GB2039845A

GB2039845A - Means for Dispensing Slices of Material

Info

Publication number: GB2039845A
Application number: GB7935041A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-11
Filing date: 1979-10-09
Publication date: 1980-08-20
Also published as: DK419279A; SE7810601L; DE2941152A1; NL7907463A; NO793258L

Abstract

A plastics band (14) carrying material slices (15) is wound upon a tubular core (16). The core is internally defined by a first cylindrical wall portion (17) extending at least over one half of its length while a second internal wall portion has at least one ledge (18) which co-operates with a mating groove 24 of a rotatable member (20). The core may be fitted alternatively on either of two trunnions (11, 12) projecting cantileverwise from a base (10) carrier, and spaced apart by a distance which is greater than the radius of a full spool (13). The carrier has a guide (19) which is at least as long as the breadth of the foil band (14), and is fitted at a distance from a line drawn through the centres of the trunnions (11, 12), the distance being greater than the radius of a full spool. The trunnions are shorter than the first portion (17). The core from consumed spool may operate to take-up a band from a further spool. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Means for Dispensing Slices of Material Sliced foodstuff used for fillings or dressings of sandwiches is often dispatched to bigger consumers, such as restaurants, hospitals and similar establishments, distributed over an elongate band of plastics foil, which is wound into a spool. Different means for dispensing the slices from such spools have been proposed, the basic idea being that the necessary length of foil band is extracted to present the required number of slices. Certain difficulties are involved in taking care of the spent band, which may have a length of about 20 meters, and is so strong that it is difficult to tear apart. One way is to wind the spent band upon an empty spool core, which ensures an easy manner of determining the rate at which the dispensing occurs.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple means for handling slices of material delivered upon a plastics foil wound into a spool upon a tubular core. The arrangement ensures a low price of the dispensing apparatus, which may be formed so the goods will be satisfactorily protected.

According to the invention there is provided a means for handling an elongate band of plastics foil, carrying slices of material and wound into a spool upon a tubular core, which is adapted to be mounted upon either of two trunnions on a carrier, the tubular core being internally defined by a first, cylindrical smooth wall portion having an axial extension at least corresponding to one half of the length of the core, a second portion of the internal wall face of the core being formed to co-operate with a rotatable member, arranged to be insertable in that end of the core.

The second portion of the tubular core is preferably provided with at least one radially inward projecting ledge adapted to co-operate with a corresponding groove in a boss projecting from the rotatable member.

An important feature is to be able to take care of the spent band, as this is extracted from the spool and the slices have been removed. The core therefore is formed so it can be located in alternate positions, and is adapted to receive a rotatable member, or a protecting plate, respectively.

The rotatable member preferably comprises a disc having substantially the same diameter as a full spool, so it can be transferred from the trunnion where the spent band is wound up, to the trunnion carrying the spool. The rotatable member will then form a protection during intervais, when no dispensing of slices is taking place. It is possible to provide a protecting plate for the spool upon the first trunnion, and a simple crank for the other trunnion.

During dispensing the spool may be fitted onto a device comprising a base plate from which the two trunnions project cantileverwise, each trunnion having a length less than that of the first portion of the core, and being spaced apart by a distance greater than the radius of a full spool, a rod shaped guide, which has at least the same height as the breadth of the plastics foil being located at a distance from a line through the centres of the two trunnions, said distance being greater than the radius of a full spool.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematicaliy shows a dispensing means constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the trunnion, upon which winding-up takes place, and Figure 3 shows an exploded view of trunnion, core and rotatable member.

The means shown in the drawings is adapted to handle sliced material, to be delivered to consumers enclosed in a spool, which is wrapped up in a manner suitable for storing in a refrigerator, until needed.

The means comprises a base plate 10 provided with two cantileverwise projecting trunnions 11 and 12. The spool of plastics foil with the slices 1 5 carried thereby is built up upon a tubular core 1 6. This is, as is evident from Figure 2, internally partly defined by a first, cylindrical portion 17, having an extension at least corresponding to one half of the length of the core, and having substantially the same diameter as trunnions 11, 12.

The length of trunnions 11, 12 is less than the length of this first, cylindrical portion, so a core can rotate freely upon the trunnion, where it is located. In its end, to be remotely located with respect to the base plate and the core, outside of the cylindrical wall portion 17, is provided with two radially projecting ledges 18, the function of which will be described below. The core is outwardly provided with axially extending ridges 27, or rows of short dents, which will facilitate the attachment of the end of the band.

The trunnions 11 and 12 are spaced apart by a distance, greater than that corresponding to the radius of a full spool. Between the two trunnions, and at a distance from a line drawn through the centres thereof, there is a guide 19, which in its simplest form comprises a cylindrical rod having a length at least corresponding to the breadth of band 14.

In order to make possible a winding up of the spent band, a rotatable member 20 is provided, which preferably includes a disc 21, an eccentrically located handle 22 projecting from one of its faces, and a centrally located cylindrical boss 23 at the opposite face of the disc. The boss has a length approximately corresponding to ledges 18 in the internal wall of core 16, and is provided with two grooves 24 mating with the ledges.

By pressing the rotatable member 20 into the upwardly presented end of a core 16, located upon trunnion 12, it is possible to rotate this core at a desired rate.

In preparing for use, a full spool is located upon trunnion 11 , whereupon a length of the end of the band 14 is extracted and brought past guide 1 9 to an empty core located upon trunnion 12. When the end of the band has been pressed against the outward face of the empty core, rotatable member 20 is pressed down into the core and the apparatus is ready for use.

The slices 15, which are more firm than the plastics foil, will continue in a straight path past guide 19, where they can be easily picked up by hand.

The embodiments illustrated in the drawings is schematically shown only, and many modifications may be made thereto.

Disc 21 in the rotatable member 20 preferably has a diameter sufficient to cover at least a substantial part of a full spool. If a spool is not fully consumed during the day, the rotatable member 20 is transferred to trunnion 11, whereby its disc will form a protection for the remaining part of the spool.

The apparatus may easily be put into a refrigerator during the night.

Instead of shifting the rotatable member it is possible to use a separate protecting plate 26 (denoted by broken lines in Figure 1), which is to be fitted on top of the spool, to remain there until the spool is consumed. This protecting plate is provided with a boss 23a, corresponding to that of the rotatable member, and has the same radius as a full spool.

The shape and the number of ledges 18 and grooves 24 may be varied in many ways, and as no noticeable pulling force will be needed it is possible to design the boss, and the corresponding portion of the tubular core, slightly tapering, so a friction grip is obtainable when the boss is pressed into the core.

When the rotatable member is transferred back to the spool for over-night storage, the spool should be rotated some turns backwards, so the outermost slices will be again covered by a length of return-fed band.

Guide 19 may comprise two parallel rods. In the embodiment shown the band is wound counter-clockwise upon the core, and will leave the spool at the right-hand edge thereof (in Figure 1). When the guide contains two rods the band can be wound clockwise, so it will leave at the left hand edge of the spool (in Figure 1). The band is made to run around the right rod (not shown) in guide 19, then back around the spool, then again to the guide, around the left hand rod thereof and finally to the core upon trunnion 1 1. The slices 15 will then be fed outwardly between the rods in the guide, and the slices on the outward layer upon the spool as well as upon the band extending towards the guide will be protected.

Claims

1. Means for handling an elongate band of plastics foil, carrying slices of material and wound into a spool upon a tubular core, which is adapted to be mounted upon either of two trunnions or a carrier, the tubular core being internally defined by a first, cylindrical, smooth wall portion having an axial extension at least corresponding to one half of the length of the core, a second portion of the internal wall face of the core being formed to co-operate with a rotatable member, arranged to be insertable in that end of the core.

2. The means according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the core is provided with at least one radially inward projecting ledge, adapted to co-operate with a corresponding groove in a boss projecting from the rotatable member.

3. The means according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein, the rotatable member comprises a disc having substantially the same diameter as a full spool.

4. The means according to either of the preceding claims, wherein a protecting plate having substantially the same diameter as a full spool and being provided with a short boss arranged to be insertable in the second portion of the core.

5. The means according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier comprises a base plate from which the two trunnions project cantileverwise, each trunnion having a length less than that of the first portion of the core and being spaced apart by a distance greater than the radius of a full spool, a rod-shaped guide, which has at least the same height as the breadth of the plastics foil being located at a distance from a line through the centers of the two trunnions, said distance being greater than the radius of a full spool.

6. Means for handling an elongate band of plastics foil, carrying slices of material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.