SENSING ARRANGEMENT FOR A DISPENSER

Abstract

A sensing arrangement for indicating the depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, the sensing arrangement includes a roll support for supporting an inner circumference of the coreless roll, the roll support extending along a longitudinal center axis, the roll support comprising at least one roll expanding portion extending over a part of the roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius from the center axis, and at least one sensing portion, extending longitudinally over another part of the roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius from the center axis, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius by a sensing offset length, and a sensing element arranged to sense at the sensing portion the amount of web material remaining on the roll when arranged over the roll support length.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27. A sensing arrangement for indicating the depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, the sensing arrangement comprising: a roll support, configured for supporting an inner circumference of said coreless roll with said roll extending over a roll support length, said roll support extending along a longitudinal center axis, the roll support comprising: at least one roll expanding portion extending over a part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius from said center axis, and at least one sensing portion, extending longitudinally over another part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius from said center axis, wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius by a sensing offset length, and a sensing element arranged to sense at said sensing portion the amount of web material remaining on the roll when arranged over said roll support length, wherein said at least one roll expanding portion comprises at least one roll expanding member, providing said first radius, and wherein said at least one roll expanding member is resilient.

28. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said roll support comprises at least a first roll expanding portion and a second roll expanding portion, each of said first and second roll expanding portions extending over a part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining said first radius from said center axis, said first and second roll expanding portions being separated by said sensing portion.

29. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said at least one roll expanding member extends along a complete circumference about the longitudinal axis of the roll support.

30. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said at least one roll expanding portion comprises a plurality of roll expanding members, said roll expanding members being distributed over a circumference about the longitudinal axis of the roll support.

31. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said at least one roll expanding member is resilient at least in a radial direction of the roll support.

32. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said at least one roll expanding member is resilient at least in a longitudinal direction of the roll support.

33. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said roll expanding members are made from a deformable material.

34. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing portion extends longitudinally over a part of said roll support length being less than 50% of the roll support length.

35. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is arranged to sense the amount of web material remaining on the roll by indicating a minimum distance between the sensing element and the second radius of said sensing portion.

36. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is a mechanical sensing element that is pivotably arranged so as to be pivoted towards said sensing portion of said roll support.

37. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is arranged to be biased towards said sensing portion of the roll support.

38. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is configured to indicate that the roll is depleted when the sensing element is within a threshold distance from said sensing portion.

39. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is configured to indicate that the roll is depleted when the sensing element contacts said sensing portion of the roll support.

40. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is arranged so as to contact a perimeter of a portion of the roll arranged to extend over said sensing portion.

41. The sensing arrangement according to claim 27, wherein said sensing element is arranged to be spaced from contact with the perimeter of a portion of the roll arranged to extend over said at least one roll expanding portion to be spaced from contact with a the perimeter of the roll arranged over the roll support length at any portions other than a portion arranged to extend over the sensing portion of the roll support.

42. A dispenser comprising the sensing arrangement according to claim 27.

43. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein the sensing arrangement is arranged so as to trigger an indication providing information that the roll arranged on the roll support is depleted.

44. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein said sensing arrangement is arranged so as to control the start of dispensing from a stored, unused roll in said dispenser, upon the sensing element indicating that the roll carried by the support element is depleted.

45. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein said sensing arrangement is arranged to control a trigger arrangement so as to trigger automatic replenishing of a depleted roll with stored, unused roll in said dispenser, upon the sensing element indicating that the roll carried by the support element is depleted.

46. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein the sensing arrangement is arranged to control to a door arrangement so as to allow moving of a lid so as to allow dispensing from a stored, unused roll in said dispenser, upon the sensing element indicating that the roll carried by the support element is depleted.

47. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein the sensing arrangement is arranged to activate an electronic switch.

48. The dispenser according to claim 42, wherein the sensing arrangement is arranged to activate a mechanical switch.

49. A method for arranging a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material on a roll support comprised in a sensing arrangement for indicating depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, the sensing arrangement comprising: a roll support, configured for supporting an inner circumference of said coreless roll with said roll extending over a roll support length, said roll support extending along a longitudinal center axis, the roll support comprising: at least one roll expanding portion extending over a part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius from said center axis, and at least one sensing portion, extending longitudinally over another part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius from said center axis, wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius by a sensing offset length, and a sensing element arranged to sense at said sensing portion the amount of web material remaining on the roll when arranged over said roll support length, wherein said at least one roll expanding portion comprises at least one roll expanding member, providing said first radius, wherein said at least one roll expanding member is resilient; the method comprising the step of arranging said coreless roll on said roll support such that said roll support supports an inner circumference of said roll and said roll extends over said roll support length.

50. A method for arranging a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material on a roll support comprised in a dispenser comprising a sensing arrangement for indicating depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser, the sensing arrangement comprising: a roll support, configured for supporting an inner circumference of said coreless roll with said roll extending over a roll support length, said roll support extending along a longitudinal center axis, the roll support comprising: at least one roll expanding portion extending over a part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius from said center axis, and at least one sensing portion, extending longitudinally over another part of said roll support length and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius from said center axis, wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius by a sensing offset length, and a sensing element arranged to sense at said sensing portion the amount of web material remaining on the roll when arranged over said roll support length, wherein said at least one roll expanding portion comprises at least one roll expanding member, providing said first radius, wherein said at least one roll expanding member is resilient; the method comprising the step of arranging said coreless roll on said roll support such that said roll support supports an inner circumference of said roll and said roll extends over said roll support length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Below follows a more detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of sensing arrangements with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0057] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a first variant of a sensing arrangement;

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a second variant of a sensing arrangement;

[0059] FIG. 3a illustrates schematically the second variant of a sensing arrangement in a perspective view;

[0060] FIG. 3b illustrates schematically the second variant of a sensing arrangement in a perspective view, and with a partly used roll of web material arranged to it;

[0061] FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate schematically a third and a fourth variant of a sensing arrangement;

[0062] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate schematically a fifth variant of a sensing arrangement; and

[0063] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate schematically two variants of dispensers having a sensing arrangement as described herein.

[0064] Like reference numbers denote similar features throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a first variant of a sensing arrangement 10 for indicating the depletion of a coreless roll of absorbent paper web material in a dispenser. The sensing arrangement 10 comprises a roll support 1, configured for supporting an inner circumference of said coreless roll 2 over a roll support length L. The roll support 1 extends along a longitudinal centre axis X.

[0066] In the illustrated variants, the roll support 1 forms a continuous elongated member, configured for application of a roll 2 from a longitudinal end thereof. However, it is envisaged that roll supports 1 may be formed by a plurality of separate members. Preferably, in a use state, the roll support 1 is continuous along the roll support length.

[0067] The roll support 1 comprises at least one roll expanding portion 12, 14 extending over a part of said roll support length L and having a maximum radial extension defining a first radius r1 from said centre axis X.

[0068] Optionally, and as in the illustrated embodiment, the roll support 1 comprises a first roll expanding portion 12 and a second roll expanding portion 14, and each of the first and second roll expanding portions extends over a part of said roll support length L and has a maximum radial extension defining said first radius r1 from said centre axis X.

[0069] The roll support 1 further comprises at least one sensing portion 20, extending longitudinally over another part of said roll support length L and having a maximum radial extension defining a second radius r2 from said centre axis X, wherein said first radius r1 is greater than said second radius r2 by a sensing offset length l.

[0070] In the illustrated variant, the first and second roll expanding portions 12, 14 are separated by said sensing portion 20.

[0071] Further, a sensing element 3 is arranged to sense the amount of web material remaining on the roll 2 arranged over said roll support length L at said sensing portion 20.

[0072] As explained in summary section of the application in the above, the provision of the offset length l allows for increased accuracy when detecting the depletion of a roll 2 arranged on the roll support 1.

[0073] Optionally, the sensing portion 20 extends longitudinally over a part of said roll support length L being less than 50% of the roll support length L preferably less than 40%.

[0074] In FIG. 1, the sensing portion 20 extends longitudinally over a part of said roll support length being about ⅓ of the roll support length l.

[0075] The sensing element 3 is arranged to sense the amount of web material remaining on the roll 2 by indicating a minimum distance between the sensing element 3 and the second radius of said sensing portion 20.

[0076] Optionally, and in the illustrated variants, the sensing element 3 is a mechanical sensing element, preferably said sensing element is pivotably arranged so as to be pivoted towards said sensing portion 20 of said roll support 1.

[0077] Optionally, and in the illustrated variants, the sensing element 3 is arranged to be biased towards said sensing portion 20 of the roll support 1.

[0078] The said sensing element may be configured to indicate that the roll 2 is depleted when the sensing element 3 is within a threshold distance from said sensing portion 20. Optionally, said sensing element 3 may be configured to indicate that the roll 2 is depleted when the sensing element 3 contacts said sensing portion 20 of the roll support 1.

[0079] When the sensing element 3 is arranged so as to be pivoted towards the sensing portion of the roll support 1, a threshold distance translates into a threshold degree of pivoting.

[0080] As seen in FIG. 1, in this variant the roll expanding portions 12, 14 are essentially cylindrical, providing said first radius r1 over a length along the central axis X of the roll support 1.

[0081] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a second variant of a sensing arrangement 10.

[0082] In this second variant the roll expanding portions 12, 14 each comprises a roll expanding member 12′ 14′. The roll expanding members 12, 14′ provides the first radius r1.

[0083] FIG. 3a illustrates schematically the second variant of a sensing arrangement in a perspective view, and FIG. 3b illustrates schematically the second variant of a sensing arrangement in a perspective view, and with a partly used roll of web material 2 arranged to it.

[0084] In FIGS. 2 to 3b it is seen how in this variant the sensing element 3 is in the form of a sensing paddle, which may advantageously be pivotably arranged in relation to the roll support 1. The sensing element comprises a protruding portion 33, which is arranged so as to sense the amount of material on a roll 2 arranged over the sensing portion 20 of the roll support 1. On each side of the protruding portion 33, the sensing element extends with side portions 32 and 31. As may be gleaned from the figures, the side portions 32 and 31 are configured so as to be spaced from the roll support 1. In other words, the sensing element 3 is arranged so as to sense the amount of material remaining over the sensing portion 20 only (via the protrusion 33). The sensing element 3 is arranged so as to be spaced from portions of the roll support 1 other than the sensing portion 20.

[0085] In the second variant of the dispenser as illustrated in FIG. 2-3b, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ extend along a complete circumference about the longitudinal axis of the roll support 1. In particular, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ are ring-shaped members. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring-shaped members are further provided with ribs extending radially about the ring-shaped members, so as to provide the first radius r1.

[0086] As will be further described in the below, roll expanding members may be provided in a number of varieties and shapes.

[0087] Optionally, the roll expanding members are rigid, as discussed in the above summary section.

[0088] Optionally, and as in the variant described in FIGS. 2 to 3b, the said roll expanding members are resilient, as discussed in the above summary section.

[0089] In particular, by means of the above-mentioned radially extending ribs, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ may be resilient in a radial direction and in a longitudinal direction of the roll support.

[0090] In particular, if a roll 2 having a deformed inner circumference (meaning that the inner windings of the roll are deformed and not expanded to a maximum circumference) is applied over the roll support 1 by threading the roll 2 in a direction along the centre axis X, the roll expanding member 12′, 14′ may yield and bend so as to enable arrangement of the roll 2 on the roll support 1. However, when only a few windings remain on the roll 2, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ striving to reassume their original shape may push the last few windings outwards, so as to expand the roll 2. Accordingly, the offset distance I or at least a substantial portion of the offset distance I will be available for sensing.

[0091] In this second variant, the said roll expanding members may be made eg. from an elastomer type material or a rubber type material.

[0092] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate another variant of a sensing arrangement 10, wherein the roll support 1 comprises a first and a second roll expanding member 12′, 14′, providing said first radius r1.

[0093] In this case, the extension of the first and second roll expanding members 12′, 14′ correspond to the extension of the first and second roll expanding portions 12, 14.

[0094] FIG. 4b is a side view as seen from a cut through the roll sensing portion 20 of the roll support 1 of FIG. 4a. In FIG. 4b, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ extend circumferentially about the circumference of the roll support 1. In particular, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ are ring-shaped members.

[0095] FIG. 4c is a similar side view as seen from a cut through the roll sensing portion 20 of the roll support 1 of FIG. 4a, illustrating another variant of a roll support 1. In this variant, each roll expanding portion 12, 14 comprises a plurality of roll expanding members 12′, 14′, said roll expanding members 12′, 14′ being distributed over a circumference about the longitudinal axis of the roll support. Optionally, and as in the illustrated variant, each roll expanding portion 12, 14 comprises two roll expanding members 12′, 14′, being arranged in an opposed radial relationship.

[0096] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate another variant of a sensing arrangement, with a roll support 1 being provided with roll expanding members 12′, 14′. In this embodiment, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ are arranged to form a ramp surface, hence having a radius from the centre axis which increases from the longitudinal ends of the roll support towards the centre thereof. As seen in FIG. 5b, each roll expanding portion 12, 14 comprises two roll expanding members 12′, 14′, being arranged in an opposed radial relationship.

[0097] The different variants of roll sensing arrangements as described in the above may be varied in multiple ways. For example, the variants of FIGS. 4c and 5b may be varied by the roll expanding portions 12, 14 being provided with more than two roll expanding members 12′, 14′, for example three or four roll expanding members 12, 14′.

[0098] In particular, even if the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ exemplified in FIGS. 4a-5b extend perpendicular to the centre axis X, in other variants the roll expanding members 12′, 14′ may be inclined in relation to the centre axis X. Moreover, the roll expanding members 12′, 14′, need not be straight but could be e.g. curved.

[0099] The roll expanding members 12′, 14′ as described in relation to the Figures and as otherwise outlined herein may be configured to be rigid or to be resilient.

[0100] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate schematically two variants of dispensers having a sensing arrangement as described herein.

[0101] It will be understood that the sensing arrangement as described herein may be used in a large variety of dispensers.

[0102] In particular, and as in the illustrated dispensers, a dispenser 100 may be provided wherein the sensing arrangement 10 is arranged so as to control the start of dispensing from a new, unused roll in said dispenser 100, upon the sensing element 3 indicating that the roll carried by the support element 1 is depleted.

[0103] Optionally, and as in FIG. 6a, the sensing arrangement 10 is arranged to control a trigger arrangement 200 so as to trigger automatic replenishing of a depleted roll with stored, unused roll in said dispenser, upon the sensing element 3 indicating that the roll 2 carried by the support element 1 is depleted.

[0104] Optionally, and as in FIG. 6b, the sensing arrangement 10 is arranged to control to a door arrangement 300 so as to allow moving of a lid so as to allow dispensing from a new, unused roll in said dispenser, upon the sensing element 3 indicating that the roll carried by the support element 1 is depleted.

[0105] In another option, the sensing arrangement 10 may be arranged to control the feeding of web material from a new, unused roll.

[0106] The sensing arrangement 10 may be arranged to activate an electronic switch or alternatively to activate a mechanical switch.

[0107] In a method for arranging a coreless roll 2 of absorbent paper web material on a roll support 1 comprised in a sensing arrangement 10 and/or in a dispenser 100 as described herein, the method comprises the step of arranging said coreless roll 2 on said roll support 1 such that said roll support 1 supports an inner circumference of said roll 2 and said roll 2 extends over said roll support length L.

[0108] Optionally, and as in the illustrated variants, the coreless roll 2 may be threaded over the roll support 1 from a longitudinal end of the roll support 1. However, in variants where the roll support 1 comprises a plurality of separate members, the roll 2 may be threaded over the separate members from the two longitudinal ends of the roll support 1. That the roll 2 is threaded over a roll support 1 or over separate members of a roll support 1 implies a relative movement between the roll 2 and the roll support (members) 1, including that either or both of the roll support 1 and the roll 2 is/are moved.

[0109] Numerous variants and options of the dispensers disclosed here will be conceivable by the person skilled in the art.