DISPENSING PACKAGE

Abstract: A dispensing package (1) that is capable of accommodating a relatively large number of stick-like articles (2), of separating old and new articles and of storing remaining articles is disclosed. This dispensing package comprises a case for accommodating therein unit packages containing a plurality of stick-like articles like batteries aligned in parallel by stacking a plurality of unit packages (2), an opening (3) for putting in and taking out the unit packages provided on an upper part of the case, a lid (3) for closing the opening, and a tear-off portion (4) for forming the extracting outlet that is provided on a side wall corresponding to the unit package in the lowest position. The extracting outlet is formed on a side wall of the case facing to one end of the stick-like articles in the unit package. A large number of articles can be effectively displayed and a specified number of articles can be taken out smoothly.

Description: DESCRIPTION DISPENSING PACKAGE Technical Field The present invention relates to a dispensing package for accommodating and displaying stick-like small articles, especially small-sized cylindrical batteries such as AA size batteries for sales purpose or the like- Background Art Various kinds of packages for accommodating batteries and other daily necessaries are commercially available. In the field of batteries, widely used are so- called shrin -packages or blister-packages in which two or four batteries are wrapped by means of heat-shrinkable resin tubes . When such packages for accommodating articles are displayed, being aligned on a showcase at a storefront or suspended, customers can visually confirm with ease types, grades or brand names of contents, and the packages for accommodating articles are also conveniently portable. However, with improvements in high-functional apparatuses utilizing batteries in these years, there exists a tendency that the number of utilized batteries are increasing or that the frequency of exchanging batteries is increasing, therefore battery packages that are capable of accommodating a large number of batteries are increasingly in demand. Such demands cannot be sufficiently satisfied with conventional shrink-packages or blister-packages. In view of this point, it has been proposed to increase the number of accommodated batteries in shrink- packages or blister-packages and also a transparent plastic case for accommodating a large number of batteries by stacking has been proposed. However, if merely the number of batteries is increased, the batteries scatter when the package is opened so that keeping of the batteries becomes troublesome for users . In the case of blister-packages, not only the number of batteries that can be displayed is restricted but also unnecessary portions such as "hems" of mounting board are increased to result in higher costs. An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing package that can solve the above inconveniences of conventional packages and that can accommodate a large number of small articles , especially batteries , and also convenient for users . Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing package with which a large number of articles can be displayed in an effective manner. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing package with which a specified number of articles can be taken out from the dispensing package in a systematic manner during storage. Further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing package with which a specified number of articles can be taken out in a smooth manner. Disclosure of Invention The present invention provides a dispensing package comprising a case for accommodating therein unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages containing a plurality of stick-like articles aligned in parallel, an opening for putting in and out the unit packages provided on an upper part of the case, a lid for closing the opening, and an extracting outlet for extracting the unit packages or a tear-off portion for forming the extracting outlet that is provided on a side wall corresponding to the unit package in the lowest position. Here, it is preferable that the case is a square- tubular case and that the extracting outlet or the tear-off portion for forming the extracting outlet is provided on a side wall of the case facing to one end of stick-like articles in the unit package. The present invention further provides a battery dispensing package comprising a square-tubular case for accommodating therein unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages containing a plurality of batteries aligned in parallel, an opening for putting in and taking out the unit packages, a lid for closing the opening, and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package that is provided on a side wall facing to one end of the batteries in the unit package in the lowest position in the case. It is preferable that the unit packages are accommodated in such a way that they are inclined so that the front side of the case is lower and the rear side is higher. While the novel features of the invention are set forth particularly in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated, along with other objects and features thereof, from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing package according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery package employed in the same embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a dispensing package according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a sheet constituting a dispensing package according to the same embodiment . Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing assembling processes of the same dispensing package. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a condition in which assembly has further progressed. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a modified example of the same dispensing package. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a dispensing package according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a base that is to be combined with the same package. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a bottom of the same package. Fig. 11 is an exploded view showing a sheet comprising the same package. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention As explained above, the dispensing package according to the present invention accommodates unit packages containing a plurality of articles aligned in parallel by stacking a plurality of the unit packages, and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package is provided on a side wall corresponding to the unit package in the lowest position. A customer who has purchased such a dispensing package can form an extracting outlet for the unit package by tearing off the tear-off portion. Thus, the unit package can be extracted from the extracting outlet when articles are required for use . The remaining unit packages can be stored in the dispensing package. In this manner, the dispensing package according to the present invention is not only capable of accommodating relatively a large number of articles but also of separating old and new articles as well as of storing remaining articles . In a preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, articles to be accommodated are cylindrical like batteries, and the extracting outlet is formed on a side wall of the case facing one end of articles in the unit package in the lowest position. When extracting the unit package, the unit package in the lowest position, which is to be taken out, is applied with weight of unit packages that are stacked thereon. However, in the above-described arrangement, when extracting the unit package, articles in the package are pulled out by being slid in an axial direction to articles in overlying packages . Thus , in spite of the load of the unit packages that are stacked thereon is applied, the lowest unit package can be taken out smoothly. In another preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, unit packages are accumulated so that the side facing the front wall of the case is lower and the side facing the rear wall is higher. According to this arrangement, the depth of the dispensing package can be reduced so that display densities can be improved at limited spaces. Further, in addition to the provision of the extracting outlet on the side wall of the case, a part of the load of the overlying packages exerts on the front wall of the case when the unit package is extracted, so the unit package can be extracted even easier. Similarly, by arranging the lid of the case to be inclined, indications related to types, grades or brands of contents displayed on the lid are visible from the front, therefore displaying effects can also be improved. The dispensing package of the present invention is preferably provided with a bottom wall with which the case can stand independently on a mounting board or with a suspending piece for suspending the case on a top end of the case. By arranging the package to be of desktop-type and/or suspending- type, articles can be stored in a visible manner to be ready for use. In another preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, at least the front wall of the case is transparent. With this arrangement, the unit packages in the case can be confirmed from outside. Especially when the unit packages are shrink-packages utilizing transparent resin, the articles themselves can be visually confirmed from outside. With this arrangement, types, grades or brands of articles that are marked on the articles can be easily confirmed in a visual manner so that displaying effects can be improved. Further, by applying designs on the lid or by making an arrangement with which contents can be visually confirmed, displaying effects can be further improved. In still another mode for carrying out the present invention, a partition is placed on the unit package in the highest position in the case. By putting, for instance, used batteries on the partition, it is also convenient to collect waste materials . In a preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, a dispensing package is assembled by a single sheet and the single sheet comprises: a front wall, a rear wall and right and left side walls forming a square-tubular case for accommodating unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages; flaps and a lid for closing an upper opening of the case; a bottom wall constituting a bottom of the case; and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting a unit package in the lowest position in the case that is provided either on the left side wall or on the right side wall. If necessary, a suspending portion may be formed at a top end of the case, for instance, on the rear wall. A base for placing the unit packages thereon can be inserted inside the case. In still another preferred mode for carrying out the present invention, a dispensing package is assembled by a single sheet and the single sheet comprises : a front wall, a rear wall and right and left side walls forming a square-tubular case for accommodating unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages; flaps and a lid for closing an upper opening of the case; a first base-forming portion including bottom wall pieces, upstanding pieces and top surface pieces that are respectively connected to the lower part of the right and left side walls; a bottom wall connected to the lower part of the front wall; a second base-forming portion including an upstanding piece, a top surface piece and a down-standing piece that are respectively connected to the rear wall; and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package in the lowest position in the case that is provided either on the left side wall or on the right side wall. According to this arrangement, a base onto which the unit packages are placed can be incorporated into the case. Since this base is provided with legs constituted by the upstanding piece and the down-standing piece, the base is strong enough to stand the load of stacked unit packages. If necessary, a suspending portion may be formed at a top end of the case, for instance, on the rear wall. Next, concrete embodiments will be explained. Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows an example of a dispensing package, and Fig. 2 shows, as a unit package for articles, a unit package 6 of a shrink-package made of a transparent resin tube 8 in which four cylindrical AA size batteries 7, for instance, are aligned in parallel with each other and packed by heat- shrinkage of the resin tube. The dispensing package 1 comprises a square-tubular case 2 for stacking a plurality of unit packages 6 and a lid 3 which closes an upper opening of the case. A base 4 is inserted into a bottom portion of the case 2. The base 4 is made of plastic and formed into a square-tubular shape having an open bottom surface and a top surface being inclined so that a front side is lower and a rear side is higher. The unit packages 6 are stacked on the base 4 in the case 2 in such a way that they are inclined so that their front side is lower. An extracting outlet 5 for extracting the unit package in the lowest position is formed on the right side wall of the case 2. The extracting outlet 5 is formed by tearing off a tear-off portion that have been preliminarily marked off by means of perforations in the portion constituting the right side wall of the case. The dispensing package has a bottom wall with which it can stand independently on a table. If necessary, a piece for suspending the case having a suspending hole may be provided on a part of the case, for instance, on a rear wall. In this example, the dispensing package 1 is made of transparent plastic sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate . The unit packages 6 are stacked so that the ends of the batteries face to the side walls of the dispensing package and so that the trunk portion of the batteries are positioned to the front of the dispensing package, therefore the types, grades or brands that are marked on the batteries can be visually confirmed from the front of the dispensing package. The extracting outlet 5 for extracting each unit package is provided on the side wall facing one end of the batteries 7 in the unit package 6 , so the unit package is pulled out in an axial direction of the batteries contained therein when extracting the unit package. At this time, the trunk portion of the batteries of the unit package to be extracted are made to slide in an axial direction to the trunk portion of the batteries of an overlying unit package so that the unit package can be easily extracted in spite of the load of the overlying unit packages. If the unit package is to be extracted in a vertical direction to the axe of the batteries, it cannot be extracted easily because concaves and convexes extending in a vertical direction to the extracting direction are formed on the top surface of the unit package. While the extracting outlet is formed on the side wall of the case, it may also be formed on the front wall or the rear wall of the case. The material for the case is not limited to plastic, and it is also possible to use paper or the like. Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, the base portion according to Embodiment 1 is also assembled by a sheet constituting a dispensing package. Fig. 3 illustrates an assembled dispensing package and Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a sheet constituting the package. A sheet 10 constituting the dispensing package is made of a sheet of plastic or paper punch-processed by using a specified mold, and folding marks and perforations that are to be described later are formed on the sheet at the same time. Numeral 11 denotes a front wall and a left side wall 12 is connected via a folding mark 11a to the left of the front wall 11 and a right side wall 13 via a folding mark lib on the right of the front wall 11, respectively. A rear wall 14 is connected to further right to the right side wall 13 via a folding mark 13a, and a margin for paste 15 to the left side wall 12 via a folding mark 12a. An upper wall 21 and a bottom wall 31 are connected to above and below, respectively, of the front wall 11, via folding marks lie and lid, respectively. Further, an inserting piece 41 is connected to the upper wall 21 via a folding mark 21c and an inserting piece 51 is connected to the bottom wall 31 via a folding mark 31d. Cuts 21e are provided at both ends of the folding mark 21c and cuts 31e are provided at both ends and the center of the folding mark 3Id. A flap 22 is provided on an upper portion of the left side wall 12 via a folding mark 12c, and on a lower portion of the left side wall 12, there are sequentially provided a folding mark 12d, bottom wall piece 32, folding mark 32d, upstanding piece 52, folding mark 52d and a top surface piece 62. On an upper portion of the right side wall 13, a flap 23 is provided via a folding mark 13c, and on a lower portion of the right side wall 13, there are sequentially provided a folding mark 13d, bottom wall piece 33, folding mark 33d, upstanding piece 53, folding mark 53d and a top surface piece 63. On a lower portion of the rear wall 14, there are sequentially formed a folding mark 14d, upstanding piece 54, folding mark 54d, a top surface piece 34, a folding mark 34d, and an down-standing piece 55. A tear-off portion 16 is marked off by means of perforations 13e and 13f on the right side wall 13 and apertures 17 and 18 are respectively provided on the front wall 11 and the rear wall 14 adjacent to the right and the left of the tear-off portion. An aperture 19 is formed on the left side wall 12. A method for assembling the dispensing package by using the sheet 10 will be explained now. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are perspective views of assembling processes when seen from the side of the front wall 11. First, the left side wall 12, the margin for paste 15, the right side wall 13 and the rear wall 14 are bent at right angles to respective adjoining pieces so that the folding marks 11a, lib, 12a and 13a face outward. The margin for paste 15 is adhered to inner surface of the rear side wall 14 at a proper step of assembly. Next, the bottom wall piece 32, upstanding piece 52 and the top surface piece 62 are bent at right angles to their adjoining pieces so that the folding marks 12d, 32d and 52d face outward. Similarly, the bottom wall piece 33, upstanding piece 53 and the top surface piece 63 are bent at right angles to their adjoining pieces at the folding marks 13d, 33d and 53d. Then, the bottom wall 31 and the inserting piece 51 are bent at right angles at folding marks lid and 3Id. Furthermore, the upstanding piece 54 is bent at folding mark 14d and is overlapped to an inner surface of the rear wall 14 and the top surface piece 34 and the down- standing piece 55 are bent to make right angles to adjoining pieces so that the folding marks 54d and 34d face inward. Then, by placing the bottom wall piece 32 on an top surface of the bottom wall 31, the top surface piece 62 forms a base portion 31L having a lower front side between the rear wall 14 and the upstanding piece 54 that has been overlapped onto the inner surface of the front wall 11 and on the left half of the bottom wall 31 by using the upstanding piece 52 as a leg. Similarly, the top surface piece 63 forms a base portion 31R having a lower front side between the rear wall 14 and the upstanding piece 54 and on the right half of the bottom wall 31 by using the upstanding piece 53 as a leg. Upper surfaces of the base portions 31L and 31R are covered by the top surface piece 34 and the down-standing piece 55 connected to the top surface piece 34 is inserted between the front wall 11 and the base portions 31L and 31R to come in contact with the bottom wall 31. The inserting piece 51 connected to the bottom wall 31 is inserted between the rear wall 14 and the base portions 31L and 31R. In this manner, a base is formed using the bottom wall piece 32, upstanding piece 52, and the top surface piece 62 that are connected to the left side wall 12 and bottom wall piece 33, upstanding piece 53, and the top surface piece 63 that are connected to the right side wall 13, the upstanding piece 54, top surface piece 34, and the down-standing piece 55 that are connected to the rear wall 14 cover the base, and the upstanding piece 54 and down-standing piece 55 serve as legs, so that it is possible to form a base that is strong enough to stack unit packages thereon even if it is made of a thin sheet. Through these steps, it is possible to assemble a dispensing package having an upper opening. This opening is closed by bending the flaps 22 and 23 at the folding marks 12c and 13c at right angles to the left side wall 12 and the right side wall 13, respectively, bending the upper wall 21 at the folding mark lie and also bending the inserting piece 41 at the folding mark 21c to make it inserted between the rear wall 14 and the flaps 22 and 23. In this manner, the dispensing package including a support base for stacking the unit packages thereon composed of the base portions 31L and 31R and the top surface piece 34 covering the base portions is completed. It is possible to insert and stack five unit packages 6 through its upper opening, close the lid and affix a seal for display at a storefront . Fig. 7 shows a modified example of the above- described sheet. In this example, a tongue-shaped piece 16a is formed by providing a folding mark 13h and a cut mark 13g on a part of the tear-off portion 16, while a tongue-shaped piece 34a that has been cut and raised at a cut mark 34g is formed on the top surface piece 34 that forms the base portion. Then, when assembling the dispensing package, the tongue- shaped piece 16a is bent inward, the top surface piece 34 is overlapped thereon, and a tip end of the tongue-shaped piece 16a is inserted to be pinched between the top surface piece 34 and the tongue-shaped piece 34a by slightly pressing down the tongue piece 34a. In this manner, the base portion can be strengthened. Embodiment 3 The present embodiment illustrates an example in which the base portion for stacking the unit packages thereon is formed separately from the sheet for assembling the package. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an assembled package. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a base to be inserted into the bottom portion of the package, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a bottom wall of the package. First, a sheet constituting the package will be explained with reference to the exploded view as shown in Fig. 11. Numeral 111 denotes a front wall. A left side wall 112 is provided on the left side of the front wall 111 via a folding mark Ilia, and to the left of the left side wall 112, a margin for paste 115 is provided via a folding mark 112a. A right side wall 113 is provided on the right side of the front wall 111 via a folding mark 111b, and to the right of the right side wall 113, a rear wall 114 is provided via a folding mark 113a. On an upper portion of the front wall 111, there is provided a top wall 121 via a folding mark 111c and on an upper portion of the top wall 121, an inserting piece 141 is provided via a folding mark 121c. On a lower portion of the front wall 111, there is provided a bottom wall piece 131 via a folding mark llld. At both ends of the folding mark 121c, there are provided cuts 121e. A flap 122 is provided on an upper portion of the left side wall 112 via a folding mark 112c, and on an lower portion of the left side wall 112, a bottom wall piece 132 is provided via a folding mark 112d. Similarly, a flap 123 is provided on an upper portion of the right side wall 113 via a folding mark 113c and on an lower portion of the right side wall 113, a bottom wall piece 133 is provided via a folding mark 113d. A lapel piece 124 is provided at an upper portion of the rear wall 114 via a folding mark 114c and the lapel piece 124 and a corresponding portion of the rear wall 114 are provided with suspending holes 125B and 125A by punching. At a lower portion of the rear wall 114, a bottom wall piece 134 is provided via a folding mark 114d. A tear-off portion 116 is marked off by means of perforations 113e and 113f on the right side wall 113 and apertures 117 and 118 are respectively provided on the front wall 111 and the rear wall 114 adjacent to the right and the left of the tear-off portion. An aperture 119 is formed on the left side wall 112. In order to assemble the dispensing package by using the sheet 100, the sheet is bent at right angles at the folding marks Ilia, 111b, 112a and 113a so that the folding marks face outward, and the margin for paste 115 is adhered to the rear wall 114. Thereafter, the bottom wall pieces 131, 132, 133 and 134 are bent inward at right angles at the folding marks llld, 112d, 113d and 114d. At this time, the bottom wall piece 134 is placed onto the bottom wall pieces 132 and 133, and a tip end of an extruding piece 131A of the bottom wall piece 131 is inserted inward of the bottom wall piece 134 from a bottom portion of a notched portion 134A of the bottom wall piece 134. With this arrangement, the tip end of the extruding piece 131A is pinched between the bottom wall piece 134 and the bottom wall pieces 132 and 133, so that a tapered portion 131B connected to the extruding piece 131A presses against inward end portions of both tip end portions 134B of the bottom wall piece 134. In this way, a dispensing package having a closed bottom and an upper opening is produced. Then, the base 131 is inserted into the dispensing package. The base 131 is formed so that the top surface and the four side walls are molded, with the top surface inclined in such a way that the front side is lower and the rear side is higher. Next, the flaps 122 and 123 are bent inward at the folding marks 112c and 113c, then the upper wall 121 is bent inward at the folding mark 111c and the inserting piece 141 is bent at the folding mark 121c, and subsequently insert the inserting piece 141 is inserted between the rear wall 114 and the flaps 122 and 123, thereby to close the opening of the dispensing package. The dispensing package as illustrated herein is for stacking unit packages of, for instance, two AAA size batteries aligned with each other. Industrial Applicability As explained above, the present invention provides a dispensing package that can, not only store a relatively large number of articles but can also separate used and new articles and store articles in stock, and further can exhibit great displaying effects .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A dispensing package comprising: a case for accommodating therein unit packages containing a plurality of stick-like articles aligned in parallel by stacking a plurality of unit packages; an opening for putting in and taking out said unit packages provided on an upper part of said case; a lid for closing said opening; and an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package or a tear-off portion for forming the extracting outlet that is provided on a side wall corresponding to the unit package placed in the lowest position in said case. 2. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said case is a square-tubular case and said extracting outlet or the tear-off portion for forming the extracting outlet is provided on a side wall of said case facing one end of stick-like articles in said unit package. 3. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said unit packages are accommodated in such a way that they are inclined so that the side facing the front wall of the case is lower and the side facing the rear wall is higher. 4. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said case has a bottom surface with which the case can stand independently on a mounting board. 5. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a suspending piece for suspending the case is provided on a top end of the case. 6. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least a front wall of the case is transparent . 7. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a partition is placed on the unit package in the highest position in the case. 8. A dispensing package comprising: a square-tubular case for accommodating therein unit packages containing a plurality of batteries aligned in parallel by stacking a plurality of unit packages; an opening for putting in and out the unit packages provided on an upper part of said square-tubular case; a lid for closing said opening; and an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package or a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package that is provided on a side wall facing one end of the batteries in the unit package placed in the lowest position in said square-tubular case. 9. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said unit packages are accommodated in such a way that they are inclined so that the side facing the front wall of the case is lower and the side facing the rear wall is higher. 10. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 8, wherein said square-tubular case has a bottom wall with which the case can stand independently on a mounting board. 11. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 8 , wherein a suspending piece for suspending the case is provided on a top end of the case. 12. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 8 , wherein at least a front wall of the case is transparent . 13. The dispensing package in accordance with claim 8 , wherein a partition is placed on the unit package in the highest position in the case. 14. A dispensing package that is assembled by a single sheet, said single sheet comprising: a front wall, a rear wall and right and left side walls forming a square-tubular case for accommodating unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages; flaps and a lid for closing an upper opening of the case; a bottom wall constituting a bottom of the case; and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting a unit package in the lowest position in the case that is provided either on the left side wall or on the right side wall. 15. A dispensing package that is assembled by a single sheet, said single sheet comprising: a front wall, a rear wall and right and left side walls forming a square-tubular case for accommodating unit packages by stacking a plurality of unit packages ; flaps and a lid for closing an upper opening of the case; a first base-forming portion including bottom wall pieces, upstanding pieces and top surface pieces that are respectively connected to the lower part of said right and left side walls; a bottom wall connected to the lower part of said front wall; a second base-forming portion including an upstanding piece, a top surface piece and a down-standing piece that are respectively connected to the rear wall; and a tear-off portion for forming an extracting outlet for extracting the unit package in the lowest position in the case that is provided either on the left side wall or on the right side wall.

Inventors: KUMAKURA KATSUHIKO, ONO TADASHI, KUMAKURA, KATSUHIKO, ONO, TADASHI
Applicants: KUMAKURA KATSUHIKO, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, ONO TADASHI, KUMAKURA, KATSUHIKO, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., ONO, TADASHI
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65D5
IPC codes: B65D5, B65D71, B65D77, B65D85