System for dispensing mailers, container for dispensing mailers

Abstract

A system for dispensing mailers includes a retention system and a container. The retention system includes a surface and a retention mechanism. A portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface. The container holds mailers. The container is supported by the surface of the retention system. The container includes a dispensing aperture that permits the mailers to be dispensed through a first panel of the container. The container is located so that a second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the surface. The dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and a portion of the retention mechanism. The retention mechanism deters movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.

1 . A system for dispensing mailers, the system comprising:
 a retention system that includes a surface and a retention mechanism, wherein a portion of the retention mechanism extends transversely across a front of the surface; and   a container configured to hold mailers, wherein the container is supported by the surface of the retention system;   wherein the container includes a dispensing aperture configured to permit the mailers to be dispensed through a first panel of the container;   wherein the container is supported by the surface of the retention system so that a second panel of the container is substantially parallel to the surface;   wherein the dispensing aperture is located on the container so that the dispensing aperture is between the surface of the retention system and a portion of the retention mechanism of the retention system; and   wherein the portion of the retention mechanism is configured to deter movement of the container toward the retention mechanism while a first mailer is dispensed from the container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the mailers includes an open end, and wherein the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the dispensing aperture. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing aperture is sized and shaped such that the first mailer is the only one of the mailers that can pass through the dispensing aperture while the first mailer is being dispensed. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the dispensing aperture is located on the first panel and a second portion of the dispensing aperture is located on the second panel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the container is positioned on the dispensing system such that the second portion of the dispensing aperture is accessible. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the retention mechanism is positioned so that the container is located on the surface with a portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture is not covered by the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the container is located on the surface with the portion of the second panel that includes the second portion of the dispensing aperture located forward of a front end of the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the container is supported by the surface indirectly via the retention mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the retention mechanism includes a base on which the container is located, legs that extend downward from the base, and posts that extend upward from the base. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the posts include tabs that extend across a portion of a front end of the retention mechanism, and wherein the tabs are the portion of the retention mechanism configured to deter movement of the container toward the front end of the retention mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first mailer is configured to be dispensed from the container through the dispensing aperture and through gaps between the tabs and the base. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base includes a recessed portion, and wherein the second portion of the dispensing aperture is aligned with the recessed portion so that the second portion if the dispensing aperture is accessible. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is one of a plurality of containers supported by the surface of the retention system, and wherein either:
 the container has a size that is different from at least one other container of the plurality of containers, or   the mailers in the container have a size that is different from a size of mailers in at least one other container of the plurality of containers.   
     
     
         16 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coupling mechanism configured to couple the container to the surface.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least one of:
 one or more clips configured to configured to exert a compressive force between the first panel of the container and the surface, or   one or more brackets that are fixed to the surface, wherein each of the one or more brackets includes a tab that extends partially in front of the container.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a funneling member positioned so that the first mailer contacts the funneling member while the first mailer is dispensed from the container;   wherein the funneling member is configured to bias open the mailer while the first mailer is dispensed from the container.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the retention mechanism is configured to pass through holes in the funneling member;   the funneling member is capable of rotating about the retention mechanism; and   the funneling member is capable of being translated transversely along the retention mechanism.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the funneling member include side walls;   the side walls of the funneling member includes narrowing portions;   the funneling member is arranged so that sides of the mailer contact the narrowing portions while the first mailer is dispensed from the container; and   the narrowing portions are configured to bias the sides of the mailer inward.   
     
     
         24 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A container for dispensing mailers, the container comprising:
 a plurality of panels folded with respect to each other into a three-dimensional configuration, wherein the plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel is configured to be located on a surface of a retention system;   an openable dispensing cover located at least on the second panel, wherein the openable dispensing cover is bounded by lines of weakness configured to be broken to remove the openable dispensing cover, and wherein the container includes a dispensing aperture in place of the openable dispensing cover after the openable dispensing cover is removed; and   mailers positioned within the plurality of panels;   wherein the openable dispensing cover is located on the container so that, after the openable dispensing cover is removed and the first panel is supported by the surface of the retention system, the dispensing aperture is located between the surface of the retention system and a portion of a retention mechanism of the retention system.   
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 an openable view cover located on the second panel;   wherein, after the openable view cover is removed, the container includes a viewing aperture in place of the openable viewing cover after the openable viewing cover is removed;   wherein, after the openable view cover is removed, a level of the mailers inside of the container can be viewed through the viewing aperture.   
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 26 , wherein each of the mailers includes an open end, and wherein the mailers are located in the container with the open ends of the mailers oriented toward the openable dispensing cover.