WO1998003108A1 - Apparatus for dispensing strips of tissue paper for use as a hand towel, toilet paper and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing strips of paper for use as a hand towel, toilet paper and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing (1a) with a flap (11) arranged in the lower portion thereof behind the drum (6) and forwardly pivotable relative to side flanges and counter to a resilient return means. Said housing further includes a fixed wall (14) extending between the flap and the drum and forming a cross member with a freely rotatable ring (15). Pivotal movement of the flap defines a variable-volume space with the fixed wall (14) whereby the working roll is held in position by the resilient engagement of the flap and allowed to rotate as paper is removed until it is empty. Said flap engages a profiled lever (16) coupled to the loading arm to control the flap position as the cover is closed. A locking means combined with the lever (16) engages the flap at various times during operation.

Description

 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PAPER BANDS FOR TOWELS, TOILET PAPER AND THE LIKE

The invention relates to the technical sector of devices for distributing and cutting strips of paper, cotton wool and similar materials, for the formation and distribution of paper towels, paper towels, toilet paper, towels, and the like. similar products in these materials intended for cleanliness, hygiene and wiping.

The applicant has developed devices in the targeted field in which the operator can introduce a reserve roll when the roll in service is not yet finished. To this end, the dispensing device is arranged with a molded casing capable of receiving, from lateral flanges, a dispensing drum with integrated cutter of the paper web and, in an upper plane, a reel holder d '' a roll of wiping material. The lower rear part of the receptacle of the device is arranged to receive the service roller before finishing, while the reserve roller, after positioning on the spool holder, can be presented towards the drum cutting device to be put in operation before the expiration of the first service roller so that there is, at the end of the service roller finish, a punctual distribution of two units of paper tape from the service roller and the reserve roller.

The problem that arises is as follows. To allow the material reel to be wound on its support mandrel, the first coil turn is fixed by gluing on a generator of the mandrel. This bonding operation is carried out so that there is a solid bond in order to facilitate the winding of the roll with tight turns in order to obtain a final reel of perfect quality necessary for the proper functioning of the dispensing devices. It is recalled that a simple shift of turns can cause the device to lock up.

To allow the evacuation of the mandrel from the coil at the end of service, it has been provided by the applicant, in its previous patents, the positioning of the latter in a closed housing inside the receptacle of the casing. In practice, opening the cover allows access to the interior of the device; the user having to recover the free mandrel is likely to introduce his hand above the drum to take the mandrel. Furthermore, and to ensure continuous, and therefore smooth, distribution, the first tape unit of the reserve reel is dispensed simultaneously with the last tape unit of the service roll. In practice, several tape units of the service and reserve rolls can be distributed simultaneously for a few turns to ensure this continuity.

In the context of the operation of this type of device, it was found that there was great difficulty in separating the last strip unit from the service roll with its support mandrel. It has happened that the support mandrel is itself attracted during the rotation of the drum against the latter causing a blockage of the device and its stop of operation. This drawback put the device out of service until a service agent could observe this situation, remove the bulky mandrel and recharge the device. This approach is therefore particularly troublesome in the measure where it is difficult to schedule the periods of passage of the maintenance agents thus leaving, in the unavailable state, for a variable period, the distributor.

The aim sought after according to the invention was therefore to remedy these drawbacks by implementing a new mechanism making it possible to detach the mandrel from the strip of material in service at the end of dispensing.

Another object sought after according to the invention has been to arrange the dispenser to allow improved evacuation of the mandrel after finishing the service roller.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the device for dispensing strips of paper for hand towels, toilet paper and the like comprising, in a casing and between lateral flanges, the positioning, in the lower part of the device, of '' a drum incorporating a cutting device, a pressing element and in the upper part thereof a reel holder of wiping material, the casing being arranged in its rear part to allow the positioning of the service roller at the end of use during the positioning of a reserve roll on the spool holder, the apparatus comprising a loading arm controlled by the closing of the cover to pre-position the free end strip of the reserve roll between the drum and the pressing element for the operation of the reserve roller, is characterized in that the casing is arranged in its lower part and behind the drum with a flap pivoting forward with respect to the lateral flanges and articulated to meet an elastic return means, said casing also comprising, between the flap and the drum, a fixed wall forming a spacer arranged with a free ring in rotation, and in that the pivoting of the flap makes it possible to define a space of variable volume with the fixed wall allowing the positioning of the service roller in the end of finishing phase, said flap ensuring by elastic effect the maintenance of said service roller in position, while allowing its rotation for its unwinding, and in that said flap cooperates with a profiled lever which is coupled to the loading arm ensuring the control in position of the flap when the lid is closed, and in that a means locking is associated with the lever to cooperate with the flap in certain operating phases, and in that all of the means allows the detachment of the last the end of the strip of material of the mandrel of the service roller in the finishing phase.

According to another characteristic, the dispensing device is characterized in that the space formed by the flap and the spacer wall in the tilting phase towards the front of the flap is established in the form of a funnel narrowed upwards having the function , under the support effect of the flap by its elastic means, to block in position the mandrel of the service roller with a view to detaching the last end of the material strip from said mandrel.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings where:

- Figure ballast a schematic view of the dispenser according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the dispensing device according to the invention with its mechanisms shown in the interception phase of the service roll not yet expired,

FIG. 3 is a partial view illustrating the gradual escape from the service roller,

FIG. 4 is a partial view illustrating the final exhaust of the service roller,

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating the various mechanisms of the device,

- Figure 6 is a partial view illustrating the device with the cover open, for example in the reloading position.

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 wiping material dispensing device is referenced as a whole by (1) and it comprises a casing (1a) capable of receiving, at articulation, a closing cover (2). The housing comprises a bottom wall (1 b) extending at its lower base by an inclined plane (1 c) covering part of the thickness of the device. The bottom wall and the inclined plane (1 c) are made in one piece and are arranged with means allowing the positioning and holding by clipping, without tools, of two flanges (3 - 4) lateral perpendicular to the bottom wall.

These lateral flanges are arranged to allow positioning, in their upper part, of a reel holder (5), and in their lower part, of a drum (6) for dispensing the paper web, the drum receiving internally a cutting device (7) of the type described without limitation in the applicant's prior patents. The reel-holder device is capable of receiving a roll of material (R1) between two end pieces (8) which can be retracted optionally. A visual control device (V) located in the upper part of the casing makes it possible to check the diameter of the reel of material in use in order to detect the moment when loading a reserve roll (R2), and to notify the maintenance agent that the appliance is ready for this operation. It is understood that the diameter detected causing the change of roller with the installation of a reserve roller, leaves a number of sections or units of tape of the service roller sufficient to allow the practical application of such an operation. .

An articulated loading arm (9), placed in the lower part of the device, and towards the front, has longitudinally and above the drum, over all or part of the length thereof, a bar (9a) profile capable of coming to present the end of the strip of paper from the reserve roll towards the drum drive zone, for its subsequent distribution.

A pressing element (10) is in contact in its upper part with the drum (6), while the new strip of paper to be cut, coming from the reserve roll, is ready to be guided between the drum and the pressing element.

According to the invention, the improvements made are aimed at ensuring the detachment of the mandrel from the service roller at the end of finishing with respect to the end of the final strip of the service roller.

For this purpose, the casing (1a) is arranged in its lower rear part to receive, at articulation, a flap (11) pivoting relative to its axis. Said flap has, for this purpose, on its hinge axis, projecting fingers (11a) penetrating into the thickness (3 - 4) of the flanges ensuring their guidance. The flap (11) has, at one of its ends, a protruding tab (11 b) opening out and crossing the thickness of the flange (3) facing through an oblong, curvilinear lumen, forming a guide passage. A pin spring (12) ensures the elastic return of the flap (11) towards the front, one (12a) of the branches of said spring being in abutment on the casing and the other (12b) being in abutment against the tab (11b) projecting from the flap. This flap is disposed along the entire length of the device and it is capable of coming opposite with a fixed wall (14) forming a spacer between the flanges (3 - 4) and located behind the drum (6) of the device. This fixed spacer wall (14) is capable of receiving a ring (15) mounted to rotate freely. This ring is intended to constitute a counter-support for the roll of material in service (R1) when the latter is introduced into the rear part of the receptacle. The distance (d) existing between the fixed spacer wall (14) and the flap (11) is established in a specific manner to correspond to a determined diameter of the service roller during the final distribution phase. During its installation, after loading a reserve roller, the service roller is thus perfectly maintained by the flap (11) and by the fixed wall and more particularly the ring (15). It should be noted that the flap in position against the service roller being finished is in an inclined position so as to define a funnel-shaped space narrowed upwards when the flap is tilted towards the front of the unit.

The flap (11) has, moreover, on its upper longitudinal edge, two extensions (11e) capable of penetrating during its tilting towards the front in corresponding windows (14c) established on the spacer wall (14). This arrangement occurs when the service roller expires with a view to triggering the start-up and distribution of the reserve roller.

The flap articulation mechanism is associated with the movement and pivoting of the loading arm of the end of the paper strip of the reserve roll. To this end, the mechanism comprises a first articulated lever (16) profiled in the shape of an inverted "F". This lever (16) is articulated in its upper corner part (16a) relative to a pivot axis (17) attached to the flange (3). Its upper end (16b) is associated with a return spring (18), one end (18a) of which is fixed to the flange (3) opposite the casing. The middle branch (16c) of said lever (16) is profiled so as to have a profile and front edge forming a cam (16d) capable of cooperating with the tab (11b) projecting from the flap. In its lower part (16e), the lever (16) has an axis (19) of articulation receiving a free pivoting hook (20) capable of cooperating in certain operating phases with the tab (11b) projecting from the flap (11 ). The lower end (16f) of the lever (16) constitutes its means of control and thrust and articulation by making contact with the lower lower part (2a) of the cover (2) when lifting and closing it on the casing.

Furthermore, said lever (16) is coupled by an arm (21) with the loading arm (9) for introducing the new paper strip coming from the reserve roll (R2). This arm (21) is thus secured by a first end (21a) to the lever (16) and by its other end (21b) to the loading arm. The latter is biased in elastic return by a spring (22) whose other end (22a) is fixed to the flange (3) of the device. On the aforementioned lever (16) is added a notched guide (23) allowing the positioning and sliding of the upper part of the arm (21).

According to another arrangement, the lever (16) has a cutout (16g) profiled in triangulation located in the connection zone between the middle and upper horizontal bands of the lever in the shape of "F". This recess allows the passage of a cleat (24) integral with the connecting arm (21) at its rear end. This cleat (24) is guided by a fixed ramp (25) integral with the flange (3).

The operation of the assembly is as follows. When the operator has positioned a first roller on the reel holder, he closes the cover, ipso facto raising the lever and therefore tilting the shutter forward. The latter which is freely moved comes substantially against the drum opposite the ring. When the maintenance agent has detected a probable rapid expiration of the service roll, he then proceeds to remove it from the spool pin. A reserve roller is then positioned freely on the spool holder, while the service roller, at small diameter and not yet finished, is then positioned freely in the lower part of the device. The shutter is in the non-stressing position. Indeed, the opening of the cover released the lever and the associated hook, so that the latter is no longer in contact with the flap. The installation of the unfinished service roller between the shutter and the spacer plate will be ensured by the operator who will then proceed with the installation of a new reserve roller. Closing the cover will again raise the lever but in a limited position since the service roller will act as a back-up between the flap and the ring mounted on the spacer wall. The movement of the lever will therefore be effective and the hook will go beyond the position of the flap. The unwinding of the paper strip will gradually reduce the diameter of the service roll. The flap will angularly approach the spacer plate while the free rotating roller will allow the service roller to sag. The mandrel is perfectly maintained between the flap (11) and the ring 15, and the pulling action of the last strip of material allows the material to be separated from the mandrel. It is locked in position by the wedge effect obtained by the position of the flap. The passage is smaller between the upper end of the flap tilted forward and the ring, than the diameter of the mandrel giving this funneling effect. Furthermore, the hook blocks the flap in position which cannot go back. This is done safely and the exhausted mandrel cannot come into contact with the drum.

At the end of the intervention, the tab associated with the flap will gradually come into contact with the head of the hook and, by the pushing effect due to its elastic return means, the flap will cause the hook to be raised, which will bypass said tab. and ensure its locking in position. Furthermore, the movement of the flap tab in its light will cause it to come into progressive contact with the middle part of the lever, a slight pushing effect will cause the cleat (24) to pass from a position on the fixed ramp to a position on the arm, by a jump of a few millimeters, causing the displacement of the loading arm towards the front of the apparatus causing the tilting of the loading member of the strip of the reserve roll. The latter will be introduced between the drum and the pressing element.

When the operator comes to check the operation of the device, he will open the cover allowing the immediate escape of the mandrel from the finished roll. The mandrel will then be removed from the lower part of the device.

Claims

- 1 - Apparatus for dispensing strips of paper for hand towels, toilet paper and the like of the type comprising in a casing (1a) and between lateral flanges (3 - 4) the positioning, in the lower part of the apparatus, of '' a drum (6) incorporating a cutting device (7), a pressing element (10) and in the upper part thereof a reel holder (5) of wiping material, the casing being arranged in its part rear to allow positioning of the service roller (R1) at the end of use during the positioning of a reserve roller (R2) on the spool holder, the apparatus comprising a loading arm (9) controlled by closing the cover (2) to pre-position the free end strip of the reserve roller between the drum and the pressing element for the purpose of putting the reserve roller into operation, characterized in that the casing (1a) is arranged in its lower part and behind the drum (6) with a flap (11) pivoting towards the front relative to the lateral flanges and articulated to meet an elastic return means, said casing also comprising, between the flap and the drum, a fixed wall (14) forming a spacer arranged with a ring (15) free to rotate , and in that the pivoting of the flap makes it possible to define a space of variable volume with the fixed wall (14) authorizing the positioning of the service roller at the end of finishing phase, said flap ensuring by elastic effect the maintenance of said service roller in position, while allowing its rotation for its unwinding, and in that said flap cooperates with a profiled lever (16) which is coupled to the loading arm ensuring control in position of the shutter when the cover is closed, and in that a locking means is associated with the lever (16) to cooperate with the shutter in certain operating phases, and in that all of the means allow detachment of the last end of strip of material of the mandrel of the service roller in the finishing phase. -2- Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the space formed by the flap (11) and the spacer wall (14) in the tilting phase towards the front of the flap is established in the form of a funnel narrowed upwards, the function of which, under the effect of the shutter being supported by its elastic means, is to lock in position the mandrel of the service roller with a view to detaching the last end of the strip of material from said mandrel. - 3 - Dispensing device, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the flap (11) has projecting fingers (11a) constituting the means of articulation in the thickness of the flanges (3 - 4), said flap having, at one of its ends, a protruding tab (11b) passing through the thickness of the flange (3) through a curvilinear oblong opening (3a) forming a passage guide, and in that the elastic return means of the shutter is a hairpin spring (12) one of the branches (12a) of which rests on the casing and the other (12b) of which bears against the tab (11 b) projecting from the shutter. - 4 - Dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixed spacer wall (14) established and fixed behind the drum receives a ring (15) mounted free to rotate, said ring ensuring a function of counter-support for the roll of material in service (R1) during the finishing phase. - 5 - Dispensing device, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flap (11) cooperates with the lever (16) articulated shaped in the shape of an inverted "F", said lever being coupled by a link arm (21 ) at its other end with the loading arm (9) of the end of the paper strip of the reserve roll, said lever (16) having in its lower part (16f) a means for controlling and pushing and articulation with the lower lower part (2a) of the cover, when lifting and closing it on the casing. -6 - Dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever (16) is articulated in its upper corner part (16a) relative to a pivot axis (17) attached to the flange (3), its upper end (16b) being associated with a return spring (18) fixed to the flange (3), and in that the middle branch (16c) of the lever is profiled with a cam-shaped edge (16d) cooperating with the tab (11b) of the flap, and in that the lever ( 16) has a hinge pin (19) receiving the locking means (20) forming a hook and cooperating with the flap. - 7 - Dispensing device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the lever (16) is coupled by an arm (21) to the loading arm, said arm being secured by its ends (21a - 21b ) to the lever and to the loading arm (9), said loading arm (9) being urged by an elastic return by means (22) fixed to the flange (3), and in that a guide (23) is integral with the lever (16) to allow positioning and sliding of the upper part of the arm (21). - 8 - Dispensing device according to any one of claims 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that the lever (16) has a rear cutout (16g) profiled in triangulation located in the connection zone between the horizontal bands, median and upper, of the lever, and in that said recess authorizes the passage and the positioning of a cleat (24) integral with the link arm (21), said cleat being guided by a fixed ramp (25) integral with the flange (3 ), said cleat being urged to move from its position on the fixed ramp, to come into contact on the loading arm when the flap (11) is pressed on the profiled edge of the lever (16), this displacement causing the tilting the loading arm (9) and placing the first strip of the reserve roller between the drum and the pressing element. - 9 - Dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the end-of-expiration situation of the service roller, the flap (11) is held in position by the hook (20) so defining a space of reduced volume with the fixed wall (14) and preventing the escape to the top of the mandrel of the service roller. -10- Dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the flap has, on its longitudinal edge, two extensions (11 e) capable of penetrating during its tilting forward in corresponding windows (14c) established on the spacer wall (14).