EP3741273B1 - Device for dispensing strips of a flexible material packaged in a coil positioned horizontally or vertically - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of dispensing devices for wiping material of the paper, cotton or non-woven type, in order to constitute, in various possible uses, strips of predetermined format and constituting napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, and wiping paper in general.

More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for distributing strips of so-called central unwinding material. In this type of apparatus, the reel of material is generally presented in a casing in a vertical position resting on the underside of the casing, which has a central opening to allow the passage and unwinding of the strip of material drawn by the 'user. This unwinding takes place from the inside of the reel of material, so that the outer diameter of the reel remains the same, but the unwinding in turns of the material, under the effect of traction by the user, gradually reduces the thickness of the coil in its useful part corresponding to the presence of material. A cover can protect the housing and the spool.

In practice, the reel of material is presented in a pre-cut configuration or not. It is therefore following the traction of the user that the scrolling of the strip takes place and leaves the device.

This type of device generates a significant waste of the material strip, because the user manually cuts lengths of strips without necessarily that it really corresponds to his needs.

In addition to this waste, there is a problem of control and maintenance, because the presence of such devices requires that they always be in charge.

In order to try to remedy these major drawbacks, the Applicant has himself integrated automatic cutting devices in this type of apparatus in order to obtain formats of strips of successive materials for the user. This has been described in particular in the patent FR 2 667 854 . This solution arises from a certain complexity in the layout of the dispensing device in relation to the conditions of use thereof.

We know from the patent US 2003/122031 an apparatus for dispensing a strip of pre-cut coiled material packaged in a reel, comprising a housing for receiving the reel and a hinged closing cover, these being arranged in their front part with a central opening allowing the passage and distribution of the strip of pre-cut material.

We also know the patent US6145782A , disclosing the features of the preamble of claim 1.

From this state of the art of apparatus for dispensing strips of material wound in a coil by central guide and wound with a pre-cut obtained during the manufacture of the strip, one of the problems which the invention proposes to solve is to conceive an apparatus for dispensing strips of pre-cut material wound into a reel which is very simple with a minimum of components and therefore has a very low cost price.

To solve this problem, it has been taken into consideration that the materials distributed may have varying thicknesses depending on the applications and markets, and also varying hardnesses.

• un carter de réception de ladite bobine, ledit carter présentant une ouverture circulaire pour le passage et la distribution d'une bande sous un effort de traction, et
• des rondelles (3) fixées sur le carter (1) d'une manière concentrique à l'ouverture de distribution (1a), les diamètres intérieurs des rondelles (3) étant inférieurs au diamètre de l'ouverture (1a), lesdites rondelles (3) étant réalisées dans un matériau élastomère apte à être déformé sous l'effet de la distribution de matériau par ladite ouverture (1a) pour provoquer, d'une manière concomitante, la découpe d'une bande selon une ligne de déchirure.

To solve this problem, it has been designed and developed a dispensing device for bands of flexible material packaged in a coil, having tear lines at regular intervals to form the bands, said device comprising, in a known manner:

• a housing for receiving said reel, said housing having a circular opening for the passage and distribution of a strip under a tensile force, and
• washers (3) fixed on the housing (1) in a manner concentric with the distribution opening (1a), the internal diameters of the washers (3) being smaller than the diameter of the opening (1a), said washers ( 3) being made of an elastomeric material capable of being deformed under the effect of the distribution of material through said opening (1a) to cause, concomitantly, the cutting of a strip along a tear line.

According to the invention, said washers cooperate with a manually actuable element and arranged to reduce at will the exit space formed through the internal diameters of the washers and the manually actuable element, and either the washers (3) are made of superimposed elastomer. and of internal diameters (3a) decreasing in the direction of the strip distribution, to create a cone effect, either between the elastomeric washers (3) is interposed a washer (4) of rigid material whose internal diameter is at least equal to diameter of the dispensing opening (1a).

It follows from these characteristics that the apparatus, according to the invention, is of very great simplicity, and consequently, of a reduced production cost, considering the very small number of parts used and existing on the market and sufficient to ensure perfect cutting of the bands at the tear lines, regardless of the thickness of the material and the shape of said tears, on the one hand, regardless of the way the band is pulled from material for cutting, in combination with the washer (s) of elastomeric material.

To solve the problem posed, to reduce the diameters of said washers at will, the manually operable element can be a hollow disc delimiting a circular opening with a diameter greater than the internal diameters of the washers, the disc being fixed at the level of the washers, with the capacity of angular displacement, and in an eccentric manner relative to said washers to position the opening of the disc in different orientations relative to the internal diameter of the washers.

Advantageously, the disc is subject to a return spring in the position of reduction of the internal diameters of the washers.

From this basic conception, different embodiments of the apparatus can be envisaged with regard, in particular, to the arrangement and the number of the washers made of elastomeric material of the rubber type.

Regardless of the embodiments, either the washers are attached to the interior of the housing or the washers are attached to the exterior of the housing.

To solve the problem posed of the positioning and fixing of the elastomeric washers relative to the dispensing opening, the washers are mounted in combination with a support ring having fixing arrangements relative to the dispensing opening.

In one embodiment, the washers are positioned in a recess formed in the thickness of the ring, which may have a dome shape, and is fixed by clipping on the outer face of the housing. The manually operable element of the invention to reduce the diameter of the washers is mounted in the recess of the ring, which has a notch for the movement of an operating member secured to said element.

According to another characteristic, the washers have indexing means relative to the dispensing opening. The faces of the elastomer washers are smooth or have roughness.

Note that the apparatus can be designed to allow a single distribution of the reel of material in different positions, either vertically, in the case of a central unwinding, or horizontally. In other words, the user can have a possible choice in the positioning of the reel of material, while maintaining the structural characteristics of the apparatus at the level of the specific arrangements for the cutting of a material. regular and constant pre-cut strips.

Thus, in one embodiment, the reel of material is arranged in a vertical plane in the casing, its central opening being opposite the opening formed on the lower horizontal part of the casing, the reel resting on said lower part. , said apparatus being used with the central unwinding of the reel of material.

In another embodiment, the housing has on its side faces, articulated arms whose ends are arranged with receiving end pieces of the material reel, said arms being articulated from a vertical position to a horizontal position to correspond to the mode. for positioning the reel of material, said arms being locked in either the vertical lifting or horizontal lowering position by means arranged on the housing, said apparatus being used with the horizontal position of the reel of material.

The means are, for example, constituted by the arrangement of the lateral faces of the casing with a recess for receiving a boss formed on the outer part of the articulated arms, the lateral faces of the casing having stops limiting the tilting of the arms up to 'to the horizontal.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant montage des principaux éléments constitutifs de l'appareil selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil en position ouverte, avant mise en place d'une bobine.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil en position fermée.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'appareil, en position ouverte, et avant mise en place de la bobine.
• La figure 5 est une vue correspondant à la figure 4, après mise en place de la bobine et fermeture de l'appareil.
• Les figures 6 à 11 montrent différentes formes de réalisation et de positionnement des rondelles en élastomère pour la découpe d'une bande.
• La figure 12 montre une forme de réalisation n'appartenant pas à l'invention.

The invention is explained below in more detail with the aid of the figures of the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view before assembly of the main constituent elements of the apparatus according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a perspective view of the device in the open position, before placing a coil.
• The figure 3 is a perspective view of the device in the closed position.
• The figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device, in the open position, and before positioning of the coil.
• The figure 5 is a view corresponding to the figure 4 , after placing the coil and closing the device.
• The figures 6 to 11 show different embodiments and positioning of elastomer washers for cutting a strip.
• The figure 12 shows an embodiment not belonging to the invention.

More particularly the figures 6, 8 and 10 are partial views, schematic in character and in longitudinal section, at the level of the washers, when no tensile force is applied to the strip, while the figures 7 and 9 correspond respectively to figures 6 and 8 , and show the action of the washers when a tensile force is exerted on the strip, in view of its cutting.

The figure 11 is a bottom view corresponding to the figure 10 .

The figures 13 and 14 show, by way of example, an embodiment in the vertical position of use of the coil ( figure 13 ), and in the horizontal position of use of the spool ( figure 14 ).

The flexible material strip dispensing apparatus is defined as a whole by (A). The flexible material packaged in a coil is designated as a whole by (B) and has, in a known manner, at regular intervals, lines of tears or weakening, or the like, to form strips of predetermined lengths. It is recalled that the flexible material, which can be a wiping material, of all known and appropriate types, paper, cotton wool, non-woven, while being able to constitute towels, paper towels, toilet paper, etc., can be made in different thicknesses.

The apparatus comprises a casing (1) for receiving the reel (B), said casing (1) having a circular opening (1a) for the passage and distribution of a strip (B1), under the effect of a tensile force exerted by the user. In a non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the receiving casing (1) has a rear face (1b), a horizontal lower part (1c) in which the distribution opening (1a) is formed, and side faces (1d). The casing (1) receives, freely articulated, a cover (2). The cover and said casing have complementary locking means of all known and appropriate types. Obviously, the casing and the cover can be made of different materials, and have different profiles.

According to a characteristic at the basis of the invention, the cutting of the strips of material, at the level of the pre-cut lines, is carried out by washers (3), fixed on the casing (1), in particular on the part (1c), concentrically with the dispensing opening (1a). The internal diameters (3a) of the washers (3) are smaller than the diameter of the dispensing opening (1a). Importantly, said washers (3) are made of an elastomeric material capable of being deformed under the effect of a distribution of the material, through said opening (1a), to cause concomitantly, the cutting of 'a strip along a considered tear line.

For example, the washers (3) of elastomeric material can be made from all types of rubbery material, the hardness of which is variable and can be a function of the nature of the material. Likewise, the washers (3) may be smooth or have a certain roughness. The elastomeric washers (3) can also consist of an O-ring.

To the figure 12 , the elastomeric washers (3) are mounted in combination with a support ring (5) having fixing arrangements, with respect to the dispensing opening (1a). For example, the washers (3) are positioned in a recess (5a) formed in the thickness of the ring (5), being held there by a rigid washer (6). The ring (5) can have a dome shape and be fixed by clipping, for example, at the level of the external face of the casing (1) on the lower part (1c) and co-axially with the dispensing opening ( 1a).

The washers (3) cooperate with an element (7) which can be actuated manually and arranged to reduce the internal diameters of the washers (3) at will. This element (7) is, for example, constituted by a hollow disc, delimiting a circular opening (7a), of diameter greater than the internal diameters of the elastomeric washers (3). The disc (7) is positioned co-axially at the level of the elastomeric washers (3), with the capacity for angular displacement eccentric with respect to said washers. For example, the disc (7) is attached to a rigid washer (4) by means of a pivot pin (18). The rigid washer (4) is, for example, fixed to the outside of the casing (1), in a manner concentric with the opening (1a) of said casing. It results from this eccentric articulation (18) that when one acts on the disc (7), by means of a maneuvering member in the form, for example, of a finger (7b), the opening (7a) of disc is positioned in different orientations with respect to the internal diameters of the washers (3), thus modifying their diameters (dashed line figure 11 ).

Note that the top face of the disc (7), in contact with the washer (4), may be covered with a rubbery material (12). Advantageously, the disc (7) is subject to a return spring (13) in the position of reducing the internal diameters of the washers (3). Likewise, the disc is preferably mounted in the recess (5a) of the ring (5), which has a notch for the deployment of the finger (7b).

It follows from these characteristics that in a position of the disc (7), the opening (7a) of the latter is arranged concentrically with the dispensing opening (1a) of the apparatus, to allow the engagement of the paper after loading. spool for first use.

In another position of the disc, the opening (7a) is eccentric with respect to the opening (1a), corresponding to a reduction in the diameters of the washers (3) for the distribution and cutting of a strip under a low force. of traction exerted on the paper protruding from the opening (1a) (dashed line figure 11 ).

From this basic design, different embodiments can be envisioned, as shown in the figures 6 to 12 drawings, in particular.

In an example not belonging to the invention, the opening (1a) can be in communication with several superimposed washers (3) and of the same internal diameter ( figure 12 ). In an example belonging to the invention, the opening (1a) can be in communication with several superimposed washers (3) and of decreasing internal diameters in the direction of the distribution of the bands to create a cone effect ( figures 6, 7, 8, 9 ).

In a preferred embodiment, which cannot, however, be considered as limiting, there is interposed a washer (4) in rigid material between said washers (3), the internal diameter (4a) of which is at least equal to the diameter of the dispensing opening (1a).

Whatever the embodiment, that is to say, the arrangement of the washers, the latter can be fixed to the outside of the housing ( figures 6, 7 , and 10, 11 ) or inside the housing ( figures 8, 9 ). The various elastomer washers (3), and the rigid washer (s) (4) have all types of angular indexing means and all types of fixing means, relative to the dispensing opening. (1a).

Whatever the embodiments, and the arrangements of the elastomeric washers (3), after having engaged the material through the dispensing opening (1a), and consequently through the internal diameters (3a) of the elastomeric washers these the latter deform elastically under the effect of the tensile force exerted on the material. This results in a pinching effect at the level of said material, causing concomitantly, the cutting of a strip at the level of the precut or weakening line considered, regardless of the intensity and orientation of the strip. tensile force exerted by the user on the material. We refer, more particularly, to figures 7 and 9 drawings.

In the embodiments illustrated in figures (1 to 11 ) in particular, the material is arranged in a vertical plane, the central opening of the coil being arranged opposite the distribution opening (1a) formed in the thickness of the lower part (1c) of the housing (1). The coil (B) rests on this lower part, and on the washers (3) and / or (4), when these are fixed inside the housing (1). In this embodiment, the apparatus is used with the center unwinding of the spool of material.

The figures 13 and 14 show, by way of indicative but non-limiting example, an embodiment of the apparatus, in particular at the level of the casing, for the distribution of the material, in the vertical position, of the spool ( figure 13 ) or in a horizontal position ( figure 14 ). The housing (1) has on its lateral faces articulated arms (8), the ends of which are arranged with end pieces (8a) receiving the reel of material (B). The arms (8) are articulated from a vertical position to a horizontal position to correspond to the positioning mode of the reel of material. The arms (8) can be locked in the vertical lift position for vertical use of the spool ( figure 13 ), or in the horizontal lowering position for horizontal use of the spool ( figure 14 ) by means (9) (10) and (11), arranged on the housing (1). For example, these means are constituted by the arrangement of the side faces of the casing with a recess (9) by receiving a boss (10) formed on the outer part of the articulated arms (8). The side faces of the housing have stops (11) limiting the tilting of the arms to the horizontal position, or substantially horizontal.

The advantages are apparent from the description. We underline and recall the simplicity of design of the apparatus for cutting pre-cut strips and materials by the use of simple elastomer washers, of the type commonly used in commerce.

Claims (12)

1. A dispensing apparatus for strips of coiled flexible material, and having at regular intervals tear lines to form the strips, said apparatus comprises a casing (1) receiving said coil (B), said casing (1) having a circular opening (1a) for the passage and distribution of a strip under a tensile stress, the apparatus comprising washers (3) fastened on the casing (1) concentrically with the distribution opening (1a), the internal diameters of the washers (3) being smaller than the diameter of the opening (1a), said washers (3) being made of an elastomeric material capable of being deformed under the effect of the material distribution through said opening (1a) for achieving, concomitantly, a strip cut according to a tear line, characterised in that said washers (3) cooperate with an element (7) manually operable to reduce at will the exit space formed through the internal diameters of the washers (3) and said operable element, and in that either the superimposed washers (3) are made of elastomer and with an internal diameter (3a) decreasing towards the strip dispensing direction, so as to create a cone effect, or a washer (4) of rigid material is interposed between the elastomeric washers (3), whose internal diameter is at least equal to the diameter of the dispensing opening (1a).
2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the manually operable element (7) is a hollowed disc bounding a circular opening (7a) whose diameter is greater than the internal diameters of the washers (3), the disc being fastened at the washers with a capacity for angular displacement and eccentrically with respect to said washers for positioning the opening (7a) of the disc at different orientations relative to the internal diameters of the washers.
3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that disc (7) is connected to a return spring to the internal diameter reduction position of the washers (3).
4. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the elastomeric washers are fastened inside the casing (1).
5. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that elastomeric washers are fastened outside the casing (1).
6. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the elastomeric washers are mounted in combination with a support ring (5) having fastening arrangements relative to the dispensing opening (1a).
7. The dispensing apparatus according to claims 1 and 6, in combination, characterised in that the elastomeric washers are positioned in an undercut (5a) formed in the thickness of the ring, said undercut receiving the disc (7).
8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the ring (5) has a dome shape, and is fastened by clipping onto the outer face of the casing (1).
9. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastomeric (3) and rigid (4) washers have indexing means relative to the dispensing opening (1a).
10. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the faces of the elastomeric washers (3) are smooth or rough.
11. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the coil of material is arranged on a vertical plane in the casing (1), its central opening being opposite to the opening (1a) formed on a horizontal lower part of the casing (1), the coil being supported on said lower portion, said apparatus being used with the central unwinding of the coil of material.
12. The dispensing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the casing has on its side faces hinged arms (8), whose ends are provided with tips receiving the material coil, said arms (8) being hinged from a vertical position to a horizontal position to correspond to the positioning mode of the material coil, said arms (8) being locked in position by means (9-10-11) arranged on the casing (1), either in a vertically raised position for use in a vertical position of the material coil, or in a horizontally lowered position, for using said apparatus in the horizontal position of the material coil.

Images