Method and apparatus for dispensing spooled materials
OwnerKim J. Dato, James E. Datoinventors
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for winding conditioned material onto a spool so as to maintain its desirable properties. In one embodiment, decorative ribbon is conditioned using a curling device and wound onto an elongated spool having a predetermined radius in an alternating, helical lay pattern so as to maintain the curl of the ribbon, and permit easy removal and storage thereof. In a second embodiment, two or more different types or colors of ribbon are wound either concentrically or in juxtaposed orientation onto the same spool. An apparatus for winding one or more of the aforementioned spools is also disclosed. A multi-spool dispenser for the curled ribbon is further described.
Claims31
A method for winding a material onto a spool, comprising:
- providing a quantity of material;
- selecting a value of at least one parameter associated with said material;
- conditioning said material based at least in part on said at least one value;
- selecting a spool having a first configuration based at least in part on said at least one value;
- and
- winding said material onto said spool.
A method for providing at least two different materials disposed on a single spool, said at least two different materials being curled, the method comprising:
- providing a quantity of at least a first material;
- providing a quantity of at least a second material;
- selecting the desired curl radius associated with said first and second materials;
- conditioning said first and second materials based at least in part on said selected curl radius;
- selecting a spool having a longitudinal axis and a radius, said radius being substantially similar to said selected curl radius;
- and
- winding said first and second materials onto said spool in respective first and second lay patterns which are substantially helical.
An apparatus for winding spooled materials, comprising:
- at least one supply spool adapted to supply a quantity of unconditioned material;
- at least one conditioning device, said at least one device adapted to receive said unconditioned material and alter at least one physical property of said material in order to produce conditioned material;
- at least one receiving spool, said at least one receiving spool being adapted to store said conditioned material thereon;
- and
- a positioning device, adapted to position said at least one conditioning device with respect to respective ones of said at least one receiving spool, such that said conditioned material is disposed on said at least one receiving spool in a predetermined pattern.
A spool of conditioned and wound material, comprising:
- a substantially elongate, substantially cylindrical core;
- a quantity of conditioned material disposed on said core;
- wherein at least one parameter of said core is selected so as to preserve said material in a conditioned state.
A dispenser for spooled materials, comprising:
- a housing element having a recess formed therein;
- a plurality of spools of conditioned material disposed substantially within said recess of said housing element;
- and
- a plurality of apertures disposed in proximity to respective ones of said spools, said apertures being adapted to pass said conditioned material from said respective ones of said spools therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.