Abstract:
A device for dispensing and applying stamps, labels, stickers, and other self-adhesive products mounted on a backing web. Sliding the device across a contacting surface rotates the single moving part, a drive roller. The drive roller pulls the backing web around a delaminating bend. This separates the self-adhesive product from the web and applies it to the contacting surface. Some embodiments of the invention discharged the used webbing. The other embodiments automatically collect and store the webbing within their housings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a manually operable label dispensing device, particularly for dispensing and applying pressure sensitive postage stamps. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Pressure sensitive self-adhesive labels and stickers have been widely used for many years. Recently the United States Postal Service has introduced postage stamps that are self-adhesive. The stamps come mounted on sheets of backing cardstock equal in size to a dollar bill. Eighteen stamps are mounted on each card. Like pressure sensitive labels and stickers, each self-adhesive stamp is peeled off the card and then applied to the package or envelope. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved method of dispensing and applying self-adhesive postage stamps. With this device the application of these stamps is much faster and easier, than the current peel and apply method. To use the present invention to apply stamps, the stamps would need to become available in rolls. Rolls of self-adhesive stamps offer several advantages over sheets of self-adhesive stamps. Instead of just 18 stamps, each roll could be available in quantities of 50 to 100 stamps. The cost of manufacturing rolls of stamps should be less than sheets of stamps. A roll of stamps requires only a thin backing web. While the cardstock backing for sheet stamps is approximately twice as thick. Card mounted stamps thus require significantly more material, which usually results in higher cost. With over a billion self-adhesive stamps sold each year, the savings to the U. S. Postal Service may amount to millions of dollars. 
     The manufacturing cost of the applicators should be low. They are compact in size and simple in design. They essentially consist of a housing and one moving part, a drive roller. Moving the applicator over the surface of an envelope or package turns this drive roller. The turning drive roller pulls the backing web across a delaminating surface resulting in the removal and application of the stamp. The drive roller floats within the housing of the applicator. Because it floats the drive roller can tightly grip the backing web. It grips the web between itself and an opposing stationary surface during stamp application. When refilling the device the web is rethreaded around the drive roller. The floating of the drive roller makes this rethreading easy. 
     There are several embodiments of the applicator. They differ principally on their handling of the used backing web. The simplest and most compact embodiment discharges the used webbing as it applies each stamp. The discharged webbing can then be torn off and thrown away. The second embodiment only discharges webbing after applying a group of stamps. As the last stamp of the group is applied a short piece of webbing is discharged. Pulling on this piece will cause all of the webbing from the group to be cut off. No further webbing is discharged until the last stamp from the next group is applied. Each group consists of approximately six stamps. 
     The third embodiment does not discharge the used webbing. Instead, all of the used webbing is stored within the applicator. The webbing is first guided into forming a small roll. As additional webbing is added to the outside of this roll, its diameter increases. To accommodate the increasing roll diameter, a part of the web guide expands. The guide will expand until all of the used webbing has been stored. The roll of stored used webbing, is removed when the applicator is refilled with a new roll of stamps. 
     The preferred embodiment also stores all of the used webbing. The webbing is also stored in a roll, but the roll is formed by a different method Instead of guiding the webbing directly into a roll, the webbing is guided into a small radius curve. A curl is put into the webbing when it is forced to follow this curve. As the used webbing accumulates, the curl in it causes the webbing to form into a compact roll. And like the third embodiment, the used webbing is stored within the applicator, until the applicator is refilled with fresh stamps. 
     With many previous applicators that store the used webbing, the webbing is wrapped up on a spool. For example several U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,222,242 (1965) Ingalls; 4,570,868 (1986) Wiggs; and 4,954,210 (1990) Desmond, all use spools to wrap up the used webbing. The spool adds another part and increased cost to either the applicator or the self adhesive product. If the spool comes with the self-adhesive product; it adds to the cost to every refill. If it is part of the applicator; then it adds additional steps to refilling the applicator. First the used backing must be removed from the spool. Next the new backing must be attached in some manner to the spool. The last two embodiments of this invention are unique. They accumulate the used webbing without the use of spools. 
     The simplicity, ease of use, and low cost are shared by all of the embodiments of the present invention. This makes them all very suitable for applying self-adhesive postage stamps. These same features are also needed for applicators of other pressure sensitive self-adhesive products, such as labels stickers, and hole reinforcements. It is anticipated that versions of this device will find uses in several areas of the self-adhesive product application market. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive manually operable dispensing device for self-adhesive postage stamps. 
     Several additional objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) to provide an enclosure to protect the stamps until they are applied; 
     (b) to provide a stamp applicator that is easy to use; 
     (c) to provide a device that will conveniently hold 50 to 100 stamps; 
     (d) to provide an applicator that can store the used backing web; 
     (e) to provide an applicator that can be adapted to apply labels, stickers or hole reinforcements; 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the embodiments which are illustrated in the various drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the stamp applicator; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the device showing an alternate drive roller and stationary surface configuration; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the second embodiment which has limited backing web storage; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view on line 5--5 of FIG. 4 showing the detail of a pointed backing web cutter; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the third embodiment with a nearly full roll of stamps and a small accumulation of used backing web; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the third embodiment with a nearly empty roll of stamps and a nearly full roll of used backing web; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the preferred embodiment with a full roll of stamps; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the preferred embodiment with a half roll of stamps and a half roll of used backing web accumulated; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sideview of the preferred embodiment showing where a curl is put into the used backing web; 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an extended delaminating edge. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a self-adhesive stamp dispensing device is indicated by the general reference character 20. This device is formed with a rigid plastic housing 21 and a removable cover 26. The cover can be removed by loosening a screw 27 to allow replacement of a roll of stamps 22. Many other common methods of attaching a separate cover to a housing could also be used. Or, the cover and the housing could be made as a single piece part. Using the appropriate material, the plastic connecting the cover to the housing could function as a hinge. The cover would close over the housing and be held in the closed position by a locking mechanism molded into the parts. The roll 22 consists of self-adhesive postage stamps 23 on the inner surface of backing paper 25. During operation the backing paper 25 follows the path indicated by the arrows. The backing paper 25 with the attached stamps 23 travels along the top of an angled guide 28. As the backing is pulled around delaminating edge 29 the stamp separates from it. The adhesive surface of the stamp is then able to come in contact with an envelope 24. The housing end 38, presses the stamp firmly onto the envelope 24. After separating from the stamps the backing paper continues towards the rounded corner 30. From there, it passes between an arcuate section 31 and a drive roller 32 and is expelled out of the opening in the rear of the housing 39. 
     The drive roller 32 is loosely confined by a forward roller holder 34 and a rearward roller holder 36. The drive roller 32 is loosely confined for two purposes. First, it allows the roller 32 to move away from arcuate section 31. This separation allows the backing to be easily threaded between them when a new roll of stamps is being placed in the device. Secondly, it allows the drive roller 32 to move up into the arcuate section 31. The inside diameter of the arcuate section 31 and the outside diameter of the drive roller 32 are substantially the same. When the drive roller moves into this arcuate section the backing paper is pinched between them. The arcuate section 31 is smooth and there is little friction between it and the backing paper. The outside circumference of the drive roller is made of high friction material so that it can grip the backing paper when the roller rotates. 
     In operation, the stamp dispenser 20 is placed on an envelope laying on a hard flat surface, such as a desk. A slight downward pressure causes the drive roller 32 to pinch the backing paper 25 between it and the arcuate section 31. Moving the dispenser backward causes the drive roller to rotate, and it pulls the backing paper through the device. The stamp 23 is separated from the backing paper as the paper rounds the delaminating edge 29 and is applied to the envelope. The front edge 38 of the housing presses the stamp firmly onto the enveloped. The used backing paper 25 is ejected out of the opening 39. A cutting edge 40 is located at the top of the opening 39. The cutting edge 40 is similar to that used on an adhesive tape dispenser. When the used backing paper becomes excessive it can be torn off by holding the drive roller 32 from turning and pulling the excess backing paper across cutting edge 40. 
     FIG. 3 shows an alternate drive roller and stationary surface configuration. In this approach the empty backing paper 25 is gripped between drive roller 32 and two flat stationary surfaces 33 and 35. Such an arrangement might be used if the device were fabricated from cardboard instead of plastic. 
     The arcuate section 31 is the preferred shape for gripping the backing with the roller 32 and it is the one used with the four embodiments described herein. Each embodiment of the invention applies stamps in the same manner as described for the first embodiment. The principal differences between the embodiments is in how they handle the used backing paper after it has been through the drive roller. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a second embodiment generally referenced 42, which provides limited storage for the used backing paper. Second embodiment 42 is formed with a rigid plastic housing 44 and removable cover 45. Drive roller 32 is loosely confined by forward roller holder 34 and rearward roller holder 48. The backing paper 25 follows the same path as the first embodiment until it passes the arcuate section 31. After passing arcuate section 31 the backing is deflected upward by arcuate section 52. It then follows the curved channel formed between inner channel wall 58 and outer channel wall 60. The backing follows the channel and is expelled at the opening 62. When sufficient empty backing has accumulated as shown as 46 it can be pulled and it will be cut off at the paper cutter 54. Point 55 of cutter 54 pierces the backing paper 25 when the backing paper is pulled up against it. Continued pulling of the backing paper will cause the paper to tear off at the cutter 54. Approximately six to eight stamps could be dispensed before the used backing will accumulate to an amount shown as 46. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a third embodiment generally referenced 64 which provides full storage for the empty backing paper. This embodiment 64 is formed with a rigid plastic housing 66 and removable cover 67. Drive roller 32 is loosely confined by forward roller holder 34 and rearward roller holder 70. After the backing paper 25 passes the arcuate section 31 it follows the channel formed by arcuate sections 74 and 76. The backing paper 25 is directed into the area circumscribed by arcuate section 82. Arcuate section 82 behaves as a very low force spring. In FIG. 6 it is fully compressed as the empty backing paper is just beginning to enter as shown as 78. The arcuate section guides the backing paper into forming a roll whose diameter increases as more backing paper accumulates. The arcuate section expands to accommodate the growing diameter of this roll. In FIG. 7 arcuate section 82 is nearly fully expanded. Nearly all of the backing has been accumulated in the roll 80. Only a few stamps remain in stamp roll 84. After the last stamp has been applied the cover 67 is removed and the accumulated backing 80 can be easily taken out and discarded or recycled. The device can then be easily refilled with a new roll of stamps. 
     FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict the preferred embodiment generally referenced 86 which also provides full storage for the empty backing paper. This embodiment 86 is formed with a rigid plastic housing 87 and removable cover 89. Drive roller 32 is loosely confined by forward roller holder 34 and rearward roller holder 88. After the backing paper 25 passes the arcuate section 31 it follows the channel formed by straight sections 92 and 94. This channel guides the empty backing paper into the small radius arcuate section 96. As the paper is forced to follow the small radius 96 a curl is formed into the paper 98. A curl continues to be formed into all of the backing paper that follows the small radius 96. As more of this curled backing paper accumulates it will form into a roll 100. 
     FIG. 8 shows the preferred embodiment with a fresh roll of stamps 22. The roll of stamps is mounted on a cylinder 104. An interior space 85 is provided for storage of the used backing paper, the curled end of which is shown as 98. In FIG. 9 the roll of stamps have been half used 102 and the backing as accumulated into a roll 100. When all of the stamps have been used the cover can be opened and the roll of empty backing paper can be quickly removed. If a new roll of stamps can be provided with a leader of empty backing then; it could be quickly threaded into the device and ready to use again in a few seconds. This is possible because with the cover open, the backing paper travel path shown with arrows is assessable from the side. Also the drive roller 32 is floating and provides ample room to thread the backing paper between the roller and the arcuate section 31. 
     While the description of the invention has been limited to applying postage stamps; it is apparent that the invention could be adapted to apply a variety of self-adhesive products. One of these adaptations is shown in FIG. 11. This adaptation would be useful for products that need to be applied accurately. To facilitate accuracy the delaminating edge 112 is at the end of a clear extension 113. A clear housing 106 and cover 108 have been extended to form a guide channel 110. In FIG. 11 the application of a hole reinforcement 114 about the punched paper hole 116 is depicted. With a clear backing material the user is able to see where the self-adhesive product, in this instance a hole reinforcement, will be applied. 
     SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     It can be seen that the applicator of this invention is very suitable for applying pressure sensitive self-adhesive postage stamps. Additionally the invention could be used for applying a variety of other self-adhesive products. For many applications, including stamps, the need for a disposable version of this invention would be desirable. Because of the basic simplicity of the invention it can be easily adapted to be disposable. 
     An obvious modification would to make the drive roller hollow. A coated plastic or paperboard cylinder, or a cylinder with a textured surface could be substituted for the solid drive roller. The housing can also be changed. It does not need to be made from plastic. Paperboard could be substituted for part or all of the housing. A folded paperboard box with metal or plastic inserts may be the least costly method to make the housing. The purpose of the inserts would be for tearing off the used webbing. Inserts may also be advantageous for the stationary surface opposing the drive roller. 
     The housing could be modified in another manner to reduce costs. In the descriptions solid walls are shown. The function of much of the housing is to hold the roll of stamps and the drive roller. This does not require a solid wall to accomplish. Plastic material and cost could be saved if the walls were made with openings. The product could be loaded into the applicator through an opening in one of the walls. The size and shape of the opening would allow the roll of product to be inserted when the roll was compressed. But after it was released the roll would rebound to its circular shape and not be able to pass back out of the opening. With this modification the housing could be a single piece part without a separate or hinged cover. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather that by the examples given.