EP0157713B1 - Distribution and simultaneous cutting device for enrolled band material - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention relates to the technical branch of dispensing means for lengths of materials rolled up on reels. The device is remarkable because the pinked cutting hinged device (4) elastically returned into the drum (3) is connected through a roller (18) or a similar free-running component to a part (16) assuming the shape of a cam (16b), the double profile (16c-16e) of which is designed so as to allow, in addition to the projection of the blade (4a) outside the drum for the purpose of cutting the material pulled manually, spinning the drum after the cut without any slamming of the blade holder, and in order to facilitate the braking, stopping and repositioning functions of the drum for a new cut, in cooperation with shock-protecting or buffing devices (19), stops (22-23-24), and ratchet (21) suitably associated, arranged on the drum and shock protector. The invention relates to dispensers of paper, cotton wool and similar wiping materials.

Description

The object of the invention relates to the technical sector of the means of distributing lengths of material wound on reels. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention applies to apparatus for dispensing paper, wadding and similar wiping materials.

The dispensing device is of the type in which the roll of material in service is mounted to rotate freely on a support, is applied under pressure directly to a drum with an anti-slip surface, so that by simple manual pulling on the strip of material overflowing from the device, a strip is distributed and cut automatically, the length of which is substantially equal to the circumference of the drum, this by a serrated cutting device associated with the drum and protruding from the drum when it is rotated by pulling on the material so as to penetrate the material thus stretched on either side of the cutting device, said cutting device being articulated in elastic return in the drum, after cutting, the launched drum returns to its initial position by means of the action of various complementary members, and a new strip of material overflows from the device, said complementary means include ant a parachute mounted with free rotation relative to a support on which is also mounted with free rotation the drum itself, said parachute carrying abutment means carried by the drum so as to ensure the braking and stopping of the drum after cutting, a spring ensuring the launching of the drum after cutting, a means for moving the cutting device out of the drum secured to the support cooperating with a support of the serrated cutting device, said next support, under the action of the return means elastic, acting on the cutting device, the profile of the displacement means during a rotation of the drum, this profile being such that during a rotation of the drum, the serrated cutting passes from a recessed position in the drum to a projecting position outside the drum in which it cuts the material.

According to the invention, we wanted to further improve the functioning of this type of device, which has been the subject of several patent or certificate of deposit deposits, of which the depositor is also the holder.

According to a first characteristic, the support is constituted by a follower roller. The means for moving the serrated cutting device consists of a cam having a profile conforming to the cam shown in FIG. 6, said cam having a curved upper part defined to ensure the exit of the cutting blade from the drum, a rounded at its most eccentric end, a lower profile also in curve but less pronounced operating on the one hand the withdrawal of the blade and on the other hand the launching of the drum after the cut without snapping or brutality in relation to the acting return spring on an eccentric arranged on the axis of rotation of the drum, said axis being integral with the drum.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Patents FR 2499041 and GB 2054521 constitute the prior art under Article 54-2 of the EPC.

To fix the subject of the invention without however limiting it, in the appended drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating by way of example only a distribution and cutting device capable of receiving the characteristic arrangements according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view, cover removed, of the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view on a larger scale illustrating the various members of the invention.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken respectively along lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6 of Figure 3, showing the members according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a partial view illustrating the manual operating member of the drum according to one embodiment.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

Illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, by way of example, an apparatus of the type which has been the subject of a Patent Application EP-A-0145622 published on 19-6-1985 of which the applicant is also the holder, it being understood that the invention can be applied to other types of apparatus with one or more rolls of material to be cut.

The main elements of this device are briefly recalled.

The device comprises, from a base plate (1) for wall mounting, support means (2) with free rotation for a drum (3) having inside a blade holder (4) articulated in ( 5) on a side wall of the drum, and suitably connected to means forming the object of the invention to allow the periodic exit of a serrated cutting blade (4a) outside the drum, when the strip is pulled of material overflowing under the device thereby rotating the rough surface drum on which is applied the roll (R1) of material carried by a support bracket (6) articulated in (7) on the base plate.

It can also be seen that the device has a deflecting plate extending in front of the drum and carrying fixedly or detachably inclined support arms (8) made of material with elastic capacity for receiving by spacing and on slides (8a) (9a) formed on end caps (9) which are engaged in the core of the roller. Thus, when the roll of material is almost empty, it can be placed by its pins in the orifices (8b) formed at the bottom of the slides, and a new roll can be put in place on its support bracket (6). In this way, two strips of material can be distributed simultaneously until the first roll is finished.

Another roller has been illustrated (10) mounted for free rotation between the flanges of the base plate (1) and extending parallel to the drum, immediately above the opening for passage of the material under the device. In its central part, the roller (10) is connected in rotation to the drum by a belt (11) or similar member, in order to guide the material towards the opening while preventing it from passing between said drum and said roller, thus only to prevent fingers from entering the machine near the cutting blade.

The drum is mounted for free rotation on support means (2) integral with flanges (1a - 1b) of the base plate. On one side, the wall of the drum is integral with an axis (12) extended by an eccentric (12a) connected by spring (13) to the flange (1a). In contrast, the drum is connected to the support (2) by an axis (14) locked by screws (15) and crossing the flange (1b) with at the projecting end a flywheel (14a) or other similar means of operation . Between the support (2) and the drum is interposed a part (16) having a bearing face against the support (2) where it is fixed by at least one screw (17). In contrast, the part (16) has the shape of a cam (16b), the profile of which emerges clearly from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, that is to say with a curved upper part (16c) defined to ensure the output of the cutting blade (4a) out of the drum by means of a follower roller (18) mounted at the end of said blade and passing through the wall of the drum through an appropriate opening (3b). After the rounding (16d) at the most eccentric end, the cam has a lower profile (16e) also in curve but less pronounced to operate on the one hand the withdrawal of the blade and, on the other hand, the launch of the drum after the cut without slamming or brutality, in relation to the spring (13) for returning the eccentric (12a) which is suitably oriented to ensure its role of storage of force just after the cut.

Between the cam (16b) and the bearing face, the part (16) has a stepped centering surface (16a) for the free rotation mounting of a parachute (19) which is thus only retained between the part (16 ) and the support (2). On this parachute is pivotally mounted by one end at (20), a pawl (21) which is supported by gravity on a stop (22) integral with the parachute.

On the other hand, the wall of the drum projecting near its periphery a finger (23) integral with said wall and, closer to the center an overhanging stop (24) articulated at (25) inside the drum than it crosses through an opening in an arc (3c).

The operation of the apparatus will now be described at the level of the aforementioned members, with reference to the various figures, in particular to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

At rest, when a strip of material overflows under the device ready to be pulled, the finger (23) is supported on the end of the pawl (21) itself applied by gravity to the stop (22)) of the parachute (Figure 5), and the movable stop (24) is also in the low position in the opening (3c) by its own weight.

When the overflowing strip of material is pulled, the drum (3) is rotated due to its rough surface, and the follower roller (18) runs through the upper profile (16c) of the cam to bring out the blade when the opening (3a) of the drum has exceeded the roll of material (R1). The serrated cutting blade then penetrates the tensioned material on both sides while continuing to rotate with the drum until the material is completely torn.

The drum then released from the traction on the material, continues its rotation by the action of the spring (13) stretched by the eccentric, and the return spring of the blade holder forces the roller (18) running through the lower profile (16e) of the cam, thereby ensuring the withdrawal of the blade. In this action, the finger (23) passes between the stop (22) and the pawl (21) by lifting it, while the mobile stop (24), by the effect of the centrifugal force passes in high position in the opening (3c) and then presses against the stop (22) of the parachute in order to stop the rotation of the drum after a limited tilting of the parachute relative to a spring (26) which connects it to the flange (1b) of the plate basic (Figure 2).

By reaction, the movable stop (24) returns to the low position and the finger (23) rests again against the pawl (21) falling freely on the stop (22) of the parachute, which is then also stopped in its oscillation in front due to the force of the finger (23), by a stop (27) integral with the parachute and pressing against a stop (28) integral with the flange (1b), as seen in Figure 2. The device is then ready to reserve because in the complementary rotation of the drum after cutting, a new strip of material has come into overflow under the device.

• La simplification des organes participant au fonctionnement de l'appareil par rapport aux mécanismes mis en oeuvre dans les précédentes Demandes du déposant, assurant ainsi une bonne fiabilité et une économie de fabrication.
• Le profil double de la came de commande du porte-lame permettant la sortie progressive de la lame en dehors du tambour avec le minimum d'effort, et son retrait également en douceur, facilitant l'encliquetage, c'est-à-dire le positionnement correct du tambour en vue d'une nouvelle distribution.
• Le fonctionnement efficace de différents mecanismes de commande, empêchant le déroulement de plusieurs longueurs de matériaux à la fois, et la formation de boucles de matériau entre le rouleau et le tambour pendant l'actionnement ; les déchirements éventuels peuvent être éliminés par actionnement manuel du tambour par le moyen de manoeuvre extérieur.
• Le montage aisé des organes, sans aucun règlage particulier.

The advantages emerge clearly from the description, it is emphasized in particular:

• The simplification of the organs involved in the operation of the device compared to the mechanisms used in the previous Applicant's requests, thus ensuring good reliability and economy of manufacture.
• The double profile of the blade holder control cam allowing the progressive output of the blade outside the drum with the minimum of effort, and its removal also smoothly, facilitating the latching, that is to say the correct positioning of the drum for a new distribution.
• The efficient operation of different control mechanisms, preventing the unwinding of several lengths of material at the same time, and the formation of loops of material between the roller and the drum during actuation; any tears can be eliminated by manual actuation of the drum by the external operating means.
• Easy assembly of the components, without any particular adjustment.

Claims (5)

1. Device for dispensing and cutting at the same time rolled up webs of materials, with at least a roll of material (24) (R1) in use, which roll of material in use is mounted for free rotation on a support (6) and is resting under pressure directly on a drum (3) having a nonskid surface, so tha by a mere manual pull on the web of material protruding from the device, it will be possible to dispense and to cut automatically a web the length of which is approximately equal to the periphery of the drum, this operation being achieved by means of a toothed cutting device (4) associated with the drum (3) and projecting out of the drum when said device is driven in rotation by the pull on the material, so that the cutting tool will penetrate into the material which is stretched thereby on either side of the cutting device, said cutting device being articulated hingedly for elastical return (21) into the drum when the cutting has been performed, the actuated drum coming back to the initial position thereof through the action of various complementary organs, and a fresh web of material protruding out of the apparatus, said complementary means having a parachute (19) mounted for free rotation relative to a support on which the drum (3) proper is also mounted for free rotation, said parachute including abutment means (23 - 24) supported by the drum (3) in order to provide the braking and the stopping of the drum after the cutting operation has been performed, a spring (13) providing the actuation of the drum after the completion of the cutting operation, a means (16) for shifting the cutting device out of the drum (3), associated with the support (3), cooperating with an abutment (18) of the toothed cutting device (4), said abutment (18), under the action of the elastic return means, biassing the cutting device, following the contour of the shifting means (16) during a rotation of the drum, this contour being such that during a rotation of the drum, the toothed cutting device will be shifted from a retracted position in the drum to a projecting position out of the drum, in which latter position the material will be cut out by the cutting device, the apparatus being characterized in that the abutment (18) consists of a follower-roller (18) and the means (16) for shifting the toothed cutting device consists of a cam (16) having a contour like the cam illustrated in Figure 6, said cam having a curved upper portion (16a) defined to permit the cutting blade (4a) to be projected out of the drum, a rounded portion (16d) at the outermost off-center end of said cam, and a lower contour (16e) which is also curved but in a less marked manner and which provides on the one hand the retraction of the cutting blade and on the other hand the actuation of the drum after the cutting operation, without chattering nor abruptness in relation to the return spring (13) acting on an eccentric (12a) provided on the rotation spindle (12) of the drum, said spindle (12) being in interdependence with the drum.
2. Device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the cam forming pièce (16) has a face of abtument against the supporting means (2) where this piece is secured by at least one screw (17), and has also a centering bearing face (16a) which is shouldered for the mounting in a free rotatable manner, but in a limited transverse manner, of the parachute (19), which is retained angularly by means of a spring (26) in interdependence with the cheek (1b).
3. Device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that a pawl (21) is supported on the upper portion of the parachute (19), said pawl being linked hingedly at (20) by and end thereof to the parachute, and resting at the other extremity thereof by the effect of gravity on an abutment (22) in interdependence with the parachute, so that the drum (3) will be restrained in a direction of rotation, said drum having for this purpose on the wall thereof a projecting finger (23) intended for abutting against the pawl.
4. Device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the wall of the drum (3) facing the parachute is provided with a stop (24) linked hingedly within the drum and passing through said wall through an arched opening (3c), the hinged linking (25) of the stop being so designed that the stop will normally lie in the lower position in the inactive condition in the opening, and the under the action of the centrifugal force developed during the rotation of the drum, said stop will be in the upper position in the opening thereof, in order to enable the projecting portion to be abutted against the stop (22) of the parachute when the drum must be stopped after the cutting operation.
5. Device as claimed in Claim 1, the drum (3) of which is mounted for free rotation on supporting means (2) associated with cheeks (1a - 1b) of a base plate for intended for being secured to a wall, with on a side an eccentric shaft (12 - 12a) connected to a spring (13) for starting the drum after the cutting operation, characterized in that on the side opposite, the drum is made fast with a shaft (14) passed successively through the cam forming piece (16), the supporting means (2) and the cheek (1b), said shaft being provided directly at the laterally projecting end thereof with a handling means (16a) which is a handwheel for example, in order to permit the drum to be driven manually in the case of the material being torn off in the apparatus, with the possibility for said handling means to be located either between the cheek (1b) and the enclosure casing, or externally of said casing.

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