Rubber band dispenser

Claim 2

A dispensing container for dispensing articles contained therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel and a slot for attaching said dispensing container to a display means; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls for securing said receptacle cover to said base; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration.

Claim 3

The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein said hinge is integral with said base and said receptacle cover.

Claim 4

The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein said dispensing container is of unitary construction.

Claim 5

The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein said dispensing container is fabricated from a generally transparent material.

Claim 6

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles container therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls, for securing said receptacle cover to said base, said means for securing said base to said receptacle cover further including: a first latching channel disposed along the outside surface of said at least one ridge; and a second latching channel disposed along the free edges of said side walls for a receptive engagement with said first latching channel; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration.

Claim 7

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles container therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls, for securing said receptacle cover to said base, said means for securing said base to said receptacle cover further including: a first latching channel disposed along the outside surface of said at least one ridge; and a second latching channel disposed along the free edges of said side walls for a receptive engagement with said first latching channel; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration.

Claim 8

The dispensing container of claim 5, wherein: said first latching channel forms a recessed groove in the outer surface of said ridge; and said second latching channel forms a projecting lip on said sidewalls for fitting within said first latching channel when said dispensing container is in a closed configuration.

Claim 9

The dispensing container of claim 5, wherein: said first latching channel forms a projecting lip on the outer surface of said ridge; and said second latching channel forms a recessed groove in said sidewalls such that said first latching channel interfits within said second latching channel when said dispensing container is in a closed configuration.

Claim 10

The dispensing container of claim 5, wherein: said first latching channel forms a projecting lip on the outer surface of said ridge; and said second latching channel forms a projecting lip on said sidewalls such that said first latching channel overlaps said second latching channel when said dispensing container is in a closed configuration.

Claim 11

The dispensing container of claim 5 further including a second means for securing said base to said receptacle cover, wherein: said base further includes a first locking member extending outwardly from the edge thereof opposite said hinge; and said receptacle cover further includes a second locking member extending outwardly from the free edge of the sidewall thereof opposite said hinge for receptive engagement with said first locking member.

Claim 12

The dispensing container of claim 9, wherein: said first locking member comprises a tab; and said second locking member comprises a transverse slot for receiving said tab.

Claim 13

The dispensing container of claim 10, wherein said tab includes a generally pointed tip for ease of insertion into said transverse slot.

Claim 14

The dispensing container of claim 10, wherein: said tab includes at least one ear abutting said edge of said base opposite said hinge and extending beyond at least one end of said transverse slot for locking said receptacle cover to said base when said dispensing container is in a closed configuration.

Claim 15

The dispensing container of claim 10, wherein: said tab further includes a through hole for attaching said dispensing container to a display means.

Claim 16

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles contained therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls for securing said receptacle cover to said base; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration, said means for accessing the articles contained therein including means for forming a dispensing opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles container therein.

Claim 17

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles contained therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls for securing said receptacle cover to said base; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration, said means for accessing the articles contained therein including means for forming a dispensing opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles container therein.

Claim 18

The dispensing container of claim 14, wherein: said means for forming said dispenser opening includes a plurality of perforations delimiting said dispenser opening.

Claim 19

The dispensing container of claim 14, wherein: said means for forming said dispenser opening includes a hole in said receptacle cover and a removable strip of material positioned to cover the hole.

Claim 20

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles container therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls for securing said receptacle cover to said base; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration, said means for accessing the articles contained therein including a dispenser opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles container therein.

Claim 21

A dispensing container, for dispensing articles container therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means, including at least one ridge protruding from the perimeter of said base, said ridge being cooperative with said side walls for securing said receptacle cover to said base; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration, said means for accessing the articles contained therein including a dispenser opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles container therein.

Claim 22

A dispensing container for dispensing articles contained therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means for securing said receptacle cover to said base including: a first locking member extending outwardly from an edge of said base opposite said hinge, said first locking member comprising a tab, said tab further including a through hole for attaching said dispensing container to a display means; and a second locking member extending outwardly from a free edge of the side wall opposite said hinge, said second locking member having a further through hole for receptive engagement of said first locking member, said through hole comprising a transverse slot for receiving said tab; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration.

Claim 23

A dispensing container for dispensing articles contained therein when in a closed configuration, said dispensing container comprising: a base having a flat panel; a receptacle cover having a cover panel and a plurality of side walls forming a chamber for receiving articles; a hinge adjoining said base and said receptacle cover along a common edge forming a pivot axis therebetween; means for securing said receptacle cover to said base including: a first locking member extending outwardly from an edge of said base opposite said hinge, said first locking member comprising a tab, said tab further including a through hole for attaching said dispensing container to a display means; and a second locking member extending outwardly from a free edge of the side wall opposite said hinge, said second locking member having a further through hole for receptive engagement of said first locking member, said through hole comprising a transverse slot for receiving said tab; and means for accessing the articles container within said dispensing container with said receptacle cover secured to said base in a closed configuration.

Claim 24

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein said hinge is integral with said base and said receptacle cover.

Claim 25

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein said dispensing container has a unitary construction.

Claim 26

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein said dispensing container is fabricated from a generally transparent material.

Claim 27

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein: said base further includes a slot for attaching said dispensing container to a display means.

Claim 28

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein: said tab includes a generally pointed tip for ease of insertion into said transverse slot.

Claim 29

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein: said tab includes at least one ear abutting said edge of said base opposite said hinge and extending beyond at least one end of said transverse slot for locking said receptacle cover to said base when said dispensing container is in a closed configuration.

Claim 30

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein: said means for accessing the articles contained therein includes means for forming a dispenser opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles contained therein.

Claim 31

The dispensing container of claim 25, wherein: said means for forming said dispenser opening includes a plurality of perforations delimiting said dispenser opening.

Claim 32

The dispensing container of claim 25, wherein: said means for forming said dispenser opening includes a hole in said receptacle cover and a removable strip of material positioned to cover the hole.

Claim 33

The dispensing container of claim 18, wherein: said means for accessing the articles contained therein includes a dispenser opening sized for receiving fingers for grasping the articles contained therein.