable within the first and second housings to engage the first and second arms with the container so that the container can be translated sequentially along the dividers of the first and second housings to dispense one of the products.

In an embodiment, the dispenser includes a lid hingedly connected to the first and second housings. In another embodiment, the dispenser includes a base and a lid hingedly connected to the base, where the base is matingly engaged with the first and second housings.

In an embodiment, the container includes at least one tab, wherein at least one of said first and second housings define at least one opening sized to receive the tab.

In an embodiment, the container includes at least one raised surface adapted to be in engagement with one of the first and second arms of the input member when the input member is moved into the first and second housings. The engagement of the input member with the raised surface causes the container to move downward within the first and second housings to sequentially translate the container along the dividers of the first and second housings as described above.

A fifth comestible product dispenser is provided and includes a first housing and a second housing adapted to fit within the first housing. The first housing and the second housing include mating press-fitted sides that hold the first housing and the second housing together when it is desired. The dispenser also includes a holding member connected to the second housing where the holding member includes at least one divider. The dispenser further includes a removable container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products where the container is positioned in the holding member. The dispenser includes a dispensing member hingedly connected to the second housing so that the pivoting of the dispensing member causes the container to be translated sequentially along the divider to dispense one of the products.

In an embodiment, the container is re-fillable with comestible products.

In an embodiment, the container includes a seal.

In an embodiment, at least one tamper resistant tab is attached to the seal.

In another embodiment, a method for dispensing comestible products is provided. The method includes engaging a first housing in a sliding arrangement with a second housing where the second housing is sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. The method also includes sliding the second housing within the first housing to align an opening defined by the first housing with an opening defined by the second housing to dispense at least one product.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a door to the second housing where the door enables a person to insert additional comestible product into the second housing.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a divider to the first housing where the divider causes a desired number of the product to be dispensed from the second housing.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a biasing member to the second housing where the biasing member biases the second housing away from the first housing.

In an embodiment, the method includes providing a container sized to hold the plurality of comestible products and removably placing the container within the second housing.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a door to the container where the door enables a person to insert additional comestible product into the container.

Another method for dispensing comestible products is provided where the method includes engaging a first housing in a sliding arrangement with a container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products where the first housing has a divider. The method also includes engaging a second housing in a sliding arrangement with the container where the second housing has a divider. Next, the method includes providing a trigger in a sliding arrangement with the first and second housings where the trigger is engageable with the container to cause the container to sequentially translate the container past the dividers of the first and second housings to dispense one of the products.

In an embodiment, the method includes removing the container to insert additional comestible product into the container.

In an embodiment, the method includes providing a lid hingedly connected to the first and second housings to maintain the comestible product within the container.

Another method for dispensing comestible products is provided where the method includes configuring a first housing to be hingedly connected to a second housing. The method also includes connecting a comestible product container to the second housing and configuring the container to fit within the first housing where the comestible product container is sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. Next, the method includes pivoting the second housing to dispense one of the products from the comestible product container.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a removable comestible product package within the comestible product container where the package sized to hold the comestible products.

In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a removable seal to the comestible product package.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a product dispenser for dispensing individually unwrapped products, where the products do not stick to one another or clump.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide dispensers that are compact and easily stored.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide innovative dispensers that are enjoyable to operate and gain customer attention.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide product dispensers that are intuitive to use.

Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide dispensers that are quiet both when being transported and when dispensing comestible product.

Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide product dispensers that are controllable to dispense only a desired amount of product.

Yet further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide product dispensers that dispense products via gravity alone without agitation.

Furthermore, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide product dispensers that can be maneuvered and manipulated with one hand.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an enlarged elevation and assembled view of one embodiment of the product dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged elevation and assembled view of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispense one of the products.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, where the door of the second housing is in the open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the assembly of the dispenser including a removable comestible product container.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate enlarged schematic views of the dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispenser comestible product.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevation and assembled view of a second embodiment of the product dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevation and assembled view of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 6 showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispense one of the products.

FIG. 8 is a perspective and assembled view of the dispenser of FIG. 6, showing the dispenser in its initial position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective and exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates an elevation and assembled view of a third embodiment of the product dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10, showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispense one of the products.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10, showing the container removed from the dispenser.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate perspective and assembled views of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 10 showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispense one of the products.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate schematic views of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 10 showing the method of operation of the dispenser to dispense one of the products.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rear schematic view of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view of a portion of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective and assembled view of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 10, showing the internal parts of the dispenser.

FIG. 19 illustrates an elevation and assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the product dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 20A illustrates a perspective of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 19 showing the comestible product container removed from the dispenser.

FIGS. 20B and 20C illustrate elevation views of the embodiment of the product dispenser of FIG. 19 showing the insertion of the comestible product container into the dispenser.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable comestible product container employed by the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 19.

FIGS. 22A, 22B and 22C illustrate enlarged elevation views of the embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 19 showing the method of operation of the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides comestible product packages and dispensers. In the embodiments described, the comestible products are illustrated as tablets of products, such as generally pillow-shaped, rectangular pieces of comestible product. The products to be dispensed from the dispensers discussed herein can have any suitable types of shapes, such as a block shape, a flat stick shape, a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape and any combination of same.

The embodiments described below are generally made of a plastic material. The present invention expressly includes any of the embodiments being made of any material such as any suitable paper, cardboard, paperboard material, foil, plastic, composite or other suitable material. Furthermore, while the packages and dispensers discussed herein are sized to be transported readily by a person (for example, in a person's pocket, purse, backpack, or the like), the embodiments described are expressly not limited to any particular size and shape.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 5C, one embodiment of a comestible product package or dispenser is illustrated as dispenser 100. Dispenser 100 is a refillable dispenser and includes two main sections, a first housing or first member 102 and a second housing or second member 104. The second housing 104 is slidably connected within the first housing 102. The first housing includes a divider 128 that compartmentalizes and separates a designated or desired number of the comestible products stored in the second housing to dispense from the second housing. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a person 108 holds the dispenser 100 in their hand and pushes against the second housing 104 to slide the second housing into and towards the first housing 102. The divider 128 separates the designated number of comestible products 110 to dispense from the second housing 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first housing or first member 102 is generally a five-sided structure having a top wall 114, side walls 112 and 118, a rear wall 115 and a bottom wall 116. The walls of the first housing 102 form a receptacle or compartment for receiving the second housing 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 102 is integrally formed as one piece or part. In another embodiment, the walls of the first housing 102 are separately manufactured and connected together to form the first housing. The bottom wall 116 of the first housing defines an opening 106 which enables comestible product to be dispensed or otherwise removed from the dispenser 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 106 has a generally semi-circular shape. It should be appreciated that the opening may be any suitable size shape.

The second housing or second member 104 is generally a six-sided structure including a top wall 122, side walls 120 and 121, a front wall 123 and a bottom wall 125. The walls of the second housing 104 form a compartment or receptacle for receiving one or more pieces of comestible product. In particular, the top wall 122 defines an opening 126. A cover or lid 124 is hingedly connected to the top wall 122 and pivots toward and away from the opening 126. In the closed position, the lid 124 holds or maintains the comestible product inside the second housing 104. In the open position, the lid 124 enables a person to fill or re-fill the second housing with comestible product. Any suitable lid or cover or other device may be employed to cover and seal the opening 126.

The divider 128 is connected to the first housing using any suitable connection method. The divider 128 is generally planar-shaped and may be attached to or integrally formed with the first housing 102. The divider 128 may be any size or shape and may be positioned and attached to the first housing in any suitable position to separate and dispense a desired or designated number of the comestible products from the second housing.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the dispenser 100 is illustrated where the dispenser includes a removable container or cartridge 200 which holds the comestible product. The container or cartridge 200 is generally a five-sided structure having a top wall 201, side walls 203 and 205, a front wall 207, a rear wall 209 and a bottom wall 211. The walls form a compartment or receptacle for holding one or more pieces of comestible product. The top wall 201 defines an opening 206 to enable a person to insert, fill or re-fill the comestible product in container 200. A cover or lid 204 is hingedly connected to the top wall 200 to provide access to the interior of the container and/or secure the container. The container 200 also includes a seal such as tamper-resistant tab 202 which is secured to or sealed over an opening (not shown) defined by the bottom wall 211 of the container. The opening defined by the bottom wall 211 enables comestible product to pass from the interior of the container 200 to dispense one or more pieces of the comestible product held in the container. The container 200 can be discarded after one or more uses or refilled as desired.

In this embodiment, the second housing 104 is generally a five-sided structure including a top wall 122, side walls 120 and 121, a front wall 123 and a bottom wall 125. The second housing 104 does not include a rear wall, lid or opening as shown in FIG. 3. Instead, the second housing 104 is sized to receive the container 200 to hold and guide the container 200 within the first housing 102.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the operation of the dispenser 100. As shown in FIG. 5A, the second housing 104 initially includes one or more pieces of comestible product 110 which are inserted into or placed into the second housing during the manufacturing process or by a person after the manufacturing process. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a person pushes against the second housing 104 to move or slide the second housing 104 inwardly toward the first housing 102. When the opening 130 in the second housing is aligned with the opening 106 in the first housing, at least one piece of the comestible product 110 passes through the aligned openings 106 and 130 to dispense the comestible product from the dispenser.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 102 includes the divider 128 which separates the comestible product to dispense a certain or desired number of the comestible product 110 from the dispenser. In this embodiment, the divider 128 is integrally formed with an inside surface of the first housing as illustrated and separates one piece of the comestible product 110 for dispensing from the dispenser. It should be appreciated that the divider may be connected to the first housing in any suitable manner and 128 may be positioned in any suitable position or location on the inside surface to dispense one or more pieces of the comestible product 110 from the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 5C, after the comestible product 110 is dispensed from the dispenser 100, the user releases the second housing 104 to enable the second housing 104 to move or slide outwardly and away from the first housing to its initial position illustrated in FIG. 5A. Accordingly, the opening of the second housing 130 and the opening 106 of the first housing 102 are not aligned. This prevents any further comestible product from being dispensed from the dispenser 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, another embodiment of a comestible product package or dispenser is illustrated as dispenser 300. The dispenser 300 includes a first member or first housing 302 and a second member or second housing 304. The second housing 304 is sized to fit within the first housing 302 and is slidingly connected within the first housing. The sliding connection between the first housing 302 and the second housing 304 enables the second housing 304 to move or slide inwardly toward and outwardly away from the first housing 302.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 302 is generally a six-sided structure having a top wall 311, side walls 312 and 313, a front wall 314, a rear wall 315 and a bottom wall 317. The top and front walls define an opening sized to receive the second housing 304. It should be appreciated that the opening may be any suitable size or shape. The bottom wall 317 of the first housing 302 defines an opening 306 for dispensing one or more pieces of comestible product 308 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the walls of the dispenser 300 are integrally formed to form a compartment or receptacle for receiving the second housing 304. It should be appreciated that the first housing may include integrally formed walls or separately connected walls, or any suitable number of integrally formed walls and connectable walls.

The second housing 304 is generally a five-sided structure, as illustrated in FIG. 9, having a top wall 322, side walls 318 and 319, a front wall 320, a rear or back wall 321 and a bottom wall (not shown). As described above, the walls may be integrally formed, connected together or any combination of integrally formed walls and connectable walls. The second housing 304 is sized to hold a plurality of comestible products. In this embodiment, the second housing 304 is for a single use or one-time use and is not re-fillable. Therefore, the dispenser 300 is discarded after the comestible product is dispensed from the second housing.

In the illustrated embodiment, a biasing member 324 is connected to the rear wall 321. The biasing member 324 is resiliently connected to the rear wall 321 so that the biasing member 334 is compressible when the second housing 304 is inserted into the first housing 302. It should be appreciated that the biasing member may be a suitable spring or any suitable biasing device. When the second housing 304 is pushed inwardly toward the first housing 302, the biasing member 324 is compressed by the inside surface of the rear wall 315 of the first housing. The compression of the biasing member 324 biases the second housing away from the first housing. Therefore, as the pressure against the second housing is released, the biasing member 324 pushes against the inside surface of the rear wall 315 to move or slide the second housing 304 outwardly away from the first housing. The front wall 314 of the first housing 302 stops the outward movement of the second housing and holds or maintains the second housing within the first housing.

In operation, a person pushes against the second housing 304 to move or slide the second housing toward the first housing 302. The person pushes the second housing 304 toward the first housing until the opening 326 of the second housing is aligned with the opening 306 of the first housing. This enables one or more pieces of the comestible product inside the second housing to be dispensed through the aligned openings 306 and 326. After the desired number of pieces of comestible product are dispensed from the dispenser 300, the person releases the pressure against the second housing 304. The release of the pressure on the second housing causes the biasing member 324 to expand and push against the inside surface of rear wall 315 as described above to move or slide the second housing 304 outwardly away from the first housing to its original position illustrated in FIG. 8. As a result, the openings 306 and 326 of the first and second housings are not aligned which prevents any more of the comestible product from being dispensed from the dispenser. Any remaining comestible product is held or stored in the second housing for future consumption.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 18, a further embodiment of a comestible product package or dispenser is illustrated as dispenser 400. The dispenser 400 includes a first housing 402 and a trigger or button 404. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a person 414 presses or pushes the button 404 to quickly and easily dispense at least one piece of comestible product 412 from the dispenser 400.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 402 is generally a four-sided structure having a top wall or surface 403, side walls 405 and 407, a front wall 409, a rear wall 411 and a bottom wall or surface 413. Specifically, the housing 402 includes a first section 402a and a second section 402b which are matingly press-fitted together to form the housing. The front wall 409 includes contoured surfaces 418a and 418b which define an opening sized to receive the button 404. In the illustrated embodiment, the contoured surfaces 418a and 418b have a generally rounded shape. It should be appreciated that the contoured surfaces may be any suitable size or shape. The bottom wall or surface 413 of the housing defines an opening for receiving the comestible product as described below. The side walls 405 and 407 each define a tab opening 420. The housing 402 also includes a lip 408.

In the illustrated embodiment, a base ring or base 424 is sized to matingly engage the lip 408 of the housing 402. A cover or lid 410 is hingedly attached to the base 424 as illustrated in FIG. 13. The lid 410 pivots or moves toward and away from the top surface 403 of the housing 402. In the closed position, the lid 410 seals and maintains the comestible product inside the housing. In the open position illustrated in FIG. 13, one or more pieces of comestible product 412 can be dispensed from the housing. It should be appreciated that the lid 410 may be hingedly connected to the housing, slidingly connected to the housing or connected to the housing in any suitable manner. It should also be appreciated that any suitable lid, cover or other sealing device may be used to maintain the product.

A comestible product container or holder 416 is sized to be inserted into the opening defined by the bottom surface 413 of the housing 402. The holder 416 includes a plurality of comestible products 412 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 which can be dispensed from the dispenser 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the comestible product holder 416 includes side walls 417 which each include a securing tab 406 and a bottom wall 426. The side walls also each include a protruding wall or surface 425. The raised wall 425 has a generally rectangular shape and is integrally formed with the side walls 417 of the comestible product holder 416. The side walls 417 include a plurality of support surfaces or supports 421 (best shown in FIGS. 12, 17 and 18) which hold and support the comestible product 412. The comestible product holder 416 is inserted upwardly through the bottom opening of the housing 402.

In the illustrated embodiment, securing tabs 406 are integrally formed with each side wall 405 and 407. It should be appreciated that the securing tabs may be manufactured separately and connected to the side walls. The securing tabs are resiliently connected to the side walls so that the comestible product holder may move upwardly or downwardly within the housing 402. The comestible product holder 416 is inserted through the bottom opening in the housing until the securing tabs fit into or snap into the openings 420 on the side walls 405 and 407 of the housing 402 to secure the comestible product holder 416 to the housing.

The trigger or button 405 includes a pair of arms 415 which are integrally formed with the button and extend along each side wall 417 of the comestible product holder 416 when the button 405 is inserted into the opening defined by the front wall 409 of the housing 402. In particular, the arms 405 of the bottom 404 are positioned adjacent to the top of the raised walls 425 of the comestible product holder.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C and 15A to 15C, the button 404 is initially flush with the housing 402 or in a non-depressed position. A person lifts or otherwise moves or pivots the cover or lid 410 away from the top surface 403 of the housing 402. The person presses or pushes the button 404 inward to engage the arms 405 of the button with the raised or elevated surface or walls 425 of the holder 416. The contact between the arms 415 of the button 404 and the raised or elevated walls 425 causes the holder to move downward within the housing 402. The downward movement of the comestible product holder 416 causes the securing tabs 406 to be compressed downward thereby moving comestible product holder 416 downward. When the comestible product holder 416 moves downward the comestible product is pushed upward from an initial position past the dividers 422 to position adjacent to and directly above the initial positions of the comestible product. The comestible product is therefore sequentially translated along the dividers to move the comestible product upward within the comestible product holder 416.

As illustrated in FIG. 15C, when the button 404 is released by the user, the arms release contact with the raised surfaces 425 and enable the securing members 406 to bias the comestible product holder 416 upwardly within the housing 402. The comestible product holder 416 moves back to its initial position within the housing. The comestible product is now moved sequentially upward within the housing 402 to dispense one of the products 412 from the dispenser as shown in FIG. 14C. This process may be repeated as desired to dispense one or more pieces of comestible product 412 from the dispenser 400.

Referring to FIGS. 19 to 22C, another embodiment of a comestible product dispenser is illustrated where the dispenser is generally indicated as dispenser 500. The dispenser 500 includes a housing 502 and a lid or cover 504. The lid or cover 504 is connected to a support 510. The support 510 is pivotably connected to a holding member or shaft 512 which is sized to be inserted into the housing 502. The shaft 512 has a generally rectangular shape and is sized to receive a container or comestible product holder 516, as illustrated in FIG. 20A. The shaft 512 may have any suitable size or shape which corresponds to the size and shape of the comestible product. The comestible product holder 516 includes a plurality of spaces or compartments which hold the comestible product 514. The support 510 is pivotably connected to the top of the shaft 512 so that the support 510 and the cover or lid 504 pivot with respect to the top of the shaft 512. It should be appreciated that any suitable connector may be used to connect the support 510 with the shaft 512.

Referring to FIGS. 20B and 20C, the comestible product holder 516, including the product 514, is inserted into the shaft 512. Once the comestible product holder 516 is inserted completely into the shaft 512, the shaft 512 is lowered or moved into the interior of the housing 502 until the support 510 matingly engages the housing 502. The mating engagement of the support 510 with the housing 502 secures these components together.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the comestible product holder 516 is removable and replaceable and includes a case housing 520, which holds the comestible product, and a removable seal 518. The removable seal 518 is attached to the top edges of the case housing 512 using a suitable adhesive or other suitable attachment method. In one embodiment, at least one tamper-resistant tab 519 is attached to the seal to prevent tampering with the comestible product. The removable comestible product holder 516 enables the comestible product to be easily removed and/or inserted into the dispenser 500. It should be appreciated that the comestible product may also be placed directly in the shaft 512 to dispense the product from the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 22A, the comestible product is initially contained within the housing 502 and the lid or cover 504 is in an initial position or non-pivoted position. In FIG. 22B, a person pushes inwardly against the lid or cover 504 as indicated by arrow 506 to cause the lid or cover 504 to pivot about the support 510 and thereby simultaneously raise the top portion of the lid 504 as indicated by arrow 508. An opening 513 defined by the lid 504 is revealed as the top of the lid moves upward away from the housing 502. As illustrated in FIG. 23C, the opening 513 enables one or more pieces of comestible product to be dispensed from the dispenser. The person pushes downward on the top of the lid 504 to close the opening 513 and maintain the comestible product within the housing 502.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A comestible product dispenser comprising: a top member defining an opening; a divider connected to said top member; a bottom member sized to hold a plurality of comestible products, said bottom member defining an opening, wherein the divider is so constructed and arranged to separate and dispense a designated number of the comestible products, and wherein the bottom member is coupled in a sliding relationship within the top member so that the openings defined by the top member and the bottom member can be aligned to dispense the designated number of the products.

2. The comestible product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bottom member includes a plurality of walls and a door hingedly connected to one of said walls.

3. The comestible product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bottom member includes a plurality of walls and a biasing member attached to one of said walls.

4. A comestible product dispenser comprising: a first housing defining an opening; a second housing; and a container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products, said container defining an opening, wherein said container is adapted to be removably inserted within the second housing, and wherein the second housing is coupled in a sliding relationship within the first housing so that the openings defined by the first housing and the container can be aligned to dispense one of the products.

5. The comestible product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the container defines a second opening.

6. The comestible product dispenser of claim 5, which includes a door hingedly connected to the container and positioned adjacent to the second opening, said door being movable toward and away from said second opening.

7. The comestible product dispenser of claim 4, which includes a seal positioned adjacent to said opening and removably attached to the container.

8. The comestible product dispenser of claim 7, wherein the seal is a tamper resistant tab.

9. A comestible product dispenser comprising: a first component including a first aperture; and a second component including a second aperture and a biasing member, said second component adapted to hold a plurality of comestible products, wherein the second component is slidingly engaged within the first component so that the second component can be moved from an initial position to a second position, wherein in the second position, the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned to dispense one of the products, and wherein the biasing member biases the second component away from the first component so that the second component moves from the second position to the initial position.

10. The comestible product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the biasing member includes a substantially planar member attached to said second component.

11. The comestible product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the biasing member includes a spring.

12. A comestible product dispenser comprising: a first housing including a plurality of dividers; a second housing including a plurality of dividers, said second housing being matingly press-fitted to said first housing; a container positioned between said first and second housings, said container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products; and a trigger coupled in a sliding relationship with the first and second housings, wherein the trigger is operable to cause the container to be translated sequentially along the dividers of the first and second housings to dispense one of the products.

13. The comestible product dispenser of claim 12, which includes a lid hingedly connected to the first and second housings.

14. The comestible product dispenser of claim 12, which includes a base and a lid hingedly connected to said base, wherein said base is matingly engaged with the first and second housings.

15. The comestible product dispenser of claim 12, wherein the container includes at least one tab, and wherein at least one of said first and second housing define at least one opening sized to receive the tab.

16. The comestible product dispenser of claim 12, wherein the container includes at least one raised surface adapted to be in engagement with one of said first and second arms of said input member when said input member is moved into the first and second housings.

17. A comestible product dispenser comprising: a first housing; a second housing adapted to fit within the first housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing include mating press-fitted sides that hold the first housing and the second housing together when it is desired; a holding member connected to said second housing, said holding member including at least one divider; a removable container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products, said container being positioned in said holding member; a dispensing member hingedly connected to the second housing so that the pivoting of the dispensing member causes the container to be translated sequentially along the divider to dispense one of the products.

18. The comestible product dispenser of claim 17, wherein the container is re-fillable with comestible products.

19. The comestible product dispenser of claim 17, wherein the container includes a seal.

20. The comestible product dispenser of claim 19, which includes at least one tamper resistant tab attached to the seal.

21. A method for dispensing comestible products comprising: engaging a first housing in a sliding arrangement with a second housing, said second housing being sized to hold a plurality of comestible products; and sliding said second housing towards said first housing to align an opening defined by said first housing with an opening defined by said second housing to dispense at least one product.

22. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 21, which includes attaching a door to the second housing, the door enabling a person to insert additional comestible product into the second housing.

23. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 21, which includes attaching a divider to the first housing, the divider causing a desired number of the product to be dispensed from the second housing.

24. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 21, which includes attaching a biasing member to the second housing, the biasing member biasing the second housing away from the first housing.

25. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 21, which includes providing a container sized to hold the plurality of comestible products and removably placing the container within the second housing.

26. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 25, which includes attaching a door to the container, the door enabling a person to insert additional comestible product into the container.

27. A method for dispensing comestible products comprising: engaging a first housing in a sliding arrangement with a container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products, the first housing having a divider; engaging a second housing in a sliding arrangement with the container, the second housing having a divider; and providing a trigger in a sliding arrangement with the first and second housings, said trigger engageable with the container to cause the container to sequentially translate the container past the dividers of the first and second housings to dispense one of the products.

28. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 27, which includes removing the container to insert additional comestible product into the container.

29. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 27, which includes providing a lid hingedly connected to the first and second housings to maintain the comestible product within the container.

30. A method for dispensing comestible products comprising: configuring a first housing to be hingedly connected to a second housing; connecting a comestible product container to the second housing and configuring the container to fit within the first housing, the comestible product container sized to hold a plurality of comestible products; and pivoting the second housing to dispense one of the products from the comestible product container.

31. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 30, which includes attaching a removable comestible product package within the comestible product container, the package sized to hold the comestible products.

32. The comestible product dispensing method of claim 31, which includes attaching a removable seal to the comestible product package.