TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to dispenser apparatus for dispensing paper toweling from
a roll of paper toweling. The invention also encompases a method of dispensing paper
toweling from a roll of paper toweling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many dispenser systems are known in the prior art for dispensing paper toweling from
rolls thereof. In some cases the paper toweling is comprised of individual paper towel
segments separated by perforated tear lines, and in others the toweling has no perforated
tear lines formed therein, the user severing or cutting individual sheets from the
toweling by some suitable means incorporated in the dispenser.
[0003] The dispenser system disclosed and claimed herein is of the latter type.
FR 2 779 050, which is considered to be the closest prior art, discloses a paper towel dispenser
apparatus including all the features as presented in the preamble of claim 1.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 4,404,880, issued September 20, 1983, discloses a mechanism for cutting a web of flexible sheet material, such as paper
toweling, which is adapted to be used in a dispenser having a feed roller and a pinch
roller, between which rollers the web passes. A knife is pivotally mounted in the
feed roller to swing about an axis laterally displaced from the plane of a radially
outward portion of the knife defining a cutting edge which edge is projected outwardly
beyond the periphery of the feed roller to cut the web as it passes over the feed
roller. Cam followers are carried by the ends of the knife extending beyond the ends
of the feed roller with the followers displaced from the pivot mounting axis of the
knife. Stationary cams are mounted adjacent the ends of the feed roller which the
cam followers on the knife engage to positively project the knife cutting edge beyond
the feed roller periphery and retract the cutting edge upon rotation of the feed roller.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,048,386, issued September 17, 1991, discloses a feed mechanism for feeding a web of rolled flexible sheet material,
such as soft paper towels, out of a dispenser. The mechanism includes a feed roller
within the dispenser and a web cutting blade in the feed roller and projectable and
retractable therewith as the feed roller rotates. A contoured cam is attached to an
end of the feed roller, and a springloaded cam follower presses against the contoured
cam. The cam follower, through the cam, controllably assists in the rotation of the
feed roller during the feed roller cycle when the blade cuts the web and thereafter
to feed a free end of the material to an accessible position outside of the dispenser.
The needed maximum pull forces by the user on the material to cut and withdraw the
material from the dispenser are thereby significantly minimized, and the likelihood
of the soft towel material tearing off in the user's wet hands is reduced.
[0006] The patents discussed above in the preceding three paragraphs are but three of many
patents directed to dispensers which employ cutter blades associated with a paper
towel support roller to cut paper toweling supported thereby. Other known patents
utilizing this feature are:
U.S. Patent No. 5,441,189, issued August 15, 1995,
U.S. Patent No. 5,048,386, issued September 17, 1991,
U.S. Patent No. 4,712,461, issued December 15, 1987,
U.S. Patent No. 4,441,392, issued April 10, 1984,
U.S. Patent No. 5,078,033, issued January 7, 1992,
U.S. Patent No. 5,146,830, issued September 15, 1992,
U.S. Patent No. 5,147,279, issued September 15, 1992,
U.S. Patent No. 5,013,291, issued May 7, 1991,
U.S. Patent No. 5,135,147, issued August 4, 1992,
U.S. Patent No. 4,844,361, issued July 4, 1989,
U.S. Patent No. 4,846,035, issued July 11, 1989,
U.S. Patent No. 5,257,711, issued November 2, 1993,
U.S. Patent No. 5,108,357, issued April 28, 1992,
U.S. Patent No. 4,635,837, issued January 13, 1987,
U.S. Patent No. 4,621,755, issued November 11, 1986,
U.S. Patent No. 4,432,261, issued February 21, 1984,
U.S. Patent No. 4,122,738, issued October 31, 1978,
U.S. Patent No. 4,188,844, issued February 19, 1980,
U.S. Patent No. 4,213,363, issued July 22, 1980,
U.S. Patent No. 4,307,639, issued December 29, 1981,
U.S. Patent No. 1,543,299, issued June 23, 1925,
U.S. Patent No. 2,560,061, issued July 10, 1951,
U.S. Patent No. 2,051,242, issued August 18, 1936,
U.S. Patent No. 3,575,328, issued April 20, 1971,
U.S. Patent No. 3,739,965, issued June 19, 1973,
U.S. Patent No. 4,186,633, issued February 5, 1980,
U.S. Patent No. 4,276,797, issued July 7, 1981,
RE.28,911, reissued July 20, 1976,
U.S. Patent No. 3,998,120, issued December 21, 1976,
U.S. Patent No. 3,896,691, issued July 29, 1975.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] The paper·toweling dispensing system disclosed herein is characterized by its simplicity,
reliability of operation and ability to operate in a quiet manner as compared to prior
art devices also employing movable cutter blades, as represented by disclosures of
the patents identified above. A very light pulling force can be used to operate the
apparatus disclosed and claimed herein. Furthermore, the approach utilized by the
invention disclosed and claimed in this application allows use of a smaller toweling
support drum than would normally be the case in prior art systems employing a movable
cutter blade to sever manually pulled toweling. This allows smaller sheets to be dispensed
during each dispensing cycle.
[0008] The paper towel dispenser apparatus of this system is for dispensing paper toweling
from a roll of paper toweling responsive to pulling forces being applied to the paper
toweling. The apparatus includes a housing. A roll support is associated with the
housing for rotatably supporting a roll of paper toweling.
[0009] A rotatable toweling support roller is within the housing spaced from the roll support
for receiving toweling from the roll of paper toweling and supporting the toweling.
The toweling support holder has a cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral portion and
is rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation when pulling forces are applied
to toweling supported thereby.
[0010] The apparatus includes a cutter blade having a cutting edge. The cutter blade is
pivotally mounted on a toweling support roller about a pivot located at the cylindrically-shaped
outer peripheral portion. The cutter blade is pivotally movable between a first position
wherein the blade lies substantially flat against the toweling support roller with
the cutting edge thereof positioned closely adjacent to the cylindrically-shaped outer
peripheral portion and a second position wherein the blade is disposed at an angle
relative to the cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral portion with the cutting edge
thereof spaced from the toweling support roller. The blade when in the second position
projects from the pivot in a direction generally opposed to the direction of rotation
of the toweling support roller.
[0011] The apparatus also includes blade actuator means for pivoting the blade between the
first and second positions responsive to rotation of the toweling support roller due
to a pulling force being applied to toweling on the toweling support roller and tensioning
of the toweling. The cutting edge of the blade when the blade is in the second position
engages toweling on the toweling support roller during rotation of the toweling support
roller to sever the toweling due to the pulling force and tensioning of the towel.
[0012] The apparatus also includes towel transfer means for positioning the lead end of
reserve toweling on the toweling support roller responsive to depletion of the roll
of paper toweling.
[0013] The paper toweling dispensing system also includes a method. The method includes
the step of positioning paper toweling extending from a roll of paper toweling and
having a lead end on a rotatable toweling support roller.
[0014] The lead end of the toweling is pulled to tension the toweling and cause rotation
of the toweling support roller.
[0015] While the toweling is under tension and during rotation of the toweling support roller,
a blade connected to the toweling support roller is pivoted to bring a cutting edge
of a blade into engagement with the underside of toweling on the toweling support
roller and to a cutting position in which the blade is disposed at an angle relative
to the outer peripheral surface of the toweling support roller with the cutting edge
thereof spaced from the toweling support roller and the blade projecting in a direction
generally opposed to the direction of rotation of the toweling support roller.
[0016] The toweling is maintained under tension by continuing to apply a pulling force thereto
while the blade is in the cutting position and the cutting edge thereof engages the
paper toweling to sever the toweling.
[0017] The blade is pivotally connected to the toweling support roller at the outer periphery
thereof and the blade is moved to the cutting position from a non-cutting position
wherein the blade lies substantially flat against the toweling support roller with
the cutting edge thereof positioned closely adjacent to the outer periphery of the
toweling support roller in response to rotation of the toweling support roller.
[0018] Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent
with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019]
Fig. 1 is a frontal perspective view of paper towel dispenser apparatus constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and a roll of paper toweling
rotatably mounted thereon as viewed from the left;
Fig. 2 is a frontal perspective view of the apparatus with roll of toweling as viewed
from the right;
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus illustrating the left side thereof;
Fig. 4A is an exploded view illustrating selected components of the apparatus;
Fig. 4B is a greatly enlarged side view illustrating a portion of a stripper element
of the apparatus connected to other apparatus structure;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view illustrating selected structural elements of the apparatus;
Figs. 6 - 12 are schematic end views illustrating the cooperative relationships existing
between the rotatable towel support roller, blade, cam follower and other structural
components of the apparatus during sequential stages of operation of the apparatus;
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the lead end of a reserve roll
of toweling in position on a rotatable member incorporated in the apparatus used to
effect transfer from a depleted roll of paper toweling to a reserve roll;
Figs. 14 - 21 are schematic depictions of the toweling support roller and towel transfer
mechanism employed therewith to effect transfer from a primary roll to a reserve roll,
the structural elements being shown in the relative positions assumed thereby during
sequential stages of operation of the apparatus; and
Fig. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a component of the apparatus.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention includes a housing 10 which is suitably positioned in an
outer paper towel dispenser cabinet (not shown) and secured thereto by any suitable
expedient such as screws or other suitable mechanical fasteners. A roll support is
operatively associated with the housing to rotatably support a roll of paper toweling
12. More particularly, the roll support includes two double-ended arms 14, 16 spaced
from one another and roll engagement members 18 at the distal or upper ends of the
arms for entering the ends of the roll 12. Roll 12 is directly rotatably supported
by the roll engagement members.
[0021] Arms 14, 16 are pivotally connected to housing 10 by pivot connectors 20. The pivot
connectors are located outwardly of the ends of the roll of paper toweling 12 and
lower than roll engagement members 18 whereby the weight of the roll of paper toweling
will exert forces on the arms continuously urging the ends of the arms with the roll
engagement members toward one another and toward the roll of paper toweling. This
results in frictional forces being applied to the roll of paper toweling resisting
rotation of the roll of paper toweling to prevent overspin during dispensing. Furthermore,
dislodgment of the roll from the roll engagement members is resisted.
[0022] A rotatable toweling support roller 22 is within the housing and spaced from the
roll support comprised of arms 14, 16 and roll engagement members 18. The toweling
support roller is for receiving toweling from the roll of paper toweling 12 and supporting
the toweling.
[0023] The toweling support roller 22 has a cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral portion
and is rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation when pulling forces are
applied to toweling supported thereby.
[0024] As can be seen in Fig. 5, the roller 22 includes two roller halves 24, 26 which are
assembled together. Stub shafts 28, 30 are attached to mounting plates 32, 34, respectively,
the mounting plates inserted in recesses 36 located at the ends of the roller halves
24, 26 to lock the stub shafts in place. That is, the stub shafts will rotate with
the rest of the toweling support roller structure. A projection or lever arm 38 is
connected to the distal end of stub shaft 28.
[0025] The ends of toweling support roller 22 comprise circular end plates 40 (see Fig.
4A) which form central openings or apertures accommodating the stub shafts. The cylindrically-shaped
outer portion of the toweling support roller includes strips of material 42, preferably
of rough surfaced material such as rubber or plastic, wrapped about the assembled
roller halves 24, 26. These strips of material define parallel, spaced channels 44.
More particularly, the strips 42 are located adjacent double ribs 46 formed on roller
halves 24, 26 to form the channels. The strips of material 42 do not extend all the
way about the assembled roller halves. Any suitable means may be employed to secure
the strips of material to the roller halves. In the arrangement illustrated, the strips
define recesses 48 at the ends thereof which accommodate clip elements 50 on the roller
halves.
[0026] With particular reference to Fig. 4A, the gap located between the free ends of strips
of material 42 accommodates therein a pivotally mounted cutter blade 52 having a plurality
of triangular-shaped teeth along an edge thereof. In addition, a plurality of recesses
54 extend inwardly from the teeth and between sets of teeth.
[0027] Channels 44 accommodate therein a plurality of stripper elements 56, the ends of
the stripper elements having a hook-like configuration for attaching the stripper
elements to the housing 10 (see Fig. 4B, for example). Thus, the stripper elements
will remain stationary during rotation of the toweling support roller 22.
[0028] Cutter blade 52 is, as mentioned above, pivotally connected to the toweling support
roller, in particular about a pivot located at the cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral
portion thereof. Cutter blade 52 has attached to the ends thereof cam followers 60
each including a cam follower arm 62 and a roller 64. Each roller 64 is located externally
of an end plate 40 and rides in a channel 66 of a cam 70. Cams 70 are located at both
ends of the housing, it being understood that the channels 66 of these cams are directed
inwardly.
[0029] Rotation of toweling support roller 22 will cause the cam followers to move along
the cam surfaces defining channels 66. This, in turn, will cause the cutter blade
to pivot relative to the toweling support roller 22.
[0030] The cutter blade moves between a first position wherein the blade lies substantially
flat against the toweling support roller with the cutting or toothed edge thereof
positioned closely adjacent to the cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral portion and
a second position wherein the cutter blade is disposed at an angle relative to the
cylindrically-shaped outer peripheral portion with the cutting edge thereof spaced
from the toweling support roller. The cutter blade when in the second position projects
from the pivot in a direction generally opposed to the direction of rotation of the
toweling support roller.
[0031] Figs. 6 through 12 provide an illustration of the action of the cutter blade relative
to the toweling support roller due to cam actuation. Fig. 6 illustrates by curved
arrows the direction of rotation of the toweling support roller, cam follower and
cutter blade. Fig. 6 shows the cutter blade in its first position, the position it
assumes when the toweling support roller is at rest, i.e. its initial or rest position.
Toweling 72 from roll 12 is located on and supported by the roller 22, the toweling
passing under a member 74 forming a nip with the roller 22 which will be described
in greater detail below. Suffice it to say at this point that the member 74 remains
stationary until roll 12 is depleted and acts to apply pressure to the toweling support
roller to keep the toweling paper under tension when the paper toweling is pulled
during dispensing.
[0032] The toweling support roller 22 is maintained at its rest position as shown in Fig.
6 under the urging of two tension springs 76 which are attached to housing 10 at two
spaced locations and converge at and are connected to projection 38 which rotates
with the toweling support roller. It has been found that use of two tension springs
76 in the manner illustrated provides improved action insofar as positioning of the
roller 22 is concerned. Springs 76 are loaded, i.e. the tension thereof increases,
during the stage of operation indicated by the top-most curved arrow in Fig. 6 and
they are unloaded to promote, rather than discourage, rotation of the roller in the
area corresponding to the lowermost curved arrow in Fig. 6.
[0033] With reference to Figs. 7 through 12, it can be seen that the cutter blade pivots
while the roller 22 rotates due to tension or pulling forces being applied to the
toweling 72. This pulling force results from a consumer grasping the free end of the
toweling and pulling it in the direction of the straight arrow shown in Figs. 7 through
11. The cutting or toothed edge of the blade 52 engages the underside of the toweling
on roller 22 and pushes the toweling 72 upwardly as shown in Fig. 8. At this point
the toweling is actually pulled against the edge of the blade and severing will occur
during continued rotation of the roller as tension on the towel is maintained by the
user, member 74 exerting force on the paper toweling and the toweling support roller
to contribute to paper toweling tensioning. The blade, due to its unique positioning
relative to the toweling support roller, serves not only to apply rotational forces
to the roller but also the simultaneous act of severing. Fig. 10 shows the severing
as having just taken place and Figs. 11 and 12 show the severed toweling exiting the
apparatus, it being understood that at this stage of the operation the springs 76
will return the roller to the initial rest position shown in Fig. 6.
[0034] The arrangement just disclosed provides for cutting with a very light pulling force
being exerted on the toweling. The operation is extremely simple and very quiet, the
consumer performing all the lightweight work involved to sever the toweling by pulling
it against the blade during roller rotation. This is to be compared with known prior
art devices wherein blade movement is often substantially perpendicular to the drum
or roller surface (either toward or away from the drum), requiring a sharp blade to
perform the severing function.
[0035] In the arrangement illustrated, a curved toweling guide plate 80 is employed to partially
surround and cover the toweling support roll and provide guidance for the toweling.
The guide plate 80 is pivotally connected to housing 10 by pivot pins 82 to allow
the guide plate to be pivoted from its normal position wherein it partially surrounds
and covers the toweling support roller to another position (not shown) wherein the
guide plate does not partially surround or cover the toweling support roller and access
to the support roller and its related structure can be had.
[0036] The arrangement disclosed provides a large dispensing angle; that is, the consumer
can pull the toweling within a wide range defined only by the limitations provided
by the guide plate and the toweling support roller.
[0037] The stripper elements engage the toweling during and subsequent to severing to ensure
that the lead end of the toweling created after severing does not follow the roller
22.
[0038] To provide for an even quieter operation, protrusions 84 on end plates 40 of the
toweling support roller engage the member 74 when the cutter blade 52 passes therebetween.
[0039] Member 74 is rotatably mounted on housing 10 extending between the side walls thereof.
The ends of the member 74 pass through slots 88 formed in the side walls. The slots
allow the rotatable member to be displaced relative to the housing. Protrusions 84
maintain the member 74 out of engagement with the blade and prevent it from falling
into the gap between the ends of strips 42. Springs 86 extending between the housing
and offset locations at the ends of member 74 continually bias the member 74 toward
the toweling support roller 22.
[0040] Clips 90 are pivotally connected to the ends of the rotatable member 74 and are biased
by springs 92 to clampingly engage planar surfaces 94 on member 74. Member 74 also
has a smoothly rounded wall 96 located between the planar surfaces 94. Member 74 is
configured to form peripherally extending grooves 98 which correspond to placement
of the channels 44 and stripper elements 56. Fingers 100 on guide plate 80 extend
into grooves 98.
[0041] The rotatable member 74, in addition to acting as a paper toweling tensioner, is
utilized to effect transfer from one roll of toweling upon depletion thereof to a
reserve roll. Figs. 13 - 21 provide an illustration of how this is accomplished. In
Fig. 13 a reserve roll has been placed on roll engagement members 18, the primary
roll having been removed by an attendant and placed in a suitable location within
the confines of housing 10. The attendant then places the lead end of the toweling
72 from reserve roll R under clips 90 to clamp the lead end, as shown in Fig. 13,
to the member 74. Fig. 14 shows the lead end of the reserve roll toweling clipped
in position on the member 74. Also shown is the tail end of the primary roll toweling
passing through the nip formed by toweling support roller 22 and member 74, the toweling
from the primary roll being relatively freely movable along the smooth rounded wall
96 of the member 74. The member 74 is held against rotation by tension springs 86
described above.
[0042] Fig. 15 illustrates the situation that exists when the toweling from the primary
roll has exited the apparatus. In Fig. 16 the toweling support roller is rotated in
the direction of the curved arrow associated therewith in the figure. This is accomplished
by manually rotating the knob of a one-way clutch 102. The knob is attached to a one-way
clutch spring 104 (see Fig. 5) connected to stub shaft 30 of the toweling support
roller. An end cap 106 provides a finished appearance.
[0043] After the toweling from the primary roll has passed through the nip formed by toweling
support roller 22 and member 74, these two structural elements will be in direct contact.
More particularly, the member 74 will be in engagement with the roughened surfaces
of strips of material 42. This will cause the member 74 to rotate against the urging
of springs 86 as shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17.
[0044] Fig. 18 shows the member 74 rotated approximately 180 degrees from rest position
with the lead end of the reserve roll toweling in position on toweling support roller
22. Continued rotation of toweling support roller 22 by the manually actuated one-way
clutch mechanism will pull the lead end from clips 90 and the toweling will be transported
by toweling support roller 22 in the manner described above. The tension springs 86
bring the member 74 to its initial, rest position, the toweling 72 having insufficient
frictional force to prevent such return.
[0045] Fig. 20 shows the lead end of the toweling from the reserve roll exiting the gap
between the guide plate 80 and the toweling support roller 22. Fig. 21 shows the lead
end of the toweling presented for grasping by the user.
1. Abgabevorrichtung für Papierhandtücher zum Abgeben von Handtuchpapier von einer Rolle
Handtuchpapier (12) auf eine Zugkraft, die an einer Stelle an dem genannten Handtuchpapier
auf das genannte Handtuchpapier (12) ausgeübt wird, reagierend, wobei die Abgabevorrichtung
für Papierhandtücher Folgendes beinhaltet:
ein Gehäuse (10) €
einen Rollenträger (14, 16), der dem genannten Gehäuse (10) zum drehbaren Tragen der
Rolle Handtuchpapier (12) funktionell zugeordnet ist €
eine drehbare Handtuchpapierträgerrolle (22) in dem genannten Gehäuse (10), die von
dem genannten Rollenträger (14, 16) beabstandet ist, zum Aufnehmen von Handtuchpapier
von der Rolle Handtuchpapier (12) und Tragen des Handtuchpapiers, wobei die genannte
Handtuchpapierträgerrolle (22) einen zylinderförmigen Außenumfangsteil hat, der eine
Außenfläche hat und in einer vorbestimmten Drehrichtung drehbar ist, wenn auf davon
getragenes Handtuchpapier eine Zugkraft ausgeübt wird€
eine Schneidklinge (52) mit einer Schneide,
wobei die genannte Schneidklinge zwischen einer ersten und einer zweiten Stellung
schwenkbeweglich ist, wobei die genannte Schneidklinge (52) in der ersten Stellung
im Wesentlichen flach an der Handtuchpapierträgerrolle (22) anliegt, so dass ihre
Schneide eng an die Außenfläche des genannten zylinderförmigen Außenumfangsteils angrenzend
positioniert ist, und wobei die genannte Schneidklinge (52) in der zweiten Stellung
in einem Winkel relativ zur Außenfläche des genannten zylinderförmigen Außenumfangsteils
angeordnet ist, so dass ihre Schneide von der Außenfläche des genannten zylinderförmigen
Außenumfangsteils beabstandet ist, wobei die Schneide der Schneidklinge (52), wenn
die genannte Schneidklinge (52) in der genannten zweiten Stellung ist, während der
Drehung der Handtuchpapierträgerrolle (22) mit dem Handtuchpapier auf der Handtuchpapierträgerrolle
(22) in Eingriff ist, um das Handtuchpapier aufgrund der Zugkraft und des Spannens
des genannten Handtuchpapiers abzutrennen€
und eine Klingenverstelleinrichtung (60) zum Schwenken der genannten Schneidklinge
zwischen der ersten und zweiten Stellung auf die Drehung der genannten Handtuchpapierträgerrolle
(22) aufgrund der auf das genannte Handtuchpapier ausgeübten Zugkraft und des Spannens
des genannten Handtuchpapiers reagierend, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Klingenverstelleinrichtung Kurvenfolger (60) beinhaltet, die an den Enden der
genannten Schneidklinge angebracht sind, wobei jeder Kurvenfolger einen Kurvenfolgerarm
(62) und eine in einer Auskehlung (66) einer Kurvenform (70) laufende Rolle (64) beinhaltet,
wobei die genannte Schneidklinge (22) um einen Drehpunkt, der sich an dem zylinderförmigen
Außenumfangsteil befindet, schwenkbar an der genannten Handtuchpapierträgerrolle montiert
ist und zwischen der ersten Stellung und der zweiten Stellung um den Drehpunkt schwenkbeweglich
ist, wobei die genannte Schneidklinge (52), wenn sie in der genannten zweiten Stellung
ist, nach außen von dem genannten Drehpunkt weg, der sich an dem zylinderförmigen
Außenumfangsteil befindet, in einer Richtung vorsteht, die der Drehrichtung der genannten
Handtuchpapierträgerrolle (22) allgemein entgegengesetzt ist, und die genannte Schneide
der Schneidklinge (52) in der genannten ersten Stellung sowie in der genannten zweiten
Stellung und auch beim Bewegen zwischen der genannten ersten Stellung und der genannten
zweiten Stellung immer außerhalb der genannten Handtuchpapierträgerrolle angeordnet
ist.