Cutlery dispenser and method of dispensing cutlery

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9237815
  • Patent Number
    9,237,815
  • Date Filed
    Monday, October 29, 2012
    12 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 19, 2016
    8 years ago
  • CPC
  • Field of Search
    • US
    • 221 279000
    • 221 001000
    • 221 124000
    • 221 131000
    • 221 112000
    • 221 258000
    • 221 009000
    • 221 282000
    • 221 007000
    • 221 129000
    • 221 097000
    • 221 070100
    • 221 215000
    • CPC
    • A47F7/0042
    • A47F7/28
    • A47F1/126
    • A47F1/125
    • A47F1/12
    • A47F1/08
    • A47F1/00
    • G07F11/045
    • G07F11/42
    • B65G11/023
    • B65G1/07
    • B25H3/04
  • International Classifications
    • B65H3/44
    • A47F1/10
    • Term Extension
      157
Abstract
A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensers for cutlery, and more particularly to an automated cutlery dispenser and methods of dispensing cutlery therefrom.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable cutlery, for example, plastic spoons, forks, knives and “sporks,” (e.g., a combination of a spoon and a fork), are frequently used in informal restaurant settings and are provided for use with “take out” restaurant food. To ensure that this cutlery is provided in a hygienic form, it is often purchased by a restaurant or other facility pre-sealed in a pouch. A napkin and condiments i.e., salt and pepper, may be included in the pouch. Such pouches are generally more expensive than the individual utensils due to the processing and materials necessary to form the pouches. Also, these pouches may provide more cutlery or condiments than the user needs and, as such, may be wasteful.


An alternative to such prepared pouches is the presentation of cutlery for use in an unwrapped form, for example, in a bin or cup. As would be recognized, this allows the customer to select only the utensils desired. However, this form of dispensing can be considered by customers to be unsanitary and can indeed be unsanitary if a previous customer does not take a utensil she touched. This method of providing cutlery for use by a consumer can also be unsanitary if a restaurant worker does not conform to the recommended hygiene standards of using gloves when contacting utensils for use by a consumer. The unregulated dispensing of the cutlery in this form also permits the user to take more utensils than intended, thus resulting in less profit for the establishment.


A variety of dispensers have been proposed as an alternative to loose or pouch-packaged cutlery. Previously known dispensers, however, suffer at least the perception of sanitary and hygienic concerns by many users. For example, when cutlery is dispensed into a collection tray, the tray of the dispenser may become soiled as users repeatedly touch the tray while collecting dispensed cutlery. Also, the handles, knobs or other actuators of manually operated dispensers are touched by user after user, causing concern among some individuals. Previously known dispensers also often lack the degree of convenience and economy in operation that would be desirable.


Accordingly, a continual need exists for improved cutlery dispensers that are particularly useful in dispensing disposable cutlery in a hygienic, convenient, economical and non-wasteful manner.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensers for disposable cutlery and method of dispensing cutlery.


In one embodiment, a cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.


In one embodiment, a cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein, the storage chamber comprising a storage chute for retaining the plurality of cutlery in a stacked array; a touchless sensor for generating a signal in response to a user; an electronic controller adapted to receive the signal from the touchless sensor and trigger the automated dispenser mechanism in response thereto; and an automated dispense mechanism in operative communication with the electronic controller, the automated dispense mechanism adapted to discharge at least a portion of one of the plurality of cutlery pieces from the storage chute upon triggering by the electronic controller.


In one embodiment, a cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chute for containing a plurality of cutlery, each piece of cutlery having a handle end and a food-contact end; and a dispense mechanism for sequentially dispensing the cutlery one at a time from the storage chute, by presenting the handle end of a dispensed cutlery for retrieval by a user and retaining the food-contact end of the dispensed cutlery until released upon retrieval by the user.


In one embodiment, a cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and an ultraviolet lamp for anti-microbial effect disposed within the storage chamber.


In one embodiment, a method of dispensing pieces of cutlery comprises sensing an input; and automatically dispensing one of a plurality of pieces of cutlery from the dispenser in response to the input.


The above described and other features are exemplified by the following Figures and detailed description.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an automated dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the automated dispenser shown in FIG. 1.



FIG. 3 shows the automated dispenser of FIG. 1 with its restocking door removed to better show internal components.



FIG. 4 shows the automated dispenser of FIG. 1 with additional components removed to better show automated dispensing components thereof.



FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the automated dispensing components of the dispenser of FIG. 1.



FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of the automated dispensing components of the dispenser of FIG. 1





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention and the Figures provided herein. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific methods, arrangements and conditions described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, reference is made throughout this disclosure to disposable cutlery for ease in discussion with the understanding that non-disposable cutlery (e.g., silverware and flatware) may be used in various embodiments.


In this disclosure and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.


The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.


Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value and/or to “about” or another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect.


“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “cutlery optionally comprises a stack lug” means that the lug may or may not be present on the cutlery and that the description includes both cutlery having the lug and cutlery not having the lug.


“Disposable cutlery” means any cutlery intended for about one use by the provider thereof although the cutlery can be used more times as desired by the end user. Such cutlery can be comprised totally or substantially totally from polymeric materials, such as polystyrene. The cutlery can comprise fillers, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Methods of making disposable cutlery are known and are not described in detail herein. Disposable cutlery can also be prepared from filled polypropylene as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/227,977 (U.S. patent publication No. 2003/0015824), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.


“Packet” is used to denote a confined arrangement of a plurality of cutlery pieces, where the confined arrangement is suitable for use in a cutlery dispenser, and where the confining medium allows the cutlery to be aligned in the dispenser so that the cutlery can be reliably presented for use. The packet can be a banded stack of cutlery. Alternatively, the packet can be a stack of cutlery where the individual pieces of cutlery are connected together in stack form by, for example, adhesive or tabs or other means for placement within the cutlery dispenser.


“Stack” refers either to a confined configuration of cutlery or an unbound (e.g. unconfined) arrangement of cutlery suitably aligned within a cutlery dispenser as indicated by the context.


Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms “cutlery” and “utensil” are used herein interchangeably to mean a fork, knife, spoon (including a soup spoon), or spork or other types of cutlery intended to be disposable.



FIGS. 1-5 show an example embodiment of a cutlery dispenser 10 according to the present invention. The cutlery dispenser 10 comprises a housing 12 formed of a back panel 14 and an access door or panel 16 connected to the back panel by one or more hinges 18, or that is removable, for access to internal components thereof. The access door or panel 16 is optionally formed from, in whole or in part, from a transparent or translucent material allowing external visual observation of the internal contents, to monitor the need for restocking of cutlery. The back panel 14 optionally includes one or more mounts or openings 20 for affixing the dispenser 10 to a support or mounting structure, and/or removable panel for accessing internal components. As depicted, the cutlery dispenser 10 is suitable for standalone positioning, as in the serving area of a food court or restaurant; and/or for positioning of multiple dispensers adjacent one another in a side-by-side or top-to-bottom array, with each dispenser distributing a different type of cutlery utensil. Indicia such as graphics and/or text may be provided on the access door 16 or elsewhere, to indicate which type of cutlery utensil is dispensed by which dispenser.


The dispenser 10 is optionally mounted to a support surface by a pivotal coupling, whereby the dispenser can be turned toward a customer area for use and turned away from the customer area for refilling, service, or to prevent pilferage when the establishment is closed. In alternate forms of the invention, the cutlery dispenser 10 is a component subassembly of another apparatus, such as a vending machine for food or beverages incorporating a cutlery dispenser, and the housing or portions thereof may be omitted from the cutlery dispenser itself.


As seen best with reference to FIG. 3, the cutlery dispenser 10 further comprises a storage chamber in the form of a chute 30 for receiving a plurality of cutlery utensils. The interior profile geometry of the storage chute 30 may be configured to closely match or generally correspond to the exterior profile of a particular type of disposable cutlery utensil, or may be configured for universal use with multiple types of utensils. The rails or channels comprising the storage chute are optionally somewhat flexible and/or are mounted to the housing with some play in their coupling, in order to minimize the incidence of cutlery jamming during dispensing. The storage chute 30 includes a receiver 32 at an upper portion thereof, into which the cutlery is loaded and replenished. In alternate embodiments, the receiver is positioned for loading cutlery from the side, bottom, or other location into the storage chamber. In the depicted embodiment, on or more stacked arrays of cutlery are loaded into the storage chute 30, forming an aligned stack of disposable cutlery in substantial contact with the interior of the storage chute around a perimeter of each cutlery piece. By “in substantial contact” it is meant that the cutlery is not present in the storage chute in a cartridge. The one or more stacked arrays of cutlery can be provided in the form of banded packets of cutlery utensils forming modular units. U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,364 having Ser. No. 11/556,808, filed Nov. 6, 2006, is in incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for further understanding of example forms of banded packets of cutlery and dispenser configurations suitable for use in connection with the automated dispenser of the present invention.


The storage chute 30 preferably has a capacity of at least one, and more preferably two or more, of the banded packets or other arrays of cutlery intended to be loaded therein. In alternate embodiments, the storage area or chamber of the cutlery dispenser 10 receives a stack or array of cutlery in a cartridge or other form of container or restraint, or is loaded with individual cutlery utensils in loose quantity.


With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cutlery dispenser 10 further comprises an automated dispense mechanism 40 for sequentially discharging cutlery utensils one at a time from the storage chute 30 to users. In the depicted embodiment, an ejector comprising one or more cams 42 (first and second cams 42a, 42b are depicted) having lateral displacement steps or surfaces 44 is positioned beneath the discharge opening of the storage chute 30. Cutlery housed in the storage chute 30 is fed to the ejector under the influence of gravity and/or other biasing means such as one or more springs or pistons, and with each operation of the cutlery dispenser 10, the ejector sequentially engages and at least partially discharges the bottom-most piece of cutlery from the storage chute.


As illustrated, when the ejector is actuated, at least one rocking cam 42 is rotated clockwise forcing the lowermost item of cutlery forwardly from a home position by lateral displacement of the rocking cam 42. The lateral displacement surface 44 of the rocking cam 42 can simultaneously urge the stack of cutlery upward. As the lowermost item of cutlery moves forwardly, the rocking cam 42 rotates counter clockwise back to the home position.


Optionally, the proximal end or handle portion of the discharged piece of cutlery is presented to the user and the distal end is loosely held in the dispenser for removal by the user. For example, the lateral displacement surface 44a of the first cam 42a may be offset forwardly or rearwardly in the direction of rotation of the ejector relative to the lateral displacement surface 44b of the second cam 42b (see FIG. 6), to discharge one end or the other of the discharged piece of cutlery to a greater extent. In this manner, sanitation and hygiene concerns are avoided because users need only touch their selected utensil, which has not previously been exposed to contact by others, and need not touch the dispenser itself. In alternate embodiments, the automated dispense mechanism sequentially discharges the utensils into a collection tray or receptacle 46 optionally mounted to the housing 12 or other structure beneath the ejector. The cam(s) 42 of the ejector optionally comprise one or more eccentric surfaces 48 (first and second eccentric surfaces 48a, 48b are shown) for jostling the stack of cutlery in the above storage chute 30 upon each operation of the dispenser, to assist in alignment and efficient dispensing. A variety of cam face and lateral displacement surface configurations may be provided within the scope of the invention, each for example adapted for more efficient discharge of a particular cutlery type. In other alternate forms, the ejector may include one or more fingers, lobes, or other ejection members in place of the depicted cams 42.


The one or more cam(s) 42 are mounted to or integrally formed with a driveshaft 50, which in turn is rotationally mounted within a bore or channel through one or more clamps 52 affixed to the housing or other supporting structure. The bearing surfaces of the driveshaft 50 and the bore of the clamps 52 preferably define a close or medium running fit, to maintain accurate positional alignment but allow free and smooth rotation of the shaft. The driveshaft 50 is coupled to a motor 54, which is powered by one or more DC batteries 56, and/or by an external AC power source through a power cord 58 and an AC/DC power converter 60 to actuate the ejector. While a motor is utilized as the actuator in the depicted embodiment, one or more other types of linear or rotary actuators may drive the ejector within the scope of the invention, including without limitation solenoids, electronic actuators, piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators, and/or pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.


The motor or other actuator of the cutlery dispenser 10 is triggered to drive the ejector to automatically dispense cutlery in response to a signal generated by a sensor 70 upon recognition by the sensor or an input or event. In example forms of the invention, the sensor 70 is a motion or proximity sensor such as, for example, an infrared or ultrasonic motion detector or a capacitive proximity sensor. A variety of commercially available or specially designed sensor devices may be adapted for use in connection with the dispenser 10, including for example a photodiode having Part No. BCS100C05 manufactured and sold by Sharp Corp. In alternate embodiments, the sensor can be sound transducer for voice or sound actuation, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a light sensor, or other form of sensor or switch for generating a signal in response to an input.


In example forms of the invention, the sensor 70 is a “touchless” or “touch-free” sensor not requiring physical contact by the user to recognize the input and generate a triggering signal in response thereto, thereby further avoiding sanitary and hygiene concerns among users. The range of the sensor 70 can vary depending upon the intended application and the expected proximity of the dispenser 10 to other dispensers or objects, but in example forms will recognize an event or input such as a user passing their hand in front of the dispenser at a distance of about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches away. The sensor is preferably positioned at or near the point of discharge of cutlery from the ejector, which may be located at the front, side, bottom or elsewhere on the housing 12, but alternatively can be located remotely from the discharge. An indicator 72, such as an arrow, a flashing light, text, and/or other indicia can optionally be provided to indicate the sensor location and the manner of operation of the dispenser to a user.


In alternate forms of the invention, the sensor 70 is in communication with a vending machine or other device (of which the cutlery dispenser 10 may or may not be a part), and the dispenser is triggered to dispense cutlery in response to the vending of a product. For example, a cutlery dispenser 10 according to the present invention may be operatively associated with one or more vending machines for dispensing coffee, soup or other food or beverage, and a spoon or other utensil is automatically dispensed upon each sale from the vending machine or only upon sale of specified items requiring a specified type of utensil. In still other forms of the invention, the sensor comprises a contact or non-contact switch activated by a user or by an external device.


The sensor 70 communicates an analog or digital signal by way of a wire, conductor or other electrical, optical, magnetic or electromagnetic communication means, to a processor 80 for controlling the operation of the cutlery dispenser 10. The processor 80 may be any type of computational device including, for example, a microprocessor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic array, a programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like. The control of the cutlery dispenser 10 may be implemented solely in hardware, or in a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware associated with the processor 80. The processor is typically a microcontroller that performs the control algorithm in software, which may be stored in on-board memory in the microcontroller, or in external memory. The memory may be any type of computer-readable medium including, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, etc. Signal output from the processor 80 is communicated to a motor controller 90, or alternatively the motor control is integrated in to the processor. The motor controller 90, in turn, delivers power to the motor 54 to drive the cutlery ejector according to a prescribed mode of operation. In the depicted embodiment, the motor 54 actuates the driveshaft 50 and its associated cams 42 in a rocking or pivotal manner, back and forth between a loading position and a discharge position for engaging and discharging sequential pieces of cutlery one at a time from the storage chute 30 upon each operation of the dispenser. A return spring 94 is optionally provided to toggle the ejector back into the loading position. In alternate embodiments, the driveshaft 50 is rotationally driven in a single direction, with each rotation dispensing a single cutlery utensil, or with stepwise rotational increments each dispensing a cutlery utensil such that a single rotation of the driveshaft dispenses two or more utensils.


In an example method of operation, a plurality of disposable cutlery is loaded into the storage chute of an automated cutlery dispenser, or an automated cutlery dispenser is provided already loaded with a plurality of disposable cutlery. To load the dispenser, a door or access panel may be opened or removed, and one or more banded backs of cutlery inserted through a receiver into the storage area of the dispenser. Optionally, the automated dispense mechanism of the dispenser is disabled when the door or access panel is opened or removed, to prevent malfunction and/or waste due to unintended dispensing of cutlery. For example, a positional sensor or relay adjacent the door or access panel may signal the processor to deactivate the actuator when an open position is indicated. Once loaded, the door or access panel is closed and optionally locked using a key or electronic lock, or a hidden release mechanism is provided to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the dispenser. If the dispenser's power source is not already connected, it is connected at this time. The dispenser may optionally comprise a power switch and/or manual or electronic lockout to prevent unauthorized use, which are activated when ready for use.


When a user needs a piece of cutlery, the dispenser is operated, for example by passing a hand in front of the motion or proximity sensor. The sensor communicates a signal to the processor, which in turn outputs one or more control signals to actuate the automated dispense mechanism and discharge at least a portion of one of the cutlery pieces from the storage chute to be collected by the user. For example, the processor signals the motor controller to operate the motor or other actuator to drive the cam assembly or other ejector through a controlled stroke or motion to eject a handle portion of a utensil for the user to grasp and remove from the dispenser for use.


An interlock may be provided to prevent further operation of the automated dispense mechanism until the previously dispensed utensil is removed by the user, in order to reduce the incidence of jamming A timer is optionally incorporated into the processor to induce a delay between subsequent operations of the dispenser, to reduce waste. Subsequent users will activate the dispenser in a similar manner, and the dispenser sequentially dispenses cutlery one piece at a time from the storage chute. A refill indicator or alarm is optionally provided to notify service personnel when the sock of cutlery in the storage chute is low and in need of replenishing. Other optional features that may be included in embodiments of the cutlery dispenser within the scope of the invention include lighted marketing or other signage that illuminates when the dispenser is used, and the provision of ultraviolet lamps for anti-microbial effect within the storage and/or dispensing areas.


While the disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A method for cutlery storage and use, comprising: housing a plurality of cutlery pieces in a dispenser comprising: a storage chute for containing a plurality of cutlery, wherein each piece of cutlery has a handle end and a food-contact end; anda dispense mechanism comprising at least two cams, each cam comprising a resting surface and a displacing portion, wherein the displacing portion of the first cam is offset relative to the displacing portion of the second cam in a direction of their rotation; andcontacting the cutlery piece at a first location with the resting surface of a first cam;contacting the cutlery piece at a second location with the resting surface of a second cam, anddischarging the cutlery piece from the dispenser using the offset displacing portions of the first and second cams so that the handle end of the cutlery piece is discharged from the dispenser prior to the food-contact end.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically actuating the at least two cams.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating automatic actuation of the at least two cams in response to a touchless sensor.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the displacing portion of the first cam with the cutlery piece proximal the handle end.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the displacing portion of the second cam with the cutlery piece proximal the food-contact end.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading another cutlery piece into contact with the at least two cams after the cutlery piece is discharged.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two cams are disposed on a driveshaft.
  • 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising rotating the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising pivoting the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 10. A method for cutlery storage and use, comprising: housing a plurality of cutlery pieces in a dispenser comprising: a storage chute for containing a plurality of cutlery, wherein each piece of cutlery has a handle end and a food-contact end; anda dispense mechanism comprising at least two cams, each cam comprising a resting surface and a displacing portion, andcontacting the cutlery piece at a first location with the resting surface of a first cam;contacting the cutlery piece at a second location with the resting surface of a second cam;discharging the cutlery piece from the dispenser using the displacing portion of the first and second cams, wherein the displacing portion of the first cam is offset relative to the displacing portion of the second cam in a direction of their rotation so that the handle end of the discharged cutlery piece is presented for retrieval by a user.
  • 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising loading another cutlery piece into contact with the at least two cams after the cutlery piece is discharged.
  • 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least two cams are disposed on a driveshaft.
  • 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising pivoting the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a signal from a touchless sensor and triggering an electric motor to drive the drive shaft in response thereto.
  • 16. A method for cutlery storage and use, comprising: housing a plurality of cutlery pieces in a dispenser comprising: a storage chute for containing a plurality of cutlery, wherein each piece of cutlery has a handle end and a food-contact end; anda dispense mechanism comprising at least two cams, each cam comprising a resting surface and a displacing portion, andcontacting the cutlery piece at a first location with the resting surface of a first cam;contacting the cutlery piece at a second location with the resting surface of a second cam;discharging the cutlery piece from the dispenser using the displacing portion of the first and second cams, wherein the displacing portion of the first cam is offset relative to the displacing portion of the second cam in a direction of their rotation so that the handle end of the discharged cutlery piece is presented for retrieval by a user; andretaining the food contact end of the discharged cutlery piece in the dispenser until released upon retrieval by the user.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least two cams are disposed on a driveshaft.
  • 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising rotating the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising pivoting the driveshaft with an electric motor.
  • 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving a signal from a touchless sensor and triggering an electric motor to drive the driveshaft in response thereto.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/936,401, filed on Nov. 7, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/864,636 filed Nov. 7, 2006, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (379)
Number Name Date Kind
46832 Thorne Mar 1865 A
592105 Barnes Oct 1897 A
D32913 Graf Jul 1900 S
703718 Cammann Jul 1902 A
716058 Laing et al. Dec 1902 A
925485 Lafler Jun 1909 A
999837 Morris et al. Aug 1911 A
1053387 Hawley Feb 1913 A
1146447 Prommel Jul 1915 A
1182793 Richardson May 1916 A
1259927 Swift Mar 1918 A
1261835 Martin Apr 1918 A
1353109 Carr Sep 1920 A
1355583 Zeidler et al. Oct 1920 A
1482071 Duff et al. Jan 1924 A
1497585 Poole Jun 1924 A
1504098 Cathey Aug 1924 A
1546077 Hunter et al. Jul 1925 A
1547151 Watling Jul 1925 A
1560938 Lund Nov 1925 A
1577302 Schultz Mar 1926 A
1610001 Foster Dec 1926 A
1635386 Pierson Jul 1927 A
1675510 Nolan Jul 1928 A
1767634 Weiss Jun 1930 A
1821377 Cusick Sep 1931 A
1886378 Dearsley Nov 1932 A
1936057 Hodge Nov 1933 A
2052505 Vetrosky Aug 1936 A
2053828 Harper Sep 1936 A
2078984 Williamson May 1937 A
2089378 Jenkin Aug 1937 A
2110189 Zeidler, Sr. Mar 1938 A
2141684 Diemer Dec 1938 A
2149098 Phinney Feb 1939 A
2149099 Phinney et al. Feb 1939 A
2160374 Veillette May 1939 A
2184029 Wicklund Dec 1939 A
2188573 Longo Jan 1940 A
D119760 Kopp Apr 1940 S
2207528 Witt Jul 1940 A
2223347 Axthelm Dec 1940 A
2239196 Lunvik Apr 1941 A
2246852 Kale Jun 1941 A
2260596 Young Oct 1941 A
2268596 Jerum Jan 1942 A
2268873 Hopkins et al. Jan 1942 A
2328486 Painter Aug 1943 A
2340561 Renfro Feb 1944 A
2421782 Gibbs et al. Jun 1947 A
2427321 Casey Sep 1947 A
2431121 Hunter Nov 1947 A
2433736 Carew Dec 1947 A
2445026 Frank Jul 1948 A
2472051 Testi May 1949 A
2497718 Earley et al. Feb 1950 A
2503741 Johnson Apr 1950 A
2526136 Holzknecht Oct 1950 A
2571668 Booth et al. Oct 1951 A
2577344 Masure Dec 1951 A
2624093 Hatch et al. Jan 1953 A
2635025 Ziska Apr 1953 A
2646874 Testi Jul 1953 A
2651093 Lynch Sep 1953 A
2671555 Shnitzler Mar 1954 A
2692691 Harriss et al. Oct 1954 A
2695125 Bowen Nov 1954 A
2752678 Welch Jul 1956 A
2800013 George Jul 1957 A
2806634 Baumgartner Sep 1957 A
2843909 Eilertsen Jul 1958 A
2845679 Baruch Aug 1958 A
2857645 Vogelsang Oct 1958 A
2868344 Shields Jan 1959 A
2870505 Hawie Jan 1959 A
2877490 Greninger Mar 1959 A
2877926 Abbe Mar 1959 A
2880907 Mainers Apr 1959 A
2889076 Van Schie Jun 1959 A
2907512 Leone Oct 1959 A
2911127 Driss et al. Nov 1959 A
2924357 Kingsley et al. Feb 1960 A
2946431 Nissen Jul 1960 A
2946481 Carew Jul 1960 A
2953170 Bush Sep 1960 A
2954948 Johnson Oct 1960 A
2965262 Du Bois Dec 1960 A
3037257 Girodet Jun 1962 A
3052006 Jonas Sep 1962 A
3054528 Loomis Sep 1962 A
3083879 Coleman Apr 1963 A
3095114 Tobias Jun 1963 A
3100842 Tellesfsen Aug 1963 A
3114475 Etes Dec 1963 A
3116152 Smith Dec 1963 A
3132765 Florendo May 1964 A
3146908 Perri et al. Sep 1964 A
3163327 Maxwell Dec 1964 A
3180489 McGinn Apr 1965 A
3182345 Smith May 1965 A
3191802 Lasting Jun 1965 A
3263860 Haas Aug 1966 A
3279652 Willvonseder Oct 1966 A
3300087 Kuypers Jan 1967 A
3310271 King Mar 1967 A
3313452 Katz Apr 1967 A
3334784 Morrison Aug 1967 A
3338471 De Good Aug 1967 A
3371821 Abood, Jr. Mar 1968 A
3383018 Grimsley May 1968 A
3400435 Akesson-Rydin Sep 1968 A
3402441 Woskin Sep 1968 A
3407927 Jones Oct 1968 A
3408708 Hawie Nov 1968 A
3426941 Hovekamp Feb 1969 A
3435491 Shears Apr 1969 A
3472421 Baller Oct 1969 A
3499538 Sherard Mar 1970 A
3558006 Redmond Jan 1971 A
3587922 Oriti Jun 1971 A
3593908 Desmond et al. Jul 1971 A
3654396 Biezeveld Apr 1972 A
3680736 Viessmann Aug 1972 A
3710535 Walter Jan 1973 A
3741410 Henschke et al. Jun 1973 A
3747803 Zoepf et al. Jul 1973 A
3786959 Greb et al. Jan 1974 A
3851762 Liblick Dec 1974 A
3861563 Lisbin Jan 1975 A
3862702 Johnson et al. Jan 1975 A
3897886 Franklin Aug 1975 A
3932978 Kinney Jan 1976 A
3944128 Hogan et al. Mar 1976 A
3972118 Richard Aug 1976 A
3987901 Dullinger Oct 1976 A
3998238 Nigro Dec 1976 A
4005801 Musser et al. Feb 1977 A
4043203 Montessi Aug 1977 A
4048915 Martin Sep 1977 A
4091915 Claasen May 1978 A
4120662 Fosslien Oct 1978 A
4134519 Barnett et al. Jan 1979 A
4146123 Cottrell Mar 1979 A
4271999 Stravitz Jun 1981 A
4288003 Fries Sep 1981 A
4308974 Jones Jan 1982 A
4317284 Prindle Mar 1982 A
4382514 Williams et al. May 1983 A
4489854 Wenkman et al. Dec 1984 A
4524512 Formo Jun 1985 A
4570536 Dodd Feb 1986 A
4571773 Yuda Feb 1986 A
4574423 Ito et al. Mar 1986 A
D284442 Chan Jul 1986 S
4601386 Antonello Jul 1986 A
4610087 Mickelson et al. Sep 1986 A
4614004 Oshida Sep 1986 A
4624616 Freese et al. Nov 1986 A
4638921 Sigl et al. Jan 1987 A
4662536 Powers May 1987 A
4666037 Weissman et al. May 1987 A
4666060 Bouldin May 1987 A
4691811 Arakawa et al. Sep 1987 A
4697673 Omata Oct 1987 A
4707251 Jenkins Nov 1987 A
4715514 Vidondo Dec 1987 A
4789064 Segal Dec 1988 A
4793539 Haenni et al. Dec 1988 A
4835864 Tang Jun 1989 A
4863033 Buj Sep 1989 A
4884718 Leahy Dec 1989 A
D305709 Blignaut Jan 1990 S
4896792 Marchand Jan 1990 A
4915578 Becker Apr 1990 A
4921106 Spatafora et al. May 1990 A
4950120 Barnes Aug 1990 A
4961684 Provan et al. Oct 1990 A
4963072 Miley et al. Oct 1990 A
RE33447 Rosman Nov 1990 E
4973037 Holbrook Nov 1990 A
4986442 Hinterreiter Jan 1991 A
4989730 Lemoine et al. Feb 1991 A
4995154 Bamber Feb 1991 A
5012927 Borst et al. May 1991 A
D318600 Lillelund et al. Jul 1991 S
5054640 Tucker et al. Oct 1991 A
5054649 Lemaire et al. Oct 1991 A
5064093 Davis et al. Nov 1991 A
5080257 Carnisio Jan 1992 A
5127546 Chen Jul 1992 A
5131586 Capy Jul 1992 A
5156266 Sykora et al. Oct 1992 A
5161268 Harrow Nov 1992 A
5176494 Nigrelli et al. Jan 1993 A
5191997 Squitieri Mar 1993 A
5199756 Bartlett et al. Apr 1993 A
5211267 Clark May 1993 A
5249705 Gates Oct 1993 A
5263596 Williams Nov 1993 A
D342648 Cautereels et al. Dec 1993 S
5269397 Kawamoto et al. Dec 1993 A
5305875 Meyer et al. Apr 1994 A
5325992 Schmid et al. Jul 1994 A
5327650 Rojas Jul 1994 A
D351085 Schmidt Oct 1994 S
5353935 Yeager et al. Oct 1994 A
5364016 Capy et al. Nov 1994 A
5413317 Spoerre May 1995 A
D362160 Brabeck et al. Sep 1995 S
5449054 Wiese et al. Sep 1995 A
5460252 Kosugi et al. Oct 1995 A
5469688 Dunbar et al. Nov 1995 A
5479708 Thomas Jan 1996 A
5497863 Schmidt et al. Mar 1996 A
5509522 Laidlaw Apr 1996 A
5518149 Lotspeich et al. May 1996 A
5542508 Van Erden et al. Aug 1996 A
5564594 Monfredo Oct 1996 A
5579910 Bennett Dec 1996 A
5586685 Dorner et al. Dec 1996 A
5590472 Yaakov Jan 1997 A
5605208 Friedrichsen Feb 1997 A
5660252 Lafon Aug 1997 A
5762211 Ensign Jun 1998 A
5845403 Nivin Dec 1998 A
5853092 Goodman et al. Dec 1998 A
5904250 De Schutter May 1999 A
5921408 Groenewold et al. Jul 1999 A
5933918 Wallays Aug 1999 A
5950842 Bauer Sep 1999 A
5961021 Koike Oct 1999 A
D420887 Chen Feb 2000 S
6023908 Vetsch Feb 2000 A
6023913 Gray et al. Feb 2000 A
D422431 Goins Apr 2000 S
6047830 Change Apr 2000 A
6062424 Simile-Gravina et al. May 2000 A
6073795 Longstreth Jun 2000 A
6085916 Kovacevic et al. Jul 2000 A
6098379 Spatafora et al. Aug 2000 A
6115921 Garneau Sep 2000 A
6134790 Watson Oct 2000 A
6202891 Mark Mar 2001 B1
6226845 Fink May 2001 B1
6250495 Bando Jun 2001 B1
6250498 Lovejoy Jun 2001 B1
6289889 Bell et al. Sep 2001 B1
6298960 Derr Oct 2001 B1
6336568 Tucker Jan 2002 B1
6378729 Kodama Apr 2002 B1
D458070 Bennett et al. Jun 2002 S
6399079 Mehta et al. Jun 2002 B1
6412398 Norcross et al. Jul 2002 B1
6415465 Harrow Jul 2002 B1
6575313 Chen Jun 2003 B1
6626633 Jendzurski et al. Sep 2003 B2
6651841 Tsuchida Nov 2003 B2
6749074 Hileman et al. Jun 2004 B1
D492549 Welch Jul 2004 S
D493337 Welch Jul 2004 S
6763972 Graupner Jul 2004 B2
6786357 Renard Sep 2004 B2
6786359 Schroeder Sep 2004 B1
6832694 Goeking et al. Dec 2004 B2
6832698 Dybul Dec 2004 B1
6837028 Miano et al. Jan 2005 B1
6840353 Arisaka Jan 2005 B2
6840420 Hudson Jan 2005 B1
6863173 Bennett Mar 2005 B2
6880211 Jackson et al. Apr 2005 B2
6895672 Conforti May 2005 B2
6945427 Hieb Sep 2005 B2
6972033 McNicholas Dec 2005 B2
6976348 Miano et al. Dec 2005 B1
7013568 Schmidt Mar 2006 B2
7076932 Rubin Jul 2006 B2
7090455 Lamb Aug 2006 B2
7111369 Ho Sep 2006 B2
D533034 Wasserman Dec 2006 S
7156220 Olson et al. Jan 2007 B2
D536222 Heiberg et al. Feb 2007 S
7204406 Bone et al. Apr 2007 B2
7210279 Ahmed May 2007 B1
7237700 Bulovic Jul 2007 B2
7249793 Jabr et al. Jul 2007 B1
7258233 Lee et al. Aug 2007 B2
7322172 Hoffman Jan 2008 B2
D564819 Fosburg et al. Mar 2008 S
7412808 Lavi Aug 2008 B2
7434692 Ginsberg et al. Oct 2008 B2
D591104 Oakes Apr 2009 S
7513089 Rubin Apr 2009 B2
7516831 Chang Apr 2009 B2
7520247 Rutledge Apr 2009 B2
7669256 Harrow Mar 2010 B2
7716842 Sumner-Trivisani et al. May 2010 B2
7731899 Talmer et al. Jun 2010 B2
7819234 Herzog Oct 2010 B2
7856722 Lago-Arenas Dec 2010 B2
D631337 Prevost Jan 2011 S
8070013 Reinsel Dec 2011 B2
8083058 Marcinkowski et al. Dec 2011 B2
8083097 Kaufman et al. Dec 2011 B2
8152004 Smith et al. Apr 2012 B2
8210364 Smith et al. Jul 2012 B2
8272533 D'Amelia et al. Sep 2012 B1
8296957 Muehlemann Oct 2012 B2
8297473 Smith Oct 2012 B2
8302269 Pitman Nov 2012 B2
8360273 Reinsel Jan 2013 B2
8480954 Talmer et al. Jul 2013 B2
8776379 Walters et al. Jul 2014 B2
8839522 Walters et al. Sep 2014 B2
8844798 Linkel Sep 2014 B2
20010007308 Glassman et al. Jul 2001 A1
20010025856 Lefevre Du Grosriez et al. Oct 2001 A1
20020112445 Scaduto Aug 2002 A1
20030015824 Forbes et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030098344 Blake et al. May 2003 A1
20030146061 Tournier Aug 2003 A1
20040045398 Hayashi Mar 2004 A1
20040045860 Edgerly et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040056041 Renard Mar 2004 A1
20040089670 Goeking May 2004 A1
20040237311 Brown et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050035136 Dathe et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050082307 Tucker Apr 2005 A1
20050116482 Harris et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050155186 McGuyer et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050155229 Lee Jul 2005 A1
20050211722 Runnels Sep 2005 A1
20050252057 Lavi Nov 2005 A1
20060000190 Behnke et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060042986 Simkowski et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060053638 Sumner-Trivisani et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060218795 Santa Cruz et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060249531 Litchfield Nov 2006 A1
20070006470 Sumner-Trivisani et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070035943 Wang Feb 2007 A1
20070108141 Smith et al. May 2007 A1
20070131705 Behravesh et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070193968 Smith Aug 2007 A1
20070214650 Tomazini Sep 2007 A1
20070250391 Prade et al. Oct 2007 A1
20080118609 Harlfinger et al. May 2008 A1
20080121650 Smith May 2008 A1
20080128445 Huang Jun 2008 A1
20080135569 Chan Jun 2008 A1
20090194557 Van Deursen Aug 2009 A1
20100000096 Muehlemann Jan 2010 A1
20100084418 Reinsel Apr 2010 A1
20100147869 Iliffe et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100170915 Reinsel Jul 2010 A1
20110180562 Reinsel Jul 2011 A1
20110226797 Reinsel et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110266300 Schwarzli Nov 2011 A1
20110296693 Oakes Dec 2011 A1
20120036724 Walters Feb 2012 A1
20120047744 Walters Mar 2012 A1
20120080444 Smith et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120110746 Serrano et al. May 2012 A1
20120145734 Walters Jun 2012 A1
20120145735 Erickson et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120145736 Walters et al. Jun 2012 A1
20130032609 Righetti et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130043272 Oakes Feb 2013 A1
20130126548 Pourian et al. May 2013 A1
20130134211 Linkel May 2013 A1
20130152406 McFarland Jun 2013 A1
20130193157 Jongen et al. Aug 2013 A1
20140069930 Oakes Mar 2014 A1
20140117036 Smith May 2014 A1
20140191024 Wnek et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140217112 Young et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140299656 Wintermute Oct 2014 A1
20150028045 Oakes et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150028046 Oakes et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150041484 Oakes Feb 2015 A1
20150048108 Borke Feb 2015 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (40)
Number Date Country
2545745 Nov 2006 CA
2865478 Feb 2007 CN
101066183 Nov 2007 CN
101495015 Jul 2009 CN
7033238 Nov 1970 DE
7127677 Nov 1971 DE
3151268 Jul 1983 DE
4139938 Jun 1993 DE
9316566 Jan 1994 DE
19906369 Feb 2000 DE
202005013647 Jun 2006 DE
0257109 Aug 1986 EP
0286538 Oct 1988 EP
0856272 Jan 1999 EP
1358827 Nov 2003 EP
1213985 Jun 2004 EP
1514497 Mar 2005 EP
1719438 Nov 2006 EP
1864596 Dec 2007 EP
1217923 Sep 2009 EP
2889507 Feb 2007 FR
JH06121727 May 1994 JP
08011934 Jan 1996 JP
08-047440 Feb 1996 JP
3042582 Oct 1997 JP
2001354214 Dec 2001 JP
2004261336 Sep 2004 JP
2007-319493 Dec 2007 JP
20-1991-0008085 Oct 1991 KR
10-2009-0071515 Jul 2009 KR
100954569 Apr 2010 KR
M287639 Feb 2006 TW
M293720 Jul 2006 TW
0105280 Jan 2001 WO
0105281 Sep 2001 WO
2004028309 Apr 2004 WO
2007049982 May 2007 WO
2007124606 Nov 2007 WO
2008058187 May 2008 WO
2009137367 Nov 2009 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (20)
Entry
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the Searching Authority for PCT/US2007/083922 Mailed Nov. 17, 2008.
Peel Adhesion for Single Coated Pressure-Sensitive Tapes 180 Angle, Aug. 1989, pp. 21-22.
Tack Rolling Ball, Aug. 1989, pp. 29-30.
Holding Power of Pressure-Sensitive Tape, Aug. 1989, pp. 31-33.
PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion PCT/US2007/083752, Mar. 11, 2008, 10 pages.
European Search Report for 060009258.2, mailed Jul. 24, 2006, five mages, Munich, Germany.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2009/059915, Mailed Feb. 3, 2010, 13 pages, European Patent Office, Munich, Germany.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2011/044931, mailed Feb. 28, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2011/044934, mailed Mar. 6, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2011/058767 mailed Feb. 29, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2011/064057 mailed Feb. 29, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2011/058329 mailed Feb. 29, 2012.
European Search Report for EP 08 014 387.8, mailed Nov. 11, 2008, four pages, European Patent Office, Munich, Germany.
Supplementary European Search Report dated Sep. 25, 2013 for Application No. 11793088.3.
International Searching Authority, “International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/047463”, mailed Nov. 26, 2014, 22 pages, Korean Intellectual Property Office, South Korea.
International Searching Authority, “International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/050166”, mailed Nov. 20, 2014, 11 pages, Korean Intellectual Property Office, South Korea.
International Searching Authority, “International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/050169”, mailed Jan. 9, 2015, 11 pages, Korean Intellectual Property Office, South Korea.
International Searching Authority, “International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/051632”, mailed Dec. 3, 2014, 9 pages, Korean Intellectual Property Office, South Korea.
International Searching Authority, “International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/051639”, mailed Dec. 9, 2014, 9 pages, Korean Intellectual Property Office, South Korea.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2010/000051, mailed Aug. 16, 2010, 6 pages.
Related Publications (2)
Number Date Country
20140117036 A1 May 2014 US
20150001235 A9 Jan 2015 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60864636 Nov 2006 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11936401 Nov 2007 US
Child 13663345 US