GB1603882A

GB1603882A - Apparatus for dispending pieces of paper of predetermined length

Info

Publication number: GB1603882A
Application number: GB2143880A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Apura GmbH
Current assignee: Apura GmbH
Priority date: 1978-04-13
Filing date: 1978-04-13
Publication date: 1981-12-02

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PIECES OF PAPER OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH (71) We, APURA, GMBH, a Company organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of Postfach 120, D6502 Mainz-Kostheim, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare this invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing pieces of paper or like web material of predetermined length from a supply such as a roll of the web material, having a device, operable by pulling on the free end of the paper web, for parting the pieces of paper from the paper web and for presenting the fresh end of the paper web ready to be grasped after the parted piece of paper had been released.

In known apparatus of this kind, when a piece of paper is pulled out, which is parted from the following paper web by a stationary or moving blade, use is made of a suitable device, for instance, two interengaging suction cups, to store energy briefly. The stored energy is then released to push the following end of the paper web out of the apparatus, ready to be seized for the next dispensing operation, when the previously parted piece of paper has been released. Such prior art apparatus is very elaborate and therefore relatively expensive and unreliable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simply constructed apparatus which, after a piece of paper has been dispensed, reliably makes the following fresh end of the paper web automatically ready to be grasped for the next dispensing operation.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for dispensing sheets of web material of predetermined length from a supply of the web material comprising a housing, means for storing the supply of web material in the housing, separating means comprising a cutter roller having cutter means, the overall width of which is at least equal to the width of the web material aranged in the housing, web conveyor means arranged to engage the web over a part of the width of the web, drive means for transmitting drive between the cutter roller and the conveyor means, and a presure device operable to urge the web into engagement with the conveyor means, the conveyor means and the cutter roller being aranged so that in response to a user of the apparatus pulling from the housing the free end of web material in the storing means to separate a sheet of the web material from the remainder, thus leave at least a portion of the leading edge of the remainder of the web available to be gripped by a subsequent user.

This simply constructed and reliable device can produce any desired cutting line in the paper webi.e. a cutting line extending parallel with the axis of the roller or a line inclined at an angle greater than zero to a generatrix of the roller.

The following end of the paper web is made ready to be grasped after the release of the parted piece of paper because, even after the parted piece being dispensed has been completely parted, the pull exerted on such parted sheet of paper is also exerted, by means of the pressure device urging the sheet into engagement with the conveying means and the conveying means being conected to the cutter roller, on the following paper web until the parted piece of paper has entirely left the apparatus.

The conveying device is preferably substantially narrower than the cutter roller, at that point where the following end of the paper web is directly available to be gripped or grasped for the following operation of dispensing a piece of paper.

The drive means operable between the conveyor means and the cutter roller can be, for instance, a frictional connection, and the conveyor means can take the form for instance, of an endless belt on a roller arrangement, the pressure device taking the form of a wedge, brush, spring, stationary or synchronised endless belt, or other suitable device. Tf the pressure device is in the form of an endless belt, it may be guided around the cutter roller. As a result, strictly speaking the pressure device may be considered as performing the function of the conveying device, and the conveying device may be considered as performing the function of the pressure device.

Other features, advantages and possible uses of the invention can be gathered from the following description of embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 without its casing; Figure 3 is a partially broken-away perspective view of one form of the cutter roller for the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the cutter roller llustrated in Figure 3, showing in chain lines different positions of the blade in the cutting zone; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the cutter roller, showing in chain dot lines different positions of the blade in the cutting zone; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through yet another embodiment of the cutter roller showing in chain lines different positions of the blade in the cutting zone; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of the invention with a variant construction of the conveying device; Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of the invention, with a variant embodiment of the pressure device, and Figure 9 is a side elevation of a construction of a blade for various of the embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a dispenser apparatus 80 for dispensing sheets 81 of paper, the dispenser having a housing 83 arranged to be attached to a wall 82, means for carrying a roll 84 of a paper web 85, a guide roller 92, a cutter roller 87, a conveying device 86 and a pressure device 89 all of which will be discussed in greater detail below.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate various embodiments of the cutter roller for use in the dispenser 80. The cutter roller 87 may have a fixed blade, but it is preferred to use one or more blades operated in such a manner that the or each blade projects through a slot in the roller during at least a part of the rotation of the roller 87 to perform an effective cutting action.

The blade 128 shown in Figure 5 is a full-width blade disposed at the end of a lever 120 pivotably mounted on the inside wall of the roller 127. By "full width" is meant that the single blade has a width at least equal to the width of the web material 85 on the roll 84. Attached to the stationary spindle 122 of roller 127 is a can disc 123 engaging with the lever 120. When the roller 127 is rotated, the blade 128 is moved outwardly in the cutting zone through a slot 124 formed in the roller surface. During the cutting operation the cutting edge of the blade 128 passes through a path of movement 126, three different positions of the lever 20 and blade 128 being shown in Figure 5 in chain dot lines. A spring 125 can be arranged, for instance, operative between the lever 120 and the inside wall of roller 127, to stabilize the path of movement of the blade.

The one-part full width blade 138, shown in Figure 6, is disposed at the end of a lever 130 mounted on the inside wall of the roller 137. The blade 138 is controlled in its movement through a slot 134 formed in the roller surface by means of a lever 133 which is mounted eccentrically of the roller spindle 132 and is articulated to the lever 130. During the cutting operation the cutting edge of the blade 138 passes through a path of movement 136, three different positions of the lever arrangement 130, 133 and blade 138 being shown in Figure 6 in chain dot lines. Instead of single blades 128 or 138, each of these embodiments may alternatively be formed with a plurality of axially spaced blades which may be arranged in a circumferentially staggered axially extending row to form a plurality of individual cuts in a row across the web inclined at an acute angle with respect to a line extending perpendicularly to the length of the web across the width of the web.

Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the cutter roller which may be used in the dispenser 80. In this arrangement a blade 108 is pivotably mounted inside the roller 107 on a spindle 103 which is disposed eccentrically of the roller spindle 102 and formed integrally therewith, the blade being entrained through a slot 104 formed in the roller surface as the roller 107 rotates. The cutting edge of the blade 108 describes a path of movement 106 as the roller rotates, three different positions of the blade 108 being shown in chain dot lines in Figure 4. The depth of the blade 108 corresponds substantially to the radius of the roller 107 plus the eccentricity of the spindle 103 in relation to the spindle 102, so that the blade is entrained by the slot 104 over its whole path of movement.

The conveying device 86 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 engages the web over a substantially narrower width than the bladed roller 87 and consists of two endless belts 93, 94, respectively guided around pairs of rollers 95, 96; 97, 98 and disposed respectively at the edge zones of the bladed roller 87. The portion 99 of the paper web 85 which is between the two belts is ready to be grasped, for a subsequent paper dispensing operation, when the sheet 81 of paper has been dispensed since in the region above where the portion 99 of paper lies, the casing 83 is correspondingly cut away and the rollers 95, 96; 97, 98 and the belts 93 and 94 are mounted to the sides.

When a sheet of paper is separated from the remainder of the web, and pulled out of the apparatus, it is held in engagement with the conveyor means formed by the belts 93 and 94 by the action of the pressure devices 89. There is also provided a drive coupling between the conveyor means and the cutter roller 87. Thus as the separated sheet is pulled out the conveyor means and the cutter roller are both driven, and in turn the leading edge of the remainder of the web is also driven out following closely behind the separated sheet as it is pulled out. As a result, the fresh leading edge of web is presented ready to be grasped for a subsequent paper dispensing operation.

Of course, other conveying devices could be used as substitutes for the conveying device 86 constructed as illustrated in Figure 2. For instance a single endless belt could be arranged passing over a centre region of the roller, the result being that the fresh leading edge of the web is presented ready to be grasped on the right and left of the single belt. The conveying device can also comprise relatively large rollers. Moreover, a conveying device 146 shown in Figure 7 consisting of one or two belts can be partially guided around the cutter roller 147, to press the paper web 145 over a part of the width of the web, against the cutter roller 147 in the cutting zone and therefore improve the cutting operation. Instead of the conveying belt partially guided around the cutter roller, a device (not shown) which is stationary in relation to the roller can be provided to press the paper web against the roller For every construction and arrangement of the conveyor means it is essential that there should be some form of driving connection between the conveyor means and the cutter roller, for instance by frictional connection, as in the belt construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 7, and/or, for instance in an arrangement (not shown) with a drive optionally including gear wheels between the rollers 95, 97 and the cutter roller 87.

The pressure device 89 shown in Figures 1 and 2 consists of two stationary blocks or wedges 89a, 89b which are in resilient frictional engagement with belts 93, 94. Instead of the wedges, use can alternatively be made of brushes, springs, stationary belts or belt corotating with the paper web, or other suitable device. The esential thing is always that there must be frictional engagement between the web and the conveying means.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 the pressure device comprises one or two endless belts 159 which are guided over the bladed roller 157 and engage the web over a part of the width of the web. In this construction the pressure device 159 performs the function of the conveying means, since it is drivably connected to the cutter roller, while the conveying means in the form of a belt or belts 156, which also engage the web over a part of the width of the web, performs the function of the pressure device.

In all the above arangements the association between the cutter roller, the conveyor means and the pressure device must be such that when the sheet of paper to be dispensed is parted from the followng paper web, the force exerted on the sheet of paper already parted is transmitted to the following paper web until the latter has been pulled along into the position in which its leading edge is ready to be gripped for the following dispensing operation.

Figure 9 shows an advantageous serrated cutting edge 166 of a blade 168 for the cutter roller. The blade 168 also has cut away portions 164, 165 through which, for instance, the conveying belts 93, 94 (Figure 2) may pass. Such cut away portions are provided in the blade for all those parts of the presure device and/or the conveying means which extend into the zone of the path of movement of the blade.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for dispensing sheets of web material of predetermined length from a supply of the web material comprising: a housing, means for storing the supply of web material in the housing, separating means comprising a cutter roller having cutter means, the overall width of which is at least equal to the width of the web material arranged in the housing, web conveyor means aranged to engage the web over a part of the width of the web, drive means for transmitting drive between the cutter roller and the conveyor means, and a pressure device operable to urge the web into engagement with the conveyor means, the conveyor means and the cutter roller being aranged so that in response to a user of the apparatus pulling from the housing the free end of web material in the storing

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. substantially narrower width than the bladed roller 87 and consists of two endless belts 93, 94, respectively guided around pairs of rollers 95, 96; 97, 98 and disposed respectively at the edge zones of the bladed roller 87. The portion 99 of the paper web 85 which is between the two belts is ready to be grasped, for a subsequent paper dispensing operation, when the sheet 81 of paper has been dispensed since in the region above where the portion 99 of paper lies, the casing 83 is correspondingly cut away and the rollers 95, 96; 97, 98 and the belts 93 and 94 are mounted to the sides. When a sheet of paper is separated from the remainder of the web, and pulled out of the apparatus, it is held in engagement with the conveyor means formed by the belts 93 and 94 by the action of the pressure devices 89. There is also provided a drive coupling between the conveyor means and the cutter roller 87. Thus as the separated sheet is pulled out the conveyor means and the cutter roller are both driven, and in turn the leading edge of the remainder of the web is also driven out following closely behind the separated sheet as it is pulled out. As a result, the fresh leading edge of web is presented ready to be grasped for a subsequent paper dispensing operation. Of course, other conveying devices could be used as substitutes for the conveying device 86 constructed as illustrated in Figure 2. For instance a single endless belt could be arranged passing over a centre region of the roller, the result being that the fresh leading edge of the web is presented ready to be grasped on the right and left of the single belt. The conveying device can also comprise relatively large rollers. Moreover, a conveying device 146 shown in Figure 7 consisting of one or two belts can be partially guided around the cutter roller 147, to press the paper web 145 over a part of the width of the web, against the cutter roller 147 in the cutting zone and therefore improve the cutting operation. Instead of the conveying belt partially guided around the cutter roller, a device (not shown) which is stationary in relation to the roller can be provided to press the paper web against the roller For every construction and arrangement of the conveyor means it is essential that there should be some form of driving connection between the conveyor means and the cutter roller, for instance by frictional connection, as in the belt construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 7, and/or, for instance in an arrangement (not shown) with a drive optionally including gear wheels between the rollers 95, 97 and the cutter roller 87. The pressure device 89 shown in Figures 1 and 2 consists of two stationary blocks or wedges 89a, 89b which are in resilient frictional engagement with belts 93, 94. Instead of the wedges, use can alternatively be made of brushes, springs, stationary belts or belt corotating with the paper web, or other suitable device. The esential thing is always that there must be frictional engagement between the web and the conveying means. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 the pressure device comprises one or two endless belts 159 which are guided over the bladed roller 157 and engage the web over a part of the width of the web. In this construction the pressure device 159 performs the function of the conveying means, since it is drivably connected to the cutter roller, while the conveying means in the form of a belt or belts 156, which also engage the web over a part of the width of the web, performs the function of the pressure device. In all the above arangements the association between the cutter roller, the conveyor means and the pressure device must be such that when the sheet of paper to be dispensed is parted from the followng paper web, the force exerted on the sheet of paper already parted is transmitted to the following paper web until the latter has been pulled along into the position in which its leading edge is ready to be gripped for the following dispensing operation. Figure 9 shows an advantageous serrated cutting edge 166 of a blade 168 for the cutter roller. The blade 168 also has cut away portions 164, 165 through which, for instance, the conveying belts 93, 94 (Figure 2) may pass. Such cut away portions are provided in the blade for all those parts of the presure device and/or the conveying means which extend into the zone of the path of movement of the blade. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for dispensing sheets of web material of predetermined length from a supply of the web material comprising: a housing, means for storing the supply of web material in the housing, separating means comprising a cutter roller having cutter means, the overall width of which is at least equal to the width of the web material arranged in the housing, web conveyor means aranged to engage the web over a part of the width of the web, drive means for transmitting drive between the cutter roller and the conveyor means, and a pressure device operable to urge the web into engagement with the conveyor means, the conveyor means and the cutter roller being aranged so that in response to a user of the apparatus pulling from the housing the free end of web material in the storing

means to separate a sheet of the web material from the remainder, they leave at least a portion of the leading edge of the remainder of the web available to be gripped by a subsequent user.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the cutter roller is hollow and has therein a spindle eccentrically mounted with respect to the axis of the roller, and the cutter means comprise a blade pivotally mounted on that spindle and guided by a slot in the roller surface as the cutter roller rotates about its axis.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the cutter roller is holow and has a lever pivotally mounted therein, and the cutter means comprise a blade mounted on that lever, and an operating device is provided to engage the lever and cause the blade to emerge through a slot formed in the roller surface as the roller rotates about its axis.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating device comprises a cam disc attached to the roller spindle.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which the lever is resiliently biased by means of a spring operative between it and the inside wall of the roller.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating device comprises a second lever pivotally mounted eccentrically of the roller spindle and articulated to the lever.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the conveyor means comprises an endless belt.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the conveyor means comprises two endless belts disposed one at each side of the cutter roller.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the conveyor means comprises a single endless belt disposed at the centre of the cutter roller.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9, in which the belt or belts extend partially around the cutter roller.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the conveying means comprises a roller.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11, in which the blade has a serrated cutting edge.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12, in which the blade has cut away portions to clear any part of the conveyor means and the pressure device.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13, in which stationary means are provided to press the paper web against the cutter roller in its cutting zones.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14, in which the pressure device is stationary in the housing.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, in which the pressure device is resiliently biased towards the conveying means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 16, in which the pressure device comprises an endless belt moved synchronously with the conveyor means.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17, in which the pressure device comprises an endless belt guided around the cutter roller.

19. Apparatus for dispensing sheets of web material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.