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Title:
A DISPENSER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/161109
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A dispenser, for dispensing adhesive products, including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted. Further provided is an outlet from which a gripping portion of a foremost of the products is presented to be pulled upon to remove the foremost of the products from the carrier strip to produce a removed product, a rearward adhesive portion of which is exposed for application, and used carrier strip, and advance the carrier strip to present a subsequent gripping portion by which a subsequent one of the products is removable. There is a take-up member. Also provided is a transmission by which the gripping portion being so pulled upon rotates the take-up member to take up the used carrier strip.

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Inventors:
VENERIS BRIDGETTE (AU)
MCARTHUR THERESE (AU)
BROWN RODNEY (AU)
MOTT BENJAMIN ROBERT (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2018/050184
Publication Date:
September 13, 2018
Filing Date:
March 01, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VENERIS BRIDGETTE (AU)
MCARTHUR THERESE (AU)
BROWN RODNEY (AU)
MOTT BENJAMIN ROBERT (AU)
International Classes:
A61F15/00
Foreign References:
US7683235B22010-03-23
US20090301663A12009-12-10
US8156989B22012-04-17
US8100290B22012-01-24
US20170035627A12017-02-09
US20130233876A12013-09-12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
WADESON (AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A dispenser, for dispensing adhesive products, including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; an outlet from which a gripping portion of a foremost of the products is presented to be pulled upon to remove the foremost of the products from the carrier strip to produce a removed product, a rearward adhesive portion of which is exposed for application, and used carrier strip; and advance the carrier strip to present a subsequent gripping portion by which a subsequent one of the products is removable; a take-up member; and a transmission by which the gripping portion being so pulled upon rotates the take-up member to take up the used carrier strip.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the outlet includes a guide arrangement about which the carrier strip is turned away from the foremost of the products to so present the gripping portion of the foremost of the products.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2 including a carrier element about which the carrier strip and products mounted on the carrier strip are wound such that pulling on the gripping portion of the foremost of the products causes the carrier element to rotate; wherein the transmission includes a transmission portion connecting the take-up member to, to be driven by, the carrier element.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the transmission is configured to slip.

5. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a respective portion of each subsequent one of the products overlies a respective rear of a respectively preceding respective one of the products.

6. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a respective forward end of each respective one of at least the products subsequent to the foremost of the products includes a respective backing portion to separate a respective adhesive portion of the respective forward end from an underlying one or more of the carrier strip and the other product(s).

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein each respective backing portion extends in advance of its respective adhesive portion.

8. The dispenser of claim 7 including a cover strip overlying the carrier strip and the products mounted on the carrier strip.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein the carrier strip and the cover strip contact each other, and the carrier strip and the cover strip each contact the backing portions.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 or 9 wherein used cover strip is routed to be taken up by the take-up member.

1 1 . The dispenser of claim 8 or 9 including a cover strip take-up member; and a transmission portion by which the gripping portion being pulled upon rotates the cover strip take-up member to take up used carrier strip.

12. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 1 1 being enclosed to shield at least the carrier strip, and ones of the products, following the foremost of the products from at least dust.

13. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the dispenser is heavy enough for one-handed removal of the foremost of the products whilst the dispenser is seated on a tabletop.

14. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 13 fixed to a wall or furniture item to enable one-handed removal of the foremost of the products.

15. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the adhesive products are bandages.

16. A refill for a dispenser; the dispenser being for dispensing adhesive products and including an outlet; the outlet including a guide arrangement; the refill including a supply of the products; and a take-up member; the supply including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; a front end of the carrier strip being connected to the take-up member; each one of the products having a respective gripping portion at its respective forward end; each respective one of the gripping portions being configured to present for gripping when the carrier strip is moved from the supply and turned, about the guide arrangement, to be taken up by take-up member.

17. The refill of claim 16 wherein a respective portion of each subsequent one of the products overlies a respective rear of a respectively preceding one of the respective products.

18. The refill of claim 16 or 17 wherein the supply includes a supply member about which the carrier strip and the products mounted therealong are wound.

19. The refill of claim 18 wherein the dispenser includes a transmission for transmitting drive from the supply member to the take-up member; and the supply member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to drive the transmission; and the take-up member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to be driven by the transmission.

20. The refill of any one of claims 16 to 19 including a carrier member carrying the supply member and the take up member and including features co-operable with the dispenser to align the supply member and take up member for transference to the dispenser.

21 . The refill of any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the adhesive products are bandages. 22. A refill for a dispenser; the dispenser being for dispensing adhesive products; the refill including a supply of the products; a take-up member; and a carrier member; the supply including carrier strip along which the products are mounted; and a supply member about which the carrier strip and the products mounted therealong are wound; the carrier member carrying the supply member and the take up member and including features co-operable with the dispenser to align the supply member and take up member for transference to the dispenser.

AMENDED CLAIMS

received by the International Bureau on 15 June 2018 (15.06.2018)

1 . A dispenser, for dispensing adhesive products, including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; an outlet from which a gripping portion of a foremost of the products is presented to be pulled upon to remove the foremost of the products from the carrier strip to produce a removed product, a rearward adhesive portion of which is exposed for application, and used carrier strip; and advance the carrier strip to present a subsequent gripping portion by which a subsequent one of the products is removable; a take-up member; and a transmission by which the gripping portion being so pulled upon rotates the take- up member to take up the used carrier strip.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the outlet includes a guide arrangement about which the carrier strip is turned away from the foremost of the products to so present the gripping portion of the foremost of the products.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2 including a carrier element about which the carrier strip and products mounted on the carrier strip are wound such that pulling on the gripping portion of the foremost of the products causes the carrier element to rotate; wherein the transmission includes a transmission portion connecting the take-up member to, to be driven by, the carrier element.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the transmission is configured to slip.

5. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a respective portion of each subsequent one of the products overlies a respective rear of a respectively preceding respective one of the products.

6. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a respective forward end of each respective one of at least the products subsequent to the foremost of the products includes a respective backing portion to separate a respective adhesive portion of the respective forward end from an underlying one or more of the carrier strip and the other product(s).

7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein each respective backing portion extends in advance of its respective adhesive portion.

8. The dispenser of claim 7 including a cover strip overlying the carrier strip and the products mounted on the carrier strip. 9. The dispenser of claim 8 wherein the carrier strip and the cover strip contact each other, and the carrier strip and the cover strip each contact the backing portions.

10. The dispenser of claim 8 or 9 wherein used cover strip is routed to be taken up by the take-up member. 1 1 . The dispenser of claim 8 or 9 including a cover strip take-up member; and a transmission portion by which the gripping portion being pulled upon rotates the cover strip take-up member to take up used carrier strip.

12. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 1 1 being enclosed to shield at least the carrier strip, and ones of the products, following the foremost of the products from at least dust.

13. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the dispenser is heavy enough for one-handed removal of the foremost of the products whilst the dispenser is seated on a tabletop.

14. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 13 fixed to a wall or furniture item to enable one-handed removal of the foremost of the products.

15. The dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the adhesive products are bandages.

16. A refill for a dispenser; the dispenser being for dispensing adhesive products and including an outlet; the outlet including a guide arrangement; the refill including a supply of the products; and a take-up member; the supply including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; a front end of the carrier strip being connected to the take-up member; each one of the products having a respective gripping portion at its respective forward end; each respective one of the gripping portions being configured to present for gripping when the carrier strip is moved from the supply and turned, about the guide arrangement, to be taken up by take-up member; and a respective portion of each subsequent one of the products overlying a respective rear of a respectively preceding one of the products.

17. The refill of claim 16 wherein the supply includes a supply member about which the carrier strip and the products mounted therealong are wound.

18. The refill of claim 17 wherein the dispenser includes a transmission for transmitting drive from the supply member to the take-up member; and the supply member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to drive the transmission; and the take-up member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to be driven by the transmission.

19. The refill of any one of claims 16 to 18 including a carrier member carrying the supply member and the take up member and including features co-operable with the dispenser to align the supply member and take up member for

transference to the dispenser.

20. The refill of any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the adhesive products are bandages.

Description:
A DISPENSER

FIELD

The invention relates to dispensing adhesive products, such as adhesive bandages, and to dispensers, components and methods therefor. BACKGROUND

Adhesive bandages are routinely used in the home and in medical settings to cover minor wounds. Typical adhesive bandages are sold under the trade mark BAND- AIDâ„¢.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a typical adhesive bandage including a strip 3 and backing portions 5a, 5b. The strip 3 has a patient-facing side made up of a wound- contacting portion 3a, adhesive portions 3b, 3c at the ends of the portion 3a, and smaller adhesive portions 3d, 3e running alongside the portion 3a.

In use, the portions 3b, 3c adhere to the skin of the patient to hold the wound- contacting portion 3a over the wound. The backing strips 5a, 5b of the bandage 1 cover the regions 3b, 3c to prevent premature adherence of those regions to any particular surface that they might otherwise come into contact with. Typically the bandage 1 will be packaged within its own individual paper envelope.

Whilst such bandages are commonly used, they are not without their drawbacks. To apply such a bandage one must first tear off the end of the paper envelope to access the bandage 1. The bandage is then withdrawn from the envelope and bent in the manner suggested in Figure 1 to enable the free edges of the backing strips 5a, 5b (overlying the wound-contacting portion 3a) to be presented for gripping and removal of the backing strips. Upon removal of the backing strips, the strip 3 becomes freely pliable and the adhesive portions tend to grip to themselves. This can render a bandage useless. Some bandages are wasted in this way.

Various users have developed their own application techniques. Some deform the bandage 1 to press the wound-contacting portion 3a to the wound and then simultaneously peel off the two backing strips. Others will peel off one backing strip, apply one of the adhesive portions, and then peel off the other backing strip. Neither method is particularly convenient.

When applying an adhesive bandage, one is normally more focused on the bleeding wound than on the waste materials. As such, the used envelope portions and backing strips are often dropped. Even if working above a tabletop, the lightweight components are often moved by the slightest breeze and therefore the application of an adhesive bandage is often followed by retrieving the used waste materials from the floor. This retrieval adds inconvenience to what is already a generally

inconvenient process.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention aims to provide improvements in and for the dispensing and application of adhesive bandages, or at least provide alternatives concerned with such bandages.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a dispenser, for dispensing adhesive products, including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; an outlet from which a gripping portion of a foremost of the products is presented to be pulled upon to remove the foremost of the products from the carrier strip to produce a removed product, a rearward adhesive portion of which is exposed for application, and used carrier strip; and advance the carrier strip to present a subsequent gripping portion by which a subsequent one of the products is removable; a take-up member; and a transmission by which the gripping portion being so pulled upon rotates the take-up member to take up the used carrier strip.

The outlet preferably includes a guide arrangement about which the carrier strip is turned away from the foremost of the products to so present the gripping portion of the foremost of the products.

The dispenser may include a carrier element about which the carrier strip and products mounted on the carrier strip are wound such that pulling on the gripping portion of the foremost of the products causes the carrier element to rotate; wherein the transmission includes a transmission portion connecting the take-up member to, to be driven by, the carrier element.

The transmission may be configured to slip. Preferably a respective portion of each subsequent one of the products overlies a respective rear of a respectively preceding respective one of the products. Most preferably a respective forward end of each respective one of at least the products subsequent to the foremost of the products includes a respective backing portion to separate a respective adhesive portion of the respective forward end from an underlying one or more of the carrier strip and the other product(s). Each respective backing portion may extend in advance of its respective adhesive portion, e.g. to define a gripping portion of the product. Preferably a cover strip overlies the carrier strip and the products mounted on the carrier strip. Most preferably the carrier strip and the cover strip contact each other, and the carrier strip and the cover strip each contact each of the backing portions, preferably so as to individually encapsulate each of the strips.

Used cover strip may be routed to be taken up by the take-up member. Alternatively, the dispenser may include a cover strip take-up member; and a transmission portion by which the gripping portion being pulled upon rotates the cover strip take-up member to take up used carrier strip.

The dispenser may be enclosed to shield at least the carrier strip, and ones of the products, following the foremost of the products from at least dust.

Preferably the dispenser is heavy enough for one-handed removal of the foremost of the products whilst the dispenser is seated on a tabletop. The dispenser may be fixed, e.g. adhesively fixed, to a wall or furniture item to enable one-handed removal of the foremost of the products.

The adhesive products may be bandages. Preferably each of the bandages includes a strip having a patient-facing side. Each patient-facing side may include a wound- contacting portion for contacting a wound; forward of the wound-contacting portion, a forward adhesive portion for adhering to the patient; and rearward of the wound-contacting portion, a rearward adhesive portion for adhering to the patient; Another aspect of the invention provides a refill for a dispenser; the dispenser being for dispensing adhesive products and including an outlet; the outlet including a guide arrangement; the refill including a supply of the products; and a take-up member; the supply including a carrier strip along which the products are mounted; a front end of the carrier strip being connected to the take-up member; each one of the products having a respective gripping portion at its respective forward end; each respective one of the gripping portions being configured to present for gripping when the carrier strip is moved from the supply and turned, about the guide arrangement, to be taken up by take-up member.

The supply may include a supply member about which the carrier strip and the products mounted therealong are wound. Preferably the dispenser includes a transmission for transmitting drive from the supply member to the take-up member; and the supply member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to drive the transmission; and the take-up member includes feature(s) co-operable with the transmission to be driven by the transmission.

The refill preferably includes a carrier member, carrying the supply member and the take up member, and features co-operable with the dispenser to align the supply member and take up member for transference to the dispenser. Another aspect of the invention provides a refill for a dispenser; the dispenser being for dispensing adhesive products; the refill including a supply of the products; a take-up member; and a carrier member; the supply including carrier strip along which the products are mounted; and a supply member about which the carrier strip and the products mounted therealong are wound; the carrier member carrying the supply member and the take up member and including features co-operable with the dispenser to align the supply member and take up member for transference to the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a prior art adhesive bandage;

Figure 2 is a view of the patient-facing side of an adhesive bandage;

Figure 3 is a top view of a carrier strip upon which adhesive bandages are mounted;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the adhesive bandages shown in Figure 3 (carrier strip omitted for clarify); Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bandage dispenser (cover omitted); Figure 6 is an exploded view of a bandage dispenser (cover omitted);

Figures 7a to 7d show a dispenser being refilled;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a dispenser;

Figure 9 is a top perspective view of a gear member; Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the gear member of Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a top perspective view of another gear member;

Figure 12 is a lengthwise cross-section view of a composite strip;

Figure 13 is a schematic view of a bandage dispenser;

Figure 14 is another schematic view of a bandage dispenser; Figure 15 is a lengthwise cross-section view of another composite strip co-operating with a guide;

Figure 16 is a top perspective view of the strip and guide of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a top perspective view of a dispensed adhesive product; Figure 18 is a bottom perspective view of the product of Figure 17 Figure 19 is a perspective view of a dispenser in its open configuration; and

Figure 20 is perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 19 in its closed configuration. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 3 shows a bandage 7 including an essentially conventional strip 9 including a wound-contacting portion 9a, a rear adhesive portion 9b, a forward adhesive portion 9c and a backing portion 13. The strip 9 is the portion which, after dispensing and applying the bandage 7, remains on the patient. The wound-contacting portion may be a fabric pad (or other wound-dressing material).

The strip 9 is an example of a final adhesive product which remains once applied to a target. Figure 3 is a top view of a preferred composite strip 16 including an elongate carrier strip 15 carrying a series of the bandages 7.

The bandages are arranged so that the rearward end 17 of each bandage underlies the forward end 19 of the following bandage. The forward end 19 is covered by a backing portion 13 having a release surface by which it releasably co-operates with the forward portion of the region 9c. On its other side, the backing portion has another non-tacky surface that sits over, but does not adhere to, the rearward end of the preceding bandage 7.

Whereas conventional backing strips 5a, 5b each cover about half of the strip 3, the backing portion 13 preferably covers less than about half (by length) of the strip 7. Preferably it covers less than 30%, e.g. about 25%, of the strip (again by the length).

The dispenser 21 incorporates a body 23, a supply reel 25, a take-up reel 27 and a transmission 29.

The body 23 is an integral body of plastic formed by injection moulding. It includes a planar side wall 23a surrounded by a perimeter wall 23b. A pair of spigots 23c project from the wall 23a within the confines of the wall 23b.

In this example, the wall 23b has a planar free edge 23d. A planar cover (not shown) mates with the edge 23d to enclose the body 23.

The transmission 29 includes sleeves 29a, 29b dimensioned to fit over and rotate about the spigots 23c. The transmission further includes pulleys 29c, 29d and a belt 29e. The pulleys 29c, 29d are also dimensioned to fit over the spigots 29c. The pulley 29c engages the sleeve 29a to rotate therewith whilst the pulley 29d likewise engages the pulley 29b. The belt 29e is a transmission portion interconnecting the two pulleys so that the sleeves 29a, 29b are arranged to rotate in unison.

The supply reel 25 has an inner bore dimensioned to engage the sleeve 29a to rotate therewith. The composite strip 15 is wound about the supply reel 25. The take-up reel 25 likewise includes an internal bore dimensioned to fit over the sleeve 29b to rotate therewith.

The body 23 further includes an outlet 23e. The outlet 23e includes an opening through which the forward end 19 of a foremost of the bandages 7 can project from the housing. The outlet further includes a guide 23f which, in this example, takes the form of a projection projecting from the rear wall 23a. Draft angle aside, the guide 23f is a parallel-piped formation with a triangular profile. The guide 23f is arranged to present a corner to the composite strip about which the carrier strip 15 can be turned away from the bandages 7 to form used carrier strip 15a.

In use, the used strip 15a moves downwardly from the guide 23f whilst the forward portion 19 of the bandage 7, that is not adhered to that strip, continues forward through the opening 23e.

Other forms of guide are possible. Likewise, mechanisms (other than the backing portion 13) to effect this separation are possible. By way of example, the side of the bandage 7 that faces away from the patient may be equipped with a suitable release surface to prevent the following bandage adhering thereto.

When a dispenser is first purchased, the reels 25, 27 can be first installed over the sleeves 29a, 29b and the spigots 23c. A portion 31 of the composite strip between the supply reel 25 and the guide 23f is then manually manipulated to advance the composite strip until a forward portion 19 of a composite strip emerges from the outlet 23e. The cover (not shown) can then be placed. A consumer might complete these actions. Alternatively, similar actions might be completed in a factory. After this initial set-up, the portion 19 can simply be grasped to pull the bandage 7 out of the dispenser 21 . Simply pulling out the bandage in this way presents the bandage 7 in a convenient format and simultaneously increments the dispensing mechanism. The presentation of the dispensed bandage is convenient in that the forward end 19, with its backing portion 13 is held for convenient placement of the strip 9 on the patient. This convenient presentation reduces the risk of a bandage adhering to itself relative to manipulating conventional backing strips 5a, 5b. Once the bandage 7 is placed on the patient, the backing portion 13 can be removed in a manner akin to the removal of the conventional backing strips.

The dispensing mechanism is indexed in that, by pulling on the forward end 19, the composite strip 16 is pulled from the supply reel 25 causing that reel to rotate. The transmission 29 connects the reel 25 to the take-up reel 27 whereby the used carrier strip 15a is automatically wound onto the reel 27. The pulley 29c is larger than the pulley 29d to compensate for the relative diameters of a full supply reel 25 and an empty take-up reel 27.

In this example, the belt 29e is a rubber band of circular cross-section under light tension whereby, as strip 16 is consumed from the reel 25 and strip 15a accumulates on the reel 27, the belt 29e can slip to accommodate the changing effective diameters of the reels. Other forms of transmission are possible. By way of example, pulleys 29c, 29d and belt 29e may be replaced by a gear train. The interface between one of the reels 25, 27 and its sleeve 29a, 29b may be configured for some slippage. For the avoidance of doubt, this interface is a portion of the transmission by which the work done on the portion 19 is transmitted to the take-up reel 27. Figures 7a to 7d are a sequence of perspective views illustrating a dispenser being refilled. Again the dispenser's cover has been omitted for clarity. The dispenser is refilled with the aid of a refill 37. The refill 37 includes a carrier member 39 carrying a supply reel 25 and take-up reel 27. The carrier member 39 includes a body portion 39a which in this example is an L-shaped plate-like portion. Spigots 39b, 39c project downwardly from the portion 39a. The free ends of the spigots 39b, 39c terminate in portions stepped down to a smaller diameter than the remainder of the spigots.

Triangular projection 39d also extends downwardly from the portion 39a and terminates with a relatively smaller stepped down triangular projection at its lower free end. A stripper plate 41 is equipped with an arrangement of holes to fit over the projections 39b, 39c, 39d.

With the stripper plate 41 in place the supply reel 27 and take-up reel 25 are fitted to the spigots 39b, 39c. The carrier strip is routed about the projection 39d in a manner akin to the routing about the guide 23f.

To refill a dispenser the refill 37 is engaged with the body 23. More specifically the stepped down end portions of the projections 39b, 39c, 39d co-operate with complementary forms within the end faces of the formations 23c, 23f. The stepped down end portions of these projections, and the complementary forms, thus constitute features by which the refill 37 is alignable with a body 23. Other alignment features are possible.

The projections 39b, 39c, 39d have external profiles closely corresponding to the external profiles of the sleeves 29a, 29b and the guide 23f. With the refill suitably engaged with the body 23 (as suggested in Figure 7c) the stripper plate 41 is then depressed (Figure 7c) to strip the reels 25, 27 and carrier strip from the carrier member 39 and transfer those components on to the corresponding components of the body 23.

In this way, the body 23, transmission 29 and cover (not shown) of the dispenser are reusable. The carrier member 39 and stripper plate 41 may be formed of inexpensive light-weight recyclable plastic to minimise cost and harmful effects on the

environment. The carrier member 39 and stripper plate 41 assist the consumer to install and properly align the reels 25, 27 and to route the carrier strip. This reduces the risk of consumer frustration. Nonetheless, a refill without these components would still be useful. Figures 8 to 1 1 illustrate an alternative dispenser 121 that incorporates a gear train in place of the belt drive. The dispenser 121 incorporates an integrally formed supply- gear member 129a, 129c. A reel-mounting feature in the form of sleeve portion 129a is shaped to firmly engage the supply reel 125. In this example the sleeve 129a has four axial splines running along its exterior and each sized to interfere with the supply reel 125. Through this mechanism a replacement supply reel 125 can be

conveniently pushed on to the sleeve portion 129a then remain firmly engaged therewith for use of the dispenser.

The supply-gear member 129a, 129c is permanently mounted to rotate within the body 123. The gear portion 129c has a one-way rotation mechanism. In this example a mechanism takes the form of a pair of resilient pawls 130 co-operable with a complementary circular ratchet formed within the body 123. Advantageously the oneway rotation mechanism not only prevents reversal but also provides a degree of resistance (e.g. the resistance required to elastically deform the pawl to ride over a ratchet tooth) to prevent the supply reel over-rotating when a bandage is pulled out from the dispenser.

Take up-gear member 129b, 129d is another integrally formed member. It includes a reel-mounting feature, in the form of sleeve 129b, and a gear portion 129d.

The take up reel mounting portion 129b is approximately cylindrical but divided by four radial slots to define four portions cantilevered from the gear portion 129d. The cantilevered portions include a pair of wide, and therefore stiff, fingers 130a and a pair of narrow, and therefore more flexible, fingers 130b. Each of the portions 130a carries a respective trio of axial splines dimensioned for a size for size fit within the take up reel 127. The flexible fingers 130b are each dimensioned to interfere with the supply reel whereby when assembled they flex inwardly to provide a controlled degree of engagement with the supply reel 127. This enables the supply reel to slip relative to the take up gear member 129b, 129d in a controlled manner akin to the previously described slippage of the belt 29e.

The take up gear member 129b, 129d is permanently mounted to rotate within the body 123. Figure 8 illustrates the body 123 and the reel-mounting portions 129a, 129b

permanently mount therein. Figure 8 further illustrates a refill 137 including the supply reel 125, the take up reel 127 and a chassis 139 defining a guide 139a and rotatably carrying the reels 125, 127. The reels are spaced to complement the spacing of spool mounting portions 129a, 129b whereby the refill can be pushed into the body 123 and on to the portions 129a, 129b. A cover (not shown) may then be added. The gear portions 129c, 129d mesh to form a transmission akin to the transmission 29 albeit that the take up member 129b, 129d operates in the opposite direction to the take up member 29b. Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a variant of the dispenser 221 incorporating a pivotally mounted cover 240 mounted to pivot from the open configuration of Figure 19 (in which the outlet 223e is exposed and the gripping portion 219 is presented for gripping). The cover 240 is mounted to the body of the dispenser to pivot downwardly from its open position to fold, in this case downwardly fold, the gripping portion 219 and shield from dust the gripping portion and the outlet. In this configuration the gripping portion 219 is folded down so that when the cover is opened the gripping portion, under its own resilience, springs back to a grippable position.

The dispenser further incorporates an externally accessible user-manipulable portion 250 by which a user can advance the mechanism if need be. In this case the manipulate portion takes the form of a rotatable button mounted to rotate with the supply reel and having a transverse slot for receiving a screwdriver, coin or fingernail.

The user manipulate portion 250 enables the carrier strip to be advanced to present the grippable portion. This enables the dispenser and/or refills to be shipped without a gripping portion being presented. The portion 250 can also be useful if the dispenser misfires such that an adhesive product comes away without sufficiently advancing the carrier strip to present the gripping portion of the subsequent adhesive product.

According to the illustrated examples, only the forward portion 19 of the foremost of the bandages is exposed. The remainder of the bandages are safely stored away within the body 23, 123 which is enclosed by the cover (not shown). As such, the bandages are shielded from dust and debris.

Whilst this mode of shielding provides an adequate degree of protection for some applications, another variant of the invention allows for each of the strips 9 to be individually encapsulated for improved sterility.

In Figure 12, the composite strip 16' incorporates a carrier strip 15', bandage strips 9', extended backing portions 13' and a cover strip 33. Arrow A indicates the direction of advance. The backing portion 13' extends beyond the forward edge of one strip 9' to overlie a rear of the preceding strip 9'. The carrier strip 15' and cover strip 33 are adhered to each other along their long edges (not shown) and each of those strips is adhered to each backing portion 13' whereby each strip 9' is encapsulated within its own sterile envelope.

Preferably the dispenser for the composite strip 16' is also configured to

automatically take up the used cover strip 33a. Two options are schematically illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. In Figure 13, the composite strip 16' is routed from a supply reel 25' to an outlet 23e' at which a suitable arrangement of guides separates the used carrier strip 15a and the used cover strip 33a from the strips 9' and backing portions 13'. The used carrier strip 15a is routed, about a suitable guide arrangement, to the take-up member 27' whilst the used cover strip 33a is routed about a suitable guide arrangement to the same take-up member 27'. A suitable transmission mutually connects the reels 25', 27'.

According to this preferred variant, a forward portion of the foremost backing portion 13' is presented as a gripping portion whilst the following strip 9' remains sealed within its sterile envelope. As in the dispenser 21 , pulling on the gripping portion provides a removed bandage 7 presented for convenient application to the patient and also increments the dispensing mechanism. Figure 14 illustrates a variant in which the take-up member 27' is replaced by two take-up members 27". The members 25', 27" are mutually connected by a suitable transmission.

Figures 15 to 18 illustrate an alternative composite strip wherein each final adhesive product 9" is individually encapsulated within its own sterile envelope. The composite strip is co-operable with dispensers such as the dispensers 21 , 121 that do not have a separate take up reel for taking up a spent cover strip.

Within the strip 16" each adhesive product 7" incorporates its own adhesive cover strip portion 33" overlying the final adhesive product 9" and extending therebeyond to define an adhesive peripheral margin for sealingly engaging the backing strip".

In the preceding examples, pulling on the presented gripping portion places the composite strip into tension, causing the supply reel to rotate. In other variants, drive may be taken from the composite strip in other ways - for example, a wheel may engage the composite strip between the reel 25 and the guide 23f to take drive therefrom. For example the wheel may be one of two pinch rollers. It is also contemplated that the strip may have some form of tractor feed. As such, some variants of the dispenser can do without a supply reel. By way of example, a simple roll of composite strip might be provided within a suitable compartment.

Preferred forms of the dispenser have shaped base portion(s) upon which the dispenser can be seated on a horizontal surface (such as a tabletop) to present the forward portion 19, projecting from the outlet 23e, for gripping. Preferably the dispenser is heavy enough to enable one-handed removal of the bandages. The necessary weight will vary as a function of the force necessary to withdraw a bandage and the friction with the horizontal surface. The friction required to withdraw a bandage will vary depending on the characteristics of the composite strip 16 and the transmission 29. The friction with the horizontal surface will depend on the characteristics of the base. By way of example, the dispenser may have a rubber foot for increased friction upon typical horizontal surfaces. Some variants may be fixed to a wall or furniture item to enable one-handed removal of the bandages. In a preferred form of the invention, the dispenser is part of a dispenser unit that further includes a docking station that is fixed or fixable to a wall or furniture item and into or onto which the dispenser is dockable to fix the dispenser to the wall or furniture item. Such a dispenser unit enables convenient one-handed removal of the bandage whilst the dispenser is so docked, but also enables the dispenser to be removed from its docking station for convenient use remote from the docking station. The dispenser may be heavy enough for one-handed operation at the remote location. Whilst various examples have been described, the invention is not limited to these examples. Rather, the invention is defined by the claims. Variants of the described dispensers, refills, components and methods may be for adhesive products other than adhesive bandages. By way of example they may be for postage stamps or other stickers. Indeed some variants may be employed in the context of strip- mounted non-adhesive products.