Roll Film Dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for a supply roll of web material or roll film includes spaced web supports connected to a dispenser wall below the dispensing slot to support the free end of the web in a convenient access position below a tear-off knife. Correspondingly spaced tabs are pivoted to the dispenser for swinging movement across the dispenser outlet between a position to clamp the web on the web supports and an upwardly displaced position when the web is pulled and lifted against the tear-off knife. After a length of film is severed from the roll, the tabs return by gravity toward the web supports, removing the web from the knife and clamping the free end of the web on the web supports.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention relates to dispensers for supply rolls of web materials which employ a tear-off knife to sever sheets of varying lengths from the roll. Frequently the severed end of the web remains in contact with the tear-off knife, particularly when rolls of plastic film are used because of the presence of electro-static charges. When the web adheres to the knife, it may be difficult to grasp or it may occasion abrasion of the user's fingers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides a dispenser which minimizes the risk of injury to the hand or fingers caused by accidental contact with the tear-off knife when removing the web from the knife. The dispenser includes a pair of floating tabs and a pair of spaced web supports located below the tear-off knife and above an inwardly folded front wall of the dispenser. The free end of the web is held against the web supports by the tabs. The tabs are interconnected by a cross plate. The tabs and the cross plate are pivoted on the axis of one of two web guide rollers. The tabs pivot upwardly when the web is lifted into contact with the tear-off knife and return by gravity to the web supports when a sheet is severed from the web, thus, removing the web from the knife and returning the web to the access position remote from the knife and above front wall of the dispenser.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a web dispenser in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view in fragmentary section and with portions removed of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION

The dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 having a top wall 14 which has a downwardly inclined forward margin 16 provided with a serrated edge or other tear-off knife 18. The housing includes a pair of spaced side walls 20 and 22 and a forward wall 24 which has an inwardly curved or folded wall portion 26 which extends inwardly beneath the top wall 14 to form a dispensing outlet 28. Access to the interior of the housing is provided by a hinged rear wall 29.

Inclined ramps 32 on the inside surfaces of each of the side walls 20, 22 and abutments 34 at the lower ends of the ramps 32 support the ends 31 of the supply roll core 30. Friction brakes 36 fixed to the inside of the side walls engage the ends 31 of the core to prevent unwinding of the roll except as withdrawn by manual tension on the end of the web 33. The resulting web tension might retract the free end of the web into the case but for the direct action of the web clamping tabs presently described.

To support the web in an intermediate projecting position remote from the knife and freely accessible above the wall portion 26, the dispenser includes two spaced web supports 40 and 42. The web supports 40, 42 are formed from rods and may conveniently have inclined portions 44 and generally vertical portions 46. The specific construction may vary. As shown, the vertical portions 46 are secured to the forward wall by fasteners 47. The inclined portions 44 have depending legs 48 which are fixed to an upstanding flange 51 on the wall portion 26 by fasteners 53. Thus, the web supports 40, 42 support the end of the web well below the tear-off knife and above the forward wall 26 to enable the operator's fingers to extend readily beneath the end of the web 33.

To remove the web from the tear-off knife and also to prevent its retraction into the case by its own tension, subsequent to the severing of a sheet from the web, the dispenser 10 is provided with spaced tabs 50 and 52 which are interconnected by a strip or cross plate 54. These tabs are spaced to rest on the web supports 40 and 42 and hold or clamp the end of the web on the web supports 40 and 42.

Means are provided for pivotally supporting the tabs 50, 52 on the housing 12. As disclosed, the means includes ears 56 which depend from cross plate 54 and are preferably coaxial with web guide roller 58. In the particular embodiment, axial pins 59 on the guide roller 58 extend through apertures 60 in the ears 56 and are rotatably supported in apertures 62 in the side walls 20 and 22.

The tabs 50, 52 project a sufficient distance from the cross plate 54 to engage the web supports near the juncture of the web support portions 44 and 46 to provide sufficient weight about the pivot to insure removal of the web end if it adheres to the tear-off knife.

The dispenser also includes a second web guide roller 66 having axially projecting pins 67 movable in channels 68 in spaced mounting blocks 70 on each of the housing side walls 20, 22. The roller 66 is biased against the guide roller 58 by springs 72 seated in the channels 68 and bearing against the pins 67.

Although two tabs 50 and 52 and two web supports 40 and 42 are employed in the disclosed construction, additional supports and tabs may be desirable when using a wide web.

Claims

We claim:

1. A dispenser for a supply roll of web material comprising a housing having an upper wall portion with a tear-off knife, a generally vertical wall portion beneath said knife and an inwardly curved forward wall extending from said vertical wall portion and converging with said top wall portion to define a dispenser outlet, spaced web supports connected to said housing and having web support portions located intermediate said tear-off knife and said converging housing wall portion for supporting the free end of the web in an intermediate projecting position below said tear-off knife and above said converging housing wall portion to provide clearance above and below the web for convenient manual access, web clamping tabs spaced for manual access between said tabs, and means for pivotally supporting said tabs on said housing for movement between a position for clamping the end of the web on said web supports and an upwardly displaced position permitting withdrawal of the end of the web upwardly from the web supports into knife contact, with return of said tabs to said clamping position upon severance of a sheet from the web.

2. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said web supports have generally vertical portions fixed to said vertical housing forward wall portion and inclined portions extending beneath said upper housing wall and fixed to said curved wall portion.

3. A dispenser in accordance with claim 2 wherein said inwardly curved forward wall portion has an upturned terminal flange and said web supports have downturned legs secured to said flange.

4. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes spaced side walls having co-axial apertures, a web guide roller having axial pins projecting into said apertures and said means for pivotally supporting said tabs including a cross plate interconnected with said tabs, and ears on said cross plate having apertures receiving said pins.

5. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said tabs are spaced to engage said web supports.