GB2460866A

GB2460866A - Roll dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2460866A
Application number: GB0810839A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Patrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-13
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Also published as: GB0810839D0

Abstract

The invention provides a dispenser 5,6,7 particularly configured to allow precise lengths of sheet material to be dispensed from a roll 11 thereof. Sheet material from a roll 11 is engaged with a measuring device 17 which provides a reading corresponding to the length of material drawn from the roll.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELA TING TO DISPENSING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and, in particular, to apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a roll.

Background to the Invention

There are numerous requirements for dispensing precisely measured lengths of sheet material from a roll. Wallpaper is one example. At present, the task of obtaining correct lengths of wall paper for hanging, is cumbersome and often leads to inaccuracy and wastage. Because lengths of wallpaper are typically at least two metres long, and curl when unrolled from a roll, it is difficult to cut the wallpaper, from the roll, to a precise length.

It is an object of this invention to provide dispensing apparatus which will go at least in some way in addressing the aforementioned problems; or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a roll, said apparatus including a support configured to locate a roll of sheet material; and a measuring facility operable to indicate the length of a section of said sheet material taken from said roll whilst said roll is located on said support.

Preferably said support is located within a housing.

Preferably said measuring facility is configured so that a display included therein can be zeroed.

Preferably said measuring facility is operable by frictional engagement with sheet material on, or drawn from, said roll.

Preferably said apparatus further includes a cutting surface against which material drawn from said roll can be supported to allow cutting from said roll.

Preferably said cutting surface includes a datum line arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said roll when located on said support.

Preferably said datum line is defined by a groove.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of dispensing a length of wallpaper from the roll thereof which includes the operative use of the apparatus set forth above.

Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One preferred form the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows an isometric view of dispensing apparatus according to the invention, with the sheet material roll removed for clarity; and Figure 2: shows a cross-section of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1, in its operating configuration.

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment

The invention provides dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a roll. The apparatus has been developed for the particular application of dispensing measured lengths of wallpaper from a roll, though other applications will present themselves to those skilled in the art.

In the form shown the apparatus comprises a housing 5 defined by a base 6 and a lid 7. The lid 7 is preferably hinged to the base 6, at 8. Included within the opposed sides of the base 6 is a pair of upturned channels 9 which serve to support the ends of a rod 10 passed through the centre of material roll 11. In this way the roll 11 is rotatably supported within the base 6.

Also included in the base 6 is an output roller 12 and a cutting surface 13. The output roller 12 supports the sheet material 14 as it is drawn from the roll 11 whilst the cutting surface 13 provides a surface against which the sheet material can be pressed whilst being cut from the roll 11. The cutting surface has a datum line defined thereon which, in the embodiment depicted, is provided by a groove 15 which extends across the cutting surface 13 substantially parallel to the axis of the roll 11 and rod 10.

Rotatably supported in the lid 7 is a further roller 16 which, when the lid is in the closed and operating position shown in Figure 2, bears against the upper surface of the sheet material 14 and, due to frictional engagement with the sheet material 14, is caused to rotate as the material 14 is drawn from the roll 11. Linked to the further roller 16 is a measuring facility which in the form shown comprises a counter 17 operated by a belt 18, the belt 18 being displaced by rotation of the further roller 16. The counter 17 is of the type which gives a cumulative visual reading as the roller 16 rotates, thus indicating the length of material 14 drawn from the roller 11. The counter 17 can be zeroed by a button 19.

The use of the invention is as follows: Rod 10 is passed through the centre of a roll 11 of wallpaper and the roll 11 then located within base 6 of the housing 5. The free end of the wallpaper is threaded over output roller 12 and the lid 7 then closed so that roller 16 bears against the upper surface of the wallpaper 14. The free end of the wallpaper 14 is aligned with the notch 15 or, alternatively, the free edge of the wallpaper is drawn out beyond the datum line and cut by passing a knife along the groove 15. The counter 17 is then zeroed by pressing button 19 and the wallpaper then drawn out of the housing until the reading on counter 17 corresponds to the desired length of wallpaper required. The length is then cut by passing a knife along groove 15.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a simple yet effective form of dispensing apparatus which enables precise lengths of wallpaper to be cut from a roll without wastage and handling difficulties being encountered.

Claims

Claims 1. Dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a roll, said apparatus including a support configured to locate a roll of sheet material; and a measuring facility operable to indicate the length of a section of said sheet material taken from said roll whilst said roll is located on said support.
2. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support is located within a housing.
3. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said measuring facility is configured so that a display included therein can be zeroed.
4. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said measuring facility is operable by frictional engagement with sheet material on, or drawn from, said roll.
5. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a cutting surface against which material drawn from said roll can be supported to allow cutting from said roll.
6. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cutting surface includes a datum line arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said roll when located on said support.
7. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said datum line is defined by a groove.
8. A method for dispensing a length of wallpaper from a roll thereof comprising the operative use of the dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims ito 7.