Product and method for dispensing and packaging items having complementary components

Abstract

The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary components. The complementary components are provided in stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the complementary components. One stack will have one complementary component located on the top end of the stack and the other complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids are packaged together for complementary use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form of a packaged product having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses at least two complementary components of a product.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of a blank of the carton shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged product each having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses at least two complementary components of the product.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged product each having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses at least two complementary components of the product.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a form of a blank of a carton for packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids when erected into a carton.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a form of a blank of a carton for packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids when erected into a carton.

Claims

1) A combination dispenser and product package comprising: a) a carton having a top end and a bottom end;b) a first stack comprising: i) a top end and a bottom end;ii) a first nested plurality of a first component oriented toward the top end of this first stack;iii) a first nested plurality of a second component oriented toward the bottom end of this first stack;c) a second stack comprising: i) a second nested plurality of the first component oriented toward the bottom end of this second stack;ii) a second nested plurality of the second component oriented toward the top end of this second stack;whereini) the first and second stacks are situated in the carton with their respective top ends oriented toward the top end of the carton;ii) the first pluralities are equal in number of components;iii) the second pluralities are equal in number of components; andthe first and second components are complementary to each other.

2) The product of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a wrapping material enclosing the carton and stacks.

3) The product of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a cup and the second component comprises a lid sized to fit the cup.

4) The product of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a food container and the second component comprises a container lid sized to fit the container.

5) The product of claim 1, wherein the nested pluralities each comprise from about 5 to about 20 each of the first and second components.

6) The product of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a side wall, an opposing side wall, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, and a perforated section.

7) The product of claim 6, wherein the perforated section is removable, thereby increasing the ability of the user to select a component situated in a lower portion of the stack.

8) The product of claim 6, wherein the perforated section is disposed on both sides of a corner between the side wall and the front wall of the carton.

9) The product of claim 6, wherein the top of the side wall extends diagonally upward from the top of the front wall to the top of the back wall, the front wall having a height of 30% to 60% of the height of the back wall with perforated section being located on the corner between the diagonal side wall and front wall, wherein the stacks are situated within the carton such that a portion of each stack is exposed corresponding to the top of the diagonal side wall.

10) A method of dispensing a product comprising at least two complementary components comprising: a) providing a combination comprising; i) a carton having a top end and a bottom end;ii) a first stack comprising: (1) a top end and a bottom end;(2) a first nested plurality of a first component oriented toward the top end of this first stack;(3) a first nested plurality of a second component oriented toward the bottom end of this first stack;iii) a second stack comprising: (1) a second nested plurality of the first component oriented toward the bottom end of this second stack;(2) a second nested plurality of the second component oriented toward the top end of this second stack;wherein (1) the first and second stacks are situated in the carton with their respective top ends oriented toward the top end of the carton;(2) the first pluralities are equal in number of components;(3) the second pluralities are equal in number of components; and(3) the first and second components are complementary to each other, andb) selecting a component from each of the first and the second stacks.

11) The method of claim 10, wherein the combination comprises a wrapping material enclosing the stacks within the carton prior to a first selecting step, and wherein the wrapping material is removed from the combination prior to the first selecting step.

12) The method of claim 10, wherein the first component comprises a cup and the second component comprises a lid sized to fit the container.

13) The method of claim 10, wherein the first component comprises a food container and the second component comprises a container lid sized to fit the container.

14) The method of claim 10, wherein the nested plurality each comprise from about 5 to about 20 each of the first and second components.

15) The method of claim 10, wherein the carton comprises a side wall, an opposing side wall, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, and a perforated section.

16) The method of claim 15, wherein the perforated section is removable, thereby increasing the ability of the user to select a component situated in a lower portion of the stack.

17) The method of claim 15, wherein the perforated section is disposed on both sides of a corner between the side wall and the front wall of the carton.

18) The method of claim 15, wherein the top of the side wall extends diagonally upward from the top of the front wall to the top of the back wall, the front wall having a height of 30% to 60% of the height of the back wall with perforated section being located on the corner between the diagonal side wall and front wall, wherein the stacks are situated within the carton such that a portion of each stack is exposed corresponding to the top of the diagonal side wall.