JP2005538774A - Dispensing device for roll paper - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing a roll of sheet material, the apparatus defining an interior adapted to rotatably support a roll of sheet material and dispensing the sheet material. A housing having a dispensing opening of a possible size. The apparatus further includes a nip in the housing that can be formed, for example, by first and second rollers. Further, the apparatus includes a movable roll support system within the housing that is adapted to support a roll of sheet material, the roll of sheet material rotating to dispense the sheet material, and the sheet material being dispensed. As the roll moves, the movable roll support system and the roll of sheet material move in the nip direction. Further, the apparatus includes a sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion near the dispensing opening.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material.

For various reasons, a non-contact dispensing device, i.e., a dispensing device that does not require the user to touch any part of the dispensing device is desirable. Dispensing in a non-contact manner reduces the chance of migration of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Also, non-contact dispensing makes the process of obtaining a sheet simpler and faster.
For various reasons, a single sheet dispenser, ie, a dispenser that always dispenses a certain amount of sheet material is also desirable. They tend to reduce the amount of sheet material used by individual users, thereby reducing material costs, waste disposal costs, and costs associated with the frequency with which dispensing devices must be refilled.

Although non-contact single sheet dispensing devices for folded and sandwiched sheets are known, the manufacturing process used to provide folded and sandwiched sheets is used to provide roll products Expensive and complex compared to the process.
Non-contact single sheet dispensing devices are known that use a knife or other cutting device to cut sheet material from a roll of sheet material, but knives and other cutting devices can be used by users or dispensing devices. May hurt any of the refilling individuals.

Single-sheet non-contact dispensing devices for roll products that use the vulnerable area are known, but if the sheet material is torn before the next vulnerable area emerges from the dispensing device, There is no sheet material for the next user to grab.
Although non-contact single sheet dispensing devices for double roll products that utilize staggered weak zones are also known, the dispensing devices for these products still have drawbacks that must be overcome. As an example, these dispensing devices can be difficult to load. As another example, if the force applied by the user to remove the sheet material from the dispensing device is evenly distributed across the width of the sheet material, the fragile zone is not separated and two or more sheets May be removed from the dispensing device. The dispenser features disclosed herein overcome these and other shortcomings of prior art dispensers.

  The apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material of the present invention fulfills the aforementioned needs and overcomes the problems faced by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support a roll of sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to dispense the sheet material. The apparatus further includes a nip in the housing that can be formed, for example, by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a sheet material dispensing surface that includes at least one protrusion near the dispensing opening. As a non-limiting example, the sheet material dispensing surface has a partially flat shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, a curved shape, a curved shape, a bow shape, an arch shape, a sledge shape, an uneven shape, a sawtooth shape, a dish shape Etc. and combinations thereof can be included. Desirably, the sheet material dispensing surface extends at least partially into the passage between the nip and the dispensing opening. In some cases, the sheet material dispensing surface can at least partially define a dispensing opening.

  In one aspect, the sheet material dispensing surface comprises a securing member disposed between the nip and the dispensing opening. Desirably, the securing member is positioned between the nip and the dispensing opening to allow sheet material to move along the bypass path.

  In another embodiment, an apparatus defines an interior adapted to rotatably support a roll of sheet material and has a dispensing opening sized to allow dispensing of sheet material; And a nip in the housing and a roll of sheet material having a plurality of areas of weakness extending substantially across the width of the sheet material. The apparatus further includes a sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion near the dispensing opening. Sheet material is dispensed from a roll of sheet material along a passage extending through the nip, across the sheet material dispensing surface and through the dispensing opening. Desirably, when the sheet material is drawn across the sheet material dispensing surface and through the dispensing opening, the protrusion concentrates the force on the portion of the sheet material that contacts the protrusion.

  In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior adapted to receive a roll of sheet material and a dispensing opening to allow dispensing of the sheet material from the interior. The apparatus further includes a nip in the housing that can be formed, for example, by first and second rollers. The apparatus further includes a movable roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the housing, the roll of sheet material rotating to dispense the sheet material, and further the sheet material being dispensed. As the roll moves, the movable roll support system and the roll of sheet material move in the nip direction. Desirably, the housing further comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion being at least partially removably attached to the second housing portion.

  In yet another aspect, the apparatus comprises first and second tracks, each track having a movable roll support system that moves within the track as a roll of sheet material is dispensed. Engages in a movable roll support system. Desirably, the tracks are parallel to each other, and more desirably, the track allows the movable roll support system to move in the nip direction as the sheet material is dispensed and the roll diameter of the sheet material decreases. As shown in FIG. As a non-limiting example, one or both of the tracks can be slots defined in the sides of the housing. The slot can be variously configured with respect to a portion that is part of the housing. The slot is defined between the first and second housing parts, is completely contained within one of the first and second housing parts, or the second housing from within the first housing part Can be extended into the department.

  In yet another aspect, the movable roll support system comprises a dispensing roller having first and second ends, each slidably engaging the track. Such a movable roll support system is desirable in order to dispense a roll of sheet material wound around a central core. Alternatively, the movable roll support system can comprise at least two separate movable supports, each slidably engaged in the track. Such a movable roll support system is desirable to dispense a roll of sheet material that is coreless or rolled over the entire diameter of the roll. In order to dispense a roll of coreless sheet material, the movable roll support preferably comprises an engagement member attached to the support. The engaging member is adapted to engage one side of the roll of sheet material. Desirably, the engagement member extends into a roll of sheet material.

  Desirably, the nip comprises at least one roller. More desirably, the nip is pressurized. As an example, the nip can be pressurized by at least one spring. Desirably, the roll of sheet material supported by the movable roll support system is pressed against one of the nip rollers, and the passage of sheet material extends through the nip and through the dispensing opening.

Desirably, the roll of sheet material comprises one or more layers of sheet material having a zone of weakness. More desirably, the layer of sheet material comprises a plurality of offset weak zones extending substantially across the width of the sheet material.
Other features and aspects of the present invention are described in more detail below.

  Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as a limitation of the invention. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment or figure can be used in another embodiment or figure to create yet another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations.

  The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material. Exemplary sheet materials suitable for the present invention include, but are not limited to, absorbent sheet materials such as towels, wipers, tissues and the like. Suitable sheet materials include U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,589 to Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,412 to Sudall et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,590 to Anderson et al., Farrington, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,845, Anderson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,971, Anderson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,212, and Hollenberg et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,996. No. 1 is incorporated herein by reference for non-limiting purposes only, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. A sheet material suitable for the present invention is desirably wound around a core, and may be coreless for other embodiments. Desirably, the sheet material suitable for the present invention has regularly spaced weakened areas extending substantially across the width of the sheet material. The zone of weakness is used to separate the sheet material into individual sheets and can be defined, for example, by a series of perforations. Sheet material having regularly spaced weakened regions extending substantially across its width is preferably double-rolled into a roll having an inner layer and an outer layer of sheet material, Nystrand's incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As taught in US Pat. No. 3,770,172, the fragile zones of the inner and outer layers are offset. The double wound sheet material having a staggered weakened zone allows the sheet material to be broken inside the dispensing device while allowing the next user to grasp the end of the sheet material extending from the dispensing device.

  An embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention is shown at 10 in FIG. The dispensing device 10 includes a housing 12 that includes a first housing portion 14 and a second housing portion 16. When the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 are in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 1), the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 are both separated. The opening 22, the first inclined slot 24, and the second inclined slot (not shown) on the opposite side wall are defined. Sheet material 26 is dispensed through dispensing opening 22. In some cases, there may be a window 11 defined in one of the housing parts so that the inside of the dispensing device 10 can be seen. The window 11 may be open or may be composed of a transparent or translucent material that allows the inside of the dispensing device 10 to be viewed.

  Referring now to FIG. 2 showing the interior of the dispensing device 10, the first housing part 14 has an upper edge 18, while the second housing part 16 has a lower edge 20. The upper edge 18 and the lower edge 20 are combined to form the housing 12. The upper edge 18 and the lower edge 20 are configured such that the first housing part 14 and the second housing part 16 do not separate during the dispensing operation. However, when it is necessary to reload the dispensing device, the first housing part 14 and the second housing part 16 are easily separated. Such methods for removably attaching components are well known to those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples include snaps, latches, buckles, locks, hooks, buttons, pins, cotter pins, and the like.

  Within the housing 12 is a dispensing roller 28 adapted to support a roll 29 of sheet material having a central opening 31. The dispensing roller 28 has a dispensing roller body 30, a first dispensing roller end 32, and a second dispensing roller end 34. The dispensing roller body 30 is preferably cylindrical, but may be any other shape that supports the weight of the roll 29 of sheet material. A dispensing roller 28 supports a roll 29 of sheet material from within the central opening 31 or alternatively supports the roll 29 of sheet material through contact with the outer surface of the roll 29 of sheet material. Be considered to be able to. The first and second dispensing roller ends 32, 34 are first and second inclined slots 24, 25 formed when the first housing part 14 and the second housing part 16 are closed together. Are engaged in a sliding state. The first and second dispensing roller ends 32, 34 can be fixed relative to the dispensing roller body 30, or alternatively can be rotated independently of the dispensing roller body 30. The first and second dispensing roller ends 32, 34 are preferably cylindrical, but may be any other shape that slidably engages the first and second inclined slots.

  Referring now to FIG. 2A, alternatively, the dispense roller 28 of FIG. 2 can be replaced with first and second movable roll supports 28A. This embodiment is used when the roll of sheet material is a coreless roll as taught, for example, in Cohen et al. US Pat. No. 5,875,985 and Mitchell US Pat. No. 6,070,821. May be particularly desirable. The movable roll support 28 </ b> A has a movable roll support end 32 </ b> A that slidably engages with the inclined slots 24 and 25. The movable roll support 28A also has an engagement member 28B adapted to engage one side of the roll 29A of sheet material. The engagement member 28B can be any one of a number of shapes. Desirably, the engagement member 28B further includes a chamfered surface 28C. In other embodiments, the engagement member 28B can extend into the roll 29A of sheet material.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the roll 29 of sheet material can rotate independently of the dispensing roller body 30. In this embodiment, a roll 29 of sheet material will rotate around the dispensing roller body 30 as the sheet material 26 is dispensed. In another embodiment, the entire dispensing roller 28, including the dispensing roller body 30 and the dispensing roller ends 32, 34, can rotate with a roll 29 of sheet material as the sheet material 26 is dispensed. it can. In a further embodiment, the dispense roller body 30 can rotate with a roll 29 of sheet material, but the dispense roller ends 32, 34 are arranged to rotate the dispense roller body 30 and the roll 29 of sheet material. Against the inclined slots 24, 25. In another embodiment, the sheet material 26 is effectively dispensed using some combination of the above relationships between the inclined slots 24, 25, the dispense roller 28 and the roll 29 of sheet material. Can do.

  As the sheet material 26 is dispensed and the diameter of the roll 29 of sheet material decreases, the dispense roller ends 32, 34 move down the inclined slots 24, 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the inclined slots 24, 25 can be formed between the first housing part 14 and the second housing part 16. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first and second inclined slots 24, 25 are completely defined within the side surface of the first housing part 14 or completely within the side surface of the second housing part 16. Or can be traversed from the first housing portion 14 to the second housing portion 16. The inclined slots 24, 25 are preferably open relative to the housing edge 18, 20 so that the dispensing roller 28 can be easily placed in the inclined slots 24, 25.

  The inclined slots 24, 25 have the additional advantage of providing a window through which it can be seen how much sheet material 26 remains on the roll 29 of sheet material in the housing 12. However, other embodiments may have tracks inside the first housing portion 14 and / or the second housing portion 16 that engage the dispensing roller ends 32, 34 in a sliding state. As the roll 29 of sheet material decreases, the dispense roller ends 32, 34 move in the track.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, within the housing 12 is a feed roller 36 that further supports a roll 29 of sheet material. The feed roller 36 has a feed roller body 38, a first feed roller end 40, and a second feed roller end 42. The first feed roller end 40 engages with the first feed roller opening 44 on the side surface of the first housing portion 14. The second feed roller end 42 engages a second feed roller opening 46 on the opposite side of the first housing portion 14. The first and second feed roller openings are such that when the roll 29 of sheet material is dispensed, the outer surface of the roll 29 of sheet material on the dispense roller 28 is pressed against the feed roller 36. Is positioned.

  In one embodiment, the entire feed roller 36, including the feed roller body 38 and the ends 40, 42, can rotate with a roll 29 of sheet material as the sheet material 26 is dispensed. In another embodiment, the feed roller body 38 can rotate with the roll 29 of sheet material, but the feed roller ends 40, 42 remain fixed in the feed roller opening 44. In a further embodiment, the sheet material 26 is effectively dispensed using some combination of the foregoing relationships between the roll 29 of sheet material, the feed roller body 38 and the feed roller ends 40,42. be able to.

  Within the housing 12 is a guide roller 48 having a guide roller body 52, a first guide roller end 54, and a second guide roller end 56. The first guide roller end 54 engages a first guide roller slot 57 on the side of the second housing portion 16. The second guide roller end 56 engages a second guide roller slot 59 on the opposite side of the second housing portion 16. Referring now to FIG. 3, the guide roller 48 forms a nip 50 with the feed roller 36. The nip 50 has an inlet side 50A and an outlet side 50B. Referring again to FIG. 2, the first and second guide roller slots 57, 59 are fed into the guide roller body 52 when the second housing part 16 is closed relative to the first housing part 14. It is positioned on the side surface of the second housing portion 16 so that the nip 50 shown in FIG. The guide roller 48 is pressed or pressurized against the feed roller 36 by first and second springs 58 having first and second spring ends 60, 62. The first spring end 60 is connected to a hook 61 that is hooked on the first and second guide roller ends 54 and 56. The second spring end portion 62 engages with first and second pegs 66 attached to the inside of the second housing portion 16. The guide roller slot 57 allows the guide roller 48 to move and the first and second springs 58 to compress when the first and second housing portions 14, 16 are both closed. Alternatively, other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art can be used to press or press the guide roller 48 against the feed roller 36.

  The force exerted by the guide roller 48 on the feed roller 36 is that the tension required to be applied to the sheet material to pull the sheet material through the nip 50 exceeds the breaking strength of the weak region of the sheet material, but the rest of the sheet material 26 Must not exceed the breaking strength of the part. Thus, the force applied to the sheet material 26 extending from the dispensing opening 22 will advance the sheet material 26 until the area of weakness emerges from the nip 50 between the guide roller 48 and the feed roller 36. At that point, the fragile zone breaks and a single sheet is provided to the user, leaving an extended end of the sheet material 26 for the next user to grasp. A detailed description of the desired force balance can be found in US Pat. No. 3,770,172 to Nystrand.

  In one embodiment, the entire guide roller 48, including the guide roller body 52 and the first and second guide roller ends 54, 56, can rotate as the sheet material 26 is dispensed. In another embodiment, the guide roller body 52 can rotate with the movement of the sheet material 26, but the guide roller ends 54, 56 remain fixed in the guide roller slot 57. In further embodiments, some combination of the aforementioned relationships among the guide roller slot 57, guide roller 48, and feed roller 36 can be used to effectively dispense the sheet material 26.

  Referring again to FIG. 3, the sheet material dispensing surface 70 is positioned in the housing 12 between the dispensing opening 22 and the outlet side 50B of the feed nip 50, and the sheet material 26 is It moves across the sheet material dispensing surface 70 during the dispensing operation. In FIG. 3, the sheet material dispensing surface 70 is illustrated below the passage of the sheet material 26, but in other embodiments, the sheet material dispensing surface 70 is alternatively a passage of the sheet material 26. Or first and second dispensing surfaces 70 positioned both above and below the passage of the sheet material 26. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B, the sheet material dispensing surface 70 has at least one protruding region 74 that contacts the sheet material 26 when the sheet material 26 is dispensed. The sheet material dispensing surface 70 also has at least one indented region 76 that contacts the sheet material 26 during dispensing with less or no force compared to the force applied to the protruding region 74. . Desirable shapes of the sheet material distribution surface 70 include a partially flat shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, a curved shape, a curved shape, an arc shape, an arch shape, a warp shape, a dish shape, an uneven shape, a sawtooth shape, and the like. Combinations may be mentioned, but the invention is not limited to these. Exemplary side cross-sections of dispensing surface 70 are shown in FIGS. 4C-4E.

  Although the inventors do not wish to be bound by any particular theory, the dispensing force that the user applies to the sheet material 26 extending from the dispensing opening 22 is such that the protruding region 74 is applied when the sheet material is dispensed. It is considered that the material is distributed in a range in contact with the sheet material 26. By concentrating the applied force in this way, separation of individual sheets in the fragile zone is more likely to occur.

  Alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5-10E. Referring to FIG. 5, the dispensing device 10A includes a housing 12A including a first housing part 14A and a second housing part 16A. When the first housing part 14A and the second housing part 16A are in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 5), the first housing part 14A and the second housing part 16A together have the dispensing opening 22A. The sheet material 26 is dispensed through its dispensing opening.

  Referring now to FIG. 6 showing the interior of the dispensing device 10A, the first housing portion 14A has an upper surface 100 with a first latch 102 attached thereto, while the second housing portion 16A Two latches 106 are attached to the rim 104. The rim 104 fits over the entire periphery of the first housing portion 14A to form the housing 12A. The first latch 102 and the second latch 106 are configured to removably attach when the second housing portion 16A is closed, and the first housing portion 14A and the second latch portion during the dispensing operation. The housing portion 16A is not separated. However, when it is necessary to reload the dispensing device, the first housing part 14A and the second housing part 16A are easily separated. Methods for removably attaching parts are well known to those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples include snaps, latches, buckles, locks, hooks, buttons, pins, cotter pins, and the like. With respect to the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first housing portion 14 </ b> A and the second housing portion 16 </ b> A are mounted for movement with first and second hinges 17. The hinge 17 makes it possible to open the housing 12A without completely separating the first and second housing parts 14A, 16A.

  Referring to FIG. 7, within the housing 12A is a dispensing roller 28 adapted to support a roll 29 of sheet material having a central opening 31. The dispensing roller 28 has a dispensing roller body 30, a first dispensing roller end 32, and a second dispensing roller end 34. The dispensing roller body 30 is preferably cylindrical, but may be any other shape that supports the weight of the roll 29 of sheet material. A dispensing roller 28 supports a roll 29 of sheet material from within the central opening 31 or alternatively supports the roll 29 of sheet material through contact with the outer surface of the roll 29 of sheet material. Be considered to be able to. The first and second dispensing roller ends 32, 34 are slidably engaged with the first and second inclined tracks 124, 125. The first and second dispensing roller ends 32, 34 can be fixed relative to the dispensing roller body 30, or alternatively can be rotated independently of the dispensing roller body 30. Similarly, as the sheet material 26 is dispensed, the roll 29 of sheet material is fixed relative to the dispense roller body 30 or alternatively rotated independently of the dispense roller body 30. be able to. As the sheet material 26 is dispensed and the diameter of the roll 29 of sheet material decreases, the dispense roller ends 32, 34 move down the inclined tracks 124, 125.

  In the housing 12A, there is a feed roller 36 that further supports a roll 29 of sheet material. The feed roller 36 has a feed roller body 38, a first feed roller end 40, and a second feed roller end 42. The first feed roller end 40 engages with the first feed roller opening 144 on the side surface of the first housing portion 14A. The second feed roller end 42 engages with a second feed roller opening 145 on the opposite side of the first housing portion 14A. The first and second feed roller openings are such that when the roll 29 of sheet material is dispensed, the outer surface of the roll 29 of sheet material on the dispense roller 28 is pressed against the feed roller 36. Positioned. As the sheet material 26 is dispensed, the feed roller body 38 rotates with a roll 29 of sheet material. The feed roller body 38 can be fixed relative to the first and second feed roller ends 40, 42, in which case the first and second feed roller ends 40, 42 Rotates within the first and second feed roller openings 144,145. Alternatively, the feed roller body 38 can rotate independently of the first and second feed roller ends 40,42.

  8A and 8B, there is a guide roller 48 having a guide roller body 52, a first guide roller end 54, and a second guide roller end 56 in the housing 12A. . The first and second guide roller ends 54, 56 engage first and second guide roller bushings 150, 152 having first and second guide roller bushing ends 154, 156. The first and second guide roller bushing ends 154, 156 are the first and second guide roller arms 162, 164 attached to the inside of the second housing portion 16A. The guide roller bushing slots 158 and 160 are engaged in a sliding state.

  The guide roller 48 is pressed or pressurized between the second housing portion 16A and the feed roller 36 by first and second springs 170 having first and second spring ends 172, 174. The The first spring end 172 engages with first and second pegs 176 attached to the inside of the second housing portion 16A. The second spring end 174 engages the first and second spring caps 178 on which the first and second guide roller bushings 150, 152 rest. Referring now to FIG. 9, the guide roller 48 forms a nip 50 with the feed roller 36. The nip 50 has an inlet side 50A and an outlet side 50B. The first guide roller arm 162 (not shown) and the second guide roller arm 164 attached to the inside of the second housing portion 16A are composed of the first housing portion 14A. Are positioned such that a nip 50 is formed between the guide roller 48 and the feed roller 36 when closed. As described above, the force exerted by the guide roller 48 on the feed roller 36 is such that the tension required to be applied to the sheet material to pull the sheet material through the nip 50 exceeds the breaking strength of the weak area of the sheet material. The breaking strength of the rest of the sheet material 26 must not be exceeded.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, the sheet material dispensing surface 70A is positioned in the dispensing device 10A, positioned between the dispensing opening 22A and the outlet side 50B of the feed nip 50, and the sheet material. 26 moves across at least a portion of the sheet material dispensing surface 70A during a dispensing operation. In FIG. 9, the sheet material dispensing surface 70A is illustrated below the passage of the sheet material 26, but in other embodiments the sheet material dispensing surface 70A is alternatively a passage of the sheet material 26. Or the first and second dispensing surfaces 70A positioned both above and below the passage of the sheet material 26. Referring now to FIGS. 7, 10A, and 10B, the sheet material dispensing surface 70A has at least one protruding region 74A that contacts the sheet material 26 when the sheet material 26 is dispensed. The sheet material dispensing surface 70A also has at least one indented region 76A that contacts the sheet material 26 with a force that is less than the force applied to the protruding region 74A during dispensing. Desirable shapes of the sheet material distribution surface 70A include a partially flat shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, a curved shape, a curved shape, an arc shape, an arch shape, a warp shape, a dish shape, an uneven shape, a sawtooth shape, and the like. Combinations may be mentioned, but the invention is not limited to these. Exemplary side cross sections of dispensing surface 70A are shown in FIGS. 10C-10E.

  Although we do not wish to be bound by any particular theory, the dispensing force that the user applies to the sheet material 26 extending from the dispensing opening 22A is such that the protruding region 74A is applied when the sheet material is dispensed. It is considered that it increases within a range in contact with the sheet material 26. By concentrating the applied force in this way, separation of individual sheets in the fragile zone is more likely to occur.

  Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternatives, modifications, and other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Will. Accordingly, all such modifications, substitutions, and other changes are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

It is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the inside of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the inside of alternative embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing surface for the dispensing device of FIG. FIG. 4B is a front view of the dispensing surface of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B is a side sectional view of the dispensing surface of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B is a side sectional view of the dispensing surface of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B is a side sectional view of the dispensing surface of FIG. 4A. It is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the inside of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the guide roller inside the dispensing apparatus of FIG. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the guide roller inside the dispensing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial side sectional view of the dispensing device of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing surface for the dispensing device of FIG. FIG. 10B is a front view of the dispensing surface of FIG. 10A. It is side surface sectional drawing of the dispensing surface of FIG. 10A. It is side surface sectional drawing of the dispensing surface of FIG. 10A. It is side surface sectional drawing of the dispensing surface of FIG. 10A.

Claims (41)

An apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material,
A housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support the rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to dispense the sheet material;
A nip in the housing;
A sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion near the dispensing opening;
A device comprising:   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface comprises a securing member disposed between the nip and the dispensing opening.   3. The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member is positioned between the nip and the dispensing opening so as to allow sheet material to move along the bypass path. apparatus.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface is at least partially concave.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface is at least partially convex.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface includes at least one recess.   The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface comprises at least one flat.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface includes at least one protrusion.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nip comprises at least one roller.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nip is pressurized.   The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the nip is pressurized by at least one spring.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface at least partially defines the dispensing opening.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface extends at least partially in a passage between the nip and the dispensing opening.   First and second sheet material dispensing surfaces proximate the dispensing opening, the first sheet material dispensing surface being at least partially a passage between the nip and the dispensing opening. The first sheet material dispensing surface extends from below into the passageway and extends from above into the passage between the nip and the dispensing opening at least partially. The device described. An apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material,
A housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support the rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to dispense the sheet material;
A roll of sheet material having a plurality of areas of weakness extending substantially across the entire width of the sheet material;
A nip in the housing;
A sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion near the dispensing opening;
Sheet material is dispensed from the roll of sheet material along a passage extending through the nip, across the sheet material dispensing surface and through the dispensing opening. apparatus.   The sheet material is characterized in that when the sheet material is pulled across the sheet material dispensing surface and through the dispensing opening, the protrusion concentrates a force on a portion of the sheet material that contacts the protrusion. 15. The apparatus according to 15.   The roll of sheet material comprises an inner layer and an outer layer of sheet material, the layer of sheet material comprising a plurality of offset weak zones extending substantially across the width of the sheet material. The device described in 1.   The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface includes at least one recess.   The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface includes at least one flat.   The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sheet material dispensing surface comprises at least one protrusion. An apparatus for dispensing roll sheet material,
A housing defining an interior adapted to receive a roll of sheet material and a dispensing opening for allowing the sheet material to be dispensed from the interior;
A nip in the housing;
A movable roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material in the housing;
The roll of sheet material rotates to dispense sheet material, and as the sheet material is dispensed, the movable roll support system and the roll of sheet material move in the nip direction. Features device.   23. The method of claim 21, further comprising first and second tracks, wherein each of the tracks engages the movable roll support system such that the movable roll support system moves within the track. The device described.   23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one track further comprises a slot defined in a side of the housing.   The housing further comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is at least partially removably attached to the second housing portion. Item 24. The apparatus according to Item 23.   25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first housing part is pivotally attached to the second housing part.   25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one slot is defined between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.   25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one of the slots extends from within the first housing portion into the second housing portion.   At least one of the slots is inclined downwardly to allow the movable roll support system to move in the nip direction as the sheet material is dispensed and the diameter of the roll of sheet material decreases. 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the device is attached.   23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first track is parallel to the second track.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the movable roll support system comprises a dispensing roller having first and second ends, each slidably engaging a track.   31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the roll of sheet material defines a central core, and the dispensing roller supports the roll of sheet material from within the central core.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the movable roll support system comprises at least two movable supports, each slidably engaging a track.   The at least one of the movable supports comprises an engagement member attached to at least one of the supports and adapted to engage one side of the roll of sheet material. 33. Apparatus according to 32.   34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein at least one of the engagement members extends into a roll of the sheet material.   34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the engagement member further comprises a chamfered surface.   The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the roll of sheet material is coreless.   The roll of sheet material comprises an inner layer and an outer layer of sheet material, the layer of sheet material comprising a plurality of offset weak zones extending substantially across the width of the sheet material. Item 22. The device according to Item 21.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the nip comprises at least one roller.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the nip is pressurized.   40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the nip is pressurized by at least one spring.   A roll of the sheet material supported by the movable roll support system is pressed against one of the rollers of the nip and a passage of sheet material extends through the nip and through the dispensing opening. 41. Apparatus according to claim 40, characterized.

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