U.S. patent application number 13/808257 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB. The applicant listed for this patent is Ulrika Nilsson, Lisa Wolme. Invention is credited to Ulrika Nilsson, Lisa Wolme.
Application Number | 20130161346 13/808257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45441431 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130161346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolme; Lisa ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
DISPENSER
Abstract
A dispenser for perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue, or
nonwoven material in the form of a roll or a stack includes a
housing forming a compartment, a passage arrangement defining a web
passage, and an oblong dispensing opening. Inside the compartment,
a web path is defined from a position of the roll or the stack to
the oblong dispensing opening including the web passage. An edge
portion at each of two lateral short sides of the oblong dispensing
opening arranged at a distance from each other narrower than a
width of the web separates a sheet from the web along a
perforation. The web path changes direction as it passes over a
straight edge arranged alongside, and perpendicularly to, the web
path. The straight edge, the web passage, and the oblong dispensing
opening are arranged directly adjacent to each other in that order
seen in a direction of dispensing.
Inventors: |
Wolme; Lisa; (Trondheim,
NO) ; Nilsson; Ulrika; (Malmo, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wolme; Lisa
Nilsson; Ulrika |
Trondheim
Malmo |
|
NO
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
Goteborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
45441431 |
Appl. No.: |
13/808257 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2011/050882 |
371 Date: |
February 7, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/26 ;
242/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/424 20130101;
A47K 10/38 20130101; A47K 10/421 20130101; A47K 2010/3863 20130101;
A47K 2010/3253 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/26 ;
242/562 |
International
Class: |
A47K 10/36 20060101
A47K010/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 8, 2010 |
SE |
1050767-1 |
Claims
1. A dispenser for a perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue, or
nonwoven material in the form of a roll or a stack, the dispenser
being adapted for a user to grasp, and pull on, a dispensing end of
the web to dispense a sheet of web from the roll or the stack, and
the dispenser comprising: a housing forming a compartment, a
passage arrangement defining a web passage, and an oblong
dispensing opening, wherein inside the compartment, the roll is
adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the stack is
adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a web path is
defined from a position of the roll or of the stack to the oblong
dispensing opening including the web passage, wherein an edge
portion is provided at each of two lateral short sides of the
oblong dispensing opening for separating a sheet from the web along
a perforation, the edge portions being arranged at a distance from
each other narrower than a width of the web, wherein a straight
edge is arranged alongside, and perpendicularly to, the web path,
wherein the web path changes direction as it passes over the
straight edge, and wherein the straight edge, the web passage and
the oblong dispensing opening are arranged directly adjacent to
each other in that order seen in a direction of dispensing of the
web.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the web path is
subjected to a change of direction in only one direction at the
straight edge.
3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the change of
direction is 10-90 degrees, at the straight edge.
4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the edge portions
comprise a rubberlike material adapted to abut the web.
5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the passage
arrangement comprises a first wall portion and a second wall
portion, each extending in two substantially parallel planes
defining therebetween the web passage, and wherein the edge
portions connect to the first and second wall portions.
6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the first and second
wall portions are provided with cut-outs between the edge portions,
the cut-outs each having a shape of a circular, or semi-circular,
segment to form the oblong dispensing opening extending in a
circular, or semi-circular, plane substantially perpendicularly to
the two substantially parallel planes.
7. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the distance between
the first wall portion and the second wall portion is 2-6 mm.
8. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein a funnel is arranged
before the web passage seen in the direction of dispensing of the
web.
9. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the distance between
the edge portions and the straight edge is between 40-80 mm, along
the web passage.
10. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the first and
second wall portions of the passage arrangement are arranged tilted
downwardly from a horizontal plane at an angle of 15-60 degrees
when the dispenser is arranged in a position for dispensing.
11. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the housing is
provided with a wall in which a recess is formed to follow the
shape of a circular, or semi-circular, plane of the oblong
dispensing opening
12. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is
adapted for use with a perforated web in the form of a roll, and
wherein a braking device is arranged in the compartment and is
adapted to abut against the roll.
13. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is
adapted for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, and
wherein the dispenser is adapted to support the stack in a position
such that the web is fed from a top of the stack over the straight
edge and into the web passage.
14. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is
adapted for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, and
wherein the dispenser is adapted to support the stack in a position
such that the web is fed from a bottom of the stack over the
straight edge and into the web passage.
15. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is
adapted to contain a second web in the form of a second roll or a
second stack, and wherein inside the compartment the second roll is
adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the second stack
is adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a second
web path is defined from a position of the second roll or the
second stack to the oblong dispensing opening including the web
passage.
16. The dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the said straight
edge or a second straight edge is provided alongside and
perpendicularly to the second web path adjacent the web
passage.
17. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the web path
extends between two rollers of a pair of drivable rollers.
18. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is
adapted for placing on a flat surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a .sctn.371 National Stage Application
of PCT International Application No. PCT/SE2011/050882 filed Jun.
30, 2011, which claims priority to Swedish Patent Application No.
1050767-1 filed Jul. 8, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein
in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for a
perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue, or nonwoven material in
the form of a roll or a stack.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Different kinds of dispensers for web of absorbent paper,
tissue or nonwoven material in the form of a roll or in the form of
a stack, for e.g. wiping purposes or use as napkins, are known.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,102 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,824 disclose
one type of dispenser wherein a sheet from a non-perforated web
from a roll is separated by means of a cutting device arranged on a
drum. The drum is operated by a user pulling at a dispensing end of
the web. The dispenser is provided with an arrangement for
providing a breaking force on the roll to prevent formation of any
loop in the web and such that the web can be cut.
[0005] In a different type of dispenser, a user grasps and pulls on
a dispensing end of the web from the roll to feed out a desired
amount of web from the dispenser. The web on the roll used with
this type of dispenser is perforated such that a user may feed out
and separate one or more sheets of web from the roll in the
dispenser. Any perforations are designed to facilitate separating a
sheet from the web but it is not always possible to feed out one
sheet at a time as a user pulls on a dispensing end of web from a
dispenser, i.e. the material does not always break at every
perforation.
[0006] WO2009/150342 discloses a dispensing apparatus for
perforated web material. Seen in a dispensing direction of the web
from the roll, there is first provided a guiding plate over which
the web is led. Thereafter the web is led vertically downwards and
through a passage for "anti folding" with a curved shape. The
passage is formed between a front portion and an inner portion of
the apparatus. Finally, the web is led further vertically downwards
to a point of exit for the web in the apparatus. At the point of
exit two abutments are provided for separating a sheet from the web
material.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is desired to provide an alternative dispenser for
dispensing perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue, or nonwoven
material in the form of a roll or in the form of a stack, by means
of which dispenser separate sheets of the web are dispensed by a
user.
[0008] According to an aspect a dispenser is provided for a
perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue or nonwoven material in
the form of a roll or a stack. The dispenser is adapted for a user
to grasp, and pull on, a dispensing end of the web to dispense a
sheet of web from the roll or the stack. The dispenser includes a
housing forming a compartment, a passage arrangement defining a web
passage, and an oblong dispensing opening. Inside the compartment
the roll is adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the
stack is adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a web
path is defined from a position of the roll or of the stack to the
oblong dispensing opening including the web passage. An edge
portion is provided at each of two lateral short sides of the
oblong dispensing opening for separating a sheet from the web along
a perforation. The edge portions are arranged at a distance from
each other narrower than a width of the web. A straight edge is
arranged alongside, and perpendicularly to, the web path. The web
path changes direction as it passes over the straight edge. The
straight edge, the web passage, and the oblong dispensing opening
are arranged directly adjacent to each other in that order seen in
a direction of dispensing of the web.
[0009] Thanks to the straight edge, and the oblong dispensing
opening being narrower than the width of the web, the web and any
perforation in the web passage are stretched more at least at one
side than at the centre when a user pulls on a dispensing end of
the web. Accordingly, when a perforation reaches the dispensing
opening and the edge portions, the perforation will rupture and a
sheet of web is dispensed.
[0010] The web of absorbent paper, tissue, or nonwoven material may
be used for wiping or drying purposes. For instance, a sheet of web
may be used as a napkin. The web may have one, two or more layers
of paper, tissue, or nonwoven material. The straight edge, the web
passage, and the oblong dispensing opening being arranged directly
adjacent to each other means that there are no further objects or
arrangements interfering with the web between the straight edge and
the dispensing opening. A straight edge in this context is an edge
which is substantially straight with at least two opposite sides of
the straight edge, where the outer edges of the web pass over the
straight edge, being substantially aligned. A minor curvature at a
more central portion of the straight edge may be accepted.
[0011] According to certain embodiments, a dispenser for web in the
form of a roll includes a braking device arranged in the
compartment and may be adapted to abut against the roll. The
braking device may ensure that the web is taut between the roll of
web and the straight edge. The braking device may also ensure that
a frictional force brakes the roll as web is dispensed.
[0012] According to certain embodiments, the web path may be
subjected to a change of direction in only one direction at the
straight edge. In this manner, the web is not entangled by several
changes of direction in connection with the web passage. The change
of direction at the straight edge may be 10-90 degrees, preferably
15-45 degrees.
[0013] According to certain embodiments, the edge portions may
include a rubberlike material adapted to abut the web. Thanks to
the rubberlike material, the friction between the web and the edge
portions may be high. Accordingly during dispensing, after a
perforation has passed the edge portions, this friction may
contribute to the perforation rupturing. The rubberlike material
may be e.g. rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, or TPE
(Thermoplastic elastomer).
[0014] According to certain embodiments, the passage arrangement
may include a first wall portion and a second wall portion, each
extending in two substantially parallel planes defining
therebetween the web passage. The edge portions may connect to the
first and second wall portions. In this context, the edge portions
may be directly connected to one or both of the first and second
wall portions, they may form an integrated part of the passage
arrangement, or they may be attached to, alternatively form part
of, a different part of the dispenser, such as its housing,
adjacent to the first and second wall portions.
[0015] According to certain embodiments, the first and second wall
portions may be provided with cut-outs between the edge portions,
the cut-outs each having a shape of a circular, or semi circular,
segment to form the oblong dispensing opening extending in a
circular, or semi circular, plane substantially perpendicularly to
the two substantially parallel planes. In this manner, a dispensing
end of the web will be easily graspable for a user in the cut-outs.
A semi-circular shape may for instance be elliptical. A width of
the cut-outs may be 60-100 mm at edge portions and a depth of the
cut-outs may be 20-40 mm at its centre. This may be a suitable size
for a hand of user to grasp the dispensing end of the web.
Alternatively, it may be seen as suitable for web with a width of
about 140 mm. In this case, seen more generally, the width of the
cut-outs at the edge portions may be 15-30% of the width of the
web.
[0016] According to certain embodiments, the distance between the
first wall portion and the second wall portion may be 2-6 mm,
preferably 3-4 mm. In this manner wrinkles formed in the web,
abutting the first and second wall portions along the web passage,
will subject the web to a suitable frictional force as the web is
dispensed from the dispenser.
[0017] According to certain embodiments, a funnel may be arranged
before the web passage seen in the direction of dispensing of the
web. In this manner, a free end of the web inside the dispenser may
easily be guided into the web passage, e.g. when the dispenser is
refilled with a new roll of web or a new stack of web.
[0018] According to certain embodiments, the distance between the
edge portions and the straight edge may be between 40-80 mm,
preferably 50-70 mm, along the web passage. In this manner, a
suitable contraction of an about 140 mm wide web may be
achieved.
[0019] Seen more generally, the distance between the edge portions
and the straight edge may be between 25-60% of the width of the
web, preferably 35-50%, along the web passage.
[0020] According to certain embodiments, the dispenser may be
adapted for placing on a flat surface. In this manner, the
dispenser may be placed on a table, e.g. in a restaurant, for users
to grasp napkins from the dispenser.
[0021] According to certain embodiments, the first and second wall
portions of the passage arrangement may be arranged tilted
downwardly from a horizontal plane at an angle of 15-60 degrees,
preferably 25-35 degrees, when the dispenser is arranged in a
position for dispensing. In this manner, a direction of dispensing
will be suitable for a user as he or she grasps and pulls on a
dispensing end of the web, when the dispenser is placed e.g. on a
table.
[0022] According to certain embodiments, the housing is provided
with a wall in which a recess is formed to follow the shape of the
circular, or semi circular, plane of the oblong dispensing opening.
In this manner, a user may easily reach a dispensing end of the web
at the dispensing opening.
[0023] According to certain embodiments, the dispenser is adapted
for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, the dispenser
may be adapted to support the stack in a position such that the web
is fed from a top of the stack over the straight edge and into the
web passage.
[0024] According to certain embodiments, the dispenser is adapted
for use with a perforated web in the form of a stack, the dispenser
may be adapted to support the stack in a position such that the web
is fed from a bottom of the stack over the straight edge and into
the web passage.
[0025] According to certain embodiments, the dispenser may be
adapted to contain a second web in the form of a second roll or a
second stack. Inside the compartment, the second roll may be
adapted to be arranged to rotate about an axis or the second stack
may be adapted to be supported when dispensing the web, and a
second web path may be defined from a position of the second roll
or the second stack to the oblong dispensing opening including the
web passage. In this manner, the dispenser need not be opened and
refilled when a first roll has been emptied or a first stack is
finished. Instead, the second roll or second stack of web may be
put to use and the same dispensing opening and web passage as for
the first roll or first stack may be utilized.
[0026] According to certain embodiments, the said straight edge or
a second straight edge may be provided alongside and
perpendicularly to the second web path adjacent the web passage.
Accordingly, the web from the first and second rolls, or first and
second stacks, may pass over the same straight edge. Alternatively,
the web from the second roll or the second stack may pass over a
separate straight edge, i.e. the second straight edge.
[0027] According to certain embodiments, the web path may extend
between two rollers of a pair of drivable rollers. In this manner,
the web may be advanced towards the dispensing opening as the
rollers are driven. This is not necessary for dispensing, but may
be useful when refilling the dispenser with a new roll of web or a
new stack of web.
[0028] Further features and advantages will become apparent when
studying the appended claims and the following description. Those
skilled in the art will realize that different features may be
combined to create embodiments other than those described in the
following, without departing from the scope of the present
invention, as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The various aspects of embodiments of the invention,
including its particular features and advantages, will be readily
understood from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser according to an embodiment of
the invention,
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 1 with web from a
first roll extending along a web path,
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a passage arrangement of a dispenser
according to an embodiment of the invention, and
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an interior of a dispenser according to
an embodiment of the invention, and
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a dispenser according to an embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not
be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Disclosed features of embodiments may be combined as readily
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0036] Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily
be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 2 according to a certain
embodiment. The dispenser 2 is schematically outlined with its
interior visualized. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4 inside
which a compartment is formed. The dispenser 2 has a bottom
surface, optionally provided with e.g. rubber feet, arranged to be
placed on a flat horizontal surface such as a table, e.g. in a
restaurant. In the compartment there are arranged a first roll 6
and a second roll 8, each with a web of absorbent paper, tissue or
nonwoven material. The respective webs are fully rolled up on the
rolls 6, 8 to clearly illustrate components inside the dispenser 2.
The web is perforated to facilitate dispensing separate sheets of
web, e.g. for use as napkins, from a dispensing opening 10 of the
dispenser 2. Each roll 6, 8 is supported by an axle 9 such that it
can rotate about an axis 11. For each roll 6, 8 there is provided a
braking device 13, which at one end is pivotably attached to the
housing 4 and at a second end abuts against the roll 6, 8. Each
braking device 13 is biased against the respective roll 6, 8 by
means of a spring 15.
[0038] A passage arrangement 12 inside the compartment includes a
first wall portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 extending in two
substantially parallel planes. Between the first and second wall
portions 14, 16 there is formed a web passage 18. At one end of the
web passage 18 there is an oblong opening forming the dispensing
opening 10. At the other end of the web passage 18, a third wall
section 20 is connected to the first wall section 14 and a fourth
wall section 22 is connected to the second wall section 16. The
first and third wall portions 14, 20 are arranged at an angle with
each other such that a straight edge 24 is formed by a connecting
portion between the first and third wall portions 14, 20. Between
the third and fourth wall portions 20, 22 a separate wall section
26 is arranged. One end of the separate wall section 26 forms a
second straight edge 28.
[0039] For each roll of web 6, 8 there is provided a pair of
drivable rollers 30, 31. One roller of each pair of rollers 30, 31
is provided with a not-shown knob, by means of which each relevant
roller may be manually rotated, i.e. driven.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser 2 of FIG. 1 with web from
the first roll 6 extending along a web path to the dispensing
opening 10 and web from the second roll 8 being arranged between a
second of the pair of rollers 31. The web path from the first roll
6 extends from the first roll 6, between a first of the pairs of
rollers 30, between the third wall portion 20 and the separate wall
section 26, over the straight edge 24, through the web passage 18
and to the dispensing opening 10. At the dispensing opening 10 a
dispensing end 32 of the web is available for a user to grasp and
pull on. The dispensing arrangement 12 is arranged in the dispenser
2 such that the first and second wall portions 14, 16 are tilted
downwards from a horizontal plane at about 30 degrees. This will
provide a user friendly dispensing direction when the dispenser 2
is place on a table surface. A wall of the housing 4 is provided
with a recess 34 formed to follow the shape of the dispensing
opening 10.
[0041] As mentioned above, the web from the second roll 8 is
arranged between the second pairs of rollers 31. When the web from
the first roll 6 has been used up, a user may turn the not-shown
knob of one of the rollers of the second pair of rollers 31 to feed
the web from the second pair of rollers 31 to the dispensing
opening 10 where the web will be available for the user to grasp
and pull on. The web from the second roll 8 will extend along a
second web path. The second web path extends from the second roll
8, between the second pair of rollers 31, between the fourth wall
portion 22 and the separate wall section 26, over the second
straight edge 28, through the web passage 18 and to the dispensing
opening 10.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a passage arrangement 12 of a dispenser
according to a certain embodiment. As mentioned above, a first wall
portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 of the passage arrangement
12 extend in two substantially parallel planes and between the
first and second wall portions 14, 16 there is formed a web passage
18. The web passage may be 3-4 mm wide. The first and second wall
portions 14, 16 are provided with cut outs in the shape of circle
segments such that an oblong curved dispensing opening 10 is formed
in the passage arrangement 12. The dispensing opening 10
accordingly, extends in a curved plane perpendicular to the planes
of the first and second wall portions 14, 16.
[0043] Two edge portions 36 are provided in the passage arrangement
12 at one end of the web passage 18, one at each lateral short side
of the dispensing opening 10. The edge portions 36 are arranged at
a distance from each other narrower than a width of the web to be
dispensed in the dispenser. With a width of the web of about 140 mm
the distance between the edge portions 36 may be e.g. 65-75 mm. The
edge portions 36 include a rubberlike material, such as rubber,
synthetic rubber, silicone, or TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) to
provide a high frictional engagement between the edge portions 36
and the web to be dispensed from the dispenser 2. At the other end
of the web passage 18 a third wall section 20 is connected to the
first wall section 14 and a fourth wall section 22 is connected to
the second wall section 16. A funnel leading to the web passage 18
is formed by the third and fourth wall portions 20, 22.
[0044] The first and third wall portions 14, 20 are arranged at an
angle with each other such that a straight edge 24 is formed by a
connecting portion between the first and third wall portions 14,
20. The straight edge 24 is curved but is straight in the sense
that it extends in one direction 38 only. The straight edge 24
extends perpendicularly to a web path of the web to be
dispensed.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1-3 the function of dispensing
separate sheets from the perforated web according to embodiments of
the present invention is explained as follows.
[0046] The web path, and accordingly the web from one of the rolls
6, 8, extends over a straight edge 24, 28. The web path changes
direction over the straight edge 24, 28. Thus, the web is
maintained flat from the roll 6, 8 up to the straight edge 24, 28,
and when web is dispensed, the web is subjected to a frictional
force as it passes over the straight edge 24, 28. Due to the
frictional force, the web in the web passage 18 is taut as it is
pulled out through the dispensing opening 10. Since the dispensing
opening 10 has a width narrower than the web, the web, from being
flat at the straight edge 24, 28, is gradually wrinkled in the web
passage 18 to fit through the dispensing opening 10. The wrinkles
formed in the web passage 18 abut the first and second wall
portions 14, 16 and subject the web to a further frictional force
when dispensed. The frictional forces act on the web opposite to a
pulling force exerted by a user. Accordingly, when a perforation of
the web reaches the edge portions 36 of the dispensing opening 10
the perforation starts rupturing and a sheet is separated from the
web. This is due to the difference between the pulling force of the
user and the friction forces being large enough to rupture the
perforation. In more detail: When a perforation passes through the
web passage 18 it is stretched and when it comes to the edge
portions 36 the perforation ruptures at the sides. Due to the
straight edge 24, 28, and the dispensing opening 10 being narrower
than the width of the web and being arranged centrally of the web
path, the web, and the perforation, are stretched more at the sides
than at the centre. As the pulling force continues, the rupturing
progresses into the centre of the perforation, and a sheet is
dispensed. With this controlled rupturing the perforation in the
centre is the part that ruptures last, which means this part will
continue a little longer in the pulling direction. Thus, the centre
of the dispensing end 32 will become readily graspable at the
dispensing opening 10.
[0047] The web paths extend between the rollers of the pairs of
drivable rollers 30, 31. The rollers abut against the web passing
therebetween. A pair of rollers 30, 31 does not take active part in
dispensing. The pair of rollers 30, 31 is provided to advance the
web towards the dispensing opening in case the dispensing end
should not be in a position at the dispensing opening 10, such as
when the web has broken between the pair of rollers 30, 31 and the
dispensing opening 10, or when a new roll 6, 8 is placed in the
dispenser 2. In these cases, a user can turn the not-shown knob of
a roller to transport the web towards the dispensing opening
10.
[0048] Each braking device 13 is frictionally engaged with a
respective roll 6, 8. The braking device 13 is provided to ensure
that the web is taut along the web path from the roll 6, 8 to the
straight edge 24, 28. Also, the braking device 13 contributes with
a frictional force which, together with the previously mentioned
frictional forces at the straight edge 24, 28 and in the web
passage 18, aids separation of sheets from the web along
perforations.
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an interior of a dispenser according to a
certain embodiment. Primarily the main difference between this
embodiment and the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 are
mentioned below.
[0050] A first roll 6 of web is arranged to rotate about an axis
11. The web extends along a web path from the first roll 6 to a
dispensing opening 10 provided in a passage arrangement 12. The web
path does not extend between any rollers of a pair of rollers.
Thus, the web extends from the roll 6 directly to a curved part 40
connected to a first wall portion 14 of the passage arrangement 12.
The curved 40 part forms a straight edge 24 over which the web path
changes direction.
[0051] The passage arrangement 12 includes a second wall portion
16. A web passage 18 is formed between the first and second wall
portions 14, 16. At one end of the web passage 18 the dispensing
opening 10 is provided, wherein a dispensing end 32 of the web is
graspable by a user. A funnel is formed between the curved part 40
and the second wall 16 for guiding a dispensing end of the web into
the web passage 18, e.g. when a new roll 6 is place in the
dispenser.
[0052] A second roll 8 of web is arranged below the first roll 6
and a second web path extends from the second roll 8 to the
dispensing opening 10. The second web path extends between rollers
of a pair of rollers, much like in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and
2. The second web path passes alongside the straight edge 24 and
changes direction over the straight edge 24. Accordingly, there is
no separate straight edge provided alongside the second web
path.
[0053] Braking devices 13 are provided to abut against the rolls 6,
8, and are arranged at a front end of the dispenser. In this
manner, the rolls 6, 8 may be replaced from a rear of the dispenser
towards a front of the dispenser without the braking devices 13
forming an obstacle during replacing.
[0054] When placing two rolls 6, 8 in the dispenser, first the
second roll 8 is placed in the dispenser. The web of the second
roll 8 is arranged between the rollers of the pair of rollers. Then
the first roll 6 is placed in the dispenser and the web from the
first roll 6 is positioned along its web path from the roll 6 to
the dispensing opening 10. The dispenser is closed, and users
dispense sheets of web from the first roll 6 until it is empty.
Thereafter, web from the second roll 8 is fed to the dispensing
opening 10 by means of manually rotating one of the rollers by
means of a not-shown knob. Dispensing can now continue from the
second roll 8. If the web from the first roll 6 should break inside
the dispenser, the second roll 8 may be put to use as explained
above. The dispenser may be opened at a later time to manually lead
a dispensing end of any remaining web from the first roll 6 to the
dispensing opening 10.
[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a dispenser 2 according to a certain
embodiment. Primarily, the difference between this embodiment and
the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-3 and 4 are discussed
below.
[0056] The dispenser 2 is schematically outlined with its interior
visualized. The dispenser 2 includes a housing 4 inside which a
compartment is formed. In the compartment, there are arranged a
first shelf 50 supporting a first stack 52 of web and a second
shelf 54 supporting a second stack 56 of web. Each stack 52, 56
includes perforated web of absorbent paper, tissue, or nonwoven
material.
[0057] The dispenser 2 further includes a passage arrangement 12.
The passage arrangement 12 is of the kind discussed in connection
with FIGS. 1-3. Naturally, a passage arrangement 12 as illustrated
in connection with FIG. 4 may alternatively be used. Between a
first wall portion 14 and a second wall portion 16 of the passage
arrangement 12 there is formed a web passage 18. At one end of the
web passage 18 there is a dispensing opening 10 for dispensing
sheets of web from the first stack 52 or the second stack 56. A
straight edge 24 is formed in the passage arrangement 12. Again,
drivable rollers 30, 31 may be provided for feeding the web to the
dispensing opening 10 where a dispensing end 32 of the web will be
available for the user to grasp and pull on. Again, the web path
changes direction over the straight edge 24. The web is subjected
to a frictional force as it passes over the straight edge 24. Due
to the frictional force, the web in the web passage 18 is taut as
it is pulled out through the dispensing opening 10.
[0058] The web in the first stack 52 is fed from the bottom of the
first stack 52 over the straight edge 24 and into the web passage
18. Accordingly, the first shelf 50 is arranged in the compartment
such that the bottom of the first stack 52 is supported in a
position such that the web may be fed to the straight edge 24. For
instance, the bottom of the first stack 52 may be at a level
substantially the same as the relevant rollers 30. The web in the
second stack 56 is fed from the top of the first stack 56 over the
straight edge 24 and into the web passage 18. Accordingly, the
second shelf 54 is arranged in the compartment such that the second
stack 54 is supported in a position such that the web may be fed to
the straight edge 24. For instance, the top of a full second stack
54 may be at a level substantially the same as the relevant rollers
31.
[0059] Exemplary embodiments described above may be combined as
understood by a person skilled in the art. It is also understood by
those skilled in the art that the dispenser may be opened to
replace an empty roll or empty stack. Edge portions need not form
part of a passage arrangement, but may be provided as separate
parts or integrated in the housing as long as they are arranged at
a dispensing end of the web passage. The edge portions may be
formed from the same material as the dispensing arrangement or the
housing. The fourth wall portion may form part of the second wall
portion, i.e. the fourth wall portions forms an extension of the
second wall portion beside the web passage. The straight edge may
be formed by a separate element.
[0060] Although the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, many different alterations, modifications
and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. The
dispenser may for instance be designed to contain only on roll of
web or only one stack of web. The dispenser may be wall mounted. In
embodiments including two stacks of web, web from each stack may be
fed from either the top of each stack or from the bottom of each
stack to a straight edge. A further alternative may be to feed the
web from the bottom of the second stack (lower stack) to a straight
edge and from the top of first stack (upper stack) to a straight
edge.
[0061] Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is
illustrative of various exemplary embodiments and the invention is
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications to the disclosed embodiments, combinations of
features of disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are
intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0062] As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is
open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements,
steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence
or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps,
components, functions or groups thereof.
[0063] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and an
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0064] As used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which
derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to
introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously
mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such
item.
[0065] If used herein, the common abbreviation "i.e.", which
derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a
particular item from a more general recitation.
[0066] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0067] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0068] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be
directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening
elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is
referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to
another element, there are no intervening elements present.
* * * * *