EP3826927B1

EP3826927B1 - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3826927B1
Application number: EP19753424.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew Harry Orchard
Original assignee: Packexe Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Packexe Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-24
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2023-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-23
Also published as: GB201812030D0; GB2577169B; WO2020021245A1; GB201910494D0; EP3826927B8; GB2577169A; EP3826927C0; EP3826927A1

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the dispensation of protective barrier films, in particular to a dispenser for dispensing a protective barrier film, and more particularly to a dispenser suitable for dispensing a protective barrier film in the rapid containment of loose objects and consignments using a hand-stretched plastic film with an ergonomic hand-held applicator.

Background of the Invention

A known type of dispenser comprises an applicator handle, one end of which is designed to be gripped manually with a single hand and the other end of which is designed to be inserted into a core around which a roll of a plastic film is wound. When mounted on the applicator handle, the core is rotatable. An operative can place the film against an item, and then sweep the applicator handle in an unwind direction to withdraw film from the roll and apply it to the item or items to be wrapped. A dispenser of this type marketed under the registered trademark "Packexe Handy Wrap" is designed to support a roll of a plastic film that has a width of 100mm or 150mm, a length of 150m, and a thickness of 15, 17, 20, 23 or 35 microns, and that is wound on a core having an internal diameter of 38mm.
An issue faced by delivery operatives is the speed and volume at which they are able to apply stretch film. Current means of single-handed application are limited to the size of the rolls of film that can be comfortably supported by the dispenser. In order to use rolls of 250mm in length, two-handed application is required.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an effective answer to the above problem.
German Utility Model Publication DE 202 0161 01956 U1 discloses a stretch film dispenser comprising first and second rod units, first and second covers and a positioning pin, arranged such that the distance between the first and second covers is adjustable to accommodate stretch film rolls of different lengths.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect according to claim 1 there is provided a dispenser for use in applying a protective barrier film to an item or items, the dispenser comprising: an applicator, the applicator comprising: a handle portion, and a spindle portion comprising a free end that is insertable into a core of a protective barrier film unit, the protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound, to locate the core of the protective barrier film unit within a receiving region formed by the spindle portion, the core of the protective barrier film unit locatable within the receiving region such that the protective barrier film unit is retained on the applicator and rotatable around an axis of rotation extending in a first direction; wherein the dispenser further comprises an applicator extender for use with the applicator, the applicator extender comprising: an engagement portion that is engageable with the applicator, and an extension portion comprising a free end; the applicator extender engageable with the applicator into an assembled condition in which the extension portion of the applicator extender is aligned axially with the spindle portion of the applicator and the free end of the extension portion is insertable into a core of a protective barrier film unit, the protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound, to locate the core of the protective barrier film unit within an extended receiving region formed by the spindle portion of the applicator and the extension portion of the applicator extender, the core of the protective barrier film unit locatable within the extended receiving region such that the protective barrier film unit is retained on the assembled applicator and applicator extender and rotatable around an axis of rotation extending in the first direction, the extended receiving region having a length in the first direction that is greater than a length of the receiving region in the first direction; whereby the applicator is usable with a first protective barrier film unit comprising a first core onto which a roll of a film is wound, the first core having a first width that is not greater than the length of the receiving region, and the assembled applicator and applicator extender are usable with a second protective barrier film unit comprising a second core onto which a roll of a film is wound, the second core having a second width that is greater than the length of the receiving region.
In an embodiment, the receiving region of the spindle portion is defined between a first retention shoulder and a second retention shoulder.
In an embodiment, the spindle portion is generally cylindrical tubular, comprising a wall that defines a pair of slots, each slot extending from the free end of the spindle portion in the first direction towards the handle portion, in which the slots divide the wall into two sections, each of which comprises a respective section of the second shoulder, the sections of the wall resiliently squeezable towards each other from an at rest condition of the free end into a compressed condition of the free end, to selectively reduce the external diameter of the free end.
In an embodiment, the applicator extender is releasably engageable with the applicator.
In an embodiment, the applicator extender is insertable into the spindle portion, the spindle portion defines a pair of apertures, the engagement portion presents a pair of projections, and the pair of projections of the engagement portion are locatable within the pair of apertures of the spindle portion to mechanically engage the applicator extender with the applicator.
In an embodiment, the applicator extender and applicator are configured such that when the projections are located within the apertures, rotation of the applicator extender relative to the applicator in a first direction of rotation around the axis of rotation is inhibited and rotation of the applicator extender relative to the applicator in a second, opposite direction of rotation around the axis of rotation is allowed to cause the projections to be released from the apertures.
In an embodiment, the spindle portion defines a second pair of apertures, and the projections of the engagement portion are locatable within the second pair of apertures of the spindle portion to mechanically engage the applicator extender with the applicator, the second pair of apertures spaced from the first pair of apertures in the first direction.
In an embodiment, the handle portion has a generally concave, cylindrical exterior profile to facilitate secure and easy gripping.
In an embodiment, the assembled applicator and applicator extender is usable with a protective barrier film unit comprising a core having a width up to 275 mm.
According to a second aspect according to claim 10 there is provided dispensing apparatus comprising a dispenser according to the first aspect and at least one protective barrier film unit usable with the dispenser, the protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound.
According to a third aspect according to claim 11 there is provided applicator extender adapted for use with an applicator, the applicator comprising: a handle portion, and a spindle portion comprising a free end that is insertable into a core of a protective barrier film unit, the protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound, to locate the core of the protective barrier film unit within a receiving region formed by the spindle portion, the core of the protective barrier film unit locatable within the receiving region such that the protective barrier film unit is retained on the applicator and rotatable around an axis of rotation extending in a first direction; the applicator extender comprising an engagement portion that is engageable with the applicator, and the applicator extender further comprising an extension portion comprising a free end; the applicator extender engageable with the applicator into an assembled condition in which the extension portion of the applicator extender is aligned axially with the spindle portion of the applicator and the free end of the extension portion is insertable into a core of a protective barrier film unit, the protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound, to locate the core of the protective barrier film unit within an extended receiving region formed by the spindle portion of the applicator and the extension portion of the applicator extender, the core of the protective barrier film unit locatable within the extended receiving region such that the protective barrier film unit is retained on the assembled applicator and applicator extender and rotatable around an axis of rotation extending in the first direction, the extended receiving region having a length in the first direction that is greater than a length of the receiving region in the first direction.
According to a fourth aspect according to claim 12 there is provided method of applying a protective barrier film to an item or items, comprising: (a)(i) receiving a dispenser according to the first aspect, (ii) assembling the applicator extender of the dispenser received at (i) with the applicator of the dispenser received at (i), (iii) receiving a protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound, (iv) locating the core of the protective barrier film unit received at (iii) within the extended receiving region of the assembled applicator and applicator extender resultant from (ii), and (v) dispensing film from the protective barrier film unit using the assembled applicator and applicator extender resultant from (ii) and applying it to an item or items.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises: (b)(i) removing the core of the protective barrier film unit received at (a)(iii) from the assembled applicator and applicator extender resultant from (a)(ii), (ii) disassembling the applicator extender of the assembled applicator and applicator extender resultant from (a)(ii) from the applicator of the assembled applicator and applicator extender resultant from (a)(ii); (iii) receiving a second protective barrier film unit comprising a second core onto which a roll of a film is wound, (iv) locating the second core of the protective barrier film unit received at (b)(iii) within the receiving region of the applicator of the dispenser received at (a)(i), and (v) dispensing film from the second protective barrier film unit using the applicator of the dispenser received at (a)(i) and applying it to an item or items.
According to a fifth aspect according to claim 14 there is a use of a dispenser according to the first aspect
According to a sixth aspect accoridng to claim 15 there is a use of an applicator extender according to the third aspect.
According to the present invention, there is provided a dispenser for use in applying a stretch film for bunding loose objects and manual stretch wrapping of large consignments. The dispenser is designed for ergonomic use of larger rolls of film for warehouses and packing operations of all sizes. The dispenser comprises a core wound with low-density polyethylene film and an applicator handle containing an aperture to allow flexibility for rolls of film to slide on and off.
There are preferably two pairs of apertures, supported by an extension applicator which slides inside the core, containing two nodes that can fit into either pair of apertures to give an adjustable length to support 20mm width and 250mm width rolls of stretch film.
The applicator holds rolls of film with an internal core diameter of 38mm. Whereas the existing "Packexe Handy Wrap" ^® applicator handle can hold 150mm film width rolls, the applicator handle of an embodiment of the present invention allows roll film widths of up to 250mm and a roll core width of up to 275mm.
A dispenser for use in applying a protective barrier film to an item or items is provided, the dispenser comprising an applicator that is usable with a first protective barrier film unit that comprises a first core onto which a roll of a film is wound, and an applicator extender that is engageable with the applicator into an assembled condition in which the applicator and applicator extender are together usable with a second protective barrier film unit that comprises a second core onto which a roll of a film is wound, the second core having a width that is greater than the width of the first core. A method of applying a protective barrier film to an item or items is also provided. In addition, an applicator extender adapted for use with an applicator is provided.
Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a dispenser comprising an applicator and applicator extender;
Figure 2 shows the applicator and applicator extender of Figure 1 in an assembled condition;
Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the assembled applicator and applicator extender of Figure 2 ;
Figure 4 shows an alternative view of the assembled applicator and applicator extender of Figure 2 ;
Figure 5 shows an end portion of the assembled applicator and applicator extender of Figure 2 ;
Figure 6 illustrates features of the assembly of the applicator and applicator extender of Figure 1 ;
Figure 7 shows an applicator extender;
Figure 8 shows an applicator;
Figure 9 shows the applicator extender of Figure 7 arranged for use with the applicator of Figure 8 ; and
Figure 10 shows a cross-section of the arrangement shown in Figure 9 .

Description

Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus, systems and/or processes described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention provides a dispenser for use in applying a protective barrier film to an item, the dispenser comprising an applicator and further comprising an applicator extender. The present invention further provides an applicator extender for use with an applicator. The dispenser is usable with a protective barrier film unit that comprises a core onto which a roll of a film is wound. The applicator is usable with a protective barrier film unit that comprises a core having a first width, and the applicator and applicator extender are together usable with a protective barrier film unit that comprises a core having a second width, the second width greater than the first width. The applicator extender is thus usable to adapt the applicator to be used with a protective barrier film unit having a wider core.
A dispenser 101 is shown in Figures 1 to 6 . Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, the dispenser 101 comprises an applicator 102. The applicator 102 comprises a handle portion 103 and a spindle portion 104. The applicator 102 is designed to be used with a protective barrier film unit 105 that comprises a core 106 onto which a roll of a film 107, such as a stretch film made from a plastics material, is wound. The core 106 is generally cylindrical tubular, having an internal diameter 108, and a width 109.
The handle portion 103 is manually grippable. According to this example, the handle portion 103 can be held using a single hand (not shown), and has a generally concave, cylindrical exterior profile to facilitate secure and easy gripping.
The spindle portion 104 comprises a free end 110 that is insertable into the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 to locate the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 within a receiving region 111 formed by the spindle portion 104.
The core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 is locatable within the receiving region 111 such that the protective barrier film unit 105 is retained on the applicator 102 and rotatable around an axis of rotation 112 extending in a first direction, indicated by arrow 113. The receiving region 111 has a length 114 in the first direction 113 and an external diameter 115.
According to the present example, the receiving region 111 of the spindle portion 104 is defined between a first retention shoulder 116 provided by a surface positioned at a junction between the spindle portion 104 and the handle portion 103 and extending in a second direction 117 perpendicular to the first direction 111, and a second retention shoulder 118 provided by a surface positioned towards the free end 110 of the spindle portion 104 and also extending in the second direction 117. In this present example, both the first retention shoulder 116 and the second retention shoulder 118 extend substantially circumferentially around the applicator 102.
The applicator 102 is usable with the protective barrier film unit 105; the width 109 of the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 is not greater than the length 114 of the receiving region 111 of the applicator 102; and the internal diameter 108 of the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 is not less than the external diameter 115 of the receiving region 111 of the applicator 102. When the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105 is located within the receiving region 111 the protective barrier film unit 105 is rotatable around the spindle portion 104. A user can hold the handle portion 103, place the film 107 against an item, and then move the dispenser 101 to unwind film from the protective barrier film unit 105 and apply it to the item or items to be wrapped or bound together. In this example, the handle portion 103 and the spindle portion 104 are aligned axially.
According to the present example also, the spindle portion 104 is generally cylindrical tubular, comprising a wall 119 and having an internal diameter 120. The wall 119 defines a pair of slots 121, 122, each extending from the free end 110 of the spindle portion 104 in the first direction 113 towards the handle portion 103. The slots 121, 122 effectively divide the wall 119 into two sections 123, 124, each of which comprises a respective section of the second retention shoulder 118. The sections 123, 124 of the wall 119 can be resiliently squeezed towards each other from an at rest condition of the free end 110 into a compressed condition of the free end 110, to selectively reduce the external diameter 125 of the free end 110. This feature enables the free end 110 of the spindle portion 104 to be inserted into one end of the core 106 of the protective barrier film unit 105, all the way through the core 106 and out of the other end of the core 106, at which point the free end 110 can move back into the at rest position. Thereafter, the core 106 is retained on the applicator 102 by the first retention shoulder 116, against which the core 106 will abut if moved far enough towards the handle portion 103, and the second retention shoulder 118, against which the core 106 will abut if moved far enough away from the handle portion 103. However, the core 106 can later be removed from the applicator 102 by squeezing the free end 110 to reduce the diameter 125 of the free end 110 sufficiently to allow the free end 110 to enter into the core 106, after which the spindle portion 104 can be withdrawn from the core 106.
It is to be appreciated that although relative movement between the dispenser and the core of a protective barrier film unit is described herein from the perspective of the dispenser moving relative to the core; however, the relative movement could alternatively and equally be described from the perspective of the core moving relative to the dispenser.
In this specific illustrated example, the slots 121, 122 are diametrically opposed, but may be relatively positioned in any alternative suitable arrangement. Further, it is to be appreciated that only one or more than two slots may be provided.
The applicator 102 may be made from any suitable material, for example a plastics material, or combination of materials.
The dispenser 101 further comprises an applicator extender 126 for use with the applicator 102. The applicator extender 126 comprising an engagement portion 127 that is engageable with the applicator 102 and an extension portion 128 comprising a free end 129.
Referring now to Figure 2 in particular, the applicator extender 126 is engageable with the applicator 102 into an assembled condition, as shown, in which the extension portion 128 is aligned axially with the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102. The assembled applicator extender 126 and applicator 102 is usable with a protective barrier film unit 201 that comprises a core 202 onto which a roll of a film 203, such as a stretch film made from a plastics material, is wound. The core 202 is generally cylindrical tubular, having an internal diameter 204 and a width 205.
When the applicator extender 126 and applicator 102 are assembled, the free end 129 of the extension portion 128 is insertable into the core 202 of the protective barrier film unit 201 to locate the core 202 of the protective barrier film unit 201 within an extended receiving region 206 formed by the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102 and the extension portion 128 of the applicator extender 126. The core 202 of the protective barrier film unit 201 is locatable within the extended receiving region 206 such that the protective barrier film unit 201 is retained on the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 and rotatable around the axis of rotation 112 extending in the first direction 113. The extended receiving region 206 has a length 207 in the first direction 113 and an external diameter 208. The length 207 of the extended receiving region 206 in the first direction 113 is greater than the length 114 of the receiving region 111 in the first direction 113.
The assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 is usable with the protective barrier film unit 201; the width 205 of the core 201 of the protective barrier film unit 201 is not greater than the length 207 of the extended receiving region 206; and the internal diameter 204 of the core 201 of the protective barrier film unit 201 is not less than the external diameter 208 of the extending receiving region 206. When the core 202 of the protective barrier film unit 201 is located within the extended receiving region 206 the protective barrier film unit 201 is rotatable around the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102 and around the extension portion 128 of the applicator extender 126. A user can hold the handle portion 103, place the film 203 against an item, and then move the dispenser 101 to unwind film from the protective barrier film unit 201 and apply it to the item or items to be wrapped or bound together.
According to the present example, the extended receiving region 206 of the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 is defined between the first retention shoulder 116 of the applicator 102, and a third retention shoulder 209 provided by a surface positioned towards the free end 129 of the applicator extender 126 and also extending in the second direction 117. In this present example, the third retention shoulder 209 extends substantially circumferentially around the applicator extender 126.
In this example, the applicator extender 126 is insertable into the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102, and the engagement portion 127 of the applicator extender 126 is mechanically engageable with the applicator 102. In this example, the engagement portion 127 of the applicator extender 126 is mechanically engageable with the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102; the mechanical engagement of the applicator extender 126 and the applicator 102 will be described in further detail below with reference to Figure 6 in particular.
According to the present example also, the extension portion 128 is generally cylindrical tubular, comprising a wall 130. The extension portion 128 defines a supporting region 131 having an external diameter 132, towards the free end 129, and an insert region 133 having a maximum external diameter 134 that is not greater than the internal diameter 120 of the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 104. In this example, the external diameter 132 of the supporting region 131 is not less than the external diameter 115 of the receiving region 111 of the applicator 102. In this shown example, moving in the direction from the free end 129 to the engagement portion 127, the insert region 133 comprises a first taper region in which the external diameter decreases from a greater diameter to a lesser diameter, a second non-taper region along which the external diameter is the lesser diameter and a third taper region in which the external diameter increases from the lesser diameter back to the greater diameter.
The wall 130 of the extension portion 128 defines a pair of slots 210, 211, each extending from the free end 129 of the extension portion 128 in the first direction 113 towards the engagement portion 127. The slots 210, 211 effectively divide the wall 130 into two sections 212, 213 each of which comprises a respective section of the third retention shoulder 209. The sections 212, 213 of the wall 130 can be resiliently squeezed towards each other from an at rest condition of the free end 129 into a compressed condition of the free end 129, to selectively reduce the external diameter 214 of the free end 129. This feature enables the free end 129 of the extension portion 128 to be inserted into one end of the core 202 of the protective barrier film unit 201, all the way through the core 202 and out of the other end of the core 201, at which point the free end 128 can move back into the at rest position. Thereafter, the core 201 is retained on the assembled applicator 102 and application extender 126 by the first retention shoulder 116, against which the core 202 will abut if moved far enough towards the handle portion 103, and the third retention shoulder 209, against which the core 202 will abut if moved far enough away from the handle portion 103. However, the core 202 can later be removed from the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 by squeezing the free end 129 to reduce the diameter 214 of the free end 129 sufficiently to allow the free end 129 to enter into the core 202, after which the extension portion 128 can be withdrawn from the core 202. When the core 202 is located within the extended receiving region, the end of the core nearest to the handle portion 103 is supported by the spindle portion 104 and the end of the core furthest from the handle portion 103 is supported by the supporting region 131.
It is to be appreciated that as the core 202 is being located on, or removed from, the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126, the free end 110 of the spindle portion 104 may also be squeezed from the at rest position; this is allowed by the maximum external diameter 134 of the insert region 133 of the extension portion 128 being smaller than the internal diameter 120 of the spindle portion 104 such that an annular space 215 around the insert region 133 into which the sections 121, 122 of the spindle portion 104 can be sufficiently deflected is provided. This annular space 215 between the applicator extender 126 and the applicator 102 can best be seen in Figure 5 .
Referring now in particular to Figure 6 , the applicator extender 126 is insertable into the spindle portion 104 of the applicator 102, the spindle portion 104 defines a pair of apertures 601, 602, the engagement portion 127 presents a pair of projections 603, 604, and the projections 603, 604 of the engagement portion 127 are locatable within the apertures 601, 602 of the spindle portion 104 to mechanically engage the applicator extender 126 with the applicator 102. As illustrated, projection 603 is located within aperture 601 and projection 604 is located within aperture 602. With this arrangement, the extent that the applicator extender 126 extends from the applicator 102 is fixed and has a magnitude indicated at 605.
In this specific illustrated example, the apertures 601, 602 are diametrically opposed, but may be relatively positioned in any alternative suitable arrangement, with the projections 603, 604 arranged to match. Further, it is to be appreciated that only one aperture and corresponding projection, or more than two apertures and corresponding projections, or more apertures than corresponding projections, may be provided at any position or any number of positions along the spindle portion 104 in the first direction 113.
Further, and in this example, the spindle portion 104 defines a second pair of apertures, comprising aperture 606, and the projections 603, 604 of the engagement portion 127 are locatable within the second pair of apertures of the spindle portion 104 to mechanically engage the applicator extender 126 with the applicator 102 such that the extent that the applicator extender 126 extends from the applicator 102 is fixed and has a magnitude that differs from the magnitude indicated at 605. In this illustrated example, aperture 606 is positioned closer to the free end 110 of the spindle portion 104 than aperture 601, and therefore when the projection 601 is located within the aperture 601, the applicator extender 126 extends from the applicator 102 by a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude indicated at 605. Thus, the second pair of apertures is spaced from the pair of apertures 601, 602 in the first direction 113.
It is thus to be appreciated that apertures for receiving a projection of the applicator extender 126 may be provided at different positions along the applicator 102, in the first direction 113, to allow the applicator extender 126 to be mechanically engaged with the applicator 102 to provide a selected one of a plurality of selectable magnitudes of extension of the applicator extender 126 from the applicator 102. In turn, this allows the applicator extender 126 and the applicator 102 to be assembled for use with a selected one of a plurality of different protective barrier film units having cores of differing widths.
In a preferred embodiment, the applicator extender 126 is releasably engageable with the applicator 102.
Still referring to Figure 6 , the applicator extender 126 and applicator 102 are configured such that when the projections 601, 602 are located within the apertures 603, 604, rotation of the applicator extender 126 relative to the applicator 102 in a first direction of rotation 607 around the axis of rotation 112 is inhibited and rotation of the applicator extender 126 relative to the applicator 102 in a second, opposite direction of rotation 608 around the axis of rotation 112 is allowed to cause the projections 603, 604 to be released from the apertures 601, 602. It can be seen that the profiles of the projections 601, 602 and apertures 603, 604 are such that when the projections 601, 602 are located within the respective apertures 603, 604, rotation of the applicator extender 126 in a first direction of rotation 607 around the axis of rotation 112 is inhibited, but that the slots 210, 211 defined in the wall 130 of the extension portion 128, and the profiles of the projections 601, 602 and apertures 603, 604 are such that when the projections 601, 602 are located within the respective apertures 603, 604, rotation of the applicator extender 126 in a second, opposite direction of rotation 608 around the axis of rotation 112 is allowed to cause the projections 601, 602 to move inwardly and become released. This allows the applicator extender 126 to be subsequently removed from the applicator 102. This also allows the applicator extender 126 to be subsequently engaged within the applicator 102 using any alternative available apertures, to adjust the length of the extended receiving region of the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126.
It is also to be appreciated that a substitute applicator extender that enables the width of a core of a protective barrier film unit that can be used with the dispenser to be increased even further may be provided for use with the applicator.
The applicator extender 126 may be made from any suitable material, for example a plastics material, or combination of materials.
The applicator 102 and any applicator extender 126 may have any suitable dimensions and features of appearance. The core 106, 202 of a protective barrier film unit 105, 201 usable with the dispenser 101 may be made from any suitable material and have any suitable dimensions. The film 107, 203 of a protective barrier film unit 106, 202 usable with the dispenser 101 may be made from any suitable material and have any suitable dimensions.
In an example, the applicator is usable with a protective barrier film unit comprising a core having a width up to 145 mm and an internal diameter in the range 35 to 40 mm, and a roll of a low density polyethylene film having a thickness in the range 15 to 35 microns. In an example, the assembled applicator and applicator extender is usable with a protective barrier film unit comprising a core having a width up to 275 mm.
The present invention thus provides an applicator 102 that is usable with a first protective barrier film unit 105 comprising a first core 106 onto which a roll of a film 107 is wound, the first core 106 having a first width 109 that is not greater than the length 114 of the receiving region III, and an applicator extender 126 that is engageable with the applicator 102 to provide an assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 that is usable with a second protective barrier film unit 201 comprising a second core 202 onto which a roll of a film 203 is wound, the second core 202 having a second width 205 that is greater than the length 114 of the receiving region 111. Using the applicator extender 126 with the applicator 102 enables the applicator 102 to be used with a protective barrier film unit comprising a wider core.
A method of applying a protective barrier film to an item or items will now be described. In a method stage, the dispenser 101 is received, the applicator extender 126 is assembled with the applicator 102, a protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a film is wound is received, and the core of the protective barrier film unit is located within the extended receiving region 206 of the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 of the dispenser 101. It is to be appreciated that the second and third mentioned steps of the first stage may be performed in reverse order, and that the third mentioned step may be performed before the first and second mentioned steps. Film from the protective barrier film unit may then be dispensed using the assembled applicator 102 and applicator extender 126 and applied to an item or items to be wrapped or bundled.
The core of the protective barrier film may subsequently be removed from the dispenser 101. A core of a replacement, like protective barrier film may subsequently be located within the extended receiving region 206 of the dispenser 101. In a further method stage, the applicator extender 126 is disassembled from the applicator 102. A second protective barrier film unit comprising a second core onto which a roll of a film is wound may then be received, and the second core of the second protective barrier film unit may then be located within the receiving region 111 of the applicator 102 of the dispenser 101. Film from the second protective barrier film unit may then be dispensed using the applicator 102 and applied to an item or items to be wrapped or bundled. The core of the protective barrier film may subsequently be removed from the dispenser 101. A core of a replacement, like protective barrier film may subsequently be located within the receiving region 111 of the dispenser 101. The applicator extender 126 may subsequently be assembled with applicator 102.
A preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10 , in which Figures 7 & 8 each show a part of the drawing of Figure 1 , and Figures 9 & 10 show the drawings of Figures 2 and 3 respectively.
The dispenser shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 comprises a 43 mm wide core with an internal core diameter of 37 mm supported by an ergonomic handle and adjustable extension. A cylindrical roll of low density polyethylene film having a thickness of the order of 15-35 microns is wound onto the core.
As the polyethylene film is withdrawn from the roll, the electrons on the surface of one layer get pulled away onto the adjacent layer. This creates patches of positive and negative electrostatic change. When the film is wrapped around itself, the electrostatic charge induces an opposite charge in the other surface and the two stick together.
The core is mounted on a 262 mm length handle which contains a 115 mm concave cylinder section for additional grip and an 80 mm long aperture which is open at one end, allowing pressure to be applied to the handle to the reduce the diameter and allow the core to be slid on or off.
The handle also contains two sets of capsule-shaped apertures which accommodate a corresponding capsule-shaped node on the applicator extension with a 45° slant to allow for anti-clockwise rotation to release the node from the aperture but restrict any movement in a clockwise direction. Once the node meets the aperture, they fit together in a male-female coupling.
There is an applicator extension measuring 198 mm in length with a single pair of capsule-shaped nodes at one end and a 25 mm long aperture which allows pressure to be applied to the applicator extension to reduce the diameter from replacement of the cores.
At the end of the applicator extension, there is a cylinder with an internal diameter of 22.5 mm and an external diameter of 40mm, which includes a 2.5 mm lipped edge which stops the core from sliding off the end of the applicator.
Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and/or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A dispenser (101) for use in applying a protective barrier film to an item or items, the dispenser (101) comprising:
an applicator (102), the applicator (102) comprising:
a handle portion (103), and

a spindle portion (104) comprising a free end (110) that is insertable into a core (106) of a protective barrier film unit (105), the protective barrier film unit (105) comprising a core (106) onto which a roll of a film (107) is wound, to locate the core (106) of the protective barrier film unit (105) within a receiving region (111) formed by the spindle portion (104), the core (106) of the protective barrier film unit (105) locatable within the receiving region (111) such that the protective barrier film unit (105) is retained on the applicator (102) and rotatable around an axis of rotation (112) extending in a first direction (113); characterised in that:
the dispenser (101) further comprises an applicator extender (126) for use with the applicator (102), the applicator extender (126) comprising:
an engagement portion (127) that is engageable with the applicator (102), and

an extension portion (128) comprising a free end (129);

the applicator extender (126) engageable with the applicator (102) into an assembled condition in which the extension portion (128) of the applicator extender (126) is aligned axially with the spindle portion (104) of the applicator (102) and the free end (129) of the extension portion (128) is insertable into a core (202) of a protective barrier film unit (201), the protective barrier film unit (201) comprising a core (202) onto which a roll of a film (203) is wound, to locate the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (202) within an extended receiving region (206) formed by the spindle portion (104) of the applicator (102) and the extension portion (128) of the applicator extender (126), the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (201) locatable within the extended receiving region (206) such that the protective barrier film unit (201) is retained on the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) and rotatable around an axis of rotation (112) extending in the first direction (113), the extended receiving region (206) having a length (207) in the first direction(113) that is greater than a length (114) of the receiving region (111) in the first direction (113);

whereby the applicator (102) is usable with a first protective barrier film unit (105) comprising a first core (106) onto which a roll of a film (107) is wound, the first core (106) having a first width (109) that is not greater than the length (114) of the receiving region (111), and the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) are usable with a second protective barrier film unit (201) comprising a second core (202) onto which a roll of a film (203) is wound, the second core (202) having a second width (205) that is greater than the length (114) of the receiving region (111).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving region (111) of the spindle portion (104) is defined between a first retention shoulder (116) and a second retention shoulder (118).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spindle portion (104) is generally cylindrical tubular, comprising a wall (119) that defines a pair of slots (121, 122), each slot (121, 122) extending from the free end (I 10) of the spindle portion (104) in the first direction (113) towards the handle portion (103), in which the slots (121, 122) divide the wall (119) into two sections (123, 124) , each of which comprises a respective section of the second retention shoulder (118), the sections (123, 124) of the wall (119) resiliently squeezable towards each other from an at rest condition of the free end (110) into a compressed condition of the free end (110), to selectively reduce the external diameter (125) of the free end (110).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the applicator extender (126) is releasably engageable with the applicator (102).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the applicator extender (126) is insertable into the spindle portion (104), the spindle portion (104) defines a pair of apertures (601, 602), the engagement portion (127) presents a pair of projections (603, 604), and the pair of projections (603, 604) of the engagement portion (127) are locatable within the pair of apertures (601, 602) of the spindle portion (104) to mechanically engage the applicator extender (126) with the applicator (102).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the applicator extender (126) and applicator (102) are configured such that when the projections (603, 604) are located within the apertures (601, 602), rotation of the applicator extender (126) relative to the applicator (102) in a first direction of rotation (607) around the axis of rotation (112) is inhibited and rotation of the applicator extender (126) relative to the applicator (102) in a second, opposite direction of rotation (608) around the axis of rotation (112) is allowed to cause the projections to be released (603, 604) from the apertures (601, 602).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the spindle portion (104) defines a second pair of apertures (606), and the projections (603, 604) of the engagement portion (127) are locatable within the second pair of apertures (606) of the spindle portion (104) to mechanically engage the applicator extender (126) with the applicator (102), the second pair of apertures (606) spaced from the first pair of apertures (601, 602) in the first direction (113).
A dispenser (101) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion (103) has a generally concave, cylindrical exterior profile to facilitate secure and easy gripping.
A dispenser (101) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) is usable with a protective barrier film unit (201) comprising a core (202) having a width up to 275 mm.
Dispensing apparatus comprising a dispenser (101) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 and at least one protective barrier film unit (105, 201) usable with the dispenser (101), the protective barrier film unit (105, 201) comprising a core (106, 202) onto which a roll of a film (107, 203) is wound.
An applicator extender (126) adapted for use with an applicator (102), the applicator (102) comprising:
a handle portion (103), and

a spindle portion (104) comprising a free end (110) that is insertable into a core (106) of a protective barrier film unit (105), the protective barrier film unit (105) comprising a core (106) onto which a roll of a film (107) is wound, to locate the core (106) of the protective barrier film unit (105) within a receiving region (111) formed by the spindle portion (104), the core (106) of the protective barrier film unit (105) locatable within the receiving region (111) such that the protective barrier film unit (105) is retained on the applicator (102) and rotatable around an axis of rotation (112) extending in a first direction (113);

the applicator extender (126) comprising an engagement portion (127) that is engageable with the applicator (102), and

the applicator extender (126) further comprising an extension portion (128) comprising a free end (129);

the applicator extender (126) engageable with the applicator (102) into an assembled condition in which the extension portion (128) of the applicator extender (126) is aligned axially with the spindle portion (104) of the applicator (102) and the free end (129) of the extension portion (128) is insertable into a core (202) of a protective barrier film unit (201), the protective barrier film unit (201) comprising a core (202) onto which a roll of a film (203) is wound, to locate the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (201) within an extended receiving region (206) formed by the spindle portion (104) of the applicator (102) and the extension portion (128) of the applicator extender (126), the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (201) locatable within the extended receiving region (206) such that the protective barrier film unit (201) is retained on the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) and rotatable around an axis of rotation (112) extending in the first direction (113), the extended receiving region (206) having a length (207) in the first direction (113) that is greater than a length (114) of the receiving region (111) in the first direction (113).
A method of applying a protective barrier film to an item or items, comprising:
(a)
(i) receiving a dispenser (101) as claimed in any of claim 1 to 9,

(ii) assembling the applicator extender (126) of the dispenser (101) received at (i) with the applicator (102) of the dispenser (101) received at (i),

(iii) receiving a protective barrier film unit (201) comprising a core (202) onto which a roll of a film (203) is wound,

(iv) locating the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (201) received at (iii) within the extended receiving region (206) of the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) resultant from (ii), and

(v) dispensing film (203) from the protective barrier film unit (201) using the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) resultant from (ii) and applying it to an item or items.
A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:
(b)
(i) removing the core (202) of the protective barrier film unit (201) received at (a)(iii) from the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) resultant from (a)(ii),

(ii) disassembling the applicator extender (126) of the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) resultant from (a)(ii) from the applicator (102) of the assembled applicator (102) and applicator extender (126) resultant from (a)(ii);

(iii) receiving a second protective barrier film unit (105) comprising a second core (106) onto which a roll of a film (107) is wound,

(iv) locating the second core of the second protective barrier film unit (106) received at (b)(iii) within the receiving region (111) of the applicator (102) of the dispenser (101) received at (a)(i), and

(v) dispensing film (107) from the second protective barrier film unit (105) using the applicator (102) of the dispenser (101) received at (a)(i) and applying it to an item or items.
Use of a dispenser (101) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9.
Use of an applicator extender (126) as claimed in claim 11.