Sheet stack and dispenser package therefor

• US 5,086,946 A
• Filed: 12/10/1990
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Emmel, John J., Loder, Harry A., Samuelson, Bruce E., Blackwell, Elmer
• Primary Examiner(s): SKAGGS JR, H GRANT
• Application Number:
  US07/625,311
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 221/33, 221/45, 221/61, 221/63, 312/50
• US Class Current: 221/45
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 5/005 Supports for note-pads B42F9/00 takes precedence; underlays B43L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 11/00 Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles special furniture, fittings, or accessories for shops, storehouses, bars, or the like A47F; for paper napkins, for toilet paper A47K; for playing cards A63F; movable-strip writing or reading apparatus B42D19/00; adhesive tape dispensers B65H35/002; dispensers for tickets G07B; coin-operated dispensers for stamps G07F ; dispensing devices for pamphlets from vehicles G09F21/22
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/00 Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated carriers used for associating, collating, or gathering articles B65H39/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/41 Portable or hand-held apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/411 with means for mounting the apparatus on the user body, e.g. arm, wrist
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1934 Sticky notes, e.g. sheets partially coated with temporary adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24793 Comprising discontinuous or differential impregnation or bond
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers

Abstract

A stack of individual pre-cut sheets and a dispenser for those sheets are disclosed. The dispenser affords reciprocating movement of the stack within the dispenser to afford individual dispensing of the sheets. Optionally, the dispenser may be mounted on the wrist of a user to afford convenient dispensing.

Claims

1. A dispenser for flexible sheets from a stack of pre-cut sheets disposed one on top of another, each sheet comprising a backing having first and second opposite major side surfaces and first and second opposite ends with the first end of each sheet being in alignment with the second end of an adjacent sheet in said stack, and a layer of adhesive permanently adhered to the first side surface of said sheet backing, the layer of adhesive of each sheet being releasably adhered along the second surface of the adjacent sheet in said stack, said sheets comprising release means for providing a first adhesion level along a first end portion of each of said sheets adjacent said first end of said backing between said layer of adhesive and the second side surface of the adjacent sheet in the stack to which said layer of adhesive is releasably adhered, which first adhesion level provides a sufficiently low release force between said adhesive coating and the adjacent sheet to which the adhesive is releasable adhered to afford sliding movement between the side surfaces of the adjacent sheets along said first end portion, and attachment means for providing a second adhesion level along a second end portion of each of said sheets adjacent said second end of said backing between said layer of adhesive and the second side surface of the adjacent sheet in the stack to which said layer of adhesive is releasably adhered, which second adhesion level provides a release force that is higher than said low release force along said first end portion and firmly adheres the sheet to the adjacent sheet in the stack during sliding movement of the sheet relative to the adjacent sheet along said first end portion while affording peeling away of the sheet along said second end portion, the dispenser comprising:

walls having surfaces defining a cavity adapted to receive the stack, said walls including

a bottom abutment wall defining a bottom surface,

end walls defining end surfaces at opposite ends of said bottom surface and having generally parallel outer ends,

arcuate wall portions generally opposite said bottom abutment wall extending generally toward each other from said outer ends and having spaced distal ends, said arcuate wall portions defining arcuate friction surface portions,

opposed outlet surfaces at said distal ends defining an opening through said walls,

said arcuate friction surface portions and said bottom surface being shaped to afford reciprocating movement of the stack of sheets within the cavity in response to forces applied to the stack to sequentially remove sheets from the stack through said opening, and to position the uppermost sheets of the stack adjacent the arcuate friction surface portions with the second end portion of the uppermost sheet in the stack projecting through the opening so that by grasping that second end portion, the uppermost sheet in the stack can be manually pulled through the opening and will carry with it the second end portion of the sheet beneath it in the stack to which the uppermost sheet is adhered by the adhesive coating, placing that second end portion in a position where it also may be grasped and pulled to withdraw that sheet from the stack,

said arcuate friction surface portions being shaped to provide means for affording sliding movement of the adhesively joined first end portion of the uppermost sheet and the second end portion of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet between the second side surface of a subsequent sheet in the stack and the adjacent arcuate friction surface portion, and for making sufficient frictional engagement with the second side surface of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet to restrict the movement of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet between the rest of the stack and the adjacent arcuate friction surface portion to thereby afford peeling separation between the uppermost sheet and the sheet beneath it after the uppermost sheet is withdrawn from the dispenser.

2. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said arcuate wall portions include base portions adjacent said outer ends and flexible cantilever portions extending toward each other from said base portions, and

said flexible cantilever portions are adapted to deflect in response to forces applied to the stack to remove the uppermost sheet from the dispenser to thereby decrease the amount of force required to remove the uppermost sheet from the dispenser.

3. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said arcuate wall portions and said bottom abutment wall are shaped to arc the stack.

4. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said opposed outlet surfaces are spaced proximate one another to provide peeling separation between the uppermost sheet and the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet and to prevent the uppermost sheet and the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet from being concurrently dispensed without separating.

5. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said opposed outlet surfaces include means for preventing the adhesive of said sheets from wetting the opposed outlet surfaces.

6. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 5 wherein said means for preventing the adhesive of said sheets from wetting the opposed outlet surfaces comprises a plurality of ribs extending generally towards each other from said opposed outlet surfaces.

7. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 6 wherein the distal ends of said ribs are spaced from each other at least 0.060 inches (0.15 centimeters) but not more than 0.25 inches (0.64 centimeters).

8. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said walls of said dispenser are included in a unitary structure.

9. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said arcuate wall portions are generally cylindrically concave about spaced axes parallel to said outer ends which define radii for each arcuate wall portion, and said arcuate wall portions extend toward each other along a path from said outer ends of said end walls.

10. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 9 wherein said bottom abutment wall is generally arcuate and cylindrically concave about an axis spaced from said axes for said arcuate wall portions such that said width of said cavity increases from the opening toward the end walls, said bottom abutment wall axis defining a radius for said bottom abutment wall, and said bottom abutment wall extends between inner ends of said end walls which are located opposite and spaced from said outer ends of said end walls.

11. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 10 wherein said radii of said arcuate wall portions are approximately equal and are approximately 2.54 inches (6.54 centimeters) with an arc length of approximately 1.75 inches (4.45 centimeters), and said radius of said bottom abutment wall is approximately 2.28 inches (5.59 centimeters).

12. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said end walls, said arcuate wall portions, said opposed outlet surfaces, and said bottom abutment wall extend transversely entirely through said dispenser so that said cavity has an end opening, the stack being insertable into said cavity through said end opening.

13. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 12 wherein said dispenser further includes means for assisting in the loading of a replacement stack of sheets in the cavity when the existing supply of sheets is depleted.

14. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 13 wherein said means for assisting in the loading of a replacement stack of sheets in the cavity when the existing supply of sheets is depleted comprises lead-in guides.

15. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 further including means for anchoring said dispenser to a substrate.

16. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 15 wherein said means for anchoring said dispenser to a substrate comprises a magnet with first and second surfaces with the first surface adhesively attached to the bottom wall of the dispenser and the second surface of the magnet in contact with a metallic substrate.

17. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 15 wherein said substrate comprises a weighted base portion.

18. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 17 wherein said weighted base portion includes surfaces defining a replacement stack supply chamber.

19. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 17 wherein said weighted base portion comprises a base portion and an upper portion having walls defining a hollow, said base portion being adapted to be detached from the upper portion to provide means for filling the hollow with ballast.

20. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said cavity has an overall surface length which is greater than the length of said stack to prevent buckling of said stack as the uppermost sheet is being dispensed.

21. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 1 wherein said arcuate wall portions and said bottom abutment wall are generally cylindrically concave about the same axis which is parallel to said outer ends and which defines radii for said arcuate wall portions and said bottom abutment wall, said outer ends of said end walls are spaced above said bottom abutment wall and said arcuate wall portions extend toward each other along an aligned path from said outer ends.

22. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 21 wherein said radius of said friction surface portions is approximately 22.54 inches (6.54 centimeters) and said radius for said bottom abutment wall is approximately 2.28 inches (5.59 centimeters).

23. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 21 further including means for anchoring said dispenser to a substrate.

24. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 23 wherein said substrate comprises the wrist of a user and said means for anchoring said dispenser comprises an adjustable wristband.

25. A dispenser for sheets according to claim 21 wherein said cavity has an overall surface length which is greater than the length of said stack to prevent buckling of said stack as the uppermost sheet is being dispensed.

26. In combination, a stack of pre-cut sheets and a dispenser for flexible sheets from said stack of pre-cut sheets disposed one on top of another, each sheet comprising a backing having first and second opposite major side surfaces and first and second opposite ends with the first end of each sheet being in alignment with the second end of an adjacent sheet in said stack, and a layer of adhesive permanently adhered to the first side surface of said sheet backing, the layer of adhesive of each sheet being releasably adhered along the second surface of the adjacent sheet in said stack, said sheets comprising release means for providing a first adhesion level along a first end portion of each of said sheets adjacent said first end of said backing between said layer of adhesive and the second side surface of the adjacent sheet in the stack to which said layer of adhesive is releasably adhered, which first adhesion level provides a sufficiently low release force between said adhesive coating and the adjacent sheet to which the adhesive is releasable adhered to afford sliding movement between the side surfaces of the adjacent sheets along said first end portion, and attachment means for providing a second adhesion level along a second end portion of each of said sheets adjacent said second end of said backing between said layer of adhesive and the second side surface of the adjacent sheet in the stack to which said layer of adhesive is releasably adhered, which second adhesion level provides a release force that is higher than said low release force along said first end portion and firmly adheres the sheet to the adjacent sheet in the stack during sliding movement of the sheet relative to the adjacent sheet along said first end portion while affording peeling away of the sheet along said second end portion, the dispenser comprising:

walls having surfaces defining a cavity adapted to receive the stack, said walls including

a bottom abutment wall defining a bottom surface,

end walls defining end surfaces at opposite ends of said bottom surface and having generally parallel outer ends,

arcuate wall portions generally opposite said bottom abutment wall extending generally toward each other from said outer ends and having spaced distal ends, said arcuate wall portions defining arcuate friction surface portions,

opposed outlet surfaces at said distal ends defining an opening through said walls,

said arcuate friction surface portions and said bottom surface being shaped to afford reciprocating movement of the stack of sheets within the cavity in response to forces applied to the stack to sequentially remove sheets from the stack through said opening, and to position the uppermost sheets of the stack adjacent the arcuate friction surface portions with the second end portion of the uppermost sheet in the stack projecting through the opening so that by grasping that second end portion, the uppermost sheet in the stack can be manually pulled through the opening and will carry with it the second end portion of the sheet beneath it in the stack to which the uppermost sheet is adhered by the adhesive coating, placing that second end portion in a position where it also may be grasped and pulled to withdraw that sheet from the stack,

said arcuate friction surface portions being shaped to provide means for affording sliding movement of the adhesively joined first end portion of the uppermost sheet and the second end portion of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet between the second side surface of a subsequent sheet in the stack and the adjacent arcuate friction surface portion, and for making sufficient frictional engagement with the second side surface of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet to restrict the movement of the sheet beneath the uppermost sheet between the rest of the stack and the adjacent arcuate friction surface portion to thereby afford peeling separation between the uppermost sheet and the sheet beneath it after the uppermost sheet is withdrawn from the dispenser.