U.S. patent application number 11/762624 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-17 for bead dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOOSE ENTERPRISE PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Jacquiline Hazel Tobias.
Application Number | 20080011773 11/762624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38370352 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080011773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tobias; Jacquiline Hazel |
January 17, 2008 |
BEAD DISPENSER
Abstract
A bead dispenser comprising an elongated housing in which beads
are held in at least two separated bead columns, and a dispensing
nozzle at one end of the elongated housing through which the beads
are dispensed. A dispensing mechanism dispenses beads from a
column, whereby one of the bead columns is selected from which to
dispense a bead through the bead dispenser.
Inventors: |
Tobias; Jacquiline Hazel;
(Caulfield South, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
MOOSE ENTERPRISE PTY LTD
BENTLEIGH EAST
AU
|
Family ID: |
38370352 |
Appl. No.: |
11/762624 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/264 ;
221/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2583/0481 20130101;
B65D 83/0409 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/264 ;
221/276 |
International
Class: |
B65H 3/00 20060101
B65H003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2006 |
AU |
2006903817 |
Claims
1. A bead dispenser comprising: an elongated housing in which beads
are held in at least two separated bead columns, and a dispensing
nozzle at one end of the elongated housing through which the beads
are dispensed; and a dispensing mechanism to dispense beads from a
column, whereby one of the bead columns is selected from which to
dispense a bead through the dispensing nozzle.
2. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 1 whereby the elongated
housing comprises a dispensing casing coaxially aligned with a
storage casing, whereby the dispensing casing supports the
dispensing mechanism and the storage casing holds beads, wherein
the storage casing and dispensing casing are axially rotatable
relative to one another so as to align a selected bead column or
storage casing with the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing
casing.
3. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 2 wherein the dispensing
casing and storage casing are relatively rotatable over location
points that urge the casings to stop rotating at the location
points, the location points defining correct alignment of a bead
column in a storage casing with the dispensing mechanism in the
dispensing casing.
4. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 3 wherein the location
points are defined by a node and recess engagement between the
storage casing and the dispensing casing.
5. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 4 wherein a node is provided
on the storage casing and recesses are provided on the dispensing
casing, wherein each of the recesses are lined with a bead
column.
6. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 1 wherein the beads are
arranged in a single file within each bead column.
7. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 1 wherein the bead dispenser
contains two, four or six bead columns.
8. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 1 wherein the dispensing
mechanism is a biased movable body having a cavity through which at
least one bead is adapted to pass through the dispensing
nozzle.
9. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 7 wherein a trigger
associated with the dispensing mechanism is activated to align the
cavity with a bead column to allow a bead in that column to enter
the dispensing mechanism.
10. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 8 wherein releasing the
trigger moves the dispensing mechanism out of alignment with the
bead column and into alignment with the dispensing nozzle to allow
the bead to pass therethrough.
11. The bead dispenser claimed in claim 9 wherein the cavity of the
dispensing mechanism may hold more than one bead for dispensing the
more than one bead.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a bead dispenser for
holding and dispensing beads.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Beads and other small objects, whether circular or irregular
in shape, are commonly used in arts and craft activities for both
adults and children. Plastic, wooden, glass or metal beads are used
in making jewelry or decorating articles including clothing and
other fabrics. In a non-decorative sense beads, such as ball
bearings, are used in machinery and other mechanical devices.
[0003] Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) in the form of solid round beads are
also known to be used in children's artwork activities whereby
beads are arranged by color on a template to produce a pattern,
picture or the like. Water is then sprayed onto the template to
dissolve the beads and allow them to run into one another and
create blocks of color separated by partitions in the template and
thereby create a picture.
[0004] The problem with using beads and bead like objects, is that
given their small size and often spherical nature they are
difficult to handle and awkward to place and hold in position. This
has brought about the present invention which addresses the
difficulty in handling beads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
bead dispenser comprising:
[0006] an elongated housing in which beads are held in at least two
separated bead columns, and a dispensing nozzle at one end of the
elongated housing through which beads are dispensed; and
[0007] a dispensing mechanism to dispense beads from a bead column,
whereby one of the bead columns is selected from which to dispense
a bead through the dispensing nozzle.
[0008] Preferably, the bead dispenser dispenses at least two types
of beads. In a preferred embodiment the bead dispenser includes
four bead columns, and in another embodiment the dispenser may
comprise six or more bead columns. The bead columns in the
preferred embodiment are in the form of extruded or molded plastic
tubes that may be held in position in the housing by gluing and/or
retaining the tubes by molded partitions inside the housing.
[0009] The housing preferably comprises two co-axial components: a
dispensing casing which houses the dispensing mechanism; and a
storage casing which holds the beads. The storage casing and
dispensing casing are rotatable relative to one another such that
one casing may be twisted relative to the other casing about a
common axis. This is to align one bead column with the dispensing
mechanism thereby allowing beads to be individually dispensed from
that selected column.
[0010] The storage casing and dispensing casing are preferably held
in locked engagement in the axial direction but are permitted to
relatively rotate around the common axis. Preferably, the casings
are rotatable over location points which urge the casings to stop
rotating at the location points whereby each location point
corresponds with a bead column. The location points are preferably
defined by a node and recess engagement between the storage casing
and dispensing casing.
[0011] The beads are preferably arranged in a single file within
each bead column. The beads are typically of different colors and
similar sizes.
[0012] The dispensing mechanism is preferably a biased mechanism
including a moveable body having a cavity through which a bead is
adapted to pass from an inlet to an outlet. A trigger associated
with the dispensing mechanism is activated to align the inlet with
a bead column to allow a bead in that column to enter the body.
Releasing the trigger moves the dispensing mechanism body out of
alignment with a bead column and into a position whereby the outlet
is aligned with the dispensing nozzle to allow a bead in the
dispensing mechanism to dispense through the nozzle.
[0013] A spring is preferably located between the body of the
dispensing mechanism and the interior of the dispensing casing.
[0014] The storage casing preferably includes a moveable lid to
allow for access for filling the storage casing with beads. The lid
is preferably funnel shaped and contains a central hole through
which a bead can pass. The lid is shaped to hold an amount of beads
that is substantially equal to the number of beads required to fill
a bead column.
[0015] The bead dispenser also preferably includes a removal tool
for picking up a bead. The tool includes a stem and a portion of
adhesive material on the end of the stem whereby the stem can be
inserted into the hole of the lid. The adhesive material is
preferably thermoplastic rubber (TPR).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention,
will now be described by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of bead dispenser in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side sectional elevation of the bead
dispenser;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken at section A-A of FIG.
2;
[0020] FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) illustrate a series of operational
steps of the bead dispenser from a plan sectional view taken at
section B-B of FIG. 2; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the bead dispenser
illustrating a bead removal tool separated from the bead
dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Illustrated in the drawings is a bead dispenser 10 for
dispensing beads 12 from an interior of the bead dispenser 10. The
bead dispenser provides a useful and manageable means for handling
beads in a controlled manner. In the preferred embodiment shown the
bead dispenser is used for dispensing beads used in arts and
crafts, and more particularly dissolvable PVA beads.
[0023] The bead dispenser 10 comprises an elongated housing 14
wherein the housing 14 consists of an upper storage casing 16
co-axially connected to a lower dispensing casing 18. The beads 12
are stored in the storage casing 16 and are adapted to enter the
dispensing casing through a dispensing mechanism 20 and to exit the
bead dispenser 10 through a dispensing nozzle 15 located at a lower
end of the dispenser 10. The storage casing 16 is elongated and
adapted to hold at least two separated bead columns 30.
[0024] The storage casing 16 and dispensing casing 18 extend
co-axially along a common axis 50. They are held in locked
engagement in the axial direction and are rotatably engaged such
that the casings are rotatable relative to each other about axis
50. The rotational relationship between the storage casing 16 and
dispensing casing 18 allows one casing to be twisted relative to
the other about the common axis so as to align a selected bead
column 30 with dispensing mechanism 20 and allow a bead from that
column to be dispensed.
[0025] Location points between the storage and dispensing casings
urge the casings to stop rotating at the location points. The
location points are aligned with each bead column and define
correct alignment of each bead column with the dispensing mechanism
20 such that bead dispensing can occur.
[0026] The interaction between the location points and bead column
is defined by a node and recess type engagement. Specifically, the
storage casing 16 is provided with either a node or recess and the
dispensing casing 18 is provided with corresponding recesses or
nodes. Typically, and as shown in the drawings and in particular
FIG. 3, a node 42 on the storage casing engages with a recess 44
provided on the dispensing casing. A recess 44 is provided with
each bead column such that as the casings are rotated the node 42
will engage with a recess 44 corresponding to a bead column 30 and
the user is made aware when a bead column is correctly aligned. The
location points also hold the bead column correctly aligned during
use. A further twisting force overcomes the node and recess
engagement to allow the casings to rotate past a location point to
the next location point.
[0027] Because the housing 14 includes at least two separated bead
columns 30 the bead dispenser is capable of dispensing at least two
types of beads, and usually similar shaped beads of different
colors. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings the
dispenser includes four bead columns 30 whereby four different
beads may be dispensed. It is understood that larger versions of
the bead dispenser may hold more than four bead columns, such as
six bead columns.
[0028] The bead columns are in the form of extruded or molded
plastic tubes 32 which are filled with beads 12. Tubes 32 are
typically glued in position inside the storage casing 16 and may be
further held in position in a separated manner from the other tubes
by molded partitions 34 inside the storage casing 16. Partitions 34
have the effect of retaining tubes 32 in position before the glue
used to position the tubes has set or if glue is not used.
[0029] It is understood that the bead columns may not be in the
form of tubes but may simply be defined by the partitions 34
themselves or another arrangement for separating the beads, for
example a hollow passage defined by the casing interior.
[0030] The beads 12 are preferably arranged in a single file within
each column 30 although the columns may be wider to hold beads
stacked randomly. In a preferred embodiment, the bead dispenser
holds beads of different colors and of similar sizes.
[0031] The dispensing mechanism 20 is preferably a biased mechanism
that includes a moveable dispensing body 22 having a cavity 24
where the body is moveable laterally across the width of the
dispensing casing 18. An inlet aperture 26 is provided in the body
22 above the cavity 24 and an outlet aperture 28 is provided in the
body 22 below the cavity 24. The apertures are offset such that the
beads are made to follow a diverted path through the body from the
inlet to the outlet and on through the dispensing nozzle. A sloping
ramp 27 inside cavity 24 urges a bead entering through inlet
aperture 26 towards outlet aperture 28 to place the bead in
position at the outlet aperture 28 ready for dispensing when the
mechanism is released.
[0032] The biased dispensing mechanism is activated by a trigger in
the form of a push button 25 located on the exterior of the housing
and forming an extension of the dispensing mechanism body. FIG.
4(a) illustrates the dispensing mechanism 20 in a rest/released
position. The button 25 extends through an opening 19 in the
dispensing casing and is pressed in order to move the dispensing
mechanism body radially across the dispensing casing to a pressed
position as illustrated in FIG. 4(b) to align the inlet aperture
directly underneath a bead column. This allows access of a bead 12
in the column into the cavity 24.
[0033] Releasing the button 25 allows the dispensing mechanism body
22 to return back across the dispensing casing to the released
position illustrated in FIG. 4(c) and thereby close the access of
the bearing columns to the cavity. This in turn aligns the outlet
aperture 28 with a corresponding aperture 29 in the dispensing
casing 18. This allows access for beads in the body to pass under
gravity through to and out of the dispensing nozzle.
[0034] When the mechanism is in a pushed position and the
dispensing mechanism is ready to receive a bead, outlet aperture 28
is misaligned with its corresponding outlet 29 in the dispensing
casing body so to prevent beads from escaping through the
dispensing mechanism while the button 25 is pushed. In practice,
the size and shape of cavity 24 may be such to hold two or more
beads so that more than one bead is dispensed upon release of the
button. Alternatively, the dispensing mechanism 20 may be
structured to dispense only one bead with every press and release
of the button.
[0035] The dispensing mechanism is spring biased towards the
released/rest position illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(c). A spring
23 is located between the movable body 22 and the dispensing casing
18.
[0036] At the opposite end of the elongated housing to the
dispensing nozzle there is provided a removable lid 35 which is
removed to provide access to the storage casing 16 for refilling
the bead columns. The lid is preferably shaped as a funnel and has
a central hollow sleeve 36 through which a bead can pass. The
amount of beads that can be held in the funnel of the lid is
substantially equal to the number of beads required to fill a bead
column. To assist a user with filling the bead columns the sleeve
36 is placed inside a bead column tube and the funnel lid filled
with beads. The beads will then flow under gravity through the
shaft 26 and into the tube.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5 the bead dispenser 10 may also
comprise a bead removal tool 52 which is used to pick up a stray or
misplaced bead to replace the bead in the dispenser or elsewhere.
Removal tool 52 comprises a stem 54 and an adhesive portion, or pad
56, which inserts into one end of stem 54. Adhesive pad 56 is made
of a thermoplastic rubber or a similar material having adhesive and
sticky qualities and to which a bead will attach for picking
up.
[0038] Removal tool 52 may be stored in hollow sleeve 36 in the lid
35 with adhesive pad 56 exposed. Removal tool 52 may be used either
on its own separated from the housing 14 of bead dispenser 10 as
illustrated in FIG. 5 or may be used while stored in situ in lid
35. A cap (not shown) may cover adhesive pad 56 and protect it from
dirt and the like.
[0039] The bead dispenser is similar in shape to a pen. It allows a
user to easily manipulate a variety of bead types in a simple and
effective manner. In terms of beads used for decorating the bead
dispenser 10 reduces any difficulties and frustrations associated
with handling and placing beads in position where required.
[0040] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the
invention that many modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *