US20130186909A1

US20130186909A1 - Method and apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects

Info

Publication number: US20130186909A1
Application number: US13/746,950
Authority: US
Inventors: Darin Rapko; Norma Rapko
Original assignee: Rapko Corp
Current assignee: Rapko Corp
Priority date: 2012-01-25
Filing date: 2013-01-22
Publication date: 2013-07-25
Also published as: CA2804125A1; EP2620259A1

Abstract

An apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a storage device, a holding device, a retaining device, a tension device and an ejection device that enables picking up, holding and dispensing of a plurality of objects. The apparatus provides for an improved method of picking up, holding and dispensing objects over previous methods which required significant dexterity and substantial periods of time. The apparatus can be used to pick up, hold and dispense a variety of objects, including, but not limited to crystals, nuts, confectionary pieces, pills, jewelry, and electronic components.

Description

PRIORITIES AND CROSS REFERENCES

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 61/590,478 filed on 25 Jan. 2012, the teachings of which are incorporated in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing small objects.

BACKGROUND

Small or generally difficult to manipulate objects and objects which can be contaminated by touch are generally picked up and manipulated using tweezers and vacuum pick-up devices. Especially with respect to objects that are easily damaged, tweezers have been found less than satisfactory although in wide use. With extremely small objects which are very thin, tweezers have proven most unsatisfactory.
The tweezers and other object holders in common use are not satisfactory as the holder is so large. Some holders which do not securely hold an object risk accidental dropping of the object, resulting in their damage and loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,026, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein discloses such a device. However, the disclosure proposes very complicated structures for the tension device and the trigger mechanism assembly. A need exists therefore for a simpler device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This specification discloses an apparatus, comprising a storage device capable of storing a plurality of objects, wherein the objects are of a similar geometric shape and size, said storage device having a wall, a first end through which the first object can enter said storage device, a second end and a storage volume defined by the volume surrounded by the wall, the first end and the second end, and the storage volume is large enough to store the plurality of objects, wherein said storage device comprises a holding device having a tip made from a deformable material located at the first end of the storage device, providing a holding force on a held object, wherein the held object is one object of the plurality, wherein the holding force has a component that opposes the force of gravity on the held object so as to keep the held object inside the holding device; a retaining device which is a rod for providing a retaining force on a first object of the plurality of objects, wherein the first object of the plurality is an object of the plurality which is placed into the storage device before other objects of the plurality are placed into the storage device, the retaining force having a component which is not parallel to the holding force; an ejection device for providing an ejection force on the first object in the storage device, said ejection force is not parallel to the holding force, and said ejection force is greater than said holding force,
wherein the ejection device is a trigger mechanism comprising a housing, a spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, a spring stop located inside the storage device, a trigger stop which is the second end of the storage device and a trigger, wherein the trigger mechanism is assembled around the outside of the push rod with the spring surrounding the push rod with the first end of the spring touching the stop and the second end of the spring touching the trigger, wherein the trigger comprises a first side, a trigger tab, a trigger yoke, and a trigger lock, a second side and an opening from the first side to the second side, wherein the opening is slightly larger than the push rod and smaller than the smallest opening of the spring and the push rod passes through the opening and the first side of the trigger touches the second end of the spring, wherein the yoke is smaller than the outside diameter of the trigger lock and the trigger tab, wherein the housing is attached to the storage device with said housing having a least one slot through which the trigger is located.
It is further disclosed that the apparatus further comprises a tension device comprising a material which is deformable at room temperature and that the tension device may be a unitary piece and made from the same material, and that that the tension device is not an assembled device of more than one component.
It is also disclosed that the tension device may be an O-ring and that the O-ring may be inserted into the housing or the wall of the storage device.
It is also disclosed that the storage device may be attached to the housing via threads and that the storage device and housing contain a marked scale.
It is also disclosed that the storage device and the housing containing a marked scale where the marked scale comprises a plurality of scale marks on either the storage device or the housing and where at least one indicator mark is present on whichever of the storage device or the housing does not contain the plurality of scale marks.
It is also disclosed that the housing comprises at least two slots wherein one slot is narrower and longer than the other slot and both slots travel in the same direction.
It is also disclosed that the housing may comprise at least two slots running parallel to the retaining device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the elements of an embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the elements of an embodiment of the device with two alternative embodiments of the trigger element 34.

FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of the assembled device with functional markings

FIG. 3B demonstrates the use of the functional markings.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the assembled device.

FIG. 4A depicts a head on view of the tip of the device.

FIG. 4B depicts an exploded view of the assembled trigger mechanism

FIG. 5 depicts two alternative structures of the housing of the trigger assembly.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the tension element.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C demonstrate the assembly of trigger into the housing.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross sectional view of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals in the various figures, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which embodies the principles of the present invention that enables a user to pick up, hold and dispense an object or objects more efficiently than the known prior art.
FIG. 1 depicts an exploded disassembled view of the claimed device for picking up, holding and dispensing objects comprising a storage device comprising a magazine or cartridge (10) attached to a holding device (22) capable of storing a plurality of objects, the objects being of a similar geometric shape and size, with the plurality having at least a first object, the first object is the object which is placed into the storage device (magazine or cartridge (10) and attached holding device (22)) before other objects of the plurality are placed into the storage device (magazine or cartridge (10) and attached holding device (22)), the storage device having a wall made up of the wall (16) found in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the magazine or cartridge (10) and the wall of the holding device (22). The storage device has a first end at (50) through which the first object can enter the storage device (which is the magazine or cartridge (10) and attached holding device (22)), a second end (20) and a storage volume defined by the volume surrounded by the wall 16 of magazine or cartridge (10) and the wall of the holding device (22), the first end (50) and the spring stop (60), and the storage volume is large enough to store the plurality of objects.
As in the prior art, there is a holding device (22) providing a holding force (520) (see FIG. 4A) on a held object (14), and the held object is one object of the plurality of objects. If the held object is the first object of the plurality placed into the holding device then that held object is the at least one first object as depicted in FIG. 4. The holding force (26) has at least one component that is not parallel with the force of gravity (510) (see FIG. 4B) on the held object and the component of the holding force not parallel with the force of gravity on the held object plus all the other forces, excluding the ejecting force (530), on the objects in the storage device that oppose the force of gravity is greater than the force of gravity on all the objects in the storage device so as to keep the held object inside the holding device (22).
The diameter of the holding device (22) should be slightly smaller that the diameter of the objects so that the objects are forced into the holding device causing the holding device to swell and create the holding pressure on the held object.
In the holding device or tip (22), there are slits (23) at (50) for grabbing and holding a slightly larger sized object. The term slit in the current embodiment includes any kind of modification made to the holding device, including but not limited to, slots, notches or cuts. The tip or holding device (22) can have different configurations to accommodate different sizes and shapes of objects (14). Similarly, the configuration of the slit may vary to accommodate different sizes and shapes of objects. For example, the width of the slit may increase to accommodate a particular object. The tip or holding device (22) may be made from any deformable, preferably elastic, material. In one embodiment, the tip is constructed of a polymeric material. There may be a lip (11) on the outer circumference of said storage device (10) to allow a snug connection with the tip (22) at groove (24).
There is also a retaining device (30) for providing a retaining force on the first object, the retaining force is placed on the first object in the storage device (magazine or cartridge (10) and attached holding device (22)), and the retaining force has a component which is not parallel to the holding force (520). The retaining device, or push rod in the current embodiment, may be tapered at the bottom end of the retaining device or push rod (the end opposite the stopping piece (54) to keep the tip of the holding device from unduly deforming or flexing and releasing any objects.
There is an ejection device (30) for providing an ejection force (530) on the first object in the storage device (10), the ejection force is not parallel to the holding force, and the ejection force, when applied, is greater than the holding force. Note that the retaining device and ejection device are one and the same device in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the retaining device becomes the ejection device when the trigger mechanism comprised of trigger (34), housing (200) (FIG. 8), and spring (52), is activated. In another embodiment, the two devices are separate.
All the aforementioned forces of the apparatus are positive forces in that each force is not created by a vacuum. Furthermore, a component of a force is defined as a force which, acting conjointly with one or more forces, produces the effect of a single force or resultant; one of a number of forces into which a single force may be resolved.
FIG. 1 further demonstrates that the cartridge or magazine (10) can be attached to housing (200) through the use of threads (13). Spring (52) is inserted into the end of the magazine cartridge and abuts spring stop (60) which is a ridge projecting from the wall of the cartridge or magazine.
FIG. 1 also depicts a tension device (141) made of a unitary part that controls the level of drag on the retaining device (30). As depicted in FIG. 6, the tension device (141) has an outer wall (145A) having an associated outer wall diameter and an inner neck region (145B) which has a smaller diameter than (145A). The diameter of the inner neck is smaller than the diameter of the push rod/ejection device (30) so that when push rod/ejection device (30) is inserted into tension device (141), the pressure at (145B) creates the drag on the push rod/ejection device (30).
In this embodiment, tension device (141) is like a grommet and is deformable under pressure at room temperature. Deformable means that the part can change its shape under pressure and when the pressure is removed the part will usually return to the shape it had before the pressure was applied. Preferably tension device (141) is of a single material construction and is not an assembled part, but is a molded or shaped unitary piece, preferably of a deformable material. Examples of deformable materials are thermoplastic rubbers and elastomers that can be molded or formed. (145B) could also be an O-ring inserted into (141).
The outside of (141) has a lip (147) and neck (149) allowing the tension device to be inserted into and attach to housing (200) at (240). (See FIG. 4).
The tension device could also be an O-ring inserted into (200). If the O-ring is inside (200), then the device would not have element (141) as shown, but the O-ring would be considered the tension device.
There may be a stopping piece (54) attached at the end of the retaining device (30) that may or may not butt up against the tension device (141) (or the housing) when the last object of the plurality has been dispensed. The shape and size of the stopping piece (54) may take on any configuration, including round, elliptical or tapered configurations. The stopping piece is larger than the inside diameter of the housing (200).
FIG. 1 also shows the trigger (34) and housing (200).
FIG. 2 shows trigger alternatives (34A) and (34B), with (33) being the trigger tab that is depressed by a finger or other device. (35) is the yoke connecting the trigger lock and the trigger tab. In these two embodiments, the trigger lock is the circular component having an outside edge (36) with an outside edge to edge distance and inside edge (37) with an inside edge-to-edge distance. When the trigger lock is a circle, the edge to edge distances are the respective diameters.
The trigger lock is so named because the trigger lock “locks” onto the ejection device (30) when the trigger tab is activated by depressing the trigger in the direction of the opening (50). In the case of the circle, the trigger lock attempts to rotate into the retaining device.
FIG. 4 shows the trigger against spring (52). As the trigger tab is pushed or depressed towards end (50) away from stop (54), it locks onto retaining device (30) and advances retaining device (30) to the point where the trigger yoke hits the top of the cartridge (10), at the labeled point (20). In an embodiment with threads ((210) in the housing (200) and (13) on the cartridge (10)), the gap between the cartridge and the yoke can be increased by unscrewing the cartridge from the housing (200). Other elements of the housing are (220) and (230), the slots, with (240) being one end of the housing having a lip, and (250) being the cavity in which the trigger lock resides and the retaining device pass.
The amount of increased travel per unit of rotation of the magazine is easily determined as shown in FIG. 3, where a calibration scale or marked scale (300) can be used with at least a single indicator mark (300A) on either the housing or cartridge, and a plurality of scale marks (300B) on the other respective member. These markings make up the calibration scale or marked scale, and run parallel with the retaining device. As the housing and cartridge are twisted apart, the single indicator mark can be aligned with one of the plurality of scale marks on the other member. The distance between any two marks of the plurality of scale marks can be equated to the measure of travel of the ejection device when the trigger is depressed, or the height of one of the plurality of objects so that the dispensing can be done accurately. More marks result in more definition. The pitch of the threads can be calibrated to allow more or less sensitivity to turns of the housing and cartridge resulting in more or less travel of the ejection device when the trigger is depressed.
Housing (200), with alternative embodiments (200A) and (200B) shown in FIG. 5 have at least slot (230) running substantially parallel with or parallel with the retaining device. The trigger yoke travels in this slot until it reaches the end (20) of the magazine or cartridge or in the case of (200B) if the cartridge has been screwed down below the lower end (opposite of stop (54)) of (230), the trigger stops at (230) because the cartridge end (20) is out of reach of the trigger yoke. In this embodiment, the cartridge end is the trigger stop and not separate stop as in the prior art.
In housing (200), there can be two slots, slot (230) for the travel of the trigger yoke and slot (220), which is narrower and longer than slot (230), but traveling in the same direction of (230). The housing element will have some type of device (210) allowing it to attach to the cartridge (10). In this embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, it is male and female threads for the attachment mechanism. One embodiment could be a push and turn, lug and groove mechanism.
FIG. 7A demonstrates how trigger (34) is inserted into housing (200) along the slots (230B/220B). FIG. 7B shows the view looking through the center of the housing where the ejection device/push rod would reside. The trigger lock lies across the center of the housing. To insert the ejection member, the trigger is rotated 90 degrees so the inner opening is ready to receive the ejection device. The thickness of the trigger lock must be thinner than both slot (230) and (220) and the thickness of the yoke must be thinner than slot (220).
The advantage to using at least two slots, is that when the trigger is situated perpendicular to the direction of the ejection device and the outer diameter of the trigger lock is greater than the width of the (230), which is the direction perpendicular to the ejection device, the trigger device will not fall out of the housing when the ejection device is removed from the housing.
There is a ridge located inside the cartridge below the end (20) noted as spring stop (60). The spring (52) surrounds the retaining device or ejection device (30) with a first end of the spring touching stop (60) and the second end of the spring touching the trigger (34) at the trigger lock defined by the ring between (37) and (38), which is also denoted (37A/38A) for one trigger embodiment and (37B/38B) for the other trigger embodiment.
This is a much simpler approach than that used in the prior art in that the trigger mechanism uses only one spring.
The trigger (34) can be a flat plate as depicted in (34B) or an ornamental device with a curve or scoop as shown in (34A), in any case the trigger (34) will have a first side and a second side and an opening passing from the first side to the second side. Although one embodiment calls for a flat plate, other embodiments have other shapes, configurations, textures and surfaces of the plate, including but not limited to, rounded, bumpy and ribbed configurations, surfaces and textures. The opening on the trigger plate, called the trigger lock is slightly larger than the retaining device or ejection device (30) and smaller than the smallest opening of the second spring end (52). The length of the retaining device or ejection device (30) passes through the opening and the first side of the trigger touches the other end of the first spring (52). The distance between the trigger (34) and the trigger stop (20) is Y (see FIG. 4B), which is approximately equivalent to the length of the object and is called the travel or throw. As noted earlier because the stop is the cartridge end, adjusting the cartridge in the housing will change the distance of travel of throw.
In the prior art, the amount of travel Y of the trigger (34) was controlled by rotating a knob (46) in the prior art drawing attached to the threaded adjusting collar (44) of the prior art drawing so as to increase or decrease the distance traveled by the ejection device. In the current improvement, there is no adjusting knob as the twist of the cartridge sets the amount of travel or throw Y. In the prior art, the travel stopped when the rotatable knob hit the upper part of the trigger mechanism, in the improvement, the travel stops when the trigger strikes the top of the cartridge at (20).
The aforementioned apparatus can be used to pick up, hold and dispense objects from a variety of different industries. For example, the apparatus could be used to pick up, hold and dispense objects including, but not limited to, crystals, nuts, confectionary pieces, pills, jewelry, and electronic components. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is used to pick up crystals. The pick up and placement of crystals is an extremely tedious process requiring excellent dexterity, time and patience on the part of the user. The present invention would provide a significant improvement over state of the art apparatuses such as tweezers which are currently on the market for picking up and placing such items. There are several sizes and shapes of crystals on the market, and the apparatus is devised to accommodate the particular shape and size of interest. For example, the tips can come in a variety of different sizes to accommodate the particular size and shape of crystal. The following are different sizes of crystals that could be accommodated by the apparatus of the present invention:


Sizes

	5ss - (1.7 to 1.9 mm)
	7ss - (2.1 to 2.3 mm)
	9ss - (2.5 to 2.7 mm)
	10ss - (2.7 to 2.9 mm)
	12ss - (3.0 to 3.2 mm)
	16ss - (3.8 to 4.0 mm)
	20ss - (4.6 to 4.8 mm)
	30ss - (6.32 to 6.50 mm)
	34ss - (7.07 to 7.27 mm)
	40ss - (8.41 to 8.67 mm)
	48ss - (10.91 to 11.30 mm)

The aforementioned crystal sizes are only examples, and are by no means the only sizes that could be used within the apparatus. In fact, it is well known within the crystal industry, that there are several types of sizes available. See http://www.preciosa.com/preciosa/en/stones/products/basic/conversion-table.htm and www/swarovski.com for more information on crystal sizes.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there may be different materials used to construct the tips as well as different configurations of the tips. For example, the notched tip could be constructed of a rigid plastic with a flexible, “rubber like” material wrapped around the more rigid plastic enabling the necessary flex to grab and hold an object. Alternatively, there could be a configuration involving pivot points paired with rubber like cushions. The pivot points may flex to accommodate the object for pick-up.
In addition, the size of the storage device could vary to accommodate the different size crystals previously mentioned. For example, one storage device could accommodate crystal sizes 5SS-9SS, another storage device could accommodate crystal sizes 10SS-16SS, another storage device could accommodate crystal sizes 20SS-34SS, and still another storage device could accommodate crystal sizes 40SS-48SS. These are just examples of the types of size differences that could exist to accommodate the various crystal sizes. In actuality, the size of the storage device is not limited to these sizes and instead could accommodate fractional SS crystal size differences, or any increment of whole number SS crystal size differences.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus could be used to pick up pills from a flat surface. People with unsteady hands or limited control of their fingers often encounter significant difficulties in gripping small objects with their fingers, such as picking up a pill or a paper clip with their finger tips. Similar difficulties are experienced by people who have restricted mobility of their fingers caused by symptomatic joints, such as inflammation, arthritis, or the like. For those people with limited hand/finger dexterity, a hand-held gripping device that allows the person to pick up small objects with relative ease is clearly desirable and the apparatus of the present invention addresses this need.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus could be used as an ingenious way of administering pills and capsules to animals. Various devices have previously been recognized and pill guns of various sorts have been devised. However, taking into consideration that the person who is administering the pills or capsules must also use his other hand to hold the animal's mouth open and hold its head in the proper position, such prior devices have been uniformly deficient in their construction which does not permit careful and precise manipulation of the tool so that the pill gun can be quickly inserted into the animal's mouth at the opportune moment.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the objects would be gravity fed down the storage device, one object at a time. In this apparatus, pulling a trigger would cause a gate to spring open thereby releasing one object. If the object falls upside down, a flipper would flip the object over.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the objects are organized in a revolver with impressions shaped to the geometric size and shape of the object. As the revolver turns, only objects of a certain size and shape can fit into particular impressions.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the holding device is made with a deformable material to accommodate picking up an object. The holding device may further be notched to allow the material to flex to accommodate an object. In one embodiment, the holding device is approximately 3/64 inch (1.19 mm) smaller than the object diameter. By adding four relief notches of approximately 5/32 inch (3.9865 mm) in height, the object is picked up and held within the apparatus. The holding forces on the object prevent movement and in fact, keep the object stacked within the storage device in order. In other embodiments, the holding device is not limited to this size difference with the crystal. Similarly, in other embodiments, the relief notches are not limited to this height.
In one embodiment of the invention, the storage device is 1/64 inch larger than the size of the object. In other embodiments, the size difference between the storage device and the size of the object is not limited to the aforementioned size difference. By using a storage device closer in size to the object, the objects stack up and remain within the storage device. The storage device may be made of any material including ceramic, plastic or metal. In one embodiment of the invention, the storage device is transparent to enable the user to check on the color and supply of the plurality of objects.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a ratchet drive is incorporated onto the outer circumference of the storage device. As a trigger on the ratchet drive is pulled back, one notch at a time, one object would be dispensed at a time. The distance between each notch on the apparatus would be equivalent to the height of the object.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a screw drive is incorporated within the storage device. A trigger is pulled to drive the screw. As the screw turns, the retaining device would travel and dispense one object. A rear gear on the screw drive turns the screw one way and free wheels the other way.
The device may be constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to, plastic, ceramic and metals. This particular embodiment may also be sold as a kit. The contents of the kit including, but not limited to, the storage device, the holding device, and the retaining device and may include a replacement or spare holding device for replacing a worn holding device, or a different size holding device to accommodate a different size object. The kit may also include replacement or spare objects or storage devices. The objects may be preloaded within the storage device. The objects preloaded within the storage device together with the storage device may be considered cartridges or magazines. The cartridges may be included within the kit. Alternatively, the holding device, storage device, objects and any potential cartridges, may be sold alone as replacement parts. All of the features of this embodiment are assembled in such a way as to provide several options to the consumer to quickly and economically pick up objects into the device, or conversely, dispense objects from the device.
It thus will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements that, while not shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and thus are within its spirit and scope. This application is not limited to the storage device, holding device, retaining device, ejection device and tension device, and their individual components, as described, but also to their equivalents.

Claims

We claim:

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device capable of storing a plurality of objects, wherein the objects are of a similar geometric shape and size, said storage device having a wall, a first end through which the first object can enter said storage device, a second end and a storage volume defined by the volume surrounded by the wall, the first end and the second end, and the storage volume is large enough to store the plurality of objects,

wherein said storage device comprises a holding device having a tip made from a deformable material located at the first end of the storage device, providing a holding force on a held object, wherein the held object is one object of the plurality, wherein the holding force has a component that opposes the force of gravity on the held object so as to keep the held object inside the holding device;

a retaining device which is a rod for providing a retaining force on a first object of the plurality of objects, wherein the first object of the plurality is an object of the plurality which is placed into the storage device before other objects of the plurality are placed into the storage device, the retaining force having a component which is not parallel to the holding force;

an ejection device for providing an ejection force on the first object in the storage device, said ejection force is not parallel to the holding force, and said ejection force is greater than said holding force,

wherein the ejection device is a trigger mechanism comprising a housing, a spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, a spring stop located inside the storage device, a trigger stop which is the second end of the storage device and a trigger, wherein the trigger mechanism is assembled around the outside of the retaining device with the spring surrounding the retaining device with the first end of the spring touching the spring stop and the second end of the spring touching the trigger, wherein the trigger comprises a first side, a trigger tab, a trigger yoke, and a trigger lock, a second side and an opening from the first side to the second side, wherein the opening is slightly larger than the retaining device and smaller than the second end of the spring and the retaining device passes through the opening and the first side of the trigger touches the second end of the spring, wherein the yoke is smaller than the outside diameter of the trigger lock and the trigger tab,

wherein the housing is attached to the storage device with said housing having at least one slot through which the trigger is located.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a tension device comprising a material which is deformable at room temperature.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tension device is a unitary piece and made from the same material.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tension device is a unitary piece and made from the same material.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tension device is an O-ring.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tension device is an O-ring inserted into the housing.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tension device is an O-ring inserted into the wall of the storage device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein storage device is attached to the housing via threads.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage device and housing contain a marked scale comprising a plurality of scale marks on either the storage device or the housing and at least one indicator mark on whichever of the storage device or housing does not contain the plurality of scale marks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage device and housing contain a marked scale comprising a plurality of scale marks on either the storage device or the housing and at least one indicator mark on whichever of the storage device or housing does not contain the plurality of scale marks.

11. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises at least two slots wherein one slot is narrower and longer than the other slot and both slots travel in the same direction.