AU2008288688B2 - Ribbon dispenser, ribbon dispensing clip & ribbon information label - Google Patents

Abstract

The ribbon dispenser (60) has a housing (61) within which is disposed a roll of ribbon (62). The ribbon (62) is fed through the exit (63) such that an end of the ribbon (62) is external of the housing (61) for display purposes. A locking means (64) is spaced from the exit (63), with an external region (65) disposed intermediate the exit (63) and the locking means (64). The the ribbon (62) extends out the exit (63), along the external region (65), and into the locking means (64), where it is releasably retained so as to minimize temptations to pull at the ribbon end. The locking means (64) is provided by releasable engagement of the ribbon dispenser (60) with a ribbon dispenser holder (50) such that the ribbon (62) is clamped intermediate the ribbon dispenser (60) and the dispenser holder (50). The exit (63) is provided by a cover (66) that is hingedly connected to the housing (61). When the dispenser (60) is engaged with the holder (50) the cover (66) clamps the ribbon (62) at the exit (63). Hence, the ribbon (62) may be locked at either end of the external region (65) by the single act of engaging the dispenser (60) with the holder (50).

Description

WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 1. RIBBON DISPENSER, RIBBON DISPENSING CLIP & RIBBON INFORMATION LABEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to the sale of ribbons and, in particular, a ribbon dispenser and a removable ribbon dispenser clip. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention has been developed primarily for use with ribbon and even though 10 the following description refers to ribbons in particular, it will be appreciated that all piece goods such as braids, elastics, bandings, etc which are used for clothing and other soft goods can be substituted for the term ribbons in the description as the present invention is not limited to ribbons per se. The traditional manner to display and dispense ribbons in retail stores is that the 15 ribbons to be sold are stored on rolls or spools. These rolls are usually made of cardboard or plastics material, and are usually approximately 50-150 mm in diameter and have widths depending on the width of the ribbon. It has been found that there are inherent problems with the traditional roll when displaying and dispensing, and with stock control as there is no secure or permanent 20 location for the roll. The rolls usually sit side by side on a shelf or rack and once a customer has decided on a purchase, the roll is removed from the rack and when the purchase is completed, the roll can easily be put back into a different position. In practice this occurs regularly. Thus whatever colour, size and style coordination of the original display it may have had, is lost. 25 The traditional roll has no device for securing the loose end of the ribbon. As a result, the ribbon can easily become unwound and soiled. It is often the case that a portion has to be cut off before a clean length can be measured off. This leads to a loss of stock which is costly for the retailer. Also the display rack can become very untidy and disorganised and therefore requires constant supervision by the retailer's staff. 30 It is also known that some salespersons use a pin to contain the loose end of the ribbon. This has the disadvantage that the pin penetrates several layers of the ribbon. The pinhole can often destroy the appearance and usability of the ribbon.

WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 2. Existing types of ribbon rolls which are made from cardboard or thin plastics material can be damaged during their time in the store. Such damage includes the sides of the rolls falling off, or becoming dilapidated, whereby the ribbon information for the consumer, ie, type of ribbon material used, care instructions; etc can be damaged or lost. 5 In order for a retailer to estimate the length of ribbon remaining on a roll, it is known to place a measuring ruler adjacent the roll for separate use therewith, or to integrally form a measuring ruler on or adjacent a slot in the side of a spool sidewall so that as a ribbon is unwound, its position adjacent the ruler diminishes and the particular position is indicative of the length of ribbon remaining. 10 Use of the measuring ruler integrally formed on one or more sidewalls of the roll is not implemented in practice due to the significant variation in ribbon thickness. Therefore, if a variation in a specific ribbon thickness is provided, or if the integrally formed ruler on the roll is not accurately applied, any estimation is significantly diminished in its accuracy. 15 Furthermore, existing ribbon rolls are not ideally suited for the fitting of electronic source tags which are increasingly used to prevent theft. The nature of these rolls is such that it is difficult to fit the source tag in a position where it cannot be seen, and therefore possibly removed. The cost of a single roll of ribbon is such that most retailers do not source-tag these products as it is not cost effective. 20 It is an object of the present invention to provide a ribbon dispenser and a removable ribbon dispensing clip which will overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art, or provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a ribbon dispenser comprising: a spool extending between a pair of spaced apart spool ends, said spool being configured to receive ribbon wound therearound; a spool sidewall mounted to each said spool end and configured to prevent 30 ribbon wound on said spool from moving beyond said spool ends, at least one spool sidewall including at least one sidewall window configured for viewing therethrough any WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 3. ribbon wound on said spool; and a ribbon information label configured to be disposed adjacent said sidewall window wherein said information label includes ribbon length indicia indicative of a length of ribbon wound around said spool wherein said ribbon length indicia is 5 configured to correspond to a predetermined ribbon thickness and spool size. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a ribbon information label configured to be disposed adjacent a ribbon spool sidewall window, said information label including ribbon length indicia indicative of a length of ribbon wound around said spool wherein said ribbon length indicia is configured to correspond 10 to a predetermined ribbon thickness and spool size. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a removable ribbon dispensing clip configured for use with a ribbon dispenser formed from a spool and a pair of spaced apart spool sidewalls, said removable ribbon dispensing clip comprising: a face plate extending between a pair of spaced apart edges and having mounting 15 and dispensing opposed major faces; a spool sidewall mounting means disposed on at least said mounting major face at, or adjacent, each end of said face plate; and a dispensing slot disposed in said face plate intermediate said spool sidewall mounting means. 20 According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a removable ribbon dispensing clip configured for use with a ribbon dispenser formed from a spool and a pair of spaced apart spool sidewalls, said removable ribbon dispensing clip comprising: a face plate extending between a pair of spaced apart edges and having 25 mounting and dispensing opposed major faces; a spool sidewall mounting means disposed on at least said mounting major face at, or adjacent, each end of said face plate; a ribbon dispensing flap hingedly mounted at, or adjacent, one end of said face plate and configured to be disposed substantially in parallel along said dispensing 3 0 opposed major face of said face plate across said dispensing slot, wherein said ribbon dispensing clip is configured to receive an end of ribbon wound on a spool intermediate said ribbon dispensing flap and said dispensing major face of said face plate.

WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 4. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a ribbon dispenser comprising: a spool extending between a pair of spaced apart spool ends, said spool being configured to receive ribbon wound therearound; and a spool sidewall mounted to each 5 said spool end and configured to prevent ribbon wound on said spool from moving beyond said spool ends, each said sidewall including a mounting means on at least a portion of said sidewalls wherein at least one said sidewall includes a shaped circumferential section configured for releasable engagement with a ribbon dispenser holder. 10 It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously provided a ribbon dispenser configured to receive a ribbon information label which can be adhered or otherwise mounted to one or more spool sidewalls to provide an indication as to the remaining length of ribbon on a spool. This advantageously provides this function regardless of ribbon thickness whereby a corresponding ribbon information label is applied for each 15 ribbon thickness and spool size so that a single spool type can be used with a plurality of ribbons of different thickness. Furthermore, it can also be seen that there is advantageously provided a removable ribbon dispensing clip configured to be disposed across the front of a ribbon spool. The clip is configured to releasably mount to the spool sidewalls and be disposed 2 0 across the spool while the free end of the ribbon is simply passed intermediate the face plate and the flap so as to retain the ribbon in a fixed position when not being used. The latch mechanism of the clip allows ribbon to be releasably locked intermediate the face plate and the hingedly mounted flap. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a ribbon 25 dispenser comprising: a housing defining an exit; a locking means spaced from said exit; an external region disposed intermediate the exit and the locking means; and ribbon disposed substantially within said housing such that some of the ribbon 3 0 extends through the exit and across said external region so as to selectively releasably engage with the locking means. Preferably the locking means is provided by releasable engagement of the ribbon WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 5. dispenser with a ribbon dispenser holder so as to clamp the ribbon intermediate the ribbon dispenser and the dispenser holder. In a preferred embodiment the exit is provided by a cover hingedly connected to said housing. In such an embodiment releasable engagement of the ribbon dispenser with 5 the ribbon dispenser holder may urge a distal end of the cover toward an abutment surface of the housing so as to clamp the ribbon intermediate the distal end and the abutment surface. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for 10 the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of this application. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as 15 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, provided by 20 way of example only, together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a ribbon dispenser according to the prior art; Figure 2 is a front view of the ribbon dispenser of Fig. 1 having a removable 25 ribbon dispensing clip according to a first preferred embodiment; Figure 3 is a series of perspective views of the ribbon dispenser of Fig. 1 showing the mounting of the dispensing clip; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the removable ribbon dispensing clip of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is an elevated perspective view of a removable ribbon dispensing clip 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is an elevation of the ribbon dispensing clip of Fig. 5 with the flap not WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 6. adjacent the face plate; Figure 7 is a side view of a ribbon dispenser having a ribbon information label according to another aspect of the invention; Figure 8 is a series of perspective views of a ribbon dispenser according to 5 another aspect of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a ribbon dispenser clip according to another aspect of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of part of a ribbon dispensing spool according to another preferred embodiment; 10 Figure 11 is a perspective view of a ribbon dispenser according to an alternative preferred embodiment; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a ribbon dispenser according to another alternative preferred embodiment; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the dispenser of figure 12; 15 Figure 14 is a side view of the dispenser of figure 12; and Figure 15 is a front view of the dispenser of figure 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 2 0 Referring to the drawings generally, it will be appreciated that throughout the description of the preferred embodiments that like reference numerals are used to denote like components unless otherwise expressly noted. Fig. 1 is a side view of a convention prior art ribbon dispenser 1 comprising a spool 2 and a pair of spaced apart disc-shaped spool ends or sidewalls 3. Only one 25 sidewall 3 can be seen in the view of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a top view of the ribbon dispenser 1 having a removable ribbon dispensing clip 4 mounted to it in which the clip 4 is disposed across the dispenser 1 between the sidewalls 3 over a portion of the circumference of each sidewall 3. Fig. 3 shows steps involved in mounting the clip 4 to the ribbon dispenser 1 and WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 7. the feeding of a ribbon 5. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clip 4. The ribbon dispenser clip 4 comprises a face plate 6 extending between ends 7 & 8. The clip 4 further comprises opposed outwardly facing mounting 9 and dispensing 10 faces. A ribbon dispensing flap 11 is 5 hingedly mounted at one end 7 of the face plate 6. The flap 11 is disposed substantially parallel to the dispensing major face 10 of the face plate 6. The flap 11 is disposed adjacent to, and contiguous with, the dispensing major face 10. As best seen in Fig. 3, the clip 4 is configured to receive ribbon that is wound around the spool 2 intermediate the dispensing major face 10 of the face plate 6 and the 10 flap 11. This therefore allows the ribbon to be easily dispensed with the clip 4 retaining the ribbon if it is not pulled through the clip 4 with a predetermined force. The clip 4 can be mounted to most conventional ribbon dispensers. As best seen in the enlarged view in Fig. 2, the clip 4 is mounted to the sidewalls 3 by engagement of jaws 12 extending from the mounting major face 9 of the face plate 6 15 at each end 7 & 8. The jaws 12 are configured to releasably receive a bulbous portion 13 of the sidewalls 3 within a correspondingly shaped cavity 14 within the jaws so as to retain the sidewalls 3 in an interference fit. Once mounted, the clip 4 also mechanically strengthens or stabilises the ribbon dispenser 1. Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown another preferred embodiment of the clip 4 in 2 0 a'blank' form and molded from a single piece of plastics material. In this embodiment, the flap 11 is substantially parallel to the face plate 11 and includes a latch 15 extending from the dispensing face 10 adjacent to the face plate end 8. An aperture 16 is disposed in the flap 11 such that when the flap 11 is bent from substantially parallel to the face plate 11 so as to be disposed adjacent the face plate 6, the 25 aperture 16 is located adjacent the latch 15. This allows releasable locking engagement between the flap 11 and the face plate 6. This is best seen in Fig. 5 where the flap 11 is adjacent the face plate 6. In this way, ribbon fed intermediate the flap 11 and the face plate 6 can be locked or braked. Also shown in the embodiment of Fig. 6, the face plate 6 includes a feed 30 aperture 17. This aperture is disposed through the face plate 6 substantially centrally to the edges 7 & 8. Ribbon dispensed from a spool 2 can be passed though the aperture 17 and then between the flap 11 and dispensing major face 10 of the face plate 6.

WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 8. It can be seen that the removable ribbon dispensing clip 4 advantageously holds the free end of a ribbon on a spool firmly and without crushing, creasing or otherwise damaging the ribbon. Furthermore, the clip 4 can prevent consumers, especially children, from unwinding the ribbon whilst still enabling a portion of the ribbon to extend through 5 the clip 4 to be able to be inspected by the consumers. The clip 4 also advantageously presents ribbon at the front of a spool in a more prominent display position whilst allowing an RF identification tag to be integrated into the flap 11 or face plate 6, or adhered to the face plate mounting face 9 to conceal the tag. The clip 4 can also include indicia characteristic of a barcode, ribbon type, price, 10 etc. When the clip 4 is engaged with the spool sidewalls to span across the spool, the structural strength of the spool is accordingly improved. The clip 4 can be removed from an empty spool and disposed across a new spool having ribbon. This advantageously allows various product information disposed on the clip 4 to be automatically transferred with the clip 4 to the new spool. 15 Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a side view of a ribbon dispenser 30 according to another preferred embodiment. Although not shown in the side view of Fig. 7, the dispenser 30 comprises a spool 2 in the form of a substantially hollow right cylinder extending between a pair of spool ends. A spool sidewall 3 is mounted substantially perpendicularly to the spool 2 at each end, similarly to the spool 2 and 20 sidewalls 3 shown in Fig. 1. At least one spool sidewall 3, that being the one shown in side view in Fig. 7, includes four substantially radially extending apertures 31 disposed through so as to observe ribbon wound on the spool 2 through the apertures 31. For such observation it will be appreciated that at least one aperture 31 needs to be provided. Further, the spool 2 25 and sidewalls 3 are formed separately and mounted together. However, they can be integrally molded and permanently formed in configuration, if desired. The ribbon dispenser 30 includes a removable ribbon dispensing clip 4 across its sidewalls 3 in accordance with the clip 4 described with reference to Figs 5 & 6. A ribbon information label 32 is disposed on an outer side of one sidewall 3 adjacent an aperture 3 0 31. The ribbon information label 32 includes length indicia 33 to which a thickness of ribbon (not shown in Fig. 7) wound around the spool 2 is compared with. The length indicia 33 is configured to correspond to a predetermined spool WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 9. diameter and ribbon thickness. If a different thickness ribbon is employed, the same dispenser 30 can advantageously be employed with a variation made in the length indicia scale or gradient 33 to correspond with the change. Likewise, if a different spool 2 size is used, then a new information label 32 corresponding thereto can be chosen. 5 The ribbon information label 32 further includes barcode information 34 being indicative of a type of ribbon of predetermined length to be dispensed. The ribbon information label 32 is simply adhered or glued to the sidewall 3 in a predetermined location and orientation which may be marked in to the sidewall 3 adjacent the aperture 31. However, the ribbon information label 32 can be applied by any preferred 10 conventional means. It will be appreciated that for an information label 32 with a barcode corresponding to a predetermined thickness and type of ribbon, a plurality of length indicia scales (not illustrated) can be provided where each scale corresponds to that ribbon but on various diameter spools. That is, the one label 32 can be used for the same 15 type of ribbon when wound on different sized spools. It will therefore be understood that the information label 32 advantageously can be made to correspond to each type of ribbon with unique barcode and other details, and a plurality of length indicia scales corresponding to different spool sizes, if any, can be provided in use. In some embodiments barcode information, along with associated length 2 0 indicia scale or gradient 33 information, is stored electronically, for example on a computerized system. Using such a system, a ribbon retailer can print the information label 32 from an input consisting essentially of barcode and/or product identification data such as spool size. Hence, this provides a convienent and simple method for creating the information labels 32 with correct product details and length indicia 33. This 25 advantageously reduces mislabelling and overcomes the need to also place barcode information on each spool. In Fig. 8, there is shown a ribbon dispenser 40 comprising a spool 41 and a pair of spaced apart substantially planar spool sidewalls 42. Each spool sidewall 42 is mounted to an end of the spool 41. A portion of a circumference of each wall 42 is 30 substantially flat which allows the dispenser 40 to be securely placed on a flat surface without worrying it may roll off. Each sidewall 42 along a circumferential edge opposite to the flat portion WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 10. includes a mounting means 44. The mounting means 44 takes the form of an indentation into each sidewall 42 and a projection 45 extends from the shaped indentation 44 outwardly from the sidewalls 42 a predetermined distance. The projection 45 is configured to releasably engage with a catch, latch or other 5 engagement means disposed on a base, wall or other holder device 50. This is best shown in Fig. 10. It will be appreciated that the shaped indentation 44 can be any preferred and could be a projection rather than an indentation if desired provided it can releasably engage with a holder. The spool 41 is able to be fixedly mounted to the sidewalls 42, however, it will 10 be appreciated that the spool 41 can be mounted to the sidewalls 42 whilst allowing the spool 41 to rotate freely. In this way, when a ribbon wound around the spool 41 is pulled, the spool sidewalls are not compelled to rotate, only the spool 41 rotates. This can be seen in the spool 41 of the part ribbon dispenser in Fig. 9. It can be seen that engagement teeth 46 protrude through spool side walls 42 to engage the 15 sidewalls 42 and the spool 41 in an arrangement where each can rotate independently of the other. Although not illustrated it will be appreciated, however, that the spool (2,41) can be either free to rotate or fixed relative to the sidewalls (3,42). The spool (2,41) can be formed from a single tubular member as shown, or could be formed from a pair of nested 2 0 tube-like members where an inner member is mounted to sidewalls (3,42) and an outer member is free to rotate about the inner member. Referring now to Fig. 9, there is shown a ribbon dispenser clip 4 according to another preferred embodiment. This embodiment is similar to that of Figs 5 & 6 except that no slot is provided in the face plate 6. Instead, a resilient or padded member 30 is 25 mounted in a recess 31 to the dispensing major face 10 and a wired edged ribbon is passed thereover and intermediate the flap 11. The padded member 30 has a width wide enough to support most of a ribbon width but does not support a ribbon edge that has a wire running along it. This way, the wire is not bent or deformed by the slot or the flap as the wire edge is not abutted 30 inbetween the flap and opposed major face or padded member 30 and only the ribbon is pressed between the flap and the padded member 30. Information that correlates with that displayed on the label 32 is also disposed on WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 11. the dispenser holder 50 at a position immediately behind the normal position of the relevant dispenser 40. Hence, when a dispenser 40 is removed from the holder 50, the information depicted on the holder 50 provides guidance as to the correct position for re attachment of the dispenser 40. This helps to keep an array of dispensers 40 in their 5 correct positions and thereby assists with stock management. To assist with the promotion of sales, the information depicted on the holder 50 may include a statement to the effect that the particular ribbon of interest is most likely at the sales counter. Referring to figure 11, the ribbon dispenser 60 has a housing 61 within which is disposed a roll of ribbon 62. The ribbon 62 may be rolled onto a spool, or may be loosely 10 rolled or otherwise arranged within the housing 61. In any event, the ribbon 62 is fed through the exit 63 such that an end of the ribbon 62 is external of the housing 61 for display purposes. It has been appreciated by the inventor of the present application that allowing the free end of the ribbon 62 to simply hang from the dispenser 60 may undesirably 15 prompt some customers, for example young childern, to pull on the exposed end of the ribbon. This may cause an unwanted length of ribbon 62 to unfurl and hang from the dispenser 61, which in turn may create an unsightly display that is potentially less conducive to the promotion of sales. As discussed above, this may be minimized by the use of a brake to minimize uncontrolled unfurling. However, the inventor has 20 appreciated that extreme instances of unauthorized pulling of the ribbon 62 in opposition to the braking force may cause the ribbon dispenser 60 to detach from the holder 50. Hence, this dispenser 60 includes a locking means 64 that is spaced from the exit 63, with an external region 65 disposed intermediate the exit 63 and the locking means 64. The free end of the ribbon 62 extends out the exit 63, up along the external region 65, and into 25 the locking means 64, where it is releasably retained so as to minimize temptations to pull at the ribbon end. In other words, with this embodiment of the invention the free end of the ribbon 62 is not allowed to dangle downwardly, but rather is releasably locked into place toward the top of the dispenser 60. This allows the portion of the ribbon 62 that extends along the external region 65 to be displayed and to be available for customers to 30 handle. The locking means 64 is provided by releasable engagement of the ribbon dispenser 60 with a ribbon dispenser holder 50. This engagement takes place in a manner WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 12. similar to that illustrated in figure 10, except the end of the ribbon 62 is firstly draped across the indentation 68 of the dispenser 60, as shown in figure 11. Hence, once the dispenser 60 is engaged with the holder 50, the ribbon 62 is clamped intermediate the ribbon dispenser 60 and the dispenser holder 50 to provide the desired locking effect. 5 In the embodiment illustrated in figure 11, the exit is provided by a cover 66 that is hingedly connected to the housing 61. When the dispenser 60 is detached from the holder 50, the cover 66 is free to rotate upwardly about hinge axis 67 into an open position that allows for insertion of a ribbon 62 into the dispenser. It will be appreciated that when the dispenser 60 is engaged with the holder 50, the curved end of the holder 50 10 resiliently exerts a downwardly directed force onto the cover 66. This is because the hinge axis 67 is closer to the holder 50 than the indentation 68 and hence, when the dispenser 60 is attached to holder 50, the curved end of the holder 50 resiliently urges the indentation 68 in a direction so as to rotate the cover 66 towards its closed position. This urges the distal end 69 of the cover 66 toward an abutment surface 70 of the housing 61 15 so as to clamp the ribbon 62 intermediate the distal end 69 and the abutment surface 70. Thus a second locking point is provided for the ribbon 62, which is therefore locked into place at both the exit 63 and at the locking means 64. Hence, for storage and display purposes, the ribbon 62 may be stretched tight over the curved surface of the external region 65, and then locked off at either end of the external region 65 by the single act of 20 engaging the dispenser 60 with the holder 50. The locking means 64 provided by the preferred embodiment is adapted to retain the ribbon in a manner that does not cause any damage to the retained end of the ribbon. Whereas the embodiment illustrated in figure 11 retains the ribbon end for display at the top-rear of the dispenser, it will be appreciated that this position may vary in other embodiments. For example, in another embodiment 25 (not illustrated) the ribbon end is retained by the locking means 64 in a position on or towards the base of the dispenser. When it is desired to dispense some ribbon, the dispenser 60 is firstly unclipped from the holder 50. This results in unclamping of the ribbon 62 at the exit 63 as the holder 50 no longer exerts a downwardly directed force upon the distal end 69 of the 30 cover 66. It also results in unclamping of the ribbon 62 at the locking means 64 as the ribbon 62 is no longer clamped between the dispenser 60 and the holder 50. Hence, the ribbon 62 is unlocked and free to be dispensed as required. Once the desired length of WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 13. ribbon has been dispensed, replacing of the dispenser 60 into the holder 50 in the correct manner results once again in locking of the ribbon 62 at either end of the external region 65. Use of a plurality of dispensers 60 in an array promotes pleasing display 5 asthetics by avoiding the free ends of the ribbons from dangling at various heights. Additionally, the disposition of the majority of each of the ribbons 62 within the fully enclosed housings 61 may assist to promote consistent ribbon sales regardless of the amount of ribbon left on any particular roll. This is advantageous as compared to some other ribbon display arrangements, in which the full ribbon roll is visible to the customer, 10 potentially causing some customers to be reluctant to purchase ribbon from nearly-spent rolls. Such reluctance may be caused by the often unattractive look of nearly-spent rolls, a concern that the roll may not have enough ribbon left to satisfy the customer's requirements, or simply because customers may consider such ribbon to be the "dregs". Hence, by disguising from the customer the amount of ribbon left on a roll, the dispenser 15 60 assists to maintain the salability of the ribbon, and hence the economic value of the ribbon, right to the end of each ribbon roll. The inside of the housing 61 provides a number of possible locations for the mounting of a security tag in a manner that is concealed from customers. For embodiments in which part of the dispenser is re-usable and the remainder is dispensible, 20 it is preferable to locate the security tag on one of the re-usable parts. As mentioned previously with regard to earlier embodiments, information indicative of the type of ribbon may be displayed on the dispenser 60, for example upon the external face of the first member 72. In some embodiments this information is fixed to the dispenser; whereas in other embodiments this information is removable to allow 25 the dispenser 60 to be used with various types of ribbon 62. The dispsener 80 illustrated in figures 12 to 15 functions in a similar manner to the dispenser 60 shown in figure 11, except the cover is dispensed with and the housing is somewhat less enclosed. In this embodiment, the housing comprises a number of horizontal members (72, 73, 74 and 79) extending between two opposed side walls (75 30 and 76). Additionally, spindle 77 also extends between the side walls (75 and 76). The exit is in the form of the gap 71 defined between the first horizonatal member 72 and the second horizontal member 73. The external region, along which the ribbon extends, is WO 2009/023914 PCT/AU2008/001211 14. provided collectively by the second horizontal member 73, the third horizontal member 74 and the gap therebetween. The locking means for this embodiment may be provided by wedging the ribbon end into tapered slot 78. Alternatively, the end of the ribbon 62 may be clamped intermediate the indentations 68 of the dispenser 80 and the holder 50, 5 as described in detail above with reference to dispenser 60. At least some embodiments of the ribbon dispenser may be reused, or partly reused, once a ribbon roll is fully dispensed, simply by replacing the spent roll with a fresh roll. From an environmental viewpoint such reusability is generally to be encouraged as compared to products that are designed to be used a single time and then 10 discarded. For example, in one embodiment the clip 4 may be detached from one spool and attached to a replacement spool. In other embodiments the information label 32, or the portion of the dispenser bearing the information label 32, may be re-used. That is, the printed information, that may include advertising, a description of the ribbon, a barcode and/or length indicia, for example, is preferably disposed on a non-disposable part of the 15 dispenser. While a number of preferred embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all 20 respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (13)

1. A ribbon dispenser comprising: a housing defining an exit; a locking means spaced from said exit; an external region disposed intermediate the exit and the locking means; and ribbon disposed substantially within said housing such that some of the ribbon extends through the exit and across said external region so as to releasably engage with the locking means.

2. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 1 whereby said locking means is provided by releasable engagement of the ribbon dispenser with a ribbon dispenser holder so as to clamp the ribbon intermediate the ribbon dispenser and the dispenser holder

3. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said exit is provided by a cover hingedly connected to said housing.

4. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 2 and 3 whereby releasable engagement of the ribbon dispenser with the ribbon dispenser holder urges a distal end of the cover toward an abutment surface of the housing so as to clamp the ribbon intermediate the distal end and the abutment surface.

5. A ribbon dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ribbon releasably engages with the locking means at or towards a top of the dispenser. 16

6. A ribbon dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein ribbon extending across said external region is available for display to potential customers.

7. A ribbon dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein ribbon extending across said external region is available for handling by potential customers.

8. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 4 wherein the cover is free to rotate into an open position when the ribbon dispenser is detached from the ribbon dispenser holder.

9. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 8 wherein the open position allows for insertion of ribbon into the dispenser.

10. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 4 wherein the ribbon dispenser holder engages with an indentation disposed on the dispenser.

11. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 10 wherein, when the ribbon dispenser is engaged with the ribbon dispenser holder, an axis of the hinged connection is closer to the ribbon dispenser holder than the indentation.

12. A plurality of dispensers, each being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said dispensers are disposed in an array.

13. A ribbon dispenser according to claim 1, said ribbon dispenser being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the examples and/or the accompanying drawings.