Continuous roll paper napkin rings

Details Continuous roll paper napkin rings Continuous roll paper napkin rings

2002-03-15

2003-11-11

Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3653)

Article dispensing

Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article

C221S045000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06644498

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to paper napkin rings. More specifically, the present invention relates to a continuous roll of paper napkin rings in which each of the individual rings includes an adhesive area on both its front and back surfaces such that the napkin rings can be sequentially removed from the roll and used in securing a napkin around a set of silverware.
Currently, paper napkin rings are widely used to hold a paper or cloth napkin around a set of eating utensils. Individual paper napkin rings are typically supplied pre-cut into their individual size and stacked one on top of another into a brick of product.
When the ring is to be installed on a napkin surrounding a set of silverware, the napkin ring must be peeled from the stack and formed in its ring shape around the silverware and napkin. Thus, a server must use both hands to peel the paper napkin ring from the stack.
Therefore, a need exists for a new type of napkin ring configuration such that the napkin rings can be sequentially removed from a continuous strip to eliminate the difficulty in removing a napkin ring from the supply stack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a continuous strip of ring blanks that can be torn from the continuous strip and formed into napkin rings. The supply of napkin rings of the present invention includes a plurality of individual ring blanks each extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The ring blanks are joined to each other such that the trailing edge of one ring blank is joined to the leading edge of the following ring blank.
Each of the individual ring blanks includes a front face surface and a back face surface. Preferably, a first adhesive area is formed on the back face surface of each ring blank adjacent to the leading edge of the ring blank. A second adhesive area is formed on the back face surface of each ring blank adjacent to the trailing edge.
In accordance with the invention, a line of perforation is formed between the leading edge of one ring blank and the trailing edge of the following ring blank such that the ring blanks can be separated from each other along the lines of perforation. After the ring blanks have been separated, the first adhesive area of each ring blank can be brought into contact with the second adhesive area to form the ring shape around a napkin and a set of silverware.
In another aspect of the invention, each ring blank includes a pair of angled locating surfaces formed along both the leading edge and the trailing edge. The angled locating surface extends into the ring blank from the side edges such that the line of perforation between successive ring blanks can be located when the ring blanks are connected as a continuous strip.
In another aspect of the present invention, the continuous strip of napkin rings is formed as a roll. The roll of napkin rings is contained within a dispensing container having an outlet opening through which the continuous strip of ring blanks can pass. As a ring blank is separated from the continuous strip, the roll of strips is advanced and the next ring blank can be separated. Preferably, the dispensing container includes a strap for securing the strip along the exterior of the container.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2003/0036039 (2003-02-01), Parker

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