IL97689A

IL97689A - Dispensing system for stickers

Info

Publication number: IL97689A
Application number: IL9768991A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Bergman Yehuda; Eilam Zohar
Priority date: 1991-03-26
Filing date: 1991-03-26
Publication date: 1995-08-31
Also published as: IL97689A0

Description

niprnn πρι'ζπ nu'W A DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR STICKERS YEHUDA BERGMAN ΙΠλΊΙ ΓΓΠΠ' ZOHAR EILAM C: 12088 12088ber.eil 1-889 12.3.1991 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to dispensers generally and more particularly to dispensers for stickers which are presented in a roll format.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There exist various types of dispensers for discrete articles which are presented in a roll format. These include i dispensers for cellophane tape, stamps, and various types of stickers .

DE 2,457,869 describes a label dispenser having only a single roll of stickers. DE 2,204,799 describes a tape dispenser having front and back openings, a structure which is inconvenient I-in the event that it is desired to mount the dispenser on a wall surface wherein the back opening would be blocked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved dispensing system for discrete articles.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the ' present invention a dispensing system for stickers comprising: ( a plurality of containers, each containing a roll, each roll containing a multiplicity of transparent stickers bearing a graphic indication thereon; and 97689/1 holder apparatus for removably supporting the plurality of containers, such that individual stickers can be readily removed from individual rolls and such that entire containers may be readily removed and replaced.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, i there are also provided a plurality of la containers, each arranged to accommodate one of said plurality of rolls, each container defining an egress slot to permit an end of a roll, bearing stickers, thereon, to extend outward of the container, each of the plurality of containers being arranged to be removably supported by the apparatus for removably supporting.

Preferably, each of said plurality of containers comprises at least first and second elements.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of the present invention a dispensing system for stickers comprising first and second elongate elements of uniform cross section, said first elongate element being seated in a portion of said second elongate element and being arranged in a plane generally perpendicular thereto, such that longitudinal axes of the first and second elongate elements extend generally parallel to each other, the first and second elongate elements defining holder apparatus, a plurality of boxes, each comprising first and second telescoping portions and arranged to contain a roll of stickers to be dispensed and to permit dispensing thereof when the boxes are closed, the plurality of boxes being arranged for removable snap fit engagement with the holder apparatus.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second elongate elements may be integrally formed as a single element.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, apparatus may be provided for mounting the holder apparatus onto a generally vertical surface.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of 2 the present invention, the stickers are defined by a generally transparent background and include a removably adherable sticky surface including at least one region which is not sticky.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for removably placing a plurality of different visual indicators on a surface, such as a book, picture or map comprising the steps of: providing a dispensing system as described above wherein the stickers are removably attachable indicator stickers; and removably adhering desired indictors at desired locations onto the surface. 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a dispensing system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are respective exploded and assembled views of container containing stickers to be dispensed; and Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are illustrations of three stages of the insertion of a container of the type illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 in the dispensing system of Fig. 1. 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1 - 4C, which illustrate a dispensing system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing system comprises a housing 10 which preferably comprises first and second elongate profile elements 12 and 14 and first and second end members 16 and 18.

As seen particularly in Figs. 4A - 4C, profile element 12 comprises a main wall surface 20 which includes a principal rearwardmost back portion 22, an indented back portion 24 and top and bottom portions 26 and 28. Similarly, profile element 14 comprises a principal bottom portion 32, a recessed bottom portion 34 and front and back portions 36 and 38 respectively.

The mutual arrangement of profile elements 12 and 14 is preferably such that back portion 24 lies in a plane generally perpendicular to bottom portion 32 and such that bottom portion 28 is seated on recessed bottom portion 34, as illustrated, such that indented back portion 24 lies adjacent back portion 38.

First and second end members 16 and 18 may serve to maintain the above-described mutual arrangement of profile elements 12 and 14.

A plurality of box assemblies 40, each containing discrete articles, such as stickers 42 to be dispensed, which articles are typically removably mounted on a roll of backing material 44, are removably mounted in holder 10.

The construction of box assemblies 40 will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Box assemblies 40 typically comprise an inner box portion 52, 5 preferably having a curved bottom back corner surface 54 , which eases insertion thereof into an outer box portion 56. Stickers 42, removably mounted on a roll of backing material 44, are inserted into inner box portion 52 such that a portion of the roll of backing material 44 extends outwardly of inner box portion 52 when inner box portion 52 is inserted into outer box portion 56.

Removable insertion of a box assembly 40 into holder 10 is illustrated sequentially in Figs 4A - 4C. It may be appreciated that inherent flexibility of elongate elements 12 and 14 enables the box assembly 40 to be "snapped" into and out of engagement with the holder 10, thereby to permit easy replenishment of the holder with box assemblies 40 having full rolls of discrete articles to be dispensed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, stickers 42 are formed having a generally transparent substrate. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, stickers 42 are formed without adhesive in an edge area 58 thereof, to enable the stickers to be removed both from backing material 44 and from a substrate to which they are attached, with relative ease. Preferably the stickers are formed with a graphic symbol thereon which is preferably spaced from at least one margin of the sticker.

In accordance with a. preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing system of the present invention may be employed for removably placing a plurality of different visual 6 indicators on a surface, such as a book, picture or map.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow: 7

Claims

97689/2 C L A I S

1. A dispensing system for stickers comprising: a plurality of containers, each container containing a roll of stickers bearing a graphic indication thereon, the stickers including a removable adhesive surface on part but not all of one side thereof; a holder for removably supporting said plurality of containers, such that individual stickers can be readily removed from individual rolls and such that entire containers may be readily removed and replaced, said holder comprising an elongate element having a single elongate opening configured to permit insertion and removal of said containers and dispensing of individual stickers therethrough.

2. A dispensing system according to claim 1 and wherein each container defines an egress slot to permit an end of a roll, bearing stickers, thereon, to extend outward of said container, each of said plurality of containers being arranged to be removably supported by said means for removably supporting.

3. A dispensing system according to claim 2 and wherein each of said plurality of containers comprises at least first and second elements.

4. A dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said holder is formed of a single elongate element. 8 97689/3

5. A dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said holder is sufficiently flexible to permit insertion and removal of said containers while retaining them against unwanted disengagement from the holder.

6. A dispensing system according to any of claims 1 - 3 and wherein said stickers are defined by a generally transparent background.

7. A dispensing system according to claim 6 and wherein a graphic symbol is formed on said stickers and is spaced from at least one margin thereof.

8. A method for removably placing a plurality of different visual indicators on a surface, such as a book, picture or map comprising the steps of: providing a dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims wherein said stickers are removably attachable indicator stickers; and removably adhering desired indicators at desired locations onto the surface.

9. A dispensing system substantially as shown and described hereinabove.

10. A dispensing system substantially as illustrated in any of the drawings. 97689/2

11. A method substantially as shown and described hereinabove. he applicant 10