Abstract:
A stacker, dispenser, and carrier for pizza boxes has a rectangular parallelepiped formed with a front opening for withdrawing boxes and a rear opening for temporarily sliding the lowermost box off stops on which the stack is mounted. The lowermost box can be pushed rearward through the opening, have its front lowered, and than be withdrawn through the frontal opening of the box. A resilient band across the rear opening allows passage of the lowermost box therethrough only in response to pressure exerted during removal of the lowermost box from the stack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    It is a common sight at pizzerias to see pizza boxes stacked on a counter in a work area near a pizza oven. Before removing a pizza from the oven, the pizza man withdraws a box from the stack, opens it up, and then places a hot pizza inside the box. 
         [0002]    As many as 40 or more boxes may be placed on a stack. Pulling one out from or near the bottom of the stack can be difficult in that the weight of the boxes on top of the one being withdrawn causes substantial friction between the upper surface of the box to be withdrawn and lower surface of the box above it. Moreover, as boxes are withdrawn the stack can be jostled resulting in the stack becoming misaligned and possibly falling over. 
         [0003]    Various attempts to facilitate the removal of pizza boxes from a stack have resulted in apparatuses which are complicated and expensive to construct and/or which do not solve the problem of reducing friction between the boxes. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0224577 by Whitty for an Apparatus for Storing and Dispensing a Plurality of Boxes discloses a rectangular cage which is open at the top to receive pizza boxes to be stacked on the floor of the dispenser. A stack of boxes may also be inserted by opening a front door of the cage which has a bottom that is raised from the floor of the cage to provide a slot through which pizza boxes can be removed by pulling them forward. An optional guide wall urges the boxes forward through the slot. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,258 to Scalise for a Pizza Box Storage and Dispensing Assembly describes a rectangular stacker with two telescoping sections for varying the height of the device. Springs are used to grasp the pizza boxes and keep their weight off of the bottom box so that it can be easily withdrawn. Vertical corner sections project inwardly to prevent all but the lowermost of the boxes from moving forwardly and extend short of the bottom of the assembly for providing a widened slot through which the lowermost box can be removed. The height of the stack can be determined by viewing the boxes through the opening between the corner sections. A downwardly inclined plate facilitates removal of the boxes through the slot. 
         [0005]    A basic dispenser for flat rectangular boxes which are pulled from the bottom of a stack through a horizontal opening is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 1,986,101 to Brodsky. Brodsky teaches that the dispenser can be made by folding a sheet of cardboard having score lines to define the panels of the dispenser. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0188365 by Forte discloses a stacker that can handle a single stack of pizza boxes or multiple stacks side-by-side. The device has rear and side walls with an open front for containing the boxes while permitting the height of the stack to be viewed. There is an enlarged horizontal opening at the bottom for enabling withdrawal of the lowermost box from the stack. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,388 to Rockwell discloses a Playing Card Dispenser having a stand or frame for supporting a rectangular cartridge filled with boxes of playing cards. The cartridge has a delivery opening at its bottom for removing the lowest box in the stack. The side walls are notched to allow the box to be grasped. Rockwell also teaches that his dispenser can be made by folding a sheet of cardboard having score lines to define the panels of the dispenser. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,573 to Celik for a Tape Cassette Dispenser features a transparent rectangular enclosure with a horizontal inwardly notched slot at the bottom of the front wall through which the lowest tape cassette in a stack can be extracted. A similar tape dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,999 to Jo for an Audio Cassette Displayer and Dispenser. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,614 to Alexander for a Storage Dispenser Rack for Rectangular Articles discloses a container with multiple openings at differing heights through which stacked video cassettes and other rectangular articles can be withdrawn. 
         [0010]    None of the above patents discloses a dispenser as simple and cost effective as the one of the present invention. In addition to being used as a stacker and dispenser, the container of the present invention also serves as a carrier. When formed from a lightweight material such as corrugated cardboard, one of the panels of the container can be grasped in one hand at the top and carried from one place to another while front and rear supports keep the pizza boxes securely within the container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A container has the general form of a hollow parallelepiped for facilitating removal of the a box from a stack of boxes contained therein. The front panel of the container has a bottom end with a lower opening and a with a width and height greater than the width and height of a box and an upper opening contiguous with the lower opening and having a width less than the width of a box. 
         [0012]    At least one front support mounted on an inside surface of the container proximate the front panel and distal from the rear panel, has an upward facing surface in a plane transverse to the front panel and intersecting the upper opening. 
         [0013]    A rear opening in the rear panel of the container has a width and height greater than the width and height of a box. The lowermost box of a stack of boxes within the container supported on the front support can be dispensed from the container by pushing the lowermost box rearwardly partially through the rear opening and off of the front support, lowering the front of the box below the front support thereby tilting the lowermost box away from the box in the stack immediately above the lowermost box, and then removing the lowermost box from the stack by pulling the lowermost box forward through the lower opening. 
         [0014]    A pair of spacers project rearwardly from the rear wall for preventing interference with the partial passage of the lowermost box through the rear opening by an interfering external surface. Each of the spacers is formed from a portion of the rear wall in a margin between the rear opening and the intersection of the rear wall with an adjacent one of the side walls which has been folded back into a plane substantially transverse to the rear wall. 
         [0015]    A resilient band obstructing the rear opening yields to pressure for allowing a rear edge of the lowermost box to partially pass through the rear opening in response to pressure exerted on the lowermost box in a rearward direction. The elastic band has ends which penetrate respective adjacent ones of the side walls or spacers and are fastened to the respective outer surfaces of the container. 
         [0016]    The container can have a pusher slidable within the container in spaced relationship to the floor, and a spring disposed between the floor and the pusher for urging the boxes toward the support whereby the container may be inverted with the floor at, and the front opening adjacent, the top of the container for dispensing the boxes without dependence on gravity. 
         [0017]    Each front support has an edge distal from the front panel a distance which depends on the size of the boxes stacked in the container. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a filled pizza box stacker, dispenser and carrier in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view showing a magnified portion of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in an empty state. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  are a side sectional elevation views of the apparatus of the invention at different stages of use taken through line  4 , 5 , 6 - 4 , 5 , 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in a stage of use before that shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view showing a portion of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view showing a portion of a first alternate preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a side sectional elevation views of the apparatus of the invention with contents of a size different from that shown in  FIG. 5  of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional elevation views of a further alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the invention which can be inverted for use in differing environments. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings there is shown a container  1 , for serving as a pizza box stacker dispenser and carrier, in the general form of a hollow upright rectangular parallelepiped having a front panel  3 , a rear panel  5 , a left side panel  7  and a right side panel  9 . The container  1  has an open top  11  through which a stack of conventional pizza boxes  13  may be inserted. Although described for use in storing, carrying, and dispensing pizza boxes, the present invention is applicable generally to storing, carrying, and dispensing other types of boxes or other uniformly sized rectangular objects preferably having a low profile. 
         [0029]    On the front panel  3  of the container  1  there is a centered vertical slot  15  forming a window in the panel  3  through which a portion of the stack of boxes can be seen. The window  15  provides a view from which it can be determined when it is necessary to refill the container  1  with more pizza boxes after a sufficient number have been withdrawn from the bottom of the container  1  as hereinafter explained. 
         [0030]    At the bottom of the container  1  there is a rectangular lower opening  17  having a width slightly larger than the width of the pizza boxes intended to be stored within the container  1  and dispensed from it. Continuous with the opening  17  at the bottom of the container  1  is an upper opening  19  having a width narrower than the width of the pizza boxes  13 . 
         [0031]    The opening  19  is wide enough to enable the lowermost pizza box  13   a  in the container  1  to be grasped, preferably with the thumb of one hand pressing against the front edge of the box and the fingers of the same hand touching the box from below. The opening  19  preferably has a rounded top to form an arch for structural integrity and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
         [0032]    On each side of the opening  19  there is inserted through a horizontal slot  21  in the front panel  3  of the container  1 , a right angle bracket  25  serving as a support for the bottom of the lowermost pizza box  13   a  in an area proximate the front panel  3  of the container  1 . Although shown as mounted on the front panel  3  of the container  1 , the supports  25  can be mounted on the inside surfaces of the left side panel  7  and right side panel  9  adjacent the inside surface of the front panel  3 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  of the drawings there is shown the rear panel  5  of the container  1 . Cut into the rear panel  5  of the container  1  is a rectangular opening  23  having a width slightly larger than the width of the largest sized boxes  13  and a height greater than the height of a single box  13  but less than twice the height of a box  13 . Hence one box  13 , and only one box  13 , may be received within the rear opening  23  at a time. 
         [0034]    Spanning the opening  23  and preferably disposed in the plane of the rear surface of rear panel  5  is a resilient band  6  as best seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0035]    The resilient band  6  is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber or the like and can be a common rubber band. Alternatively, the resilient band can be formed from a strip of spring steel or the like. 
         [0036]    The resilient band  6  serves as a barrier for normally preventing the lowermost box  13   a  from accidentally penetrating the rear opening  23  far enough for the front of the box  13   a  to recede from the supports  25  and drop to the floor  33 . When the box  13   a  is to be withdrawn from container  1 , it is pushed rearwardly through the rear opening  23  against an opposing force of the resilient band far enough for the front of the box  13   a  to clear the supports  25  and be lowered to an elevation whereat it can be withdrawn through the front opening  3  without obstruction. 
         [0037]    In order to provide ample room for the lowermost box  13   a  to be momentarily pushed rearwardly through the opening  23 , the container  1  should be spaced from the wall behind it. This can be ensured by providing one or more spacers between the rear panel  5  of the container  1  and the wall behind it. Suitable spacers  24  may be formed at the time the opening  23  is cut into the rear wall  5  of the container  1  as follows. 
         [0038]    A centered rectangular panel slightly narrower than the width of the container  1  is cut out of the rear wall  5 . The distance between each side edge of the rear opening and its adjacent wall determines the depth of the corresponding spacer to be formed. That is, each of the margins between the rear opening  23  and respective side wall  7 , 9  is cut or scored along parallel horizontal lines which are extensions of the top and bottom edges of the rear opening  23 . The margins may then be folded ninety degrees to project rearwardly from the rear surface  5  of the container  1 . For increased rigidity, the margins may be folded over on themselves and fastened to themselves by glue, tacking or any other appropriate fastening device. In the latter case, the container  1  should be wide enough relative to the widest size of box to be stacked therein to allow a rear opening wider than the width of the widest size box and margins between the opening  23  and side panels  7 , 9  to permit folded spacers of sufficient depth. 
         [0039]    The ends  8 , 8  of the resilient band  6  penetrate openings in the container  1  at or adjacent the intersection of the spacers  24  with the side walls  7 , 9 . The ends  8 , 8  of the resilient band  6  are adhered to the outer surfaces of the side walls  7 , 9  by a suitable fastener such as glue, adhesive tape, thumb tacks, push pins, or the like. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, looking down into the container  1 , there can be seen the horizontal surfaces of front supports  25  formed by brackets which support the bottom of the lowermost pizza box in the stack of boxes  13  housed within the container  1 . The uppermost surfaces of the horizontal portions of the brackets  25  are at an elevation greater than the bottom of the rectangular opening  23  which is in the plane of the floor  33  of the container  1  or, if the container  1  has no floor, the plane of the bottom of the container  1 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings there is shown a stack of pizza boxes  13  within a container  1  from which the lowermost box  13   a  is to be removed. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the lowermost box  13   a  has been pushed, by inserting pressure on its front panel, exposed in the upper opening  19  of the container  1 , toward the rear of the container  1  thereby causing the lowermost box  13   a  to begin to pass through the rectangular opening  23  toward a position rearward of the supports  25  on which the front lower edge of the lowermost box  13   a  is still resting. At this time the area of the top surface of the lowermost box  13   a  within the container  1  continues to engage the bottom surface of the box  13   b  immediately above it, with the weight of the stack of boxes  13  causing friction between the lowermost box  13   a  being dispensed and the box  13   b  above it. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , as the lowermost box  13   a  is pushed further rearward through the rectangular opening  23 , the front of the lowermost box  13   a  clears the supports  25 . As soon as the lowermost box  13   a  clears the supports  25 , it is free to drop or be lowered to a position near the bottom of the container  1  in registration with the front opening  17 . 
         [0043]    As soon as the lowermost box  13   a  is tilted downward, it disengages the box  13   b  above it except for a line of engagement along the bottom rear edge of the box  13   b . This greatly reduces the amount of friction between the boxes  13   a  and  13   b  and the force which must be exerted on the lowermost box  13   a  to withdraw it from the container  1  below the force that would have to be exerted if the lowermost box  13   a  were withdrawn while its entire surface area within the container  1  was in engagement with the bottom surface of the box  13   b  immediately above it. 
         [0044]    As the lowermost box  13   a  is withdrawn a short distance through the opening  23 , the rear end of the box  13   b  immediately above drops until its lower rear edge meets the floor  33  as can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . At this time the box  13   b  is in a stable disposition with its front bottom edge resting on the supports  25  and rear bottom edge resting on the floor  33 . Hence the box  13   b  can no longer move with and follow the box  13   a  beneath it. This desirable result enables withdrawal of the lowermost box  13   a  through the opening  17  to be continued free of any friction between boxes  13   a  and  13   b . The only possible friction is between the box  13   a  and the floor  33  due only to the weight of the box  13   a  which is free of the weight of the stack above. Even this relatively small amount of friction may be alleviated if the box is lifted off the floor  33  as it is withdrawn through the opening  17 . 
         [0045]    The floor  33  of the container  1  is optional and not necessary to its dispensing function. However, the floor  33  provides a smooth surface for withdrawing the box to be dispensed with little friction and also enhances the rigidity of the container  1 . Another benefit of the floor  33  is that it protects the boxes  13  from the surface of the countertop on which the container  1  is placed including any debris which may be present on the countertop. 
         [0046]    For portability, the container  1  may be collapsed by inwardly folding adjacent panels along diagonally opposed vertical edges. If present, a floor or ceiling panel can be removed. To facilitate removal and replacement of the floor or ceiling panel, the panel(s) may be fastened in place by removable push pins (not shown) insertable from outside of the container into adjacent edges of the floor/ceiling panel(s). 
         [0047]    The brackets  25  may be right angle brackets made from any rigid material including metal or plastic. For maximum strength, the brackets  25  can be inserted through horizontal slots  21  scored into the front panel  3  of the container  1 . 
         [0048]    Referring additionally to  FIG. 9 , the inside surfaces of the vertical arms of the angle brackets  25  facing the outer surface of the front panel  3  can be coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive covered by a peel away strip and pressed against, and thereby affixed to, the front panel  3 . The horizontal arm of each angle bracket  25  rests on, and is supported by, the exposed inside edge of its respective slot  21  for stability and strength. 
         [0049]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the vertical arm of the bracket  25  can be apertured for receiving an expandable push pin fastener that can be inserted through the front panel  3  and the vertical arm from either side. Other types of conventional fasteners may employed as will be known to those skilled in the art. It is important that the portion of the fastener that extends into the interior of the container  1  not penetrate deeply enough to interfere with the downward movement of the stack of pizza boxes as each lowermost box  13   a  is withdrawn. 
         [0050]    In instances where an adhesive used to affix the brackets forming the supports  25  to the panel on which the brackets are mounted is strong enough to withstand shearing forces on the inside surfaces of the container  1  due to the weight of the stacked boxes  13 , the rear surfaces of the vertical arms of the brackets  25  can be adhered to the inside surface of the front panel  3  of the container  1  without forming, or inserting the brackets through, slots in the front panel  3  of the container  1 . Here, too, a peel off strip can be used to expose an adhesive on the rear of the brackets&#39; vertical arms which can then be pressed against the inside facing surface of the front panel  3 . 
         [0051]    It is to be noted that the front supports  25  can be affixed not only to the front panel of the container  1  but also to the inside surfaces of the side panels  7 ,  9  of the container  1  at positions adjacent to the front panel  3 . 
         [0052]    It is desirable that the inner dimensions of the container  1 , that is the length and width, be only slightly larger than the length and width of the largest size pizza boxes to be stored in and dispensed from the container  1 . In order to prevent jamming of the pizza boxes within the container  1 , it is preferable to have each of the length and width of the inside of the container  1  exceed the outside length and width of the largest sized pizza boxes by ⅛ to one ¼ inch. 
         [0053]    A single container  1  may accommodate stacks of pizza boxes of smaller than the largest size by employing supports having horizontal members which protrude into the container  1  by an appropriate distance in order to maintain the above stated relationship by which the front supports  25 , on the one hand, and the rear wall  5 , on the other hand, extend toward one another by a distance greater than the distance by which the depth of the inside of the container  1  exceeds the depth D of the pizza boxes  13 . 
         [0054]    For a container having a width W c  and a depth D c  housing a stack of boxes having a width W b  and a depth D b , the minimum distance S of the rear edge or lip  26  of each front support  25  from the inner surface of the front panel  3  may be computed as follows. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , for a front support having an upper surface at a elevation E above the floor  33 , the 
         [0000]      ( D   c   −S ) 2   +H   2   =D   b   2    
         [0000]      ( D   c   −S ) 2   =D   b   2   −H   2    
         [0000]        D   c   −S =√{square root over ( )}( D   b   2   −H   2 )
 
         [0000]        S=D   c −√{square root over ( )}( D   b   2   −H   2 )
 
         [0056]    Where D b &gt;H. 
         [0057]    Where the supports  25  are mounted on the side panels  7 , 9 , the edges most distal from the front panel and proximate the rear panel should be a minimum of distance S from the inside surface of front panel  3 . 
       Example 1 
       [0058]    Where boxes for large size pizzas are to be stacked, each having a depth D b  and width W b  of 16 inches, and a height H of two inches, and the container  1  was a depth D c  and width W c  of 16.5 inches 
         [0059]    the following dimensions for the container  1  have been found to be desirable. 
         [0060]    Height of front opening  17 =3 inches; 
         [0061]    Height of rear opening  23 =3 inches; 
         [0062]    Elevation of front support  25  above floor  33 =5 inches 
         [0000]        S= 16.5−√{square root over ( )}(16 2 −5 2 )=1.3 inches
 
       Example 2 
       [0063]    For the same container  1  as in Example 1 above, where boxes for medium size pizzas are to be stacked, each having a depth D b  and width W b  of 14 inches, and a depth D of two inches, 
         [0064]    Height of front opening  17 =3 inches; 
         [0065]    Height of rear opening  23 =3 inches; 
         [0066]    Elevation of front support  25  above floor  33 =5 inches 
         [0000]        S= 16.5−√{square root over ( )}(14 2 −5 2 )=3.4 inches
 
       Example 3 
       [0067]    For the same container  1  as in Examples 1 and 2 above, where boxes for small size pizzas are to be stacked, each having a depth D b  and width W b  of 12 inches, and a depth D of two inches, 
         [0068]    Height of front opening=3 inches; 
         [0069]    Height of rear opening=3 inches; 
         [0070]    Height of front support above floor  33 =5 inches 
         [0000]        S= 16.5−√{square root over ( )}(12 2 −5 2 )=5.6 inches
 
         [0071]    To allow for slight variances in the dimensions of the container  1  and boxes  13 , it is preferable that the actual distance of the rear lip  26  of each front support  25  from the inner surface of the front panel  3  be ½ to 1½ inches greater than S. 
         [0072]    In certain environments, it may be desirable to place the container  1  under a counter or elsewhere on the floor of the establishment instead of upon an elevated countertop. In  FIG. 12 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of the invention in the form of container  1 ′ which is substantially identical to container  1  with the following differences which allow for its use in an inverted disposition whereby boxes can be dispensed from near the top of the container  1 ′. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a fixed panel  4 ′ forms a ceiling of the container  1 ′ and another fixed panel  33 ′ forms a floor of the container  1 ′ when container  1 ′ is inverted with respect to the normal orientation of container  1 . The floor panel  33 ′ is removable or hinged along one edge so that it may be moved out of the way with the container turned over to permit boxes  13  to be inserted into container  1 ′ before turning the container  1 ′ back to the position ready for dispensing the boxes  13  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0074]    Seated atop two coil springs  12 ′, 12 ′ fixed to the upper surface of floor  33 ′ is a pusher in the form of a planar panel  14 ′ which is movable in a vertical direction for urging a stack of pizza boxes  13  upwardly against the force of gravity whereby the front upper surface of the topmost box  13   a ′ engages an undersurface of each support  25 ′ in the container  1 ′ and the rear upper surface of the topmost box  13   a ′ engages the ceiling panel  4 ′. The boxes in the stack  13 ′ are inverted relative to their dispositions when used on a countertop in container  1  so that when withdrawn they are in an upright position for enabling the top of each box  13   a ′ to lifted for opening the box  13   a ′ without first having to turn it to an upright position. 
         [0075]    The springs  12 ′, 12 ′ shown fully compressed when the container is filled with boxes  13  are long enough to raise the bottommost box  13   c ′ to a position where the front upper surface of the box  13   c ′ engages the undersurface of each support  25 ′ in the container  1 ′ and the rear upper surface of box  13   c ′ engages ceiling panel  4 ′. Although two coil springs have been shown in the drawings, it is possible to employ a single spring of large enough diameter, preferable at or near the center of the pusher  14 ′. 
         [0076]    When the box  13   a ′ is to be withdrawn from container  1 ′, it is pushed rearwardly through the rear opening  23 ′ against the opposing force of the elastic band  6 ′ far enough for the front of the box  13   a ′ to clear the supports  25 ′ and be raised to an elevation whereat it can be withdrawn through the front opening  3 ′ without obstruction. Container  1 ′ can be employed atop a counter in a disposition like container  1  shown in  FIG. 5  or on a floor in the position shown in  FIG. 12  by inverting it. 
         [0077]    It is to be appreciated that the foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention to which alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.