Combined Shipping Package And Dispenser Construction For Roll Supply Of Light-sensitive Materials

Abstract

A dispenser for light-sensitive copy paper formed out of inexpensive construction materials such as paperboard to handle roll stock. The dispenser is constructed so as to rotatably mount the roll in a support type of roll enclosure that is also used as a protective package for the roll during shipment and storage. The support body is equipped with a key that matches a keyway in the copy machine housing so that it fits into the machine in only one way to guarantee proper paper direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a combination dispensing and packaging construction and more particularly to an article of manufacture for packaging rolls of light-sensitive paper which also serves as a dispenser in a high-speed copying apparatus.

In replenishing the roll supply of light-sensitive copy material useful in photocopy machines heretofore known, it was necessary to partially dismantle the roll supply mounting from which the supply is unwound and fed into the machine to remove the used core and put in its place the new roll. It is commonplace in such roll supply constructions to have the roll supply mounted on a removable mandrel which can be directly or indirectly connected to the main drive. For the most part the rolls are mounted on a shaft which is part of the construction of the machine necessitating the loosening and removal of various fasteners to free up the core and remount a new supply.

The packaging for the typical roll supply can take any different forms and has been supplied in a variety of containers, but in all cases, the removal of the packaging wrapper or container results in a search by the operator for the proper positioning of the roll to be sure that the working or sensitized surface of the paper faces in the proper direction. This is of importance because the light-sensitive rolls have a working surface and a nonworking surface so that if the roll is put in improperly, copies cannot be made. In most cases the expensive protective wrappings are discarded and serve no further useful purpose other than to provide protection during shipment and storage.

The construction in accordance with the present invention provides a unique package for protectively shipping and handling roll material which same package serves as the roll mounting for the light-sensitive material, in the photocopy machine. The package with the exception of a cover portion, is fittingly received into the dispensing or unwind station of the machine so as to guarantee proper insertion of the roll. The package construction itself serves as the only mounting for the roll eliminating the need for any interconnecting portions with the drive segments of the machine beyond a pair of infeed rollers to receive the lead edge of the web.

This combination of packaging and dispenser construction has the extreme advantage of providing a simplified way of replenishing the roll supply and at the same time provides a suitable container for shipment. In other words, a single construction is effectively utilized for two distinct applications.

An additional advantage is that the construction permits guidance of the web from the supply into the machine in a predetermined direction since the unit is equipped with a guide element that mates with the dispensing station so as to guarantee the proper feeding direction of the material.

As an additional feature, the construction of the dispensing unit is quite inexpensive to fabricate and it is rendered more economical because it also serves as the shipping container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved combined package dispenser unit for roll stock which is inexpensive and meets the rigorous requirements for a precise web alignment during feeding.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved combined package dispenser that assures proper insertion of the material to be processed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved package dispenser that is simple and inexpensive to fabricate and properly protects the roll supply during shipping and handling.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide an improved combined package dispenser that is simple to load into the processing equipment.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the dispensing station of the photocopying machine in partial section showing the operation of package dispenser combination of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the package dispenser unit shown without the roll;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective showing how the roll supply is fittingly received in the package dispenser and the web guide control.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the photocopy machine as identified with the general reference character 10 being equipped with an unwind station identified generally as 12. The unwind station is essentially an elongated chamber having a floor 14, front and backwall portions 16 and 18, respectively, and one sidewall 20. The other side of the chamber is open in order to provide a free access way for the package dispenser unit identified generally as 22.

The backwall portion 18 is formed with a guide member 18A which renders the cross section of the chamber unsymmetrical so as to be able to fittingly receive the package dispenser unit 22 in only one predetermined relationship.

The roll supply of material 24 is supported inside the chamber 13 by means of the package dispenser unit 22 so that the lead length 26 is fed between a pair of nipping rollers 28 and 30 which are driven through a suitable connection to the main drive of the copying machine causing it to be fed through the various stations for processing. Immediately beyond the feed rollers 28 and 30 is the cutting assembly 32 which cuts the web into sheets of appropriate length. Beyond the cutting station 32 the sheet passes in front of a guide element 34 which directs it into the charging station equipped with a pair of infeed rollers 36 and 38 which drive the sheet through the charging assembly 40 where the sheet is applied a blanket electrostatic charge.

Upon emergence from the charging assembly 40 the sheet is directed to the exposure station 42.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a preferred construction of the package dispensing unit 22. The main body 43 of the unit 22 is comprised of a base or floor 44 (FIG. 1), sidewalls 46 and 48 and front and backwalls 50 and 52, respectively. The material of construction of the body assembly 43 can be selected from a wide variety of materials such as wood, paper, plastic, sheet metal or the like. It will be appreciated that while the body is shown as formed of solid wall construction, the equivalent type of support and body structure might be achieved through the use of a simple but rigid framework construction. The only requirement for the body portion 43 is that it be strong enough to effectively support a roll up to 20 pounds and that it be sufficiently rigid so that it can withstand the forces introduced into the structure as a result of the web being unwound by the rollers 28 and 30 at a rate ranging from 15 to 60 feet per minute.

The construction of the body 43 is such that it is matingly received into the chamber 13 so that the working surface of the roll 24 faces in a predetermined direction to be sure that it is properly oriented with respect to such instrumentalities as the charging assembly 40 and the exposure station 42. In the instant construction the working surface faces the outside of the roll. To achieve this proper orientation, the backwall is slanted with respect to the front wall 50 so that the degree of angularity of the backwall 52 with respect to a vertical line corresponds to the angularity of the guide portion 18A of the backwall 18. It will readily be understood that any attempt to insert the unit 22 into the chamber 13 in any other manner such as having the wall 52 received against the front wall 16 of the chamber 13 would immediately alert the operator to the incorrectness of the attempted insertion by virtue of the fact that it would not fit.

The body portion 43 is equipped with a crossmember 60 which is supported between the sidewalls 46 and 48. The crosspiece 60 serves as a support for the roll supply on which it is rotatingly received so that the web 26 can be freely unwound from the roll 24.

The crosspiece is formed of a corrugated paperboard which is the same material out of which the body portion is formed. The triangular configuration provides a proper support for the core 62 on which the paper 24 is wound. The advantage of the triangular configuration is the reduction in the amount of friction generated between the inside surface of the core 62 and the crosspiece 60. While the construction of the crosspiece 60 is shown in a triangular configuration, it will be understood that it can assume a polygonal configuration or it can have a circular cross section and still perform properly. Advantageously, it is made out of the same material as the body portion but it can be of a dissimilar material such as a wooden dowel which is properly supported between the sidewalls 46 and 48.

The body portion 43 is formed of a single sheet of corrugated paperboard precut to a pattern comprising a series of foldable segments, in which the front and backwalls 50 and 52, respectively, have foldable tab portions 50A, 50B and 52A, 52B, respectively. The sidewall portions 46 and 48 each contain panels 46A, 46B and 48A, 48B, respectively, which are generally of the same size and configuration as the primary wall portions 46 and 48. To form the body portion 43 the wall portions 50 and 52 are folded upright from the floor or base 44 and the tab portions 50A, 50B and 52A, 52B are folded inwardly and at right angles to the front and backwalls, respectively. The side panels 46B and 48B are folded upwardly along fold lines 54 and 56 formed in the floor portion 44. Their respective panel portions 46A and 48A are next folded along the fold lines 58 and 59 capturing the tab portions 50A and 52A and 50B and 52B between the panels 48A and 48B and 46A and 46B. Thus there is formed a rigid upright body on which may be supported the roll 24. The walls 46 and 48 are shown with cutout portions 64 and 68 into which may be received the support elements of the crosspiece 60.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown in detail the manner in which the roll 24 is mounted within the body 43. The sensitized paper 25 is wound on a cylindrical core 62. The core might be of any suitable material such as paper, plastic, metal or wood. The crosspiece 60 is a single piece of corrugated board or other suitable rigid paper material which is folded into four rectangular panels of equal dimension 80, 82, 84 and 86. The sheet is folded into the triangular configuration shown in FIG. 3 with the panels 84 and 86 in superimposed relation. Integral with the panels 84 and 86 are tab portions 84A, 84B and 86A, 86B which when folded in the downward position form the suitable supports which can be fittingly received in the cutout portions 64 and 66. It will be understood that the sidewalls of the support body 43 are of double thickness as formed by the panels 46A, 46B and 48A, 48B and the tab portions 50A, 52A and 50B, 52B are received between the panels 48B and 48A and 46B and 46A. With the tab portions 84A, 86A and 86B, 84B inserted into the cutouts 64 and 66, the crosspieces are rigidly retained between the sidewalls 46 and 48.

Optionally, the tabs 84A, 86A and 84B, 86B may be stapled or glued or otherwise secured to the sidewall construction. This has not been found necessary but may produce greater overall rigidity and reinforcement when the unit is exposed to the forces imparted to the structure when the paper 25 is unwound from the roll.

It is contemplated that in place of the triangular configuration of the crosspiece 60, it might be a polygonal configuration. Further, instead of a corrugated paperboard material, it might be made of a wooden rod or a plastic or paper tube which is glued or secured in the sidewalls 46 and 48 through circular openings in the sidewalls.

With the crosspiece securely mounted in the sidewalls, the roll 24 is in position for unwinding being rigidly secured in the body portion 43. For shipping purposes, the entire assembly including the roll mounted in position on the body 43 is inserted into an outer container (not shown) which may be of the ordinary box-type construction that completely encloses and securely surrounds the assembly. It will be appreciated that the roll 24 mounted on the body portion 43 and then contained in a box is quite secure from the usual hazards to which the material might be exposed during shipping. In view of the locking arrangement of the crosspiece 60 in the sidewalls 46 and 48, the container may be shipped in any position without fear of having the roll dislodged from the body portion. Further, the outside container serves as a protective covering for the portion of the roll that extends above the sidewall and front walls of the body portion 43.

When the container arrives at its destination, the user merely removes the outside carton and the unit 22 is then directly inserted into the chamber 13 of the photocopying machine 10. If the operator attempts to insert the roll so that the wall portion 52 is received against the sidewall 16 of the chamber 13, it will not fit. Thus, the operator will be alerted to reinserting the unit 22 so that the sidewall 52 is matingly engaged with the guide element 18A which is part of the chamber 13. With the unit 22 fully received inside the chamber 13, the operator need only to manually peel a lead length 26 from the roll and insert it into the nip between rollers 28 and 30 in order to complete the replenishment of the paper supply.

When a copy demand is placed on the machine, the rollers 28 and 30 will rotate gripping the lead length 26 and causing the roll 24 to unwind on the crosspiece 60. Any lateral movement is absorbed in the wall portions 16 and 18A of the chamber so that the roll uniformly and evenly unwinds as copy demands are made on the apparatus. Movement in a direction transverse to the unwind direction of the paper is restricted by and controlled by the guide assembly 90 which comprises a pair of swingably mounted arms 92 mounted on the frame of the machine 10. Affixed to free end of the arms are a pair of guide wheels 94 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). The guide wheels include hub and flange elements 96 and 98 arranged so the hub rides on the surface of the roll and the flange portion engages the edge of the roll. The guide wheels are slidably adjustable on a laterally extending shaft 99 on which the wheels are rotatably mounted. With the hub and flange elements engaging the edges of the roll, the web is controlled and restrained from moving off its designated course.

When the supply of paper is used up, the operator merely removes the unit 22 after disengaging the assembly 90 and replaces it with a new package.

It will be observed that the only connection between the dispensing unit 22 and the machine proper is the peeling off of the lead length of paper 26 which is fed into the nipping rollers 28 and 30. No other connection or mounting is required and no tools whatsoever are required. The simplicity and ease of providing a replenished supply of material is particularly suitable for a high-speed machine necessitating practically no downtime of the machine whatsoever while changing rolls.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A roll feed supply of light-sensitive material wound on a cylindrical core support for utilization in a reproduction device equipped with unwinding means, said supply being contained in a package assembly comprising a support body having a bottom wall and upstanding wall elements with a top edge, cutout portions in opposing relationship on the top edge of at least two of said wall elements, said two wall elements each being formed of two adjacent and generally parallel wall members formed by a fold at said top edge in which the cutout portion is formed to permit access to the space between the wall members, a crosspiece member axially received within said cylindrical core support and including downwardly extending tabs fittingly engaging said cutout portions and received between the wall members to support the roll in a rotatable position transverse to its direction of rotation, compartment means associated with said reproduction device equipped with a keyway and keying means included on said support body for locating the body relative to said compartment so that the free end of the roll is received in a predetermined manner relative to the unwinding mechanism.

2. The roll feed supply set forth in claim 1 in which the keyway on the compartment and the keying means on the support body each include intersecting planar walls, the walls on the support including said bottom wall and an upstanding wall element other than said two wall elements.