Patent Application
20130186800
The present invention relates in general to dispensing cartons having tear-out orifice covers.
A variety of single use, disposable products such as gloves, facemasks and the like are packaged in dispensing cartons. These dispensing cartons frequently have a tear-out opening or dispensing orifice cover.
Exemplary cartons or carton modifications for dispensing a variety of products including surgical gloves, tissues, dust mitts, and disposable gloves, are described at, for example:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,152 for “Surgical Glove Carton” issued to Allen on Jul. 17, 1973, describes a flat, sterilizable carton that is configured to store a pair of surgical gloves for an extended period in sterile condition and then “snap open” to a flat configuration and also lock in the flat configuration to present the surgical gloves to a user on a sterile field of cardboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,936 for “Medical Glove Dispensing Enclosure” issued to Arizmendi on Sep. 5, 2000, describes an envelope made of tubular net material that is stretched around a glove dispensing box or the like such that a sphincter closure in the net material is located over an opening in the dispensing box. The sphincter closure is made by cutting a hole in the net material and weaving an elastic band around the hole.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,175 for “Dusting Mitt Dispensing System” issued to Shiffler et al., on Dec. 3, 2002, describes a dispensing system for dispensing dusting mitts that have a thumb that is folded and arranged to present the thumb at the top of a stack of mitts. The dispensing system includes a carton having a top cover that pivots along a top seam at the back of the carton. The top cover contains a perforation pattern that forms an access flap when the perforations are severed. The access flap is integrally connected to the top cover along a seam to provide access to the contents.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,714 for “Container Allowing Choice of Multiple Openings for Dispensing Preference” issued to Kruchoski et al., on May 3, 2005, describes a dispensing container for dispensing sheets in which the container has a first dispensing opening for pop-up dispensing of sheets such as facial tissue. The container has a second opening to provide group dispensing of a plurality of sheets simultaneously without having to disassociate the sheets from each other. The openings can be overlayed on each other, or one opening can be placed on one portion of the container and another opening on another portion of the container to provide a consumer with various dispensing options.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0210096 A1 for “High-Volume Package Dispense” by Ellswood et al., published on May 3, 2005, describes a dispenser package system for protective articles, having a substantially vertical product storage orientation and package design. The package includes a double or multi-chambered dispenser unit that can provide within substantially the same footprint as a conventional dispenser container a greater volume of product. The package can store and dispense at least 50 percent, up to about 200 percent or greater capacity than conventional dispenser for protective article products such as gloves or face masks.
While these cartons or carton modifications for dispensing a variety of products provide improvements, the each fail to recognize or address the need for allowing a user to select a first orifice to access the interior of a container and subsequently expand the orifice to enhance access to the interior of the container. These cartons or carton modifications also fail to recognize or address the need for allowing a user to select between two different sized orifices at the same location on a carton. Meeting this need is important because carton sizes are increasing and the larger cartons present difficulties dispensing individual products such as examination gloves as the quantity of products become depleted to a level that the products are no longer located near the orifice. The need is particularly apparent for larger volume packages having contents that may settle or become difficult to access, particularly in a health care environment.
The problems described above are addressed by the present invention which encompasses a dispensing assembly for dispensing articles such as disposable gloves. The assembly includes a container having a plurality of panels. The panels define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container. The assembly also includes a removable section in the dispensing region. The removable section has a first portion outlining a first orifice and at least a second portion outlining a second orifice that subtends the first portion. For example, the first portion may be completely surrounded by the second portion. Alternatively, the first portion and the second portion may be merged in at least one zone such that the first dispensing orifice and at least the second dispensing orifice are each defined by a common edge of the dispensing region.
In an aspect of the invention, the first portion of the removable section may have an oval shape and the second portion of the removable section may have a generally crescent shape that extends or expands the oval shape of the first portion. The first portion and the second portion (or additional portions) of the removable section may have a variety of shapes, sizes or configurations. The first portion of the removable section may be the same size or may be larger than the second portion of the removable section. Alternatively, the first portion of the removable section may be smaller than the second portion of the removable section. The first portion and second portion of the removable section may be defined by perforations, scores, underscores, partial cuts through the material and combinations thereof.
The dispensing assembly also includes a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section and at least a second component to simultaneously remove both the first portion and at least the second portion of the removable section such that removal of the first component forms the first orifice (providing access to the chamber) and removal of the second component forms a second orifice (providing access to the chamber) that incorporates the first orifice. In an aspect of the invention, the second component is configured to remove at least the second portion of the removable section that remains after the first portion is removed. The first and second removal components are selected from flaps, tabs, finger recesses, indentations, or the like and combinations thereof.
According to the invention, the dispensing assembly may further include indicia identifying at least one of the following: the first component, the second component, the first portion of the removable section, the second portion of the removable section, and combinations thereof.
The present invention also encompasses a dispensing assembly that includes a container having a plurality of panels. These panels define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container. The assembly also includes a removable section in the dispensing region. The removable section has a first portion outlining a first orifice and at least a second portion outlining a second orifice that subtends the first portion. The assembly also includes a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section to define a first orifice and at least a second component to: (i) simultaneously remove both the first portion and the second portion of the removable section to define a second orifice that incorporates the first orifice; or (ii) remove at least the second portion of the removable section that remains after the first portion of the removable section is removed.
The present invention also encompasses a package of articles. The package includes a container having or including a plurality of panels configured to define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container; a removable section in the dispensing region of the container, the removable section having a first portion outlining a first dispensing orifice and at least a second portion; and a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section to define a first dispensing orifice providing access into the chamber and at least a second component to: (i) simultaneously remove both the first portion and the second portion of the removable section to define a second orifice providing access into the chamber that is larger than and incorporates the first orifice; or (ii) remove at least the second portion of the removable section that remains after the first portion of the removable section is removed. The package also includes a plurality of articles disposed within the chamber of the container, each article in communication with but not attached to another article. According to the invention, initial access to the plurality of articles within the chamber of the container may be obtained utilizing the first orifice and subsequent access may be obtained utilizing the second orifice or initial access to the plurality of articles may be achieved utilizing only the second orifice.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present disclosure will be made clear by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the disclosure and the accompanying drawings wherein reference numerals refer to like or equivalent structures.
Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment.
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown at
The panels 14 define a chamber “C” and a dispensing region 16 on the container. The assembly also includes a removable section 18 in the dispensing region. The removable section has a first portion 20 outlining a first orifice 22 and at least a second portion 24 outlining a second orifice 26 that subtends the first portion 20. As used herein, the term “subtends” refers to the relationship between a first portion and a second portion such that one portion may be adjacent to and delimit the other portion. For example, one component may be discrete component yet can be incorporated or subsumed into a second component.
Referring to
The first portion and the second portion (or yet other additional portions) of the removable section may have a variety of shapes, sizes or configurations. For example, as illustrated in
The first portion and second portion of the removable section may be defined by perforations, scores, underscores, or partial cuts through the material and combinations thereof. Such features are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,412 for “Tear Out Opening Device” issued to Wysocki on Jun. 19, 1979, describes half-cut configurations used for a tear out flap, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Referring now to
According to an aspect of the invention, the second portion 24 may be designed to have shoulder areas “S” as illustrated in
According to the invention, the dispensing assembly also includes a first component 52 to remove only the first portion 20 of the removable section and at least a second component 54 to simultaneously remove both the first portion 20 and at least the second portion 24 of the removable section. The first and second removal components 52, 54 may be flaps, tabs, rings, finger recesses, indentations, or the like and combinations thereof.
Referring now to
Referring now to
According to the invention, the dispensing assembly may further include indicia identifying at least one of the following: the first component, the second component, the first portion of the removable section, the second portion of the removable section, and combinations thereof. These indicia may be used to provide instructions to a user about how to utilize the first component 52 to initially remove the first portion 20 of the removable section 18 and then how to subsequently utilize the second component 54 to remove the second portion 24 that remains after the first portion of the removable section 18 is removed. Alternatively and/or additionally, the indicia may be used to provide instructions to a user about how to utilize the second component 54 to remove the first portion 20 and the second portion 24 simultaneously.
The present invention also encompasses a package of articles. The package includes a container having or including a plurality of panels configured to define a chamber and a dispensing region on the container; a removable section in the dispensing region of the container, the removable section having a first portion outlining a first dispensing orifice and at least a second portion; and a first component to remove only the first portion of the removable section to define a first dispensing orifice providing access into the chamber and at least a second component to: (i) simultaneously remove both the first portion and the second portion of the removable section to define a second orifice providing access into the chamber that is larger than and incorporates the first orifice; or (ii) remove at least the second portion of the removable section that remains after the first portion of the removable section is removed. The package also includes a plurality of articles disposed within the chamber of the container, each article in communication with but not attached to another article. According to the invention, initial access to the plurality of articles within the chamber of the container may be obtained utilizing the first orifice and subsequent access may be obtained utilizing the second orifice or initial access to the plurality of articles may be achieved utilizing only the second orifice.
The plurality of articles is desirably a plurality of disposable articles. As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to a product that is so inexpensive that it may economically be discarded after only a single use. Products that are “disposable” are typically intended for single use. The term “single-use” refers to a product that is intended to be used for only once and is not intended to be re-used, re-conditioned, restored or repaired after that use. These products offer advantages in clinical settings by reducing the potential for contamination or infection. In addition, these products can enhance work flow since they are not collected and assembled for reprocessing and reuse. Examples of disposable articles include disposable examination gloves, disposable facemasks and the like.
Dispensing disposable examination gloves from a package can be particularly difficult. For smaller-sized examination gloves, such as, for example, standard small or extra-small sizes, users may wish to have a smaller orifice to access the contents of the carton to prevent gloves from spilling out. The size of these gloves may be close to or not much larger than the size of the orifice. In some cases, the dimensions of the gloves may be smaller than the size of the orifice. This is particularly notable when the dispensing carton is initially opened and the contents are immediately adjacent the orifice. However, for larger-sized examination gloves, such as, for example, standard large or extra-large sizes, users may wish to have a larger orifice to provide for easier dispensing from the carton. The size of these gloves may be larger or even much larger than a typical glove dispensing orifice. The present invention allows the user to select a dispensing orifice. For example, the user may use the first component 52 to remove the first portion 20 to provide a smaller orifice 22 if the contents of the package/dispensing assembly 10 are smaller-sized articles such as smaller-sized examination gloves. The present invention also allows the user to use the second component 54 to simultaneously remove the first portion 20 and the second portion 24 if the contents of the package/dispensing assembly 10 are larger-sized articles such as larger-sized examination gloves. Thus, the dispensing assembly 10 is suitable for use with either smaller-sized or larger-sized articles (e.g., examination gloves) without requiring customized modifications to the dispensing assembly/package during manufacture. That is, the user is able to easily select between two different sized orifices at the same location on a carton and remove the appropriate portion to deploy the orifice.
In order to improve economy, dispensing assemblies or packages are frequently larger in size to hold larger quantities of articles. When dispensing articles such as, for example, disposable examination gloves from a larger carton or package, dispensing becomes problematic after a sufficient quantity of articles (e.g., gloves) is depleted so the gloves are no longer readily accessible near the orifice. Users are forced to tip the dispensing assembly or package or even insert their fingers or entire hand deep into the package to grasp and withdraw an article. The orifice is typically about the same size as the user's hand, so mobility as well as vision inside the package (e.g., the chamber of the dispensing assembly) is restricted.
The present invention allows a user to select a first orifice to access the interior of a container and subsequently expand the orifice to enhance access to the interior of the container. This is particularly important for larger volume packages having contents that may settle or become difficult to access, especially in a health care environment.
For example, the present invention allows the user to use the first component 52 to remove the first portion 20 to provide a smaller orifice 22 for initial dispensing of articles such as, for example, examination gloves from a large container. As the contents settle or a sufficient quantity of articles (e.g., gloves) is depleted so the gloves are no longer readily accessible near the orifice, the present invention also allows the user to use the second component 54 to remove the second portion 24 of the removable section 18 that remains after the first portion 20 of the removable section was removed. Thus, the dispensing assembly 10 is suitable for use with large containers without requiring customized modifications to the dispensing assembly/package during manufacture. That is, the user is able to initiate access to the plurality of articles within the chamber of the container by removing the first portion 20 of the removable section to provide the first orifice 22 and then expand the first orifice 22 by removing the second portion 24 of the removable section that remains after the first portion 20 of the removable section was removed. That is, the user is able to easily expand a first orifice into a second, larger orifice at the same location on a container to increase access to articles in a large container.
While various patents have been incorporated herein by reference, to the extent there is any inconsistency between incorporated material and that of the written specification, the written specification shall control. In addition, while the disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications and other changes may be made to the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the claims cover all such modifications, alterations and other changes encompassed by the appended claims.
