JPS582148B2 - Dispenser for flexible sheet materials - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispenser for flexible sheet material, and more particularly to a dispenser having a stop device and a variable timing device for adjusting the position of the withdrawal end of a web of sheet material.

Dispensers for perforating or cutting webs of flexible sheet material, such as paper towels, to divide the web into individual sheets have long been known.

U.S. Patents 1 and 4 of Schroeder
The dispenser disclosed in the '062 patent does not employ a suction cup type timing mechanism, and therefore cannot be operated in a variety of ways.

Julin U.S. Patent No. 1,467
In the dispenser disclosed in No. 481, the drawn-out end of the rolled web does not extend to the outside of the dispenser cabinet.

Furthermore, there is no timing device for adjusting the position of the web pull-out end.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,278 to Walsh et al.
In the dispenser disclosed in the '029 patent, the user must first touch the dispenser cabinet to grasp the drawn end of the paper towel web.

Furthermore, since a timing device is not provided, it is not possible to adjust the position of the drawn-out end of the web depending on the mode of use.

Bahnsen U.S. Patent No. 3,221
, 586, U.S. Pat. No. 2,193 to Birr.
, 759, Steiner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,242,552, and Birr.
A suction cup timing mechanism used in a dispensing device disclosed in British Patent No. 723,355 of U.S. Pat. Because there are
There are problems with smooth operation and sealing.

One of the features of the invention is that the drawer end from the roll is initially presented to a user outside the cabinet without the user having to touch the dispenser cabinet.

This is the most hygienic way to operate the dispenser.

A further feature of the invention is that the length of the rolled web extended outside the dispenser cabinet is variable.

This has the advantage of presenting paper towels of different lengths for the user to grasp, depending on factors such as the wet length of the paper towel.

The suction cup type timing device of the present invention advances the drawn end of the web by a predetermined distance after the web is abruptly stopped from being rolled.

The pair of suction cups are made of different elastic materials.

The reasons for selecting different elastic materials are as follows.

It allows the edges of the suction cups to engage gently and fully to minimize wear and facilitates an effective seal between the suction cups.

Additionally, since deformation during engagement occurs on one side of the suction cup, i.e. the soft suction cup, the work required to engage the suction cup into vacuum gripping relationship to the extent necessary to actuate the timing device is also required. Minimize quantity.

Basically, the flexible sheet material dispensing device of the present invention includes: a device coupled to the chassis for rotatably supporting a roll of flexible sheet material; a device coupled to the chassis for rotatably supporting a roll of flexible sheet material; a device for guiding the web of sheet material from the roll to the exterior of the dispenser; coupled to the chassis for driving perforations in the web at intervals along the web to separate the web into individual pieces; a perforation mechanism that divides the sheet into sheets; a stop mechanism coupled to the chassis and associated with the perforation mechanism that prevents movement of a predetermined length of web after it has been withdrawn from the dispenser; a variable timing device associated with the stop mechanism for adjusting the length of time that the stop mechanism effectively blocks movement of the web; a first vacuum cup and a second vacuum cup attached to the chassis, both vacuum cups being engaged in a vacuum gripping relationship when the stop mechanism inhibits movement of the web. and said device is associated with said one vacuum cup and directs airflow between said vacuum cups when said vacuum cup is engaged in vacuum gripping relationship. the first vacuum cup is made of a relatively hard resilient material and the second vacuum cup is made of a relatively soft resilient material.

The dispenser of the present invention includes an adjustable stop device which stops the rotation of the knife and rollers so that each sheet of material is torn from the web along the perforation just created. Position the newly created perforation in the web either inside or outside the dispenser, preventing the movement of the web so that the drawn end of the web is within easy reach or out of reach of the user as required. let

Preferably, the timing device is also associated with the stop mechanism to adjust the length of time that the stop mechanism effectively prevents the web from being withdrawn from the dispenser.

The timing device includes a pair of resilient vacuum cups, one cup made from a relatively hard resilient material and the other cup made from a relatively soft resilient material.

The vacuum cup is engageable in a vacuum gripping relationship when the stop mechanism prevents movement of the web and for a predetermined period of time during which the stop mechanism effectively prevents withdrawal of the web from the dispenser. It remains engaged.

Because the materials of each of the vacuum cups are different, the compressive force required to engage the vacuum cups into a vacuum gripping relationship is minimized and also absorbs the dynamic forces created by the action of the stop mechanism that prevents web movement. Acts as a cushion.

It is an object of the present invention to adjust the position of the drawer end of a web of flexible sheet material such that the drawer end is located either inside or outside the dispenser and is readily within reach or out of reach of the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible sheet material dispenser that includes an adjustable mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a web of flexible sheet material that is of compact and robust construction, economical to manufacture, and thus ideally suited for both commercial and personal installations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible sheet material dispenser having a mechanism for adjusting the position of a drawer end.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The dispensing device of the present invention, designated by the reference numeral 10 in the drawings, essentially rotates a chassis 12 (see FIG. 3) and a roll of flexible sheet material, such as a roll of wrinkled paper towel 150. a support device 14 (see FIG. 6) for supporting the paper towel in a straight line; and a guide device 16 for guiding the paper towel web from the roll 150 to a position where the user can grasp it so that the web can be pulled from the dispenser 10. (see FIGS. 4 and 5); and a perforation mechanism 18 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) for driving perforations into the web 160 at intervals along the web to divide the web into individual sheets. including.

Chassis 12 is secured to wall 21 with suitable fasteners such as screws 22.
(See Fig. 2) A back plate 20 (second
(see Figures 4 to 8).

The left end flange 24 (see Figure 5) and the right end 7 flange 26 (
(see FIG. 4) is integral with the back plate 20.

Left end plate 28 (see FIG. 5) is secured to left end flange 24 with suitable fasteners such as screws 30.

The right end plate 32 (see FIG. 4) is similarly secured to the right end flange 26 by suitable fasteners such as screws 34.

Bottom plate 36 (see Figures 4, 5, 7 and 8)
extends forwardly from the bottom of backing plate 20 and curves upwardly near the front of the dispenser, terminating in an upright arched portion 38 .

The rear portion of the bottom plate 36 has a plurality of holes 40 that align with a plurality of lugs 42 carried by a bottom flange 44 integral with the back plate 20.

Further, the rear portion of the bottom plate 36 has tabs 29 and 33, respectively.
(see FIGS. 4 and 5) to the left end plate 28 and right end plate 32, the tab being integral with the end plate and spot welded to the bottom plate.

The forward portion of the bottom plate 36 is connected to the left end plate 28 by tabs 46, 47, 48 (see FIG. 5) and by tabs 50, 5.
1.52 (see FIG. 8) to the right end plate 32.

The tab is integral with the bottom plate and spot welded to the left and right end plates.

A plurality of heat dissipation holes 54 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are connected to the bottom plate 36.
is formed to allow air to circulate inside the dispenser 10.

The chassis 12 also includes a plurality of upright arched fingers 58.
includes a stripper 56 (see FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 8) having tabs 60, 62 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), the function of which will be described below.
(see figure) is attached to the left end plate 28 and right end plate 32.

The tab is integral with the stripper 56 and spot welded to the left and right end plates.

An arched shroud 64 (see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8) extends upwardly from the mid-tenon of the bottom plate 36 and then forwardly to the top of the curved bottom plate portion 38.

The lower portion of the shield plate 64 is defined by a flange 66 having a plurality of holes 68 that align with a plurality of lugs 70 carried by the bottom plate 36.

The upper portion of the shield plate 64 is connected to the left end plate 28 by tabs 72.74 (see FIG. 5) and by tabs 76.7.
8 (see FIG. 8) to the right end plate 32.

The tab is integral with the shield plate and is attached to the end plate by suitable fasteners such as screws 80.

The shield plate 64 and the base plate 36 define an elongated cavity 82 within the dispenser 10 in which the guide device 16 and perforation mechanism 18 are disposed.

The right end of the cavity 82 is surrounded by the right end plate 32, and the left end of the cavity is surrounded by a cover plate 84 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

Cover plate 84 is connected to left end plate 28 by a plurality of fasteners, such as screws 86, which engage a plurality of bosses 88 formed in the left end plate.

A removable cover plate, such as left end plate 84, is used to enclose the left end of cavity 82 to provide easy access to the interior of the cavity for servicing guide system 16 and perforation mechanism 18. be done.

Chassis 12 is surrounded by a housing 90 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The housing 590 includes an upper portion 92 and a cap portion 94.
, a lower front portion 96, a lower left end portion 98, and a lower right end portion 100.

Cap portion 94 is attached to upper portion 92 by a plurality of tabs 102 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The other parts of the housing are coupled together in any suitable manner, such as by spot welding the parts together where their respective edges overlap.

Lower front portion 96 defines an opening 104 through which a user may withdraw web 160 (see FIG. 3) from dispenser 10, as shown below.

The lower left and right end portions 98, 100 include integral bottom flanges (FIGS. 3-5, 8, and 8) adapted to surround the respective left or right outer portions of the bottom plate 36. (see Figure 9).

Housing 90 is connected to chassis 12 by pivot pins 106, 108, pin 106 pivotally connecting lower, left end housing portion 98 to left end flange 24 of backing plate 20;
The pin 108 connects the lower right end housing portion 100 to the back plate 20.
It is pivotally attached to the right end flange 26 of.

This arrangement allows housing 90 to
pivots outwardly about and away from chassis 12 to expose internal components of dispenser 10.

Attaching the locking device 111 to the rear of the cap portion 94,
Preferably, the housing is releasably secured to the chassis to prevent access by outsiders to the interior of the dispenser.

Preferably, locking device 111 is a combination lock latching device of the type disclosed in commonly owned US patent application Ser. No. 750,169, filed Aug. 5, 1968.

The support device 14 includes a pair of support members 1 that are generally horizontally opposed to each other.
10,112 (see Figures 3 to 6).

A support member 110 (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 6) is attached to the left end of the chassis 12, and is attached to the additional bracket 1.
14 and a hub 116.

Mounting bracket 114 is attached to back plate 20 and left end flange 24 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 118.

Hub 116 is attached to the forward end of bracket 114 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 120.

Hub 116 has a recess 122 defined by an arcuate bearing surface 124 and an arcuate inner edge of guide lip 126 .

A support member 112 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) is mounted to the right end of the chassis 12 and includes a flexible mounting bracket 128 and a hub 130.

Mounting bracket 128 is attached to backing plate 20 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 132.

Hub 130 is attached to the forward end of bracket 128 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 134, and carries a pair of lugs 136 that align with a pair of slots formed in the bracket.

Hub 130, like hub 118, has a recess 138 defined by an arcuate bearing surface 140 and an inner arcuate edge of a guide lip 142.

One end of brake spring 144 is secured to the inner surface of hub 130 by a suitable fastener, such as a rivet 146, and the spring is secured to hub 130 between lugs 136.
It extends rearward from and terminates near the back plate 20.

The support device 14 is configured to rotatably support the roll 150.

Roll winding is described in Example 1 of commonly owned U.S. Patent Application No. 621,833, filed March 8, 1967.
Preferably, it is of the type disclosed in Figures 1 and 2).

The roll is an internal support device 152 that is not divided into parts.
The support device includes a cylindrical core 154 and a pair of trunnion members 156, 158 attached to opposite ends of the core.

Outer ends of trunnion members 156, 158 extend axially outwardly beyond opposite ends of roll 150 and are adapted to engage recesses 122, 138, respectively.

the outer ends of the trunnion members have different cross-sectional dimensions;
Recesses 122, 138 have respective internal dimensions that correspond to the cross-sectional dimensions of the outer ends of the trunnion members.

In this way, the roll 150 will only engage the outer end of the trunnion member when each recess has a cross-sectional dimension corresponding to the internal dimension of the recess, and especially when the recess 122 engages the outer force end of the trunnion member 156. and only when recess 138 engages the outer end of trunnion member 158;
It is supported by a support device 14 .

This feature allows the roll 150 to pass the web 160 through the guide device 16 and perforation mechanism 18 into the opening 104.
ensuring that the dispenser is placed within the dispenser in a manner suitable for removal from the dispenser via the

To insert the roll 150 into the support device 14, the outer ends of the trunnion members 156, 158 are placed against the guide lips 126, 142, respectively, and the roll is then pushed rearwardly.

When this occurs, the bracket 128 flexes outwardly and the outer end of the trunnion member engages and sits within the recesses 122, 138.

After the roll is thus inserted into the support device, flexible mounting brackets 128 attach hub 130 to hub 11.
6 to prevent the roll from coming off accidentally.

As the roll is inserted into the support device, the spring 14
The end of the roll near 4 contacts the spring and moves the spring outwardly to the position shown in solid line in FIG.

Thereafter, as the web 160 is withdrawn from the roll, the spring 144 frictionally engages the end of the roll and brakes rotation of the roll, thus preventing unbraked rotation of the roll.

The guide device 16 includes an upper pinch roll 162 and a lower pinch roll 164 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8).

The upper pinch roll 162 has a stub shaft 166 rotatably supported on the cover plate 84 and the right end plate 32, respectively.
, 168.

Similarly, lower pinch rolls 164 are added to stub shafts 170 and 172, respectively, which are rotatably journalled in cover plate 84 and right end plate 32, respectively.

The perforation mechanism 18 includes pinch rolls 162 and 164.
and includes a roller 174 (see FIGS. 3-5, 7, 8, 15, and 17) having intermittent helical slots 176 therebetween.

Slot 176 extends generally axially of roller 174 and opens radially outwardly from the surface of the roller.

The slotted rollers each have a stub shaft 178, which is rotatably supported by the cover plate 84 and the right end plate 32, respectively.
180.

Perforation mechanism 18 also includes a knife 182 rotatably mounted by rollers 184.

The roller 184 is supported by stub shafts 186 and 188 which are rotatably supported by the cover plate 84 and the right end plate 32, respectively.

The bearing surfaces for shafts 178, 186, 180, 188 are provided with low friction bushings 190, 194, 192, 19, respectively.
It is preferable that it consists of 6.

The bushes 190 and 194 are attached to the cover plate 84.
2,196 is fixed to the right end plate 32.

Stub shafts 168, 170, 168, 172 are bearing by elongated bearing surfaces 198, 202, 200, 204, respectively.

Bearing surfaces 198, 202 are integrally formed with cover plate 84, and bearing surfaces 200, 204 are integrally formed with right end plate 32.

With this arrangement, each pinch roll is connected to the slot roller 17.
4 and move, and a push scissor engagement occurs between them.

A pressure spring 208 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) is connected to squab shafts 166, 170 and similar pressure springs 208 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).
08 (see Figures 3 and 4) is the stub shaft 1
68, 172 to force the pinch roll toward the slot roller.

The compression springs 206, 208 are held in place by U-shaped brackets 210, one of which is attached to the cover plate 84 and the other bracket is attached to the right end plate 32 by any convenient method such as spot welding. .

To bring the surfaces of the lower pinch roll 164 and the slotted roller 174 into contact with each other, the upright arched portion 38 of the bottom plate 36 includes a plurality of spaced apart relatively narrow arcuate strips 212 (see FIG. 7). The pinch roll 164 includes a plurality of circumferential slots 214 (see FIG. 7) that accommodate the strips 212.

From the roll winding 150, the web 160 passes around the upper pinch roll 162 and passes between the upper pinch roll and the slotted roller 1.
74, around the slotted rollers, between the slotted rollers and the lower pinch roll 164, around the lower pinch rolls and out of the dispenser through the opening 104.

As is clear from the foregoing, the pinch rolls 162, 164
ensures that web 160 is held taut around slotted rollers 174 at all times.

As the user withdraws the web from the dispenser while applying a pulling force to the end of the web, the pinch roll 164 moves slightly out of contact with the slot roller 174.

However, when the tensile force is loosened, the pressure spring 206,
208 immediately moves the pinch roll into contact with the slot roller.

Slot roller 174 also has a plurality of circumferential slots 216 that accommodate fingers 58 of stripper 56.

Fingers 58 ensure that web 160 sticks to the slotted roller and is guided out of opening 104 instead of wrapping around it.

The knife 182 is spirally twisted along its entire length;
It includes a radially outer portion 217 that is curved forward in the direction of rotation of the knife and has a serrated cutting edge 22.
0 (Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 12, Fig. 1
4 and 16).

The knife has a plurality of notches 218, which include:
As the knife rotates toward and past the slotted rollers 174, it accommodates the strips 212 of the bottom plate portion 38.

As the knife rotates past the slotted rollers, the radially outer knife portion 217 enters the slot 176 and the cutting edge 220 spans the entire width of the web 160 except for the portion of the web where it aligns with the notch 218. Gradually hammer in the perforations.

The portion of the web that is not perforated has sufficient tensile strength for the user to apply a smooth, continuous pulling force to pull the web from the dispenser.

However, after the web has been perforated, if the pulling force is rapidly increased, the web will be cut along the perforation just created by the cutting edge 220.

Knife 182 is attached to knife roller 184 by a pair of mounting brackets 222 .

The knife is conveniently first secured to the mounting bracket by welding and then a helical twist is applied to the knife and bracket.

The bracket is then attached to the knife roller 184 by a plurality of bolts 224 that thread into a pair of bosses 225 located inside the roller.

The knife and mounting bracket are arched slightly outwardly at their centers so that after imparting a helical twist to the core member, the entire radially inner surface of the member contacts the surface of the knife roller 184. It is bent to

(See FIGS. 12 and 13) Additional bolts 224 are used to secure the knife roller 184 to the boss 226 to ensure that the boss is securely secured within the roller.

Slot roller 174 and knife roller 184 are operatively associated to ensure that both rollers rotate synchronously with each other.

To this end, a gear 226 is fixed to one end of the slotted roller and meshes with a gear 228 fixed to the same end of the knife roller.

In the illustrated embodiment, gear 228 has twice the number of teeth as gear 226, and the stand roller rotates at twice the rotational speed of the knife roller.

This difference in the rotational speed of the two rollers causes the slot 17
6 must be twisted over twice the arc that the knife 182 is twisted.

In this way, the knife is helically twisted over a 45° arc (see FIG. 16) and the slot 76 is helically twisted over a 90° arc.

(See FIG. 17) To prevent the web 160 from slipping around the slotted rollers, the slotted rollers are preferably made from a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction, such as rubber.

When a user applies a pulling force to the unwinding end of the web, the frictional force exerted by the web on the slot roller causes the slot roller and knife roller to rotate in synchronization with each other.

The trajectory of the cutting edge 220 moving relative to the slot 176 during the knife perforation process is shown in FIG. 23 by the dashed line 221.

The relative position of cutting edge 220 and point 225 on the knife at the radially outer end of bracket 222 is also shown in FIG.

The positions of the cutting edges 220 are points 0', 2', 4', and 6'.
, 8', 10', 12', 14', 16', 18', the position of the knife point 225 is the point 0'', 2'', 4'',
6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 18”
It is shown by

The position of the radially outer knife portion 217 relative to the slot 176 during the perforation process is such that the cutting edge 220
A dashed-dotted line connecting the corresponding position point of point 225, that is, Ol-0
", 2'-2', 4'-4', 6'-6", 8'-8'
, 10'-10", 12'-12', 14'-14',
16'-16'', 18'-18''.

As shown, cutting edge 220 moves knife portion 217 while knife portion 217 moves from position 0'-0'' to position 6'-6'', i.e., during the knife portion's entry into slot 176. oriented in approximately the same direction as the

The same relationship between the direction of the cutting edge and the direction of movement of knife portion 217 is maintained for web 160 as for slot 176.

In this manner, the web 160 is held taut about the slotted roller 174 by the pinch rolls 162, 164 and by the pulling force applied to the web by the user, as described above.

As a result of this feature, as the slot 176 rotates and approaches the knife 220, the portion of the web overlying the slot curves to match the curvature of the surface of the slot roller 174;
There is no relative movement between the surface and the web portion.

Thereafter, when knife portion 217 reaches position 0'-0'' and slot 176 reaches the position shown in FIG. It generally corresponds to the direction of movement relative to the web.

This relationship is maintained as the knife portion 217 moves from position 0'-0'' to position 6'-6'', ie, during its entry into the slot.

In this manner, the forward curvature of the knife portion 217 orients the cutting edge 220 generally in the direction in which the knife portion 217 moves relative to the web during entry of the knife portion 217 into the slot.

The construction and operation of perforation mechanism 18 provides several advantages over prior art perforation and cutting mechanisms.

The orientation of the cutting edge provides effective perforation in the flexible sheet material web by reducing the tendency of the cutting edge to slide along the web.

The system is also economical to manufacture and provides a robust, compact structure that can withstand the long-term wear and tear that occurs in commercial washrooms and commercial laundry facilities.

Dispenser 10 also abruptly stops the rotation of knife roller 184 and slot roller 176, thus causing web 16 to stop rotating.
A mechanism 233 (see FIGS. 4 and 10) that abruptly blocks the movement of the paper towels 233 (see FIGS. 4 and 10) is included to allow each sheet of paper towel to be torn from the web 160 along the perforations just created by the knife 182.

The stop mechanism 233 includes a stop lever 230 having a cam follower 234 and a stop lug 233 pivotally mounted to the right end plate 32 by a pivot pin 232 and secured together.

The stop mechanism also includes a feed wheel 240 having a fixed tag or cam pin 238 secured to the end of a stub shaft 188, one of the shafts supporting the knife roller 184.

Cam pin 238 cooperates with cam follower 234 and stop lug 236 to lock knife roller 184 and slot roller 17.
Stop the rotation of step 4.

As the knife roller rotates as the user applies a pulling force to web 160, cam pin 233 rotates about the axis of shaft 188.

While the knife roller is rotating, the stop lever 230,
Cam follower 234 and stop lug 236 are in the position shown in solid lines in FIG.

In this position, the cam follower is in the orbit of rotation of the cam pin 238, so that when the cam pin reaches the position shown in solid line in FIG. Push the follower upward.

This actuation pivots the stop lever 230, cam follower 234 and stop lug 236 to the position shown in dashed lines in FIG.

In this position, the stop lug is in the orbit of rotation of the cam pin 233, so that when the cam pin is disengaged from the underside of the cam follower, the cam pin subsequently engages the stop lug.

As a result, the knife roller 184 and the slot roller 17
4 suddenly stops, thus abruptly arresting the movement of web 160 and, as a result, rapidly increasing the tensile force acting on the web.

As explained above, this allows individual sheets of paper towel to be torn from the web along the perforations just created by knife 182.

Timing device 237 works in conjunction with stop mechanism 233 to adjust the length of time that the stop mechanism effectively prevents rotation of the knife roller and slot roller.

Timing device 237 (see FIGS. 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10) includes a pair of opposing elastic vacuum cups 2.
42, 244, the vacuum cup 242 is connected to the stop lever 230 by a bracket 246, and the vacuum cup 244 is mounted 24 on a flange integral with the right end plate 32.
8.

When the cam pin 238 engages the underside of the cam follower 234 and the stop lever 230 is pivoted upwardly to position the stop lug 236 in the cam pin's rotational path, the vacuum cup 242 is pivoted rearwardly into the vacuum cup 244. It becomes a vacuum grip relationship.

As long as the vacuum cups 242, 244 are held in vacuum gripping relationship, the stop lug 236 remains in the rotational orbit of the cam pin 238 and prevents the knife roller 184 and slot roller 174 from rotating.

Preferably, vacuum cup 242 is made of a relatively hard elastic material, such as hard rubber, and vacuum cup 244 is made of a relatively soft elastic material, such as soft rubber.

This arrangement minimizes the compressive force required to engage the vacuum cups into vacuum gripping relationship, yet provides sufficient vacuum gripping force between the vacuum cups, i.e., the force necessary to pull the vacuum cups apart, and the cam pin 238 ensures that the vacuum cup is not pulled apart when the stop lug 236 is engaged.

The resiliency of the vacuum cups 242, 244, particularly the relatively flexible resilient vacuum cup 244, provides a cushion to absorb the dynamic forces created by the sudden engagement of the stop lug 236 and the cam pin 238, thus reducing the Minimize component wear.

To adjust the amount of time that the vacuum cups 242, 244 are in vacuum gripping relationship, a needle valve 250 (first
(see Figure 1).

Valve 250 is mounted within bracket 246 and communicates with the interior of vacuum cup 242.

The valve has a cylindrical valve body 252 with a hole 253 formed therein.
and a twenty dollar tip adjustment bolt 254 that threadably engages the end flange of bracket 246.

Bolt 254 is secured in place by a lock nut 255 that threadably engages the bolt and abuts the end flange of bracket 246.

By adjusting the position of bolt 254 relative to hole 253, the rate at which ambient air enters the vacuum environment between vacuum cups 242, 244, and thus the length of time that the vacuum cups remain in vacuum gripping relationship, can be adjusted. .

A return spring 256 is connected between the bracket 246 and the forward portion of the right end plate 32 so that air pressure in the environment between the vacuum cups 242 and 244 is sufficient to break the vacuum gripping relationship between the vacuum cups. When increased, the stop lever 230 is pivoted downwardly, thus moving the stop lug 236 out of the rotational orbit of the cam pin 238.

The user then removes the next length of web 16 from the dispenser.
0 can be pulled out and the web is perforated by the knife 182 in the manner described above, and when the stop mechanism 233 again stops the rotation of the knife roller 184 and the slot roller 174, the web is made into a single sheet of paper towel. It can be torn apart.

As mentioned above, the feed wheel 240 is connected to the stub shaft 1
88.

Preferably, the supply wheel is fixed to the shaft by a bolt (not shown) that threadably engages the shaft in its axial direction.

The cross-section of the end of shaft 188 is equilateral triangular in shape (see FIGS. 4 and 10), and feed wheel 240
has a similarly shaped opening in its center and receives the shaft end therein.

The supply wheel may thus be fixed to the shaft in any one of three rotational positions.

In one rotational position of the feed wheel (see FIG. 4), the cam pin 238 engages the stop lug 236 and the nascent perforation of the web 160, indicated at (P), is pulled out of the dispenser 10. , the knife and slot roller stop rotating.

After the user tears each paper towel from the freshly created perforated web in the dispenser, the web's withdrawal edge is then located in the dispenser and is thus immediately in the user's hands. It will be prevented from reaching you.

This method of operation saves the consumption of roll windings 150.

After the time period in which the timing device 237 activates the stop mechanism 233 to prevent rotation of the knife roller and the slot roller, the knife roller and the slot roller are removed from the feeding device 2.
58 to move the withdrawal end of the web out of the dispenser.

The feeding device 258 (see FIGS. 4 and 7) includes a lug 260 secured to the feeding wheel 240 and a feeding spring 26 connected between the lug 260 and the rear portion 7 of the right end plate 32.
Contains 2.

Lug 260 is positioned relative to cam pin 238 such that spring 262 stretches when the cam pin engages stop lug 236 (see FIG. 4).

In this manner, when the stop lug 236 is moved by the return spring 256 out of the rotational orbit of the pin 238, the feed spring 262 is compressed, thereby causing the feed wheel 240 and shaft 188 to rotate.

Shaft 188 imparts rotation to knife roller 184 and slot roller 174 on the one hand, thus rotating web 1
Move the drawer end of 60 to the outside of the dispenser.

Supply wheel 2 to shaft 188 (see Figure 8)
In the second rotational position of 40, the stop mechanism 233 (
The rotation of the knife roller and the slotted roller is stopped after the perforation that has just been created in the web 160, indicated by P'), appears outside the dispenser 10.

In this method of operation, the withdrawal end of the web is easily accessible to the user after each sheet of paper towel has been torn along the newly created perforations.

When using this operating method, adjust the bolt 254 so that the time interval during which the stop mechanism operates to stop the rotation of the knife roller and the vinch roller is short, that is, 1 to 2 seconds, and the first sheet Preferably, it is possible to obtain the second sheet of paper towel as soon as it is torn from the web.

As is clear, this second method of operation is less economical than the first method of operation, but it is more convenient for the user's requirements than the first method of operation.

The first method of operation is generally adopted when saving paper towel consumption is an important factor, such as in commercial washroom facilities, and the second method of operation is generally adopted when saving paper towel consumption is an important factor, such as in commercial washroom facilities. Adopted when convenience is an important factor.

Dispenser 10 is thus ideally suited for commercial or personal installations.

The third rotational position of the feed wheel 240 with respect to the shaft 188 is not used because the knife portion 217 is in the slot when the stop mechanism stops the rotation of the knife roller and slot roller.

This causes the web to be at least partially torn along the perforation that has just occurred, thus causing the perforation to be separated by the slotted roller 174 and the lower pinch roll 164.
In addition to separating the web before passing between
Undesirable bending forces are applied to the blade 182.

Dispenser 10 also includes an apparatus 265 for rotatably supporting a expended roll of flexible sheet material, such as an expended roll of wrinkled paper towel 264 (see FIG. 8). .

The support device 265 includes a pair of opposing flanges 266 that are integral with the back plate 20 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8).
, 268.

Flanges 266, 268 extend from back plate 20 into a cavity 270 defined in the lower rear portion of the dispenser by back plate 20, bottom plate 36, and bow plate 64.

Each flange has an internal U-shaped cutout.

Flange 266 has a cutout 272 therein, and flange 268 has a cutout 274 therein.

The internal dimensions of cutouts 272, 274 correspond to the cross-sectional dimensions of the outer ends of trunnion members 156, 158, respectively.

In this manner, once the roll 150 is designated as a partially expended tag roll 264, it is transferred from the support device 14 to the support device 265.

Once the roll is transferred from the support device 14 to the support device 265, it is no longer necessary to pull the web 160 out of the guide device 16 and the perforation mechanism 18.

The trunnion members are simply removed from the support members 110, 112 and inserted into the cutouts 272, 274.

From this latter position, the web extends along a path 276 (see FIG. 8) from the top of the roll 264 to the top of the upper vinyl roller 162.

After the partially consumed roll 264 has been transferred into the cavity 270, a new roll 150 is inserted into the support device 14 in the manner described above.

The web from roll 150 is simply superimposed on the web from roll 264 and guided by guide device 1 in the manner described above.
6 and the perforation mechanism 18.

Thereafter, as long as paper towels remain wrapped around the partially consumed roll 264, the dispenser 10 dispenses double-thickness towels.

This feature of the dispenser is particularly suitable for commercial establishments where it is uneconomical to service the dispenser at non-regular intervals, such as daily.

In this case, the administrator does not have to wait until the rolls are completely consumed before servicing the dispenser, and the operator does not have to wait until the rolls are completely consumed before servicing the dispenser, and the operator does not have to wait until the rolls are completely consumed before servicing the dispenser, and when servicing the dispenser at the end of a regularly scheduled servicing interval, No need to throw away the roll.

The administrator simply transfers the partially consumed roll to support device 1.
4 to the support device 265 and insert the new roll into the support device 14.

A peephole 278 (see FIG. 2) is provided to facilitate the administrator's determination as to whether a new roll needs to be placed in the dispenser at the end of a regularly scheduled maintenance interval.
is the upper housing portion 9 near the end of the roll 150
2.

By observing the diameter of the roll through hole 278, the administrator estimates the amount of paper towel remaining on the roll.

To load the dispenser 10, the housing 90 is first pivoted outwardly around the chassis 12 to expose the internal components of the dispenser.

A roll of flexible sheet material, such as roll 150, is then inserted into support device 14 as described above.

The web from a roll, such as web 16 , is directed around upper pinch rolls 162 and the unwound end of the web rests in front of slotted rollers 174 .

Housing 90 is then pivoted upwardly around chassis 12 to enclose the internal components of the dispenser.

The feed wheel 240 is then rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right end of the dispenser to feed the web through the guide device 16 and perforation mechanism 18 .

Arched strips 212 and lower pinch rolls 164 ensure that the web is guided around slotted rollers 174 and held taut.

For manual handling of the feed wheel when the internal parts of the dispenser are enclosed by the housing 90, a slot 280 is provided in the lower right housing portion 100 through which the lower portion of the feed wheel 240 extends.

(See FIG. 4) Dispenser 10 also includes a device that prevents feed wheel 240 from rotating in a direction opposite to the correct direction for feeding web 160 through the guide device and perforation scoring mechanism.

The device includes a ratchet mechanism 282 (fourth
(see figure).

A resilient sleeve 288 is inserted into the base of the pawl that engages a plurality of notches 290 formed around the periphery of the feed wheel 240.

As long as the feed wheel is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right end of dispenser 10, the base of pawl 284 and sleeve 288 are free to pivot into and out of notch 290.

However, when attempting to rotate the feed wheel in the opposite direction, the pawl engages one of the notches and prevents rotation of the feed wheel.

The lug 292 carried by the right end plate 32 is attached to the pawl 284
located above to prevent rotation of the pawl about the pin 286, thus ensuring that the pawl is held in proper position relative to the feed wheel 240 to prevent improper rotation of the feed wheel. .

A second embodiment of the perforation mechanism is shown in FIGS. 18 to 21.
As shown in the figure.

This embodiment of the perforation mechanism is the perforation mechanism 1
8 is employed within the dispenser 10 and includes an axially straight knife 300 mounted to an axially straight mounting bracket 302.

In all other respects, the knife roller assembly of the second embodiment is identical to the knife roller assembly of the first embodiment, including knife roller 184, stub shafts 186, 188.
and gear 228.

Slot roller 303 is used in conjunction with knife 300.

Except that instead of intermittent helical slots along its length, slotted roller 303 has intermittent axially straight slots 304 that accommodate the radially outer portions of knives 300. It is similar to slot 174.

The only difference in operation between the perforation mechanisms of the first and second embodiments is that the spirally twisted knife 182 of the first embodiment progressively perforates the web;
Only a small portion of the cutting edge is in contact with the web at a time.

This device requires only a relatively small force to be exerted on the web by the cutting edge in order to drive an effective perforation.

In contrast, the cutting edge of knife 300 perforates the entire width of the web at one time, requiring slightly more piercing force.

An advantage of the second embodiment over the first is that the latter is somewhat more economical to manufacture since there is no need to helically twist the knife and mounting bracket.

A third embodiment of the perforation mechanism is shown in FIG.

This embodiment may also be employed in the dispenser 10 instead of the first or second embodiment described above.

The third embodiment of the perforation mechanism is a generally flat knife 3.
06, the knife is fixed at both ends thereof, and a pair of stub shafts 31 bearing at both ends of the knife roller.
0 on the knife roller 308.

Also secured to each end of knife 306 is a cam lug 312 that extends radially outwardly beyond the cutting edge of the knife.

The cam lug 312 has an axial slot 318 therein.
is adapted to engage a cam 314 mounted on each end of a slotted roller 316 having a diameter.

Contrary to the previous embodiment, the surfaces of knife roller 308 and slotted roller 316 contact each other, thereby eliminating the need for a lower pinch roll to hold web 160 tightly around the slotted roller.

The knife 306 is normally urged forward by a small spring (not shown) through an arc of about 15 radially relative to the knife roller 308 .

In this way, when the knife enters slot 318,
The cutting edge of the knife is oriented in approximately the same direction that the radially outer portion of the knife moves relative to web 160.

In this respect, the perforation driving action of knife 306 is the same as the perforation driving action of knives 182, 300 described above.

After the knife 306 moves into the slot, the cam lug 31
2 engages with cam 314.

The cam pivots the cam lug, and thus the knife 306, rearward relative to the direction of rotation of the knife roller 308.

This action allows the slot 318 to be narrowed enough for the knife to make an effective perforation while keeping the surfaces of the knife tip and slot roller in contact with each other.

After the knife is retracted from the slot and the cam lug 312 is disengaged from the cam 314, the biasing spring again pivots the knife 306 forward.

To ensure that Nike roller 308 and slotted roller 316 rotate synchronously with each other, the rollers
and are preferably operatively coupled together by gears as described above for the second perforation mechanism embodiment.

The foregoing constitutes a detailed description of the dispensing device and timing mechanism of the present invention, which is adapted for use in, but not limited to, the dispensing device.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that various modifications of both the dispenser and the modulation mechanism of the present invention may occur to those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a front view of the dispenser of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a right side end view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the housing in cross section, and FIG. Figure 4 is a right side end view of the dispenser in Figure 1 showing the six housings in cross section;
Figure 6 is a left end view of the dispenser of Figure 1 with the housing cut away; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cutaway of selected parts of the dispenser. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of one vacuum cup of the timing device of the present invention used in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1; 12th
The figure is an elevational view of a knife of the first embodiment of the perforation mechanism used in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is a side view of one knife mounting bracket for the knife shown in FIG. 12.
14 is a side view of a knife roller assembly rotatably supporting the knife shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 15 is a side view of a slotted roller used in conjunction with the knife shown in FIG. 12;
16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14, FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.
8 is a side view of a knife roller assembly rotatably supporting the knife of the second embodiment of the perforation mechanism used in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 19 is a side view of the knife roller assembly shown in FIG. 18. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 18; FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 2 1-2 1 of FIG. FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the perforation mechanism used in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 23 is comprised of the knife roller assembly shown in FIG. 14 and the slot roller shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the perforation mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 In a dispensing device 10 for a flexible sheet material 150,
a chassis 12; an apparatus 14 coupled to the chassis for rotatably supporting a roll 150 of flexible sheet material; a device 14 coupled to the chassis to move the web 160 of sheet material from the roll to the dispenser; a perforation mechanism 18 for driving perforations into the web at intervals along the web to divide the web into individual sheets; a perforating mechanism 18 for driving perforations into the web at intervals along the web; a stop mechanism 233 coupled and associated with the perforation mechanism to prevent movement of a predetermined length of web after it has been withdrawn from the dispenser; a variable timing device 23 for adjusting the length of time during which movement of the chassis is effectively inhibited; the second attached to
vacuum cups 244, both of which are engageable in vacuum gripping relationship when the stop mechanism prevents movement of the web; vacuum cup 242 and said vacuum cup 242;
, 244 are engaged in vacuum gripping relationship, the one vacuum cup 242 being made of a relatively hard resilient material. A flexible sheet material dispenser constructed and characterized in that said second vacuum cup 244 is made of a relatively soft elastic material.