Magazine
A magazine has a generally rectangular form of a frame. The frame has two spaced apart caps, at least one rail fixed to the caps so that the rail does not rotate, at least one tube rotatably connected between the caps and parallel to a rail, at least two finger assemblies upon a tube, a cutter that slides upon a rail, connectors and knobs upon each tube allowing it to rotate. The tube receiving a roll of wrapping paper upon its length and over the finger assemblies. The finger assemblies deflecting their fingers inside the roll. The connectors being of two severable components allowing detachment of a tube from a cap to receive a roll. The preferred embodiment has two rails and three tubes forming the frame.
This non-provisional continuation in part application claims priority to pending non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/864,939 filed on May 1, 2020 which claims priority to expired provisional application Ser. No. 62/842,102 filed on May 2, 2019 which have a common inventor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe magazine generally relates to wrapping paper and more specifically to a container of multiple rolls of wrapping paper.
Every year they come, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Hanukah, promotions, new jobs, and many other events. These events often have presents large and small. To add the element of surprise to the present, a gift giver often has a present wrapped. The wrapping may make many forms.
Wrapping includes a box, a cloth, a bag, a bow, and more often paper. The wrapping seeks to conceal the present from view of the recipient. Wrapping paper has a generally elongated sheet form with printing in various forms upon one side. The printing has a suitable layout, coloration, decoration, and typeface for an occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Hanukah, promotions, new jobs, and many others. The printing on wrapping papers has numerous forms.
As paper, wrapping papers has two primary forms when provided to a consumer. Sheets of wrapping paper may be stacked and then folded into a compact, flat form, or more often it may be rolled upon a tube. A roll of wrapping paper has a typical width of nearly three feet, or similar to two shirt boxes form a department store. The roll may then include a length of wrapping paper measure in yards, typically less than ten yards.
When the time comes to wrap a present, a consumer purchases a roll of wrapping paper or retrieves an existing roll, and then unrolls a portion of the wrapping paper. The consumer then measures the wrapping paper to cover the present and then cuts the wrapping paper with scissors or other tools. The consumer then wraps and folds the paper upon the present, securing the paper with transparent tape, adhesive, and the like. The consumer then returns unused wrapping paper and the cutting tools to storage for the next use. At the appointed time, the consumer then gives the present to the recipient for enjoyment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTAs previously mentioned, unused wrapping paper returns to storage after its use. Typically, a consumer tightens the wrapping paper upon the roll and then places the roll in a seldom visited place. Because of the slender shape, length, and stiffness of wrapping paper rolls, a consumer has limited places to store wrapping paper.
A consumer may place wrapping paper rolls under a bed, behind a door, in a closet, up in an attic, down in the basement, or other places. There the rolls rest until their next use. Some locations do expose the rolls to the heat of an attic or the coolness of a basement. When an occasion comes, a consumer then has to retrieve the rolls, select a roll, then open the roll upon a table for cutting.
The prior art includes various devices. Polymer storage containers have various shapes and sizes, so the larger ones receive multiple rolls of wrapping paper. The rolls generally fit into such containers in no particular order. Some containers have a long but short form suitable for under bed storage. Those containers only store a few rolls beneath their long lid. Other containers have a tall, upright form upon an oval base. These containers store a few rolls on their ends and often have a cap with an enclosed shelf upon it. These upright containers store the rolls in no particular order. The upright containers also tend to tip over, especially with fewer rolls within them.
The prior art may also utilize moving boxes, wardrobe boxes, crates, and other bulk packaging to store the long slender rolls of wrapping paper. Though these packages may store rolls, the rolls have an awkward fit into the packages that takes up much space. These packages often lack a compact form and also promote disorder of rolls stored within in them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention of the magazine has a generally rectangular form of a frame. The frame has two spaced apart caps, at least one rail fixed to the caps so that the rail does not rotate, at least one tube rotatably connected between the caps and parallel to a rail, at least two finger assemblies upon a tube, a cutter that slides upon a rail, connectors and knobs upon each tube allowing it to rotate. The tube receiving a roll of wrapping paper upon its length and over the finger assemblies. The finger assemblies deflecting their fingers inside the roll. The connectors being of two severable components allowing detachment of a tube from a cap to receive a roll. The preferred embodiment has two rails and three tubes forming the frame.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. The present invention also includes prismatic body with a lid. The body having a front, a back, a bin upon the back, a left side and an opposite right side, a bearing on each side, a spindle assembly between the two bearings, a base beneath the front, the back, and the two sides, where each spindle of the assembly receives a roll of wrapping paper, where the spindles rotate in two holders that rotate the spindle assembly upon the bearings, guides in a path, spacers between adjacent guides, folding handles, a tape dispenser, a curved grip upon the front, a cutter upon the lid, trapezoidal shaped sides, and an alternate hinged lid. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter, and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
One object of the present invention is to provide a magazine that rotates rolls of wrapping paper for selection by a user.
Another object is to provide such a magazine that stores at least four rolls of wrapping paper.
Another object is to provide such a magazine that provides a cutter for a user to cut the width of a sheet of wrapping paper.
Another object is to provide such a magazine that has a measuring scale upon its lid.
Another object is to provide such a magazine that provides a bin for storing bows and other items and an onboard tape dispenser.
Another object is to provide such a magazine that is capable of manufacturing and distribution at a price suitable for the users, customers, supply houses, retailers, distributors, and catalogs.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In referring to the drawings,
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTThe present invention overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a magazine that stores rolls of wrapping paper. An alternate embodiment of the present invention 1 appears as shown in
Spanning from the front to the back, the body has its left side 4 of a trapezoidal like shape with its depth front to back and height similar to that of the front. Mutually parallel and spaced apart from the left side, the body has its right side 5 also of a rectangular shape of the same depth and height as the left side. The left side 4 and the right side 5, as shown in this figure, each have a track assembly 13 here shown on end. A track assembly 13 spans each side and occupies most of the depth and the height of the side. Each track assembly has a plurality of holders connecting to it and the holders follow a path as later shown. The holders gently move along the track assemblies as a user pushes them to select a roll of wrapping paper for usage.
Between the bin 11 and the right side 5, the back has a tape dispenser 12 preferably formed therein but alternatively adhered to the back or mechanically connected to the back. The tape dispenser has a location proximate the lid and its own height less than that of the back. Spaced below the tape dispenser, the body 20 has its base 6 of a planar rectangular form with four edges. The base 6 joins to the front 2, the back 3, and the two sides 4, 5, along its edges so that the front, the back, and the sides have a spacing apart defining a volume within the body to receive the holders and wrapping paper. Spaced above the base 6 by the height of the front, the invention 1 has its lid 7. The lid has a generally planar rectangular shape with a slightly larger width than that of the front and a longer depth than that of the left side and the right side. The lid extends from the back, over the holders, to the front, and slightly past the front. The lid has a cutter 14 positioned above where the lid rests upon the front and located near the left side in this figure. The cutter follows a linear track 15 along the lid generally parallel to the front. The linear track extends for most of the width of the front thus having sufficient length to exceed the width of a wrapping paper roll.
Turning to
Opposite
Rotating the body 20,
Turning the invention,
And turning the invention 1 over, the body 20 appears next in
Looking at the mechanism of the invention to assist the user in selecting stored wrapping paper,
To reach the drawing out position of a holder, a user moves the holders using the mechanism shown in
In a further alternate embodiment, the left side and the right side have slots in them so a user may grasp the handles outside the magazine. In this further alternate embodiment, the track assemblies join to the left side and the right side.
In a further alternate embodiment, the track assembly has ferrous spacers that attract to a magnetic handle a user grasps outside the left side and the right side. The user then slides the handle in a desired direction to advance the holders around the track assembly.
In a further alternate embodiment, the track assemblies have locations inwardly of the left side and the right side. The track assemblies attached to mounts formed into the base. The track assemblies then have outward handles a user may grasp just inside of the left side and the right side. In a further alternate embodiment, as most people are right-handed, the invention has handles proximate the right side only.
The slot 38 of a holder receives a strip 36 joined or adhered lengthwise to one edge of the slot. The strip has a thin elongated, flat form with a plurality of tines 37 mutually extending in the same direction. The tines have a semi rigid form that guides paper pulled beneath them to remain taught. The tines also guide a user to pull the paper in the same direction from each holder. The tines have a length greater than the width of the strip as shown. The tines have a spacing between any two adjacent tines of at least two tine diameters. Each tine has a tip of a blunt square shape to limit penetration of a sheet of paper during its pull and unrolling from the holder. In an alternate embodiment, the tines have a rigid form with a thin tip. In an alternate embodiment, the tines have a flexible form and either a round cross section or a rectangular cross section. And, the strip 36 joins to one edge of the slot 38 with the tines facing into the slot. The tines nearly block the slot but leave enough room for a user to find the edge of a wrapping paper roll and to accommodate the wrapping paper roll deflecting during unrolling.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention 1 appears in
Spanning from the front to the back, the body has its left side 4 of a trapezoidal like shape with its depth front to back and height similar to that of the front. Mutually parallel and spaced apart from the left side, the body has its right side 5 also of a rectangular shape of the same depth and height as the left side. The left side 4 and the right side 5, as shown in this figure, each have a bearing 40 here shown on end. Each bearing has an off-center location upon the left side and the right side generally towards the opening 10. The bearing has a spindle assembly, later shown, that occupies most of the depth and the height of the side.
Spaced below the front and the right side, the body 20 has its base 6 of a planar rectangular form with four edges. The base 6 joins to the front 2, the back 3, and the two sides 4, 5, along its edges so that the front, the back, and the sides have a spacing apart defining a volume within the body to receive the spindle assembly, wrapping paper, and related materials and tools. Spaced above the base 6 by the height of the front, the invention 1 has its lid 7. The lid has a generally planar rectangular shape with a slightly larger width than that of the front and a longer depth than that of the left side and the right side. The lid extends from the back, over the spindle assembly, to the front, and slightly past the front. The lid has a grid pattern upon its surface, typically upon a one inch spacing or alternatively on a one centimeter spacing. The lid has a cutter 14 positioned above where the lid rests upon the front and located near the left side in this figure. The cutter follows a linear track 15 along the lid generally parallel to the front. The linear track extends for most of the width of the front thus having sufficient length to exceed the width of a wrapping paper roll.
Turning to
Opposite
Rotating the body 20,
Turning the alternate embodiment of the invention,
Inverting the alternate embodiment of the invention 1, the body 20 appears next in
Inwardly from the spindle assembly, the alternate embodiment has a major divider 50. The major divider extends for the length of the body and spans from the left side to the right side. The major divider has its own height that spans from the base to the rim of the body, just below the lid. The major divider has its thickness, generally more than the front and its thickness is markedly less than its length. The front and the major divider define the main compartment 42. Clockwise in this figure from the spindle assembly, the body has a fourth compartment 46 adjacent to the left side 4. The fourth compartment extends inwardly, here shown as downward in the figure, to a minor divider 47. The minor divider spans from the major divider to the back 3. The minor divider has similar thickness as the major divider and less length than the major divider. The minor divider extends upwardly from the base to the rim of the body and forms a plane with the major divider. The fourth compartment spans for about half the width of the left side and less than one third of that dimension inwardly from the left side. The fourth compartment has a narrow shape.
The minor divider 47 near the fourth compartment connects to the major divider and receives a rod 48 generally centered upon the minor divider 47. The rod extends to a second minor divider 47 approximately centered upon the length of the body as shown. The rod has a diameter generally more than the diameter of a spindle. As the spindles receive rolls of paper, the rod receives rolls of ribbon, webbing, and fabric tape. The rod has a bolted connection to its minor dividers, so a user need only remove a nut from the connection to slip the rod away from a minor divider to insert a roll of tape. As shown, the rod 48 spans between two minor dividers 47. Clockwise from the fourth compartment, the two minor dividers, the major divider, and the back define a second compartment 49. The second compartment is the same width as the fourth compartment but of greater length. Clockwise from the second compartment, the second minor divider, the major divider, and the back define the third compartment 51. The third compartment has the same width as the second compartment and the fourth compartment but a length more than that of the second compartment. The third compartment provides storage capacity for the user. The minor dividers may adjust their positions upon the major divider and the back to accommodate rods of different lengths. In an alternate embodiment, the lid has a hatch proximate one corner generally oriented over the third compartment 51. In a further alternate embodiment, a second major divider has a position inward from the first major divider 50. The second major divider in cooperation with the left side, the right side, and the first major divider forms a fifth compartment on a narrow-elongated shape. The first compartment has its length to receive additional rolls of wrapping paper.
Looking at this p alternate embodiment of the invention to assist the user in selecting stored wrapping paper,
To the right of the holder 44, the main compartment 42 has its inner boundary at the main divider 50. The main divider has a generally centered location as shown. Rightward of the main divider, the second compartment has the rod 48 ready to receive rolls of ribbon and other materials. The rod has a round cross section as shown and a generally centered location upon the minor divider and within the second compartment.
A preferred embodiment of the spindle assembly 43 of invention appears in
Each spindle has two opposite ends, here the left end appears towards the left of the figure and the right end appears towards the right of the figure. The left end of each spindle has its end cap 67 press fit to the spindle. On the right end of each spindle, the spindle has its movable cap 69. The end cap 67 has a diameter similar to that of the spindle while the movable cap 69 has a diameter greater than that of the spindle. Upon each movable cap and outwardly from the spindle, the spindle has an end dock 70 that temporarily secures the movable cap to the spindle against rotation until released by the user. As mentioned above, the center bar 59 extends past the spindles 44 and the end docks 70 as it passes through another cover 62 here shown to the right. The cover has its round, flat, plate like shape as before with a square centered aperture 65a that admits the bar. The cover has a plurality of its own round apertures 65b spaced regularly upon it and to align with the end docks 67 of the spindles 44. The round apertures each admit a stem of a gear 63. The gear has a plurality of teeth radially extending therefrom and having an outer diameter similar to that of the end dock. Each end dock has a fixed position upon the cover and engages a recess in the movable cap 69 as later shown in
Here, the spindle assembly 43 shows six spindles 44 and thus six gears 63 extend from the right ends of the spindles into a rack 64. The rack has a flat, planar square shape with an internal toothed opening as at 64a that receives the gears 63 in mechanical cooperation. The rack has its width and height that fits into the main compartment 42 previously shown. Outwardly from the rack, the spindle assembly has a round plate 65 also with its round apertures 65b spaced regularly upon it that align with the stems of the gears 63. Centered within the round apertures, the plate has its centered square aperture 65a that admits an end of the bar 59. The bar then extends beyond the plate and engages a receptacle 66a in a knob 66. The knob has a plurality of vanes upon its perimeter for a user to grasp when turning the knob during usage. The knob, its vanes, and indicia nearby guide a user to rotate the knob in one direction, here clockwise. Slightly outward from the center of the knob, the rack 64 also has at least one ratchet pawl 68 pivotally attached to it and that engages a nearby gear 63. The pawl allows a user to rotate one spindle in one direction but not the other during usage. The pawl then allows one gear to pass as the spindle assembly rotates in one direction thus preventing a user from rotating the spindle assembly in both directions.
Opposite the right ends of the spindles, the left of this figure shows six gears 63 also extending from the left ends of the spindles into a rack 64. The rack has its flat, planar square shape as before with an internal toothed opening as at 64a that receives the gears 63 in mechanical cooperation. The rack has its width and height that fits into the main compartment 42 previously shown. Outwardly from the rack, the spindle assembly has a round plate 65 also with its round apertures 65b spaced regularly upon it that align with the stems of the gears 63. Centered within the round apertures, the plate its centered square aperture 65a that admits the other end of the bar 59. The bar then extends beyond the plate and engages a receptacle 66a in the other knob 66. This knob has a plurality of vanes upon its perimeter for a user to grasp when turning the knob during usage. This knob is a mirror image of the other knob. This knob, like the other, has vanes and nearby indicia that a user to rotate the knob in one direction, here counterclockwise so that the spindles as a group rotate up and to the left in the figure. Slightly outward from the center of the knob, the rack 64 also has at least one ratchet pawl 68 pivotally attached to it and that engages a nearby gear 63 using the tip of the pawl 68. The pawl allows a user to rotate one spindle in one direction only as described so that wrapping paper remains upon the rolls. The pawl then allows one gear to pass as the spindle assembly rotates in one direction thus preventing a user from rotating the spindle assembly in both directions.
And,
The alternate embodiment has a spindle assembly with a centered square shaft and six spindles equally spaced about the shaft and parallel to the shaft. The shaft has an elongated, slender shape, a square cross section, a length, and two opposite ends. Outside of the shaft, the assembly has two mutually parallel and spaced apart covers. Each cover has a flat, round shape and each of the ends of the shaft connects to one cover. Each of the spindles have an elongated, slender, cylindrical shape, a left end and an opposite right end, an end cap upon the left end and a movable cap upon the right end, and at least one grip. The cylindrical shape is round. Each of the covers has a center square aperture to receive the shaft and round apertures in registration with each of the spindles. The round apertures receive six gears and each of the gears enters one of the round apertures of one cover and connects to each of the end caps. The gears on this first cover have a coplanar arrangement. Then a further set of six gears enter the round apertures of the other cover and connect to each of the movable caps. This further set of gears also have a coplanar arrangement that has a mutually parallel orientation to the first set of six gears.
Outwardly from the gears and the covers, the assembly has two mutually parallel and spaced apart racks, each of the racks has a rounded internal opening. The opening has a teeth that extending radially inward. The teeth of one rack mesh with the six gears and the teeth of the other rack mesh with the second, or further, set of six gears. The gears in cooperation with the racks allow the spindles to rotate simultaneously and in the same direction. The spindle assembly rotates in one direction only as shown by the vanes upon the knobs in the drawings. Before the knobs and outside of the racks, the assembly has two mutually parallel and spaced apart plates. Each plate has a flat, round shape and a center square aperture that receives the shaft. Outward from the square aperture, each plate has round apertures in registration with the counterpart round apertures in one of the covers. One plate receives six of the gears entering one set of the round apertures. Then the other plate receives the further set of six of the gears. Each the gears enters one of the round apertures. Before leaving the covers, each of the racks has at least one pawl operatively engaging one of the gears for one direction rotation.
The shaft extends outwardly through the center square aperture of each plate. The shaft then engages the knobs. The assembly has two knobs, one of the knobs connecting to the shaft proximate one plates, and the other knob connecting to the shaft at the other plate opposite the first knob. The knobs cooperate with the plates, the racks, the gears, and the covers to rotate the spindle assembly as a user turns at least one of the knobs. More closely, the assembly also has six rectangular docks arrayed upon one cover in registration with the movable caps of the spindles. Each of the movable caps then has a rectangular recess that receives one of the docks in cooperative engagement. This dock and movable cap engagement keeps the movable cap upon the dock during usage until a user separates the movable cap from the dock for loading wrapping paper upon one of the spindles or for removing an empty tube from a spindle.
The spindle assembly presents a selected roll to a user of the invention. Each spindle lets a user release wrapping paper from a selected roll upon pulling, ready to wrap a present or other object resting upon the lid above.
Returning to the flange 102 shown, the upper most portion of the flange has a configuration to serve as a handle for a user. The flange has a width away from the plane of the cap 101 that admits the fingertips of a user and offsets the cap above a supporting surface. The offset of the cap protects additional components of the invention. The invention also has a plurality of knobs 406 spaced within the flange, that is, between the two longer sides and the two lateral sides as shown. The width of the flange 102 extends beyond the knobs such that the edge of the flange makes full contact with a supporting surface as during storage of the invention upright with the invention resting upon the entire flange of one cap.
As shown, the Magazine has two spaced apart caps 101. The caps hold between them at least one rail 104. The description continues with two rails 104 as shown. The rails have a perpendicular orientation the caps 101, a spacing apart, and are mutually parallel while fixed to each cap 101 as later described. The rails in cooperation with the caps define a fixed length for the invention and hold the caps 101 mutually parallel. Preferably, the rails 104 have a position spaced above the lower of the longer sides of the caps, that is, above the feet 103 as shown. Preferably, the rails connect to the outer portion of each cap 101 as shown, generally above a foot. Alternatively, the rails connect to each cap to avoid interference with additional elongated components of the invention described below. Each rail connects to a cap 101 within the ridge 130 using a fastener 145, press fit, snap fit, bayonet lock, adhesive, thermal welding, sonic welding, and the like. Within fasteners, a preferred embodiment of the invention uses mechanical fasteners such as self-tapping screws, bolts, rivets. Moreover, each rail preferably has a square cross section that fits within the ridge 130 as later shown. Though square appears in the drawings and this description, the Applicants foresee other shapes that cooperate with a ridge of similar shape to prevent rotation of the rail relative to a cap. Each rail also has grooves 107 upon each of the rail's faces, here shown as four. Each rail has a reinforced construction with interior ribs, not shown, so that the rail minimizes its deflection under its own dead load, the nearby live load from the tubes 101 when loaded, its length, and slippage in the connection to the cap as at 145. More precisely, the rail maintains a straight orientation so that a cutter, later described, readily travels along a groove 107 during usage.
Spaced within the rails as shown, the invention has at least one tube 110 that holds wrapping paper, select fabrics, and other rolled sheet material suitable for a narrow diameter. The description proceeds with the embodiment showing three tubes 110, mutually parallel and spaced apart. Each tube then has a connection, preferably mechanical to a knob 106 where the knob allows a user to rotate the tube and wrapping paper placed thereon. Each tube 110 has an approximately equal length to that of the rails 104. Alternatively, each tube has a length that accommodates its connection to a knob 106 and permits rotation upon an axis perpendicular to the plane of the cap. Each tube may have thermoplastic, or other polymeric construction, such that materials wrapped upon it also do not deflect. Preferably, each tube has a circular in cross-section, however, the Applicants foresee alternate cross-sectional shapes suitable to retaining material wrapped thereon. Each tube also has at least one finger assembly 120, or tube grip. To avoid unbalancing material wrapped upon a tube, the drawings and description proceed with the two finger assemblies 120 shown. Each tube assembly has a fixed position upon the length of a tube as shown here and more precisely in
Tubes within rails, rails constrained by caps, and paper or other sheet material upon the tubes, the invention does more than store material. Upon at least one rail, the invention has a cutter 140 with a carriage that slides along the rail, here shown towards the front of the figure. The carriage fits upon a rail, generally beneath it as later shown and has a U-shaped profile. The carriage through its profile has small inward facing guides that fit precisely into the groove 107 onto at least one face of a rail 104. Once the carriage installs upon a rails, a user may slide the cutter left and right as usage to slice a desired portion of wrapping paper or other sheet material. To further aid the user, the cutter has a perpendicular handle that projects above the top of the carriage, parallel to the length of the rail. As later shown, the handle of the sliding cutter descends to one portion of the carriage and features a mechanical fastener, such as a screw insert, that operates as a hinge for a blade door, and by turning a dial operatively engaging the insert, that is by a handle screw, the remainder of the cutter releases pressure on the blade door, allowing the door to loosen, detach, or swing aside, and provide access to a blade recess. The blade door has a generally flat panel construction and rotatably affixed to one portion of the carriage, particularly below the handle by the handle screw, and held in place with pressure from the handle. With the door at least partially open, the invention cuts and the cutter has at least one blade. Here the embodiment has two blades and the drawings and description proceed with that. The blades remain in position by compression or pressure from the blade door imparted from the handle screw. The blades have a parallel orientation to the rail and positioning such that by sliding the cutter's carriage along the rail 104, an edge of the blade rides along the edge of the rail, as at a corner of the rail, so that a piece of wrapping paper pulled over the rail may separate after a user pulls the cutter so that a blade contacts the paper and cuts the piece free.
Each tube 110 then has two finger assemblies 120 spaced evenly upon its length. The fingers of each finger assembly extend radially from a tube and as later shown the fingers have a length more than that of the diameter of the tube. Outwardly from the finger assemblies, each tube has a fitting that connects and onwardly receives rotation from a knob eventually turned by a user.
The preceding description and drawings have mentioned and shown the cutter. At the factory or perhaps at a user's location, the cuter will assemble with a rail.
Below the blade, the carriage has a shoulder 146 extending outwardly from a plane defined by the door and outwardly from the carriage, thus to the right of the figure. The shoulder has a generally round shape, later shown, and its own thickness further outwardly. Outwardly form the shoulder, the cutter has its dial 145 here shown knurled though other edge treatments are foreseen. Out of the plane of the figure and towards the reader, and below the blade, the cutter had a wing 143 curving towards the dial. The wing has its thickness less than that of the handle. The wing's thickness does not reach the thickness of the shoulder. As the wing extends outwardly, it collects and orients wrapping paper or other sheet material for a clean slice by the blade and then ejecting of a cut piece of the paper or material.
Upon both upright branches of the carriage's U shape, the cutter has guides 142. Each guide has an elongated slender cross section that cooperates with the groove of a rail. Each guide fits within a recess of a branch of the carriage. Each guide has the same spacing from the top of the handle and both guides generally center upon the center of the dial, as shown. Beneath its guide, the wing narrows and returns to the thickness of the handle and merges to a knee 144. From the knee, the carriage spans away from the handle, that is, towards the left to the other upright branch of the U shape. The other upright branch has its guide mutually parallel to the other guide.
Rotating the cutter 140 somewhat,
Turning the cutter slightly from
Inwardly from the door 148, that is, towards the left of the figure, the invention has two blades 158. The two blades have a chevron like orientation. Each blade has an elongated, thin form with a slotted rectangular base that extends upwardly to a triangular working portion. The working portion has one sharpened edge as at 159 from near the rectangular base that narrows to a tip 160. The edge 159 has its orientation outwardly of the handle, that is, away from the radial line from the third aperture through the neck to the handle. Inwardly from the blades to the left again, the first wall 151 has a plain 161 for a significant portion of its length and for its height above the connectors 155. The plain represents the thinnest thickness of the first wall, the neck, and a portion of the handle. Within the plain, the first wall has an upright triangular third wall 162 with its own tip towards the handle 149. The third wall 162 receives the blades 158 against its exterior edges so that the blades attain an angular orientation inwardly towards the neck. That is, the edges of the blades face outwardly from the neck. Centered within the third wall, the third wall has a threaded insert 164 integral with the third wall and the first wall. The threaded insert receives the threaded shaft 156 when the dial, web, and blades undergo assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the blades are provided by Sanford, L.P. of Atlanta, Ga.
While the cutter 140 aids a user to cut wrapping paper, the tubes 110 hold the paper for that.
AND,
The preferred embodiment of the invention just described presents one or more selected rolls to a user of the invention. Each tube lets a user release wrapping paper from a selected roll upon pulling, ready to wrap a present or other object resting nearby. When a user completes user of the invention, the user may place it flat for storage on a shelf or under a bed. The user may also grasp one flange 102 of a cap 101, orient the invention upright upon the other cap 101, and place the invention behind a door or into a closet for storage.
From the aforementioned description, a magazine has been described. The magazine is uniquely capable of storing many rolls of wrapping paper horizontal and presenting the rolls for selection by a user. The magazine and its various components may be manufactured from many materials, including but not limited to, transparent polymers, steel, aluminum, opaque polymers, ferrous and non-ferrous metal foils, their alloys, and composites.
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments have been described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations have been described as multiple discrete operations, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
Moreover, in the specification and the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” “third” and the like—when they appear—are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A device for storing wrapping paper, said device comprising:
- two caps, said caps being spaced apart, each of said caps having a perimeter and a flange upon the perimeter, said flanges of said caps orienting mutually opposite;
- at least one rail spanning between said caps, said at least one rail fixed to both of said caps against rotation;
- at least one tube spanning between said caps, said at least one tube connected to both of said caps permitting axial rotation of said at least one tube;
- said at least one tube having at least one finger assembly;
- a cutter slidingly engaged upon said at least one rail, said cutter having a U like shape;
- wherein said at least one tube separates its connections to said caps;
- wherein said at least one tube is adapted to receive a roll of wrapping paper lengthwise;
- said at least one finger assembly including fingers extending radially therefrom;
- wherein said fingers of said at least one finger assembly each of said finger assemblies deflect; and
- wherein said fingers is adapted to fit inside snugly a roll of wrapping paper preventing the roll from rotating independently of said at least one tube.
2. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 1 further comprising:
- said at least one rail being two rails, said rails being mutually parallel and spaced apart, said rails spanning between said caps, each of said rails having a cross sectional shape;
- each of said caps having two spaced apart ridges opposite said flange of said cap, each of said ridges having a shape receiving snugly the cross-sectional shape of said rail thus fixing said rail to said cap against rotation;
- said at least one tube being three tubes, said tubes being mutually parallel and spaced apart and parallel to said rails, said tubes spanning between said caps, each of said tubes connecting to both of said caps permitting axial rotation of each of said tubes;
- each of said tubes having two finger assemblies spaced thereon; and
- each of said finger assemblies having a ring, at least one button extending inwardly of said ring, and said fingers radially extending outwardly from said ring.
3. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- said ring defining a common plane and said fingers extending away from said common plane alternating inwardly and outwardly from said common plane.
4. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 3 further comprising:
- each of said fingers being elongated and having flexibility to deflect ninety degrees.
5. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- each of said rails having a square cross section and each of said ridges having a cooperating square cross section to fix said rails to said caps;
- each of said rails having four surfaces and a groove lengthwise upon each of said surfaces;
- said cutter having a second wall upon a base, a first wall mutually parallel and spaced apart from said second wall, said base connecting to said first wall wherein said first wall, said second wall, and said base attain a U like shape; and
- a handle extending upwardly from said first wall, said handle partially enclosing at least one blade, wherein said at least one blade is adapted to cut wrapping paper.
6. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 5 further comprising:
- said at least one blade being two blades partially enclosed within said handle;
- said handle having a neck, said neck descending to said first wall generally upon the center of said first wall;
- said handle receiving said blades within said neck, a door upon said blades, said door having a generally rectangular plate and a centered round elevated shoulder, and said shoulder having a third aperture therethrough; and
- a dial having a threaded shaft extending therefrom, said threaded shaft passing through said aperture of said door.
7. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- said first wall having a plain spanning from it through said neck, a third wall generally of an upright triangular form upon said plain said third wall having a greater thickness than said plain, a threaded insert centered upon said third wall;
- each of said blades resting upon said plain adjacent to said third wall;
- each of said blades having a tip oriented upwardly in cooperation with said plain and an edge oriented outwardly from said plain;
- said door fitting over said blades and said third wall; and
- said threaded shaft of said dial engaging said threaded insert thus securing said blades within said door and presenting two of said edges of said blades outwardly;
- wherein said cutter is adapted to cut in either direction along said rail.
8. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 6 further comprising:
- said cutter having two mutually parallel and spaced apart guides, said guides each engage one groove upon said rail;
- one of said guides being upon said first wall and the other of said guides being upon said second wall; and
- each of said guides being at the same elevation above said base.
9. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 2 further comprising:
- each of said tubes having a length, a diameter, and two ends;
- each of said caps having three second apertures;
- each end of each tube operatively connecting to said cap;
- each operative connection of a tube to said cap having an inner connector to an end of a tube, an outer connector linking to said inner connector, and a knob connected to said outer connector wherein said outer connector rotates with said knob;
- each of said inner connectors linking to said outer connector using a key transmitting rotation while allowing for separating said inner connector from said outer connector;
- each of said knobs having a square aperture that cooperatively engages a square tip upon said outer connector transmitting rotation from said knob to said outer connector then to said inner connector then to said tube.
10. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 9 further comprising:
- each of said tubes having four fifth apertures diametrically aligned in pairs equally spaced along said tube;
- each of said finger assemblies having a ring, two buttons extending inwardly of said ring, and each of said buttons fitting into one of said fifth apertures.
11. A device for storing wrapping paper, comprising:
- two caps, said caps being spaced apart, each of said caps having a perimeter and a flange upon the perimeter, said flanges of said caps orienting mutually opposite;
- two rails, said rails being mutually parallel and spaced apart, said rails spanning between said caps, each of said rails having a cross sectional shape, each of rails fixed to both of said caps against rotation;
- three tubes, said tubes being mutually parallel and spaced apart and parallel to said rails, said tubes spanning between said caps, each of said tubes connecting to both of said caps permitting axial rotation of each of said tubes;
- each tube having at least one finger assembly;
- a cutter slidingly engaged upon said at least one rail, said cutter having a U like shape;
- wherein said at least one tube separates its connections to said caps;
- wherein said at least one tube is adapted to receive a roll of wrapping paper lengthwise;
- said at least one finger assembly including fingers extending radially therefrom;
- wherein said fingers of said at least one finger assembly deflect;
- wherein said fingers is adapted to fit inside snugly a roll of wrapping paper preventing the roll from rotating independently of said at least one tube; and
- each of said caps having two spaced apart ridges opposite said flange of said cap, each of said ridges having a shape receiving snugly the cross-sectional shape of said rail thus fixing said rail to said cap against rotation.
12. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 11 further comprising:
- each of said rails having a square cross section and each of said ridges having a cooperating square cross section fixing said rails to said caps;
- each of said rails having four surfaces and a groove lengthwise upon each of said surfaces;
- said cutter having a second wall upon a base, a first wall mutually parallel and spaced apart from said second wall, said base connecting to said first wall wherein said first wall, said second wall, and said base attain a U like shape; and
- a handle extending upwardly from said first wall, said handle partially enclosing two blades within said handle, wherein said blades is adapted to cut wrapping paper;
- said handle having a neck, said neck descending to said first wall generally upon the center of said first wall;
- said handle receiving said blades within said neck, a door upon said blades, said door having a generally rectangular plate and a centered round elevated shoulder, and said shoulder having a third aperture therethrough; and
- a dial having a threaded shaft extending therefrom, said threaded shaft passing through said aperture of said door.
13. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said first wall having a plain spanning from it through said neck, a third wall generally of an upright triangular form upon said plain said third wall having a greater thickness than said plain, a threaded insert centered upon said third wall;
- each of said blades resting upon said plain adjacent to said third wall;
- each of said blades having a tip oriented upwardly in cooperation with said plain and an edge oriented outwardly from said plain;
- said door fitting over said blades and said third wall; and
- said threaded shaft of said dial engaging said threaded insert thus securing said blades within said door and presenting two of said edges of said blades outwardly;
- said cutter having two mutually parallel and spaced apart guides, said guides each engage one groove upon said rail;
- one of said guides being upon said first wall and the other of said guides being upon said second wall;
- each of said guides being at the same elevation above said base; and
- wherein said cutter is adapted to cut in either direction along said rail.
14. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said first wall having at least one wing extending outwardly from said first wall and away from said second wall.
15. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- said at least one finger assembly being two finger assemblies spaced upon said at least one tube; and
- said ring defining a common plane and said fingers extending away from said common plane alternating inwardly and outwardly from said common plane.
16. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 15 further comprising:
- each of said fingers being elongated and having flexibility to deflect ninety degrees;
- said at least one tube having four fifth apertures diametrically aligned in pairs equally spaced along said tube; and
- each of said finger assemblies having a ring, at least one button extending inwardly of said ring, said at least one button fitting into one of said fifth apertures, and said fingers radially extending outwardly from said ring.
17. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 12 further comprising:
- each of said tubes having a length, a diameter, and two ends;
- each of said caps having three second apertures;
- each end of each tube operatively connecting to said cap transmitting rotation therethrough; and
- each operative connection of a tube to said cap being capable of separating.
18. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 17 further comprising:
- each operative connection of a tube to said cap having an inner connector to an end of a tube, an outer connector linking to said inner connector, and a knob connected to said outer connector wherein said outer connector rotates with said knob;
- each of said inner connectors linking to said outer connector using a key transmitting rotation while allowing for separating said inner connector from said outer connector;
- each of said knobs having a square aperture that cooperatively engages a square tip upon said outer connector transmitting rotation from said knob to said outer connector then to said inner connector then to said tube.
19. A device for storing wrapping paper comprising:
- two caps, said caps being spaced apart, each of said caps having a perimeter and a flange upon the perimeter, said flanges of said caps orienting mutually opposite;
- at least one rail spanning between said caps, said at least one rail fixed to both of said caps against rotation, and having a cross sectional shape;
- at least one tube spanning between said caps, said at least one tube connected to both of said caps permitting axial rotation of said at least one tube;
- said at least one tube having at least one finger assembly;
- a cutter slidingly engaged upon said at least one rail, said cutter having a U like shape;
- wherein said at least one tube separates its connections to said caps;
- wherein said at least one tube is adapted to receive a roll of wrapping paper lengthwise;
- said at least one finger assembly including fingers extending radially therefrom;
- wherein said fingers of said at least one finger assembly each of said finger assemblies deflect;
- wherein said fingers is adapted to fit inside snugly a roll of wrapping paper preventing the roll from rotating independently of said at least one tube;
- each of said caps having at least one ridge opposite said flange of said cap, said at least one ridge having a shape receiving snugly the cross-sectional shape of said at least one rail thus fixing said at least one rail to one of said caps against rotation;
- said at least one finger assembly having a ring, at least one button extending inwardly of said ring, and said fingers radially extending outwardly from said ring;
- said ring defining a common plane and said fingers extending away from said common plane alternating inwardly and outwardly from said common plane;
- each of said fingers being elongated and having flexibility to deflect ninety degrees;
- said cutter having a second wall upon a base, a first wall mutually parallel and spaced apart from said second wall, said base connecting to said first wall wherein said first wall, said second wall, and said base attain a U like shape;
- a handle extending upwardly from said first wall, said handle partially enclosing at least one blade, wherein said at least one blade is adapted to cut wrapping paper;
- said handle having a neck, said neck descending to said first wall generally upon the center of said first wall;
- said handle receiving said at least one blade within said neck, a door upon said blades, said door having a generally rectangular plate and a centered round elevated shoulder, and said shoulder having a third aperture therethrough;
- a dial having a threaded shaft extending therefrom, said threaded shaft passing through said third aperture of said door;
- said first wall having a plain spanning from it through said neck, a third wall generally of an upright triangular form upon said plain said third wall having a greater thickness than said plain, a threaded insert centered upon said third wall receiving said threaded shaft of said dial;
- said at least one blade resting upon said plain adjacent to said third wall, and having a tip oriented upwardly in cooperation with said plain and an edge oriented outwardly from said plain;
- said door fitting over said at least one blade and said third wall;
- said threaded shaft of said dial engaging said threaded insert thus securing said at least one blade within said door and presenting said edge of said at least one blade outwardly;
- said cutter having two mutually parallel and spaced apart guides, said guides each engage one groove upon said rail;
- one of said guides being upon said first wall and the other of said guides being upon said second wall;
- each of said guides being at the same elevation above said base;
- wherein said cutter is adapted to cut in either direction along said rail;
- said at least one tube having a length, a diameter, and two ends;
- each of said caps having at least one second aperture;
- each end of said at least one tube operatively connecting to said cap;
- each operative connection of said at least one tube to said cap having an inner connector to an end of said at least one ta tube, an outer connector linking to said inner connector, and a knob connected to said outer connector wherein said outer connector rotates with said knob;
- said inner connector linking to said outer connector using a key transmitting rotation while allowing for separating said inner connector from said outer connector;
- said knob having a square aperture that cooperatively engages a square tip upon said outer connector transmitting rotation from said knob to said outer connector then to said inner connector then to said tube;
- said at least one tube having at least one fifth aperture; and
- said at least one finger assembly having a ring, at least one button extending inwardly of said ring, and said at least one button fitting into said at least one fifth aperture.
20. The wrapping paper storing device of claim 19 further comprising:
- said at least one rail being two rails, said rails being mutually parallel and spaced apart, each of said rails having a square cross section and each of said ridges having a cooperating square cross section to fix said rails to said caps, each of said rails having four surfaces and a groove lengthwise upon each of said surfaces;
- said at least one tube being three tubes, said tubes being mutually parallel and spaced apart and parallel to said rails, said tubes spanning between said caps, each of said tubes connecting to both of said caps permitting axial rotation of each of said tubes;
- each of said tubes having two finger assemblies spaced thereon;
- each of said tubes having four fifth apertures diametrically aligned in pairs equally spaced along said tube;
- said at least one blade being two blades partially enclosed within said handle; and
- said first wall having at least one wing extending outwardly from said first wall and away from said second wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2022
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2023
Applicant: Daydream Products, LLC (St. Charles, MO)
Inventors: Ivan North (St. Charles, MO), Christopher L. Hawker (Toledo, OH), Christos Ragias (Toldeo, OH), Joel Beebe (Toldeo, OH), Brian Blum (Toldeo, OH)
Application Number: 17/982,330