Dispensing structure and dispensing assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023264509-A1
Application number	US-202118017540-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 27, 2021
Priority date	Jul 29, 2020
Publication date	Aug 24, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A dispensing structure (102) includes a housing member (112) defining a hollow space adapted to receive a stack (104). The housing member includes a first retention member (132) and a second retention member (140). The first retention member includes a first plate and a second plate longitudinally spaced apart from the first plate such that a slot (138) is defined therebetween. The second retention member defines an aperture (141) therethrough. The housing member is adapted to rotate relative to a base member (154). The base member includes a first portion (156) slidably received through the aperture of the second retention member, and a second portion (168). The second retention member is adapted to move towards the second portion based on removal of at least one of notes and flags from the stack.

First claim

1 . A dispensing structure adapted to be removably coupled with a support structure, the dispensing structure comprising:
a housing member defining a hollow space adapted to receive a stack of a plurality of at least one of notes and flags removably adhered to each other, the housing member including:
a first retention member including a first plate and a second plate longitudinally spaced apart from the first plate such that a slot is defined therebetween, wherein at least one of the notes and the flags of the stack is adapted to pass through the slot, and wherein the first plate and the second plate resiliently engage with the stack; and
a second retention member defining an aperture therethrough, the second retention member being laterally spaced apart from the first retention member to define the hollow space therebetween; and
a base member adapted to be coupled to the housing member, wherein the housing member is adapted to rotate relative to the base member, the base member including:
a first portion slidably received at least partially through the aperture of the second retention member, the first portion defining a first end proximate the stack and a second end distal to the stack; and
a second portion disposed on the support structure and coupled to the first portion proximate the second end of the first portion, wherein the second retention member is adapted to move towards the second portion based on removal of at least one of the notes and the flags from the stack.

2 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the housing member includes at least one side opening in communication with the hollow space for receiving the stack therethrough.

3 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the housing member includes a pair of side members adapted to connect the first retention member with the second retention member.

4 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the base member is adapted to contact the stack proximate the first end of the first portion, such that the stack is at least partially disposed between the first portion and the first retention member.

5 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a plurality of tabs disposed proximate the first end of the first portion.

6 . The dispensing structure of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of tabs engage with the second retention member when the stack is disposed within the hollow space, and wherein the plurality of tabs disengage from the second retention member upon movement of the second retention member towards the second portion of the base member.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is cylindrical in shape, the second portion is circular in shape, or both.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The dispensing structure of claim 1 , wherein the second portion defines a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being adapted to face the second retention member when the base member is coupled to the housing member.

11 . The dispensing structure of claim 10 further comprising an adhesive member disposed on the second surface of the second portion, the adhesive member being adapted to removably couple the base member with the support structure, wherein the adhesive member optionally includes at least one reusable adhesive tape.

12 . (canceled)

13 . A dispensing assembly comprising:
a dispensing structure adapted to be removably coupled with a support structure, the dispensing structure comprising:
a housing member defining a hollow space, the housing member including:
a first retention member including a first plate and a second plate longitudinally spaced apart from the first plate such that a slot is defined therebetween, and wherein the first plate and the second plate resiliently engage with the stack; and
a second retention member defining an aperture therethrough, the second retention member being laterally spaced apart from the first retention member to define the hollow space and at least one side opening therebetween, wherein the at least one side opening is in communication with the hollow space; and

a base member adapted to be coupled to the housing member, the base member including:
a first portion slidably received at least partially through the aperture of the second retention member, the first portion defining a first end proximate the stack and a second end distal to the stack; and
a second portion disposed on the support structure and coupled to the first portion proximate the second end of the first portion; and

a stack of a plurality of at least one of notes and flags removably adhered to each other, wherein the stack is adapted to be received within the hollow space defined between the first retention member and the second retention member through the at least one side opening.

14 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the notes and the flags of the stack is adapted to pass through the slot defined between the first plate and the second plate.

15 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the housing member includes a pair of side members adapted to connect the first retention member with the second retention member.

16 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the housing member is adapted to rotate relative to the base member.

17 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second retention member is adapted to move towards the second portion of the base member based on removal of at least one of the notes and the flags from the stack.

18 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the base member is adapted to contact the stack proximate the first end of the first portion, such that the stack is at least partially disposed between the first portion and the first retention member.

19 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first portion includes a plurality of tabs disposed proximate the first end of the first portion.

20 . The dispensing assembly of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of tabs engage with the second retention member when the stack is disposed within the hollow space, and wherein the plurality of tabs disengage from the second retention member upon movement of the second retention member towards the second portion of the base member.

21 . (canceled)

22 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first portion is cylindrical in shape, the second portion is circular in shape, or both.

23 . (canceled)

24 . The dispensing assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second portion defines a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being adapted to face the second retention member when the base member is coupled to the housing member.

25 . The dispensing assembly of claim 24 further comprising an adhesive member disposed on the second surface of the second portion, the adhesive member being adapted to removably couple the base member with the support structure, wherein the adhesive member optionally includes at least one reusable adhesive tape.

26 . (canceled)

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Company

Inventors

• Lee In-Hwan

Classifications

• B42D5/005 Primary

  Supports for note-pads (B42F9/00 takes precedence; underlays B43L3/00) · CPC title

• G09F3/10

  by an adhesive layer · CPC title

• G09F2003/0241

  Repositionable or pressure sensitive adhesive · CPC title

• G09F3/0286

  provided with adaptations for labelling machines · CPC title