Storage and dispensing package for batteries and other objects

Abstract

The present invention comprises a device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, and includes at least the following components. A shell with a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenser opening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity of the shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained within the shell. The cartridge optionally includes a cartridge belt disposed about the cartridge plate, wherein the cartridge belt is capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within the advancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a first end for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allow for control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects towards the dispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement arm in retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.

We claim:  
     
       1. device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, said device comprising: 
       a) a shell comprising a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and a dispenser opening;  
       b) a cartridge plate locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell and removably contained therein;  
       c) a cartridge belt disposable on or about said cartridge plate and capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing on said cartridge belt; and  
       d) an advancement arm captureable within said advancement slot of said shell, comprised of a first end for selective advancement of the objects, and a second end to allow control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects toward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over the advancement arm in retracting said advancement arm after dispensing.  
     
     
       2. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said cartridge belt is continuously disposed about said cartridge plate. 
     
     
       3. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said cartridge belt further comprises an adhesive surface for the releasable securement of the objects. 
     
     
       4. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said cartridge belt further comprises Separators  separators for the capture of individual objects. 
     
     
       5. The invention in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said first end of said advancement arm further comprises a double pronged split-yoke for engaging said separators of said cartridge belt thereby advancing the objects. 
     
     
       6. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said advancement arm slides within said advancement slot of said shell to accomplish said advancing and retracting. 
     
     
       7. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said first end of said advancement arm engages with the objects to accomplish said selective advancement of the objects. 
     
     
       8. The invention in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first end of said advancement arm further comprises a base having a magnetic insert for physical and magnetic engagement with the objects. 
     
     
       9. The invention in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said first end of said advancement arm further comprises a split-yoke of sufficient separation to straddle the objects during engagement, said split-yoke lying between said base and said second end of said advancement arm. 
     
     
       10. The invention in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said second end of said advancement arm further comprises a locking thumb for releasable engagement with said advancement slot of said shell, and for convenient advancing and retracting when released therefrom. 
     
     
       11. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a perch engaged with said shell proximate to said dispenser opening for supporting the objects after advancing and during dispensing of the objects. 
     
     
       12. The invention in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said perch is hingeably engaged with said shell. 
     
     
       13. The invention in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said perch further comprises a magnet for magnetic engagement and support of the objects. 
     
     
       14. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said cartridge further comprises: 
       a) a cartridge plate wherein said cartridge belt is disposed thereabouts; and  
       b) a pair of side rails disposed on either side of said cartridge plate thereby preventing movement of said cartridge belt in a direction transverse to the direction of advancing.  
     
     
       15. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said shell further comprises a cartridge insertion opening opposite to said dispenser opening for insertion and removal of said cartridge plate. 
     
     
       16. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said shell further comprises a pair of retention guides interiorly disposed to releasably contain said cartridge plate. 
     
     
       17. The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein dispenser opening of said shell comprises a  an ejection hole of sufficient diameter to allow for insertion of a tool to eject said cartridge plate. 
     
     
       18. A device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, said device comprising: 
       a) a shell comprising a generally hollow interior and a dispenser opening;  
       b) a cartridge locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell and removably contained therein;  
       c) a cartridge belt disposable on or about said cartridge plate and capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing on said cartridge belt, said cartridge belt having a free end wherein a force applied to said free end advances the objects; and  
       d) a perch engaged with said shell proximate to said dispenser opening and having a magnetic insert capable of magnetic engagement with the objects upon advancement of the objects.  
     
     
       19. A device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of a material, said device comprising: 
       a) a shell comprising an enclosed generally hollow interior cavity having a dispenser opening and a plurality enclosed portion having an advancement slot;  
       b) a cartridge removably contained within said partially enclosed portion of said shell having a material feed slot, and an open interior for retaining said material to allow for feeding the material through said feed slot; and  
       c) an advancement arm captureable within said advancement slot of said shell, comprised of a first end for selective advancement of the material, and a second end to allow control over the advancement arm in advancing the material toward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over the advancement arm in retracting said advancement arm after dispensing.  
     
     
       20. A method for the convenient storage and dispensing of objects, said method comprising: 
       a) providing a device comprising:  
       i) a shell comprising a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and a dispenser opening;  
       ii) a cartridge locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell;  
       iii) a cartridge belt disposable about said cartridge plate; and  
       iv) an advancement arm captureable within said advancement slot of said shell, comprised of a first end and a second end;  
       b) storing the objects on said cartridge belt of said cartridge plate;  
       c) inserting for removable containment said cartridge into said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell;  
       d) advancing the objects with said first end of said advancement arm toward said dispenser opening of said shell through extension of a force on said second end of said advancement arm;  
       e) dispensing the objects therefrom; and  
       f) retracting said advancement arm through extension of a force on said second end of said advancement arm.  
     
     
       21. A device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, said device comprising: 
       ( a )  a shell comprising a top, a sidewall and a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot in said top, and a dispenser opening in said sidewall;    
       ( b )  an object support locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell and contained therein;    
       ( c )  said object support being capable of receiving objects for storage and dispensing and including an adhesive material for the releasable securement of said objects; and    
       ( d )  an advancement member capturably received within said advancement slot of said shell, said advancement member including a first portion for the advancement of the objects and a second portion that allows control over the advancement member in advancing the objects toward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over the advancement member in retracting the advancement member after dispensing.   
     
     
       22. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said support and said shell are moveable relative to each other. 
     
     
       23. An invention in accordance with  claim 22  wherein said object support further includes a separate member which supports said adhesive material. 
     
     
       24. An invention in accordance with  claim 22  wherein said advancement member slides within said advancement slot of said shell to accomplish said advancing and retracting. 
     
     
       25. An invention in accordance with  claim 22  wherein said objects are zinc air batteries and wherein release of said batteries from said adhesive of said adhesive material initiates activation of said batteries. 
     
     
       26. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said object support further includes a separate member which supports said adhesive material. 
     
     
       27. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said advancement member slides within said advancement slot of said shell to accomplish said advancing and retracting. 
     
     
       28. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said first portion of said advancement member engages with the objects to accomplish said selective advancement of the objects. 
     
     
       29. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said device is configured such that said adhesive material and said object are caused to diverge in direction during the dispensing of each said object such that said adhesive material is peeled away from said object during the dispensing operation. 
     
     
       30. An invention in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said advancement member operates to dispense one object per advancement operation. 
     
     
       31. A device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, said device comprising: 
       ( a )  a shell comprising a top, a sidewall and a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot in said top, and a dispenser opening in said sidewall;    
       ( b )  an object support locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell and contained therein;    
       ( c )  said object support being capable of receiving objects for storage and dispensing and including an adhesive material for the releasable securement of said objects;    
       ( d )  an advancement member capturably received within said advancement slot of said shell, said advancement member including a first portion for the advancement of the objects and a second portion that allows control over the advancement member in advancing the objects toward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over the advancement member in retracting the advancement member after dispensing; and    
       ( e )  a perch engaged with said shell proximate to said dispenser opening for supporting the objects after advancing and during dispensing of the objects.   
     
     
       32. An invention in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said perch further comprises a magnet for magnetic engagement in support of the objects. 
     
     
       33. An invention in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said perch is hingedly engaged with said shell. 
     
     
       34. An invention in accordance with  claim 31  wherein said device is configured such that said adhesive material and said object are caused to diverge in direction during the dispensing of each said object such that said adhesive material is peeled away from said object during the dispensing operation. 
     
     
       35. A method for the convenient storage and dispensing of objects, said method comprising: 
       ( a )  providing a device comprising:    
       ( i )  a shell comprising a top, sidewall, generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot in said top, and a dispenser opening in said sidewall;    
       ( ii )  an object support locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity and including an adhesive material; and    
       ( iii )  an advancement member received within said advancement slot of said shell, said advancement member including a first portion and a second portion;    
       ( b )  storing the objects on said adhesive material of said object support;    
       ( c )  inserting said object support into said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell;    
       ( d )  advancing the objects with said first portion of said advancement member toward said dispenser opening of said shell through exertion of a force of said second portion of said advancement member;    
       ( e )  dispensing the objects therefrom; and    
       ( f )  retracting said advancement member through exertion of a force on said second portion of said advancement member.   
     
     
       36. A method as in  claim 35 , wherein said object support comprises a separate adhesive- carrying member and wherein said shell and said object support are moveable relative to each other, said method comprising the step of causing said adhesive - carrying member and said shell to move relative to each other prior to the dispensing of each of said objects.   
     
     
       37. A method as in  claim 36  including the step of causing said adhesive carrying member and each said object to diverge in direction during the dispensing of each said object such that said adhesive carrying member is peeled away from said object.