Abstract:
Disclosed is a rubber band dispenser suitable for use in homes, offices and industrial settings which is capable of repeatedly dispensing single rubber bands from a multiplicity of rubber bands. A version is disclosed in which a queue of rubber bands is continually pressed against a flange by means of a spring mechanism or the force of a weight with one or more gaps in an outer housing placed over the core of rubber bands. A guide may be used in the areas of the gap to urge distortion of one or more sections of the rubber band and cause it to form a graspable portion. In another variation, a mechanical ejector is actuated by the user to push against one rubber band, causing it to flex and form a graspable portion protruding from an orifice in a housing. Actuation may be by direct mechanical linkage to an operator-moved element, or by an electric powered actuator. Sequential queuing of rubber bands may be accomplished by means of a spring mechanism or using a weight.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR FILED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS 
       [0002]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a new device for storing and conveniently dispensing individual elastic bands, especially rubber bands. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Rubber bands are widely used for office, industrial and household needs. They are available in a variety of sizes and are generally sold in boxes or bags. As is commonly experienced, rubber bands tend to accumulate in drawers, snagging on other items such as pens and paperclips. It is also a common experience that it is difficult to remove a single rubber band from a container, as typically several come out at the same time and the excess must be returned to the container. 
         [0005]    Other goods in the same general class such as paper clips and staples have been the subject of inventions to make dispensing more convenient. However, heretofore, little has been developed to help store and dispense the ubiquitous rubber band. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,349 issued to Hoag discloses an apparatus for packaging a plurality of rubber bands on a card. This invention lacks a means for dispensing them from the packaging, however. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,000 issued to Salame and related design patent Des. 326,612 disclose a container for dispensing rubber bands. The container is merely a hinged box with a hole in the top for grasping rubber bands held inside. There is no provision for keeping the rubber bands organized and unjumbled. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,809 issued to Franklin discloses a rubber band holding device generally described as a cubic body having rounded slots, or a mushroom shape or apple core shape to hold a plurality of rubber bands. This invention also lacks a convenient means to dispense the rubber bands. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,314 issued to Armstrong discloses a medical device for ligation of hemorrhoids. This device is intended to allow a doctor to grasp hemorrhoidal tissue or suction it into the central cavity of the device and place a rubber band around it. This device would not be usable in the office or home environment to store and dispense rubber bands and is very expensive to manufacture. Nor does this device allow for a user to easily grasp a single rubber band for use other than treating hemorrhoids. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,968 issued to Cotslas discloses a dispenser for rubber bands consisting of a pair of nesting bowls and an aperture in the upper bowl. Rubber bands are place in a jumble between the bowls. To obtain a single rubber band, one reaches through the aperture and grasps one, hopefully not dragging several out at the same time. This invention does not allow for dispensing a single rubber band at a time, but rather allows the user to reach into a multiplicity of rubber bands and grasp one out of the jumble. 
         [0011]    U.S. Design Patent Des. 379,105 issued to Wilk discloses a ball formed by a multiplicity of rubber bands, presumably for storing them for use. No convenient means for removing a single band is provided. 
         [0012]    Thus there is a need for a device, suitable for use in an office, home or industrial setting for holding a multiplicity of rubber bands and conveniently dispensing one at a time. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a rubber band dispenser that dispenses a single rubber band at a time. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically-pleasing desk top device for holding and dispensing rubber bands. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rubber band dispenser with a surface to display advertising or other information. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0016]    To fulfill the above objects, we hereby disclose a novel rubber band dispensing apparatus. Several variations are described including a spring-actuated dispenser, a manually operated lever actuated dispenser, a gravity-fed dispenser and an electrically-operated lever actuated dispenser. A cassette type refill containing a multiplicity of rubber bands for dispensing is also disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a spring-actuated embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of the first embodiment showing partial disassembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1   c  is a cross section of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in the stand-by position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of the second embodiment in the depressed, dispensing position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2   c  is a partly exploded view of the second embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2   d  is a cutaway view of the second embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2   e  is an exploded view of the second embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2   f  is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of an electrically-operated embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3   b  is a partially exploded view of an electrically-operated embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4   a  is across sectional view of an alternative embodiment using an ejection mechanism. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment using an ejection mechanism. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a gravity-fed ejection-type embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one example of an armature type core to hold the stacked queue of rubber bands. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view with cutaway showing a refill of stacked queue of rubber bands covered with removable shrink wrap plastic inserted over an optional core. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a multi-unit assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The present invention utilizes mechanical means to dispense a single rubber band from a queue of stacked rubber bands. A clear understanding of the design and operation of various embodiments of the present invention may be obtained from the accompanying figures described below. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  illustrate a first embodiment of a rubber band dispenser  110  which is spring-actuated. This embodiment does not require a lever mechanism or mechanical operation by the user to feed individual rubber bands. Here, a core  112  containing a multiplicity of rubber bands  114  organized in a queue is inserted over an inner mechanism  116  containing a rubber band pusher  118   a  and spring  118   b  assembly. This spring-pusher assembly exerts continuous upward force on the queue of rubber bands  114 , pushing them upward to the top of the core  112  thus sequencing them for dispensing. A housing  120  is inserted over the stacked queue of rubber bands  114  holding them down against the force of the spring-pusher mechanism  118   a  and  118   b.  The coefficient of friction of the core  112  surface is necessarily low enough and to allow the rubber bands to slide upward in response to the force e in response to the force exerted by the spring-pusher mechanism  118   a  and  118   b.    
         [0036]    The stacked queue of top rubber bands  114  is stopped in its upward movement when the top-most rubber band contacts two flanges  126 . However, the ends of the rubber band are not constrained by the flanges  126  because there are gaps in the flange and are free to extend upward out of the housing  120 . To further direct the distortion of the rubber band to form a graspable portion, the internal guideway  127   a  of the housing  120  is formed with a slight indentation configuration  127   b  at the exit point causing the top rubber band to flex and thus protrude at the ends  128 . Thus, a single rubber band may be extracted by grasping the protruding portion  128  further allowing the spring mechanism  118  to push the next rubber band in the cue into the extraction position. 
         [0037]    It should be further noted that the upward sequencing pressure against the rubber band stack provided by the spring-pusher mechanism  118   b  and  118   a  shown using coil springs  118   b  in the foregoing discussion may alternately be provided by a wide variety of mechanisms well-known in the mechanical arts. Without limitation, these include compressible foam, compressible elastomer, gas-filled pistons, or leaf springs. Additionally, the protrusion  127   b  provided at the exit of the housing may take a wide variety of forms, each able to urge distortion of the exiting rubber  128  band to make it graspable. These may include a separate piece or an integral part of the housing (as shown here). It may be a slot, a wedge, a cylinder, or any other shape suitable to make distort and/or guide the exiting rubber band. The core  112  holding the queue of rubber bands  114  may be a disposable cassette unit pre-loaded with rubber bands, or may be refillable by the user, in which case the core  112  may itself either be removable or a fixed component of the dispenser mechanism. Interchangeable cassette-type cores  112  holding different sizes of rubber bands  114  may also be used. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   e  illustrate a manually-operated mechanically actuated version of the present invention.  FIG. 2   a  shows the rubber band dispenser  202  in the stand-by position.  FIG. 2   b  shows it in the depressed, dispensing position in which a graspable portion  210  of a single rubber band is erupted from the dispenser due to its distortion forced by the mechanism. 
         [0039]    The function may be more clearly seen in the partially exploded view of  FIG. 2   c . Here, core  218  holding an organized stacked queue of rubber bands  220  is inserted over an inner housing  224 . Similarly to the example illustrated in  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  above, the stack of rubber bands is urged upward by a pusher-spring assembly (not visible in this view) inside the inner housing  224  sequencing the rubber bands  220  for dispensing. The combination of inner housing  224  and core  218  with rubber bands  220  is inserted into the dispensing mechanism  230  which itself is inserted into the outer housing  236 . The top of the stack of rubber bands  220  contacts the inside lip of the outer housing  236  surrounding a dispensing orifice  238 . 
         [0040]    In operation, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   d , dispensing button  240  is depressed against a spring  242  causing a link arm  246  to move band ejector  248  against the top-most rubber band in the stack  220 . The depression of the top rubber band by the band ejector  248  causes the rubber band to flex, forming a loop  210  in the only place it is not constrained, a portion of the dispensing orifice  238  at the top of the outer housing  236 . The loop  210  formed in the top rubber band  220 , allows it to be conveniently grasped and removed from the dispenser  202 . Removing one rubber band in this way allows the stacked queue of rubber bands  220  to move up until the next rubber band in the queue comes in contact with the inside lip surrounding the dispensing orifice  238 . 
         [0041]    To further assist in understanding the details of assembly of the foregoing manually-actuated embodiment,  FIG. 2   e  provides a cross sectional view in the stand-by position. Shown inside the inner housing is the rubber band pusher  258   a  and spring  258   b  assembly which exerts upward force against the stacked queue of rubber bands  260  keeping them pressed against the inside of the top of the outer housing  236  around a dispensing orifice  262  which is slightly smaller than the rubber bands. When a button  240  is pressed downward against a spring  242 , a lever arm  246  moves a rubber band ejector  248  against the top-most rubber band in the queue of rubber bands  220  causing it to flex and create a graspable portion protruding upward through the dispensing orifice  262 . 
         [0042]    It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that a variety of different spring mechanisms may be substituted for the coil springs shown in these examples. Some alternatives are discussed in the first example illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . Moreover, a variety of alternates to the button, such as lever or crank, may be freely substituted without departing from the scope of this invention. Interchangeable cores  218  holding different size rubber bands  220  may also be used. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3   a  is a perspective view of an electrically-operated embodiment.  FIG. 3   b  is a partially exploded view showing the inner mechanism with the outer housing removed and illustrating the movement of the mechanism. In all respects this embodiment operates in exactly the same manner as the manually-operated mechanical dispensing embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a - e  except that rather than a manually depressed button that moves a linkage arm, an electrical switch  310  is depressed by the user, activating an electric actuator  314  powered by batteries  316 . The electric actuator  314  moves the lever arm  320  from Position A to Position B which slides a rubber band ejector  324  against the top most rubber band in the queue of rubber bands  325  on a core (not shown in these views) which is inserted into the cavity  328  inside the inner housing. As in the examples discussed above, a rubber band pusher-spring assembly exerts continuous pressure on the queue of rubber bands  325  so that the top most rubber band is pressed against the inner lip of the outer housing  336  surrounding the dispensing orifice  338 . When the rubber band pusher presses on the top most rubber band, the rubber band flexes and the center part protrudes out of the dispensing orifice  338 . 
         [0044]    The electric actuator may take the form of a solenoid, motor or any similar device. An external power source may be substituted for the batteries. The batteries may be rechargeable or disposable. Any electrical storage device such as a fuel cell, capacitor or similar device may also be used in addition or in the alternative. Photovoltaic recharging may also be employed. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4   a  is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment using an ejection mechanism. This alternative differs from the foregoing embodiments in that it does not rely on distorting a rubber band to create a graspable portion. Here, a stacked queue of rubber bands  410  is disposed around a core  412  inside a housing  416 . A spring mechanism  420  moves the stack of rubber bands upward until they are stopped by the inner surface  422  of the housing  416 . If used, the core  412  is configured to permit the stack of rubber bands  410  to extend past the top of the core  412  by approximately the width of a single rubber band. An aperture  426  is provided in the side of the housing  416  aligned with the top most rubber band  428  in the stack  410 . A plunger  430  is configured to push the top most (first) rubber band  428  and separate it from the stacked queue of rubber bands  410 , pushing it through the aperture  426  where it may be grasped by the user. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment using an ejection mechanism. It may be seen that, in this embodiment, the housing may be opened to insert a stacked queue of rubber bands  410  over the core  412  by removing the top portion  434  of the housing  416  from the bottom portion  436  of the housing after pressing release tabs  440  on each side of the housing  416  and pulling the two halves apart. In this way, pre-packaged stacks of rubber bands  410  may be conveniently inserted. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a gravity-fed embodiment of an ejection type embodiment of the present invention. Here, as in the prior embodiments, a stacked queue of rubber bands  504  is disposed around a core  506  and enclosed in a housing  508 . A dispensing orifice  510  in the housing is located aligned with the bottom-most rubber band  512  in the stacked queue  504 . A plunger  514  is configured to push the bottom-most rubber band  512  out of the orifice  510 . To keep the stacked queue of rubber bands  504  pushed downward when the bottom-most rubber band  512  is dispensed, sequencing the next rubber band into position for dispensing, a weight  518  is disposed on top of the stacked queue of rubber bands, around the core  506 . The weight  518  is free to slide down the core  506  as successive rubber bands are removed through the dispensing orifice  510 . Since the weight  518  will tend to make the device top-heavy, a wide base  522  should be employed to provide stability. As in previously-described embodiments, a refill of a stack of rubber bands may be slid off a temporary core onto the dispensing core  506  built into the device, or the dispensing core  506  may be a replaceable part provided with the refill (not shown in this view). The rubber bands  504  and then the weight  518  are inserted into the top of the device after removing the top cover  526 , which is then replaced after the unit is refilled. 
         [0048]    The weight substituting for a spring may also be employed in a rubber band distorting device similar to those described in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  by adding a distorting indentation or similar structure causing a portion of the bottom-most rubber band  512  to protrude through the dispensing orifice  510 . In such a device a plunger  514  would not be required. Thus, it may be seen that the same approach using a weigh to gravity-feed the rubber bands may substitute for a spring mechanism. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one example of an armature type core  600  to hold the stacked queue of rubber bands. It will be seen that this element of the present invention may be applicable to each of the foregoing embodiments as they all may employ a core to hold a stacked queue of rubber bands. While a solid surface tube may be used as a core, it may be advantageous to create an armature type core as shown here, employing pin type structures  604  for at least a portion of the length of the core  600 . Use of pins  604  not only reduces material used in fabrication, it may allow for reduced friction to facilitate better movement of rubber bands along their length. Cores such as this may be made as a permanent part of the dispenser mechanism or disposable as part of a rubber band cassette refill. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view with cutaway showing a refill  700  of stacked queue of rubber bands  710  covered with removable shrink wrap plastic  711  and inserted over an optional core  712 . The shrink wrap packaging material may be perforated  713  to facilitate removal for insertion into a dispenser device. If a core  712  is used in the refill, as shown in this view, it may be removed for insertion into a dispenser, or may function as the core inside the dispenser. Typically, in this example, the entire core-rubber band assembly  700  would be pushed onto the dispenser mechanism&#39;s built-in core (not shown in this view), pushing the temporary core  712  out of the stack of rubber bands. The shrink wrap material is removed either before insertion of the stack into the dispenser, or after insertion. Alternatively, the rubber band refill may be provided without any core at all, the rubber bands  610  held together by the shrink wrap package material  711 . Additionally, or in the alternative, small nibs connecting each rubber band  710  with its adjacent rubber band may be left or added during manufacture, temporarily holding them in an organized stack until they are detached when dispensed. Other forms of temporary connections between adjacent rubber bands such as adhesive, hot-melt glue, ultrasonic spot welds or the like may also be used to temporarily hold adjacent rubber bands together in a queued stack. The strength of the connections between adjacent rubber bands must be high enough to keep them together for handling, insertion and sequencing, but weak enough to easily break during dispensing. A wide variety of alternatives is well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a multi-unit assembly. Here, it may be seen that multiple size rubber bands may be loaded, each in a different dispenser, allowing the user to choose from a variety such as “narrow, medium and wide.” The individual dispensers  802  may be held in a common base  810  for placement in a convenient location, but removed from the base  810  for reloading or individual use. As is applicable to any of the foregoing embodiments, messages  814  or decorative artwork may be placed on the exterior of the dispensers. 
         [0052]    The specific implementations disclosed above are by way of example and for enabling persons skilled in the art to implement the invention only. We have made every effort to describe all the embodiments we have foreseen. There may be embodiments that are unforeseeable or which are insubstantially different. We have further made every effort to describe the invention, including the best mode of practicing it. Any omission of any variation of the invention disclosed is not intended to dedicate such variation to the public, and all unforeseen or insubstantial variations are intended to be covered by the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except by the appended claims and legal equivalents.