Article dispensing – Ambulant or body supported
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-04
2001-05-08
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3728)
Article dispensing
Ambulant or body supported
C221S070000, C221S072000, C221S073000, C224S162000, C224S269000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227406
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a label dispensing device and more particularly, to a device for dispensing individual labels from a roll of labels contained in a cartridge so that the labels may be removed manually from the label backing and applied to a product.
2. Description of the Related Art
The challenges facing all businesses today are numerous and complex. Even the challenge of determining inventory or the price to charge for a commodity within a package can at times be overwhelming for the small business. Bar coding and scanning have helped to alleviate some of these challenges and have proven very successful as is evident by the widespread use of scanning from grocery stores and department stores to book stores and auto parts stores. Nonetheless, there are still problems within the industry for those business entities that must apply the bar code label or other types of identifying labels to the final product that is to be placed into the stream of commerce. One of those problems is the ability to rapidly and reliably dispense, at minimal cost, labels from a dispenser containing a roll of labels so that they may be applied to products.
A label dispenser having a complex mechanical configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,952 to Rieger. That system incorporates a drive mechanism utilizing an electric drive motor and a tape conveying system. The teachings of the '952 patent are incorporate herein by reference.
The low end of the market for label dispensing devices, however, has not developed to any great extent. Particularly, a need exists for dispensers that can rapidly and reliably dispense labels and not require a considerable financial investment for the purchase of the dispensing device. The simplicity of the present invention minimizes the potential for mechanical problems, provides for rapid dispensing and allows the dispensing device to be manufactured inexpensively. In addition, the carrying case provided with the dispensing device allows it to be secured to the wearer's clothing such that hands can be freed to perform other useful work without any loss of time. With the label dispenser safely and securely in place within the holder and the labels at the ready for dispensing, the present invention combines many desirable elements including; reliability, rapid operation and ease of use and safeguarding within the carrying case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rapid, reliable, readily securable and inexpensive means of dispensing labels.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These objects are attained by the present invention, which provides a system for dispensing an individual label from a roll of labels. The system comprises a cartridge formed from a single strip of material for retaining the labels and the label backing material within a cavity formed within the cartridge. The cartridge is formed from a single strip of material configured such that a roughly rectangular cavity is formed with one end of the strip overlapping the other end creating a tab with an internal wall facing in the direction of the cavity and an external wall facing away from the cavity, and with a gap between the end of the strip and the tab sufficient for the labels and backing material to pass between the two with no interference. A cross member attached in a perpendicular fashion to the edges of two of the walls serves as a fifth wall of the cartridge and further bounds the volume of space which the roll of labels may occupy.
As the labels and backing material are pulled from the cartridge they are routed along the tab, under a restraining device configured to retain the backing material in place as it travels along the internal wall of the tab, over the end of the tab and along the external wall of the tab in the opposite direction from the backing material and labels traveling the internal wall. The end of the tab over which the backing material traverses is fairly smooth resulting in the development of minimal friction between the backing and the edge itself. The smoothness of the edge serves to avoid damage to, and tearing of, the backing as it passes over the edge and rapidly reverses direction.
In a more specific aspect of the invention, the restraining device may include a spring, wrapped around the tab, and secured in place by notches in the edges of the tab. Once the backing material and labels are secured in place by the restraining device they must follow a prescribed path. As the backing and labels are pulled from the cartridge and approach the end of the strip, the longitudinal stiffness of the labels begin to overcome the adhesive binding the labels to the backing resulting in delamination of the labels from the backing. Once delamination begins, the labels are readily removed, principally by manual means, from the backing for placement on a product.
According to the present invention, there is further provided a carrying case for the label dispensing device comprising a pouch attached to a backing that in turn can be attached to a wearer's clothing. The carrying case facilitates the transport and use of the label dispensing device. The cartridge fits within the pouch with the tab protruding in a substantially vertical direction and the label backing material trailing from under the restraining device on the external wall. The dispensing device is typically secured in place inside of the carrying case by a strap or similar mechanism.
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Ellis Christopher P.
Lathrop & Gage L.C.
Mackey Patrick
Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
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