Paper money dispenser

Abstract

A novelty item capable of dispensing individual bills of paper currency for presenting a monetary gift in a new and extravagant fashion. The novelty item includes a container having panels and a slot disposed through one of the panels. A roll of paper currency is disposed within the container and a portion of the roll extends outwardly through the slot of the container. The roll includes a strip of a bills joined together in seriatim in end-to-end fashion. The roll also includes pieces of tape adhered between ends of the bills for temporarily connecting the bills together to establish the strip. The novelty item is packaged in a unique packaging kit for display and marketing purposes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention generally relates to novelty gift items. More specifically, this invention is directed to a paper money dispenser that individually dispenses bills of paper currency in any desired denomination such that a recipient receives a gift of money in a fan and novel manner.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] Various types of article dispensers have long been used to dispense such things as labels, correction tape, bandages, and even bacon. More recently, however, a dispenser for dispensing linerless labels was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,301 to Boreali et al. Boreali et al. teach a dispenser for dispensing individual labels from a rolled up web of labels, wherein each label readily separates from the next label, in series fashion. A roll of web labels includes a core and a series of back-to-back linerless labels wherein each label is releasably connected by pressure sensitive adhesive to two other labels in an overlapping arrangement. The dispenser is a box-like device and includes a slot opening in the top thereof, a hollow interior therein, and a spindle mounted within the interior. The spindle is connected to walls of the housing and provides a mount and spindle for the roll to unwind upon. Immediately above and parallel to the spindle, a pair of arcuate guide surfaces are disposed in the housing for guiding movement of the labels away from the spindle. A pair of break-over rollers is positioned immediately above and parallel to the pair of opposed guide surfaces, are rotatable with respect to the housing, and define the exit opening of the dispenser. The break-over rollers further have sufficiently small diameters, compared to the length of each label, to enable stripping action to permit easy detachment of one label from the next. Unfortunately, however, the dispenser of Boreali et al. is unnecessarily complicated with its arcuate guide surfaces, break over rollers, and spindle, and cannot be produced from simple cardboard box construction.

[0008] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,296 to Flood teaches another device for dispensing a series of individual labels that are temporarily adhered to a continuous reel of backing tape. The device includes a container having a passage through which the backing tape and labels are pulled along a predetermined path. The device also includes a smooth guiding edge positioned adjacent to the predetermined path and extends edgewise with respect thereto. The guiding edge contacts a back side of the backing tape, wherein the edge is positioned at an angle such as to permit the labels to be peeled away from the backing tape at a sharp right angle. Accordingly, the labels are projected from the device merely by pulling and drawing a free end of the backing tape over the smooth guiding edge at a 90 degree angle from the path defined by the edge. In addition, a serrated blade is provided at the label outlet of the housing to sever the dispensed label at the point where it exits an outlet in the housing. Unfortunately, however, the Flood dispenser is unnecessarily complicated since it is produced from two separate box-like housings, and involves use of a separate backing material.

[0009] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,861 to Bishop teaches a dispenser for dispensing and separating pressure sensitive adhesive tape from a series of unconnected liner strips in a roll arrangement. Bishop discloses the dispenser as being composed of cardboard carton material, including an interior portion for housing the roll arrangement, and has an exit opening therein. The dispenser includes a tape cutter adjacent the exit opening for cutting away individual pieces of adhesive tape. The dispenser further includes a path having a bend within the interior for sharply bending the roll of adhesive tape back on itself to separate the liner strips from the adhesive tape. The abrupt angle at which the roll of adhesive tape is bent back upon itself enables the unconnected liner strips to individually fall away from the adhesive tape within the dispenser. Accordingly, the adhesive tape is presented to the user without a backing strip, or liner strips, as is necessary with the dispenser disclosed in Flood. Unfortunately, however, Bishop involves relatively complicated flaps and folds of the paper box and also includes an undesirable cutting blade.

[0010] In addition to the article dispensers discussed above, several gift packaging kits have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,759 to Gannon et al. discloses a gift packaging and wrapping ensemble. The gift ensemble includes a collapsible, constructible gift box for packaging gift merchandise, wrapping materials, a gift card, trimming material, a transparent wrapping material, and a rigid backing member for providing support. U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,832 to Hunter et. al. discloses a packing kit for use in packing items for moving transport. The packing kit includes a packing carton, mastic tape for securing the carton closed, packing material to maintain the position of the packing items, inscribing means to label the packing items, and instructions for using the items in the packing kit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,440 to Singerman discloses a gift packaging kit including a container of collapsible and constructible rigid material having a plurality of sides and a bottom. Packing material including cellophane, tissue paper, and tissue shred is in an overlying position with respect to the collapsed container. A gift is in a partially overlying position with respect to the container and a wrapping material substantially encloses the gift, the packing material, and the container.

[0011] Unfortunately, the Gannon et al., Hunter et al., and Singerman references fail to disclose a packaging kit adapted for use with a gift of valuable paper and having an openable container with a slot therethrough for dispensing the paper money. Similarly, the Boreali et al., Flood, and Bishop references do not disclose, teach, or suggest a novelty money dispenser. On special occasions, people often present monetary gifts to a recipient. In addition, some people commonly present novelty items as gifts for various occasions. Accordingly, the prior art lacks a fun way to present a monetary gift in a new and extravagant fashion in the form of a novelty item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novelty money dispenser. The novelty money dispenser includes a container having panels and further having a slot disposed through one or more of the panels. A roll of paper currency is disposed within the container, wherein a portion of the roll extends outwardly through the slot of the container. The novelty money dispenser of the present invention can further include an openable top panel with the slot disposed therethrough. Furthermore, the roll of paper currency can include a series of individual bills of any selected denomination that are held together end-to-end by pieces of peelable tape for easy separation.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roll of paper currency that includes a strip of bills joined together in seriatim in end-to-end fashion. The roll also includes an article or compound for temporarily connecting the bills together, such as pieces of pressure sensitive tape adhered between ends of the bills wherein the tape is peelable for easy removal.

[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novelty gift packaging kit that is adapted for use with the roll of paper money of the present invention. The kit includes an integral one-piece container that is collapsible and that is constructible. The container includes side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel that together define an interior of the container when it is constructed. One of the top, bottom, and side panels includes a dispensing slot therethrough for dispensing paper money out from the interior. As packaged in kit form, however, the container is collapsed to form a generally rectangular, planar configuration. The kit also includes adhesive material overlaying the collapsed integral one-piece container, and a transparent wrapping around the container and adhesive material, wherein the container and adhesive material is visible for commercially displaying and promoting the novelty gift packaging kit.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique novelty item used for presenting a monetary gift in a novel and extravagant fashion.

[0016] It is another object to provide a unique roll of paper currency that includes a strip of bills temporarily connected in end-to-end fashion.

[0017] It is a still another object that such a roll is adapted for use with a container to provide the unique novelty item.

[0018] It is yet another object to provide a container that is configured to enable use of the unique roll of paper currency therewith.

[0019] It is a further object to provide a unique novelty item that a recipient can enjoy by pulling bills of paper currency therefrom in a continuous strip, or one-by-one at a time.

[0020] It is still a further object to provide a novelty “money machine” paper currency dispenser where a gift giver selects the amount of gift to be given by selecting a given denomination of currency.

[0021] It is yet a further object to provide a packaging kit for displaying and marketing the novelty “money machine”.

[0022] These objects and other features, aspects, and advantages of this invention will be more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially unrolled roll of paper currency according to the present invention, in which individual bills are taped together in an end-to-end manner;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a money dispenser according to the present invention, illustrating the roll of paper currency of FIG. 1 being dispensed therefrom;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the packaging kit of the present invention; and

[0026] FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the packaging kit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring in detail to the Figures, there is shown in FIG. 2 a novelty money dispenser 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser 10 generally includes a container 12 and a roll 14 of paper currency rotatably disposed within the container 12. Preferably, the container 12 includes attractive graphical indicia thereon, for example pictures of wads of money or a continuous strip of paper money being unfurled from a container.

[0028] FIG. 1 depicts the roll 14 of paper currency in a partially unrolled state. The roll 14 is composed of a strip of individual bills 16 adhered together in seriatim end-to-end. Preferably, as shown, the bills 16 are taped together using pieces of tape 18 that are peelable and preferably pressure sensitive. Consistent with typical paper currency, each bill 16 has a leading end 20, a trailing end 22, and sides 24 longitudinally disposed therebetween. Each bill 16 also has an outboard surface 26 and an oppositely disposed inboard surface 28. With the exception of the last bill of the roll 14, the trailing end 22 of each bill 16 is aligned adjacently along the leading end 20 of the bill 16 that is disposed successively along the strip. It is contemplated that the bills 16 can be spaced apart from one another or can be overlapped. The pieces of tape 18 are applied between successive bills 16, on one or both of the inboard and outboard surfaces 28 and 26 of the bills 16. Preferably, the removable pieces of tape 18 are applied in a direction transverse to the longitudinal path of the strip, as shown. The roll 14 is produced by manually laying out a series of bills 16 in end-to-end fashion, applying the pieces of tape 18 to one surface then, if desired, to the opposite surface of the bills 16, then rolling up the strip of bills 16 into the roll 14. The roll 14 can also be automatically produced, such as by a rolling and taping machine specially designed for this task.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the container 12 is a box-like structure having four side panels 30, a bottom panel 32, and a top panel 34 together defining an interior 36 of the container 12. Preferably, the container 12 is constructed of paper or cardboard material and can be printed upon to increase the novelty aspect of the invention. The container 12 is preferably an integral one-piece structure wherein portions of the top and bottom are glued or mechanically interconnected to portions of the side panels 30 to close the container 12. Any of the panels may be openable, but preferably, the top panel 34 is openable from the side panels 30 using a tab and slot arrangement or the like (not shown). One of the panels, preferably the top panel 34 as shown, includes a dispensing slot 38 therethrough. Independently, such containers are well-known in the art and are exemplified by tissue boxes, gift boxes, and the like. Uniquely, however, the roll 14 of paper currency is disposed within the container 12.

[0030] Still referring to FIG. 2, the roll 14 is preferably assembled within the container 12 after the bottom panel 32 is connected to the rest of the container 12, but before the top panel 34 is closed. The leading end 20 of the first bill 16 of the strip is aligned parallel to the dispensing slot 38 and the first bill 16 of the strip is fed therethrough. Then the top panel 34 is glued or connected to the rest of the container 12. Thus, a completely assembled container 12 includes a portion of the first bill 16 of the roll 14 extending through the dispensing slot 38 and is taped to the exterior of the container 12 to prevent the roll 14 from unraveling and prevent the strip of bills 16 from falling completely inside the container 12.

[0031] A user dispenses bills 16 from the device through the dispensing slot 38 first by pulling the leading bill 16 with one hand in a direction away from the container 12 until one or more successive bills 16 are exposed. This pulling action unwinds the roll 14 and advances the strip through the dispensing slot 38. With much enthusiasm, the user pulls the strip of bills 16 from the container 12, thereby unleashing several feet of the bills 16 and creating a pile of money. Alternatively, the user grabs each successive bill 16 as it exits the dispensing slot 38 with the other hand and continues to pull the leading bill 16 until the pieces of tape 18 joining the bills 16 become disconnected, or are removed, from one or more of the adjacent bills 16. As a result, the bills 16 can be separated from one another one at a time. Accordingly, the dispenser 10 acts as an extravagant “money machine” novelty gift, wherein a user pulls bills 16 from the dispenser 10 one by one as desired, or in a long continuous strip.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a packaging kit 40 of the present invention including the container 12 in its collapsed state and a supply of the pieces of tape 18 overlaying the container 12. The supply of the pieces of tape 18 can be any form including but not limited to a roll or is overlaid in rectangular form as shown. A transparent shrink-wrap 42 encloses the container 12 and the tape 18. Optionally, a peg rack hook 44 is adhered to a portion of the shrink-wrap 42 for mounting the packaging kit 40 to a store display unit. Finally, a decorative indicia 46 is printed on the container 12 for fun.

[0033] Similarly, FIG. 4 illustrates another packaging kit 140 including a container 112 according to a preferred collapsible design. The container 112 includes decorative indicia 146 thereon for fun and for instructions if desired. The packaging kit 140 also includes a roll of pieces of tape 118 for taping paper money together in seriatim, wherein the paper money is not included with the packaging kit 140. A pull tab 148 is also included and has adhesive thereon for attaching to the first bill of a continuous strip of paper money (not shown), such that the pull tab 148 sticks out of the container 112 through a dispensing slot 138 when the container 112 is assembled. A transparent shrink-wrap 142 preferably encloses the entire assemblage of components including the container 112, tape 118, and pull tab 148. Finally, the packaging kit 140 is pierced with a peg hole 150 for easy mounting to standard store display hooks. Alternatively, a separate backing board (not shown) can be provided as a support and mounting board for the rest of the components and can include further indicia and instructions printed thereon. The containers 12 and 112 of FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively are preferably constructed of collapsible cardboard material having fold lines and tabs as are well known in the art of packaging.

[0034] While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the teachings of the present invention encompass any reasonable substitutions or equivalents of the claim limitations. A specific example includes using a roll composed of bills of any denomination, or using gift certificates, etc. Another example is using any other shape of container including globes or triangles. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms of adhesive or connection could be used besides tape. For example, the bills could be overlapped and joined using a tacky adhesive such as that used in 3M's Post-It® brand notes. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only bills that are taped together using individual pieces of tape, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A novelty money dispenser comprising:

a container having a slot disposed therethrough; and

a roll of paper currency disposed within said container, wherein a portion of said roll of paper currency extends outwardly through said slot of said container.

2. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plurality of panels, at least one of said plurality of panels said plurality of panels of said container comprise an openable top panel, said slot being disposed through said openable top panel.

3. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said roll of paper currency comprises a plurality of individual bills adhered together in seriatim.

4. The novelty money dispenser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said roll of paper currency further comprises a plurality of pieces of removable tape, said plurality of pieces of removable tape holding said plurality of individual bills together end-to-end, wherein said plurality of individual bills can be pulled through said slot of said container so as to unfurl said roll of paper currency into a pile of money for fun and excitement.

5. A paper money dispenser comprising:

an integral one-piece container including side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel together defining an interior of said container, one of said top, bottom, and side panels having a dispensing slot therethrough; and

a roll of paper currency disposed within said interior of said container, said roll of paper currency comprising:

a continuous strip of a plurality of individual bills joined in seriatim end-to-end, said plurality of individual bills having leading ends and trailing ends, said trailing ends being successively joined to said leading ends of successively disposed individual bills of said plurality of individual bills; and

means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together;

whereby said plurality of individual bills can be separated from one another one at a time by pulling one of said plurality of individual bills in a direction away from the rest of said plurality of individual bills;

wherein a portion of said continuous strip extends outwardly through said dispensing slot of said container.

6. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said top panel of said box is openable.

7. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plurality of individual bills are adhered together.

8. The paper money dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said roll of paper currency farther comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape joining said plurality of individual bills together end-to-end, whereby said plurality of individual bills is dispensed through said dispensing slot by a user pulling said portion of said continuous strip to unwind said roll of paper currency to advance said continuous strip out of said container, wherein said plurality of individual bills can be pulled through said slot of said container so as to unfurl said roll of paper currency into a pile of money for fun and excitement.

9. A roll of paper currency comprising:

a strip of a plurality of bills, said plurality of bills being joined in seriatim end-to-end; and

means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together.

10. The roll of paper currency as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means for temporarily connecting comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape connecting said plurality of bills to temporarily hold said plurality of bills together.

11. A roll of paper currency adapted for use as a novelty gift item, said roll of paper currency comprising:

a continuous strip of a plurality of individual bills joined in seriatim end-to-end, said plurality of individual bills having leading ends and trailing ends, said trailing ends being successively joined to said leading ends of successively disposed individual bills of said plurality of individual bills; and

means for temporarily connecting said plurality of bills together;

whereby said plurality of individual bills can be separated from one another one at a time by pulling one of said plurality of individual bills in a direction away from the rest of said plurality of individual bills.

12. The roll of paper currency as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for connecting comprises a plurality of pieces of tape, said plurality of pieces of tape connecting said plurality of bills to temporarily hold said plurality of bills together.

13. A packaging kit adapted for use with a gift of valuable paper, said kit comprising:

a container that is collapsible and constructible, said container being collapsed in a generally planar configuration;

adhesive material overlaying a portion of said collapsed container; and

a wrapping at least substantially enclosing said container and said adhesive material for commercially displaying and promoting said packaging kit.

14. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said container comprises a collapsed cardboard box having an openable panel.

15. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said adhesive material comprises a supply of tape.

16. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein said wrapping comprises shrink-wrap.

17. The packaging kit as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a pull tab overlaying a portion of said collapsed container and enclosed within said wrapping.

18. A novelty gift packaging kit adapted for use with paper money, said kit comprising:

an integral one-piece container that is collapsible and constructible, said container including side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel that together define an interior of said container when constructed, said container being collapsed forming a generally rectangular, planar configuration, at least one of said top, bottom, and side panels being openable, at least one of said top, bottom, and side panels having a dispensing slot therethrough for dispensing said paper money out from said interior;

adhesive material overlaying said collapsed integral one-piece container, said adhesive material for joining said paper money together in seriatim; and

a transparent wrapping at least substantially enclosing said container and said adhesive material wherein at least a portion of said container and said adhesive material is visible for commercially displaying and promoting said novelty gift packaging kit.

19. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said container comprises a collapsed cardboard box having a graphical design printed thereon.

20. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adhesive material comprises a supply of strips of tape.

21. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said transparent wrapping comprises transparent shrink-wrap.

22. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a pull tab overlaying a portion of said collapsed container and enclosed within said transparent wrapping.

23. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said adhesive material comprises a roll of transparent tape.

24. The novelty gift packaging kit as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a peg hole pierced therethrough for mounting and displaying said novelty gift packaging kit.