Patent Publication Number: US-6991106-B2

Title: Modular container for holding labels

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly, to a modular container system for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of labels. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the food industry, labels are a necessary item and are used for a variety of purposes. For example, labels are used to indicate the expiration date, use date or desired storage temperature of food products. The type and number of labels needed at a particular work area vary. The requirements will be different in different establishments, and indeed even at different work areas within the same establishment. 
   Labels of various kinds are sold in rolls. The labels have adhesive backings and during manufacture are placed on a lined paper. The lined paper with the adhesive-backed labels are wound on a cylindrical core, which may be made of paperboard or plastic. The rolls of labels are typically packaged in a paperboard box with one roll per box. The rolls of labels come in different widths depending upon the text of the labels. 
   A roll of labels dispenses easily from its box, and the adhesive-backed labels peel easily from the lined paper. However, because the boxes are not transparent, one cannot readily tell which labels are in which box or when a roll is nearing completion. Thus, a consumer frequently does not know the inventory of a particular label is low until essentially the last label has been dispensed. Further, when a number of different labels are used and each roll of labels is in its own separate box, it is cumbersome to work with numerous boxes of labels. 
   A container for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of labels is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,959, issued to Milliorn. This patent describes a container for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of labels. The container is a clamshell container having a generally cylindrical shape with flanges extending from a longitudinal plane. The top section is connected to the bottom section along the back edge of each. The bottom section has a plurality of semi-cylindrical compartments separated by partitions and each compartment is configured for holding a roll of labels. Each container is designed to hold a particular number of rolls of labels of particular sizes. However, the clamshell container precludes the user from being able to have a label dispenser that will accommodate a variety of sizes of rolls within a single clam shell. 
   A number of modular systems have also been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,829, issued to Masser, describes containers which may be interlocked to form a carrying case composed of a plurality of individual containers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,961, issued to Chang, describes minidisc boxes which may be connected with other minidisc boxes on its left, right, and bottom sides. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,288, issued to Conconi, discloses a first-half shell which may be mutually coupled to a second-half shell to form a container, which may be further coupled with engagement elements on the half-shell of an adjacent container. However, none of these modular systems would be useful for dispensing labels. They do not provide an appropriate receptacle for holding the rolls of labels; nor do they allow for easy dispensing of the labels. 
   It would be advantages to have a number of connected containers for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of different labels that would allow for visualization of the rolls of labels. 
   It would also be advantages to have a series of modular containers of varying width that can be connected in any selected arrangement of widths for accommodating a variety of labels. 
   Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to provide a modular container system for storing and dispensing labels which is designed such that it can be customized to suit the needs of any particular work area. To this end, the modular container system has a plurality of individual container modules that can be mutually coupled to form such a system. Adjoining modules are connected by means of corresponding male and female engagement elements. 
   The first or male engagement element is a panel that is parallel to and contiguous with a first wall of the module and the second or female engagement element is a protruding lip that extends across the entire length of the top and down each side of a second wall of the module. 
   Each container module has an aperture in the back wall to attach each module to a vertical surface, and feet to rest the modular container system on a flat surface. Additionally, each container module has notches in the lower right and left corners of each side to provide flexibility to the attached modules. 
   The container module includes a receptacle that is shaped to facilitate the storage and dispersion of labels, and openings are provided at the front of each module for dispersion of the labels to the user. 
   The modular container system can be customized for a particular work area by adding, removing or interchanging the individual container modules as the needs of a particular work area demand. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular container system in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the container system of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a back view of the container system of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view in perspective illustrating the mode of joining the modules in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is front view of an individual module of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a back view of an individual module of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an individual module of the container system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a right side view of the individual module of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a left side view of the individual module of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the individual module of FIG.  7 . 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the individual module of  FIG. 7 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8  shown along lines  12 — 12 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a modular container system  10  has a plurality of individual container modules  12  that can be mutually coupled together to form a modular container system  10 . The number of individual modules  12  that can be coupled is variable, however at least two modules  12  could be connected to form the modular container system  10 . Each module  12  is designed to store and dispense a roll of labels. Labels typically have an adhesive backing which is pressure sensitive so that each label can be applied to a surface of an object by pressing the label onto the surface. The adhesive-backed labels are temporarily adhered onto a lined paper, which is a slick paper from which the adhesive-backed labels can be easily removed. The liner paper and the adhesive-backed labels are wound about a paperboard core to provide a roll of labels. 
   Preferably, an end piece  14  attaches to each end of a series of coupled individual container modules  12 . Each module  12  includes two opposing pairs of feet  16  for standing the container system on a flat surface and preferably an aperture  18  is located on the back wall of each module  12  for attaching the container modules  12  to a vertical surface, such as a wall. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 5-9 , each module  12  has a bottom surface  20  substantially rectangular in outline and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the periphery of the bottom surface  20  in such a way as to form a four sided container. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there are four walls—a front wall  24 , a back wall  26 , and when facing the front wall, a right wall  28 , and a left wall  30 . The individual modules  12  can be formed by injection molding, and can be made from any appropriate plastic, as is known to those skilled in the art. 
   The modular containers  12  can be of any rectangular dimension. However, in one embodiment, the container  12  can have a length of about 8 inches, a height of about 3 inches and a width ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches. The container  12  is provided in a variety of widths in order to conform to rolls of labels having different widths. 
   An advantageous feature of the invention is found in the fact that the container modules  12  have elements allowing for mutual coupling of adjacent modules  12 . The modular container system  10  can be created and used as a portable container for taking a plurality of labels to a work area.  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a modular system  10  for use in a food storage or preparation area where the container has four modules  12  connected together to receive four rolls of labels of various sizes. The number of modules  12  may be as few as one or can be many, depending on what is needed to serve the needs of the particular work area. 
   Each container module  12  is configured to provide for mutual coupling of the modules  12 . For example,  FIGS. 5-9  show an individual container module  12  with a first or male engagement element  32  on one outside wall of each module  12  and a second or female engagement element  34  on the opposing outside wall of each module  12 .  FIGS. 5-8  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the male engagement element  32 . The right wall  28  of each container module  12  is configured to provide a panel  33  that is parallel to and contiguous with right wall  28 . In a preferred embodiment, panel  33  extends out from the right wall  28  a distance of about 0.15 inches. Panel  33  is smaller in dimension than the right wall  28  along the top and side edges of the panel  33 . A groove  29  separates the panel  33  from the right wall  28  as illustrated best in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  10 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the female engagement element  34 . The female engagement element is a continuous protruding lip  35  which extends along the entire length of the top of the left wall  30  and down each side of left wall  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the protruding lip  35  corresponds to the depth of the panel  33 , for example a distance of about 0.15 as described above. Two container modules can be mutually coupled by sliding the panel  33  of one module  12  up into the protruding lip  35  of a second container module  12  and pressing slightly to achieve a snug fit. 
   The container module  12  includes a receptacle  22  that is configured to accommodate the storage of a roll of adhesive-backed labels. A roll of labels fits within the receptacle  22  and is supported by the right and left walls  28 ,  30 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 12 , each container module has a receptacle  22  that is generally semi-circular in shape. The back portion  23  of receptacle  22  originates at the inside surface of the back wall  26 . The back portion  23  is initially parallel to the back wall  26 , however it gradually curves into a semi-circular portion  25  that extends up to a top portion  27 , that is in alignment with a slit opening  38  in front wall  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the semi-circular portion  25  can have a radius of about 4.625. The shape of the receptacle  22  is configured to minimize friction between the roll of labels and the inside surface of the receptacle  22  and the sides  28 ,  30  as the labels are dispensed. The receptacles  22  of the modules  12  are dimensioned to be approximately the same width as the varies dimensions of standard rolls of labels. 
   Each container module  12  also includes a slit opening  38  for dispensing the labels from the receptacle  22 . The slit opening  38  includes the elements of a flat surface  40 , a gap  29  and a horizontal bar  42 . See  FIGS. 7 and 10 . The flat surface  40  extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane of the front wall  24  and includes a slight downward incline  41  toward the interior of the container  12 . The flat surface  40  is in parallel alignment with the top portion  27  of receptacle  22 . This flat surface  40  provides an area for the labels to rest after exiting through the gap  29  and facilitates access to the labels. The gap  29  is positioned between the flat surface  40  and the horizontal bar  42 . The width of gap  29  is several times greater than the thickness of typical lined paper and adhesive-backed labels, thereby providing a relatively frictionless opening for dispensing labels from the container  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the gap  29  can be about 0.35 inches in height. While the gap  29  of the slit opening  38  minimizes friction in dispersion of the labels, it does create enough friction against the labels in order to keep the roll from unwinding too rapidly. The horizontal bar  42  is recessed relative to the flat surface  40  and the gap  29  and extends the width of the modular container  12 . As the user pulls labels to dispense them through the slit opening  38 , the bar  42  exerts a counteracting pressure restraining the forward movement of the roll of labels. The bar  42  also serves to help keep the roll of labels in the receptacle  22 . 
   The adhesive-backed labels are more easily dispensed if the labels are not unrolled through a sharp bend. For this reason, the flat surface  40  is positioned to be in alignment with the top portion  27  of the receptacle  22 . Thus, when the lined paper containing the labels is pulled forward to unwind the roll of labels, the lined paper discharges from the contoured semi-circular portion  25  of the receptacle  22  up to the top portion  27  of receptacle  22  and through the gap  29 . 
   Each container module  12  also has one or more notches  36  on the lower outside edges of the right and left walls  28 ,  30 . Notches  36  provide flexibility to a container module  12  by accommodating, for example, changes in dimension due to a change in temperature or load pressure.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show one embodiment wherein there is a notch  36  in the lower right and left corners of both the right wall  28  and left wall  30  of each container module  12 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , a generally arch-shaped aperture  18  is centrally positioned on the bottom edge of the back wall  26  which provides a point of attachment for securing the modular container  12  to a parallel flat surface. A reinforcing lip  44  outlines the aperture  18  and gives greater stability for hanging a modular container  12  onto a peg, hook or other device in order to attach the container  12  and/or the modular container system  10  to a vertical surface. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the outer side of bottom surface  20  includes two opposing pairs of feet  16  in which a pair of feet  16  is positioned on each end of the module  12 . Feet  16  may be molded as part of the bottom surface  20  or they may be made separately and attached to the bottom surface  20  in some manner known to one skilled in the art. Feet  16  allow the container modules  12  to be elevated from a counter top and assist in allowing the container  12  to rest evenly on a surface. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally trapezoidal shaped end pieces  14  are attached to each end of a modular container system  10  in order to provide a finished look to the container system  10 . As discussed above, the connecting mechanism of each module  12  comprises a male engagement element  32  on the right wall  28  and female engagement element  34  on the left wall  30 . Accordingly, in a coupled modular container system  10 , one end will have a module  12  with an exposed outer right wall  28  having a male engagement element  32  and the other end will have a module  12  with an exposed outer left wall  30  having a female engagement element  34 . A pair of end pieces  14  will include a right end piece  14   a  having a female engagement element  34  and a left end piece  14   b  with a male engagement element  32 . Each end piece  14  includes a bottom surface  20   a  having a foot  16  positioned on the front end and on the back end of the bottom surface  20   a.  The addition of the end pieces  14  offers several advantages such as stability to the modular unit and enhancement of the general appearance of the modular container system  10 . 
   Thus the modular container system  10  of the present invention provides for a label dispensing system that has a number of connected containers for storing and dispensing multiple rolls of different labels that allows for visualization of the rolls of labels. It also provides for a label container system that includes a series of modular containers of varying width that can be connected in any selected arrangement of widths for accommodating a variety of different labels. 
   Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.