US20220297924A1

US20220297924A1 - System for dispensing mailers, container for dispensing mailers

Info

Publication number: US20220297924A1
Application number: US17/619,600
Authority: US
Inventors: William A. Snyder; Jessica L. DENSON; Mark R. Garceau; Christopher C. Hamlin; Patrick G. White; Russell T. Christman; Thomas P. Orsini; Steven E. Maston; Jessica B. Galuardi; Donald Durant
Original assignee: Sealed Air Corp
Current assignee: Sealed Air Corp
Priority date: 2019-06-19
Filing date: 2020-06-12
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: EP3986796A1; CN114126984B; WO2020257068A1; CN114126984A

Abstract

A system for dispensing mailers includes a retention system and a container. The retention system includes a surface and a retention mechanism. A portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface. The container holds mailers. The container is supported by the surface of the retention system. The container includes a dispensing aperture that permits the mailers to be dispensed through a first panel of the container. The container is located so that a second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the surface. The dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and a portion of the retention mechanism. The retention mechanism deters movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is in the technical field of dispensing mailers. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to containers usable to transport and dispense mailers and to systems for dispensing mailers from such containers.
A wide variety of objects, including fragile items, are transported in various types of mailing envelopes, sometimes referred to as “mailers.” In some cases, mailers have an outer wall to protect the contents of the mailers. The outer walls of cushioned mailers are typically formed from protective materials, such as Kraft paper, cardstock, polyethylene-coated paper, other paper-based materials, polyethylene film, or other resilient materials. In some examples, the outer wall provides structural rigidity (e.g., the outer wall is made from cardstock).
In other cases, these mailers have cushioning in addition to the outer wall to provide some level of protection for the objects transported therein. With cushioned mailers, the outer walls of cushioned mailers are typically formed from protective materials, such as Kraft paper, cardstock, polyethylene-coated paper, other paper-based materials, polyethylene film, or other resilient materials. The inner walls of cushioned mailers are lined with cushioning materials, such as air cellular material (e.g., BUBBLE WRAP™ air cellular material sold by Sealed Air Corporation), foam sheets, or any other cushioning material. The outer walls are typically adhered (e.g., laminated) to the cushioning material when forming the mailers.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In a first embodiment, a system for dispensing mailers includes a retention system and a container. The retention system includes a surface and a retention mechanism. A portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface. The container is configured to hold mailers and the container is supported by the surface of the retention system. The container includes a dispensing aperture configured to permit the mailers to be dispensed through a first panel of the container. The container is supported by the surface of the retention system so that a second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the surface. The dispensing aperture is located on the container so that the dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and a portion of the retention mechanism of the retention system. The portion of the retention mechanism is configured to deter movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.
In a second embodiment, each of the mailers of the first embodiment includes an open end and the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the dispensing aperture.
In a third embodiment, the first mailer of the second embodiment is positioned within the container so that the open end of the first mailer passes through the dispensing aperture before any other portion of the first mailer.
In a fourth embodiment, dispensing aperture of any of the previous embodiments is sized and shaped such that the first mailer is the only one of the mailers that can pass through the dispensing aperture while the first mailer is being dispensed.
In a fifth embodiment, the dispensing aperture of the fourth embodiment has an upside-down “V” shape and ends of the upside-down “V” shape are located above the second panel.
In a sixth embodiment, a first portion of the dispensing aperture of any of the previous embodiments is located on the first panel and a second portion of the dispensing aperture is located on the second panel.
In a seventh embodiment, the container of the sixth embodiment is positioned on the dispensing system such that the second portion of the dispensing aperture is accessible.
In an eighth embodiment, the retention mechanism of the seventh embodiment is positioned so that the container is located on the surface with a portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture is not covered by the surface.
In a ninth embodiment, the container of the eighth embodiment is located on the surface with the portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture located forward of a front end of the surface.
In a tenth embodiment, the container of any of the seventh to ninth embodiments is supported by the surface indirectly via the retention mechanism.
In an eleventh embodiment, the retention mechanism of the tenth embodiment includes a base on which the container is located, legs that extend downward from the base, and posts that extend upward from the base.
In a twelfth embodiment, the posts of the eleventh embodiment include tabs that extend across a portion of a front end of the retention mechanism. The tabs are the portion of the retention mechanism configured to deter movement of the container toward the front end of the retention mechanism.
In a thirteenth embodiment, the first mailer of the twelfth embodiment is configured to be dispensed from the container through the dispensing aperture and through gaps between the tabs and the base.
In a fourteenth embodiment, the base of any of the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments includes a recessed portion, and wherein the second portion of the dispensing aperture is aligned with the recessed portion so that the second portion if the dispensing aperture is accessible.
In a fifteenth embodiment, the container of any of the previous embodiments is one of a plurality of containers supported by the surface of the retention system.
In a sixteenth embodiment, the container of the fifteenth embodiment has a size that is different from at least one other container of the plurality of containers.
In a seventieth embodiment, the mailers in the container of any of the fifteenth and sixteenth embodiments have a size that is different from a size of mailers in at least one other container of the plurality of containers.
In an eighteenth embodiment, the system of any of the previous embodiments further includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple the container to the surface.
In a nineteenth embodiment, the coupling mechanism of the eighteenth embodiment includes one or more clips configured to configured to exert a compressive force between the first panel of the container and the surface.
In a twentieth embodiment, the coupling mechanism of any of the eighteenth and nineteenth embodiments includes one or more brackets that are fixed to the surface and each of the one or more brackets includes a tab that extends partially in front of the container.
In a twenty first embodiment, the system of any of the previous embodiments further includes a funneling member positioned so that the first mailer contacts the funneling member while the first mailer is dispensed from the container. The funneling member is configured to bias open the mailer while the first mailer is dispensed from the container.
In a twenty second embodiment, the system of the twenty first embodiment is configured such that the retention mechanism is configured to pass through holes in the funneling member, the funneling member is capable of rotating about the retention mechanism, and the funneling member is capable of being translated transversely along the retention mechanism.
In a twenty second embodiment, the system of any of the twenty first and twenty second embodiments is configured such that the funneling member include side walls, the side walls of the funneling member includes narrowing portions, the funneling member is arranged so that sides of the mailer contact the narrowing portions while the first mailer is dispensed from the container, and the narrowing portions are configured to bias the sides of the mailer inward.
In a twenty fourth embodiment, the retention mechanism of any of the previous embodiments includes one or more of a plate, a rod, a rope, a string, a cable, or a chain.
In a twenty fifth embodiment, the mailers in the container of any of the previous embodiments are cushioned mailers that have outer walls formed of a protective material and inner walls formed of a cushioned material.
In a twenty sixth embodiment, a container for dispensing mailers includes a plurality of panels folded with respect to each other into a three-dimensional configuration. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel is configured to be located on a surface of a retention system. The container further includes an openable dispensing cover located at least on the second panel. The openable dispensing cover is bounded by lines of weakness configured to be broken to remove the openable dispensing cover. The container includes a dispensing aperture in place of the openable dispensing cover after the openable dispensing cover is removed. The container further includes mailers positioned within the plurality of panels. The openable dispensing cover is located on the container so that, after the openable dispensing cover is removed and the first panel is supported by the surface of the retention system, the dispensing aperture is located between the surface of the retention system and a portion of a retention mechanism of the retention system.
In a twenty seventh embodiment, the container of the twenty sixth embodiment further incldues an openable view cover located on the second panel. After the openable view cover is removed, the container includes a viewing aperture in place of the openable viewing cover after the openable viewing cover is removed. After the openable view cover is removed, a level of the mailers inside of the container can be viewed through the viewing aperture.
In a twenty eighth embodiment, each of the mailers of any of the twenty sixth and twenty seventh embodiments includes an open end and the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the openable dispensing cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict filling and dispensing configurations, respectively, of an embodiment of a container that can be used to transport and dispense mailers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2A to 2D depict instances of a method of using the container shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B to transport and dispense mailers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of a container in a lay-flat configuration, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 3B and 3C depict instances of the container shown in FIG. 3A being formed into a configuration for transporting mailers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 3D and 3E depict instances of the container shown in FIG. 3A being in a configuration for dispensing mailers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a retention system configured to hold a number of dispensing containers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict partial detail views of coupling mechanisms shown in the retention system depicted in FIG. 4, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5C depicts an embodiment of a funneling member shown in the retention system depicted in FIG. 4, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 depicts an instance of the retention system shown in FIG. 4 as mailers are being dispensed from the containers, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of the retention system shown in FIG. 4 in an embodiment of the retention system holding containers of different sizes, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a biasing mechanism that is capable of biasing the next mailer to be dispensed toward the dispensing aperture, where the biasing mechanism is in the form of a flap on the container, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a biasing mechanism that is capable of biasing the next mailer to be dispensed toward the dispensing aperture, where the biasing mechanism is in the form of a tab that extends upward from the base of a tray, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict top perspective and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a container on a retention system so that a portion of a base panel with a dispensing aperture is accessible, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention mechanism configured to both retain a container and to make accessible a portion of a dispensing aperture on a base panel of the container, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict perspective and front views, respectively, of a retention system that includes the retention mechanism shown in FIG. 11 and is configured to hold a container, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes embodiments of containers for mailers and systems for dispensing mailers. In some embodiments, a system for dispensing mailers includes a retention system and a container. The retention system includes a surface and a retention mechanism. A portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface. The container holds mailers. A first panel of the container is supported by the surface of the retention system. The container includes a dispensing aperture that permits the mailers to be dispensed through a second panel of the container. The container is located so that the second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the retention mechanism. The dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and the retention mechanism. The retention mechanism deters movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.
Mailers are convenient because they require minimal training for a user to be able to place an object inside the mailer and adhere a flap closed over the opening. However, there are a number of drawbacks to cushioned mailers. In one example, of the total time it takes a user to package a cushioned mailer, a significant portion of the time can be taken up by obtaining the mailer and bringing the mailer into a position where an object can be inserted into the mailer. In another example, of the total time it takes a user to package a cushioned mailer, a significant portion of the time can be taken up by opening the open end of the mailer and holding the open end of the mailer open as the object is inserted. The amount of time taken for these tasks may only be a few seconds to package each mailer; however, this time taken for each mailer can accumulate over multiple mailers and become a significant problem, particularly in high-volume packaging facilities. It would be advantageous to reduce the amount of time require to dispense and open mailers.
Depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B depict filling and dispensing configurations, respectively, of an embodiment of a container 100 that can be used to transport and dispense mailers. The container 100 includes a base panel 102 with a number of panels extending upward from the base panel 102. In the depicted embodiment, the container includes a front panel 104, a back panel 106, a left side panel 108, and a right side panel 110, each of which extends upward from the base panel 102. In some embodiments, the container is formed of one or more of any of the following materials: cellulosic-based materials (e.g., cardboard, corrugated cardboard, paperboard), plastic, and compressed foam. In one example, the container 100 may comprise corrugated cardboard, such as any of single-wall B-flute, C-flute, and/or E-flute corrugated cardboard, B/C double-wall corrugated cardboard, E/B double-wall corrugated cardboard, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the frame 102 has a predetermined average thickness. In some examples, the average thickness of the panels of the container 100 is, for example, at most about, and/or at least about, any of the following thicknesses: 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the container 100 is formed for a single piece of flat corrugated cardboard that is folded and adhered to be in the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
In the depicted embodiment, the container 100 also includes flaps 112, each of which is rotatably coupled to an upper edge of one of the front panel 104, the back panel 106, the left side panel 108, and the right side panel 110. In FIG. 1A, the flaps 112 are oriented away from each other with an opening 114 exposed between the upper edges of the front panel 104, the back panel 106, the left side panel 108, and the right side panel 110. Thus, in FIG. 1A, the container 100 is in a filling configuration where objects, such as mailers, can be inserted into the container 100 through the opening 114 to fill the container 100. In FIG. 1B, the flaps 112 are oriented toward each other to close the opening 114 so that the container is closed. While the opening 114 and the flaps 112 are shown at the top of the container 100 in the depicted embodiment, it is understood that an opening and flaps could be positioned around and side of the container 100, such as in place of the left side panel 108 or the right side panel 110.
In FIG. 1A, the container 100 includes an openable dispensing cover 116. In the depicted embodiment, the openable dispensing cover 116 is located on portions of the base panel 102 and the front panel 104. In some embodiments, the openable dispensing cover 116 is bounded by first lines of weakness 118. A “line of weakness,” as used herein, represents a line along which a panel has been creased, crimped, embossed, perforated, scored, slit, cut, or otherwise weakened so as to enhance the foldability or breakability of the panel, frame, or other material along the line of weakness. In the depicted embodiment, the first lines of weakness 118 are perforated lines configured to be broken when removing the openable dispensing cover 116. In some embodiments, the openable dispensing cover 116 includes a second line of weakness 120 located between the portion of the openable dispensing cover 116 located on the base panel 102 and the portion of the openable dispensing cover 116 located on the front panel 104. In the depicted embodiment, the second line of weakness 120 is a creased line configured to be folded when the container 100 in the filling orientation shown in FIG. 1A. In the instance shown in FIG. 1B, the openable dispensing cover 116 has been removed from the container 100 so that the container 100 includes a dispensing aperture 122. Thus, in FIG. 1B, the container 100 is in a dispensing configuration where objects, such as mailers, inside the container 100 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 122.
In FIG. 1A, the container 100 includes an openable view cover 124. In the depicted embodiment, the openable view cover 124 is located on the front panel 104. In some embodiments, the openable view cover 124 is bounded by first lines of weakness 126 and a second line of weakness 128. In the depicted embodiment, the first lines of weakness 126 are perforated lines configured to be broken when removing the openable view cover 124. In the depicted embodiment, the second line of weakness 128 is a creased line located between the ends of the first lines of weakness 126 and configured to be folded when the openable view cover 124 is removed from the container 100. In the instance shown in FIG. 1B, the openable view cover 124 has been removed from the container 100. More specifically, the first lines of weakness 126 have been broken and the openable view cover 124 has been folded back about the second line of weakness 128 so that the container 100 includes a viewing aperture 130. A user of the container can look through the viewing aperture 130 to determine a level of fill of the container 100 (e.g., a level below the viewing aperture 130, a level at or near the viewing aperture 130, or a level above the viewing aperture 130).
FIGS. 2A to 2D depict instances of a method of using the container 100 to transport and dispense mailers 132. In some embodiments, the mailers 132 may be cushioned mailers (e.g., a mailer having Kraft paper outer walls with an air cellular material lining inside the outer walls) or mailers that has outer walls made from protective materials but do not include any cushioning material. In some embodiments, the mailers 132 are made from two walls that form a front and a back of the mailer. The mailer is closed on three sides and the mailers 132 are open at open ends 134 of the mailers 132. In some embodiments, the mailer 132 are formed by folding a protective material so that protective material on either side of the fold form the two walls and the fold forms one of the three closed sides of the mailer. In some embodiments, the open end of a mailer includes a flap that can be used to cover the opening. Such flaps can have an adhesive usable to adhere the flap closed over the opening. In the depicted embodiment, the open ends 134 of the mailers 132 lack a such a flap. Mailers that lack a flap can be closed using a fusing device. Examples of fusing devices and associated funnels are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/657,198 and International Application No. PCT/US2019/027166, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In the instance shown in FIG. 2A, the container 100 is in the filling configuration. The flaps 112 are oriented away from each other so that the opening 114 of the container 100 is exposed. In this configuration, the container 100 can be filled with the mailers 132. In the depicted embodiment, the open ends 134 of the mailers 132 are oriented toward the front panel 104. It will be apparent that the number of mailers 132 depicted in FIG. 2A will partially fill the container 100, but the container can hold any number of mailers 132 up until the container 100 is completely filled. After the mailers 132 are inserted into the container 100 to fill (partially or completely) the container 100, the container 100 can be closed by folding the flaps 112 toward each other.
In the instance shown in FIG. 2B, the container 100 has been closed with the flaps 112 located over the opening 114. The mailers 132 are located inside of the container 100. The openable dispensing cover 116 and the openable view cover 124 remain in place in the container 100. In this configuration, the container 100 can be used to transport the mailers 132 to another locate. For example, when the container 100 is in the configuration shown in
FIG. 2B, a seller of the mailers 132 can ship the mailers 132 to a customer in the container 100. When the container 100 is in a location where the mailers 132 are to be used, the container 100 can be prepared for dispensing the mailers 132.
In the instance shown in FIG. 2C, the container 100 has been prepared for dispensing the mailers 132. More specially, the first lines of weakness 118 of the openable dispensing cover 116 have been broken and the openable dispensing cover 116 has been removed from the container 100. The removal of the openable dispensing cover 116 opens the dispensing aperture 122. Portions of some of the mailers 132 are visible through the dispensing aperture 122. The open end 134 of one of the mailers 132 (or more) is positioned within the bounds of the dispensing aperture 122 so that the one of the mailers 132 can be pulled through the dispensing aperture 122. In the depicted embodiment, the top edge of the dispensing aperture 122 has an upside-down “V” shape and the ends of the “V” shape are located above the base panel 102. In this configuration, mailers 132 can be dispensed from the container 100.
Also shown in instance in FIG. 2C is the openable view cover 124 having been opened. More specifically, the first lines of weakness 126 of the openable viewing cover 124 have been broken and the openable viewing cover 124 has been folded back from the front panel 104 about the second line of weakness 128. The removal of the openable viewing cover 124 opens the viewing aperture 130. With the viewing aperture 130 open, a person can look through the viewing aperture 130 to see whether the mailers 132 inside the container reach a level that is below the viewing aperture 130, at or near the viewing aperture 130, or above the viewing aperture 130.
In the instance shown in FIG. 2D, one of the mailers 132 is in the midst of being dispensed from the container 100 through the dispensing aperture 122. In the depicted embodiment, the mailer 132 is positioned such that the open end 134 of the mailer 132 is the first portion of the mailer 132 that passes through the dispensing aperture 122. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing aperture 122 is sized and shaped such that the bottommost of the mailers 132 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 122. In some embodiments, the dispensing aperture 122 is sized and shaped such that only the bottommost of the mailers 132 is capable of being pulled through the dispensing aperture 122. For example, the dispensing aperture 122 may be sized and shaped so that the mailer located directly above the bottommost of the mailers 132 contacts the front panel 104, thereby permitting only the bottommost of the mailers 132 to be pulled through the dispensing aperture 122.
After one of the mailers 132 is dispensed through the dispensing aperture 122, another one of the mailers 132 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 122. In some embodiments, the mailers 132 can be individually dispensed through the dispensing aperture 122 until all of the mailers 132 are dispensed from the container 100. After all of the mailers 132 have been dispensed through the container 100, the container 100 can be disposed of, such as by recycling the container 100.
Depicted in FIG. 3A is an embodiment of container 200 in a lay-flat configuration. In some embodiments, the container 200 is formed of one or more of any of the following materials: cellulosic-based materials (e.g., cardboard, corrugated cardboard, paperboard), plastic, and compressed foam. In one example, the container 100 may comprise corrugated cardboard, such as any of single-wall B-flute, C-flute, and/or E-flute corrugated cardboard,
B/C double-wall corrugated cardboard, E/B double-wall corrugated cardboard, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the frame 102 has a predetermined average thickness. In some examples, the average thickness of the panels of the container 100 is, for example, at most about, and/or at least about, any of the following thicknesses: 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 inches.
The container 200 includes a base panel 202, a front panel 204, a back panel 206, and a top panel 208. Each of the base, front, back, and top panels 202, 204, 206, and 208 are bordered at least partially by first lines of weakness 210. In the depicted embodiment, the first lines of weakness 210 are creased lines, represent by short dash lines in the figure, that are configured to be folded. For example, the base panel 202 and the back panel 206 can be folded with respect to each other about one of the first lines of weakness 210 between the base and back panels 202 and 206, the front panel 204 and the top panel 208 can be folded with respect to each other about one of the first lines of weakness 210 between the front and top panels 204 and 208, and so forth.
The container 200 includes left minor flaps 212. One of the left minor flaps 212 is foldably coupled to the base panel 202 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. One of the left minor flaps 212 is foldably coupled to the top panel 208 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. The container 200 includes left major flaps 214. One of the left major flaps 214 is foldably coupled to the front panel 204 about one of the first lines of weakness 210.
One of the left major flaps 214 is foldably coupled to the back panel 206 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. The container 200 includes right minor flaps 216. One of the right minor flaps 216 is foldably coupled to the base panel 202 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. One of the right minor flaps 216 is foldably coupled to the top panel 208 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. The container 200 includes right major flaps 218. One of the right major flaps 218 is foldably coupled to the front panel 204 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. One of the right major flaps 218 is foldably coupled to the back panel 206 about one of the first lines of weakness 210. The container 200 also includes a tab 220 foldably coupled to the back panel 206 about one of the first lines of weakness 210.
The container 200 includes an openable dispensing cover 222. In the depicted embodiment, the openable dispensing cover 222 is located on portions of the base panel 202 and the front panel 204. In some embodiments, the openable dispensing cover 222 is bounded by second lines of weakness 224. In the depicted embodiment, the second lines of weakness 224 include a number of slits that are arranged to allow a user to manually break the base and front panels 202 and 204 along the second lines of weakness 224. The container 200 also includes an openable viewing cover 226. In the depicted embodiment, the openable viewing cover 226 is located on the front panel 204. In some embodiments, the openable viewing cover 226 is bounded by third lines of weakness 228. In the depicted embodiment, the third lines of weakness 228 include a number of slits that are arranged to allow a user to manually break and/or fold the front panel 204 along the third lines of weakness 224.
The container 200 can be formed into a configuration in which the container 200 can be used to transport and dispense mailers. Depicted in FIGS. 3B and 3C are instances of the container 200 being formed into a configuration for transporting mailers 232. In FIG. 3B, the container 200 has been folded into a three-dimensional configuration. The container 200 was folded from the lay-flat configuration shown in FIG. 3A to until the tab 220 was aligned with the top panel 208. The tab 220 was adhered to the top panel 208. The left minor flaps 212 and the left major flaps 214 were folded and adhered such that the left minor flaps 212 and the left major flaps 214 close the left side of the container 200. The right minor flaps 216 and the right major flaps 218 are either unfolded or partially folded so that the right side of the container 200 remains open.
As shown in FIG. 3B, mailers 232 can be inserted into the container 200 through the open right side of the container 200. In some embodiments, the mailers 232 are inserted into the container 200 so that open ends 234 of the mailers 232 are oriented toward the openable dispensing cover 222. In some embodiments, the mailers 232 are oriented substantially parallel to the base panel 202. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 232 are inserted into the container 200 so that open ends 234 of the mailers 232 are oriented toward the openable dispensing cover 222 and the mailers 232 are oriented substantially parallel to the base panel 202. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the mailers 232 can be inserted into the container 200 as a single stack.
After the mailers 232 are inserted into the container 200, the container 200 can be closed. Depicted in FIG. 3C is the container 200 in a closed configuration. In the depicted embodiment, the right minor flaps 216 and the right major flaps 218 have been closed with the mailers 232 located inside the container 200. In some embodiments, one or more of the right minor flaps 216 or the right major flaps 218 are adhered or taped to hold the container 200 closed. In the depicted embodiment—with the container 200 closed, the mailers 232 inside of the container 200, and the openable dispensing cover 222 remaining on the container 200—the container 200 can be used to transport the mailers 232. For example, the container 200 can be used as a shipping container for shipping the mailers 232 to a recipient.
The container 200 can also be used to dispense the mailers 232. FIG. 3D depicts an instance of the container 200 having been prepared for dispensing the mailers 232. More specially, the second lines of weakness 224 around the openable dispensing cover 222 have been broken and the openable dispensing cover 222 has been removed from the container 200. The removal of the openable dispensing cover 222 opens a dispensing aperture 236 in the container 200. Portions of some of the mailers 232 are visible through the dispensing aperture 236. The open end 234 of one of the mailers 232 is positioned within the bounds of the dispensing aperture 236 so that the one of the mailers 232 can be pulled through the dispensing aperture 236. In the depicted embodiment, the top edge of the dispensing aperture 236 has an upside-down “V” shape and the ends of the upside-down “V” shape are located above the base panel 202. In this configuration, mailers 232 can be dispensed from the container 200.
Also shown in instance depicted in FIG. 3D is the openable view cover 226 having been opened. More specifically, the third lines of weakness 228 of the openable viewing cover 226 have been broken and the openable viewing cover 226 has been folded back from the front panel 204. The removal of the openable viewing cover 226 opens a viewing aperture 238. With the viewing aperture 238 open, a person can look through the viewing aperture 238 to see whether the mailers 232 inside the container reach a level that is below the viewing aperture 238, at or near the viewing aperture 238, or above the viewing aperture 238.
An instance of dispensing one of the mailers 232 is shown in FIG. 3E. More specifically, one of the mailers 232 is in the midst of being dispensed from the container 200 through the dispensing aperture 236. In the depicted embodiment, the mailer 232 is positioned such that the open end 234 of the mailer 232 is the first portion of the mailer 232 that passes through the dispensing aperture 236. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing aperture 236 is sized and shaped such that the bottommost of the mailers 232 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 236. In some embodiments, the dispensing aperture 236 is sized and shaped such that only the bottommost of the mailers 232 is capable of being pulled through the dispensing aperture 236. For example, the dispensing aperture 236 may be sized and shaped so that the mailer located directly above the bottommost of the mailers 232 contacts the front panel 204, thereby permitting only the bottommost of the mailers 232 to be pulled through the dispensing aperture 236.
After one of the mailers 232 is dispensed through the dispensing aperture 236, another one of the mailers 232 can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 236. In some embodiments, the mailers 232 can be individually dispensed through the dispensing aperture 236 until all of the mailers 232 are dispensed from the container 200. After all of the mailers 232 have been dispensed through the container 200, the container 200 can be disposed of, such as by recycling the container 200.
Embodiments of containers described herein can be used alone to dispense mailers. For example, no additional equipment is required to use the containers to dispense mailers.
However, in some circumstances, it would be advantageous to use any of the containers described herein in combination with a system that holds and retains the containers while mailers are dispensed from the containers. For example, when a container has a stack of mailers inside, the weight of the mailers may cause the friction between the container and the mailers to prevent the bottommost of the mailers from being withdrawn singlehandedly. In some embodiments, the material on the exterior of the mailers may have a high coefficient of friction with the material on the exterior of the other mailers and/or the material of the container. A coefficient of friction may exacerbate the difficulties in singlehandedly removing the bottommost of the mailers from the container.
Depicted in FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a retention system 300 configured to hold a number of dispensing containers. The retention system 300 includes a surface 302 that is capable of supporting dispensing containers. In some embodiments, the surface 302 is a tabletop, a shelf, a workbench, a flooring surface, or any other substrate on which containers can be placed. The retention system 300 also includes a retention mechanism 304 that is fixedly coupled to the surface 302. A portion of the retention mechanism 304 extends transversely (e.g., in they-direction in FIG. 4) across a front of the surface 302 (e.g., a surface parallel to the yz-plane in FIG. 4). In the depicted embodiment, the retention mechanism 304 includes a bar, a portion of which extends across the front of the surface 302. The bar in the depicted embodiment also extends partially along the sides (e.g., in the x-direction) of the surface 302. In other embodiments, the retention mechanism 304 may include one or more of a plate, a rod, a rope, a string, a cable, a chain, or any other mechanism configured to deter movement of containers in a particular direction (e.g., in the x-direction).
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the container 200 has been placed on the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 200 is oriented with the base panel 202 on the surface 302 and the front panel 204 substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 304 is positioned with respect to the surface 302 such that the dispensing aperture 236 is located between the surface and the retention mechanism 304. In this way, when one of the mailers 232 is dispensed through the dispensing aperture 236, the mailer 232 passes between the surface 302 and the retention mechanism 304. The friction between the mailer 232 being removed and another mailer 232 and/or the friction between the mailer 232 being removed and the container 200 would cause the container 200 to move as the mailer 232 is being removed. However, the retention mechanism 304 resists movement of the container 200 such that the friction between the mailer 232 and the container 200 is overcome and the mailer 232 can be withdrawn from the container 200. In the depicted embodiment, the container 200 is not adhered to the surface 302 otherwise fixedly coupled to the surface 302. The force of gravity keeps the container 200 in contact with the surface 302 and the removal of one of the mailers 232 tends to bring the container 200 into contact with the retention mechanism 304 to maintain the position of the container 200 with respect to the retention mechanism 304.
Also depicted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are containers 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃on the retention system 300. The container 310 ₁is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 310 ₁has a front panel 314 ₁that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 310 ₁has a dispensing aperture 316 ₁and a viewing aperture 318 ₁, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 314 ₁. The container 310 ₁holds mailers 322 ₁that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 316 ₁. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 322 ₁have open ends 324 ₁that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 316 ₁. In the depicted embodiment, the container 310 ₁is coupled to the surface 302 by a coupling mechanism 330, which is depicted in greater detail in FIG. 5A. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling mechanism 330 is in the form of two clips that are positioned inside of the two side panels of the container 310 ₁. One end of each of the clips is located above the base panel of the container 310 ₁and the other end of each of the clips is located below the surface 302. In some embodiments, the clips are configured to exert a compressive force between the base panel of the container 310 ₁and the surface 302 to deter respective movement of the container 310 ₁and the surface 302.
In FIG. 4, the container 310 ₂is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 310 ₂has a front panel 314 ₂that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 310 ₂has a dispensing aperture 316 ₂and a viewing aperture 3182, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 314 ₂. The container 310 ₂holds mailers 322 ₂that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 316 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 322 ₂have open ends 3242 that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 316 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, the container 310 ₂is coupled to the surface 302 by a coupling mechanism 332, which is depicted in greater detail in FIG. 5B. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling mechanism 332 is in the form of two brackets that are positioned along the of the two side panels of the container 310 ₂. Each of the brackets is fixed to the surface 302 and has a tab that extends partially in front of the container 310 ₂. The brackets deter transverse movement (e.g., motion in the y-direction) of the container 310 ₂and the tabs deter forward movement (e.g., motion in the x-direction) of the container 310 ₂.
In FIG. 4, the container 310 ₃is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 310 ₃has a front panel 314 ₃that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 310 ₃has a dispensing aperture 316 ₃and a viewing aperture 318 ₃, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 314 ₃. The container 310 ₃holds mailers 322 ₃that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 316 ₃. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 322 ₃have open ends 324 ₃that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 316 ₃. In the depicted embodiment, the container 310 ₃is positioned with respect to a funneling member 334 so that the mailers 322 ₃contact the funneling member 334 as they are being dispensed from the container 310 ₃.
The embodiment of the funneling member 334 shown in FIG. 4 is depicted in greater detail in FIG. 5C. The funneling member 334 includes side walls 336. A web 338 spans between the side walls 336 so that the side walls are held in fixed location with respect to each other. Each of the side walls 336 includes a parallel portion 340 and a narrowing portion 342. The parallel portions 340 are substantially parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the parallel portions 340 are spaced such that the container 310 ₃can be located between the parallel portions 340 of the side walls 336 with the side panels of the container 310 ₃oriented toward the parallel portions 340. The narrowing portions 342 of the side walls 336 converge in the direction that the mailers 322 ₃are dispensed through the dispensing aperture 316 ₃(e.g., the x-direction in FIG. 4). The funneling member 334 also includes extensions 344, each of which includes a hole 346. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the retention mechanism 304 is configured to pass through the holes 346 of the extensions 344.
In the depicted embodiment, the funneling member 334 is capable of rotating about the retention mechanism 304 and capable of being translated transversely (e.g., in the y-direction in FIG. 4) along the retention mechanism 304. This allows the funneling member 334 to be moved to a location along the retention mechanism 304 where the container 310 ₃is to be located. The extensions 344 and the web 338 are dimensioned so that a portion of the web 338 is located between the container 310 ₃and the surface 302. In this way, respective movement of the container 310 ₃and the funneling member 334 is deterred so that respective movement of the narrowing portions 342 of the side walls 336 and the dispensing aperture 316 ₃is also deterred.
In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 304 is positioned with respect to the surface 302 such that the dispensing apertures 316 ₁, 316 ₂, and 316 ₃are located between the surface 302 and the retention mechanism 304. In this way, when one of the mailers 322 ₁, 322 ₂, and 322 ₃is dispensed through one of the dispensing apertures 316 ₁, 316 ₂, and 316 ₃, the mailer passes between the surface 302 and the retention mechanism 304. The friction between the mailer being removed and another mailer and/or the friction between the mailer being removed and the container would cause the container to move as the mailer is being removed. However, the retention mechanism 304 resists movement of the container such that the friction between the mailer and the container is overcome and the mailer can be withdrawn from the container.
Depicted in FIG. 6 is an instance of the retention system 300 as mailers are being dispensed from the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃. In particular, the bottommost of the mailers 232 is being dispensed from the container 200, the bottommost of the mailers 322 ₁is being dispensed from the container 310 ₁, the bottommost of the mailers 322 ₂is being dispensed from the container 310 ₂, and the bottommost of the mailers 322 ₃is being dispensed from the container 310 ₃. The dispensing apertures 236, 316 ₁, 316 ₂, and 316 ₃are sized to permit the bottommost of the respective mailers 232, 322 ₁, 322 ₂, and 322 ₃to be dispensed. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing apertures 236, 316 ₁, 316 ₂, and 316 ₃are sized so that only one of the respective mailers 232, 322 ₁, 322 ₂, and 322 ₃is capable of being dispensed at a time. The coupling mechanisms 330 and 332 are sized and positioned so that they do not interfere with the dispensing of the mailers from the containers 310 ₁and 310 ₂. The funneling member 334 is configured to cause the mailer 322 ₃to be biased open as it is dispensed from the container 310 ₃. More specifically, as the sides of the mailer 322 ₃come into contact with the narrowing portions 342 of the side walls 336, the sides of the open end 324 ₃of the mailer 322 ₃tend to be biased inward and the top and bottom of the open end 324 ₃tend to move away from each other to bias the mailer 322 ₃open. In the depicted embodiment, each of the mailers being dispensed form the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃can be pulled single-handedly from the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃and any resulting movement of the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃is deterred by the retention mechanism 304.
One benefit to the retention system 300 is that containers can be used in the retention system 300 in a number of different lateral locations. In one example, the locations of the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃can be adjusted from the locations shown in FIG. 4 to any other location transversely (e.g., in the y-direction in FIG. 4) across the front of the surface 302. In another example, the locations of any two of the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃can be exchanged. In some embodiments, such changes in locations of the containers 200, 310 ₁, 310 ₂, and 310 ₃can be done manually without the use of tools. Another benefit is the ability of the retention system 300 to accommodate containers of different sizes.
Depicted in FIG. 7 is a front view of the retention system 300 in an embodiment of the retention system 300 holding containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, 410 ₃, and 410 ₄of different sizes. The container 410 ₁is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 410 ₁has a front panel 414 ₁that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 410 ₁has a dispensing aperture 416 ₁₁, a dispensing aperture 416 ₁₂, a viewing aperture 418 ₁₁, and a viewing aperture 418 ₁₂, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 414 ₁. The container 410 ₁holds a first set of mailers 422 ₁₁and a second set of mailers 422 ₁₂. The mailers 422 ₁₁are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₁and the mailers 422 ₁₂are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₂. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 422 ₁₁have open ends 424 ₁₁that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₁and the mailers 422 ₁₂have open ends 424 ₁₂that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₂. In the depicted embodiment, the container 410 ₁is coupled to the surface 302 by a coupling mechanism 430 ₁and a coupling mechanism 430 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, each of the coupling mechanisms 430 ₁and 430 ₂is in the form of two clips that are positioned inside of the two side panels of the container 410 ₁. The clips of the coupling mechanism 430 ₁are located on either side of the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₁and the clips of the coupling mechanism 430 ₂are located on either side of the dispensing aperture 416 ₁₂. One end of each of the clips of the coupling mechanism 430 ₁is located above the base panel of the container 410 ₁and the other end of each of the clips is located below the surface 302. One end of each of the clips of the coupling mechanism 430 ₂is located above the base panel of the container 410 ₁and the other end of each of the clips is located below the surface 302. In some embodiments, the clips of the coupling mechanisms 430 ₁and 430 ₂are configured to exert a compressive force between the base panel of the container 410 ₁and the surface 302 to deter respective movement of the container 410 ₁and the surface 302.
In FIG. 7, the container 410 ₂is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 410 ₂has a front panel 414 ₂that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 410 ₂has a dispensing aperture 416 ₂and a viewing aperture 418 ₂, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 414 ₂. The container 410 ₂holds mailers 422 ₂that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 416 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 422 ₂have open ends 424 ₂that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 416 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, the container 410 ₂is positioned with respect to a funneling member 43 ₂so that the mailers 422 ₂contact the funneling member 432 as they are being dispensed from the container 410 ₂. As the sides of the mailer 422 ₂are dispensed and come into contact with the narrowing portions of the side walls, the sides of the open end 424 ₂of the mailer 422 ₂tend to be biased inward and the top and bottom of the open end 424 ₂tend to move away from each other to bias the mailer 422 ₂open.
In FIG. 7, the container 4103 is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 410 ₃has a front panel 414 ₃that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 410 ₃has a dispensing aperture 416 ₃and a viewing aperture 418 ₃, each of which is at least partially on the front panel 414 _3.The container 410 ₃holds mailers 422 ₃that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 416 ₃. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 422 ₃have open ends 424 ₃that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 416 _3.In the depicted embodiment, the container 410 ₃is positioned with respect to a funneling member 434 so that the mailers 422 ₃contact the funneling member 434 as they are being dispensed from the container 4103. As the sides of the mailer 422 ₃are dispensed and come into contact with the narrowing portions of the side walls, the sides of the open end 424 ₃of the mailer 422 ₃tend to be biased inward and the top and bottom of the open end 424 ₃tend to move away from each other to bias the mailer 422 ₃open.
In FIG. 7, the container 410 ₄is supported by the surface 302 of the retention system 300. The container 410 ₄has a front panel 414 ₄that is oriented substantially parallel to the portion of the retention mechanism 304 that extends transversely across the front of the surface 302. The container 410 ₄has a dispensing aperture 416 ₄, which is at least partially on the front panel 314 ₂. In the depicted embodiment, the container 410 ₄does not have a viewing aperture on the front panel 414 ₄. The container 410 ₄holds mailers 422 ₄that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 416 ₄. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 422 ₄have open ends 424 ₄that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 416 ₄. In thed depicted embodiment, the container 410 ₄is coupled to the surface 302 by a coupling mechanism 436. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling mechanism 436 is in the form of two brackets that are positioned along the of the two side panels of the container 410 ₄. Each of the brackets is fixed to the surface 302 and has a tab that extends partially in front of the container 410 ₄. The brackets deter transverse movement of the container 410 ₄and the tabs deter forward movement of the container 410 ₄.
As can be seen in FIG. 7, each of the containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, 410 ₃, and 410 ₄has a different size than the other ones of the containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, 410 ₃, and 410 ₄. In one example, the container 410 ₁is wider than the other containers 410 ₂, 410 ₃, and 410 ₄, and the container 410 ₁holds two sets of mailers 422 ₁₁and 422 ₁₂. In another example, the container 410 ₃is taller than the other containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, and 410 _4,and the container 410 ₃is narrower than the other containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, and 410 ₄. The differences in sizes of the containers 410 ₁, 410 ₂, 410 ₃, and 410 ₄permit a number of different sized mailers to be dispensed using the retention system 300. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 422 ₁₁and 422 ₁₂have a similar size, but the size of the mailers 422 ₁₁and 422 ₁₂, the size of the mailers 422 ₂, the size of the mailers 422 ₃, and the size of the mailers 422 ₄all differ from each other. In this way, a user of the retention system 300 has access to a number of different sizes of mailers.
As shown in various embodiments described herein, containers can have dispensing apertures on a front panel so that mailers are dispensed out of the dispensing apertures through the front panels. Such containers can be configured to individually dispense the mailers in the container. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to cause the next mailer to be dispensed to be biased toward the dispensing aperture. In some embodiments, biasing the next mailer to be dispensed toward the dispensing aperture may allow a user to more easily grasp and/or pull the mailer through the dispensing aperture. Depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 are embodiments of biasing mechanisms that are capable of biasing the next mailer to be dispensed toward the dispensing aperture.
Depicted in FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a container 500 configured to used in transporting and/or dispensing mailers. The container 500 has a base panel 502, a front panel (not visible), a back panel 506, a left side panel (not visible), and a right side panel 510. The container 500 is configured to hold mailers 522. The container 500 further includes a dispensing aperture 536, a portion of which is on the front panel and a portion of which is on the base panel 502. In the depicted embodiment, the dispensing aperture 536 is arranged to permit the mailers 522 to be dispensed individually through the front panel.
The container 500 includes a biasing mechanism 552 configured to bias one of the mailers 522 toward the dispensing aperture 536. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing mechanism 552 is a flap folded inward from the back panel 506. In some embodiments, the container 500 is shipped with the flap aligned with the back panel 506 and the back panel 506 includes lines of weakness around three sides of the panel. When the container 500 is prepared for dispensing the mailers 522 (e.g., when an openable dispensing cover is removed to form the dispensing aperture 536), the lines of weakness around the flap of the biasing mechanism 552 can be broken to allow the flap to be folded inward into the container 500. As the stack of mailers 522 drops downward, the bottommost of the mailers 522 contacts the biasing mechanism 552, which biases the bottommost of the mailers 522 toward the dispensing aperture 536.
Depicted in FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a tray 650 that includes a biasing mechanism 652. The tray 650 includes a base 654 that spans between two side walls 656. The side walls 656 include flaps 658 that extend around the back of the tray 650. In the depicted embodiment, the biasing mechanism 652 is a tab that extends upward from the base 654. The tray 650 is configured to hold a container on the base 654 and between the side walls 656. As the container is put into place on the tray 650, the container can be aligned with the flaps 658 so that the tab of the biasing mechanism 652 engages (e.g., pierces) the container and biases at least one mailer toward a dispensing aperture of the container.
In some circumstances, it may be advantageous to arrange a container and/or the mailers in the container in order to reduce the amount of time and labor required to remove mailers from the container. In some embodiments, where a portion of a dispensing aperture is on a base panel of a container, it may be advantageous for the portion of the base panel with the dispensing aperture to be accessible. In some embodiments, it may be easier for a user to grasp a closed end of a mailer instead of an open end, and mailers may be arranged in containers so that closed ends of the mailers are oriented toward dispensing apertures. Examples of these embodiments are discussed below.
Depicted in FIG. 10A and 10B are top perspective and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the container 200 on a retention system 300′ so that the portion of the base panel 202 with the dispensing aperture 236 is accessible. The retention system 300′ is similar to the retention system 300, except that the retention system 300′ includes a retention mechanism 304′ in place of the retention mechanism 304 in the retention system 300. The retention mechanism 304′ is located further forward (e.g., in the x-direction) on the surface 302 in the retention system 300′ than the retention mechanism 304 is supported by the surface 302 in the retention system 300. This location of the retention mechanism 304′ with respect to the surface 302 permits the container 200 to be supported by the surface 302 such that the portion of the base panel 202 that includes the dispensing aperture 236 is accessible to a user (e.g., not covered by the surface 302). The retention mechanism 304′ prevents the container 200 from being moved further forward (e.g., further in the x-direction) or from falling off of the front of the surface 302 (e.g., a surface parallel to the yz-plane in FIGS. 10A and 10B).
With the container 200 in the position shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a user can grasp the bottommost of the mailers 232 to withdraw the mailer 232 from the container 200. More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 10A, the user can grasp the end of the mailer 232 that is oriented toward the dispensing aperture 236. As can be seen in FIG. 10B, the user can also grasp the bottom of the mailer 232 that is accessible through the portion of the dispensing aperture 236 that is on the base panel 202. This accessibility of the mailer 232—both on the bottom and the top of the mailer 232—can make it easier for the user to pull the mailer 232 through the dispensing aperture 236.
In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 232 are located in the container 200 with the closed ends of the mailers 232 oriented toward the dispensing aperture 236. In some embodiments, the closed ends of the mailers 232 are the ends opposite the open ends of the mailers 232. In some embodiments, the closed ends of the mailer 232 are ends that are adjacent to open ends of the mailers 232. In some instances, the closed ends of the mailers 232 are easier to grasp than the open ends of the mailers 232. This also can make it easier for the user to pull the mailer 232 through the dispensing aperture 236.
In some embodiments, a retention mechanism can be configured to both retain a container and to make accessible a portion of a dispensing aperture on a base panel of the container. Depicted in FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention mechanism 704 configured to both retain a container and to make accessible a portion of a dispensing aperture on a base panel of the container. The retention mechanism 704 has a base 740. In some embodiments, the base 740 is substantially planar. The retention mechanism 704 is configured to have a base panel of a container placed on the base 740. In the depicted embodiment, the base 740 includes a recessed portion 742 on a front end 744 of the retention mechanism 704 and a recessed portion 746 on a back end 748 of the retention mechanism 704. In embodiments where the base panel of the container includes a portion of a dispensing aperture, the container can be placed on the base 740 so that the portion of the dispensing aperture on the base panel is accessible via one of the recessed portions 742 and 746 of the base 740.
The retention mechanism 704 further includes posts 750. In some embodiments, the posts 750 extend upward from the base 740. In the depicted embodiment, the posts 750 extend upward from the sides of the base 740 (e.g., portions of the sides of the base 740 between the front and back ends 744 and 748). The retention mechanism 704 further includes tabs 752 that extend from the posts 750. In the depicted embodiment, the tabs 752 are arranged so that there is a gap G between the base 740 and each of the tabs 752. In some embodiments, a container can be placed on the base 740 so that portions of the dispensing aperture are located in gaps G between the tabs 752 and the base 740. In this position, mailers can be dispensed from the container through the dispensing aperture and through the gaps G. In the depicted embodiment, the tabs 752 on the front end 744 include the gaps G and the tabs 752 on the back end 748 include the gaps G. This arrangement allows a container to be placed on the base 740 with the dispensing aperture oriented toward either the front end 744 or the back end 748. In other embodiments, the tabs 752 on one end (e.g., the back end 748) may not form the gaps G between the tabs 752 and the base 740. In the depicted embodiment, the posts 750 are arranged to deter side-to-side movement (e.g., movement parallel to the front end 744) of the container and the tabs 752 are arranged to deter front-to-back movement (e.g., movement perpendicular to the front end 744).
In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 704 further includes legs 754. In the depicted embodiment, the legs extend downward from the sides of the base 740 (e.g., portions of the sides of the base 740 between the front and back ends 744 and 748). The legs 756 extend downward from the base a distance so that, when the retention mechanism 704 is placed on a surface, the base 740 is at a height H away from the surface. In the depicted embodiment, each of the legs 754 has a foot 756 that extends away from the bottom of the leg 754. In some embodiments, the feet 756 are substantially parallel to the base 740. The feet 756 are configured to provide stability to the retention mechanism 704 when the retention mechanism 704 is placed on a surface and the retention mechanism 704 can be useful in fixing the retention mechanism 704 to the surface.
It will be apparent that the retention mechanism 704 could be made from a single sheet of material. For example, the retention mechanism 704 can be formed from a single piece of sheet metal. More specifically, the piece of sheet metal can be cut appropriately and then bent to form the recessed portions 742 and 746, the posts 750, the tabs 752, the legs 754, and the feet 756. In other embodiments, the retention mechanism 704 can be formed from multiple pieces of material (or from different materials) that are fixed together.
Depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective and front views, respectively, of a retention system 700 configured to hold a container 710. The retention system 700 includes a surface 702 capable of supporting dispensing containers. In some embodiments, the surface 702 is a tabletop, a shelf, a workbench, a flooring surface, or any other substrate on which containers can be placed. The retention system 700 also includes the retention mechanism 704. In some embodiments, the retention mechanism 704 is fixed with respect to the surface 702. In the depicted embodiment, the retention mechanism 704 is fixed with respect to the surface 702 using tape 758. The tape 758 can be advantageous because it allows the retention mechanism 704 to be fixed with respect to the surface 702 in any number of locations and orientations, as may be desirable. In other embodiments, the retention mechanism 704 can be fixed with respect to the surface 702 using any number of other fasteners, such as screws, nails, bolts and nuts, rivets, hook-and-loop fabric fasteners, any other type of fastener, or any combination thereof
The container 710 has a base panel 712 that is oriented substantially parallel to the base 740 of the retention mechanism 704 and to the surface 702 of the retention system 700. The container 710 has a front panel 714 that is oriented substantially parallel to the tabs 752 on the front end 744 of the retention mechanism 704. The container 710 has a dispensing aperture 736 that is partially on the front panel 714 and partially on the base panel 712. The container 710 holds mailers 722 that are individually dispensable through the dispensing aperture 736. In the depicted embodiment, the mailers 722 have closed ends 724 that are oriented toward the dispensing aperture 736. The container 710 also includes a top panel 716 and a right side panel 720. In the depicted embodiment, the right side panel 720 is substantially parallel to the posts 750 on the right side of the retention mechanism 704.
As can be seen in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the container 710 is supported by the surface 702 via the retention mechanism 704. More specifically, the container 710 is held by the retention mechanism 704, with the base panel 712 of the container 710 on the base 740 of the retention mechanism 704, and the retention mechanism 704 located on the surface 702. While supported by the surface 702, the base panel 712 of the container 710 is held away from the surface 702 by the retention mechanism 704. The portion of the base panel 712 that includes the dispensing aperture 736 is aligned with the recessed portion 742 of the base 740 of the retention mechanism 704. This arrangement allows a user to grasp the bottom of the mailer 722 that is accessible through the portion of the dispensing aperture 736 that is on the base panel 712. The user can also grasp the closed end 724 of the mailer 722 that is oriented toward the portion of the dispensing aperture 736 on the front panel 714. The user, when grasping the mailer 722, can pull the mailer 722 out of the container 710 through the dispensing aperture 736 and through the gaps G between the base 740 and the tabs 752 on the front end 744 of the retention mechanism 704.
The embodiment depicted in FIG. 12A and 12B shows the retention mechanism 704 fixedly coupled to the surface 702 in one orientation. It will be apparent that the retention mechanism 704 could be fixedly coupled to the surface 702 in any number of other orientations. The retention system 700 can also include any number of other retention mechanisms on the surface 702. In some embodiments, other retention mechanisms on the surface 702 can have the same size as the retention mechanism 704 (e.g., where multiple containers of the same size are supported by the surface 702) or can sizes different from the retention mechanism 704 (e.g., where multiple containers of the different sizes are supported by the surface 702).
For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing mailers, the system comprising:

a retention system that includes a surface and a retention mechanism, wherein a portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface; and

a container configured to hold mailers, wherein the container is supported by the surface of the retention system;

wherein the container includes a dispensing aperture configured to permit the mailers to be dispensed through a first panel of the container;

wherein the container is supported by the surface of the retention system so that a second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the surface;

wherein the dispensing aperture is located on the container so that the dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and a portion of the retention mechanism of the retention system; and

wherein the portion of the retention mechanism is configured to deter movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the mailers includes an open end, and wherein the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the dispensing aperture.

3. (canceled)

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing aperture is sized and shaped such that the first mailer is the only one of the mailers that can pass through the dispensing aperture while the first mailer is being dispensed.

5. (canceled)

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the dispensing aperture is located on the first panel and a second portion of the dispensing aperture is located on the second panel.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the container is positioned on the dispensing system such that the second portion of the dispensing aperture is accessible.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the retention mechanism is positioned so that the container is located on the surface with a portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture is not covered by the surface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the container is located on the surface with the portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture located forward of a front end of the surface.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the container is supported by the surface indirectly via the retention mechanism.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the retention mechanism includes a base on which the container is located, legs that extend downward from the base, and posts that extend upward from the base.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the posts include tabs that extend across a portion of a front end of the retention mechanism, and wherein the tabs are the portion of the retention mechanism configured to deter movement of the container toward the front end of the retention mechanism.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first mailer is configured to be dispensed from the container through the dispensing aperture and through gaps between the tabs and the base.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the base includes a recessed portion, and wherein the second portion of the dispensing aperture is aligned with the recessed portion so that the second portion if the dispensing aperture is accessible.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is one of a plurality of containers supported by the surface of the retention system, and wherein either:

the container has a size that is different from at least one other container of the plurality of containers, or

the mailers in the container have a size that is different from a size of mailers in at least one other container of the plurality of containers.

16.-17. (canceled)

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupling mechanism configured to couple the container to the surface.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least one of:

one or more clips configured to configured to exert a compressive force between the first panel of the container and the surface, or

one or more brackets that are fixed to the surface, wherein each of the one or more brackets includes a tab that extends partially in front of the container.

20. (canceled)

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a funneling member positioned so that the first mailer contacts the funneling member while the first mailer is dispensed from the container;

wherein the funneling member is configured to bias open the mailer while the first mailer is dispensed from the container.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the retention mechanism is configured to pass through holes in the funneling member;

the funneling member is capable of rotating about the retention mechanism; and

the funneling member is capable of being translated transversely along the retention mechanism.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein:

the funneling member include side walls;

the side walls of the funneling member includes narrowing portions;

the funneling member is arranged so that sides of the mailer contact the narrowing portions while the first mailer is dispensed from the container; and

the narrowing portions are configured to bias the sides of the mailer inward.

24.-25. (canceled)

26. A container for dispensing mailers, the container comprising:

a plurality of panels folded with respect to each other into a three-dimensional configuration, wherein the plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is configured to be located on a surface of a retention system;

an openable dispensing cover located at least on the second panel, wherein the openable dispensing cover is bounded by lines of weakness configured to be broken to remove the openable dispensing cover, and wherein the container includes a dispensing aperture in place of the openable dispensing cover after the openable dispensing cover is removed; and

mailers positioned within the plurality of panels;

wherein the openable dispensing cover is located on the container so that, after the openable dispensing cover is removed and the first panel is supported by the surface of the retention system, the dispensing aperture is located between the surface of the retention system and a portion of a retention mechanism of the retention system.

27. The container of claim 26, further comprising:

an openable view cover located on the second panel;

wherein, after the openable view cover is removed, the container includes a viewing aperture in place of the openable viewing cover after the openable viewing cover is removed;

wherein, after the openable view cover is removed, a level of the mailers inside of the container can be viewed through the viewing aperture.

28. The container of claim 26, wherein each of the mailers includes an open end, and wherein the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the openable dispensing cover.