FR2896491A1 - Cigarette paper sheet containing case for use in medical field, has cover forming element with adhesive at level of edge for movement of element from one position to another for extracting and integrating sheet with element - Google Patents

Abstract

The case has a cover forming element (26) movable between a position in which the element is adjacent to an end sheet and a position in which the element is separated from a block. The element (26) has an adhesive at the level of an edge for movement of the element (26) from one position to another for extracting the sheet from the element and for integrating the sheet with the element. An independent claim is also included for automisation method for extracting sheet from the sheet block.

Description

SEMI AUTOMATIC SELF CLEANER, ESPECIALLY PAPER

CIGARETTES

  TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of the semi-automatic removal of a sheet from a set of sheets arranged in an orderly manner, in particular sheets of cigarette paper. More generally, the invention relates to an entangled folded sheets storage element, in which means are provided for extracting the sheets one by one without manually grasping them. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART For reasons of taste and cost, some smokers prefer to roll their own cigarettes. For this purpose, a thin and combustible paper stored in a pocket is extracted sheet by sheet, tobacco is placed thereon, and the sheet / tobacco set is rolled, manually or via a suitable device.

  The manufacture of paper uses the most modern and advanced techniques; the paper itself can be of diverse composition, but still remains homogeneous and of excellent combustibility, characterized by a very low grammage, that is to say that the leaves are very thin, and tensile strengths, tearing and wrinkling sufficient for the rolling operations of the cigarette. It also appears that the conditioning of the paper is important. However, since the invention of Chambon and Braunstein at the end of the nineteenth century concerning the entanglement of leaves within a notebook, with imperative folding quality, no improvement outside the aesthetic aspect has been conceived. The currently marketed notebooks include the then-developed block of tangled cigarette paper sheets so that when a first sheet is taken, the next one is automatically presented. The blocks are laid in cardboard covers unfolded flat, with a possible reinforcement cardboard, whose sides are then folded to form notebooks or notebooks: the latter are thus in the form of a holster holding the leaves in place and comprising a flap protecting the paper. In use, the flap is deployed, an end edge of a sheet of cigarette paper is manually grasped and then pulled to extract a sheet, which automatically causes the exit of an end edge of the next sheet.

  This system has proven itself; however, it remains perfectible. In particular, manual entry of the end edge of a sheet can be difficult, for example in the case of partial disability, and the paper can easily fly out of the case.

  DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention proposes, among other advantages, to overcome the disadvantages of existing cases and allow a semi-automatic collection of sheets one by one, without manual entry. Moreover, the sheets of paper being seized only when they are separated from others, the system according to the invention makes it possible to increase the hygiene conditions. In addition, the sheet thus taken is secured temporarily to the case, which prevents it from flying away or being lost. More generally, the invention in one of its aspects relates to a holster adapted to contain a block of sheets entangled in such a way that an end sheet of the block comprises a first free edge and that the traction out of the block of the sheet of end by this first edge causes the extraction of said end sheet and the release of a first edge of the sheet of the block following the removed end sheet. The case according to the invention comprises a foldable or removable cover member, in contact in a first position with at least the first free edge of the sheets of the block, and on which a temporary gripping system of the first edge is provided. Advantageously, the gripping system is operated by pressure; it can be a system of adhesion by contact and / or pressure; in a preferred embodiment, the gripping system comprises at least one non-permanent adhesive means. The strength of the adhesive is adapted to the material of the 3 sheets, including paper, contained in the case; the number and / or size of the adhesive means depend on the length of the free edge and the basis weight of the paper. The case preferably comprises a first face located at the level of the sheet to be extracted to hold the block, and comprising a slot through which the first edge can leave the case. The invention may relate to a commercial case on which have been added the adherent means or the assembly consisting of the cover member and the gripping system. In particular, although it is also suitable for other devices and in particular medical or hygienic paper reels, the invention finds particular application in the notebooks of cigarette paper. For this application, the gripping means may comprise an adhesive bonded to the flap of the holster, preferably in the center of the first free edge of the sheet of a block, which extends perpendicularly to the free edge over a width sufficient to cover the two successive orientations of the end sheet, for example between 5 and 15 mm, preferably of the order of 1 cm. The length of the adhesive means parallel to the free edge depends on the strength of the adhesive; it must be wide enough to avoid wrinkling at this level of the paper during extraction. For example, it is an adhesive of 5 to 20 mm, preferably 15 mm wide neoprene adhesive. Another option is coupling with a suitable double-sided adhesive.

  This embodiment has the main advantage of simplicity of implementation and use: when the user wants to take a sheet, it is sufficient to exert a central pressure on the flap before opening, and the first sheet of the block is secured to the flap , out of the block remained on the bottom of the holster. The adhesive is preferably protected before the first use by a film, which may also be a sheet of the block, to prevent damage. For commercial cases comprising two blocks of parallel sheets, and therefore two free edges simultaneously, the adhesive means are doubled, for example with an adhesive by extraction slot, at least one of which is preferably temporarily protected by a film protection that is taken off at the time of use. According to another embodiment, in particular for papers longer than cigarette sheets, it is possible to secure two gripping means distributed on each half of the first free edge of the sheets; any other alternative is possible.

  In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of improving entangled paper sheet holsters comprising placing temporary adhesive means on a cover member which can cover the first free edge of the sheets. Preferred for use on cigarette paper cases by gluing a central adhesive approximately 1 cm apart, the uses of the process according to the invention are not restricted thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description and with reference to the appended drawings, given solely by way of illustration and in no way limiting. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the entanglement and the extraction of the sheets contained in cases according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a case according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows another case according to the invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a holster of commercial type cigarette paper sheets according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS The invention will be explained with reference to the particular embodiment concerning cigarette paper cases. However, it should be understood that any other box in which sheets are arranged in the form of one or more sheets of sheets entangled so as to be automatically unwound may be suitable for the invention. The automatic unwinding is performed by entanglement as illustrated in FIGS. 1. Sheets 1 are folded into two halves 2a, 2b according to a median 4. They are arranged in a block 6 by being placed alternately in one direction and in the other. other (i.e. median 4 is alternately located on one side or the opposite side of block 6); furthermore, except for the first sheet 8, a folded sheet 1 comprises, between its two halves, a half 2a 'of the sheet 1' situated downstream, and a half 2b 'of the sheet 1' situated upstream. relative to the block 6. As is known, when pulling on the free edge 10 of the end sheet 8, the most downstream of the block 6, the latter 6 is separated from the assembly 6, and a new free edge 10 'of the next sheet, new end sheet, is released.

  For paper cigarette, conventionally, the sheet 1, 8 is 36 x 70 mm, the median 4 separating it into two halves 2a, 2b of 18 x 70 mm; 50 sheets 1 form a block 6 of thickness of the order of 3 mm.

  Usually, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the block 6 is held in position and in order in a housing whose first extraction face 12 at the end sheet 8 comprises a slot 14 allowing the passing the first free edge 10. The thickness e of the slot 14 is adapted to the paper; theoretically, it can be as thin as sheet 1, but classically some game in the passage is tolerated. Thus, for a case of rolling sheets, the thickness e of the slot 14 may be of the order of 5 mm.

  As indicated between FIGS. 1A and 1B, during the extraction of the end sheet 8, the free edge 10 changes side with respect to the extraction slot 14. It is thus possible to determine a distance d on the surface 12 which can be covered by a portion of the sheet 1 during the use of the block 6; for a case of cigarette sheets, it was about 15 mm. Furthermore, in the case of the cigarette paper case, there is provided a flap 16 which pivots about an axis parallel to the extraction slot 14, secured to the housing, between a first position in which it is in position. contact with the extraction face 12 and protects the paper 1, and a second position in which it departs from it. On its inner face, it is possible to define a strip 18 of thickness d corresponding to the area of the face 12 covered by the sheets 1 and covering it. According to the invention, on the flap 16, at the level of the strip 18, is positioned at least one adhesive element 20. If one wants to take a sheet 1, the case is closed (usual position) with proximity between the flap 16 and the extraction face 12 and contact between the adhesive 20 and the free edge 10; a pressure is exerted on the adhesive 20 so that it is secured to the outer sheet 8; then the flap 16 of the case is open, that is to say, pivoted in its second position, driving the outer sheet 8 by adhesion, and releasing the next sheet due to the arrangement of the block 6.

  The adhesive element 20 extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of a width 1 corresponding at least to the thickness e of the slot 14; for greater latitude in positioning, it is preferable that the width 1 covers approximately the distance d between the two positions of the free edges 10 of the block 1, that is to say covers the band 18. In particular, the width 1 of the adhesive 20 may be 1 cm, or more generally between 5 mm and 15 mm for a commercial rolling sheet holster. The length L of the adhesive 20 along the first edge 10 depends on its strength and location. According to an advantageous embodiment, the adhesive 20 is positioned approximately in the middle of the slot 14, that is to say the first edge 10; it can be a neoprene glue that covers a length of 1 cm also; the shape may, as illustrated, be rectangular, or it may be a circle or any ovoid, or even irregular shape. This embodiment is preferred because it suffices to light pressure towards the center of the flap 16, natural gesture for the user. However, it is also possible to lengthen the adhesive 20, for example up to 15 mm, or even the total length of the sheet 1 or the slot 14; the minimum length L of the adhesive 20 is itself determined by its strength and also by the fact that, in this embodiment in particular, it is desirable not to crease the paper 1 at its point of attachment: preferably, the adhesive 20 is more than 5 mm long.

  Although described with a neoprene glue, of course, all non-permanent glues adapted to the nature of the paper are possible, such as glues used in PostltTM; it is also possible to place a double-sided adhesive, or any other similar means. In particular, it is possible to envisage, for example for porous papers, a fastening by means of gripping means VelcoTM type or any other system allowing adhesion. According to another option, and in particular for papers whose median folding 4 is longer, it is possible to place several separate adhesives along the first edge. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 3, two adhesives 22a, 22b are distributed symmetrically with respect to the center of the extraction slot 24. It is also noted in Figure 3 that in other embodiments, the case does not include a swivel flap; in this case, it is possible to add a lid member 26, secured or not to the housing. Furthermore, the cover member 26 may for example be guided in translation between a position in contact with the first extraction face 28 and a position in which it is removed. Any other alternative lid is of course conceivable. It is desirable, particularly for cigarette paper cases in which the flap 16 is not held fixedly on the first extraction face 12, that the adhesion means 20, 22 are covered before use. in particular, by a removable protective element. For example, it is possible to cover the glue with a plastic film or with cigarette paper, or even with a sheet 1: in this way, the glue is not altered before use. Most commercial cigarette paper cases 30, illustrated in FIG. 4, comprise two blocks 32, 32 'of sheets arranged parallel to each other in the direction of the median 4 of folding of the sheets 1, and two slots extraction 34, 34 '. In particular, the extraction face 36 may be approximately 42 × 72 mm, having two parallel slots 34, 34 'of 5.5 mm in thickness e, separated from each other by 15 mm and centered relative to each other. in the extraction face 36. In this case, and more generally in the presence of a plurality of free edges of different blocks, according to the invention, it is possible to place in front of each of the extraction slots 34, 34 'the previous adhesive means 38, 38 ', thereby forming a multiple gripping system. Advantageously, a block 32 is first used, and the gripping means 38 'concerning the other block 32' are protected by a film 40 so as not to be tampered with, and not to extract other sheet than that provided . Once the first block 32 is completed, the protective film 40 is removed, and the second block 32 'can also be grasped semiautomatically.

  It is obvious that these different embodiments can be combined, for example with four adhesives for a commercial case 30 according to FIG. 4.

  According to the invention, the removal of a sheet of a block is therefore performed semi-automatically, without seizing the sheet before its complete separation of the group of entangled sheets. The block of sheets is therefore not contaminated by a possible fouling of the hands or of the final gripping member of the sheet. This aspect is particularly advantageous for medical papers. Moreover, as the entry is made only once the individualized sheet, it is much easier than entering a small free edge and plated on the first extraction face. This is particularly advantageous for awkward or disabled users, for example by rheumatism, or for prehensions by means of clamp or prosthesis type ancillaries. Finally, even when it is extracted from the block, the sheet remains secured partially and temporarily to the case, on the lid element. It is not lost if the user momentarily changes his mind, or if a draft occurs.

Claims (10)

  Case (30) adapted to hold a block of entangled sheets (6, 32) so that the first edge (10) of an end sheet (8) of the block is accessible and allows, when pulled out of the block, extracting the end sheet (8) and releasing the first edge (10 ') of a sheet following the removed sheet, comprising a cover member (16, 26) of the first free edges (10) of the block which is movable between a first position in which the cover member (16, 26) is adjacent to the end sheet (8) and a second position in which it is separated from the block (6), characterized in that the cover member (16, 26) comprises, at the first edges (10), at least one gripping system (20, 22, 38), so that the movement of the cover member (16, 26) from its first to its second position causes the extraction of the end sheet (8) and its joining with the element forming cover (16, 36).   2. The case of claim 1 comprising a first extraction face (12, 28, 36) for holding the block of sheets (6, 32) by its inner surface and comprising at least one extraction slot (14, 24). 34) through which the first free edge (10) of the sheets (1) passes.   3. Case according to claim 2 adapted to contain several blocks (32, 32 ') of entangled sheets and comprising a number of slots (34, 34') at least equal to the number of blocks (32, 32 ') that can be contained in the case (30).   4. The case of claim 3 wherein the slots (34, 34 ') are parallel to each other.   5. Case according to one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the cover member is a flap (16) integral with the extraction face (12, 36) and pivotable about an axis parallel to the slots (14, 34).   6. Case according to one of claims 1 to 5 comprising protection means (40) for temporarily protecting at least part of the gripping system (20, 22, 38). 20   Cigarette paper sheet holder comprising a case (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and at least one block of sheets (6, 32) in which the gripping system (20, 38) comprises a adhesive surface located at the center of the first edge (10) of a block (6, 32), extending perpendicular to the first edge over a width (1) preferably between 5 and 15 mm, and extending parallel to the first edge over a length (L) of between 5 and 15 mm. 15   A method of automating the extraction of a sheet (1) from a block (6) of self-unwinding entangled sheets comprising providing a cover member (16, 26) for temporarily covering the end sheet (8) of the block, and placing on the surface of the cover member (16, 26) in contact with the end sheet (8) of a temporary adhesion member ( 20, 22, 38) at the first edge (10).   9. A method of semi-automatically extracting a sheet of cigarette paper (1) comprising modifying the case (30) by a method according to claim 8, the pressure at the level of the adhesive member ( 38) of the case and the opening of the flap.   10. A method of semi-automatic extraction of a sheet of cigarette paper stored in a case according to one of claims 1 to 7, the gripping system (20, 38) being composed of means allowing a temporary adhesion, comprising the pressure at the gripping system (20, 38) of the case (30) and the opening of the flap.