With Replenishment Interlock Patents (Class 221/57)
  • Patent number: 9622627
    Abstract: A napkin assembly including an open ended chute for storing a stack of napkins therein and an openable and closeable front member relative to the open end of the chute is disclosed. The chute is made of first to fourth sidewall members and a rear member that are separately injection molded pieces that include a clip structure for clipping the pieces together. Opposed ones of the sidewall members are identical pieces allowing them to be interchanged with one another during manufacture. The front member includes a transparent window to allow a depth of the stack to be viewed from the outside. The front member includes locking tabs to lock it in a closed position relative to the chute. The tabs may be flexed through openings in the chute from the outside into a lock release position. The chute includes blocking members to prevent over inward deflection of the locking tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Rodney Wilson, Leo Gonzales, Justin Siebel
  • Patent number: 9004313
    Abstract: A stack of hygiene sheet products including first and second webs that are interfolded with each other. The stack includes a top panel of the first web and a top panel of the second web, wherein the top panel of the first web overlays the top panel of the second web but has been cut away so that the top panel of the second web is revealed by the top panel of the first web. An adherence layer is placed on the top panel of the first web and the top panel of the second web and is exposed at the top of the stack so that it can adhere to an adjacent stack so that when the last sheets of the adjacent stack are pulled through a dispenser opening of a dispenser, the first and second sheets are pulled securely through with it as a result of the direct adherence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Anders Andersson, Björn Larsson
  • Patent number: 8881943
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue paper supply case comprising a case body for containing tissue paper, a lid having a slot-like take-out hole for taking out the tissue paper therethrough, a platform member mounted within the case body for placing the tissue paper thereon, and means for energizing the platform member from the bottom of the case body toward the lid, wherein the lid is provided on its inner surface with a plurality of lid projections formed in parallel rows to the take-out hole on both sides of the take-out hole, which lid projections are tapered each having a protrusion height becoming larger with increasing distance from the take-out hole, and the platform member is provided on its upper surface with a plurality of platform projections formed in parallel rows to the take-out hole on both sides of the position facing the take-out hole, which platform projections are tapered each having a protrusion height becoming larger with increasing distance from the position facing the take-out hole and wherein the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Evermate Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8646650
    Abstract: Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lockwood, Roger K. Miller
  • Patent number: 8631968
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first plate being configured for supporting a quantity of tissues within a tissue dispenser box. A second plate is configured for resting on a bottom portion of the tissue dispenser box. A resilient structure is configured for urging the first plate in an upward direction. The resilient structure is further configured to be positioned between the first plate and the second plate. Attachment mechanisms are joined to a bottom portion of the first plate and a top portion of the second plate. The attachment mechanisms are configured for joining the resilient structure to the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Tony A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8574510
    Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base with first and second ends, a concave recess in the first end, a second end receiving surface, and a sidewall extending between the ends. An electrode may be provided on the receiving surface with an electrochemically-active region coupled to the electrode. A conductor in electrical contact with the electrode may extend along the sidewall and may be adapted to be in electrical contact with a first contact of an analyte meter. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing and dispensing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Igor Gofman, Robert S. Sams
  • Patent number: 7735681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers, which hold one or more types of medicaments. In one embodiment, a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicament units is provided and a mechanized dispenser is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of medicament units from the medicament units in the chamber. A lock assembly is provided to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of medicament units. In a further embodiment, the container is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament from the chamber. In yet another embodiment, the container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Handfeld, Helene Laliberte
  • Patent number: 7661553
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes: an open-ended body, a front panel provided with a dispensing opening, a rear panel, and a transverse panel located between the front and rear panels. The dispenser further includes a support member for receiving the stack of the folded sheet products and at least one locking mechanism located between the support member and at least one longitudinal wall of the open-ended body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Kent Zeiron
  • Patent number: 7543719
    Abstract: A dispenser having a faceplate that can be removed and attached to the housing of the dispenser without the use of tools. The dispenser may have a track system. The track system may be positioned in or removed from the dispenser without the use of any tools. The dispenser, including the housing and/or the track system, may be curved. The faceplate may be angled away from the surface upon which the dispenser is positioned. The faceplate may also be curved away from the housing to form an interior surface in the faceplate. The interior may have features for desired dispensing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: The Colman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Young, Paul Omdoll, Nisha Gupta, Scott Collins, James Walsh, Craig Fluegge
  • Patent number: 7374065
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing stacked folded sheets. The dispenser includes a housing configured to hold the stack of sheets within an internal storage space. A cover member is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between an open position wherein access is provided to the storage space, and a closed position wherein the cover defines a front panel of the dispenser. A dispensing opening is provided through which the folded sheets are dispensed when the cover is in its closed position. An overfill prevention device is configured within the housing. This device includes a stop member that is movably configured with a back wall of the housing and is movable between a restricting position when the cover is in its open position, and a relief position when the cover is closed. A latch mechanism is disposed in the housing in a position so as latch the stop member in its restricting position when the cover is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Antwain D. Taylor, Stephen L. Phelps, Debra N. Welchel, Victoria L. Bischoff, Robert C. Ziegenfuss
  • Patent number: 7316328
    Abstract: A device for dispensing medicine includes a dispensing device body (1), a cassette (2) fixed removably to the dispensing device body in order to contain medicines while arranging, and a pushing mechanism (18) for pushing out the medicines in the cassette (2) toward one end side. The cassette (2) includes a cover (6) and a stopping/receiving part (17) disposed internally in the longitudinal direction. The pushing mechanism (18) includes an abutting part (19a) contained in the cassette (2) and abutting against the medicines, a biasing part (20) for biasing the abutting part (19a) against the medicine, and a stopping part (21) stopping at the stopping/receiving part (17) of the cassette (2) only when the cover (6) is opened. Consequently, the cassettes (2) can be arranged at a high density and a desired number of medicines can be dispensed surely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Yasuhiro Shigeyama
  • Patent number: 7287667
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a canister and an indexing apparatus that provides for automatic positioning of items in predetermined indexed positions when items are added or removed therefrom, without need of an external tab or positioning member to be adjusted by a user's hand. Merely by adding or removing the items to or from the canister, the items are automatically positioned. A pole having a track with positioning members receives a finger of a platform that rides in the track and automatically adjusts the platform's position when items are placed on or removed from the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Keith DeLawrence Brown, Michael Circosta
  • Patent number: 6514585
    Abstract: A W-stacked pads of tape strips dispensable at a low peel angle, comprising a plurality of superimposed tape strips longitudinally reversed so as to align the first end of each tape strip with the second end of an immediately overlaying and an immediately underlying tape strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Pearson, Dennis L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5285927
    Abstract: A container/dispenser for used plastic shopping bags which comprises a walled vessel having an open top and an open bottom to which is secured a converging lower section formed of flexible walls with an internal friction surface terminating in a small opening through which the inserted bags may be withdrawn one at a time when compressed in the vessel by a handled lid pressed into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Sam Pruitt
  • Patent number: 5076466
    Abstract: A dispenser for serially dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes a housing, a support member movable mounted within the housing, and a follower for urging the stack in the direction of a dispenser element included in the support member. The apparatus includes mechanism for engaging the follower and retaining it at a predetermined location relative to the support member when the support member is in open condition and which is disengaged from the follower when the support member moves to its closed position to compensate for any overfilling of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: James River II, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor Petterson, Jean T. McGregor
  • Patent number: 4915257
    Abstract: Rough duty, vandal resistant paper dispensers for rolled and folded toilet paper and for paper towels are provided in lockable containers. The toilet paper roll dispensers are structured with single-wall square tube housing and with two-piece elongated cylindrical housing. The housings are attached longitudinally vertically inclined directly to or by wall bracket structures to panels or walls. Restrictive dispensing of the lower roll of two vertically stacked rolls of rolled toilet paper is provided through a frontal orifice. Folded toilet paper and paper towels are dispensed from sturdy box-like containers. All dispensers have bottom-positioned padlock compartments for protecting padlocks used to lock the dispensers. The dispensers are designed to be manufactured of 16 gauge steel and heavier and of sturdy space age plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Curtis C. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4838454
    Abstract: A napkin dispenser includes a drawer which slides in and out of a housing and a push plate which also slides in the housing and is spring biased to push the napkins forward. A pair of locks on the rear of the drawer in the preferred napkin dispenser push the plate forward when the drawer is open but pivot to release the push plate when the drawer is closed so that the napkins are not pressed too tightly, even if napkins are overloaded in the drawer when it is open. Similarly, a pair of locks on the push plate apparatus in the alternative napkin dispenser push the plate forward when the drawer is open but pivot to release the push plate when the drawer is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Traex Corporation
    Inventors: Ferdinand F. Salzmann, Gregory J. Wenkman
  • Patent number: 4311252
    Abstract: A large capacity elevator-type napkin dispenser comprising an elongated supporting structure or cage composed of a series of spaced rod-like vertical supports. A stack of folded napkins is supported on a pressure plate that is mounted on a carriage adapted to slide vertically within the cage. The pressure plate is supported from the carriage by a plurality of compression springs which enable the pressure plate to float and accommodate the varying thickness of the stack of folded napkins. A cover is mounted on the upper end of the cage and has an opening through which the napkins are dispensed. The pressure plate and stack of napkins are urged upwardly toward the undersurface of the cover by a biasing mechanism that includes a pair of extension springs. The springs have a varying spring rate so that the force of the springs will be greatest when the pressure plate is fully loaded with napkins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Griffith-Hope Company
    Inventors: Samuel N. Hope, Jr., Edwin A. Filipowicz
  • Patent number: 4014616
    Abstract: Hand-held, generally T-shaped product applicators and a dispensing package for a stack thereof. Each applicator comprises a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion is dish-shaped with a convex bottom surface and a concave top surface. The bottom surface may be used directly to apply a product, or it may be provided with a product-applying facing. The handle portion is hollow and constitutes an integral, one-piece part of the body portion, extending upwardly from the top surface thereof. The hollow handle portion is open at the bottom surface of the body portion and closed at its top with upwardly and inwardly sloping edges and upwardly and inwardly sloping sides providing finger-grip surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John George Mast, Jr., Paul James Green