Roll clip

Abstract

A roll clip is generally C-shaped made of a flexible material which allows the clip to snap over and hold a roll of paper or other material. In one embodiment, the clip includes feet at the open ends of the clip for resting on a surface such that the roll can be held in a partially unrolled fashion for studying the contents of blueprints or measuring and cutting of wallpaper or wrapping paper. In a preferred embodiment, the feet are rounded to facilitate snapping the clip over a paper roll.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A roll clip comprising: 
 a generally C-shaped member made of a flexible material, including an open mouth defined by a pair of feet at the ends of the C-shaped clip.    
     
     
         2 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein said feet are rounded.  
     
     
         3 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 2  wherein said roll clip is integrally molded of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         4 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 2  wherein said roll clip is ABS.  
     
     
         5 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 2  wherein said roll clip is nylon.  
     
     
         6 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 2  wherein said roll clip is polyethylene.  
     
     
         7 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 2  wherein said roll clip is stainless steel.  
     
     
         8 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 1  wherein said C-shaped clip includes an apex and a pair of downwardly depending legs which are tapered inwardly toward the feet.  
     
     
         9 . A roll clip comprising: 
 a generally C-shaped member made of a flexible material, including an open mouth defined by a pair of feet at the ends of the C-shaped clip; and    wherein said clip includes indicia on an outer surface thereof identifying the use of the clip.    
     
     
         10 . A roll clip comprising: 
 a generally C-shaped member made of a flexible material, including an open mouth defined by a pair of feet at the ends of the C-shaped clip; and    wherein said clip is made of a polymeric material having a predetermined color.    
     
     
         11 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein said color is red.  
     
     
         12 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein said color is green.  
     
     
         13 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein said color is gold.  
     
     
         14 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein said color is silver.  
     
     
         15 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the inner diameter of the clip is about 68 mm and applies a holding force of from about 2 to about 8 newtons.  
     
     
         16 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the inner diameter of the clip is about 48 mm and applies a holding force of from about 6 to about 11 newtons.  
     
     
         17 . The roll clip as defined in  claim 10  wherein the inner diameter of the clip is about 32 mm and applies a holding force of from about 8 to about 16 newtons.  
     
     
         18 . A method of holding roll stock material in either rolled-up form or partially dispensed form comprising: 
 dispensing an end of web stock material onto a work surface; and    applying a C-shaped clip over the roll of web stock for holding the rolled web stock material in a partially unrolled position.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said applying step includes applying a C-shaped clip having rounded feet at the ends of the clip for supporting the clip on a work surface.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the C-shaped clip applies a holding force of from about 2 to 16 newtons to the rolled web stock material.