Patent Application
20080011773
An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a), 4(b) and 4(c) illustrate a series of operational steps of the bead dispenser from a plan sectional view taken at section B-B of
Illustrated in the drawings is a bead dispenser 10 for dispensing beads 12 from an interior of the bead dispenser 10. The bead dispenser provides a useful and manageable means for handling beads in a controlled manner. In the preferred embodiment shown the bead dispenser is used for dispensing beads used in arts and crafts, and more particularly dissolvable PVA beads.
The bead dispenser 10 comprises an elongated housing 14 wherein the housing 14 consists of an upper storage casing 16 co-axially connected to a lower dispensing casing 18. The beads 12 are stored in the storage casing 16 and are adapted to enter the dispensing casing through a dispensing mechanism 20 and to exit the bead dispenser 10 through a dispensing nozzle 15 located at a lower end of the dispenser 10. The storage casing 16 is elongated and adapted to hold at least two separated bead columns 30.
The storage casing 16 and dispensing casing 18 extend co-axially along a common axis 50. They are held in locked engagement in the axial direction and are rotatably engaged such that the casings are rotatable relative to each other about axis 50. The rotational relationship between the storage casing 16 and dispensing casing 18 allows one casing to be twisted relative to the other about the common axis so as to align a selected bead column 30 with dispensing mechanism 20 and allow a bead from that column to be dispensed.
Location points between the storage and dispensing casings urge the casings to stop rotating at the location points. The location points are aligned with each bead column and define correct alignment of each bead column with the dispensing mechanism 20 such that bead dispensing can occur.
The interaction between the location points and bead column is defined by a node and recess type engagement. Specifically, the storage casing 16 is provided with either a node or recess and the dispensing casing 18 is provided with corresponding recesses or nodes. Typically, and as shown in the drawings and in particular
Because the housing 14 includes at least two separated bead columns 30 the bead dispenser is capable of dispensing at least two types of beads, and usually similar shaped beads of different colors. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings the dispenser includes four bead columns 30 whereby four different beads may be dispensed. It is understood that larger versions of the bead dispenser may hold more than four bead columns, such as six bead columns.
The bead columns are in the form of extruded or molded plastic tubes 32 which are filled with beads 12. Tubes 32 are typically glued in position inside the storage casing 16 and may be further held in position in a separated manner from the other tubes by molded partitions 34 inside the storage casing 16. Partitions 34 have the effect of retaining tubes 32 in position before the glue used to position the tubes has set or if glue is not used.
It is understood that the bead columns may not be in the form of tubes but may simply be defined by the partitions 34 themselves or another arrangement for separating the beads, for example a hollow passage defined by the casing interior.
The beads 12 are preferably arranged in a single file within each column 30 although the columns may be wider to hold beads stacked randomly. In a preferred embodiment, the bead dispenser holds beads of different colors and of similar sizes.
The dispensing mechanism 20 is preferably a biased mechanism that includes a moveable dispensing body 22 having a cavity 24 where the body is moveable laterally across the width of the dispensing casing 18. An inlet aperture 26 is provided in the body 22 above the cavity 24 and an outlet aperture 28 is provided in the body 22 below the cavity 24. The apertures are offset such that the beads are made to follow a diverted path through the body from the inlet to the outlet and on through the dispensing nozzle. A sloping ramp 27 inside cavity 24 urges a bead entering through inlet aperture 26 towards outlet aperture 28 to place the bead in position at the outlet aperture 28 ready for dispensing when the mechanism is released.
The biased dispensing mechanism is activated by a trigger in the form of a push button 25 located on the exterior of the housing and forming an extension of the dispensing mechanism body.
Releasing the button 25 allows the dispensing mechanism body 22 to return back across the dispensing casing to the released position illustrated in
When the mechanism is in a pushed position and the dispensing mechanism is ready to receive a bead, outlet aperture 28 is misaligned with its corresponding outlet 29 in the dispensing casing body so to prevent beads from escaping through the dispensing mechanism while the button 25 is pushed. In practice, the size and shape of cavity 24 may be such to hold two or more beads so that more than one bead is dispensed upon release of the button. Alternatively, the dispensing mechanism 20 may be structured to dispense only one bead with every press and release of the button.
The dispensing mechanism is spring biased towards the released/rest position illustrated in
At the opposite end of the elongated housing to the dispensing nozzle there is provided a removable lid 35 which is removed to provide access to the storage casing 16 for refilling the bead columns. The lid is preferably shaped as a funnel and has a central hollow sleeve 36 through which a bead can pass. The amount of beads that can be held in the funnel of the lid is substantially equal to the number of beads required to fill a bead column. To assist a user with filling the bead columns the sleeve 36 is placed inside a bead column tube and the funnel lid filled with beads. The beads will then flow under gravity through the shaft 26 and into the tube.
As illustrated in
Removal tool 52 may be stored in hollow sleeve 36 in the lid 35 with adhesive pad 56 exposed. Removal tool 52 may be used either on its own separated from the housing 14 of bead dispenser 10 as illustrated in
The bead dispenser is similar in shape to a pen. It allows a user to easily manipulate a variety of bead types in a simple and effective manner. In terms of beads used for decorating the bead dispenser 10 reduces any difficulties and frustrations associated with handling and placing beads in position where required.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006903817 | Jul 2006 | AU | national |
