The present invention relates to the field of sanitary and domestic papers.
Paper intended for these uses comes in a number of forms: a continuous strip precut to form a succession of individual cut lengths held together by joins which yield easily when pulled, or a continuous strip without any precuts, that is torn to the desired length, it being possible for the strip to be wound on itself or onto a core to form a roll, or it being possible for the strip to be concertina-folded, each panel forming one cut length, as individual cut lengths stacked one on top of the next to form a pile.
In order to make products in the form of a continuous strip precut into cut lengths attached to one another by joins practical to use, and also with a view to preserving hygiene, they are packaged in a wrapper which may be rigid, with an opening for dispensing the paper one sheet at a time.
The problem is that of actually fulfilling these two functions. It is desirable that pulling the first sheet available through the opening should release just one sheet at a time and not cause the entire strip of paper to be pulled out. In order to achieve that, it is necessary for the joins connecting the first sheet to the next to yield as a matter of priority. It must not be necessary to use both hands in order to separate the sheets because, firstly, to do so is impractical and, secondly, the paper not extracted from the wrapper has not to be touched as touching it would not be hygienic. There is the possibility of forming a cutting means at the edge of the opening, but it can then not be certain that the strip will be cut at the joins and that cutting will not be a clean cut.
There are numerous embodiments already in existence in an attempt to improve the dispensing of products.
For example, there is the solution described in patent application WO 0141613. The system for dispensing the products of a perforated strip of material comprises a dispensing slot the edges of which are separated by the thickness of the sheet so as not to slow it down. The sheets are held together by joins extending over one third of the width of the strip, the other two thirds being cut. Thus, flaps are formed that are capable of flapping on either side of the plane of the strip. When the strip of paper is pulled through the slot, the flaps are folded against the plane of the strip. The strip is slowed as this double-thickness part enters the slot. The slot is narrow enough in the thickness direction to impede the passage of two thicknesses of sheet. The pulling forces therefore cause the strip to tear at the line of joins. According to one of the embodiments depicted in FIG. 2C of WO 0141613, the dispensing opening is circular, the resistance to movement being produced by the folds formed in the direction of pulling as the strip passes through the opening. This solution, which is effective in terms of the separation of the sheets as they pass through the dispensing opening, is incapable of holding the free end of the strip in the opening. The free end therefore has a tendency to fall back down into the box. Another solution which consists in forming a wider opening in the middle so that fingers can pass through this opening is not considered satisfactory.
The applicant has set itself the objective of producing a dispensing system which is both effective in separating the sheets as they pass through the dispensing opening and which allows the free edge of the strip remaining in the box to be held available for extracting the next cut length.
An embodiment of the invention includes a system for dispensing cut lengths of a strip of paper, such as sanitary and domestic papers, contained in a box made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard and that dispenses individual cut lengths through a dispensing slot, the strip of paper being made up of cut lengths held together by joins, wherein the dispensing slot is narrower in width than the width of the strip, the box includes a guide means for guiding the strip, this guide means being formed of two wall elements forming a narrow space through which the strip is guided and held with contact as far as the dispensing slot, and being formed by folding a panel about a fold line in which the dispensing slot is formed.
According to a number of alternative forms of embodiments of the invention: the joins between two cut lengths are arranged on a first part and on a second part of the width of the strip in such a way that the resistance to pulling is lower on the second part than on the first part thus forming, on the second part, a separation initiator at which the cut lengths are encouraged to separate; the joins have, on the first part, a first spacing between two adjacent joins and, on the second part, a second spacing between two adjacent joins, the two spacings being different from one another, the joins are preferably all of the same width; the second spacing is equal to the width of the second part; the first part extends from one edge of the strip; the first part extends between one quarter and three quarters of the width of the strip; and/or the first part extends over a central part of the strip, leaving, on each side, two second parts that form separation initiators.
In an embodiment, the invention applies to a strip in the form of a roll or alternatively one that is concertina-folded.
In an embodiment, the two wall elements are arranged in such a way as to guide the strip which is to be dispensed in the form of cut lengths over at least 10% of the length of a cut length.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows with reference to the drawings in which:
An embodiment of the invention relates to paper products which are in the form either of rolls 1,
The two cut lengths 2a and 2b are held together by joins T on a first part P1 of the dividing line separating the two cut lengths 2a and 2b. This first part extends to the middle of the line over a distance here substantially equal to half the width of the strip. On each side of this first part, the dividing line is cut to form the two second parts P2 and P′2. Each second part extends from one edge of the strip of paper.
More generally, a distinction is made between a part P1 and a part P2 and/or P′2 the joins of which are arranged in such a way that the resistance to pulling is lower in the second part than in the first part, thus forming on the said second part a separation initiator along which the cut lengths are encouraged to separate.
For example, the difference in resistance to pulling may be obtained by the spacing between the joins, the joins all for example being of the same width. Thus, with the joins spaced apart, a distinction is made between a first spacing E1 between two adjacent joins and a second spacing E2 between two other adjacent joins. The two spacings differ between the first part P1 and the second part P2 and/or P′2.
These spacings E1 and E2 are arranged according to the resistance to pulling that is to be achieved.
In the case of the example of
More generally, the difference in resistance to pulling can be obtained via the spacing between the joins and/or via the width of the joins.
The box 10 of the dispensing system according to an embodiment of the invention, which box is depicted in
In
When the cut length 2a has been pulled, the dividing line separating it from the next cut length 2b (see circle-B) in its turn enters the opening 112a.
By virtue of the guide lines from the two panels and the friction, the cut length 2b is held by these panels. It does not drop back into the box. It is ready and in place to be extracted in its own turn. In other words, the cutting of a cut length 2a occurs at the dispensing slot 112a when the next cut length 2b is positioned in the guide means 11, 12.
The box is for example made of cardboard, but any other material would suit; the box material may be flexible. The panels are rigid or semi-rigid so as to be able to guide and hold the sheets of paper.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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08/ 02145 | Apr 2008 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/FR2009/000406 | 4/7/2009 | WO | 00 | 10/13/2010 |