Patent Abstract:
A wide neck bottle for dispensing promotional items including a housing including a top section and a bottom section defining an interior cavity for receiving at least one promotional item, a securing element for removably securing the top section to the bottom section, a neck included in the top section including a substantially circular opening, and a cap removably connected to the neck and at least partially covering the opening, the cap including an elongated slot for inserting currency to the interior cavity via the neck, the elongated slot having a length greater than 24 millimeters.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefits under 35 § U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,309, filed on Mar. 3, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing items upon receipt of payment, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for dispensing promotional and product items upon receipt of payment to promote sales of the product item. Even more particularly, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a wide neck bottle for dispensing a promotional item from a vending machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vending machines and methods of dispensing product items from vending machines are well-known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,948,416 and 4,702,392 disclose vending machines, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,287 and 5,505,332 disclose methods of dispensing product items from vending machines. 
         [0004]    Also known are apparatuses and methods for dispensing promotional items from vending machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,612 discloses a dispensable promotional item for a vending machine (herein incorporated by reference). The disclosed apparatus provides a means by which a promotional item, such as a T-shirt bearing a logo of the product, may be dispensed from a vending machine upon one&#39;s intended purchase of an actual product from the vending machine. The apparatus further encloses enough money so that an actual product item can be purchased from the vending machine after receipt of the promotional item. 
         [0005]    In the prior art apparatus, the money is generally inserted into the container at the time of packaging the promotional item. This presents a problem when the promotional items are likely to be distributed to vending machines having different product prices or accepting different currencies. Therefore, the promotional items generally must be separately packaged and/or repackaged for each specific market. As such, the cost benefit of manufacturing such products in bulk overseas is diminished by requiring additional labor upon receipt. 
         [0006]    What is desired, therefore, is a promotional item assembly to which money and/or coupons can be easily inserted after the promotional item is delivered to a promotional item distributor or the vending machine site. 
         [0007]    What is further desired is a promotional item assembly requiring a minimal labor to implement at the vending machine site. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensable promotional item assembly or container including a means to facilitate the addition of currency or small promotional items after the promotional item is packaged. Such currency may then be added by a promotional item distributor and shipped nationwide, or added at the particular vending sites. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a promotional item container that is substantially similar in size to each of the particular product items (e.g., beverage bottles, cans, snack bags, etc.) with which it is dispensed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a promotional item container in the shape of a bottle including a wide neck and slotted cap to facilitate the addition of currency or small promotional items. 
         [0010]    Further objects of the present invention include providing a promotional item container that enables the amount of a currency refund (e.g., to be included in the promotional item) to be determined locally before being loaded into a particular vending machine. Further, the present invention allows for local promotional items (e.g., sporting event tickets, movie tickets, concert tickets, coupons, etc) to be added to the bottle prior to vending and/or prior to unpacking the wide neck bottles. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide promotional item assemblies or containers to which items such as currency may easily be added without removing the assemblies from the cartons in which they are shipped and thus reduce or eliminate the need for double-handling. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for Governments to promote the introduction of new currency to commercial commerce, such as U.S. dollar coins. 
         [0013]    These and other objectives are achieved by providing a wide neck bottle for dispensing promotional items including a housing having a top section and a bottom section defining an interior cavity for receiving at least one promotional item, a securing element for removably securing the top section to the bottom section, a neck comprised in the top section including a substantially circular opening, and a cap removably connected to the neck and at least partially covering the opening, the cap including an elongated slot for inserting currency to the interior cavity via the neck, the elongated slot having a length greater than 24 millimeters. 
         [0014]    Other objects are achieved by the provision of a container for dispensing promotional items including a housing for receiving at least one promotional item, the housing including a first section and a second section, a securing element for removably securing the first section to the second section, a neck defined by at least one of the first and second sections and including a substantially circular opening having a interior diameter greater than 24 millimeters, and a receiving element removably connected to the neck and at least partially covering the opening, the receiving element including an elongated slot. 
         [0015]    Further provided is an apparatus for dispensing promotional and product item bottles including a payment receipt mechanism, a storage compartment, and a dispensing opening for dispensing bottles from the storage compartment upon receipt of a predetermined payment amount by the payment receipt mechanism, a plurality of product bottles stacked upon one another and stored for dispensing in the storage compartment, each of the product bottles having a predetermined size and shape, at least one wide neck bottle for dispensing a promotional item stored in the storage compartment among the product bottles, the at least one wide neck bottle having substantially the same predetermined size and shape of the product bottles, wherein the at least one wide neck bottle includes a housing having a top section and a bottom section defining an interior cavity housing at least one promotional item, a securing element for removably securing the top section to the bottom section, a neck included in the top section including a substantially circular opening, the neck having an interior diameter greater than an interior diameter of a neck of each of the product bottles, and a cap removably connected to the neck and at least partially covering the opening, the cap including an elongated slot for inserting currency to the interior cavity via the neck. 
         [0016]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing promotional and product item bottles in accordance with the invention, where a cutaway portion reveals a stack of promotional and product item bottles; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a promotional item assembly in accordance with the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view of two pieces of container of the promotional item assembly shown in  FIG. 2  and a promotional item; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the promotional item assembly of  FIG. 2  with a product label being secured thereon; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the promotional item assembly of  FIG. 2  with money being inserted; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a container of product items and promotional item assemblies in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of an apparatus  10  for dispensing promotional and product items in accordance with the invention, which includes an item dispensing machine  20 . The item dispensing machine  20  includes a machine housing  22 , a payment receipt mechanism  24 , an item selection panel  26 , an item dispensing outlet  28 , and a storage compartment  30 . The item dispensing machine  20  also includes a front housing member  32  which is preferably pivotally attached to the housing  22  to provide access to the interior of the item dispensing machine  20 . 
         [0024]    The storage compartment  30  is shown storing promotional item assemblies  40  as well as product items  50 . The general size and the shape of the promotional item assembly  40  and the product item  50  are preferably substantially the same. This permits storage of the promotional item assemblies  40  and the product items  50  in the same storage compartment  30 . Furthermore, because of the substantial similarity in size and shape of the promotional item assemblies  40  and the product items  50 , they may be positioned in the storage compartment  30  and/or dispensed in any order and arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment, the promotional item assemblies  40  and product items  50  are shaped as bottles. However in other embodiments, the product items  50  and/or promotional item assemblies  40  are cans and/or snack bags. For example, in some embodiments the promotional item assembly  40  is a snack bag containing a promotional item and including a receiving element and/or slot for receiving currency between two layers or seals of the bag. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1 , the item dispensing machine  20  is illustrated as a soft drink vending machine (and particular type thereof). Accordingly, the product items  50  in the illustrated embodiment are soda containers, shown as bottles of soda. The exemplary product items  50  may of course likewise contain water, juice or any beverage. It should also be noted that the depiction of the item dispensing machine  20  as a soft drink or soda vending machine is for illustrative purposes only. In some embodiments, the item dispensing machine  20  is a snack dispensing machine containing a plurality of snack bag product items and promotional item assemblies. Further, it should be understood that the dispensing machine  20  may alternatively be any other type of vending machine, now known or later developed. For example, the dispensing machine  20  may be a glass front machine in which the product items  50  and promotional item assemblies  40  need not be stack upon one another. 
         [0026]    The operation of the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1  is as follows. The storage compartment  30  of the item dispensing machine  20  is loaded with both promotional  40  and product  50  item bottles via the front housing member  32 . The number and arrangement of the promotional item assemblies  40  loaded in the storage compartment  30  are determined by a person loading the items  40 ,  50 . Preferably, this determination is based upon whatever number and arrangement of the promotional items assemblies  40  as shown by experiment will most increase the sales of the product items  50 . Usually the promotional item assemblies  40  are placed randomly. The ratio of product to promotional item may vary, but a ratio between 100 to 1 and 5 to 1 provides adequate incentive for the purchaser. 
         [0027]    When a purchaser inputs the purchase price into the payment receipt mechanism  24  and makes a selection from the item selection panel  26 , the next item  40 ,  50  in position for dispensing is dispensed to the item dispensing outlet  28 . This dispensed item may be either the product item  50  or the promotional item assembly  40 . If the item dispensed is the promotional item assembly  40 , the purchaser not only receives a free item but is also provided with money (e.g., and/or coupons) with which to purchase the product item  50  (discussed in more detail below). 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the exemplary promotional item assembly  40  of  FIG. 1 . The promotional item assembly  40  has an exterior shape and size substantially similar to that of the product items  50 . It should be noted that, as one will however understand from reading this specification, the shape and size is not identically similar in some embodiments because a neck portion of the assembly or bottle  40  may be different than that of the product item  50 . The promotional item assembly  40  includes a substantially cylindrical container  200 . The container  200  (e.g., housing) is preferably manufactured of a plastic material and may be comprised of two sections such as a top section  210  and a bottom section  220  as shown in  FIG. 3 , or two vertical side sections. 
         [0029]    In the exemplary embodiment the top section  210  includes an opening (e.g., substantially circular opening) such as a neck  230 . The neck  230  and/or opening is generally wider than a neck of a product item  50 . Preferably the neck  230  is at least as wide as necessary to easily accept a U.S. quarter (at least 24.26 mm). However, the neck  230  may wider if necessary to accept larger U.S. and/or foreign currency. Further included is a receiving element, or cap  240 . The cap  240  is wider than a cap of a typical product item  50 . The cap  240  is preferably a screw on cap. The cap  240  includes an access slot  242  for accepting the coins and/or promotional items. The slot  242  preferably has a length of at least 24.26 mm and a width of at least 1.75 mm. However, the slot  242  may be any size, e.g., to accommodate any number of particular coins or items. In some embodiments, the slot  242  has a particular size for receiving U.S. one dollar coins. The cap  240  may further include a removable seal (e.g., tape) over the slot  242  to prevent the added coins or promotional items from escaping. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the promotional item assembly  40  may further include a label  250 . In some embodiments, the label  250  provides a means to secure the top section  210  to the bottom section  220 . In some embodiments, the label  250  may cover substantially all of the promotional item assembly  40 . For example, for use in a glass front vending machine, a promotional item assembly  40  may include a label  250  or skin (e.g., under a second label) which provides the appearance of liquid in the assembly or otherwise masks the promotional item (e.g.,  260 ). Therefore, such a label  250  sufficiently disguises the promotional item assembly  40  to one viewing the product items  50  and promotional item assemblies via a glass front vending machine. 
         [0031]    Further included in the promotional item assembly  40  is at least one promotional item  260 . The promotional item  260  can be any prize or product capable of being stored in the container  200 . For example, the promotional item  260  may be a compressed fabric article bearing the logo and/or the trademark associated with the product item  50  (e.g., a T-shirt, towel, hat, boxer shorts, apron, smock, socks, underwear or visor). The promotional item  260  may further be a gift certificate and/or tickets (e.g., to a show or sporting event). In some embodiments, the promotional item  260  may also be a mobile telephone. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the two pieces of the container  200  of the promotional item assembly  40 . Preferably, the container  200  includes a radial cut through its mid-section or vertically such that the promotional item  260  may be easily placed within one of the two sections  210 / 220 . The promotional item assembly  40  may then be assembled by placing the top section  210  onto the bottom section  220 . In some embodiments, the top section  210  and bottom section  220  interlock via a locking mechanism. For example, one or both of the sections may include a threads and/or a notch for screwing or joining the sections together. In some other embodiments, the top section  210  and bottom section  220  are secured together primarily via the label  250  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). In some other embodiments, the top section  210  and bottom section  220  are secured via a transparent shrink-wrap or tape around the container  200 . It should be noted that the container  200  need not be split top to bottom and, in some embodiments, the container includes a vertical split between two sides of the container  200 . 
         [0033]    Directions for opening the promotional item may also be included on the label  250 . The label  250 , shrink-wrap or other means for securing the two sections may include a separate tear strip or other means for accommodating the removal of the securing means by a consumer. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows the promotional item assembly  40  with money  270  being inserted. Preferably each promotional item assembly  40  includes (by the time is it loaded into a dispensing machine) currency equivalent to the purchase price for the product item  50 . The money  270  need not take the form of cash or coins, but may, for example, take the form of a redeemable coupon or token representing the preselected amount. The money  270  may be used to purchase the product after the promotional item assembly  40 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary container  300  of product items and/or promotional item assemblies (e.g.,  240 ) according to the present invention. The container  300  may be any container used for transporting any promotional item assemblies  40  from a manufacturer to a promotional item distributor and/or vending site. The containers  300  may also be used for transporting both product items and promotional items to a distributor and/or vending machine site. Preferably the promotional item assemblies  40  are stacked only one level high and situated such that money (and/or promotional items) may be easily added to one or more promotional item assemblies without having to remove any one of them from the container  300 . Therefore, money  270  may easily be inserted at any desired time and/or location. For example, a distributor of promotional items may receive the containers  300  (e.g., from an overseas manufacturer), insert currency or coupons via the slot of each assembly  40  with minimal labor and time, and drop ship the containers  300  to vending machine locations nationwide. 
         [0036]    The promotional item assembly  240  is designed such that it will not collapse when stacked beneath product items  50  in the apparatus  10 . In one embodiment, the promotional item  260  substantially fills the width of the container  200  to prevent the container  200  from collapsing. In another embodiment, the top and bottom sections  210 / 220  are designed with a wall thickness sufficient to resist collapse regardless of the support provided by the promotional item  260 . As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, some embodiments of the promotional item  40  are preferably of a sufficient weight to allow it to be dispensable from any vending machine (e.g., requiring an item to actuate an aperture or door in order to dispense). 
         [0037]    It is to be understood that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, such description is for purposes of illustration only and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1