US20170107046A1 - Devices for Depositing and Applying of Decorative Elements - Google Patents
Devices for Depositing and Applying of Decorative Elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170107046A1 US20170107046A1 US15/298,408 US201615298408A US2017107046A1 US 20170107046 A1 US20170107046 A1 US 20170107046A1 US 201615298408 A US201615298408 A US 201615298408A US 2017107046 A1 US2017107046 A1 US 2017107046A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hollow body
- decorative elements
- head
- decorative
- mouth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
- A44C17/00—Gems or the like
- A44C17/04—Setting gems in jewellery; Setting-tools
- A44C17/043—Setting-tools
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/04—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
- B65D83/0409—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, or spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
- A44C17/00—Gems or the like
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the field of decorative, namely fashion jewellery, elements which are intended to be affixed to clothing or other items, and more particular to devices for depositing and applying of these decorative elements.
- Decorative flat back elements provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the plane according to the current practice are applied on the non-adhesive underlay in a grid (e.g. square or hexagonal) or in a motif.
- the grid (pattern) prepared in this way is covered by an adhesive or non-adhesive covering foil, and the elements are subsequently applied by means of tweezers or by means of an adhesive foil.
- Transporting individual decorative elements by means of an adhesive-carrying underlay practically does not enable the application of individual elements precisely to their predetermined positions which really complicates forming a more complex pattern, namely in those situations in which the individual elements are to be placed on the decorated surface closely next to each other.
- the subject matter of the present invention is a device enabling a new method of storing, transporting, and applying decorative elements (components of fashion jewelry), most preferably of glass, metal, or polymeric materials (plastics) to the decorated surface, which makes their subsequent application to the designated place easier.
- decorative elements components of fashion jewelry
- the invention relates to a device for depositing and sequentially applying of decorative elements, consisting of a hollow body, the inner cross-section of which is determined by the shape of the decorative elements, with the body being provided on one end with a mouth with at least two openable jaws, and also being provided on its second end with an ending element with openable jaws.
- the device may be manufactured from any material, and is preferably manufactured from polymeric materials (plastics) having the optimum firmness and the flexibility necessary for the application (the operation of the device).
- the hollow body may be made from one monolithic piece, and it may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to its inner cross-section.
- the hollow body may be formed of two parts which can be connected and the body may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to its inner cross-section.
- the hollow body may be composed of at least three parts, the first part being a mouth part, the last part being an ending element, and a trunk being composed of the required number of central parts. In this embodiment, it is possible to influence the length of a container inside the hollow body by the number of central parts, and it may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to the inner cross-section of the hollow body.
- a mouth On one end of the hollow body, there is a mouth which has at least two openable jaws.
- the mouth serves for applying decorative elements on a desired item.
- an ending element On the second end of the hollow body, there is an ending element which also has at least two openable jaws.
- the ending element serves to allow decorative elements to be inserted into the device.
- the openable jaws are formed by making an incision in the mouth of the ending element, in one or more planes. This creates either two or more jaws.
- the device is further provided with a stop placed a distance from the mouth, corresponding to the maximum height of the decorative element. This stop facilitates separation of only one decorative element.
- the ending element is provided with a bevel which facilitates inserting decorative elements into the design.
- the device according to the invention may contain decorative elements provided with a final layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, arranged into a column so that the table (the upper part of a stone) is in contact with the plane of the following decorative element, while the perimeter of the decorative element touches the wall of the container, so that the position of the decorative element is stable.
- the adhesion of the plane to the designated place will overcome the adhesion to the following stone, and only the first decorative element will be separated.
- the separation is preferably facilitated by the stop placed in the mouth part of the container.
- the decorative elements placed inside the container are protected against mechanical damage by the walls of the container and the considerable difference between the respective areas of the upper and lower parts of the decorative element minimize the risk of damaging the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- the outer surface of the device may bear technical information on the content, and it may also be provided with a logo of the manufacturer, and/or it may serve as an advertising area.
- This device can be used as a container for decorative elements for further use and application.
- the invention relates to a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to decorate it, the device consisting of a head of the device, inside which there is a space for depositing the container of decorative elements, of a body of the device which is provided with a stepping mechanism and a back stop, and a pushing plunger which goes through the body and pushes on the decorative elements deposited in the container.
- the stepping mechanism serves for a smooth shifting of the pushing plunger, and thus for sequentially releasing decorative elements from the container, and is placed in the space situated in the head of the device.
- the back stop serves to prevent the movement of the pushing plunger back.
- All individual components may be made from any material.
- the preferable materials are a combination of aluminium and plastics.
- the head of the device and the body of the device may be formed either in one piece, or from two separable parts.
- the head of the device and the body of the device are made in two pieces which are connected together with a threaded connection.
- the head of the device and the body of the device are made in two pieces which are connected together with a bayonet stop.
- the decorative element is placed on the required place on the surface to be decorated in the following way: the head of the device with a visible decorative element is placed perpendicularly to the required location on the surface to be decorated and by pressing on the stepping mechanism to operate the pushing plunger, the decorative element is released from the container and at the same time is pressed onto the surface to be decorated which leads to forming a connection between the decorative element and the decorated surface.
- the connection between the decorative element and the decorated surface is formed in one step, both precisely placing the decorative element in the desired location and pressing it onto the surface to be decorated.
- the precise application of the decorative element to the required location is facilitated by the construction of the device in that during application of the decorative element in the desired location and its release from the container the decorative element is visible.
- a device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements includes: a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having an inner cross-section which is configured to accommodate the shape of the decorative elements, the hollow body having opposite first and second ends; a mouth located at the first end of the hollow body from which decorative elements stored in the hollow body may be dispensed, the mouth having at least two openable jaws; and an ending element located at the second end of the hollow body into which decorative elements to be stored in the hollow body may be loaded, the ending element having at least two openable jaws.
- the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements further includes: a head having a space located therein which is open on a first end of the body into which space the hollow body may be installed with its first end extending from the first end of the body; an operating body having a first end mounted onto a second end of the head opposite the first end of the head; and a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger having a distal end extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
- a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated includes: a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having a mouth located at one open end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite open end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded; a head having a space located therein into which space the hollow body may be installed with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the head; an operating body mounted onto an opposite end of the head; and a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
- a method of applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated includes: storing a plurality of decorative elements in a hollow body, the hollow body having a mouth located at one end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded; installing the hollow body into a space located in a head with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the body; mounting an operating body onto an opposite end of the head; and operating a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body to push the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time from the hollow body.
- the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention provides a device and a method of operating the device to enable the storage and the sequential application of decorative elements onto a prepared base in an efficient manner.
- the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention achieves its advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
- FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of the device for depositing of decorative elements of the present invention showing openable jaws at first and second opposite ends of the device;
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of device for depositing of decorative elements shown in FIG. 1 showing a mouth at the first end of the device and an ending element at the second end of the device;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the mouth of the device for depositing of decorative elements shown in FIG. 2 showing a stop located at the end of the mouth;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the ending portion of the device for depositing of decorative elements shown in FIG. 2 showing a bevel located at the end of the ending element;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a device for depositing of decorative elements having a technological ring;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, the device having a body and a head having a space contained therein inside which a container of decorative elements is placed, with a plunger operated by a drive mechanism and a back stop serving to push on the decorative elements to dispense them; and
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, the device having a body and a head having a space contained therein inside which a container of decorative elements is placed, with a plunger operated by a drive mechanism and a back stop serving to push on the decorative elements to dispense them.
- a device 1 for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements is formed by a monolithic hollow body 2 , provided on a first one of its ends with a mouth 3 with at least two openable jaws 4 A, which are formed by making lateral incisions in the sides of the mouth 3 .
- the hollow body may be constructed in two pieces, preferably from a plastic material, with the two pieces being joined by screwing them together or by any other suitable attachment mechanism.
- a plurality of the decorative elements may be stored inside the hollow body 2 with their flat sides with an adhesive surface being oriented toward the first end of the body 2 to be dispensed flat side first from the mouth of the device 1 .
- a stop 7 is located, the stop facilitating the separation and dispensing of only one decorative element at a time for dispending.
- an ending element 5 also having at least two openable jaws 4 B, which are formed by making lateral incisions in the sides of the ending element 5 .
- a bevel 6 is located in the ending element 5 at the second end of the hollow body to facilitate loading the decorative elements into the hollow body 2 .
- hollow body 2 may have other configurations than only circular, to thereby accommodate decorative elements of various shapes.
- decorative elements for example, round, square, triangular, or any other geometric configuration decorative elements may be accommodated by hollow bodies 2 of different configurations.
- FIG. 5 device 1 for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements similar to the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 is shown, which differs in two regards.
- the device shown in FIG. 7 has a body which is made in three segments, with a central segment being located intermediate a mouth segment and an ending element section.
- the body of the device shown in FIG. 5 has an annular technological ring 8 located on its exterior and extending outwardly therefrom. The technological ring 8 may be used to place the device shown in FIG. 5 inside a device for dispensing decorative elements from the body.
- a device 11 for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated has a head 12 which will contain a container 15 containing a plurality of decorative elements therein for dispensing therefrom and a body 13 which contains the apparatus for operating the dispensing mechanism.
- the head 12 and the body 13 of the device 11 are formed as two separate and removable parts, which may be connected with a threaded connection to allow them to be assembled and screwed together, or by any other suitable connection mechanism.
- a space 14 into which the container 15 of decorative elements may be placed is located inside the head 12 .
- the container 15 of decorative elements may be constructed as detailed in FIGS. 1 through 5 , and the related discussion thereof above.
- the container 15 shown in FIG. 6 is of the two-piece construction shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 (alternately, it could be of three-piece construction as shown in FIG. 5 , or it may have multiple central segments instead of the single central segment shown in FIG. 5 ).
- the container 15 of decorative elements is installed into the head 12 by inserting it into the distal end of the head 12 , where it will be retained while decorative elements are being dispensed since the mouth 3 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the container 15 will be pressed against a surface to be decorated as decorative elements are dispensed, thereby retaining the container 15 inside the head 12 of the device 11 .
- the pushing plunger 18 is prevented from moving backwards (toward the left in FIG. 6 ) by a back stop 17 mounted in the body 13 of the device 11 and also biased by the spring in the body 13 of the device 11 .
- the back stop 17 may be pushed toward the distal end of the device 11 (toward the right in FIG. 6 ) by an operator to allow the dispensing plunger 18 to be withdrawn from the container 15 , at which time the empty container 15 may be removed from the head 12 of the device 11 and another container 15 that is full of decorative elements to be dispensed may be installed into the head 12 of the device 11 .
- a device 111 for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated has a head 112 which will contain a container 115 containing a plurality of decorative elements therein for dispensing therefrom and a body 113 which contains the apparatus for operating the dispensing mechanism.
- the head 112 and the body 113 of the device 111 are formed as two separate and removable parts, with the head 112 being inserted into the distal end of the body 113 and biased toward the right in FIG. 7 by a spring located inside the body 113 .
- a space 114 into which the container 115 of decorative elements may be placed is located inside the head 112 .
- the container 115 of decorative elements may be constructed as detailed in FIGS. 1 through 5 , and the related discussion thereof above.
- the container 115 shown in FIG. 7 is of the three-piece construction shown in FIG. 5 .
- the container 115 of decorative elements is installed into the head 112 by inserting it into the distal end of the head 112 , with the technological ring 8 being used to limit the extent to which the container 115 is inserted into the head 112 .
- the container 115 will be retained in place in the head 112 while decorative elements are being dispensed since the mouth 3 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the container 115 will be pressed against a surface to be decorated as decorative elements are dispensed, thereby retaining the container 115 inside the head 112 of the device 111 .
- a pushing plunger 118 extends through the body 113 of the device 111 , with the distal end of the plunger 118 pressing on the array of decorative elements deposited in the container 115 .
- the pushing plunger 118 is driven to press on the array of decorative elements in the container 115 and press the distal-most decorative element at the distal end of the container 115 against a surface to be decorated, thereby driving the decorative element by the stop 7 (shown in FIG. 3 ) and out of the device 111 .
- the pushing plunger 118 is driven to do so by means of pushing the proximal end 116 of the body 113 of the device 111 toward the distal end of the device 111 (toward the right in FIG.
- a container 15 or 115 may, for example, contain 50 rhinestones (such as, for example, self-adhesive Chaton Rose rhinestones from PRECIOSA Crystal Components), each with a final layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive located on the flat side thereof.
- the container 15 or 115 may be placed into the space 14 or 115 , respectively, in the head 12 or 112 , respectively, of the device 11 or 111 , respectively, and the rhinestones may be sequentially applied to a surface to be decorated to create a predetermined pattern.
- a decorative motif consisting of more types of decorative elements (rhinestones of different sizes and colors, squares, etc.) may be formed by the sequential inserting of containers which contain the required decorative elements into the device and applying the decorative elements into the final positions in the motif.
- a container 15 containing 50 rhinestones may be placed into the space 14 or 114 in the head 12 or 112 , respectively, of the device 11 or 111 , respectively, and the rhinestones may be sequentially applied to a surface to be decorated which is provided with a layer of adhesive in a predetermined pattern.
- the device according to the present invention will find its use in applying decorative elements on clothing or other items, with this device enabling easier manipulation of decorative elements.
- the device is suitable for use in the private sector by individuals whereby the use of the device is less demanding on the experience of the user, as well as for industrial production of decorated items where it enables a smaller number of workers to reach a better level of performance.
- the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention provides a device and a method of operating the device to enable the storage and the sequential application of decorative elements onto a prepared base in an efficient manner.
- the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention achieves its advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A device for use in depositing, applying, and affixing decorative, namely fashion jewellery, elements to clothing or other items and a method for using the same are disclosed. The device for applying decorative elements includes a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having a mouth located at one open end with openable jaws, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite open end with openable jaws. The hollow body may be installed into a head with its mouth extending from an end of the head, an operating body being mounted onto an opposite end of the head. A dispensing mechanism located in the operating body dispenses decorative elements from the hollow body one at a time.
Description
- This patent application claims priority of Czech Republic Patent Application No. 2015-739, which was filed on Oct. 20, 2015, and Czech Republic Patent Application No. 2015-808, which was filed on Nov. 12, 2015, both of which Czech Republic patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to the field of decorative, namely fashion jewellery, elements which are intended to be affixed to clothing or other items, and more particular to devices for depositing and applying of these decorative elements.
- Decorative flat back elements provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the plane according to the current practice are applied on the non-adhesive underlay in a grid (e.g. square or hexagonal) or in a motif. The grid (pattern) prepared in this way is covered by an adhesive or non-adhesive covering foil, and the elements are subsequently applied by means of tweezers or by means of an adhesive foil.
- In case the decorative elements are not pre-arranged to a final pattern (motif) which is to be applied onto the decorated item by manually pushing by the fingers of a worker after removing the covering foil, the current state of the art has many disadvantages.
- The disadvantage of the current state of the art is that when manually manipulating stones provided with the final layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, particularly with stones of smaller sizes, they can be applied imprecisely to the destined place, which results in the requirement to relocate them, which in turn leads to damaging and degrading the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- Transporting individual decorative elements by means of tweezers is demanding on the dexterity and experience of the worker and also on the quality and suitability of the tools (tweezers), and it is thus not suitable for amateur use in the so called hobby sector. Moreover, after applying the element to the appropriate position, the element has to be pressed so that sufficient contact occurs between the decorated surface and the whole contact area of the decorative element where pressure-sensitive adhesive is placed, so that a sufficiently firm connection between the element and the decorated item is formed. This has the risk of shifting the element from the correct position and thus deteriorating the appearance of the pattern formed.
- Another disadvantage of the current state of the art is the placing of stones with their whole plane on a non-adhesive underlay. This storing method may lead to harming the compactness of the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- Transporting individual decorative elements by means of an adhesive-carrying underlay practically does not enable the application of individual elements precisely to their predetermined positions which really complicates forming a more complex pattern, namely in those situations in which the individual elements are to be placed on the decorated surface closely next to each other.
- It will thus be appreciated that there is a need for devices which would enable the storage and then the sequential application of decorative elements onto a prepared base in an efficient manner.
- The subject matter discussed in this background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.
- The disadvantages of the current state of the art are eliminated to a considerable extent by the solution according to the present invention.
- The subject matter of the present invention is a device enabling a new method of storing, transporting, and applying decorative elements (components of fashion jewelry), most preferably of glass, metal, or polymeric materials (plastics) to the decorated surface, which makes their subsequent application to the designated place easier.
- The invention relates to a device for depositing and sequentially applying of decorative elements, consisting of a hollow body, the inner cross-section of which is determined by the shape of the decorative elements, with the body being provided on one end with a mouth with at least two openable jaws, and also being provided on its second end with an ending element with openable jaws.
- The device may be manufactured from any material, and is preferably manufactured from polymeric materials (plastics) having the optimum firmness and the flexibility necessary for the application (the operation of the device).
- The hollow body may be made from one monolithic piece, and it may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to its inner cross-section. In another embodiment, the hollow body may be formed of two parts which can be connected and the body may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to its inner cross-section. In yet another embodiment, the hollow body may be composed of at least three parts, the first part being a mouth part, the last part being an ending element, and a trunk being composed of the required number of central parts. In this embodiment, it is possible to influence the length of a container inside the hollow body by the number of central parts, and it may be filled with decorative elements corresponding to the inner cross-section of the hollow body.
- On one end of the hollow body, there is a mouth which has at least two openable jaws. The mouth serves for applying decorative elements on a desired item.
- On the second end of the hollow body, there is an ending element which also has at least two openable jaws. The ending element serves to allow decorative elements to be inserted into the device.
- The openable jaws are formed by making an incision in the mouth of the ending element, in one or more planes. This creates either two or more jaws.
- Preferably, the device is further provided with a stop placed a distance from the mouth, corresponding to the maximum height of the decorative element. This stop facilitates separation of only one decorative element.
- Preferably, the ending element is provided with a bevel which facilitates inserting decorative elements into the design.
- The device according to the invention may contain decorative elements provided with a final layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, arranged into a column so that the table (the upper part of a stone) is in contact with the plane of the following decorative element, while the perimeter of the decorative element touches the wall of the container, so that the position of the decorative element is stable. By pushing to the designated place, the adhesion of the plane to the designated place will overcome the adhesion to the following stone, and only the first decorative element will be separated. The separation is preferably facilitated by the stop placed in the mouth part of the container.
- During storing and transporting, the decorative elements placed inside the container (inside the device) are protected against mechanical damage by the walls of the container and the considerable difference between the respective areas of the upper and lower parts of the decorative element minimize the risk of damaging the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- The outer surface of the device may bear technical information on the content, and it may also be provided with a logo of the manufacturer, and/or it may serve as an advertising area.
- This device can be used as a container for decorative elements for further use and application.
- In one embodiment, the invention relates to a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to decorate it, the device consisting of a head of the device, inside which there is a space for depositing the container of decorative elements, of a body of the device which is provided with a stepping mechanism and a back stop, and a pushing plunger which goes through the body and pushes on the decorative elements deposited in the container.
- The stepping mechanism serves for a smooth shifting of the pushing plunger, and thus for sequentially releasing decorative elements from the container, and is placed in the space situated in the head of the device.
- The back stop serves to prevent the movement of the pushing plunger back.
- All individual components may be made from any material. The preferable materials are a combination of aluminium and plastics.
- The head of the device and the body of the device may be formed either in one piece, or from two separable parts.
- In one embodiment, the head of the device and the body of the device are made in two pieces which are connected together with a threaded connection.
- In another embodiment, the head of the device and the body of the device are made in two pieces which are connected together with a bayonet stop.
- The decorative element is placed on the required place on the surface to be decorated in the following way: the head of the device with a visible decorative element is placed perpendicularly to the required location on the surface to be decorated and by pressing on the stepping mechanism to operate the pushing plunger, the decorative element is released from the container and at the same time is pressed onto the surface to be decorated which leads to forming a connection between the decorative element and the decorated surface. The connection between the decorative element and the decorated surface is formed in one step, both precisely placing the decorative element in the desired location and pressing it onto the surface to be decorated. The precise application of the decorative element to the required location is facilitated by the construction of the device in that during application of the decorative element in the desired location and its release from the container the decorative element is visible.
- In an apparatus embodiment, a device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements includes: a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having an inner cross-section which is configured to accommodate the shape of the decorative elements, the hollow body having opposite first and second ends; a mouth located at the first end of the hollow body from which decorative elements stored in the hollow body may be dispensed, the mouth having at least two openable jaws; and an ending element located at the second end of the hollow body into which decorative elements to be stored in the hollow body may be loaded, the ending element having at least two openable jaws.
- In an additional implementation of this apparatus embodiment, the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements further includes: a head having a space located therein which is open on a first end of the body into which space the hollow body may be installed with its first end extending from the first end of the body; an operating body having a first end mounted onto a second end of the head opposite the first end of the head; and a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger having a distal end extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
- In another apparatus embodiment, a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated includes: a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having a mouth located at one open end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite open end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded; a head having a space located therein into which space the hollow body may be installed with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the head; an operating body mounted onto an opposite end of the head; and a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
- In a method embodiment, a method of applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated includes: storing a plurality of decorative elements in a hollow body, the hollow body having a mouth located at one end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded; installing the hollow body into a space located in a head with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the body; mounting an operating body onto an opposite end of the head; and operating a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body to push the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time from the hollow body.
- The device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention provides a device and a method of operating the device to enable the storage and the sequential application of decorative elements onto a prepared base in an efficient manner. The device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention achieves its advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
- These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of the device for depositing of decorative elements of the present invention showing openable jaws at first and second opposite ends of the device; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of device for depositing of decorative elements shown inFIG. 1 showing a mouth at the first end of the device and an ending element at the second end of the device; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the mouth of the device for depositing of decorative elements shown inFIG. 2 showing a stop located at the end of the mouth; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the ending portion of the device for depositing of decorative elements shown inFIG. 2 showing a bevel located at the end of the ending element; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a device for depositing of decorative elements having a technological ring; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, the device having a body and a head having a space contained therein inside which a container of decorative elements is placed, with a plunger operated by a drive mechanism and a back stop serving to push on the decorative elements to dispense them; and -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, the device having a body and a head having a space contained therein inside which a container of decorative elements is placed, with a plunger operated by a drive mechanism and a back stop serving to push on the decorative elements to dispense them. - A number of exemplary embodiments are illustrated herein.
- Referring first to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , adevice 1 for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements is formed by a monolithichollow body 2, provided on a first one of its ends with amouth 3 with at least twoopenable jaws 4A, which are formed by making lateral incisions in the sides of themouth 3. It will be appreciated fromFIGS. 1 and 2 that the hollow body may be constructed in two pieces, preferably from a plastic material, with the two pieces being joined by screwing them together or by any other suitable attachment mechanism. It may be seen that a plurality of the decorative elements may be stored inside thehollow body 2 with their flat sides with an adhesive surface being oriented toward the first end of thebody 2 to be dispensed flat side first from the mouth of thedevice 1. - Referring to
FIG. 3 in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2 , at a short distance from the opening of themouth 3, corresponding to the height of the decorative element (and having the same diameter or outer configuration as or a slightly smaller diameter or outer configuration than the decorative elements), astop 7 is located, the stop facilitating the separation and dispensing of only one decorative element at a time for dispending. Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2 , on a second one of the ends of thehollow body 2 is an endingelement 5 also having at least twoopenable jaws 4B, which are formed by making lateral incisions in the sides of the endingelement 5. Referring now toFIG. 4 in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2 , abevel 6 is located in the endingelement 5 at the second end of the hollow body to facilitate loading the decorative elements into thehollow body 2. - Additionally, it should be appreciated that the
hollow body 2 may have other configurations than only circular, to thereby accommodate decorative elements of various shapes. For example, round, square, triangular, or any other geometric configuration decorative elements may be accommodated byhollow bodies 2 of different configurations. - Referring now to
FIG. 5 ,device 1 for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements similar to the device shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 is shown, which differs in two regards. First, the device shown inFIG. 7 has a body which is made in three segments, with a central segment being located intermediate a mouth segment and an ending element section. Second, the body of the device shown inFIG. 5 has an annulartechnological ring 8 located on its exterior and extending outwardly therefrom. Thetechnological ring 8 may be used to place the device shown inFIG. 5 inside a device for dispensing decorative elements from the body. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , adevice 11 for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated has ahead 12 which will contain acontainer 15 containing a plurality of decorative elements therein for dispensing therefrom and abody 13 which contains the apparatus for operating the dispensing mechanism. Thehead 12 and thebody 13 of thedevice 11 are formed as two separate and removable parts, which may be connected with a threaded connection to allow them to be assembled and screwed together, or by any other suitable connection mechanism. - A
space 14 into which thecontainer 15 of decorative elements may be placed is located inside thehead 12. Thecontainer 15 of decorative elements may be constructed as detailed inFIGS. 1 through 5 , and the related discussion thereof above. Thecontainer 15 shown inFIG. 6 is of the two-piece construction shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 (alternately, it could be of three-piece construction as shown inFIG. 5 , or it may have multiple central segments instead of the single central segment shown inFIG. 5 ). Thecontainer 15 of decorative elements is installed into thehead 12 by inserting it into the distal end of thehead 12, where it will be retained while decorative elements are being dispensed since the mouth 3 (shown inFIG. 3 ) of thecontainer 15 will be pressed against a surface to be decorated as decorative elements are dispensed, thereby retaining thecontainer 15 inside thehead 12 of thedevice 11. - A pushing
plunger 18 extends through thebody 13 of thedevice 11, with the distal end of theplunger 18 pressing on the array of decorative elements deposited in thecontainer 15. The pushingplunger 18 is driven to press on the array of decorative elements in thecontainer 15 and press the distal-most decorative element at the distal end of thecontainer 15 against a surface to be decorated, thereby driving the decorative element by the stop 7 (shown inFIG. 3 ) and out of thedevice 11. The pushingplunger 18 is driven to do so by means of astepping mechanism 16 mounted in thebody 13 of thedevice 11 which is pushed toward the distal end of the device 11 (toward the right inFIG. 6 ) by an operator. Thestepping mechanism 16 is spring biased toward the proximal end of the device 11 (toward the left inFIG. 6 ) by a spring located in thebody 13 and surrounding the pushingplunger 18. - The pushing
plunger 18 is prevented from moving backwards (toward the left inFIG. 6 ) by aback stop 17 mounted in thebody 13 of thedevice 11 and also biased by the spring in thebody 13 of thedevice 11. When all of the decorative elements located in thecontainer 15 have been dispensed, theback stop 17 may be pushed toward the distal end of the device 11 (toward the right inFIG. 6 ) by an operator to allow the dispensingplunger 18 to be withdrawn from thecontainer 15, at which time theempty container 15 may be removed from thehead 12 of thedevice 11 and anothercontainer 15 that is full of decorative elements to be dispensed may be installed into thehead 12 of thedevice 11. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , adevice 111 for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated has ahead 112 which will contain acontainer 115 containing a plurality of decorative elements therein for dispensing therefrom and abody 113 which contains the apparatus for operating the dispensing mechanism. Thehead 112 and thebody 113 of thedevice 111 are formed as two separate and removable parts, with thehead 112 being inserted into the distal end of thebody 113 and biased toward the right inFIG. 7 by a spring located inside thebody 113. - A
space 114 into which thecontainer 115 of decorative elements may be placed is located inside thehead 112. Thecontainer 115 of decorative elements may be constructed as detailed inFIGS. 1 through 5 , and the related discussion thereof above. Thecontainer 115 shown inFIG. 7 is of the three-piece construction shown inFIG. 5 . Thecontainer 115 of decorative elements is installed into thehead 112 by inserting it into the distal end of thehead 112, with thetechnological ring 8 being used to limit the extent to which thecontainer 115 is inserted into thehead 112. Thecontainer 115 will be retained in place in thehead 112 while decorative elements are being dispensed since the mouth 3 (shown inFIG. 3 ) of thecontainer 115 will be pressed against a surface to be decorated as decorative elements are dispensed, thereby retaining thecontainer 115 inside thehead 112 of thedevice 111. - A pushing
plunger 118 extends through thebody 113 of thedevice 111, with the distal end of theplunger 118 pressing on the array of decorative elements deposited in thecontainer 115. The pushingplunger 118 is driven to press on the array of decorative elements in thecontainer 115 and press the distal-most decorative element at the distal end of thecontainer 115 against a surface to be decorated, thereby driving the decorative element by the stop 7 (shown inFIG. 3 ) and out of thedevice 111. The pushingplunger 118 is driven to do so by means of pushing theproximal end 116 of thebody 113 of thedevice 111 toward the distal end of the device 111 (toward the right inFIG. 7 ) by an operator, which urges thebody 112 and thecontainer 115 to the left within thebody 113 as shown inFIG. 7 while the pushing plunger is prevented from moving leftward by aback stop 117, thereby dispensing a decorative element. The spring in thebody 113 of thedevice 111 is used to exert pressure against movement of thehead 112 and the container to move left in thebody 113. - As stated, the pushing
plunger 118 is prevented from moving backwards (toward the left inFIG. 7 ) by theback stop 117 which is mounted in thebody 113 of thedevice 111. The pushingplunger 118 may be advanced a bit by pressing on the knob located at its proximal end to advance it a bit between dispending of the decorative elements. When all of the decorative elements located in thecontainer 115 have been dispensed, theback stop 117 may be pushed toward the distal end of the device 111 (toward the right inFIG. 7 ) by an operator to allow the dispensingplunger 118 to be withdrawn from thecontainer 115, at which time theempty container 115 may be removed from thehead 112 of thedevice 111 and anothercontainer 115 that is full of decorative elements to be dispensed may be installed into thehead 112 of thedevice 111. - A
container container space head device - A decorative motif consisting of more types of decorative elements (rhinestones of different sizes and colors, squares, etc.) may be formed by the sequential inserting of containers which contain the required decorative elements into the device and applying the decorative elements into the final positions in the motif.
- A
container 15 containing 50 rhinestones may be placed into thespace head device - The device according to the present invention will find its use in applying decorative elements on clothing or other items, with this device enabling easier manipulation of decorative elements. The device is suitable for use in the private sector by individuals whereby the use of the device is less demanding on the experience of the user, as well as for industrial production of decorated items where it enables a smaller number of workers to reach a better level of performance.
- It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention that it provides a device and a method of operating the device to enable the storage and the sequential application of decorative elements onto a prepared base in an efficient manner. The device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements of the present invention achieves its advantages without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
- Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
- While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
Claims (20)
1. A device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements, comprising:
a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having an inner cross-section which is configured to accommodate the shape of the decorative elements, the hollow body having opposite first and second ends;
a mouth located at the first end of the hollow body from which decorative elements stored in the hollow body may be dispensed, the mouth having at least two openable jaws; and
an ending element located at the second end of the hollow body into which decorative elements to be stored in the hollow body may be loaded, the ending element having at least two openable jaws.
2. A device as defined in claim 1 , additionally comprising:
a stop located in the mouth a short distance from the opening therein, the stop being arranged to facilitate dispensing the decorative elements one at a time.
3. A device as defined in claim 2 , wherein the size of the stop corresponds to the maximum height of the decorative element, and wherein the stop has the same diameter or outer configuration as or a slightly smaller diameter or outer configuration than the decorative elements.
4. A device as defined in claim 1 , additionally comprising:
a bevel located in the ending element at the second end of the hollow body.
5. A device as defined in claim 4 , wherein the bevel is arranged to facilitate loading the decorative elements into the hollow body.
6. A device as defined in claim 1 , additionally comprising:
a technological ring located on an exterior surface of the hollow body and extending outwardly therefrom.
7. A device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated from the device for depositing and sequentially applying decorative elements defined in claim 1 , comprising:
a head having a space located therein which is open on a first end of the body into which space the hollow body may be installed with its first end extending from the first end of the body;
an operating body having a first end mounted onto a second end of the head opposite the first end of the head; and
a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger having a distal end extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
8. A device as defined in claim 7 , wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises:
a stepping mechanism for causing the pushing plunger to advance within the hollow body to push a decorative element out of the mouth of the hollow body; and
a back stop for selectively preventing the pushing plunger from being retracted unless the back stop is actuated to allow the pushing plunger to be retracted to facilitate the installation of a new hollow body of decorative elements.
9. A device as defined in claim 7 , wherein the head and the body are connected together with a threaded connection.
10. A device as defined in claim 7 , wherein the head and the body are connected together with a bayonet stop.
11. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the decorative elements to be dispensed have a particular configuration, and wherein the hollow body is arranged and configured to having an inner cross-section which accommodates the shape of the decorative elements.
12. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the decorative elements to be dispensed are rhinestones or the like.
13. A device for applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, comprising:
a hollow body for containing a plurality of decorative elements, the hollow body having a mouth located at one open end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite open end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded;
a head having a space located therein into which space the hollow body may be installed with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the head;
an operating body mounted onto an opposite end of the head; and
a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body for dispensing decorative elements from the hollow body, the dispensing mechanism comprising a pushing plunger extending into the hollow body to push on the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time.
14. A device as defined in claim 13 , additionally comprising:
a stop located in the mouth of the hollow body, the stop being arranged to facilitate dispensing the decorative elements one at a time;
wherein the size of the stop corresponds to the maximum height of the decorative element, and wherein the stop has the same diameter or outer configuration as or a slightly smaller diameter or outer configuration than the decorative elements.
15. A device as defined in claim 13 , additionally comprising:
a bevel located in the ending element;
wherein the bevel is arranged to facilitate loading the decorative elements into the hollow body.
16. A device as defined in claim 13 , additionally comprising:
a technological ring located on an exterior surface of the hollow body and extending outwardly therefrom;
wherein the technological ring is arranged to limit the extent to which the hollow body may be installed into the head.
17. A device as defined in claim 13 , wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises:
a stepping mechanism for causing the pushing plunger to advance within the hollow body to push a decorative element out of the mouth of the hollow body.
18. A device as defined in claim 17 , wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises:
a back stop for selectively preventing the pushing plunger from being retracted unless the back stop is actuated to allow the pushing plunger to be retracted to facilitate the installation of a new hollow body of decorative elements.
19. A device as defined in claim 13 , wherein the hollow body is arranged to have an inner cross-section that is configured to accommodate the shape of the decorative elements.
20. A method of applying decorative elements onto a surface to be decorated, comprising:
storing a plurality of decorative elements in a hollow body, the hollow body having a mouth located at one end of the hollow body from which decorative elements will be dispensed, the hollow body also having an ending element located at an opposite end of the hollow body into which decorative elements may be loaded;
installing the hollow body into a space located in a head with a portion of the hollow body including its mouth extending from an end of the body;
mounting an operating body onto an opposite end of the head; and
operating a dispensing mechanism mounted in the operating body to push the decorative elements located in the hollow body to dispense them one at a time from the hollow body.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CZ2015-739A CZ2015739A3 (en) | 2015-10-20 | 2015-10-20 | Device for storage and successive location of decorative elements |
CZ2015-739 | 2015-10-20 | ||
CZ2015-808A CZ2015808A3 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2015-11-12 | A device for applying decorative elements |
CZ2015-808 | 2015-11-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170107046A1 true US20170107046A1 (en) | 2017-04-20 |
Family
ID=57226766
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/298,408 Abandoned US20170107046A1 (en) | 2015-10-20 | 2016-10-20 | Devices for Depositing and Applying of Decorative Elements |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170107046A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3158889A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016135626A3 (en) * | 2015-02-23 | 2017-10-19 | Meyer Angelique | A method and a tool of decorating baked goods with one or more dragee balls |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2718299A (en) * | 1950-06-01 | 1955-09-20 | Verne L Atwater | Medicinal dispenser |
US2906432A (en) * | 1957-05-27 | 1959-09-29 | Martin Donald Bruce | Dispenser |
GB1318450A (en) * | 1969-09-05 | 1973-05-31 | Thomas M D | Dispensing device for pills and the like |
US5366113A (en) * | 1993-12-13 | 1994-11-22 | Kim David S | Pill dispenser |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2759184A (en) * | 1954-07-06 | 1956-08-21 | Dorothy Dahl Inc | Adapter for gem setter |
CN201022409Y (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2008-02-20 | 朱建平 | Claw-chain diamond-inserting pen |
AT511901B2 (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2017-06-15 | Swarovski D Kg | APPLICATION EQUIPMENT |
US10308005B2 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2019-06-04 | Kellie DeFries | Double ended hand tool |
-
2016
- 2016-10-20 US US15/298,408 patent/US20170107046A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-10-20 EP EP16194762.7A patent/EP3158889A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2718299A (en) * | 1950-06-01 | 1955-09-20 | Verne L Atwater | Medicinal dispenser |
US2906432A (en) * | 1957-05-27 | 1959-09-29 | Martin Donald Bruce | Dispenser |
GB1318450A (en) * | 1969-09-05 | 1973-05-31 | Thomas M D | Dispensing device for pills and the like |
US5366113A (en) * | 1993-12-13 | 1994-11-22 | Kim David S | Pill dispenser |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016135626A3 (en) * | 2015-02-23 | 2017-10-19 | Meyer Angelique | A method and a tool of decorating baked goods with one or more dragee balls |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3158889A1 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1842797B1 (en) | Bead dispenser | |
EP2310295B1 (en) | Apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects | |
USD793145S1 (en) | Beverage container dispenser robot | |
USD809655S1 (en) | Container holder for liquid dispensing | |
USD807115S1 (en) | Bottle dispenser base | |
USD911916S1 (en) | Cargo container | |
CA2373107C (en) | Storage and dispensing package for objects | |
US8459452B1 (en) | Disposable tattoo ink container | |
JP5963753B2 (en) | Method for attaching molding adhesive to parts to be bonded and bonding tool therefor | |
US20170107046A1 (en) | Devices for Depositing and Applying of Decorative Elements | |
EP3781115A4 (en) | Automatic pill dispenser and methods for automatic pill dispensing | |
US7793796B1 (en) | Hair accessories storage and dispensing device | |
US20100065577A1 (en) | Apparatus for Dispensing Treats | |
EP2620259A1 (en) | Apparatus for picking up, holding and dispensing objects | |
SI1593326T1 (en) | Dispensing device for stacked articles | |
USD951102S1 (en) | Label for bottle | |
USD889258S1 (en) | Beverage container identification marker kit | |
USD909691S1 (en) | Microwavable container for jewelry cleaning device | |
WO2004033321A3 (en) | Dispenser | |
JP6311296B2 (en) | Patch applicator | |
EP3085267A1 (en) | Stone pencil for nails | |
USD935048S1 (en) | Mixing base for multiple component cartridge or dispensing device | |
USD982930S1 (en) | Dispensing container | |
CN111526919B (en) | Microarray applicator | |
USD625608S1 (en) | Candy dispenser |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PRECIOSA, A.S., CZECH REPUBLIC Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DRAHORAD, RADOVAN;NOVOTNY, MARTIN;MEST'AN, ALES;SIGNING DATES FROM 20161208 TO 20161212;REEL/FRAME:040749/0163 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |