Wrapping Table Attachment For Dispensing Boxes

Abstract

Removable wrapping table attachment for use with dispensing boxes of wrapping material. The attachment includes a table on which objects can be wrapped and flanges which engage the box to hold the attachment in place.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a wrapping table attachment for use with a dispenser of wrapping material.

Wrapping materials such as plastic film are commonly supplied in disposable dispensing boxes for commerical and industrial use. In such boxes, the wrapping material is generally stored on a roller from which it can be drawn through an opening in the top of the box. A cutter is usually provided for cutting off a desired length of material. These boxes do not, however, provide means for supporting an object to be wrapped, and they are difficult to use, particularly with materials such as plastic film which tend to wrinkle and adhere to themselves unless held taut.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a removable wrapping table attachment which facilitates the use of dispensing boxes of wrapping material. The attachment includes a large table which rests on top of the box and a plurality of flanges which fit over the sides of the box to hold the table in place. The table has an elongated slot which overlies the opening in the box, and a cutting blade is provided along one edge of the table.

It is in general an object of the invention to provide a wrapping table attachment for use with dispensing boxes of wrapping material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrapping table attachment of the above character which is removably mounted on the dispensing box.

Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a wrapping table attachment incorporating the present invention mounted on a dispensing box.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a box and wrapping table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the box and wrapping table attachment shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings, the invention is illustrated in connection with a dispensing box 10 which contains a roll of wrapping material 11 such as plastic film. The box shown is generally rectangular, and it has a pair of side walls 12, a pair of end walls 13, a top wall 14, and a bottom wall 16. The wrapping material is wrapped on a roller 17 which is rotatably mounted in the box, and it can be drawn from the box through an elongated opening 18 in top wall 14.

The wrapping table attachment includes a generally horizontally extending planar table member 21 which rests upon the top wall 14 of the box and is supported thereby. The upper surface of the table member is adapted for supporting objects to be wrapped, and this surface is made substantially larger than the upper wall of the box. For example, for a box having an upper wall 15 inches long and 6 inches wide, the table member might be 18 inches square.

Flanges 22 and 23 extend downwardly from table member 21 and fit over the upper portions of the side and end walls of box 10. These flanges engage the walls of the box and prevent the table member from moving laterally. The table member and flanges are fabricated of a rigid material such as plastic, and in the preferred embodiment they are molded as a unitary structure.

Table member 21 is formed to include an elongated slot 24 which overlies opening 18 in the dispensing box. A cutting blade 26 is mounted on an upwardly extending flange 27 which extends along one edge of the table member. Alternatively, cutting teeth can be formed in flange 27, and the separate blade can be omitted.

Operation and use of the wrapping table attachment can be described briefly. Before the attachment is placed on dispensing box 10, the free end of the wrapping material is drawn through opening 18. This free end is then passed through slot 24, and the attachment is placed on the box. An object which can be turned freely is most easily wrapped by placing it on table member 21, partially overlying the exposed portion of the wrapping material. The free end of the material is then brought into contact with the object, and the object is turned in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. As the object is turned, additional wrapping material is drawn from the roll and wrapped about the object. When the object is covered, the material can be severed from the remainder of the roll by drawing it against blade 26.

To wrap an object which cannot be turned, such as a tray of food, a length of material long enough to cover the object is drawn from the roll. The object is then placed on table member 21, partially overlying the exposed material, and the remainder of this material is then wrapped over the object. When the object is covered, the material is cut from the roll as before.

The invention has a number of important features and advantages. It provides a wrapping table which greatly facilitates the use of wrapping material from dispensing boxes. It can be fabricated inexpensively, and being removably mounted, it can be used with a number of boxes even though the boxes themselves are disposable.

It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved wrapping table attachment has been provided. While only the presently preferred embodiment has been described herein, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A removable wrapping table attachment for use with a dispensing container of wrapping material comprising a generally planar horizontally extending table member adapted to rest on top of the container and be supported thereby, said table member having an upper surface area substantially greater than the upper surface area of the container, and a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from the table member and engaging the upper portions of the sides of the container for retaining the table member in a predetermined position on the container.

2. An attachment as in claim 1 wherein the table member is formed to include an opening through which the wrapping material can pass.

3. An attachment as in claim 1 further including a cutting blade disposed along one edge of the table member.

4. In a wrapping table attachment removably mounted on a generally rectangular dispensing box containing a roll of wrapping material, said box having an opening in its upper portion through which the material can be drawn, a generally planar horizontally extending table member resting on top of the container, said table member being formed to include an elongated slot overlying the opening in the box, a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from the table member and slidably engaging the side walls of the box for holding the table member in a predetermined position on the box, and a cutting blade extending along one edge of the table member.