[0001] The present invention relates to a paper roll, particularly of the toilet/kitchen
type.
[0002] As is known, the end flap of a roll of toilet/kitchen paper is pasted in order to
prevent the roll from unwinding during packaging and transport.
[0003] When the user removes the new roll from the package, he or she has to locate the
pasted end flap and tear it in order to open the roll and start using it.
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a roll of toilet/kitchen paper A in which a continuous line
of paste B fixes the end flap C to the roll.
[0005] The operation for opening the roll is never easy and in some cases is definitely
laborious, due to the fact that the flap to be torn is not easily identifiable and
the pasting region is so large as to force the user to tear a considerable amount
of paper before being able to unroll the roll correctly.
[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a paper roll with easier opening which
overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a toilet/kitchen paper roll in which the
first flap to be torn can be immediately identified.
[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a toilet/kitchen paper roll which
can be produced with machinery and materials that are already commercially available
and are normally used in this field.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a paper roll which can be manufactured
at competitive costs.
[0010] This aim and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved
by a paper roll, particularly of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it
comprises a flap which is pasted by means of a line of paste which does not extend
along the entire width of the roll.
[0011] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description
of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of
non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet/kitchen paper roll provided with an end
flap which is pasted according to the prior art;
Figure 2 is a view, similar to Figure 1, of a roll of toilet/kitchen paper provided
with a flap with easier opening according to one aspect of the invention;
Figure 3 is a view, similar to the preceding figures, of a roll of toilet/kitchen
paper provided with a flap with easier opening according to a further aspect of the
invention.
[0012] With reference to the cited figures, a roll of toilet/kitchen paper according to
the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes an end flap
3 which is pasted to the roll by means of a line of paste 5 which does not extend
along the entire width of the roll but leaves an unpasted region 7 of approximately
10-20 mm.
[0013] The line of paste 5 may be colored so as to facilitate the identification of the
flap 3 on the roll.
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a roll of toilet/kitchen paper according to another aspect of
the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 101, which includes an
end flap 103 which is pasted to the roll by virtue of a discontinuous line of paste
105.
[0015] As in the preceding embodiment, the discontinuous line of paste 105 does not extend
along the entire width of the roll but leaves an unpasted region 107 of approximately
10-20 mm.
[0016] In this case also, the line of discontinuous paste 105 may be colored so as to facilitate
the identification of the flap 103 on the roll.
[0017] The method for producing the roll of paper according to the present invention is
performed by installing a discontinuous flap pasting blade instead of the ordinary
continuous pasting blade.
[0018] The coloring of the pasting region may be obtained by diluting food-grade ink in
the paste.
[0019] The color of the paste is chosen so as to produce an adequate contrast between the
color of the paper and the color of the pasting region.
[0020] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects,
providing a roll of toilet/kitchen paper which has the final flap pasted so as to
facilitate opening by virtue of the presence of an unpasted region.
[0021] Coloring of the pasting region facilitates the identification of the flap to be opened.
[0022] The invention may of course be applied also to other types of paper roll other than
the toilet paper shown here.
[0024] The paper roll, particularly of the toilet paper or kitchen paper type according
to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, within the
scope of the appended claims. All the details may be replaced with technically equivalent
elements.
[0025] The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to
the requirements and the state of the art.
1. A paper roll, particularly of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it comprises a flap which is pasted by means of a line of paste which does not extend
along the entire width of the roll.
2. The paper roll according to claim 1, characterized in that said line of paste is colored so as to facilitate the identification of the pasted
flap.
3. The paper roll according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said unpasted region has an extension of approximately 10-20 mm.
4. The paper roll according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said line of paste is discontinuous or segmented.
5. A method for manufacturing a roll of paper of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it comprises partial pasting of the end flap.
6. A method for manufacturing a roll of paper of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it comprises diluting a color or dye into a paste for pasting the first flap of the
roll.
7. An apparatus for manufacturing a roll of paper of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it comprises a flap pasting blade which is interrupted, i.e., does not cover the
entire width of the roll.
8. An apparatus for manufacturing a roll of paper of the toilet/kitchen type, characterized in that it comprises a flap pasting blade with spaced interruptions adapted to produce a
segmented pasting line.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description