Abstract:
An earplug dispenser is provided including a container for storing earplugs, the container having at least one container opening through which the earplugs are dispensed. A shutter assembly is located at the container opening, having at least one shutter opening formed therein. A dispensing flange is coupled to the shutter assembly for guiding dispensed earplugs. The shutter assembly is selectively movable to bring the shutter opening into alignment with the container opening to allow the earplugs to pass from the container, through the shutter assembly and through the dispensing flange.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/214,268, filed Jun. 26, 2000, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to ear protection, and more particularly to a manually operated earplug dispenser.  
         DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
         [0003]    Disposable earplugs are used in large quantities in manufacturing and industrial operations. Convenient access to earplugs on-site is essential to ensure worker safety and to enhance operating efficiency.  
           [0004]    Traditional methods of earplug distribution include providing a large open box of individual earplugs for workers to access as needed. Often, however, workers will inadvertently acquire more earplugs than are necessary when accessing the box by hand. Extra earplugs are commonly discarded about the work space, wasting the earplugs and requiring subsequent clean-up efforts. Additionally, sanitization of the earplugs is jeopardized in such a free-for-all distribution.  
           [0005]    In another traditional method of earplug distribution, earplugs are packaged in pairs and placed in large open boxes proximate to manufacturing and industrial sites. Workers may then access the packaged plugs by hand ensuring only two plugs are attained at any one time and preserving the sanitization of the wrapped earplugs. This system of earplug distribution, however, substantially increases the cost of manufacturing the earplugs as now a packaging step is required. Further, wrapped earplugs result in unnecessary waste as the packaging is used only once and then discarded, often on the floor of the workspace, thus requiring subsequent clean up.  
           [0006]    Recent advances in earplug distribution methods include utilizing stand alone or wallmount dispensing mechanisms. FIGS. 1 and 2 show various views of a traditional earplug dispenser  10 . The dispenser  10  generally includes a mount assembly  12  to which an earplug container  14  is affixed. A rotatable impeller assembly  16  is located within the earplug container  14  for facilitating dispensing of earplugs  18  which are stored within the earplug container  14 . The impeller assembly  16  includes a wheel  20  having impeller openings  22  formed therein. The impeller assembly  16  also includes a raised portion  24  formed centrally on the wheel  20  to promote movement of the earplugs  18  within the container  14  toward the impeller openings  22 . Further, the impeller assembly  16  includes a knob portion  26  which extends generally from the raised portion  24  to the exterior of the earplug container  14 .  
           [0007]    The impeller assembly  16  is traditionally a uniform construction of integrally molded plastics and is designed to manually rotate within the earplug container  16 . An operator of the traditional earplug dispenser  10  rotates, by hand, the knob portion  26  thus turning the wheel  20  within the earplug container  14 . The impeller openings  22  are intended to catch individual earplugs  18  and traverse them about a base  28  of the earplug container  14  toward a dispensing opening  30  through which the earplugs  18  pass into a hand of the operator.  
           [0008]    However, due to the pliable nature of compositions commonly used to manufacture earplugs, rotation of the wheel  20  is often inhibited by the earplugs  18  becoming jammed between edges of the impeller openings  22  and the base  28  of the earplug container  14  as the earplugs  18  are dragged towards the dispensing opening  30 . Inhibited rotation of the wheel  20  greatly reduces the overall efficiency of the earplug dispenser  10 . Further, such jammed earplugs  18  are compressed under the forces exerted by the rotating wheel  20 , thus, decreasing in size and allowing additional earplugs  18  to enter the particular impeller opening  22 . This often results in several earplugs  18  being passed through the dispensing opening  30  at a time. The operator of the dispenser  10  generally needs only two earplugs, the excess of which are typically discarded resulting in waste and degrading the efficiency of the earplug dispenser  10 . Aio Further, the traditional earplug dispenser  10  is suitable for allowing the passage of only certain earplugs  18 . That is, conventionally, the impeller openings  22  and the dispensing opening  30  are designed so as to provide the passage therethrough of specified earplugs  18  of a particular size and shape. Additionally, the traditional dispenser  10  functions properly only in conjunction with earplugs  18  of a designated material composition. Therefore, the earplug dispenser  10  typically may not be used with earplugs of varying shapes, sizes, and materials, thus reducing the flexibility and overall efficiency of the traditional earplug dispenser  10 .  
           [0009]    Thus, an earplug dispenser is desired which ensures sanitation of earplugs plugs contained therein while allowing efficient, effective, and consistent distribution of earplugs of a variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:  
         [0010]    According to the present invention, a mechanism for dispensing earplugs is provided. The mechanism generally includes a container for storing the earplugs, a dispensing assembly attached to the container for dispensing the earplugs, and a mounting assembly for releasably retaining the earplug container and the dispensing assembly.  
           [0011]    The mounting assembly of the present invention includes a base for supporting the mechanism. A neck is mounted to the base and rises vertically therefrom. The mounting assembly also includes an upper portion mounted to the neck. The upper portion receives and retains the earplug container and the dispensing assembly. The mounting assembly may stand freely upon the base supporting the earplug container and the dispensing assembly thereupon or the mounting assembly may alternatively be mounted to a vertical support by fastening the neck thereto.  
           [0012]    The earplug container of the present invention is substantially a storage bin for containing the earplugs and includes an opening through which the earplugs may pass. The earplug container is shaped so as to promote the movement of earplugs toward the opening.  
           [0013]    The dispensing assembly is mounted to the earplug container at the container opening. The dispensing assembly allows a selective dispensation of the earplugs from the container.  
           [0014]    The dispensing assembly includes a channel plate releasably mounted to the container at the opening. The channel plate includes a plurality of channels formed therein through which the earplugs are dispensed. The channel plate also includes a through opening formed centrally therein.  
           [0015]    The dispensing assembly further includes a shutter plate located adjacent the channel plate, opposite the earplug container. The shutter plate includes a shutter opening formed therein.  
           [0016]    The dispensing assembly also includes an impeller located within the earplug container adjacent the channel plate. The impeller is attached to the shutter plate through the through hole of the channel plate. In this way, the shutter plate and the impeller may rotate relative to the channel plate selectively bringing the shutter opening into alignment with the channels of the channel plate, thus allow passage of the earplugs therethrough.  
           [0017]    Further, the dispensing assembly includes a funnel fixably attached to the shutter plate such that rotation of the funnel correspondingly rotates the shutter plate and the impeller.  
           [0018]    An operator of the earplug dispensing mechanism of the present invention rotates, by hand, the funnel of the dispensing mechanism. Such rotation correspondingly rotates the shutter plate and the impeller. The rotation of the impeller within the earplug container stirs the earplugs and settles the earplugs toward the channel plate, prompting the earplugs to enter the channels. Rotation of the shutter plate beneath the channel plate circumferentially moves the shutter opening relative to the channel plate. The shutter opening selectively aligns with the channels thus allowing an earplug located within the respective channel to pass through the shutter opening and into the funnel. The funnel guides the dispensed earplug to the awaiting hand of the operator.  
           [0019]    The earplug dispensing mechanism of the present invention allows discrete dispensation of earplugs while maintaining the integrity of the earplugs within the container therefore not requiring the earplugs be packaged in any way, thus eliminating the waste typically associated with the use of packaged earplugs. Further, the earplug dispensing mechanism, as taught herein, prevents against dispensing earplugs in amounts in excess of that required by a particular operator, thus further reducing overall waste and increasing dispensation efficiency. Additionally, the mechanism provided does not cause dragging of the earplugs about the base of the earplug container toward a dispensing opening. In this way, the present invention avoids the frictional forces associated with dragging, thus preventing jamming of the mechanism, hence increasing overall efficiency and usability. Further, due to the novel design of the channels formed within the channel plate, the dispensing assembly of the present invention may accommodate and allow passage therethrough of earplugs of a variety of shapes, sizes, and material compositions.  
           [0020]    The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    To Referring to the FIGURES wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional earplug dispenser;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the traditional earplug dispenser of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3A and 3B are front elevational views of an earplug dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a mounting assembly having a dispensing assembly disposed therein according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly with dispensing assembly of FIG. 4;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the mounting assembly with dispensing assembly of FIG. 4;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the mounting assembly with dispensing assembly of FIG. 4;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a base of the mounting assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 8;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is a rear view of a neck of the mounting assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the neck of FIG. 10;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the neck of FIG. 10;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the neck of FIG. 10;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a top portion of the mounting assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the top portion of FIG. 14;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the top portion of FIG. 14;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of one exemplary earplug container of the present invention;  
         [0039]    Iris FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a channel plate in one embodiment according to the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the channel plate of FIG. 18;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a shutter plate in one embodiment according to the present invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the shutter plate of FIG. 20;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of an impeller in one embodiment according to the present invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the impeller of FIG. 22;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of a fimnel in one embodiment according to the present invention; and  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the fhnnel of FIG. 24. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0047]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 B show an earplug dispenser  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  100  generally includes a mounting assembly  112  to which a dispensing assembly  114  and an earplug container  116  are affixed. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the earplug dispenser  100  is designed to selectively dispense earplugs (not shown) to a user.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS.  4 - 9 , the mounting assembly  112  includes a base  118  which receives and releasably retains a neck member  120 . Likewise, the neck member  120  receives and releasably retains an upper portion  122  to form the mounting assembly  112 . FIGS.  8 - 9  show various views of the base  118  as being substantially disk-shaped and having an annular top surface  124  and a side peripheral edge  126 . The side edge  126  may be formed perpendicular to the top surface  124  or pitched outward to provide the mounting assembly  112  with greater stability, as discussed herein. The base  118  further includes a bracket  125  located at the side edge  126 . The bracket  125  receives and releasably retains the neck member  120 . The base  118  may further include footings  127  formed on the side edge  126  distal the top surface  124  to provide stability to the base  118  so that the dispenser  100  may be conveniently displayed and positioned on a planar surface.  
         [0049]    The neck member  120 , as shown in FIGS.  10 - 13 , is a thin, elongated member having a front side  128 . The neck member  120  correspondingly has a rear side  130  formed opposite the front side  128 . Further, the neck member  120  includes a top side  134  and a bottom side  136  formed opposite one another on the neck member  120 . Mounting holes  132  are formed in the neck member  120  and allow passage from the front side  128  to the rear side  130 . In one embodiment, fasteners (not shown) are inserted from the front side  128  through the mounting holes  132  to the rear side  130  where the fasteners are secured to a wall, for example, thus affixing the neck member  120  and, hence, as will be shown, the mounting assembly  112  to the wall. The mounting holes  132  may include two holes, one formed proximate the top side  134 , the other formed proximate the bottom side  136 . The front side  128  includes a slide latch  138  formed proximate the top side  134 . The top side  134  also includes a notch  140  located proximate the slide latch  138 . The neck member  120  further includes a mounting feature  142  formed proximate the bottom side  136 . The mounting feature  142  is received by the bracket  125  thus releasably mounting the neck member  120  to the base  118  (see FIG. 9). Finally, the neck member  120  may include inner flanges  143  located within the neck member  120  to provide support and stability.  
         [0050]    The upper portion  122  of the mounting assembly  112 , as shown in FIGS.  14 - 16 , includes a bracket  144  having a key feature  146  which mates with the slide latch  138  to secure the upper portion  122  to the neck  120  (see FIG. 13). The bracket  144  further includes a notch flange  148  for mating with the notch  140  to further secure the upper portion  122  and the neck  120  (see FIG. 12). Additionally, the upper portion  122  includes a ring mount  150  formed integrally with the bracket  144  and extending substantially perpendicular. The ring mount  150  is substantially annular in shape and may be constructed of, for example, a thin plastic material. The ring mount  150  includes a mounting lip  154  located within the ring mount  150 , the mounting lip  154  being substantially annular in description concentric with the shape of the ring mount  150 . Notches formed in the mounting lip  154  form assembly mounts  155  of varying sizes. The ring mount  150  further includes an opening  152  formed therein defined by the mounting lip  154 . The ring mount  150  further includes an inner edge  153 . The upper portion  122  further includes a mounting hole  156  formed at the interface of the bracket  144  and the ring mount  150 . The mounting hole  156  provides a passage from the opening  152 , through the ring mount  150 , and through the bracket  144 . The mounting hole  156  is located to align with the mounting hole  132  of the neck  120  shown in FIG. 10, thus a fastener (not shown) may be used to secure the upper portion  122  to the neck  120  and, further, as desired, the fastener may be secured to the wall for example, thus affixing the upper portion  122  and the neck  120  thereto. The upper portion  122  of the mounting assembly  112  receives and releasably retains the dispensing assembly  114  of FIGS.  3 A-B within the opening  152  as described herein.  
         [0051]    Now, with reference to FIGS.  8 - 16 , the assemblage of the mounting assembly  112  is discussed. The bracket  125  of the base  118  receives the mounting feature  142  located on the bottom side  136  of the neck member  120 . The mounting feature  142  may mate with the base  118  in a latching manner as to ensure the attachment thereto. Next, the upper portion  122  is attached to the front side  128  of the neck member  120 . The slide latch  138  formed on the top side  134  of the neck member  120  receives the bracket  144  of the upper portion  122 . The key feature  146  of the bracket  144  slidably engages the slide latch  138  and the notch flange  148  of the bracket  144  mates with the notch  140  to secure the upper portion  122  to the neck  120 , thus forming the mounting assembly  112  of FIGS.  3 A- 3 B.  
         [0052]    With reference to FIG. 17, the earplug container  116  includes a hopper portion  156  and a mouth portion  158  formed integrally relative to one another. The hopper portion  156  serves as a storage bin area for the earplugs (not shown) within the earplug dispenser  100 . The hopper portion  156  may be cylindrical or funnel shaped with a hollow interior, the hopper portion  156  being designed to promote movement of the earplugs toward the mouth portion  158 . The mouth portion  158  defines an opening (not shown) formed therein to allow passage of the earplugs from the hopper portion  156  to the exterior of the earplug container  116 . The mouth portion  158  is preferably located beneath the hopper portion  156 , thus allowing gravity to draw the earplugs toward the opening. The mouth portion  158  further includes mounting flanges  159  formed thereon to facilitate mating the earplug container  116  with the dispensing assembly  114 , as taught below. The container  116  may be made of a translucent or transparent material, for example plastic, to allow visual monitoring of the volume of stored earplugs during usage of the dispenser  100 .  
         [0053]    The dispensing assembly  114  of FIG. 5 includes a channel plate  160  as shown in FIGS.  18 - 19 . The channel plate  160  is substantially a thin circular member with channels  162  formed therein. The channels  162  are sized and shaped accordingly to allow passage of a single earplug therethrough. The channels may further incorporate a universal design to allow passage therethrough of earplugs of varying sizes, shapes, and material compositions. The channel plate  160  further includes a rim  164  formed at a top surface  166 . A slot  165  is formed in the top surface  166  adjacent an inside edge of the rim  164 . Retaining flanges  168  and a locking feature  170  are formed integral to the rim  164  extending into the slot  165 . The mounting flanges  168  are located on an inside of the rim  164  such that spaces  172  of the slot  165  are formed between adjacent mounting flanges  168  and between the mounting flanges  168  and the locking feature  170 . A through hole  174  is formed in the center of the channel plate  160 . The through hole  170  is substantially annular and is concentric with the annular shape of the channel plate  160 . A mating flange  176  is integrally formed at a bottom surface  167  of the channel plate  160  opposite the top surface  166 . The mating flange  176  facilitates adjoining the channel plate  160  and the remainder of the dispensing assembly  114 .  
         [0054]    The mounting assembly  114  of FIG. 5 further includes a shutter plate  180  as shown in FIGS.  20 - 21 . The shutter plate  180  is an annular shaped member with a shutter opening  182  formed therein. The shutter opening  182  is sized and shaped appropriately to allow the passage therethrough of an earplug according to the present invention. The shutter plate  180  is defined by a top surface  184  and a bottom surface  186  formed opposite one another. The shutter plate  180  also features a hollow underside (not shown) proximate the bottom surface  186 . Latch openings  185  are formed in the top surface  184  of the shutter plate  180 . An impeller mount  188  is located on the top surface  184  of the shutter plate  180 . The impeller mount  188  generally extends perpendicularly from the shutter plate  180 . The impeller mount  188  is annular in cross-section and is fixably mounted to the top surface  184  in a concentric manner with the annular shape of the shutter plate  180 . The impeller mount  188  includes mounting arms  190  and latching arms  192 . The latching arms  192  include catches  194 .  
         [0055]    The dispensing assembly  114  further includes an impeller  200  as shown in FIGS.  22 - 23 . The impeller  200  is substantially fiustoconical in shape with a hollow interior (not shown), the impeller  200  further including a base  202  and an apex  204  formed opposite one another. A body  206  of the impeller  200  is located between the base  202  and the apex  204 . The base includes guiding protuberances  208  extending from the base  202 , the protuberances  208  being any of a variety of shapes sufficient for directing the earplugs between adjacent protuberances  208  as discussed herein. The guiding protuberances  208  may, for example, be substantially rounded in shape. The body  206  of the impeller  200  includes mounting slots  210  formed therein. The mounting slots  210  may, in one embodiment, include four slots spaced equally about a circumference of the base  202 . The body  206  may be further contoured to promote movement of the earplugs toward the guiding protuberances  208 , as taught herein.  
         [0056]    Finally, referring to FIG. 24- 25 , the dispensing assembly  114  of FIG. 5 includes a funnel member  212  having a mating end section  214  and a dispensing end  216 . The mating end section  214  is cylindrical in shape and includes mating flanges  218  and latching flanges  220 . The dispensing end  216  is substantially frustoconically shaped and includes a dispensing opening  219  formed therein. The dispensing end  216  of the funnel member  212  also includes gripping protuberances  221  located radially about the opening  218  for providing a hand grip for a user of the earplug dispenser  100  according to the present invention.  
         [0057]    The assemblage of the dispensing assembly  114  of FIG. 5 is now discussed with reference to FIGS.  18 - 25 . The top surface  184  of the shutter plate  180  is drawn toward the mating flange  176  of the channel plate  160 . The impeller mount  188  located on the top surface  184  of the shutter plate  180  is inserted and passes through the through hole  174  of the shutter plate  180  such that the top surface  184  of the shutter plate  180  is adjacent the bottom surface  167  of the channel plate  160 , the impeller mount  188  extending perpendicularly from the top surface  166  of the channel plate  160 . The impeller mount  188  has a diameter slightly less than that of the through hole  174  while the shutter plate  180  has a diameter larger than that of the through hole  174 . In this way, the impeller mount  188  may pass through the through hole  174  and the shutter plate  180  is retained adjacent the bottom surface  167  of the channel plate  160 .  
         [0058]    The impeller  200  is then attached to the impeller mount  188 , locking the channel plate  160  therebetween. The impeller mount  188  is inserted in the hollow interior of the impeller  200 . The mounting slots  210  receive the latching arms  192 , the catches  194  affixing thereto, thus securing the impeller  200  to the impeller mount  188 . The attachment of the impeller  200  and the impeller mount  188  about the channel plate  160  allows the impeller  200  and the shutter plate  180  to rotate, clockwise or counter clockwise, as a single unit relative to the channel plate  160 .  
         [0059]    Next, to complete the assemblage of the dispensing assembly  114 , the fumnel member  212  is attached to the shutter plate  180 . The mating end  214  of the funnel member  212  is brought proximate the bottom surface  186  of the shutter plate  180 . The mating flanges  218  and the latching flanges  220  are inserted into the hollow underside of the shutter plate  180 . The latching flanges  220  are received in the latch openings  185  to secure the funnel member  212  to the shutter plate  180 . In this way, the funnel member  212 , the shutter plate  180 , and the impeller  200  float about the channel plate  160  and, thus, may rotate as a single unit Ad relative to the channel plate  160 .  
         [0060]    The earplug dispenser  100  is assembled, in one embodiment of the present invention, by attaching the earplug container  116  to the dispensing assembly  114  and locating the attached assembly  114  and container  116  within the mounting assembly  112 . The mounting of the earplug container  116  with the dispensing assembly  114  is described as follows with reference to FIGS.  17 - 19 . The mouth portion  158  of the earplug container  116  is brought proximate the top surface  166  of the channel plate  160 . The mouth portion  158  is inserted in the slot  165  such that the mounting flanges  159  pass through the spaces  172 , locating the mounting flanges  159  below the mounting flanges  168 . Then, the earplug container  116  is rotated about its vertical axis bringing the mounting flanges  159  adjacent the mounting flanges  168  such that the mounting flanges  159  are located between the mounting flanges  168  and the bottom surface  167  of the channel plate  160 . In this way, the mounting flanges  159 , 168  contact one another resulting in a frictional retaining force therebetween. The described rotation of the container  116  further allows the mounting flange  159  to engage the locking feature  170  of the channel plate  160  thus securing the earplug container  116  to the dispensing assembly  114 .  
         [0061]    To complete the assemblage of the earplug dispenser  100 , the dispensing assembly  114  as attached to the earplug container  116  is generally located within the mounting assembly  112  as now discussed with reference to FIGS.  3 - 20 . The dispensing assembly  114  is brought proximate the upper portion  122  of the mounting assembly  112  such that the assembly  114  is located on the opposite side of the upper portion  122  from the base  118 . The container  116  remains positioned distal the upper portion  122 . The dispensing assembly  114  is lowered into the opening  152  formed by the ring mount  150  of the upper portion  122 . The fimnel  114  and the shutter plate  180  are of a diameter less than that of the opening  152 , thus the finnel  114  and the shutter plate  180  pass through the opening  152 . The rim  164  formed on the channel plate  160  is drawn near the mounting lip  154  of the ring mount  150 . The assembly mounts  155  of the mounting lip  154  receive the assembly mounting flanges  168  of the channel plate  160 . The rim  164  of the channel plate  160  is of a diameter substantially equivalent to that of the mounting lip  154 , thus the rim  164  seats flush upon the mounting lip  154 . The mounting lip  154  supports the downward load of the dispensing assembly  114  and the attached earplug container  116 . The assembly mounts  155  prevent rotational movement of the channel plate  160  and the earplug container  116  attached thereto. The earplug dispenser  100  may then be placed, free-standing atop the base  118 , in an appropriate location, for instance, on a table top in a work space. Alternatively, the mounting assembly  112  may be initially affixed to a structure, such as a wall, as described above. Then, the dispensing assembly  114  and the attached earplug container  116  may be secured within the mounting assembly  112  as taught.  
         [0062]    The entire earplug dispenser  100 , taught herein, may be constructed of disposable materials such as, for example, plastics. Further, the dispenser  100  may be composed of recyclable materials. In this way, when the earplug container  116  due to usage becomes empty of earplugs, the earplug dispenser  100  may be safely disposed or recycled as appropriate. Alternatively, when the container  116  becomes devoid of earplugs, only the dispensing assembly  114  and the attached earplug container  116  may be discarded while the mounting assembly  112  is re-used. Further still, both the mounting assembly  112  and the dispensing assembly  114  as attached to the earplug container  116  may be re-used by simply removing the container  116  from the assembly  114  and refilling the container  116  with a new stock of earplugs.  
         [0063]    It will be understood that although the earplug assembly  100  was described herein as including a plurality of inter-attaching parts, the mounting assembly  112 , the dispensing assembly  114 , and the earplug container  116  may each be single integrally formed molded pieces which are attached to one another to form the dispenser  100 . Further, the dispensing assembly  114  and the earplug container  116  may be integrally formed such that disassembly thereof would not be an option, thus making the integral assembly  114 /container  116  a disposable unit to be discarded upon depletion of the earplugs stored therein.  
         [0064]    The use of the earplug dispenser of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS.  3 - 25 . The earplug dispenser provides a convenient, efficient means for distributing a pair of earplugs while preventing excessive handling and soiling of the earplugs and concurrently reducing resulting waste products. A plurality of earplugs are placed in the earplug container  116  and the earplug dispenser  100  is assembled as discussed above. An operator of the dispenser  100  clasps by hand the dispensing end  216  of the fimnel member  212 , the dispensing end  216  being located between the upper portion  122  and the base  118  of the mounting assembly  112 . The operator then rotates the fimnel member  212  and thereby correspondingly rotates the shutter plate  180  and the impeller  200  which are fixably attached to the fumnel  212 . The gripping protuberances  221  may be used by the operator to facilitate hand grip on the funnel member  212 . The funnel member  212  may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise. As mentioned, manual rotation of the funnel correspondingly rotates the shutter plate  180  and the impeller  200 . Such rotation, as discussed herein above, is relative to the channel plate  160  which is held fixed in a nonrotatable position by the interaction of the assembly mounting flanges  168  of the channel plate  160  and the assembly mounts  155  formed in the upper portion  122  of the mounting assembly  112 . Rotation of the impeller  200  within the earplug container  116  stirs the individual earplugs stored in the hopper portion  156  of the container  116 , thus encouraging the descent of the earplugs from the hopper portion  156  toward the mouth portion  158  of the earplug container  116 . Due to the relative shapes of the earplug container  116  and the impeller  200  in conjunction with the stirring action of the rotating impeller  200 , the earplugs settle on the top surface  166  of the channel plate  160  and enter the channels  162  formed therein. Beneath the channel plate  160 , the shutter plate  180  rotates concurrently with the impeller  200  and the funnel  212 . This rotation of the shutter plate  180  displaces the shutter opening  182  in a circumferential path proximate the bottom surface  167  of the channel plate  160 . As the shutter opening  182  aligns with a particular channel  162 , a passageway is created from the interior of the earplug container  116 , through the channel plate  160 , and through the shutter plate  180  into the fumnel member  212 . Thus, an earplug located in the channel  162  as described, will pass through the channel plate  160 , the shutter plate  180 , and will drop into the funnel member  212  due to gravity when the shutter opening  182  is rotated into alignment with the particular channel  162 . Upon deposition into the funnel member  212 , gravity will draw the earplug toward the dispensing end  216  due to the conical shape of the body  206  of the funnel member  212 . Finally, the earplug passes through the dispensing opening  219  of the funnel member  212  and is deposited into the hand of the operator. Additional rotation of the funnel will similarly deposit a second earplug into the waiting hand of the operator.  
         [0065]    The earplug dispenser  100  of the present invention has been described thus far as being manually operable. However, it will be understood that the dispenser  100  may be operated by an alternate means such as, for example, electronically or pneumatically. In one alternate embodiment, the earplug dispenser  100  may include a sensor which detects the operator&#39;s hand beneath the funnel member  212  and thus, accordingly, a controller rotates the fiunel thus bringing the shutter opening  182  into alignment with the channel  162  and allowing dispensation of an earplug.  
         [0066]    The present invention, as taught herein, allows for the dispensing of a controlled number of earplugs thus reducing the waste and inefficiency associated with dispensing is excess earplugs in amounts greater than what is needed by a particular operator. Further, the present invention stores unwrapped individual earplugs for distribution thus eliminating incidental packaging waste associated with commonly used packaged earplugs. Additionally, overall handling of the individual earplugs is greatly reduced thus preserving the integrity of the earplugs prior to dispensation.  
         [0067]    The impeller of the present invention does not drag the earplugs about the bottom of the earplug container in attempts to push the earplugs to a dispensing opening as is seen in the prior art described herein above. Instead, the impeller of the present invention simply stirs the earplugs within the container causing the earplugs to settle toward the channel plate where the earplugs ultimately enter the channels as described herein above. In this way, the present invention negates the frictional forces associated with dragging the earplugs about the bottom of the container thereby avoiding the jamming of earplugs between the impeller blades and the container base common in the prior art, thus resulting in a more efficient and a more easily operable earplug dispenser.  
         [0068]    Additionally, due to the novel design of the channels formed within the channel plate, the dispensing assembly of the present invention may accommodate and allow passage therethrough of earplugs of a variety of shapes, sizes, and material compositions. Further, it will be noted that the interior surfaces of the earplug dispenser described herein, that is, those surfaces of the dispenser which directly contact the earplugs, may be contoured, textured, or Rio kept smooth to further inhibit dispensation of the earplugs from the container through the dispensing assembly and ultimately to the operator with a high degree of efficiency and exactitude.  
         [0069]    While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.