Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SELF-ADHESIVE ITEMS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing self-adhesive items,
and
more particularly to a dispenser for self-adhesive postage stamps, flags,
labels or
other self-adhesive items.
BACKGROUND
Self-adhesive items are usually dispensed in disposable dispenser packs,
specifically adapted to the shape and size of the items to be dispensed.
1 o Self-adhesive stamps provided in known dispensers due to the dispenser's
poor
construction or design are sometimes hindered from exit. In an office
environment,
these dispensers are often not used for this reason and are replaced by a
simple
elastic provided around stamp rollers.
US 5,358,113 discloses a device for dispensing tapes at low cost while serving
as
a protective primary packaging device. This device is pre-loaded with a roll
of self-
adhesive material and disposed after use.
The device disclosed in US 5,806,713 also houses a roll of self-adhesive
material.
This device is provided with a slit at the intersection between its front face
and lower
face so that self-adhesive stamps can be both dispensed and applied on the
surface
2 0 of interest.
US 6,666,350 discloses a device for separating and dispensing strips of self-
adhesive articles. The device is to be used with elongated strips of these
self-
adhesive articles wound into rolls.
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US 6,439,289 discloses a hand held postage stamp dispenser with display and
advertising capability. This dispenser is intended to distribute pressure
sensitive
coated postage stamps from a roll of backing material or release liner.
There is a need for a dispenser for self-adhesive items that can help to
properly and
efficiently work in an office environment.
There is also a need for a dispenser for self-adhesive items provided in a
strip
arrangement, in an alternative manner.
There is a further need for a dispenser that can be adapted to various shapes
and
sizes of stacks of self-adhesive items.
1 o There is a need for a dispenser that can distribute contemporary self-
adhesive items,
which can be reusable and inexpensive to manufacture.
Finally, there is a need for a dispenser which does not entail complex
handling and
loading.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is tv provide a device which can satisfy at
least
one of the above-mentioned needs.
Accordingly, such an object is achieved by a device for dispensing self-
adhesive
items provided on a backing member, comprising:
an upper housing portion having a peripheral wall defining a first interior
space;
2 o a lower housing portion having a peripheral wall complementary to the
peripheral
wall of the upper housing portion and defining a second interior space, the
peripheral wall of the upper housing portion being movably connected to the
peripheral wail of the lower housing portion, the upper housing portion being
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movable relative to the lower housing portion between an open position for
loading the self-adhesive items provided on the backing member inside the
interior spaces defined by the peripheral walls of i:he housing portions, and
a
closed position for dispensing the self-adhesive items loaded inside the
interior
spaces; and
a dispensing slit extending between and formed by the peripheral walls of the
housing portions when in the closed position, for passage of the self-adhesive
items.
The disclosed device may further comprise a base member supporting the lower
1 o housing portion.
The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion may be mirror images
of
one another. The upper housing portion and the lower housing portion may be of
any shape, preferably of semi-spherical shape.
In addition, the upper and lower housing portions may have shapes adapted to a
number of shapes of self-adhesive items and their backing member.
The upper and lower housing portions may be connected along their respective
peripheral edges, e.g. by pivoting means.
Stabilizing means mounted inside the upper andlor the lower housing portion
may
be provided so as to adapt to the size and shape of the self-adhesive items
and
2 o backing member to be loaded. These stabilizing means create a seat for the
self-
adhesive items and their backing member so that they are adequately held in
place
for proper dispensing . These stabilizing means may also work as reinforcing
means
for the peripheral walls of the upper and lower housing portions.
The lower andlor upper housing portions may also be provided with pressure
means
that will exert a lateral pressure on the backing member so as to keep the
self-
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adhesive items in place within the slit, These pressure means may be in the
shape
of an elongated member pivotally connected to the interior surface of either
one or
both of the housing portions so that, once the self-adhesive items and the
backing
member are in place, they remain in their operative position upon the lateral
pressure exerted by the elongated member.
The backing member may be of any suitable shape, such as planar in the case
where the self-adhesive items are elongated strips, or circular in the case
where the
self-adhesive items are rolled. The backing member may be a plastic pack or a
cylindrical member,
to Guide means projecting from the walls of the housing portions adjacent the
slit may
be provided. These guide means may be used to separate strips of self-adhesive
items from an underlining supporting strip.
Self-adhesive items may be Post-its T"" (3M) or pre-cut Scotch T"~ tape (3M),
for
example.
As can be appreciated from the above-mentioned characteristics, the disclosed
device provides a number of advantages such as the followings.
The present device may be used by well-established businesses working in a
variety
of domains such as postal services, businesses specialized in office
equipment,
companies producing promotional devices, businesses specialized in greeting
cards,
2 0 entertainment, sports, etc.
The disclosed device may be used as a collector's item useful in promoting
special
events, team events, corporate branding, company events or postal services.
Another advantage is that the present device may be used as a promotional toy
or
item in specific companies. Moreover, the present device may be configured in
such
2s a way as to display the company's logo, for example.
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Another advantage is that stores specialized in office supplies may sell a
base model
along with additional logos in a variety of colors and displayed over the
years, for
example. For companies like 3M or those specialized in greeting cards, there
rnay
be a wide variety of collector's items.
5 Companies specialized in distribution of promotional items may also be able
to
purchase the collector's format of the present device, displaying a known
thematic
or simply personalize the shape, purchase their device at will and affix the
logo of
interest. A wide variety of colors may be provided for the present device,
e.g. ten
base colors.
1 o The present device may also be used for personal purposes, as a personal
collector's item. Promotional businesses may also find an advantage at using
the
collector's version of the present device since, in accordance with their
marketing
strategy, they are also looking for utilitary new items that may be used and
are highly
visible on a long term basis.
The device may take various shapes, such as heart, fish, mouth, dice, house,
animal, flowers, horoscope, yin/yang sign, #8 black pool bail, golf ball, base-
ball,
basket-ball, foot-ball, sport teams logos, annual themes such as Christmas,
Easter,
Valentine's day, Halloween, benefits, national flags, etc. These shapes may be
chosen according to the clients' interests.
The device may be used to dispense tape strips, flags, post-its (for example,
mini,
pop-up), page markers, labels (for example, home adress, business), stickers
(for
example, self-adhesive strips for children).
It should be understood that the possibilities of shapes and images to be
printed on
the present device and the shapes of the device's base member are endless.
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These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will
be
better understood upon reading the following nonrestrictive description of
preferred
embodiments thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of device according to the present invention.
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are side elevation, front elevation and top views of the
disclosed device in its open position.
Figure 2D is a perspective partially transparent view of the disclosed device
in its
closed, operating position.
Figure 3 is another perspective view of the disclosed device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given
similar
reference numerals and in order to lighten the figures, some elements are not
referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a preceding
figure.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2A to 2D, the device (10) comprises an upper
housing
portion (12) and a lower housing portion {14). Each of these two portions (12
and
14) is further delimited by a peripheral edge (16 and 18).
As better depicted in Figures 2A and 2B, the peripheral edges (16 and 18) may
be
connected to one another by a pivoting arrangement (20) so that the upper
housing
2 o portion (12) is movable between an open position (Figures 2A to 2C) and a
closed
position (Figure 2D). The upper and lower housing portions may also be
connected
by a flexible flange, thus permanently connecting both portions (e.g. video
box).
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Referring to Figures 1, 2D and 3, the device (10) is preferably but not
necessarily
provided with a pedestal-like base member (22) depending of the shape of the
device (10). Referring more specifically to Figures 1 and 3, the upper housing
portion is in its closed position. A characteristic of this closed position is
that a slit
(24) is formed between the upper (12) and lower (14} housing portions.
As depicted in Figures 2A to 2D, adjustable guiding elements (26) are provided
within the interior space of the lower housing portion (14) of the device
(10}. It will
be understood that these guiding elements (26} may be provided in either the
upper
housing portion (12), the lower (14) housing portion or both, as long as the
self-
o adhesive items and their backing member (not shown) are property loaded. By
"properly loaded", it is meant that each self-adhesive item will be arranged
so as to
fit within the slit (24), thus in alignment with it.
Referring to Figure 3, the lower housing portion (14} may be provided with
guide
elements (28), e.g. in the form of small facing hooks, projecting from the
external
1 s face adjacent the slit (24). Strips of self-adhesive items can be
separated from an
underlining supporting strip, such as provided with self-adhesive stamps for
example
(not shown), using these guide elements (28).
While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail herein and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that changes
and
2 o modifications may be effected therein without depa~~ting from the essence
of this
invention. For example, the slit (24) may be provided with a surrounding
flange (25)
outwardly projecting from the walls of the upper and Lower portions (12, 14).
The slit
(24} may be curved instead of being straight, if desired.
