WO1996038371A1

WO1996038371A1 - Film-wrap dispenser with serpentine path

Info

Publication number: WO1996038371A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dolph Allan Meyer
Original assignee: Creative Products Pty. Limited
Priority date: 1995-05-29
Filing date: 1996-05-29
Publication date: 1996-12-05
Also published as: AUPN323195A0

Abstract

A dispenser for roll-form film-wrap is disclosed which is particularly suitable for dispensing cling-wrap film in the kitchen for covering food. In the illustrative example, the cling-wrap roll (24) is accommodated within an elongate rectilinear body (12) which has an elongate opening (F) in its front face (18) through which the cling-wrap roll-end (44) is drawn from the roll. The film is fed over a longitudinally extending lip (38) on the rear of a forwardly sloping platen (16) and under a pressure-plate (18) which is loosely accommodated within the body. When sufficient film has been withdrawn, it is raised so as to contact a hot-wire (20) to cut the film (44), the raising of the film also effecting the raising of a guard (22) that is pivoted on the body (12) so as to normally cover the wire (20). As the roll-end is raised to the hot-wire, the pressure-plate is lifted and rotated backwards, contacting stops (58) and pressing its back edge downwards to force the film-wrap to travel a high-friction sinuous path over the lip (38) and under the back of the pressure-plate (18). After severance of the film, the pressure-plate (14) falls under gravity to rest on the platen (16), capturing the film-end ready for access. The pressure-plate is loosely accommodated within the body by the engagement of end spigots (54) within much larger rearward opening cutouts or sockets (56). Rearward withdrawal of film from under the pressure-plate (which may make its cut end difficult to grip when the next length of film is required) is inhibited because such withdrawal will carry the pressure-plate rearward with the film and jam the film between the back of the pressure-plate and the lip (38). On the other hand, forward with drawal of the film from the body moves the pressure-plate upwards and forwards so that the film-wrap takes a lower-friction linear path from the lip and under the plate (18).

Description

FILM-WRAP DISPENSER WITH SERPENTINE PATH

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing variable lengths of sheet material, particularly rolled wrapping films suitable for wrapping or covering objects.

It is particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with a dispenser that can be rested on a kitchen bench while the desired length of 'cling-wrap' film is first drawn therefrom and then raised to effect severance. This allows the film to be withdrawn over a plate or sandwich resting on the bench and then severed merely by raising the plate or sandwich with its covering of film.

The term 'cling-wrap' generally refers to clear thin thermoplastic film, often of polyethylene or polyvinylchloride (PVC), which is at least 200 mm wide, less than 0.05 mm thick and supplied in roll form. Such material can be readily severed by bringing it into contact with a serrated edge or hot wire. However, the apparatus of the invention is also applicable to the dispensing of other thin, roll-form sheet materials, such as paper and cellophane. Such material is normally at least 250 mm wide so that it needs to be withdrawn from the dispenser with both hands if it is to be kept flat. The term 'film-wrap' — or more simply 'film' — is used herein as a generic term for such roll-form sheet materials, including, of course, cling-wrap.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are a number of desiderata for an effective film-wrap dispenser of the type indicated, besides the obvious ones of simplicity, reliability and economy. The thin film-wrap should be cut cleanly across its full width when it is presented to the severing means and the remaining roll-end should be held by the dispenser so that it can be conveniently gripped and withdrawn when another length of film-wrap is required. A ragged cut will result if the film-wrap is bunched or wrinkled as it is presented to the severing means, or if it is dragged over or through the severing device during severance. Moreover, if the severing means is a hot-wire, any dragging of the film over the wire will result in a messy accumulation of residues of molten plastic on the wire which will make it even more difficult to achieve a clean cut. Dragging is especially likely to occur when there is little tension on the film, as when small rolls are used or when there is little film left on the roll; that is, when the weight of the roll is insufficient to provide the necessary film tension. On the other hand, a heavy roll that provides good film tension for severance is likely to result in the roll-end being pulled back into the dispenser by the combination of film elasticity, electrostatic forces and roll-weight. It is also desirable that the process of loading a roll into the dispenser should be simple and easy, but this is difficult to achieve in the case of cling-wrap film which is most difficult to thread through narrow slot-like guides or channels. Finally, it is desirable that the dispensing apparatus should be compact so as to be suited for location on the bench of a domestic kitchen.

The most pertinent art known to the applicant at the date hereof will now be briefly described in relation to the above desiderata. US patent 3,707,251 assigned to Alwin Manufacturing discloses the use of a pivoting pressure-plate under which the film passes as it is withdrawn from the roll and a serrated tear-off knife arranged above and forward of the front (ie, outer) edge of the pressure-plate, which normally rests on an elongate platen. The free end of the film is threaded from the roll through a pair of tension-controlling rollers and then between the pressure-plate and platen, being held on the platen by the weight of the pressure-plate. The end of the film can then be grasped by one or both hands, pulled forwards and then lifted to first raise the outer edge of the pressure-plate and then to contact the knife (against which it is torn off), a clean cut being greatly assisted by the action of the tension rollers. After the film is severed, the pressure plate falls back and again traps the roll-end and pull-back of the film is mitigated by the tension-rollers. However, the use of tension rolls adds greatly to the bulk, complexity and cost of the dispenser, and it also greatly complicates film thread-up. On the other hand, the pressure-plate of the Alwin dispenser is pivoted about an axis which is well removed from the platen so that it can be pivoted well clear of the platen so that the film can be easily passed between the plate and the platen during thread-up.

The film-wrap dispenser disclosed by US patent No. 4,427,144, assigned to Ezy Wrap Products Pty Limited, employs hot-wire severing means which is guarded against contact by the user's fingers with a drop-plate that is raised by upward movement of the film to be severed. As with the Alwin patent, the film passes under a pivoted pressure-plate and over a platen upon which the pressure-plate normally rests to hold the roll-end, but no friction rollers or other means of controlling film tension and/or pull-back are disclosed. Moreover, as the pressure plate of the Ezy Wrap device is pivoted close to the platen, there is only a narrow gap between the two making it very difficult to feed the roll-end through this gap during film thread-up — especially when cling-wrap is used.

International patent application PCT/AU92/00677 by Microwrap International Pty Limited discloses a similar arrangement to that of the last-mentioned patent in that tension-control rollers are not used and the pressure-plate is pivoted close to the platen but, in this case, the problem of tension control is addressed by resting a weighted flap on the roll in such a way that the weight applied to the roll varies inversely with the diameter of the roll. But the problem of difficult thread-up remains.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a film-wrap dispenser suitable for use with ding-film which mitigates the problems of thread-up, roll-end pull-back and/or ragged cut-off due to insufficient film tension.

OUTLINE OF INVENTION

The present invention is based on the realisation that, by forming an upstanding lip along the rear edge of the platen and allowing a loose-fitting pressure-plate to rest flat on the platen, film pull-back will be mitigated because returning film will carry the plate with it until the film is caught between the rear edge of the pressure-plate and the lip. [The position of the pressure-plate as it rests flat on the platen is herein called the 'rest-position'.] This is particularly effective if the bottom of the roll is located below the platen and the film-wrap is led from the bottom of the roll, over the lip and along the platen, because the film is then forced to travel a high-friction serpentine path during pull-back. On the other hand, by using a loose-fitting pressure-plate, the film can be easily pulled forwards from the dispenser in a generally horizontal direction, because the pressure-plate will be lifted bodily off the platen by the film so that the film travels a straight — rather than sinuous — path from the platen lip. [The position adopted by the pressure-plate as it is supported by the film-wrap as it is being withdrawn under tension is herein called the 'feed- position'.]

As in the prior art, the severing means (preferably a hot-wire where cling-wrap is used) is arranged above and forwards of the pressure-plate so that the front edge of the plate is tilted upwards by the film as the film is presented for severance. However, by the use of suitable stop means acting between the pressure-plate and the body the back of the pressure plate can be forced downwards close to the front of the lip as the film-wrap approaches the severing means. [The position of the pressure-plate at or near film-severance is herein called the 'severance position'.] This forces the film-wrap to take a high-friction sinuous path over the lip and under the back of the pressure plate. As a result the tension on the film immediately prior to severance is increased so that a taut film is presented to the severing means and dragging of the film through the severing means is mitigated. After severance, the pressure-plate is then returned (usually by gravity) to its rest position to capture the roll-end. By making portions of the front edge of the pressure-plate pointed (eg, by forming tapered tabs thereon) thin film-wrap will be indented close to the cut-off line so that pull-back of the film is reduced during the period when the pressure-plate falls back onto the platen. Such points or tabs also assist in retaining film which wrinkled or uneven.

By arranging the loose fitting pressure-plate so that it can be easily removed and replaced from the front opening of the dispenser, film thread-up can be made extremely simple. Thus, when a new roll of film-wrap is to be loaded into the dispenser, the pressure plate is removed by moving it to clear the stop means, the roll-end is pulled away from the roll and the roll is placed in the dispenser so that the roll end can be grasped by the fingers through the front slot and pulled forwards over the platen. The pressure-plate can then be returned to its rest position by, again, clearing the stop means. The stop means may comprise interacting abutments on the ends of the pressure- plate and on corresponding portions of the body. They serve to (i) allow the pressure-plate to move between its rest, feed and severance positions in a loose- fitting manner, (ii) prevent the pressure-plate being pulled forwards out of the dispenser on the film-wrap as the film is withdrawn, and (iii) allow the pressure plate to be manually lifted up and moved rearward to clear the lip and then forwards to disengage the stop means so that the pressure-plate can be removed bodily from the front aperture of the dispenser. A large front opening in the dispenser body can be readily provided to facilitate the removal and replacement of the prtssure-plate and finger-access to the roll end for thread-up. Intentional removal of the pressure- plate could also be effected lifting it from the platen until it clears the lip and then pushing it into the body cavity which normally contains the roll.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES Having broadly portrayed the nature of the present invention, particular embodi¬ ments will now be described by way of example and illustration only. In the follow¬ ing description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the cling-wrap dispenser which comprises of the chosen illustrative embodiment of the invention,

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are an enlarged sectional end elevations of the dispenser of Figure 1 , taken along the section plane A-A indicated in Figure 1 , showing the pressure-plate in its rest, feed and severance-positions respectively,

Figure 3 is a sectional plan of the dispenser of Figure 1 taken along section plane B-B indicated in Figure 2A, and

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are portions of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C respectively in which the operation of alternate stop means is illustrated. The dispenser 10 of the chosen example is suitable for location on the bench of a domestic kitchen to dispense cling-wrap for covering or wrapping food. It basically comprises an injection-moulded elongate rectilinear plastic body 12 which is open at the back B and has a large slot-like front opening F in its front face 14, the bottom of which opening slopes forwards and downwards to define flat surface which forms the platen 16 on which the loose-fitting pressure-plate 18 normally rests. A hot-wire 20, which comprises the severing means, is strung across the top front of the body above opening F. An elongate moulded guard 22 is hingedly attached to the body so as to normally shield wire 20 from accidental contact. For the sake of illustration, guard 22 is shown raised in Figure 1 so as to expose wire 20 to view, though it will be appreciated that guard 22 will normally assume the position shown in Figure 2A when pressure-plate 18 is supported on platen 16 in its rest-position (as shown in Figure 1). Also for the sake of illustration, no cling-wrap film is shown in Figure 1.

As will be more clearly seen from Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 3, a roll 24 of cling-wrap film is shown in body 12, having been loaded from the open rear B thereof to rest on a pair of resilient ramp-strips 28 that prevent roll 24 from rolling out of the rear of the body and bias it forwards. Ramp-strips 28 are conveniently formed from resilient plastics material and glued to the base 30 of body 12 by their flat front portions 28a. Roll 24 is loaded into body 12 so that the free roll-end (44) is led upwards from the front side of the bottom of the roll, as best seen in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3, body 12 has two end faces 32 which are turned inwards at the front to form narrow hollow front corner pillars 34 of the body, the inner face 36 of each pillar 34 being integrally joined to the respective end of platen 16. As more clearly seen in Figures 2A-C, platen 16 forms a platform that slopes upwardly and rearwardly into body 12 from front face 14 to terminate in an upwardly turned longitudinally extending rear lip 38 at a level which is about midway between bottom face 30 and top face 40 of body 12. Thus, platen 16, end walls 36 and top face 40 define the large elongate front opening F in the dispenser 10 which is easily accessible by the fingers of a user so that the roll-end 44 can be readily grasped, pulled forwards and laid flat on the top of platen 16 (as in Figure 2A). Two spaced rearwardly extending scallops or indents 46 are formed in front face 14 and platen 16 to facilitate the grasping of film 44 on the platen 16 with both hands so that it can be drawn evenly forwards from the front of dispenser 10, the film lying over and across indents 46 when resting on platen 16 (as best seen in Figure 3).

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 3, pressure-plate 18 is a flat elongate strip (conveniently moulded from plastics material) which has front indents or jcallops 48 to match those (46) of the platen 16 to provide access to film lying between it and the platen. In this example, cutouts 50 are formed in pressure-plate 18 so as to save material and provide a better view of — and access to — the roll-end 44. Conveniently, the central portion of the pressure-plate 18 may also be recessed from the front so that a total of four tapered and pointed front tabs 52 form the actual front edge of pressure-plate 18, tabs 52 serving to enhance the retention of the cling-wrap by the pressure-plate against sliding rearward movement under the pressure-plate.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the stop means is formed by (i) a pair of laterally-extending short spigots or trunnions 54 formed on each end of the back of pressure-plate 18 (Figure 3), (ii) coacting cutouts 56 formed in the upper rear edges of inner side walls 36 (Figures 2A, 2B and 2C), and (iii) a pair of small inwardly facing protuberances 58 (Figures 2A, 2B and 2C) formed on the inner faces 36 toward the rear and somewhat above each cutout 56. The cutouts 56 extend upwards to a level well above that of lip 38 so that pressure-plate 18 can be easily dropped into place from the rear with each spigot 54 engaging its respective cutout

56. Since spigots 54 are short, pressure-plate 18 can also be inserted into place from the front of the body through opening F by angling it slightly and first fitting one spigots into its cutout and then the other. [The pressure-plate of course can be removed in a similar manner.] Finally, it will be see that protuberances 58 serving to limit the upward travel of pressure-plate 18 as it approaches its severance position (Figure 2C). Referring now to Figures 1 and 2A-C, guard 22 extends for the full length of body 12 so that, when closed, it forms the top front corner of the body, the end faces 60 of guard 22 being extended rearwards to carry short trunnions 62 (shown in broken lines in Figures 2A-C that fit into corresponding holes (not shown) formed in body end walls 32. To provide clearance for guard 22 to swing open, the forward portion 40a of the top face 40 of body 12 is stepped down. In its normal position, as shown in Figure 2A, guard 22 rest flat on the top of hollow pillars 34 so that its upper face 64 is substantially horizontal. In this position, it guards and protects hot-wire 20.

Hot-wire 20 is stretched between two metal end brackets 66 that are pressed into slots in the tops pillars 34 (which are stepped back, as shown in Figures 2A-2C). A low voltage external power-pack (not shown) is used to provide current to heat wire 20 when the device is in use, an input power socket 70 being located in the base of the left-hand pillar 34 and a switch 72 being located in the base of the right- hand pillar 34. The connections to the metal brackets 66 are not shown.

Though the dispenser of the illustrated embodiment may be used in various ways, one common application is for the dispensing of cling-wrap in the domestic kitchen to guard food. For that purpose dispenser 10 can be simply rested on the kitchen bench, it being provided with non-slip feet (not shown). The dispenser 10 is prepared for loading with a roll of cling-wrap by first removing pressure-plate 18 (which is assumed to be in its rest-position). This may be done in various ways: tilting the dispenser over until it falls out of the open back B of body 12, lifting pressure-plate 18 upwards (while the dispenser rests on the bench) so that it clears lip 38 and pushing it into the body 12 from where it can be easily recovered, or by lifting one end of pressure-plate 18 to clear lip 38 and moving it rearwards so that spigot 54 at that other end can be disengaged from its cutout 56, and then removing the pressure-plate from front opening F in body 12.

After removing pressure-plate 18, the free-end 44 is pulled from a cling-wrap roll 24 and the roll is loaded into body 12 though open back B of body 12 to rest on ramps 28 so that free end 44 extends upwardly from the front of the roll above lip 38. The roll-end 44 is then grasped by the fingers from the front of body 12 through opening F, drawn forwards over lip 38 and laid on platen 16. Pressure-plate 18 is then returned to its rest-position on roll-end 44 supported by platen 16 (as in Figure 2A) by inserting it rearwards at an angle so that first one spigot 54 and then the other can be engaged with its corresponding cutout 56.

To use the dispenser, power is connected and switch 72 is turned on to heat-up wire 20. For normal cling-wrap the wire does not need to be hotter than about 90°C for effective cutting and, at this temperature, does burn the skin if briefly contacted by the user. A plate of food to be covered is then placed on the bench in front of the dispenser, the pressure-plate being in the rest-position as shown in Figure 2A. The roll-end 44 is then grasped between the fingers and thumb of each hand (the hands being placed in the scallops or indents 46 and 48 of body front 14 and pressure-plate 18) and the film is pulled forwards until sufficient length has been withdrawn to cover the plate and food. The cling-wrap will pull easily from the dispenser because its tension will (i) pull the pressure-plate forward away from lip 38 and (ii) lift it to its feed-position where the path taken by the film from lip 38 and under the pressure-plate is substantially straight (as shown in Figure 2B). The withdrawn length of film is then lowered to cover the food and the plate, food and film are raised off the bench, so that the film first lifts the front portion of the pressure-plate and then contacts the bottom front edge of guard 22 to pivot guard 22 upwards and rearwards so that the film contacts wire 20 and is instantly severed thereby. However, before film-end 44 contacts wire 20, the upper face of pressure- plate has met stops 58 so that continued upward movement of the film-end causes pressure-plate 18 to pivot on them and to swing its back edge downwards to force the flim-end to travel a highly sinuous path around lip 38 and the back of the pressure-plate, the pressure-plate then being in its severance position as shown in Figure 2C. This makes further withdrawal of the film difficult and causes roll-end 44 to go taut just before it contacts hot-wire 20. Thus, dragging of the film over the severing means at the point of severance is mitigated.

Just before the film is cut, the tension of the film around pressure-plate 18 is such that the tapered tabs 52 on its front edge indent the film close to the line of severance. As soon as the film is cut, pressure-plate 18 drops under its own weight to its rest position (Figure 2A), trapping film end 44 underneath it. The indenting of the film helps to limit wrinkling and film pull-back as the pressure-plate drops. After pressure-plate 18 has dropped onto platen 16, residual tension in the film, combined with electrostatic forces (and, possibly, the weight of the roll 24) will tend to withdraw film-end 44 rearwards along platen 16 but, in so doing, the film will carry pressure-plate rearwards also (the spigots 54 being a sufficiently loose fit in cutouts 56) until the rear face of pressure-plate 18 abuts lip 38. At that stage the path of film end 44 is tightly curved or sinuous as it passes around the lip and the friction thereon is sufficient to prevent further retraction of the film from between the pressure-plate and platen. Thus, ample film is left across indents or scallops 46 and 48 to be easily grasped when the dispenser is next used.

The second example of the invention illustrates modified stop means but is otherwise substantially as described above. The modified stop means is illustrated by Figures 4A, 4B and 4C which are effectively portions of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C respectively. Similar parts are therefore given the same reference numerals as in Figures 2A-C but with the suffix 'a'. As will be seen from the drawings, the essential difference with the first example is that (i) the protuberances 58a on each inner side wall 36a are in the form of inverted rear-facing hooks and (ii) the coacting trunnions- or extensions 54a (shown in broken lines) on the ends of the pressure-plate 18a are located further forwards than in the first example. Indeed, the extensions 54a can be formed by extending the whole rear edge of the pressure-plate outwards at each end, rather than by forming discrete cylindrical trunnions.

The operation of the second example is essentially the same as the first example as far as the trapping of the roll-end and its presentation to the severing means is concerned (the severing means not being shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C). Pressure-plate 18a lies flat on platen 16a in its rest-position (Figure 4A) and is raised from the platen to its feed-position when the film end 44a is withdrawn (Figure 4B), the pressure-plate being prevented from carrying forward with the roll- end 44a by abutment of extensions 54a with the vertical portion 80 of stops 58a. However, when the pressure-plate 18a is further lifted and tilted back as the film-end 44a is moved upward toward the severing means until extensions 54a contact the horizontal portion 82 of stops 58a and cause the pressure-plate to pivot, swinging its lower edge downwards to form the high-friction sinuous film path (the pressure- plate then assuming its severance position — Figure 4C). After severance of the film, the pressure-plate 18a drops down onto platen 16, returning to its rest-position (Figure 4A).

To remove pressure-plate 18a, it is grasped by the fingers from within opening Fa, its rear edge is raised to clear lip 38a and the plate is moved bodily rearwards. Then it is raised further until extensions 54a are clear of stops 58a, at which time the plate can be removed forwards from opening Fa. Pressure-plate 18a is, of course replaced in the reverse manner to its removal.

It will be appreciated that the examples of the invention described above meet the objects and desiderata for a film-wrap dispenser set out at the beginning of this specification. However, those skilled in the art will also understand that many variations and modifications can be made to the particular embodiments disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention outlined above or claimed below. It is not essential, for example, to dispense cling-wrap film or to use a hot-wire severing means. Paper, aluminium foil or other non plastic film may be used with serrated-knife severing means. Rather than being wholly contained within the front opening of the body, the platen and pressure-plate may be arranged to extend in front thereof so that access to the pressure-plate is made even easier. It is not essential for the dispenser to be mounted so that the roll-end is withdrawn horizontally, but if located otherwise it may be desirable employ spring means to return the pressure-plate to its rest-position. These and many other variations and modifications to the particular example described are possible.

******************************

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 Apparatus suitable for use in dispensing film-wrap forwardly from a substantially horizontal elongate roll, said apparatus comprising: an elongate body adapted to accommodate a roll of film-wrap, the body having a front, back, top, bottom and ends, an elongate aperture in the front of the body through which the roll-end may be withdrawn for dispensing, a substantially horizontal elongate platen having a front and a back, the platen being arranged in or near said aperture at a level above that of the bottom of a roll of film-wrap accommodated within the body so that the roll-end can be pulled forwardly through the aperture, passing upwardly to and over the back of the platen in so doing, an upstanding lip extending along at least portion of the back of the platen, an elongate pressure-plate having a front and a back, the pressure-plate being loosely accommodated by the body so as to normally rest flat upon and along the platen in front of said lip and thereby constrain film-wrap passing over the platen to follow a high-friction sinuous path around said lip and under the back of the pressure-plate thereby inhibiting withdrawal of the roll-end rearwards, this position of the pressure-plate being called the 'rest position'. ^~

2 Apparatus suitable for use in dispensing film-wrap forwardly from a substantially horizontal elongate roll, said apparatus comprising: an elongate body adapted to accommodate a roll of film-wrap, the body having a front, back, top, bottom and ends, • an elongate aperture in the front of the body through which the roll-end may be withdrawn for dispensing, a substantially horizontal elongate platen having a front and a back, the platen being arranged in or near said aperture at a level above that of the bottom of a roll of film-wrap accommodated within the body so that the roll-end can be pulled forwardly through the aperture, passing upwardly to and over the back of the platen in so doing, an upstanding lip extending along at least portion of the back of the platen, an elongate pressure-plate loosely accommodated by the body and arranged to rest on the platen on the roll-end, the pressure-plate having a front and a back, film severing means for effecting lateral severance of film-wrap located above the platen and the pressure-plate so that film-wrap withdrawn from the front aperture of the body can be raised sufficiently to engage the severing means and thereby effect severance of the film-wrap, the pressure-plate being accommodated sufficiently loosely by the body so that raising the film-wrap to effect severance thereof is effective in lifting the pressure-plate bodily off the platen and in tilting it rearwards while it rests on the film-wrap, this position of the pressure-plate being called the 'severance position', and stop means operative between the body and the pressure-plate to ensure that the back of the pressure-plate lies adjacent to, forwards of and below the top of said lip so that film-wrap extending from the roll to the severing means is forced to follow a high-friction sinuous path over the lip and under the back of the pressure-plate when the pressure-plate is in the severance-position.

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: the pressure-plate is sufficiently loosely accommodated by the body so as to normally rest flat upon and along the platen in front of said lip and thereby constrain film-wrap passing over the platen to follow a high-friction sinuous path around said lip and under the back of the pressure-plate thereby retaining the roll-end and inhibiting its rearward withdrawal when there is no forward tension on the film-wrap, this position of the pressure-plate being called the 'rest position'.

Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 wherein: the pressure plate is sufficiently loosely accommodated by the body so as to allow the pressure plate to be lifted bodily off the platen by the film-tension when film-wrap is pulled substantially horizontally forwards from the aperture so that the film-wrap travels a substantially linear low-friction path from the lip over the platen and under the pressure-plate, this position of the pressure- plate being called the 'feed position". 5 Apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the pressure-plate is mounted within the body with sufficient looseness to allow it to move rearwards so that its back to contacts the lip and to allow the pressure-plate to move forwards so that its back is spaced forwards of said lip, when the pressure-plate is in its rest-position.

6 Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein: the pressure-plate is biased to return to its rest-position after severance of the film so that the film-end is trapped between the pressure-plate and the platen.

7 Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said stop means comprise: a longitudinally-extending spigot on each end of the pressure-plate at or near the back there of, • a cutout or socket for each spigot formed within the body near each end thereof, the cutout or socket being substantially larger than the respective spigot in both the front-to-back and vertical directions, and a rear-facing opening in each cutout or socket above the level of the lip so that the respective spigot may be removed therefrom by raising the pressure-plate, and moving it rearward, so that the pressure plate may thereby be removed form the body for initial thread-up of the roll-end.

8 Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said stop means comprises: abutments within the body forward of and above said lip adapted to limit the upward and rearward tilting movement of the pressure-plate and to cause the back of the pressure plate to move downwards as the pressure-plate approaches its severance-position.

9 Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein: • the platen forms the bottom of said front opening in the body and the platen slopes downward and forward from its lip, a downward and forward sloping ramp surface is located on or near the bottom of the body and adapted to support the roll of film-wrap so as to bias the roll against said lip to thereby increase the friction between the film-wrap and the lip.

10 Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein: • the body is of a rectilinear shape and the front opening comprises substantially the entire upper portion of the front of the body, the platen defines the bottom of the front opening and is substantially contained within the body, the severing means comprises a hot-wire strung longitudinally along the top- front corner of the body above the platen, a hinged guard is arranged over the hot-wire to shield it against contact from above and the front, the guard being biased downwards over the wire, said guard forming the top-front exterior corner of the body, the arrangement being such that, when film-wrap withdrawn from the body is raised toward the hot-wire, it contacts the front lower edge of the guard and causes the guard to pivot upwards and expose the hot wire for contact by the film-wrap.

11 Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein: a plurality of pointed tabs are formed on the front of pressure-plate so as to be adapted to (i) form indents in thin film-wrap as it is withdrawn and raised to the severing means, and (ii) engage wrinkled or curled film-wrap and inhibit such film-wrap from retracting beneath the pressure-plate when the pressure-plate is in its rest position.

12 Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein: the pressure-plate can be removed from the front of the body through the body aperture by first raising it from its rest position and then moving it rearwards within the body, and the pressure-plate can be replaced in its rest-position in the reverse manner.

13 A dispenser for roll-form film-wrap of the type having a platen over which the roll-end is withdrawn forwardly from the dispenser, severing means arranged above the platen to which film withdrawn from the dispenser can be raised to effect severance, and a movable pressure-plate adapted to rest on the film- wrap and to be raised with it toward the severing means but to fall back and to capture the roll-end against the platen after severance of the film-wrap, the dispenser being characterised in that: an upstanding lip is formed at the rear of the platen so that film-wrap withdrawn from the roll passes over it, the pressure-plate is loosely and removably located within the dispenser so that: it lies flat on the platen over the film-end when film-wrap is not under tension so that the roll-end takes a sinuous path over the lip and under the rear of the pressure-plate, inhibiting the rearward movement of the roll-end from under the pressure plate, this position of the pressure-plate being called the 'rest-position', it is raised bodily from the platen by the tension of the film-wrap as the film-wrap is withdrawn from the dispenser, so that the path of the film- wrap over the lip and under the pressure-plate is less sinuous than in the rest position, the raised position of the pressure-plate being called the 'feed-position', when the film-wrap is raised to effect severance, the front of the pressure plate is swung upwards therewith but the rear of the pressure-plate is moved downwards close to and in front of the lip so as to force the film- wrap to take a sinuous path around the lip and under the pressure-plate, the position of the pressure-plate at severance being called the 'severance-position', and • after severance of the film-wrap, the pressure-plate returns to its rest position, capturing the roll-end between it and the platen.