U.S. patent application number 17/544965 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for ribbed petal slotted conical nozzle.
This patent application is currently assigned to GPCP IP Holdings LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GPCP IP Holdings LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel J. BARTMAN, Antonio Michael CITTADINO, Teresa M. REDMANN, Nicole A. REESE, Robert P. STUEDEMANN.
Application Number | 20220175201 17/544965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220175201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
STUEDEMANN; Robert P. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2022 |
RIBBED PETAL SLOTTED CONICAL NOZZLE
Abstract
A sheet dispenser lid includes a lid attachable a container and
a slotted conical nozzle arranged on the lid. The conical nozzle
has an exit port and a plurality of ribs arranged on an interior
surface.
Inventors: |
STUEDEMANN; Robert P.;
(Shawano, WI) ; BARTMAN; Daniel J.; (Combined
Locks, WI) ; REDMANN; Teresa M.; (New London, WI)
; REESE; Nicole A.; (New Holstein, WI) ;
CITTADINO; Antonio Michael; (Appleton, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GPCP IP Holdings LLC |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GPCP IP Holdings LLC
Atlanta
GA
|
Appl. No.: |
17/544965 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63122987 |
Dec 9, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
A47K 10/38 20060101
A47K010/38 |
Claims
1. A sheet dispenser lid comprising: a lid attachable a container;
and a slotted conical nozzle arranged on the lid, the conical
nozzle having an exit port and a plurality of ribs arranged on an
interior surface.
2. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 1, wherein a plurality of slots
of the conical nozzle defines edges of a plurality of flexible
petals.
3. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 2, wherein the conical nozzle
includes at least three flexible petals.
4. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 2, wherein each slot of the
plurality of slots of the conical nozzle has parallel sides or
non-parallel sides.
5. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 2, wherein each flexible petal
of the plurality of flexible petals includes a rib on the interior
surface.
6. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 1, wherein ends of the
plurality of ribs are flush with the exit port or non-flush with
the exit port.
7. A sheet dispenser lid comprising: a lid attachable a container;
and a conical nozzle arranged on the lid, the conical nozzle having
an exit port and a plurality of slots extending from the exit port
along sidewalls to form a plurality of flexible petals, and a
plurality of ribs arranged on interior surfaces of the plurality of
petals.
8. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 7, wherein the plurality of
slots extends to a base of the lid.
9. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 7, wherein the conical nozzle
includes at least three flexible petals.
10. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 7, wherein each flexible petal
of the plurality of flexible petals includes a rib on the interior
surface.
11. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 7, wherein ends of the
plurality of ribs are flush with the central exit or non-flush with
the exit port.
12. The sheet dispenser lid of claim 7, wherein the exit port of
the conical nozzle is round or non-round.
13. A sheet dispenser comprising: a container for housing a sheet
material; a lid attachable the container; and a slotted conical
nozzle arranged on the lid, the conical nozzle having an exit port
and a plurality of ribs arranged on an interior surface.
14. The sheet dispenser of claim 13, wherein a plurality of slots
of the conical nozzle defines edges of a plurality of flexible
petals.
15. The sheet dispenser of claim 14, wherein the conical nozzle
includes at least three flexible petals.
16. The sheet dispenser of claim 14, wherein each slot of the
plurality of slots of the conical nozzle has parallel sides or
non-parallel sides.
17. The sheet dispenser of claim 13, further comprising the sheet
material.
18. The sheet dispenser of claim 17, wherein the sheet material is
a perforated roll of sheet material within the container.
19. The sheet dispenser of claim 18, wherein the perforated roll of
sheet material includes a core or does not include a core.
20. The sheet dispenser of claim 17, wherein the sheet material is
a perforated stack of sheets.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 63/122,987, filed Dec. 9, 2020, herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT
INVENTOR
[0002] The following disclosure(s) are submitted under 35 U.S.C.
102(b)(1)(A): DISCLOSURE: Screen captures from YouTube video clip
entitled "Brawny.RTM. 2.0 Professional Cleaning Towel System (:30
sec)," 2 pages, uploaded on Nov. 6, 2020 by user Georgia-Pacific
Professional, retrieved from the Internet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tunRA11s8-c.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a nozzle for a sheet
material dispenser, and more particularly, to a ribbed petal
slotted conical nozzle for multiple types of sheet substrates.
[0004] Single-sheet dispensers, i.e., dispensers that dispense a
consistent, fixed quantity of sheet material, are also desired for
many reasons. Such dispensers reduce the quantity of sheet material
used by an individual patron, thereby saving on material costs,
disposal costs, and costs associated with the frequency whereby the
dispensers must be refilled. Single-sheet dispensers are also
advantageous because they do not require the patron to touch the
nozzle of the dispenser, which reduces the chance of transferring
disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
Single-sheet dispensers make the process of obtaining a sheet quick
and simple.
[0005] Manual single-sheet dispensers dispense single-sheets from
rolled products by various methods. For example, rolls of sheet
material have offset zones/regions of weakness, i.e., perforations.
The dispensers include mechanisms to appropriately tension the
sheet material flowing therethrough to allow withdrawal of one
sheet at a time from a roll of sheet material to prevent both user
waste from excessive dispensing and user frustration from
inadequate dispensing. In order to remove a sheet, a patron applies
a pulling force to remove the sheet material from the dispenser to
cause the zones/regions of weakness between the individual sheets
to separate and tear a single sheet from the roll of material
within the dispenser.
[0006] The single-sheet dispenser mechanisms function either by
various mechanisms. In a center-pull mechanism, the patron pulls
the sheet directly from the dispenser (i.e., an angle of 90 degrees
with respect to the horizontal surface of the dispenser lid), which
causes the regions of weakness to separate a single sheet from the
roll. In other mechanisms, the patron pulls the sheet from the
dispenser at an angle (i.e., an acute angle with respect to the
horizontal surface of the dispenser lid) and must perform the work
to manually tear the single sheet from the roll.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to embodiments, a sheet dispenser lid includes a
lid attachable a container and a slotted conical nozzle arranged on
the lid. The conical nozzle has an exit port and a plurality of
ribs arranged on an interior surface.
[0008] According to other embodiments, a sheet dispenser lid
includes a lid attachable a container and a conical nozzle arranged
on the lid. The conical nozzle has an exit port and a plurality of
slots extending from the exit port along sidewalls to form a
plurality of flexible petals. The conical nozzle also includes a
plurality of ribs arranged on interior surfaces of the plurality of
petals.
[0009] According to some embodiments, a sheet dispenser includes a
container for housing a roll of sheet material, a lid attachable
the container, and a slotted conical nozzle arranged on the lid.
The conical nozzle has an exit port and a plurality of ribs
arranged on an interior surface.
[0010] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the
invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the
description and to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure,
reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description,
wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:
[0012] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a sheet dispenser system with
a lid having a conical nozzle according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a single sheet being
dispensed through the conical nozzle according to embodiments of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a schematic of a single sheet being dispensed
through the conical nozzle from a roll of sheet material according
to embodiments of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1D is a schematic of a single sheet being dispensed
through the conical nozzle from a stack of sheet material according
to embodiments of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a top view of a sheet dispenser lid with a
conical nozzle with five petals according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a top view of a sheet dispenser lid with a
conical nozzle with three petals according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2C is a top view of a sheet dispenser lid with a
conical nozzle with four petals according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2D is a top view of a dispenser lid with a conical
nozzle with six petals according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3A is an expanded view of a conical nozzle with slots
having parallel sides according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3B is an expanded view of a slot of a conical nozzle
having non-parallel sides according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 4A is an expanded view of a rounded slot end shape of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4B is an expanded view of an oblong slot end shape of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4C is an expanded view of a larger rounded slot end
shape of a conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5A is an expanded interior view of a conical nozzle
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5B is a partially cut-away expanded interior view of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away expanded side view of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7A is an expanded view of a round exit port of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 7B is an expanded view of a non-round exit port of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 7C is an expanded view of a non-round exit port of a
conical nozzle according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 8A is an expanded interior view of ribs a conical
nozzle according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8B is an expanded interior view of ribs of a conical
nozzle according to embodiments of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 8C is an expanded interior view of ribs of a conical
nozzle according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Various challenges are associated with manual single-sheet
dispensers that dispense single-sheets from rolled sheet material
with offset zones/regions of weakness, i.e., perforations. First,
the dispenser must include a reliable mechanism(s) to appropriately
tension the sheet material flowing therethrough to allow withdrawal
of only one sheet at a time from a roll of sheet material. The
pulling force that the patron must apply to separate zones/regions
of weakness, i.e., perforations, will depend on the type of sheet
material. Tearing a single sheet from a roll of thicker and heavier
sheet material requires a greater pull force. If the patron does
not apply the appropriate force and/or angle if necessary, the
perforations do not separate, more than one sheet is pulled from
the dispenser, resulting in unnecessary waste.
[0035] Another challenge for dispenser manufacturers is that the
dispenser mechanism(s) must vary based on the type of sheet
material that is to be dispensed, as thicker and heavier materials
require more pulling force to tear a single sheet from a roll.
Therefore, the different dispensers must be designed for different
types of sheet material. Accordingly, there is a need for a single
sheet dispenser that reliable dispenses a single sheet of material
of multiple types of sheet materials requiring a range of pull
forces via a center pull mechanism that does not require additional
work from the patron.
[0036] In response to the above challenges, described herein is a
dispenser with a lid that includes ribbed conical nozzle that
dispenses single sheets of multiple types of substrates of varying
thicknesses, weights, strengths, and textures. The ribbed conical
nozzle with petals and slots reliably dispenses single sheets from
rolls of material with regions/zones of weakness (such as
perforations), while minimizing failures, such as roping, jamming,
sheet tearing, and dispensing multiple sheets. The dispenser
dispenses single sheets of various substrates, including
hydroentangled (HEF) sheet substrates, spun laced sheet substrates,
spunbonded sheet substrates, melt blown sheet substrates, airlaid
sheet substrates, paper sheet substrates, resin bonded sheet
substrates, natural fiber hydroentangled substrates, and double
re-creped sheet substrates.
[0037] The lid of the dispenser includes a conical shaped nozzle
with an exit port and sidewall slots that form a plurality of
flexible petals, with a plurality of ribs arranged on the interior
surface of the petals. The ribs flex the petals to variably change
the central aperture opening, depending on the substrate sheet
thickness and thereby controlling the pull force required to tear a
sheet from the roll. The central aperture and slots within the
nozzle restrict the sheet so the perforations separate just outside
the nozzle. The purpose of the petal ribs is to control the pull
force required for each type of sheet material in order to separate
the perforations outside the nozzle opening. The ribs accomplish
this by changing the angle of the petals and thereby changing the
aperture diameter; guiding a larger amount of the thinner materials
into the slots to restrict flow; and reducing the amount of heavier
material into the slots to reduce excessive force when pulling the
sheet material thru the nozzle. When a patron pulls on the sheet
material from the exit port, the petals flex to eliminate undesired
wearing of the nozzle and to prevent jamming, the conical nozzle
opens, and a single sheet is torn from the sheet material roll.
[0038] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a sheet dispenser system 100
with a lid 102 with a conical nozzle 108 according to embodiments
of the present invention. The sheet dispenser system 100 includes a
container 104 for housing a roll of sheet material (not shown,
within container 104, but see FIG. 1B) and a lid 102 with a conical
nozzle 108 for dispensing single sheets of material from the roll
of sheet material with regions/zones of weakness (such as
perforations). Although the conical nozzle 108 is in the center of
the lid 102 in some embodiments, in other embodiments (not shown),
the conical nozzle 108 is not in the center of the lid 102.
[0039] The container 104 has a round cylindrical shape in some
embodiments; although the container 104 is not limited to this
shape. While not required, in some embodiments, the container 104
includes a curved handle 106 affixed to the exterior surface for
the user to easily move and transport the sheet dispenser system
100.
[0040] The roll of sheet material 150 (see FIG. 1B) disposed within
the container 104 is a coreless roll of any type of sheet material,
wet or dry, as the container 104 also houses a liquid wetting
composition. In some embodiments, the sheet material 150 dispensed
is a wet wipe material, and in other embodiments, the sheet
material 150 dispensed is a dry wipe material.
[0041] The sheet dispenser lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108
dispenses single sheets of multiple types of substrates of varying
thicknesses, weights, strengths, and textures. Non-limiting
examples of sheet materials 150 including hydroentangled (HEF)
sheet substrates, spun laced sheet substrates, spunbonded sheet
substrates, melt blown sheet substrates, airlaid sheet substrates,
paper sheet substrates, resin bonded sheet substrates, natural
fiber hydroentangled substrates, and double re-creped sheet
substrates. The sheet material 150 includes natural fibers,
including natural cellulosic fibers (wood and non-wood fibers),
reconstituted cellulosic fibers, polymeric fibers, or any
combination thereof. The sheet substrates are perforated rolls (see
FIG. 1C), that include cores or do not include cores (coreless
rolls) and perforated stacks of sheet material (FIG. 1D).
[0042] The lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108 dispenses single ply
sheets and multi-ply sheets, for example, double-ply sheets. The
lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108 dispenses sheet material 150
with a range of total thicknesses, for example, sheet material 150
with thicknesses of about 0.1 to about 1.9 millimeters (mm). In
other embodiments, the lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108
dispenses sheet material 150 with total thicknesses of about 0.1 to
about 1.5 mm.
[0043] The lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108 dispenses sheet
material 150 with a variety of basis weights. The lid 102 with the
conical nozzle 108 dispenses sheet material 150 with a range of
basis weights, for example, sheet material 150 with basis weights
of about 10 to about 30 grams per square meter (gms). In other
embodiments, the lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108 dispenses
sheet material 150 with basis weights of about 20 to about 150
gsm.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the lead end 152 of a
perforated roll of sheet material 150 dispenses from the center of
roll within the container 104 up through the conical nozzle 108.
The roll of sheet material 150 with perforations 151 is disposed in
the container 104 (see FIG. 1C). The roll of sheet material 150
includes a core in some embodiments, and in other embodiments the
roll of sheet material 150 is coreless. The lead end 152 of the
roll of sheet material 150 is pulled from the roll and through the
conical nozzle 108 in the lid 102, and the lid 102 is attached to
the container 104, as shown in FIG. 1C. A patron or user pulls the
lead end 152 of the sheet material 150 through the conical nozzle
108, and a single sheet is torn at the perforations.
[0045] While the sheet material in a perforated roll in some
embodiments, in other embodiments, the sheet material is a stack of
sheet material 160 with perforations 161, as shown in FIG. 1D. The
stack of sheet material 160 with perforations 161 is disposed in
the container 104 (see FIG. 1D). The lead end 162 of the stack of
sheet material 160 is pulled from the roll and through the conical
nozzle 108 in the lid 102, and the lid 102 is attached to the
container 104, as shown in FIG. 1D. A patron or user pulls the lead
end 162 of the sheet material 160 through the conical nozzle 108,
and a single sheet is torn at the perforations 161.
[0046] When a patron pulls on the lead end 152 of the roll of sheet
material 150 with sufficient tension or force, the flexible petals
of the slotted conical nozzle 108 move to expand and open the exit
port 204, as the ribs (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) on the interior surface
of the conical nozzle 108 flex the petals 202 to change the exit
port 204 opening, depending on the sheet material 150 thickness.
The exit port 204 and slots 206 restrict the sheet material 150 so
that the perforations in the sheet material separate just outside
of the conical nozzle 108. Once the single sheet is torn, another
lead end 152 of the sheet material 150 remains protruding from the
conical nozzle 108 for the next patron. While the exit port 204 is
shown as being centrally located within the conical nozzle 108 and
arranged at a right angle with respect to the lid 102, such
orientation is not required, and in other embodiments, the exit
port 204 is not centrally located, and the conical nozzle is angled
at any angle with respect to the surface of the lid 102.
[0047] The sheet material, in the form or a roll or in stacked
sheets, have zones/regions of weaknesses, such as perforations. The
lids 102 with the conical nozzles 108 dispense single sheets of
sheet material within a broad range of average pull forces (pounds
(lbs) of force). In some embodiments, the lids 102 with the conical
nozzles 108 dispense single sheets of sheet material 150 with a
pull force of about 2 to about 14 lbs of force. In other
embodiments, the lids 102 with the conical nozzles 108 dispense
single sheets of sheet material 108 with a pull force of about 4 to
about 12 lbs of force. Still yet, in other embodiments, the lids
102 with the conical nozzles 108 dispense single sheets of sheet
material 150 with a pull force about or in any range between about
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 lbs of force.
[0048] The lid 102 is attachable to the container 104 and mounted
on or affixed to the container 104 by means, including but not
limited to, threads, snap fitting, inter-engaging ribs, frictional
engagement or the like. Although not required, the lid 102 with the
conical nozzle 108 is integrally formed as a single piece.
[0049] The container 104 and lid 102 with the conical nozzle 108
are formed from any suitable polymeric material. Non-limiting
examples of materials for the container 104 and lid 102 with
conical nozzle 108 include polypropylene, polycarbonate, high
density polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon,
polyoxymethylene, or any combination thereof.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, the conical nozzle 108 of the lid
102 includes an exit port 204 at the apex of the nozzle and a
plurality of slots 206 extending from the exit port 204 along
sidewalls of the nozzle towards the planar base of the lid 102. The
slots 206 define edges of flexible petals 202 formed in the sloping
sidewalls of the conical nozzle 108. The conical nozzle 108
includes a plurality of slots 206 and a plurality of petals
202.
[0051] Although five slots 206 and five petals 202 are shown
throughout the figures, including FIG. 2A, the conical nozzle 108
is not limited to this number and includes at least three slots 206
and at least three petals 202. The slots 206 extend to the base
surface of the lid 102 but extending to the base of the lid 102 is
not required. The plurality of slots 206 enable the plurality of
petals 202 of the conical nozzle 108 to be flexible/movable to
accommodate multiple types of sheet materials. For example, when
the sheet material is thicker and/bulkier, the flexible petals 202
will flex/move to open the exit port 204 wider than when the sheet
material is thinner. This flexibility allows the conical nozzle 108
to accommodate a wide range of substrates.
[0052] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, a lid 210 with the
conical nozzle 208 includes three slots 206 and three petals 202.
In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2C, lid 220 with the conical
nozzle 222 includes four slots 206 and four petals 202. Yet, in
some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2D, the lid 230 with the conical
nozzle 232 includes six slots 206 and six petals 202.
[0053] The sides/edges of the slots 206 of the conical nozzle 108
are straight, tapered, or curved. FIG. 3A is an expanded view of
the conical nozzle 108 with slots 206 having straight parallel
sides 302 according to embodiments of the present invention. In
other embodiments, the sides/edges of the slots 206 are straight
but tapered. The sides/edges of the slots 206 are parallel or
non-parallel. FIG. 3B is an expanded view of a slot 306 of a
conical nozzle 308 having non-parallel and curved sides 303 or
edges according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0054] The terminal ends of the slots have any shape or end
position with respect to its terminal point in contact with the
lid. FIG. 4A is an expanded view of a rounded slot end 402 shape of
the conical nozzle 108 according to embodiments of the present
invention. The rounded slot end 402 has a larger diameter d than
the width w of the slot 206. In other embodiments, the diameter of
the slot end is the same as or smaller than the width of the slot
(not shown). FIG. 4C is an expanded view of a larger rounded slot
end 406 of a conical nozzle 420 according to embodiments of the
present invention. The diameter d of the larger rounded slot end
406 is at least two times the width w of the slot 206. The terminal
end of the rounded slot end 402 is positioned anywhere along the
periphery of the conical nozzle 108, as indicated by the arrow 419
in FIG. 4A. The slot end is not limited to a circular or rounded
shape. FIG. 4B is an expanded view of an oblong slot end 404 of a
conical nozzle 410 according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0055] FIG. 5A is an expanded interior view, and FIG. 5B is a
partially cut-away expanded interior view of the conical nozzle 108
according to embodiments of the present invention. The conical
nozzle 108 includes a plurality of ribs 501 arranged on interior
surfaces of the flexible petals 202. A combination of the slots
206, petal 202 tension, and exit port 204 create the hold back
force for the sheet perforations to tear appropriately. The
plurality of ribs 501 grasp the sheet 150, move the flexible petals
202 to open the exit port 204, and guide the sheet 150 through the
exit port 204 (see FIG. 1B). The ribs 501 flex the petals 202 to
change the exit port 204 opening, depending on the substrate sheet
thickness and thereby controlling the pull force required. The exit
port 204 and slots 206 restrict the paper so the perforations
separate just outside of the nozzle 108.
[0056] In some embodiments, each flexible petal 202 includes a rib
501 on the interior surface, as shown in FIG. 5A. Yet, in other
embodiments, each flexible petal 202 includes more than one rib
501. Still yet, in other embodiments, a portion of the flexible
petals 202 includes ribs 501, such as for example, every other
flexible petal.
[0057] The plurality of ribs 501 have any shape, dimension, or
position on the interior surface of the flexible petals 202. The
ends of the plurality of ribs 501 are flush with the exit port 204
in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, as well as in
FIG. 8B (see ribs 802). Yet, in other embodiments (see ribs 801 in
FIG. 8A and ribs 803 in FIG. 8C), the ends of the plurality of ribs
501 are not flush with (non-flush with) the exit port 204 and are
positioned away from the periphery of the exit port 204. As also
shown in FIG. 8C, the ribs 803 protrude into the exit port 204 in
some embodiments. The ends of the ribs 501 are tapered, as shown in
FIGS. 5A and 5B in some embodiments. Yet, in other embodiments, the
ends of the ribs 501 are not tapered.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away expanded side view of the
conical nozzle 108 according to embodiments of the present
invention. The slopes of the sides 606 of the conical nozzle 108
that extend away from the exit port 204 are variable. At rest, the
angles 608 of the sides 606 with respect to a horizontal axis of
607 of the lid is an acute angle or less than 90 degrees. As the
sheet moves through the exit port 204 and the flexible petals 202
of the conical nozzle 108 flex and open, which increases the angles
608 to allow the sheet to move through and tear.
[0059] The exit port of the conical nozzle has any shape or
dimension. The exit port 204 has a round or non-round shape. FIG.
7A is an expanded view of the exit port 702 of a conical nozzle 706
having a round shape according to embodiments of the present
invention. The diameter d of the exit port 702 varies and depends
on the type of sheet material. For thicker substrate materials, the
diameter d is larger. FIGS. 7B and 7C are expanded views of exit
ports 704, 706 of conical nozzles 708, 710, respectively, having
non-round shapes according to embodiments of the present
invention.
Examples
[0060] Various sheet substrates were tested to determine the range
of pull forces needed to tear a single sheet from a roll within a
conical nozzle dispenser according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0061] Referring to Table 1, P100 substrates were 2-ply paper
substrates; D400 substrates were double re-creped substrates; H700
were 65 grams per square meter (gsm) hydroentangled
polypropylene/pulp substrates; and H800 were 85 gsm hydroentangled
polypropylene/pulp substrates.
[0062] Using a force gauge, the pull force measurements were
recorded in the beginning (0.5 inch from the core), middle (0.5 to
1.5 inch from the core), and end of the roll (1.5 inch from the
outer edge of the roll). A piece of string was tied with a loop to
the end of the sheet to be removed from the nozzle. A force gauge
was hooked on the loop of the string, zeroed, and the string with
the sheet was pulled straight up. The peak forces (pounds (lbs)) to
pull and tear the sheets from the nozzle were recorded. The average
peak force reported is for each beginning, middle, and end.
[0063] As shown in Table 1, the D400 substrates had the lowest pull
force at just over 2 lbs of force. The H800 substrate had the
highest pull force at 14.4 lbs of force. The average pull force of
all four substrates tested was about 4 pounds to about 10
pounds.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Pull Force Measurements Substrate Test
Beginning Middle End P100 Average (lbs force) 5.38 4.78 4.40 Min
(lbs force) 3.66 3.44 3.70 Max (lbs force) 7.12 6.76 5.60 StDev
0.78 0.72 0.50 Count 60.00 60.00 60.00 D400 Average (lbs force)
5.52 4.04 4.00 Min (lbs force) 2.58 2.19 2.63 Max (lbs force) 8.34
5.14 5.32 StDev 0.95 0.67 0.60 Count 56.00 56.00 56.00 H700 Average
(lbs force) 7.66 6.63 5.90 Min (lbs force) 5.38 4.88 3.94 Max (lbs
force) 10.14 8.48 7.41 StDev 0.96 0.84 0.72 Count 60.00 60.00 60.00
H800 Average (lbs force) 10.43 8.47 8.57 Min (lbs force) 7.28 5.12
6.14 Max (lbs force) 14.46 11.50 12.64 StDev 1.44 1.37 1.29 Count
60.00 60.00 60.00
[0064] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
herein with reference to the related drawings. Alternative
embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of this
invention. Although various connections and positional
relationships (e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth
between elements in the following description and in the drawings,
persons skilled in the art will recognize that many of the
positional relationships described herein are
orientation-independent when the described functionality is
maintained even though the orientation is changed. These
connections and/or positional relationships, unless specified
otherwise, can be direct or indirect, and the present invention is
not intended to be limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a
coupling of entities can refer to either a direct or an indirect
coupling, and a positional relationship between entities can be a
direct or indirect positional relationship. As an example of an
indirect positional relationship, references in the present
description to forming layer "A" over layer "B" include situations
in which one or more intermediate layers (e.g., layer "C") is
between layer "A" and layer "B" as long as the relevant
characteristics and functionalities of layer "A" and layer "B" are
not substantially changed by the intermediate layer(s).
[0065] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used
for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used
herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"
"including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method,
article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition,
mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0066] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e.
one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e.
two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" can include an
indirect "connection" and a direct "connection."
[0067] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the
embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not include the
particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such
phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0068] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms
"upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top,"
"bottom," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the described
structures and methods, as oriented in the drawing figures. The
terms "overlying," "atop," "on top," "positioned on" or "positioned
atop" mean that a first element, such as a first structure, is
present on a second element, such as a second structure, wherein
intervening elements such as an interface structure can be present
between the first element and the second element. The term "direct
contact" means that a first element, such as a first structure, and
a second element, such as a second structure, are connected without
any intermediary conducting, insulating or semiconductor layers at
the interface of the two elements.
[0069] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and
variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0070] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0071] While the preferred embodiments to the invention have been
described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art,
both now and in the future, may make various improvements and
enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which
follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper
protection for the invention first described.
* * * * *
References