Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6826985
-
Patent Number
6,826,985
-
Date Filed
Friday, December 15, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 7, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 242 560
- 242 5644
- 242 5601
- 242 5642
- 492 22
- 492 45
- 225 34
- 225 47
- 225 77
- 225 1
- 225 16
- 225 106
- 271 901
- 271 902
- 271 903
- 271 91
- 083 43615
- 083 338
- 083 650
- 083 949
- 083 1
- 083 337
- 425 45
- 226 11
- 312 3422
- 312 3419
-
International Classifications
- A47K1038
- B65H1910
- B65H3500
- B26F302
- B26D156
-
Abstract
A dispenser having a transfer mechanism for transferring between a first source and a second source of sheet material, and a method for transferring between the first source and the second source. Dispensing is transferred from a first source to a second source upon an absence of sheet material from the first source. The transfer mechanism includes a transfer roller with a slot to receive a free end of sheet material from the second source. The transfer roller also includes a plurality of raised portions, the raised portions are free to rotate through a dispensing roller when there is an absence of sheet material from the first source. This rotation introduces the free end of sheet material from the second source to the dispensing roller, and allows dispensing from the second source. Afterwards, the transfer roller is set to receive sheet material from a new source of sheet material.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sheet material dispensers in general. More particularly, the present invention relates to sheet material dispensers capable of transferring dispensing from a first mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from a first sheet material supply to a second mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from a second sheet material supply, and a method of transfer.
2. Background of the Invention
Sheet material dispensers are designed to dispense sheet material from various sources including folded sheet material and rolled sheet material. Each type of sheet material source requires a different means of loading and dispensing the sheet material. As a result, each source creates unique refilling problems for maintenance personnel.
Folded sheet material dispensers contain separate sheets of folded sheet material that are dispensed through an opening. Although most of these types of i dispensers are relatively simple, there are drawbacks associated with using folded sheet material because this type of sheet material can be relatively expensive and occupy a rather large volume. In addition, dispensers containing folded sheet material generally need to be filled more often than other dispensers because they permit dispensing of multiple folded sheets simultaneously.
The most common type of sheet dispensers have sheet material wound on rolls. These dispensers have several different means of dispensing paper. The sheets can be removed by either pulling on a free end of a sheet or actuating a lever to advance the sheet. To increase sheet material supply, many roll dispensers are capable of holding two rolls of sheet material. These dispensers often require complicated transfer systems to switch dispensing from one roll to another. One type of transfer system uses a mechanism to detect tension in sheet material from a first roll. Once the tension is removed from the sheet material, indicating the first roll is empty, the mechanism pivots, thereby moving a free end of sheet material from the second roll of sheet material into engagement with a dispensing mechanism. Another type of transfer system involves a transfer mechanism including a complex follower arm, which follows the decreasing diameter of the first roll. Upon depletion of the first roll, the mechanism moves the free end of sheet material from the second roll into engagement with a dispensing mechanism. Both of these types of transfer systems, however, have complex transfer mechanisms and require a relatively long time to load the sheet material rolls.
As a result, maintenance personnel sometimes bypass the transfer system by only maintaining a single roll of sheet material in the dispenser. This has the effect of increasing the number of maintenance checks. This also sometimes leads to a new roll of sheet material being loaded in place of a used roll of sheet material, which is discarded while still having at least some usable sheet material thereon. Such practice can result in significant unnecessary waste of usable sheet material.
It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide a simple transfer system that requires minimum time to set up by maintenance personnel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a simple method of transferring between a first roll and a second roll of sheet material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a sheet material dispenser with a transfer system and a method of transferring dispensing from a first mode where sheet material is dispensed from a first source of sheet material and to a second mode where sheet material is dispensed from a second source of sheet material.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a dispenser for dispensing sheet material. The dispenser includes a housing defining an interior for accommodating first and second sources of sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material is dispensed. A first rotatable roller is in the housing, and a portion of the sheet material is in contact with the first roller prior to being dispensed through the opening. A transfer mechanism is configured to transfer dispensing of sheet material from a first mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the first source to a second mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the second source. The transfer mechanism includes a second rotatable roller which has a slot passing completely through the second roller to retain a free end portion of the sheet material from the second source when the sheet material is dispensed in the first mode.
In another aspect, the first roller has at least one recessed portion, and the second roller has at least one raised portion aligned with the recessed portion. The recessed portion and the raised portion are configured such that when the sheet from the first source covers the recessed portion the transfer mechanism does not transfer dispensing from the first mode to the second mode.
In an additional aspect, the first roller has a first surface, and the second roller has a second surface. The second surface contacts sheet material on the first surface during at least dispensing in the first mode.
In a further aspect, the first surface has a higher coefficient of friction than a coefficient of friction of the second surface.
In yet another aspect, the first surface is formed from rubberized material.
In an additional aspect, the second surface is formed from plastic material.
In another aspect, the transfer mechanism includes at least one biasing element biasing the second roller toward the first roller.
In a further aspect, the dispenser includes a third roller. The third roller forms a nip with the first roller, and the sheet material passes through the nip during dispensing in the first and second modes.
In an additional aspect, the dispenser includes a driving mechanism configured to rotate at least one of the first and third rollers.
In a further aspect, the driving mechanism includes a manually driven element.
In another aspect, the driving mechanism includes an electric motor coupled to one of the first and third rollers.
In a further aspect, the dispenser includes a shield. The shield limits contact between the free end of sheet material from the second source and the first roller before the transfer mechanism transfers dispensing to the second mode.
In yet another aspect, the transfer mechanism is configured to transfer dispensing from the first mode to the second mode when sheet material from the first source is not between the first and second rollers.
In another aspect, the second roller is configured to rotate when sheet material from the first source departs from between the first and second rollers.
In an additional aspect, the third roller includes a cutter for cutting the sheet material.
In another aspect of the present invention, the dispenser includes a housing defining an interior for accommodating first and second sources of sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material is dispensed. A first rotatable roller in the housing has at least one recessed portion. A portion of the sheet material is in contact with the first roller prior to being dispensed through the opening. A transfer mechanism is configured to transfer dispensing of sheet material from a first mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the first source to a second mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the second source. The transfer mechanism includes a second rotatable roller having a retainer to retain a free end portion of sheet material from the second source when the sheet material is dispensed in the first mode. The second roller has at least one raised portion aligned with the recessed portion. The recessed portion and the raised portion are configured such that when sheet from said first source covers the recessed portion the transfer mechanism does not transfer dispensing from the first mode to the second mode.
In another aspect, the second roller has at least one second raised portion opposite the at least one first raised portion. The second raised portion is configured such that when sheet from the second source covers the recessed portion the second roller is oriented to receive a sheet from a new source.
In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a method of dispensing sheet material. The method includes providing a dispenser containing first and second sources of sheet material. The dispenser further includes a first rotatable roller having at least one recessed portion, and a second rotatable roller having at least one raised portion, the second roller having a retainer. The method includes dispensing sheet material from the first source by passing the sheet material between the first and second rollers, and retaining, in the retainer on the second roller, an end portion of sheet material from the second source. The method includes limiting rotation of the second roller by contacting the raised portion of the second roller against the sheet material between the first and second rollers. The second roller is placed in contact with the first roller when sheet material from the first source is no longer between the first and second rollers. The second roller rotates to feed sheet material from the second source onto the first roller to permit dispensing of sheet material from the second source.
In another aspect, the dispenser includes a third rotatable roller. The third roller forms a nip with the first roller, and the method includes passing sheet material through the nip.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1
is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2
is a view similar to
FIG. 1
with a transfer roller removed to show a dispensing roller and a cutting roller;
FIG. 3
is a schematic cross-section view taken along line III-III of
FIG. 1
having the housing removed;
FIG. 4
is a exploded view of the cutting roller of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a detailed view of a portion of
FIG. 3
showing dispensing from a first source;
FIG. 6
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
showing initial rotation of a transfer roller when sheet material from the first source becomes exhausted;
FIG. 7
is a view similar to
FIG. 6
showing sheet material from a second source being fed onto a dispensing roller;
FIG. 8
is a view similar to
FIG. 7
showing dispensing from the second source;
FIG. 9
is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention including a lever actuating system; and
FIG. 10
is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the invention including a motor driven system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
FIGS. 1-3
show an embodiment of a sheet material dispenser
10
. The dispenser
10
includes a housing
12
having an outlet
14
and a cover (not shown). A first sheet material source
16
and a second sheet material source
18
are stored within the housing
12
. A dispensing roller
20
and an optional cutting roller
24
cooperate to dispense sheet material from either the first source
16
or second source
18
through the outlet
14
. A transfer roller
22
cooperates with the dispensing roller
20
to transfer dispensing from a first mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the first source
16
to a second mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from to the second source
18
, upon depletion of the first source
16
.
In the preferred embodiment, the first source
16
and second source
18
are rolls of sheet material wound on cores
64
and
68
, respectively. The sheet material can be paper towel, toilet paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, or any other sheet material. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-3
, the sheet material is preferably formed into individual sheets as it passes over the cutting roller
24
and is cut by a cutter
25
thereon.
FIG. 4
shows one arrangement for the cutter
25
, and will be discussed below. The cutter
25
could also be arranged in a number of other places on the dispenser
10
. Alternatively, the dispenser
10
lacks a cutter
25
and the sheet material includes spaced apart zones of weakness, such as perforation lines, that permit tearing off of separate sheets when they are dispensed.
The first source
16
is supported in a lower portion
26
of the housing
12
by spaced support members
29
and
31
. Alternatively, the support members
29
and
31
can be eliminated, allowing the first source
16
to be supported on the floor in the lower portion
26
. The second source
18
is rotatably supported by spaced support members
28
and
30
. The support members
28
and
30
are mounted in an upper portion
27
of the housing
12
.
The transfer roller
22
is located below the second source
18
. The transfer roller
22
, is rotatably supported by a left support block
42
and a right support block
44
. The transfer roller
22
has a smooth outer surface, and preferably is made of plastic. Transfer roller
22
has a plurality of first raised portions
32
, which are spaced from each other. Opposite each of the first raised portions
32
is one of a plurality of second raised portions
34
. A slot
36
extends completely through the transfer roller
22
between the plurality of first raised portions
32
and the plurality of second raised portions
34
. The slot
36
preferably has a width that is at least as large as the width of the sheet material of the second source
18
so that an end portion of the second source's sheet material can be retained in the slot
36
, as shown in
FIG. 3
, by passing therethrough. Although the slot
36
passing through the transfer roller
22
is preferred to releasably retain the end portion of sheet material, other retaining structure could be used.
Adjacent the transfer roller
22
is the dispensing roller
20
. The dispensing roller
20
includes a plurality of spaced roller sections
38
, wherein each roller section
38
has a surface
40
formed of rubber or some other material having a coefficient of friction greater than that of an outer surface of transfer roller
22
. The roller sections
38
can be made from wood, plastic, or metal. Adjacent pairs of the roller sections
38
are spaced from one another. Each space between the roller sections
38
is aligned with (and at least as wide as) corresponding first and second raised portions
32
and
34
. The dispensing roller
20
is rotatably supported by the left and right support blocks
42
and
44
, and is biased against the cutting roller
24
by springs
46
. Similarly, the transfer roller
22
is biased against the dispensing roller
20
by springs
45
. Alternatively, the weight of the transfer roller
22
can be used to bias the transfer roller
22
against the dispensing roller
20
, thereby eliminating the springs
45
.
The cutting roller
24
is rotatably supported in the housing
12
in any desireable manner, such as shown in FIG.
4
. In the preferred embodiment, the cutting roller is supported by support arms
17
and
19
. A cutter
25
is provided on the cutter roller
24
to cut sheet material into sheet segments as sheet material is dispensed. Support arm
19
includes a cam plate
21
. The cutter
25
is attached to a cam follower
23
which follows the surface of the cam plate
21
. As the cutting roller
24
rotates, the cutter
25
is extended and retracted as the cam follower
23
moves around the cam plate
21
.
In the first embodiment, the cutting roller
24
is rotated as the sheet is pulled from the dispenser, as it is preferred that the driving force for activation of the mechanism is provided by the tension exerted on the sheet as the user draws it from the dispenser. Dispensers so configured are usually referred to as “touchless”. An optional driving mechanism
56
is provided to rotate the cutting roller
24
. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-3
, the driving mechanism
56
is a rotatable knob, which in touchless configurations would serve as an emergency feed. Alternatively, the driving mechanism could be a push lever, or an electric motor, which will be described below.
A shield
58
is arranged to prevent sheet material from the second source
18
from coming into contact with the cutting roller
24
before the transfer roller
22
transfers dispensing to a mode wherein sheet material is dispensed from the second source
18
. Mounted to the shield
58
are a plurality of fingers
60
, which also assist in preventing sheet material from the second source
18
from contacting the cutting roller
24
before the transfer process is activated.
To load the dispenser
10
, an individual first opens the cover to expose the lower and upper portions
26
,
27
. The first source
16
is placed in the lower portion
26
of the housing
12
. A free end
62
of the sheet material of the first supply source
16
is placed over the rubberized surfaces
40
of the dispensing roller
20
, and then fed into the nip between the dispensing roller
20
and the cutting roller
24
. The driving mechanism
56
can be activated to advance the free end through the outlet
14
of the housing
12
. Then, the second source
18
is placed in the left and right support brackets
28
,
30
. A free end of sheet material
66
from the second source
18
is unwound and passed through the slot
36
of the transfer roller
22
. A few inches of the free end of sheet material
66
preferably extends beyond the slot
36
. Finally, the cover is closed, and the dispenser
10
is ready for use.
If the dispenser
10
had been loaded previously, then reloading has additional steps. After the cover is initially opened, the second source
18
is removed from the support brackets
28
,
30
. The empty core
64
from the first source
16
can then be removed. Then, the second source
18
can be placed in the lower portion
26
of the housing
12
, essentially replacing the first source
16
. A new second source
18
can be loaded as described above.
The sheet material could be dispensed from the dispenser
10
in any known manner. For example, a user could remove sheet material from the dispenser
10
in a “touchless” manner by merely pulling an end portion of sheet material that extends from the dispenser outlet
14
, or by actuating a proximity sensor that interacts with a dispensing motor for rotating the dispensing and/or cutting rollers
20
and
24
. In addition, the user is also preferably able to dispense sheet material by actuating a manually operated driving mechanism, such as the driving mechanism
56
.
The process of transferring dispensing modes between dispensing from the first source
16
and dispensing from the second source
18
is shown in
FIGS. 5-8
.
FIG. 5
shows the dispenser
10
operating in a first mode where sheet material is being dispensed from the first source
16
. As the cutting roller
24
rotates, the dispensing roller
20
rotates and sheet material is dispensed. The high coefficient of friction of the rubberized surfaces
40
causes the sheet material from the first source
16
to unwind. The transfer roller
22
is prevented from rotation by the plurality of first raised portions
32
coming in contact against the sheet material. The smooth surface
23
of the transfer roller
22
preferably does not hinder the dispensing of the sheet material. As long as sheet material from the first source
16
covers the spaces between the segments of the sections
38
of roller
20
, the transfer roller
22
does not rotate during dispensing.
Once the sheet material from the first source
16
is depleted, a tail end of the sheet material
70
will pass through an area between the dispensing roller
20
and the plurality of first raised portions
32
, as shown in
FIG. 6
, so that the transfer roller
22
contacts the dispensing roller
20
. Without any sheet material between the dispensing roller
20
and the transfer roller
22
, the rollers
20
and
22
become rotationally engaged and the rotation of the dispensing roller
20
causes the transfer roller
22
to rotate. As the transfer roller
24
rotates, the free end of sheet material
66
from the second source
18
contacts the dispensing roller
20
. As seen in
FIG. 7
, the free end of sheet material
66
will be pulled from the slot
36
in the transfer roller
22
. The rubberized surface
40
of the dispensing roller
20
grabs the free end of sheet material
66
and pulls the free end of sheet material
66
into the nip formed between the dispensing roller
20
and the cutting roller
24
. The plurality of second raised surfaces
34
then contact the sheet material on the dispensing roller
20
, thereby preventing further rotation of the transfer roller
22
. The dispenser
10
is now in the second mode of dispensing, as seen in
FIG. 8
, where the dispenser
10
is dispensing sheet from the second source
18
. In this configuration, the transfer roller
22
is set up for the next source to be loaded.
The preferred embodiment of the invention has many advantages, including complete use of sheet material. The transfer roller preferably allows easy loading of sheet material, defeating the need of maintenance personnel to bypass the transfer system. Preferably, less maintenance checks will be required because of the transfer system. In addition, the dispenser will preferably be more economical to use because the entire sheet material from each source will be used.
In a second embodiment of the invention, as seen in
FIG. 9
, the knob roller of the driving mechanism
56
is replaced with a lever actuation device
72
. The lever actuation device
72
includes a toothed wheel
74
and a pivot arm
76
. The toothed wheel
74
is coupled to the cutting roller
24
. The pivot arm
74
can be attached to the housing (not shown) and engages the toothed wheel
74
to rotate the cutting roller
24
. The lever actuation device
72
would serve as an emergency feed when the dispenser is configured as a “touchless” dispenser.
A tear bar
90
is provided to allow a user to tear off a sheet from the roll of sheet material. The tear bar
90
can be arranged in several different orientations at or near the opening of the housing (not shown). In addition the cutting roller
24
can be replaced with any suitable tensioning roller when the tear bar is provided.
In a third embodiment of the invention, as seen in
FIG. 10
, the knob roller of the driving mechanism
56
is replaced with a motor activation device
80
. The motor activation device includes a gear train
82
and motor
84
. The gear train includes a first gear
86
, a second gear
88
, and a drive gear
90
. The drive gear
90
is coupled to the motor
84
and engages the second gear
88
. The second gear
88
engages the first gear
86
, which is coupled to the cutting roller
24
. The motor
84
is activated by the user by any known switch, such as a push button (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the motor is activated by a proximity sensor, thus providing “touchless” dispensing. The motor rotates the drive gear
90
, which in turn rotates the second gear
88
, which in turn rotates the first gear
86
, which in turn causes the cutting roller
24
to rotate. In addition,
FIG. 10
shows a tear bar
90
which serves the same purpose as described above.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. For example, a dispenser according to the invention could be constructed without a cutting roller. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A method of dispensing sheet material, comprising:providing a dispenser containing first and second sources of sheet material, the dispenser including a first rotatable roller having at least one recessed portion and a second rotatable roller having at least one raised portion, the second roller having a retainer, the retainer including a slot passing completely through the second rollers; dispensing sheet material from the first source by passing the sheet material between the first and second rollers; retaining, in the retainer on the second roller, an end portion of sheet material from the second source, wherein the retaining includes passing the end portion of the sheet material from the second source through the slot; limiting rotation of the second roller by contacting the raised portion of the second roller against the sheet material between the first and second rollers; placing the second roller in contact with the first roller when sheet material from the first source is no longer between the first and second rollers; and rotating the second roller to thereby feed sheet material from the second source onto the first roller to permit dispensing of sheet material from the second source.
- 2. A method of dispensing sheet material, comprising:providing a dispenser containing first and second sources of sheet material, the dispenser including a first rotatable roller having at least one recessed portion and a second rotatable roller having at least one raised portion, the second roller having a retainer; dispensing sheet material from the first source by passing the sheet material between the first and second rollers; retaining, in the retainer on the second roller, an end portion of sheet material from the second source; limiting rotation of the second roller by contacting the raised portion of the second roller against the sheet material between the first and second rollers; placing the second roller in contact with the first roller when sheet material from the first source is no longer between the first and second rollers; and rotating the second roller to thereby feed sheet material from the second source onto the first roller to permit dispensing of sheet material from the second source, wherein rotating the second roller includes moving the at least one raised portion into the at least one recessed portion.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dispenser includes a third rotatable roller forming a nip with said first roller, and wherein the method further includes passing sheet material through the nip.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein limiting rotation of the second roller includes limiting movement of the at least one raised portion into the at least one recessed portion when there is sheet material between the first and second rollers.
US Referenced Citations (36)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 099 602 |
Feb 1984 |
EP |