Abstract:
A dispensing device comprises a dispensing box, a roll of a sheet-like packaging material, and a cutting edge. The box includes a series of sides and a dispensing slot on one of these sides. The roll includes a leading portion which is inserted through the dispensing slot and pulled in a pulling direction (P). The cutting edge is positioned downstream of the dispensing slot relative to the pulling direction (P) whereby the packaging material can be dispensed in a desired length to suit the packaging needs of a particular item and then cut to this desired length by the cutting edge.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/460,271 filed on Apr. 4, 2003. The entire disclosure of this earlier application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally, as indicated, to a newsprint dispensing device and, more particularly, to a dispensing device which dispenses newsprint for the wrapping of soon-to-be-transported and/or stored items.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Certain items, such as dinnerware (e.g., cups, glasses, plates, etc.), vases, gardening pots, are commonly included in the move of a home or industry to a new location. Also, items such as this are routinely sold via catalog or Internet sales whereby they need to be shipped to the purchaser. Because these items are susceptible to fracture or damage, it is a common practice to wrap each item in newsprint. Typically, newsprint is provided in a plurality of sheets compiled in a bundle and each sheet is a set size, such as, for example, fifteen inches by thirty-two inches. To wrap an item, an entire newsprint sheet can be used regardless of the dimensions of the item. Alternatively, the newsprint sheet can be cut or torn to a smaller size, but this takes additional time and/or equipment which is usually not desirable. Furthermore, when the packing person shifts from one location to another (i.e., from the kitchen to the dining room in a residential move situation), the bundle of newsprint sheets can be bulky, clumsy, inconvenient and/or difficult to carry.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a dispensing device which allows newsprint to be dispensed in desired lengths rather than set sheet dimensions. In this manner, there is not any waste and/or sheet-cutting whereby the environment is benefitted and whereby money and time are saved. Also, the dispensing device can be constructed so that it is much easier to provide and/or transport than the conventionally used newsprint sheets.  
         [0005]     More particularly, the present invention provides a dispensing device comprising a dispensing box, a roll of a sheet-like packaging material positioned within the box, and a cutting edge. The box comprises a series of sides and a dispensing slot on one of the sides. The roll includes a leading portion which is inserted through the dispensing slot and pulled in a pulling direction. The cutting edge is positioned downstream of the dispensing slot relative to the pulling direction whereby the packaging material can be dispensed in a desired length to suit the packaging needs of a particular item and then cut to this desired length by the cutting edge.  
         [0006]     The sheet material can be paper, more particularly newsprint, and even more particularly thirty pound newsprint. The material can be coiled around a core and core-supporting pads (e.g., plastic pads) can be inserted into each end of the core. The dimensions of the roll correspond to the dimensions of the box and the width of the roll can be slightly less (e.g., ½ inch less) than certain sides of the box. The pads preferably have mounting portions dimensioned to fit snugly within certain box sides whereby they can function as chucks when the roll is inserted into the box. A spacer can be positioned between one of the pads and the adjacent side of the box to enhance dispersal, especially with larger sized boxes.  
         [0007]     These and other features of the invention are fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, which are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dispensing device according to the present invention, the device including a dispensing box and a roll within the box for dispersal therefrom.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the dispensing device positioned adjacent the edge of a counter top.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the dispensing device positioned centrally on a table.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a method of carrying the dispensing device to a convenient location.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dispensing box.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a blank that can be used to construct the dispensing box of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a longer dispensing box.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a blank that can be used to construct the dispensing box of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , a dispensing device  10  according to the present invention is shown. The device  10  comprises a dispensing box  12 , and a roll  14  of newsprint for dispersal therefrom. As is explained in more detail below, the device  10  allows newsprint to be dispensed in desired lengths (rather than set sheet dimensions) whereby there need not being any waste. As is also explained in more detail below, the dispensing box  10  can be provided/transported much easier (and safer) than conventionally-used bundles of newsprint sheets.  
         [0017]     The dispensing box  12  has a rectangular prism shape formed from a series of rectangular sides. The rectangular sides specifically include a first side  20  (the top side in  FIG. 1 ), a second side  22  (the bottom side in  FIG. 1 ), a third side  24  (the front side in  FIG. 1 ), a fourth side  26  (the back side in  FIG. 1 ), and fifth and sixth sides  28  and  30  (the lateral sides in  FIG. 1 ). It may be noted for future reference that the side  20  includes a slot  32  through which newsprint is dispensed.  
         [0018]     The roll  14  comprises a sheet material  34  coiled around a hollow core  36  whereby the material  34  has an end portion adjacent the core  36  and a leading portion  38  most remote from the core. While any sheet material suitable for packing could possibly be used, newsprint and, more particularly thirty pound newsprint is preferred. That being said, other weights of newsprint and/or other sheet-like packing materials (e.g., non-newsprint paper and non-paper materials), are possible with, and contemplated by, the present invention.  
         [0019]     The dimensions (i.e., width W and diameter D) of the roll  14  correspond to the dimensions of the box  12 . Particularly, the width W of the roll  14  corresponds to the width of the box&#39;s sides  24 / 26  and the diameter D of the roll  14  corresponds to the width and length of the box&#39;s sides  28 / 30 . For loading and dispensing convenience, the width W of the roll  14  can be slightly less (i.e., ½ inch) than the width of the box sides  24 / 26  and the diameter D of the roll  14  can closely approximate the size of the box sides  28 / 30 . For example, if the box  12  has 12 inch by 9 inch by 9 inch dimensions, the roll  14  could have a 11½ inch width and a 8½ inch diameter.  
         [0020]     The roll  14  could be freely placed in the box  12 . However, alternatively and as preferred, core-supporting pads  42  can be inserted into each end of the core  36 . The pads  42  are preferably designed with an insertion portion which fits with the core  36  and a flanged mounting portion which extends outwardly therefrom. The flanged portions are preferably dimensioned to fit snugly within the box sides  28  and  30  whereby the pads  42  function as chucks when the roll  14  is inserted into the box  12 . The pads  42  can be made of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and/or any other suitable material, but plastic is probably preferred because of its lightweight and non-tearing qualities.  
         [0021]     To prepare the dispensing device  10  for use, the leading portion  38  of the newsprint is inserted through the slot  32  in the side  20  of the box  12 . A cutting blade (or edge)  44  is positioned adjacent the edge of the wall  20  cornering with the wall  24 . The cutting edge  44  can be made of plastic, metal, or any other material which can be easily mounted (e.g., glued, clipped, etc.) to the box  12  and which provides sufficient cutting potential. Again, plastic is probably preferred because of its lightweight qualities.  
         [0022]     During operation of the dispensing device  10 , the end of the leading portion  38  may be pulled through the slot  32  and over the cutting edge  44  in a pulling direction P. When the distance between the being-pulled end and the cutting edge  44  is the desired length, the leading portion  38  can be moved downward for contact with the cutting edge  44  and separation thereof. It may be noted that the roll  14  can be positioned within the box  12  to best accommodate this motion of the newsprint  34 . For example, in  FIG. 1 , the roll  14  is positioned so that its roll pattern is clockwise relative to the lateral side  28  of the box  12 .  
         [0023]     The dispensing device  10  can be positioned on various surfaces and in various orientations relative to the pulling direction P. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the dispensing device  10  is positioned on a floor F, in  FIG. 2 , the dispensing device  10  is positioned on the edge of a counter top C, and in  FIG. 3 , the dispensing device  10  is positioned in the center (i.e., away from the edges) of a table T. In  FIG. 1 , the box side  20  forms the top of the box  12 , and the side  20  is horizontally oriented and nearest the pulling direction P. Also, the cutting blade  34  points upward. In  FIG. 2 , the dispensing box  10  is positioned in much the same manner with the front wall  20  also being aligned with the edge of the counter top C. In  FIG. 3 , the front wall  24  is vertically oriented and remote from the pulling direction P.  
         [0024]     Referring additionally to  FIG. 4 , a handle  46  can be provided on the box  12  for convenient moving of packing materials to another room or location. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  46  is mounted on the box side  30  whereby it is carried with this side facing up. The handle  46  can comprise a holding portion, and umbrella shaped portions extending from either end thereof. The distal end of the umbrella shaped portions can be used in conjunction with a rectangular plate and washers to mount the handle  46  onto the box  12 . In any event, the handle  46  allows the dispensing device  10  to be very conveniently moved from one location to another especially when compared to, for example, the conventionally-used bundle of sheets.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the dispensing device  10  is illustrated without the roll  14  therein whereby details of the box  12  can be seen more clearly. As is shown in  FIG. 6 , the box  12  can be made from a blank  58 . The blank  58  comprises panels  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66 , panels  68 ,  70 ,  72  and  74 , and panels  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82 . In the assembled box  12 , the panel  60  forms the first side  20 , the panel  62  forms the fourth side  26 , the panel  64  forms the second side  22 , and the panel  66  forms the third side  24 . The panels  68 ,  70  and  74  form the fifth side  28  and the panels  76 ,  78 ,  82  form the sixth side  30 . (Specifically, the panel  68 / 76  are the outermost layer, panels  70 / 78  are the innermost layers, and panels  74 / 82  are positioned therebetween). Panels  72  and  80  overlay the panel  64  or the second side  22  of the box  12 .  
         [0026]     Panels  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  are connected together by fold lines. Panels  70  and  78  are connected to panel  62 , and panels  74  and  82  are connected to panel  64 , by fold lines. Panels  68  and  70  are connected to each other, and panels  76  and  78  are connected to each other, by double fold lines. Panels  70  and  72  are connected to each other, and panels  78  and  80  are connected to each other, by fold lines. Panel  68  is separated by from panel  60  and panel  76  is separated from panel  60  by cut-lines. Panel  74  is separated from adjacent panel  72 , and panel  82  is separated from adjacent panel  80 , by a roughly rectangular gap between their neighboring edges.  
         [0027]     The blank  58  further includes a closing tab  84 , locking tabs  86 , and connecting tabs  88 . The closing tab  84  extends outward from the distal edge of the panel  60 , and a fold line and two semi-capsule notches  90  are positioned therebetween. The locking tabs  86  extend outward from the lateral edges of the panel  60  and are formed by cuts extending into the rectangular region generally occupied by the panels  68 / 76 . A fold line and semi-circular cut lines (each forming a semi-circular sub-tab) are positioned between the respective locking tabs  86  and the major portion of the panel  60 . The connecting tabs  88  extend outward from the distal edge of the panel  68 .  
         [0028]     The dispensing slot  32  is cut into the panel  60  and this cut also provides a holding tab  92  which presses down on the leading portion  38  of the newsprint as it is dispensed from the box  12  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The panels  72  and  80  each include a notch  94  (adjacent the neighboring fold line) which receives the connecting tabs  88 . The panel  66  also includes a slot  96  along its distal edge for attachment of the cutting edge  44  and/or insertion of the closing tab  84 . Panels  76 ,  78 , and  80  each include a pair of openings  98  which, in the assembled box  12 , align with each other and coordinate with the handle  46 . Specifically, the umbrella portions of the handle  46  would extend through the aligned openings  98  and the rectangular plate and washers would be positioned against the inside surface of the panel  78 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a longer version  112  of the dispensing box of the present invention, and a blank  158  for making such a box  112 , are shown. The box  112  and the blank  158  have essentially the same structure as the box  12  and the blank  158  whereby like reference numerals, with a suffix “1” added, are used for corresponding components. However, it may be noted that in the box  112 , two cutting blades  144  are mounted along the slot  194  and that a spacer pad (not shown) can be positioned between one of the core-pads  140  and the handle-less side  128  of the box  112 . The dimensions of the roll used with the box  112  would correspond to its larger dimensions. For example, if the box  112  has 24 inch by 12 inch by 12 inch dimensions, the roll could have a 23½ inch width and a 8½ inch diameter.  
         [0030]     One may now appreciate the present invention provides a dispensing device  10 / 110  that allows newsprint to be dispensed in desired lengths (rather than set sheet dimensions) and/or can be more easily (and safely) than conventionally-used bundles of newsprint sheets. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent and obvious alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.