GB2418197A

GB2418197A - Dispenser for self-adhesive stamps or labels

Info

Publication number: GB2418197A
Application number: GB0518483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-12
Also published as: GB0420694D0; GB0518483D0; GB2418197B

Abstract

A dispenser for self-adhesive stamps or labels S which detaches the stamps or labels from a backing sheet B comprises a base 10, a separator 12 located in use above the base such that a supply of stamps or labels on the backing sheet is passed between the base and the separator and then folded upwardly around an edge of the separating element. A roller 16 may be provided which is used to draw the supply of stamps or labels on the backing sheet through the device. The roller may be biased, or may have a ratchet mechanism so as to control its movement. In use, the backing is separated from the stamps or labels which are left upstanding and may be readily picked off by the user and applied to an envelope or other substrate.

Description

24181 97 Stamp or Label Dispensing Device The present Invention relate to

a device for dispensing stamps or labels from a backing sheet on which such stamps or labels are carried.

Postage stamps and labels are nowadays commonly of self-adhesive type, being carried on a backing sheet from which Individual stamps or labels are released or separated when required for application to a desired envelope or other substrate.

A number of devices have been proposed hitherto for dispensing selfadhesive stamps or labels from their backing sheets but these dispensing devices have been variously complicated In construction, difficult to use or of limited effectiveness in use In accordance with the present invention, there Is provided a device for dispensing self-adhesive stamps or labels from a backing sheet on which they are carried, the device comprising a base, a separating element disposed to overlie an upper surface of said base with a space between said separating element and said upper surface of said base, and means for drawing a sheet of stamps or labels through said space such that the sheet Is folded upwardly around a forward edge of said separating element.

In use, the sheet of stamps or labels Is Inserted through the space or gap between the separating element and the upper surface of the base of the device, with the stamps or labels facing downwardly. As the sheet is drawn forwardly and upwardly around the forward edge of the separating element, the stamps or labels separate from the backing sheet, as they pass around the forward edge of the separating element, and present themselves in an upstanding orientation: the stamps or labels, when in this orientation, may be readily picked off by the user for application to the desired envelope or other substrate.

The means for drawing the sheet of stamps or labels through the device may comprise a roller which is rotatable for winding the backing sheet around itself.

Preferably the roller is provided with means for fastening the backing sheet to it: for example, the roller may be formed with a slot through which the forward end of the sheet may be inserted.

Preferably one or both ends of the roller are provided with a handle or wheel by which the roller may be manually turned.

Preferably the roller is provided with means for inhibiting or preventing it turning in an unwinding direction, particularly to prevent the natural springiness of the stamp or label sheet causing the roller to turn in the unwinding direction: for example, a tensioning device such as a coil spring or spring washer may be provided to apply a bias between the roller and support structure for the roller, or a frictional arrangement may be provided for resisting rotation of the roller, or a ratchet or other mechanism may be provided to ensure that the roller may be rotated in one direction only The separating element preferably comprises a plate or plate-shaped element which is preferably generally flat in form and preferably mounted in a generally horizontal disposition over the base of the device.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an sometnc view of a device for stamp or label dispensing device In accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the dispensing device; FIGURE 3 Is a front view of the dispensing device; FIGURE 4 is an end view of the dispensing device, shown in use for dispensing stamps from a backing sheet carrying a number of successive rows of such stamps; and FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of a device, shown in use.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a dispensing device for dispensing self-adhesive stamps or labels from a backing sheet carrying such stamps or labels, the device comprising an elongate base 10 having a flat underside surface by which, in use, the device rests on a table or other work surface, and a flat upper surface which merges with a convex-curved front edge 11 of the base The device also comprises an elongate separating plate 12 which is mounted at its opposite ends to the base 10, so as to overlie the flat upper surface of the base 10 with a small clearance space or gap G and with its forward edge 13 overlying the junction between the flat upper surface of the base and its curved front edge 11. The device further comprises support plates 14 which are mounted to the opposite ends of the base 10, to project upwardly therefrom, and a roller 16 which is supported by the support plates 14 to extend between these and parallel to the separating plate 12. The opposite ends of the roller 16 extend through circular holes in the support plates 14 and have operating handles 18 mounted to them, outwardly of the support plates 14. The roller 16 is formed with a longitudinally-extending slot 19, which is shown in Figure 3.

In use, and referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, a sheet of self adhesive stamps or labels is inserted, with its stamp or label side facing downwardly, through the clearance space or gap G between the upper surface of the base 10 and the separating plate 12, and from the rear of the device and towards its front edge. In Figures 4 and 5, a row of stamps are shown at S and the backing sheet on which the stamps are carried Is shown at B. The projecting, forward edge of the backing sheet B is folded upwardly around the front edge 13 of the separating plate 12 and is then passed through the longitudinal slot 19 in the roller 16. The roller 16 is then turned, using either one or both of the handles 18, to wind the sheet B around the roller and draw the sheet of stamps or labels through the device. As the sheet passes around the front edge 13 of the separating plate 12, the stamps or labels S separate from the backing sheet B and present themselves in an upstanding orientation, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The individual stamps or labels S are then readily removed for application to the desired envelope or other substrate Whilst Figures 4 and 5 show the device being used to dispense stamps or labels S from a sheet B having a number of successive rows of such stamps or labels, the device may instead be used to dispense stamps or labels from a sheet or tape having a single column of successive such stamps or labels As previously mentioned, the device Is preferably arranged to prevent or Inhibit the roller 16 from turning in the unwinding direction, particularly due to the natural springiness of the sheet of stamps or labels: conveniently, a coil spring or spring washer (not shown) may be mounted on the roller 16 to act between the roller and one or each of the support plates 14.

It will be appreciated that the device which has been described is of simple construction yet easy to use, and ensures that the stamps or labels are presented in a particularly convenient disposition for the user to pick off for application to a desired envelope or other substrate.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing self-adhesive stamps or labels from a backing sheet on which they are carried, the device comprising a base, a separating element disposed to overlie an upper surface of said base with a space between said separating element and said upper surface of said base, and means for drawing the sheet of stamps or labels through said space such that the sheet is folded upwardly around a forward edge of said separating element.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for drawing the sheet of stamps or labels through the device comprises a roller which is rotatable for winding the backing of said sheet around itself

3 A device as claimed in claim 1, In which the roller is provided with means for fastening the backing to it.

4 A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the roller is formed with a slot through which the forward end of the backing may be inserted.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, in which one or both ends of the roller are provided with a handle or wheel by which the roller may be manually turned.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, in which the roller is provided with means for inhibiting or preventing it turning in an unwinding direction.

7 A device as claimed in claim 6, In which the tensioning device comprises means for applying a bias between the roller and support structure for the roller.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the tensioning device comprises a frictional arrangement for resisting rotation of the roller.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the tensioning device comprises a ratchet or other mechanism which ensures that the roller may be rotated in one direction only.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the separating element comprises a plate or plate-shaped element.

A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the plate or plate-shaped element Is generally flat In form.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, In which the plate or plate-shaped element is mounted in a generally horizontal disposition over the base of the device

13. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.