Abstract:
An adhesive tape or label roll dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser is preferable manufactured from a single piece and includes a front panel with connected adjacent side panels. Each side panel includes a protruding pin. The user centers the adhesive tape or label roll on one protruding pin and bends the front panel and the other side panel around the label, centering the other protruding pin through the roll. The distal end of each pin includes an engaging clip enabling the distal ends of each pin to fixedly engage and secure the roll within the dispenser. The dispenser also includes a hook on each side panel at the edge opposite the front panel, enabling the user to suspend the dispenser from a utility shelf or wall bracket.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a roll dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved label roll dispenser manufactured and assembled from a single piece. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Adhesive tape and label roll dispensers have historically been manufactured from a complex mold resulting in a multitude of sides and edges. Typically, disposable dispensers are sold with a roll of either adhesive tape or labels, while non-disposable dispensers are generally sold separately. In either event, such dispensers are generally assembled when sold as they are not particularly easy for the user to assemble. Furthermore, such dispensers are not generally suitable for use in a variety of settings, such as being suspended from a shelf, bar, or wall bracket. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an improved dispenser which can be easily manufactured as a single piece, easily assembled by the user, and supported in a variety of ways, including being suspended from a utility shelf or wall bracket. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improved adhesive tape or label roll dispenser manufactured as a single piece. The single piece comprises a front panel and associated side panels. Each side panel has a pin protruding outwardly generally proximate the center of each side panel. The user centers the roll on one protruding pin and bends the front panel and the other side panel around the roll. In this manner the distal end of one protruding pin engages the distal end of the other protruding pin, through the center of the roll, and lock in place. The user would then thread the roll through a dispensing bar on the front panel. Preferably, hooks are provided at the opposite end of each side panel from the front panel thereby enabling the user to suspend the dispenser from a utility shelf or wall bracket. This facilities the removal of labels or adhesive tape from the roll as the need arises. 
   The foregoing description is intended to be a summary only. Specific details of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below and then the claims appended hereto. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order to more fully understand the drawing referred to in the detail description of the present invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided; 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a right side view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a left side view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a back view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a pre-assembled plan view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a pre-assembled elevation view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective detailed view of the protruding pin shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective detailed view of the protruding pin shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an elevation view of the present invention once assembled with an installed roll of labels; and 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the present invention once assembled with an installed roll of labels. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–7  of the present invention, the improved roll dispenser  20  includes side panels  22  and  24 . Each side panel is attached along one edge to front panel  26 . In the case of panel  22 , it is along edge  28 , and in the case of panel  24  it along edge  30 . 
   Protruding pin  32  is attached to panel  22 . Protruding pin  34  is attached panel  24 . Each protruding pin  32 ,  34  may be manufactured separately and subsequently attached to the respective panel or may be molded in an integral manner, which is the preferred method of manufacturing. Each protruding pin  32 ,  34  is generally located in the general center of each side panel  22 ,  24  so that the roll is centrally located as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   Front panel  26  includes an aperture  36  in which dispensing bar  38  is centrally supported. Each end  37  of bar  38  is attached to the front panel. Thus, the bar serves to divide aperture  36  into two regions— 36 A and  36 B. Referring briefly to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , dispensing bar  38  serves to separate a label  40  from the roll  42 . This is accomplished by threading the roll  42  first through aperture  36 A and then aperture  36 B. When the user pulls down on roll  42  in the direction of arrow  44  (see  FIG. 15 ), tape  42  is advanced and label  40  is separated from tape  42  at the edge of bar  36 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 1–7 , each side panel  22 ,  24  includes a hook arrangement to suspend the present invention from a utility shelf or wall bracket. In the case of side panel  22  it is hook arrangement  52 ; in the case of side panel  24 , it is hook arrangement  54 . Hereinafter, each hook arrangement  52 ,  54  may be referred to simply as a hook. Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 , hook  52  descends generally downwardly defining an open region  56 . Similarly, hook  54  descends generally downwardly defining an open region  58 . Referring briefly to  FIGS. 15–16 , such open regions  56 ,  58  provide space for a bar  60  of a utility shelf or wall bracket. It may be preferable for each open region  56 ,  58  to extend downwardly as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  15  for a pre-determined distance. Referring to  FIG. 3 , this region is generally shown as region  74  for side panel  24  and, referring to  FIG. 5 , this region is referred to as region  72  for side panel  22 . Referring back to  FIG. 15 , each such region  72 ,  74  provides an area where a second bar  62  may rest providing lateral resistance against side panels  22 ,  24  thereby preventing the present invention from rotating about bar  60 . In this manner, the present invention may be suspended from a utility shelf or wall bracket, or other wall support systems. The user may thereafter easily remove labels at a more comfortable working level above a counter or other work place. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8–14 , the present invention is preferable manufactured as a single piece. This would be accomplished by a mold injection process well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the product is molded as a single piece of plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The present invention would likely be manufactured as a generally flat member as shown in  FIGS. 8–9 . In such a configuration, the present invention would include the various elements as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1–7 . That is, the present invention includes two side panels  22 – 24  which are molded as an integral piece with a front panel  26 . 
   The molded product would preferably include scored edges  28 ,  30  to enable the user, or the person assembling the present invention, to easily bend each side panel  22 ,  24  to approximately a ninety degree angle relative to front panel  26 . Also shown in  FIGS. 8–9  are protruding pins  32 ,  34  which are preferably molded as an integral piece of side panels  22 ,  24  respectively. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9–10  and  13 , protruding pin  32  is generally conical in shape. It is preferably hollow to minimize the use of materials, although that is not necessary. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , protruding pin  32  includes clips  33 . Each clip  33  has a lip  35  which extends generally inwardly as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 . Similarly, referring to  FIGS. 9 ,  12 , and  14 , reciprocating pin  34  is also generally conical in shape. Once again, it may be hollow as shown in  FIG. 12 , although it could be solid but such is not necessary. Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the top of pin  34  is also open (as is pin  32 ), but pin  34  includes a transverse member  41  which spans the opening of the top of pin  34 . The transverse member is recessed slightly below the top of pin  34  as shown in  FIG. 12 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , the length of transverse member  41  is selected so that the top of pin  34  can accommodate clips  33  and engage in a snug fit when assembled so that the top of clips  33  fit against ledge  43  of protruding pin  34 . In this manner, protruding pins  32  and  33  are fixedly engaged, flush against one another, and cannot be easily separated as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , dispensing bar  38  is illustrated in a cross-sectional view spanning aperture  36  thereby defining regions  36 A and  36 B. As noted above, regions  36 A and  36 B provide the openings for the user, or the person assembling the present invention, to thread roll  42  therethrough. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the present invention is shown in an assembled fashion supporting a roll  42 , and suspended from a bar  60 . Bar  62  serves to provide lateral stability preventing the present invention from rotating about bar  60 . Roll  42  has been placed within the present invention and is centrally supported by protruding pins  32 ,  34 . Thus, pins  32 ,  34  serve as an axle or center roller pin to support roll  42  within the present invention. By suspending the dispenser from a shelf or bar, additional counter surface is provided. Additionally, since the dispenser is preferable made of plastic it can be easily cleaned and therefore, improves sanitation. 
   In the assembly of the present invention, the operator or the assembler, takes the present invention as shown in  FIG. 8  and bends side panels  22 ,  24  along scored edges  28  and  30  until each side panel  22 ,  24  is generally normal to front panel  26 . Before reaching a final normal position of the side panels relative to the front panel, the user or assembler would insert a roll of labels or adhesive tape as shown in  FIG. 15  on either protruding pin  32  of  34  and then press side panel  22  against side panel  24  snapping protruding pin  32  within  34  by means of clips  33  against transverse member  41 . This defines an axle to support roll  42 . The user or assembler would then thread roll  42  first through region  36 A and then through region  36 B. In this manner, as roll  42  is pulled in the direction of arrow  44  as shown in  FIG. 15 , label  40  is peeled off the roll. In the case of adhesive tape, the top edge  63  (see  FIG. 1 ) of dispensing bar  38  may be serrated. As adhesive tape is only threaded through region  36 A (and not region  36 B), the user would serrate portions of adhesive tape from the roll along serrated edge  63  as the need arises. The assembly is particularly fast and thus permits a large number of dispensers to be assembled and filled in short order. 
   The present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations to this embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. It is, therefore, intended that all such equivalent modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.