Dispenser for elastomeric monofilament cord used in beading

Abstract

A dispenser for elastomeric monofilament is provided. The dispenser has a hollow lower half hingedly joined to a mating hollow upper half. Each half has a peripheral wall with vertically extending sidewalls defining an interior and an exterior to the dispenser. A pair of hubs is formed in the sidewalls of one of the halves and a reel is rotably disposed between the hubs. The reel has elastomeric monofilament therearound. A passage from the interior to the exterior of the dispenser is formed at a junction between the halves by a channel formed in each half having a sinuous path through the peripheral wall thereof. The channels are configured such that a sinuous passage is formed from the interior of the dispenser to the exterior of the dispenser by the juxtaposition of the channels when the halves are joined to each other.

Claims

1. A dispenser for elastomeric monofilament comprising a hollow lower half hingedly joined to a mating hollow upper half, each half having a peripheral wall comprising vertically extending sidewalls defining an interior and an exterior to said dispenser, a pair of hubs being formed in sidewalls of one of said halves, a reel having elastomeric monofilament therearound being rotably disposed between said hubs, a passage from the interior of said dispenser to the exterior being formed at a junction between said halves by a channel formed in each half having a sinuous path through the peripheral wall thereof, said channels being configured such that a sinuous passage is formed from the interior of said dispenser to the exterior of said dispenser by the juxtaposition of said channels when said halves are joined to each other.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said channels each have an ascending section and a descending section juxtaposable by joining of said halves to each other.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein said passageway from the interior to the exterior of said dispenser has a diameter of between about 0.8 and 1.0 mm.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said channels each have laterally veering paths joined by a horseshoe bend when passing through said peripheral wall, said laterally veering paths being juxtaposable to create a laterally veering sinuous passageway from the interior of said dispenser to the exterior when said halves are joined.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein said passageway from the interior to the exterior of said dispenser has a diameter of between about 0.8 and 1.0 mm.

6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said passageway from the interior to the exterior of said dispenser has a diameter of between about 0.8 and 1.0 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts. In the Figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a left elevation of the dispenser of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the dispenser of the present invention with the dispensing throat and built-in cutter visible.

(4) FIG. 3 is a right elevation of the dispenser the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view dispenser the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the throat of the dispenser of the present invention illustrating the path by which the elastomeric monofilament is removed from the dispenser.

(7) FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the central portion of FIG. 2 illustrating the opening of the throat of the dispenser of the present invention as well as the cutter positioned therebeneath.

(8) FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of the interlocking mechanism of the dispenser of the present invention illustrating the hinge joining the two halves of the dispenser as well as the overlapping lugged walls locking the hinge in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) The invention is described in detail below with reference to several embodiments and numerous examples. Such discussion is for purposes of illustration only. Modifications to particular examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent with the exemplary definitions set forth immediately below.

(10) With respect to the various ranges set forth herein, any upper limit recited may, of course, be combined with any lower limit for selected sub-ranges.

(11) Dispenser 10 comprises two mating halves, 12 and 14 joined at hinge 16 having hubs 18, 20 on opposing sidewalls 42 and 44 of lower half 14. Mating halves 12 and 14 are joined along junction line 26 with lugs 28 on upper half 12 nesting within recesses 30 on lower half 14 while halves 12 and 14 are hingedly joined together when pins 32 on upper half 12 are inserted into recesses 34 on lower half 14. The reel 64 carrying elastomeric monofilament 36 revolves around hubs 18 and 20 formed in sidewalls 42 and 44 of lower half 14. Hanging tab 46 is provided to ease display by merchants. Cutter 48 is provided beneath opening 50 of throat 52 on lower half 14 to facilitate severing of a desired length of elastomeric monofilament 36 after withdrawal thereof from dispenser 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, as elastomeric monofilament 36 is withdrawn through throat 52 it passes through horseshoe bend 54 in throat 52 created by the contours formed in the respective peripheral walls 60 and 62 of upper half 12 and lower half 14 respectively when closed over descending/ascending channel 56 formed in lower half 14 when descending/ascending channel 58 on upper half 12 is superposed thereover.

(12) Conveniently, dispenser 10 is formed by injection molding of high impact transparent thermopolymer to facilitate viewing of elastomeric monofilament 36 deployed therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, dispenser 10 is formed in the shape of a hexagonal prism to lend a distinctive appearance to Dispenser 10 when displayed in retail establishments. However, if desired, said dispenser may also present a cylindrical profile or any other convenient shape.

(13) While the invention has been described in detail, modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. In view of the foregoing discussion, relevant knowledge in the art and references discussed above in connection with the Background and Detailed Description, the disclosures of which are all incorporated herein by reference, further description is deemed unnecessary. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the invention and portions of various embodiments may be combined or interchanged either in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.