Abstract:
A stapling system for dispensing both staples and shaped objects is provided. This system includes at least one item to be stapled; at least one shaped object, wherein the at least one shaped object is adapted to receive at least one staple; at least one staple; and a stapling device, wherein the stapling device is adapted to contain both the at least one shaped object and the at least one staple; wherein upon actuating the stapling device both the at least one shaped object and the at least one staple are dispensed from the stapling device; and wherein upon dispensation from the stapling device, the staple cooperates with the shaped object to attached the shaped object to the surface of the item to be stapled.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.  60 /990,139 filed on Nov. 26, 2007, and entitled “Stapler for Use with Shaped Objects,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to staplers, and more specifically to a stapling system that includes a stapler which has been modified to receive a uniquely shaped object that is dispensed from the stapler when the stapler is actuated. 
         [0003]    Staplers are common items in many households, classrooms, and offices and are commercially available from various sources. The staplers that are available are typically useful for attaching multiple pieces of paper to one another. However, there are few, if any, staplers that provide a user with the ability to customize documents and make their appearance unique. For example, if a consumer wants to include a company logo on various papers, that person usually must print out the company logo on the paper or use printed letter-head. Therefore, while various known devices are useful for stapling together paper and other items, a need exists for a stapling system that includes uniquely shaped objects that cooperate with common staples to effectively bind together papers (or other items) while also providing decoration to the surface of the paper. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following provides a summary of exemplary embodiments of a stapler system according to the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope. 
         [0005]    The present invention provides a solution to consumers that wish to place identifying indicia, such as company logos on paper, as opposed to simply using company letter head. Furthermore, the present invention allows a consumer to easily attach items, such as a company logo to a document to make the appearance of the document unique. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a stapling system is provided. This stapling system includes: at least one item to be stapled; at least one shaped object, wherein the at least one shaped object is adapted to receive at least one staple; at least one staple; and a stapling device, wherein the stapling device is adapted to contain both the at least one shaped object and the at least one staple; wherein upon actuating the stapling device both the at least one shaped object and the at least one staple are dispensed from the stapling device; and wherein upon dispensation from the stapling device, the staple cooperates with the shaped object to attached the shaped object to the surface of the item to be stapled. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a stapler is provided. This stapler includes a plurality of shaped objects storable in the stapler; a plurality of staples storable in the stapler; and a body, wherein the body further comprises: a top portion hingably attached to a bottom portion, wherein the top portion further comprises a first housing adapted to receive and dispense the plurality of staples, wherein the bottom portion further comprises a second housing adapted to receive and dispense the least one shaped object, and wherein the shaped object cooperates with a single staple in the plurality of staples for attaching the shaped object to the surface of an item when the stapler is actuated. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of this invention, a stapling system is provided. This stapling system includes a plurality of shaped objects, a plurality of staples, and a stapler for dispensing the plurality of staples. The stapler further includes a top portion hingably attached to a bottom portion. The bottom portion further comprises a first housing which is adapted to receive and dispense the plurality of staples. The top portion further comprises a second housing which is adapted to receive a plurality of shaped objects or a strip or cartridge of shaped objects to be dispensed. When the stapler is actuated, an individual shaped object in the plurality of shaped objects cooperates with a single staple in the plurality of staples for attaching the shaped object to the surface of an item. 
         [0008]    Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is a front, perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the stapler of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is a front, perspective view of a single staple cooperating with a shaped object in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear, perspective view of the stapler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3   a - c  are top, side, and front views respectively of the stapler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front, perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the stapler includes an auto-feeding device for use with the plurality of shaped objects; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front, perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the stapler of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front, perspective view of a single staple cooperating with a shaped object in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7-9  are top, perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of the stapler of the present invention showing the placement of a cartridge of shaped objects within the second housing of the stapler; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates the proper placement of a sheet of paper within the stapler of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a front, perspective view of the secondary embodiment of the stapler, wherein the stapler includes a cutter for cutting a strip or cartridge of shaped objects. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
         [0021]    The present invention relates to a stapling system that includes uniquely shaped, geometric objects for deposition on flat surfaces. As previously indicated, a first general embodiment of this invention provides a stapling system for use with at least one shaped object and at least one staple, wherein the shaped object is located in the bottom portion of the stapler prior to dispensing; and a second general embodiment of this invention provides a stapling system for use with a plurality of shaped objects and a plurality of staples, wherein the shaped object is located in the top portion of the stapler prior to dispensing. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1   a  provides a front, perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of stapler  100 . In this embodiment, stapler  100  includes a top portion  120 , which is attached by hinge or other flexible means  121  to bottom portion  122 . A modified stapling mechanism is partially enclosed within top and bottom portions  120  and  122  respectively and includes a first housing  124  for holding at least one staple  130  (or a plurality of staples), and a base  126 , which is modified to receive a shaped object  128 . In this exemplary embodiment, base  126  is configured to receive only one shaped object  128 .  FIG. 2  provides a rear, perspective view of the stapler  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3   a - c  provide alternate views of the first exemplary embodiment. Specifically,  FIG. 3   a  provides a top view,  FIG. 3   b  provides a side view, and  FIG. 3   c  provides a front view of this embodiment. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  provides a front perspective view of a second version of the first exemplary embodiment of stapler  100 ; however, in this version, the stapler  100  is configured to hold a plurality of shaped objects  128 , and base  126  contains an auto-feeding device  133  for automatically advancing shaped objects  128  into and through stapler  100 . In this embodiment, stapler  100  includes a top portion  120 , which is attached by hinge means  121  to bottom portion  122 . A modified stapling mechanism is partially enclosed within top and bottom portions  120  and  122  respectively and includes a first housing  124  for holding a plurality of staples  130  and a base  126 , which is modified to receive a plurality of shaped objects  128  and also contains auto-feeding device  133 . Shaped objects  128  are loaded into auto-feeding device  133 , which is mounted on, attached to, or formed integrally with base  126  of stapler  100 . The auto-feeding device  133  may be a spring-loaded apparatus or may include a strip of shaped objects  128  that mechanically advance, one at a time, into the proper position in base  126  each time stapler  100  is actuated. This version permits the user of stapler  100  to staple multiple items without reloading an individual shaped object  128  for each stapling job. Auto-feeding device  133  may also contain a push rod  140  to manually advance shaped objects  128  into and though base  126  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0024]    In both versions of the first exemplary embodiment described above, stapler  100  functions in a similar manner. Shaped object  128  includes two lateral protrusions  129 , each having an aperture  127  passing completely therethrough. Protrusions  129  assist in stabilizing shaped object  128  in base  126  and aperture  127 , which passes through each protrusion  129  is designed to receive a portion of staple  130  when stapler  100  is actuated. As best shown in  FIG. 1   b,  when stapler  100  is actuated, vertical arms  131  of wire staple  130  extend into and through apertures  127  in protrusions  129  and are then bent to attach staple  130  to shaped object  128 . When in use, staples  130  are loaded into first housing  124 , a particular shaped object  128  is placed into the cavity formed in base  126 , two sheets of paper or other material are inserted into stapler  100 , and stapler  100  is depressed or compressed by a user thereof. A staple  130  exits housing  124 , passes through the paper sheets and engages, i.e., clinches, shaped object  128 . Thus, when the paper is removed from stapler  100 , shaped object  128  will be attached to the surface of one of the pieces of paper where, presumably, it (and anything printed or formed thereon) will be clearly visible. 
         [0025]    Shaped object  128  may include any of a wide variety of geometric shapes and designs including corporate logos, product logos, brand logos, and team logos. Numerous decorative shapes such as, for example, stars, hearts, diamonds, squares, circles, squares, and triangles are also possible. Shaped objects  128  may be made from metal, plastic, or other suitably rigid and durable materials and may be manufactured or fabricated using known stamping or molding processes or any other suitable process. These examples are illustrative in nature, and are not intended to be limiting in any way. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5-11  illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of stapler  200 .  FIG. 5  provides a front, perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of stapler  200 . In this embodiment, stapler  200  includes a top portion  220 , which is attached by hinge or other flexible means  221  to bottom portion  222 . A modified stapling mechanism is partially enclosed within top and bottom portions  220  and  222  respectively. As shown in the Figures, bottom portion  222  includes a first housing  224  for holding at least one staple  230  (or a plurality of staples  230 ) and top portion  220  includes a second housing  226 , which is modified to receive a plurality of shaped objects  228 , wherein the plurality of shaped objects  228  may be in the form of a strip or cartridge. The plurality of shaped objects  228  is loaded into an auto-feeding device  233  mounted on, attached to, or formed integrally with the body of stapler  200 . Auto-feeding device  233  may be a spring-loaded apparatus or may include a strip of shaped objects  228  that mechanically advances into the proper position in second housing  226  each time stapler  200  is actuated. Second housing  226  has an outer cover  232  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) which surrounds auto-feeding device  233 . Auto-feeding device  233  includes a channel  235  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) for receiving shaped objects  228 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , shaped objects  228  are held in place in channel  235  by a push board  234  that prevents shaped objects  228  from exiting channel  235  or from moving undesirably in channel  235 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , a user can advance shaped objects  228  through channel  235  of auto-feeding device  233  by applying pressure to push rod  240 , which is attached to push board  234 . A metal spring sheet  236  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) separates cover  238  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of auto-feeding device  233  from outer cover  232  of second housing  226 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , shaped object  228  includes two lateral protrusions  229 , each having an aperture  227  passing completely therethrough. When stapler  200  is actuated, vertical arms  231  of wire staple  230  extend into and through apertures  227  in protrusions  229  and are then bent to attach staple  230  to shaped object  228 . Protrusions  229  assist in stabilizing shaped object  228  in second housing  226 , and aperture  227 , which passes through each protrusion  229 , is designed to receive a portion of staple  230  when stapler  200  is actuated. When in use, staples  230  are loaded into first housing  224 , shaped objects  228  are loaded into second housing  226  containing a channel  235  and two sheets of paper  242  or other material are inserted into stapler  200 , and stapler  200  is depressed or compressed by a user thereof. Staple  230  exits housing  224 , passes through paper  242  and engages, i.e., clinches, the shaped object  228 . Thus, when the paper  242  is removed from stapler  200 , shaped object  228  will be attached to the surface of one of the pieces of paper  242  where, presumably, it (and anything printed or formed thereon) will be clearly visible. In this embodiment, the vertical arms  231  of staple  230  are folded outwards to allow shaped object to be fully visible. This embodiment also permits the user of stapler  200  to staple multiple items without loading an individual shaped object  228  for each stapling job. 
         [0028]    Alternatively, stapler  200  can be configured with a cutter  244  (see  FIG. 11 ), for cutting out shaped object  228  from a cartridge or strip of shaped objects (not shown in the figures) that are loaded into channel  235 . When a user actuates stapler  200 , cutter  244  cooperates with strip or cartridge of shaped objects  228  to cut or punch out the shaped object  228  to be attached to paper. As shown in  FIG. 6 , shaped object  228  includes two lateral protrusions  229 , each having an aperture  227  passing completely therethrough. When stapler  200  is actuated, the vertical arms  231  of wire staple  230  extend into and through apertures  227  in protrusions  229  and are then bent to attach shaped object  228  to staple  230 . Protrusions  229  assist in stabilizing shaped object  228  in second housing  226  and aperture  227 , which passes through each protrusion  229  is designed to receive a portion of staple  230  when stapler  200  is actuated. When in use, staples  230  are loaded into first housing  224 , a strip or cartridge of shaped objects  228  are loaded into second housing  226  containing channel  235  and cutter  244 , two pieces or sheets of paper  242  or other material are inserted into stapler  200 , and stapler  200  is depressed or compressed by a user thereof. As stapler is being depressed or compressed, cutter  244  cuts or punches out the shaped object  228  from the strip or cartridge of shaped objects, staple  230  exits first housing  224 , passes through paper  242  and engages, i.e., clinches, the cut shaped object  228 . Thus, when the paper  242  is removed from stapler  200 , shaped object  228  will be attached to the surface of one of the pieces of paper  242  where, presumably, it (and anything printed or formed thereon) will be clearly visible. This embodiment also permits the user of stapler  200  to staple multiple items without loading an individual shaped object  228  for each stapling job. 
         [0029]    Shaped object  228  may include any of a wide variety of geometric shapes and designs including corporate logos, product logos, brand logos, and team logos. Numerous decorative shapes such as, for example, stars, hearts, diamonds, squares, circles, squares, and triangles are also possible. Shaped objects  228  may be made from metal, plastic, or other suitably rigid and durable materials and may be manufactured or fabricated using known stamping or molding processes or any other suitable process. These examples are illustrative in nature, and are not intended to be limiting in any way. 
         [0030]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.