CN102056826A - A handheld non-adhesive strip dispenser with friction brake - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on a spool to an article, wherein the spool has a spool bore therethrough. The apparatus includes a housing having a housing bore therethrough adapted to rotatably receive a support member therein. The apparatus further includes a spool support for resistively and rotatably supporting the spool about the housing bore and a dispenser portion located in the housing for dispensing the non-adhesive tape therethrough. The method includes supporting the housing on a support member located within the housing aperture and securing the free end of the strap to the article through the dispenser portion of the housing. The method further includes rotating the spool within the housing to unwind the non-adhesive tape while the housing is moved about the article while the dispenser portion is maintained in radial alignment with the article.

Description

A handheld non-adhesive strip dispenser with friction brake

technical field

The present invention relates generally to dispensing strips, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for dispensing non-adhesive strips. the

Background technique

Pipes are often interconnected using threaded ends. It is known that for such connections it is common to use threaded sealing strips to seal the connection. One commonly used thread sealing tape is commonly referred to as plumbers tape or Teflon Strips of PTFE or PTFE. PTFE tape is usually sold in rolls with a hole through the middle. In use, a PTFE tape may be wrapped around the exposed end of the thread of the pipe before it is screwed into an adjoining connector or pipe. A typical method of wrapping PTFE tape is for the user to hold the roll of PTFE tape between their thumb and one of their fingers. The user can then apply frictional resistance to unwind the strip by squeezing the roll of PTFE strip between them.

PTFE strips are known to have low friction to lubricate connections between pipes. Typically, no adhesive is used to secure the PTFE tape to the pipe, but in fact, when the PTFE tape is wrapped around the pipe, tension is applied to the tape to pull the tape into the threads and Plastically deforms the strip onto the threads. the

A common problem with PTFE tape is the fact that it lacks a binder. This problem can cause the strap to unravel freely from the coil if the strap is inadvertently released by the user. This problem can result in excess tape being unwound from the roll, and the tape may then become dirty or tangled. These entangled parts of the strip are often discarded and thus wasteful. the

An additional difficulty with PTFE strips is through the fact that the user applies tension to the strips thereby deforming the strips into the threads to apply the PTFE strips. Because the PTFE tape has no adhesive and thus no resistance to unwinding freely from the coil, the PTFE tape itself does not provide tension to the tape to secure it to the threads. The user is therefore required to apply an appropriate level of tension to the strap to apply it to the threads. Tension is typically applied by the user maintaining a frictional grip on the roll of tape as the strap is unrolled from the roll. The user can thus control the amount of friction applied to the strip by controlling their grip on the roll. This can be difficult to control accurately or consistently in many situations or for someone with less experience and practice. the

Contents of the invention

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing to an article a non-adhesive strip carried on a reel, wherein the reel has a reel hole therethrough. The method includes providing a housing having a housing aperture therethrough, wherein the housing resistively and rotatably supports a spool about the housing aperture. The method further includes supporting the housing on a support member located within the bore of the housing, and securing the free end of the strap to the article through the dispenser portion of the housing. The method further includes rotating the reel within the housing, thereby unrolling the non-adhesive strip as the housing moves around the product with the dispenser portion maintaining radial alignment with the product. the

The support may include a user's finger. The dispensing portion can compressibly hold the non-adhesive strip. The housing may rotate about the support as the housing moves around the article. The housing is rotatable on the support. The housing is rotatable on a support fastened to the support. the

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing to articles a non-adhesive strip carried on a reel, wherein the reel has a reel hole therethrough. The device includes a housing having a housing aperture therethrough adapted to rotatably receive a support member therein. The apparatus further includes a spool support for resistively and rotatably supporting the spool about the housing aperture and a dispenser portion in the housing for dispensing the non-adhesive strip therethrough. the

The support member may comprise a user's finger. The housing may include a hub concentric with the reel. the

The housing may include a sleeve having a housing aperture therein, wherein the housing is rotatable about the sleeve. The sleeve and housing may include a support therebetween. The sleeve may have a central axis, wherein the housing is rotatable about the sleeve about the central axis. The reel may be rotatable about a central axis. The sleeve may be adapted to grip the support member. The sleeve may be adapted to slidably receive the support member. the

One of the spool or housing may include a biased protrusion adapted to engage one of a plurality of corresponding notches in the other of the spool or housing. The plurality of notches may be oriented radially about the housing bore such that rotation of the spool within the housing will cause the protrusion to engage successive notches. The notches may be located on the hub with the protrusions extending radially inwardly from the spool. The spool may include a spool axis and sidewalls perpendicular to the spool axis. The recess may be located on at least one inner surface of the housing adjacent to the spool, wherein the protrusion extends from the corresponding side wall to the at least one inner surface. the

The recess may be located on at least one side wall, wherein the protrusion extends from a corresponding inner surface of the housing to the at least one side wall. the

The spool may include an inner barrel. The housing may include a first side and a second side, wherein the inner barrel is frictionally engaged via the first side and the second side of the housing. The apparatus may further include a friction assisting gasket between the inner barrel and the first side and the second side of the housing. the

The spool includes sidewalls extending radially from the inner barrel. The housing includes first and second sides, wherein the sidewalls are frictionally engaged via the first and second sides of the housing. The device further includes a friction assisting gasket between the side wall and the first side and the second side of the housing. The dispenser portion may frictionally bear against the non-adhesive strip passing therethrough. the

Description of drawings

In the drawings illustrating embodiments of the invention, wherein like reference characters denote identical parts in each view;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention for applying a non-adhesive strip to the thread of a pipeline;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3, showing an indexing resistor according to a first embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4, showing an indexing resistor according to a further embodiment of the apparatus, wherein the spool is advanced to illustrate the indexing ring;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4, showing a frictional resistor according to a further embodiment of the device;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4, showing an alternative frictional resistor according to a further embodiment of the device;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 with a stretch member for gripping a user's finger;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a biased wall member for clamping a user's finger within the finger hole of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a selectively refillable housing;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the dispensing portion of the device of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the dispensing portion of the device of Figure 1 according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 12a is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 applying a PTFE strip to a pipe at a first position;

Figure 12b is a side view of the device of Figure 1 applying a PTFE strip to the pipe at a second position;

13 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 without the finger sleeve, according to a further embodiment of the invention. the

Detailed ways

Referring to FIG. 1 , pipe 8 generally includes a threaded end 12 for fastening to fittings and other pipes. The threaded end 12 may be wrapped with thread sealing tape or PTFE tape 14 to seal the formed connection. An apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention for applying a non-adhesive strip to an article is generally shown at apparatus 10 for applying a PTFE strip to a threaded end 12 of a pipe 8 . While the apparatus of the present invention is shown and described as applying PTFE tape to the threads of a pipe, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of non-adhesive tape may also be applied to the apparatus; as non-limiting examples, other non-adhesive tapes Adhesive tapes include ribbons or other types of thread sealing tape. the

The device 10 includes a housing 20 supporting a spool of PTFE tape (as shown in FIG. 2 ) having a finger hole 30 through the center of the dispenser to receive a user's finger. The device 10 may also include a dispenser portion 24 having a slot 26 therethrough for receiving a strip of PTFE to be applied to the threaded end 12 of the pipe 8 . In some embodiments, the slot 26 may pinch or bear against the PTFE strip as it passes through the slot 26 , for example guiding the PTFE strip with friction pads 27 as illustrated in FIG. 11 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, the slot 26 may have raised sidewalls or edges extending from the dispenser portion to encapsulate the slot 26 to prevent the PTFE strip from being pulled laterally from the device 10. with 14. A slot 26 with such side edges will completely encapsulate the slot 26 retaining the PTFE strip 14 therein. the

In operation, a user may place their finger through the finger hole 30 and apply the end of the PTFE strip to the threaded end 12 . Thereafter the user may move their finger in a substantially circular motion around the threaded end as indicated by arrow 56 so that the dispenser portion 24 is maintained at the portion of the device 10 that is closest to the threaded end 12 . Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that by maintaining radial alignment of the PTFE strip 14 with the pipe 8 , the device 10 remains radially oriented around the threaded end 12 of the pipe 8 as schematically indicated by arrow 58 . the

Turning to FIG. 2 , FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of device 10 . Device 10 includes rear housing 22 , front housing 40 , and finger sleeve 50 . As shown schematically, the reel 80 of PTFE tape is held between the front shell 40 and the rear shell 22. The rear housing 22 includes a backing plate 32 and a spool support sleeve 34 protruding therefrom. As shown schematically, the backing plate 32 has a circular profile, but those skilled in the art will understand that other shapes may be equally useful, such as a cup shape as an example. The rear housing 22 may also have an enclosure wall 18 with a distal edge 19 extending around its perimeter. The spool support sleeve 34 has an outer surface 36 and an inner surface 38 and an end edge 39 . the

The front shell 40 includes an annular front plate 42 adapted to hold a spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 between the front plate 42 and the backing plate 32 . The front housing also includes a front enclosure wall 44 extending from a peripheral edge of the front panel 42 . Front enclosure wall 44 includes a distal edge 43 adapted to engage distal edge 19 of rear enclosure wall 18 . The front panel 42 also has a front aperture 46 therethrough defined by the inner edge 45 of the front panel 42 . The front aperture 46 corresponds to and is adapted to engage the end edge 39 of the spool support sleeve 34 . Finger sleeve 50 includes a cylindrical body having an inner surface 52 and an outer surface 54 , wherein inner surface 52 defines finger aperture 30 . the

The spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 includes a central barrel 82 having an outer surface 84 and an inner surface 86 about which the PTFE tape 14 is wound. The reel 80 may optionally include a first side wall 88 and a second side wall 90 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the PTFE tape 14 may be wrapped directly onto the outer surface 84 of the barrel 82 . Alternatively, the PTFE strip 14 can be wound onto a disposable barrel secured to the central barrel 82 so that existing reels of PTFE strip 14 can be used in current equipment without modification or so that the PTFE strip A replacement spool of tape is inserted into the device 10 . the

The device 10 is assembled with the spool 80 of PTFE strip 14 positioned on the outer surface 36 of the spool support sleeve 34 . The front housing 40 is securely secured to the rear housing 22 such that the end edge 39 of the spool support sleeve 34 engages the inner edge 45 of the front plate 42 and the distal edge 43 of the rear enclosure wall 18 engages the front enclosure wall 44 . The front shell 40 may be fastened to the rear shell by providing clips on either the front shell or the rear shell that engage corresponding detents, or by any other known method of fastening the two halves of the shell together. When the finger sleeve 50 is positioned within the housing 20 its outer surface 54 is supported by the aperture defined by the inner surface 38 of the spool support sleeve 34 . Finger sleeve 50 may be secured within housing 20 using locking ring 53 . As shown schematically, the finger sleeve 50 may include a clip 55 at its free distal end 57 to engage the locking ring. As shown schematically in FIG. 2 , the finger sleeve 50 and locking ring 53 may span both the front shell 40 and the rear shell 22 to retain the two components therebetween. This embodiment is also illustrated in section in FIG. 4 . Those skilled in the art will understand that in such an embodiment, the housing 20 will not be able to be opened without first removing the locking ring 53 from the finger sleeve 50 . In an alternative embodiment, as schematically shown in section in FIG. 5 , the locking ring 53 and finger sleeve may simply hold the spool support sleeve 34 of the rear housing 22 therebetween. In these embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the housing 20 can be opened without disengaging the locking ring 53 from the finger sleeve 50 so that the device 10 can be more easily refilled with a new reel 80 of PTFE strip 14 . Other connections between finger sleeve 50 and locking ring 53 may also be utilized, such as, for example, threading or adhesive. As shown schematically, in this embodiment the finger sleeve 50 , the spool support sleeve 34 and the spool 80 of the PTFE strip 14 are coaxial about the axis 28 . the

Referring to FIG. 3 , the spool 80 of PTFE strip 14 is rotatable relative to the backing plate 32 and spool support sleeve 34 so that the PTFE strip 14 can be unwound therefrom as indicated by arrow 59 . In other words, the tape spool 80 or spool is allowed to operate or rotate relative to the housing 20 of the dispensing device 10 . This may be accomplished by allowing the central barrel 82 of the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 to rotate in a resistive manner relative to the spool support sleeve 34 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the spool 80 of PTFE strip 14 therefore rotates relative to the rear shell 22 and thus relative to the overall housing 20 . In operation, the spool 80 will be caused to rotate relative to the housing 20 by unwinding the PTFE strip 14 therefrom as the apparatus rotates around the pipe 8 and the PTFE strip is applied to the pipe. the

Turning now to FIGS. 12 a and 12 b , the device 10 according to the invention is illustrated in various positions when dispensing a PTFE strip 14 to the threaded end 12 of the pipe 8 . As shown schematically in FIG. 12 a , the device is oriented below the conduit 8 such that the distributor portion is oriented at the uppermost part of the device 10 adjacent to the conduit 8 . As schematically shown in Figure 12a, the protrusion 66 and the dispenser portion are radially aligned in the device. As shown schematically in Figure 12b, the device 10 has now been rotated around the pipe 8 with the distributor portion now oriented to the side of the device 10 but still at the end of the device, closest to the pipe. A person skilled in the art will also observe that, between the positions illustrated in Figures 12a and 12b, the reel 80 of PTFE strip 14 has been rotated relative to the housing of the device during unwinding of the PTFE strip 14 from the reel 80 . The amount of rotation between the spool 80 and the housing 20 is illustrated with an angle 100 between the protrusion 66 and the dispensing portion 24 . the

The amount of resistance between the spool 80 of the PTFE strip 14 and the back shell 22 is provided using a resistance device as described further below, and should be selected to prevent the PTFE strip 14 from unwinding freely. In practice, the amount of resistance between the spool 80 of the PTFE strip and the rear case 22 should be chosen so that the PTFE strip 14 will not unwind freely from the device 10 if the user causes the device to drop. In other words, the amount of resistance between the PTFE strap and the body of the liner constitutes the braking mechanism and should be sufficient to support the device 10 and the reel of PTFE strap 14 when the device is suspended by the free end 15 of the PTFE strap 14 80 weight. the

In some embodiments, the amount of resistance between the reel 80 of the PTFE strip 14 and the body of the liner should be selected to ensure that when applied by the user, a desired amount of tension is applied to the PTFE strip 14 so that the PTFE strip The band 14 is embedded in the thread of the pipe 8 . The amount of resistance should also be chosen high enough to support the weight of the device 10 with the reel 80 full of PTFE strip 14 so that when the free end of the PTFE strip is fastened to the article, if the user lets go of the device, A PTFE strip 14 is unrolled from the device. In addition, the magnitude of the tension applied to the PTFE strip 14 should be less than the tensile strength of the PTFE strip 14 to prevent undesirable breakage of the PTFE strip during application to an article. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actual amount of resistance provided by the device should therefore be selected based on the type, width and thickness of the non-adhesive strip with which the device is intended to be used. the

The spool support sleeve 34 is also rotatable relative to a user's finger located in the finger hole 30 . This is accomplished by allowing the finger sleeve 50 to rotate relative to the spool support sleeve 34 . In such an embodiment, the finger sleeve 50 may be sized to fit comfortably around the user's fingers. In such an embodiment, the snug, snug fit of the finger sleeve 50 on the user's finger will also help prevent the user from inadvertently dropping the device 10 . Roller bearings, journal bearings or bushings may be utilized to allow the spool support sleeve 34 to rotate on the finger sleeve 50 . Spacers 31 or other similar cushioning means may be provided in the finger holes 30 to allow the finger holes 30 to comfortably fit various finger sizes. Optionally, a biasing member 33 spanning the finger hole as schematically shown in FIG. 7 may be used to grip the user's finger. As shown schematically in Figure 8, a gripping member having a semi-circular shape 35 and a biasing wall 37 adapted to grip a user's finger may be located within the finger hole. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that finger aperture 30 and any gripping means therein may be sized to fit various fingers. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that other supporting objects such as, for example, sticks, etc. may also be located within and held within the finger holes as described above. When in use, clamping the user's finger within the finger hole 30 secures the device 10 to the user's finger. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that using pads 31 or other similar means to grip the fingers will prevent the device 10 from being inadvertently dropped. the

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , device 10 may be assembled without finger sleeve 50 so that the finger aperture may be defined by spool support sleeve 34 . In such an embodiment, a user's finger may be received and freely rotated within the finger aperture 30 formed by the spool support sleeve 34 . the

As shown schematically in FIG. 3 , the resistance means may include a biasing protrusion 66 extending radially from an inner surface 86 of a central barrel 82 of the spool 80 . The protrusion 66 may be biased by a pair of biasing arms 67 extending circumferentially about the central barrel 82 to bias the protrusion 66 radially inwardly. The index ring 60 rests on the outer surface 36 of the spool support sleeve 34 . Index ring 60 includes a plurality of respectively alternating dimples 62 and ridges 64 . As the spool rotates relative to the spool support sleeve 34 in a direction generally indicated at 68 , the projection 66 cooperates with the raised ridge 62 to index the movement of the spool 80 relative to the spool support sleeve 34 . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the outer sleeve may include a plurality of alternating ridges and dimples, while the spool support sleeve 34 includes protrusions 66 extending radially therefrom. Those skilled in the art will also understand that although two protrusions are shown in FIG. 3 , a single or multiple protrusions may be arranged around the central cylinder 82 . Those skilled in the art will also understand that the central barrel 82 of the spool 80 may have a friction fit on the spool support sleeve 34 to provide the desired resistance. the

In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the index ring 60 may be placed circumferentially around the side wall 88 of the spool 80 . In this embodiment, the protrusion 66 is on the distal end of a biasing arm 67 extending from the backing plate 32 of the rear housing 22 . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the index ring 60 may be applied to the side wall 90 of the spool 80 with the protrusion 66 extending from the front plate 42 of the front housing 40 . Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the index ring 60 may be applied to the spool 80 with the protrusion 66 extending from the portion of the housing corresponding to the location of the index ring. the

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative resistance device utilizing friction. The friction resistance means comprises friction pads 70 applied to the front and rear plates 42 and 32 of the housing at positions adjacent to the sides of the reel 80 . In embodiments where the spool does not have sides, friction pads may be placed adjacent the side edges 81 and 83 of the central cylinder 82. As shown schematically in FIG. 6 , in embodiments where the spool includes side walls 88 and 90 , friction pads may be placed adjacent to side walls 88 and 90 . Those skilled in the art will also understand that friction pads may be secured to the side walls or side edges of the spool 80 . The friction pad 70 will have a thickness sufficient to frictionally engage the spool therebetween when the front and rear shells 40 and 22 are engaged with each other. The friction pad will also be of sufficient thickness and coefficient of friction to provide a sufficient amount of friction to the spool 80 to prevent the PTFE strip 14 from unwinding freely therefrom, yet allow the spool 80 to rotate under user manipulation, as discussed above. Apply PTFE tape to the article. the

Referring to FIG. 9, the housing 20 may be selectively openable to facilitate replacement of the reel 80 of the PTFE strip 14 therein. The front housing 40 may include a rotational latch 92 extending therefrom for engagement with a corresponding cam 94 extending from the rear housing 22 . The rotary latch 92 can be disengaged from the cam 94 to allow the front and rear shells 40 and 22 to be removed from each other. Those skilled in the art will also understand that other types of couplings between the front housing 40 and the rear housing 22 may also be used, such as, for example, tab and threaded couplings. In such an embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the finger sleeve 50 would be fully supported by the rear shell 22 as schematically shown in FIG. 5 . In such an embodiment, the finger sleeve 50 may include an end flange 51 adapted to surround the end edge 39 of the spool support sleeve 34 . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the front shell 40 may also include an outer support sleeve 48 extending from the inner edge 45 of the front panel 42 to the backer panel 32 to provide additional support to the front panel 42 . In such an embodiment, if the outer support sleeve 48 surrounds the spool support sleeve 34, the indexing ring 60 or projections may also be located on such outer support sleeve. the

In other embodiments, the housing 20 will not be openable, and thus is a disposable unit that will not have the reel 80 of PTFE tape refilled therein. In such an embodiment, the finger sleeve may be supported by both the front shell 40 and the rear shell 22 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such an embodiment, the end flange 51 of the finger sleeve may bear against the front plate 42 as schematically shown in FIG. 4 . the

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11 , an alternative embodiment of the dispenser portion 24 is illustrated. As schematically shown in Figure 10, the dispenser section may include a plurality of rollers 110 through which the PTFE strip 14 travels. Those skilled in the art will understand that although three rollers are illustrated, one, two or more than three rollers could also be utilized. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rollers will provide additional resistance to the free unraveling of the PTFE strip 14 from the device 10 . Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the dispenser portion 24 may include a first side 120 and a second side 122 , wherein the first side 120 extends further along the path of travel of the PTFE strip 14 than the second side 122 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such an embodiment, the extended length of the first side 120 will facilitate the user's ability to grasp the end of the PTFE strip 14 when the strip is torn off near the dispenser portion 24. . the

Those skilled in the art will understand that some embodiments of the present invention will be adapted to be able to accept existing PTFE tape rolls. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that in other embodiments of the invention, rolls of PTFE tape may be manufactured as composite articles to be discarded after use. In such an embodiment, the outer components of the device may be permanently attached to each other. Additionally, rolls of PTFE tape for such embodiments may also include a portion or more of the indexing or breaking mechanism as described above for use exclusively with such one-piece articles. the

Those skilled in the art will also understand that a special roll of PTFE tape including such an indexing or breaking mechanism can also be provided for the corresponding equipment as a replaceable roll. the

While this disclosure describes polytetrafluoroethylene tape or PTFE, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus and method will be equally useful in connection with other types of non-adhesive tape, including, for example Anti-jam strips, other PTFE strips, including PTFE strips with nickel, copper or ceramic included therein, and ribbons, as non-limiting examples. the

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered as merely illustrative of the invention and not limiting of the invention, as construed in light of the appended claims. the

Claims (27)

CLAIMS 1. A method for dispensing an article of non-adhesive tape carried on a reel having a reel hole therethrough, the method comprising: providing a housing having a housing aperture therethrough, the housing resistively and rotatably supporting the spool about the housing aperture; supporting the housing on a support member located within the housing bore; securing the free end of the strap to the article by the dispenser portion of the housing, and The reel is rotated within the housing to unroll the non-adhesive strip while the dispenser portion is maintained in radial alignment with the article and the housing is moved around the article. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said support comprises a user's finger. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispenser portion compressibly holds said non-adhesive strip. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing rotates about the support as the housing moves about the article. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the housing rotates on the support. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the housing rotates on a support secured to the support. 7. An apparatus for dispensing to an article a non-adhesive strip carried on a reel having a reel hole therethrough, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a housing bore therethrough adapted to rotatably receive the support member therein; a spool support for resistively and rotatably supporting the spool about the housing aperture; and A dispenser portion located in the housing for dispensing the non-adhesive strip therethrough. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said support member comprises a user's finger. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said housing includes a sleeve having said housing aperture therein, wherein said housing is rotatable about said sleeve. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sleeve and the housing include a bearing therebetween. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said sleeve has a central axis, wherein said housing is rotatable about said central axis. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said reel is rotatable about said central axis. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is adapted to grip the support member. 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is adapted to slidably receive the support member. 15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said housing includes a hub, said hub being concentric with said reel. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said one of said reel or said housing includes a deflector adapted to engage one of a plurality of corresponding notches in the other of said reel or said housing. Pressing the protrusion, the plurality of notches are oriented radially about the housing bore such that rotation of the spool within the housing will cause the protrusion to engage successive notches. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said notch is located on said hub, wherein said protrusion extends radially inwardly from said spool. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spool includes a spool axis and side walls perpendicular to the spool axis. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said recess is located on at least one inner surface of said housing adjacent said reel, wherein said protrusion extends from a corresponding side wall to said at least one inner surface. 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said recess is located on at least one side wall, wherein said protrusion extends from a corresponding inner surface of said housing to said at least one side wall. 21. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the spool includes an inner cylinder. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side, wherein the inner cylinder is frictionally engaged via the first side and the second side of the housing. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a friction assisting gasket between said inner cylinder and said first and second sides of said housing. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the spool includes a sidewall extending radially from the inner barrel. 25. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side, wherein the side walls are frictionally engaged via the first side and the second side of the housing. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a friction assisting gasket between said side wall and said first and second sides of said housing. 27. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said dispenser portion frictionally bears against said non-adhesive strip passing therethrough.

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