GB2481032A

GB2481032A - A container for storing and dispensing sequentially separable articles

Info

Publication number: GB2481032A
Application number: GB201009608A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Garcia
Original assignee: ANKER INTERNAT PLC
Current assignee: ANKER INTERNAT PLC
Priority date: 2010-06-09
Filing date: 2010-06-09
Publication date: 2011-12-14
Also published as: GB201009608D0

Abstract

A unit is disclosed for enabling a user to extract multiple articles from a device in which they are located in the form of sequentially separable articles, for example plastics bags. The unit includes a number of articles in the form of a length of sequentially separable articles adjoined each to the next, a device in the form of a container which partially or totally encloses the sequentially separable articles and a fixture adapted for mounting the device, the fixture being capable of attachment to a surface, such as a wall. Means of separation enable each article to be detached from the next via a predetermined area of weakening. The device contains an aperture or apertures through which the leading edge of a first article in the sequence of separable articles may project. A second aperture may be provided enabling the leading end of the articles to be inserted therein to secure the articles.

Description

BRD Unit: This invention relates to sequentially separable articles of a predetermined specification provided in large quantity, not fewer than 1 and not limited in maximum number other than typical denominations being that of 200 or 500 sequentially adjoined articles, presented to the user by means of a permanenUsemi-permanent fixture and/or device combination locatable within an area of essential use of the articles to the user. The fixture and/or device being repeatably refillable/replaceable of articles or devices time to time and whereby the sequential articles are presented singularly for ease of selection upon each and every article removal.

Whereby a fixture describes a means of mounting a device, comprising of a "bracket" that may or may not be permanently attached or adhered by suitable means to a surface, a device describing a container or part of an enclosed container supplied in a replaceable form and/or replenishable form. The invention may also relate to a device that has contained as part of the device the fixture mechanism or "bracket".

Where appropriate multiple fixtures and/or devices can simultaneously be provided in order to offer the user a choice of differentiated specifications of articles. Advantageously a single permanent fixture and/or device can be offered whereby there are multiple specifications of sequential articles provided, each being available for selection on an independent basis.

The fixture or device being offered in a modular format, whereby post the mounting or placement of 1 such fixture/device, additional "fixtures/devices" may advantageously be added with or without the need for the use of tools. The fixture or device may be described as a container that partially or totally encloses the article contents. An embodiment of the fixture or device being the replenishment of articles before the prior sequential articles have entirely depleted.

The high denomination of sequential articles therefore not necessitating the need for frequent replenishment of the fixture or device. The device being mountable against a vertical surface, horizontal surface in or near the immediate point of article use via the incorporated or separate fixture.

The fixture and/or device providing to the user, when and where required, the ability to extract multiple articles of any denomination up to and including the total depletion of the quantity of articles contained within if so required.

The sequential articles are provided with means of separation on a single or multiple basis.

Said articles are plastic film based in nature or other suitable material.

Said articles may be in the form of a lay-flat tube. Said tube may have an open end opposite a base end. The opening may be provided on the long side or short side of the sequentially provided articles.

The articles once detached via a predetermined area of weakening may advantageously be opened at the open end of the article. The article preferably being folded in a matter that reduces its width from its production size to its storage width. There may be one or many folds.

The sequential articles being so stored in that a leading edge of the last article is provided for ease of selection by the user.

By manual pulling of the said end article, the stored plurality of sequential articles extend, unwind, unwrap or rotate around or through a centreline of the device in which to provide the next sequential article ready for selection after the proceeding article is detached from the following article.

The device can be described as a container of a replenishable or replacable nature which has preferably provided, from the point of manufacture, the first leading edge of the article pre-prepared ready for selection by the user.

The leading edge of the first sequential article projecting through an aperture or apertures in the device. The aperture or apertures are so provided to control the said articles in the following way; in that it is possible for the user to reach into the device and manually select the end of the sequential articles; in that upon manual pulling of the said end article the substrate is so formed through the apertures as to allow for easy identification of the end of one article from the next article, and to facilitate the severance of one article from the next in the vicinity of the prior identified end of article point.

Advantageously the aperture may be in the form of a slot or cut in the outer structure of the device in order to act to guide the substrate and create tension across the length and/or width of the article substrate. This tension acts to create a repeatable pulling of the articles in that the articles can be identified one from the other and advantageously severed from each other through easy repetitious identification of the points on which to act upon. In one embodiment the level of control and tension created upon the article substrate is enough to facilitate the severance of one article from another with the pull from only a single hand of the user. The said feature and resulting tension may also act to open the article ready for use in a single motion. There are innumerable formations of slot and or cut that could provide such tension across the substrate. Preferably formations that are curved in nature provide the motion for the substrate to "spread" across the width of the circumference, however where it is advantageous it is possible to provide a slackened area along the tension length in order to assist with separation of one article from another or in the ease of identification of one article to another.

Located in the vicinity of the dispensing aperture, is provided a formation or second aperture that can be used to secure the leading end of the sequential articles, should the leading end of the articles be projecting an undesirable distance from the body of the device. The cutJs, slot/s, hole/s, adhesive area/s or other such suitable means of temporarily securing the loose end of the articles may be provided as part of the device or as part of the fixture. The cut/s, slot/s, hole/s or adhesive area/s may be provided in the same formation as that of the dispensing aperture of the device.

A slot, cut or plurality of apertures that may also constitute an aperture' or feature'. Also if an area of said container has no aperture but an area of weakening that has been provided with the intention to provide an aperture or means to extract the sequential articles singularly through it, is also relevant to the invention as described.

The arrangement of the features contained within the device/container to control the articles whilst in movement maybe formed of the body of the device or produced of secondary components to that of the said container. Such components as described act to create a repeatable motion for each said article as they are presented to the user. The motion maybe rotational, stepped, linear or other conceivable motion or combination of motions that maybe advantageous. The device and its features maybe provided in such suitable materials that the container may act as both the transit packaging and the presentation packaging.

Any of the apertures provided in the container may be provided with an insert of such material to strengthen the structure of the aperture and provide such extra control to the motion of sequential articles to assist in the identification of the identification of the openable' end of the article and to assist to provide it open' and to ensure the next sequential article is so prepared for selection.

The articles being provided from source in a device/container that may or may not completely surround the plurality of sequential articles. The device/container being either disposable or reusable thereby made from materials that are suitable, applicable to each strategic need.

For example cardboard may be, but not exclusively used, as a disposable medium or plastic board or moulding as a reusable medium. Many other materials or combination of materials apply.

In an embodiment of the fixture and device that is deemed to be replaceable, The device/container may have one or more apertures for the insertion of the plurality of the sequential articles in any such face of the device at the point of manufacture. Advantageously the articles may be extracted through the same face or a differing face dependant on the production method used to form the device, this would be achieved through an aperture or suitably provided feature. The combination of the sequential articles and the device is then shipped to the end user location to replace a prior depleted identical device.

Additionally the device has provided therein a slot I cut formation that is designed to receive the fixtures elongated member. The slot being preferably but not exclusively located in the underside of the device, in the preferred position, but not exclusive position of being adjacent to the rear wall of the device. The slot being so formed and sized to allow the insertion of the elongated member of the fixture as and when the device is being sited ready for use. The slot and the construction of the device being so formed in order to withstand a minimum of 20kg of mass on the furthers moment of inertia point away from the rear face of the device adjacent to the mounting surface.

A second embodiment of the fixture and device that is deemed to be refillable, The device/container may have one or more apertures for the insertion of the plurality of the sequential articles that have been so provided from their point of manufacture to be advantageously inserted into any such face of the device at the point of use. Advantageously the articles may be extracted through the same face or a differing face dependant on the production method used to form the refillable device.

The sequential articles so provided may contain a multitude of differing specification sequential articles on a separate length of articles. This combination of sequential articles so provided together either in registration with each other or not.

It is conceived that it is possible to remove one article from one sequential length of articles coincidentally at the same time or alternately as the differing specification sequential articles may be intertwined/interleaved.

Each sequential length of articles need not be provided in the same horizontal to vertical arrangement. They maybe provided at 90°, 180° to each other in any formation throughout the section of material.

The fixture relates to an embodiment of a component that is required as a permanent yet moveable, if required, feature that is provided within the end article user environment. The fixture is provided as the location point for the replaceable or refillable device to ensure that there is a known location for the user to return to for ease of access to the said articles time after time.

One embodiment of the fixture is that it is produced of a flat plate material or other suitable material that can replicate the forms as described, such as wire bending, or plastic moulding, with screw location holes suitable in numeracy in order to secure it to a vertical or horizontal location and surface type of choice. Extending from the lower edge of the mounted plate is a single or multitude of protruding member/s which project away from the mounting surface, it has contained on it a right angle return member. The return member is so provided in an elongated form projecting away from the lower edge of the protruding member coincidentally and in part parallel to the mounting surface. The elongated member is preferably designed to coincide in width, depth and length with the associated feature within the device to which it locates. The correlation of the features in any denomination of dimension and arrangement seeks to ensure that the mounting of the device is secure and stable and that the device will not become detached from the fixture unpredictably.

There may be provided one or more elongated members for correlation to one or more associated receiving features on a device or a multiple of devices on one fixture.

The mounting plate, incorporating the return, extends away from the mounting surface a preferred maximum distance of 25mm in total. This advantageously prevents any user from causing injury from a protruding fixture that may not have a device associated to it and therefore not be easy to see. It is also considered that the fixture may have a total projected depth away from the mounting surface of up to and including but not exclusively 300mm, although this is not preferred for the health and safety reason as stated. In the embodiment of a replaceable device it is easily conceived that the return member may not extend a greater distance than 6mm at the base and 15mm max at the opposing edge of the return member on the fixture. The shorter the extending distance may project, the better the resistance to bending moment of inertia having a negative impact on the structure of the formation.

In a second embodiment whereby the fixture features are contained within a device that is intended to be refillable and therefore permanent in the article end user environment, the features that secure the device to a surface may be contained within the devise and so available in numeracy and location as to provide strong means to mount the said device.

In all fixture embodiments the fixture must be capable to withhold a minimum of 20kg load without becoming detached or deformed from the mounting surface.

Provided within the length of said sequential articles is a member so situated to provide structural form to the articles to ensure the features of the container are repeatable. The member being either flat or circular in section with or without a restraining means to hold the length of sequential articles to it.

Advantageously provided towards the latter end of the sequential articles is provided a visual indicator which informs the user that a replacement may soon be required. This may take the form of print on one or more of the faces or by the addition of a secondary length of sequential articles that may or may not have a written printed message. Said additional articles being adhered partially or totally to the main body of sequential articles. The additional indicator being produced of the same material as the main body of sequential articles or produced of a similar or suitable material. Additionally a visual indicator is provided on the sequential articles at the point of weakening.

The container may provide more than one entirely separate length of sequential articles.

As a further embodiment of the sequential articles in that they are provided in a minimal container with no purpose other than to provide protection in transit. In such an instance this may be referred to as a refill.

It is anticipated that the typical means of production of a length of sequential articles produced from a tubular sheet of plastic material is as follows: A combination of resin pellet materials of suitable specification to form a film, are presented to an extruder of varying makes and sizes.

The resin is melted and forced through a die in a circle to form a bubble. The bubble traps air inside the said bubble which can be increased or decreased in air pressure to expand or contract the diameter of the bubble. This results in the micron (thickness) of the resin film to be established as well as the diameter of the required article.

The current process assumes to collapse the bubble into a flat tube with or without side folds known as gussets, being introduced. The benefit of the side folding is to reduce the width of the film for ease of storage. Once in a folded lay-flat state the infinite in length film is wound onto a large reel. Each reel depending on specification could measure a minimum of 50kg to 350kg. This roll is typically removed from the Extrusion' process machine and presented to a sack making machine.

The secondary process meters a length of film to a desired length and inserts both a seal and line of weakening if to make a sack on roll or a seal and cut if to present the sacks formed in a substantially registered loose stack.

The use of the secondary production process either in line' with the extrusion process or as an off line' process adds complexity and cost to the production process.

The present invention relates to the folding and cutting of the extruded film whilst the material is still in a semi molten state on the extrusion machine. The reel winder being used not to produce work in progress reels but end saleable rolls of articles. This is anticipated to have the following benefits -shortened production time, less labour, less energy to seal, as the material is still in a semi molten state, lower overall cost.

Uniquely the use of the extrusion winder to create saleable reels of typically but not exclusivly articles provides a unique offering in the market. Provision of the following functions are created -a printing area to make designs on the upper or lower faces of the substrate, a sealing bar which extends across the substrate post on additional folding station. The folding station provides the opportunity to additionally reduce the width of the film further from that of the gusseting process. The sealing bar may also make an associated seal ahead of additional folding or post the additional folding.

Furthermore, in proximity to the seal bar is a tool for providing an area of weakening across the width of the film in order to provide opportunity for the user to detach an article from the next. Once produced the length of the sequential articles are wound onto a core produced of

a suitable material.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A unit consisting of a number of articles in the form of a set of sequentially separable articles adjoined each to the next, a device in the form of a container which partially or totally encloses the sequentially separable articles and a fixture adapted for mounting the device, the fixture being capable of attachment to a surface, wherein the sequential articles are provided with means of separation enabling each article to be detached from the next via a predetermined area of weakening and wherein the device contains an aperture or apertures through which the leading edge of a first article in the sequence of separable articles may project.
2. A unit according to Claim 1 wherein the aperture or apertures in the device are in the form of a slot or cut in the outer structure of the device.
3. A unit according to Claim 2 wherein the slot or cut is curved.
4. A unit according to any one of Claims I to 3 wherein the device has a dispensing aperture and a second aperture enabling the leading end of the set of sequentially separable articles to be pulled through the dispensing aperture and then inserted in the second aperture to secure that leading end.
5. A unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the articles are in the form of a lay flat tube.
6. A unit according to Claim 5 wherein the articles are folded to reduce their width relative to their production size for storage.S..... * SSS S S

*
7. A unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one aperture provided in the container is provided with an insert of material to strengthen the structure of the aperture and provide extra control to the motion of sequential articles passing through the aperture. *
S. *

*..S.* S * 8. A unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the articles are plastics bags.
9. A unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the device is a cardboard container.
10. A unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fixture is adapted to receive more than one device.
11. A unit according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein towards the end of the sequential articles, a visual indicator is applied to inform a user that a replacement set may soon be required.SS..... * SSS..... * S S. * * * *SI * S. * * * * S.