Wrap device to facilitate handling of stacked slides or other stackable flat objects

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a wrap device and to methods of using a wrap device for facilitating manipulation of a stack of slides or other stackable objects in order to remove the stack from a packaging container and place within a hopper or other dispensing container. When using the device and methods of the present invention, no undue force is exerted on any particular slide within the stack, thus minimizing the risks of breakage, while stabilizing the stack such that “fanning” and slippage within the stack is substantially prevented. Further, the invention may be used to facilitate manipulation of a stack of slides without direct contact between the slides and a user's hands.

1 . A device for facilitating the manipulation of a stack of substantially flat stackable objects, said device comprising a strip of flexible smooth material of sufficient length to at least surround the stack, said strip having an attachment end for releasably attaching said end to an attachment site on the strip via a releasable attachment means, wherein said device is wrapped around the stack so as to secure said objects within the stack and to substantially eliminate slippage between the stacked objects during manipulation of the stack.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said stackable objects comprise glass microscope slides and said stack comprises approximately 50 or more slides.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said smooth material comprises high-density polyethylene fibers or poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said releasable attachment means comprises an adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said releasable attachment means comprises a mechanical means.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the length of said strip is sufficient to surround the stack and to provide an additional area for grasping the strip.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said releasable attachment means is located on said attachment end.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said releasable attachment means is located at the attachment site.  
   
   
       9 . A method of securing a stack of stackable objects to facilitate manipulation of the stack, said method comprising: 
 wrapping the stack with a strip of smooth material, said strip comprising an attachment end, and    releasably attaching said attachment end to an attachment area on the strip via a releasable attachment means;    wherein upon wrapping, slippage between objects within the stack during manipulation of the stack is substantially eliminated.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said stackable objects comprise glass microscope slides and said stack comprises approximately 50 or more slides.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said smooth material comprises high-density polyethylene fibers or poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said releasable attachment means comprises an adhesive material.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said strip is of sufficient length to wrap around the stack and to provide additional length for grasping the strip manually.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein at least a portion of the releasable attachment means is located on said attachment end.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein at least a portion of the releasable attachment means is located at said attachment site.  
   
   
       16 . A method of loading a stack of glass microscope slides into a hopper for containing said stack of slides, the method comprising: 
 placing the stack of slides within the hopper, said stack having been wrapped with a strip comprising a smooth material to secure the slides within the stack and substantially eliminate slippage between individual slides within the stack, said strip further comprising an attachment end for releasable attachment to an attachment area on the opposite side of said strip via a releasable attachment means;    releasing the attachment between the attachment means and the attachment area; and    pulling the strip away from the stack so that the stack is completely freed from the strip.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said attachment means comprises an adhesive.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said smooth material comprises high-density polyethylene fibers or poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said stack comprises about 50 or more slides.