Abstract:
Spill kit dispensing systems are disclosed that are highly visible and easy to access when needed for the containment of potentially hazardous materials. The systems include a structure to contain and dispense multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include replaceable magazines containing multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include support structure for receiving the replaceable magazines.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/155,541 filed May 1, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to spill kit dispensing systems. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Spill kits are used in a variety of applications, including for the containment and disposal of potentially hazardous spills. Such kits typically include absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate, and/or pillows; disposal materials such as bags and ties; clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; as well as safety items such as gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs, and/or labels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established regulations for general requirements for spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plans, e.g., 40 CFR §112.7 and 40 CFR §§263.30-1. When spills occur, it is desirable to have spill kits readily accessible in order to quickly and safely respond to emergency situations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides spill kit dispensing systems that are highly visible and easy to access when needed for the containment of potentially hazardous materials. The systems include a structure to contain and dispense multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include replaceable magazines containing multiple spill kits. In certain embodiments, the systems also include support structure for receiving the replaceable magazines. 
         [0005]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing system, comprising: a support structure, and a spill kit dispensing magazine supported by the support structure. The spill dispensing magazine comprises: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, and a front panel comprising a dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit the spills kits to be sequentially removed from the spill kit dispensing magazine. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing magazine for use in a spill kit dispensing system, the spill kit dispensing magazine comprising: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, a front panel comprising a dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit spills kits to be removed from the spill kit dispensing magazine, and a plurality of spill kits contained in the body and sequentially removable therefrom through the dispensing mouth. 
         [0007]    A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a spill kit dispensing device comprising: a body structured and arranged to contain a plurality of spill kits, and a front panel comprising at least one dispensing mouth structured and arranged to permit spills kits to be removed from the spill kit dispensing device. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the spill kit dispensing system of  FIG. 1  showing a spill kit being removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7 . is an isometric view of a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the support structure of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the support structure of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the support structure of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the support structure of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the support structure of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the spill kit dispensing magazine of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view of a spill kit dispensing device of  FIG. 19  showing an open front panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a front view of the spill kit dispensing device of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the spill kit dispensing device of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the spill kit dispensing device of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The present invention provides self-feeding spill kit systems containing multiple spill kits that can be dispensed for quick spill response. As used herein, the term “spill kit” means a kit including materials for absorbing, collecting, containing, cleaning and/or disposing of a spill and/or safety items. In certain embodiments, the spill kits contain absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate, and/or pillows; disposal materials such as bags and ties; clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; as well as safety items such as gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs, and/or labels. 
         [0033]    A spill kit  40  may include any suitable materials for the absorbing, collecting, containing and/or disposing of a spill and/or safety items. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each spill kit  40  has a height H K , width and depth selected to form a self-contained spill response package. For example, the height H K  of each spill kit  40  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. The contents of each spill kit  40  may be intended for a one-time use and may be disposed of after use. The contents of each spill kit  40  may be packaged in a disposable or recyclable packaging, e.g., polybags, cardboard boxes, plastic containers and the like. A spill kit  40  may be vacuum-sealed. Vacuum sealing the spill kits of the present invention allow such kits to be easily dispensable, stackable and tamper resistant. Although the spill kit  40  may be vacuum sealed, it is to be understood that non-vacuum sealed spill kits may be used. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a spill kit dispensing system  5  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spill kit dispensing system  5  includes a support structure  10  having opposing bottom and top panels  11 ,  12  and back panel  13 . The support structure  10  may be structured and arranged to receive a spill kit dispensing magazine  20 ,  120 . In the embodiment shown, a lower retaining panel  14  extends from the bottom panel  11  and an upper retaining panel  15  extends from the top panel  12  to prevent the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  from being pulled from support structure  10  when a spill kit  40  is pulled from the spill kit dispensing magazine  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spill kit dispensing system  5  is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits  40 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an embodiment of the spill kit dispensing system  5  includes a spill kit dispensing magazine  20  that may be loaded into the support structure  10 . The spill kit dispensing magazine  20  includes a bottom panel  21 , top panel  22 , side panels  23 ,  24  and front dispensing panel  30 . The dimensions of the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be varied depending on the amount and size of the spill kits  40  to be held and dispensed. 
         [0036]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the front dispensing panel  30  has a dispensing mouth  31  structured and arranged to permit a single spill kit  40  to be removed from the dispensing magazine  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the dispensing mouth  31  may have an access notch  32  to enable a user to grasp a spill kit  40 . The access notch  32  may extend from the dispensing mouth  31  to near the midpoint of the front dispensing panel  30 . In the embodiment shown, the access notch  32  is triangular. However, any other suitable shape of access notch  32  may be used, e.g., semi-circular, rectangular and the like. The front dispensing panel  30  may optionally include a base lip  33 . The base lip  33  extends from the dispensing mouth  31  to the bottom of the front dispensing panel  30 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  has a total height H T , the dispensing mouth  31  has a height H M , the access notch  32  has a height H N  and the base lip  33  has a height H L . In the embodiment shown, the base lip height H L  is approximately the same as the spill kit height H K . For example, the base lip height H L  may be from 70 percent to less than 150 percent of the spill kit height H K , e.g., from 90 percent to 120 percent. Such an arrangement results in the bottom spill kit  40 B being retained in the magazine  20  by the base lip  33 , while the next upper spill kit is staged for removal from the dispensing magazine  20 . In this manner, the spill kits  40  may be sequentially removed from the magazine  20  until the last remaining spill kit  40 B is left in the dispensing magazine  20  for removal. Thus, in this embodiment, a spill kit  40 B may lay on the bottom panel  21  of the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  behind the base lip  33 . This results in the spill kit  40  removed from the dispensing magazine being the spill kit  40  on top of the bottom spill kit  40 B adjacent the bottom panel  21  of the spill kit dispensing magazine  20 . 
         [0037]    The dispensing mouth  31  has a height H M  selected to allow a spill kit  40  to be removed from the dispensing magazine  20 . For example, the height H M  of the dispensing mouth  31  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing mouth height H M  is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height H K . For example, the dispensing mouth height H M  may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height H K , e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit  40  from the dispensing mouth  31 , while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing magazine  20 . 
         [0038]    The access notch  32  has a height H N  selected to allow a user to easily grab a spill kit  40 . For example, the height H N  of the access notch  32  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the access notch height H N  is approximately the same or smaller than the dispensing mouth height H M . For example, the access notch height H N  may be from 25 percent to less than 110 percent of the dispensing mouth height H M , e.g., from 40 percent to 90 percent. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may include an indicator window  27 . In one embodiment, the indicator window  27  may be provided on one or more of the side panels  23 ,  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , there may be an indicator window  27  provided on both side panels  23 ,  24 . The indicator window  27  may be an opening in the side panels  23 ,  24 . In other embodiments, the indicator window  27  may comprise a transparent material (not shown) such as clear plastic. The indicator window  27  allows a user to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine  20 , and enables easier handling of the dispensing magazine when it is loaded into the support structure  10  or removed therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the indicator window  27  has a height H W  and a width W. The indicator window  27  height H W  should extend for a significant distance along the height of the side panels  23 ,  24 , for example, 50 percent of the height of the side panels  23 ,  24 , e.g., from 75 percent to 100 percent of the height. For example, the height H W  of indicator window  27  may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The width W W  of the indicator window  27  may be less than its height W H , but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine  20 . For example, the width W W  of indicator window  27  may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate the support structure  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the support structure  10  may have at least one side opening. As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the support structure  10  may have two side openings to allow the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  to be inserted or installed in the support structure  10  without the use of tools. The side openings allow the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  to be inserted or installed in the support structure  10  with no manipulation of the support structure  10 , e.g., no hinged portions, flaps or the like. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 and 7-10 , the lower retaining panel  14  and an upper retaining panel  15  establish a front plane of the support structure  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the support structure  10  has a total height H S , the lower retaining panel  14  has a height H LR  and the upper retaining panel  15  has a height H UR . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the lower and upper retaining panels  14 ,  15  extend for a height to secure the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  in the support structure  10 . The lower and upper retaining panel heights H LR , H UR  are also selected to allow access to the dispensing mouth  31  of the front panel  30 . For example, the lower retaining panel height H LR  may be equal to, or slightly less than, the base lip height H L . Similarly, the height of the upper retaining panel H UR  may be less than or equal to 75 percent of the total height H T  of the dispensing magazine  20  to allow the access notch  32  and the dispensing mouth  31  to remain accessible, e.g., from 30 percent to 50 percent of the total height. Once the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  is inserted into the support structure  10 , the retaining panels  14 ,  15  act to retain the dispensing magazine  20  in the support structure  10 . Although, the support structures  10  shown in the figures have lower and upper retaining panels, the support structure  10  may have only a lower retaining panel  14  or an upper retaining panel  15 . 
         [0042]    As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 8-10 , the bottom panel  11  of support structure  10  may also include engagement pegs  16 . The top panel  12  of support structure  10  may also include engagement apertures  17 . The engagement pegs  16  are sized to at least partially fit within the engagement apertures  17 . In the embodiment shown, there are two engagement pegs and apertures  16 ,  17 , but any other suitable number of engagement pegs and apertures may be used. For example, there may be zero, one, three, four or more engagement pegs and apertures. As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the support structure  10  is vertically stackable upon a second support structure  10  using the engagement pegs and apertures  16 ,  17 . The engagement pegs  16  of the top support structure  10  are engaged with the engagement apertures  17  of the lower support structure  10 . 
         [0043]    In certain embodiments, the support structure  10  may be mountable to a wall, building column or other vertical surface. The support structure  10  may be mounted to a vertical surface using any type of mounting arrangement, including holes or slots (not shown). For example, brackets (not shown) may be bolted to the back panel  13  of the support structure  10 . In another embodiment, the support structure  10  may be non-walled-mounted, e.g., the support structure  10  may be placed on a floor, table, bench or the like. The engagement pegs  16  of the support structure  10  may act as feet to stabilize the support structure when the support structure is non-wall-mounted. In another embodiment, the bottom panel  11  of the support structure has no engagement pegs  16 . This allows the bottom panel  11  to comprise a flat surface for stabile horizontal mounting. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the support structure  10  may be rotated 180° such that the top panel  12  is in contact with the horizontal surface. When the support structure  10  is non-wall-mounted, it may also be mounted to the horizontal surface using any type of mounting arrangement, including holes or slots (not shown). For example, brackets (not shown) may be bolted to the back panel  13  of the support structure  10 . 
         [0044]    In the various embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13 , the support structure  10  is adapted to be permanent and reloadable and the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  is adapted to be replaceable. The support structure  10  may be made of any suitable materials such as plastic, metal, wood, natural or synthetic composites and the like. Suitable plastic materials include polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) and the like. 
         [0045]    The spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be made of any suitable materials such as heavy paper, cardboard, plastic and the like. For example, the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may comprise a folded recyclable cardboard box structure. The spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be preloaded with multiple spill kits  40 . For example, the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may hold from 2 to 20 spill kits, when full, e.g., from 3 to 15 spill kits, or from 5 to 10 spill kits. In certain embodiments, the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be placed on its top panel  14  and loaded with spill kits  40  through the dispensing mouth  31 . In another embodiment, the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be top loaded before the top panel  14  is closed and sealed. 
         [0046]    During use, the spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be depleted of spill kits  40 . The empty spill kit dispensing magazine  20  may be easily removed from the support structure  10  and replaced with an additional preloaded spill kit dispensing magazine  20  while maintaining the support structure  10  in a stationary location. Maintaining the location of the spill kit dispensing system  5  allows users to quickly and safely access spill kits  40  to respond to emergency situations. The empty dispensing magazine  20  may be disposed of or refilled with spill kits  40 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 14-18  illustrate a spill kit dispensing magazine  120  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar element numbers are used in  FIGS. 14-18  for common features that are present in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-13 . The spill kit dispensing magazine  120  includes a bottom panel  121 , top panel  122 , side panels  123 ,  124  and front dispensing panel  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 14-18 , the dimensions of the spill kit dispensing magazine  120  may be varied depending on the amount and size of the spill kits  40  to be dispensed. The spill kit dispensing magazine  120  is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits  40 . 
         [0048]    In accordance with certain embodiments, the front dispensing panel  130  has a dispensing mouth  131  structured and arranged to permit a single spill kit  40  to be removed from the dispensing magazine  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 14, 15 and 18 , the dispensing mouth  131  may have an access notch  132  to enable a user to grasp a spill kit  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , the access notch  132  may extend from the dispensing mouth  131  to near the midpoint of the front dispensing panel  130 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the access notch  132  may extend from the top dispensing mouth  131  a minimum distance to allow a user to grasp a spill kit  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 14, 15 and 18 , the access notch  132  is rectangular. However, any other suitable shape of access notch may be used, e.g., semi-circular, triangular and the like. The front dispensing panel  130  may optionally include a base lip  133 . The base lip  133  extends from the dispensing mouth  131  to the bottom of the front dispensing panel  130 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the spill kit dispensing magazine  120  has a total height H T , the dispensing mouth  131  has a height H M,  the access notch  132  has a height H N  and the base lip has a height H L . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spill kit has a height H K . In the embodiment shown, the base lip  133  height H L  is less than the spill kit height H K . Such an arrangement results in no bottom spill kit  40 B being retained in the dispensing magazine by the base lip  33 . Thus, in this embodiment, the bottom spill kit  40 B is the spill kit removed from the dispensing magazine  120 . 
         [0049]    The dispensing mouth  131  has a height H M  selected to allow a spill kit  40  to be removed from the dispensing magazine  120 . For example, the height H M  of the dispensing mouth  131  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing mouth height H M  is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height H K . For example, the dispensing mouth height H M  may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height H K , e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit  40  from the dispensing mouth  131 , while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing magazine. 
         [0050]    The access notch  132  has a height H N  selected to allow a user to easily grab a spill kit  40 . For example, the height H N  of the access notch  132  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the access notch height H N  is approximately the same or slightly larger than the dispensing mouth height H M . For example, the access notch height H N  may be from 90 percent to less than 200 percent of the dispensing mouth height H M , e.g., from 90 percent to 140 percent. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 14, 15 and 18 , the spill kit dispensing magazine  120  may include an indicator window  137 . As shown in  FIGS. 14, 15 and 18 , the indicator window  137  may be provided on the front dispensing panel  130 . The indicator window  137  allows a user to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine  120 , and enables easier handling of the dispensing magazine when it is loaded into the support structure  10  or removed therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the indicator window  137  has a height H W  and a width W. The indicator window  137  height H W  should extend for a significant distance along the height of the front dispensing panel, for example, 50 percent of the height of the front dispensing panel  130 , e.g., from 60 percent to 80 percent. For example, the height H W  of indicator window  137  may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The width W W  of the indicator window  137  may be less than its height W H , but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the spill kit dispensing magazine  120 . For example, the width W W  of indicator window  137  may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. In the embodiment shown, the indicator window  137  may be continuous with a side of the dispensing mouth  131  of the front dispensing panel  130 . However, any other suitable arrangement of the indicator window may be used, e.g., the indicator window may continuous with the middle of the dispensing mouth or the indicator window may be separate from the dispensing mouth. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 19-23  illustrate a spill kit dispensing device  205  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, similar element numbers are used to describe the same features found in the previous embodiments. The spill kit dispensing device  205  includes a body  210  and a front panel  230 , which is shown in a closed position in  FIG. 19  and an open position in  FIG. 20 . The spill kit dispensing device  205  is self-feeding via a gravity feed arrangement that allows for the sequential removal of a plurality of spill kits  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , front panel  230  may be pivotally mounted to body  210  by means of a hinge assembly  237 . The body  210  includes a bottom panel  211 , top panel  212  and side panels  213 ,  214 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , divider panel  215  may be provided between the bottom panel  211  and top panel  212  in order to create upper and lower portions  222 ,  223  of the body  210 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the upper portion  222  has a height H UP  and the lower portion  223  has a height H LP . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , the upper portion height H UP  may be less than the lower portion height H LP . However, any other suitable height and size arrangement may be used, e.g., the upper portion height H UP  may be greater than the lower portion height H LP  or the upper portion height H UP  may the same size as the lower portion height H LP . For example, the upper portion height H UP  may typically range from 6 inches to 4 feet, e.g., from 2 to 3 feet. The lower portion height H LP  may typically range from 1 foot to 5 feet, e.g., from 2 to 4 feet. The height and size arrangement of upper and lower portions  222 ,  223  are configured to allow the spill kit dispensing device  205  to hold and dispense the desired variety of spill kits  40 . 
         [0054]    The spill kits  40  contained in the upper portion  222  may have a height H UK  (not shown) and the spill kits  40  contained in the lower portion  223  may have a height H LK  (not shown). The lower spill kit height H LK  may be greater than the upper spill kit height H UK , e.g., at least 10 percent to 20 percent higher. However, any other suitable arrangement of the upper and lower spill kit heights may be used, e.g., the same heights or the upper spill kit height H UK  may be greater than the lower spill kit height H LK . 
         [0055]    During use, it may be beneficial for the spill kit dispensing device  205  to have spill kits  40  containing different materials in the upper and lower portions  222 ,  223 . For example, the upper portion  222  may contain spill kits  40  containing safety items, e.g., gloves, safety glasses/goggles, fluid impervious aprons, respirators, warning signs and the like; and the lower portion  223  may contain spill kits  40  containing absorbent materials such as mats, pads, socks, loose absorbent particulate and/or pillows, and/or disposal materials such as bags and ties. The upper portion  222  may contain spill kits  40  containing absorbent materials for a small spill, and the lower portion  223  may contain spill kits  40  containing absorbent materials for a large spill. The upper portion  222  may contain spill kits  40  containing specialized absorbents or neutralizers for an acid spill, and the lower portion  223  may contain spill kits  40  containing specialized absorbents or neutralizers for a caustic spill. The upper portion  222  may contain spill kits  40  containing clean-up tools such as wipers, hand brooms, dust pans, and/or spray cleaners; and the lower portion  223  may contain spill kits  40  containing absorbent materials and/or safety items. The upper and lower portions  222 ,  223  may contain any combination of these spill kits  40  containing different materials. The spill kits containing different materials in the upper and lower portions  222 ,  223  allow a user to select the proper materials to be removed from the dispensing device when a spill occurs. 
         [0056]    In certain embodiments, the front panel  230  has at least one dispensing mouth  232 ,  233  structured and arranged to permit spills kits  40  to be removed from spill kit dispensing device  205 . As shown in  FIGS. 19-22 , the front panel  230  may have upper and lower dispensing mouths  232 ,  233 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the upper dispensing mouth  232  has a height H UM  and the lower dispensing mouth  233  has a height H LM . The upper dispensing mouth height H UM  is selected to allow a spill kit  40  contained in the upper portion  222  having a height H UK  to be removed from the dispensing device  205 . For example, the height H UM  of the dispensing mouth  232  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the upper dispensing mouth height H UM  is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height H UK . For example, the dispensing mouth height H UM  may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height H UK , e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit  40  from the upper dispensing mouth  232 , while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing device. 
         [0057]    The lower dispensing mouth height H LM  is selected to allow a spill kit  40  contained in the lower portion  223  having a height H LK  to be removed from the dispensing device  205 . For example, the height H LM  of the dispensing mouth  232  may range from 1 to 10 inches, or from 1 to 8 inches, or from 1.5 to 3 inches. In the embodiment shown, the lower dispensing mouth height H LM  is approximately the same or slightly larger than the spill kit height H LK . For example, the dispensing mouth height H LM  may be from 100 percent to less than 200 percent of the spill kit height H LK , e.g., from 120 percent to 180 percent. This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit  40  from the lower dispensing mouth  233 , while retaining the adjacent upper spill kit within the dispensing device. 
         [0058]    In the embodiment shown, the upper dispensing mouth height H UM  is approximately the same lower dispensing mouth height H LM . However, any other suitable height and size arrangement of upper and lower dispensing mouths may be used, e.g. the upper dispensing mouth height H UM  may be less than the lower dispensing mouth height H LM  or the upper dispensing mouth height H UM  may be greater than the lower dispensing mouth height H LM . In certain embodiments, the bottom of upper dispensing mouth  232  is intended to be substantially aligned with divider panel  215  and the bottom of lower dispensing mouth  233  is intended to be substantially aligned with bottom panel  211 . This arrangement allows easy removal of a single spill kit  40  from the upper and lower dispensing mouth  232 ,  233 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 19-22 , the front panel  230  of the spill kit dispensing device  205  may include at least one indicator window  234 ,  235 . Alternatively, the at least one indicator window  234 ,  235  may be provided on one or more of the side panels  213 ,  214  of the body  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 19-22 , the front dispensing panel may have upper and lower indicator windows  234 ,  235 . The indicator windows  234 ,  235  may be openings in the front panel  230 . In other embodiments, the indicator window  234 ,  235  may comprise a transparent material (not shown) such as plastic, glass and the like. As shown in  FIG. 21 , the upper indicator window has a height H UW  and a width W UW  and the lower indicator window has a height H LW  and a width W LW . The indicator windows  234 ,  235  allow a user to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the upper and lower portions  222 ,  223  of the spill kit dispensing device  205 , and enables easier removal of the front panel  230 . 
         [0060]    The upper indicator window height H UW  should extend for a significant distance along upper portion height H UP , for example, 50 percent of the upper portion height H UP , e.g., from 60 percent to 90 percent of the height. For example, the height H UW  of upper indicator window  234  may range from 4 inches to 3 feet, or from 8 inches to 2.5 feet, or from 10 inches to 2 feet. The upper indicator window width W UW  may be less than upper indicator window height H UW , but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the upper portion  222  of the spill kit dispensing device  205 . For example, the width W UW  of upper indicator window  234  may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. 
         [0061]    The lower indicator window height H LW  should extend for a significant distance along lower portion height H LP , for example, 50 percent of the lower portion height H LP , e.g., from 60 to 90 percent of the height. For example, the height H LW  of lower indicator window  234  may range from 4 inches to 4 feet, or from 8 inches to 3 feet, or from 10 inches to 2.5 feet. The lower indicator window width W LW  may be less than lower indicator window height H LW , but is sufficiently wide enough to view the number of spill kits  40  remaining in the lower portion  223  of the spill kit dispensing device  205 . For example, the width W LW  of lower indicator window  234  may range from 0.25 to 5 inches, or from 0.375 to 4 inches, or from 0.5 to 2 inches. In the embodiment shown, the indicator windows  234 ,  235  may be separate from the dispensing mouths  232 ,  233  of the front panel  230 . However, any other suitable arrangement of the indicator windows may be used, e.g., the indicator windows may be formed continuously with the dispensing mouths. 
         [0062]    As noted above, the front panel  230  may be pivotably mounted to the body  210 . The front panel may be rotatable about 180° between the closed position shown in  FIG. 19 , and the open position shown in  FIG. 20 . As shown in  FIG. 19-23 , hinge assemblies  237  may be mounted to the side panel  214  of the body  210 . In the embodiment shown, two hinge assemblies  237  are illustrated. However, any other suitable number of hinge assemblies may be used, e.g., one, three, four, etc. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , the body  210  and front panel  230  are configured to engage in interlocking relationship when the front panel  230  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 19 . The interlocking relationship may be formed using any suitable such as a latch, Velcro, magnets and the like. In certain embodiments, the interlocking relationship between body  210  and front panel  230  may include a security device (not shown) to provide a tamper evident function. The security device may be a flexible wire, a strap, rod, cable or the like. In addition, the security device may be provided in the form of a lock such as a combination lock or a key lock. 
         [0064]    In certain embodiments, the spill kit dispensing device  205  may be mountable to a wall, building column or other vertical surface. As shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , the body  210  includes mounting brackets  218 . A mounting hole  219  is through each mounting bracket  218 . A mounting device may be inserted through each mounting hole  219 . The mounting holes  219  are fully or partially enclosed to prevent the mounting device from being removed from the holes  219 . The mounting device may be a bolt (not shown) or other mechanical device for securing the spill kit dispensing device  205  to the vertical surface. 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , side panel  214  may include a cleaning tool holder  217 . The cleaning tool holder  217  may be provided to hold a device to aid in the absorbing, collecting, containing and/or disposing of a spill. For example, the cleaning tool holder  217  may be a two prong design adapted to removably hold the handle of a cleaning device, e.g., broom, mop, squeegee or the like. Although the cleaning tool holder  217  shown in the figures comprises a two prong design, any other suitable holder may be used, including a single prong, a fully or partially enclosed hole and the like. 
         [0066]    The spill kit dispensing device  205  may be made of any suitable materials such as plastic, metal, natural or synthetic composites, injectable molding material and the like. For example, the body  210  and front panel  230  may be made from polyethylene. Alternately, any moldable plastic can be used for the body  210  and front panel  230  or they can be cast or machined from metal such as aluminum. The body and front panel may be made of separate material types. 
         [0067]    Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.