Dispensing container with side opening

Abstract

A food package storage and dispensing container having a top, bottom and sides. At least one side has a structure defining a potential dispensing opening. The opening includes an openable line defining a downwardly extending U-shaped path. The opening of the container is provided along the openable line in which a flap is formed that turns about a transverse line thereabove. In the absence of an object passing through the opening, the flap naturally turns about the transverse line to extend generally downwardly to generally cover the opening.

1 . A food package storage and dispensing container adaptable to store and contain a plurality of food packages inside of the container, said container being: 
 box-like and having a top, a bottom, and sides; and    at least one of said sides having a structure defining a potential dispensing opening, including an openable line defining a downwardly extending U-shaped path, such that by opening the container along the openable line, a flap is formed which turns about a transverse line thereabove, to form an opening of a size sufficient for a human hand to reach through,    wherein, in the absence of an object passing through the opening, the flap naturally turns about said transverse line to extend generally downwardly to generally cover the opening.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of food packages disposed inside of the container, said packages being of a size to be retrieved individually through the opening.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said downward extending U-shaped path is in the shape of a downward convex path forming said flap with a downward convex shape.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a single panel substantially forms a top surface of the container.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein said single panel is permanently affixed to the container.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said transverse line is below a junction of said top and the side having said flap.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is generally rectangular.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein two opposing sides of the container each have a structure defining a potential slot opening, each said potential slot opening providing a handle for ones hand to grasp.  
     
     
         9 . A food package storage and dispensing container adaptable to store and contain a plurality of food packages inside of the container, said container being: 
 box-like and having a top, a bottom, and sides; and    at least one of said sides having a structure defining a potential dispensing opening, including an openable line defining a downwardly extending U-shaped path, such that by opening the container along the openable line, a flap is formed which turns about a transverse line thereabove,    said transverse line being below a junction of said top and the side having said flap, wherein, in the absence of an object passing through the opening, the flap naturally turns about said transverse line to extend generally downwardly to generally cover the opening.    
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of food packages disposed inside of the container, said packages being of a size to be retrieved individually through the opening.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein a single panel substantially forms a top surface of the container.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said downward extending path is in the shape of a downward convex path forming said flap with a downward convex shape.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein two opposing sides of the container each have a structure defining a potential slot opening, each said potential slot opening providing a handle for ones hand to grasp.  
     
     
         14 . A food package storage and dispensing container adaptable to store and contain plurality of food packages inside of the container, said container being: 
 box-like and having a top, a bottom, and sides;    at least one of said sides having a structure defining a potential dispensing opening, including an openable line defining a downwardly extending U-shaped path, such that by opening the container along the openable line, a flap is formed which turns about a transverse line thereabove; and    a plurality of food packages disposed inside of the container, said packages being of a size to be retrieved individually through the opening,    wherein, in the absence of an object passing through the opening, the flap naturally turns about said transverse line to extend generally downwardly to generally cover the opening.    
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein two opposing sides of the container each have a structure defining a potential slot opening, each said potential slot opening providing a handle for ones hand to grasp.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the flap forms an opening of a size sufficient for a human hand to reach through the opening.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein said downward extending U-shaped path is in the shape of a downward convex path forming said flap with a downward convex shape.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein a single panel substantially forms a top surface of the container.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein said single panel is permanently affixed to the container.