Patent Grant
6837395
The present invention is directed to sheet dispensers and uses for sheet dispensers. The present invention is further directed to methods of making sheet dispensers and applications using sheet dispensers.
Sheet dispensers are known in the art. Various sheet dispensers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,320 issued to Miles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,168 issued to Mertens et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,595 issued to Mertens et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,356 issued to Bastiaens et al., all of which are assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company (St. Paul, Minn.), and all of which are herein incorporated by reference. Known sheet dispensers provide sheets or flags, such as Post-it® notes or flags, to a user.
The present invention is directed to new sheet dispensers, which provide sheets to a user, but also provide one or more additional features.
The present invention is directed to new sheet dispensers, which provide one or more types of feedback to a user and/or one or more unique functions. The sheet dispensers of the present invention provide one or more types of feedback and/or functions due to the movement of a stack of sheets within the sheet dispenser. As a user removes a sheet from the sheet dispenser, the stack of sheets moves from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser. This movement of the stack of sheets either directly or indirectly provides feedback to a user and/or some event to take place. Examples of feedback include, but are not limited to, visual feedback, audio feedback, aromatic feedback, or a combination thereof. Exemplary events include, but are not limited to, associating data with a given sheet removed from the sheet dispenser.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers provide visual feedback to a user, wherein the visual feedback is indicia, which is at least partially blocked from view by the stack of sheets. As the stack of sheets moves from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser, the indicia becomes viewable to a user. The indicia may be any indicia including, but not limited to, printed text, handwritten text, artwork, etc. The sheet dispenser may be utilized as an advertising media by providing visual feedback to a user in the form of a company logo or slogan. In addition, the advertising sheet dispenser may also provide audio feedback in the form of sound alone or in combination with visual advertising feedback. For example, the sheet dispenser may provide visual feedback in the form of a company name or logo, as well as, audio feedback in the form of a company slogan or theme song.
In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sheet dispensers provide one or more unique functions resulting in the occurrence of an event. For example, the sheet dispenser may act as a switch to turn “on” or “off” a switch-activated device, such as a lamp, a sound system or an alarm clock. In this embodiment, as the stack of sheets moves from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser, the movement of the stack of sheets causes a signal (or electrical current) to be sent to a signal-receiving device (or switch-activated device).
The sheet dispensers of the present invention may also function as a room deodorizer providing aromatic feedback, such as a desirable scent. In this embodiment, removal of an individual sheet may produce the aromatic feedback. Alternatively, movement of the stack of sheets from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser may cause a signal (or electrical current) to be sent to a scent-generating device, which produces the aromatic feedback.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers provide a flame for use as a match or other fire-starting device. In this embodiment, removal of an individual sheet may produce the flame. Alternatively, movement of the stack of sheets from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser may cause a signal (or electrical current) to be sent to a fire-starting device, which produces the flame.
The present invention is also directed to methods of using the new sheet dispensers, and systems containing at least one sheet dispenser of the present invention. The sheet dispensers of the present invention may be used in an office or home environment to provide one or more types of feedback to a user and/or one or more unique functions. As discussed above, the sheet dispensers of the present invention may be used as a switch for activating a switch-activatable device. The sheet dispensers may cooperate with a signal-receiving device, such as a personal computer, for associating data with a given sheet removed from the sheet dispenser. Other applications include, but are not limited to, use as an advertising media, use as a room deodorizer, use as a flame-generating device, and combinations thereof.
The present invention is further directed to methods of making sheet dispensers, which provide one or more types of feedback and/or functions as described above.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.
To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.
The present invention is directed to a variety of sheet dispensers, each of which provides (i) feedback to a user, and/or (ii) one or more unique functions in addition to dispensing sheets. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser may be used as an advertising medium, providing visual and/or audio feedback to a user. In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser provides a unique function by operating as a switch, generating a signal to be received by one or more switch-activated devices. In a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser may provide aromatic feedback by operating as a room deodorizer, wherein (i) the act of removing a sheet from the sheet dispenser or (ii) the movement of the stack of sheets within the sheet dispenser creates a desirable scent for a user. In a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser may provide aromatic feedback, as well as, provide a unique function by generating a flame to provide heat and/or light to a user, wherein (i) the act of removing a sheet from the sheet dispenser or (ii) the movement of the stack of sheets within the sheet dispenser creates the flame.
The present invention is further directed to a variety of applications using the sheet dispensers alone or in combination with additional signal-receiving devices and/or switch-activatable devices. The present invention is further directed to a method of activating a switch, wherein the method comprises a step of at least partially removing a sheet from a sheet dispenser.
The sheet dispensers of the present invention may have a size and shape similar to conventional sheet dispensers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,320 issued to Miles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,168 issued to Mertens et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,595 issued to Mertens et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,356 issued to Bastiaens et al., all of which are assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company (St. Paul, Minn.), and all of which are herein incorporated by reference. A description of exemplary sheet dispensers of the present invention, methods of making sheet dispensers, and uses is given below.
Sheet dispensers of the present invention comprise one or more components as described below.
A. Housing
An exemplary sheet dispenser is shown in FIG. 1. Sheet dispenser 10 comprises housing 11 having an upper housing portion 12 attached to a lower housing portion 13. Upper housing portion 12 has an upper surface 14 and side walls 15, which provide a housing height, hh, suitable for containing a stack of sheets. Upper housing portion 12 may be temporarily or permanently attached to lower housing portion 13 along perimeter 16. As shown in
The exemplary sheet dispenser as shown in
Housing 11 of sheet dispenser 10 may comprise a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastic, paper, glass, metal, or a combination thereof. Desirably, housing 11 is formed from a moldable plastic material. In one embodiment of the present invention, upper housing portion 12 comprises a molded plastic material and lower housing portion 13 comprises a paper substrate. In some cases, it is desirable for the upper housing portion 12 and/or the lower housing portion 13 to be formed from a transparent material so that a user can visually inspect the interior of sheet dispenser 10 enclosed by upper housing portion 12 and lower housing portion 13.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser comprises a transparent upper housing portion 12 and a lower housing portion 13, wherein an upper surface of lower housing portion 13 is coatable or printable. Printed messages, slogans, symbols, handwritten notes, or any other indicia may be adhered to, coated, printed, or written onto the upper surface of lower housing portion 13 as described below with reference to
Although not required, upper housing portion 12 and/or lower housing portion 13 may further comprise stack restrictors (not shown) along one or more interior edges of upper housing portion 12 and/or lower housing portion 13. The stack restrictors restrict the movement of the stack of sheets within housing 11 so that the stack of sheets moves in a single, straight shuttle pathway between a first position and a second position within sheet dispenser with substantially no movement perpendicular to the single shuttle pathway.
B. Stack of Sheets
The sheet dispensers of the present invention further comprise a stack of sheets positioned within housing 11 of sheet dispenser 10. The stack of sheets comprises one or more sheets releasably attached to one another to form a stack. An exemplary individual sheet suitable for use in the stack of sheets is shown in FIG. 2.
As shown in
One or more individual sheets 20 may be combined to form a stack of sheets suitable for use in the sheet dispenser of the present invention.
As shown in
In
The movement of stack of sheets 30 to one or more intermediate positions or “stops” between a first position 31 and a second position 32 may be facilitated by using a stack of sheets formed from individual sheets as shown in FIG. 4. Individual sheet 40 may comprise a rectangular layer 41 having a first end 42, a second end 43, an intermediate portion 44, and an end portion 45 opposite tab portion 17. In this embodiment, rectangular layer 41 has a first adhesive coating 46 on a lower surface of end portion 45 and a second adhesive coating 47 covering a portion of a lower surface of intermediate portion 44. Individual sheet 40 may be incorporated into a stack of similar sheets and positioned within sheet dispenser 10 as shown in FIG. 5.
As shown in
It should be noted that two or more separate and disconnected adhesive coatings (e.g., coatings 46 and 47) may be present on a lower surface of an individual sheet in order to have multiple intermediate stops as the individual sheet is removed from sheet dispenser 10. Further, the location of the adhesive coatings may be adjusted along the lower surface of each individual sheet to control the “stop” locations of stack of sheets 30 within sheet dispenser 10 between first position 31 and second position 32.
It should be understood that other methods of producing multiple intermediate stops may be used in the present invention in addition to or independent from multiple adhesive coatings as described above. For example, stack of sheets 30 may be stopped mechanically at multiple locations between first position 31 and second position 32 within sheet dispenser 10 by placing mechanical barriers along the pathway between first position 31 and second position 32. Suitable mechanical barriers may include, but are not limited to, protrusions extending upward from the lower housing portion 13, protrusions extending downward from the upper housing portion 12, protrusions extending horizontally from side walls 15 of upper housing portion 12, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, a mechanical switch or electrical contact may be used to temporarily stop stack of sheets 30 between first position 31 and second position 32.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, individual sheets 40 may be coated with high release material and low release material to provide low adhesion and higher adhesion between adjacent sheets. For example, an upper surface of each individual sheet 40 may be coated with (1) one or more strips of high release material to provide one or more areas of low adhesion between adjacent sheets, and (2) one or more strips of low release material to provide one or more areas of higher adhesion between adjacent sheets. As a user pulls on an individual sheet, the stack of sheets 30 moves from first position 31 to one or more intermediate positions between first position 31 and second position 32 depending on the number of high adhesion regions on the individual sheet (i.e., the pulling force extended by a user is enough to overcome a single high adhesion region).
The dimensions of stack of sheets 30 may vary depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, individual sheet size, number of individual sheets in the stack, and the dimensions of the sheet dispenser. The height of stack of sheets 30, hs, is less than housing height, hh, in order to provide free movement of stack of sheets 30 within sheet dispenser 10. Typically, the height of stack of sheets 30, hs, is less than about 90% of housing height, hh. Desirably, stack of sheets 30 contains from about one to about 500 individual sheets, more desirably, from about one to about 100 individual sheets.
Individual sheets 40 within stack of sheets 30 may also have a given shape and dimensions, which vary depending on the given application. Although individual sheets are described throughout the present invention as having a rectangular shape, it should be noted that individual sheets may have any shape. Suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, circular, oblong, rhombus, trapezoidal, barbell, diamond, or any other shape. Typically, each individual sheet has a thickness ranging from about 0.001 to about 0.01 centimeters. As discussed above, individual sheets 40 may be formed from a variety of sheet-forming materials. Suitable sheet-forming materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, paper, metal, or combinations thereof. Desirably, the sheet-forming material comprises a polymeric material, such as, polyester (PET), polypropylene, or cellulose acetate.
Stack of sheets 30 may comprise individual sheets 40 without additional components or may comprise one or more additional components. In one embodiment of the present invention, stack of sheets 30 comprises one or more individual sheets 40 positioned on a substrate referred to as a “backsheet” (shown and described further in
A variety of adhesives may be used to form an outer coating on the individual sheets including, but not limited to, repositionable pressure sensitive adhesives and permanent PSAs. Examples of suitable repositionable pressure sensitive adhesives include, but are not limited to, repositionable pressure sensitive adhesives disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,140 issued to Silver, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,152 issued to Baker et al., both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
C. Activatable Device
In embodiments of the present invention wherein movement of the stack of sheets within the sheet dispenser generates a signal or electrical current, the sheet dispensers comprise at least one activatable device 99. Each activatable device 99 is capable of detecting and responding to movement of the stack of sheets 30 within housing 11 of sheet dispenser 10. Suitable activatable devices 99 include, but are not limited to, mechanical switches, photodiodes, electrical contacts, or combinations thereof. A number of exemplary sheet dispensers containing one or more activatable devices 99 are disclosed in
A variety of mechanical switches may be used in the present invention as suitable mechanical switches 61 and 62. Suitable mechanical switches include any pair of conductive members, which are positioned in stationary positions relative to one another and may be connected to one another via pressure exerted on one or both of the conductive members. Suitable conductive members include, but are not limited to, conductive wire, film, foil, and a substrate coated with a conductive material.
Although not shown in
Although not shown, stack of sheets 30 moves to second position 32 once sheet 41a is completely removed from sheet dispenser 10 disconnecting first electrical contact 81 from second electrical contact 82. Electrical contacts 81 and 82 may be formed from any conductive material and have a structural shape, similar to conductive members described above. The area dimensions of contact surfaces of electrical contacts 81 and 82 may be the same size or may differ from one another. In one embodiment, the stationary electrical contact (i.e., electrical contact 81) may have a larger contact surface area than the mobile electrical contact (i.e., electrical contact 82) to ensure proper connection between the stationary electrical contact and the mobile electrical contact even if the stack position varies slightly along the single pathway between first position 31 and second position 32.
It should be noted that in each of the embodiments disclosed in
D. Power Source
The sheet dispensers of the present invention may comprise a power source either within the sheet dispenser or connected thereto. Suitable power sources include, but are not limited to, direct current (DC) from a DC power supply or alternating current (AC) from an AC power supply. Desirably, the sheet dispenser contains one or more batteries or solar cells within the sheet dispenser or is connected to an external power source, such as an AC power supply (i.e., wall plug) or a universal serial bus (USB) port from a personal computer.
E. Optional Components
In addition to the sheet dispenser components described above, the sheet dispensers may comprise one or more optional components either within the sheet dispenser or externally connected to the sheet dispenser as described below and as shown in FIG. 9.
1. Electronics
As described previously with respect to
2. Speaker/Sound Generating Device
As shown in
3. Lights
In some embodiments of the present invention, the sheet dispensers may comprise one or more lights positioned within the sheet dispenser or externally connected to the sheet dispenser to provide visual feedback or heat to a user.
4. Other Electrical Devices
In some embodiments of the present invention, the sheet dispenser may be externally connected to one or more signal-receiving devices 500, including electrical devices other than lights to provide any of the above-mentioned types of feedback or some other function for a user. Suitable signal-receiving devices 500 include, but are not limited to, a gas burner, a gas log fireplace, a stopwatch or timer, an alarm clock, a vehicle ignition system, a room deodorizer, and a stove or other appliance.
5. Personal Computing Device
In one desired embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser provides a signal to signal-receiving device 500 in the form of an external personal computing device. Suitable personal computing devices include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a calculator, a hand-held computer, an electronic hand-held organizer (e.g., a Palm® pilot, manufactured by Palm Inc., Milpitas, Calif.), an email-receiving device (e.g., a BlackBerry® wireless e-mail device, manufactured by Research In Motion, Ltd., Waterloo, ON, Canada), a cell phone or other portable computing device.
In one exemplary sheet dispenser system of the present invention, the sheet dispenser system comprises (i) a sheet dispenser containing (a) one or more activatable devices and (b) electronics for communicating with a signal-receiving device, in combination with (ii) a personal computer. In this embodiment, at least one of activatable device produces a signal, which is received by a microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the received signal and sends a message to a personal computer. The message send by the microprocessor passes through a universal serial port (USB) interface and a USB port of the personal computer. In this exemplary embodiment, power may be supplied to the electronics (i.e., microprocessor) and the activatable device from the personal computer through the USB port of the personal computer and the USB interface within the electronics. It should be noted that the sheet dispenser containing at least one activatable device may also contain a separate power source within the sheet dispenser housing as described above.
One exemplary microprocessor suitable for use in the electronics of the sheet dispenser is an integrated circuit (IC) designated EZ-USB, which is commercially available from Cypress Semiconductor (Santa Clara, Calif.). It should be noted that the present invention is not limited in any way to the EZ-USB IC, which is provided as one example of a suitable electronic component for use in the present invention.
6. Scent-Producing Components
In a further desired embodiment, the sheet dispensers of the present invention produce aromatic feedback to a user. In this embodiment, the sheet dispensers of the present invention contain one or more scent-producing components. One such dispenser is shown in FIG. 10.
In this embodiment, all of the sheets within stack of sheets 30 may have a coating on an upper surface of each sheet. As shown in
Suitable hollow spheres, fragrances and perfume include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,487,801; 4,493,869; 4,720,417; 4,720,413; 4,889,755; 4,925,517; 5,039,243; and 5,391,374, the entirety of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the scent-producing components are present as a perfume or fragrance on an outer surface of each individual sheet of the stack of sheets. In this embodiment, the configuration of the stack of sheets minimizes exposure of the perfume or fragrance into the environment until an individual sheet is removed from the stack of sheets. In other words, the perfume or fragrance is contained between adjacent sheets within the stack of sheets, but not encapsulated as with the hollow spheres described above. By removing an individual sheet from the stack of sheets, an exposed surface of the individual sheet releases perfume or fragrance into the environment. It should be noted that in this embodiment, textured or roughened surface material 111 described in
As described above, in other embodiments of the present invention, movement of the stack of sheets from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser may cause a signal (or electrical current) to be sent to a scent-generating device, which produces aromatic feedback to a user. The scent-generating device may comprise a room deodorizer or pump sprayer.
7. Flame-Producing Components
In yet a further desired embodiment, the sheet dispensers of the present invention produce feedback to a user in the form of a flame. In this embodiment, the sheet dispensers of the present invention may contain flame-producing components. Referring again to
As described above, in other embodiments of the present invention, movement of the stack of sheets from a first location to a second location within the sheet dispenser may cause a signal (or electrical current) to be sent to a fire-starting device, which produces the flame.
The present invention is also directed to a method of making sheet dispensers, which are capable of providing one or more types of feedback and/or a unique function to a user. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method of making sheet dispensers comprises incorporating one or more activatable devices 99 into the housing (11 and 12) of the sheet dispenser 10. The one or more activatable devices 99 may be positioned within the housing (11 and 12) so as to detect movement of a stack of sheets 30 within the housing (11 and 12). The method may further comprise incorporating one or more additional components within or connected to the sheet dispenser 10 as described above. Each component may be attached to the housing (11 and 12) or other sheet dispenser component using conventional techniques including, but not limited to, adhesives, soldering, mechanical fasteners (i.e., screws, etc.).
Typically, as shown in
In some embodiments of the present invention, the method of making sheet dispenser 10 comprises incorporating electronic circuitry into the sheet dispenser 10. In one embodiment of the present invention, electronic circuitry (not shown) is printed directly onto a surface of upper housing portion 12, lower housing portion 13, shuttle substrate 64 (shown in FIGS. 6A-6B), backsheet 84 (shown in FIGS. 8A-8B), or a combination thereof. Printing techniques suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, ink jet printing, screen printing, and conventional etching/photoresist methods. Electronic circuitry may also be printed onto an adhesive label, which is subsequently adhered to a surface of upper housing portion 12, lower housing portion 13, shuttle substrate 64 (shown in FIGS. 6A-6B), backsheet 84 (shown in FIGS. 8A-8B), or a combination thereof.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the method of making sheet dispenser 10 comprises applying a textured or roughened coating material 111 onto a surface of upper housing portion 12 in order to increase the amount of friction between a sheet 50a being removed from the sheet dispenser 10 and an interior surface 110 of the housing in the vicinity of the sheet dispenser slot (as shown in FIG. 10). The textured or roughened coating material 111 may comprise a material suitable for rupturing hollow spheres when the hollow spheres come into contact with the textured or roughened coating material 111. Alternatively, the textured or roughened coating material 111 may comprise a matchbox-like material, which causes a match or match-like material to ignite during contact with the textured or roughened coating material 111. In this embodiment, the method may further comprise a step of coating an upper surface of an individual sheet, wherein the coating 112 comprises (1) hollow spheres containing a fragrance or perfume, or (2) a match-like material.
The step of applying a roughened or textured material 111 proximate slot 18 of sheet dispenser 10 may be performed in a number of ways including, but not limited to, a coating process or a molding process. The roughened or textured material 111 may be coated onto a surface of upper housing portion 12 using conventional coating methods. Alternatively, roughened or textured material 111 may be applied to a surface of upper housing portion 12 during a molding process, wherein (i) a strip of roughened or textured material 111 is positioned on the thermoformable part used to form upper housing portion 12 (i.e., prior to or after an initial molding step to form upper housing portion 12), and (ii) then subjected to a molding step to secure the roughened or textured material 111 to the thermoformable part.
As discussed above, the sheet dispensers have a number of new uses unlike conventional sheet dispensers. A few exemplary uses are given below.
A. Use as an Advertising Medium
In one desired embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser 10 provides visual and/or audio feedback to a user in the form of an advertising medium. An exemplary sheet dispenser of the present invention suitable for use as an advertising medium is shown in FIG. 11.
Any coated, printed or written image may be present on one or more of first region 131, second region 132 and third region 133. The coated, printed or written image may be any indicia, such as a company name or slogan, or may be any other message or image for a viewing sheet dispenser user. As shown in
In
As discussed above, a coated, printed or written image may be present in any one of first region 131, second region 132 and third region 133. In one embodiment of the present invention, indicia may be present in all three regions, such that indicia in second region 132 is viewable once all of the individual sheets in stack of sheets 30 are dispensed. One example of this embodiment is a sheet dispenser game, wherein the prize is displayed in second region 132. A top schematic view of an exemplary sheet dispenser 10 suitable for use as a sheet dispenser game is shown in FIG. 13.
The exemplary sheet dispenser 10 shown in
In any of the above described sheet dispensers suitable for use as an advertising medium, the sheet dispenser may contain one or more additional features described above including, but not limited to, a sound-generating device, a scent-generating device, a light-generating device; a flame-generating device, and a switch-activating device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser as shown in
It should be understood that in any of the above described sheet dispensers including those suitable for use as an advertising medium, individual sheets within the stack of sheets may be printed or coated with a desired image, indicia or message to a user.
B. Use as a Switch
In one desired embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers may be used to provide a unique function, namely as a switch as described above. The sheet dispenser switch may be used to turn “on” or “off” one or more electrical devices. The sheet dispenser switch may be activated by one or more methods described below.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a first method of activating a switch is disclosed, wherein the method comprises a step of at least partially removing a first sheet from a stack of sheets within a sheet dispenser, wherein the step of at least partially removing a first sheet moves the stack of sheets from a first position to an intermediate position between the first position and a second position within the sheet dispenser (as was previously described with respect to
In the first method or the second method, the method may further comprise one or more of the following steps:
In a further desired embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispenser is used in combination with a personal computer to provide a particular function and/or feedback to a user, namely, the ability to associate data inputted into a computer with a particular flag removed from the sheet dispenser. The sheet dispenser may be connected to a personal computer via a USB port. Each sheet removed from the sheet dispenser may be associated with a set of data entered into the personal computer via a user interface, such as a keyboard, document scanning device, etc. For example, a sheet removed from the sheet dispenser may be placed on a document to flag the document. Data related to the document may already be in the personal computer or may be entered immediately prior to or after removal of the sheet from the sheet dispenser.
In this embodiment, a method of associating a set of data with one or more sheets removed from a sheet dispenser is disclosed, wherein the method comprises (a) at least partially removing a first sheet from a stack of sheets within a sheet dispenser, wherein the step of at least partially removing a first sheet shifts the stack of sheets from a first position to a second position within the sheet dispenser; and (b) inputting a set of data into a personal computer via a user interface, wherein the set of data is associated with the first sheet.
In this embodiment, computer software on the personal computer may be used to monitor the activity of the switch. Upon receiving a signal generated by the switch in the dispenser (i.e., a change in position of the stack of sheets), the software executes one or more appropriate actions, such as initiation of KwikTag™ software, a software package commercially available from ImageTag, Inc. (Chandler, Ariz.). Coupling of the sheet dispenser of the present invention with the KwikTag™ software leads to a number of desirable results.
Prior to the present invention, a user was required to enter a barcode value from a first tag (or sheet) of a new pad (i.e., stack of sheets) into the KwikTag™ software. After each tag (or sheet) was dispensed and attached to a document, the user was required to launch the software, enter the tag number on the document, move to the data entry interface, and then add descriptors for the document to be scanned. While the KwikTag™ software was sophisticated enough to assist the user in every phase of this operation, the loose coupling of (1) the tag dispensing operation, (2) the scanning of documents, and (3) the entry of data offered significant opportunity for errors, especially omission errors. As with any loosely coupled system, the opportunity for tags and associated data to become “out of sync” was significant and created a generally unsatisfactory system.
The present invention eliminates possible errors in the above-described process. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user still enters the first barcode number from the first sheet of a new pad (or stack or sheets). When a document is to be scanned, a tag is dispensed. The resident software on the PC senses the dispenser's switch activation, and launches the KwikTag™ software. The interface of the software is immediately switched to the data entry interface, with the barcode number of the current tag. Upon completing the data entry, the user submits the document description, the counter increments by one, and the KwikTag™ software closes. The resident software then continues to monitor the USB port for further sheet dispensing. Bar codes from additional tags removed from the sheet dispenser are already calculated by the software, eliminating the need to input additional barcode information. By tying the dispensing action directly to the data entry interface, the coupling between the physical, tagged document and its associated digital data is tightened significantly, increasing system accuracy and user satisfaction, while streamlining the document archiving process.
D. Use as a Scent-Generating Device
In another embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers may be used as a scent-generating device as described above.
E. Use as a Flame-Generating Device
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers may be used as a flame-generating device as described above.
F. Use as a Switch and a Scent-Generating Device
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the sheet dispensers may be used as both a switch and a scent-generating device (or a flame-generating device) as described above. For example, the switch component of the sheet dispenser may turn off an alarm clock when a sheet is removed from the sheet dispenser, while the scent-generating component provides a fresh scent to aid in waking-up a user.
While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040099678 A1 | May 2004 | US |
