MXPA05002102A

MXPA05002102A - Dispenser for rolled paper.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05002102A
Application number: MXPA05002102A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Bastiaan Roelof Tjaden
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 2002-09-12
Filing date: 2003-09-11
Publication date: 2005-06-06
Also published as: ES2275111T3; KR20050039860A; AU2003270587A1; JP2005538774A; EP1538961A1; BR0313844A; EP1538961B1; CN1678228A; ATE345725T1; CA2497022A1; AR041222A1; WO2004023961A1; TWI231199B; DE60309894T2; TW200412888A; DE60309894D1

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a mobile roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the housing wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to dispense sheet material and further wherein the mobile roll support system and the roll of sheet material move toward the nip as sheet material is dispensed. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sheet material dispensing surface proximate the dispensing opening, the sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion.

Description

WO 2004/023961 Al illlillH For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, he referred to the "Guid-ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the beginning-ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gaiette.

SUPPLIER FOR. ROLLED PAPER BACKGROUND Non-touching dispensers, for example dispensers that do not require the user to touch any part of the dispenser are desired for many reasons. The untouched assortment reduces the opportunity to transfer bacteria that cause diseases, viruses and other microorganisms. The untouched assortment also makes the process of having a sheet easier and faster. Single leaf dispensers, for example dispensers that dispense or supply a fixed and consistent amount of sheet material, are also desired for many reasons. These tend to reduce the amount of sheet material used by an individual user, thereby saving on material costs, waste costs and costs associated with the frequency by which the dispensers can be refilled.

Single-leaf nozzle dispensers for interleaved and folded sheets are known, however the manufacturing processes associated with providing interleaved and folded sheets are more expensive and complex than the associated process for providing roll products.

Known are the no-touch Punic leaf spouts that use blades or other cutting devices to cut the sheet material from a roll of sheet material, but the blades of other cutting devices may present a danger to either the user or the person or individual, who refills the dispenser.

| The suppliers of. Single no-touch sheet for products rolled through zones of weakness are known, but if the sheet material is broken before the next weak zone emerges from the spout, the next user has no sheet material to grab.

'Also, the assortment of unique no-touch sheets of double rolled products through off-center areas of weakness is known, but - the dispensers for these products still have disadvantages which have to be overcome. As an example, these jets can be difficult to load. As another example, if the force applied by a pattern to remove the sheet material from the spout is distributed evenly across the width of the sheet material, the zones of weakness may not be separated, causing more than one leaf to be removed from the sheet. As a supplier, the characteristics of the supplier described herein outweigh these and other disadvantages of prior art suppliers.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned needs are met and the above mentioned problems by those skilled in the art are overcome in the apparatus for dispensing the wound sheet material 1 of the present invention. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a box defining an interior adapted to rotatably hold the rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening dimensioned to allow the sheet material to be stocked therefrom. The apparatus further includes a pressure point between the box, such as, for example, which can be formed by the first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a dispensing surface of sheet material close to the dispensing opening, the dispensing surface of sheet material comprises at least one protrusion. By way of non-limiting example, the sheet material dispensing surface may include parts that are partially planar, convex, concave, arched, rounded, concave, arched, crenellated or disc-shaped and others and combinations thereof. Desirably, the dispensing surface of the sheet material at least extends partially into the trajectory of the pressure point and the dispensing opening. Optionally, the sourcing surface of the sheet material can at least partially define the sourcing opening.

In one aspect, the dispensing surface of the sheet material comprises a fixed member located between the pressure point and the dispensing opening. Desirably, the fixed member is positioned between the pressure point and the dispensing opening so that the sheet material is allowed to travel along a tortuous path.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a box defining an inner side adapted to rotatably hold the rolled sheet material having a sizing aperture sized to allow the sheet material to be stocked therefrom, a pressure point within the sheet. the box, and a roll- of sheet material having a plurality extending essentially across the width of the sheet material. The apparatus further includes a dispensing surface of sheet material near the dispensing opening, the substrate surface of sheet material comprising at least one protrusion. The sheet material is stocked along a path extending from the roll of sheet material, through the pressure point, through the sheet material dispensing surface, and through the opening. assortment Desirably, the protrusion cotrates the force on the portion of the sheet material that contacts the protrusion when the sheet material is pulled through the dispensing surface of sheet material through the dispensing opening.

In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a box defining an interior adapted to contain the rolled sheet material and a dispensing opening to allow the sheet material to be stocked from the inside of the box. The apparatus further includes a pressure point within the box, such as, for example, which can be formed by the first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a. support system, mobile roll 'adapted to hold a roll of sheet material inside the box where the roll of sheet material rotates to supply the sheet material and in addition where the mobile roll support system and the roll of sheet material are moved to the pressure point when the sheet material is supplied. Desirably, the box further comprises a first box and a second box section with the first box section being at least partially partially removable in the second box section.

In a further aspect, the apparatus comprises the first and second rails, each rail engaging the mobile roll support system wherein the mobile roll support system travels within the rails as the roll of sheet material is dispensed. Desirably, the rails are parallel to each other, and even more desirably the rails are angled downwardly where the moving roll support system moves toward the pressure point as the sheet material is supplied and the diameter of the roll is decreased of sheet material. By way of non-limiting example, one or both of the rails may be a defined slot within the side of the box. The slots in the box can have several configurations with respect to the sections that are separate from the box. The slots may be defined between the first and second box sections, may be contained entirely within one of the first and second box sections or may extend from within the first box section into the second section of the box. box.

In a further aspect, the roll support system. mobile comprises a spout roller having the first and second ends, each end disposably engaging a rail. Such a mobile roll support system is desirable for dispensing rolls of sheet material that are wound around a central core. Alternatively, the mobile roll support system may comprise at least two separate movable supports, each support being disposably engaged within a rail. Such a mobile roll support system for supplying rolls of sheet material having no core or t which are rolled up through their complete diameters. For assortment of coreless rolls sheet material, the mobile roll supports desirably comprise a hook member to the supports. The engaging member is adapted to engage one side of a roll of the sheet material. The engaging member is desirably adapted to extend into the wound sheet material.

Desirably, the pressure point comprises at least one roller. More desirably the pressure point is pressurized. As an example, the pressure point can be pressurized by at least one spring. Desirably, the roll of sheet material supported by the movable roll support system rests against one of the pressure point rolls and the path of the sheet material is. extends through the pressure point and through the dispensing opening. Desirably, the roll of sheet material comprises one or more layers of layer material having zones of weakness therein. Even more desirably the layers of sheet material comprise a plurality of off-center areas of. Weakness that extend essentially across the width of the sheet material.

Other features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS i Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of the spout of Figure 1.

Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of an alternate embodiment.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the spout of Figure 1.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing surface for the dispenser of Figure 1.

Figure 4B is a front view of the dispensing surface of Figure 4 ?.

Figures 4C-4E are cross-sectional side views of the dispensing surface of Figure 4A.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser of this invention. 1 Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing inside the dispenser of Fig. 5.

| The figure, '7 | is' a schematic perspective view' showing the interior of Figure 5.

Figure 8A and 8B are fragmentary perspective views showing the guide roller inside the spout. Figure 5 Figure 9 'is a side elevational view in side and fragmentary section of the dispenser of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of example dispensing surface for the dispenser of Figure 9; Figure 10B is a front view of the dispensing surface of the 'figure' l'OA.

Figures 10C, 10E, are side elevational views in cross section of the dispensing surface of Figure 10A.

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

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material. The exemplary sheet materials for which the present invention is suitable include, but are not limited to, absorbent sheet materials such as towels, wipes, tissue and others. Suitable sheet materials are described, by way of non-limiting examples only, in US Pat. Nos. 5,048,589 to Cook et al .; 5.399.412 granted to "Sudall |" and others, 5,674,590 granted to Anderson and others, 5,772,845 granted to Farrington Jr. and others, 5,904,971 granted to Anderson and others, 6,248,212 granted to Anderson | and others and 6,273,996 (issued to Hollenberg et al., The complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.) The sheet materials for which the present invention is suitable are desirably wrapped around a core but may for other embodiments be The sheet materials for which the present invention is desirably suitable have regularly spaced zones of weakness that extend essentially across the width of the sheet material.Zone areas are used to separate the sheet material into individual sheets and They may be, for example, defined by-a series of perforations. The sheet material having regularly spaced zones of weakness that extend essentially across its width is desirably double-wound on a roll having inner and outer layers of sheet material wherein the areas of weakness for the inner layers and exteriors are off-centered in U.S. Patent No. 3,770,172 issued to Nystrand, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The double wrapped sheet material having off-center areas of weakness allows the sheet material to tear into the spout while still providing a tail of sheet material extending from the spout to be grasped by the next user.

An embodiment of the present invention of the dispenser is shown in FIG. 1 in item 10. The dispenser 10 includes a box 12 comprising a first box section 14 and a second box section 16. When the first section of box 14 and the second box section 16 are in a closed position (as shown in figure 1) the first box section 14 and the second box section 16 together define an assortment opening 22, a first slot in angle 24, and a second slot angled on the opposite side wall (not shown). The sheet material 26 is shown through the waist opening 22. Optionally, there may be a window 11 defined in one of the box sections to allow the view of the interior of the spout 10. The window 11 may be open,, or it can be constructed of a translucent or transparent material that allows the sight of the jet of the interior 10.

Referring now to Figure 2, which shows the interior of the spout 10, the first box section 14 has an upper edge 18, while the second case section 16 has an inner edge 20. The upper edge 18 and the lower edge 20 adjust joints to form the box 12. The upper edge 18 and the lower edge 20 are configured so that the first box section 14 and the second box section 16 will not separate during the assortment operation. However, when it is necessary to reload the spout, the first box section 14 and the second box section 16 are. ''12 easily separated. The methods for securing the parts removably in this manner are well known to those of skill in the art. Non-limiting examples include boteroles, latches, buckles, locks, buttonhooks, pins, cotter pins and others.

Inside the box 12 is a spout roller 18 which is adapted to hold a roll of sheet material 29 having a central opening 31. The spout roller 28 has a spout roller body 3'0, a first upper end 32 and a second spout roller end 34. The spout roller body 30 is desirably cylindrical, but may be in any other form that holds the weight of the sheet material roll 29. It is contemplated that the spout roll 28 can hold the roll. of sheet material 29 from within the central opening 31 or alternatively, can hold the roll of sheet material 29 through contact with the outer surface of the roll of sheet material 29. The ends of the first and second dispenser roller 32 and 34 are slidably engaged by the first and second angle slots 24 and 25 which are formed when the first box section 14 and the second box section 16 are closely together. The ends of the first spout roller and. second 32 and 34 may be fixed with respect to the spout roller body 30 or may alternatively rotate independently of the spout roller body 30. The ends of the first and second spout roller 32 and 34 are desirably cylindrical 13 but may be of any other form that slidably engages the slots at first and second angle.

Alternatively, referring now to Figure 2A, the spout roller 28 of Figure 2 can be replaced by the first and second movable roller supports 28A. This embodiment may be particularly desirable if the roll of sheet material is a coreless roll, such as, for example, taught in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,875,985 to Cohen et al. And 6,070,821 to Mitchell. The movable roll holders 28A have the movable roll supporting ends 32A which slidably engage the angled grooves 24 and 25. The movable roll holders 28A also have a latching member 28B adapted to engage one side of a roll of sheet material 29 A. The engaging member 28B may have any of a number of shapes Desirably, the engaging member 28B further includes a chamfered surface 28 C. In other embodiments, the engaging member 28B may be adapted to extend within the inside of the rolled sheet material 29A.

Referring again to Figure 2, in one embodiment the roll of sheet material 29 can rotate independently of the body of the spout roller 30. In this embodiment, the roll of sheet material 29 will rotate around the body of the spout roll 30 as it is stocked the material of. 14 blade 26. In another embodiment ', the complete spout roller 28 includes the spout roller body 30 and the spout roller ends 32 and 34 can rotate with the sheet material roller -29 as the spreading material is supplied. blade 26. In a further embodiment, the spout roller body 30 can rotate with the roll of sheet material 29 while the spout roller ends 32 and 34 remain fixed in the angled slots 24 and 25 with respect to the roller body rotary spout 30 and sheet material roll 29. In another embodiment, some combination of the aforementioned ratios of angle grooves 24 and 25, spout roller 28, and sheet material roll 29 can be used to supply, effectively sheet material 26.

As the sheet material 26 is stocked and the diameter of the sheet material roll 29 decreases, the spout roller ends 32 and 34 move downwardly from the angled grooves 24 and 25. As shown in Fig. 2 , the angled slots 24 and 25 can be formed between the first box section 14 and the second box section 16. Alternatively, in other embodiments the first and second angle slots 24 and 25 can be completely defined within the sides of the first box section 14, can be completely defined within the sides of the second box section 16 or can cross from the first box section 14 to the second box section 16. It is desirable that the angled slots 24 and 25 are open to the edges of box section 18 and 20 to facilitate placement, of spout roller 28 in slots' at angle 24 and 25.

The angled grooves 24 and 25 have the added benefit of providing a window through which it is possible to detect that both of the sheet material 26 remains in the roll of sheet material 29 within the box 12. However, other additions they may have rails inside the box section 14 and / or the second box section 16 with which the spout roller ends 32 and 34 are slidably engaged. As the sheet material 29 is exhausted, the spout roller ends 32 - and 34 move inside the lanes.

Referring again to Figure 2, inside the box 12 is a spout roller 36 that provides additional support to the sheet material roll 29. The supply roll 36 has a supply roll body 38, a first end of supply 40, a second supply roll end 42. The first supply roll end 40 engages a first feed opening 44 on the side of the first box section 14. The second supply roll end 42 engages a second feed opening 42. supply roll 46 on the opposite side of the first box section 14. The first and second supply roll openings are positioned where the inside surface of a roll of sheet material 29 on the spout roll 28 will rest on | 16 against the supply roller '36 when the roll of sheet material 29 is supplied. 1 In one embodiment, the supply roller 36 including the supply roller 38 and the ends 40 and 42 can rotate with the sheet material 29 when the sheet material 26 is supplied. In another embodiment, the supply roller body 38 can rotate with the roll of sheet material 29 while the ends of the supply roll 40 and 42 remain fixed in the openings of the supply roll 44. In a further embodiment, some combination of the aforementioned ratios between the roll of sheet material 29, is the supply roller body 38, and the supply roll ends 4Q 'and 42 can be used to effectively supply the sheet material 26.

Inside the box 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 one. guide roll groove '57 on the side of the second box section 16. The second guide roller end 56 engages a second guide roll groove 59 on the opposite side of the second box section 16. Referring now to 3, the guide roller 58 forms a pressure point 50 on the supply roller 36. The pressure point 50 has a side 50A and an outlet side 50B. Referring again to Figure 2, the. 17 first and second guide roller slots 57. and 59 are positioned on the sides of the second box section 16 where the pressure point 50, shown in Figure 3, is formed between the guide roller body 52 and the supply roll body 38 when the second box section 16 is closed against the first box section. 14. The guide roller 48 is pressed or biased against the supply roller 36 by the first and second springs '58 having the first and second spring ends 60 and 62. The first spring ends 60 are connected to the hooks 81 engaging on the first and second guide roller ends 54 and 56. The second spring ends 62 (the first and second tines 66 attached to the inside of the second box section 16 engage. · The guide roller slots 57 allow the guide roller 48 to move and the first and second springs 58 to compress when the first and second box sections 14 and 16 are closed together. Alternatively, other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art may be used to pressurize or pressurize the guide roller 48 against the supply roller 36.

The force exerted by the guide roll 48 against the supply roll 36 must be such that the tension required to be applied to the sheet material to pull it through the pressure point 50 and exceeds the breaking force of the zones of weakness in the sheet material but does not exceed the breaking force of the remainder of the sheet material 26. By '18, therefore, the force applied to the sheet material 26 extending from the sourcing opening 22 will advance the sheet material 26 to a zone of weakness which emerges from the pressure point 50 between the guide roller 48 and the supply roller 36. At that point the zone of weakness will be broken providing a single sheet to the pattern, and leaving one. extended-tail of sheet material 26 for the next user to grasp. A detailed description of the desired strength balance can be found in the U.S. Patent No. 3,770,172 issued to Nystrand.

In one embodiment, the complete guide roller 48, including the guide roller body 52 and the first and second guide roller ends 54 and 56 can rotate as the sheet material 26 is stocked. In another embodiment, the body of guide roller 52 can rotate with the movement of sheet material 26 while the ends of guide roller 54 and 56 remain fixed in the grooves of guide roller 57. In a further embodiment, some combination of the aforementioned relationships between the openings of the guide roller 57, the guide roller 48, and the supply roller 38 can be used to effectively supply the sheet material 26.

Referring again to Figure 3, inside the box 12 and located between the waist opening 22 and the outlet side 50B of the supply pressure point 50, a dispensing surface of sheet material 60 is placed where during | 19 the assortment operation the sheet material 26 moves on and on the sheet material stocking surface 70. In, figure 3 the sheet material stocking surface 7 is shown below the sheet material path 26, but in other embodiments, the assortment surface of sheet material 70 can alternatively be placed above the sheet material path 26, or there may be the first and second dispensing surfaces 70 both placed up and down the path in the sheet material 26. Referring now to Figures 2, 4A, and 4B, the spout surface of sheet material 71 has at least one area of protrusion 74 that contacts the sheet material 26 as the sheet material 26 is supplied. Assortment surface of sheet material 70 also has at least one depressed area 76 which makes contact with sheet material 26 with less force than does the projecting area 74 or not at all, during assortment. Desirable shapes for the furnish surface of the sheet material 70 include, but are not limited to, partially planar, convex, concave, convex, concave, arched, rounded, domed, curved, warped, disk-shaped, crenellated, walled and other and combinations thereof. An exemplary profile for the sourcing surface 60 is shown in Figures 4C-4E.

Although the inventors do not wish to follow a particular theory, it is thought that the dispensing force applied by a user to the sheet material 26 extending from the dispensing opening 22 is distributed to the areas of sheet material 26 in where the 'projecting area 74 makes contact with the sheet material 26 as it is this assortment. By concentrating the force applied in this way, the separation of the individual leaves in the zones of weakness is more likely to occur.

An alternate embodiment is shown in Figures 5-10E. Referring to Figure 5, the dispenser 10A includes a box 12A comprising a first box section 14A and a second box section 1.6A. When the first box section 14A and the second box section 16A are in a closed position (as shown in Figure 5), the first box section 14A, and the second box section 16A together define an opening, Assortment 22A through which the sheet material 26 is supplied.

Referring now to Figure 6 showing the interior of the spout 10A, the first box section 14A has an upper surface 100 to which a first latch 102 is fastened, while the second case section 106A has an eyebrow 104 to which a second latch 106 is attached. The eyebrow 104 fits around and over the first box section 14A to form the box 14A. The first latch 102 and the second latch 106 are configured to be removably secured with the closure of the second box section 16A so that the first box section 14A and the second box section 21 '16? they will not separate during the assortment operation. However, when it is necessary to reload the pump,. the first box section 14A and the second box section 16A are easily separated. The methods to hold in removable form, the parts are well known to those skilled in the art. Non-limiting examples include boteroles, latches, buckles, latches, hooks, buttons, pins, cotter pins, and others. With respect to the particular embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first box section 14A and the second box section 16A are fastened in an embrased manner by the first and second hinges 17. The hinges 17 allow the box 12A to to be opened without a complete separation of the second box sections 14A and 16A.

With reference to figure 7, inside the box 12A is a spout roller 28 which is adapted to support a roll of sheet material 29 having a central opening 31. The spout roll 28 has a spout roller body 30, a first spout end 32 and a second roller end spout 34. The spout roller body 30 is desirably cylindrical, but may be of any other shape that will support the weight of the sheet material roll 29. It is contemplated that the spout roll 28 can support the roll of sheet material 29 from within of the central opening 31 or alternatively, can hold the roll of sheet material 29 through contact with the outer surface of the sheet material roller 29. The first and second 22 spout roller ends 32 and 34 are slidably engaged by the first and second angle rails 124 and 125. The first and second spout roller ends 32 and 34 can be set with respect to the spout roller body 30 or can be adjusted to the spout roller 30 Alternatively, from the spout roller body 30. Similarly, as the sheet material 26 is supplied, the roll of sheet material 29 can be fixed with respect to the body of the spout roller 30 or can rotate alternately from the body of the spout roller. 30. As the sheet material 26 is stocked and the diameter of the sheet material roll 26 is decreased, the ends of the spout roller 32 and 34 move down the angle rails 122 and 125.

Also inside the box Í2A is a supply roll 36 which provides additional support to the roll of sheet material 29. The supply roll 36 has a supply roller body 38, a first supply roll end 40, and a second supply roll end 42., the first supply roll end 40 engages a first supply roll opening 144 on the side of the first box section 14A. The second supply roll end 42 engages a second supply roll opening 145 on the opposite side of the first box section 14A. The first and second supply roller openings are positioned where the outer surface of a roll of sheet material 29 on the spout roller 28 will rest against the supply 36 as the roll of stock material is filled. 23 blade 29. As the sheet material 26 is dispensed, the supply roll body 38 rotates the roll of sheet material .29. The supply roll body 38 can be fixed with respect to the ends of the first and second supply roller '40 and 42, in which case the first and second supply roller ends 40 and 42 rotate within the openings of first and second supply rolls 144 and 145. Alternatively, the supply roll body 38 can rotate independently of the ends of the first and second supply rolls 40 'and 42. t,' Additionally, and also referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B within the case 12A is a guide roller 48 having a first roller body 52, a first guide roller end 54, and a second guide roller end 56. first and second guides 54 and 56 engage the first and second guide roller hubs 150 and 152 having the first and second guide roller hub ends 154 and 156. The first and second guide roller hub ends 154 and 156 enganc The first and second guide roller hub slots 158 and 160 are slidably slidable in the first and second guide roller arms 152 and 164 attached to the interior of the second case section 16A.

The guide roller 48 is pressed or pressurized between the second box section 16? and the supply roller 36 by the first and second springs 170 having the first and second spring ends 172 and 174. The first spring ends 172 engage the first and second pegs 176 joined into the interior of the second section. of box 16A. The second spring ends 164 engage the first and second spring caps 178 against which the bushing rests. guide roll first and second 150 and 152. Referring now to figure 9 ,. the guide roller 48 forms a pressure point 50 with the supply roller 36. The pressure point 50 has an input side 507A and an output side 50B. The first guide roller arm 162 (not shown), and the second guide roller arm 164, attached to the interior of the second box section 16A are (positioned where the pressure point 50 is formed between the roller guide 48 and the supply roller 36 when the second box section 16A is closed against the first box section 14A As described above, the force exerted by the guide roll 48 against the supply roll 36 must be such that the tension required to be applied to the sheet material to be sealed through the pressure point 50 exceeds the breaking strength of the area of weakness in the sheet material but does not exceed the resistance to breakage of the remainder. of sheet material 26.

Referring now to Figure 9 inside the spout 10? and located between the waist opening 22A and the outlet side 50B of the supply pressure point 50, a sheet material stocking surface 70A is placed thereon 25 so that, during the Assortment Operation the sheet material 26 moves on and above at least a portion of the sheet material stocking surface 70. In Figure 9 the sheet material stocking surface 70 is shown below the sheet material path 26, but in In other embodiments, the assortment surface of the sheet material 70A can alternatively be placed below the path of the sheet material 26, or the first and second dispensing surface 70A can both be placed both above and below the path of the sheet material 26. Referring now to FIGS. 7, 10A, 1 and 1QB, the dispensing surface of the sheet material 70A has at least one projecting area 74A which makes contact with the sheet material 26 as it is supplied. sheet material 26. The surtidbra surface of sheet material 70 also has 1? · minus a depressed area 76? which contacts the sheet material 26 with less force during the assortment than does the projecting area 74A. Desirable shapes for the furnish surface of the sheet material 70A include, but are not limited to, the shapes partially planar, convex, concave, curved, rounded, buckled, arched, crenellated, plate-shaped, buckled, walled and other and combinations from the same. An exemplary profile for the sourcing surface 70A is shown in Figures 10C-10E.

Even when the inventors do not wish to stick to a particular technique, it is thought that the dispensing force applied by a user to the sheet material 26 extending from the dispensing opening 22A is increased in the areas where the projecting area 74? makes contact with sheet material '26 to be this assortment. By concentrating the force in this way, separation of the individual leaves in the zones of weakness is more likely to occur.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that all such modifications, alterations or other changes may be encompassed by the claims.

Claims

27 R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1 1. An apparatus for dispensing a rolled sheet material, comprising: · a box defining an interior adapted to rotatably hold a rolled sheet material and having a sizing opening sized to allow the sheet material to be stocked therefrom; i. 'a pressure point inside the box, and t a dispensing surface of sheet material near the dispensing opening, the dispensing surface of sheet material comprises at least one protrusion.

.2. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the sheet material dispensing surface comprises a fixed member located between the pressure point and the dispensing opening.

3. The device as it is. claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the fixed member is positioned between the pressure point and the dispensing opening to allow the sheet material to move along a tortuous path. 28

4. The so-and-knob apparatus is claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the assortment surface of the sheet material is at least partly concave in shape.

5. The apparatus as and * is claimed in clause 1, characterized in that. the assortment surface of sheet material is at least partially convex in shape.

6. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that, the sheet material dispensing surface comprises at least one concave part.

7. The apparatus as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the assortment surface of the sheet material comprises at least one flat part.

8. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the assortment surface of sheet material comprises at least one convex part.

9. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the pressure point comprises at least one roller.

10. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the pressure point is pressurized.

11. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the pressure point is pressurized by at least one spring.

12. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the assortment surface of sheet material 1 at least partially defines the dispensing opening.

13. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the assortment surface of the sheet material at least extends partially inside the path between the pressure point and the dispensing opening.

14. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises the first and second sheet material dispensing surface near the dispensing opening, the first sheet material dispensing surface at least partially extends in the path between the point of pressure and the dispensing opening from below, and the second assortment surface of sheet material at least . "30" extends partially within the path between the pressure point and the dispensing opening from above.

15. An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, comprising: a box defining an interior adapted to rotatably hold the rolled sheet material and having a sizing opening sized to allow the sheet material to be stocked therefrom; i. 'a roll of sheet material having a plurality of areas of. Weakness that extend essentially across the width of the sheet material; a dent.ro pressure point of the box; Y a dispensing surface of sheet material near the dispensing opening, the dispensing surface of sheet material comprises at least one protrusion; wherein said sheet material is stocked along a path extending from the roll of sheet material, through the pressure point, through the sheet material dispensing surface, and through the dispensing opening.

16. The apparatus as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said protuberance concentrates the force on the part of the sheet material which contacts the protrusion when the sheet material is pulled through the dispensing surface. of sheet material and through the dispensing opening.

17. The apparatus as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the rolled sheet material comprises the inner and outer layers of sheet material, the layers of sheet material comprise a plurality of decentered zones of weakness extending essentially through of the width of sheet material.

18. The apparatus as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the assortment surface of sheet material comprises at least one concave part.

19. The apparatus as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that the assortment surface of sheet material comprises at least one flat part.

20. The apparatus as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the assortment surface of sheet material comprises at least one convex part.

21. An apparatus for dispensing a rolled sheet material comprising: 1 a box defining an interior adapted to contain the rolled sheet material and a dispensing opening to allow the sheet material to be stocked from within the box; a pressure point 'inside the box; Y A mobile roll support system adapted to hold a roll of sheet material within the box wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to supply the sheet material, and furthermore where the "system" Movable roll support and the roll of sheet material move towards the pressure point when the sheet material is supplied.

22. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that it further comprises the first and second rails, each rail engaging the mobile roll support system wherein the mobile roll support system moves within the rails.

23. The apparatus as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that at least one rail further comprises a slot defined within the side of the box.

| 24. The apparatus as claimed in Clause 23, characterized in that the box further comprises a first box section and a second box section, the second box section being at least partially clamped. in removable form to the second box section.

25. The apparatus as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that the first box section is pivotally connected to the second box section.

26. The apparatus as such and as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that at least one slot is defined between the first and second box sections.

27. The apparatus as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that at least one slot extends from within the first box section into the second box section.

28. The apparatus as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that at least one groove is angled to allow the moving roller support system towards the pressure point when the sheet material is supplied and when decreasing the diameter of the roll of sheet material.

• '29. 29. The apparatus'' as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the first rail is parallel to the second rail.

30. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the mobile roll support system comprises a spout roller having the first and second ends, each end slidably engaging a rail.

31. The apparatus as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the roll of sheet material defines a central core where, the spout roller supports the roll of sheet material, from within the central core.

32. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the mobile roll support system comprises at least two movable supports, each support slidably engages a rail.

33. The apparatus as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that at least one of the movable supports comprises a latching member attached to at least one of the supports, the latching member is adapted to engage one side of a latch. roll of sheet material.

35"34. The apparatus as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that at least one engaging member is adapted to extend within the interior of the rolled sheet material.

35. The apparatus such 'and. as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that the engaging member further comprises a chamfered surface.

36. The apparatus as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the roll of sheet material is coreless. ' i

37. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the roll of sheet material comprises the inner and outer layers of sheet material, the layers of sheet material comprise a plurality of decentralized areas of weakness extending essentially through the width of sheet material.

38. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the pressure point comprises at least one roller.

39. The apparatus as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that the clamping point is pressurized.

40. The apparatus as claimed in, clause 38, characterized in that the clamping point is pressurized by at least one spring.

41. The apparatus as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the roll of sheet material supported by the mobile roll support system rests against one of the rollers of pressure point and wherein the path of the material of sheet 'extends through the pressure point, and through, the dispensing opening. 37 R E S UM E '' ' The present invention provides a device for dispensing a rolled sheet material, the apparatus includes a box defining an interior adapted to rotatably hold the rolled sheet material having an aperture dimensioned to allow the sheet material to be stocked through. Of the same. The apparatus further includes a pressure point within the box, such as, for example, which can be formed by the first and second rolls. In addition, the apparatus includes a movable roller support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the box wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to supply the sheet material and furthermore where the sheet support system is formed. The moving roll and the roll of sheet material move towards the point of pressure towards the assortment of sheet material. In addition, the apparatus includes a dispensing surface of sheet material near the dispensing opening, the dispensing surface of sheet material comprises at least one protrusion.