Dispenser System and Method

Abstract

A dispenser apparatus and associated systems for use in storing and dispensing individual items are provided. The dispenser apparatus may be employed to dispense various items that are detachably adhered to a carrier strip, e.g., bandages, patches and the like, on demand, and has particular utility in dispensing items that are supplied for use in a sterile condition. The dispenser apparatus generally includes a housing and a cover member that is coupled thereto. The travel path of the carrier strip includes an exit path defined within the housing, redirection around a corner region, and return travel external to the housing through a channel. The redirection of the carrier strip, which generally approaches 180°, causes items that are detachably adhered to the carrier strip to automatically peel away therefrom.

1 . A dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a. a housing defining an interior region; and   b. a cover member coupled to the housing;
 wherein the housing defines (i) an upstanding member that is adapted to cooperate with a dispensing roll, (ii) an exit path configured and dimensioned for travel of a carrier strip associated with the dispensing roll; and (iii) an exit slot in communication with the exit path; 
 wherein the cover member cooperates with the housing to (i) encase the interior region, and (ii) define a channel between an exterior wall of the housing and the cover member; and 
 wherein a corner region is defined adjacent the exit slot, the corner region cooperating with the exit path and the channel to automatically separate an item adhered to the carrier strip as the carrier strip travels from the exit path, around the corner region and through the channel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is a blister housing that is formed by thermoforming, blow molding or injection molding. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is a card member that is adhered with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cover member defines three regions: (i) a first region that is configured and dimensioned to be adhered to an underside of the housing; (ii) a second region adjacent the first region that is configured and dimensioned to be positioned adjacent the exterior wall of the housing; and (iii) a third region that configured and dimensioned to be positioned above an open top side of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a first fold line separates the first region from the second region, and wherein a second fold line separates the second region from the third region. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein portions of the third region of the cover member are adhered to a flange region defined by the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second region of the cover member defines a step back region. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exit path, the bend region and the channel cooperate to define a travel path for the carrier strip that includes a turn that approximates 180°. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bend region defines a radiused corner. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the radiused corner is less than or equal to about 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing roll positioned within the interior region of the housing, the dispensing roll including an elongated carrier strip and a plurality of items detachably adhered to the elongated carrier strip. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of items are selected from the group consisting of bandages, patches, anti-wrinkle patches, perfume patches, nicotine patches, tattoos, labels and stickers. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of items are sterilized. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the housing and the cover member are adapted to permit replacement of depleted dispensing rolls within the interior region of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exit path defines a zig-zag path that is effective to tension the carrier strip. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a recessed region that is dimensioned to permit positioning a finger therein. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the cover member is printed with advertising or promotional information. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover card cooperates with the housing to define two exposed edges of the cover card, such exposed edges being parallel to each other so as to permit a vertical standing orientation of the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing roll positioned around the upstanding member, and wherein the upstanding member prevents the cover member from compressing into a binding engagement with the dispensing roll when force is applied to the cover member during use. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a minimal clearance gap is defined between the cover member and a carrier strip positioned in the interior region such that a frictional relationship is established between the cover member and a top edge of the carrier strip, said frictional relationship being effective to maintain the carrier strip in position relative to the exit slot when the carrier strip is not being pulled by a user. 
     
     
         21 . A method for dispensing items, comprising:
 a. providing an apparatus that contains a carrier strip upon which is detachably adhered a plurality of items;   b. pulling an exposed end of the carrier strip from the apparatus such that the carrier strip travels through an exit slot defined in the apparatus, around a corner region defined by the apparatus, and through a channel defined adjacent an exterior wall of the apparatus, whereby an item adhered to the carrier strip is automatically detached at least in part from the carrier strip for user access.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of items are sterilized. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of items are selected from the group consisting of bandages, patches, anti-wrinkle patches, perfume patches, nicotine patches, tattoos, labels and stickers.