Strip Dispenser

Abstract

A strip dispenser ( 70 ) for dispensing one strip (S) from a plurality of strips (S). The strip dispenser ( 70 ) includes a container ( 2 ) that is constructed and arranged to hold a number of strips (S). There is a first structure ( 3 ) that defines one or more thin slots ( 8 ) that are generally parallel to the perimeter of the container ( 2 ), and that have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of a strip (S), where the slots ( 8 ) are configured and arranged to inhibit two strips that are stuck together back to back from passing through the slot ( 8 ) together. There is also a strip sorting structure ( 4 ) that inhibits a strip (S) that has at least partially passed through a slot ( 8 ) from fully leaving the container ( 2 ) until the strip (S) is pulled out of the container ( 2 ) by the user.

1 . A strip dispenser for dispensing a strip from a plurality of strips, comprising:
 a container that defines a perimeter, wherein the container is constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of strips;   a first structure that defines one or more thin slots that are generally parallel to the perimeter of the container, wherein the slots have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of the strip, and the slots are configured and arranged to inhibit two strips that are stuck together back to back from passing through the slot together; and   strip sorting structure that inhibits a strip that has at least partially passed through a slot from fully leaving the container without manipulation of the strip by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the slots have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of the strip and less than two times the smallest dimension of the strip. 
     
     
         3 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the strip sorting structure comprises a stopping piston. 
     
     
         4 . The strip dispenser of  claim 3  in which the stopping piston is held in the container via an enlarged end. 
     
     
         5 . The strip dispenser of  claim 3  in which the enlarged end is held by a series of flexible arms. 
     
     
         6 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the strip sorting structure comprises an angled surface. 
     
     
         7 . The strip dispenser of  claim 6  in which the angled surface projects inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the dispenser. 
     
     
         8 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the strip sorting structure comprises a series of channels. 
     
     
         9 . The strip dispenser of  claim 7  in which the channels are narrowed at their ends such that the ends are slightly less wide than the strips. 
     
     
         10 . The strip dispenser of  claim 8  in which the container has a hollow post that defines an opening that accepts a portion of the strip sorting structure. 
     
     
         11 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the strip sorting structure is held in the container. 
     
     
         12 . The strip dispenser of  claim 10  in which the container comprises desiccating material. 
     
     
         13 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the first structure defines a generally conical structure with its vertex located near the bottom of the container, to force the strips outward toward the inner walls of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the first structure and the strip sorting structure are integral. 
     
     
         15 . The strip dispenser of  claim 1  in which the container is open at one end and the first structure is coupled to the open end. 
     
     
         16 . The strip dispenser of  claim 15  in which the strip sorting structure is coupled to the first structure. 
     
     
         17 . A strip dispenser for dispensing a strip from a plurality of strips, comprising:
 an open-top container that is made from a plastic that includes a desiccant material and that defines a perimeter, wherein the container is constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of strips;   a first structure that is coupled to the open top of the container and defines one or more thin slots that are generally parallel to the perimeter of the container, wherein the slots have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of the strip and less than two times the smallest dimension of the strip, and are configured and arranged to inhibit two strips that are stuck together back to back from passing through the slot together; and   strip sorting structure that inhibits a strip that has at least partially passed through a slot from fully leaving the container without manipulation of the strip by the user.   
     
     
         18 . The strip dispenser of  claim 17  in which the first structure defines a generally conical structure with its vertex located near the bottom of the container, to force the strips outward toward the inner walls of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The strip dispenser of  claim 17  wherein the strip sorting structure is coupled to the first structure. 
     
     
         20 . A strip dispenser for dispensing a strip from a plurality of strips, comprising:
 an open-top container that is made from a plastic that includes a desiccant material and that defines a perimeter, wherein the container is constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of strips;   a first structure that is coupled to the open top of the container and defines one or more thin slots that are generally parallel to the perimeter of the container, wherein the slots have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of the strip and less than two times the smallest dimension of the strip, and are configured and arranged to inhibit two strips that are stuck together back to back from passing through the slot together, in which the first structure defines a generally conical structure with its vertex located near the bottom of the container to force the strips outward toward the inner walls of the container; and   a stopping piston that is held relative to the container by an enlarged end that is held by a series of flexible arms, wherein the stopping piston inhibits a strip that has at least partially passed through a slot from fully leaving the container without manipulation of the strip by the user.