EP1888437A4

EP1888437A4 - Dispenser apparatus and cover device

Info

Publication number: EP1888437A4
Application number: EP06752243A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Corrado Corinaldesi; Peter J Newbould
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2005-05-13
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2008-10-01
Also published as: EP1888437A2; WO2006124311A3; US20060255057A1; WO2006124311A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser apparatus (30) for holding and retaining a stack (20) of sheets (10), such as notepapers or index flags, and for individually dispensing the sheets, wherein the sheets are arranged in a Z-fold manner within the stack, comprising a single dispenser platform (31) having clamping means (32,37) being part of the dispenser platform (31) for as well holding and clamping the stack (20) in the dispenser apparatus. The invention further relates to a cover device (60,70,80) having such dispenser apparatus (30,50).

Description

DISPENSER APPARATUS AND COVER DEVICE

Technical Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a dispenser apparatus for individually dispensing sheet material, such as notepaper or the like, wherein the sheet material is disposed in a Z-fold manner within the stack. The sheets having a band of adhesive layer coated on one surface along one edge by which the sheets are adhered together with the sheets being stacked with a band of adhesive of adjacent sheets at alternate opposite edges of the stack, wherein removal of one sheet withdraws one end of the next sheet which can be then separated without withdrawing the following sheet.

The present invention in particular relates to sheets that can be adhered to and removed from a substrate such as written documents without damaging this substrate, wherein said sheets can have a portion coated with an adhesive layer to provide secure engagement with a substrate until it is intentionally removed. The adhesive layer comprises a repositionable adhesive, i.e. while the adhesive allows for the sheets to be sufficiently adhered such that they can withstand normal handling without being removed from the substrate, upon removal, the sheets do not destroy or damage the substrate, which may be for example a paper sheet.

The present invention is further related to a cover device for a file folder, a loose leaf, a book, a notebook, a file wrapper or the like.

Technical Background

In the course of reviewing and studying printed material it is common and convenient for individuals to write down short notes on a note paper and/or to use small flags to identify a position of a book or a file wrapper which is deemed to be important. Especially for locating passages within a book or a file wrapper often a search of several marked-up pages is required. One product that facilitates locating a particular page or a section of a page is a tape flag such as those manufactured by the 3M Company, St. Paul, MN under the trademark "Post-it®". The material of these flags may be an elastic or flexible material, such as plastics, or a writeable sheet, such as paper.

The prior art is provided with structures for the sheets adapted to mark positions of substrates such as written documents and dispenser packages for such sheets. Sheets from "Post-it®" note paper available from the 3M company are used extensively as such sheets and are particularly useful for that purpose because a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive layer with which they are coated allows them to be placed and also to be removed from a document without damaging the document.

It is known that a plurality of these flexible sheets having the same size are disposed in a stack and each of them comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on a back side of the sheet. The sheets have first and second ends and are adhered to each other within the stack with the first and second end of successive sheets in the stack and have first end portions adjacent their first ends that are not adhered to (or can be easily separated from) the underlying sheet in the stack to facilitate removal of the uppermost sheet in the stack. This arrangement of the sheet material or the note papers, respectively, disposed within a stack and adhered to each other with a releasable adhesive layer along alternating opposing edges is hereinafter referred to as an arrangement of sheet material in a so-called Z-fold manner.

A typical manner of packaging this stack is to use a dispenser package for at least holding and covering the stack of sheets.

US-Patent No. 4,770,320 describes a dispenser package including such a stack of sheets - which is commercially available, from 3M, St. Paul, MN under the trade designation "Post- it®" tape flags - wherein the layers of pressure sensitive adhesive extend only over a portion of the back sides of the sheets and wherein the single sheets are disposed within the stack in a Z-fold manner. The packaging dispenser has a box-like structure. For dispensing a single sheet or note paper, respectively, the housing of the dispenser package contains a slot on top of the dispenser package for dispensing one single sheet after the other through the slot. Various other dispenser packages containing and covering a stack of sheet material - such as the above-mentioned stack having Z-folded sheets - are widely known in the art, including WO 92/12072, WO 96/00659, EP 345 057 Al, US 4,416,392, US 5,086,946, US 4,653,666, EP 157 628 Al and WO 03/002357 Al.

In WO 03/002357 the packaging of the dispenser and device is incorporated inside a pencil. In WO 96/00659, WO 92/12072, EP 345 057 Al the packaging of the dispenser is made out of one piece having a slot on the top of the piece, whereas in EP 157 628 the packaging of the dispenser is made out of a sheet or a plate which can be folded to construct a box-like structure for enclosing and surrounding the stack of sheet material.

In all above referenced applications the dispenser package forms a box-like structure in which the stack of sheet material is almost covered completely. This box-like package structure has the function to cover the stack and therefore to serve as a housing to prevent that the sheets are dispensed in an uncontrolled manner. Therefore, the box-like structure of the packaging not only holds and covers the stack but also surrounds the stack.

The problem of nearly all dispenser package applications mentioned in the above reference documents is that the stack is surrounded completely and covered by a single- piece box-like housing structure. As a consequence of this it is not or at least with some effort possible to refill the dispenser apparatus if it is empty and if there is no sheet material left in the dispenser package. An empty dispenser apparatus is often not any more re-useable and, therefore, is thrown away. Furthermore, in case a sheet fails to dispense from such a closed dispenser, it is generally difficult or sometimes even impossible to restart the dispensing of sheets therefrom.

Another problem being inherent to the dispensers referenced above is the more or less complicated fabrication and manufacturing of said devices. Especially, with the single- piece box-like housing structure of the dispenser it is rather difficult and complex and thus costly to fabricate the box like package having a slot for dispensing the sheet material on the top of the package. Especially, if the package is made of a coherent, non-detachable material, such as plastics, several process steps are necessary. In addition to that, more or less complex and thus expensive machines are necessary to fabricate the dispenser packages.

Disclosure of the Invention

It would now be desirable to provide a further dispenser device, in particular an improved dispenser device preferably having a construction as simple as possible. It would further be desirable to provide a dispenser device which can be fabricated in a more easy way. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a refillable dispenser device, wherein the refill process is as easy as possible. Desirably, the dispenser device can be readily combined or provided in for example a notebook.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dispenser apparatus having the features of claim 1 and/or a cover device having the features of claim 11.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a dispenser device for holding and retaining a stack of sheets and for individually dispensing the sheets, wherein the sheets are arranged in a Z-fold manner within the stack, comprising a single dispenser platform having clamping means being integral with the dispenser platform for as well holding and clamping the stack in the dispenser apparatus.

Accordingly, the present invention further provides a cover device for a file folder, a loose leaf, a book, a notebook, a file wrapper or the like, comprising at least one first cover sheet having at least one dispenser apparatus according to the present invention.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the dispenser apparatus comprises on one hand a generally planar contact area for holding and carrying the stack. In addition to that, the dispenser apparatus comprises on the other hand at least two tongue-shaped devices for putting pressure on the top of the stack which is lying at least partially on the planar contact area. In this dispenser apparatus the contact area and the two tongue-shaped devices are arranged in such a way that the stack is clamped between those parts of the dispenser apparatus. The contact area and the two tongue-shaped devices of the dispenser apparatus therefore have a function of a clamping means. By clamping a stack between two tongue-shaped devices and a more or less planar contact area the stack is at least fixed within the dispenser apparatus.

It has thus been found that for implementing a simple and easy manufactured dispensing apparatus it is not necessary to cover the stack almost completely by means of a housing or the like. It is only necessary to provide a contact area to place the stack with its bottom portion on and to provide any means for exerting some force or pressure on top of the stack at opposite ends of the stack (i.e. the opposite ends between which the repositionable adhesive on the sheets of the stack alternate) in a way that the stack is fixed between the contact area and the means. With the dispenser apparatus according to the present invention the stack is not covered completely, but is fixed in a way that a movement of the stack is not possible at normal conditions when no force is impinged on the stack.

However, the contact area and the two tongue-shaped devices which are putting force or pressure on the top of the stack and thus are pressing the stack against the contact area advantageously allows dispensing a single sheet on top of the stack one after the other. The sheet on the top of the stack therefore can be easily removed out of the dispenser apparatus since the two tongue-shaped devices are impinging a force on the stack only at the end portions of the stack with the consequence that single sheets can be taken out of the dispenser apparatus one after the other.

A particular advantage of the dispenser resides in the simplicity of the whole construction of the dispenser apparatus since it may be constructed only out of one single page, sheet, leaf, foil or the like comprising as well the contact area and the tongue-shaped devices for putting force or pressure on the top of the stack and clamping the stacks.

A further advantage of the dispenser is the simplicity of its manufacturing process since only very simple process machines are necessary for making cuttings or slittings to create the contact area and the tongue-shaped devices. In a very simple process these features are just cut, punched, rotary-grinded and/or lasered out of a planar sheet-like base material. These process steps may also be applied for producing the other parts of the dispenser apparatus and especially to set the outer shape of the dispenser apparatus.

A further advantage is the refillable functionality of the dispenser apparatus. If the dispenser apparatus is empty, that is, if the last sheet is withdrawn from the dispenser apparatus a new stack may be clamped between the contact area and the tongue-like apparatus. With this smart and useful functionality the dispenser apparatus does not have to be thrown away after it is empty. Advantageously, the dispenser apparatus consequently has a significantly longer life time. This is especially very attractive for those individuals who do not want to exchange the dispenser device after every stack especially for economic reasons.

Embodiments and improvements can be found in the dependent claims and in the description, with reference to the drawings.

In one embodiment the stack contains a plurality of repositionable sheets wherein each sheet having a band coated (e.g. a narrow band) with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on a back surface along one edge portion of the sheet by which the sheet is adhered together with a sheet below, with the sheets being stacked with a band of adhesive layers of adjacent sheets at alternating opposite edges of the stack, wherein removal of a first sheet withdraws one end of a second sheet below which then can be separated from the first sheet without withdrawing the second sheet.

In a particular embodiment the clamping means comprise at least one contact area and at least two first tongue-shaped devices arranged opposite to each other for putting pressure on top of the stack and thus clamping the stack between the contact area and the first tongue-shaped devices.

Generally the at least two first tongue-shaped devices are distanced from each other to allow to individually remove single sheets, wherein the distance is in the range of one quarter to one half of the width of the first tongue shaped devices. In the at least two first tongue-shaped devices are distanced from each other forming a bridge-like structure in the dispenser platform, wherein the bridge-like structure is part of the contact area.

In an embodiment the contact area is at least partially planar and/or the at least two first tongue-shaped devices are at least partially rectangular shaped.

In an embodiment the dispenser apparatus comprises at least one dispenser platform having at least partially a flexible and elastic material.

In an embodiment the dispenser apparatus comprises at least partially a material which consists at least partially of a polymer, such as plastics.

In an embodiment the dispenser apparatus comprises at least partially a transparent material and/or a semi-transparent material. The thickness of the dispenser platform is generally in a range between 0.01 mm and 2 mm, for example in a range between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm. The number of sheets in the stack may vary widely but is typically not more than 50 sheets, for example not more than 25 sheets.

In a particular embodiment at least one second tongue-shaped device is provided forming part of the contact area. The second tongue-shaped device may function as a supporting means for preventing that the stack is slipping through a recess in the dispenser platform which is generated by lifting off the respective first tongue-shaped devices and/or functions as a stop means to provide a stop position for preventing a horizontal movement of the stack within the dispenser apparatus.

Generally the second tongue-shaped device is smaller than the respective one of the first tongue-shaped devices and/or is at least partially arranged inside the respective one of the first tongue-shaped devices.

The first and/or the second tongue-shaped devices may be constructed by means of slittings and/or slots and/or cuttings within the dispenser platform wherein the slittings and/or slots and/or cuttings are arranged so as to allow the tongue-shaped devices to be lifted from the dispenser platform along one connecting side where the tongue-shaped device is connected to the dispenser platform. Typically but not necessarily, a first and/or second tongue shaped device has four sides wherein the slittings and/or slots and/or cuttings are arranged on three sides of the first tongue-shaped devices and wherein the first and/or second tongue-shaped devices are connected on their fourth sides to the dispenser platform.

Typically the fourth side of a first tongue-shaped device and the connecting side of the respective one of the second tongue-shaped device are positioned on the same side.

In an embodiment the at least two first tongue-shaped devices which are arranged opposite to each other are of the same size and/or the at least two second tongue-shaped devices which are arranged opposite to each other are of the same size.

In a further embodiment the first tongue-shaped devices have a lateral first width which is defined by the length of the bridge-like structure wherein the first width is greater than a second width which is defined by the sides of the stack and the stack is clamped between the first tongue-shaped devices and the contact area.

In a particular embodiment the width of the adhesive layer on the sheets in the stack for use with the dispenser is not greater than one half of the length of a single sheet and typically is not greater than one fourth of the length of a single sheet.

In a particular embodiment a single cover sheet is provided having holes on one edge of the cover sheet for use in a loose leaf and/or in a file folder. In accordance with the invention, the cover sheet comprises at least one dispenser in accordance with the invention.

In a further embodiment adjacent first and second cover sheets are connected with each other by fold means formed by a flexible interface, wherein the flexible interface has the function of a rotating axis allowing to clap at least one of the first and/or the second cover sheet on top of the respective other cover sheet. The dispenser may be arranged on either or both of the first and second cover sheets. The first and second cover sheets may be of the same or different size and/or shape and may have more than one dispenser.

In a further embodiment at least two cover sheets are provided wherein at least a first one of these cover sheets comprises at least one tuck in flap and at least a second one of these cover sheets comprises at least one recess means wherein the number of the recess means corresponds with the number of the tuck in flaps. One or both of the cover sheets may have one or more dispenser in connection with the invention.

In a particular embodiment the recess means and the tuck in flaps are arranged at the same position within a respective one of the cover sheets such that, when the first one of the cover sheets is clapped on the respective second one of the cover sheets the tuck in flaps may be inserted into the recess means to enable the first one of the cover sheets and the respective second one of the cover sheets to be connected with each other.

The tuck in flaps may be tongue-shaped and/or the recess means may be made of a slitting and/or a slot and/or a cutting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplifying embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. Ia, Ib show a top view of back side (a) and a side view (b) of a single sheet of a stack of single sheets having an pressure adhesive layer at its back side;

FIG. 2a, 2b, 2c shows a side view of a stack comprising a plurality of flexible repositionable sheets disposed within the stack in a Z-fold manner; FIG. 3 shows in a top view a first basic embodiment of a dispenser apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the dispenser apparatus of FIG. 3 carrying a stack - e.g. such as the one as shown in FIG. 2 - clamped between two portions of the dispenser apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows in a top view a second improved embodiment of the dispenser apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows in a top view a first application for the dispenser apparatus, e.g. such as the one as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows in a top view a second application for the dispenser apparatus, e.g. such as the one as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows in a top view a third improved application for the dispenser apparatus, e.g. such as the one as shown in FIG. 5.

In the drawings identical and/or similar features are - as far as nothing else is set forth - indicated with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description of the invention

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown an exemplified embodiment of a single sheet of a stack according to the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10. FIG. l(a) shows a top view of the back side of the sheet 10 and FIG. l(b) shows a side view (b) of the sheet 10.

The sheet 10 comprises an elongate preferably rectangular shape having a front side 11 and a back side 12 and first and second opposite ends 13, 14. The sheet 10 typically comprises a single layer of transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent flexible material. The sheet 10 may be of any sheet material, such as paper, polymeric material or any other more or less flexible material. The sheet 10 further can be designed to be a writeable note paper or an index for the marking of portions of documents (such as the "Post-it® Index" or the "Post-it® notes").

The sheet thickness D5 depends on the sheet material and the desired application and is conveniently between 0.01 mm and 0.2 mm.

The sheet 10 further comprises a coating layer 15 on its back side 12. The coating layer 15 comprises a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive such as described for example in US 3,691,140 and US 4,166,152. The coating layer 15 is applied on a second end portion 16 of the back side 12 adjacent the second end 14 while the sheet 10 is free of the coating layer 15 of pressure sensitive adhesive as well at the whole front side 11 surface and at a first end portion 17 of the backside 12 adjacent the first end 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the area of the first end portion 17 is smaller than the one of the second end portion 16. However, it may also be possible that both areas are equal in their size or the second end portion 16 is greater than the first end portion 17.

Generally, the width Ll of the coating layer 15 is significantly smaller than the length L2 of said sheet 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, there is shown an exemplified embodiment of a stack according to the present invention designated by the reference numeral 20. FIG. 2 shows three illustrations (FIG. 2(a) - FIG. 2(c)) of the stack 20 in different positions to illustrate the construction of the stack 20 as well as to illustrate the function of dispensing of a single sheet 10.

The stack 20 comprises a plurality (e.g. 10, 15, 50, 100, etc.) of flexible similar or equal sized sheets 10 such as those illustrated with respect to FIG. 1. The sheets 10 are disposed in alignment in the stack 20 with each of the sheets 10 having a top surface 11 (front side) and a bottom surface 12 (back side) and a more or less narrow band of a thin coating layer 15 of pressure sensitive adhesive coated on the bottom surface 12 along one edge portion 16 by which the sheet 10 is adhered to the top surface 11 of an adjacent sheet 10 in the stack. The single sheets 10 are stacked with their coating layers 15 to two adjacent sheets 10 at alternate opposite sides 21, 22 of the stack 20. In this arrangement the sheets 10 are arranged within the stack 20 in a Z-fold manner. The bottom sheet 23 typically does not comprise a coating layer 15 such as the sheets 10 arranged above the bottom sheet 23.

FIG. 3 shows in a top view a first application of a dispenser apparatus according to the present invention. The dispenser apparatus is referenced by reference numeral 30. In the embodiment in FIG. 3 the dispenser apparatus 30 is shown without a stack 20. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the dispenser apparatus 30 of FIG. 3 for dispensing single sheets out of a stack carried by elements of the dispenser apparatus 30.

The dispenser apparatus 30 is made out of a generally flexible sheet material 31, for example plastic, hereinafter referred to as dispenser platform 31. The thickness of the dispenser platform 31 is referenced by the reference numeral Dl in FIG. 4. It is generally desirable for the functionality of the dispenser apparatus 30 that the material of the dispenser platform 31 is generally elastic or resilient which allows parts of the dispenser apparatus 30 to be elastically deformed. It is further desirable that after deformation of the dispenser platform 31 or parts thereof these parts return to at least in part to their original position. The material of the dispenser platform 31 may be a polymeric material such as polypropylene, polyester and the like.

The dispenser apparatus 30 comprises two (first) tongue-shaped devices 32 being connected with the dispenser platform 31. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, 4 the tongue-shaped devices 32 have (but not necessarily) a rectangular shape wherein each of the tongue-shaped devices have a front end side 33, two lateral sides 34, 35 and a back end side 36. The two tongue-shaped devices 32 are arranged within the dispenser platform 31 such that their two front end sides 33 are faced vis-a-vis each other but are distanced from each other. The distance between the two front end sides 33 is referenced by the reference ^' numeral D2 in FIG. 3. Both tongue-shaped devices 32 are connected to the dispenser platform 31 at their respective back end sides 33 for example by means of a folding line 33 (dotted line in FIG. 3). The other sides 33 - 35 of the tongue-shaped devices 32 are not connected to the dispenser platform 31. Typically, there are a more or less wide slits (not shown in FIG. 3, 4) between the tongue-shaped devices 32 and the surrounding portions of the dispenser platform 31. In a preferred method of producing the tongue-shaped devices 32 the slits are cut, punched, lasered or the like.

The dispenser apparatus 30 further comprises a (generally planar) contact portion 37 for bearing and carrying the stack 20 of sheet material. This contact portion 37 is a integral part of the dispenser platform 31. The contact portion 37 is formed on the one hand by a bridge-like structure 38. The bridge-like structure 38 is defined by those parts of the dispenser platform 31 being arranged right between two adjacent tongue-shaped devices 32. Additionally, the contact portion 37 may be formed on the other hand by those parts 39 of the dispenser platform 31 which are basically arranged adjacent to the lateral sides 34, 35 of a respective tongue-shaped device 32. In general, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 the contact portion 37 is formed by those portions 38, 39 of the dispenser platform 31 bearing or carrying the bottom part of the stack 20.

Typically, the width L3 of a stack 20 (see FIG. 1) is smaller than the length D3 (see FIG. 3) of the front end side of the respective tongue-shaped devices 32. In this case, when a stack 20 is clamped between the tongue-shaped devices 32 and the remaining parts of the dispenser platform 31 the stack 20 is being carried only by the bridge like structure 38. Therefore, in this case the contact portion 37 consists of the bridge like structure 38 only.

However, the dispenser apparatus 30 according to the present invention is not limited to this application. Especially, the functionality of the dispenser apparatus 30 is also fulfilled if the width L3 of a stack 20 is greater than the length D3 of the front end side of the tongue-shaped devices 32; that is in other words, if the width L3 of the stack 20 is wider than the width D3 of a tongue 32. In this case, when a stack 20 is clamped between the tongue-shaped devices 32 and the remaining parts of the dispenser platform 31 the stack 20 is laterally overlapping parts 39 of the dispenser platform 31. These lateral parts 39, which are arranged lateral to the lateral sides 34, 35 of the tongue-shaped devices 32 then also have the function of bearing and carrying the clamped stack 20. Therefore, in this case these parts 39 together with the bridge like structure 38 are part of the contact portion 37.

The functionality of the dispenser apparatus 30 is hereinafter described with respect to FIG. 3 and 4.

In the starting position when the dispenser apparatus 30 is empty it does not contain any stack 20 of sheet material. In this empty state the dispenser platform 31 of the dispenser apparatus 30 forms a basically flat, planar surface wherein the contact portion 37 as well as the tongue-shaped devices 32 are arranged more or less in the same plane. The dispenser apparatus 30 according to the present invention contains a fillable and/or refillable functionality. For this the both tongue-shaped devices 32 are lift off from the dispenser platform 31 in directions X, Y as shown in FIG. 4, whereas the back end side 36 (or the respective fold line) represents the axis the both tongue-shaped devices 32 are moved around. By lifting of the tongue-shaped devices 32 it is possible to place and position a stack 20 on top of the contact portions 37 provided for this. Afterward the tongue-shaped devices 32 may be released. Since the material of the dispenser platform 31 is elastic the tongue-shaped devices 32 at least partially get in contact with the top of the stack 20 and thus exert some pressure on the top of the stack 20. Consequently, the stack 20 is clamped and fixed between the both tongue-shaped devices 32 and the contact portion 37 such that a lateral movement and or a vertical movement of the stack 20 is not possible (i.e. under normal conditions where there is no great lateral or vertical pressure put on the clamped stack 20).

For achieving the dispensing functionality of the dispenser apparatus 30 it is necessary that the sheet 10' on top of stack 20 is positioned such that after release of the tongue-shaped devices 32 a free end 40 of this sheet 10' is sticking out of an opening 41 of the dispenser apparatus 30. When this free end 40 is grasped and pulled in a direction Z to dispense the sheet 10' its coating layer (not shown in FIG. 4) pulls the adjacent free edge of the next sheet 10" below the top sheet 10' from the stack 20 and brings this adjacent free edge of the next sheet through the opening 42. Upon withdrawing the entire top sheet 10' and the free edge of the next sheet 10" through the opening 41 the top sheet 10' is separated from the next sheet 10" by peeling the two sheets 10', 10" apart. The top sheet 10' and its coating layer 15 are released from the next sheet 10". The top sheet 10" has now a free edge (not shown in FIG. 4) extending from the opening 41 of the dispenser apparatus 30 so it may be readily grasped for use, and upon doing so, the other edge of the next sheet 10" will be withdrawn from the dispenser apparatus 30 through the opening 41 and so on until the last sheet of the stack 20 is withdrawn.

At the beginning the stack 20 has a stack thickness D4. By withdrawing sheets 10', 10" through the opening 41 of the dispenser apparatus 30 the stack thickness D4 decreases. However, although the stack thickness D4 decreases the stack 20 is well positioned and fixed within the dispenser apparatus 30 since the elastic tongue-shaped devices 32 follow the decreasing stack 20 and thus continue to put pressure on top of the stack 20 i. e. at thick stacks 20 as well as at thinner stacks 20. That means that the stack thickness D4 advantageously does not affect the functionality of the dispenser apparatus 30. Consequently, the dispenser apparatus 30 is not restricted (of course within a given range) to a specific number of sheets 10 within the stack 20. This opens a rather wide range of applications of the dispenser apparatus 30 according to the present invention.

At this point it is necessary to mention that for the function of the dispenser apparatus 30 in the basic application according to FIG. 3 and 4 it is not important whether the tongue- shaped devices 32 are lift-off in the directions X, Y or lift down directly opposed to these directions X, Y.

The length of a front end side 33 of the tongue-shaped device 32 is referenced by the reference numeral D3 in FIG. 3. Preferably, the stack 20 clamped between the contact portion 38, 39 and the tongue-shaped device 32 has a width L3 (see FIG. 1) being equal or smaller than the length D3 of the front end side 33 (i.e. L3 < D3). However, it shall be understood that the dispenser apparatus 30 is also working if the length L3 is greater than the length L3 (i.e. L3 > D3). Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawing, there is shown a second embodiment of a dispenser apparatus. FIG. 5 shows the dispenser apparatus in a top view.

Different to the dispenser apparatus 30 the dispenser apparatus 50 in FIG. 5 additionally comprises two second tongue-shaped devices 51 each being assigned to a first tongue- shaped device 32. In the embodiment in FIG. 5, both second tongue-shaped devices 51 (typically but not necessarily) have a rectangular shape each having a front end side 52, two lateral sides 53, 54 and a back end side 55. The two tongue-shaped devices 51 each are connected to a dispenser platform 31' at their respective back end sides 55 for example by means of a fold line 55 (dotted line in FIG. 5). The other sides 52 - 54 of the second tongue-shaped devices 32 are not connected to the dispenser platform 31'.

The two second tongue-shaped devices 51 are arranged within the dispenser platform 31 ' such that the two front end sides 52 quasi extend into the respective tongue-shaped device 32 such that the second tongue-shaped devices 51 are at least partially arranged inside the first tongue-shaped devices 32. The fold line of the second tongue-shaped devices 51 are preferably (but not necessarily) arranged outside the first tongue-shaped devices 32. Typically, both second tongue-shaped devices 51 have a similar shape compared to the first tongue-shaped devices 32, however, both second tongue-shaped devices 51 are smaller than the respective ones of the first tongue-shaped devices 32.

The second tongue-shaped devices 51 forms part of the contact portion 37 and thus has the function of carrying the stack 20. The second tongue-shaped devices 51 additionally act as a stopping point such as to prevent the stack 20 sliding through the portions of the dispenser platform 31 ' after being clamped between the first tongue-shaped devices 32 and the contact area 37.

In FIG. 5 only one single second tongue-shaped device 51 assigned to each one of the first tongue-shaped devices 32 is shown, however, it shall be understood that also more than one second tongue-shaped devices 51 may be assigned to each one of the first tongue- shaped devices 32, typically depending on the width L3 of a stack 20 and/or the length D3 of a front side of the first tongue-shaped apparatus 32. The dispenser apparatus 50 in FIG. 5 further comprises several more or less round or oval holes 5, 7 at each end of the slits of the tongue-shaped devices 32, 51. These holes basically have the function to uniformly distribute the tension load occurring at the end of the slits when the first and the second tongue-shaped devices 32, 51 is lift-off.

FIG. 6 shows in a top view a first application for a dispenser apparatus 50, e.g. such as the one shown in FIG. 5. The dispenser apparatus 50 in FIG. 6 shows a cover 60 having two cover sides 61, 62 being connected to each other by means of a fold line 63. The cover 60 is suitable for holding a plurality of documents, a folder, a file wrapper, a ring binder, a book or the like.

One cover side 61 of the cover 60 according to the present invention contains in this embodiment three dispenser apparatuses 50, e. g. such as the ones shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment in FIG. 6 the dispenser apparatus 50 each have a different size and are therefore suitable for carrying stacks 20 of sheet material having different lateral size.

Figure 7 shows in a top view a second application of a dispenser apparatus. Figure 7 shows a single sheet 70, e.g. for use in a ring binder, a file folder or the like and having holes 71 at one edge side 72 of the sheet 70. Similar to the first application shown in FIG. 6 the sheet 70 comprises three dispenser apparatuses 50 of different size.

FIG. 8 shows in a top view a further application of a dispenser apparatus 80, e. g. such as the one shown in FIG. 5. Figure 8 shows a cover 80 for a folder, a file wrapper, a ring binder, a book or the like. The cover 80 in FIG. 8 comprises basically four cover sides 81 - 84 being connected at least to one adjacent cover side 81 - 84 by means of fold lines 85 - 87. In the embodiment in FIG. 8 only one cover side 81 contains two dispenser apparatus 50 according to the present invention having the same size. This cover side 81 is arranged at the outer part on the left side of the cover 80. In addition to the two dispenser apparatus 50 this cover side 81 contains further means for collecting other dispenser apparatus or utensils. These further means which hereinafter are not described in more detail are designated in FIG. 8 by reference numeral 88.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 the single cover sides 81 - 84 of the cover 80 are provided to be turned down using the fold lines 85 - 87. By doing this the cover side 81 can be clapped on top of the cover side 82 using the fold line 85 and the cover side 84 can be clapped on top of the cover side 83 using the fold line 87. The cover 80 further contains means for fixing each of the two cover sides 81, 82 and the cover sides 83, 84, respectively. To perform the fixing the cover side 81 contains on its lateral edges 92 three tuck-in flaps 89. These tuck-in flaps 89 are used for inserting in respective recess means 90 provided in the cover side 82. These recess means 90 are provided by slots 90. These slots 90 are arranged in flaps 91 at lateral edges 93 of the cover side 82. The flaps 91 are connected with the single cover side 82 next to the cover side 81. If the cover side 81 is clapped on top of the cover side 82 the flaps 91 may be clapped on their part on top of the cover side 81. In this arrangement the tuck-in flaps 89 can be inserted in the slots 90 of the flaps 91, thereby fixing the two cover sides 81, 82 to each other.

The other cover sides 83, 84 also contain respective tuck-in flaps 89, recess means 90 and flaps 91 to fix the two cover sides 83, 84 to each other.

The so-constructed cover 80 may then be used for a ring binder, a writing pad, a book or the like whereas the front side and the back side of these tools each may be stuck between two fixed cover sides 81, 82 and 83, 84, respectively. Especially, when using a writing pad or a ring binder these tools gain a new functionality since in addition to their typical functionality with the new implementation having dispenser apparatus 50 according to the present invention the user now has a possibility also to use notes for writing down short messages or use index flags for marking several pages within the writing pad, the ring binder or any other book or document. If the used writing pad or the ring binder inside the cover 80 is empty, that is if there is no more paper within the writing pad or the ring binder, the cover 80 may be easily removed and can be used for a new writing pad or ring binder.

Another aspect of this improved application in FIG. 8 is that the cover 80 according to the present invention is also suitable for upgrading the appearance of a normal ring binder, writing pad, file wrapper or the like.

Above, embodiments of the dispenser apparatus and especially embodiments of covers having those dispenser apparatuses have been described. However, this should be seen as merely non-limiting examples. Many modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims and the description without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser apparatus (30) for holding and retaining a stack (20) of sheets (10) and for individually dispensing the sheets (10), wherein the sheets (10) are arranged in a Z-fold manner within the stack (20), comprising a single dispenser platform (31) having clamping means (32, 37) being integral with dispenser platform (31) for as well holding and clamping the stack (20) in the dispenser apparatus (30).

2. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the stack (20) contains a plurality of repositionable sheets (10) wherein each sheet (10) having a band

(16) coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer (15) on a back surface (12) along one edge portion (14) of the sheet (10) by which sheet (10) is adhered together with a sheet (10) below, with the sheets (10) being stacked with a band of adhesive layers (15) of adjacent sheets (10) at alternating opposite edges (14) of the stack (20), wherein removal of a first sheet (10') withdraws one end of a second sheet (10") below which then can be separated from the first sheet (10') without withdrawing the second sheet (10, 10").

3. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the clamping means (32, 37) comprise at least one contact area (37) and at least two first tongue-shaped devices (32) arranged opposite to each other for putting pressure on top of the stack (20) and thus clamping the stack (20) between the contact area (37) and the first tongue-shaped devices (32).

4. The dispenser apparatus of claim 3, characterised in that the at least two first tongue-shaped devices (32) are distanced from each other to allow to individually remove single sheets (10), wherein the distance is in the range of one quarter to one half of the width of the first tongue shaped-devices.

5. The dispenser apparatus of claim 3, characterised in that the at least two first tongue-shaped devices (32) are distanced from each other forming a bridge-like structure (38) in the dispenser platform (31), wherein the bridge-like structure (38) is part of the contact area (37).

6. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 , characterised in that the dispenser apparatus (30) comprises at least one dispenser platform (31) having at least partially a flexible and elastic material.

7. The dispenser apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that at least one second tongue-shaped device (51) is provided forming part of the contact area (37).

8. The dispenser apparatus of claim 7, characterised in that a second tongue-shaped devices (51) is smaller than the respective one of the first tongue-shaped devices (32) and/or is at least partially arranged inside the respective one of the first tongue-shaped devices (32).

9. The dispenser apparatus of claim 7, characterised in that at least one of the first and the second tongue-shaped devices (32, 51) are constructed by means selected from the group consisting of slittings, slots, and cuttings within the dispenser platform (31) wherein the slittings, slots, and cuttings are arranged so as to allow the tongue-shaped devices (32) to be lifted from the dispenser platform (31) along one connecting side (36) where the tongue-shaped device (32) is connected to the dispenser platform (31).

10. The dispenser of claim 9, characterised in that the connecting side (36) of a first tongue-shaped device (32) and the connecting side (55) of the respective one of the second tongue-shaped device (51) are positioned on the same side.

11. A cover device (60, 70, 80) for a file folder, a loose leaf, a book, a notebook, a file wrapper or the like, comprising at least one first cover sheet (61, 70, 81) having at least one dispenser apparatus (30, 50) according to claim 1.

12. The cover device of claim 11, characterised in that only one single first cover sheet (70) is provided having holes (71) on one side (72) of the first cover sheet (70) for use in a loose leaf and/or in a file folder.

13. The cover device of claim 11 , characterised in that adjacent first and second cover sheets (61, 62, 81 - 84) are connected with each other by fold means (63, 85 - 87) formed by a flexible interface (63, 85 - 87), wherein the flexible interface (63, 85 - 87) has the function of a rotating axis allowing to clamp at least one of the first and/or the second cover sheet (61, 62, 81 - 84) on top of the respective other cover sheet (61, 62, 81 - 84).

14. The cover device of claim 11 , characterised in that at least two cover sheets (81 - 84) are provided wherein at least a first one (81, 84) of these cover sheets (81 -

84) comprises at least one tuck in flap (89) and at least a second one (82, 83) of these cover sheets (81 - 84) comprises at least one recess means (90) wherein the number of the recess means (90) corresponds with the number of the tuck in flaps (89).

15. The cover device of claim 14, characterised in that the recess means

(90) and the tuck in flaps (89) are arranged at the same position within a respective one of the cover sheets (81 - 84) such that, when the first one (81, 84) of the cover sheets (81 - 84) is clamped on the respective second one (82, 83) of the cover sheets (81 - 84) the tuck in flaps (89) may be inserted into the recess means (90) to enable the first one (81, 84) of the cover sheets (81 - 84) and the respective second one (82, 83) of the cover sheets (81 - 84) to be connected with each other.