A detachable brake element for a paper roll dispenser and a paper roll dispenser for such brake element

Abstract

 The present invention concerns a detachable brake element (1) for a paper dispenser. Said brake element comprises a braking surface (1a) and attachment means (1d). Characteristically said attachment means are suitable for detachably attaching the brake element (1) to a paper dispenser so as to apply a braking force with said braking surface (1a) on an end surface of a paper roll supported by the paper dispenser. A paper dispenser capable of receiving, and a paper dispenser comprising such a brake element (1) are also concerned.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to paper roll dispensers. More specifically the present invention relates to a paper roll dispenser equipped with a detachable brake element.

Prior art

[0002] A conventional paper roll dispenser comprises a housing having supports for rotatably supporting the paper roll from which paper is dispensed to a user. Rotation of a paper roll due to its rotational inertia after a desired length of a web has already been dispensed is a well-known problem concerning paper roll dispensers. This leads to unnecessary lengths of the dispensed web to be unreeled, possibly resulting in further problems, such as problems relating to cutting the web may also occur.

[0003] Previously, frictional elements have been provided on the supporting arms of the dispenser, so that the frictional elements are facing either one or both ends of the paper roll. An example of such a dispenser is disclosed in US 4919350 (A). However, this kind of dispenser requires the user to pull the web in the roll's axial direction in order to move the paper roll against the friction element. Especially if the paper roll and the friction elements are covered by a housing, the correct use of the dispenser is not immediately apparent to the user. The dispenser described above requires the user to manually apply a braking force. Therefore, such braking mechanism is not applicable in dispensers comprising automatic or semi-automatic dispensing means, such as a dispensing drum cutting a predetermined length of a paper web per each revolution, the operation of which can be initiated, for example, by a user pulling the leading end of the web.

[0004] Another kind of a braking mechanism is introduced in US 2006071119 (A1), where a dispenser is described comprising a pair of brackets supporting an axially compressible support tube, which in turn, supports a paper roll. A user can push either one of the inwardly flexible brackets in order to apply a braking force to either end of the roll, thus enabling the user to brake the paper roll while tearing a sheet of the paper roll. This kind of a dispenser also requires specific actions from the user in order to apply a braking force, thus rendering the mechanism inapplicable for dispensers having an automatic or semi-automatic dispensing mechanism as described above.

[0005] Furthermore, the purpose of the above-discussed prior art is to facilitate the tearing of a paper sheet rather than preventing unwanted inertial rotation of the paper roll

[0006] Another arrangement for applying an adjustable braking force to end surface of a paper roll is disclosed in EP2586349 (A1). In this arrangement the position of a brake element may be adjusted with respect to the roll so as to adjust the braking force applied. It is, however, of a more complex construction and thus more expensive to produce.

Objects of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a brake element for a paper roll dispenser, with which brake element the braking force may adapted for each type of paper roll being dispensed.

[0008] This object is achieved with a detachable brake element allowing the use of a brake elements having suitable properties for each type of paper roll used. That is to say, various brake elements with different braking capabilities may be provided so that the most suitable brake element may be chosen to be used with a particular paper roll type.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a paper dispenser capable of receiving such a brake element, and a paper dispenser comprising such a brake element.

[0010] With the arrangements according to the present invention a simple and robust construction is achieved and thereby economic production is facilitated

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] The invention is described hereafter with reference to the following figures, where:

Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b illustrate a brake element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b illustrate a brake element according to an embodiment of the invention attached to a support arm of a paper roll dispenser

Detailed description of the invention

[0012] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b illustrate perspective views of a circular disc shaped brake element 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1a shows a braking surface 1a, and respectively, Fig. 1b shows an opposing surface 1b on the other side of the brake element 1. Two snap-fit studs 1d extend from the opposing surface 1b substantially perpendicularly to it. Furthermore, the brake element 1 is equipped with a circular opening 1c

[0013] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b illustrate the brake element 1 of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b detachably attached to a support arm 2 of a paper roll dispenser so that a braking surface 1a of the brake element 1 is facing away from said support arm 2. The brake element 1 is attached to the support arm 2 with the two snap-fit studs 1d that are pressed into corresponding openings arranged onto the support arm 2. Particularly, one of the snap-fit joints 1d can be seen extending through an opening in the support arm 2 in Fig 2b. The support arm 2 is provided with a protrusion 2a that is envisaged to extend into a paper roll or a core thereof for supporting said paper roll. As can be seen, the snap-fit studs 1d and the corresponding openings of the support arm 2 are arranged such that brake element 1 is positioned with respect to the support arm 2 in a way that enables the protrusion 2a to extend through the opening 1c of the brake element 1. The support arm 2 is constructed so that it can be mounted on paper roll dispenser, preferably by its distal end, so as to support a paper roll with its protrusion 2a extending within the paper roll or a core thereof.

[0014] Alternatively, a paper roll may be equipped with a protruding spindle, in which case the support arm 2 should be equipped with a recess adapted for receiving said spindle. Commonly, two opposing support arms are used at each side of a paper roll to support it. However, any other arrangement for supporting a paper roll rotatably may be used in connection with the present invention.

[0015] A brake element 1 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a braking surface 1a and attachment means 1d for detachably attaching said brake element 1 to a paper roll dispenser in such a position that the braking surface 1a of the brake element is pressed against the paper roll so as to apply a braking force thereto. As the brake element 1 is detachably attached to the paper roll dispenser, brake elements with different properties may be used so as to match with different types of paper rolls used.

[0016] For example, brake elements with different dimensions may be used for achieving different braking properties. The area of the braking surface 1a may be increased or reduced to, respectively, reduce or increase the surface pressure exerted on the end surface of a paper roll. Also the thickness of the brake element 1, i.e. the dimension in the axial direction of the paper roll when in use, may be increased or decreased in order to respectively increase or decrease the braking force exerted on the end surface of the paper roll. Also, brake elements 1 of different materials or coatings may be used for providing different friction coefficient between the braking surface 1a and the end surface of the paper roll.

[0017] There are several ways of implementing such an arrangement. Preferably, the brake element 1 may be detachably attached to a support arm 2 of a paper roll dispenser, in which case the attachment means 1d are suitably located on an opposing surface 1b on the other side of the brake element 1 than the braking surface 1a. However, the brake element 1 may alternatively be detachably attached to any other suitable part or portion of the paper roll dispenser. Furthermore, the brake element 1 may advantageously be detachably attached to a paper roll dispenser, preferably to a supporting arm 2 thereof, so as to be concentric with the paper roll to be dispensed. The brake element 1 is advantageously provided with an opening 1c for enabling a protrusion 2a, e.g. of a support arm 2, or alternatively a spindle of a paper roll, to extend through said opening 1c.

[0018] Any attachment means enabling a detachable attachment between the brake element 1 and the paper roll dispenser may be used. For example, threaded attachment means may be used. The brake element 1 may be provided with a threaded protrusion, or alternatively a threaded recess / opening arranged to be screwed to the paper roll dispenser so as to form a detachable attachment.

[0019] Naturally, the brake element 1 may be provided with any number of attachment means regardless of the type of the attachment means. Advantageously, at least two separate attachment means are provided, which prevents the brake element 1 from turning around a single attachment point.

[0020] Preferably, the attachment means comprises at least one snap-fit joint 1d. Several types of snap-fit joints are commonly known. The general principle of snap-fit joints is that they comprise a resilient member that, during attachment, deflects so as to enable fitting with a mating component. After attachment, the resilient member returns to its substantially original non-deflected position and secures the attachment between the resilient member and the mating component. To detach the attachment, the resilient member is again deflected so as to enable the resilient member and the mating component to be separated.

[0021] More preferably, a brake element 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is provided with at least one stud-shaped snap-fit joint. Advantageously, two snap-fit joints, preferably stud-shaped, are provided. An additional advantage of this arrangement is that, when the snap-fit joint are dimensioned to provide a loose fit, the brake element is able to tilt around an axis connecting the two separate stud-shaped snap-fit joints. The tilting of the brake element 1 facilitates introducing a paper roll into the paper dispenser, particularly when the paper roll is supported by two support arms that are slightly inclined so as to converge each other towards the paper roll. Moreover, the tilting movement of the brake element 1 enables the brake element 1 to adapt its position in accordance with variances in the shape of the paper roll's end surface.

[0022] Most preferably, the two snap-fit joints, advantageously being stud-shaped, are positioned on the brake element 1 along an axis that, when projected onto the braking surface 1a, divides the braking surface 1a into two substantially equally sized portions. This, in turn, ensures that the pressure caused by the braking force is evenly spread across the braking surface, particularly when the brake element 1 is able to tilt.

[0023] Naturally, all of the embodiments described above or hereafter may be implemented with the attachment means being provided on the paper dispenser, in which case the brake element 1 is adapted to receive the attachment means for providing a detachable attachment.

[0024] A paper roll dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention comprises means for rotatably supporting a paper roll so as to dispense paper from said roll. The paper roll dispenser further comprises means for receiving a brake element 1 according to any of the embodiments above so as to form a detachable attachment. The means for receiving the brake element 1 are arranged such that the brake element 1, particularly the braking surface 1a thereof, applies a braking force on the end surface of the roll.

[0025] A paper roll dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention may further comprises support arms 2 for rotatably supporting a paper roll. Preferably, two support arms 2 are provided, one on each side (i.e. end surface) of the paper roll. The support arms may comprise a protrusion 2a that is arranged to extend in to the paper roll or the core thereof, when a paper roll is disposed between support arms 2. Alternatively, the support arms 2 may comprise a recess that is arranged to receive a spindle extending from a paper roll. In any case, should at least one support arm be provided, the means for receiving the brake element 1 are advantageously arranged on said support arm 2. Should the paper roll dispenser be provided with two support arms 2, means for receiving the brake element may be arranged on either one, or both support arms 2.

[0026] A paper roll dispenser according to another embodiment of the invention further comprises at least one brake element 1 according to any of the embodiments described above. The brake element 1 is detachably attached with the attachment means 1d of the brake element and the receiving means of the paper roll dispenser, respectively. The attachment means 1d of the brake element 1 and the receiving means of the paper roll dispenser are arranged so that, when in use, the brake element 1, particularly the braking surface 1a thereof, applies a braking force on the end surface of the roll.

[0027] The paper roll dispenser may comprise two brake elements 1, preferably one on each side, i.e. end surface, of the paper roll. Should the paper roll dispenser have at least one support arm 2 for supporting the paper roll, the brake element 1 is suitably arranged on the at least one support arm. Furthermore, should the paper roll dispenser have two support arms 2 for supporting a paper roll, a brake element 1 may be arranged on either one, or both support arms.

Claims

1. A detachable brake element (1) for a paper dispenser, comprising a braking surface (1a) and attachment means (1d), characterized in that said attachment means (1d) are suitable for detachably attaching the brake element (1) to a paper dispenser so as to apply a braking force with said braking surface (1a) on an end surface of a paper roll supported by the paper dispenser.

2. A detachable brake element for a paper dispenser, characterized in that the attachment means (1d) are arranged on an opposing surface (1b) on the other side of the brake element (1) than the braking surface (1a).

3. A detachable brake element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the brake element (1) further comprises an opening (1c) extending from the braking surface (1a) to the opposing surface (1b), the attachment means (1d) being arranged such that, when in use, the opening (1c) is concentric with said paper roll.

4. A detachable brake element (1) according to claims 1-3 characterized in that the brake element (1) comprises at least two separate attachment means (1d).

5. A detachable brake element (1) according to claim 1-4, characterized in that said attachment means (1d) comprises a threaded joint.

6. A detachable brake element (1) according to claim 1-5 characterized in that said attachment means comprises (1d) a snap-fit joint

7. A detachable brake element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said snap-fit joint is of a stud-shape

8. A detachable brake element according to claim 7, characterized in that the brake element 1 comprises two separate stud-shaped snap-fit joints (1d) dimensioned to provide a loose fit for enabling said brake element (1) to tilt around an axis connecting the two separate stud-shaped snap-fit joints (1d) when attached.

9. A detachable brake element according to claim 8, characterized in that the two stud-shaped snap-fit joints (1d), are positioned on the brake element (1) along an axis that, when projected onto the braking surface (1a), divides the braking surface (1a) into two substantially equally sized portions.

10. A paper dispenser comprising means for supporting a roll to be dispensed, characterized in that said paper dispenser further comprises means for detachably receiving a brake element (1) according to any of the claims 1-9, so as to apply a braking force on an end surface of the paper roll supported by the paper dispenser.

11. A paper dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that said means for supporting a roll comprises a support arm (2), wherein said means for receiving a brake element (1) are arranged on said support arm (2)

12. A paper dispenser according to claim 11, characterized in that said means for supporting a roll comprises two support arms (2), wherein said means for receiving a brake element (1) are arranged on either one, or both of the support arms (2)

13. A paper dispenser according to claims 10-12, characterized in that the paper dispenser further comprises a detachable brake element according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein said detachable brake element (1) has been detachably attached to said paper dispenser with the attachment means (1d) of the brake element (1) and the means for receiving a brake element (1) of the paper dispenser, so as to apply a braking force on an end surface of the roll.

Drawing