Container

Abstract

A container for a plurality of articles comprising a main body, a hollow member fixedly coupled to an end of the main body and a cup member movably coupled to the hollow member. When the cup member is in an open position the cup member and the hollow member are spaced defining an opening. A slider is movably coupled to the cup member. The slider has a spring, such that when the slider is moved relative to the cup member in a radial direction the slider carries an article towards the opening and the spring on the slider is flexed. After dispensing, the spring gradually relaxes, resetting the slider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for a plurality of articles stacked on top of each other, the container comprising:
 a main body having a hollow shape and extending along a longitudinal axis, the main body comprising a first closed end and a second open end opposing the first closed end;   a hollow member fixedly coupled to the main body at the second end;   a cup member movably coupled to the hollow member, wherein in the open position the cup member and the hollow member are spaced defining an opening in communication with the second open end, wherein the cup member comprises a base portion defining a closed bottom end of the container;   a slider positioned across from the opening comprising a spring; wherein the slider is movably coupled to the cup member, such that the slider is movable relative to the cup member in a radial direction between a position where the spring is relaxed and a position where the spring is flexed;   wherein, in the closed position, the opening is closed, wherein, in the open position, the movable opening is at least partially exposed to allow removal of a bottom article from the plurality of articles from the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising an engaging portion connected to the slider and disposed within the cup member, wherein the engaging portion is configured to engage the bottom article from the plurality of articles. 
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 2 , further comprising a gripping portion connected to the slider opposite to the engaging portion and disposed externally to the cup member;
 wherein, in the open position of the cup member, the gripping portion is configured to be moved towards the opening causing the engaging portion to move the bottom article towards the opening, such that the bottom article at least partially extends through the bottom opening for removal from the container; and   wherein, after removal of the bottom article from the container, the gripping portion is configured to be gradually moved away from the opening by the spring, such that the engaging portion engages a successive bottom article from the plurality of articles.   
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the cup member is movable relative to the bottom member between a closed position and an open position along the longitudinal axis and/or about the radial axis. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body comprises a tubular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises from 0% to about 10% by weight of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a flat spring. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a post affixed to the first closed end wherein the post extends along the longitudinal axis within the hollow member towards the second open end. 
     
     
         9 . A container for a plurality of articles stacked on top of each other, the container comprising:
 a main body having a hollow tubular shape and extending along a longitudinal axis, the main body comprising a first closed end and a second open end opposing the first closed end;   a bottom member fixedly coupled to the main body at the second open end; and   a movable member movably coupled to the bottom member, such that the movable member is movable relative to the bottom member between a closed position and an open position, wherein the movable member defines a movable opening therethrough in communication with the second open end, the movable opening extending angularly relative to the longitudinal axis;   wherein, in the closed position, the movable opening is closed, wherein, in the open position, the movable opening is at least partially exposed to allow removal of a bottom article from the plurality of articles from the container, and wherein the movable member defines a closed bottom end of the container.   
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein the bottom member defines a bottom opening therethrough in communication with the second open end, the bottom opening extending angularly relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the movable member is rotatable relative to the bottom member about the longitudinal axis between the closed position and the open position, wherein, in the closed position, the movable opening is misaligned from the bottom opening, and wherein, in the open position, the movable opening is at least partially aligned with the bottom opening. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein the bottom opening subtends a total angle of at least 150 degrees about the longitudinal axis and comprises two symmetric portions about a central axis, each symmetric portion extending from the central axis to a concave end, wherein each symmetric portion has a minimum width at the central axis and a maximum width defined by the concave end. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein the movable member comprises a bottom portion defining the closed bottom end of the container, the bottom portion defining a slot therethrough, and wherein the container further comprises a slider comprising:
 a sliding portion slidably received through the slot;   an engaging portion connected to the sliding portion and disposed within the movable member, wherein the engaging portion is configured to engage the bottom article from the plurality of articles; and   a gripping portion connected to the sliding portion opposite to the engaging portion and disposed externally to the movable member;   wherein each of the engaging portion and the gripping portion is wider than the slot in order to secure the sliding portion within the slot;   wherein, in the open position of the movable member, the gripping portion is configured to be moved towards the bottom opening causing the sliding portion to slide along the slot and the engaging portion to move the bottom article towards the bottom opening, such that the bottom article at least partially extends through the bottom opening for removal from the container; and   wherein, after removal of the bottom article from the container, the gripping portion is configured to be moved away from the bottom opening, such that the engaging portion engages a successive bottom article from the plurality of articles.   
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein the movable member is slidable relative to the bottom member along the longitudinal axis between the closed position and the open position, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom member covers the movable opening, and wherein, in the open position, the movable opening is at least partially offset from the bottom member relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 9 , wherein the movable opening subtends a total angle of at least 150 degrees about the longitudinal axis and comprises two symmetric portions about a central axis, each symmetric portion extending from the central axis to a concave end, wherein each symmetric portion has a minimum width at the central axis and a maximum width defined by the concave end. 
     
     
         15 . A container for a plurality of articles stacked on top of each other, the container comprising:
 a main body having a hollow tubular shape and extending along a longitudinal axis, the main body comprising a first open end and a second open end opposing the first open end;   a top member fixedly coupled to the main body at the first open end, the top member defining a top opening therethrough in communication with the first open end, wherein the top opening is configured to be selectively open or closed; and   a pusher slidably received within the main body and movable along the longitudinal axis, the pusher defining a movable closed bottom end of the container;   wherein the plurality of articles is received within the main body and stacked on top of the pusher, and wherein the pusher is movable along the longitudinal axis towards the top opening, such that a top article from the plurality of articles is removable from the top opening.   
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cap removably coupled to the main body and configured to selectively close the first open end and the top opening of the top member. 
     
     
         17 . The container according to  claim 15 , wherein the top member comprises:
 an annular portion fixedly coupled to the first open end of the main body and defining the top opening aligned with the first open end;   an engaging portion coupled to the annular portion and extending at least partially into the top opening, the engaging portion comprising an inclined planar surface inclined obliquely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the inclined planar surface is configured to engage with the top article and separate the top article from a rest of the plurality of articles.   
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 15 , further comprising a movable member rotatably coupled to the top member, such that the movable member is rotatable relative to the top member about the longitudinal axis, wherein the movable member defines a movable opening therethrough that is selectively and at least partially aligned with the top opening of the top member to allow removal of the top article from the container, and wherein the movable member closes the top opening when the movable opening is misaligned from the top opening. 
     
     
         19 . The container according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the top opening and the movable opening extends angularly relative to the longitudinal axis and subtends a total angle of at least 150 degrees about the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the top opening and the movable opening comprises two symmetric portions about a central axis, each symmetric portion extending from the central axis to a concave end, wherein each symmetric portion has a minimum width at the central axis and a maximum width defined by the concave end.