Abstract:
A collapsible dispenser for dispensing various edible and non-edible materials in an industrial or home environment. More particularly, the invention pertains to a foldable and generally pyramoidal-shaped dispenser particularly suited to dispensing granular, powdered or viscous liquid materials and includes a dispenser body having a dispensing end and an interior compartment for receiving and storing various materials. The dispenser body includes a foldable base that may be manually manipulated between a collapsed position closing and sealing a dispensing mechanism and an expanded position opening and unsealing the dispensing mechanism for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to a foldable, flat generally two dimensional container and expandable to a three dimensional dispenser for dispensing materials in an industrial or home environment. More particularly, the invention pertains to a foldable generally pyramoidal-shaped dispenser particularly suited to dispensing granular, powdered or viscous liquid materials. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional disposable seasoning dispensers typically take the form of substantially flat packets composed of a paper or similar material having an interior compartment or chamber for storing seasonings, condiments or other materials. Such dispensers are generally not foldable and have many short-comings, particularly, in the manner in which the dispenser is manipulated by a user to dispense the contents from the packet. For example, many dispensers require ripping, tearing or shearing of an edge portion of the dispenser to release the contents. This method results in the pouring of streams of material from the dispenser in one concentrated area. Moreover, due to not having a resealable construction, the dispenser in the prior art requires the complete depletion of contents therefrom. Such prior art dispensers also require complicated tamper proof seals that are expensive to produce and apply to condiment containers. 
     Dispensers used primarily for industrial purposes are generally tubular or otherwise cylindrical body having a single opening from which the material is dispensed via squeezing or shaking by a user. While the user may simply place a cap which is press fit over the opening in an attempt to seal the opening when the dispenser is not in use, the cap fails to serve as a proper seal. Moreover, since the body and the cap are typically composed of a molded polymeric material, the cap and/or body may become worn or defective over time, thereby creating mating surfaces and permitting the undesirable leakage of contents. Finally, the size of the dispenser does not permit it to be easily stored or transported in bulk. 
     Heretofore, none of the aforementioned prior art disposable dispensers incorporates a structure that permits sealing of dispenser opening(s) through the folding of the dispenser body. 
     The prior art also lacks such a dispenser that incorporates a structure which effectively and evenly distributes its contents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a disposable dispenser for storing and dispensing liquid granular, powdered or viscous liquid materials in an industrial or home environment that can be easily manipulated by a user to a folded substantially two dimensional configuration for purposes of storage and shipment and expanded to a substantially three dimensional configuration for purposes of filling, refilling, dispensing or use. Such items may include edible materials such as seasonings, herbs, spices, mustard, ketchup and combinations thereof or non-edible materials such as paints, glues, industrial powders and liquids and the like. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a reusable dispenser that does not require the complete emptying of contents therefrom. 
     While another object of the invention to provide a reusable dispenser which is resealable at respective filling and dispensing ends. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a dispenser that is both reusable and refillable. 
     Yet and still another object of the invention to provide a disposable dispenser adaptable to permit the even distribution of materials therefrom in a sprinkle-type manner. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser having a robust structure that withstands buckling during a dispensing sequence. 
     While a further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser having a simplistic and economical construction. 
     Yet and still a further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser structured to prevent unwanted spilling or leaking of materials. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a foldable container having a tamper indication seal. 
     While an additional object of the invention to provide a foldable container with an easily applied tamper indicator seal and a second seal for sealing the container. 
     These and additional objects are achievable in an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which a disposable dispenser is provided for storing and dispensing various materials, the dispenser including a foldable dispensing side having at least one dispenser opening disposed intermediate the ends of the foldable dispensing side, and at least two connector sides connected to the foldable dispensing side to form a dispensing compartment, at least one of the connector sides being foldable for folding with the foldable dispensing side to cooperate with the foldable dispensing side to fold into a flat dispenser for display or shipping and to unfold for use and expose the at least one dispenser opening for use. 
     In accordance with this embodiment, the at least one conduit dispenser opening may take the form of a plurality of dispenser apertures or openings while the at least three connector sides may take the form of four connector sides to facilitate the folding and expanding of the dispenser when either in use or in storage. 
     Another aspect of the invention includes a foldable dispenser including a foldable base having at least one conduit dispenser opening, at least two substantially unfolded sides connected to the foldable base, and at least two foldable sides connected to the foldable base and foldably connected to the at least two substantially unfolded sides to form an interior compartment. A first seal located at the at least one dispenser opening and/or a second seal located at the dispensing end of the dispenser may be provided to prevent unwanted spilling of contents from the dispenser when not in use. The foldable base may be provided with a fold forming two base sections whereby a plurality of dispenser openings are provided which are axially symmetrical on the respective base sections along the length of the fold. Such an aspect is advantageous for forming a natural freshness seal since each base wall section combines to form a mating sealing interface when the base wall is folded inwardly, i.e., when the dispenser is placed by a user in a storage position. 
     The foldable dispensing side also can form the base of a three-dimensional pyramoidal-shaped dispenser when unfolded into a substantially three-dimensional configuration for use. The foldable dispenser and dispenser base can be shipped and displayed in a substantially flat or two-dimensional configuration bearing tamper-evident and/or tamper-proof and freshness seals. The first seal may be a tamper-proof or tamper-evident indicator seal while the second seal may be a tamper proof or freshness seal. 
     The foldable dispenser may take various geometric shapes or forms. For instance, in one aspect the foldable base, the at least two substantially unfolded sides and the at least two foldable sides combine to form a substantially three-dimensional pyramoidal-shaped container. Moreover, the dispenser may include at least one foldable interior wall or panel dividing the interior compartment into separate interior compartments. The novel foldable dispenser may also be folded to a substantially flat two-dimensional container having a substantially triangular or rectangular configuration. 
     A further aspect of the invention includes a dispenser including a dispenser body having at least one dispensing end, at least one interior compartment for receiving materials and at least one dispensing mechanism provided at the at least one dispensing end for dispensing the materials from the at least one interior compartment. In this aspect of the invention, the dispenser body is adapted for movement between a collapsed or folded position whereby the at least one dispensing mechanism is sealed and an expanded position whereby the at least one dispensing mechanism is unsealed to facilitate the dispensing of the materials from the at least one interior compartment. 
     Moreover, the dispenser body may be composed of flexible, non-porous materials, such as paper stock or aluminum foil. The at least one dispensing mechanism may take the form of two dispensing mechanisms provided at the at least one dispensing end. The at least one dispensing end may take the form of two dispensing ends provided on opposite ends of the dispenser body and the at least one dispensing mechanism may take the form of two dispensing mechanisms provided on a respective dispensing end of the dispenser body with corresponding dispensers folding over to seal respective dispenser openings. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a refillable dispenser is provided including a dispenser body having a dispensing end and an interior compartment adjacent to the dispensing end for receiving materials, the dispenser body adaptable for movement between a collapsed or folded position and an expanded position. In this aspect of the invention, the dispensing end includes a dispensing section moveable relative to the dispenser body between an open position facilitating a refilling of materials into the interior compartment and a closed position facilitating a dispensing of materials from the interior compartment. 
     Moreover, the dispenser section, which may be provided with at least one or a plurality of dispenser openings, is preferably pivotably moveable relative to the dispenser body while also releasably attached to the dispenser body via an attachment mechanism. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the detailed drawings that show, for purposes of illustration only, the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in conjunction with the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a dispenser in a folded position with the tamper-evident safety seal engaged; and 
         FIG. 2  shows the view of  FIG. 1  with the tamper-evident safety seal removed; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side cut away view of  FIG. 2  with the dispenser in an expanded position and a view of the interior coating; 
         FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  show perspective and bottom views of a dispenser in an expanded position with the randomly positioned dispenser openings; 
         FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  show perspective and bottom views of a dispenser in an expanded position with dispenser openings in axial and symmetrical alignment; 
         FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  show perspective and bottom views of a dispenser in an expanded position with three dispensing mechanisms and interior compartments; 
         FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  show perspective and bottom views of a dispenser in an expanded position with a pair of dispensing mechanisms and interior compartments; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  show a diagrammatic view of a dispenser being moved between a folded position and an expanded position; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  show a diagrammatic view of a dispenser being moved between a folded position and an expanded position, the dispenser having dispensing ends located in series; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  show a diagrammatic view of a dispenser being moved between a folded position and an expanded position, the dispenser having dispensing ends located in parallel; 
         FIG. 11  shows a bottom perspective view of a refillable dispenser in an expanded position with the second dispensing section engaged in an open position in accordance with yet and still another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 12A ,  12 B and  12 C show perspective, bottom and side views of a dispenser in an expanded position having a generally triangular-pyramoidal shape with a single dispensing mechanism and  FIG. 12C  shows the dispenser of  FIGS. 12A and 12B  in a folded substantially flat configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to drawing  FIGS. 1-3  and  4 A, which show in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a collapsible, i.e., foldable and expandable, dispenser  10  having a collapsible dispenser body  11 , a closeable filling end  12  and a foldable dispensing end  13  having at least one dispensing mechanism  14  for uniformly dispensing various edible and non-edible materials in an industrial or home environment. Such items may include edible materials such as seasonings, herbs, spices, mustard, ketchup and combinations thereof or non-edible materials such as paints, glues, industrial powders and liquids and the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the upper edge of the dispenser  10  is secured or otherwise fastened and sealed by way of a tamper-evident safety tab or seal  27 . The seal  27  is composed preferably of a lightweight paper or polymeric material having an adhesive backing for attaching the seal  27  at an uppermost edges of the dispenser body  11  adjacent the filling end  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8C , once the dispenser  10  is placed in an expanded position by a user, the uppermost edges of the dispenser body  11  may be opened to expose the interior compartment  21  for filling and/or refilling. Once the interior compartment  21  of the dispenser  10  is filled and/or refilled, the uppermost edges of the body  11  may subsequently be closed and resealed using the seal  27  or any comparable sealing device. An additional seal having the same or similar construction as seal  27  may be placed at the dispensing end  13  of the dispensing body  11  to prevent unwanted spilling or contamination of contents within the body  11 . While a seal-type fastener having an adhesive backing is used in the embodiments of the invention, practice of the invention is not limited to this construction. 
     The dispenser body  11  includes a pair of side walls  16 ,  17 , front and rear walls  18 ,  19  and a bottom or base wall  20  which combine to form the interior compartment  21  for receiving and storing condiments and the like. The upper edges of the walls  16 ,  17 ,  18 , and  19  are secured and sealed by way of the seal  27 , which contacts the outer surfaces of the front and rear walls  18 ,  19  to effectuate the sealing of the dispenser  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the inner surface or lining of the interior compartment  21  is preferably coated or laminated with an oil-resistant film  22  of suitable composition. 
     The dispenser body  11 , which may also be disposable, is preferably composed of a flexible, non-porous, water-resistant material such as paper stock, plastic, foil or composite. However, any suitable packaging material known in the art having the aforementioned physical characteristics may be used in the alternative. 
     The dispenser  10  is foldable and expandable by way of left and right sidewalls  16 ,  17  having a longitudinal downfold line or indentation  23 . The indentation  23  facilitates the folding or collapsing of the sidewalls  16 ,  17  when the dispensing body  11  is placed in the folded position for storage or shipping and the expansion of the sidewalls  16 ,  17  when the dispenser body  11  is placed in the expanded position. Once in the expanded position, the dispenser body  11  can be returned to its original folded position, thereby permitting it to be stored for shipping or display in small areas. The indentation  23  extends along a central axis of each respective sidewall  16 ,  17  from the filling end  12  to the dispensing end  13 . Extending at a lower end of the indentation line  23  in an area adjacent the dispensing end  13  is a pair of transverse cuts  24 ,  25  which terminate at the bottom corner where the sidewalls  16 ,  17  intersect the base wall  20 . A third indentation  26  is also provided at the base wall  20  and extends along a central axis of the base wall  20 . The indentation  26  facilitates the folding or collapsing of the base wall  20  when a user places the dispensing body  11  in the folded position and the expansion of the base wall  20  when a user places the dispensing body  11  in the expanded position. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C , the series of indentations  23 ,  24  &amp;  25  help facilitate the manipulation of the dispenser body  11  between the folded position whereby the dispensing mechanism  14  is sealed and an expanded position whereby the dispensing mechanism  14  is exposed, thereby permitting the dispensing of materials from the interior compartment  21 . When in the expanded position, the dispenser body  11  preferably takes a substantially pyramoidal-shape or configuration. However, the invention is not limited to any configuration, and thus, may take any geometric shape. 
     To optimize the overall dispensing action of the dispenser  10 , the dispensing mechanism(s)  14  may have at least one or a plurality of dispensing apertures or openings  15  for uniformly dispensing the contents of the dispenser  10  in a sprinkle-type manner. These openings  15  extend from the outside surface of the base wall  20  into the interior compartment  21  and may be arranged across the surface of the base wall  20 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a novel arrangement whereby a plurality of dispenser openings  15  are randomly placed across the surface of the base wall  20 . The arrangement of the dispenser openings  15  in this fashion is advantageous for at least uniformly dispensing contents of the dispenser  10  in a sprinkle-type manner while also providing enhanced structural integrity during dispensing. Particularly, the inventor has found that a dense packing of openings  15  along the base wall  20  causes undesirable creasing and/or buckling at the base wall  20  when attempting to manipulate the dispenser body  11  from the folded position to the expanded position. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is an alternative arrangement whereby a plurality of dispenser openings  15  are equally provided on separate halves of the base wall  20 . The openings  15  located on one half of the wall  20  are in axial and symmetrical alignment to the openings  15  located on the other half. This results in each opening  15  lining-up with a corresponding hole  15  on the other side of indentation  26  when the dispenser  10  is placed in a folded position. Such an arrangement of openings  15  is advantageous not only for permitting uniform dispensing, but also for forming a hermetic and natural tamper-proof safety seal at the base wall  20  when the dispenser  10  is placed in a folded position due to each base wall  20  section forming a sealing interface. The seal may be removed once the dispenser  10  is placed in the expanded position. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show yet another aspect of the invention which includes a dispenser  110  having a dispensing mechanism  114  with a plurality of dispensing sections  114   a ,  114   b  and  114   c , each having a plurality of dispensing holes  115  for uniformly dispensing condiments in a sprinkle-type manner. Left sidewall (not shown) and right sidewall  116  each have a longitudinal downfold line or indentation  123  that facilitates the folding or collapsing of the sidewalls when the dispenser  110  is placed in a folded position for storage and the expansion of the sidewalls when the dispenser  110  is placed in the expanded position. A third indentation  126  facilitates the folding or collapsing of the dispensing end when the dispenser  110  is placed in the folded position and the expansion of the dispensing end when the dispenser  110  is placed in the expanded position. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the interior compartment  121  may also include vertical walls  128 ,  129  that separate the interior compartment  121  into separate compartments  121   a ,  121   b  and  121   c  which directly communicate with a respective dispensing section  114   a ,  114   b , and  114   c . This feature is advantageous in permitting a user to fill each interior compartment  121   a ,  121   b  and  121   c  with custom blends of herbs, spices and the like. While each dispensing section  114   a ,  114   b  and  114   c  is shown having a generally circular geometric shape, the practice of the invention is not limited to such a shape and may alternatively have various geometric shapes that permit the advantageous practice of the invention. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , particularly, a dispenser  210  having a dispensing mechanism  214  with a pair of dispensing sections  214   a  and  214   b , each having a plurality of dispensing holes  215  for uniformly dispensing condiments in a sprinkle-type manner. Left sidewall (not shown) and right sidewall  216  each have a longitudinal downfold line or indentation  223  that facilitates the folding or collapsing of the sidewalls when the dispenser  210  is placed in a folded position for storage and the expansion of the sidewalls when the dispenser  210  is placed in the expanded position. A third indentation  226  facilitates the folding or collapsing of the dispensing end when the dispenser  210  is placed in the folded position and the expansion of the dispensing end when the dispenser  210  is placed in the expanded position. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the interior compartment  221  may also include a vertical wall  228  that separates the interior compartment  221  into separate sections  221   a  and  221   b  which directly communicate with a respective dispensing section  214   a  and  214   b . While each dispensing section  214   a  and  214   b  is shown here having a generally rectangular geometric shape, the practice of the invention is not limited to such a shape and may alternatively have various geometric shapes that permit the advantageous practice of the invention. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate the phases in which the dispenser  10  may be used. Once the tamper-proof safety seal  27  is removed from the filling end  12  and/or dispensing end  14 , the dispensing mechanism  14  may be spread open as a result of the series of indentations  23 ,  24 ,  25  and  26 . The opening at the dispensing end  14  reveals the dispensing openings  15  while causing the left and right sidewalls  16 ,  17  to buckle, thereby locking the dispenser body  11  into the expanded position. The user can at this time uniformly dispensing condiments in a sprinkle-type manner over the intended article, then simply discard or fold the dispenser  10  into its original position for storage in any storage area. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C  is a further aspect of the invention which includes a dispenser  310  having a dispenser body  311  with a filling end  312  and a dispensing end  313 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show the dispenser  310  with the sealed removed and being moved from its natural folded storage position to an expanded position while  FIG. 9C  shows the dispenser in a fully expanded dispensing position. The dispensing end  313  has a pair of dispensing mechanisms  314 ,  315  each having at least one or a plurality of dispensing apertures or openings (not shown). The dispensing mechanisms  314 ,  315  are arranged in series whereby each dispensing mechanism  314 ,  315  is located at the same dispensing end  313  to obtain simultaneous dispensing in greater quantities. Each dispensing mechanism  314 ,  315  may also have separable interior compartments (not shown) which permit the storage and dispensing of customized materials. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C  is yet a further aspect of the invention which includes a dispenser  410  having a dispenser body  411  with a pair of filling ends  412   a  and  412   b  and a pair of dispensing ends  413   a  and  413   b .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the dispenser  410 , with the sealed removed, being manipulated from its natural folded position to an expanded position while  FIG. 10C  shows the dispenser in a fully expanded position. The dispensing ends  413   a  and  413   b  have respective dispensing mechanisms  414 ,  415  each having at least one or a plurality of dispensing apertures or openings (not shown). The dispensing mechanisms  414 ,  415  are arranged in parallel whereby each dispensing mechanism  414 ,  415  has separable dispensing ends  413   a ,  413   b  and interior compartments (not shown). The separable interior compartments permit the storage and dispensing of customized materials but does not permit simultaneous use of the dispenser mechanisms  414 ,  415 . 
       FIG. 11  shows yet another aspect of the invention that includes a dispenser  510  having a dispenser body  511  expandable between a folded position and an expanded position. The dispenser body  511  has an interior compartment  521  for receiving and storing various materials and a multi-functional base wall for facilitating the filling, refilling and dispensing when the dispenser body  511  is in the expanded position. Such a feature is advantageous since it permits the user to fill the dispenser  510  with a custom blend of materials. The base wall has a dispensing mechanism  514  which includes or a plurality of dispenser openings  515  for uniform dispensing. Also provided on the base wall is a hinged section  512  which pivots or hinges relative to the dispenser body  511  between an open position exposing the interior compartment  521  to facilitate the filling and/or refilling of materials therein and a closed position to reveal the dispenser openings  515  and thereby facilitate the dispensing of materials. On the outer periphery of the hinged section  512  are main  522  and secondary attachment mechanisms  523 ,  524  which removeably attach the hinged section  512  to the dispenser body  511 . Preferably an adhesive backing or comparable substance or backing is provided on the inner surface of each attachment mechanism  522 ,  523 , and  524  to attach the hinged section  512  to the dispenser body  511 . 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B and  12 C illustrate yet a further embodiment of a dispenser  610  that is most useful for dispensing various viscous fluid materials. The dispenser  610  is shown having a body  611  in the shape of a triangular pyramid, i.e., having three side or faces  612 ,  613  and  614 , an interior compartment  620  for receiving viscous fluid materials and a fordable base  615 . The body  611  is foldable and expandable by way of the foldable face  614  and foldable base  615 . The base  615  has three downfold lines or indentations  616 ,  617 ,  618  which extend from a respective corner of the base  615  and terminate into a dispensing mechanism  619  located at a generally center most area of the base  615 . The base  615  can optionally have a tamper proof seal  619 A or have a plurality of dispensing openings  619 C in lieu of the single dispensing mechanism  619 . A single first tamper proof seal  619 B may be used alone or with the optional tamper proof seal  619 A. The foldable face  614  has a vertical line or indentation  621  which extends from the upper most section of the dispenser  610  to the edge of the face  614  that intersects the base  615 . Each indentation  616 ,  617  and  618  facilitates the folding or collapsing of the base  615  inwardly towards the interior compartment  620  when the dispensing body  611  is placed in a folded position for storage, shipping or display. The indentation  621  facilitates the outward expansion of the face  614  such that the inner surfaces of respective halves of the face  614  directly abut one another in a coplanar relationship. During this sequence, the remaining faces  612  and  613  fold on top of each other to create a compact dispenser  610  in a folded flat triangular configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 12C . The indentations  616 ,  617  and  618  also facilitate the expansion of the base  615  into its normal triangular form when the body  611  is placed in an expanded position, thereby exposing a dispensing mechanism  619  for use. Moreover, the indentation  621  permits the face to collapse inwardly to a flattened single triangular form. The dispenser  610  may be constructed in order to permit refilling of the body  611  by providing an opening at any area of at least one of the faces  612 ,  613 ,  614  or the base  615 . A user may place the dispenser  610  in the collapsed or folded position by simply manipulating the base inwardly toward the top of the body  615  and returning to the expanded position by manipulating at least two of the faces  612 ,  613 ,  614  outwardly. 
     It is apparent that innumerable variations of the preferred embodiments described hereinbefore may be utilized. However, these as well as other variations are believed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as covered by the claims attached herein.