GB2382563A

GB2382563A - A dispenser for dispensing pre-formed sheets from a web and a web therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2382563A
Application number: GB0128559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Nathanial Dickinson
Original assignee: Euro Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Euro Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-29
Filing date: 2001-11-29
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0128559D0

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing pre-formed sheets from a web and a web therefor wherein the web comprises a roll of separable preformed sheets 1 spiral-wound upon a core 2 such that the ends of the core project from the mass of wound material and the dispenser comprises a housing with a base 6, a displaceable tensioning member 20, a separator 18 and two opposing side walls 3, each side being adapted to slidably engage with, and constrain, the projecting ends of the core, the dispenser and web being arranged so that in use as the items are drawn off the roll and between the tensioning member and the separator, the core moves in the side members so as to keep the outermost part of the roll in constant contact with an inner surface of the dispenser, preventing overrun, whilst the braking effect of the tensioning member and separator causes the end sheet on the web to be individually detached. The roll may be provided with perforations and a central slot between sheets (fig 9, not shown) and the sheets may comprise bags which may be provided with handles. The members adapted to slidably engage with the core may comprise slots or channels 4 which may be formed within the thickness of the opposing side walls and which may be provided with projections 5 therein to help constrain the movement of the core. The tensioning member 20 may be of circular section and may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis and this member may further be provided with a helical form on its surface, which may comprise a high-friction material. The member may be removed to facilitate loading of the web in the dispenser. The separator may act against the surface of a bag when excessive force is used to pull on the free end of the web, in order to prevent overrun.

Description

A device for dispensing pre-fonned bags or sheets from a roll.

The invention relates to preformed bags or sheets of the kind supplied in a roll format on a core and dispensed from a dispenser in which the roll is located, and to a dispenser for such bags.

Bags or sheets of the kind described, and the dispensers therefore, are commonly used, for example, in store, supermarkets and other outlets for goods for the packaging of goods, or in work or other places for packaging and storing of articles of various kinds.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for the individual dispensing of pre-formed bags or sheets which are spirally wound on a core. Each pre-formed bag/sheet being attached to the following bag/sheet by means of semi permanent attachment means, lines of weakening, thereby creating a continual length, whereby it can be spirally wound onto a core of which the leading bag/sheet has a tangentially protruding leading edge from said core. The core being of preferably round section, manufactured from a suitable rigid material and of sufficient length as to project beyond the side wall of the bags/sheet roll on each side.

The device, (to be known as a dispenser) incorporating roll core corresponding features within the wall section to allow the roll core to be limited in movement to an angled plane relative to an upwardly facing surface of the dispenser, whereby the core can move freely along the said plane white the lower most point of the outer circumference of the bag roll is abutting an upwardly facing surface of the dispenser. Further protrusions extend parallel to the dispenser walls I perpendicular to the core axis, which narrow the feature sufficiently to cause intermittent contact between the said protrusions and the roll core surface. The aforementioned contact acts to reduce the core's ability to spin freely when an manual force is applied to the protruding tangential bag's leading edge, thereby limiting the potential unnecessary ejection of protruding bags/sheets under said conditions.

Weighted members are provided to engage the uppermost surface of the protruding leading bag /sheet thereby acting on the surface with the intention to create shear force on the bags/sheets against an upwardly facing surface of the dispenser. In order to hold the flattened form of the protruding leading bag'sheet, flat. The member is free to move between a plurality of positions whilst acting against the uppermost surface of the bag, the movement is constrained to which the lowest point of the said member is restricted in movement along the said plane as not to deviate to a position higher than that of the tallest length of the dispensing protrusion/s, as the tension of the bag varies as uneven manual force is exerted on the bag/sheet leading edge by the user thereby lifting the member by a corresponding amount, A preferably perpendicular protrusion is

provided on/or as part of the body of the dispenser to engage the semi-permanent attachment means between each bag or sheet (Dispensing protrusion). The dispensing protrusion acts in conjunction with the aforementioned member to create tension along the length of the bag/sheet between the said member and the top of the dispensing protrusion. The dispensing protrusion is so formed to engage the negative portion of the semi-permanent attachment means. Manual pulling the leading edge of the protruding bag/sheet by the user pulling it over the dispensing protrusion away from the body of the dispenser, thereby engaging the dispensing protrusion through the negative portion of the semi-permanent attachment means, at which point the weighted member exerts shear force along the tensioned length of the bag/sheets against the dispensing protrusion to push the dispensing protrusion through the semi-permanent attachment means by acting on the bags. Thereby detaching one individual bag/sheet for the user.

As the members act on the following bag, as per the preceding description, the leading edge of the said bag protrudes forward of the roll and members, so as to aid picking for the user.

The dispenser may be mounted on a bracket or other mounting at a point of use. It may be removable and replacebly mounted on the mounting. May be supported by the mounting in a horizontal, vertical or inclined attitude, as may be convenient for users to access to the leading edge of the protruding bag/sheet contained in the dispenser. The dispenser may be used without having the container mounted on a mounting. The point of use may, for example, be a check-out counter in a store of a work station.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a roll of bags and core, being inserted in relation to the location means of the dispenser according to the present invention Figure 2 is a hidden line perspective view of a roll of bags and core, located adjacent to the location features of the dispenser according to the present invention Figure 3 is a perspective view of a roll of bags and core, being inserted in relevance to the location means of the dispenser according to the present invention Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a roll of bags and core according to the present invention Figure 5 is a hidden line, side elevation view of a roll of bags and core according to the present invention Figure 6 is a base elevation view of the dispenser, as per the first embodiment of the design Figure 7 is a hidden line, perspective view of the leading edge of a bag/sheet as seen by the user at the commencement of dispensing, as per the first embodiment of the design

Figure 8 is a hidden line, perspective view of the leading semi-permanent attachment means of a bag/sheet as manual force putts the bag I sheet out over the Dispensing protrusion, as per the first embodiment of the design Figure 9 is a hidden line, perspective view of the leading semi-permanent attachment means of a bag/sheet as manual force pulls the bag/sheet fully over the Dispensing protrusion, as per the first embodiment of the design Figure 10 is a hidden line, perspective view of the leading bag/sheet being detached from the dispenser, as per the first embodiment of the design In the first embodiment the dispenser comprises a spiral wound roll of bags/sheets 1, Figure 1, which includes a core of which has a symmetrical side wall protruding length and a major and minimum axis length 2, Figure 1.3, figure 1 indicates one of the opposing walls of the dispenser body of which 6, figure 1 is the upwardly facing surface to which the roll core corresponding features 4, figure 1, angled plane is referenced. The parallel protrusions of the roll core corresponding features 5, figure 1 are cut into the opposing walls section in a symmetrical plane through the dispenser's center. Each protrusion being formally spaced with a differing diameter so as to reduce the width of the slot/cut in an intermittent manner. The major axis 2 figure 1, of the core acts against the said protrusions in a manner as to retard the rotary progress of the core, as it spins through its longitudinal axis, if the leading edge of the bag/sheet is manually pulled in an unconventional manner 8-9, figure 2. The roll core 1, figure 1 freely acts against the upwardly facing surface 6, figure 1, to retard the rotation of the roll during normal manual pulling.

The dispenser is secured to an'in-store'installation point by the anchorage of a bolt/washer 7, figure 1, and 26, figure 6.

Upon loading of the roll bags I sheets core, the tangentially protruding leading bag/sheet edge 15, figure 7 is passed under the circular section weighted member 11, figure 2, A loading aperture 23, figure 6, is provided in the base surface of the dispenser 22, figure 6, which extends from ahead of the fixing bolt 25, figure 6 to forward, underneath the circular section member 21, figure 6, thereby allowing the leading bag edge to be passed down through the exit aperture and back up though the same aperture in front of the circular section member. A dispensing protrusion faces forward from the rear edge face of the said exit aperture 24, figure 6, so as to allow bags to be successfully dispensed even if the dispenser has been incorrectly loaded. The helix cut feature 10, figure 2, prevents the flat form bag I sheet from moving in a lateral direction as manual force is acted on the leading edge of the protruding bag. The weighted member acts against the upper surface of the bag/sheet whilst trapping the said bag against the upwardly facing surface

of the main body 12, figure 2. The leading bag is manually pulled away from the dispenser thereby the circular section member can freely rotate as its circumference acts against the moving flat face of the bag. The nature of the manual pulling of the protruding bag leading edge, results in varying tension in the length of bag between the Underside tangent of the circular section member 20, figure 5 and the upper most point of the Dispensing protrusion 18, figure 5 therefore deflects the circular section member upwards along an angled plane relative to the upwardly facing surface 12, figure 12 and 19, figure 5. In the first embodiment a slot is allowed within the opposing wall sections to allow an axis of the circular section member to deflect within, 19, figure 5. The said deflection is constrained to which the lowest point of the said member is restricted in movement along the said plane as not to deviate to a position higher than that of the tallest length of the dispensing protrusions 18, figure 5.

A dispensing protrusion 14, figure 3 and 24, figure 6 is so shaped as to engage the negative portion of the semi-permanent attachment means as the bags/sheets are pulled over the longest length by manual pulling 28, figure 8 and 29, figure 9. The action of the dispensing protrusion passing through the semi-permanent attachment means retains the following bags, figure 10, whilst the leading bag is pulled away thereby breaking the semi permanent attachment means 30, figure 9. An individual bag is dispensed 31, figure 10, leaving the now leading bag ready for the user to select to repeat the action.

Claims

Claims Claim 1 : The device comprising a container and located therein a roll of preformed bags I sheets on a core and location means the container having at least one access/exit aperture and having a minimum of two opposing walls, an adjoining members extends perpendicular to the opposing wall faces internally whereby the member is limited in movement and deviating length to an angled plane relative to an upwardly facing surface, the member is of sufficient weight to create shear force against the said upwardly facing surface, thereby providing a maximum and minimum length of free movement along the said plane for the member, the pre-formed bags/sheets of the roll having a flattened body spirally wound onto a core, each pre-formed bag I sheet being attached to the following bag/sheet by means of semi permanent attachment means, thereby creating a continual length, whereby it can be spirally wound onto a core of which the leading bag/sheet has a tangentially protruding leading edge from said core, the core being of preferably round section, manufactured from a suitably rigid material and of sufficient length as to project beyond the side wall of the bags I sheets roll on each side to be located adjacent to the location means of the device, the location means limits the roll core in movement to an angled plane relative to an upwardly facing surface of the dispenser, whereby the core can move freely along the said plane, preferably the lower most point of the outer circumference of the bag roll is abutting an upwardly facing surface of the dispenser, said protruding leading edge of bag/sheet extends forward between and beyond the said member and the upwardly facing surface, whereby the member acts against the uppermost surface of the bag, a preferably perpendicular protrusion/s is provided on/or as part of the body of the dispenser to the front, remote from the said member to engage the semi-permanent attachment means between each bag or sheet (Dispensing Protrusions), to which the lowest point of the said member is restricted in movement along the said plane as not to deviate to a position higher than that of the tallest length of the dispensing protrusions, the dispensing protrusion/s acts in conjunction with the aforementioned member to create tension along the length of the bag/sheet between the said member and the uppermost point of the dispensing protrusions, the dispensing protrusion/s is so formed to engage the negative portion of the semi-permanent attachment means at preferably one point as the bag I sheet is drawn out away from the body of the device by manual pulling of the leading edge of the prevailing bag/ sheet over the dispensing protrusions with the intention of the dispensing protrusions passing through the semi-permanent attachment means thereby initiating the sequential failure of the semi-permanent attachment means thereby dispensing a single bag/sheet, as a resultant action of the shear force of the said member against the upwardly facing surface the protruding bag is

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held extending beyond the said member away from the device for ease of picking of the leading edge by the user.

Claim 2: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the bags sheets have a central negative interruption in the semi permanent attachment means between each bag I sheet Claim 3: A pre-formed roll bag/sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the bags I sheets are formed with handles at their mouth ends.

Claim 4: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the core has a major and minor axis through its section Claim 5 : A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 4 characterised in that the core has protrusions extending from the outer most surface away from the central axis along the length of the core around its circumference.

Claim 6 : A pre-formed roll bag/sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the location means is a slot/cut form, corresponding to the major sectional dimensions of the roll core, to which the said core is adjacent to.

Claim 7: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 and claim 6 characterised in that the location means is formed within the opposing walls sectional thickness

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Claim 8: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 6-7 characterised in that the location means has a plurality of regularly spaced protrusions which extend parallel to the opposing walls thereby intermittently abutting the roll core surface.

Claim 9: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 8 characterised in that the location means protrusions are of differing lengths and widths Claim 10: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the member is

of a round section Claim 11 : A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that the member has a major and minor axis through its section Claim 12: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 10 or claim 11 characterised in that the member can freely rotate around its longitudinal axis.

Claim 13: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 10 or claim 11 characterised in that the member has one or more helix forms running around its circumference Claim 14: A pre-formed roll bag I sheet dispenser according to claim 13 characterised in that the helix is formed from an advantageously frictional material

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Claim 15 :

A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 10-14 characterised in that the member may be split through its perpendicular section and anchored to the opposing walls at each side, thereby leaving an offset gap through the perpendicular section of the members Claim 16: A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 10-14 or claim 15 characterised in that there may be more than one member or pair or members per dispenser.

Claim 17: A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 10-16 characterised in that an advantageously frictional surface finish or coating be applied to the members Claim 18: A pre-formed roll bag/sheet dispenser according to claim 10-17 characterised in that one or more of the members are abutting each other Claim 19: A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that any bag/sheet exiting edge, aperture or face of the dispenser may have one or more dispensing protrusions.

Claim 20: A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 19 characterised in that a dispensing protrusion acts against a surface of the bag/sheet when excessive manual force is applied, in order to retard the movement of the said bag/sheet.

Claim 21: A pre-formed roll bag ! sheet dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 10 - 18 characterised in that the members are detachable from the dispenser to ease bag I sheet loading.