Abstract: A packaging device is provided for an item of three-dimensional shape comprising a non-porous deformable outer wrap characterized in being deformable in three dimensions to at least partially surround the item of three-dimensional shape therein. The device includes a mass of loose fill elements disposed within the outer wrap and can occupy a first volume in a first storage state sufficient to permit the packaging device to be stored. The device further provides that the mass of elements disposed within the outer wrap can occupy a second volume in a second use state to shape about the item of three dimensional shape and to permit the elements to deform within the outer wrap to accommodate the three-dimensional shape of the item. The outer wrap and the elements disposed within the outer wrap are biodegradable. The elements are adapted to change from the first storage state of unpopped corn kernels to the second use state of popped popcorn kernels.

Abstract: An ergonomic dispenser of a roll of adhesive film facilitates application of that film to a surface with minimum manipulation by the user. The dispenser has a low profile where the cutting blade, axis of rotation of the adhesive film roll and dispenser handle lie in closely aligned planes. This creates a low profile dispenser which places the roll of adhesive film in close proximity to the application surface. A flexible shield overlies the cutting blade to prevent unwanted user contact with the blade. Various means are used to manage the loose end of film after it is cut off the roll so that it does not adhere to the roll or double over on itself. Unidirectional movement of the roll is also used to manage the loose end of tape after cutoff. Optionally, blade means may be added to the dispenser's handle for use in opening cartons, cutting string or the like.

Abstract: A tape dispenser has a tubular hub for receiving a roll of tape, and the hub has an axis and axially spaced first and second ends. A first wall extends radially outwardly of the hub at the first end, and a second wall is radially spaced from the hub and extends axially from the first wall the direction toward the second end of said hub. The hub includes a portion extending axially outwardly of the outer end of the second wall, and the first end and the latter portion of the hub are contoured for the first end of one tape dispenser to axially receive the portion of the hub of a second tape dispenser to interengage the two dispensers.

Abstract: A business method manages items associated with a business entity. The business method includes storing item unique identifiers, associating each identifier with at least one descriptor that further describes the item, tracking a performance of each item through the at least one descriptor, analyzing the tracked performance of the item, and rendering business decisions about the item based on the analysis. The at least one descriptor relates to a predetermined reason for introducing an item into a market, the reason including at least one of the following: to create a new product/business line; to offer a new item for sale; to create a line extension of an existing product line; to create a customer-specific line extension of an existing product line; to offer a promotional item; to create a display item; to change packaging for an existing product; to modify an existing item; to create a component item, and to create an international item.

Abstract: An adhesive tape product comprises a length of adhesive tape mounted on a core with a reduced tendency to telescope. A layer of compressible foam is provided between the core and the body of tape wound on the core. Alternatively, the core is fabricated to have a slight bulge in its center giving the core a barrel shape thereby reducing the tendency for the body of tape wound upon the core to telescope.

Abstract: An ergonomic dispenser of a roll of adhesive film facilitates application of that film to a surface with minimum manipulation by the user. The dispenser has a low profile where the cutting blade, axis of rotation of the adhesive film roll and dispenser handle lie in closely aligned planes. This creates a low profile dispenser which places the roll of adhesive film in close proximity to the application surface. A flexible shield overlies the cutting blade to prevent unwanted user contact with the blade. Various means are used to manage the loose end of film after it is cut off the roll so that it does not adhere to the roll or double over on itself. Unidirectional movement of the roll is also used to manage the loose end of tape after cutoff. Optionally, blade means may be added to the dispenser's handle for use in opening cartons, cutting string or the like.

Abstract: An adhesive tape product comprises a length of adhesive tape mounted on a core with a reduced tendency to telescope. A layer of compressible foam is provided between the core and the body of tape wound on the core. Alternatively, the core is fabricated to have a slight bulge in its center giving the core a barrel shape thereby reducing the tendency for the body of tape wound upon the core to telescope.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing a roll of material such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The apparatus includes an enclosable housing having a roll holding piece, a cover piece, and a hinge assembly for joining the roll holding piece and cover piece. The hinge assembly permits opening of the housing while the cover piece and roll holding piece remain connected by the hinge assembly. The apparatus also includes an applicator located proximate to the dispensing end for applying a material to a substrate; a discharge opening for the material, and a cutting member located proximate to the dispensing end for cutting the material. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful as a hand-held tape dispenser.

Abstract: An ergonomic dispenser of a roll of adhesive film facilitates application of that film to a surface with minimum manipulation by the user. The dispenser has a low profile where the cutting blade, axis of rotation of the adhesive film roll and dispenser handle lie in closely aligned planes. This creates a low profile dispenser which places the roll of adhesive film in close proximity to the application surface. A flexible shield overlies the cutting blade to prevent unwanted user contact with the blade. Various means are used to manage the loose end of film after it is cut off the roll so that it does not adhere to the roll or double over on itself Unidirectional movement of the roll is also used to manage the loose end of tape after cutoff. Optionally, blade means may be added to the dispenser's handle for use in opening cartons, cutting string or the like.

Abstract: An adhesive tape product comprises a length of adhesive tape mounted on a core with a reduced tendency to telescope. A layer of compressible foam is provided between the core and the body of tape wound on the core. Alternatively, the core is fabricated to have a slight bulge in its center giving the core a barrel shape thereby reducing the tendency for the body of tape wound upon the core to telescope.

Abstract: A new tape dispenser (4) is proposed, with a two-piece longitudinally split segmented housing (3), a holder for a roll of tape, a discharge opening (8), a guide applicator (10) fitted to the housing (3) in close vicinity to the discharge opening (8), by means of which the tape can be applied onto a substrate, and a blade (15) with a cutting edge situated downstream of the guide applicator (10). The housing (3) has an elongated anatomical form which can be kept in the enclosing hand and at least a shallow upper depression (34) in the housing is provided close to and adjacent to the guide applicator (10) in order to exert a pressure onto the guide applicator (10) by the index finger.

Abstract: A hand-held adhesive tape dispenser is in the form of a partial shell which has a support face and a peripheral wall to form an open face housing. A spool of adhesive tape is mounted to the support face through the use of mounting structure on the shell which rotatably and detachably mounts the core of the spool to the shell. The mounting structure includes spring fingers which snap over the core. An applicating end of the shell has a passage in its peripheral wall located near a fixed guide and a cutter at the applicating end so that tape removed from the core would pass through the passage around the guide to be applied to a substrate and then to be cut by the cutter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing a roll of material such as a pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The apparatus includes an enclosable housing having a roll holding piece, a cover piece, and a hinge assembly for joining the roll holding piece and cover piece. The hinge assembly permits opening of the housing while the cover piece and roll holding piece remain connected by the hinge assembly. The apparatus also includes an applicator located proximate to the dispensing end for applying a material to a substrate; a discharge opening for the material, and a cutting member located proximate to the dispensing end for cutting the material. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful as a hand-held tape dispenser.

Abstract: A roll tape dispenser adapted to be made by injection molding is provided. The roll tape dispenser includes an integral molded frame, a generally planar tape guide portion, a pair of side walls extending rearwardly from the tape guide portion, a pair of hubs supported by each of the side walls, the hubs adapted to support a roll of tape having a selected inside radius of curvature, each hub comprising an arcuate top portion and two hub side portions. The hub side portions have surfaces which converge downwardly below a parting line on the frame and converge upwardly above the parting line whereby the dispenser can be molded in a slideless mold.

Abstract: A portable lap desk and activity station is provided for use by a small child, middle aged children and even adults. The lap desk includes a front side wall, a rear side wall and edge walls extending therebetween which define a main compartment. The front side wall is substantially planar and rigid for use as a work or writing surface by the child. The rear side wall is flexible and padded for comfortably resting on the lap of a child.

Abstract: A packaging card for displaying multiple units of a product is convertible into multiple packaging cards for displaying individual units of a product. The multiple unit packaging card contains an appropriate UPC symbol and the individual packaging cards contain individual UPC symbols which are hidden when multiple units of the product are displayed.

Abstract: A tape dispenser comprising a molded plastic frame having a base wall portion with a tape cutting edge and a pair of flexurable side wall arm portions extending in generally parallel side-by-side relation from the base wall portion and provided with C-shaped wall portions having opposed arcuate hub portions extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to support a tape roll. The hub portions are provided with axially engageable and releasable locking means adjacent the free ends of the C-shaped wall portions for firmly joining the hub portions together thereat simply by relative pivotal flexure movement of the arm portions to rigidify the dispenser.

Abstract: A tape dispenser comprising a molded plastic frame having a base wall portion with a tape cutting edge and a pair of flexurable side wall arm portions extending in generally parallel side-by-side relation from the base wall portion and provided with C-shaped wall portions having opposed arcuate hub portions extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to support a tape roll. The hub portions are provided with axially engageable and releasable locking means adjacent the free ends of the C-shaped wall portions for firmly joining the hub portions together thereat simply by relative pivotal flexure movement of the arm portions to rigidify the dispenser.

Abstract: A small, lightweight ornamental tape dispenser is adapted for hand held, desk top, or wall mounted use, and accomodates both right and left handed withdrawal of tape while remaining in a wall mounted position. A wall mounting means, a tape roll holding means, and a free standing base means are disposed at the rear side of an ornamental planar front wall member.