GB2173765A

GB2173765A - Paper roll compression apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2173765A
Application number: GB08611815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kouzou Watanabe; Yasuhiko Saito
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-05-24
Filing date: 1985-05-15
Publication date: 1986-10-22
Also published as: KR850000225A; KR900000821B1; CA1254539A; GB8413317D0; GB2173765B; DE3418951A1; IT8448255A0; GB2143197A; DE3418951C2; GB8611815D0; IT1177749B; FR2546478A1; FR2546478B1; KR910000378B1; GB2143197B; CA1257566C

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a plurality chambers 50 for receiving the roll of paper, each chamber comprising a support 65 which is opened to allow entry of a roll into the chamber, a piston constituted by a pressure plate 67, and side plates 63, 64 which control lateral expansion of the roll. Rails 77 and 78 together with cam means 75 and cam followers 70 coupled to the pistons control opening of the supports and movement of the pistons. Each chamber comprises a block 72 which positions the uncompressed roll. Compressed rolls are subsequently wrapped in heat-shrinkable liquid impermeable film. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 173 765 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Method of producing roll of compressed roll paper and apparatus therefor Detailed description of the invention

This invention relates to compressed toilet roll pa per and towel roll paper, i.e. compressed roil pa per, and more particularly to a method of and an apparatus for producing a roll of roll paper re duced in volume.

In general, a roll of roll paper is formed into a cylindrical shape by winding toilet paper or towel paper on a hollow cylindrical core, so that a roll of roll paper can be continuously taken out of a 80 holder in use.

However, the cylindrical outer shape and the hol low cylindrical core lead to increased voids in the loading, storage and the like of rolls of roll paper, thus resulting in bulkiness. Due to this bulkiness, with the rolls of the conventional roll paper, freight charges, warehouse charges and the like are rather high, and are not negligible in relation to the sale price of a role of roll paper. Moreover, in the case of export, the freight charges and warehouse charges are increased to a huge amount, the re duction of which has been a great question in view of a reduced unit cost of a roll of roll paper.

To obviate the drawback caused by the cylindri cal shape of roll paper as described above, there have been proposed measures for deforming a roll of roll paper into a flat shape to decrease costs re quired for packing, transporting and storing of rolls of roll paper.

However, none of such measures has been put 100 into practice.

The reason is that if roll paper is deformed into crooked shape during transportation for example, its value as an article of trade is deemed to be low ered. When a roll paper is compression deformed into a flat shape, the roll of roll paper bulges out in one direction, crinkles formed thereon are flat tened, and folding wrinkles are left to lower elastic ity of the roll of roll paper. Although the flattened roll of roll paper may be restored to a round shape for use, the crooked shape of the roll of roll paper cannot be easily obviated and left as it is. Even if a roll of roll paper is pressed and compression de formed into a flat shape, the roll of roll paper is easily inflated again due to its inherent elasticity when the pressing force is removed. Thus, it is not easy to maintain the shape of the roll of roll paper if it is compression deformed and consequently the effect of reducing the volume due to the compres sion deformation is not so much as might be ex pected.

According to the invention there is provided a method of compression deforming a roll of com pressed roll paper, comprising pressing the roll to flatten it in one direction while simultaneously re stricting expansion of the roll in the direction lat erally of the said one direction.

The roll may be compressed into a shape which is between elliptical and rectangular however, it is preferable from the viewpoint of use and forming 130 to adopt a substantially rectangular shape having rounded corners so that no folding wrinkles are present at the corners. Furthermore, the core need not necessarily have elasticity. However, the provi- sion of a hollow core with even slight elasticity makes it possible to easily return from a flat shape to the cylindrical shape. As for the material of the hollow core described above, it suffices to use one which can be easily restored from a flat shape, particularly a thin flat shape, to a circular, i.e., cylindrical shape. The material of the hollow core may be formed of a rubber or plastics rubber, which is easily returned to a cylindrical shape by unpacking, for example, and further, may be one which is easily deformably flexible, i.e. a material having slight elasticity, such as a tubular paper core. When a roll of the conventional roll paper using the tubular paper core is pressure formed into a flat shape for example, wrinkles are formed at flexed side portions of the tubular paper core. However, when a slight force is applied to the flexed side portions to expand the center portions for use, the tubular paper core can be readily formed into a cylindrical shape, i.e. a roll shape, thus raising no problem. The provision of the core is preferable because paper or a thin paper board can easily return from a flat shape to the cylindrical shape, thus providing highly economical.

The dimensions and shape of the side surface of the roll of compressed roll paper obtained according to the present invention vary to some extent depending upon what the pressure conditions are, what the magnitude of crape is and whether a double roil type or a single roll type is adopted. Out of various types of roll-shaped roll paper, a roll of toilet roll paper of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m, an outer diameter of 10Omm and a core diameter of 38mm may be considered as an example. When the rolls of toilet roll paper of this type are compressed, rolls having various shapes in their side surfaces within a range of dimensions of an outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side of 67mm or less and an outer diameter on the longer diameter's side of 117mm or more are obtainable. In this case, the core becomes 59mrn or more on the longer diameter's side. Among all of these particularly, it is preferable to adopt ones having outer diameters on the shorter diameter's side of about 50mm or less, on the longer diameter's side of about 124mnn or more, cores on the longer diameter's side of about 60mm or more and on the shorter diameter's side of about 50mm or less from the viewpoint of volume reduction, easiness in the restoration and the like.

To state the characteristics of restoration of the roll of compressed roll paper, in order to rely on the elasticity of crinkles or the like for example, the crinkles must be protected in compression deform- ing a roll of roll paper. However, if a roll of roll paper is merely compression deformed, then the roll bulges out in directions perpendicular to the directions of compression, crinkles are flattened, whereby elasticity and softness of the roll of roll paper are lost.

2 GB 2 173 765 A 2 In consequence a roll of compressed roll paper is formed and produced under pressure, and, it is preferable to apply pressure to the roll of roll pa per simultaneously with film sealing in order to suppress the flattening of crinkles to the utmost during production. In consequence, pressure may be applied in the vertical direction for example.

However, the application of pressure not only in the vertical direction but also the lateral direction makes it possible to form the roll of roll paper hav- 75 ing a suitable shape in its side surface. Needless to say, it is preferable that pressure be applied in the bulging-out directions in addition to the lateral di rection. Thus, the suppression of bulge-out through the application of pressure not only in the 80 vertical direction but also in the bulging-out direc tions makes it possible to realize the compression of the outer diameter of 27mm on the shorter di ameter's side of the roll of roll paper of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m.

With the above arrangement, for example, a roll of flatly compressed roll paper of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m can be industrially manufactured to have an outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side of 5Omm or less, particu larly 45mm or less, and an outer diameter on the longer diameter's side of 124mm or more.

However, if the outer diameter on the shorter di ameter's side of a roll of roll paper is compressed to an extreme flatness, i.e. 1Omm by one step for 95 example, then a perforated line or the like posi tioned at a bulging-out portion may be broken off or corners bulge out to an extreme extent where folding wrinkles become non-uniform, whereby restoration of the roll to a circular shape for use 100 cannot be effected, and further, breakage may eas iiy occur at end portions, i.e. selvedges. Hence, in such cases as described above, it is desirable that the compression is confined to an outer diameter of about 30 - 20mm on the shorter diameter's side 105 at the side surface of roll paper for example, the compressed article is wrapped with a heat-shrinka ble polymer film, and further, shrunk to predeter mined dimensions by the operation of shrinkage by the heated film.

With the above arrangement, the compression may be achieved with no perforated line broken off even when such perforated line is positioned at the bulging out portion of roil paper and no selvedges broken in use.

Since the pressure formed roll of roll paper has a restoring force after the formation to some extent as described above, it is preferable to wrap roll pa per with a plastics film or the like simultaneously with the formation in order to maintain the shape of roll paper at the time of formation.

To wrap the roll of compressed roll paper thus flatly formed, any of wrap materials including a pa per container, a plastics container, a can and the like may be used in addition to plastics film wrap ping. Particularly, the plastics film wrapping is eas ily mechanized, whereby a film seal, particularly an individual film seal is easily performed, and more over, an air-tight or liquid-non permeable seal is practicable, so that the articles can be prevented from deteriorating in quality due to rain, moisture and like during transportation and storage, thereby proving very sanitary. Further, in the case where both the flat formation under pressure and the film wrapping are simultaneously performed, if the sealing under pressure is effected in vacuo, then the compression can be achieved to a volume half that of the conventional roll-shaped roll paper, and moreover, the restoring force is preferably large as compared with the small volume thereof. It is preferable to use a heat-shrinkable polymer film as the plastics film because pressure formation can thereby be performed simultaneously with wrapping. The compression formation of a roll of rollshaped roll paper under pressure is preferably carried out by pushing the roll of roll paper by means of a push rod. In this case, the pushing stroke by the push rod is such that, for example, when there is a case where an outer diameter of the roll of compressed roll paper is 50mm on the shorter diameter's side in compressing the roll of roll paper of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m, the pushing stroke is 83mm. In this case, the outer diameter of the roll of roll paper of single roll type having a winding length of 55m can be compressed to 27mm on the shorter diameter's side.

However, this compression of roll paper is performed such that the pressing process by means of the push rod is not intermediate but gradual. Moreover, in the case of a roll of roll paper of a single roll type having a length of 55m for example, the pressing of the push rod is not stopped at a position where an outer diameter reaches 20 to 30mm, e.g. 27mm on the shorter diameter's side. On the contrary, the roll of roll paper should be maintained under the pressing force for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 15sec or more, preferably, 20see or more. Such pressing force as described above may be gradually released, or the compressed roll paper may be held as it is under the final pressure for a predetermined period of time. With the above arrangement, even when the pressing force is removed, the outer diameter of the roll of compressed roll paper remains at about 50mm on the shorter diameter's side, so that flat rolls of roll paper is stably produced. In consequence, subsequent work can be easily carried out.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have found that, in producing the roll of com- pressed roll paper by the above-described method, a roll of roll paper of a single roll type having a length of 55m is produced with its crinkles not being protected, and, when the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side is 1Omm upon the compression deformation, if roll paper is restored, then the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side becomes 26mm, however, this roll of roll paper has folding lines and cannot easily return to a circular shape. Further, when the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side is 16mm upon the compression deformation, the outer diameter on the shorter deformation, the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side is 27mm after the restoration, which is substantially similar to the above case, it is necessary for securing the characteristics 3 GB 2 173 765 A 3 of restoration of the compressed roll paper that the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side becomes 45 - 50mm or more upon the restoration after the compression.

An apparatus for producing the compressed roll paper is of such an arrangement that a roller is provided at one end of a push rod, and this roller is brought into engagement with a guide cam for pressing, whereby a path for the roller is guided by the guide cam for pressing, so that a moving stroke of a push plate of the push rod during the pressing process can be adjusted in accordance with a schedule.

The guide cam for pressing may be provided up- wardly or downwardly of a pressing container, whereby a circulation path of either a horizontal type or a vertical type is formed. However, the guide cam for pressing may be affixed to a fixed shaft, being centered about the shaft, and a plurality of pressing devices each having a push rod may be radially, rotatably provided around the guide cam in the vertical type. The cam is affixed to the fixed shaft as described above, whereby the construction of the cam is simplified, so that an area for installation can be reduced. No matter which type may be adopted, the shape of the guide cam for pressing is determined in accordance with the pressing force of roll paper, i.e. the moving stroke of the push plate.

The pressing container includes side walls, a roll paper support plate and an openable door capable of receiving or discharging roll paper, to thereby form a roll paper receiving chamber. The door, for example, may be replaced with a bedplate for sup porting roll paper or a lid plate, both of which are made openable. It is preferable to provide a roll paper positioning member on the roll paper receiv ing chamber of the pressing container, so that a roll of roll paper may be positioned at a predeter mined position in pressing the roll.

A mere fixation of the pressing container by use of a fixedly supporting device makes it possible to perform the pressing of a roll of roll paper. How ever, a roller is provided outwardly of the beciplate and this roller is brought into engagement with a guide plate such as a frame plate, so that a load acting on the fixedly supporting device can be re duced.

Particularly, when the apparatus is of a rotary type, it is preferable that a push rod support rail to be brought into engagement with the roller of the push rod be provided around the cam for pressing for example. Further, it is preferable that a lid member open-close rail engagement with a lever provided on the bedplate, lid member or a cover be provided.

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a roll of flat toilet paper; Figure 2 is a flow sheet showing an embodiment of apparatus for producing a roll of flatly com- 125 pressed roll paper; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a pres sure formation process; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing part of a film process; Figure 5 is a sectional side view showing an embodiment of apparatus for producing a roll of compressed roll paper; Figure 6 is a partially sectional, enlarged view showing the roll paper feeding portion shown in Figure 5.

Detailed description will hereunder be given of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention need not necessarily be limited to this description.

Referring to Figure 1, designated at 1 is a core, 3 a hollow portion of the core, and 4 a plastics film wrapping. In this drawing, the hollow portion 3 of the core is fairly exaggeratedly drawn, whereby an inner space is shown as being fairly large. However, in the case of a tubular paper core, opposing inner wall surfaces of the hollow portion of the core are almost in contact with each other, whereby the inner space is very small even if it ex- ists. However, depending upon the material forming the core and conditions of formation-seal process, the hollow portions of the roll of flatly compressed roll paper according to the invention of the present application may vary widely from a state where the inner space being left as shown in the drawing to a state where the inner wall surfaces of the core are almost in contact with each other, whereby almost no inner space is left.

A roll 9 of roll-shaped toilet roll paper thus pro- duced is conveyed by a conveyor belt 8 from a roll receiving process 5 to a cutter, e.g. a cutting process 6 having an automatic circular cutter where the roll 9 is cut to a suitable length. In the cutting process 6 having the cutter, the roll 9 of roll-shaped roll paper may be cut to a suitable length or provided thereon with perforated lines to be cut. In Figure 2, there are shown only rolls 10 of roll- shaped roll paper, which have been cut to a length of use, however, those rolls may otherwise be rolls of roll- shaped roll paper each provided thereon with perforated lines that may be suitable cut to a length of use.

A roil of roll-shaped roll paper cut during the cutting process, in the prior art, is film-packed as it is, then, packed in a case or the like and shipped, however, according to the present invention, the roll is conveyed to a pressure-seal process 7, where the roll is formed into a flat shape and sealed with film.

The roll 10 of roll-shaped paper roll, which has been cut during the cutting process 6, is conveyed to a formation-seal process 7 by the conveyor belt 8. While, in the formation-seal process 7, plastics films 14 and 15 for wrapping are delivered from delivery film rollers 12 and 13, passed through guide rolls 16, 17 and guide plates 18, 19 and con veyed to a formation-seal portion 22. The cut roll of roll-shaped roll paper together with a lower film 15 are conveyed to the formation-seal portion 22. Furthermore, an upper film is passed through an upper guide plate and disposed around an up per portion of the cut roll 10 of roll-shaped roll pa per to cover the same in the formation-seal portion 22 or in the front of the formation-seal portion 22.

In the formation-seal portion 22, there are pro- 4 GB 2 173 765 A 4 vided presses 20 and 21 for pressure formation each having means for sealing film. Limit frames, not shown, are opposed to each other in a direc tion traversing a path of the formation-seal portion 22. The cut roll 10 of roll-shaped roll paper is con veyed to a space formed between the opposing limit frames, pressed, in such conditions where it is covered by the upper and lower films, by the presses 20 and 21 from above and below, and sealed with films simultaneously with the forma tion.

The limit frames may be fixedly provided. How ever, it is preferable to provide the limit frames in such a manner that the interval of opposition is suitably adjustable. The provision of the limit 80 frames at a suitable interval makes it possible to adjust the pressing in the lateral direction and form the rolls into various types of flatness.

The roll of compressed roll paper thus sealed si multaneously with the formation is moved from the formation-seal portion 22, transferred from a belt conveyor 23 to a chute 24, then, packed in cor rugated case or the like, and then shipped.

Figure 2 shows an example where a cut roll of roll paper is sealed with film simultaneously with the pressure formation thereof. However, a plural ity of rolls may be wrappingly sealed with film into a single pack simultaneously with the pressure for mation, and a long roll of roll paper may be sealed in the same manner as above. Needless to say, the formation process and the seal process may be ef fected separately of each other. In this case, one or a plurality of rolls of flatly compressed roll paper, which have undergone the pressure formation only, are covered with films and sealed.

The provision of a hollow core with elasticity, which is even slight, makes it possible to easily re turn from the flat shape to the cylindrical shape. As a material of the hollow core described above, it suffices to use one which can be easily restored from the flat shape, particularly a thin flat shape to the circle, i.e. the cylindrical shape. The material of the hollow core may be formed of a rubber or plastics rubber, which are easily returned to the cy lindrical shape by unpacking for example, and fur- 110 ther, can be.formed of one which is easily deformably flexible, i.e. a material having slight elasticity, such as a tubular paper core. When the conventional roll paper using the tubular paper core is pressure formed into a flat shape for exam ple, wrinkles are formed at flexed side portions of the tubular paper core. However, when a slight force is applied to the flexed side portions to ex pand the center portions for use, the tubular paper core can be readily formed into a cylindrical shape, i.e. a roll shape, thus raising no problem.

A roll 25 of roll-shaped roll paper, which has been given perforated lines and cut to a suitable length during the cutting process, now shown, in Figure 3, is covered at its upper and lower portions 125 with plastics films delivered from a plastics film delivery roller 26 (a lower roller not shown), conveyed by hold-down rollers 29, 32 and carrying rollers 30, 35, 37 and 39, and formed into a flat shape under pressure of pressure rollers 34, 36 and 38.

For example, during the forming process shown in Figure 3, a roll 31 of compressed roll paper, which has been deformed, is sealed by jointing an upper and a lower films in front and at the back thereof, and conveyed by carrying rollers after a surplus portion of the sealed film has been cut away. The feed speeds of a conveyor belt 47, a holddown roller 48 and a carrying roller 49 are made higher than the feed speeds of hold-down rollers 41 and 42, whereby an interval between the rolls of compressed roll paper is increased and the films become stretched therebetween. Then, the upper and the lower films are clamped between heating seal devices 44 and 45, to thereby seal the upper and the lower films and cut the same off. During the above sealing, vacuum sealing may be effected by a vacuum device suitably provided. 85 A roll 46 of compressed roll paper sealed therearound by the films is conveyed by a belt conveyor 47 to be case-packed. In pressure forming the roll 25 of toilet roll paper by use of pressure forming rollers 34, 36 and 38, the formed shape of the roll may be suitably adjusted by limit plates provided at opposite sides of the roll 25 by roll-shaped roll paper.

The roll 31 of toilet roll paper thus flatly formed is conveyed by a carrying roller to a subsequent process.

Figure 3 shows the rolls of roll-shaped roll paper, which have been given performated lines and have a length corresponding to three rolls. However, needless to say, one roll of roll-shaped toilet roll paper as well as a long one such as a roll of rollshaped roll paper may be formed into a flat shape in its side surface.

Figures 2 through 4 illustrate the processes in which a roll of rollshaped paper is cut, thereafter, formed and sealed to produce intended flat rolls of compressed roll paper. However, needless to say, cut and seal may be effected after the formation. As the pressure formation device in this case, the one shown in Figure 3 for example is preferable because the device may be continuously operated.

A roll paper pressing container 50 is continuously, rotatably movable from a roll paper pressing position 51 to a roll paper pressing position 62. Each of the pressing containers 50 comprises side plate 63 and 64, a lid member 65, an upper roller 66, a push plate 67, a push rod 68, a push rod bearing 69 and a lower roller 70. The side plate 63 is affixed at opposite ends thereof to a drum side plate 71. Thus, a pair of side plates 63 and 64 parti- tion in the front and at the back of a pressing container for roll paper, to thereby form the pressing container. One 63 of the pair of side plates is provided thereon with a member for positioning a roll of roll paper, e. g. a positioning block 72. This member determines a position of a roll of roll paper, which has been supplied into the pressing container, prior to the compression. A fulcrum 73 for opening or closing the lid member is provided at one end of the side plate 63 provided in the rear, and said lid member 65 is rotatably secured GB 2 173 765 A 5 to this fulcrum. A lever 74 for closing the lid mem ber is provided on the lid member 65 on the side of the fulcrum 73 for opening or closing the lid member, to function of closing the lid member, which has opened. In the interior of the pressing 70 container 50 defined by the push plate 67, side plates 63, 64 and drum side plate 71, the push plate 67 moves within a predetermined stroke, to thereby compress the roll of roll paper in the pressing container 50. This moving stroke is ef fected by the operation of the push rod 68 loosely couplingly supported by the rod bearing 69. The pushing operation of this push rod 68 is performed by the contacting engagement between the lower roller 70 and a guide cam 75 for pressing. The guide cam 75 for pressing is affixed to a fixed shaft 76, whereby the pressing container 50 is rotatable with the drum side plate 71. The upper roller 66 of the pressing container 50 moves in contact with the inner surface of a frame 77 concentric with the 85 fixed shaft 76. A take-out position 57 is positioned at a position past the tail end of the frame 77. A push rod support rail 78 is formed along the outer periphery of the guide cam 75 for pressing be tween this take-out position 57 to a pressing start 90 position 62 where the starting end of the frame 77 is disposed. At the take-out position 57, the press ing container 50 is supported by the support rail 78, however, the lid member 65 is automatically opened downwardly because nothing supports the 95 weight thereof, and a take-out tool 80 for a roll 79 of compressed roil paper and a conveyor 81 for carrying out the roll of compressed roll paper are disposed directly beneath the pressing container 50. A feed plate 82 and a roll paper feed tool 83 100 are provided obliquely upwardly of a roll paper feeding position 60. This roll paper feed tool 83 is operated by a cylinder 84. A drum support roller 86 is provided in contact with a drum 85 supported by the drum support roller 86.

The drum support roller 86 is rotatably driven by a driving source, not shown, to thereby turn the drum 85. A lid member open-close rail 87 is pro vided in contact with the end of the lever 74 from a position past the take-out position 57 for the roll of 110 compressed roll paper to a position past the roll paper feeding position 60.

The apparatus is of such arrangement, as de scribed above, whereby the roll of roll paper is supplied into the pressing container 50 at the roll paper feeding position from the feed plate 82 and the roll paper feed tool 83. The pressing container moves upwardly as the drum rotates (rotating in a forward direction from 51 to 62 in the drawing) due to the rotation of the drum support roller 86.

The end of the lever 74 moves along the open close rail 87 and the lid member 65 is closed at a position where the open-close rail 87 is bent in the direction of lifting the end of the lever 74. The roll 79 of roll paper in the pressing container is posi tioned by the positioning block 72, whereby the pressing container 50 moves within a pressing area in the frame 77 including 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57. As a rotatable drum 85 rotates, the lower roller 70 of the push rod 68 moves along the sur- face of the guide cam 75 for pressing, whereby the push rod 68 slowly pushes into the pressing container 50 at a speed of 4.3mm/sec on a average, to thereby push the roll 79 of roll paper. The shape of the guide cam 75 forpressing is determined in accordance with the magnitude of a pushing load and the speed of insertion of the push rod 68. The movement of the push rod 68 is stopped at a position where the push plate 67 is 25mm apart from the lid member 65, and the push rod 68 is held thereat for 17.5sec. On the other hand, the upper roller leaves the frame 77 after a lapse of 17. 5 sec. The lid member 65 opens by its gravity, and the roll 79 of compressed roll paper is pushed out by the push rod 68. The roll of compressed roll paper is taken out by the take-out tool 80 and carried out by the conveyor 81 for carrying out.

The rotatable drum 85 is continuously turned by the rotation of the drum support roller 86 for driving.

The roll 79 of compressed roll paper thus conveyed is covered by the heatshrinkabie plastics films each having a thickness of about 0.02mm and compressingly sealed at a sealing temperature of 20WC for example.

In a case capable of containing therein 120 rolls of the standard roll paper of a single roll type having an outer diameter of about 50mm on the shorter diameter's side, an outer diameter of about 124mm on the longer diameter's side and a paper width of 114mm, there may be contained 208 rolls of compressed roll paper thus sealed. Hence, if the rolls of compressed roll paper are held in the apparatus shown in the above embodiment for 20 sec or more, then, the rolls of the standard roll paper are deformed to have an outer diameter of about 45mm on the shorter diameter's side and an outer diameter of about 124mm on the longer diameter's side, and, in the above case, capable of containing therein 120 rolls, there may be contained 212 rolls, so that the number of the deformed rolls thus compressed which are contained in the same case is increased by 76.7% as compared with the rolls of the standard roll paper. Even if a ready made case is used as described above, track load charges for example during transportation, warehouse storage charges and the like are saved by about 40%. A roll of roll-shaped toilet roll paper of a single roll type having a length of 65m has a diameter of 10.5cm and a length of 11.7cm. In contrast thereto, the roll of toilet roll paper compressed according to the invention may have a width of 12cm, a length of 11.7cm and a thickness of 4cm, whereby the volume is re- duced to one half and the configuration is not bulky, whereby the load per unit volume can be increased, thus providing outstandingly advantageous from the viewpoint of transportation and the like of toilet roll paper. Cylindrical towel paper, for example, having a winding length of 18m, a diam- eter of about 12cm and a length of about 24cm may be compressed to have a width of about 16cm, a length of about 24cm and a thickness of about 4.5cm.

However, if the rolls of compressed toilet roll pa- 6 GB 2 173 765 A per are contained in a case specially fitted thereto, then the space in the case is more effectively used, so that the number of rolls contained in the case is increased by 100%, so that the expenses for trans5 portation can be reduced to one half.

Moreover, the roll of compressed roll paper can maintain its fiat shape even when the pressing force is released, so that the volume reduction as described above can be contemplated. Hence, if a heat-shrinkable polymer film is used, then the compression can be easily effected, the wrapping by use of a plastics film or the like can be easily performed and the handling of articles thereafter can be easily made. A single roll of compressed roll paper, having a length of 55m, can be strongly 80 compressed to a thickness of 27mm with crapes being protected for example. However, the roll is returned to a thickness of about 50mm due to a restoring force of crapes, emboss formation or the like. Hence, for use, the center portions are pressed to be inflated to easily restore to a circle, whereby no trouble is caused in use.

Moreover, the roll of compressed roll paper can be maintained in a flat state for a long period of time, so that the further handling may be easily made. The wrapping by use of plastics films or the like may be automatically carried out at any time as well as during the production process. Particularly, the rolls, which have been liquid-nonpermea- bly wrapped by a plastic film or plastics films or have been air-tightly wrapped by a plastic film or plastic films, can be prevented from deteriorating in quality due to rain, moisture and the like during transportation and storage, thereby proving very sanitary.

Claims

1. Apparatus for compressive deforming of a roll of paper, comprising a chamber for receiving the roll of paper, the chamber comprising a support which is openable to allow entry of the roll into the chamber, a piston constituted by a pressure plate movable to press the roll against the support, and side plates positioned to control lateral expansion of the roll.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a member for positioning a roll is provided in at least one of the side plates so as to be Unearly movable into and out of the chamber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the chamber is mounted on a rotary support and wherein there are provided means for enabling the openable support to open to release a roll from a chamber at one position and to close the chamber at another position of the rotary support and cam means cooperating with a cam follower coupled to the piston for effecting pressure on the roll while the openable support closes the chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a multiplicity of chambers is arranged around the periphery of the carrier.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which rail means extending around the carrier are adapted to 6 engage a roller mounted on the openable support, the said means being arranged so that the roller disengages from the rail means at the first said position and allows the openable support to fall open under the influence of gravity.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the cam means comprises a fixed cam engaged by a respective roller constituting a cam follower for each piston, guide means being provided for main- taining the rollers in contact with the cam while the respective chambers are rotated from the position wherein the chambers are opened to a position wherein the chambers are reclosed by the aforementioned rail means extending around the carrier.

7. Apparatus according to any foregoing claim and including means for wrapping the compressed roll in liquid impermeable film.

Printed in the UK for HMSO, D8818935, 9186, 7102. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.