(19)
(11) EP 2 025 634 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
21.10.2009 Bulletin 2009/43

(21) Application number: 07015225.1

(22) Date of filing: 02.08.2007
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65H 35/04(2006.01)
B26D 1/08(2006.01)
B65D 83/08(2006.01)

(54)

Band-type dispenser for wrap film

Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie

Distributeur de type bande pour film d'emballage


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
18.02.2009 Bulletin 2009/08

(73) Proprietor: Wang, Ching-Hsiang
Si-Men Road Tainan City (TW)

(72) Inventor:
  • Wang, Ching-Hsiang
    Si-Men Road Tainan City (TW)

(74) Representative: Kandlbinder, Markus Christian et al
Zeitler - Volpert - Kandlbinder Patentanwälte Postfach 26 02 51
80059 München
80059 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A-99/35950
JP-A- 2007 022 550
US-A- 5 768 968
FR-A- 2 817 729
US-A- 3 777 962
US-A- 5 904 283
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    1. Field of the Invention



    [0001] This invention relates to a band-type dispenser for wrap film, particularly to one provided with a base formed with a chamber, a positioning bracket respectively fixed at two sides of the chamber for supporting a roll of wrap film thereon, an endless band device arranged in the base and having at least one endless band electrically moved to shift out wrap film, a cutter unit disposed in front of the endless band having a blade for cutting off the wrap film. It can automatically move and cut the wrap film, keeping a piece of cut wrap film flat and smooth, without entangling, enabling a user to use it conveniently and safely.

    2. Description of the Prior Art



    [0002] Nowadays, wrap film is indispensable in general households, used for wrapping food or covering a container, such as bowls, saucers, cups, etc. preventing floating dirt in the air from smearing food or flies or insects from polluting food. Moreover, it can prevent food from dehydrating when food wrapped with wrap film is stored in a refrigerator, or it can seal food for cooking in a microwave cooker, and hold cooked food.

    [0003] A conventional wrap film as shown in Fig. 1, a roll of conventional wrap film 10 is placed in an elongate case 11, which has a swingable cover 12, with an elongate exit formed between the swingable cover 12 and the case 11, and a saw-teeth blade 13 fixed at a side edge of the exit. In using, the wrap film 10 is pulled out from its roll, then the swingable cover 12 is pressed with one hand with an outer end of the wrap film 10 held with another hand. Then the wrap film 10 is pulled in such a direction that the wrap film 10 may be cut off by the blade 13. In traditional handling of cutting the wrap film 10, a user often presses one end of the swingable cover 12, instead of pressing and moving it toward the body 11, so the wrap film is not easily cut off owing to uneven pressing, causing entangling of the wrap film. Then the conventional wrap film is sometimes troublesome to use.

    [0004] In addition, the saw-teeth blade 13 is fixed outside of the case 11, so a user's hand may be hurt in cutting operation by the blade 13. Therefore, the conventional wrap film is often not safe for using.

    [0005] US-A-5 904 283 discloses a note paper sheet dispenser including a motor-driven conveyer belt mounted above a base. A tear-off blade above the belt permits the length of paper strip lying on the belt to be torn off. US-A-5 768 968 describes a dispenser for plastic film having an electrical motor-driven cutting unit.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0006] The main objective of the invention is to offer a band-type dispenser for wrap film, with a roll of wrap film possible to be quickly replaced with a new one.

    [0007] Another objective of the invention is to offer a band-type dispenser for wrap film to cut electrically the length of wrap film needed and keep the cut piece of the wrap film flat and smooth, so this dispenser is safe and convenient to use.

    [0008] According to the present invention said at least one endless band is provided with plural straight grooves closely spaced apart in its outer surface, and said blade is electrically movable widthwise through the wrap film and in one of the straight grooves of said at least one endless band without cutting the at least one endless band itself.

    [0009] Another feature of the invention is that at least one film separating guider is provided beside the at least one endless band for separating the wrap film from the surface of the endless band.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS



    [0010] This invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional wrap film being used;

    Figure 2 is a perspective view of a band-type dispenser for wrap film in the present invention;

    Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the band-type dispenser for wrap film in the present invention;

    Figure 4 is a perspective view of a drive unit and a cutter unit combined in the band-type dispenser for wrap film in the present invention;

    Figure 5 is a perspective view of the band-type dispenser for wrap film in the present invention; and,

    Figure 6 is a perspective view of the band-type dispenser for wrap film being used in the present invention.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT



    [0011] A preferred embodiment of a band-type dispenser for wrap film in the present invention, as shown in Figs. 2-5, includes a base 2, an endless band device 3, and a cutter unit 4 as main components combined together.

    [0012] The base 2 is provided with a chamber 20 in its interior, a positioning bracket 21 respectively fixed at two sides of the chamber 20 for supporting a roll of wrap film 10, an auxiliary rotary rod 22 set in the chamber 20 for moving supplementarily the wrap film 10, a swingable cover 23 swingably connected to the base 2 to close on or open an upper side of the base 2.

    [0013] The endless band device 3 is arranged in the base 2, composed of at least one endless band 30 with plural long straight grooves 300 closely spaced apart, a pair of rotatable shafts 31 spaced apart with a proper distance for the at least one endless band 30 to rest on and to be moved by the rotatable shafts 31, a driving unit 32 combined with one of the rotatable shafts 31 and consisting of a synchronous motor 320, a changeover switch 322 and a press button 323. The motor 320 has a shaft 321 to rotate the relative rotatable shaft 31 for moving the at least one endless band 30 to circulate around the two rotatable shafts 31. Further at least one film separating guider 33 is provided just beside the at least one endless band 30 and has a curved bottom slightly protruding with respect to the outer surface of the at least one endless band 30 so that the at least one film separating guider 33 can guide the wrap film 10 to separate from the outer surface of the endless band 30 for a user to grip easily the outer end of the wrap film 10.

    [0014] The cutter unit 4 is deposited in front of the endless band device 3, and composed of a drive motor 40 connected to the press button 323 of the driving unit 32 via a power line to be turned on and off, a drive gear 400 positioned at an outer side of the drive motor 40, an elongate threaded rod 41 having one end fixed with a pinion 410 engaging with the drive gear 400, a blade fixer 42 possible to reciprocate along the threads of the threaded rod 41, a blade 421 fixed on one side of the blade fixer 42 and having its edge facing closely to the outer surface of the endless band 30, as shown in Fig. 3.

    [0015] Next, in using, referring to Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, firstly, put a roll of wrap film 10 in the chamber 20 of the base 2 and hang it on the two brackets 21. Secondly, pull the outer end of the wrap film 10 around the auxiliary rotary rod 22 to make it placed on the outer surface of the at least one endless band 3. Thirdly, press the changeover switch 322 of the driving unit 32 to turn on the power, and then press the press button 323 to start the synchronous motor 320 to rotate the shaft 321 to drive the rotatable shaft 31 to move the endless band 30 to circulate around the two rotatable shafts 31 so as to carry the wrap film 10 stuck on the at least one endless band 30, by which the wrap film 10 may move gradually along on the at least one film separating guider 33 and separate from the surface of the at least one endless band 30. Finally, when the wrap film 10 is moved out to a needed length, release the press button 323 to pause the synchronous motor 320 and at the same time to start the drive motor 40 of the cutter unit 4 to drive the drive gear 400 to rotate the pinion 410 of the threaded rod 41 to force the threaded rod 41 to shift the blade fixer 42 along the threads of the threaded rod 41 towards the wrap film 10 on the at least one endless band 30 so that the blade 421 may cut widthwise the wrap film 10, moving in one of the straight grooves 300 without cutting the at least one endless band 30 itself. The cut piece of wrap film 10 can be neat and smooth as shown in Fig. 6. In this way, the band-type dispenser for wrap film in the invention is safe and automatically used, possible to be placed on a table or hung on a wall for use.

    [0016] If the roll of wrap film 10 is needed to be replaced with a new one, as shown in Figs, 2 and 5, swing up the swingable cover 23, and take off the old roll of wrap film 10 and put on a new one on the brackets 21, with the outer end of the new roll of wrap film 10 pulled to extend around the auxiliary rotary rod 22 and placed on the at least one endless band 30, thus finishing changing operation.


    Claims

    1. Band-type dispenser for wrap film (10), said dispenser comprising:

    a base (2) provided with a chamber (20) in its interior; and

    a positioning bracket (21) respectively fixed at two sides of said chamber (20) of said base (2) for supporting a roll of wrap film (10) thereon;

    an electrically movable endless band device (3) arranged in said base (2) and having at least one endless band (30) for moving said wrap film (10) out and a driving unit (32) for moving said at least one endless band (30); and

    a cutter unit (4) disposed in front of the endless band device (3) having a blade (421) for cutting said wrap film (10),

    characterized in that
    said at least one endless band (30) is provided with plural straight grooves (300) closely spaced apart in its outer surface, and
    said blade (421) is electrically movable withwise through the wrap film (10) and in one of the straight grooves (300) of said at least one endless band (30) without cutting the at least one endless band itself.
     
    2. Band-type dispenser for wrap film according to claim 1, characterized in that an auxiliary rotary rod (22) is provided in said base (2) for moving supplementarily the wrap film.
     
    3. Band-type dispenser for wrap film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a swingable cover (23) is closed on an upper side of said base (2).
     
    4. Band-type dispenser for wrap film according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said driving unit (32) is fixed at a side of said endless band device (3).
     
    5. Band-type dispenser for wrap film according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that said driving unit (32) is composed of a changeover switch (322) and a press button (323).
     
    6. Band-type dispenser for wrap film according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that at least one film separating guider (33) is provided bedside said at least one endless band (30), said guider (33) having a curved bottom slightly protruding with respect to the outer surface of said at least one endless band (30) so that said guider can guide the warp film to separate from the outer surface of said at least one endless band for a user to grip easily the outer end for the wrap film.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie (10), umfassend einen Grundkörper (2), der in seinem Inneren mit einer Kammer versehen ist; und einen Positionierungsarm (21), der an den beiden Seiten der Kammer (20) des Hauptkörpers (2) befestigt ist, um eine Rolle Verpackungsfolie (10) aufzunehmen; eine elektrisch bewegliche Endlosband-Vorrichtung (3), die in dem Grundkörper (2) angeordnet ist und wenigstens ein Endlosband (30) aufweist, mit dem die Verpackungsfolie (10) ausgegeben wird, sowie eine Antriebseinheit (32) zur Bewegung wenigstens eines Endlosbandes (30); und mit einer Schneideinheit (4), die vor der Endlosband-Vorrichtung (3) angeordnet ist und ein Messer (421) zum Schneiden der Verpackungsfolie (10) aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das wenigstens eine Endlosband (30) mit mehreren geraden Nuten (300) versehen ist, die auf seiner Oberfläche in engem Abstand nebeneinander liegen und daß das Messer (421) in Breitenrichtung elektrisch durch die Verpackungsfolie hindurch bewegbar ist sowie in einer der geraden Nuten (300) des wenigstens einen Endlosbandes (30), ohne das wenigstens eine Endlosband selbst zu durch schneiden.
     
    2. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in dem Grundkörper (2) eine Hilfsdrehstange (22) zur zusätzlichen Bewegung der Verpackungsfolie vorgesehen ist.
     
    3. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein schwenkbarer Deckel (23) auf einer Oberseite des Grundkörpers (2) geschlossen ist.
     
    4. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Antriebseinheit (32) an einer Seite der Endlosband-Vorrichtung (3) befestigt ist.
     
    5. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Antriebseinheit (32) aus einem Umschalter (322) und einem Druckknopf (323) zusammengesetzt ist.
     
    6. Bandspender für Verpackungsfolie nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens ein Folientrennführer (33) neben wenigstens einem Endlosband (30) vorgesehen ist, der einen gebogenen Boden aufweist, welcher etwas in Bezug auf die äußere Oberfläche des wenigstens einen Endlosbandes (30) vorsteht, so daß der Führer die Verpackungsfolie führen kann, um sie von der äußeren Oberfläche des wenigstens einen Endlosbandes zu trennen, so daß ein Benutzer das äußere Ende der Verpackungsfolie leicht ergreifen kann.
     


    Revendications

    1. Distributeur pour film d'emballage (10) du type à bande, ledit distributeur comprenant :

    une base (2) dotée d'une chambre (20) dans son intérieur ; et

    une platine de positionnement (21) respectivement fixée sur deux côtés de ladite chambre (20) de ladite base (2) pour supporter un rouleau de film d'emballage (10) sur celle-ci ;

    un dispositif à bande sans fin à actionnement électrique (3) agencé dans ladite base (2) et ayant au moins une bande sans fin (30) pour déplacer ledit film d'emballage (10) vers l'extérieur et une unité d'entraînement (32) pour déplacer ladite au moins une bande sans fin (30) ; et

    une unité de coupe (4) disposée en face du dispositif à bande sans fin (3) ayant une lame (421) pour couper ledit film d'emballage (10),

    caractérisé en ce que
    ladite au moins une bande sans fin (30) est pourvue d'une pluralité de rainures droites (300) espacées de façon rapprochée dans sa surface extérieure, et
    ladite lame (421) est déplaçable électriquement dans le sens de la largeur à travers le film d'emballage (10) et dans l'une des rainures droites (300) de ladite au moins une bande sans fin (30) sans couper ladite bande sans fin elle-même.
     
    2. Distributeur pour film d'emballage du type à bande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'une tige rotative auxiliaire (22) est prévue dans ladite base (2) pour déplacer de façon supplémentaire le film d'emballage.
     
    3. Distributeur pour film d'emballage du type à bande selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'un couvercle pivotant (23) est fermé sur un côté supérieur de ladite base (2).
     
    4. Distributeur pour film d'emballage du type à bande selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite unité d'entraînement (32) est fixée sur un côté dudit dispositif à bande sans fin (3).
     
    5. Distributeur pour film d'emballage du type à bande selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite unité d'entraînement (32) est composée d'un commutateur inverseur (322) et d'un bouton-poussoir (323).
     
    6. Distributeur pour film d'emballage du type à bande selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un guide de séparation de film (33) est prévu à côté de ladite au moins une bande sans fin (30), ledit guide (33) ayant un fond incurvé qui fait légèrement saillie par rapport à la surface extérieure de ladite au moins une bande sans fin (30), de sorte que ledit guide est capable de guider le film d'emballage pour qu'il se sépare de la surface extérieure de ladite au moins une bande sans fin pour qu'un utilisateur saisisse aisément l'extrémité extérieure du film d'emballage.
     




    Drawing























    Cited references

    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