Abstract:
A box contains a spring or other biasing member and a stack of individual, non-interleaved flexible sheets, such as coupons, booklets or other promotional items. The spring is disposed between the stack of sheets and a bottom wall to push the stack of sheets toward an opening in a top wall of the dispenser. The spring imparts a bend in the stack so that the folded end of the sheet adjacent the opening is spaced from the stack and extends through the opening to allow for individual sheets to be dispensed one at a time.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/098,139, filed Mar. 13, 2002, now allowed and issue fee paid, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/638,882 filed Aug. 15, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,654, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/130,445 filed Aug. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,221, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/999,846, filed Oct. 9, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,699. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention discloses a dispenser box allowing for the removal of individual coupons without the chance of another coupon being removed at the same time.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Over the years, there have been many dispenser boxes developed for the dispensing of sheets of paper or coupons of some sort. This type of device has become more important in the marketplace as grocery and other stores have installed coupon dispensers on their shelves to give consumers incentives to make impulse purchases based on lower prices given at their stores on any given day of the week.  
           [0006]    To accommodate consumer needs, there have been a number of different paper dispensing devices over the years.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,253,742 (W. H. West et al.) discloses a dispenser for interfolded paper. The dispenser comprises a vertically disposed container having a dispensing opening and a spring-actuated follower plate in the container adapted to support a vertically disposed stack of interfolded paper sheets. A plate is secured to the under side of the cover at one side of the dispensing opening, and engages the upper end of the stack while maintaining a predetermined spacing between the stack and the dispensing opening. A second plate is secured to the underside of the cover, the ends of the plates adjacent the dispensing opening being rounded to form deflecting surfaces.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,820 (Wright et al.) discloses an elevating dispensing device for flexible sheet material. The dispensing aperture has flaps to retain the end of successively drawn sheets above the aperture for ease of withdrawal. The stack of sheets rests within the carton on an elevating platform which is flexibly attached on two opposing sides to the base of the adjacent side walls of the carton by flexibly folded extension panels which allow upward urging of the elevating platform.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,237,424 (S. N. Hope) discloses a sheet dispenser comprising a casing adapted to contain a pack of interfolded sheets and having opposite end walls with inwardly directed embossments adjacent to the opposite sides of the casing. A pair of cover members extends between the casing end walls and having end walls with outwardly directed embossments adapted to register with the casing embossments. A coiled spring for each cover member urges the cover member against the pack, with the spring surrounding a cooperating pair of the embossments on the casing and cover member.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,590 (Windorski) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,570 (Windorski et al.) are for dispensers for a stack of partially adhesive coated sheets stacked with the adhesive coating on each successive sheet disposed along alternate opposite sides of the stack and releasably adhering the sheets together.  
           [0011]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,590, the dispenser for adhesive coated sheets has opposed end surfaces having parallel upper ends adapted to be engaged by the opposite sides of the stack with the top sheets in the stack parallel to the adjacent upper ends, with the opposed end surfaces diverging slightly from each other toward the upper ends of the end surfaces to cause movement of the end portions of the stack along the end surfaces toward the upper ends in response to forces applied to the stack to sequentially remove sheets from the stack through the opening.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,699 (Simpson) discloses a dispenser box allowing for the removal of individual coupons without the chance of another coupon being removed at the same time. The dispenser comprises walls defining a cavity adapted to receive the stack of sheets, a rectangular flat top wall having an opening through which the sheets may be individually dispensed, a flat bottom wall having approximately the same dimensions as the flat top wall, with the flat bottom wall being approximately parallel to the flat top wall, and resilient means to push the stack of said sheets to the opening in the top wall of the dispenser.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,190 (Simpson) discloses a method for dispensing packaged bandages in a way that allows for the easy removal of the bandage from its package. The dispenser comprises walls defining a cavity adapted to receive the stack of sheets, a rectangular flat top wall having an opening through which the sheets may be individually dispensed, a flat bottom wall having approximately the same dimensions as the flat top wall, with the flat bottom wall being approximately parallel to the flat top wall, and resilient means to push the stack of said sheets to the opening in the top wall of the dispenser.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,723 (Krautsack) discloses a coupon dispenser in the form of an integral, vacuum-molded thermoplastic sheet foldable upon itself to enclose a stack of coupons in a box-like container with opposed side wall openings which allow withdrawal of coupons from both sides of the dispensing container. Integrally molded mounting accommodation is provided at one end. In an alternative form, the coupon receptacle proper is separately inserted by halves, respectively, in each foldable part.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,356 discloses a coupon dispenser provided with at least one suction cup and, preferably, a pair of suction cups, connected to the dispenser box so that the box can be directly mounted on a window, refrigerator/freezer door, or any other substantially flat and smooth surface capable of supporting a suction cup.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,219 (Emoff et al.) discloses a pop-up coupon dispenser for small sheets which have a repositionable adhesive is provided with a flexible plastic cable tie. The dispenser includes a box filled with such sheets having an adhesive stripe along one margin and stacked in accordion fashion, the sheets being printed as manufacturer&#39;s coupons supplied to a retailer who attaches the box by the cable tie to a wire rack, to a cardboard display or other suitable support, such as a shelf, and cuts off the excess end of the cable tie. Customers can remove the coupons one-at-a-time and affix them by their adhesive backing to the product for which the coupon is redeemable. A check out cashier can, therefore, immediately determine that the purchaser is purchasing the product for which the coupon was issued.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    This invention is for a dispenser box having walls defining a cavity opening at one side and containing a stack of individual flexible sheets that are independent from one another and are each folded at a specific length. The cavity also contains a biasing structure positioned between the stack of sheets and at least one of the walls to bias the stack of sheets toward the cavity opening such that an end of a first sheet of the stack of sheets is positioned at the cavity opening spaced from the stack of sheets.  
           [0018]    Preferably, the dispenser box has eight walls including a top wall, a bottom wall spaced from the top wall, two spaced apart end walls extending between corresponding end edges of the top and bottom walls and two side walls extending between corresponding side edges of the top and bottom walls. More preferably, the top and bottom walls are parallel, the end walls are parallel and the side walls are parallel and the end walls are perpendicular to the side walls and the top and bottom walls. The top wall can have the cavity opening. More preferably, the stack of sheets is positioned between within the cavity so that each flexible sheet from the stack of sheets is disposed on top of another, each sheet being independent from one another and folded upon itself at a specific length, allowing for the dispensing of individual sheets. Still more preferably, the biasing structure imparts a bend in the stack of sheets by including an arcuate surface formed from bending a flat rectangular plastic sheet into an arc shape.  
           [0019]    This devices allows the consumer to easily pull a single sheet from the dispenser one by one. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The invention will be better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings given by way of non limiting example only illustrating a presently preferred specific embodiment of the invention and wherein:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coupon dispenser;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the unitary body of the coupon dispenser;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the coupon dispenser;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the coupon dispenser;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coupon dispenser, showing the bottom wall in its open position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the opening of the dispenser;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view from the bottom of the dispenser;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the advertising device of the dispenser;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is an overhead view of the unitary body, including the insert;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the coupon to be dispensed; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a perspective and view of the rail clip attachment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 11 , the dispenser  1  comprises a top section  2  having an opening  3  through which coupons or flexible sheets  4  may be dispensed. The dispenser  1  which is generally rectangular or box shaped,  4  has a stack of flexible sheets disposed one on top of another and folded at a specific length, allowing for the dispensing of individual sheets. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each coupon or flexible sheet  4  is folded upon itself. The body of the dispenser is preferably made of one unitary piece of material, cut to allow for folding of the material. Creases are made in the appropriate areas of the material to form edges. The material from which the dispenser is made is either paper, cardboard, styrene or plastic.  
         [0033]    The dispenser  1  has two long flat end walls  6  and  10 . Edges  11  and  12  of these long flat end walls  6  and  10  are positioned perpendicularly to two long flat side wails  7  and  8 . The two long flat end walls  6  are parallel to each other, with each of the two long flat end walls  6  and  10  having the same dimensions as the other flat end wall. The two long flat side walls are preferably wider than the two long flat end walls. The two long flat side walls  7  and  8  are parallel to each other, and the two long flat side walls  7  and  8  parallel to one another.  
         [0034]    The walls of the dispenser define an opening  3  through which coupons or sheets may be removed. The opening  3  is formed by opposing foldable flaps  9  formed by an extension from and integral with at least one of the walls, preferably from at least one, and most preferably from both long flat end walls  6  and  10 . The foldable flaps  9  positioned at a top end of each of the flat end walls, comprises a lip  15  foldable upon flap  9 . In a preferred embodiment, there is at least one tab positioned at each corner of a top end of two long flat side walls, resulting in four tabs  16 ,  17 ,  18 , and  19  such that each foldable flap of a long flat end wall, fold over two tabs, thereby forming the opening of the dispenser.  
         [0035]    The dispenser  1  also has a flat bottom wall  13  wherein at least one edge  14  of the flat bottom wall  13  is affixed to the bottom of the dispenser. The flat bottom wall  13  fits within the dimensions of the two long flat side walls  7  and  8  and the two long flat end walls  6  and  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the flat bottom wall  13  has bottom wall flaps  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  positioned around each side of a flat rectangular section  24 . One of the flaps  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  is integrally connected to one of the walls of the dispenser. Each flap of said bottom wall is positioned against an inside section of each of a wall of said dispenser.  
         [0036]    In another preferred embodiment, an insertion tab  25  on one of said walls, preferably on said long flat side wall, fits into a slip opening  26  in one of said flaps  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  of said bottom wall  13 , allowing said long flat side wall  7  or  8 , (preferably  8 ) to secure said bottom wall  13  in position.  
         [0037]    In another preferred embodiment of the invention, since the dispenser is comprised of a unitary structure, one of the long flat end walls  6  further comprises an extension integral with the other long flat end wall  10 , such that the extension forms one of the long flat side walls  8 , and an inside support wall  32  for the other long flat end wall. The inside support wall further comprises a flap  33  integral with the inside support wall, with the flap  33  attachable to one of said long flat side walls  7 .  
         [0038]    At various other locations in and around the dispenser, the glue or tape may be used to secure the various sides or flap of the dispenser. The opposing flaps  9  and lips  15  are glued or taped into position.  
         [0039]    A resilient member is used to push the tack of sheets  5  up to the opening  3  in the top wall  2  of the dispenser  1 . Any form of spring may be used. In one embodiment of the invention, the member used to push the sheets to the opening  3  of the dispenser is an arc type structure  27  positioned underneath the stack of sheets  5 . This arc type structure  27  is positioned between the long flat end walls  6  and  10  and above the flat bottom wall  13 . In one embodiment of the invention, one side  29  of the arc type structure is in communication with the bottom of the stack of sheets, wherein the apex  28  of the arc type structure  27  is facing one of the walls of the dispenser, pushing the stack of sheets  5  towards the opening  3  in the dispenser  1 . In another embodiment of the invention, the arc type structure  27  may be flexed and inserted between the stack of sheets  5  and the bottom wall  13 , such that the apex  28  of the arc type structure is in communication with the stack of sheets.  
         [0040]    A filler  30  may be positioned between said resilient member and said bottom wall of said dispenser, thereby putting more stress on the resilient member, which in turns allows the coupons to be dispensed with greater ease. The filler  30  is preferably made of a unitary piece, which folds up to form a small box like structure which fits within the dispenser.  
         [0041]    To attract attention, the dispenser may further comprise a specialized advertising tag, known as a shouter  34 . The shouter  34  is used to draw attention to the dispenser, and is comprised of a display area for printed matter, known as the head  35 , integrally (preferably) attached to a leg  36 , wherein one end of the leg is attached to the head, and the other end of the leg is inserted into a slot  37  in the dispenser, allowing for the display of the printed matter. In a preferred embodiment, the shouter further comprises a foot  38 , integrally attached to the leg  36  at the end which is inserted into the slot  37  in the dispenser. The foot  38  is a tab which is turned upward, thus serving the purpose of securing the shouter  34  in the dispenser  1 . A split  39  in the head  35  from the leg  36  further helps to secure the shouter  34  to the dispenser.  
         [0042]    The dispenser  1  is preferably secured to the shelf. There are a number of methods to attach the dispenser to the shelf. One method for attaching the dispenser to the shelf is a rail clip attachment  40  for attachment to a rail of a shelf. The rail clip attachment  40  is attached to the flat bottom wall  13  of the dispenser, and comprises a base member  41 , two brackets  42 ,  43  intersecting and extending outwardly from the base member, the brackets having, at their ends, foot-like projections  44 ,  45  facing away from each other and fitting into retaining rails of a shelf, at least one hole  46 ,  47  in each of the brackets, and a screw  48 , fitted through the holes in the brackets whereupon the tightening or loosening of the screw pushes together or allows for the expansion of the two brackets, thereby allowing for a placement or removal of the device on a shelf edge.  
         [0043]    There are many other methods and devices for attaching this dispenser to a shelf or wall. Any of them may be used.  
         [0044]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.