FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to spill kit dispensing systems.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Spill kits are used in a variety of applications, including for the containment and disposal of potentially hazardous spills. Such kits typically include absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate, and/or pillows; disposal materials such as bags and ties; clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; as well as safety items such as gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs, and/or labels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established regulations for general requirements for spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plans, e.g., 40 CFR §112.7 and 40 CFR §§263.30-1. When spills occur, it is desirable to have spill kits readily accessible in order to quickly and safely respond to emergency situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides spill kit dispensing systems that are highly visible and easy to access when needed for the containment of potentially hazardous materials. The systems include a structure to contain and dispense multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include replaceable magazines containing multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include support structure for receiving the replaceable magazines.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing system, comprising: a support structure, and a spill kit dispensing magazine supported by the support structure. The spill dispensing magazine comprises: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, and a front panel comprising a dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit the spills kits to be sequentially removed from the spill kit dispensing magazine.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing magazine for use in a spill kit dispensing system, the spill kit dispensing magazine comprising: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, a front panel comprising a dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit spills kits to be removed from the spill kit dispensing magazine, and a plurality of spill kits contained in the body and sequentially removable therefrom through the dispensing mouth.
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing device comprising: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, and a front panel comprising at least one dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit spills kits to be removed from the spill kit dispensing device.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the spill kit dispensing system of FIG. 1 showing a spill kit being removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7. is an isometric view of a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the support structure of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the support structure of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the support structure of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a front view of the support structure of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the support structure of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a top view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of FIG. 14.
FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing device of FIG. 19 showing an open front panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a front view of the spill kit dispensing device of FIG. 19.
FIG. 22 is a side view of the spill kit dispensing device of FIG. 19.
FIG. 23 is a top view of the spill kit dispensing device of FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides self-feeding spill kit systems containing multiple spill kits that can be dispensed for quick spill response. As used herein, the term “spill kit” means a kit including materials for absorbing, collecting, containing, cleaning and/or disposing of a spill and/or safety items. In certain embodiments, the spill kits contain absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate, and/or pillows; disposal materials such as bags and ties; clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; as well as safety items such as gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs, and/or labels.
A spill kit 40 may include any suitable materials for the absorbing, collecting, containing and/or disposing of a spill and/or safety items. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each spill kit 40 has a height HK, width and depth selected to form a self-contained spill response package. For example, the height HK of each spill kit 40 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. The contents of each spill kit 40 may be intended for a one-time use and may be disposed of after use. The contents of each spill kit 40 may be packaged in a disposable or recyclable packaging, e.g., polybags, cardboard boxes, plastic containers and the like. A spill kit 40 may be vacuum-sealed. Vacuum sealing the spill kits of the present invention allow such kits to be easily dispensable, stackable and tamper resistant. Although the spill kit 40 may be vacuum sealed, it is to be understood that non-vacuum sealed spill kits may be used.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a spill kit dispensing system 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spill kit dispensing system 5 includes a support structure 10 having opposing bottom and top panels 11, 12 and back panel 13. The support structure 10 may be structured and arranged to receive a spill kit dispensing magazine 20, 120. In the embodiment shown, a lower retaining panel 14 extends from the bottom panel 11 and an upper retaining panel 15 extends from the top panel 12 to prevent the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 from being pulled from support structure 10 when a spill kit 40 is pulled from the spill kit dispensing magazine 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the spill kit dispensing system 5 is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits 40.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of the spill kit dispensing system 5 includes a spill kit dispensing magazine 20 that may be loaded into the support structure 10. The spill kit dispensing magazine 20 includes a bottom panel 21, top panel 22, side panels 23, 24 and front dispensing panel 30. The dimensions of the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be varied depending on the amount and size of the spill kits 40 to be held and dispensed.
In accordance with certain embodiments, the front dispensing panel 30 has a dispensing mouth 31 structured and arranged to permit a single spill kit 40 to be removed from the dispensing magazine 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the dispensing mouth 31 may have an access notch 32 to enable a user to grasp a spill kit 40. The access notch 32 may extend from the dispensing mouth 31 to near the midpoint of the front dispensing panel 30. In the embodiment shown, the access notch 32 is triangular. However, any other suitable shape of access notch 32 may be used, e.g., semi-circular, rectangular and the like. The front dispensing panel 30 may optionally include a base lip 33. The base lip 33 extends from the dispensing mouth 31 to the bottom of the front dispensing panel 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 has a total height HT, the dispensing mouth 31 has a height HM, the access notch 32 has a height HN and the base lip 33 has a height HL. In the embodiment shown, the base lip height HL is approximately the same as the spill kit height HK. For example, the base lip height HL may be from 70 percent to less than 150 percent of the spill kit height HK, e.g., from 90 percent to 120 percent. Such an arrangement results in the bottom spill kit 40B being retained in the magazine 20 by the base lip 33, while the next upper spill kit is staged for removal from the dispensing magazine 20. In this manner, the spill kits 40 may be sequentially removed from the magazine 20 until the last remaining spill kit 40B is left in the dispensing magazine 20 for removal. Thus, in this embodiment, a spill kit 40B may lay on the bottom panel 21 of the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 behind the base lip 33. This results in the spill kit 40 removed from the dispensing magazine being the spill kit 40 on top of the bottom spill kit 40B adjacent the bottom panel 21 of the spill kit dispensing magazine 20.
The dispensing mouth 31 has a height HM selected to allow a spill kit 40 to be removed from the dispensing magazine 20. For example, the height HM of the dispensing mouth 31 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing mouth height HM is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height HK. For example, the dispensing mouth height HM may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height HK, e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit 40 from the dispensing mouth 31, while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing magazine 20.
The access notch 32 has a height HN selected to allow a user to easily grab a spill kit 40. For example, the height HN of the access notch 32 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the access notch height HN is approximately the same or smaller than the dispensing mouth height HM. For example, the access notch height HN may be from 25 percent to less than 110 percent of the dispensing mouth height HM, e.g., from 40 percent to 90 percent.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may include an indicator window 27. In one embodiment, the indicator window 27 may be provided on one or more of the side panels 23, 24. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, there may be an indicator window 27 provided on both side panels 23, 24. The indicator window 27 may be an opening in the side panels 23, 24. In other embodiments, the indicator window 27 may comprise a transparent material (not shown) such as clear plastic. The indicator window 27 allows a user to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine 20, and enables easier handling of the dispensing magazine when it is loaded into the support structure 10 or removed therefrom. As shown in FIG. 5, the indicator window 27 has a height HW and a width W. The indicator window 27 height HW should extend for a significant distance along the height of the side panels 23, 24, for example, 50 percent of the height of the side panels 23, 24, e.g., from 75 percent to 100 percent of the height. For example, the height HW of indicator window 27 may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The width WW of the indicator window 27 may be less than its height WH, but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine 20. For example, the width WW of indicator window 27 may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches.
FIGS. 7-10 illustrate the support structure 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the support structure 10 may have at least one side opening. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the support structure 10 may have two side openings to allow the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 to be inserted or installed in the support structure 10 without the use of tools. The side openings allow the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 to be inserted or installed in the support structure 10 with no manipulation of the support structure 10, e.g., no hinged portions, flaps or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-10, the lower retaining panel 14 and an upper retaining panel 15 establish a front plane of the support structure 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the support structure 10 has a total height HS, the lower retaining panel 14 has a height HLR and the upper retaining panel 15 has a height HUR. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the lower and upper retaining panels 14, 15 extend for a height to secure the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 in the support structure 10. The lower and upper retaining panel heights HLR, HUR are also selected to allow access to the dispensing mouth 31 of the front panel 30. For example, the lower retaining panel height HLR may be equal to, or slightly less than, the base lip height HL. Similarly, the height of the upper retaining panel HUR may be less than or equal to 75 percent of the total height HT of the dispensing magazine 20 to allow the access notch 32 and the dispensing mouth 31 to remain accessible, e.g., from 30 percent to 50 percent of the total height. Once the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 is inserted into the support structure 10, the retaining panels 14, 15 act to retain the dispensing magazine 20 in the support structure 10. Although, the support structures 10 shown in the figures have lower and upper retaining panels, the support structure 10 may have only a lower retaining panel 14 or an upper retaining panel 15.
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 8-10, the bottom panel 11 of support structure 10 may also include engagement pegs 16. The top panel 12 of support structure 10 may also include engagement apertures 17. The engagement pegs 16 are sized to at least partially fit within the engagement apertures 17. In the embodiment shown, there are two engagement pegs and apertures 16, 17, but any other suitable number of engagement pegs and apertures may be used. For example, there may be zero, one, three, four or more engagement pegs and apertures. As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the support structure 10 is vertically stackable upon a second support structure 10 using the engagement pegs and apertures 16, 17. The engagement pegs 16 of the top support structure 10 are engaged with the engagement apertures 17 of the lower support structure 10.
In certain embodiments, the support structure 10 may be mountable to a wall, building column or other vertical surface. The support structure 10 may be mounted to a vertical surface using any type of mounting arrangement, including holes or slots (not shown). For example, brackets (not shown) may be bolted to the back panel 13 of the support structure 10. In another embodiment, the support structure 10 may be non-walled-mounted, e.g., the support structure 10 may be placed on a floor, table, bench or the like. The engagement pegs 16 of the support structure 10 may act as feet to stabilize the support structure when the support structure is non-wall-mounted. In another embodiment, the bottom panel 11 of the support structure has no engagement pegs 16. This allows the bottom panel 11 to comprise a flat surface for stabile horizontal mounting. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 10 may be rotated 180° such that the top panel 12 is in contact with the horizontal surface. When the support structure 10 is non-wall-mounted, it may also be mounted to the horizontal surface using any type of mounting arrangement, including holes or slots (not shown). For example, brackets (not shown) may be bolted to the back panel 13 of the support structure 10.
In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the support structure 10 is adapted to be permanent and reloadable and the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 is adapted to be replaceable. The support structure 10 may be made of any suitable materials such as plastic, metal, wood, natural or synthetic composites and the like. Suitable plastic materials include polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) and the like.
The spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be made of any suitable materials such as heavy paper, cardboard, plastic and the like. For example, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may comprise a folded recyclable cardboard box structure. The spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be preloaded with multiple spill kits 40. For example, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may hold from 2 to 20 spill kits, when full, e.g., from 3 to 15 spill kits, or from 5 to 10 spill kits. In certain embodiments, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be placed on its top panel 14 and loaded with spill kits 40 through the dispensing mouth 31. In another embodiment, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be top loaded before the top panel 14 is closed and sealed.
During use, the spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be depleted of spill kits 40. The empty spill kit dispensing magazine 20 may be easily removed from the support structure 10 and replaced with an additional preloaded spill kit dispensing magazine 20 while maintaining the support structure 10 in a stationary location. Maintaining the location of the spill kit dispensing system 5 allows users to quickly and safely access spill kits 40 to respond to emergency situations. The empty dispensing magazine 20 may be disposed of or refilled with spill kits 40.
FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a spill kit dispensing magazine 120 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar element numbers are used in FIGS. 14-18 for common features that are present in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. The spill kit dispensing magazine 120 includes a bottom panel 121, top panel 122, side panels 123, 124 and front dispensing panel 130. As shown in FIGS. 14-18, the dimensions of the spill kit dispensing magazine 120 may be varied depending on the amount and size of the spill kits 40 to be dispensed. The spill kit dispensing magazine 120 is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits 40.
In accordance with certain embodiments, the front dispensing panel 130 has a dispensing mouth 131 structured and arranged to permit a single spill kit 40 to be removed from the dispensing magazine 120. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18, the dispensing mouth 131 may have an access notch 132 to enable a user to grasp a spill kit 40. As shown in FIGS. 14-15, the access notch 132 may extend from the dispensing mouth 131 to near the midpoint of the front dispensing panel 130. As shown in FIG. 18, the access notch 132 may extend from the top dispensing mouth 131 a minimum distance to allow a user to grasp a spill kit 40. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18, the access notch 132 is rectangular. However, any other suitable shape of access notch may be used, e.g., semi-circular, triangular and the like. The front dispensing panel 130 may optionally include a base lip 133. The base lip 133 extends from the dispensing mouth 131 to the bottom of the front dispensing panel 130. As shown in FIG. 15, the spill kit dispensing magazine 120 has a total height HT, the dispensing mouth 131 has a height HM, the access notch 132 has a height HN and the base lip has a height HL. As shown in FIG. 2, the spill kit has a height HK. In the embodiment shown, the base lip 133 height HL is less than the spill kit height HK. Such an arrangement results in no bottom spill kit 40B being retained in the dispensing magazine by the base lip 33. Thus, in this embodiment, the bottom spill kit 40B is the spill kit removed from the dispensing magazine 120.
The dispensing mouth 131 has a height HM selected to allow a spill kit 40 to be removed from the dispensing magazine 120. For example, the height HM of the dispensing mouth 131 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing mouth height HM is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height HK. For example, the dispensing mouth height HM may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height HK, e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit 40 from the dispensing mouth 131, while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing magazine.
The access notch 132 has a height HN selected to allow a user to easily grab a spill kit 40. For example, the height HN of the access notch 132 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the access notch height HN is approximately the same or slightly larger than the dispensing mouth height HM. For example, the access notch height HN may be from 90 percent to less than 200 percent of the dispensing mouth height HM, e.g., from 90 percent to 140 percent.
As shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18, the spill kit dispensing magazine 120 may include an indicator window 137. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18, the indicator window 137 may be provided on the front dispensing panel 130. The indicator window 137 allows a user to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine 120, and enables easier handling of the dispensing magazine when it is loaded into the support structure 10 or removed therefrom. As shown in FIG. 15, the indicator window 137 has a height HW and a width W. The indicator window 137 height HW should extend for a significant distance along the height of the front dispensing panel, for example, 50 percent of the height of the front dispensing panel 130, e.g., from 60 percent to 80 percent. For example, the height HW of indicator window 137 may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The width WW of the indicator window 137 may be less than its height WH, but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine 120. For example, the width WW of indicator window 137 may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. In the embodiment shown, the indicator window 137 may be continuous with a side of the dispensing mouth 131 of the front dispensing panel 130. However, any other suitable arrangement of the indicator window may be used, e.g., the indicator window may continuous with the middle of the dispensing mouth or the indicator window may be separate from the dispensing mouth.
FIGS. 19-23 illustrate a spill kit dispensing device 205 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, similar element numbers are used to describe the same features found in the previous embodiments. The spill kit dispensing device 205 includes a body 210 and a front panel 230, which is shown in a closed position in FIG. 19 and an open position in FIG. 20. The spill kit dispensing device 205 is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits 40. As shown in FIGS. 19-23, front panel 230 may be pivotally mounted to body 210 by means of a hinge assembly 237. The body 210 includes a bottom panel 211, top panel 212 and side panels 213, 214. As shown in FIG. 20, divider panel 215 may be provided between the bottom panel 211 and top panel 212 in order to create upper and lower portions 222, 223 of the body 210. As shown in FIG. 21, the upper portion 222 has a height HUP and the lower portion 223 has a height HLP.
As shown in FIGS. 19-23, the upper portion height HUP may be less than the lower portion height HLP. However, any other suitable height and size arrangement may be used, e.g., the upper portion height HUP may be greater than the lower portion height HLP or the upper portion height HUP may the same size as the lower portion height HLP. For example, the upper portion height HUP may typically range from 6 inches to 4 feet, e.g., from 2 to 3 feet. The lower portion height HLP may typically range from 1 foot to 5 feet, e.g., from 2 to 4 feet. The height and size arrangement of upper and lower portions 222, 223 are configured to allow the spill kit dispensing device 205 to hold and dispense the desired variety of spill kits 40.
The spill kits 40 contained in the upper portion 222 may have a height HUK (not shown) and the spill kits 40 contained in the lower portion 223 may have a height HLK (not shown). The lower spill kit height HLK may be greater than the upper spill kit height HUK, e.g., at least 10 percent to 20 percent higher. However, any other suitable arrangement of the upper and lower spill kit heights may be used, e.g., the same heights or the upper spill kit height HUK may be greater than the lower spill kit height HLK.
During use, it may be beneficial for the spill kit dispensing device 205 to have spill kits 40 containing different materials in the upper and lower portions 222, 223. For example, the upper portion 222 may contain spill kits 40 containing safety items, e.g., gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs and the like; and the lower portion 223 may contain spill kits 40 containing absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate and/or pillows, and/or disposal materials such as bags and ties. The upper portion 222 may contain spill kits 40 containing absorbent materials for a small spill, and the lower portion 223 may contain spill kits 40 containing absorbent materials for a large spill. The upper portion 222 may contain spill kits 40 containing specialized absorbents or neutralizers for an acid spill, and the lower portion 223 may contain spill kits 40 containing specialized absorbents or neutralizers for a caustic spill. The upper portion 222 may contain spill kits 40 containing clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; and the lower portion 223 may contain spill kits 40 containing absorbent materials and/or safety items. The upper and lower portions 222, 223 may contain any combination of these spill kits 40 containing different materials. The spill kits containing different materials in the upper and lower portions 222, 223 allow a user to select the proper materials to be removed from the dispensing device when a spill occurs.
In certain embodiments, the front panel 230 has at least one dispensing mouth 232, 233 structured and arranged to permit spills kits 40 to be removed from spill kit dispensing device 205. As shown in FIGS. 19-22, the front panel 230 may have upper and lower dispensing mouths 232, 233. As shown in FIG. 21, the upper dispensing mouth 232 has a height HUM and the lower dispensing mouth 233 has a height HLM. The upper dispensing mouth height HUM is selected to allow a spill kit 40 contained in the upper portion 222 having a height HUK to be removed from the dispensing device 205. For example, the height HUM of the dispensing mouth 232 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the upper dispensing mouth height HUM is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height HUK. For example, the dispensing mouth height HUM may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height HUK, e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit 40 from the upper dispensing mouth 232, while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing device.
The lower dispensing mouth height HLM is selected to allow a spill kit 40 contained in the lower portion 223 having a height HLK to be removed from the dispensing device 205. For example, the height HLM of the dispensing mouth 232 may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the lower dispensing mouth height HLM is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height HLK. For example, the dispensing mouth height HLM may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height HLK, e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit 40 from the lower dispensing mouth 233, while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing device.
In the embodiment shown, the upper dispensing mouth height HUM is approximately the same lower dispensing mouth height HLM. However, any other suitable height and size arrangement of upper and lower dispensing mouths may be used, e.g. the upper dispensing mouth height HUM may be less than the lower dispensing mouth height HLM or the upper dispensing mouth height HUM may be greater than the lower dispensing mouth height HLM. In certain embodiments, the bottom of upper dispensing mouth 232 is intended to be substantially aligned with divider panel 215 and the bottom of lower dispensing mouth 233 is intended to be substantially aligned with bottom panel 211. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit 40 from the upper and lower dispensing mouth 232, 233.
As shown in FIGS. 19-22, the front panel 230 of the spill kit dispensing device 205 may include at least one indicator window 234, 235. Alternatively, the at least one indicator window 234, 235 may be provided on one or more of the side panels 213, 214 of the body 210. As shown in FIGS. 19-22, the front dispensing panel may have upper and lower indicator windows 234, 235. The indicator windows 234, 235 may be openings in the front panel 230. In other embodiments, the indicator window 234, 235 may comprise a transparent material (not shown) such as plastic, glass and the like. As shown in FIG. 21, the upper indicator window has a height HUW and a width WUW and the lower indicator window has a height HLW and a width WLW. The indicator windows 234, 235 allow a user to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the upper and lower portions 222, 223 of the spill kit dispensing device 205, and enables easier removal of the front panel 230.
The upper indicator window height HUW should extend for a significant distance along upper portion height HUP, for example, 50 percent of the upper portion height HUP, e.g., from 60 percent to 90 percent of the height. For example, the height HUW of upper indicator window 234 may range from 4 inches to 3 feet, or from 8 inches to 2.5 feet, or from 10 inches to 2 feet. The upper indicator window width WUW may be less than upper indicator window height HUW, but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the upper portion 222 of the spill kit dispensing device 205. For example, the width WUW of upper indicator window 234 may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches.
The lower indicator window height HLW should extend for a significant distance along lower portion height HLP, for example, 50 percent of the lower portion height HLP, e.g., from 60 to 90 percent of the height. For example, the height HLW of lower indicator window 234 may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The lower indicator window width WLW may be less than lower indicator window height HLW, but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits 40 remaining in the lower portion 223 of the spill kit dispensing device 205. For example, the width WLW of lower indicator window 234 may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. In the embodiment shown, the indicator windows 234, 235 may be separate from the dispensing mouths 232, 233 of the front panel 230. However, any other suitable arrangement of the indicator windows may be used, e.g., the indicator windows may be formed continuously with the dispensing mouths.
As noted above, the front panel 230 may be pivotably mounted to the body 210. The front panel may be rotatable about 180° between the closed position shown in FIG. 19, and the open position shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 19-23, hinge assemblies 237 may be mounted to the side panel 214 of the body 210. In the embodiment shown, two hinge assemblies 237 are illustrated. However, any other suitable number of hinge assemblies may be used, e.g., one, three, four, etc.
As shown in FIGS. 19-23, the body 210 and front panel 230 are configured to engage in interlocking relationship when the front panel 230 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 19. The interlocking relationship may be formed using any suitable such as a latch, Velcro, magnets and the like. In certain embodiments, the interlocking relationship between body 210 and front panel 230 may include a security device (not shown) to provide a tamper evident function. The security device may be a flexible wire, a strap, rod, cable or the like. In addition, the security device may be provided in the form of a lock such as a combination lock or a key lock.
In certain embodiments, the spill kit dispensing device 205 may be mountable to a wall, building column or other vertical surface. As shown in FIGS. 19-23, the body 210 includes mounting brackets 218. A mounting hole 219 is through each mounting bracket 218. A mounting device may be inserted through each mounting hole 219. The mounting holes 219 are fully or partially enclosed to prevent the mounting device from being removed from the holes 219. The mounting device may be a bolt (not shown) or other mechanical device for securing the spill kit dispensing device 205 to the vertical surface.
As shown in FIG. 23, side panel 214 may include a cleaning tool holder 217. The cleaning tool holder 217 may be provided to hold a device to aid in the absorbing, collecting, containing and/or disposing of a spill. For example, the cleaning tool holder 217 may be a two prong design adapted to removably hold the handle of a cleaning device, e.g., broom, mop, squeegee or the like. Although the cleaning tool holder 217 shown in the figures comprises a two prong design, any other suitable holder may be used, including a single prong, a fully or partially enclosed hole and the like.
The spill kit dispensing device 205 may be made of any suitable materials such as plastic, metal, natural or synthetic composites, injectable molding material and the like. For example, the body 210 and front panel 230 may be made from polyethylene. Alternately, any moldable plastic can be used for the body 210 and front panel 230 or they can be cast or machined from metal such as aluminum. The body and front panel may be made of separate material types.
Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20160318696
