Small item dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser assembly for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy or gum is disclosed herein. The dispenser assembly includes a first container including a first storage chamber for storing small items, a second container including a second storage chamber for storing small items, the second container including a dispenser opening, the second container movable between a dispensing position and a storage position, wherein the dispenser opening is in communication with the second storage chamber in the dispensing position and the dispenser opening is blocked off from the second storage chamber in the storage position, wherein the second container is removably attachable to the first container and refillable with small items from the first storage chamber of the first container when the second container is still attached to the first container.

1 . A small item dispenser assembly comprising:
 a first container including a first storage chamber for storing small items;   a second container including a second storage chamber for storing small items, the second container including a dispenser opening, the second container movable between a dispensing position and a storage position, wherein the dispenser opening is in communication with the second storage chamber in the dispensing position and the dispenser opening is blocked off from the second storage chamber in the storage position;   wherein the second container is removably attachable to the first container and refillable with small items stored in the first storage chamber of the first container when the second container is still attached to the first container.   
   
   
       2 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second container includes a first portion that is rotatable with respect to a second portion to move the second container between the storage position and the dispensing position. 
   
   
       3 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container is movable between a refilling position and a storage position, wherein a refill opening of the first container is in communication with the first storage chamber in the refilling position and the refill opening is blocked off from the first storage chamber in the storage position, wherein the first container can be moved to the refilling position by rotating the second container with respect to at least a portion of the first container when the second container is still attached to the first container. 
   
   
       4 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first container is movable between a refilling position and a storage position, wherein a refill opening of the first container is in communication with the first storage chamber in the refilling position and the refill opening is blocked off from the first storage chamber in the storage position, wherein the first container can be moved to the storage position after refilling is complete by rotating the second container with respect to at least a portion of the first container when the second container is still attached to the first container. 
   
   
       5 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second container is attachable to the first container with a snap-fit. 
   
   
       6 . A small item dispenser assembly comprising:
 a first container including a first storage chamber for storing small items, the first container including a refill opening, the first container movable between a refilling position and a storage position, wherein the refill opening is in communication with the first storage chamber in the refilling position and the refill opening is blocked off from the first storage chamber in the storage position;   a second container including a second storage chamber for storing small items, the second container being removably attachable to the first container, the second container including a dispenser opening, the second container movable between a dispensing position and a storage position, wherein the dispenser opening is in communication with the second storage chamber in the dispensing position and the dispenser opening is blocked off from the second storage chamber in the storage position;   wherein the second container is refillable with small items from the first container when the first container is in the refilling position and the second container is in the dispensing position such that the refill opening is in communication with the first storage chamber and the dispenser opening is in communication with the refill opening and the second storage chamber.   
   
   
       7 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the second container includes a first portion that is rotatable with respect to a second portion to move the second container between the storage position and the dispensing position. 
   
   
       8 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the second container is refillable with small items from the first storage compartment of the first container when the second container is attached to the first container. 
   
   
       9 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first container includes a main housing portion and a lid portion that is rotatable with respect to the main housing portion to move the first container between the storage position and the refilling position, wherein the first container can be moved to the refilling position by rotating the second container with respect to the main housing portion of the first container when the second container is attached to the first container. 
   
   
       10 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the first container can be moved from the refilling position to the storage position by rotating the second container with respect to the main housing portion of the first container when the second container is attached to the first container. 
   
   
       11 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the second container is attachable to the first container with a snap-fit. 
   
   
       12 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 6 , further comprising a visual indicator for indicating when the first container has moved from the storage position to the refilling position. 
   
   
       13 . A method of using a small item dispenser assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a first container including a first storage chamber for storing small items;   providing a second container including a second storage chamber for storing small items, the second container including a dispenser opening, the second container movable between a dispensing position and a storage position, wherein the dispenser opening is in communication with the second storage chamber in the dispensing position and the dispenser opening is blocked off from the second storage chamber in the storage position; and   attaching the second container to the first container and refilling the second container with small items stored in the first container when the second container is attached to the first container.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising removing the second container from the first container after refilling. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing the first container with a refill opening, the first container movable between a refilling position and a storage position, wherein the refill opening is in communication with the first storage chamber in the refilling position and the refill opening is blocked off from the first storage chamber in the storage position; and   refilling the second container with small items stored in the first container while the second container is attached to the first container by moving the first container to the refilling position and moving the second container to the dispensing position such that the refill opening is in communication with the first storage chamber and the dispenser opening is in communication with the refill opening and the second storage chamber.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing the first container with a main housing portion and a lid portion that is rotatable with respect to the main housing portion to move the first container between the storage position and the refilling position;   moving the first container to the refilling position by rotating the second container with respect to the main housing portion of the first container when the second container is attached to the first container.   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 prior to removing the second container from the first container, moving the first container from the refilling position to the storage position by rotating the second container with respect to the main housing portion of the first container when the second container is attached to the first container.   
   
   
       18 . A small item dispenser assembly comprising:
 a housing including a first storage chamber for storing small items, wherein at least a portion of the housing can be separated from the housing and be used as a separate small item dispenser that includes a second storage chamber for storing small items and that includes a closable opening for dispensing small items.   
   
   
       19 . A small item dispenser assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the housing is sized to fit in a standard cup holder of an automobile.