Patent Publication Number: US-11021339-B2

Title: Elastic band dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/509,323, filed May 22, 2017; this priority application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Endless elastic loops commonly called rubber bands are well known for bundling items together. Such rubber bands are typically provided in a package (such as a bag or box, for example) in which many rubber bands are jumbled together. Because of their elongated loop configurations, the bands often tangle with each other into a mass from which it can be difficult to separate a single band for use. When using rubber bands in an industrial setting, such as a packaging operation in which the bands are used for bundling or closing items in an industrial process, manual handling of rubber bands can take more time than desired because of the inherent difficulty described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a dispenser is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands, each of the bands having an aperture therethrough. The dispenser includes a fixed convex surface and a stop element. The chain of bands is configured to be drawn over the fixed convex surface in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface. The stop element is positioned proximate the second side of the surface, and the stop element is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands. 
     In another aspect, an assembly is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands. The chain is provided on a spool, and each of the bands has an aperture therethrough. The assembly includes a dispenser and a shaft. The dispenser includes a fixed convex surface and a stop element. The chain of bands is configured to be drawn over the fixed convex surface in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface. The stop element is positioned proximate the second side of the surface, and the stop element is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands. The shaft is configured to support the spool. 
     In yet another aspect, a method is described for dispensing elastic bands from a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands using a dispenser assembly. Each of the bands has an aperture therethrough, and the chain is provided on a spool. The method includes mounting the spool on a shaft of the assembly; positioning a portion of the chain over a fixed convex surface of the assembly; pulling the chain in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface so that first and second elastic bands of the chain are pulled past the second side of the surface; and inserting a stop element into the aperture of the second elastic band, so that the first elastic band is outside the dispenser assembly. 
     This disclosure, in its various combinations, either in apparatus or method form, may also be characterized by the following listing of items: 
     1. A dispenser configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands, each of the bands having an aperture therethrough, wherein the dispenser includes: 
     
         
         
           
             a fixed convex surface over which the chain of bands is configured to be drawn in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface; and 
             a stop element positioned proximate the second side of the surface, wherein the stop element is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands.
 
2. The dispenser of item 1 wherein the fixed convex surface and stop element are positioned on a base, the dispenser further including a cover movably attached to the base.
 
3. The dispenser of item 2, wherein a portion of a chain travel path for the chain of rupturably connected elastic bands is defined between the cover and the fixed convex surface.
 
4. The dispenser of item 3, wherein the chain travel path includes a gap between the stop element and the cover.
 
5. The dispenser of any of items 2-4, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position.
 
6. The dispenser of any of items 2-5, wherein the cover has an interior concave surface.
 
7. The dispenser of any of items 2-6, wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the base.
 
8. The dispenser of any of items 1-7, wherein the fixed convex surface is located on a protrusion.
 
9. An assembly configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands, the chain provided on a spool, each of the bands having an aperture therethrough, wherein the assembly includes:
 
a dispenser including:
 
             a fixed convex surface over which the chain of bands is configured to be drawn in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface; and 
             a stop element positioned proximate the second side of the surface, wherein the stop element is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands; and
 
a shaft configured to support the spool.
 
10. The assembly of item 9, further including a mount on which the dispenser and shaft are attached.
 
11. The assembly of item 10, wherein the mount includes a wall on which the dispenser and shaft are attached.
 
12. The assembly of item 11, wherein the mount further includes a floor oriented substantially perpendicular to the wall.
 
13. The assembly of any of items 9-12, further including a handle.
 
14. The assembly of any of items 9-13, wherein the fixed convex surface and stop element are positioned on a base, and wherein the shaft is positioned below the base.
 
15. The assembly of any of items 9-14, wherein the fixed convex surface and stop element are positioned on a base, and wherein the shaft is positioned above the base.
 
16. A method for dispensing elastic bands from a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands with a dispenser assembly, each of the bands having an aperture therethrough, the chain being provided on a spool, the method including:
 
             mounting the spool on a shaft of the assembly; 
             positioning a portion of the chain over a fixed convex surface of the assembly; 
             pulling the chain in a direction from a first side of the surface to a second side of the surface so that first and second elastic bands of the chain are pulled past the second side of the surface; and 
             inserting a stop element into the aperture of the second elastic band, so that the first elastic band is outside the dispenser assembly.
 
17. The method of item 16, further including pulling the first elastic band to sever a connection between the first elastic band and the second elastic band.
 
18. The method of any of items 16-17, further including:
 
             lifting the second elastic band to free its aperture from the stop element; 
             pulling the chain in the direction; and 
             inserting the stop element into the aperture of a third elastic band, so that the second elastic band is outside the dispenser assembly.
 
19. The method of any of items 16-18 wherein the fixed convex surface and stop element are positioned on a base, the dispenser assembly further including a cover movably attached to the base, the method further including closing the cover relative to the base.
 
20. The method of item 19 wherein closing the cover relative to the base includes pivoting the cover about a pivot axis.
 
           
         
       
    
     This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views. It is contemplated that all descriptions are applicable to like and analogous structures throughout the several embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  is similar to  FIG. 3A  but shows an upward pulling of a strip of elastic bands. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an assembly including the dispenser  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the dispenser assembly of  FIG. 4  in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a second exemplary dispenser assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a portion of an elastic strip of indeterminate length consisting of a plurality of rupturably connected elastic bands. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a first exemplary spool including the elastic strip of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a second exemplary spool including the elastic strip of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIGS. 10-13  are perspective views of sequential steps illustrating the use of an exemplary dispenser in an exemplary method to place an elastic band about a product. 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. 
     The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A hinged dispenser is described for a strip of elastic bands, which can be provided on a spool. The dispenser includes a convex protrusion or “hump” over which the bands travel, with a stop element such as a pin or peg at an end of the protrusion. In use, the stop element holds the penultimate band so that a user can pull on the last band to detach it from the strip of bands (such as at perforations between individual bands). To reset for the next use, the user pulls up on the last connected band and slips it over the stop element to allow the next band (now the penultimate band) to fall down and loop around the stop element. 
     While other dispensers for spooled items are known, the current concept offers advantages in use over devices in which the spool itself constitutes a hump over which the items are carried. In contrast to a rotating roll or spool that continually changes position and size, the use of a stationary protrusion of stable dimension allows for optimization of band motion thereover. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show perspective views of closed and opened configurations, respectively, of an exemplary elastic band dispenser  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, dispenser  10  includes base  12  and cover  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, cover  14  is pivotally connected to base  12  at hinge pin  16 . Base  12  is formed with a stationary convex protrusion  18  between left wall  20  and right wall  22 . Protrusion  18  is contiguous with floor  24  of base  12 . Stop element  26  extends upwardly from floor  24  and is positioned in fixed relation to protrusion  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, stop element  26  is provided in the formed of a pin, peg, stud or like element. 
     Dispenser  10  is configured for use with a chain  30  of rupturably connected elastic or elastomeric bands  28 , each of the bands  28  having an aperture  36  therethrough. Dispenser  10  includes a fixed convex protrusion  18  having a surface  80  over which the chain of bands  30  is configured to be pulled in a direction  39  (labeled in  FIG. 3B ) from a first side  82  of the surface  80  to a second side  84  of the surface  80 . In an exemplary embodiment, protrusion  18  is fixed in size and location to provide a consistent surface  80  upon which chain  30  travels. Thus, surface  80  can be optimized for chain travel in terms of shape, size, surface texture and other properties. This is in contrast to common dispenser rolls, in which a spool of material rotates on a shaft. In that case, the spool constantly changes in position as it turns, and changes in dimension as material is removed, so that the dispensing operation is not consistent. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of dispenser  10 , a stop element  26  is positioned proximate the second side  84  of the surface  80  and is configured for insertion into the aperture  36  of one of the elastomeric bands  28 . In an exemplary embodiment, adjacent bands  28  are rupturably connected to each other at their ends  32 . Protrusion  18  and stop element  26  are positioned in base  12 . Dispenser  10  further includes cover  14  movably attached to base  12 . Cover  14  includes interior concave surface  78 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B , a portion of a chain travel path is defined between cover  14  and protrusion  18 . The chain travel path includes gap  40  between stop element  26  and cover  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3A , penultimate band  28   b  is restrained from further motion in direction  38  by stop element  26 , which is inserted into aperture  36  of band  28   b . As shown in  FIG. 1 , with penultimate band  28   b  so restrained, a user can gently pull upon the last band at  28   a  to separate it from the penultimate band  28   b  at rupturable joints  74  (labeled in  FIGS. 7, 12 and 13 ) at the common ends  32  of the adjacent connected bands  28   a ,  28   b . As shown in  FIG. 3B , to dispense the next connected band  28 , a user may lift up on the constrained band  28   b  and pull in direction  39  to allow passage of the strip  30  through gap  40  between stop element  26  and cover  14 . Then, the next elastic band at  28   c  is lowered so that its aperture  36  is held on stop element  26 , and now the last band  28   b  is unconstrained and available for removal from the strip  30 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, cover  14  is configured with curved end  42  that is shaped to press downwardly on elastic strip  30  to prevent unintentional disengagement of the constrained band  28   b  from stop element  26 . However, the shape of curved end  42  is preferably smooth to prevent unintentional breaking of adjacent bands at the joints at ends  32  when strip  30  is pulled past curved end  42  in direction  39 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a gap  40  is provided between curved end  42  and stop element  26  to allow for the passage of elastic bands  28  over and around stop element  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , cover  14  can be pivoted upward from protrusion  18  to allow a user to place or replace elastic strip  30  in dispenser  10 . While a pivoting relation is shown between cover  14  and base  12 , other structures providing for relative motion are also suitable (e.g., sliding, complete detachment). An elastic strip  30  of indeterminate length can be provided in a convenient package such as spool, for example. Accordingly, dispenser  10  can be incorporated into any of a number of assemblies, such as an assembly including a support for holding such a spool. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a first exemplary assembly  46  including dispenser  10  on a mount  48  including a shaft  50  configured to support spool  52  of elastic strip  30 . Such a spool  52  is further described with reference to  FIG. 8 , below. Because spool  52  has a relatively large core diameter, radially extending arms  54  can be provided on shaft  50  for holding spool  52  in a centered and stable arrangement. Shaft  50  is positioned below base  12  in a manner that allows chain  30  to be pulled in direction  39  from a first side  82  of protrusion  18  (labeled in  FIG. 3B ) to a second side  84  of the protrusion  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, mount  48  includes wall  56  and floor  58 , wherein floor  58  is oriented substantially perpendicular to wall  56 . In an exemplary method of attachment of dispenser  10  to mount  48 , mechanical fasteners such as bolts can be inserted through apertures  60  of dispenser  10  and into wall  56  of mount  48 , for example. Shaft  50  can be similarly mounted on wall  56 . Assembly  46  may rest upon a horizontal surface such as a table or counter. Alternatively, assembly  46  can be attached by the use of mechanical, adhesive or other fasteners to connect wall  56  or floor  58  of assembly  46  to suitable vertical or horizontal surfaces in a desired location. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a second exemplary assembly  62  including dispenser  10 . In assembly  62 , dispenser  10  is connected to a hand-held device  64 , such as by the use of mechanical fasteners such as bolts through apertures  60  of base  12 . Shaft  68  is positioned above and to the side of base  12  in a manner that allows chain  30  (see  FIG. 3B ) to be pulled in direction  39  from a first side  82  of protrusion  18  to a second side  84  of the protrusion  18 . Hand-held device  64  includes mounting wall or plate  66  on which such fasteners through apertures  60  are attached. Shaft  68  supports a spool  52 ,  72  (shown in  FIGS. 8, 9 ) for dispensing of elastic bands  28  of elastic strip  30  from dispenser  10 . Handle  70  provides a grip for a user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in an exemplary embodiment, elastic band strip  30  is configured as a layer of flexible elastomer material cut into a plurality of ruptureably connected elastic bands  28 . Such cutting can be performed by a laser cutting apparatus, for example. Any number of connected bands  28  can be provided in a package such as spool  52  of  FIG. 8  or spool  72  of  FIG. 9  (or in some other dispensing arrangement, such as a fan-folded stack, for example), to form a package of convenient size, weight, and number of individual bands  28  for a particular application. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, elastic strip  30  is cut so that each elastic band  28  is attached to an adjacent elastic band  28  at joints  74  at adjacent ends  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, an elastic band  28  is substantially configured as a loop surrounding aperture  36  and having length dimension L and width dimension W. In an exemplary embodiment, a length L of an elastic band extends between opposite ends  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, joints  74  are located at end  32  of each elastic band  28  and are configured as small, at least partially uncut pieces of elastic material. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each elastic band  28  is formed to have a width W that is less than its length L (wherein W and L are measured in substantially perpendicular directions). While a particular configuration is illustrated for elastic bands  28 , it is contemplated that other flat band shapes are also suitable, including for example, oval, oblong, elliptical, circular, and other closed polygonal and curved shapes, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical. Aperture  36  can be shaped other than oblong. In the illustrated embodiment, elastic band  28  has a substantially consistent dimension D between outer perimeter cut  34  and aperture  36 . However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, such a dimension need not be substantially consistent. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, band strip  30  is sheet-like in the sense that it is formed of a web of elastomeric material that is flat in character, although it may be drapeable and floppy and thus not always displayed in flat form. In an exemplary embodiment, elastic band strip  30  has a thickness less than about 100 mils (2.54 mm) and more commonly about 10 mils (0.25 mm) to about 35 mils (0.89 mm). 
     While the illustrated embodiment shows two joints  74  connecting each elastic band  28  to an adjacent elastic band  28 , it is contemplated that other configurations of joining mechanisms can also be used, including for example, perforations, score lines, cut lines of full or partial depth, and other mechanisms for forming a ruptureable line or contour of weakness connecting the adjacent elastic bands  28 . Moreover, while a particular shape and configuration of the joint  74  between the elastic bands  28  is illustrated, it is contemplated that other forms and shapes can be used. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an outer perimeter cut  34  is provided around each elastic band  28 , except in the areas of joint  74 . 
     Upon breaking an individual elastic band  28  from elastic strip  30 , elastic band  28  in an exemplary embodiment has sufficient elastic strength to permit stretching of its loop having an inner circumference defined by aperture  36  to at least three times the size of the relaxed, unstretched inner circumference without fracture of the elastic material. The relaxed, unstretched inner circumference will vary depending on the size of the opening desired for the loop. The relaxed unstretched inner circumference typically ranges from about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) up to about 10 inches (25.4 cm) but is not limited to this typical range. In this disclosure, the term “circumference” is loosely used to refer to a perimeter of a closed shape and thus is applicable for describing an edge of an oval, elliptical or other closed polygon or shape (whether symmetrical or asymmetrical) that may or may not be circular. 
     A width dimension D of elastic band  28  between aperture  36  and outer perimeter cut  34  is adequate to provide requisite strength for the elastic band  28  as it is placed about a product or bundle of products, such as produce that is sold in clumps or groups, for example (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 7 , an average loop width dimension D for elastic band  28  in exemplary embodiments falls within a range of at least 100 mils (2.54 mm) (generally at least about ⅛ inch or 125 mils or 3.18 mm) up to about ½ inch or about 500 mils (12.7 mm). These widths are especially suitable for thicknesses of elastic strip  30  between about 0.012 inch (12 mils or 0.30 mm) and 0.030 inch (30 mils or 0.76 mm). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, materials for forming the elastic strip  30  are rubber-like in character. The material desirably recovers from a stretched condition relatively quickly; however, instantaneous retraction or recovery to an original relaxed condition and dimension after stretching is not always critical for functional elastic performance. Substantially instantaneous retraction to a loop inner circumference dimension (defined by aperture  36 ) no greater than 5 percent above the original unstretched loop inner circumference dimension suffices for a multitude of uses. A substantially instantaneous loop retraction is accomplished when, after having been momentarily stretched to a predetermined extent, it takes no more than 3 seconds for the loop to retract (i.e., recover) to an inner circumference size no more than 5 percent greater than the inner circumference of the original unstretched loop. A momentarily stretched condition is one in which the stretch is not held for more than 3 seconds, and the predetermined extent of the stretch is three times (or more) the inner circumference of the loop in unstretched relaxed condition. There may be occasions where retraction may take possibly up to about 10 seconds and still may constitute sufficiently quick retraction to be useful as elastic material for the purposes of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art of elastic performance features are capable of selecting materials such as elastomers possessing the elastic stretch and retraction characteristics desired for a particular use. 
     In selecting materials such as elastomers for elastic strip  30 , substantially instantaneous retraction is most preferred for rapid bundling of products; slower retraction may allow some product to fall out of the bundle before retraction takes place. On the other hand, a modestly slower retraction may be quite adequate where elastic band  28  is to be stretched about a single product under conditions where speed of retraction (bounce back) is reliable but not the dominant consideration. 
     Suitable elastomers include natural and synthetic elastic materials, including rubber, vulcanized rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers. Particularly suitable elastomers are those that are thermoplastic in that they at least soften in response to heat, or even melt, to a flowable or moldable state. A multitude of thermoplastic elastomers are known and more are being created. A suitable family of thermoplastic elastomers includes styrenic block copolymers. This family includes styrene-butadiene styrene and styrene-ethylene-butylene styrene. Another family of useful thermoplastic elastomers include olefinic elastomers, including those that are ethylene based as well as those that are polypropylene based (e.g., where interposed different monomer blocks are not used but blocks of different tacticity—atactic and isotactic—are created by using metallocene catalysis polymerization). Yet another family of thermoplastic elastomers include polyvinyl chloride-based elastomers. Still other families of thermoplastic elastomers can be based on urethanes, nylon, and silicon, for example. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a portion of a strip  30  of indefinite length of rupturably connected elastic bands  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , elastic strip  30  can be provided in a spooled configuration, formed by rolling an elastic strip  30  of indeterminate upon a spool core  76  or upon itself.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a embodiment of a spool  52 , having a core  76  of greater width than the width W of strip  30 . Such a spool configuration is especially useful when a very long strip  30 , containing a high number of elastic bands  28 , is desired. By winding strip  30  about a core  76  having a greater width, the thickness of the wound strip  30  upon core  76  can be reduced relative to that of the spool  72  shown in  FIG. 9 , thereby allowing for easier handling of the spool  52 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a spool  72  including a rolled configuration of strip  30  that is wound upon an optional core and upon itself and in a manner so that a width of the spool  52  is substantially the same as the width W of a single elastic band  28 . 
     In use, dispenser  10  may be mounted with a spool holder such as in assembly  46  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  or assembly  62 , shown in  FIG. 6 , for example. Such an assembly may be mounted to a convenient location in a packaging facility, or carried on a user&#39;s person such as on a utility belt, for example. As shown in  FIG. 2 , with a penultimate elastic band  28   b  constrained by stop element  26 , a user can then use one hand to tug gently at the individual end elastic band  28   a  of strip  30  to rupture the joints  74  holding that band  28   a  to the rest of strip  30 . Thus, an individual band  28  is easily removed for use without requiring a user to untangle a single band from a mass of tangled bands. As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , to dispense the next connected band  28   b , a user may lift up on the constrained band  28   b  and pull in direction  39  to allow passage of the strip  30  through gap  40  between stop element  26  and end  42  of cover  14 . Thus, the next elastic band at  28   c  may be moved (e.g., advanced or indexed) so that its aperture  36  is lowered onto stop element  26 , and now the last band  28   b  is unconstrained and available for removal from the strip  30 . Thus, dispenser  10  allows for sequential dispensing of individual bands  28  from a strip  30  of rupturably connected bands. After all the bands  28  of a strip  30  have been removed, the spool core  76  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) can be removed from shaft  50 ,  68  and a new spool  52 ,  72  can be mounted thereon for use. While particular embodiments of dispenser assemblies  46 ,  62  are illustrated, it is contemplated that spool  52 ,  72  can be attached to any of a variety of holders for use with dispenser  10 . 
       FIGS. 10-13  illustrate sequential steps in an exemplary method for using dispenser  10  to place an elastic band  28  about a product  86 . As illustrated, product  86  appears to be a single item. However, it is contemplated that the illustrated method can also be used to bundle a plurality of items together as a product within a single elastic band  28 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , a last band  28   a  of a connected strip of elastic bands (such as elastic band  30  discussed above) is constrained at dispenser  10  by stop element  26 . Thus held, a user can use a single hand to grasp elastic band  28   a  and stretch it about product  86 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the user can then pull band  28   a  to a desired position on product  86 , still with one hand, as the other side of band  28   a  remains connected to dispenser  10  at stop element  26 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , the user can tip dispenser  10  downward to allow elastic band  28   a  to be released from stop element  26 , thereby allowing a portion of the next connected band  28   b  to pass through gap  40 . The user can then tip dispenser upward again so that aperture  36  of next band  28   b  can be caught by stop element  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 12 . With reference to  FIG. 13 , the user can pull dispenser  10  away from product  86 , thereby breaking the rupturable joints  74  at ends  32  between the adjacent elastic bands  28   a  and  28   b . The process shown in  FIGS. 10-13  can then be repeated using a single hand to place an elastic band about many products  86  in sequence quickly, easily, and without having to untangle an individual band from a bundle of many such bands. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings of this disclosure may be embodied in specific forms other than those illustrated without departing from the essential described characteristics. The illustrated embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all variations that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced thereby. 
     Although the subject of this disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa.