US2325214A - Carton cup dispenser - Google Patents

Description

3 w. E. AMBERG 2,3232% CARTON CUP DISPENSER Filed Sept. 29, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

luiy 27, 1943. w, E AMBERG I 2,325,214

CARTON CUP DISPENSER Filed Sept. 29, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T r 1 55 1 :1; I H ,5 26px 1 1 ii a i 1 i H 15 F ZNVENT OR.

July 27, 1943. w. E. AMBERG CARTON CUP DISPENSER Filed Sept. 29.1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 F@ INVENTOR.

Waiier d a? Patented July 27, 1943 CARTON our, DISPENSER Walter E. Amberg, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Universal Paper Products Company, Chicago, 111. a corporation of Illinois Application September 29,1939, Serial No. 297,142

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved type of container for a stack of nested receptacles characterized by the fact that the receptacles can readily be removed from the container one at a time. The invention is particularly concerned with the provision of a new and improved type'of carton shipping container for a stack of nested paper cups, for example, cone-shaped paper cups,

this container being adapted to permit the cups to be dispensed from one end thereof individually.

Up to the present time it has been customary generally to ship paper cups nested in the form of a stack in an ordinary type of cardboard shippin cardon. When the cups are to be used the user removes the stack of cups from the shipping container and places them in a metal dispenser. This necessarily requires that the user be supplied with such a dispenser which is often inconvenient and expensive, particularly where the user does not use large quantities of the cups. In some cases, moreover, a particular type of metal dispenser will only dispense a particular type of cup. This means that once a consumer is supplied with such a dispenser he is necessarily bound to buy the type of cup which will be dispensed by that dispenser.

It has been recognized that from the consumers point of view it would be desirable to have the shipping container act as a dispenser for the cups so that they can be withdrawn one at a time. A number of dispensers of this type have heretofore been suggested. For example, in one such dispenser a removable area is provided at the bottom of the carton and the region around this area is so arranged that it lends a more or less yielding support to a stack of cups. In this type of dispensing carton, however, there is no substantial certainty that the cups can be removed one at time. Furthermore, the cartons used as shipping containers are ordinarily made of flexible cardboard and have very little resistance againstwear. These cartons may be satisfactory in some instances where they do not contain very many cups, but as a general rule they leave much to be desired in dispensing a substantial number of cups, say, one hundred or more. Since paper cups are ordinarily stacked or nested very close to each other, the problem of properly dispensing them from a cardboard carton is a dimcult one. Naturally it might be possible to solve this problem by the provision of a relatively expensive type of carton, but this is obviously undesirable because it adds to the cost of the cups. Attempts to provide a relatively simple and relatively inexpensive form of carton cup dispenser have not been very successful.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved type of carton cup dispenser which is simple in structure and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. A feature of this invention .which contributes to the accomplishment of this object is the provision of a container for a stack of nested receptacles'such as paper cups, having in combination therewith a removable insert portion which insures that the cups will be dispensed one at a time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved carton cup dispenser of the type referred to in which the cup dispensing insert will be locked in positionwithinthe'carton and will not tend to become dislodged during shipment; This object is accomplished in accordance with this invention by the provision of looking means associated with the carton and with the cup dispensing insert in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a carton of the type described which is relatively simple in form-and can be manufactured on carton manufacturing machines without radical changes to the machines. To the accomplishment of this object a carton is provided with a closing flap at one end which is a continuation of one of the side walls of the carton, said closing fiap' having an end wing and two lateral wings thereon with a tongue on each lateral wing and a removable area in the flap which can be removed by the user thereby converting the carton to a dispenser.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an insert of the aforesaid type constructed.

in a simple manner and convertible from a flat form to a substantially non-collapsible form, and vice versa. To attain this object in accordance with this invention, an insert is provided with portions that are adapted to be pressed inwardly,

thereby forming projections on the interior of 1 the insert and recesses-in the exterior thereof.

'I 'hese projections are suitably arranged so as tosupport a stack of'cups within the carton when the removable area in .the end of the carton has been removed and to permit the cups to be dis pensed from the bottom of the stack one at a time. A preferred form of this arrangement comprises. an insert of polygonal cross section with perforated and cut portions at the corners thereof that can be pressed in to form the cup dispensing projections and which when thus pressed in maintain the shape of the insert.

A preferred embodiment of the invention which contributes to the successful operation of a carton cup dispenser of the type described lies in the provision of a dispensing arrangement in which each cup as it is removed from the bottom of the stack is istorted first on one side only and then on the other side only, as contrasted with those types of metal dispensers now in use where the cup passes through two zones of fingers one above the other in such relationship that distortion "is caused throughout the mouth of the cup in each dispensing zone. Dispensers of the latter type sometimes dispense more than one cup at a time.

The arrangement of the dispensing opening in the present type of dispenser in order to cause the cup to-be distorted first on one side and then on the other and thereby assure that only one cup at a time will be dispensed is accomplished by arranging the pressed-in portions or projections of the insert or of the dispensing area so that there are several sets of projections at different levels but not above or below each other. The upper set of projections preferably slopes downwardly and inwardly and supports the stack of cups. The other set of projections is so placed at another level that the area which is distorted by the first set of projections may spring back into shape while almost simultaneously another portion of the cup is being distorted by the second set of projections. This method of dispensing the cups effectively separates the lowermost cup from the next succeeding cup in the stack, a separation which is made more positive by the fact that the cup which is being withdrawn from the carton is not only distorted successively in different portions thereof, but tendsto pursue a side-to-side course.

A particular feature of the invention resides in the simplicity of the structure by means of which the insert portion or dispensing means is locked into position within the carton. This may be accomplished by providing tongues on the closing flap of the carton which pass through the recesses formed by the pressed-in portions on the exterior of the insert.

The invention has several features which are general to the combination between the insert and dispensing means and the carton, but it will be understood that the structure of the carton and the structure of the insert each also comprises a part of the invention. Thus, the invention provides a container for a stack of nested receptacles comprising a carton, an end closure for said carton, removable dispensing means in said carton and means associated with said end closure for locking said dispensing means in position. The invention also provides a novel type of dispensing means for insertion within a carton regardless of whether it is locked in position. Additionally, the invention provides a simple form of carton which is adapted to receive and hold in place a suitable type of insert or dispensing means. It will also be understood that the blanks from which the carton and dispensing insert are made constitute a part of the invention. Y

The specific type of shipping container described herein to illustrate the invention comprises a cardboard container for a stack of nested paper receptacles, for example, nested paper cups including a cardboard carton of substantially square cross section provided with closing flaps at the upper and lower ends thereof, the closing fiap at the lower end being a continuation of one of the side walls of said carton, an end wing and two lateral wings on said closing flap, a tongue on each lateral wing partially severed therefrom and adjacent the end wing, a cut away portion in each lower edge of the carton adjacent the side bearing the closing flap and a regular octagonally shaped readily removable perforated area in said flap, four sides of which correspond with edges of the. carton, in combination with a removable insert in said end of said carton fitting relatively closely to the side walls thereof but of slightly greater cross section at the lower end than at the upper end, thereby insuring a snug fit, rectangularly shaped portions pressed inwardly from the corners of said insert forming projections in the interior thereof appropriate for dispensing a receptacle therebetween and recesses in the exterior thereof, two of said pressed-in portions being of the same height in adjacent corners at the lower end of the insert and the other two being at a. higher level beginning approximately opposite the top of the lower two pressed-in portions, said upper two pressed-in portions sloping downwardly and inwardly, said insert being positioned in said carton with the wings of said end flap between the insert and the interior of the carton and with said tongues of said wings projecting through the lowermost recesses in the corners of said insert in such a way as to lock it in place.

The invention will be further understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a blank for making a carton of the character described;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an insert portion which can be placed within a carton formed from the blank of Figure l to assist in dispensing paper cups and similar articles;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the exterior of an assembled cup dispensing carton provided in accordance with this invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the carton shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carton of Figure 3 taken at a point above the lowermost Figure 6 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the carton taken through the line 66 of Fig- .ure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 11 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the carton cup dispenser illustrating the manner in which the cups are dispensed taken along line 88 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is another cross-sectional view taken lengthwise and diagonally along line 9-9 of Figure 5, illustrating the manner in which the cups are dispensed;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the insert portionof Figure 2 in knocked down or flat form;

Figure 11 shows a bottom view of the structure shown in Figure 10.

Referring to Figure l, the blank for forming the carton comprises areas A, B, C and D which are defined by parallel fold lines, as shown, and an area E which is adapted to overlap or to be overlapped by area A and adhesively joined thereto. At one end of the carton are wings F, G, H, I and J which form continuations of the sides of the carton and produce an end closure for the upper end of the carton. Wings G and H are provided with tongues that are adapted to engage a slit or slot in wing J when the carton isclosed at its upper end. Other types of carton closures may be employed.

A particular feature of the invention is to be found in the structure of the end flap K which forms a continuation of side B. The end flap K is provided with lateral wings L and M and an end wing N. In the central portion of end flap K is a removable area and on the lateral wings L and M are tongues P and Q, respectively.

The bottom of the carton is .closed by turning the wings L, M and N inwardly so that they lie adjacent the side walls A, C and D, respectively. To facilitate the closure of the end of the carton by means of the end flap K cut away portions 2 and 4 may beoptionally provided.

As shown in Figure 2 the insert which assists in dispensing cups when the shipping container.

is converted to a dispenser comprises pressed-in portions R, S, T and U. when the carton is assembled the insert in Figure 2 is inserted into the lower end of the carton adjacent the closing fla K in such a way that when the end flap is placed in position the tongues P and Q on lateral wings L and M, respectively, will pass through the recesses of pressed-in portions R and S. shown in Figure 2. In this way the insert is locked in place. At the same time the wings L and M are positioned between the insert and the side walls of the carton A and C, respectively, and the end wing N is positioned between the insert and the side wall D oi. ,the'carton. Insertion of the tongues P and Q into. the recesses formed by pressed-in portions R and S of the insert is facilitated by means of cuts, slits or slots 6, 8; i8 and I2. When the insert is in place and the tongues P and Q are properly in position, these tongues in the portionsdeflned by.

the lines of severance 8 and I2 will pass over the edges ll of the insert it. That is to say, the ends of tongues P and Q will pass through-the recesses l8 and 20 of pressed-inportions R and S,

respectively. According to one feature of the in-.

vention the cross-sectional area'of the lower edge of the insert is slightly greater than the crosssectional area of the upper edge of the insert. That is to say, the insert tapers slightly and is more orless wedge-shaped so that thexlower edge, being larger than the upper edge, fits more snugly against the side walls of the carton. At the same time the smaller area of the upper edge makes it easier to place the insert in position within the carton.

The assembled cartonis shown in Figure 3 in upright position with the top closed in the manner previously indicated. As shown in Figure 4, the bottom of the carton has a removabl area 0 defined by perforations or perforated lines of severance 22, 24, 28, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36.. As"

illustrated these perforated lines form. an octag'on in which the sides 22, 26, 30 and 34 coincide with lower edges of the carton. The perimeter of this octagon should preferably be at least equal to the perimeter of the widest portionv of the ar-.

ticle which is'to be dispensed. It will be understood, however, that this removable area 0 does not necessarily have to be an octagon. It may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or other polygonal shape. Likewise, it may be circuiar, elliptical, or of other curved configuration. In the particular embodiment ofthe invention herein described the edges of the bottomiiap of the box caused by the removal of area 0, as, for

example, edges 24$, 28, 32 and 36, are arranged so that the cup being dispensed does not necessarily have to touch. them. These'edges may be con-' structed in such a way, however, that they do touch the side walls of the cup as it is withdrawn and thereby assist in the dispensing operation. The appearance of the assembled carton taken through a .cross section above the mouth of the lowermost cup contained therein is illustrated in Figure 5. In Figure 5 the assembled carton is shown with the area 0 removed so that the lowermost cup V of a stack of cups is resting upon the downwardly and inwardly sloping projections of pressed-in portions U and T. These downwardly and inwardly sloping portions are shown in perspective at points 38 and 48 inFigure 2. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, tongues P and Q pass upwardly through recesses l8 and 20 in pressed-in portions R and S, respectively, and extend over edges I4 and I8, respectively, thereby locking the insert portion in place within the carton, as already described. It will be observed from Figure 5 that the wing L fits between the insert portion and side wall A of the carton. Likewise the wing M of end flap K (Figure 1) fits between the insert portion and side wall C. It will also be observed that the end wing N fits between the side wall of the insert portion and the side wall D of the carton. I Figure 6 which is in cross section taken through the line 6-4 of Figure 5 also-illustrates-the manner in which wing Miltsagainst the side of the carton and also shows the manner in which the tongue Q projects through therecess 20 formed by pressed-in portion S of the cup dispensing insert. Figure 6likewise illustrates theappearance and location of cuts or slits i0 and I2. The arrangement of tongue Pon the opposite side of the carton is similar.

The manner in which the-"tongues P and'Q pass through the recesses l8 and 28 in pressed-in portions R and S, respectively, is further illustrated by Figure 7, which is a cross-sectional view taken through theline 'I.-| of Figure 6.

Figure'8, which is a cross-sectional view taken through the'line 8-8 of Figure 5,:illustrates the operation of the carton cup dispenser. As shown, the lowermost cup V of a-stack of cups is supported by the sloping edge 40 of pressed-in portion T. The cup is also supported by the corresponding edge 38 of pressed-in portion U, shown in Figures 2 and 5, and by opposite side walls oi'the insert portion so that it does not necessarily rest against the pressed-in portion S or the other pressed-in portion R.(shown in Figures 2 and 5). When withdrawal of the cup. is begun,

however, by grasping the lower end thereof with the hand and pulling it downwardly, the. cup will become distorted on one side of its mouth or lip by being pressed inwardly by pressed-m portions T and U and outwardly between them. 7 As withdrawal of the lowermost cup V of the stack is continued the cup assumes the position V, shown" As previously explained, theinsertor cup dispensing means shown in Figure 2 is so constructed that the corner portions R, S, T and U may be pressed outwardly and thereby convert this insert to a flat folded blank havingthe appearance shown in Figure 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 10, this blankis generally rectangular in form and consists of a rectangular piece of cardboard or other suitable material which is preferably substantially rigid except at the fold portions. This material is overlapped end to end to form two opposing sides and sealed by means of adhesive or other suitable means at joint W. The cardboard is then subjected to a series of perforating operations and cutting operations. In connection with'Figure 10 it will be observed that the unbroken lines represent edges of the insert, the dot-dash lines represent perforated portions, the dotted lines represent perforations on the opposite side of the insert and the double lines represent portions of the insert that are partially severed to produce fold lines. Line 42, 43, 44, 45, 45, 48,50, 52 and 53 are perforated. Lines 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66 represent cuts extending through the opposite or underlying side of the cardboard. Along lines68, 10, I2, I4 and 16, the cardboard may be severed partially inv order to increase the ease with which edges are formed at the comers thereof.

As previously indicated, perforated lines 48 and B are not continuations of lines 44 and 46 but are perforations on the opposite side of the insert. There is alsoa perforation 49 (shown in Figure 11) directly opposite fold line 74 and a perforation 55 opposite perforation 52 (Figure 11). When the various cuts'and fold lines have been formed as previously explained, the method of opening the insert to the form'shown in Figure 2 is relatively simple and is accomplished by pressing inwardly from 1 edges 16 and 68-10 thereby causing the two sides of the insert to separate and assume aform of generally square cross section. This form in this state has no substantial rigidity but by pressing inwardly against edges 43, 45, 53 and the perforated edge 49 (Figure 11) opposite edge 14, the corners of the insert are locked in place because of the formation of the pressed-in portions R, S, T and U, as shown in Figure 2. In this way substantial rigidity is imparted to the insert and it will retain the shape shown in Figure 2 without collapsing. It will be observed that those perforations in the insert portion act as hinges.

The insert is now ready to be placed in the carton made from the blank of Figure 1 to produce an assembly of the type previously described. It will be recognized that the insert portion, although particularly useful in the type of carton herein described, may be used in other types of cartons. It is relatively simple to construct and economical to manufacture. It is preferably made of somewhat heavier, stronger and less flexible cardboard than the carton in which it is placed. r

So far as is known, no one has ever before suggested the idea of providing such an insert to be be used in a cup dispensing carton. The particular method of dispensing a cup is also believed to be novel regardless of whether the projectionsare formedin a separate insert to be placed in the carton or whether they are formed directly in the bottom of the carton itself. There are certain advantages to providing a separate insert as.

already described, but it will be understood that the lower portion of the carton may be perforr ted in the manner shown in Figure '10, so that merely by pressing in corner portions of the carton the latter may be converted to a cup dispensing carton. In such event it might 'be desirable to wrap the carton at its lower end inorder to prevent the possibility of any of the corner Portions being pressed in inadvertently during shipment. When these pressed-in corner portions are formed as a part of the carton rather than in a separate insert, the end closure of the carton may be made much simpler than the end closure K and any of the ordinary types of end closures may be employed which may or may not be provided with a removable area such as shown at 0, since by constructing the cup dispensing projections directly in the carton it would even be possible to tear off the end closure.

The particular arrangement of the dispensing end of the carton is believed to be a novel and useful improvement especially because this arrangement causes the lowermost cup first to be distorted inwardly at the projections U and T of Figure 2, and outwardly between them, thus tending to loosen one side of the cup from the next succeeding cup. As the cup is withdrawn this distortion continues until the cup reaches the position V,-shown in Figure 8, at which point this distortion is released but a new distortion isbegun by the projections R and S in the manner shownin Figure 8 so that the opposite side of the cup is distorted and in this way released from adhesion to the next succeeding cup.

Dispensers have been provided with zones of teeth formed in iron rings one above the other so that as a cup is withdrawn it is substantially equally distorted in first one zone of the teeth and then in the other.- This equal distortion;

however, very often does not disengage the lowermost cup from the next succeeding cup and thisis true even through the zones of teeth are staggered'with respect to each other. It has also been proposed to dispense beaded cups in the metal type=of dispenserby a construction such that the'cup pursues a zigzag. or sinuous coursewithout distorting the cup. This type of dispenser might be appropriate for dispensing beaded cups but it has neverbeen found to be practical for dispensing cone-shaped cups having a pointed apex and which do not have a bead because these cups are stacked in such very close relationship to each other.

It will be understood that a number of variations may be made in this invention, in addition to those already mentioned, without departing from the spirit of the invention, for. instance, turning to Figure 1, the shape'or configuration of the flaps F, G, H, I and J and of the end flap K may be varied; The cutaway portions 2 and 4, although they represent a preferred embodiment of the invention, are not necessary to the broader aspects of the invention. While it is preferable that the pressed-in portions-U and T of Figure 2 have sloping edges 38 and 40, respectively, as shown, in order to facilitate the removal of cups from the bottom of a stack, this is not essential. It has previously been pointed out that the dimensions of the insert shown in Figure 2 are preferably such that the base of the insert which will also be at the base of the carton be larger than the top of the insert, for instance, the base of the insert may have two opposite sides with a length of 2% inches andtwo othersides with'a length of 2 inches, while the top edges of the insert are 'all of equal length, say, 2 inches, thus insuring that the base of the insert fits tightly into a carton; It is not absolutely essential, however, for the operation of the dispenser, to have such a tight fit, although this is a feature of the invention. Pressed-in portions R, S, T and U form generally rectangularly shaped recesses. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular shape, although it ispreferred because of its simplicity. These recesses may be, for example, another p al shape.

A carton cup dispenser of the character herein described can be hung on a wall or other convenient place from one of the upper end flaps F, I and J by piercing holes through these flaps and hanging them over a nail, hook or the like. Alternatively, holes may be pierced through both of the flaps G and H. If it is desired to keep the top of the carton closed, then it is preferable to hang the carton from flaps F or I so that flaps G and H may remain engaged with the slit or slot in flap J. The carton may also be suspended from a nail, hook or other suitable means, by piercing a hole through any of the side walls A, B, C or D, as will readily be recognized by those skilled in the art.

It is believed that this invention provides for the first time a cup dispensing carton which is thoroughly reliable in operation and at the same' timeextremely simple and economical to manufacture. Furthermore, the invention provides a relatively simple insert for a package or carton by means of which the package or carton may be converted to a dispenser. The insert also imparts strength and rigidity to the package. If desired the dispenser portion of the package may be removed and inserted in other cartons or packages of similar construction. In a particular instance it may be that the user has a metal dispenser in which case it will not be necessary to include the cup dispensing insert in the package. Since the structure of the carton itself is relatively simple, all cartonscan be made from the same type of blank regardless of whether they are to be converted to a cup dispensing carton. The invention therefore affords a wide latitude of choice and interchangeability making it possible to vary the package to suit the need and thereby avoiding added expense. Furthermore, the structure described permits the carton to beprinted conveniently before the introduction of the insert and provides an optimum amount of printing surface. The locking arrangement between the insert and the carton practically insures that the end of the carton will not be torn out or accidentally removed.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A carton cup dispenser for a stack of nested paper cups comprising, a carton of substantially square cross section provided with closing flaps at the upper and lower ends thereof, theclosing flap at the lower end being a continuation of one of the side walls of said carton, an end wing and two lateral wings on said closing flap,

- a tongue on each lateral wing partially severed therefrom and adjacent the end wing, a cut away portion in each lower edge of the carton adjabetween and recesses in the exterior thereof, two of said pressed-in portions being of the same height in adjacent corner at the lower end of the insert and the other two being at a higher level beginning approximately opposite the top of the lower two pressed-in portions and at 0pposite corners, said upper two pressed-in portions sloping downwardly and inwardly, said insert being positioned in said carton with the wings of said end flap between the insert and the sides of the carton and with said tongues of said wings projecting through the lowermost recesses in the corners of said insert in such a Way as to lock it in place.

2. A carton cup dispenser fora stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton of substantially square cross section provided with closing flaps V at the upper and lower ends thereof, the closing cent the side bearing the closing flap and-a regular octagonally shaped readily removable perforated area in said flap the sides of which'coincide with edges of the carton, in combination with a removable insert in the lower end of said flap at the lower end being a continuation of one of the side walls of said carton, an end wing and two lateral wings on said elosing flap, a tongue on each lateral wing partially severed therefrom and adjacent the end wing anda readily removable perforated area in said flap through which a cup may be dispensed when said area is removed, in combination with a removable insert in the lower end of said carton, rectangularly shaped portions pressed inwardly from corners of said insert forming projections on the interior thereof appropriate to assist in dispensing a cup therebetween and recessesin the exterior thereof, two of said pressed-in portions being of the same height in adjacent corners at the lower end of the insert and two being at a higher level beginning approximately opposite the top of the two pressedin portions at the lower end of the insert and positioned. in opposite corners, said upper two pressed-in portions sloping downwardly and inwardly, said insert being positioned in said carton with the wings of said end flap between the insert and the sides of the carton and with said tongues of said wings projecting through the lowermost recesses in the corners of said insert in such a way as to lock it in place.

3. A shipping container for a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton provided with a closing flap in one end thereof,lateral wings on said closing flap, tongues on said wings, and a removable area in a central portion of said closing flap, in combination with a removable insert in said end of said carton having'portions pressed inwardly from corners thereof to form projections on the interior of said insert appropriate for dispensing a paper cup therebetween and recesses in the exterior of said corners, said insert being positioned in said carton with said wings between the insert and the interior of the carton and with said tongues projecting through said reces'ses in the corners of said insert in such a way as to lock it in place.

4. A shipping container for a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton provided with a closingfiap at one end thereof, a tongue on said closing fiap and areadily removable area in a central portion of said 'flap, in combinationwith a removable insert insaid end of said carton having a portion pressedinwardly to form a, projection on the interior thereof'appropriate to assist in dispensing paper cupsone at a time from the stack and a recess in the exterior of said pressed-in portion, said insert being locked in place by said tongue projecting through said recess.

5. A shipping container for a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton provided with a closing flap at one end thereof, a tongue on said fiap, a removable area in said fiap which when removed will permit said cups to be dispensed through said end, an insert in said end of said carton having a portion pressed inwardly forming a projection on the interior thereof appropriate to assist in dispensing a paper cup, and locking engagement means between said tongue and said pressed-in portion.

6. An insert for a shipping container for a stack of nested paper cups adapted to assist in dispensing cups from said container, said insert being of substantial height and having the same general cross section as the shipping container but of slightly greater cross section at its lower end than at its upper end, at least four rectangularly shaped portions pressed inwardly from the corners of said insert forming projections on the interior thereof appropriate to assist in dispensing a cup therebetween and recesses in the exterior thereof, several of said pressed-in portions being of the same height in adjacent comers at the lower end of the insert and several being at a higher level beginning approximately opposite the top of the lower pressed-in portions and at opposite comers, said upper pressed-in portions sloping downwardly and inwardly and the arrangement of said pressed-in portions being such that a cup when drawn through said insert is distorted inwardly at said pressed-in portions and outwardly between them first on one side only and then on the other side only.

7. An insert for a container for a stack of nested paper cups adapted to assist in dispensing said cups from the bottom of the stack one at a .time, said insert having side walls adapted to fit adjacent the side walls of the container and being open at both ends to permit a cup to pass therethrough, and pressed-in portions in said side walls forming projections on the interior thereof appropriate to assist in dispensing a cup therebetween, several of said pressed-in portions being at different levels from several other of said pressed-in portions but not above each other and so arranged that a cup passing through said insert is distorted inwardly at said pressed-in portions and outwardly between them first on one side only and then on the other side only.

8. In a carton cup dispenser for a stack of nested paper cups, a delivery end through which said cups may be dispensed one at a time and dispensing means comprising laterally extending pressed-in portions appropriate for dispensing a cup therebetween, said portions projecting inwardly at substantially spaced levels with respect to the vertical axis of the carton and being so constructed in staggered relationship that the cup is distorted inwardly at said pressed-in portions and outwardly between them first on one side only and then on the other side only thereby effectively loosening the lowermost cup from the stack of nested cups when it is withdrawn.

9. A combined shipping container and dispenser for a stack 'of nested paper cups comprising a carton having a delivery end through which.

said cups may be dispensed one atv a time and dispensing means adjacent said delivery end comprising a laterally extending pressed-in portion in said carton, said pressed-in portion being formed from transverse cuts disposed substantially one above the other and connected substantially at their ends and intermediate thereof by substantially vertically extending perforations, said cuts being substantially transverse with reperforations being substantially parallel with respect to said vertical axis.

10. A combined shipping container and dispenser for a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton of polygonal cross-section having a delivery end through which said cups may be dispensed one at a time, and dispensing means adjacent said delivery end comprising a plurality of laterally extending pressed-in'portions disposed inwardly from the corners of said carton, said pressed-in portions being formed from intersecting lines of severance and perforations with an inwardly upwardly extending corner portion adapted to assist in supporting the bottom cup of the stack of nested cups, said comer portion being substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the carton.

11. A carton cup dispenser for dispensing a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton of polygonal cross-section and having a delivery end through which said cups may be dispensed one at a time, and dispensing means comprising laterally extending pressed-in corner portions for dispensing a cup therebetween, said portions projecting inwardly at substantially spaced levels with respect to the vertical axis of the carton and being so constructed in staggered relationship that the cup is distorted inwardly at said pressed-in portions and outwardly between them first on one side only and then on the other side only thereby effectively loosening the lowermost cup from the stack of nested cups when it is withdrawn, the uppermost of said pressed-in portions with respect to the vertical axis of the carton being adapted to assist in supporting the stack of cups and having inwardly projecting edges angularly disposed with respect to the vertical axis of the carton and sloping downwardly and inwardly in the general direction of the delivery end of the carton.

12. An insert for a carton to assist in dispensing a stack of nested articles therefrom, said insert comprising a plurality of side walls adapted to lie together in fiat=folded state and capable of being opened to form a hollow body open at the ends and having a polygonal cross-section, said side walls having perforated lines and intersecting lines of severance therein so arranged as to form areas that can be pressed inwardly to impart non-collapsibility to said hollow body, at the same time forming projections on the interior thereof, said areas also being capable of being pressed outwardly again permitting said side walls to be collapsed, at least some of said areas when pressed inwardly being adapted to support the stack of nested articles from the bottom of the stack, said stack supporting portions having corner edges angularly disposed with respect to the vertical axis of the carton.

13. A combined shipping container and dispenser for a stack of nested paper cups comprising a carton having a delivery end through which said cups may be dispensed one at a time, and dispensing means adjacent said delivery end, said dispensing means comprising a plurality of transverse lines of severance at the corners of the carton defining in part a plurality of polygonal areas at said corners which are pressed inwardly to form pressed-in portions projecting laterally into said carton, some of said pressed-in portions at said corners being disposed at different levels from others.

14. A'combined shipping container and dispenser for a stack of nested paper cups comprisspect to the vertical axis of the carton and said ing a rectangular carton having a delivery end through which said cups may be dispensed and dispensing means adjacent said delivery end, said dispensing means comprising a pair of polygonal areas in adjacent corners of the carton and adjacent the delivery end thereof on approximately the same level, and another pair of polygonal areas in the other two corners of the carton on approximately the same level but at a higher level with respect to the delivery end of the carton from the first mentioned pair of polygonal areas, said polygonal areas being defined in part by lines of severance running transversely with respect to the vertical axis of the carton, and each of said polygonal areas being adapted to be pressed inwardly to form a laterally projecting pressed-in portion capable of assisting in dispensing paper cups from the carton one at a time.

15. A device for dispensing paper cups and the like, comprising a tube of flexible sheet material having four wall panels and at least two pairs of retention elements in said tube, one pair of adjacent retention elements being disposed farther from the dispensing end of said tube than another pair of said retention elements, each of said elements being formed integrally with the material ofthe tube at a corner thereof and comprising two polygonal segments, one in each of two adjacent wall panels, hingedly connected to each other along a line defining said corner, said segments being each hinged to a line within the lateral edges of their respective wall panels, and said segments being unconnected to their respective wall panels along their remaining sides, each of said retention elements in operative position being an inwardly pressed portion integral with the material of the tube at a corner thereof..,

16. A device for dispensing paper cups and the like comprising a tube of flexible sheet material of polygonal cross section having a plurality of wall panels and dispensing elements formed from the material of said wall panels at corners thereof, each of said dispensing elements comprising two polygonal segments one in each of two adjacent wall panels, hingedly connected to each other along a line defining said corner, said segments being each hinged to a line within the lateral edges of their respective wall panels and said segments being unconnected to their respective wall panels along their remaining sides, each of said dispensing elements in operative position being an inwardly pressed portionintegral with the material of the tube at a corner thereof and extending inwardly a suificient distance to contact the sides of the articles being dispensed and permitting said articles to be pulled downwardly notwithstanding said contact, said device being further characterized by the fact that at least som of said unconnected sides of said segments slope downwardly and inwardly in the general direction in which the articles are being dispensed.

17. A device for dispensing paper cups and the like comprising a tube of flexible sheet material having a plurality of wall panels and dispensing elements formed from the material of said wall panels at corners thereof, each of said dispensing elements comprising two segments one in each of two adjacent wall panels, hingedly connected to each other along a line defining said corner, said segments .being each hinged to a line Within the lateral edges of their respective wall panels and said segments being unconnected to their respective wall panels along their remaining edges, each of said dispensing elements in operative position being an inwardly pressed portion integral with the material of the tube at a corner thereof and extending inwardly a suflicient distance to contact the sides of the articles being dispensed and permitting said articles to be pulled downwardly notwithstanding said contact, said device being further characterconnected to each other along a line defining said comer, said segments being each hinged to a line within the lateral edges of their respective wall panels and said segments being unconnected to their respective wall panels along their remaining edges, each of said dispensing elements in operative position being an inwardly pressed portion integral with the material of the tube at a corner thereof and extending inwardly a sufii'cient distance to contact the sides of the articles being dispensed and permitting said articles to be pulled downwardly notwithstanding said contact,-the configuration of each dispensing element being such that it presents but a single point of contact with the articles being dispensed.

WALTER E. AMBERG.

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