ROLL OF PAPER MATERIAL, PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ROLL OF PAPER MATERIAL AND TUBULAR CORE FOR PAPER MATERIAL

Abstract

 A roll (R) of paper material (1) comprising a tubular core (2), of circular or substantially circular cross section, having two opposed ends (3,4), whose terminal edges (5,7) define respective openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2), and at least one tape of paper material (9) wound on said tubular core (2). At least one of said openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2) comprising a circular, or substantially circular portion (10), and at least one peripheral, substantially radial portion (11), arranged externally to said circular portion (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a roll of paper material.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the production of the aforementioned roll of paper material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] Various types of paper material dispensers are commonly found on the market, mainly for sanitary uses, in the form of rolls, from which sheets are separated which can be used individually (for example, towels, toilet paper, and the like). These dispensers can be, for example, of the manual type, wherein the pulling action exerted by the user determines the separation of individual sheets from the roll (for example along the provided breaking lines), or of the automatic or semi-automatic type, wherein a cutting device is provided which, following a control given by the user, separates individual sheets.

[0004] A fundamental requirement for the producers of these goods is that they must be able to provide the customer with their own dispensers inseparably from their own rolls of paper, so as to prevent rolls made by competitors from being installed and used.

[0005] To achieve this important result, a solution used by many manufacturers is to create a forced mechanical coupling between the tubular core of the roll and the support arms of the same, with which all dispensers on the market are equipped. More in detail, in a version on the market, the tubular core is made of extruded plastic, and comprises a cross section with a plurality of ribs, arranged for example in a radial pattern, which define some sort of compartments. Correspondingly, the arms of the dispenser comprise respective end flanges each provided with raised parts or teeth shaped so as to engage in the compartments of the tubular core.

[0006] Consequently, only the rolls that have the tubular core configured with the correct arrangement of compartments can be coupled with the flanges of the dispenser, while for all others such coupling is not possible, and their use is therefore precluded.

[0007] The solutions of the type described above, although very effective in terms of the technical effect obtained, are disadvantageous in terms of the material used, since, as mentioned, the tubular core is made of plastic; in fact, many manufacturers are currently making considerable efforts to drop this material.

[0008] Many manufacturers produce rolls with a tubular core made of cardboard, which is the most traditional solution and which does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks relating to disposal of the material.

[0009] In some solutions with a tubular cardboard core, to obtain the effect of forced coupling between the core of the roll and the support arms, the use of inserts (e.g. of plastic) is provided for insertion in the openings of the tubular core; these inserts are shaped in such a way as to couple to the flanges of the dispenser.

[0010] The drawback of these solutions mainly consists in the fact that the operator has to insert/remove the inserts from the openings of the tubular core every time a roll of paper material is installed/replaced.

[0011] Other manufacturers, in order to obtain the effect described above of forced coupling between the core of the roll and the support arms, have come up with the solution of creating suitable seats in the core itself.

[0012] For example, the Italian patent application n. 102009901695791 describes a solution with a tubular cardboard core comprising, at both ends, notches (for example two for each end, diametrically opposite) of substantially rectangular shape, in which corresponding raised parts of the dispenser flange are inserted. This solution has the drawback of requiring to cut notches in the tubular core before winding up the paper material.

[0013] Obviously this requires the development of a specially designed production cycle which includes the action of a machine which cuts the aforementioned notches before the tubular cores are fed to the winding station of the paper material.

[0014] In another, earlier solution, described in document US 2,380,644, in order to obtain the forced mechanical coupling between the flanges of the dispenser and the roll with a cardboard core, a cutting process is carried out in one of the bases of the latter, creating a groove, which involves both the core of the roll and part of the paper material wound on it.

[0015] This solution does not have the drawback of having to machine the cardboard core before winding the paper material.

[0016] However, as can be understood, it has another notable drawback, i.e. the fact that the paper material is altered with respect to its initial state, and the notches made in either base could affect the regular separation of the sheets one by one.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The technical aim of this invention is to improve the state of the art in the field of paper material rolls.

[0018] Within this technical aim, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a roll for paper material with a cardboard core which allows a unique forced mechanical coupling with a specific dispenser to be carried out.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to make available a roll of paper material which allows the aforementioned unique mechanical coupling to be obtained with a simple and economical production solution.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to create a roll of paper material which allows the aforementioned unique mechanical coupling to be obtained without altering the integrity of the paper material.

[0022] This aim and these objects are all achieved by a roll of paper material according to the attached claim 1.

[0023] The roll of paper material comprises a tubular core, of circular or substantially circular section, having two opposite ends, the terminal edges of which define respective openings of the tubular core, and at least one tape of paper material wound on the tubular core.

[0024] According to the invention, at least one of the openings of the tubular core comprises a circular or substantially circular portion and at least one peripheral portion, substantially radial, disposed externally to said circular portion.

[0025] Thanks to this solution, at least one of the two openings of the tubular core is modified, with respect to the normal cylindrical configuration, so as to obtain a shaping suitable for the unique and obligatory mechanical coupling with the flange of one of the arms of a dispenser.

[0026] In particular, by observing this opening in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of symmetry of the core, i.e. at the base of the roll, a particular and innovative shape of its cross section of the opening is obtained, consisting of a circle with at least one sort of substantially radial appendage (peripheral portion), wherein a corresponding raised element (for example a sort of tooth) shaped by the flange of the aforementioned arm can engage.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention of particular practical interest, the opening of the tubular core comprises two peripheral portions, identical and diametrically opposite to each other.

[0028] In this case, the shape of the cross section of the opening is constituted by a circle having two appendages, substantially radial and diametrically opposite (peripheral portions) wherein two corresponding raised elements (for example two sort of teeth) shaped by the flange of the aforementioned arm can engage.

[0029] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention of particular practical interest, the tubular core is made of cardboard.

[0030] This aim and these objects are all achieved by a process for the production of a roll of paper material according to the attached claim 7.

[0031] The process comprises the steps of providing a tubular core, of circular or substantially circular section, having two opposite ends, the terminal edges of which define respective openings of the tubular core itself, a step of providing at least one paper material in the form of a tape, and a step of wrapping the tape of paper material around the tubular core.

[0032] According to the invention, the process comprises a step of deforming at least one of the openings of the tubular core, so as to obtain thereat a respective peripheral seat, substantially radial, disposed externally with respect to the original circular section of said opening.

[0033] Dependent claims refer to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

[0034] These and additional advantages will be better understood by any man skilled in the art from the following description and the accompanying drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

figure 1 is an axonometric view of the roll according to the invention;

figure 2 is a diametrical cross section of the roll of figure 1;

figure 3 is a plan view of the roll of figure 1;

figure 4 is a detail of figure 3;

figure 5 is a diametrical cross section of another embodiment of the roll according to the invention;

figure 6 is a plan view of the roll of figure 5;

figure 7 is a diametrical cross section of another embodiment of the roll according to the invention;

figure 8 is a plan view of the roll of figure 7;

figure 9 is a diametrical cross section of yet another embodiment of the roll according to the invention;

figure 10 is a plan view of the roll of figure 9;

figure 11 is a perspective front view of a paper material dispenser in which a roll according to the invention can be installed;

figure 12 is a perspective front view of the dispenser of figure 11, with the roll installed;

figures 13-15 are side views, partially sectioned and detailed, of a roll according to the invention in successive moments of the edge deformation step of one of the openings of the tubular core.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION.

[0035] With particular reference to figure 1, the reference number 1 generally indicates a roll of paper material according to the present invention.

[0036] The roll of paper material can be, for example, a roll of towels, or of toilet paper, or of yet another type, without limitations.

[0037] The roll 1 according to the present invention is intended for installation inside a paper material dispenser of any suitable type.

[0038] By way of non-limiting examples, these dispensers can be of the manual type, wherein the pulling action exerted by the user determines the separation of individual sheets from the roll (for example along the provided breaking lines), or of the automatic or semi-automatic type, wherein a cutting device is provided which, following a control given by the user, separates individual sheets.

[0039] The dispenser in which the roll 1 is installed can be for example (but not exclusively) of the wall-hanging type, with the sheet dispensing opening provided in its lower part.

[0040] The roll 1 comprises a tubular core 2.

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention of particular practical interest, the tubular core 2 is made of cardboard, or the like.

[0042] The tubular core 2 has a circular or substantially circular section.

[0043] The tubular core 2 comprises two opposite ends 3,4; more in detail, the tubular core 2 comprises a first end 3 and a second opposite end 4.

[0044] The first end 3 comprises a first terminal edge 5; the first terminal edge 5 defines a first opening 6 of the tubular core 2.

[0045] Similarly, the second end 4 comprises a second terminal edge 7; the second terminal edge 7 defines a second opening 8 of the tubular core 2.

[0046] The roll 1 also comprises a tape of paper material 9; the tape of paper material 9 is wound on the tubular core 2, so as to assume a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical reel configuration.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 comprises a circular or substantially circular portion 10 and at least one peripheral portion 11, substantially radial, disposed externally to said circular portion 10.

[0048] Therefore, the shaping of at least one of the two openings 6,8 - for example, conventionally, the first opening 6, at the first end 3 of the tubular core - is therefore modified, or altered, with respect to the normal circular shape, so as to be suitable for the unique and forced mechanical coupling with the flange of one of the dispenser arms inside which the roll 1 is intended to be installed.

[0049] A corresponding raised element (e.g. a sort of tooth) shaped by the flange of the aforesaid dispenser arm can, indeed, engage in the aforementioned peripheral portion 11 of the section of the first opening 6.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the peripheral portion 11 is defined by a rectilinear 12 or substantially rectilinear portion of the first edge 5.

[0051] More in detail, at said first end 3, the material of said tubular core 2 is fractured, at the portion 12, along two respective breaking lines 13, so that the portion 12 is disposed at the outer periphery of the first edge 5.

[0052] In particular, the peripheral portion 11 is defined by a flat 14 or substantially flat portion of the internal surface of the tubular core 2, which is inclined by a given acute angle α with respect to the cylindrical axis of symmetry A of the tubular core 2, when observed on a plane of diametrical section, of the tubular core 2, which goes through it; in other words, the flat portion 14 is spread outwards - i.e. with a divergent orientation - with respect to the cylindrical surface of the tubular core 2. According to another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned portion 12 of the first edge 5 when observed on a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of symmetry A of the roll 1, has an angular extension between 1° and 90°.

[0053] Preferably, the aforementioned portion 12 has an angular extension comprised between 20° and 30°.

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, which is of particular practical interest, the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2 comprises a circular portion 10 and two peripheral portions 11.

[0055] Preferably, the two peripheral portions 11 are identical.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the two peripheral portions are diametrically opposite to each other.

[0057] The two aforementioned peripheral portions 11 have the characteristics described above.

[0058] This is the optimal solution from the point of view of the effectiveness of the coupling with the respective flange of the dispenser arm.

[0059] In other embodiments of the invention, the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2 could comprise two peripheral portions 11 having a different mutual arrangement (i.e. having a mutual angular distance different from 180°).

[0060] Furthermore, in yet other embodiments of the invention, the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2 could comprise a number of peripheral portions 11 greater than two (for example three, or four, or more).

[0061] Also falling within the scope of protection of the present invention is an embodiment like that shown in figures 5,6, wherein the aforementioned first opening 6 of the tubular core 2 comprises only one peripheral portion 11, having the characteristics described above.

[0062] Another embodiment of roll 1 according to the present invention is shown in figures 7,8.

[0063] This embodiment differs from that of Figures 1-4 in that both openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 are each provided with a circular portion 10 and with two respective peripheral portions 11.

[0064] With regard to the number of peripheral portions 11 of the openings 6, 8 and their arrangement, the same considerations set forth with regard to the embodiment of figures 1-4 apply.

[0065] In this version of the invention, therefore, both openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 can be coupled, in a unique and forced way, with both flanges of the arms of a dispenser - respectively.

[0066] Yet another embodiment of roll 1 according to the present invention is shown in figures 9,10.

[0067] This embodiment differs from that of figures 5, 6 in that both openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 each comprise a circular portion 10 and a single peripheral portion 11, having the characteristics described above.

[0068] Also in this version of the invention, therefore, both openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 can be coupled, in a unique and forced way, with both flanges of the arms of a dispenser - respectively.

[0069] Another object of the present invention is a tubular core 2 for paper material, of circular or substantially circular section, having two opposed ends 3,4, whose terminal edges 5,7 define respective openings 6,8, and which in at least one of the openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 comprises a circular 10, or substantially circular portion, and at least one peripheral 11, substantially radial portion disposed externally to the circular portion 10.

[0070] In other words, the tubular cores 2 of the rolls 1 according to all the embodiments illustrated in figures 1-10 also form an object of the present invention.

[0071] By way of non-limiting example, and therefore, for the sake of greater clarity, figures 11 and 12 show a dispenser 15 of paper products, to which the roll 1 can be coupled according to the invention.

[0072] More in detail - and again by way of example - a dispenser 15 is specifically developed for coupling with a roll 1 according to the embodiment of figures 1-4.

[0073] The dispenser 15 comprises a compartment 16 for housing the roll 1, inside which a first arm 17 and a second arm 18 are mounted opposite each other, provided with a first flange 19 and a second flange 20 - respectively, for coupling with the openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 of roll 1.

[0074] More in detail, the first flange 19 is intended for coupling with the first opening 6 of the core 2, comprising two opposite peripheral portions 11; the second flange 20, on the other hand, is designed to couple with the second opening 8 of the tubular core 2, which instead has a regular circular shape.

[0075] As shown schematically, the first flange 19 comprises two raised elements 21 (for example two kinds of teeth) diametrically opposite, shaped so as to engage in the corresponding peripheral portions 11 of the first opening 6, in a precise way, so as to obtain a unique and forced mechanical coupling.

[0076] Another object of the present invention is a process for the production of a roll of paper material 1.

[0077] The process includes a step of providing a tubular core 2, having a circular or substantially circular section, and having two opposite ends 3,4, whose terminal edges 5,7 define respective openings 6,8 of said tubular core 2.

[0078] The process further comprises a step of providing at least one paper material 9 in the form of a tape, and of wrapping said tape of paper material 9 around the aforementioned tubular core 2.

[0079] According to the invention, moreover, the process comprises a step of deforming at least one of the openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2, so as to obtain thereat a respective peripheral seat 11, substantially radial, disposed externally with respect to the original circular section of said opening 6,8.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the tubular core 2 is made of cardboard, or the like.

[0081] Conventionally, for description convenience, the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2 is subjected to the aforementioned deformation step.

[0082] According to another aspect of the process according to the invention, the peripheral portion 11 is defined by a rectilinear 12, or substantially rectilinear, portion of the first edge 5 of the first opening 6.

[0083] More in detail, at said first end 3, the material of the tubular core 2 is fractured, by the aforementioned deformation step, at the portion 12, along two respective breaking lines 13, so that the portion 12 is disposed at the outer periphery of said first edge 5.

[0084] Following the aforementioned deformation step, the peripheral portion 11 is defined by a flat 14 or substantially flat portion of the internal surface of the tubular core 2, which is inclined by a given acute angle α with respect to the cylindrical axis of symmetry A of the tubular core 2, when observed on a plane of diametrical section, of the tubular core 2, which goes through it; in other words, the flat portion 14 is spread outwards - i.e. with a divergent orientation - with respect to the cylindrical surface of the tubular core 2.

[0085] The portion 12 of the first edge 5 when observed on a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of symmetry A of the roll 1, has an angular extension between 1° and 90°.

[0086] Preferably, the aforementioned portion 12 has an angular extension comprised between 20° and 30°.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2, after the aforementioned deformation step, comprises a circular portion 10 and two peripheral portions 11, identical and diametrically opposite one to the other.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention (with reference to figures 13-15), the aforementioned step of deforming at least one of the openings 6,8 of the tubular core 2 is carried out by means of a punch 22, or another similar member, by means of a press, or the like, in which it is installed, which is introduced into the opening 6,8.

[0089] The punch 22 comprises a cylindrical 23, or substantially cylindrical central element, which forms at least one lateral appendage 24, of a shape complementary to the peripheral portion 11 which will be made in the opening 6,8.

[0090] In the embodiment of the process illustrated in figures 13-15, the central element 23 of the punch 22 comprises two lateral appendages 24, diametrically opposed, so as to obtain the specific configuration of the embodiments of figures 1-4. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the lateral appendages 24 of the punch 22 could have a different arrangement (i.e. they could be not diametrically opposed), and/or they could be more than two (for example three, four, or more). More in detail, to implement this step, the roll 1 is positioned with a vertical axis of symmetry A (i.e. resting on the base opposite to that at which the deformation is to be implemented).

[0091] Subsequently, the punch 22 is moved closer to the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2.

[0092] By exerting suitable pressure along the axis of cylindrical symmetry A, the punch 22 is introduced into the first opening 6 of the tubular core 2, so that the lateral appendages 24 cause a deformation of the first opening 6, in the radial centrifuge direction, so as to obtain corresponding peripheral portions 11.

[0093] Following the deformation caused by the punch 22 (figure 14), and its removal (figure 15), the material of the tubular core 2 fractures along four breaking lines 13, parallel two by two, thus defining the two peripheral portions 11.

[0094] As can be seen in the detail of figure 4, the tape of paper material 9 is similarly slightly deformed by the action of the punch 22, at the peripheral portions 11, but this in no way affects its integrity in use.

[0095] This invention design enables to obtain important technical advantages.

[0096] The proposed solution allows a unique and forced mechanical coupling to be implemented with the flanges of the arms of a dispenser, so that only the roll according to the invention, and no others, can be installed in that particular dispenser.

[0097] This is obtained, in a simple and economical way, by a step required at the end of the roll making process, and without affecting the integrity of the paper material tape.

[0098] It has thus been seen how the invention achieves the intended purposes.

[0099] The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can still be conceived without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A roll (R) of paper material (1) comprising a tubular core (2), of circular or substantially circular cross section, having two opposed ends (3,4), whose terminal edges (5,7) define respective openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2), and at least one tape of paper material (9) wound on said tubular core (2), at least one of said openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2) comprising a circular, or substantially circular portion (10), and at least one peripheral, substantially radial portion (11) arranged externally to said circular portion (10), characterized in that said peripheral portion (11) is defined by a rectilinear (12), or substantially rectilinear, portion of said edge (5,7).

2. A roll (1) according to claim 1, wherein said tubular core (2) is made of cardboard, or similar materials.

3. A roll (1) according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral portion (11) is defined by a flat (14), or substantially flat, portion of the internal surface of said tubular core (2), which is inclined by a given acute angle (α) with respect to the axis of cylindrical symmetry (A) of said tubular core (2), when observed in a plane of diametrical section of said tubular core (2), which goes across it.

4. A roll (1) according to claim 2, wherein said portion (12), when observed in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of symmetry (A) of said roll (1), has an angular extension between 1° and 90°.

5. A roll (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening (6,8) of said tubular core (2) comprises a circular portion (10) and two peripheral portions (11).

6. A process for the production of a roll of paper material (1), comprising the steps of:

providing a tubular core (2), of circular or substantially circular cross section, having two opposite ends (3,4), whose terminal edges (5,7) define respective openings of said tubular core (2),

providing at least one paper material (9) in the form of a tape,

wrapping said tape of paper material (9) around said tubular core (2), characterised in that it comprises a step of deforming at least one of said openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2), so as to obtain thereat a respective peripheral seat (11), substantially radial, arranged externally with respect to the original circular section of said opening (6,8), said peripheral portion (11) being defined by a rectilinear (12), or substantially rectilinear, portions of said edge (5,7).

7. A process according to claim 6, wherein said tubular core (2) is made of cardboard, or similar materials.

8. A process according to claim 7, wherein said peripheral portion (11) is defined by a flat (14), or substantially flat, portion of the internal surface of said tubular core (2), which is inclined by a given acute angle (α) with respect to the axis of cylindrical symmetry (A) of said tubular core (2), when observed in a plane of diametrical section of said tubular core (2), which goes across it.

9. A process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion (12), when observed in a plane perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of symmetry (A) of said roll (1), has an angular extension between 1° and 90°.

10. A process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening (6,8) of said tubular core (2) comprises a circular portion (10) and two peripheral portions (11).

11. A process according to one of claims 6-10, wherein said step of deforming at least one of said openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2) is carried out by means of a punch (22), or another similar member, by means a press, or the like, in which it is installed, which is introduced into said opening (6,8).

12. A process according to claim 11, wherein said punch (22) comprises a cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, central element (23), which forms at least one lateral appendage (24), of a shape complementary to said peripheral portion (11) to be made in said opening (6,8).

13. A tubular core (2) for paper material, of circular or substantially circular cross section, having two opposed ends (3,4), whose terminal edges (5,7) define respective openings (6,8) of said tubular core (2), characterised in that at least one of said openings (6,8) comprises a circular, or substantially circular portion (10), and at least one peripheral, substantially radial portion (11) arranged externally to said circular portion (10).

14. A tubular core (2) according to claim 13, made of cardboard or the like.

Drawing