Gift wrap organizer and dispenser

Abstract

Wrapping material organizers, dispensers and systems, as well as methods for making and using the same, are provided. In one embodiment, an organizer is provided with a plurality of holders located on a portable housing, each configured to hold a roll of wrapping material for dispensing in a generally horizontal orientation. The holders are located in a generally vertically spaced arrangement. In another embodiment, a wrapping material dispensing system comprises a scanner configured to read a Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol of an item to be wrapped, a database relating a plurality of UPCs to one or more wrapping dimensions associated with products having the UPCs; and a controller configured to communicate a UPC from the scanner to the database and output a related wrapping dimension

1 . A wrapping material dispenser comprising: 
 a housing having a self-supporting orientation for dispensing wrapping material;    a plurality of holders located on the housing, each configured to hold a roll of wrapping material for dispensing in a generally horizontal orientation, wherein the holders are located in a generally vertically spaced arrangement when the housing is in the dispensing orientation, wherein the housing is portable and configured to be readily lifted by an individual person.    
   
   
       2 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying handle permitting an individual to lift and transport the dispenser with a single hand.  
   
   
       3 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material cutter located on the housing.  
   
   
       4 . A dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the material cutter is slidably attached to the housing.  
   
   
       5 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a separate material cutter for each of the material holders.  
   
   
       6 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a storage compartment in the housing and configured to store additional rolls of wrapping material not located in the holders.  
   
   
       7 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a storage compartment located in the housing and configured to store wrapping supplies.  
   
   
       8 . A dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the storage compartment comprises a transparent exterior portion.  
   
   
       9 . A dispenser according to  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of storage compartments located in the housing and configured to store wrapping supplies.  
   
   
       10 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reel holder located on the housing and configured to dispense ribbon or cord from a reel.  
   
   
       11 . A dispenser according to  claim 10 , wherein the reel holder is configured to hold a plurality of ribbon or cord reels.  
   
   
       12 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tape dispenser located on the housing.  
   
   
       13 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tape dispenser located on the housing and a reel holder located on the housing configured to dispense ribbon or cord from a reel, wherein the tape dispenser and the reel holder are located generally above the plurality of wrapping material roll holders, and wherein the tape dispenser, reel holder and roll holders are all configured to dispense in a generally common direction.  
   
   
       14 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the holders is configured to cradle a bottom side of a roll of wrapping material during dispensing.  
   
   
       15 . A dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises separable front and rear portions.  
   
   
       16 . A wrapping material dispenser comprising: 
 a housing having a self-supporting orientation for dispensing wrapping material;    at least one handle for carrying the housing;    a plurality of holders located on the housing, each configured to hold a roll of wrapping material for dispensing in a generally horizontal orientation, wherein the holders are located in a generally vertically spaced arrangement when the housing is in the dispensing orientation;    a plurality of material cutters, each cutter slidably located on the housing adjacent to one of the material holders for cutting material dispensed therefrom;    a first storage compartment located in the housing and configured to store additional rolls of wrapping material when not located in the holders;    a second storage compartment located in the housing and configured to store wrapping supplies; and    a reel holder located on the housing and configured to dispense ribbon or cord from a plurality of reels.    
   
   
       17 . A wrapping material dispensing system comprising: 
 a scanner configured to read a Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol of an item to be wrapped;    a database relating a plurality of UPCs to one or more wrapping dimensions associated with products having the UPCs; and    a controller configured to communicate a UPC from the scanner to the database and output a related wrapping dimension.    
   
   
       18 . A wrapping material dispensing system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a wrapping material dispensing mechanism, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate the related wrapping dimension from the database to the dispensing mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . A wrapping material dispensing system according to  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the dispensing mechanism to automatically dispense an associated length of wrapping material once the UPC symbol of an item is read by the scanner.