Self-adhesive element dispenser and applicator device and method thereof

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6394165
  • Patent Number
    6,394,165
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, November 9, 1999
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 28, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Crispino; Richard
    • Hawkins; Cheryl N.
    Agents
    • Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
Abstract
A dispenser and applicator device and method thereof is provided for dispensing and applying pressure sensitive self-adhesive elements onto a surface of a workpiece. In particular, the dispenser and applicator device dispenses self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier tape. The dispenser and applicator device includes a housing with an opening. A return wheel is rotatively coupled to the housing to advance the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements. A separator is disposed within the opening for separating the self-adhesive elements from the carrier-tape. A tension arm is disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator, wherein the tension in the carrier-tape is maintained until the last self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape. To load the dispenser and applicator device, the roll of stamps is placed within the housing. The tape-carrier is passed through the separator/tension arm, guided around the around the separator, and attached and wound onto the return wheel. In order to dispense an apply a stamp to a workpiece, the return wheel is rotated, and the carrier-tape with stamps travels towards the separator and tension arm. As the carrier-tape is pulled around the separator, the stamp separates from the carrier-tape and is ejected out of the housing. The adhesive surface of the stamp is then able to come into contact with the workpiece, and the housing is pressed onto the workpiece. To dispense and apply a second stamp, the procedure is repeated.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to a self-adhesive element dispenser and applicator device and method thereof More specifically, the invention relates to a self-adhesive postage stamp dispenser and applicator device and method thereof.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Pressure sensitive self-adhesive labels and stickers have been widely used for many years. Recently, the United States Postal Service has introduced postage stamps that are self-adhesive and available in rolls. Several devices are currently available to dispense and apply self-adhesive postage stamps. However, none of the devices thus far appear to be without problems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,713 to Dudley et al. discloses a device for dispensing and applying self-adhesive stamps. The device has a housing with a delaminating edge located at the front portion, and the delaminating edge separates stamps from a carrier-tape. A drive roller is located at the rear portion of the housing, and the drive roller pulls the carrier-tape around the delaminating edge. In operation, the device is placed on an envelope laying on a hard flat surface, such as a desk. Moving the device backwards along the surface causes the drive roller to rotate and pull the carrier-tape through the device. The stamp is separated from the carrier-tape as the paper rounds the delaminating edge. The stamp is ejected from the housing through an ejection window and applied to the envelope. However, the device requires a relatively large flat surface because the delaminating edge and drive roller are located at opposite ends of the housing. When working on a relatively small flat surface, it maybe difficult to properly operate the device.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,347 to Rodriguez discloses a stamp dispenser and applicator which is more applicable to operating on a relatively small surface. The device has a delaminating edge located adjacent to a drive roller. The device further includes a first and second gear assembly. The first .gear assembly is rotatively attached to the housing and engages with the second gear assembly. A lead-in portion of the carrier-tape is attached to the first gear assembly. The second gear assembly is fixedly attached to the drive roller and rotatably attached to the housing. The drive roller is pulled along a desired surface to rotate the drive roller and the second gear assembly in a clockwise direction. This action, simultaneously rotates the first gear assembly in a counter-clockwise direction to wrap the carrier-tape around the first gear assembly and dispense the stamp against the surface. Although the device is capable of operating on a relatively small surface, it would be preferable to dispense a stamp without pulling or pushing the housing along a surface. In addition, the device comprises several relatively complex elements which may drive up the cost of the device and overly complicate the loading procedure.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,070 to Welborn et al. discloses a self-adhesive stamp dispenser which does not require the device to be pushed or pulled along a flat surface to drive a dispensing mechanism. The dispenser comprises a somewhat rectangular housing. Within the housing is a product holder which carries a roll of stamps. The product holder is provided with a tension lever which applies a tension ton the carrier-tape as the stamp is dispensed. The carrier-tape exits the housing through a first slot located in a top portion of the housing, re-enters the housing through a second slot located in a front portion of the housing, and is spooled onto a take-up reel. In order to dispense a stamp, the take-up reel is either rotated on a surface or by hand. As the carrier-tape passes through the second slot, a stamp is separated from the carrier-tape. The stamp is then manually removed from the device using fingers and applied to the desired surface. However, one of the problems with the dispenser is that an operator has to perform the additional step of manually removing a stamp from the dispenser and applying the stamp onto the desired surface. Another problem with the dispenser is that the tensioner is located away from the second slot such that the stamps at the end of the carrier-tape may require manually separating the stamps from the carrier-tape using a finger nail or some other sharp object.




Thus, there remains a need to provide a dispenser and applicator device in an inexpensive, easy to operate, and portable manner.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with the present invention, a device which can dispense and apply pressure sensitive self-adhesive elements is provided. The present invention achieves these objectives in an inexpensive, easy to operate, and portable manner. In particular, the dispenser and applicator device dispenses self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier tape. The device is light weight, simple, easily manipulated when used, easily stored because of its small size, and yet effective in dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements.




The dispenser and applicator devices includes a housing with an opening. A return wheel is rotatively coupled to the housing to advance the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements. A separator is disposed within the opening for separating the self-adhesive elements from the carrier-tape. A tension arm is disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator, wherein the tension in the carrier-tape is maintained until the last self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape.




Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a dispenser and applicator device in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an exploded view of the device of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a plan view of the device of

FIG. 1

without a top cover;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the top cover of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a close-up perspective view of the front portion of the housing;





FIG. 6

is a close-up perspective view of a return wheel;





FIG. 7

is a close-up perspective view of an alternative housing for use in the dispenser and applicator device of

FIG. 1

in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 8

is a close-up perspective view of another alternative housing for use in the dispenser and applicator device of

FIG. 1

in accordance with the present invention,





FIG. 9

is a close-up perspective view of a return wheel for the housing of

FIG. 8

; and





FIG. 10

is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of a dispenser and applicator device in accordance with the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The present invention relates to a dispenser and applicator device for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements. In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings and herein described, the device is designed to be hand held and is suited to dispense and apply self-adhesive postage stamps from a roll comprising a tape-carrier attached to the backside of a ribbon of stamps in which a series of perforations are provided for separating each stamp from the remaining ribbon of stamps. However, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable for dispensing other types of self-adhesive elements such as stickers, labels, and the like. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the principles of the present invention to the specific embodiments shown and such principles should be broadly construed.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-6

, the dispenser and applicator device


10


is provided with a plastic molded housing


12


suitable for being hand held by virtue of its size and light weight and is configured to dispense and apply 1 inch by 1 inch self-adhesive postage stamps


14


. The housing


12


has a generally oval shape with a length of about 4.5 inches, a width of about 2.0 inches, and a thickness of about 1.5 inches. The housing


12


comprises a first shell


16


and a second shell


18


which are snap fitted together by a latch


20


and recess


22


arrangement. A pair of grooves


24


,


26


extend across the outer face of the first


16


and second shell


18


to aid in holding the device


10


. The housing


12


is designed for ambidextrous usage where a right-handed user may hold the device


10


by apply the middle finger on right groove


24


and the thumb on the left groove


26


, while the palm rests against a rear portion


28


of the housing


12


and the index finger is free to operate an advancing mechanism which is discussed in detail below. A left-handed user may operate the device


10


in a similar fashion wherein the left hand may be used to hold the device


10


by applying the thumb on the right groove


24


and the middle finger on the left groove


26


, while the palm rests against the rear portion


28


of the housing


12


and the index finger is free to operate the advancing mechanism. The housing


12


may be sized and shaped in other forms to accommodate different purposes such as the dispensing and applying larger or smaller sized postage stamps, or the dispensing and application of other types of self-adhesive elements such as stickers and labels.




In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings and herein described, the first


16


and second shell


18


are formed from a clear plastic to allow visual inspection of the stamps within the housing


12


. Preferably, the first


16


and second shell


18


are molded from a high impact and inexpensive plastic material such as a general purpose polycarbonate. It is noted that other materials exhibiting similar qualities may also be used to form the first and second shell such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acetyle, and the like. The first


16


and second shell


18


may also be formed from non-plastic materials such as aluminum, steel, magnesium, or other metals, and a viewing window maybe provided to allow visual inspection of the stamps.




As shown in

FIGS. 2-3

, the first shell


16


includes a supply chamber


30


, a guide


32


, an ejection window


34


, a separator


36


, and a return wheel access window


38


. The supply chamber


30


receives the roll


40


of stamps


14


and comprises a cylindrical-shaped wall


42


with an opening


44


, and the guide


32


comprises a wall


46


extending from the cylindrical-shaped wall


42


to the ejection window


34


. The ejection window


34


is located near a front


48


and lower


50


region of the housing


12


and may be a rectangular-shaped opening extending substantially across the longitudinal length of the housing


12


from the outer face of the first shell


16


to the outer face of the second shell


18


. In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1-6

, the ejection window


34


is slightly larger than 1 inch to accommodate the 1 inch by 1 inch postage stamps


14


. It is noted that ejection window can be formed in various other sizes to accommodate larger or smaller postage stamps, and it is also contemplated that the size of the ejection window may be designed to be adjustable (not shown). The separator


36


is a rectangular-shaped member disposed within the ejection window


34


and extends outwardly from the interior face


52


of the first shell


16


and has an end


54


which abuts against the interior surface


56


of the second shell


18


.




As shown in

FIGS. 3

,


5


, and


6


, a return wheel


58


comprises a disk


60


and a hub


62


which may be integrally formed. The hub


62


is rotatably mounted onto a shaft


64


extending outwardly from the interior surface


52


of the first shell


16


. The hub


62


has a slot


66


for receiving a first end


67


of a feeder-tape


69


. A second end


71


of the feeder-tape


69


is attached to a lead-in portion of the roll


40


of stamps


14


, wherein the second end


71


includes a Y-shaped connector with self-adhesive internal surfaces. The disk


60


has a detent


68


which engages with a plurality of angled-cam surfaces


70


arranged in a circular fashion and extending outwardly from the interior surface


52


of the first shell


16


. The detent


68


and angled-cam surfaces


70


allow the return wheel


58


to be rotated in the clockwise direction but restrict rotation in the counter-clockwise direction. A portion of the disk


60


extends outwardly beyond the housing


12


through the return wheel access window


38


to provide access to the disk


60


, wherein the user is able to rotate the return wheel


58


with an index finger. By rotating the return wheel


58


, successive stamps


14


are advanced and the carrier-tape


72


without stamps


14


is spooled onto the hub


62


of the return wheel


58


. In order to facilitate rotation of the return wheel


58


, an outer surface of the disk


60


can be formed in a saw-tooth


74


manner to provide a gripping surface for the index finger.




As shown in

FIG. 4

, the second shell


18


includes a shaft


76


and a tension arm


78


. The shaft


76


extends outwardly from the interior surface


56


of the second shell


18


, and the return wheel


58


is rotatably mounted onto the shaft


76


when the first


16


and second shell


18


are snap fitted together. The tension arm


78


is a substantially rectangular-shaped member extending outwardly from the interior surface


56


of the second shell


18


. When the first


16


and second shell


18


are snap fitted together, the tension arm


78


is positioned adjacent the separator


36


such that a separation distance is provided between a contact surface


80


of the tension arm


78


and a contact surface


82


of the separator


78


. It is contemplated that the separation distance is equivalent to the combined thickness of the carrier-tape


72


and stamp. However, the tension arm


78


and separator


78


may be configured with a separation distance which is greater or less than the combined thickness of the carrier-tape


72


and stamp


14


. As the carrier-tape


72


with stamps


14


are fed between the tension arm


78


and the separator


78


, the tension arm


78


presses the carrier-tape


72


with stamps


14


against the contact surface


82


of the separator


78


and maintains tension in the carrier-tape


72


from the tension arm


78


to the return wheel


58


. A feed edge


84


of the tension arm


78


is tapered to allow easy passage of the carrier-tape


72


with stamps.




As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 5

, the housing


12


further includes a fixing face


86


disposed adjacent to and down stream of the ejection window


34


. The fixing face


86


is a flat surface formed integrally with the first


16


and second shell


18


, and the stamp


14


is advanced onto the fixing face


86


after being separated from the carrier-tape


72


and ejected from the ejection window


34


.




To load the dispenser and applicator device


10


, the second end


71


of the feeder-tape


69


is attached to the lead-in portion of the carrier-tape


72


. The roll


40


is placed in the supply chamber


30


and allowed to expand until it abuts against an inner surface


88


of the cylindrical-shaped wall


42


. The feeder-tape


69


is passed through the opening


44


of the supply chamber


30


and is fed along the guide


32


to the separator


36


. The feeder tape


69


is pulled around the separator


36


and fed along an outer surface


90


of the cylindrical-shaped wall


42


. The first end


67


of the feeder-tape


69


is inserted into the slot


66


of the return wheel


58


and wound onto the return wheel


58


. Of course, the first end


67


of the feeder-tape


69


may be attached to the return wheel


58


with tape or other means known in the art. As the second shell


18


is snap fitted to the first shell


16


, the tension arm


78


is positioned such that the feeder-tape


69


is disposed between the tension arm


78


and the separator


36


.




As shown in

FIG. 3

, the feeder-tape


69


follows the path indicated by the arrows. In order to dispense and apply a stamp to a workpiece, the return wheel


58


is rotated in the clockwise direction using an index finger, and the carrier-tape


72


with the attached stamps travels towards the separator


36


and tension arm


78


. As the carrier-tape


72


is pulled around the separator


36


, the stamp


14


separates from the carrier-tape


72


and is positioned over the fixing face


86


. The adhesive surface of the stamp


14


is then able to come in contact with the workpiece, and the fixing face


86


is pressed onto the workpiece. After separating from the stamps, the carrier-tape


72


continues along the outer surface


90


of the cylindrical-shaped wall


42


and is wound onto the return wheel


58


for storage. To dispense and apply a second stamp, the procedure described above is repeated. One of the advantages of the device


10


is that the tension arm


78


is able to maintain tension in the carrier-tape


72


during the dispensing and application of the last stamp in the roll


40


. After the last stamp has been applied, the housing


12


is opened by removing the second shell


18


, and the carrier-tape


72


is unwound from the return wheel


58


and discarded.




Referring to

FIG. 7

, an alternative embodiment of the dispenser and applicator device


10


is shown. Like components are numbered with the same number and with a prime. The alternative embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1-6

with the exception that a tension arm


78


′ is formed integrally with a first shell


16


′. One of the advantages of this alternative embodiment is that the tension arm


78


′ is protected within an ejection window


34


′ of the first shell


16


′ and is therefore less likely to be damaged. The procedure for loading a roll


40


of stamps and dispensing/applying a stamp is similar to the previous embodiment. However, during the loading procedure, the feeder-tape


69


is passed between the separator


36


′ and the tension arm


78


′, and then pulled around the separator


36


′. Thus, the user is not required to properly position the tension arm


78


′ when snap fitting the second shell (not shown) onto the first shell


16


′.




Referring to

FIGS. 8-9

, another alternative embodiment of the dispenser and applicator device


10


is shown. Like components are numbered with the same number and with a double prime. The alternative embodiment is similar to embodiment described in

FIGS. 1-6

with the exception that a return wheel


58


″ is restricted from rotating in the counterclockwise direction by having a detent


68


″ formed on a first shell


16


″ and angled cam surfaces


70


″ formed on a disk


60


″. The procedure for loading a roll of stamps and dispensing/applying a stamp is identical to the procedure described for the device describe in

FIGS. 1-6

.




Referring to

FIG. 10

, another alternative embodiment of the dispenser and applicator device


10


of the present invention is shown. The alternative embodiment is provided with a plastic molded housing


202


suitable for being hand held and is configured to dispense and apply 1 inch by 1 inch self-adhesive postage stamps. The housing


202


is oval-shaped and comprises a first


204


and second shell


206


which are fitted together. It is noted that the housing


202


may be sized and shaped in other forms to accommodate different sized postage stamps or other types of self-adhesive elements such as stickers and labels.




As shown in

FIG. 10

, the first shell


204


includes a supply chamber


208


, an ejection window


210


, a guide wall


212


, and an ejection point


214


, and a tension arm


165


. The supply chamber


208


comprises a cylindrical-shaped wall


216


.with an opening


218


. The supply chamber


208


includes a spindle


220


for receiving the roll


40


of stamps


14


, and the spindle


220


is rotatively coupled to the supply chamber


208


such that the carrier-tape


72


and stamps are advanced from the spindle


220


and exit the supply chamber


208


through the opening


218


. The supply chamber


208


may alternatively be formed without a spindle


220


, wherein the roll of stamps is free to expand and abut against the inner surface


222


of the cylindrical-shaped wall


216


.




The ejection window


210


is located near the front and lower region


226


of the housing


202


. The guide


212


wall has a first end


228


located near the ejection window


210


and extends towards and around the cylindrical-shaped wall


216


. The guide wall


212


continues past the cylindrical-shaped wall


216


and terminates at a second end which is located above the first end


228


. The ejection point


214


may be any flat edge which extends across the longitudinal length of the housing


202


. In this alternative embodiment, the ejection point


214


is integrally formed with the first end


228


of the guide wall


212


and has a length slightly greater than 1 inch. The tension arm


165


is a rectangular shaped member extending outwardly near the second end


232


of the guide wall


212


, wherein a flat surface of the tension arm


165


is pushed against an inner surface


236


of the guide wall


212


. It is noted that the tension arm


165


may be configured in various other forms as long as it is capable of maintaining tension in the carrier-tape


72


.




As shown in

FIG. 10

, a return wheel


238


is disposed within the housing


202


and is rotatively mounted to the first shell


204


and is restricted to rotate in only the clockwise direction. The return wheel


238


has a hub


240


and an engagement disk


192


, and the hub


240


has a slot


244


for receiving the first end


67


of the feeder-tape


69


or paper feed. A feed wheel


246


is rotatively coupled to the first shell


204


and the return wheel


238


A portion of the feed wheel


246


protrudes from the housing


202


so that a user may rotate the feed wheel


246


. By rotating the feed wheel


246


in the counterclockwise direction, the return wheel


238


rotates in the clockwise direction and successive stamps are advanced, and the carrier-tape


72


is spooled onto the hub


240


of the return wheel


238


.




To load the dispenser and applicator device


150


, the second end


71


of the feeder-tape


69


is attached to the lead-in portion of the carrier-tape


72


. The roll


40


of stamps


14


is fed onto the spindle


220


, and the spindle


220


is placed in the supply chamber


208


. The feeder-tape


69


is passed through the opening


218


of the supply chamber


208


, fed along an inner surface


236


of the guide wall


212


, passed between the tension arm


165


and ejection point


214


, and pulled around the ejection point


214


. The feeder-tape


69


is then fed along an outer surface


248


of the guide wall


212


, the end of the lead-in portion is inserted into the slot


244


of the return wheel


238


and wound onto the hub


240


, and the second shell


206


is snap fitted to the first shell


204


.




As shown in

FIG. 10

, the feeder-tape


69


follows the path indicated by the arrows. In order to dispense and apply the stamp


14


to a work piece, the feed wheel


246


is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction using an index finger. The feed wheel


246


rotates the return wheel


238


rotates in the clockwise direction, and the carrier-tape


72


with stamps


14


travels towards the tension arm


165


and ejection point


214


. As the carrier-tape


72


is pulled around the ejection point


214


, the stamp


14


separates from the carrier-tape


72


and is ejected from the housing


202


. The housing


202


is positioned over the work piece and the housing


202


is pressed against and pulled along the surface of the workpiece at a 45 degree angle, forcing the stamp


14


onto the surface of the workpiece. After separating from the stamps, the carrier-tape


72


continues along the outer surface


248


of the guide wall


212


and is wound onto the return wheel


238


for storage. The procedure may be repeated to dispense and apply additional stamps. When the last stamp is being separated from the carrier-tape


72


, the carrier tape


72


is no longer attached to the spindle


220


. Tension in the carrier-tape


72


is provided by the tension arm


165


pressing the carrier-tape


72


against the inner surface of the guide wall


212


. After the last stamp has been applied, the housing


202


is opened and the carrier-tape


72


is unwound from the return wheel


238


and discarded.




The foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings describe illustrative preferred embodiments of the invention, Other arrangements may be provided along the same likes. Thus, by way of example and not of limitation, the return wheel


238


may be rotated to eject a plurality of stamps which remain connected, and the plurality of stamp may be applied to the surface of the workpiece. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown in the drawing and described in detail hereinabove.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier-tape, comprising:a housing having a first opening disposed at an upper and frontal region of the housing and a second opening disposed at a lower and frontal region of the housing; a supply chamber within the housing for retaining the roll, wherein the supply chamber comprises a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around a separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards the return wheel; the return wheel rotatively coupled to the housing, wherein the roll being connected to the return wheel for spooling the carrier-tape, wherein a portion of the return wheel extends outwardly from the housing through the first opening such that a user may turn the return wheel; the separator disposed within the second opening for separating the self-adhesive elements from the carrier-tape; and a tension arm disposed within the second opening and adjacent the separator, wherein the tension arm maintains tension in the carrier-tape between the tension arm and the return wheel; wherein tension in carrier-tape is maintained until the last self-adhesive element in the roll is separated from the carrier-tape.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separator and tension arm are elongated members extending across the longitudinal length of the housing, and wherein the tension arm is integral with the housing.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separation distance between a contact surface of the tension arm and a contact surface of the separator.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing has one side completely open for insertion and removal of the roll and the return wheel, the housing further comprising a cover adapted to cover the open side of the housing, wherein the tension arm being fixedly secured to the cover, the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements being fed between the tension arm and the separator.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a transparent plastic to allow a user to visually inspect the self-adhesive elements.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of the return wheel is adapted to be turned by an index finger of the user.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing face disposed near the front and lower portion of the housing and adjacent the second opening, the fixing face facing towards and freely accessible to workpieces such that the self-adhesive element can be transferred to the workpiece by a user advancing the self-adhesive element onto the fixing face and pressing the fixing face against the surface of the workpiece.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fixing face is integral with the housing.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the return wheel has a detent and the housing has plurality of angled-cam surfaces, and wherein the detent engages with the plurality of angled-cam surfaces such that the return wheel is restricted to rotate in only one direction.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the return wheel has a plurality of angled-cam surfaces and the housing has a detent, and wherein the detent engages with the plurality of angled-cam surfaces such that the return wheel is restricted to rotate in only one direction.
  • 11. A tool for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier-tape, the tool comprising:a housing having an opening; a return wheel rotatively coupled to the housing to advance the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements; a separator disposed within the opening for separating the self-adhesive element from the carrier-tape; a tension arm disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator, wherein tension in the carrier-tape is maintained until the last self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape; and a supply chamber within the housing for retaining the roll, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around the separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards the return wheel.
  • 12. The tool of claim 11, further comprising an additional opening, wherein the opening is disposed at a lower and frontal region of the housing and the additional opening is disposed at an upper and frontal region of the housing, and wherein a portion of the return wheel extends outwardly from the additional opening so that a user may advance successive self-adhesive elements by rotating the return wheel.
  • 13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the return wheel is adapted to be rotated by an index finger of the user.
  • 14. The tool of claim 11, further comprising a supply chamber within the housing for retaining the roll, wherein the supply chamber is integral with the housing.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the separator and tension arm are elongated members extending across the longitudinal length of the housing.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tension arm is integral with the housing.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tension arm presses the carrier-tape and self-adhesive elements against the separator to maintain tension in the carrier-tape.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the self-adhesive elements are self-adhesive postage stamps.
  • 19. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fixing face disposed near the front and lower portion of the housing and adjacent the opening, the fixing face facing towards and freely accessible to workpieces such that the self-adhesive element can be transferred to the workpiece by the user advancing the self-adhesive element onto the fixing face and pressing the fixing face onto the workpiece.
  • 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fixing face is integral with the housing.
  • 21. A method of making an apparatus for dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements from a roll having the self-adhesive elements carried on a carrier-tape, comprising:providing a housing with an opening and a supply chamber, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around a separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards a return wheel; rotatively coupling a return wheel to the housing; attaching the roll to the return wheel such that a user advances the roll by rotating the return wheel; providing a separator within the opening for separating the self-adhesive elements from the carrier-tape; providing a tension arm within the opening and adjacent the separator; and positioning the carrier-tape between the separator and the tension arm, whereby the tension arm maintains tension in the carrier-tape from the tension arm to the return wheel.
  • 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:providing the housing with an additional opening; whereby the opening is disposed at a lower and frontal region of the housing and the additional opening is disposed at an upper and frontal region of the housing; whereby a portion of the return wheel extends outwardly beyond the additional opening; whereby the return wheel is advanced by a user; and whereby successive self-adhesive elements are advanced when the return wheel is rotated.
  • 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining tension in the carrier-tape until the last self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier tape.
  • 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a supply chamber within the housing for retaining the carrier-tape, wherein the chamber is integral with the housing.
  • 25. The method of claim 21, whereby tension is maintained in the carrier-tape from the tension arm to the return wheel by the tension arm pressing the tape-carrier against the separator.
  • 26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:providing a fixing face near a front and lower portion of the housing and adjacent the opening, whereby the self-adhesive element is advanced on the fixing face; and pressing the fixing face onto a desired portion of a workpiece such that the self-adhesive element is provided thereon.
  • 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the fixing face is integral with the housing.
  • 28. A method of dispensing and applying self-adhesive elements, comprising;providing a device comprising: a housing having an opening and a supply chamber, wherein the supply chamber includes a cylindrical-shaped wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the roll is allowed to expand and abut against the inner surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall, and wherein the carrier-tape passes through an opening in the supply chamber, extends towards and around a separator, extends towards the supply chamber and along the outer surface of the cylindrical-shaped wall and towards a return wheel; the return wheel rotatively coupled to the housing; the separator disposed within the opening; and a tension arm disposed within the opening and adjacent the separator; providing a roll of self-adhesive elements on a carrier-tape, attaching the carrier-tape to the return wheel; positioning the carrier-tape between the separator and the tension arm; rotatably positioning the roll in the housing; and turning the return wheel to advance the carrier-tape such that a self-adhesive element is separated from the carrier-tape as the carrier-tape engages the separator, whereby the tension arm pushes the carrier-tape against the separator to maintain tension in the carrier-tape from the return wheel to the tension arm.
  • 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:providing the housing with an additional opening, whereby the opening is disposed at a lower and frontal region of the housing and the additional opening is disposed at an upper and frontal region of the housing, whereby a portion of the return wheel; providing a roll supply chamber, wherein the roll is positioned within the chamber, providing a fixing face near a front and lower portion of the housing and adjacent the opening; and pressing the fixing face onto a desired portion of a workpiece such that the self-adhesive element is provided thereon.
  • 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:providing a feeder-tape with a first end and a second end; attaching the second end of the feeder-tape to the carrier-tape; and attaching the first end of the feeder-tape to the return wheel.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to a Provisional Application Serial No. 60/107,600, filed Nov. 9, 1998.

US Referenced Citations (7)
Number Name Date Kind
4704185 Fischer Nov 1987 A
4954210 Desmond Sep 1990 A
5581347 Rodriguez Dec 1996 A
5806713 Dudley et al. Sep 1998 A
5863384 Reddy Jan 1999 A
5938070 Welborn et al. Aug 1999 A
6171439 Groeneweg Jan 2001 B1
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/107600 Nov 1998 US