Eyewear Dispense Assembly

Abstract

The dispensing assembly of the present disclosure includes a dispenser including a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel that define an internal chamber configured to accommodate a stack of items; a dispensing opening, at least a portion of which is formed in the front panel, a first side of the dispensing opening defined by the first side panel, and a second side of the dispensing opening defined by the second side panel; a shelf contained within the internal chamber; and an insert configured to maintain the stack of items in a predetermined arrangement within the internal chamber, the insert including at least one retaining flap configured to be coupled to the top panel of the dispenser.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 395,004, filed August 4, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to dispensing assemblies, and more particularly to dispensing assemblies for dispensing eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles) and methods of making the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Various single-use disposable products, such as eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles), face masks, gloves, and the like, are often packaged in bulk in dispenser cartons (dispensing containers or boxes), which often include an opening (dispensing portion) for removing individual items from the dispenser carton.

[0004] Because such single-use disposable products are often used in healthcare settings as personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers from coming into contact with harmful biological fluids, it is important that healthcare workers have efficient and easy access to such disposable products.

[0005] In particular, in the case of protective eyewear, single-use disposable products are shipped in bulk containers or boxes and remain in the container or box until needed. When a face shield, protective glasses, or goggles is needed, a healthcare professional typically finds the container (or box) in which they are stored, opens the container, removes a face shield, eyeglasses, or goggles from the container, and then closes the container. This process is time-consuming, especially in fast-paced healthcare environments where the time it takes to don personal protective equipment can impact patient outcomes. Additionally, eyewear is typically shipped disassembled into several components that the user must assemble at the time of use, which increases the user's assembly time. In this regard, because eyewear is typically handled in loose bulk polybags, it would be useful if the eyewear's shipping packaging could provide a consistent means for storing and dispensing the eyewear.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for new and improved dispensing assemblies for dispensing personal protective equipment (PPE) products. More specifically, an assembly that can efficiently dispense individual products, such as eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles, etc.), without the risk of separate products in the dispenser being dispensed simultaneously would be welcomed in the art because it reduces waste. The need for such an assembly is particularly evident in large-volume packages containing contents that move around within the dispenser and are easily removed from the dispenser opening, particularly in healthcare environments. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, or will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes a dispenser having a dispensing opening, a shelf, and an insert. The dispenser includes a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The front panel, the rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel define an internal chamber configured to accommodate a stack of articles. At least a portion of the dispensing opening is formed in the front panel. A portion of the front panel forms a nose that extends toward the dispensing opening to assist in dispensing articles one by one from the stack of articles through the dispensing opening. The first side panel defines a first side of the dispensing opening, and the second side panel defines a second side of the dispensing opening. The shelf is housed within the internal chamber. The insert is configured to maintain the stack of articles in a predetermined arrangement within the internal chamber. The insert includes at least one retention flap configured to be coupled to the top panel of the dispenser.

[0009] In one particular embodiment, the insert is configured to be inserted into the internal chamber through the top panel of the dispenser, and the insert is configured such that at least a portion of the insert remains outside the internal chamber when the insert is inserted into the internal chamber through the top panel of the dispenser.

[0010] In another embodiment, the insert includes an insert body extending vertically within the interior chamber. The insert body has a first side edge and a second side edge generally parallel to the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge of the insert body being configured to be disposed at a right angle relative to the front and rear panels of the dispenser. The insert body is configured to be disposed generally parallel to the first and second side panels of the dispenser. The insert also includes a bottom edge extending between the first side edge and the second side edge of the insert. The insert further includes a first corner edge extending at a first angle between the first side edge and the bottom edge of the insert and a second corner edge extending at a second angle between the second side edge and the bottom edge of the insert, the first angle of the first corner edge and the second angle of the second corner edge being in the range of about 10° to about 80°. Additionally, the first angle of the first corner edge and the second angle of the second corner edge correspond to the inclination angle of the shelf.

[0011] In another embodiment, the shelf includes a ramp portion configured to be disposed at a predetermined angle ranging from approximately 20° to approximately 80° with respect to a horizontal plane. The shelf also includes a shelf front panel extending substantially parallel to a front panel of the dispenser, and the ramp portion extends in a direction from the shelf front panel of the shelf toward a rear panel of the dispenser. The shelf also includes a recessed reach-in portion formed through at least a portion of the shelf front panel of the shelf and at least a portion of the ramp portion of the shelf. The shelf also includes a shelf bottom panel, the shelf bottom panel of the shelf including a shelf mounting portion configured to be coupled to the dispenser.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, at least a portion of the dispensing opening is formed in the bottom panel. The assembly of the present disclosure also includes a reach-in access mechanism defined by at least a portion of the dispensing opening and at least a portion of the shelf. The reach-in access mechanism is formed by a recessed reach-in portion of the shelf. The reach-in access mechanism is formed by a portion of the dispensing opening formed in the bottom panel. The portion of the dispensing opening formed in the bottom panel and the recessed reach-in portion of the shelf are vertically aligned in a direction extending from the top panel to the bottom panel.

[0013] In further embodiments, at least one of the front panel, rear panel, top panel, bottom panel, first side panel, and second side panel is comprised of carton corrugated stock, paperboard, heavy-duty structural paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic-coated paper, plastic sheeting, wax-coated paper, or any combination thereof.

[0014] In another embodiment, the shelf and insert are each constructed from carton corrugated stock, paperboard, heavy-duty paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic-coated paper, plastic sheeting, wax-coated paper, or any combination thereof.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, the article comprises personal protective equipment, and the personal protective equipment comprises eyewear in the form of a face shield, glasses, or goggles.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the assembly of the present disclosure further comprises a dust cover insert configured to entirely cover the dispensing opening.

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in this specification, which makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a dispensing assembly for dispensing multiple articles, such as eyewear (e.g., face shields), according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of an unassembled dispenser according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of an unassembled dust cover according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of an unassembled shelf according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shelf of FIG. 4 in an assembled state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of an unassembled insert according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of an assembled dispensing assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention and one or more examples thereof are described in detail below. Each example is provided to explain the invention, not to limit it. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0022] Generally, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing assembly for dispensing articles such as personal protective equipment. Examples of personal protective equipment include, but are not limited to, disposable eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles), face masks, gloves, and the like. The dispensing assembly of the present disclosure includes a dispenser having a plurality of panels (e.g., a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel) defining an interior chamber configured to accommodate a stack of articles. The dispenser includes a dispensing opening. At least a portion of the dispensing opening is formed in one of the panels of the dispenser, e.g., the front panel, and can have a predetermined width, e.g., a width extending from the first side panel to the second side panel. The dispensing assembly of the present disclosure further includes a shelf (shelf member) housed within the interior chamber. The dispensing assembly of the present disclosure further includes an insert (insert member) configured to maintain the stack of articles in a predetermined arrangement within the interior chamber. The insert includes at least one retention flap configured to be coupled to the top panel of the dispenser. The inventors have found that the special design of the insert allows the insert to function as a retention mechanism for the items within the dispenser. The inventors have also found that the special design of the shelf allows the shelf to function as a ramp that facilitates efficient removal of individual items from within the interior chamber. Furthermore, the inventors have found that the special design of the insert prevents the items within the container from becoming tangled or entangled with each other during transport or storage.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a dispensing assembly 10 according to the present disclosure for dispensing a plurality of articles 2, such as eyewear (e.g., face shields). The dispensing assembly 10 includes a dispenser 12 having a dispensing opening 14 and a shelf 90 disposed within the dispenser 12. The shelf 90 is configured to position (tilt) the articles 2 within the dispenser 12 to facilitate dispensing of the articles from the dispensing assembly 10. The articles 2 may include, for example, disposable eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles), masks, examination gloves, paper products (e.g., tissues, paper towels), dust mitts, etc. The dispensing assembly 10 further includes an insert 120 configured to hold the articles 2 in a predetermined arrangement, e.g., a stack, within the dispenser 12 to maintain the relative orientation of each of the articles 2. The placement of the insert 120 relative to the dispenser 12 and the articles 2 provides support for the articles, thereby preventing them from becoming tangled or entangled within the dispenser 12. The dispensing assembly 10 further includes a dust cover 80 (dust cover insert) configured to be inserted into the dispenser 12 and cover the dispensing opening 14. When in place, the dust cover 80 prevents dust and other debris from entering the dispenser 12 through the dispensing opening 14. The dispenser 12, shelf 90, insert 120, and dust cover 80 may each be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, carton corrugated stock, paperboard, heavy-duty paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic-coated paper, plastic sheeting, wax-coated paper, or any combination thereof.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser 12 includes a front panel 16, a rear panel 18, a first side panel 20, a second side panel 22, a top panel 24, and a bottom panel 26. The front panel 16 and the rear panel 18 are formed to face each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. The first side panel 20 and the second side panel 22 are formed to face each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled. The top panel 24 and the bottom panel 26 are formed to face each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled. For example, the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18 are disposed substantially parallel to each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled. Similarly, the first side panel 20 and the second side panel 22 are disposed substantially parallel to each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled. Similarly, the top panel 24 and the bottom panel 26 are disposed substantially parallel to each other when the dispenser 12 is assembled. Adjacent panels, for example, the front panel 16 and the first side panel 20, or the rear panel 18 and the top panel 24, are arranged so that an angle of approximately 70 degrees to approximately 110 degrees is formed between the panels when the dispenser 12 is assembled. For example, adjacent panels, the front panel 16 and the first side panel 20, or the rear panel 18 and the top panel 24, are arranged so that an angle of approximately a right angle is formed between the panels when the dispenser 12 is assembled. The front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the first side panel 20, the second side panel 22, the top panel 24, and the bottom panel 26 are configured and arranged so that, when the dispenser 12 is assembled, the dispenser 12 takes the form of a hexahedron, such as a prism with a rectangular base.

[0025] 2, dispenser 12 includes front panel 16, rear panel 18, first side panel 20, second side panel 22, top panel 24, and bottom panel 26, all of which are formed from a single, continuous piece of material and are configured to allow folding between adjacent panels. Dispenser 12 further includes an attachment panel 28 extending from at least one of front panel 16, rear panel 18, first side panel 20, and / or second side panel 22, generally parallel to that panel. Attachment panel 28 is configured to allow folding at a generally right angle relative to the panel adjacent to it. Additionally, the mounting panel 28 is configured to be coupled to one of the front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the first side panel 20, and / or the second side panel 22, other than the adjacent panel, to maintain the front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the first side panel 20, and the second side panel 22 in a generally rectangular shape when the dispenser 12 is assembled. For example, the mounting panel 28 extends from the rear panel 18 and is coupled to the first side panel 20 when the dispenser 12 is assembled. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting panel 28 can be coupled to the first side panel 20 so that the first side panel 20 is adjacent to the rear panel 18 at a generally right angle by applying an adhesive or other bonding material to a front surface 30 of the mounting panel 28 and adhering the front surface 30 to a back surface (not shown) of the first side panel 20.

[0026] The dispenser 12 further includes one or more folding panels and / or flaps configured to maintain the dispenser 12 in an assembled state. For example, the first side panel 20 has a first upper folding panel 32 and / or a first lower folding panel 34 extending from an upper edge and a lower edge, respectively, of the first side panel 20. Similarly, the second side panel 22 has a second upper folding panel 36 and / or a second lower folding panel 38 extending from an upper edge and a lower edge, respectively, of the second side panel 22. Each of the first upper folding panel 32, the first lower folding panel 34, the second upper folding panel 36, and the second lower folding panel 38 can have at least two non-parallel free edges (i.e., edges that are not in direct contact with the first side panel 20 and / or the second side panel 22), for example, three or more non-parallel free edges.

[0027] The dispenser 12 further includes one or more insertion tabs configured to extend from one of the front panel 16, rear panel 18, first side panel 20, second side panel 22, top panel 24, and bottom panel 26 as one or more folding panels and / or flaps configured to maintain the dispenser 12 in an assembled state and configured to be inserted into a retaining opening of the dispenser 12 when the dispenser 12 is assembled. For example, the dispenser 12 further includes a rear bottom insertion tab 42 extending from a bottom edge of the bottom panel 26. The rear bottom insertion tab 42 is configured to be inserted into a retaining slit formed along the bottom edge of the rear panel 18. For example, the retaining slit may be formed between the bottom edge of the rear panel 18 and one or more edges of the first lower folding panel 34 and / or the second lower folding panel 38 extending generally parallel to or near the bottom edge of the rear panel 18 when the dispenser 12 is assembled. The width of the rear bottom insertion tab 42 can be equal to or less than the width of the bottom panel 26. Also, one or more cut lines are formed along the edge between the bottom panel 26 and the rear bottom insertion tab 42, into which a cooperating insertion tab, such as on the rear panel 18, can be inserted to aid in the insertion of the rear bottom insertion tab 42 into the retention slit. For example, the dispenser 12 further includes a rear panel insertion tab 48 extending from the bottom edge of the rear panel 18, which is inserted into the cut line 46 formed along the edge between the bottom panel 26 and the rear bottom insertion tab 42.

[0028] Similarly, dispenser 12 further includes a front top insertion tab 50 extending from the upper edge of top panel 24 and a front panel insertion tab 40 extending from the upper edge of front panel 16. The width of front top insertion tab 50 can be equal to or less than the width of top panel 24. Also, to aid in insertion of front top insertion tab 50 into retention slits (similar to those for rear bottom insertion tab 42), one or more cut lines through which front panel insertion tab 40 can be inserted are formed along the edge between top panel 24 and front top insertion tab 50. Thus, front panel insertion tab 40 is inserted into cut lines 54 formed along the edge between top panel 24 and front top insertion tab 50.

[0029] The front panel insert tab 40 extends symmetrically about a vertical line of symmetry of the front panel 16, with its center located at the center of the top edge of the front panel 16. The front panel insert tab 40 extends across the width of the front panel 16, and the width of the front panel insert tab 40 can be narrower than the width of the front panel 16 in the width direction of the front panel 16. The rear panel insert tab 48 has a similar configuration to the front panel insert tab 40 for the front panel 16, and extends symmetrically about a vertical line of symmetry of the rear panel 18, with its center located at the center of the bottom edge of the rear panel 18. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is beneficial for the width of the front panel insert tab 40 to be narrower than the width of the front panel 16 and narrower than the width of the front top insert tab 50, so that the front panel insert tab 40 can be inserted and retained at the cut line 54 without compromising the structural integrity of the front top insert tab 50. Similarly, it is beneficial to set the width of the rear panel insertion tab 48 narrower than the width of the rear panel 18 and narrower than the width of the rear bottom insertion tab 42 so that the rear panel insertion tab 48 can be inserted and retained in the cut line 46 without compromising the structural integrity of the rear bottom insertion tab 42.

[0030] When the dispenser 12 is in the assembled state shown in FIG. 1 , an internal chamber 60 is formed between the front panel 16, the rear panel 18, the first side panel 20, the second side panel 22, the top panel 24, and the bottom panel 26. The item 2 is contained within the internal chamber 60 and dispensed through the dispensing opening 14. The dispensing opening 14 may be formed in the front panel 16 as shown in FIG. 1 . The dispensing opening 14 may have a width that extends from the first side panel 20 to the second side panel 22 at its widest point. The dispensing opening 14 has, arranged in that order from top to bottom in the vertical direction of the front panel 16, an upper portion 62, a lower portion 64, and a reach-in access portion 66 (reach-in access mechanism) located on the bottom side. The width 68 of the upper portion 62 may be narrower than the width 70 of the lower portion 64 and narrower than the width from the first side panel 20 to the second side panel 22. The upper portion 62 optionally includes a nose 72 extending downward from a portion of the front panel 16 toward the lower portion 64 of the dispensing opening 14. The nose 72 has a height 74 that is shorter than a maximum height 76 of the upper portion 62. For example, the ratio of the height 74 of the nose 72 to the maximum height 76 of the upper portion 62 of the dispensing opening 14 may be in a range of about 1:2 to about 1:8, such as about 1:3 to about 1:4, thereby enabling the nose 72 to retain the article 2 within the dispensing opening 14 without interfering with dispensing of the article 2 through the dispensing opening 14. Similarly, the maximum width of the nose 72 may be narrower than the maximum width 68 of the upper portion 62 of the dispensing opening 14. For example, the ratio of the maximum width of nose 72 to the maximum width 68 of upper portion 62 of dispensing opening 14 can be in the range of about 1:2 to about 1:8, such as in the range of about 1:3 to about 1:4, which allows nose 72 to retain article 2 within dispensing opening 14 without interfering with dispensing of article 2 through dispensing opening 14. Lower portion 64 is the widest portion of dispensing opening 14, and the width of lower portion 64 can be the same as the width from first side panel 20 to second side panel 22.The reach-in access portion 66 may be the relatively narrowest portion of the dispensing opening 14 compared to the upper portion 62 and the lower portion 64. The reach-in access portion 66 extends from the front panel 16 to the bottom panel 26. The reach-in access portion 66 extends symmetrically about a vertical line of symmetry of the front panel 16 such that its center is located at the center of the bottom edge of the front panel 16.

[0031] A nose 72 of the front panel 16 extends downward into the upper portion 62 of the dispense opening 14 and helps to retain an item 2 within the internal chamber 60 when the dispense opening 14 is open. For example, the dimensions of the nose 72 relative to the dispense opening 14 enable the nose 72 to hold or capture a subsequent item in a stack of articles contained within the internal chamber 60, which may particularly enhance the ease of dispensing the items 2 one at a time from the dispense opening 14. As a result, if the nose 72 catches on a subsequent item 2 in the stack of articles, for example, if the nose 72 catches on the lens of safety glasses that is a subsequent item 2 in the stack of articles, the nose 72 may prevent the subsequent item 2 from “sticking to” and being dispensed with the leading item located at the bottom of the stack of articles.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 , the dispensing assembly 10 further includes a dust cover 80 (dust cover insert). The dust cover 80 is configured to cover the entire dispensing opening 14 to protect the item 2 in the internal chamber 60 during transportation and / or storage of the dispensing assembly 10. The dust cover 80 includes a cover body 82 and a bottom edge tab 84 extending from its bottom edge. The cover body 82 can cover the portion of the dispensing opening 14 located in the front panel 16, and the bottom edge tab 84 can cover the portion of the dispensing opening 14 located in the bottom panel 26. The cover body 82 has a predetermined width 86 and a height 88. The width 86 of the cover body 82 can be equal to or greater than the width 70 of the widest portion of the dispensing opening 14, e.g., the width from the first side panel 20 to the second side panel 22. The height 88 of the cover body 82 can be set to be greater than the maximum height of the dispensing opening 14.

[0033] 4, the dispensing assembly 10 further includes a shelf 90 configured to be inserted into the interior chamber 60 of the dispenser 12. Specifically, the shelf 90 is configured to rest on the bottom panel 26 of the dispenser 12 when the dispenser 12 is assembled and to provide support for dispensing the article 2 through the dispensing opening 14. The shelf 90 includes a ramp portion 92 configured to provide support for dispensing the article 2 into the interior chamber 60. The shelf 90 further includes a shelf front panel 94 configured to elevate the ramp portion 92 from the bottom panel 26 and to generally align the front end of the ramp portion 92 with the bottom end of the lower portion 64 of the dispensing opening 14.

[0034] The entire shelf 90, including the ramp portion 92 and the shelf front panel 94, may be formed from a single, continuous piece of material. The shelf 90 is configured to be folded to form a three-dimensional support structure. For example, the shelf 90 further includes a shelf bottom panel 96 and a shelf rear panel 98. The shelf bottom panel 96 has a shelf mounting panel 100 (shelf mounting portion) extending from a lower edge of the shelf bottom panel 96. The shelf mounting panel 100 is configured to be coupled to the shelf rear panel 98. For example, a shelf mounting cutout 102 is formed along the edge between the shelf bottom panel 96 and the shelf mounting panel 100. The shelf rear panel 98 has a shelf insertion tab 104 extending from an upper edge of the panel. The shelf insertion tab 104 is configured to be folded along the upper edge of the shelf rear panel 98 and inserted into the shelf mounting cutout 102. The shelf 90 can be folded along each parallel edge between the shelf rear panel 98, the ramp portion 92, the shelf front panel 94, the shelf bottom panel 96, and the shelf mounting panel 100, as shown in FIG. 5, to form a three-dimensional shelf structure.

[0035] The shelf 90 may have a width 112 that is approximately equal to the width from the first side panel 20 to the second side panel 22 of the dispenser 12. The width 112 of the shelf 90 may be in a range of approximately 4 to 7 inches, such as in a range of approximately 5 to 6 inches, or, for example, in a range of approximately 5.125 to 5.375 inches. Additionally, the shelf 90 may have a depth 114 (see FIG. 5) that is approximately equal to the depth from the front panel 16 to the rear panel 18 of the dispenser 12. The depth 114 can be in the range of about 4 to 7 inches, such as in the range of about 5 to 6 inches, or, for example, in the range of about 5.25 to 5.5 inches. In such a configuration, the shelf 90 can completely prevent the articles 2 from contacting the bottom panel 26 of the dispenser 12 and can form a support structure for the articles 2 within the interior chamber 60, elevating and directing the articles 2 toward the dispensing opening 14. Additionally, as best shown in FIG. 5 , the ramp portion 92 can be inclined at an angle α relative to the horizontal plane (i.e., the shelf bottom panel 96 of the shelf 90 and the bottom panel 26 of the dispenser 12). The angle α can be an acute angle. The angle α can be, for example, in the range of about 20° to about 80°. 5 , the ramp portion 92 extends upward at an angle α from the shelf front panel 94 of the shelf 90 such that the front end of the ramp portion 92 forms the lower end of the ramp portion 92, the rear end of the ramp portion 92 forms the upper end of the ramp portion 92, and the ramp portion 92 is adjacent to the shelf rear panel 98. To enable the ramp portion 92 to extend at the angle α, the length 92L of the ramp portion 92 extending between the shelf front panel 94 and the shelf rear panel 98 can be set to be longer than the depth 114 of the shelf 90. For example, the ratio of the depth 114 of the shelf 90 to the length 92L of the ramp portion 92 can be in the range of about 1:1.05 to about 1:1.5, for example, in the range of about 1:1.1 to about 1:1.25, or for example, about 1:1.2.The length 92L of the ramp portion 92 may be in the range of about 12.7 to 22.86 centimeters (about 5 to 9 inches), for example in the range of about 13.97 to 19.06 centimeters (about 5.5 to 7.5 inches), for example in the range of about 15.24 to 17.78 centimeters (about 6 to 7 inches), for example, in one embodiment of the present invention, about 16.51 centimeters (about 6.5 inches).

[0036] The shelf 90 may have a front height 116, for example, aligned with the front ends of the shelf front panel 94 and the ramp portion 92, and a rear height 118, for example, aligned with the rear ends of the shelf rear panel 98 and the ramp portion 92. The front height 116 is set lower than the rear height 118. The front height 116 may be in a range of approximately 0.25 to 1.5 inches (0.635 to 3.81 centimeters), for example, approximately 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters). The front height 116 generally aligns with the top, bottom, or bottom edge of the lower portion of the dispensing opening 14 so that the ramp portion 92 tilts the articles 2 downward toward the dispensing opening 14, facilitating access to and removal of the articles 2 through the dispensing opening 14. In one particular aspect of the present invention, the front height 116 extends upward from the bottom edge of the lower portion of the dispensing opening 14 to prevent the item 2 from getting caught on the bottom edge of the lower portion of the dispensing opening 14 during dispensing, and the ramp portion 92 tilts the item 2 downward toward the dispensing opening 14.

[0037] 1 and 5 , the shelf 90 further includes a recessed reach-in portion 106 (reach-in access mechanism) formed in the shelf front panel 94 and the ramp portion 92 to assist in dispensing the item 2. For example, the recessed reach-in portion 106 is defined by a pair of parallel cuts 108 extending from the ramp portion 92 through the shelf front panel 94 to the shelf bottom panel 96 of the shelf 90. The pair of parallel cuts 108 define a lower support panel 107 and an upright support panel 109, and the border between the lower support panel 107 and the upright support panel 109 is folded along crease 110 to form the recessed reach-in portion 106 recessed inward relative to the shelf front panel 94 and the ramp portion 92. When recessed reach-in portion 106 is formed, lower support panel 107 abuts shelf bottom panel 96 of shelf 90, and upright support panel 109 extends substantially vertically from shelf bottom panel 96 to ramp portion 92. In this manner, lower support panel 107 and upright support panel 109 provide additional structural support for ramp portion 92, thereby maintaining ramp portion 92 in an inclined state against downward forces exerted on ramp portion 92 by the weight of items 2 in dispenser 12. Recessed reach-in portion 106 extends symmetrically about a vertical line of symmetry of shelf front panel 94 and ramp portion 92, with its center located at the center of the widthwise edges of shelf front panel 94 and ramp portion 92.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lower support panel 107 and the upright support panel 109 may have approximately the same size, shape, and dimensions. However, the lower support panel 107 and the upright support panel 109 may have different sizes, shapes, and / or dimensions to make it easier for a user to remove the item 2 or to meet various needs for the ramp portion 92. For example, the lower support panel 107 and the upright support panel 109 of the recessed reach-in portion 106 may both have a width 109w. The lower support panel 107 may have a height 107h in a direction perpendicular to the width 109w. The upright support panel 109 may have a parallel height 109h perpendicular to the width 109w. The height 109h of the upright support panel 109 may be parallel to the height 107h of the lower support panel 107. The ratio of height 107h to height 109h can be in the range of about 0.75:1 to 1:0.75. In one embodiment of the present invention, height 107h can be in the range of about 1.905 to 5.08 centimeters (about 0.75 to 2 inches), for example, in the range of about 2.54 to 3.81 centimeters (about 1 to 1.5 inches), or for example, 3.175 centimeters (about 1.25 inches). In one embodiment of the present invention, height 109h can be in the range of about 1.905 to 5.08 centimeters (about 0.75 to 2 inches), for example, in the range of about 2.54 to 3.81 centimeters (about 1 to 1.5 inches), or for example, 3.81 centimeters (about 1.5 inches).

[0039] To support the ramp portion 92 while maintaining the angle α of the ramp portion 92, the ratio of the width 109w of the recessed reach-in portion 106 to the width 112 of the shelf 90 can be in the range of about 1:10 to 1:2, for example, in the range of about 1:6 to about 1:3, or, for example, about 1:4.

[0040] 1 , when shelf 90 is inserted into interior chamber 60 of dispenser 12, recessed reach-in portion 106 of shelf 90 aligns with reach-in access portion 66 of dispensing opening 14 of dispenser 12. In this configuration, reach-in access portion 66 and recessed reach-in portion 106 can provide space for a user to insert their fingers into dispensing opening 14 and grasp a central portion of item 2 from interior chamber 60. For example, reach-in access portion 66 and recessed reach-in portion 106 are designed and configured to allow a user's fingers to easily grasp the bridge between the lenses of safety glasses when the glasses are stored within dispenser 12.

[0041] 6, an insert 120 configured to maintain a stack of articles 2 in a predetermined arrangement within the interior chamber 60 of the dispenser 12 is shown. The insert 120 may be formed from a generally two-dimensional (flat) piece of material, such as a single piece of material, such as container stock or other suitable material described above. The insert 120 includes an insert body 122 and a retention flap 124 extending from an upper edge of the insert body 122. The retention flap 124 may be folded along a crease 126 to form a predetermined angle, such as a substantially right angle, relative to the insert body 122.

[0042] The insert body 122 has a height 128 extending from its bottom edge 130 to the fold 126. The height 128 of the insert body 122 is set to be less than the height H of the dispenser 12. For example, the height 128 of the insert body 122 is set to be shorter than the distance from the top panel 24 of the dispenser 12 to the ramp portion 92 of the shelf 90 when the shelf 90 is inserted into the interior chamber 60 and placed on the bottom panel 26 of the dispenser 12. In one embodiment of the present invention, the insert body 122 has a maximum width 132 extending horizontally from a first side edge 134 to a second side edge 136 of the insert body 122. The first side edge 134 and the second side edge 136 may be substantially parallel. The insert body 122 has a bottom edge 130 extending between the first side edge 134 and the second side edge 136. For example, the bottom edge 130 may not extend across the entire maximum width 132 of the insert body 122. Accordingly, the insert body 122 further includes a first edge 138 extending at a first angle between the first side edge 134 and the bottom edge 130. As shown in FIG. 6 , the insert body 122 further includes a second edge 140 extending at a second angle between the second side edge 136 and the bottom edge 130. The first angle of the first edge 138 and the second angle of the second edge 140 may be an angle β. The angle β may be an acute angle. For example, the angle β may be an acute angle ranging from about 10° to about 80° relative to the first side edge 134 and the second side edge 136, respectively, such as from about 15° to about 45° in one embodiment, or about 25°. In some embodiments of the present invention, angle β is complementary to angle α of ramp portion 92, thereby allowing ramp portion 92 and first corner edge 138 or second corner edge 140 of insert body portion 122 to correspond or cooperate with each other to prevent ramp portion 92 and insert body portion 122 from interfering (hindering) with each other within internal chamber 60 or with item 2 within internal chamber 60.

[0043] In another aspect of the invention (not shown), insert body portion 122 may be coupled to shelf 90, such as ramp portion 92 of shelf 90, and configured to hold bottom edge 130 of insert 120 in place relative to ramp portion 92 and interior chamber 60. For example, one or more cut lines may be provided in the surface of ramp portion 92 that can receive portions of bottom edge 130 of insert 120.

[0044] The insert body 122 is configured to be inserted into the dispenser 12, i.e., into the internal chamber 60 of the dispenser 12. Specifically, an opening 56 (FIG. 2) capable of receiving the insert body 122 is provided in the top panel 24 of the dispenser 12. The opening 56 extends from the back side (rear panel 18 side) of the dispenser 12 toward the front panel 16 side of the dispenser 12. The length of the opening 56 is approximately equal to the maximum width 132 of the insert body 122. The opening 56 extends approximately parallel to the first side panel 20 and the second side panel 22 of the dispenser 12. In other words, the opening 56 extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18 of the dispenser 12. In this configuration, when the insert body 122 having a substantially two-dimensional shape (flat plate shape) is inserted into the internal chamber 60, the insert body 122 is disposed substantially parallel to the first side panel 20 and the second side panel 22 of the dispenser 12 and is maintained in a position substantially perpendicular to the front panel 16 and the rear panel 18 of the dispenser 12. Because the opening 56 extends from the rear side of the dispenser 12, the first side edge 134 of the insert body 122 is supported by abutting against the rear panel 18 of the dispenser 12. In this configuration, the insert body 122 can separate two portions of each article 2 contained in the dispenser 12 that face each other in the left-right direction. For example, if the stack of articles 2 is a stack of safety glasses as shown in FIG. 1 , the insert body 122 can separate the left and right side arms of each pair of safety glasses, thereby preventing the left and right side arms from becoming entangled with each other.

[0045] The retention flap 124 of the insert 120 has at least one retention tab 142 extending away from the insert body 122. As shown in FIG. 6, the retention flap 124 has two retention tabs 142. The retention tabs 142 are configured to be inserted into cooperating slots 58 ( FIG. 2 ) formed in the top panel 24 of the dispenser 12. The slots 58 may be generally parallel to the opening 56. Opposite the retention tab 142 on the retention flap 124 is a retention lip 144. The retention lip 144 extends over and covers the opening 56 in the top panel 24 to prevent the retention flap 124 from being inserted into the dispenser 12 through the opening 56. As shown in FIG. 7, the retention lip 144 rests on the top panel 24 of the dispenser 12 and generally parallel to the top panel 24.

[0046] When the insert body 122 is inserted into the dispenser 12 as described above, the insert body 122 extends vertically within the internal chamber 60 to maintain the alignment of the stack of articles 2 in the internal chamber 60. For example, if the stack of articles 2 is a stack of safety glasses, the insert body 122 is vertically arranged parallel to the direction from the rear panel 18 to the front panel 16 of the dispenser 12 and extending between the left and right side arms of the safety glasses. With this configuration, the insert body 122 can prevent tangling or entanglement of the side arms of adjacent articles 2 in the vertical direction of the stack of articles 2. The insert body 122 is inserted into the dispenser after the stack of articles 2 has been loaded into the internal chamber 60. As a result, the articles 2, e.g., safety glasses, can be maintained in a vertically aligned stack, like a single stack of vertically aligned files. 1, the safety glasses can be stacked upside down (i.e., with the side arms facing down and the lenses facing up) on the bottom of dispenser 12 (e.g., resting on shelf 90) with the lenses facing the front panel 16 of dispenser 12. As mentioned above, nose 72 of dispense opening 14 hooks onto the bridge between the lenses of each pair of safety glasses to aid in easily withdrawing and dispensing one pair of safety glasses at a time, thereby allowing the safety glasses to be dispensed one at a time.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing assembly 10 may include a plurality of inserts 120 that are inserted into the dispenser 12. For example, two parallel inserts 120 may be inserted vertically into the dispenser 12. Additionally or alternatively, rather than the generally two-dimensional (flat) insert 120 described above, the insert 120 may have a three-dimensional shape, such as a V-shape or U-shape when viewed from above within the dispenser 12, to accommodate various support needs depending on the article 2 to be loaded into the dispenser 12.

[0048] The articles described herein are preferably disposable products. As used herein, the term "disposable" refers to a product that is discarded after a single use, e.g., a product that is inexpensive enough to be economically discarded after a single use, or a product used in a healthcare environment that requires hygienic single-use of the product to reduce the possibility of contamination or infection. "Disposable" products are typically intended for single use. The term "single-use" refers to a product that is intended for a single use and is not intended to be reused, reconditioned, restored, or repaired after use. Such products provide benefits in healthcare environments by reducing the possibility of contamination or infection. Additionally, such products can improve workflow because they do not need to be collected or assembled for reprocessing and reuse. Examples of disposable products include disposable eyewear (e.g., face shields, safety glasses, goggles), disposable face masks, disposable examination gloves, etc.

[0049] Various patent documents are incorporated herein by reference; in the event of a conflict between the contents of the incorporated patent documents and the contents of this specification, the contents of this specification shall control. Additionally, while the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and variations of this disclosure are possible without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims encompass all such changes, modifications, and variations.

Claims

1. 1. A dispensing assembly comprising: a dispenser including a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the front panel, the rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel define an interior chamber configured to accommodate a stack of articles; a dispensing opening, at least a portion of which is formed in the front panel, a portion of which forms a nose that extends toward the dispensing opening to assist in dispensing the articles one by one from the stack of articles through the dispensing opening, a first side panel defining a first side of the dispensing opening, and a second side panel defining a second side of the dispensing opening; a shelf contained within the interior chamber; an insert configured to maintain the stack of articles in a predetermined arrangement within the interior chamber, the insert including at least one retention flap configured to be coupled to the top panel of the dispenser.

2. 10. The assembly of claim 1, the insert is configured to be inserted into the interior chamber through the top panel of the dispenser; and The assembly, wherein the insert is configured such that when the insert is inserted into the interior chamber through the top panel of the dispenser, at least a portion of the insert remains outside the interior chamber.

3. 10. The assembly of claim 1, The assembly wherein the insert includes an insert body portion extending vertically within the interior chamber.

4. 4. The assembly of claim 3, the insert body portion has a first side edge and a second side edge generally parallel to the first side edge; The assembly, wherein the first and second side edges of the insert body are configured to be disposed at a right angle relative to the front and rear panels of the dispenser.

5. 5. The assembly of claim 4, The assembly, wherein the insert body is configured to be positioned generally parallel to the first and second side panels of the dispenser.

6. 5. The assembly of claim 4, the insert includes a bottom edge extending between the first side edge of the insert and the second side edge of the insert; the insert further includes a first edge extending at a first angle between the first side edge and the bottom edge of the insert, and a second edge extending at a second angle between the second side edge and the bottom edge of the insert; The assembly, wherein the first angle of the first corner edge and the second angle of the second corner edge range from about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees.

7. 7. The assembly of claim 6, The assembly, wherein the first angle of the first corner edge and the second angle of the second corner edge correspond to an inclination angle of the shelf.

8. 10. The assembly of claim 1, the shelf includes a ramp portion; The assembly, wherein the lamp portion is configured to be disposed at a predetermined angle in the range of about 20° to about 80° relative to a horizontal plane.

9. 9. The assembly of claim 8, the shelf includes a shelf front panel extending generally parallel to the front panel of the dispenser; The ramp portion extends in a direction from the shelf front panel of the shelf toward the rear panel of the dispenser.

10. 10. The assembly of claim 9, The shelf includes a recessed reach-in portion formed through at least a portion of the shelf front panel of the shelf and through at least a portion of the ramp portion of the shelf.

11. 9. The assembly of claim 8, the shelf further includes a shelf bottom panel; The assembly, wherein the shelf bottom panel of the shelf includes a shelf mount configured to be coupled to the dispenser.

12. 10. The assembly of claim 1, an assembly wherein the dispensing opening is at least partially formed in the bottom panel;

13. 13. The assembly of claim 12, The assembly further comprises a reach-in access mechanism defined by at least a portion of the dispensing opening and at least a portion of the shelf.

14. 14. The assembly of claim 13, The assembly wherein the reach-in access mechanism is formed by a recessed reach-in portion of the shelf.

15. 14. The assembly of claim 13, the reach-in access mechanism is formed by a portion of the dispensing opening formed in the bottom panel.

16. 16. The assembly of claim 15, an assembly in which a portion of the dispensing opening formed in the bottom panel and a recessed reach-in portion of the shelf are vertically aligned in a direction extending from the top panel to the bottom panel.

17. 10. The assembly of claim 1, an assembly, wherein at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel is comprised of carton corrugated stock, paperboard, heavy-duty structural paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic-coated paper, plastic sheeting, wax-coated paper, or any combination thereof.

18. 10. The assembly of claim 1, The assembly, wherein the shelf and the insert are each comprised of carton corrugated stock, paperboard, heavy-duty structural paper, container stock, corrugated paperboard, plastic-coated paper, plastic sheeting, wax-coated paper, or any combination thereof.

19. 10. The assembly of claim 1, The assembly, wherein the article comprises personal protective equipment in the form of a face shield, glasses, or goggles.

20. 10. The assembly of claim 1, The assembly further comprises a dust cover insert configured to entirely cover the dispensing opening.

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