US2404421A - Paper feed for towel dispensers - Google Patents

Description

July 23, 1946. P. A. WOOSTER PAPER FEED FOR TOWEL DISPENSERS Filed De c. 31, 1 941 4 SheetS-Sheet 1 .W\ v \\V b Q m wm mm mm on 5 t 8 w% mm o 3 3 m E lll 9 I'll!!! \EDN Y Q 7 muT I m... 3 U A w} i T 1% 4 Q B H b 8% U. 2 l IQ Q. A @e W INVENTOR.

zed/we 76w TTURNEY July 23, 1946.

' P. A. WOOSTER PAPER FEED FOR TOWEL DISPENSERS Filed Dec. 31, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 2 PAP P FEE FOR S TOWEL R e sh INV 'I E T? ORNEY P. A. WOOSTER PAPER FEED FOR TOWEL DISPENSERS July 23, 1946.

Filed Dec. 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IINVENTOR.

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' VM TORNEY Patented July 23, 1946 r UNITED stares re'rgm critics PAPER FEED FOR TOWEL.DISPENSERS Philip A. Wooster, San Rafael, Calif.

Application December 31, 1941, Serial No. 425,175

8 Claims. (01. 2'71'2'.3)' 1 e 2 This invention relates to dispensing devices for including a housing of the type adapted to be paper towels and the like, and particularly to secured to a wall in a convenient position for dis.- paper feeding mechanism by means of which a pensing operations. This housing, which is conroll of. toweling is supported in and advanced structedwitha view .to, providing simplicity, ru

from a dispensing cabinet. 5 gedness, and general accessibility for adjustment It is the object of the present invention to and servicing, comprises what may best be providev paper supporting and feeding means for termed an inner housing and a cover member a towel dispensing cabinet which will insure therefor. The inner housing consists of a back proper feeding of an uncrumpled and untorn plate H! (see Fig. '7) which may be secured length of toweling upon each dispensing operaagainst a wall by any conventional means, and tion of the cabinet, and which will insure against a bottom plate I I, preferably formed integrally jamming or clogging of the paper within the cabiwith and extending forwardly from. the. lower netedge of the back plate. Secured to the back and A further object of the invention is the probottom plates are side plates [3' and; [4 (see also vision of a dispensing device in which the-operat- Fig. 1), which side plates. are set inwardly a short ing mechanism and the most vital parts of the distance from. the outer edges of the backand paper feeding mechanism. are protected against bottom plates and provided with'outwardly protam'pering or adjustment by unauthorized perjecting flanges I5 which extend all of the way' sons, even-when the dispenser is openedfor the around the side plates so that the side walls of purpose of replenishing the towel supply therein. the housing are in fact recessed. from their outer A still further object is the provision of paper sides to provide spaces Within which may be disfeeding mechanism which advances a length of posed substantially all of the mechanism by toweling to. a. position where it may be torn from means of which the toweling is dispensed, a continuous roll upon each dispensing operation Each of the recessed outer sides of the side of the cabinet, and to prevent tearing of. the 5 plates [3 and I4 is preferably covered by inwardpaper within the cabinet at any point which is 1y flanged cover plates I6 and I Go, respectively,

likely to cause the paper to become jammed or which telescope into the recesses of the side crumpled or torn during. the. next dispensing opplates and form enclosures for the towel dispenseration. ing mechanism. The cover plates l6 and Mia Further jects d advantages of the invenare secured to the side plates by means of screws ion are m p a tinthe followin sp fisuch as indicated at la, which extend through cation, wherein. detailed reference. is made to the the cover plates and are threaded into the side accompanying drawings. plates. These screws are preferably of a type In the drawings. which may be removed only by a special tool, so

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken. through 3 that it will be impossible for unauthorized peratowel dispenser constructed in accordance with sons not provided with such a tool to gain access thepresentinvention; to the paper supporting and feeding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a. front elevation of the towel dispenser Any screw designed for this purpose may be used, with the. lower front. portion. of the cover broken and one suitable type is known as the Phillips away to illustrate details. of construction of the screw, in which the head of the screw is proforward rolls, tearing edge, and associated parts; vided with a cross-shaped recess requiring a spe- Eigs. 3-, 4 and. 5 are sectional views taken cially designed screwdriver for its insertion or'rethrough one. of the rollsshown. in Fig. 2, to; illusmoval.

trate.detailsol construction thereof; The housing is purposely left open through- Fig. 6.- is a sectional view taken on line VIVI 5 out substantially its entire forward and upper o F faces to permit insertion of rolls of paper towel- Fig. 7 is a. similar section taken. on. line ing of large diameter to be dispensed therefrom.

VII-'VII of 1.; The entire forward and top portions of the cab- Fig. 8. is a. perspective view of a detachable inet are, however, enclosed by a hinged cover bearing. member employed for oneo-f the forward member indicated at. I! in Fig. 7, which cover rolls; and member also-includes side panels 20 (see Fig. 1.), Fig.. 9. is a, view similar. to Fig. 6showing. the which are pivoted. as by pins l9 adjacent the invention. applied. to a different type of dispenser; lower. edge-of the housing so that the cover may Referring to the drawings-in. detail, the towel i be swung about these pins to an open position dispenser of the present invention is, shown as where it will depend downwardly from the pins a similar material.

1 which receives it.

A roll of paper toweling to be dispensed from the housing is supported between the inner side 3 walls l3 and 14 thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 1 1 and 6. The roll is illustrated at 40 as wound upon a conventional hollow core 4| of pasteboard or 7 At the end adjacent the inner wall. l4 a'fitting 42, which may be formed of pressed metal, is secured into the core andprojects from the outer end thereof a sufilcient distance to form a short trunnion received in theslot of a guide plate 43, which is secured to the inner 1 surface of the wall l4 and which slot opens upwardly and. outwardly from the normal position of nion 45 extends into the open end of the core to form a connection permitting rotation of the roll.

This trunnion is supported on a resilient plate 45 which is secured as by screws 41 at its lower end to the outer surface of the wall l3, and which, adjacent its upper end, has an inwardly bentpor- 1 tion 48 which extends through the wall l3. In

order to remove the roll, the resilient plate 46 is swung outwardly until the trunnion 45 is withdrawn from its position within the core so that 1 the entire roll, or the core from which all the paper has been withdrawn, .may be moved up.

1 wardly in the direction of the slot formed in the plate 43.0n the wall l4.

r The recess in the wall l3 through which the serve to limit the outward movement of the resilient plate and therefore prevent its being 1 broken or sprung beyond its resilient limits.

7 While the weight of a new roll of paper toweling is sufficient to maintain the trunnion 42 in the lower end of the slot in which it rotates, there is some possibility, due to the fact that the r011 becomes light as the supply of toweling is de- 7 1 pleted, that dispensing operations are likely to result in its becoming dislodged or misplaced. Therefore, in order to prevent accidental re-.

moval of the trunnion from the lower endof the slot in which it rotates, and likewise to prevent l malicious removal of the roll of toweling by persons unfamiliar with the construction of the dispenser, the present invention provides means to ear tapers towarditsupper or forward end and is formedat substantially right angles to the the center of the core in order that a roll of paper may conveniently be inserted and removed therefrom. At the opposite end of the roll 40 atrun- 1 portion 48 of the resilient plate 46' extends, is formed by pressing or punching outwardly two 1 of its edges, which form guide walls 49 (see Figs. 1 and '7), between which the resilient plate 46 is guided, and these guide walls are in turn 1 provided with inwardly punched-tongues which 4 wall at its lower end so that as the roll of toweling is inserted, the trunnion 42 will ride over the the outer edge of the trunnion bearing for rotation in the lower end of the slot in the member 43 In'order to remove the core of the roll after the supply of toweling has been depleted, it is necessary, therefore, to withdraw the resilient plate 46 sufficiently to permit the core to be moved to the left, where the trunnion 42 will clear the ear 5! before it is withdrawn.

With the roll of toweling supported for rotation in the manner just described, the free end v thereof is led downwardly as shown at in Fig. 6,

and trained over a dispensing roller 56 so that its outer edge'may project over a serrated tearing edge 51 which forms one edge of an opening in the bottom of the dispenser. A pressure roller 58 engages the paper at approximately its line of contactwith the dispensing roller 56 so that upon rotation of thedispensing roller, the paper will be fed outwardly through the bottom of the dispenser, and when a measured length of toweling has been projected, it may be torn off against the tearing edge 51.

The position of the pressureroller 58 relative to the dispensing roller 56 is important in insuring against the paper becoming torn at a point within the machine that will prevent its proper feeding on a subsequent dispensing operation. As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the pressure roller 58 is above the dispensing roller so that the line of contact between the rollers'is near the top of the dispensing roller. Consequently, the leading edge of the paper toweling extends around the greater part of the forward face of the dispensing roller before it passes outwardlythrough the opening in r the bottom of the cabinet. Because of the friction between the paper and the large area over which it contacts the dispensing roller after; it

leaves the point of contact between the dispensing roller and the pressure roller, it is impossible to tear the paper by a direct pull at a point behind the next dispensing operation, the remaining toweling will be held between and advanced by the operation of the rollers.

The serrated tearing edge 51 1s formed on a curved plate 59 (seeFigs. 2 and 6) which is permanently secured between the lower forward edges of the side members l3 and I4, and at its upper edge the plate 59 has a plurality of fingers Bit cut and pressed therefrom to project upwardly into grooves 6| formed at spaced intervals in the pressure roller 58. These fingers serve as guides to facilitate leading the free edge of the paper '55 to its proper dispensing position between the rolls, and the plate 59 is so curved that it will also serve as a guide to cause the paper to follow around the outer surface of the dispensing roll 56. This plate, as shown in Fig. 6, is spaced from the dispenser roll a distance which increases toward its lower or tearing edge so as to insure against any possibilityof the paper becoming crumpled'and jammed as it is being fed'outwardly. V

In order to prevent the free edge of the paper from continuing around the dispensing roll 56 instead of being projected outwardly through the slot in the bottom of the dispenser, fingers 62 project upwardly into grooves 55a formed at" spaced intervals in the dispensing roller '56. These fingers 62 are preferably punched and bent from the edge of a plate B3 permanently secured to the bottom of the dispenser. I

A modification in the manner in which the paper is arranged inconnection with the rollers is illustrated in Fig. 9 and is applicable to a type of dispensing cabinet in whichv the supply rollof paper is supported on inclined ledges within the cabinet. As shown in Fig. 9 the supply roll rests on a pair of ledges, one of which isshown at 43a, these ledges being arranged one on. each of the opposite side wall of thecabinet. These ledges are inclined forwardly so that the supply roll rests against: the inner-surface of the dispensing roller-56a and thus presents the added advantage of an even greater area of contact between the paper and the dispensing roller, the area being increased by the distance between the line where the supply roll contacts the dispensing roller and the line where the pressure roller contacts it. In this modification the plate 5.9a serves the. purpose of the plate 59 in Fig. 6 and carries a tearing edge 51a, corresponding to the tearing edge 51. Fingers 60a extend into the grooves of the roller 58.

The arrangement of. the dispenser and pressure rollers herein disclosed as well as the passage of the paper over said rolls and out of the cabinet are all disclosed in my copending application filed March. 28, 1941, Serial No. 385,659,

of which the present application is a continuation in part.

It has been found in practice that upon feeding a strip or web of paper between rolls such as those described, there is often a tendency for the paper to be fed to one side or the other or to befed toward the center from both sides, with the result that the paper becomes bunched and wrinkled as it is dispensed. The principal reason for uneven feeding and crowding of the paper webbetween feeding rolls is misalignment or warping of the rolls to the extent that the pressure between. the rolls varies at different points. Consequently, the paper toweling, which is usually of soft texture or crinkled to enhance its absorbent qualities, becomes compressed or lengthened at the point of greatest pressure between the rolls and consequently is fed more rapidly at some points than it is at others. In

order to provide for release of the paper at ire quent intervals throughout its width, and thereby to: insure its self-adjustment and even feeding, one of the rolls, and preferably the smaller or pressure roll 58, has its contacting portions, or portions between the slots 6|, cut away or relieved so that they will engage with. the paper at alternating times during rotation of the roll. This is bestillustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, wherein the two central contacting members, marked a, have a full circular periphery, as shown in. Fig. 3. The next rollers, spaced outwardly from the central rollers, as well as the rollers on the outermost end, all marked b, have their peripheries cut away throughout approximately 160, as illustrated in Fig. 5, while the rollers 0, intermediate the pairs of rollers b, are cut away throughout approximately 160,

but in a different cyclic position, as illustrated.

in Fig. 4. Consequently, upon rotation of the rollers to advance the paper web, the central portions a engage the paper continuously, while the roller 1) and c engage the paper alternately so that any unevenness in the feed and any tendency for the paper to become misaligned will be corrected by self-adjustment of the paper as it is periodically released at different points throughout its width.

The dispensing roller 56 is mounted in bearings; which facilitate its v removal, which give it a bearing support, andv which may readily be trunnions: 64 projecting outwardly from its opposite ends; and: journaled in disc-like bearings 65 which areposi-tioned' with respect to the side walls 53 and M by inwardly projecting members 66 which extend into suitably positioned perforations, in. the side walls. These bearings 65 are held in place against the outer surfaces of the side walls by plates 61 which may be formed of spring steel or any suitable strip of sheet metal bent to overlie the hearings 6.5: andto have lower edges 68'' bent inwardly and downwardly to project. through. slots 69 formed in the walls l3- and it. At, their upper ends the plates 61 are perforated to embrace ears. H) which project outwardly fromzt'he outer surfaces. of the walls: [3 and I4, and which are perforated for the reception of cotter keys H, or other suitable; securing means to secure the bearing; discsv in place.

The pressure roller 58 is also mounted in replaceable bearings which permit of its easy assembly and removal, and which are combined with resilient means for urging it; into contact with the dispensing roller 56. The construction of these bearingsis illustrated in Figs. 2, 7 and 8, wherein the roller is shown as: provided with. journals l3 projecting from its opposite ends and fitting in notches which form half bearings in the lower end of' a U;-shaped lever M. This lever is pivota'lly' supported on. a pin 1-5 which projects: through. holes 15- formed in the lever and also through aligned holes formed on the. side walls of the housing and in a plate 11 secured to and spaced from the outer side of each of the walls 13 andv l.4:. Openings 18 in the walls l3 and- I4 receive permit the connected ends of the lever M to oscillate about the pin 15-, and aspri-ng 19 forming a connection between the lever and the housing normally urges the forward end of the lever downwardly so that the roller 58 journaled in the half bearings in that end of the: lever is pressed against the dispensing roller The pressure roller so mounted may be readily removed by pressing downwardly on the inner end of one of the levers M so that its journal may be removed from the half bearings at the outer end of the lever, and the roll swung outwardly from that bearing and. then pulled longitudinally from beneath the opposite bearing. As shown in Fig. 7, a cotter key 85, or similar pin, may be disposed acrossthe opening 6 normally to prevent downward swinging of the lever 14 and consequently to prevent removal of the roller. This cotter key 85! is disposed on the outside of .the side wall it and isv concealed between this wall and the cover plate [5 to prevent removal of the roll. except after. removal of said: cover plate.

The dispensing rollerfrfi is rotated to effect ejec-' ti-on of a. length of toweling from the housing, so that it may be torn off along the tearing edge 5?, by means of a small gear 31' (see. Figs. 2 and 6) secured to. an end of the dispensing roller, as by operating crank 81; This crank is preferably bent from the same material of which the shaft threaded to its inner end. The driving gear 83 and a hardened journal collar 92 are assembled on the bushing 89 and secured between the head 9!! and nut Si by tightening of the nut. A cotter pin 93 may be provided to prevent longitudinal sliding of the bushing 89 on the shaft 84. The hardened journal collar 92 is'received for rotation in a bearing 94'which is in the form of an annulus swaged over the edge'of a suitable open ing in the wall [4 of the housing. Ample space is left at the head end of the bushing 89 to accommodate the control mechanism for retarding or delaying dispensing operations of the crank 81,

as is common practice in'dispensers of this'kind. No such mechanism is disclosed herein, however, as it'has no direct bearing on the operation of the present invention. e

As heretofore stated, the fitting 42, shown in Fig.1, which projects from an end of the roll of paper to form a trunnion, is preferably formed of metal. In order to avoid rough exposed edges and also to provide a durable and smooth bearing surface, the outer edge of this trunnion is flanged or bent inwardly upon itself, as shown. In this manner a smooth and durable surface is formed to bear against the ear 5| when necessary, though the trunnion be formed inexpensively by being stamped from relatively thin metal.

Having .thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1'. The combination with a cabinet for dis-j pensing paper toweling or the like from a roll,

of a dispensing roller adjacent the front and bottom of the cabinet, a pressure roller having annular grooves therein and mounted above and in contact with the dispensing roller and portions of the pressure roller between the annular grooves being relieved part way around the roller, such 2. The combination with a cabinet for dis pensing paper toweling or the like from a roll, of a-dispensing roller. adjacent the front and bottom of the cabinet, a pressure roller mounted above and in contact with the dispensing roller, 1 and a fixed guide positioned to confine the toweling between guide and the friction driving roller,

said guide forming with the dispensing roller a throat widening progressively from the pressure roller to an opening formed in the bottom of the cabinet, thelower edge of said guide being serrated to form severing means for the paper.

3. Ina cabinet for dispensing paper towels or the like, a feed roller extending between relatively thin metal sidewalls, trunnions on said roller,

bearing members therefor fitting in perforations on the side walls and having shoulders engaging the walls, and removable plates retaining the bearing members in position in said perforations.

4; Ina cabinet for dispensing'paper toweling or the like and having sheet metal side walls, means for supporting rotatable shafts extending through said side walls comprising shouldered bearings received by perforations in the walls, and plates detachably secured to the walls and overlying the bearings to retain them against displacement. 5. In a cabinet for dispensing paper toweling from roll, a dispensing roller journaled in the cabinet and over which the toweling passes, and a guide plate fixed to the cabinet and spaced from the surface of the dispensing roller to provide a throat between plate and roller widening toward the end through which the toweling emerges, the lower edge of the plate forming a tearing edge for the toweling and lying under the central portion of'the roller.

6. In a cabinet, for dispensing paper toweling from a roll, a dispensing roller journaled in the cabinet and over which the toweling passes, a curved guide plate spaced from the surface of the dispensing roller to provide a throat between plate and roller widening toward the end through under side of the dispensing roller and the tearing edge.

P 7. Inja cabinet for dispensing paper toweling from a roll, a dispensing roller journaled in the cabinet and over which the toweling passes to an opening in the cabinet, at pressure roller journaled in the cabinet to press the toweling against the dispensing-roller, and a guide plate fixed to the cabinet and spaced from the surface of the dispensing roller to form therewith a throat progressively widening from the pressure roller to said opening.

. 8. In a cabinet for dispensing paper toweling from a roll, a dispensing roller journalled in the cabinet and over which the toweling passes to an opening in the cabinet, a pressure roller journalled in thecabinet to press the toweling against the dispensing roller, and a guide plate fixed to the cabinet and spaced from the surface of the dispensing roller to form therewith a throat progressively widening from the pressure roller to said opening, the lower edge of the plate forming a tearing edge on which the toweling may be severed.

- PHILIP A. WOOSTER.

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