Abstract:
A dispensing container device for dispensing small solids such as pills, tablets, or candy, or liquids such as emulsions, gels, solvents, or aqueous solutions, comprising a base, a cover, and an insert. The base has a bottom wall and a curvilinear side wall having an upper edge, the side wall having an aperture. The cover has an upper wall and a curvilinear side wall having a lower edge. The insert has an upper wall and a curvilinear side wall and has an aperture which corresponds with at least some portion of the aperture in the base side wall when the insert is placed within the base. When the cover, base, and insert are assembled, placement of pressure on the cover upper wall or on the base bottom wall reveals the aperture in the base side wall and in the corresponding insert side wall, permitting the dispensing of the device&#39;s contents.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a divisional of parent application, application Ser. No. 12/052,131 filed on Mar. 20, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present dispenser relates generally to the field of small containers with the capability of functioning as a dispenser. More particularly, the invention relates to a container for dispensing small solids such as pills, tablets, or candy, or liquids such as emulsions, gels, solvents, or aqueous solutions, wherein a cover is configured to a base such that when a portion of the cover or base is pressed, the device opens up thereby allowing its contents to be dispensed through an aperture. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Small containers for storing and dispensing items are often comprised of various moving parts such as lids, caps, covers, seals, or hinged openings. Also, dispensers with a press-top configuration are generally well-known in the art. 
         [0004]    The present invention provides a dispensing container device that is convenient to carry and operate, and adapted for readily dispensing small solids such as pills, tablets, or candy, or liquids such as emulsions, gels, solvents, or aqueous solutions. The present invention permits the opening of the device, dispensing of its contents, and closing of the device using a single hand, if desired. Additionally, the present invention permits the dispensing of its contents without having to reach into the dispenser or touch its contents. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention comprises a dispensing device which functions as a container for holding and dispensing items small solids such as pills, tablets, or candy, or liquids such as emulsions, gels, solvents, or aqueous solutions, with a cover assembled to a base. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a base with a bottom wall, side walls, a front wall with an aperture, and a rear wall, each wall having an upper edge. The cover has an upper wall, side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, each wall having a lower edge. A portion of the upper edge of each base side wall is angled such that the resulting upper edge of the base rear wall is lower than the base front wall. A portion of the lower edge of each cover side wall is also angled such that the resulting lower edge of the cover rear wall is higher than the cover front wall. When the cover and base are assembled, placement of downward pressure on a rear area of the cover upper wall elevates the cover front wall, revealing some portion of the aperture, thereby permitting the dispensing of at least some of the contents of the dispenser. 
         [0006]    The present invention also comprises a dispensing device that includes an insert. The insert has an aperture in its front wall which corresponds with at least some portion of the aperture in the front wall of the base when the insert is placed in the base. The insert is shaped in such fashion that would allow the exposure of at least some portion of the aperture in the front wall of the base when pressure is applied on the rear portion of the cover or base. 
         [0007]    The present invention also comprises a dispensing device with interacting detents provided on the cover and base for retaining the cover and base in a closed configuration. Interacting detents can also be provided to prevent disengagement of the cover and base when the device is in its open configuration. 
         [0008]    The present invention also comprises a dispensing device wherein the bottom wall, side wall, front wall, or rear wall of the base is curvilinear. 
         [0009]    The present invention also comprises a dispensing device wherein the upper wall, side wall, front wall, or rear wall of the cover is curvilinear. 
         [0010]    The present invention also comprises a dispensing device of various geometric shapes, including but not limited to multi-sided shapes, for example, triangular, rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and curved shapes such as oval, circular, elliptical, or pear shape. 
         [0011]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary merely provides an example of how the dispensing device&#39;s inventive aspects may be put into practice, and is not intended to limit the broad spirit and scope of the inventive aspects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, reference numbers are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects, or features shown therein. Reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicate like components, aspects, or features shown therein. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser, showing the cover, the insert, and the base; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  in its closed configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 2  in its open configuration, showing a finger depressing a rear portion of the cover to expose the aperture in the base; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the insert in  FIG. 1 , showing the rear wall of the insert, and the portion of the insert&#39;s upper wall angled downwards towards the base end wall; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the cover of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the cover of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  in its closed configuration, displaying the interacting detents; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exploded rear perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the cover of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , with specific references to the angled portions of the lower edge of the cover side wall; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the base of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , with specific references to the angled portions of the upper edge of the base side wall; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a curved shaped embodiment of the dispenser, showing the cover, the insert, and the base; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a triangular embodiment of the dispenser, showing the cover, the insert, and the base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 , generally indicated by reference number  10  comprises broadly: a base  11  and a cover  12 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 , the base  11  is comprised of a bottom wall  14 , at least two opposing side walls  15  (both indicated by reference number  15 ), a front wall  16  and a rear wall  17 , each wall having an upper edge. The upper edge of the base front wall is indicated by reference number  18  and the upper edge of the base rear wall indicated by reference number  19 . A portion  50  of the upper edge of each base side wall is angled such that the resulting upper edge of the base rear wall  19  is lower than the upper edge of the base front wall  18 . The base front wall  16  has at least one aperture  20 . The aperture  20  can be varied in size, shape, and location in the base front wall  16 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  8 , the cover  12  is comprised of an upper wall  21 , at least two opposing side walls  22 , a front wall  23  and a rear wall  24 , each wall having a lower edge. The lower edge of the cover front wall  23  is indicated by reference number  25  and the lower edge of the cover rear wall is indicated by reference number  26 . A portion  51  of the lower edge of each cover side wall is angled such that the resulting lower edge of the cover rear wall  26  is higher than the lower edge of the cover front wall  25 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the cover  12  and base  11  are assembled, a portion  27  of the base is exposed, whereupon placement of downward pressure on a rear area of the cover upper wall  21 , such as at location  40 , elevates the cover front wall  23 , revealing some portion of the aperture  20  in the base front wall  16 , thereby permitting the dispensing of at least some of the contents of the dispenser. 
         [0029]    The angled portions  50  and  51  of the base and the cover, respectively, allow the front wall  23  of the cover  12  to be elevated when pressure is applied to the cover or base, thereby revealing the aperture  20  in the base front wall  30 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in this field numerous embodiments may be constructed with corresponding angled portions  50  and  51 , adjusted depending on the size, thickness, and length of the dispensing device, or to vary the degree in which the cover front wall  23  is elevated when downward pressure is applied to the cover or base. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in alternate embodiments, the angles (θ)  55  and  56  and lengths  60  and  61  of the corresponding angled portions  51  and  50  of the cover and the base, respectively, can be increased or decreased, in order to vary the degree in which the aperture  20  is exposed, or to vary the degree in which the cover front wall  23  elevates. The angles (θ)  55  and  56  in  FIGS. 9 and 10  are each measured to be about 17 degrees, however these angles can be adjusted to a degree greater than 0, but less than 90 degrees. 
         [0030]    Another embodiment of the present dispensing device comprises an insert  13 . The insert holds the contents in place, such as in the event the cover is disengaged. Also, small solids such as tablets tend to “stack” inside a dispensing device, and the insert permits the dispensing device to open and close when stacking occurs. This optional insert is preferred if the size of the contents of the dispensing device is small enough to “stack” thereby preventing the depression of the cover onto the base. The insert can also be removably or permanently fixed to the base. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  8 , the insert  13  can be comprised of an upper wall  28 , at least two opposing side walls  29 , a front wall  30  and a rear wall  31 . The front wall  30  and rear wall  31  of the insert  13  both have upper edges. The upper edge of the front wall of the insert is indicated by reference number  33 , and the upper edge of the rear wall of the insert is indicated by reference number  32 . A portion  52  of each of the upper edge of each side wall  29  of the insert is angled, such that the resulting upper edge  32  of the rear wall is lower than the upper edge  33  of the front wall. The insert  13  has at least one aperture  34  in the front wall  30  which corresponds with at least some portion of the aperture  20  in the base front wall  16  when the insert  13  is placed within the base  11 . 
         [0032]    Another embodiment of the present dispensing device includes interacting detents on the base and cover. These interacting detents assist in maintaining the cover in its closed position and also assists in maintaining the cover in its open position. These interacting detents also make it more difficult for the cover or the base to be disengaged, and can also reduce the likelihood of disengagement of the cover or base when the device is at the limit of its open configuration. These detents can be comprised of an interacting corresponding pair of inwardly-directed female detent and outwardly-directed male detent, and can also be comprised of fasteners such as by way of example and without limitation, screws, bolts and nuts, or any other type of fasteners that will permit the dispenser to function for its intended purpose. 
         [0033]    As an example as to how the detents work, we now refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  7 , and  8 . In the illustrative embodiments shown in these figures, the detent  35  of the base  11  interacts with and engages detent  36  of the cover  12  to assist in maintaining the dispensing device in its closed configuration ( FIG. 2 ), thereby retaining its contents, and also to assist in maintaining the device in its open configuration ( FIG. 3 ), thereby allowing the dispensing of its contents while fixed in the open configuration. Likewise, detent  37  of the base  11  interacts with and engages detent  38  of the cover  12  to assist in maintaining the device  10  in its closed configuration, thereby making it more difficult for the cover or the base to be disengaged. Detent  39  of the base  11  interacts with and engages detent  38  of the cover  12  to help maintain the device in its open configuration, reducing the likelihood of disengagement of the cover or base when the device is at the limit of its open configuration. 
         [0034]    There can also be additional detents on the base or cover. And there can also be detents at alternative locations than what is described herein. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the detent  38  could be located instead on the cover front wall  23  and the corresponding detents  37  and  39  could be located on the cover front wall  23  and base front wall  16 , respectively, to maintain the device in its closed configuration and prevent disengagement when it is at the limit of its open configuration. Alternatively, the detent  35  located at the rear area of the base side wall  15  and detent  36  located at the rear area of the cover side wall  22 , can be replaced by fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts, or any other suitable material known in the art, so that the base  11  and the cover  12  are rotatably engaged (i.e., allowing rotation, like a pivot) either permanently or removably, at this point. 
         [0035]    Opening the dispenser of  FIG. 2  can be done in several ways one of which is by applying downward pressure on the rear area of the upper wall  21  of the cover  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The dispenser of  FIG. 2  can also be opened by applying pressure on the rear area of the base bottom wall  14 . Opening the dispenser can be done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a surface as shown in  FIG. 3 , or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two fingers—with one finger on the cover  12 , and another finger on the base  11 . 
         [0036]    Closing the dispenser of  FIG. 3  can also be done in several ways, one of which is by applying downward pressure on the front area of the cover upper wall  21 . The dispenser of  FIG. 3  can also be closed by applying pressure on the front area of the base bottom wall  14 . Closing the dispenser can be also done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a surface, or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two opposing fingers—with one finger on the cover  12 , and another finger on the base  11 . 
         [0037]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a dispensing device of curved geometric shape, for example, oval, circular, elliptical, or pear shape. Shown in  FIG. 11  is a dispensing device in the shape of a circle. Specifically, in this embodiment, the dispenser is broadly comprised of a base  100  and a cover  101 . The base  100  has a bottom wall  103  and a curvilinear side wall  104  with an upper edge  105 . The base side wall has at least one aperture  106 . A portion  107  of the upper edge of the base side wall, opposite the aperture  106 , is angled downward such that the upper edge of that portion of the base side wall is lower than the remaining upper edge of the base side wall. The cover  101  has an upper wall  108  and a curvilinear side wall  109  having a lower edge  111 . A portion  110  of the lower edge of the cover side wall, opposite the aperture  106  of the base side wall, is angled upward such that the lower edge of that portion  110  of the cover side wall is higher than the remaining lower edge of the cover side wall. Upon assembly of the cover  101  and base  100 , a portion of the base wall is exposed, such that placement of downward pressure on an area of the cover upper wall  108  across the aperture in the base side wall elevates the cover wall  109 , revealing some portion of the aperture  106  in the base side wall, thereby permitting the dispensing of at least some of the contents of the dispenser. 
         [0038]    The angled portions  107  and  110  of the base  100  and the cover  101 , respectively, allow the cover wall  109  to be elevated when pressure is applied on an area of the cover upper wall  108 , thereby revealing the aperture  106  of the base side wall. As will be appreciated by those skilled in this field numerous embodiments may be constructed with corresponding angled portions  107  and  110  of the base and cover, respectively, which are adjusted depending on the size, thickness, and length of the dispensing device, or to vary the degree in which the cover wall  109  is elevated when downward pressure is applied to the cover or base. In alternate embodiments, the angles of the corresponding angled portions  107  and  110  of the base  100  and the cover  101 , respectively, can be increased or decreased, in order to vary the degree in which the aperture  106  is exposed, or to vary the degree in which the cover front wall  109  elevates. 
         [0039]    Opening the dispenser of  FIG. 11  can be done in several ways one of which is by applying downward pressure on an area of the cover upper wall  108 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Opening the dispenser can be done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a flat surface, or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two fingers—with one finger on the on an area of the cover upper wall  108 , and another finger on the bottom of the base  100 . 
         [0040]    Closing the dispenser of  FIG. 11  can also be done in several ways, one of which is by applying downward pressure on the front area of the cover  101 . The dispenser of  FIG. 11  can also be closed by applying pressure on the bottom of the base  100 . Closing the dispenser can be also done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a flat surface, or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two opposing fingers—with one finger on the on an area of the cover upper wall  108 , and another finger on the bottom of the base  100 . 
         [0041]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a dispensing device in the shape of a circle, oblong, oval, ellipsis, or pear, as described above, with an insert  102  (as also shown in  FIG. 11 ). The insert holds the contents in place, such as in the event the cover is disengaged. Also, small solids such as tablets tend to “stack” inside a dispensing device, and the insert permits the dispensing device to open and close when stacking occurs. This optional insert is preferred if the size of the contents of the dispensing device is small enough to “stack” thereby preventing the depression of the cover onto the base. The insert can also be removably or permanently fixed to the base. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the insert  102  has an upper wall  112  and a curvilinear side wall  113  with an upper edge  114 . A portion  115  of the upper edge of the side wall of the insert is angled downward such that the upper edge of that portion of the insert side wall is lower than the remaining upper edge  114 . The insert  102  has at least one aperture  116  in the curvilinear side wall which corresponds with at least some portion of the aperture  106  in the base side wall when the insert  102  is placed within the base  100 . 
         [0043]    The dispensing device of  FIG. 11  can also include interacting detents on the base  100  and the cover  101 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the detent  119  of the base  100  interacts with and engages detent  117  of the cover  101 , to assist in maintaining the dispensing device in its closed configuration, thereby retaining its contents, and also to assist in maintaining the device in its open configuration, thereby allowing the dispensing of its contents while fixed in the open configuration. Likewise, detent  120  of the base  100  interacts with and engages detent  118  of the cover  101  to assist in maintaining the device in its closed configuration, thereby making it more difficult for the cover or the base to be disengaged. Detent  121  of the base  100  interacts with and engages detent  118  of the cover  101  to help maintain the device in its open configuration, reducing the likelihood of disengagement of the cover or base when the device is at the limit of its open configuration. 
         [0044]    Another embodiment is a dispensing device with alternative multi-sided geometric shapes, including but not limited to, for example, triangular, square, rectangular (as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 8 ) or hexagonal. An embodiment of the present dispensing device with multi-sided shapes such as triangular (including scalene, isosceles, equilateral, and right triangles) is broadly comprised of: a base and a cover. Shown in  FIG. 12  is a triangular embodiment of the dispenser. Specifically, in this embodiment, the dispenser is broadly comprised of a base  200  and a cover  201 , each shaped as a triangular solid. The base  200  has a bottom wall  203 , a first side wall  204 , a second side wall  205 , and a third side wall  206 , each side wall having an upper edge  209 . The first side wall  204  has an aperture  207 . An apex  208  is formed opposite the aperture  207  by the convergence of the second side wall  205  and the third side wall  206 . A portion  210  of the upper edge of the second side wall and a portion  210  of the upper edge of the third side wall are angled downwards, such that the resulting upper edge  211  at the convergence of the second and third side walls is lower than the upper edges  209  of the first, second, and third base side walls. The cover  201  has an upper wall  212 , a first side wall  213 , a second side wall  214 , and a third side wall  215 , each side wall having a lower edge  216 . An apex  217  is formed by the convergence of the second side wall  214  and the third side wall  215 . A portion  218  of the lower edge of the second side wall and a portion  218  of the lower edge of the third side wall are angled upwards, such that the resulting lower edge  219  at the convergence of the second and third side walls is higher than the lower edges  216  of the first, second, and third cover side walls. Upon assembly of the cover  201  and base  200 , a portion of the base wall is exposed, such that placement of downward pressure on the cover upper wall  212 , opposite the aperture  207 , elevates the first side wall  213  of the cover, revealing some portion of the aperture in the base side wall, thereby permitting the dispensing of at least some of the contents of the dispenser. 
         [0045]    The angled portions  210  and  218  of the base  200  and the cover  201 , respectively, allow the first side wall  213  to be elevated when pressure is applied on an area of the cover upper wall  212 , thereby revealing the aperture  207  of the base side wall. As will be appreciated by those skilled in this field numerous embodiments may be constructed with corresponding angled portions  210  and  207  of the base and cover, respectively, which are adjusted depending on the size, thickness, and length of the dispensing device, or to vary the degree in which the first side wall  213  is elevated when downward pressure is applied to the cover or base. In alternate embodiments, the angles and lengths of the corresponding angled portions  210  and  218  of the base  200  and the cover  201 , respectively, can be increased or decreased, in order to vary the degree in which the aperture  207  is exposed, or to vary the degree in which the cover front wall  213  elevates. 
         [0046]    Opening the dispenser of  FIG. 12  can be done in several ways one of which is by applying downward pressure on an area of the cover upper wall  212 . Opening the dispenser can be done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a flat surface, or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two fingers—with one finger on the on an area of the cover upper wall  212 , and another finger on the bottom of the base  200 . 
         [0047]    Closing the dispenser of  FIG. 12  can also be done in several ways, one of which is by applying downward pressure on the front area of the cover  201 . The dispenser of  FIG. 12  can also be closed by applying pressure on the bottom of the base  200 . Closing the dispenser can be also done by one finger, by placing the dispenser on a flat surface, or by grasping the container between two opposing fingers, simultaneously pressing with two opposing fingers—with one finger on the on an area of the cover upper wall  212 , and another finger on the bottom of the base  200 . 
         [0048]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a dispensing device in the shape of a triangle, as described above, with an insert. The insert holds the contents in place, such as in the event the cover is disengaged. Also, small solids such as tablets tend to “stack” inside a dispensing device, and the insert permits the dispensing device to open and close when stacking occurs. This optional insert is preferred if the size of the contents of the dispensing device is small enough to “stack” thereby preventing the depression of the cover onto the base. The insert can also be removably or permanently fixed to the base. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the triangular insert  202  fits within the base, has an upper wall  220 , a first side wall  221 , a second side wall  222 , and a third side wall  223 , each wall having an upper edge  224 . The first side wall  221  has an aperture  225  which corresponds with at least some portion of the aperture  207  in the first base side wall  204  when the insert is placed within the base. An apex  226  is formed opposite the aperture  225  by the convergence of the second side wall and the third side wall. A portion  227  of the upper edge of the second side wall and a portion of the upper edge of the third side wall are angled downwards, such that the resulting upper edge  229  at the convergence of the second and third side walls is lower than the upper edges  224  of the first, second, and third base side walls. 
         [0050]    Another embodiment of the present dispensing device comprises a base which is a single piece, wherein the insert and base are formed into a single unitary piece, having at least one aperture on a side wall and having a cover as disclosed in the detailed description herein. 
         [0051]    Another embodiment is a dispensing device wherein the bottom wall, side wall, front wall, or rear wall of the base is of curvilinear shape. 
         [0052]    Another embodiment is a dispensing device wherein the upper wall, side wall, front wall, or rear wall of the cover is of curvilinear shape. 
         [0053]    In each of the foregoing embodiments, the edges of the walls of the cover and the base can be rolled over to form a smooth rolled lip around the entire periphery of the edges. This rolled lip advantageously eliminates any exposed sharp metal edges that might otherwise cut the user. 
         [0054]    The present invention also includes a method of assembly of the dispensing device. In this method, the dispensing device is assembled by first acquiring a base, a cover, and an insert (which is optional) in any of the embodiments described above; second, loading the items desired to be dispensed into the base; third (if an insert is desired to be used), placing the insert into the base and over the items to be dispensed; and fourth, engaging the detents so that the cover and base are assembled. This assembly can also be accomplished whether the dispensing device is filled or empty. Alternatively, the items intended to be dispensed can be loaded after assembly, such as through its aperture, while the dispensing device is in its open configuration. 
         [0055]    In the embodiment wherein all interacting detents are removably engaged with each other and wherein the insert is removably inserted into the base, the dispensing device can be simply disassembled by disengaging the base and cover and removing the insert from the base. This allows the dispensing device to be reused, and also allows re-filling with the items desired to be dispensed. 
         [0056]    Finally, with respect to the composition of the elements making up the dispenser, the base, cover, or insert could be made from, by way of example and without limitation, metal, alloy, plastic, resins, or other suitable material that will permit the dispenser to function for its intended purpose. The base, cover, or insert could be formed as, by way of example and without limitation, metal stampings, thermoformed plastic, by injection molding of synthetic resinous materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or by any other suitable materials and formation methods known in the art. The cover and base can also be embossed, stamped, or printed for decorative purposes or for functional purposes such as indicating where to press to open or close the device. 
         [0057]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.