Film dispenser

Abstract

A film dispenser includes a housing configured to receive and hold a roll of film. The housing has a dispensing opening through which a section of film can pass. The housing also has a lid that is movable between an open position where the dispensing opening is open and a closed position in which the dispensing opening is substantially closed. The lid has a film presentation member that is positioned to contact and hold a portion of the film when the lid is in the closed position and to present the portion of film within the dispensing opening for grasping when the lid is moved to the open position.

1 . A film dispenser including
 a housing configured to receive and hold a roll of film, the housing having a dispensing opening through which a section of film can pass, and a lid movable between an open position where the dispensing opening is open and a closed position in which the dispensing opening is substantially closed,   wherein the lid includes a film presentation member positioned to contact and hold a portion of the film when the lid is in the closed position and to present said portion of film within the dispensing opening for grasping when the lid is moved to the open position; the presentation member extending away from the lid and into the dispending opening when the lid is in the open position; and the presentation member extending away from an inner surface of the lid into and within the housing between the dispensing opening and the roll of film, in a location partially in front of the roll of film when the lid is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . A film dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the film presentation member is located proximate the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         3 . A film dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the film presentation member includes at least one tab projecting away from the inner surface of the lid. 
     
     
         4 . A film dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one tab is an elongate tab running lengthwise substantially parallel a longitudinal edge of the housing that partly defines the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         5 . A film dispenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the elongate tab is formed from at least two planar portions, a first of the at least two planar portions connected to the lid and a second of the at least two planar portions extending at an angle to the first planar portion in a direction generally away from the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         6 . A film dispenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the film presentation member holds the film by adhesion. 
     
     
         7 . A film dispenser according to  claim 6 , wherein the film presentation member includes an adhesive section for releasably adhering the portion of film thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A film dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive section includes a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . A film dispenser according to  claim 1 , further including a cutting unit including a blade on which a layer of film can be cut, the film presentation member being configured to contact and generally adhere to a portion of the film between the roll of film and the cutting unit when the lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . A film dispenser according to  claim 9 , wherein the film presentation member includes an adhesive section for releasably adhering the portion of film thereto comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . A film dispenser according to  claim 9 , wherein the blade is located proximate to the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         12 . A film dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the blade is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         13 . A film dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the blade is a saw-toothed blade. 
     
     
         14 . A film dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is connected to the housing by a hinge, the axis of the hinge lying substantially parallel to a length of the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         15 . A film dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the housing includes at least one moveable side tab for releasably retaining the roll of film within housing. 
     
     
         16 . A film dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the lid further includes releasable locking means including at least one element associated with the lid and at least one cooperating element associated with the housing proximate the dispensing opening to releasably lock lid in the closed position. 
     
     
         17 . A film dispenser according to  claim 16 , wherein releasable locking means includes a projection and a cooperating opening. 
     
     
         18 . A film dispenser including:
 a housing configured to receive and hold a roll of film, the housing having a dispensing opening through which a section of film can pass, and a lid movable between an open position where the dispensing opening is open and a closed position in which the dispensing opening is substantially closed,   wherein the lid includes a film presentation member which includes at least one tab projecting away from an inner surface of the lid, the tab being positioned to contact and hold a portion of the film by adhesion when the lid is in the closed position and to present said portion of film within the dispensing opening for grasping when the lid is moved to the open position; the presentation member extending away from the lid and into the dispensing opening when the lid is in the open position; and the presentation member extending away from the inner surface of the lid into and within the housing between the dispensing opening and the roll of film, in a location partially in front of the roll of film when the lid is in the closed position.   
     
     
         19 . A film dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the film presentation member includes an adhesive section for releasably adhering the portion of film thereto comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . A film dispenser including:
 a housing configured to receive and hold a roll of film, the housing having a dispensing opening through which a section of film can pass, and a lid movable between an open position where the dispensing opening is open and a closed position in which the dispensing opening is substantially closed;   a film presentation member which includes at least one tab projecting away from an inner surface of the lid, the tab being positioned to contact and hold a portion of the film by adhesion when the lid is in the closed position and to present said portion of film within the dispensing opening for grasping when the lid is moved to the open position, the presentation member extending away from the lid and into the dispensing opening when the lid is in the open position, and the presentation member extending away from the inner surface of the lid into and within the housing between the dispensing opening and the roll of film, in a location partially in front of the roll of film when the lid is in the closed position; and   a cutting unit including a blade on which a layer of film can be cut, the film presentation member being configured to contact and generally adhere to a portion of the film between the roll of film and the cutting unit when the lid is in the closed position.