Field of the Invention

[0001] The present application relates to packaging devices such as containers, wraps, boxes, bags, sacks, and other packaging systems. More particularly, the present application relates to blister packaging devices. Still more particularly, the present application relates to blister packaging devices having an access portal for accessing a selected number of enclosed items and leaving the remaining unselected items in the device for later access. Still more particularly, the present application relates to blister packaging devices with an actuatable dispensing feature.

Background

[0002] Current packaging for batteries and the like sold as a plurality of items in one package often includes blister packaging. The packaging may include a blister portion for containing the batteries or other items and may also include a backing. In some cases, the blister portion may be a formable plastic and the backing may be a fibrous paperboard or cardboard material and the blister portion may be adhered to the backing. In other cases, the backing may be a formable plastic like the blister portion, and the blister portion may be heat welded, glued or otherwise fixed to the backing.

[0003] In some cases, current blister packaging may be difficult to open, and/or opening the packaging may involve damage to the packaging either through complete removal of the backing or tearing of the plastic blister or backing or other cutting or breaking of the packaging. Once opened to permit initial access for a user who desires some, but not all, items, the damaged packaging may not serve very well as a container for items remaining in the packaging that are not being accessed right away. In fact, some or all of the items may escape from the packaging or lose a neatly packed configuration. Some known solutions to this problem include providing perforated portions of the backing, for example, perforations in the shape of an H. To retrieve items in the packaging, the tabs formed by these perforation may be folded open similar to doors, for example, and the items may be selectively removed. The doors may then be closed to attempt to retain the remaining items in the packaging. However, once flexed open, the doors may not stay closed very well. Further, the doors may not provide easy and efficient access to the contained items, or to several of the items, if the user desires to remove more than one.

[0004] What is needed is an improved package for multiple enclosed items that facilitates their selective removal and storage of items not removed.

Summary

[0005] In one embodiment, a package for containing a plurality of items and selectively dispensing said items may include a front blister with a volume for holding the plurality of items, at least one linear guide extending for at least a portion of the distance between a first end and an opposite second end, and a first peripheral edge. The package may include a package back with a second peripheral edge joined to the first peripheral edge and at least one linear guide extending for at least a portion of the distance between a first end and an opposite second end and oriented generally parallel to the linear guide of the front blister. The package may also include a dispenser sled enclosed by the joined front blister and package back. The sled may include at least one front glide surface for slidingly engaging the at least one linear guide of the front blister and at least one back glide surface for slidingly engaging the at least one linear guide of the package back. The sliding engagement may allow sled movement between a dispensing or delivery position and an item receiving or collecting position. The package may include a user handle on the sled for allowing the user to selectively slide the sled between the dispensing/delivery position and the item receiving/collecting position. The package may also include an item receiving station on the sled for receiving at least one item to be dispensed from the front blister, when the sled is in its item receiving position. The package may also include a dispenser opening in one of the front blister and the package back, and the dispenser opening may be positioned for alignment with the item receiving station when the sled is in its dispensing position.

[0006] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the package. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1Λ is a perspective view of a battery packaging device with a dispenser in a collecting position, according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. IB is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0010] FIG. 1C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. IB, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent;

[0011] FIGS. 2A-2C form a perspective, exploded view of an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C;

[0012] FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of a battery packaging device as in FIG. 1A with a dispenser in a collecting position and including a dispenser motion controller, according to another embodiment:

[0013] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0014] FIG. 3C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 3B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent and showing a dispenser motion controller;

[0015] FIGS. 4A-4C form a perspective exploded view of an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3C;

[0016] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a dry erase marker packaging device with a dispenser in a collecting position and including a dispenser motion controller, according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5A with the dispenser in a delivery position; [0018] FIG. 5C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 5B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent and showing a dispenser motion controller;

[0019] FIGS. 6A-6C show in an exploded, perspective view an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C;

[0020] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another marker packaging device with a dispenser in a collecting position and including a dispenser motion controller, according to one embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 7A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0022] FIG. 7C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 7B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent;

[0023] FIGS. 8A-8C show in perspective views an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C;

[0024] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a bulk candy packaging device with a dispenser in a collecting position and including a dispenser motion controller, according to one embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 9A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0026] FIG. 9C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 9B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent;

[0027] FIGS. l OA-l OC show in an exploded, perspective view an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C;

[0028] FIG. 1 1A is a perspective view of a battery packaging device similar to FIG. 3A, with a dispenser in a collecting position, including a dispenser motion controller, and having a rear dispense feature, according to one embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 1 I B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 1A with the dispenser in a delivery position:

[0030] FIG. l l C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 1 I B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent; [0031] FIGS. 12A-12C show in an exploded, perspective view an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 1 A-1 1 C;

[0032] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a battery packaging device similar to FIG. 3A, with a dispenser in a collecting position, including a dispenser motion controller, and having a user handle on a front side thereof, according to one embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 13A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0034] FIG. 13C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 13B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent;

[0035] FIGS. 14A-14C show in an exploded, perspective view an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13C;

[0036] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a bulk candy packaging device similar to FIG. 9A, with a dispenser in a collecting position, including a dispenser motion controller, and having a user handle on a front side thereof, according to one embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 15A with the dispenser in a delivery position;

[0038] FIG. 15C is a perspective underside view of the device of FIG. 15B, with the backing under the dispenser shown as transparent;

[0039] FIGS. 16A-16C show in an exploded, perspective view an enclosure, a dispenser, and a package back component, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 15A-15C;

Detailed Description

[0040] First Embodiment. The present application, in one embodiment, relates to a packaging device adapted to selectively dispense items contained therein. The packaging device may be a blister-type package having a blister portion for containing several items and a backing may be included to retain the items in the blister. The packaging device may also include a dispensing sled or dispenser that may slide along a top surface of the backing and reciprocate within the blister and below the items in the blister so that one portion of the sled moves into and out of a dispensing or delivery position. The dispensing sled may include a receiving station in the form of a slot, trough, or other recessed portion such that when the sled slides below the items in the blister to an item receiving or collecting position, an item may fall by gravity into the receiving station. The dispensing sled may then slide to transport the received item to a position outside the blister or to an access point of the blister where it may be retrieved by a user. The packaging may thus remain essentially intact after "opening" by a user, continuing to hold contained items, which may be selectively removed from the package. The packaging device may be adapted to contain, for example, batteries, markers, candy, ammunition, pencils, pens, crayons, lip balm, and other items often sold in multiples.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C and FIGS. 2A-2C, a first embodiment of a packaging device 100 is shown. The packaging device may include three basic components: an enclosure 102, a backing 106, and a dispenser 104. The packaging device 100 may be configured for containing one or more items and may allow for selectively dispensing the items and retaining the remaining unselected items. As detailed below in the discussion of the first and subsequent embodiments, the basic components of an enclosure 102, a backing 106, and a dispenser 104 may be varied to address somewhat different dispensing situations.

[0042] First embodiment - Enclosure. The enclosure 102 may be adapted to contain one or more items and may be further adapted for assembly with the dispenser 104 and the backing 106. As such, the enclosure 102 may be in the form of a blister that includes three integrated structures: a container portion 108 for containing items or products, a dispenser interface 110 for interfacing with a dispenser component 104, and a backing interface 1 12 for interfacing with the backing 106. Each of these portions will be discussed in turn. As seen in FIG. 2A, in the enclosure 102 the container portion 108 is like a top layer, with a dispenser interface 1 10 below it, and a backing interface 1 12 as the bottom layer.

[0043] With particular reference to FIG. 2A, the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102 may include a surrounding wall defining a cavity for holding items or products. In some embodiments, the container portion 108 may be adapted for containing a plurality of the same item and may be in the form of a cartridge, magazine, or other device for holding the contained item in a packed configuration, e.g., organized rows or ranks of items, and selectively dispensing one or more of the contained items. For example, a plurality of batteries, markers, ammunition, or other items or products may be closely packed and contained in the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. In some embodiments, to facilitate controlled holding or motion of the items or products within the container portion 108, the surrounding wall may include a pair of opposing side walls 109 spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to or slightly larger than the length of the product or item contained therein. The opposing side walls 109 may be substantially parallel to one another and may allow for sliding, rolling, or other guided motion of the items or products within the container portion 108. The pair of opposing side walls 109 may have a length between which several of the items or products may be consecutively placed transversely and side-by-side in a row, and the side walls 109 may have a height along which one or more rows of the items or products may be stacked or placed in a closely-packed configuration. The opposing side walls 109 may be connected by a top closure surface 1 1 1 and by two generally opposed end walls or surfaces 1 13. In some embodiments, the two end walls 1 13 may be sloped, thereby guiding items or products toward a receiving station 1 14 on a dispenser 104 to be described below. As shown, the container portion 108 may have a substantially open bottom side, opposite the top closure surface 1 1 1 . The items or products may be held in the container portion 108 by a dispenser 104 (to be described below) arranged along and covering the open side of the container portion 108. The dispenser 104 fits within dispenser interface 1 10, described next.

[0044] The dispenser interface 1 10 portion of the enclosure 1 10 may be arranged adjacent the container portion 108 and below (as seen in FIG. 2A) the open side of the container portion 108. The dispenser interface 1 10 may include a flange portion extending laterally and longitudinally from the container portion 108 and approximately in (as seen in Fig. 2A) the plane of the open side of the container portion 108. The flange portion of the dispenser interface 1 10 may include two longitudinal edges 1 15 extending substantially perpendicular to the side walls 109 of the container portion 108 and two transverse edges 1 17 extending substantially perpendicular to the end walls 1 13 of the container portion 108. The longitudinal edges 1 15 of the dispenser interface 1 10 may have a length longer than the container portion 1 08 and the dispenser 104 described below; the difference between the length of the longitudinal edges 1 15 and the length of the dispenser 104 may define a stroke distance 1 16 (see FIGs. 1 A-1 C). The two transverse edges 1 17 may have a length substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the container portion 108 and dispenser 104 described below. As shown in FIG. 2A. the flange portion of the dispenser interface 1 10 of the enclosure 102 may include an opening 118 extending through the flange portion at one end of the dispenser interface 1 10. The opening 1 18 may be formed by a cutout in the enclosure 102 and be positioned for alignment with the receiving station 1 14 on the dispenser 104 when the dispenser 104 is in a delivery position as shown in FIG. I B. The flange portion of the dispenser interface 1 10 may define at least one guide surface 121 adjacent the container portion 108, along which the dispenser 104 may travel, when moving between a collecting position and a dispensing position. The guide surface 121 may maintain the dispenser 104 outside and alongside the container portion 108 as it travels between a collecting position (FIG. 1A) and a delivery position (FIG. IB). As seen in FIG. 2A, the guide surface 121 , may comprise two guide surfaces 121 in spaced parallel relationship, extending beyond the length of the container portion 108. These guide surfaces may include a planar strip generally in the plane of the open side of the container portion 108 and an adjacent planar strip angled downwardly toward the backing 106. Other, more ribbed or rail like guide surface or other geometries that mate with and provide guiding to the dispenser 104 during its movement are also possible.

[0045] The dispenser interface 1 10 may include return walls (i.e., two generally opposed side walls 123a and two generally opposed end walls 123b) extending substantially orthogonally to its flange portion from the two longitudinal edges 1 15, 1 15 and the two transverse edges 1 17, 1 17 of its flange portion. The return walls 123 may have a length substantially equal to the respective longitudinal edgesl l 5, 1 15 and transverse edges 1 17, 1 17, and may have a height above a peripheral edge of the enclosure substantially equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of, the dispenser 104. The flange portions 1 15, 1 17 and the return walls 123a, 123b together may define a dispenser cavity within which the dispenser 104 may be disposed and within which the dispenser 104 may travel between a collecting position and a delivery position. Like the container portion 108, the dispenser interface 1 10 may have a substantially open side encircled by the return walls 123a, 123b. The two side return walls 123a may define lateral guides for the dispenser 104. That is, the two side return walls 123a may guide the longitudinal motion of the dispenser 104 and may maintain the dispenser 104 in alignment with the open side of the container portion 108. The two end return walls 123b may act as stops for the defining the extreme longitudinal positions of the dispenser 104. That is, when the dispenser 104 is in abutting relationship with one of the end return walls 123b, the dispenser 104 may be in a collecting position and when the dispenser 104 is in abutting relationship with the opposite end return wall 123b, the dispenser 104 may be in a delivery position.

[0046] As mentioned, the enclosure 102 may also include at its peripheral edge a backing interface 1 12. In the present embodiment, the backing interface 1 12 may include a backing flange extending from the return walls 123a, 123b and substantially in-plane with the open side of the dispenser interface 1 10. The backing flange 1 12 may extend around the full perimeter of the dispenser interface 1 10 and may be adapted for securing the enclosure to the backing 106. That is, the backing flange 1 12 may be glued, taped, heat-sealed or otherwise adhered, to the backing 106 to secure the enclosure 102 to the backing 106. In some embodiments, the perimeter edge of the flange may include a folded-over, hook portion along the two longitudinal edges of the enclosure (or the two transverse edges) for slidably receiving the edges of backing 106. Three edges of the flange may be hooked, where the third edge provides a stopping point for the backing 106 when the backing 106, captured in the hook portion, is slid along the bottom side of the enclosure 102. Other engagement features or techniques may be used for securing the enclosure 102 to the backing 106.

[0047] First embodiment - Dispenser. Turning now to the dispenser 104, reference is made to FIG. 2B. The dispenser 104 may be adapted for translating or sliding within the dispenser cavity of the enclosure 102 between a collecting position and a deliver}' position. The dispenser 104 may be in the form of a sled, for example, and may include a guidable body 122 and an item receiving station 114. The dispenser 104 may also include a handle 120 for a user to control the motion of the dispenser 104 and cause the dispenser 104 to travel between the collecting position and the delivery position.

[0048] The guidable body 122 of the dispenser may include a guide plate having a support surface 125 for the items or products in the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. The guide plate may have a transverse dimension at least slightly larger than the open side of the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. In some embodiments, the transverse dimension of the guide plate may be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the extent of the flange portion 1 15 of the dispenser interface 1 10 of the enclosure 102. The longitudinal dimension of the guide plate may be substantially equal to the length of the open side of the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102 plus the longitudinal length of one of the ends of the flange portion 1 1 7 of the dispenser interface 1 10 of the enclosure 102. The support surface 125 of the guide plate may be substantially flat and adapted to slidingly engage a guide surface 121 of the flange portion 1 15; in particular, the dispenser 104 may have a first glide surface for slidingly engaging at least one guide surface of the enclosure 102 (e.g., a container blister) and at least a second glide surface for slidingly engaging a guide surface on the backing 106. in addition the support surface 125 of the guide plate may slidingly or rollingly engage the items or products contained in the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. The support surface 125 may include one or more grooves or ribs 124 extending longitudinally the guidable body 122 for stiffening the guide plate and resisting deflection of the support surface 125 away from the open side of the container 108 under loads from the products or items contained therein. This stiffness of the dispenser aids the entire package to retain its shape, notwithstanding the somewhat flexible surfaces of the enclosure 102 and the flexible sheet material from which the package back (described below) is made. That is, the dispenser can serve as a skeleton for the other parts of the package, when it carries the weight of the enclosed items without deflection. Thus, the ribs are preferably sized (based on depth and sheet material qualities) to produce a support surface capable of supporting all enclosed items when the package is fully loaded and the weight of the enclosed items is resting on the support surface, including additional forces on the support surface resulting from package handling. Other stiffening structures may be thermoformed, such as criss-crossing or beehive cell structures.

[0049] The guidable body 122 may include two side walls and two end walls extending downward (as seen in FIG. 2b) from the guide surface 121 of the flange portion 1 1 . The side walls and end walls of body 122 may extend to a free edge defining a perimeter bottom edge of the guidable body 122. The perimeter bottom edge may be a free edge or it may include a slight outward or inward extending flange or flare for slidingly engaging the backing 106. The two side walls and end walls of guide body 122 may have a height and may define a thickness of the guidable body 122. The thickness of the guide body 122 may be selected based on the item or product being stored in the device 100. That is, the thickness of the guide body 122 may be selected to be substantially equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of one of the items or products being contained. For example, where the device 100 is adapted for containing batteries, the thickness of guidable body 122 of the dispenser 104 may be substantially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of one of the batteries. [0050] The item receiving station 1 14 may include a recess extending into the guidable body 122 through the guide plate. The recess may have a length, extending in a transverse direction of the dispenser 104, substantially equal to or slightly larger than the item or product being contained. Similarly, the recess may have a width, extending in a longitudinal direction of the dispenser 104, substantially equal to or slightly larger than a single item or product being contained. Similarly, the recess may have a depth, extending into the guidable body 122 substantially equal to or slightly larger than the item or product being contained. The item receiving station 1 14 may be positioned near or adjacent to an end of the guidable body 122.

[0051] In one embodiment, the item receiving station 114 has a size and shape that permits it to receive only a single item. In one embodiment, where the items contained tend to be used in pairs or triples, etc., the item receiving station may have a shape that permits it to receive a defined number of items, such as a pair or a triple, four, five, etc. of the contained items. This might be done in the case of batteries by having a set of guide recesses, such as parallel half-cylinder grooves that cause each collected and to be dispensed item to fall into and rest only in one of a numbered set of item positions. The item positions could be circular or square recesses with walls or guide ramps to help falling items find a desired rest position. Thus, the receiving station can provide a metered dispensing function, when counting of the number of items dispensed is important and may not be easy to achieve, e.g., the user does not count well or a larger number of items, such as 10 or a dozen, may need to be dispensed at once. It is desirable that the stroke length afforded by the components allows all of the numbered set of items be loaded into their positions in one reciprocal motion cycle of the dispenser.

[0052] The handle 120 of the dispenser 104 may, like the receiving station 1 14, be formed as a recess extending into the guidable body 122 through the guide plate. As shown in FIG. 1 C, the recessed portion of the guidable body 122 may form a handle 120 when viewed from the underside of the device 100. The handle 120 may include gripping ribs on its surface for assisting with gripping the handle 120. The recess forming the handle 120 may have a length extending across the guidable body 122 ranging from ¼ to ¾ of the width of the guidable body 122 or from 1/3 to ½ of the width, or approximately 1/3 of the width of the guidable body 122. Other lengths of the handle 120 may also be provided. The handle 120 may also have a width extending along the guidable body 122 of approximately 1/8" to approximately 1" or from approximately 3/16" to approximately ½" or approximately ¼". (Dimensions will be dependent on the size of the contained item and are exemplary only for a common battery size.) Other handle widths/thicknesses may also be provided and may be selected for suitably being grasped by the thumb and forefinger of a user, for example. The handle 120 may be positioned at any point along the length of the guidable body 122 and in some embodiments, may be positioned at about the 1 /3 point or 2/3 point along the length of the guidable body 122. In other embodiments, the handle 120 may be positioned near the midpoint of the guidable body 122 or at an end of the guidable body 122. In still other embodiments, the handle 120 may be omitted and the bottom side of the receiving station 1 14 or any bottom side feature that may be engaged by a user finger or inserted item, such as a pencil, may be used as the handle 120.

[0053] First embodiment - Backing. Referring now to FIG. 2C, the backing 106 may be described. As shown, the backing 106 may be configured for placing the dispenser 104 and the enclosure 102 thereon and for supporting each of these elements and maintaining each of these elements in their respective relative positions during use. The backing 106 may be a substantially rectangular flat element having plan dimensions substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer perimeter of the backing flange 1 12 of the enclosure 102. In some embodiments, the backing 106 may have a slightly larger longitudinal dimension such that a portion of the backing 106 extends longitudinally beyond the end of the enclosure 102 at one end. The backing 106 has at least one guide surface extending for at least a portion of the distance between a first end and an opposite second end of the backing. This guide surface of the backing is oriented generally parallel to the at least one the guide surface of the enclosure 102, so that the dispenser is provided at least one pair or general ly opposed guide surfaces to both facilitate and guide dispenser travel. In general, it is desired that the package have a first means for guiding motion in the container blister and a second means for guiding motion on the package back, with each means having linear surfaces having parallel longitudinal axes that correspond to the direction of motion of the dispenser or sled.

[0054] The extended portion of the backing 106 may include an opening as shown in FIGs. 1A-1 C, for hanging the packaging device 100 on a hanger rod for displaying the packaging device 100 and its contents for sale, for example. The opening may be substantially elongate with an ear portion for centering the packaging device on a cylindrically shaped hanger rod, for example.

[0055] The backing 106 may also include an access portal 107 for accessing the handle 120 of the dispenser. The access portal 107 may include a perforated portion of the backing surface as shown. The location of the access portal 107 may be selected to coincide with the several positions of the handle 120. The access portal 107 may have a length substantially equal to or slightly longer than the stroke length 1 16 of the dispenser 104. As such, the access portal 107 may accommodate access to the handle 120 of the dispenser 104 when the dispenser 104 is in the collecting position and the delivery position and when the dispenser 1 04 is traveling between these positions. The access portal 107 may also include a width substantially equal to or slightly larger than the width of the handle 120 such that the full width of the handle 120 may be grasped by placing fingers through the portal to grasp the handle 120. In some embodiments, the access portal 107 may have a length equal the stroke length 1 16 of the dispenser 104 plus the thickness of a user's finger at each end. For example, the length of the access portal may be approximately the stroke length 1 16 plus 1" at each end of plus ¾" at each end, or plus ½" at each end. Other access portal lengths may be provided.

[0056] The perforated portion of the access portal 107 may be provided with a pull tab at one end for a user to grasp and pull the perforated portion free from the backing 106 thereby creating the access portal. As shown, the pull tab may include tear-drop shaped portion substantially surrounded on three sides by an opening allowing the pull tab to be accessed. A pair of diverging perforations may extend from the pull tab leading to longitudinally extending perforations, which lead to a crossing perforation at the opposite end. As such, the perforated portion may be removed by the user by grasping the pull tab and tearing the perforated portion free from the backing 106, revealing the handle 120 of the dispenser.

[0057] First embodiment - Materials. The enclosure 102, often called a blister, may be a clear plastic material, such as a film or sheet, and may be stamped, thermoformed, molded, or otherwise formed or made, to have a product-enclosing volume. Enclosure 102 also may be opaque and made from formed fibers, other paper or paperboard-like material, or metal or other materials available as a sheet or film that may be formed to hold a shape. The dispenser 104 may likewise be a stamped, thermoformed, molded or otherwise formed element using any of the same materials as the enclosure and may also be clear or opaque. The backing 106 may be a plastic material, a fibrous material such as paperboard, cardboard, formed fiber or card stock, for example, or other materials available as a sheet may be used. Still other materials and methods of forming the several parts of the packaging device 100 as depicted may be used.

[0058] In one embodiment, the enclosure is a thermoformed plastic blister and the dispenser is also thermoformed plastic. Typical plastic sheet material used to thermoform these items may be in the thickness range of 0.005 to 0.080 inches or about 0.0127 to 0.2032 mm or about 0.0125 to 0.205 mm.

[0059] First embodiment - Use. In use, the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102 of the packaging device 100 may be filled with a plurality of items, such as batteries, for example. These may be placed side by side in rows, with one or more rows resting one on top of the other. It may be easiest to fill the container portion 108 and form closely packed rows with the enclosure 102 positioned with the open side up. The dispenser 104 may be placed in the dispenser cavity of the enclosure 102 with the support surface 125 of the dispenser 104 adjacent the rows of batteries, closing off the open side of the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. The backing 106 may then be placed against and secured to the backing flange 1 12 of the enclosure 102, thereby securing the dispenser 104 within the enclosure 102 and holding the items or contents within the container portion 108. That is, the peripheral edge of the enclosure 102 is joined to the peripheral edge of the backing 106.

[0060] After the product is purchased or when access to the contents of the packaging device 100 are otherwise desired, the access portal 107 may be created by grasping the pull tab on the perforated portion and tearing the perforated portion free from the backing 106. The handle 120 on the dispenser 104 may be grasped by extending a user's fingers through the access portal 107. The dispenser 104 may then be manipulated to slide between a collecting position and a delivery position. For example, the handle 120 may be used to slide the dispenser 104 along the dispensing cavity such that the receiving station 1 14 of the dispenser 104 is adjacent the open side of the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. In this position, the receiving station 1 14 may be said to be in a collecting position where the receiving station 1 14 may collect an item from the container portion 108. When the packaging device 100 is oriented with the container portion 108 above the dispenser 104 and the receiving station 1 14 is in a collecting position, an item from the container portion 108 may fall by gravity into the receiving station 1 14. As described, the receiving station 1 14 may have a width and length and depth approximating the size of the item and, as such, only one of the items may fall into the receiving station 1 14. It is noted that other receiving station sizes may be provided such that multiples of the items in the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102 may be positioned in the receiving station 1 14 at any given time (e.g., a pair of batteries). In still other embodiments, multiple single item receiving stations 1 14 may be provided. The dispenser 104 may be transitioned from a collecting position to a delivery position by a user grasping the handle 120 and translating the dispenser 104 through a portion of the dispenser cavity to the delivery position. In this position, the receiving station 1 14 may be moved from a position adjacent the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102 to a position adjacent the opening in the flange portion of the enclosure 102. A user may grasp the dispensed item by placing fingers through the opening in the flange portion and picking the item out of the receiving station 1 14 of the dispenser 102. Alternatively, the user may invert the device 100 allowing the item to fall out of the station 114 and into the user's hand, for example. Additional items may be removed from the packaging device 100 by repeating this process. In other embodiments, items may be placed back into the packaging device 100 by reversing this process and inverting the packaging device 100 when the receiving station 1 14 with an item therein is positioned adjacent the container portion 108 of the enclosure 102. In one embodiment, designed to encourage recycling, a portion of the enclosure or the dispenser may be formed with a separating partition, to form a recycling compartment, into which a user may insert spent batteries in a closely packed or a loose format. The recycling compartment may be in the enclosure and accessed by an opening manufactured into the enclosure or openable by the user. The recycling compartment also may be in a cavity in the bottom of the dispenser 104 (see FIG. 1 C), accessed by a perforated portion similar to the handle access portal, or perhaps by that same access portal.

[0061] Second Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, a packaging device 200 substantially similar to that shown in FIG. l A-1 and 2A-2C is shown and further includes a dispenser motion controller 226. The motion controller 226 stabilizes dispenser motion until the package 200 has been opened. That is, prior to accessing the access portal 207 by removing the perforated portion, the dispenser 204 may be secured in a position by a protruding tab, for example. As shown, the protruding tab may extend from the bottom of the handle 220 and a corresponding opening through the perforated portion of the backing 206 may be provided for receiving the protruding tab, when the package is filled and assembled. Accordingly, while the perforated portion of the access portion is in place in the backing 206 the protruding tab secures the dispenser 204 from moving longitudinally along the dispenser cavity. In some embodiments, the opening through the perforated portion of the access portal may be located such that the dispenser 204 is secured in a delivery position and the open side of the container portion 208 of the enclosure 202 is fully closed off by the bearing surface of the dispenser 204. Once the perforated portion is removed, the dispenser 204 may be translated to a collecting position to begin receiving items from the container portion 208 and delivering them via translation back to the delivery position to the user. As seen in FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C, the structure of enclosure 202, dispenser 204 and backing is otherwise similar to FIGS. 1A-] C and 2A-2C.

[0062] Third Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C and 6a-6C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the packaging device 300 may be substantially similar to the packaging device 200 of FIGS. 3A-4C. However, the packaging device 300 shown here may be adapted for use with one or more markers , for example, or lip balm tubes or other similar items, rather than batteries. In one embodiment, the packaging device 300 may be adapted for dry-erase markers, for example. The overall width of the packaging device 300 may be adjusted to accommodate the relatively longer marker. As shown, the container portion 308 may be sized to hold a single row of markers. In other embodiments, multiple rows of markers may be accommodated. As shown in FIG. 6B, the guide plate may include four ribs 324 extending along the length of the dispenser 304 to stiffen the broader support surface of the dispenser 304. Other numbers, sizes, and orientations of ribs may also be provided.

[0063] Fourth Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C and 8A-8C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the packaging device 400 may be substantially similar to the packaging devices 200, 300 of FIGS. 3A-4C and FJGS. 5A-6C. However, the packaging device 400 shown here may be adapted for use with one more capped pens, mascara dispensers or similar cylindrical items (i.e., as opposed to batteries) and of a different shape than the markers in FIGS. 5A-6C. In one embodiment, the packaging device 400 may be adapted for Sharpie® markers, for example.

F00641 Fifth Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C and l OA-l OC, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the packaging device 500 may be substantially similar to the packaging devices 200, 300, 400, of FIGS. 3A-3C, 4a-4C, FIGS. 5A-5C, 6A-6C, and FIGS. 7A-7C, 8A-8C. However, the packaging device 500 shown here may be adapted for use with items that are random in orientation, instead of in organized rows or lines; for example the items may be candy pieces, wrapped or unwrapped such as Sweetarts®, M&M's®, TicTacs®, Skittles®, and the like. In one embodiment, the packaging device 500 may be adapted for Nerds® candy, for example. Other candies or otherwise free flowing items such as, pellets, BB's, sunflower seeds, nuts, grains, or other items may also be provided. Here the receiving station may be sized to deliver a small group of items, dispensed in one motion of the dispenser.

[0065] Sixth Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 1 1A-1 1C and 12A-12C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the packaging device 600 may be substantially similar to the packaging device 200 of FTGS. 3A-3C, 4A-4C. However, as shown, the opening in the flange portion of the enclosure 602 may be omitted and a rear access panel may instead be provided in the backing 606 that aligns with the receiving station 614 when the dispenser 604 is in a delivery position. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the receiving station 614 may have an opening extending through the bottom of the station 614. As such, when the dispenser 604 is in a collecting position, an item from the container portion 608 may fall by gravity into the receiving station 614 as with the previous embodiments. However, the backing 606 may function in this condition to hold the item from passing all the way through the receiving station 614 because of the opening in the bottom of the receiving station 614. The dispenser 604 may be translated to the delivery position where the corresponding perforated portion of the backing 606 may be removed allowing the item to fall through the backing 606 and into a user's hand, for example. While not shown, the rear access panel may include a pull tab similar to the handle access portal, for example. The backing 606 in this embodiment may also include the access portal and the removable portion that has a dispenser motion controller 626.

[0066] Seventh Embodiment. Turning now to FIGS. 13A-13C and 14A-14C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the handle 720 on the dispenser 704 is arranged on a front side of the dispenser 704. That is, rather than being formed as a recess in the guide plate of the dispenser 704, the handle 720 may be a raised portion thereof, as shown. In the embodiment shown, the handle 720 is arranged between an end of the dispenser 704 and the receiving station 714. As shown in FIG. 14A, the opening in the flange portion of the enclosure 702 may be substantially T-shaped to allow the handle 720 of the dispenser 704 to travel across the receiving station portion of the opening and beyond the receiving station portion of the opening. That is, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the handle 720 may be within the receiving station portion of the opening when the dispenser 704 is in the collecting position and when the dispenser 704 is translated to the delivery position of FIG. 13B, the handle 720 may travel across the receiving station portion of the opening and into the stem portion of the T-shaped opening allowing the receiving station 714 to come into alignment with the receiving station portion of the opening. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the motion controller 726 on the underside of the packaging device 700 may be located on the underside of the receiving station 714 rather than on the handle 720 and may prevent the dispenser 704 from moving until the perforated portion of the access panel is torn free from the backing 706.

[0067] Eighth Embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15C and 16A-16C, another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the packaging device 800 may be substantially similar to the packaging device 700 of FIGS. 13A-13C, 14A-14C; that is, the handle 820 is on the same side of the package as the dispenser opening to the receiving station 814. However, the packaging device 800 shown here may be adapted for use with candy or other relatively free flowing items similar or the same as the items listed with respect to FTGS. 9A-9C, 10A-10B.

[0068] It is noted that, while particular embodiments have been described, several modifications to the embodiments may be provided while still being within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, the dispenser may fit within the dispensing cavity relatively loosely and the access portal and handle may be omitted. In this embodiment, for example, the dispenser may be translated between a collecting position and a delivery position by tipping the packaging device to cause the dispenser to travel from one position to the other. In some embodiments, this tipping may include inverting the packaging device to remove pressure from the dispenser due to the contained items and reduce the friction between the dispenser and the backing. [0069] In addition, while the motion controller has been shown as a protruding tab extending from the handle or the bottom side of the receiving station that is captured in an opening in the portion of the backing that is removed to form the access portal, the motion controller may take several other forms. For example, a pair of ribs, may be formed on the surface of the perforated portion of the access panel of the backing on either side of the handle. The ribs may prevent the handle from translating along the length of the device until the perforated portion is removed thereby removing the ribs. In still other embodiments, the ribs may be upwardly projecting flaps. That is, for example, the flaps may be cut from the backing and folded upward to abut opposing sides of the handle and prevent the handle from moving. Removal of the perforated portion of the backing may also remove the flaps and allow the handle to translate. Alternatively, a handle (such as handle 220) may have a recess that receives a protruding element of the backing 206, that is removed from the recess when it is desired to release the handle 220 for movement.

[0070] In still other embodiments, the backing flange(s) of the enclosure 102 may be directed inward from the outer walls rather than outward, The inward directed backing flange(s) may be sufficiently strong for purposes of holding the edges of the dispenser to retain the dispenser in the dispenser cavity, and providing the surfaces against which the bottom edge of the dispenser slides; then the backing may be omitted. In such an embodiment, the item receiving station and the handle may preferably be placed on the side of the package where the enclosure is placed, per FIGs. 13A-13C and 15A-15C. In these embodiments, for example, the motion controller may include one or more pieces of removable tape, for example, that wrap around the underside of the enclosure to engage the dispenser out of a delivery position until release. The tape may be removed to allow the dispenser to translate. In still other embodiments, the motion controller may be a piece of filler such as cardboard, plastic, foam, styrofoam, or other material that may be placed in the dispenser cavity with the dispenser to prevent motion of the dispenser until removed. The filler may be held in place with tape or adhesive, for example.

[0071] In still other embodiments, the motion controller may, for example, include a plug that engages the receiving station of the dispenser and extends outward through the enclosure to prevent translating of the dispenser. The plug may, for example, be force fit into the receiving station or be taped in place, for example. [0072] It is further noted that while a linearly reciprocating, sliding sled type dispenser has been shown, other types of dispensers may be provided. For example, a rotating turntable type dispenser (a full or a partial circle) may be provided or a rotating barrel type dispenser may be provided, operating with essentially the same principles of moving between a collecting position, where at least one contained item is picked into an item receiving station, and delivery position, where the item becomes accessible to the user.

[0073] In still other embodiments, the enclosure may not fully enclose the dispenser. For example, rather than having an opening in the flange portion of the enclosure, the dispenser may, instead, be allowed to travel outward through an end of the enclosure. A stop may be provided on the backing to prevent over-travel of the dispenser and the receiving station may extend out of the end of the enclosure for delivery of the items.

[0074] In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Other modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.