PRESSURE ACTUATED STICKER DISPENSER
The present disclosure provides embodiments of a sticker dispenser including a dispenser body. The dispenser body defines an inner cavity arranged along a longitudinal axis. A pusher member is disposed within the cavity and extends along the longitudinal axis. A sticker cartridge is movable within the dispenser body along the longitudinal axis, and an outside surface of cartridge is shaped to fit into the inner cavity. A plurality of stickers are arranged in a stack and disposed within the cartridge. Each sticker includes an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface. A bottommost sticker is arranged at a distal end of the cartridge and a topmost sticker is arranged within the cartridge proximal of the bottommost sticker.
1 . A sticker dispenser comprising:
a dispenser body, wherein the dispenser body defines an inner cavity arranged along a longitudinal axis;
a pusher member disposed within the cavity and extending along the longitudinal axis;
a sticker cartridge movable within the dispenser body along the longitudinal axis, wherein an outside surface of cartridge is shaped to fit into the inner cavity; and
a plurality of stickers arranged in a stack and disposed within the cartridge, wherein each sticker comprises an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, wherein a bottommost sticker is arranged at a distal end of the cartridge and a topmost sticker is arranged within the cartridge proximal of the bottommost sticker,
wherein the cartridge further comprises a reduced cross-dimension portion proximate the distal end of the cartridge along an inner surface of the cartridge, wherein a cross-dimension of the reduced cross-dimension portion is smaller than a cross-dimension of each of the plurality of stickers,
wherein the reduced cross-dimension portion further comprises one or more tapered wall portions extending proximally from the distal end of the cartridge,
wherein the one or more tapered wall portions taper so as to extend progressively towards the longitudinal axis in the distal direction and that at least a distal portion of the one or more tapered wall portions are sized so as to progressively drive flexing of some of the plurality of stickers in a direction along the longitudinal axis thereby longitudinally separating a central region of some of the stickers from one another and urging the central region of the lowermost sticker to extend longitudinally towards an outlet of the cartridge.
2 . The sticker dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser body further comprises one or more ridges disposed on an inner surface of the cavity, wherein, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, the ridges engage with an outside surface of the cartridge to create an interference fit to removably and slidably secure the cartridge within the cavity.
3 . The sticker dispenser of claim 1 , wherein when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, the pusher extends into the cartridge and contacts a topmost sticker of the plurality of stickers.
4 . The sticker dispenser of claim 2 , further comprising a flexible portion supporting the one or more ridges, wherein, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, the flexible portions flex outward from the cavity, and wherein an elasticity of the flexible portions is selected to provide a secure and slidable engagement with the cartridge.
5 . The sticker dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser body further comprises a decorative outer surface.
6 . The sticker dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the decorative outer surface comprises a sculpted shape.
7 . The sticker dispenser of claim 1 , wherein
one of the cartridge and the dispenser body includes a first one or more ridges extending away from a wall thereof, towards the other of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body to generate an interference fit to permit the cartridge to be held in the dispenser body without slippage while also permitting the cartridge to slide in the dispenser body during stamping of the sticker dispenser on a surface so as to advance the pusher in the cartridge,
wherein the first one or more ridges are positioned proximate a distal end of the one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body, and
wherein the other of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body includes a second one or more ridges proximate a proximal end thereof, extending towards the one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body.
8 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the second one or more ridges are fixed along an outer surface of the replaceable sticker cartridge.
9 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the second one or more ridges comprise flexible ridges attached to the replaceable sticker cartridge and extending toward the inside surface of the dispenser body.
10 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , further comprising a flexible portion supporting the first one or more ridges, wherein, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, the flexible portion flexes outward from the cavity, and wherein an elasticity of the flexible portion is selected to provide a secure and slidable engagement with the cartridge.
11 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the dispenser body further comprises a decorative outer surface.
12 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the dispenser body has an open end and the cartridge extends outward axially from the open end of the dispenser body both prior to and during dispensing of the bottommost sticker.
13 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the dispenser body has an open end and the interference fit is selected to also permit manual removal of the cartridge from the dispenser body by manually sliding the cartridge out through the open end of the dispenser body.
14 . The sticker dispenser of claim 7 , wherein an entirety of the first one or more ridges is closer to the distal end of the one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body than to a proximal end of the one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body, and wherein an entirety of the second one or more ridges is closer to the proximal end of the other one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body than to a distal end of the other one of the replaceable sticker cartridge and the dispenser body.