Rubber Band Dispenser

Abstract

Disclosed is a rubber band dispenser suitable for use in homes, offices and industrial settings which is capable of repeatedly dispensing single rubber bands from a multiplicity of rubber bands. A version is disclosed in which a queue of rubber bands is continually pressed against a flange by means of a spring mechanism or the force of a weight with one or more gaps in an outer housing placed over the core of rubber bands. A guide may be used in the areas of the gap to urge distortion of one or more sections of the rubber band and cause it to form a graspable portion. In another variation, a mechanical ejector is actuated by the user to push against one rubber band, causing it to flex and form a graspable portion protruding from an orifice in a housing. Actuation may be by direct mechanical linkage to an operator-moved element, or by an electric powered actuator. Sequential queuing of rubber bands may be accomplished by means of a spring mechanism or using a weight.

1 . A rubber band dispenser apparatus comprising an actuator means for ejecting one and only one rubber band at a time from a cassette of rubber bands. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1  further comprising detachable interconnections between adjacent rubber bands in said cassette, a dispense sequencing means and a rubber band flexing means. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of claim Error! Reference source not found. wherein said flexing means comprises a rubber band pushing member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of claim Error! Reference source not found. further comprising a rubber band stacked queue pushing means. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said flexing means urges the formation of a graspable portion in one and only one rubber band in said cassette of rubber bands. 
     
     
         6 . A rubber band dispenser comprising a queue of rubber bands, a pusher mechanism to exert pressure against said queue of rubber bands to keep them continuously pressed against a flange, said flange having at least one gap to facilitate the flexing out of a single rubber band from said queue of rubber bands. 
     
     
         7 . The rubber band dispenser of  claim 6  further comprising a core to hold said queue of rubber bands. 
     
     
         8 . The rubber band dispenser of  claim 6  wherein said at least one gap in the band dispenser housing further comprises a rubber band distorting configuration in the rubber band guideway of said housing. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A cassette of rubber bands comprising a multiplicity of individual rubber bands pre-arranged in sequence for dispensing one and only one at a time. 
     
     
         14 . The stacked queue of rubber bands of  claim 13  further comprising a core disposed within said stacked queue of rubber bands 
     
     
         15 . The stacked queue of rubber bands of  claim 13  further comprising a removable external package disposed around said rubber bands 
     
     
         16 . The cassette of rubber bands of  claim 13  further comprising releasable interconnections between adjacent individual rubber bands in said cassette. 
     
     
         17 . A prearranged sequence of individual rubber bands arranged in a generally tubular stack conducive for mechanically dispensing one and only one said rubber band at a time.