Patent Description:
People enjoy being able to carry breath freshening or other oral or personal care treatment products with them when they are on-the-go. For example, there are many different types of small hard mints that can be carried in a person's pocket and readily pulled out for use as desired. Existing packaging for such products consist of a simple container with an openable lid that, once opened, permits a user to either grab a desired number of the products or requires the user to hold the container upside down to spill out its contents. The containers that are turned upside-down for dispensing do not allow for accurate dosing and the containers that require a user to grab the product out of the container are not useful for all persons depending on dexterity and slipperiness of the product. Moreover, there are hygienic concerns that arise when more products than desired are removed from the container and then put back into the container after being handled by the user. Thus, a need exists for a dispenser that overcomes the noted deficiencies. <CIT> is the closest prior art. Further prior art is provided in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention may be directed to a dispenser for holding and dispensing consumable products. The dispenser may include a first component having a storage cavity containing a plurality of consumable products, a closer member that closes an open top end of the storage cavity, and a second component pivotably coupled to the first component for dispensing one of the consumable products at a time. The closure member has a dispensing aperture so that one of the consumable products can fit therethrough and pass onto a cup-shaped member of the second component. Then, the closure member can be altered from a closed state to an open state so that a user can remove the one of the consumable products from the cup-shaped member of the second component. A blocker arm protrudes from the cup-shaped member to prevent additional ones of the consumable products from being dispensed when the second component is in the open state. In one aspect, the invention is a dispenser according to claim <NUM>. Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The dispenser according to the invention comprises: a first component comprising a storage cavity having an open end, the storage cavity containing a plurality of consumable products; a closure member coupled to the first component and closing the open end of the storage cavity, the closure member comprising a dispensing aperture configured to permit one of the consumable products to fit therethrough at a time; and a second component pivotably coupled to the first component, the second component comprising a cup-shaped member configured to hold the one of the consumable products and a blocker arm; wherein the second component is pivotable relative to the first component between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which the cup-shaped member of the second component is at least partially located within the dispensing aperture of the closure member for loading one of the consumable products onto the cup-shaped member; and (<NUM>) an open state in which the cup-shaped member pivots away from the dispensing aperture to permit removal of the one of the consumable products from the cup-shaped member and the blocker arm prevents the consumable products remaining in the storage cavity from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture. The second component defines an internal cavity comprising a floor, the cup-shaped member extending upwardly from the floor, and wherein a lower portion of the first component and the closure member nest within the internal cavity of the second component when the second component is in the closed state.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a storage component comprising a storage cavity containing a plurality of consumable products and a dispensing aperture that is configured to dispense one of the consumable products at a time; a dispensing component pivotably coupled to the storage component, the dispensing component comprising a holding member configured to hold the one of the consumable products; wherein the dispensing component is pivotable relative to the storage component between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which the holding member of the dispensing component becomes loaded with one of the consumable products; and (<NUM>) an open state in which an opening is created between a front portion of the storage component and a front portion of the dispensing component while the holding member of the dispensing component continues to hold the one of the consumable products, and wherein the one of the consumable products is visible through the opening without being dispensed from the dispenser.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a storage component comprising a storage cavity containing a plurality of consumable products and a dispensing aperture that is configured to dispense one of the consumable products at a time; a dispensing component pivotably coupled to the storage component, the dispensing component comprising a holding member configured to hold the one of the consumable products and a blocker arm; wherein the dispensing component is pivotable relative to the storage component between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which the holding member of the dispensing component becomes loaded with one of the consumable products; and (<NUM>) an open state in which the one of the consumable products becomes accessible to a user and the blocker arm prevents any of the consumable products remaining in the storage cavity from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture.

The present invention may be directed to a dispenser for holding and dispensing consumable products. The dispenser may be small enough to fit inside of a pocket of a user's clothing. The dispenser may include a housing having an internal cavity containing a plurality of consumable products, the internal cavity including a main compartment and a dispensing compartment. A cover member closes the open top end of the internal cavity. The cover member is slidably coupled to the housing between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which one or more of the consumable products are permitted to move from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment while being prevented from being dispensed from the dispensing compartment; and (<NUM>) an open state in which the consumable products are prevented from moving between the main compartment and the dispensing compartment and the one or more consumable products located in the dispensing compartment are configured to be dispensed.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a housing comprising an internal cavity having an open top end, the internal cavity containing a plurality of consumable products and comprising a main compartment and a dispensing compartment; a cover member closing the open top end of the internal cavity, the cover member slidably coupled to the housing between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which one or more of the consumable products are permitted to move from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment while being prevented from being dispensed from the dispensing compartment to an external environment; and (<NUM>) an open state in which the consumable products are prevented from moving between the main compartment and the dispensing compartment and the one or more consumable products located in the dispensing compartment are configured to be dispensed to the external environment.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a housing comprising an internal cavity containing a plurality of consumable products and a divider wall that separates the internal cavity into a main compartment and a dispensing compartment, the divider wall comprising an opening that forms a passageway from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment; a cover member slidably coupled to the housing between an open state and a closed state, the cover member comprising a stopper wall that at least partially blocks the opening of the divider wall to prevent movement of the consumable products from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment when the cover member is in the open state and does not block the opening of the divider wall to allow movement of the consumable products from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment when the cover member is in the closed state; and wherein when the cover member is in the open state the consumable products located within the dispensing compartment are configured to be dispensed from the internal cavity, and wherein when the cover member is in the closed state the consumable products located within the dispensing compartment are prevented from being dispensed from the internal cavity.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a housing; a cover member slidably coupled to the housing; the housing and the cover member collectively defining an internal cavity containing a plurality of consumable products, the internal cavity being divided into a main compartment and a dispensing compartment by a divider assembly the dispensing compartment configured to hold no more than one of the consumable products at a time; and wherein the housing and the cover member are slidable relative to one another between: (<NUM>) a closed state whereby a single one of the plurality of consumable products is permitted to move from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment through an opening in the divider assembly while being prevented from exiting the internal cavity; and (<NUM>) an open state wherein the single one of the plurality of consumable products is permitted to exit the internal cavity and additional ones of the plurality of consumable products are prevented from moving from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment.

A further dispenser not forming part of the invention, but representing an example useful for understanding the invention comprises: a housing comprising an internal cavity containing a plurality of consumable products and a divider wall that separates the internal cavity into a main compartment and a dispensing compartment, the divider wall comprising an opening that forms a passageway from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment; a cover member comprising an outlet wall having a dispensing opening and a stopper wall having a pass-through opening, wherein the cover member is slidably coupled to the housing with the stopper wall of the cover member adjacent to the divider wall of the housing, and wherein the cover member is slidable relative to the housing between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which: (a) the pass-through opening of the stopper wall of the cover member is aligned with the opening of the divider wall of the housing to allow at least one of the plurality of consumable products to move from the main compartment to the dispensing compartment; and (b) the dispensing opening of the outlet wall is blocked by the housing to prevent any of the consumable products from being dispensed from the internal cavity; and (<NUM>) an open state in which: (a) the dispensing opening of the outlet wall is exposed to allow the at least one of the plurality of consumable products located within the dispensing compartment to be dispensed from the internal cavity; and (b) the pass-through opening of the cover member is not aligned with the opening of the divider member thereby preventing any additional ones of the plurality of consumable products from moving from the main compartment into the dispensing compartment while the cover member is in the open state.

Referring first to <FIG>, a dispenser <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser <NUM> generally comprises a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a closure member <NUM> that are cooperatively coupled together so that the dispenser <NUM> is configured to dispense one consumable product each time the second component <NUM> is altered from a closed state to an open state, as described further herein. The first component <NUM> may also be referred to herein as a storage component and the second component <NUM> may also be referred to herein as a dispenser component. Moreover, while the closure member <NUM> is separate from the first component <NUM> in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited and the closure member <NUM> could be an integral part of the first component <NUM> in some embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the second component <NUM> (or the dispenser <NUM>) in the closed state and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the second component <NUM> (or the dispenser <NUM>) in the open state. The first component <NUM>, the second component <NUM>, and the closure member <NUM> may each be formed from a hard plastic material in some embodiments. Moreover, in some embodiments the first component <NUM> may be translucent or transparent so that the consumable products held therein are visible to a user. In some embodiments, the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> may be translucent or transparent. In some embodiments, the closure member <NUM> may also be transparent or translucent.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first component <NUM> is in the shape of a half oblate spheroid that has been cut by a plane extending though its main faces at a midpoint thereof The first component <NUM> comprises an outer surface <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM>, and a storage cavity <NUM> that is defined by the inner surface <NUM>. The storage cavity <NUM> has an open end <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the open end <NUM> is located along the bottom end of the first component <NUM> based on the orientation thereof during normal use. The storage cavity <NUM> is configured to contain a plurality of consumable products, which are then dispensed from the storage cavity <NUM> by a user as desired. The dispensing of the consumable products will be described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>. In the assembled dispenser <NUM>, the first component <NUM> is generally oriented so that the open end <NUM> of the storage cavity <NUM> faces downwardly during use thereof.

The first component <NUM> comprises a first planar side portion <NUM>, a second planar side portion <NUM>, and a curved central portion <NUM> between the first and second planar side portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> along the curved central portion <NUM> forms a floor of the storage cavity <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> along the first and second planar side portions <NUM>, <NUM> forms a sidewall of the storage cavity <NUM>.

The first component <NUM> comprises a first pivot feature <NUM> that facilitates the pivoting of the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> relative to one another. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pivot feature <NUM> comprises a first arcuate protrusion <NUM> protruding from a first side of the first component <NUM> and a second arcuate protrusion <NUM> protruding from a second side of the first component <NUM>. Specifically, the first arcuate protrusion <NUM> is located on the outer surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> along the first planar side portion <NUM> and the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> is located on the outer surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> along the second planar side portion <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second arcuate protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> have concave surfaces that face in a direction towards the open end <NUM> of the storage cavity <NUM> and convex surfaces that face in a direction away from the open end <NUM> of the storage cavity <NUM>. Although the first pivot feature <NUM> is described as comprising the first and second arcuate protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> in the exemplified embodiment, other features may be used in other embodiments, one example of which will be provided below with reference to <FIG>. In still other embodiments, the first pivot feature <NUM> may be one of a hole or a cylindrical protrusion that nests within the hole (specifically, one of the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> may have a hole and the other may have a protrusion that nests within the hole) to allow for the relative pivoting/rotational movement between the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> as described herein.

The first component <NUM> comprises a front end (or front portion) <NUM> and a rear end (or rear portion) <NUM>. The front end <NUM> of the first component <NUM> is the end from which the consumable products are dispensed from the dispenser <NUM> and the rear end <NUM> is the end that is opposite the front end <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the first component <NUM> comprises a ridge <NUM> protruding from the outer surface <NUM> along the rear end <NUM> thereof. In particular, the ridge <NUM> is elongated and extends from a first end that is adjacent to the open end <NUM> of the storage cavity <NUM> to a second end that is located at a distance from the open end <NUM> of the storage cavity <NUM>. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the ridge <NUM> cooperates with a slot in the second component <NUM> to maintain the coupling between the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> and prevent over-rotation of the second component <NUM> relative to the first component <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the cover member <NUM> is a component that is separate and distinct from each of the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments the cover member <NUM> may be formed integrally with the first or second components <NUM>, <NUM> as a single unitary construct. In the exemplified embodiment, the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM> in such a manner that the cover member <NUM> closes the open front end <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> comprises a body portion <NUM> comprising an inner surface <NUM>, an outer surface <NUM>, and a peripheral surface <NUM> extending between the inner and outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> also comprises a flange portion <NUM> that extends radially outward from the peripheral surface <NUM> at a position that is adjacent to the outer surface <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> is elevated relative to the inner surface <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> is recessed relative to the outer surface <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM>. When the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM>, the body portion <NUM> of the cover member nests within the storage cavity <NUM> and spans across an entirety of the length and width of the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> covers a distal end of the first component <NUM>. More particularly, the inner surface <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> abuts against the distal end of the first component <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM> using a friction fit such that the peripheral surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> fits tightly against the inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> to create a snug fit between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM>. As shown in the exemplified embodiment, the cover member <NUM> may comprise a sealing member <NUM> protruding from the peripheral surface <NUM> to ensure that the cover member <NUM> is in positive contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> for purposes of achieving an adequate seal between those two components. This tight fit or friction fit between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM> creates a seal at the interface between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM>. A more permanent attachment between the first component <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> may be achieved using adhesives or hardware such as screws, nails, or bolts. However, the tight fit or friction fit engagement as noted herein may be desirable in some embodiments to allow a user to readily detach the cover member <NUM> from the first component <NUM> as needed to refill the storage cavity <NUM> with the consumable products. In some embodiments, the coupling between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM> may be a snap-fit connection.

In some embodiments, a gasket or sealing ring may be coupled to the cover member <NUM> along one or both of the inner surface <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> and the peripheral surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> to create an air-tight and hermetic seal between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cover member <NUM> and/or the first component <NUM> may include snap-over features or other connection features which facilitate the coupling between the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM>. For example, one of the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM> may include protrusions which nest within receiving apertures or recesses formed into the other of the cover member <NUM> and the first component <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> comprises a dispensing aperture <NUM> extending through the body portion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> from the upper surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> to the lower surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. Thus, the dispensing aperture <NUM> forms a passageway that allows the consumable products to exit the storage reservoir <NUM> during dispensing as described in greater detail below. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing aperture <NUM> is in the shape of a circle, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. The dispensing aperture <NUM> is preferably of a size and shape (i.e., a diameter or other dimension) that permits no more than one of the consumable products to be dispensed from the storage reservoir <NUM> through the dispensing aperture <NUM> at a time. This facilitates operation of the dispenser <NUM> as a single dose dispenser such that the dispenser <NUM> only dispenses one of the consumable products at a time. Of course, it may be possible to alter the size and shape of the dispensing aperture <NUM> or the size and shape of the consumable products to allow more than one of the consumable products to fit therethrough in some alternative embodiments, for example where a single dose comprises more than one of the consumable products.

The cover member <NUM> also comprises a third pivot feature <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the third pivot feature <NUM> comprises a first tab <NUM> protruding upwardly from the flange portion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> on a first side of the cover member <NUM> and a second tab <NUM> protruding upwardly from the flange portion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> on a second side of the cover member <NUM>. Stated another way, the cover member <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis A-A and the first and second tabs <NUM>, <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A-A of the cover member <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> terminates in a first arcuate distal surface <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> terminates in a second arcuate distal surface <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM>, the first tab <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is aligned with the first arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is aligned with the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. Only the second tab <NUM> and the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> are visible in the cross-sectional views provided, but it should be appreciated that the same structural relationship exists between the first tab <NUM> and the first arcuate protrusion <NUM>. The second tab <NUM> is positioned so that the arcuate distal surface <NUM> thereof is spaced apart from the concave lower surface of the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> by a gap <NUM>. The gap <NUM> is arcuate shaped with a downward facing concave surface and an upward facing convex surface. The gap <NUM> forms a track within which a pivoting feature of the second component <NUM> nests and moves as the second component <NUM> transitions between the open and closed states, as discussed further below.

The second component <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM> and/or the cover member <NUM> to form an enclosed housing that is configured for dispensing the consumable products one at a time as described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>. The second component <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> that extends upwardly from the floor <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> has a varying height such that the distal end <NUM> is not planar. Rather, along a rear portion of the second component <NUM> the sidewall <NUM> has a constant height, and then moving from a central region of the second component <NUM> towards a front end of the second component <NUM> a height of the sidewall <NUM> decreases such that the distal end <NUM> is sloped downwardly. This allows for an opening to be formed between the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> as the second component <NUM> is altered from the closed state (<FIG> and <FIG>) to the open state (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The floor <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> collectively define an internal cavity <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the dispenser <NUM> is assembled, at least a portion of the first component <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> nest within the internal cavity <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. The second component <NUM> comprises an elongated slot <NUM> along its inner surface <NUM> for receiving the ridge <NUM> of the first component <NUM> as described above. Thus, as the second component <NUM> moves between the open and closed states, the ridge <NUM> of the first component <NUM> slides within the elongated slot <NUM> of the second component <NUM> to prevent unwanted relative movement between the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, while the first and second components <NUM>, <NUM> can pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis P-P (labeled in) <FIG> and <FIG>), there is minimal rotational movement between the first and second components along an axis that is perpendicular to the pivot axis P-P.

The second component <NUM> comprises a second pivot feature <NUM> that interacts with the first and third pivot features <NUM>, <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and cover member <NUM> to facilitate the pivoting movement of the second component <NUM> relative to the first component <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>. Specifically, the second pivot feature <NUM> comprises a first arcuate protrusion <NUM> (see <FIG>) protruding from the inner surface <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> and a second arcuate protrusion <NUM> protruding from the inner surface <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> on an opposite side of the second component <NUM>. The first and second arcuate protrusions <NUM> comprise upwardly facing convex surfaces and downwardly facing concave surfaces. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the dispenser <NUM> is assembled, the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the second pivot feature <NUM> nests within the gap <NUM> between the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the first pivot feature <NUM> and the arcuate distal end <NUM> of the second tab <NUM> of the third pivot feature <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. As the second component <NUM> pivots or rotates relative to the first component <NUM> and cover member <NUM>, the second pivot feature <NUM> moves within the gap <NUM> between the first and third pivot features <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the second pivot feature <NUM> remains sandwiched between the first and third pivot features <NUM>, <NUM>, which facilitates to maintain the coupling between the various components.

The second component <NUM> also comprises a cup-shaped member (or holding member) <NUM> that protrudes from the floor <NUM>. The cup-shaped member <NUM> is formed by an upstanding annular wall <NUM> which extends from the floor <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. It may be possible for the upstanding annular wall <NUM> to have gaps, although in the exemplified embodiment it is a continuous annular wall. The cup-shaped member <NUM> extends along a cup axis C-C. The upstanding annular wall <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM> that surrounds a holding cavity <NUM>. Furthermore, there is a post <NUM> that extends upwardly from the floor <NUM> along the cup axis C-C. The post <NUM> terminates in a distal end <NUM> that is recessed relative to the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM>. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM> is wavy or undulating, and the distal end <NUM> of the post <NUM> is recessed relative to a lowermost point of the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and discussed below, the one of the consumable products that is caught within the holding cavity <NUM> rests atop of the distal end <NUM> of the post <NUM> to allow a user to easily grab the consumable product for removal and consumption.

The second component <NUM> comprises a blocker arm <NUM> that extends upwardly from the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM> in a direction away from the floor <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. The blocker arm <NUM> extends along a portion of, but not the entirety of, the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM>. That is, if the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM> spans <NUM>°, the blocker arm <NUM> may extend along <NUM>-<NUM>° of the <NUM>° (of course the blocker arm <NUM> could extend along more or less of the distal end <NUM> in other embodiments). The blocker arm <NUM> extends upwardly from the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM> and inwardly in a direction towards the cup axis C-C so that the blocker arm <NUM> extends over the holding cavity <NUM>. Thus, the blocker arm <NUM> hovers or is cantilevered over the holding cavity <NUM> so that there exist axes parallel to the cup axis C-C which intersect the blocker arm <NUM> and the holding cavity <NUM>. The blocker arm <NUM> terminates at a distal end <NUM> that is aligned with the holding cavity <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the blocker arm <NUM> is curved as it extends from the distal end <NUM> of the upstanding annular wall <NUM>. In particular, in the exemplified embodiment the blocker arm <NUM> is curved so that it has a concave surface facing downwardly towards the holding cavity <NUM> and a convex surface facing upwardly away from the holding cavity <NUM>. The blocker arm <NUM> may be linear and non-curved in other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the cover member <NUM> comprises a connection post <NUM> protruding from the outer surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> at a location that is spaced apart from the dispensing aperture <NUM>. In particular, the connection post <NUM> and dispensing aperture <NUM> are located on opposite sides of a transverse centerline D-D of the cover member <NUM>. Similarly, the second component <NUM> comprises a connection post <NUM> protruding upwardly from the floor <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, a spring <NUM> is coupled to the connection post <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> and to the connection post <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. The purpose of the spring <NUM> is to bias the second component <NUM> into the closed state as shown in <FIG>. That is, when the second component <NUM> is altered into the open state as shown in <FIG>, the spring <NUM> is compressed, and upon release of the second component <NUM> the spring <NUM> exerts a force as it returns to its original length. While in the exemplified embodiment the spring <NUM> is a compression spring, in other embodiments the spring <NUM> may be a tension spring, a torsion spring, or even a plastic spring that is manufactured integrally with the second component <NUM> or the cover member <NUM>. Moreover, while the spring <NUM> is depicted in the exemplified embodiment, the spring <NUM> could be omitted in other embodiments. In particular, in other embodiments the second component <NUM> may be altered from the closed state to the open state and then from the open state to the closed state manually without any assistance from a spring or other external component.

As mentioned above, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the dispenser <NUM> with the second component <NUM> in the closed state. As can be seen, there is no opening into the dispenser when the second component <NUM> is in the closed state. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the dispenser <NUM> with the second component <NUM> in the open state. To alter the second component <NUM> from the closed state to the open state, the second component <NUM> is pivoted relative to the first component <NUM> about the pivot axis P-P. This is achieved manually by a user in the exemplified embodiment, by holding the first component <NUM> in a fixed position and applying a pivoting force onto the second component <NUM>. Once the second component <NUM> is in the open state, an opening into the dispenser <NUM> interior is exposed. As should be appreciated, if there were a consumable product on the cup-shaped member <NUM> (discussed below with reference to <FIG>), a user would then be able to grab the consumable product and remove it from the dispenser <NUM>. Moreover, as can be seen in <FIG>, when the second component <NUM> is in the open state, the blocker arm <NUM> is not located within the dispensing aperture <NUM> or within the storage cavity <NUM>. Rather, the blocker arm <NUM> is positioned below the cover member <NUM>. However, the blocker arm <NUM> still serves to prevent additional ones of the consumable products from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture <NUM>, as described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Referring briefly to <FIG>, the dispenser <NUM> is illustrated in cross-section with the cut being taken through the first, second, and third pivot features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As discussed above, the first arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the second pivot feature <NUM> of the second component <NUM> is sandwiched between the first arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the first pivot feature <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the first arcuate distal surface <NUM> of the first tab <NUM> of the third pivot feature <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Similarly, the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the second pivot feature <NUM> of the second component <NUM> is sandwiched between the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> of the first pivot feature <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the second arcuate distal surface <NUM> of the second tab <NUM> of the third pivot feature <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. The second component <NUM> can pivot relative to the first component <NUM> about the pivot axis P-P, which results in the first and second arcuate protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> of the second pivot feature <NUM> to slide/move within the gap <NUM> between the first and third pivot features <NUM>, <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>, respectively.

Referring to <FIG> sequentially, operation of the dispenser <NUM> will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, the dispenser <NUM> is configured to contain a plurality of consumable products <NUM> in the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM>, and to dispense the consumable products <NUM> one at a time for consumption by a user. The consumable products <NUM> may take on various different forms, shapes, sizes, characteristics, formulas, and the like.

In the exemplified embodiment, the consumable products <NUM> comprise a dissolvable outer shell that surrounds an active agent. The dissolvable outer shell may be formed from polyvinyl alcohol or other dissolvable film materials. Moreover, the active agent may be a mouthwash or a toothpaste product when the consumable product <NUM> is intended for oral care. Thus, the consumable products <NUM> may be oral care products that are dispensed, one at a time, from the dispenser <NUM> and then inserted into the user's oral cavity to provide some benefit (fresh breath, anti-bacterial, saliva stimulation, sensitivity treatment, or the like). Where the consumable products <NUM> are toothpaste products, the consumable products <NUM> may be dispensed and then placed onto a toothbrush for use. Moreover, while the consumable products <NUM> are described herein as being used for oral care, the invention is not to be so limited and the consumable products <NUM> may take on other forms, including being soap products (one-time use or multi-use), acne treatment products, skin moisturizer products, sanitizer products, or the like. Moreover, the consumable product may include bath bombs and the like. In still other embodiments, the consumable products <NUM> may be chewing gum, mints, or the like. As used herein, the term consumable refers to any product that gets used up and decreases in size over time, and does not specifically require that the product be ingested. Moreover, the term product is merely intended to mean a small mass of material used for imparting a benefit to its user (a medicinal product, a mouthwash product, a toothpaste product, a moisturizing product, an acne treatment product, a sanitizing product, etc.).

In <FIG>, all of the consumable products <NUM> are located within the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. Prior to altering the second component <NUM> from the closed state to the open state, a user should ensure that one of the consumable products <NUM> is being held by or otherwise located within the cup-shaped member <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. Otherwise, if all of the consumable products <NUM> are located within the storage cavity <NUM>, none will be dispensed when the dispenser <NUM> (or second component <NUM> thereof) is altered into the open state.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to maneuver the consumable products <NUM> to ensure that one of the consumable products <NUM> is held by the cup-shaped member <NUM>, a user may need to tilt or gently shake or rotate the dispenser <NUM>. In some instances, simply holding the dispenser <NUM> in the orientation shown in <FIG> and <FIG> will cause one of the consumable products <NUM> to become held by the cup-shaped member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the dispenser <NUM> with a plurality of the consumable products <NUM> located within the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and one of the consumable products <NUM> being held by the cup-shaped member <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. When the one of the consumable products <NUM> is located within the cup-shaped member <NUM>, the post <NUM> ensures that the one of the consumable products <NUM> is elevated within the holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. Furthermore, the blocker arm <NUM> wraps partially around the one of the consumable products <NUM> to hold it in place within the holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. The holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM> is only large enough to hold one of the consumable products <NUM> therein, and thus as shown in <FIG> additional ones of the consumable products <NUM> remain located within the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>.

As discussed above, when the second component <NUM> is in the closed state, a portion of the cup-shaped member <NUM> nests within the dispensing aperture <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Thus, the consumable products <NUM> are unable to simply fall through the dispensing aperture <NUM> but instead can only enter into the holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. Furthermore, the blocker arm <NUM> is attached to the cup-shaped member <NUM> along a portion of the cup-shaped member <NUM> that is located furthest from the front end <NUM> of the first component <NUM> (which is also the front end of the dispenser <NUM>). The blocker arm <NUM> extends upwardly from the distal end <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM> and inwardly towards the cup axis C-C and also towards the front end <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. The blocker arm <NUM> covers or wraps around a portion of the one of the consumable products <NUM> that is being held by the cup-shaped member <NUM>. The space between the distal end <NUM> of the blocker arm <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> is sufficiently small such that only one of the consumable products <NUM> can fit between the distal end <NUM> of the blocker arm <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM> at a time.

Next, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a user can manually alter the second component <NUM> from the closed state (<FIG>) to the open state (<FIG>). This is achieved by pivoting or rotating the second dispenser <NUM> relative to the first dispenser <NUM> about the pivot axis. In doing so, the spring <NUM> compresses in the exemplified embodiment. As noted above, the spring <NUM> may be omitted in other embodiments. Pivoting the second component <NUM> relative to the first component <NUM> into the open state causes the front end or front portion of the second component <NUM> to pivot away from the front end or front portion of the first component <NUM> to create an opening at the front of the dispenser <NUM> through which a user can grip the one of the consumable products <NUM> for removal from the cup-shaped member <NUM>.

Once the dispenser <NUM>, or the second component <NUM> thereof, has been altered into the open state, a user can insert his or her fingers into the opening of the dispenser <NUM> to grab the one of the consumable products <NUM> to dislodge it from the cup-shaped member <NUM> and remove the one of the consumable products <NUM> from the dispenser <NUM> for use. Specifically, the user may grip the one of the consumable products <NUM> and pull it away from the cup-shaped member <NUM> for dispensing. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment, after the second component <NUM> is altered into the open state, the one of the consumable products <NUM> remains in the holding cavity of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. That is, the one of the consumable products <NUM> is not dispensed from the dispenser <NUM> simply by altering it into the open state, but rather this just exposes the cup-shaped member and the one of the consumable products <NUM> to the user so that the user can grab the one of the consumable products <NUM> for consumption. In other embodiments, the act of altering the second component <NUM> from the closed state to the open state may cause the one of the consumable products <NUM> to become dislodged from the cup-shaped member <NUM> and thereby automatically dispensed. However, this is not the preferred embodiment because this may result in the one of the consumable products <NUM> falling onto the floor or some other undesirable, unhygienic location.

As seen in <FIG>, when the second component <NUM> is in the open state, the cup-shaped member <NUM> and the blocker arm <NUM> are removed from the dispensing aperture <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Thus, a second one of the consumable products <NUM> is able to enter into the dispensing aperture <NUM>. However, the second one of the consumable products <NUM> is unable to pass entirely through the dispensing aperture <NUM> for removal from the storage cavity <NUM>. That is, there is insufficient space between the blocker arm <NUM> and the dispensing aperture <NUM> for the second one of the consumable products <NUM> to fit through. Thus the blocker arm <NUM> prevents the second one of the consumable products <NUM> from being dispensed from the storage cavity <NUM>. Stated another way, a diameter D1 of the second one of the consumable products <NUM> (and each of the consumable products <NUM> in the storage cavity <NUM>) is greater than a distance d1 between the distal end <NUM> of the blocker arm <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. The diameter D1 of the consumable products <NUM> is also greater than a distance d2 measured between the dispensing aperture <NUM> and a backside of the blocker arm <NUM>, thereby preventing the consumable products <NUM> from passing into the into the internal cavity <NUM> of the second component <NUM>. While the second one of the consumable products <NUM> may extend partially though the dispensing aperture <NUM>, it cannot fit fully through the dispensing aperture <NUM> for dispensing due to the existence and positioning of the blocker arm <NUM>.

<FIG> merely illustrates the one of the consumable products <NUM> having been removed from the cup-shaped member <NUM> and hence also from the dispenser <NUM> such that the one of the consumable products <NUM> has been dispensed to the exterior environment. The user can then consume the consumable product, either via insertion into the user's mouth or through other uses depending on the type of product.

Next, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the user can alter the second component <NUM> (or the dispenser as a whole) from the open state which is shown in <FIG> to the closed state which is shown in <FIG>. This may be achieved in various different ways depending on the structure and operation of the dispenser <NUM>. For example, in the exemplified embodiment which uses the spring <NUM>, upon the user releasing his/her hold on the second component <NUM>, the spring <NUM> will exert an outward force, which will automatically cause the second component <NUM> to alter from the open state to the closed state. In other embodiments, a combination of the spring <NUM> and user interaction with or force applied onto the second component <NUM> is required to alter the second component <NUM> from the open state to the closed state. In still other embodiments, the spring <NUM> may be omitted and it is solely manual force applied by the user that will alter the second component <NUM> from the open state to the closed state.

As the second component <NUM> is altered from the second state to the first state, the blocker arm <NUM> pushes the second one of the consumable products <NUM> back into the internal cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM> while continuing to prevent the second one of the consumable products <NUM> from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture <NUM>. Moreover, once the second component <NUM> is in the closed state (or possibly at some intervening time during the altering of the second component <NUM> from the open state to the closed state), the second one of the consumable products <NUM> may pass into the holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> is now primed for dispensing of the second one of the consumable products <NUM> by altering the second component <NUM> back into the open state.

Referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of a dispenser <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser <NUM> generally comprises a first component <NUM>, a second component <NUM>, and a cover member <NUM> as with the dispenser <NUM>. Many features of the dispenser <NUM> are similar to features of the dispenser <NUM> described above, and such features will not be described herein below in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description provided above is applicable. It should also be appreciated that operation of the dispenser <NUM> is essentially the same as the operation of the dispenser <NUM> described above, and thus a full and complete discussion of the operation of the dispenser <NUM> will not be provided below, it being appreciated that the description above related to the operation of the dispenser <NUM> is applicable. The focus of the description of the dispenser <NUM> will be on the features of the dispenser <NUM> which differ from the dispenser <NUM>.

The first component <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> is quite similar to the first component <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> described above, with the main difference being the configuration of the pivot feature. That is, the first component <NUM> comprises a first pivot feature <NUM> which comprises first and second U-shaped notches formed into a bottom edge <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. This is in contrast to the first pivot feature <NUM> of the first component <NUM> which was formed by the first and second arcuate protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>. The first component <NUM> comprises a storage cavity <NUM> which is defined by an inner surface <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. The storage cavity <NUM> has an open end <NUM>. Furthermore, the storage cavity <NUM> is configured to store a plurality of consumable products <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the exemplified embodiment, the open end <NUM> is located at the bottom edge <NUM> of the first component. The first component <NUM> is a half oblate sphere shape.

The cover member <NUM> is coupled to the first component <NUM> and covers the open end <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. As with the prior embodiment, the cover member <NUM> could be formed integrally with the first component <NUM> or the second component <NUM> in other embodiments. With reference to <FIG>, in the exemplified embodiment the cover member <NUM> is connected to the first component <NUM> via a snap-fit connection. In particular, the cover member <NUM> comprises a protuberance <NUM> that nests within a recess <NUM> in the inner surface of the first component <NUM>. In other embodiments, the first component <NUM> may comprise a protuberance that nests within a recess in the cover member <NUM>. In either case, the cover member <NUM> may be connected to the first component <NUM> via a snap-fit engagement.

The cover member <NUM> comprises a dispensing aperture <NUM> that provides a passageway from the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM> to a location external to the storage cavity <NUM>. However, in this embodiment there is a guide wall <NUM> extending along a portion of the periphery of the dispensing aperture <NUM>. The guide wall <NUM> is an upstanding wall which extends upwardly from the upper surface <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. In particular, the guide wall <NUM> is located along a portion of the dispensing aperture <NUM> that is closest to a dispensing end of the dispenser <NUM> when assembled. The guide wall <NUM> comprises an angled surface <NUM> that is oriented at an oblique angle relative to an axis of the dispensing aperture <NUM>. The guide wall <NUM> serves to feed the consumable products towards and into the dispensing aperture <NUM> to facilitate a loading of one of the consumable products onto a cup-shaped member or holding member of the second component <NUM>, described below. The dispensing aperture <NUM> may comprise a funnel portion <NUM>, which is formed by having an upper portion of the wall which surrounds the dispensing aperture <NUM> be angled outwardly away from a center of the dispensing aperture <NUM>. This further serves to guide the consumable products into and through the dispensing aperture <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> comprises a third pivot feature <NUM>, which comprises first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> (one illustrated in <FIG> and the other illustrated in <FIG>) located on opposite sides thereof. Each of the first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> has a convex upper surface <NUM>, <NUM>.

The second component <NUM> comprises a second pivot feature <NUM> comprising a first arcuate protrusion <NUM> and a second arcuate protrusion <NUM>. When the dispenser <NUM> is assembled, the first arcuate protrusion <NUM> nests between the first notch <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the first protrusion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> and the second arcuate protrusion <NUM> nests between the second notch <NUM> of the first component <NUM> and the second protrusion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. The relationship between the first notch <NUM>, and the protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>. This enables the pivoting/rotational movement of the second dispenser <NUM> between the open and closed states to be the same as that which was described above for the dispenser <NUM>.

The second component <NUM> also comprises a cup-shaped member (or holding member) <NUM> which is similar to the cup-shaped element <NUM> of the second component <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. The cup-shaped member <NUM> comprises an annular wall <NUM> that defines a holding cavity <NUM> that is configured to hold one of the consumable products for dispensing thereof. The annular wall <NUM> may be partially annular in other embodiments or may comprise multiple walls that are spaced apart by gaps to form the overall annular shape. The second component <NUM> also comprises a blocking arm <NUM> that extends from a distal end of the annular wall <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM> along a portion thereof. The blocking arm <NUM> extends upwardly away from the cup-shaped member <NUM> and inwardly towards an axis of the cup-shaped member <NUM>. The blocking arm <NUM> is arcuate in its extension, but could be linear in other embodiments. The blocking arm <NUM> extends in a direction generally towards a front, dispensing end of the dispenser <NUM>. The blocking arm <NUM> and the guide wall <NUM> collectively from a tunnel or chute to guide the consumable products into and through the dispensing opening <NUM> when the dispenser <NUM> is in the closed state.

The second component <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM>, and the cup-shaped member <NUM> protrudes upwardly from the floor <NUM>. Furthermore, in this embodiment the second component <NUM> comprises a spring element <NUM> that is formed integrally with the second component <NUM> and which extends upwardly from the floor <NUM>. Thus, the spring element <NUM> is formed from plastic just like the remainder of the second component <NUM> rather than the spring <NUM> being a separate structure formed from metal or the like. The spring element <NUM> extends from the floor <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> at an oblique angle relative to the floor <NUM>. Moreover, the spring element <NUM> extends along an axis that is oblique to the cover member <NUM> when the dispenser <NUM> is assembled. While the distal end <NUM> is spaced from the cover member <NUM> in the closed state in the exemplified embodiment (see <FIG>), in other embodiments the distal end <NUM> could be in contact with the cover member <NUM> in the closed state.

As noted above, the dispenser <NUM> operates in the same manner as the dispenser <NUM>, which will be described briefly with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. It is noted that additional description of the operation is provided above for the dispenser <NUM> and is entirely applicable hereto because the dispensing function is identical between the dispenser <NUM> and the dispenser <NUM>. Prior to use (and potentially prior to assembly), the dispenser <NUM> is filled with the consumable products <NUM>. When the second component <NUM> is in the closed state, the cup-shaped member <NUM> nests within the dispensing opening <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> and the blocker arm <NUM> protrudes into the storage cavity <NUM> of the first component <NUM>. When the second component <NUM> is in the closed state, the dispenser <NUM> may be shaken or tilted until one of the consumable products <NUM> is loaded into the holding cavity <NUM> of the cup-shaped member <NUM>.

Next, the second component <NUM> is altered from the closed state (<FIG>) to the open state (<FIG>) by pivoting/rotating the second component <NUM> relative to the first component <NUM>. This is achieved by applying a force onto a rear portion of a bottom surface of the second component <NUM> in a direction towards the first component <NUM>. As the second component <NUM> pivots relative to the first component <NUM>, a rear portion <NUM> of the sidewall of second component <NUM> wraps around a rear portion <NUM> of the sidewall of the first component <NUM>, as depicted in a comparison of <FIG> with <FIG>.

Once the second component <NUM> is altered into the open state, the consumable product in the holding cavity <NUM> can be removed by a user for use/consumption. In particular, altering the second component <NUM> into the open state causes a front portion <NUM> of the second component <NUM> to pivot away from a front portion <NUM> of the first component <NUM> which creates an opening <NUM> in the dispenser <NUM>. When the second component <NUM> is in the open state, the one of the consumable products <NUM> remains held by the cup-shaped member <NUM> and is not immediately dispensed from the dispenser <NUM>. This prevents the consumable products <NUM> from being dispensed onto a floor or other dirty space and ensures that the user intentionally removes the consumable products <NUM> from the dispenser <NUM> when ready. When the second component <NUM> is in the open state, the one of the consumable products <NUM> and perhaps also a portion of the cup-shaped member <NUM> is exposed visually through the opening <NUM> so that it is accessible to a user. At this point, the user can insert his or her fingers through the opening <NUM> to grab the one of the consumable products <NUM> and remove it from the cup-shaped member <NUM> for use and/or consumption.

Furthermore, with the second component <NUM> in the open state, the blocker arm <NUM> prevents additional ones of the consumable products <NUM> located in the storage cavity <NUM> from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, the blocker arm <NUM> blocks the bottom of the dispensing aperture <NUM> so that there is insufficient space for any of the consumable products <NUM> to fit between the blocker arm <NUM> and the wall which bounds and defines the dispensing aperture <NUM>. Thus, the dispenser <NUM> allows for dispensing of a single one of the consumable products at a time for dosing, increased hygienic use, etc..

Referring first to <FIG>, a dispenser <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment not according to the present invention. The dispenser <NUM> generally comprises a housing <NUM> and a cover member <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> is slidably coupled to the housing <NUM> between a closed state (<FIG>) and an open state (<FIG>). The dispenser <NUM> is intended to contain a plurality of consumable products, as shown in <FIG>. Additional details of the consumable products will be provided below. As will be better understood from the detailed description that follows, when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state, only those of the consumable products that are located within a specialized compartment will be dispensed, with some internal structures preventing dispensing of the remaining ones of the consumable products. This allows for appropriate dosed dispensing of the consumable products without any additional effort required by the user.

The housing <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> extends from a bottom end <NUM> to a top end <NUM> along a longitudinal axis B-B. The housing <NUM> comprises a bottom wall <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> extending from the bottom wall <NUM> to the top end <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> comprises a front wall portion <NUM>, a rear wall portion <NUM>, a first lateral wall portion <NUM>, and a second lateral wall portion <NUM>. The front wall portion <NUM>, the rear wall portion <NUM>, and the first lateral wall portion <NUM> are all oriented generally vertically and free of any shoulders or other protruding features. Of course, there could be protrusions or the like on any of the wall portions for purposes of enhancing user grip and rendering the dispenser <NUM> easier to use. The second lateral wall portion <NUM> comprises a first vertical portion <NUM> that is connected to the bottom wall <NUM>, a second vertical wall portion <NUM> that extends to the top end <NUM>, and a concave portion <NUM> that extends between the first and second vertical wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The concave portion <NUM> extends from the first vertical wall portion <NUM> in a direction away from the longitudinal axis B-B, thereby forming a downwardly facing shoulder <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM> that defines an internal cavity <NUM> having an open top end at the top end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. That is, the top end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> surrounds an opening into the internal cavity <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises a divider wall <NUM> that divides the internal cavity <NUM> into a main compartment <NUM> and a dispensing compartment <NUM>. An interior surface of the bottom wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> forms a floor <NUM> of the main compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. An interior surface of the concave portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> forms a floor <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Thus, the floor <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM> is convex, although this is not required. Furthermore, the floor <NUM> of the dispensing compartment <NUM> is axially offset from the floor <NUM> of the main compartment <NUM>, although the structure of the dispenser <NUM> may be modified and this is not necessarily required. The shape and structure of the dispenser <NUM> is intended to impart enhanced ergonomics and comfortable handling and use, but modifications are possible without affecting the function as described herein.

The main compartment <NUM> is bounded by the bottom wall <NUM>, the front wall portion <NUM>, the rear wall portion <NUM>, the first lateral wall portion <NUM>, the first vertical portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM>, and the divider wall <NUM>. The dispensing compartment <NUM> is bounded by the concave portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM>, the second vertical portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM>, portions of the front and rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and the divider wall <NUM>.

The divider wall <NUM> comprises a front surface <NUM> that faces the dispensing compartment <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM> that faces the main compartment <NUM>. The divider wall <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> that extends from the front surface <NUM> to the rear surface <NUM>. The opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> forms a passageway between the main compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>. Moreover, the opening <NUM> is the only passageway between the main compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>. Here, as discussed in greater detail below, the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> has a cross-sectional shape and area that is configured to allow only one of the consumable products to fit therethrough at a time. Thus, the opening <NUM> does not have a specific cross-sectional shape/area, but rather the cross-sectional size and shape of the opening <NUM> can be dictated based on the size and shape of the consumable products to ensure that only one of the consumable products can fit through the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> at a time.

Similarly, the dispensing compartment <NUM> is configured to hold or otherwise contain a single one of the consumable products at a time. That is, the size or volume of the dispensing compartment <NUM> is such that only one of the consumable products is able to fit within the dispensing compartment <NUM> at a time. Here, it is the combination of the size/shape of the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> and the size/shape of the dispensing compartment <NUM> that ensures that only one of the consumable products can be disposed within the dispensing compartment <NUM> at a time. This will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Here, the divider wall <NUM> comprises a coupling tab <NUM> protruding from the rear surface <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>. The coupling tab <NUM> interacts with a coupling feature of the cover member <NUM> to maintain the coupling between the cover member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state as shown in <FIG> and the open state as shown in <FIG>. While the housing <NUM> includes the coupling tab <NUM> and the cover member <NUM> includes a mating slot (described below), the housing <NUM> may include a slot which mates with a tab of the cover member <NUM>. Moreover, other mechanisms for ensuring that the cover member <NUM> remains attached to the housing <NUM> in both the open and closed states may be used. For example, the housing <NUM> may include a ridge along the top end <NUM> thereof that engages a lip protruding inwardly from a sidewall of the cover member <NUM> such that engagement between the lip and the ridge prevents the cover member <NUM> from being readily detached from the housing <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the cover member <NUM> will be described. The cover member <NUM> comprises a top wall <NUM> that covers the open top end of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>. The top wall <NUM> has an lower surface <NUM> and an upper surface <NUM>, with the lower surface <NUM> facing the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> forming an exposed top surface of the dispenser <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> comprises an outer sidewall <NUM> that extends from the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> also comprises an inner sidewall <NUM> that extends from the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM>. Here, the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced apart so that when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, an upper portion of the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> nests within the space between the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>. It may be possible to omit one of the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> without affecting the attachment between the cover member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Here, the outer and inner sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> are collectively referred to as the sidewall of the cover member <NUM>.

The sidewall of the cover member <NUM> comprises a dispensing portion <NUM> that is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>. The dispensing portion <NUM> of the sidewall is formed as part of the inner sidewall <NUM>. The dispensing portion <NUM> of the sidewall comprises a dispensing opening <NUM> that permits passage of the one or more consumable products from the dispensing compartment <NUM> to an external environment when the cover member <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state, as described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The top wall <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> collectively define a cover cavity <NUM>. Thus, the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM> forms a floor of the cover cavity <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> forms an outer boundary of the cover cavity <NUM>. Moreover, the cover member <NUM> comprises a stopper wall <NUM> extending from the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall1 <NUM> into and through the cover cavity <NUM>. The stopper wall1 <NUM> divides the cover cavity <NUM> into a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>, with the second portion <NUM> being located between the stopper wall <NUM> and the dispensing portion <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM>. When the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, the first portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM> is aligned with the main compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM> is aligned with the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The stopper wall <NUM> comprises a front surface <NUM> that faces the second portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM> that faces the first portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM>. Furthermore, the stopper wall <NUM> comprises a pass-through opening <NUM> that extends from the front surface <NUM> to the rear surface <NUM>. As will be explained below with reference to <FIG>, the stopper wall <NUM> blocks the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state to prevent the consumable products from passing from the main compartment <NUM> to the dispensing compartment <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state. This ensures that only one of the consumable products is dispensed from the dispenser <NUM> at a time (the consumable product that is already located in the dispensing compartment <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state). When the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state, the pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> so that one of the consumable products can pass from the main compartment <NUM> into the dispensing compartment <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state. <FIG> illustrates the dispenser <NUM> with the cover member <NUM> in the closed state, and as can be seen the pass-through opening <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM> in the divider wall <NUM> so that it is possible for the consumable products to move between the main compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>.

The stopper wall <NUM> additionally comprises a coupling slot <NUM> which is elongated in the vertical direction. When the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, the stopper wall <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the rear surface <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In particular, the front surface <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> faces the rear surface <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. When so positioned, the coupling tab <NUM> protruding from the rear surface <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> nests within the coupling slot <NUM> formed through the stopper wall <NUM>. Thus, as the cover member <NUM> slides relative to the housing <NUM>, the coupling tab <NUM> slides relative to the coupling slot <NUM> (or vice versa) with the coupling tab <NUM> remaining located within the coupling slot <NUM>. This prevents the cover member <NUM> from being readily detached from the housing <NUM>. As can be appreciated, when the cover member <NUM> is in the fully open state, the coupling tab <NUM> will abut against an interior surface of the stopper wall <NUM> which surrounds the coupling slot <NUM> to prevent further sliding of the cover member <NUM> in the open direction. Of course, with a significant amount of force a user may be able to pull the coupling tab <NUM> out of the coupling slot <NUM>, but a user will be made aware that this is not intended when the coupling tab <NUM> abuts the interior surface of the stopper wall <NUM> as noted.

The pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> is elevated relative to the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Thus, in order to ensure that the consumable products are aligned with the pass-through opening <NUM> during a dispensing operation, the cover member <NUM> comprises a plurality of ribs <NUM> that protrude from the lower surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> terminate at a distal end <NUM> that is aligned with or recessed slightly below the pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM>. Thus, the consumable products will be elevated by the ribs <NUM> and fed through the pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> when a user is dispensing the consumable products from the dispenser <NUM>, as described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>.

As best seen in <FIG>, when the cover member <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>, the dispensing portion <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Furthermore, the stopper wall <NUM> is located within the main compartment <NUM> of the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the stopper wall <NUM> may also be located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. With the cover member <NUM> in the closed state, the pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> to allow the consumable products to pass freely, one at a time, between the main compartment <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM>. Moreover, the dispensing opening <NUM> in the dispensing portion <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is blocked by the second vertical portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As such, the consumable products are prevented from exiting the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state. Furthermore, in the closed state, the cover member <NUM> seals the package to keep the product safe and fresh and to prevent opening by mistake.

Here, when the cover member <NUM> is closed, there is a plug seal feature which interfaces with the circumference of the housing <NUM> to keep the cover member <NUM> closed tight when not in use, protecting the consumable product <NUM> from any possible damage due to air, moisture, foreign objects, etc.). Such a seal may be needed to prevent the cover member <NUM> from freely slide up and down along the housing <NUM>. Here, the inner sidewall <NUM> is a continuous wall which goes all around the circumference of the housing <NUM> to perform the sealing function. Moreover, the seal feature may provide a tactile and possibly audible cue that the package is closed (i.e., similar to when a product is snapped shut, a user feels the friction/force, and may hear a snap.

The housing <NUM> may be formed from plastic and may be transparent. This would allow a user to have the ability to visually inspect the contents of the dispenser <NUM>, including seeing how many of the consumable products remain located within the internal cavity <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> for use. The cover member <NUM> may also be formed from plastic and may be transparent. Alternatively, the cover member <NUM> may be formed from a translucent or opaque material. Moreover, the housing <NUM> may be translucent or opaque as well. Thus, variations in the degree of transparency of the various parts of the dispenser <NUM> are possible.

Referring now to <FIG> sequentially, the operation of the dispenser <NUM> to dispense consumable products <NUM> will be described. As mentioned previously, <FIG> illustrate the dispenser <NUM> with the consumable products <NUM> contained therein. The consumable products <NUM> may take many different forms. The consumable products <NUM> may be referred to as consumable beads. The consumable products <NUM> may be tablets, capsules, dissolvable articles, or the like. While in the exemplified embodiment not according to the present invention the consumable products <NUM> are round or spherical in shape, the consumable products <NUM> may take on any desired shape, including without limitation cubes, pyramids, stars, randomized, or the like. The consumable products <NUM> may all have the same shape, or various consumable products <NUM> within the same dispenser <NUM> may have different shapes.

Here, the consumable products <NUM> comprise a dissolvable outer shell that surrounds an active agent. The dissolvable outer shell may be formed from polyvinyl alcohol or other dissolvable film materials. Moreover, the active agent may be a mouthwash or a toothpaste product when the consumable product <NUM> is intended for oral care. Thus, the consumable products <NUM> may be oral care products that are dispensed, one at a time, from the dispenser <NUM> and then inserted into the user's oral cavity to provide some benefit (fresh breath, anti-bacterial, saliva stimulation, sensitivity treatment, or the like). Where the consumable products <NUM> are toothpaste products, the consumable products <NUM> may be dispensed and then placed onto a toothbrush for use. Moreover, while the consumable products <NUM> are described herein as being used for oral care, the consumable products <NUM> may take on other forms, including being soap products (one-time use or multi-use), acne treatment products, skin moisturizer products, sanitizer, or the like. Moreover, the consumable product may include bath bombs and the like. Alternatively, the consumable products <NUM> may be chewing gum, mints, or the like. As used herein, the term consumable refers to any product that gets used up and decreases in size over time, and does not specifically require that the product be ingested. Moreover, the term product is merely intended to mean a small mass of material used for imparting a benefit to its user (a medicinal product, a mouthwash product, a toothpaste product, a moisturizing product, an acne treatment product, a sanitizing product, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates the dispenser <NUM> filled with the consumable products <NUM>. In <FIG>, the dispenser <NUM> is in its upright orientation with the bottom end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> facing downwardly (e.g., towards the floor of a room or the ground of an exterior environment). In <FIG>, the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state. As such, the dispensing opening <NUM> is blocked by the second vertical portion <NUM> of the second lateral wall portion <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this position, the pass-through opening <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is in sufficient alignment with the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the consumable products <NUM> could fit, one-by-one, through the pass-through opening <NUM> and the opening <NUM> to move from the main compartment <NUM> into the dispensing compartment <NUM>.

In order to dispense one of the consumable products <NUM> from the dispenser <NUM>, it may be necessary to tilt the dispenser <NUM> in the direction of the arrow T so that the dispensing aperture <NUM> faces downwardly. Alternatively, the dispenser <NUM> may be rotated so that it is oriented upside-down with the bottom wall <NUM> facing upwardly. <FIG> illustrates the dispenser <NUM> after it has been rotated upside-down. It should be appreciated that the dispenser <NUM> need not be turned completely upside-down to perform its dispensing function, but rather a tilting of the dispenser <NUM> may achieve the same results.

As seen in <FIG>, the dispenser <NUM> has been rotated <NUM>° so that the bottom wall <NUM> faces upwardly and the upper surface <NUM> of the top wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> faces downwardly. When the dispenser <NUM> is tilted or rotated in this manner, one of the consumable products <NUM> is fed through the pass-through opening <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>. That is, the one of the consumable products <NUM> moves from being located within the main compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> to being located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM>. This is helped by the fact that the distal ends <NUM> of the ribs <NUM> are curved downwardly towards the pass-through opening <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>. Thus, the consumable products <NUM> ride along the curved distal ends <NUM> of the ribs <NUM> and are fed into and through the aforementioned openings <NUM>, <NUM>. This movement of the one of the consumable products <NUM> may occur solely by gravity.

Moreover, it is possible for the one of the consumable products <NUM> to pass through the openings <NUM>, <NUM> because the openings <NUM>, <NUM> are substantially aligned when the cover <NUM> is in the closed state. Thus, the pass-through opening <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> is not significantly blocked by the divider wall <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> is not significantly blocked by the stopper wall <NUM>.

While the internal cavity <NUM> was previously described as being part of the housing <NUM>, in actuality the internal cavity <NUM> is formed collectively by the housing <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>. This distinction is important in terms of understanding the location of the consumable products <NUM> within the dispenser <NUM> during the dispensing process. In particular, as the cover member <NUM> is translated away from the housing <NUM> as discussed below with reference to <FIG>, the one of the consumable products <NUM> remains located within the second portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM>. However, as described herein, the second portion <NUM> of the cover cavity <NUM> and the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the internal cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> collectively form a dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>.

The dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> is sized, shaped, and therefore configured to hold just a single one of the consumable products <NUM> at a time. Here, this is accomplished by forming the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> with a width W1 that is greater than a width or diameter of one of the consumable products <NUM> but less than a width or diameter of two of the consumable products <NUM>. Specifically, whereas the dispensing compartment <NUM> has a width W1, the consumable products <NUM> have a minimum width W2. The width W1 is greater than the width W2 so that one of the consumable products <NUM> can fit within the dispensing compartment <NUM>, but the width W1 is less than the width W2 times two so that two of the consumable products <NUM> cannot fit within the dispensing compartment <NUM>. More specifically, the width W1 may be no greater than one and a half times the width W2, or more specifically no greater than the width W2 times <NUM>.

This is because, as shown in <FIG>, while one of the consumable products <NUM> is located entirely within the dispensing compartment <NUM>, a second one of the consumable products <NUM> is partially located within the dispensing compartment <NUM>. It may be desirable to ensure that no more than one-half of the width of the second consumable product <NUM> enters into the dispensing compartment <NUM> so that when the cover member <NUM> is moved from the closed state to the open state, the stopper wall <NUM> and the divider wall <NUM> force the second one of the consumable products <NUM> to move back into the main compartment <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. This ensures that only one of the consumable products <NUM> (specifically, the one of the consumable products <NUM>) is dispensed each time the cover member <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dispensing of the one of the consumable products <NUM> will be described. In <FIG> the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state and in <FIG> the cover member <NUM> is in the open state. To alter the cover member <NUM> from the closed state to the open state, the cover member <NUM> is translated in a first axial direction away from the housing <NUM> (i.e., in the direction of the arrow labeled D1 in <FIG>). As the cover member <NUM> is moved in the first axial direction D1, two important things happen. First, the dispensing aperture <NUM> in the dispensing portion <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> becomes exposed, thereby enabling the one of the consumable products <NUM> that is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> to be dispensed to the external environment. Second, as the cover member <NUM> moves relative to the housing <NUM>, the stopper wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> and the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> force the second one of the consumable capsules <NUM> to move back into the main compartment <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state, a part of the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> extends over and at least partially blocks the pass-through opening <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Similarly, the stopper wall <NUM> extends over and at least partially blocks the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>. In <FIG>, the slot <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>. However, the slot <NUM> is much narrower than the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM>, so much of the stopper wall <NUM> still blocks the opening <NUM> of the divider wall <NUM> in this position. The point is, when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state as shown in <FIG>, the consumable products <NUM> that are located within the main compartment <NUM> are prevented from passing into the dispensing compartment <NUM>, and the one of the consumable products <NUM> that is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> is prevented from passing into the main compartment <NUM>. As a result, the one of the dispensing products <NUM>, and only that one of the dispensing products <NUM>, is able to be dispensed from the dispenser <NUM> to the exterior environment when the cover member <NUM> is altered into the open state.

Thus, here, the dispenser <NUM> functions to dispense a single dose of the consumable product <NUM> to the user each time the cover member <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state. Here, the single dose comprises a single one of the consumable products <NUM>. However, the consumable products <NUM> may be smaller in comparison to the dimensions of the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> so that more than one of the consumable products <NUM> may fit within the dispensing compartment <NUM> at a time. However, the number or amount of the consumable products <NUM> that may fit within the dispensing compartment <NUM> at a time may be equal to one dose of the consumable product <NUM>, regardless of the specific or exact number. Moreover, some products which may be used as the consumable product <NUM> do not have a specific dose requirement (e.g., mints or gum, for example). However, there is a desire to only dispense a certain number of pieces or a certain amount at a time. Thus, the dispenser <NUM> described herein is also appropriate for use with consumable products that do not have specific dosage requirements.

It should be appreciated that it is necessary to ensure that one of the consumable products <NUM> is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> before altering the cover member <NUM> from the closed state to the open state. This is because once the cover member <NUM> is in the open state, the consumable products <NUM> in the main compartment <NUM> are unable to pass into the dispensing compartment <NUM> and are therefore unable to be dispensed. If the cover member <NUM> is altered into the open state without any of the consumable products <NUM> being located in the dispensing compartment <NUM>, the cover member <NUM> will have to be altered back into the closed state, tilted, twisted, shook, or held so that one of the consumable products <NUM> moves into the dispensing compartment <NUM>, and then re-altered into the open state to dispense.

Referring briefly to <FIG>, the dispenser <NUM> is illustrated in the exact position as <FIG> with the cover member <NUM> in the open state, but with the one of the consumable products <NUM> being dispensed through the dispensing opening <NUM>. Specifically, once the cover member <NUM> is altered into the open state, the one of the consumable products <NUM> located in the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> is able to be dispensed through the dispensing opening <NUM>, which is exposed and no longer blocked by any part of the sidewalls of the housing <NUM>. <FIG> also shows how additional ones of the consumable products <NUM> are prevented from moving from the main compartment <NUM> of the housing <NUM> into the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> due to the divider wall <NUM> and the stopper wall <NUM> blocking each other's openings <NUM>, <NUM>. The openings <NUM>, <NUM> do not need to be entirely blocked, but rather sufficiently blocked to ensure that the consumable products <NUM> cannot pass therethrough. Specifically, because the openings <NUM>, <NUM> are not aligned, the consumable products <NUM> could pass into the dispensing compartment <NUM> by passing through either of the openings <NUM>, <NUM>. However, with the structure of the dispenser <NUM>, both of the openings <NUM>, <NUM> are sufficiently blocked to prevent this from occurring when the cover member <NUM> is in the open state.

With the dispenser <NUM> in the position/state as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover member <NUM> is in the fully opened position. Here, the tab <NUM> on the divider wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> prevents further translation of the cover member <NUM> in the direction D1 beyond that which his shown in <FIG> and <FIG> due to its engagement with the surface of the stopper wall <NUM> which surrounds the slot <NUM>. It should be readily apparent from viewing <FIG> and <FIG> that the cover member <NUM> cannot be moved axially further from the housing <NUM> due to the engagement between the tab <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the slot <NUM> of the stopper wall <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a description of what occurs when the cover member <NUM> is altered back from the open state to the closed state will be described. To alter the cover member <NUM> from the open state to the closed state, the cover member <NUM> is moved in a second axial direction D2 (see arrow and label in <FIG>) which is opposite the first axial direction D1. Specifically, the cover member <NUM> is translated back towards the housing <NUM>. Upon altering the cover member <NUM> back into the closed state, the second one of the consumable products <NUM> will pass through the openings <NUM>, <NUM> in the stopper wall <NUM> and the divider wall <NUM>, respectively, and enter into the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a third one of the consumable products <NUM> partially positioned within the openings <NUM>, <NUM> and into the dispensing compartment <NUM>, but upon opening the cover member <NUM> the third one of the consumable products <NUM> will be forced back into the main compartment <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as was described above. Thus, the next time that the cover member <NUM> is altered into the open state, the second one of the consumable products <NUM> will be dispensed through the dispensing opening <NUM>.

Moreover, when the cover member <NUM> is in the closed state, the dispenser may be rotated back to its upright orientation (see <FIG>). If one of the consumable products is located within the dispensing compartment <NUM>, it will remain so positioned with the dispenser <NUM> in the upright orientation so that it will be readily dispensed the next time the user opens the cover member <NUM> even if this is done without first tilting or rotating the cover member <NUM>. Moreover, the dispenser <NUM> may be rotated back to the upright orientation before altering the cover member <NUM> from the open state to the closed state. In such a situation, it is likely that all of the consumable products <NUM> will be located within the main compartment <NUM> until the dispenser <NUM> is once again rotated to the upside-down orientation.

Here, the movement of the cover member <NUM> is entirely manual. In particular, a user must manually pull the cover member <NUM> away from the housing <NUM> to alter the cover member <NUM> from the closed state to the open state, and the user must manually push the cover member <NUM> back towards the housing <NUM> to alter the cover member <NUM> from the open state to the closed state. Alternatively, biasing members such as springs or the like may be used to control the opening/closing of the cover member <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>.

For example, there may be an extension spring located between the cover member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Extension springs are helically coiled wires that create a resistance to a pulling force. Thus, such extension springs will bias the cover member <NUM> into the closed state by pulling the cover member <NUM> towards the housing <NUM>. When a user applies a pulling force onto the cover member <NUM> to alter the cover member <NUM> into the open state, the extension springs will apply a spring force to attempt to pull the cover member <NUM> back into the closed state. Thus, a user must maintain the pulling force on the cover member <NUM> at a greater force than the spring force of the extension springs to maintain the cover member <NUM> in the open state. As soon as the user releases the pulling force on the cover member <NUM>, the extension springs will pull the cover member <NUM> back towards the housing <NUM> into the closed state. Thus, a user will not be required to manually alter the cover member <NUM> back into the closed state.

Alternatively, there may be a compression spring located between the cover member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Compression springs are helically coiled wires that create a resistance to a pushing force. Thus, such compression springs may bias the cover member into the open state by pushing the cover member <NUM> away from the housing <NUM>. Here, a user will need to push the cover member <NUM> towards the housing <NUM> with a force that exceeds the force of the compression springs to alter the cover member <NUM> into the closed state. Once in the closed state, the consumable product can be loaded into the dispensing compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. Then, the user can release the pushing force, at which time the compression springs will push the cover member <NUM> away from the housing <NUM> and back into the open state, whereby the consumable product loaded into the dispensing compartment <NUM> can be dispensed.

Moreover, the spring-type action could also be achieved with other types of springs or resilient elements. For example, the resilient elements may be plastic spring in some embodiments. Such plastic springs could be separate pieces or molded into the cap/cover member.

Claim 1:
A dispenser (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first component (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a storage cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) having an open end (<NUM>), the storage cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) containing a plurality of consumable products (<NUM>);
a closure member (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the first component (<NUM>, <NUM>) and closing the open end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the storage cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>), the closure member comprising a dispensing aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to permit one of the consumable products (<NUM>) to fit therethrough at a time; and
a second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) pivotably coupled to the first component (<NUM>, <NUM>), the second component comprising a cup-shaped member (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to hold the one of the consumable products (<NUM>) and a blocker arm (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is pivotable relative to the first component (<NUM>, <NUM>) between: (<NUM>) a closed state in which the cup-shaped member (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at least partially located within the dispensing aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the closure member (<NUM>, <NUM>) for loading one of the consumable products (<NUM>) onto the cup-shaped member (<NUM>, <NUM>); and (<NUM>) an open state in which the cup-shaped member (<NUM>, <NUM>) pivots away from the dispensing aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>) to permit removal of the one of the consumable products (<NUM>) from the cup-shaped member (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the blocker arm (<NUM>, <NUM>) prevents the consumable products (<NUM>) remaining in the storage cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) from being dispensed through the dispensing aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that
the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) defines an internal cavity (<NUM>) comprising a floor (<NUM>, <NUM>), the cup-shaped member (<NUM>. <NUM>) extending upwardly from the floor, and wherein a lower portion of the first component (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the closure member (<NUM>, <NUM>) nest within the internal cavity (<NUM>) of the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) is in the closed state.