Multiple stack dispensing container

Abstract

A disposable, non-refillable container for holding and gravity-fed dispensing folded articles is disclosed. The container holds multiple stacks or articles. The container is non-permanently affixed to a surface with a mount and the container dispenses an individual stack of articles from an individual dispensing opening when that stack is configured substantially above the dispensing opening. To dispense another stack of articles within the container, the container is reconfigured such that the next stack of articles is placed in position for dispensing. The container may also include an area of the container adapted for use as a waste receptacle.

1 . A disposable, non-refillable container for holding and gravity-fed dispensing folded articles comprising, 
 an upper panel,    a lower panel having at least a first dispensing opening,    a front panel,    a back panel,    at least one side panel,    a first dispensing column, formed by the cooperation of the upper, lower, front, back and side panels and configured to hold stacks of folded articles,    a first support structure within the first dispensing column, and    a mount which non-permanently affixes the container to a support surface,    where the first dispensing opening is configured to dispense a first stack of folded articles when the container is attached to the support surface such that the first stack of articles is substantially above the first dispensing opening, and    where the first support structure is configured to support the weight of at least a second stack of folded articles while the first stack of folded articles is being dispensed, and    where the first support structure is further configured to be manipulated such that the second stack of folded articles may be delivered to the first dispensing opening after the first stack of folded articles has been dispensed.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support structure within the first dispensing column, where the second support structure is configured to support the weight of at least a third stack of folded articles while the first and second stacks of folded articles are dispensed, and 
 where the second support structure is configured to be manipulated such that the third stack of folded articles may be delivered to the first dispensing opening after the first and second stacks of folded articles have been dispensed.    
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , where the container is configured for the first support structure to be removed from the container.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracing structure that supports the first support structure, where the bracing structure is configured to be capable of removal from support of the first support structure.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable panel integrally connected to the first support structure, where the removable panel and integrally connected first support structure are configured to be removed from the container.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , where the container and first support structure are configured for the first support structure to be pulled from and reinserted into the first dispensing column.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a second dispensing opening in the lower panel, and an interior wall, 
 where the interior wall cooperates with the upper, lower and side panels to provide a second dispensing column horizontally adjacent to the first dispensing column and configured to hold stacks of folded articles, and    where the second dispensing opening is configured to dispense a third stack of folded articles when the container is attached to the support surface such that the third stack of articles is substantially above the second dispensing opening.    
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising a second support structure within the second dispensing column, where the second support structure is configured to support the weight of at least a fourth stack of folded articles while the third stack of folded articles is being dispensed, and 
 where the second support structure is further configured to be manipulated such that the fourth stack of folded articles may be delivered to the second dispensing opening after the third stack of folded articles has been dispensed.    
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  where the folded articles of the first stack are different than the folded articles of at least one of the second, third or fourth stacks.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , where the first stack of folded articles comprises a plurality of folded articles each having an effective dispensing length dimension and the first stack having a pre-dispensing height dimension which is greater than the effective dispensing length dimension of an individual folded article within the first stack  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , where the back panel further comprises at least one end tab and where the first support structure is formed from at least one end tab of the back panel.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , where the first support structure is a portion of the back panel.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , where the first support structure is a portion of at least one side panel.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , where the first support structure is a portion of two side panels.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one area configured for use as a waste receptacle.  
   
   
       16 . A system for holding and gravity-fed dispensing a plurality stacks of folded articles comprising, 
 a plurality of stacks of articles,    a container which is adapted to contain the plurality of stacks of articles in one or more vertical dispensing columns,    at least one support structure within a vertical dispensing column that supports the weight of at least one stack of articles while a first stack of articles is being dispensed, and    a mount which non-permanently affixes the container to a support surface,    where each stack within the plurality of stacks of articles is configured to dispense articles of said stack when the stack is substantially above a dispensing opening, and    where the support structure is configured to be manipulated such that the stack of articles being supported by the support structure may be delivered to be dispensed after the first stack of articles has been dispensed    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , where the container is configured for the support structure to be removed from the container.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a bracing structure that supports the support structure, where the bracing structure is configured to be capable of removal from support of the first support structure.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , where the container and support structure are configured for the support structure to be pulled from and reinserted into the container.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , where the container comprises at least one area configured for use as a waste receptacle.