Abstract:
A collapsible container dispenser dispenses a collapsible container. In a collapsed state, the collapsible container has a thickness that is much smaller than its length and width. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is an insulated cooler designed for containing ice. The collapsible containers are preferably stacked at an angle in the dispenser prior to being dispensed. In some embodiments, the only moving mechanical part in the dispenser is a push bar, which pushes a collapsible container toward an opening in the dispenser to dispense the collapsible container. In some embodiments, at least one wing maintains the collapsible container to be dispensed on the floor of the holding area as the push bar extends to push the collapsible container through the dispensing opening. In some embodiments, the dispenser also dispenses ice that may be contained in the collapsible container.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims one or more inventions which were disclosed in Provisional Application No. 61/547,847, filed Oct. 17, 2011, entitled “COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS, COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER DISPENSERS, AND METHODS OF DISPENSING A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER”. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/871,632, filed Aug. 30, 2010, entitled “AUTOMATED ICE BAGGING APPARATUS AND METHODS”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/106,072, filed Apr. 18, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,152, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/397,687, filed Apr. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,426,945, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/110,924, filed Apr. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,291, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/715,563, filed Nov. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,124. The aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field Of The Invention 
         [0004]    The invention pertains to the field of containers. More particularly, the invention pertains to collapsible containers, and dispensers and methods of dispensing for collapsible containers. 
         [0005]    2. Description Of Related Art 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,527, entitled “AUTOMATED ICE DELIVERY APPARATUS AND METHOD” and issued Jun. 15, 2010 to Dunn, discloses an ice vending apparatus that includes a holding vessel, an ice metering device, an ice transferring device, and a device for facilitating the movement of ice through the aperture, such as an ice circulation device or moisture inhibiting device. The ice circulation device inhibits or prevents the freezing together and buildup of ice pieces within the apparatus, while the moisture inhibiting device inhibits or prevents the undesirable transfer of moisture to different parts of the apparatus. Methods of delivering ice to a consumer are also disclosed. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,660, entitled “AUTOMATED ICE VENDING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF” and issued Mar. 8, 2011 to Ladson, discloses an automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a first receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine. Augers, positioned at least partially within channels on the lower portion of the receptacle, move ice from the first receptacle to a second receptacle with a second ice moving mechanism, which in turn moves the ice to a third, substantially inclined, ice moving mechanism. The subsequent transfer of ice to a removable container is also disclosed. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,958,918, entitled “AUTOMATED ICE VENDING APPARATUS AND METHOD” and issued Jun. 14, 2011 to Ladson, discloses an automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice-generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine. Ladson also discloses a first ice moving device with cutting members positioned within the receptacle to move ice from the receptacle to a second ice moving device. The subsequent transfer of ice to a removable container is also disclosed. 
         [0009]    The above-mentioned patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A collapsible container dispenser dispenses a collapsible container. In a collapsed state, the collapsible container has a thickness that is much smaller than its length and width. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is an insulated cooler designed for containing ice. The collapsible containers are preferably stacked at an angle in the dispenser prior to being dispensed. In some embodiments, the only moving mechanical part in the dispenser is a push bar, which pushes a collapsible container toward an opening in the dispenser to dispense the collapsible container. In some embodiments, at least one wing maintains the collapsible container to be dispensed on the floor of the holding area as the push bar extends to push the collapsible container through the dispensing opening. In some embodiments, the dispenser also dispenses ice that may be contained in the collapsible container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic side view of a dispenser in position to dispense a smaller collapsible container in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the collapsible container in a dispensed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic top view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  in the position of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic top view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  in the position of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of a dispenser to dispense a larger collapsible container in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a partial cross sectional top view of the dispenser of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a partial cross sectional side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 5  with no collapsible containers. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a partial cross sectional side view of the dispenser of  FIG. 5  with collapsible containers. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows the dispenser of  FIG. 8  in a first position of a dispensing cycle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows the dispenser of  FIG. 8  in a second position of a dispensing cycle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows the dispenser of  FIG. 8  in a third position of a dispensing cycle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a partial cross sectional top view of a dispenser with wings ready to dispense a collapsible container in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows the dispenser of  FIG. 12  with a dispensed collapsible container. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  shows a partial cross sectional back view of the dispenser of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A collapsible container dispenser uses a push bar to push a collapsible container through an opening to dispense the collapsible container. The awaiting collapsible container bottom preferably rests on the top of the push bar, while the top of the collapsible container rests at an angle so that the customer can not reach in and access the collapsible containers waiting to be dispensed. In some embodiments, wings are mounted to hinges on the side of the collapsible container dispenser. The wings are preferably mounted such that once the push bar is retracted, the awaiting collapsible container falls past the wings, and the wings keep the collapsible container held down. This addresses the potential concern of the push bar pushing the collapsible container back up instead of pushing it out to the customer. 
         [0026]    The term “containment state”, as used herein, refers to the state of a container in which the container is capable of serving the purpose of containing one or more items. In a preferred embodiment, the containment state is the state of the container which has a maximum contained volume for the container design. 
         [0027]    The terms “collapsed” and “collapsed state”, as used herein, refer to the state of an empty container which has been reduced in size in at least one dimension from a containment state. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the container is minimized in at least one dimension in the collapsed state, thereby removing essentially all of the containment space of the container. In some embodiments, the collapsed state is maintained by packaging for the container. In other embodiments, the collapsed state is maintained without any packaging or external pressure on the container. 
         [0028]    The term “collapsible container”, as used herein, refers to any container that can be reversibly converted between a collapsed state and a containment state. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 , collapsible containers  10 ,  12 ,  14  are stacked in a collapsed state at an angle in the holding area  16  of a collapsible container dispenser  40 . The holding area  16  is formed within a dispenser housing  41 . The front end  18  of the bottom angled collapsible container  12  of the stack is held at a predetermined height above the back end  20  of the container  12  by a projection  22  extending inwardly from the front wall of the holding area  16 . Depending on the state of dispensing, the back end  20  of the container is held in position by contact with the back end  24  of the container  10  about to be dispensed, as in  FIG. 1 , or the front end  26  of a pushing mechanism  28  or the push bar  30  of the pushing mechanism  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The pushing mechanism  28  extends to the position shown in  FIG. 2  to push a container  10  out a front opening  32  of the collapsible container dispenser  40 .  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show a push bar housing  34  from which the push bar  30  of the pushing mechanism  28  extends. The push bar housing  34  is preferably an air cylinder that actuates the push bar  30 .  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  also show a handle  36  on the front end of the collapsible container  10  to aid the user in removing the dispensed container  10  from the collapsible container dispenser  40 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4  show two positions of a collapsible container dispenser  40  in a method of dispensing collapsible containers. When the dispenser  40  is in a waiting state (not shown), the containers  12 ,  14  are preferably all stacked at an angle in the holding area  16  of the dispenser  40 . In the waiting state, the pushing mechanism  28  is slightly extended from the position shown in  FIG. 1  such that the back end  20  of the bottom angled container  12  rests on top of the pushing mechanism  28 , thereby maintaining the front end  18  of the bottom angled container  12  of the stack on the projection  22 . 
         [0031]    When a dispensing cycle is initiated, the pushing mechanism  28  retracts to the position of  FIG. 1 , thereby allowing the front end  18  of the bottom angled container  12  to clear the projection  22  and fall to the horizontal position of the container  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The container  14  above the bottom angled container  12 , which is at this point horizontal, moves to the bottom angled position of the stack. The pushing mechanism  28  then extends to an extended position, such as the position shown in  FIG. 2 , to push the collapsible container  10  out an opening  32  of the collapsible container dispenser  40 . The pushing mechanism  28  then retracts to the waiting state to complete the dispensing cycle. In an alternative embodiment of the method, the position shown in  FIG. 2  serves as the waiting state for the method. In some embodiments, the method is initiated by the deposition of money into the collapsible container dispenser  40  by a user of the dispenser  40 . A control mechanism  38  directs the pushing mechanism  28  during a dispensing cycle, and an air cylinder  34  actuates the push bar  30 . In some embodiments, the control mechanism  38  is a control board, which may be located anywhere in or on the collapsible container dispenser  40  within the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  through  FIG. 7  show a preferred shape of a collapsible container dispenser  140 . The holding area  116  is formed within a dispenser housing  141 . The dispenser includes a lid  142  with a handle  144  on top of the holding area  116  for the collapsible containers. The lid  142  is preferably only removable by the vendor to provide access to the holding area  116  to add more collapsible containers to be dispensed or to otherwise access the holding area, such as to repair the collapsible container dispenser  140 . A locking mechanism  180  maintains the lid  142  on the holding area to prevent customers from accessing the holding area. A push bar  130  extending from a push bar housing  134  actuates to dispense a collapsible container out the front opening  132  of the dispenser  140 . The push bar housing  134  is preferably an air cylinder that actuates the push bar  130 . The front wall projection  122  that supports the front ends of the collapsible containers and the front opening  132 , though which the collapsible containers are dispensed, are visible in  FIG. 5 . The ridges  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154 ,  155  that support the back ends of the collapsible containers are visible in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , collapsible containers  112 ,  114 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  are stacked in a collapsed state at an angle in the holding area  116  of the collapsible container dispenser  140 . The front end  118  of the bottom angled collapsible container  112  of the stack is held at a predetermined height above the back end  120  of the container  112  by a wall projection  122  extending down inwardly toward the holding area  116 . The push bar  130  extends to the position shown in  FIG. 8  to push a collapsible container  110  out the front opening  132  of the collapsible container dispenser  140 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  through  FIG. 11  show three positions of a collapsible container dispenser  140  in a method of dispensing collapsible containers  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 . When the dispenser is in a waiting state, such as in  FIG. 9 , once the user has removed the dispensed collapsible container  110 , the remaining collapsible containers  112 ,  114 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164  are preferably all stacked at an angle in the holding area  116  of the dispenser. In the waiting state, the push bar  130  is extended as shown in  FIG. 9 . The back end  120  of the bottom angled container  112  is held up by the ridge  150  and the top of the push bar  130 , thereby maintaining the front end  118  of the bottom angled container  112  of the stack on the projection  122 . When a dispensing cycle is initiated, the push bar  130  retracts as shown in  FIG. 10 . This allows the back end  121  of the bottom container  110  to drop down from the ridge  150 , thereby allowing the front end  119  of the bottom container  110  to clear the wall projection  122 . The front end  119  falls to the bottom of the holding area  116  and once the push bar  130  fully retracts, the back end  121  also falls to the bottom of the holding area  116 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , to a horizontal position. The collapsible container  112  above the bottom collapsible container  110 , which is at this point horizontal, moves to the bottom angled position of the stack and bottom ridge  150 , and each collapsible container  114 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164  above it moves down one position to the next-available ridge  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154 , respectively. The push bar  130  then extends to an extended position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , to push the collapsible container  110  out the opening  132  of the collapsible container dispenser  140 , thereby completing the dispensing cycle. In some embodiments, the method is initiated by the deposition of money into the collapsible container dispenser by a user of the dispenser. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 12 , a pair of wings  270 ,  272  pivotably connected to the sides of the collapsible container dispenser  240  are shown in an extended position to maintain a collapsible container horizontally on the horizontal floor of the holding area as the push bar extends to dispense the collapsible container. In  FIG. 13 , the wings  270 ,  272  are shown in a retracted position as a collapsible container drops from the bottom angled position to the horizontal floor during the dispensing cycle. The wings  270 ,  272  are preferably mounted to the side walls of the dispenser housing  241  by hinges  271 ,  273  and are preferably spring-biased by springs  280 ,  282  toward the extended position, as shown in  FIG. 14 . When a collapsible container moves from the bottom angled position in the holding area  216  toward the horizontal vending position, the weight of the collapsible container is sufficient to rotate the wings  270 ,  272  against the spring bias to a retracted position. With the wings  270 ,  272  in the retracted position, the collapsible container is able to fall past the outer edges of the wings and lie flat on the bottom of the holding area. When the collapsible container lies flat on the bottom of the holding area, the springs bias the wings  270 ,  272  back to the extended positions, and the wings limit the upward movement of the horizontal collapsible container as the container is pushed out the front of the dispenser  240  by the push bar  130 . Although the wings  270 ,  272  are only shown in  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 14 , the wings  270 ,  272  may be used in any of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. Although two wings are shown in  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 14 , any number of wings may be used within the spirit of the present invention to perform the same function. 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  also show handles  274 ,  278  on the front ends of the collapsible containers  110 ,  276  to aid the user in removing the dispensed collapsible container  110  from the collapsible container dispenser  240 . 
         [0037]    The stack of collapsible containers is preferably angled at a predetermined angle with respect to the line of action of the pushing mechanism. In some embodiments, the predetermined angle is selected to prevent theft of the collapsible containers from the collapsible container dispenser. In some embodiments, the predetermined angle is between about 20 and about 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the predetermined angle is about 30 degrees. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the pushing mechanism is the only mechanical part for the method of dispensing. In some embodiments, the pushing mechanism is the only mechanical part of the dispenser. In some embodiments, the pushing mechanism is pneumatically actuated. In other embodiments, the pushing mechanism is mechanically actuated. In some embodiments, the pushing mechanism includes an air cylinder to push the collapsible container out. The stroke of the pushing mechanism is preferably between about 6 and 10 inches. In one embodiment, the stroke is about 8 inches. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser includes a sensor to sense when a collapsible container has been dispensed from the collapsible container dispenser. 
         [0040]    The collapsible container is preferably re-useable. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is a cooler. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is insulated. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is designed to hold ice and is insulated to reduce melting of the ice during transportation of the ice in the collapsible container. In these embodiments, the collapsible container preferably includes a lid and the enclosed space is preferably sealable, such as by a zipper, clasp, or flap. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the collapsible container is foldable. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser also dispenses an item which the collapsible container is designed to hold. In some embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser also dispenses ice. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is automatically dispensed with ice. In some embodiments, the collapsible container is automatically dispensed to a position for receiving and containing ice dispensed by the dispenser. In other embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser is located near or next to an ice dispenser. In some embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser is capable of accepting used collapsible containers for recycling or re-use. In some embodiments, the collapsible container dispenser requires payment by a user in order for a collapsible container or ice to be dispensed. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, at the rest position, the push bar is in the forward position with the back of the collapsible container resting on top of the push bar and the front of the collapsible container resting on the front wall of the storage compartment. This keeps someone from sticking something through the vending chute into the storage compartment and removing collapsible containers from the storage compartment. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, once a credit is received, the control board sends a signal to an air valve that closes an air cylinder. The air valve is preferably powered by compressed air. In some embodiments, the air cylinder is a 12-inch air cylinder. When the air cylinder closes, the air cylinder pulls the push bar to the back of the holding area allowing enough room so that the waiting collapsible container can drop down to the dispense position, then the control board activates the air cylinder to open, which pushes the push bar forward and the push bar pushes the collapsible container out the vending chute. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the collapsible container is of the type marketed as Koolit Collapsible Coolers by Lifefoam Industries, LLC (Hunt Valley, Md., US). 
         [0046]    In other embodiments, the collapsible container is of the type marketed as Pop-Up Coolers® containers by Wes-Pak, Inc. (Alexander, Ariz., US). 
         [0047]    All above-mentioned references are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0048]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. 
         [0049]    Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.