WO1997036528A1

WO1997036528A1 - Apparatus for dispensing optionally folded wiping materials

Info

Publication number: WO1997036528A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/000498
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Granger
Original assignee: Maurice Granger
Priority date: 1996-03-29
Filing date: 1997-03-21
Publication date: 1997-10-09
Also published as: ZA972596B; FR2746620B1; FR2746620A1; DE69700601D1; EP0889700A1; ES2137058T3; AU2297297A; TW360514B; DE69700601T2; EP0889700B1; ATE185258T1; GR3032108T3

Abstract

ping material dispenser apparatus including a device enabling the paper strip from a reel to be dispensed in either of two modes, i.e. a first mode in which the paper strip is let out of the apparatus after every rotation cycle of a drum (4), and a second mode in which the paper strip is prevented from exiting the apparatus after every rotation cycle of the drum (4) until the user operates the mechanisms of the device, whereby said device acts as a position selecting means actively or passively engaging the drum (4).

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS WHICH CAN BE DISTRIBUTED IN FOLDED OR NOW FOLDED FORM

The invention relates to the technical sector of devices for dispensing wiping paper, cellulose wadding, crepe paper, or similar materials intended more particularly for wiping the hands of users, for dispensing toilet paper, for distribution of paper towels. These papers can be in folded or unfolded form.

The Applicant has developed numerous patents on devices of the aforementioned type in an automatic version for dispensing paper webs from a loading reel.

We briefly recall the characteristics of such a dispensing device.

The device is referenced as a whole by (1) and comprises a casing (2), a cover (3), a drum (4), a cutting device (5) integrated in the drum, a pressing element (6) as well as means for launching and returning the drum including an eccentric (7) and a spring (8). In its upper part, the casing receives two flanges (2a - 2b) capable of receiving a reel holder (9) or end pieces supplying a reel (B) of wiping material. The drum (4) and the pressing element are also held between lower flanges (2c - 2d) established perpendicularly to the rear plane (2e) of the casing. The drum comprises an axis (4a) extending at its ends to form, on the one hand and on one side, an operating button and, on the other hand and on the other side, beyond the receiving flange ( 2c), an eccentric lever (7) capable of receiving the spring (8) for launching and returning. The drum unit (4) - pressing element (6) allows the passage and the entrainment of the paper strip behind the drum in view of its cutting, the pressing element being in abutment on the drum and the assembly rotating in the manner of a gear in opposite directions. A follower roller (10) is arranged in the lower part of the casing having, in particular, in a known manner, the protection of the user's hands by being at the point where the paper exits the device, and guiding the paper exit. This follower roller is set in motion using a belt (11) associated with the drum.

0 In this design, after each rotation of the drum, under the pulling effect of the paper strip by the user, an automatic cutting of the strip is carried out according to a determined length. The strip of paper is, in all cases, taken out of the device over a certain length to allow it to be entered by the user. 5

This technique is perfectly reliable and is used on a large scale by the Applicant.

However, it sometimes happens, for certain applications (hospital environments), that it is preferable that the strip of paper is not removed from the device when there is no specific need for wiping. Also, provision has been made, in certain cases, for arranging the apparatuses with an operating lever which can be actuated by the operator to enable the paper strip to be pre-exited for entry. These operating levers are arranged laterally to the device and the operator is then led to carry out two movements, one lateral on the lever, then the other in a movement in translation towards the center of the device to grasp the paper strip and pull it in a complete and final manner causing the final operating cycle of the drum with a view to cutting the paper strip. Such a solution nevertheless has the drawback that the operator's movements are successive and that there is not immediately a natural pull of the strip of paper. On the other hand, the operating lever is visible, laterally on the device, which can be annoying for problems of storage and space.

Also, the aim sought after according to the invention was to design an improved device integrated directly into the device without external overflow and which allows the distribution of paper by an operator, the 0 paper, in the rest state of the device, n '' not having come out of the lower part of it and therefore cannot be grasped.

Another aim sought after according to the invention was to provide a device which makes it possible to select the methods of distribution of the paper strip out of the apparatus, either that the paper strip is visible for the purpose of its drawing, or that the paper strip is not visible, and this to meet the different applications and uses of the device.

0 According to a first characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a device authorizing the distribution of the paper strip coming from the reel in two possible modes:

- either by letting the paper strip come out of the device at each drum rotation cycle,

25 - either by preventing the strip of paper from exiting the device at each drum rotation cycle by requiring additional intervention by the user by acting on the mechanisms of the device, said device acting as a selector means position with a passive or active action on the drum.

30

According to another characteristic, in the case of the distribution of the strip of paper, preventing its exit from the device, the device ensures the temporary blocking of the drum after a partial rotation thereof, for the distribution of the strip of paper, by partially releasing the energy of the spring launch and return, and in that the device, after actuation, releases said drum to allow it a complementary rotation to finish a turn, thanks to the residual energy of the launch and return spring, by removing the paper from the device.

According to another characteristic, the device comprises a means established in the form of a projecting stop disposed in the inner central part of the cover capable of cooperating by elasticity on the follower roller by causing it to move backwards, and in that said follower roller control, with elastically controlled articulation, a shaped bent part, the upper part of which may or may not cooperate with a complementary shape established on the lateral side of the drum, and in that a selector lever is hinged mounted on the bent part to define depending on its position, the mode of distribution and exit of the paper strip out of the device.

These characteristics and others will become apparent from the following description.

Figure 1 is a partial exploded view of the device of the invention before mounting on the paper dispensing apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the dispensing apparatus arranged with the device of the invention. In this representation, the apparatus is represented in its normal version of automatic cutting with paper exit, the device being represented in unlocking position. Figure 3 is a view on the other side of the apparatus illustrating, in a known and schematic manner, the main means of launching the drum.

Figure 4 is a partial side view of the dispensing apparatus illustrating the application of the device of the invention in the locked position preventing the exit of the strip of paper from the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 in the representation of the device in the unlocked position allowing the exit of the strip of paper.

Figure 6 is a partial front view of the dispensing apparatus illustrating the device of the invention.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The paper dispensing device is arranged with the main components described above and the same references will be used for the following description.

The aim of the invention lies in the arrangement of the aforementioned device with a particular device making it possible to operate the device for dispensing paper, according to two possible modes, either by letting the strip of paper out at each cycle. of rotation of the drum, or by preventing the exit of the paper strip out of the apparatus, with each cycle of rotation of the drum, requiring additional intervention by the user. The particular device thus acts as a position selector means with a passive or active action on the drum. The proposed solution implements means and mechanisms to ensure this functionality independently of any operating lever of the type known in other devices described in Applicant's prior patents.

The dispensing device is arranged with a drum (4) integrating a cutting device (5) with a serrated blade which is rotated by the pulling action of the paper strip by the user. This drum has, from its longitudinal axis, a return and launch means comprising an eccentric (7) associated with a spring (8). The rotation of the drum leads to the extension of the spring which stores energy through the eccentric and, after passing through a neutral point, the spring allows the drum to return to position (4) by giving the cutting blade a cutting speed allowing the cutting of the paper strip by the release of energy from the spring. In its lower part, the device comprises a follower protection roller (10) which has the purpose, according to the conditions of previous use in the device, of avoiding introducing fingers into the bottom of the device. This roller therefore essentially has a protective function and incidentally a function of guiding the strip of paper towards the outlet of the device.

According to the invention, the device which allows the selection, in operation, of the device leaving or not leaving the paper strip implements the intervention of the aforementioned follower roller to assign it an additional function of intervention on the drum. to ensure the release of a provisional blocking mechanism for its stroke, allowing it to finish its stroke on one turn and allowing the end of the paper strip to exit.

More specifically, the cover or cover (3) of the device is arranged internally with a form in abutment (3a) forming a projection disposed in the middle part of the cover or substantially and capable, after support by the operator, of coming into contact. and pressing by elastic deformation on the aforementioned follower roller (10) causing it backward movement, in order to activate a particular mechanism. Said follower roller is thus arranged to come to engage at one of its ends on a bent piece (12) in "L" shape which is articulated in its middle part on an axis or tenon (13) formed on the flange (2c ) of the device on the operating button side (14), opposite the device (8) for launching the drum. This bent piece forms a lever and has in its elbow an opening (12a) allowing the positioning of the finger (10a) for centering the follower roller, the other end (10b) of the follower roller being introduced into an opening arranged on the other flange opposite (2d) of the device. In its upper part, said bent part has a shaped notched shape (12b) having a tab (12c) arranged in a perpendicular plane and oriented on the drum side of the device. This recess is established in an "L" configuration and is integrated into the hollowed out part (4b) of the side wall or flange (4a) facing the drum (4). The latter has, on its lateral flank, an interior boss (4c) with a cavity (4b) allowing the insertion of the axis of a preloading handwheel (14). Around this boss (4c) is provided a shape (4d) profiled with a face forming a stop against which will be likely to come to bear and block the recess (12b) of the bent piece (12). The flange (4a) of the drum has an interior cavity as shown in the drawings. The lower end (12e) of the bent piece receives a point of projection (12f) allowing the fixing of one end (15a) of an elastic return means (15), the other end (15b) being fixed to the casing base. This bent piece (12) is articulated relative to the support axis by the driving and pushing effect of the roller underlying the drum when said roller is pushed back by the cover of the device.

In addition, the device is arranged with two means (16 - 17) for viewing the operating mode of the roller. On the side flange of the housing is provided a plate (16) with a fixed position on which appears for example the mention "STOP ^1. The second means (17) is a selector lever articulated with respect to the bent part (12). It is articulated with respect to an axis (12g) projecting laterally from the bent part (12 ) and located substantially in the vicinity of the bent part. Another internal axis (17a) is formed on this lever (17) capable of coming to bear in an internal profiled notch (12h) established on the edge of the bent part (12) in its upper part. This articulated selector lever has an upper plate (17b), the end (17c) of which forms a hook in a perpendicular plane and comes to bear substantially and fix against a profiled projecting part forming a ramp (18) established on the flange. side of the casing or on a fixed flange for protecting the drum and comprising an indexing position (18a). In its upper part, the lever has a plate (17d) with, for example, the representation of a sign such as an arrow to suggest potential positions.

It is this lever articulated relative to the bent piece which will allow the selection in operating mode of the rotation of the drum and therefore of distribution of the strip of wiping paper.

In the hypothesis that the paper dispensing device operates in its usual version, that is to say that each cycle of rotation of the drum, a strip of paper leaves the device for gripping, the articulated lever is then tilted forward. Its articulation relative to the bent part will cause the engagement of the inner finger in the notch formed on the edge of the lever and cause a slight tilting towards the front of the bent part against the elastic return means. This pivoting of the bent part will then cause the upper part of the latter to be disengaged so that its upper recessed shape is no longer in contact with the abutment profile established on the lateral flange of the roller. Said recess of the bent part will be moved away from the stop, so that by the cavity formed on the side flange of the drum, it can turn without difficulty. The recess is located in the space of the cavity. In this case, and in normal operation, the strip of paper coming from the reel will be able to leave the device during the complete rotation over one revolution of the drum. The eccentric and the return means located on the other side of the device are biased at once by releasing the stored energy from the spring.

In the second situation, the articulated selector lever is tilted back, releasing the bent part which, under the effect of the relaxation of its fastening spring at its lower end, will tilt back. The recess formed on the bent part will thus come into the plane of the stop. After a partial rotation of the drum over a certain circumference, the stop will come into contact with the recess of the bent piece and lock the drum in position preventing any further rotation of the latter. In this phase, the paper strip did not come out.

The operator must then act under pressure on the cover of the apparatus at the point of the projection which may be materialized by a specific color or marking of the "PUS H" type. The action exerted results in the backward thrust of the follower roller and, consequently, the tilting of the bent part. The latter pivots and its upper part in the form of an offset deviates forwards, freeing the drum and thus escaping from the stop zone. The drum which is no longer maintained or retained by the bent piece becomes free again, and by the residual relaxation effect of the launching spring, the drum rotates according to an additional angular rotation of a few degrees to finish its race according to a complete revolution, thus allowing the exit of the strip of paper and its entry by the operator. The release of the pressure effect on the follower roller, by the projection of the cover hood, causes the part to tip over angled which then comes to present its extension part in the path of the drum stop to cause during the next cycle a complementary stop.

For the operator, these operations are carried out in a very short time while his hand is located in the lower middle part of the dispensing device. When his thumb rests on the projection causing the drum to release, the paper strip can come out of the device and he can grasp it naturally in the same plane. There is therefore, as is the case according to the prior art, lateral movement of the hand.

The force exerted on the cover and the projection in particular, can be carried out according to the shape of the support, either by the thumb or by the operator's elbow.

The advantages of the invention are thus emphasized, which make it possible, from the same device, to distribute the strip of paper according to different possible modes. The parts and mechanisms that allow this dual use are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to mount on the device.

Claims

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

-1- Device for dispensing wiping material which can be dispensed in folded or unfolded form, of the type comprising a casing (2), a cover (3), a drum (4), a cutting device (5) integrated in the drum, a pressing element (6) as well as means for launching and returning the drum including an eccentric (7) and a spring (8), in its upper part, the casing receiving two flanges (2a - 2b) capable of receiving a reel (B) of wiping material, said drum (4) and the pressing element being held between flanges (2c - 2d) established perpendicularly to the rear plane (2e) of the casing, a follower roller being disposed in the lower part of the casing and cooperating with the rotating drum using a drive belt, characterized in that it comprises a device allowing the distribution of the strip of paper from the spool in two modes possible:

- either by preventing the paper strip from coming out of the device at each drum rotation cycle by requiring additional intervention by the user by an action on the mechanisms of the device, said device acting as a selector means for position with passive or active action on the drum.

-2- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of the distribution of the paper strip, by preventing its exit from the apparatus, the device ensures the temporary blocking of the drum after a partial rotation of that -this, for the distribution of the paper strip, by partially releasing the energy of the launch and return spring, and in that the device, after actuation, releases said drum to allow it a complementary rotation to finish a turn, thanks to the residual energy of the launch and return spring by removing the paper from the device.

-3- Apparatus according to any one of claims let 2, characterized in that the device comprises a means (3a) established in the form of a projecting stop disposed in the inner middle part of the cover (3) capable of cooperating by elasticity on the follower roller (10) by causing it to move backwards, and in that said follower roller (10) controls, with an elastically controlled articulation, a bent piece (12) profiled, the upper part (12b) of which can cooperate or not with a complementary shape (4d) established on the lateral side (4a) of the drum (4), and in that a selector lever (17) is hinged on the bent piece (12) to define according to its position the how to distribute and exit the paper web from the machine.

-4- Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the bent piece (12) is arranged in its lower part to receive one of the axes (10a) of the end of the follower roller (10), said bent piece being articulated relative to the lower flange (2c) of the drum support device, and in that its lower end (12e) is connected to an elastic return means (15) fixed to the casing of the device, and in that its upper end has a shape (12b) profiled in an offset having a tab (12c) perpendicular and oriented on the drum side of the device to engage in a cavity (4b) formed in the lateral flange (4a) of said drum.

-5- Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the drum (4) has, on its lateral flank, an inner boss (4c) with cavity (4b) allowing the insertion of the axis of the handwheel (14 ), said boss (4c) having a profiled shape with a face forming a stop (4d) and cooperating or not with the recess (12b) of the bent part (12) according to the position of the latter.

-6- The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the bent part (12) receives a point of projection (12f) allowing the fixing of the elastic return means (15) whose other end is fixed to the base of the casing, and in that it comprises a complementary notch (12h) capable of cooperating with the selector lever (17).

-7 Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the selector lever (17) is articulated relative to the bent part (12) by having an axis (17a) capable of cooperating with the notch (12h) of the part angled ensuring its spacing and authorizing the operation of the device with a distribution of the paper strip outside the device, and in that said selector lever (17) is arranged in its upper part with a form (17c) cooperating with a positioning ramp (18) established on the lateral flange of the casing or on a protective flange of the drum.

-8- Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the second end (10b) of the follower roller (10) is fixed on the wall or flange opposite the housing of the device, eccentric side and launching spring.

-9- Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the ramp (18) for positioning has an indexing position (18a) allowing the positioning of the selector lever in the situation of separation of said lever to allow the release of the part cubit of the drum.

-10- Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means (16) established on the side flange of the housing in the form of a plate with a fixed position allowing a viewing reference.