Stackable container system for storing, organizing and dispensing of ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products and method for dispensing same

Abstract

A container system for storage, organizing and dispensing of ribbon or ribbon-like spooled products of varying diameters typically, but not limited to, use in gift decorating or crafting projects, constructed of a plurality of stackable trays of variable depths, a top lid and a bottom cover all secured together by latches, and which contain a system of dowels and dispenser slots fitted with edge guards which are employed in applying a breaking pressure on the spooled products protruding from dispenser slots.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container system for storage, organizing and dispensing of spooled ribbon or ribbon-like products of varying diameters typically used in, but not limited to, decoration of gifts and crafting projects according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising:
 A plurality of stackable trays of variable depths, each comprised of a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel and side walls, and   A latch attached to each exterior end wall of each tray that secures the trays together in a stacked configuration to form the container system.   
     
     
         2 . The container system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 A container lid with pivoting handle in the center, which may be attached by end wall latches to any of the trays set forth in  claim 1 ;   A bottom tray cover which may be attached by end wall latches to any of the trays set forth in  claim 1 ;   
     
     
         3 . The container system as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 A divided utility tray;   
     
     
         4 . The container system as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 A plurality of dowels positioned horizontally inside the trays between tray side walls, spaced equidistant from each other and from the interior of the end walls and at a distance above the tray floor such that spools on one dowel will not interfere with spools on an adjacent dowel or the tray floor;   A plurality of transverse pairs of J-shaped channel dowel supports positioned at evenly spaced intervals on interior tray side walls;   A plurality of slots in the floor panel of the trays, each slot corresponding to a dowel, whereby spooled products may be dispensed and   A plurality of dispenser slot edge guards, corresponding in length to dispenser slots, each possessing a plurality of nubs formed at the end of each edge guard creating a sliding pressure apparatus.   
     
     
         5 . A tray comprised of a floor panel, a plurality of stackable side walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel, a plurality of stackable end walls constructed and arranged to be connected to the floor panel and side walls;
 A plurality of dowels positioned horizontally inside the trays between tray side walls, spaced equidistant from each other and from the interior of the end walls and at a distance above the tray floor such that spools on one dowel will not interfere with spools on an adjacent dowel or the tray floor;   A plurality of transverse pairs of J-shaped channel dowel supports positioned at evenly spaced intervals on interior side walls;   A plurality of slots in the floor panel of the trays, each slot corresponding to a dowel, whereby spooled products may be dispensed;   A plurality of dispenser slot edge guards, corresponding in length to dispenser slots, each possessing a plurality of nubs formed at the end of each edge guard creating a sliding pressure apparatus.   A single or a plurality of divider panels and   A plurality of transverse vertical support guides formed from or attached to the interior side walls of the tray spaced at equidistant intervals forming supports for divider panels.   
     
     
         6 . A method for dispensing spooled products comprising the steps of:
 rotating a spooled products container tray from resting on the exterior floor of the tray 90 degrees to rest on an end wall as directed by an embossed arrow on the exterior of each tray side walls;   removing dowels;   loading spooled products onto dowels with all products unwinding in the same direction;   reinserting dowels into J-channel supports beginning with the bottommost position, spooled products unwinding from the top of the spools toward the floor of the tray;   inserting the ends of the spooled products through the dispenser slot in the tray floor corresponding to the dowel being loaded;   sliding together the two sides of the dispenser slot edge guards whereby the unwinding of spooled products is damped by applying a breaking pressure;   loading the remaining dowels one-by-one in the same manner as the first from the bottom up;   
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  further comprising the additional step of dispensing of spooled products whereby a spooled product protruding from the dispenser slot is drawn out to a desired length and cut at a distance from the slot which will leave a length of product protruding from the slot.