AU664587B2 - Film and wrap dispenser - Google Patents

Description

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T f A )Nj* (75) "Inventors/Applicants (for US only)", PCrT replace "FULTON, Francis, David" by N "FRANCIS, David, Fulton" INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) 19/ 33 (51) International Patent Classification 5 (11) International Publication Number: WO 93/13003 B65H 16/06, 17/00, 35/04 Al 35/06 (43) International Publication Date: 8 July 1993 (08.07.93) (21) International Application Number: PCT/AU92/00677 (74) Agent: H. R. HODGKINSON CO.; 26A Alfred Street, Milsons Point, NSW 2061 (AU).

(22) International Filing Date: 23 December 1992 (23.12.92) (81) Designated States: AU, BB, BG, BR, CA, CS, DE, DK, Priority data: ES, FI, Hu, JP, KP, KR, LK, MG, MN, MW, NO, NZ, PL0154 23 December 1991 (23.12.91) AU PL, PT, RU, RU, SD, US, European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, OR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): MICROW- GN, ML, MR, SN, TD, TG).

RAP INTERNATIONAL PTY. LIMITED [AU/AU]; 15/10 Portfield Drive, Chiswick, NSW 2046 (AU).

Published (72) Inventors; and With international search report.

Inventors/Applicants (for US only) SAWYER, Graeme [AU/AU]; 15/10 ortfield Drive, Chiswick, NSW 2046 FRANCIS, David, Fulton [AU/AU]; 106 Boundary Street, Paddington, NSW 2010 (AU).

(54)Title: FILM AND WRAP DISPENSER 4 -b 7 20 7a 2 (57) Abstract A film dispenser includes a housing having bottom front rear and side walls and a pivotally mounted top cover The front wall defines a substantially elongate opening Film or wrap severing means (15) are provided at or adjacent said opening. An elongate and transversely extending support recess (20) is provided within said housing and rearwardly of the opening, so as to allow for an elongate roll of film or wrap to be located therewithin. A pivotally mounted pressure flap (25) is provided within the housing and is positioned above and apart from said support recess. A roll of film or wrap is adapted to be located within said support recess with said pressure flap (25) providing a downward pressure thereon.

*(Refrred to in PCT Gazette No. 11/1994, Section II) L I WO 93/13003 PC/AU92/00677 FILM AND WRAP DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF PRESENT INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing film and wrap, such as for example plastic film or wrap, polyethylene cling wrap and the like. It is particularly relevant to the dispensing of plastic film or wrap of the kind that is provided in roll form, normally disposed around a cylindrical core.

Cling wraps and films are common household and commercial products, used for example in the packaging of a great diversity of products, including foods, magazines, stationery and many other consumer goods. In many cases, such film or wrap is supplied as a cylindrical roll extending about a core (such as for example a cardboard core) In use, only limited length of film or wrap are required from time to time for any particular use, and thus means are usually provided in association with said rolls of film or wrap, for the cutting of film or wrap as may be desired.

It is common to use cardboard boxes for packaging such film or wrap which have also included a serrated metallic blade on an exterior surface for cutting the film. This has proved to be unsatisfactory in so far as the film often folds up over onto itself (especially due to its inherent clinging nature).

Further, such serrated blades often become blunt before the roll of film has been fully used and, being disposable, are not environmentally acceptable to many people.

Alternative methods and arrangements have been proposed whereby containers or housings are provided, which involve the utilisation of severing means in the form of a hot wire, operated by electrical power or battery or the like. This

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WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 2 wire is used to quickly melt and cut through the film, causing an even cut across the width of the film. By way of example only, such an arrangement is disclosed in Australian patent specification No 544,232 and US patent specification No 4,427,144.

While such arrangements are particularly useful and a substantial advance over the use of cardboard containers with serrated edges, disadvantages have been found to exist with such further arrangements. For example, it has been found to be necessary to provide an efficient and straightforward means of pulling the film out of the container, so as to allow the film to be cut by the severing means. It has further been found to be necessary to provide straightforward and efficient means for maintaining sufficient tension and pressure on a roll of film within such a container. By way of example, the effective operation of such containers depends to a large extent ,on being able to maintain a suitable pressure and tensi.: on the film at the point where the cut is to occur. Where the tension is too great, the film may be prone to tear unevenly. Alternatively, should tension be insufficient, the film was unlikely to pull away from the wire and in fact can leave a sticky deposit on the wire which n result in future insufficiencies unless the wire or .vering means is cleaned.

While the arrangement such as that disclosed in Australian patent specification No 544,232 and US patent specification No 4,427,144 are particularly advantageous, such arrangements have not overcome the problems outlined above. In other words, they have not enabled film to be maintained at a sufficient tension. One of the problems is that as the film or wrap is used, so too is the diameter of the roll of film or wrap reduced. Also of course, the use of the film results in the mass of the roll being reduced. Thus, surface areas L r '-i III ~I~I~C~ WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 3 between a roll and the dispensing apparatus and the functional forces thereof are variable while it is desirable that the film tension remains substantially constant.

Some previous attempts to overcome the above problem have been made by attempting to holu the rolls of film or wrap within the internal diameter of the cardboard cores.

That is, by fitting the cores over appropriately formed and dimensioned lugs or axles. While, theoretically this should be possible, given the dimension of the core should remain constant throughout the use of film or wrap, in practice this is not the case. In many cases, such cardboard cores are indented and thus do not efficiently fit (and are not able to be adequately maintained in position) over such lugs or axles.

Further attempts have been made to overcome or minimise the problem outlined above by providing fixing means at a fixed distance apart. This obviously provides problems in that the standard roll length varies from country to cruntry. It is therefore desirable to provide a means whereby the film or wrap being dispensed can be maintained at a relatively constant tension while at the same time being able to accommodate rolls of variable widths.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to go some way towards overcoming or minimising one or more of the above disadvantages.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

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WO/ 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 4 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a film and wrap dispenser including a housing having bottom, front, rear and side walls and a pivotally mounted top cover; said front wall being formed or provided so as to define an elongate opening therein; film or wrap severing means being provided at or adjacent said opening; an elongate and transversely extending support recess being provided within said housing and rearwardly of said opening, so as to locate therein an elongate roll of film or wrap; an elongate and transversely extending pressure flap being pivotally mounted within said housing and spaced apart above said recess; the arrangement being such that on location of said roll of film within said recess, said roll of film is supported and maintained at a desired tension; said pressure flap providing a downward pressure on said roll of film.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a film and wrap dispenser including a housing having bottom, front, rear and side walls and a pivotally mounted top cover; an elongate opening being formed or provided in said front wall and the bottom of said elongate recess being defined by a transversely extending and substantially planar base plate; elongate film or wrap severing means being provided at or adjacent said opening and extending substantially thereacross; a movable plate being pivotally mounted within said opening and extending into an upwardly extending cover plate having a forward or lead lip portion which in a first position extends over and shrouds said severing means; an elongate and transversely extending support recess being provided within said housing and rearwardly of said opening and base plate; said support recess being adapted to locate an elongate roll of film or wrap; an elongate and transversely extending, pivotally I I r ~SIYPI~ 0

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WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 mounted, pressure flap extending across and within said housing and above said support recess; the arrangement being such that a roll of film or wrap located within said support recess will have a downward pressure applied thereto from said pressure flap; the arrangement being such that film or wrap from said roll is fed between said base plate and an underside of said movable plate, with said upwardly extending cover plate and lip covering and shrouding said severing means; on a desired or predetermined amount of film or wrap having been pulled out of said opening, an upward movement applied thereto will cause said movable plate to move and guide said film or wrap upwardly, the cover plate and lip thereby moving to a second position in which said severing means is exposed, so that said Li±m or wrap can come into contact with said severing means to thus cut or sever the predetermined or desired amount of film; said movable plate then returning to a position in juxtaposition with said base plate and said cover plate and lip returning to said first position in which they substantially cover and shroud said severing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS This invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a partially exploded sectional view of a dispenser according to one form of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of a dispenser according to one form of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a view of the releasable engagement of stopper lugs with the pressure flap, and WO 93/13003 PCr/AU92/00677 pr

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WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 6 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to one form of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the dispenser of the present invention includes a housing 1 which has a bottom 2, side walls 3, a rear wall 4 and a front wall 5. A top cover 6 is pivotally mounted to the side walls 3 so that it can be raised to allow for location of a roll of film or wrap 7 (or for example for repair or adjustment) or for removal of an empty core following use of film or wrap. The front wall 5 is provided with an elongate and laterally extending opening 8, which can be provided with grip indents if desired. The housing can be provided and formed of any desired material.

The bottom surface of the opening 8 in the front wall 5 is formed or provided as substantially planar base plate which can be angled downwardly and which is preferably provided with a roughened or textured surface. Juxtaposed therewith, there is provided a movable plate 11 which extends across the opening 8 and is pivotally mounted to or adjacent sides of the opening 8, the movable plate 11 in its position of rest, being in juxtaposition with and substantially against, the upper surface of the base plate In the preferred form of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the movable plate 11 extends into and is preferably integrally formed with an upwardly extending and angled cover plate 12 which extends upwardly at an angle from, or adjacent a rear end of the movable plate 11. Thus, the cover plate 12 extends upwardly and over so as to cover the movable plate 11. In the preferred form of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the forward or lead ft- p.7 WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 7 end of the cover plate 12 is provided with a downwardly extending lip portion 14.

While the movable plate 11 and cover plate 12 are preferably integrally formed one with the other, they can be separate integers secured together in an appropriate manner if so desired.

Extending across the opening 8 in the front face is a severing means 15, spaced apart from and above the base plate The severing means 15 is preferably an electrically operated hot wire, which is connected by appropriate contacts to a plug which can be connected to a source of electrical power. Alternatively, the severing means 15 can be connected to one or more batteries or the like. Appropriate switching means can be provided to turn the severing means 15 on or off so that the electrical power will cause the severing means to be heated. Thus, as will be appreciated from the following description, once the film or wrap 7 comes into contact with the severing means 15 (the film or wrap being under appropriate tension), the severing means 15 will cut through or melt through the plastic film or wrap 7 to provide film or wrap of a desired length.

As will be appreciated from the following description, a roll If film or wrap 7 is located within the housing 1 and an end thereof iL. fed through and between the base plate 10 and underside of the movable plate 11. The ends of the film or wrap 7 are gripped by the hands of a user (such as for example at the grip portions) and the film or wrap 7 is then pulled outwardly from the housing i. With the movable plate 11 in juxtaposition with the base plate 10, the upwardly extending and angled cover plate 12 and lip 14 extend over and substantially cover and shroud the severing means thus protecting the severing means. However, on a desired or WO 93/13003 PCr/AU92/00677 8 predetermined amount of film or wrap 7 having been pulled out of the housing i, an upward movement is applied to the film or wrap 7 which causes the movable plate 11 to move upwardly (Figure guiding the film or wrap 7 upwardly, and at the same time causing the cover plate 12 and lip 14 to move upwardly and rearwardly away from the severing means 15, thus exposing the severing means 15. The film or wrap 7 is then able to be brought up against and into contact with the severing means 15 (the appropriate switch having been turned on to apply power thereto) so that the severing means 15 is essentially a "hot wire", the severing means 15 thereby cutting through and severing the film or wrap 7. Preferably, due to the present invention, the film or wrap 7 is at an appropriate tension so that a clean cut is achieved.

Once the appropriate cut has been made and the film or wrap 7 returned to its position between the base plate 10 and movable plate 11 (without an upward pressure being applied thereto), the movable plate 11 is caused to return to its position in juxtaposition with the base plate 10, which in turn causes the upwardly and outwardly extended cover plate 12 and lip 14 to return to their position in which they essentially cover and shroud the severing means It is a particular advantage of the present invention that the movable plate 11 is formed and weighted, so that when it is moved upwardly to thereby expose the severing means (and allow for the cutting of the film), it will immediately I return to its position of rest, in juxtaposition with the base plate 10. This action immediately removes the film from the severing means (and prevents it from sticking thereto), and also acts to immediately hold the remaining end portion of the film 7 between the base plate 10 and the movable plate 11, for future use. This avoids the film 7 rolling back into the housing and clinging to itself.

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F- -q WO 93/13003 PCI'/AU92/00677 9 As referred to hereinbefore, there have been problems up until this time with locating rolls of film or wrap 7 within such arrangements, such that appropriate tension is applied thereto. It is also desired to securely locate such rolls of film or wrap 7 within the housing, so that appropriate tension can be applied thereto and so that there will be no or minimal lateral movement of rolls of film or wrap. Such lateral movement within containers can effect the efficient dispensing of film or wrap.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the dispenser 1 of the present invention includes an elongate and transversely extending support recess or valley 20, rearwardly of the base plate 10 and front opening 8, the support recess or valley preferably being arcuately contoured and preferably provided with a textured surface to prevent or minimise static clinging of film thereto. Additionally, if desired, ribs or fins can be provided to form additional profiles or contours to the valley sides.

In a preferred form of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the support recess cr valley 20 is integrally formed and moulded with, and leads into, the base plate 10 at the bottom of the opening 8 in the front face of the housing.

The present invention also provides a pressure flap 25 which is elongate and transversely extending within the housing 1, the pressure flap 25 being pivotally mounted in the housing and being located so as to be spaced apart from and above the support recess or valley 20. In use, as will be appreciated from the accompanying drawings,. a roll of film or wrap 7 is located within the support recess or valley 20 (preferably so that the film or wrap is wound out from below the roll (Figure and so that in this position the pressure flap

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p.- WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 will be positioned on top of the roll of film or wrap 7 to apply pressure and tension thereto. As the film or wrap is used 7, and the diameter of the film or wrap about the core 7a diminishes, the .ownward pressure on the roll from the pressure flap 25 will be substantially inversely proportioned to the diameter of the roll.

The underside 26 of the pressure flap is preferably substantially arcuate or concave and is preferably provided in one form of the invention with a roughened or textured surface.

In one form of the present invention, adjustable stoppers 30 in the form of downwardly extending stopper lugs are provided at each end of the pressure flap 25 so as to prevent undesired lateral movement of a roll of film or wrap once located within the support recess or valley One or both of these adjustable stopper lugs 30 can be adjustable, for example to be varied depending upon the length of the roll of film or wrap. In one form of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the adjustable stopper lugs 30 can be engaged by way of a keyhole type engagement system with ends of the pressure flap so as to extend outwardly and downwardly therefrom at each end thereof. In use, this will mean that the lateral movement of a roll of film or wrap 7 between the lugs 30 is substantially limited so as to avoid or at least minimise problems associated with such lateral movement of rolls of film or wrap as experienced up until this time.

It will be appreciated from Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, that the lugs can be engaged in at least two different positions, so that the spacing therebetween can be C i Ir WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 11 varied so as to accommodate rolls of film or wrap of varying width.

In a further form of the invention, the stopper lugs 30 are fixed and are not adjustable, while still limiting and controlling lateral movement of a rell of film in the support recess It should be appreciated that other forms of adjustable lugs can be used if desired.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, a roll of film or wrap is located within the support recess or valley 20, which is formed and contoured so as to apply tension to the sides of the film or wrap as the film or wrap is used and thus the diameter increases. The pressure flap 25 maintains a prerrure on the upper surface thereof which is substantially inversely proportional to the diameter of the roll.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (8)

1. 2. A dispenser as claimed in claim i, wherein a substantially planar base plate is provided at a base of said opening in said front wall; film or wrap severing means extended between side walls but being spaced apart from and above said base plate; a wovable plate being pivotally mounted within said opening; a cover plate extending upwardly from the rear of said movable plate, an upper end thereof being provided with a downwardly extending lip portion; the arrangement being such that with the movable plate in juxtaposition with the base plate, the cover plate and downwardly extending lip extend over and shroud the severing means; or, sufficient film or wrap being removed from said Sroll, by being pulled out between said base plate and an underside of said movable plate, said film or w-ap is moved upwardly which causes the movable plate and cover plate to pivot upwardly and rearwardly, thereby exposing the severing means and allowing the film or wrap to come into contact with the severing means to thereby sever the required amount of I WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 13 film or wrap; the movable plate thereafter returns to its position in juxtaposition with the base plate and the cover plate and lip return to a position in which they substantially cover and shroud said severing means.
2. 3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said severing means is a heat severing means operated by electrical power.
3. 4. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein stopper lugs extend downwardly from adjacent each end of said pressure flap. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein said stopper lugs are adjustable.
4. 6. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an underside surface of said pressure flap is of a substantially concave configuration.
5. 7. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, wherein said base plate extends rearwardly into and is integrally formed with, said support recess.
6. 8. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pressure flap applies a downward pressure on said roll of film or wrap substantially inversely proportional to the diameter of said roll of film or wrap.
7. 9. A film or wrap dispenser including a housing having bottom, front, rear and side walls and a pivotally mounted top cover; an elongate opening being formed or provided in said front wall and the bottom of said elongate opening being defined by a transversely extending and substantially planar base plate; elongate film or wrap severing means being I r -I WO 93/13003 PCT/AU92/00677 14 provided at or adjacent said opening and extending substantially thereacross; a movable plate being pivotally mounted within said opening and extending into an upwardly extending cover plate having a forward or lead lip portion which in a first position extends over and shrouds said severing means; an elongate and transversely extending support recess being provided within said housing and rearwardly of said opening and base plate; said support recess being adapted to locate an elongate roll of film or wrap; an elongate and transversely extending, pivotally mounted, pressure flap extending across and within said housing and above said support recess, such that a roll of film or wrap located within said support recess will have a downward pressure applied thereto from said pressure flap; the arrangement being such that film or wrap from said roll is fed between said base plate and an underside of said movable plate, with said upwardly extending cover plate and lip in said first position, covering and shrouding said severing means; on a desired or predetermined amount of film or wrap having been pulled out of said c.pening, an upward movement applied thereto will cause said movable plate to move and guide said film or wrap upwardly, the cover plate and lip thereby moving to a second position in which said severing means is exposed, so that said film or wrap can come into contact with said severing means to thus cut or sever the predetermined or desired amount of film; said movable plate thereafter returning to a position in juxtaposition with said base plate and said cover plate and lip returning to said first position to substantially cover and shroud said severing means. A film or wrap dispenser as claimed in any one of *he cloi's 2 #v9 VpeceEd.i-ng--l--i-ms, wherein said movable plate and said cover plate are integrally formed one with the other, said movable plate being substantially flat or planar; said cover plate -I _il~ WO 93/13003 PCr/AU92/00677 extending upwardly and over said movable plate from a rear end thereof and at an angle thereto.
8. 11. A dispenser as claimed in any one of -pr-ee44-dg claimse wherein said movable plate and said cover plate are integrally formed one with the other.