Dispenser System

Abstract

A moulded fibrous end plug and dispenser system comprising the same, the end plug for use in mounting a roll of sheet material to a dispenser and having a roll facing side comprising formations configured to be insertable into an opening in an end of a roll of sheet material and for securing the end plug to the roll of sheet material, the end plug further comprising an opposite dispenser facing side comprising formations configured to cooperate with formations of a roll holder portion of a dispenser in use for mounting the end plug to the dispenser.

Claims

1. A moulded fibrous end plug for use in mounting a roll of sheet material to a dispenser, wherein the end plug has a roll facing side comprising formations configured to be insertable into an opening in an end of a roll of sheet material in use, the formations of the roll facing side including formations for securing the end plug to the roll of sheet material; and an opposite dispenser facing side comprising formations configured to cooperate with formations of a roll holder portion of a dispenser in use for mounting the end plug to the dispenser.

2. The moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 wherein the formations of the roll facing side for securing the end plug to the roll of sheet material include formations configured to provide an interference fit securing the end plug to the roll.

3. The moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 wherein the fibers are cellulosic fibers.

4. The moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1, wherein the end plug is biodegradable.

5. The moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1, wherein the end plug is injection moulded.

6. A roll product comprising a roll of sheet material having an opening in an end thereof, and the moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 secured to the end of the roll with the formations of the roll facing side of the end plug being inserted into the opening in the end of the roll to secure the end plug to the roll.

7. A dispenser system comprising; the moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 and a dispenser comprising a roll holder portion comprising formations configured to cooperate with the formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug for mounting the end plug to the dispenser in use.

8. A dispenser system comprising; a dispenser for a roll of sheet material, the dispenser comprising a roll holder portion; a roll of sheet material having an opening in an end thereof; and the moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 secured to the end of the roll of sheet material; wherein the formations of the roll facing side of the end plug configured to be insertable into an opening in an end of a roll of sheet material are inserted into the opening in the end of the roll of sheet material; and wherein the formations associated with the dispenser facing side of the end plug cooperate with formations of the roll holder position of the dispenser to mount the end plug to the dispenser.

9. The dispenser system of claim 8 wherein the dispenser facing side of the end plug cooperates with the roll holder portion to rotatably mount the end plug to the holder portion of the dispenser.

10. The dispenser system of claim 8 wherein the dispenser facing side of the end plug cooperates with the roll holder portion to fixedly mount the end plug to the roll holder portion such that relative rotation between the roll holder portion of the dispenser and the end plug is prevented, wherein the roll holder portion is rotatable relative to a cooperating portion of the dispenser to permit rotation of the roll relative to at least a portion of the dispenser once mounted for the dispensing of sheet material.

11. The dispenser system of claim 10 wherein the cooperating portion of the dispenser is an arm of the dispenser, the roll holder portion being mounted to the arm of the dispenser via a mounting portion that is rotatable relative to the arm.

12. A method of using the end plug of claim 1 comprising using the end plug to mount a roll of sheet material to a roll holder portion of a dispenser.

13. The dispenser system of claim 8 wherein the formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug and the formations of the roll holder portion which cooperate with one another include respective sets of one or more formations that are complimentary to one another.

14. The dispenser system of claim 8 wherein the dispenser is a wall-mounted dispenser.

15. A method of manufacturing the moulded fibrous end plug of claim 1 comprising providing the moulded fibrous end plug using a moulding process.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the moulding process is an injection moulding process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0073] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a dispenser with which the end plugs described herein may be used;

[0074] FIG. 2 is a front on view illustrating the front face of the roll holder portion which comprises formations which may cooperate with the formations of the dispenser facing side of an end plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention to mount the end plug to the dispenser;

[0075] FIG. 3 is a side on view of the roll holder portion of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0076] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the roll holder portion of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0077] and FIG. 5 illustrates the way in which the roll facing side of an end plug may be used to mount an end plug to a roll 120.

[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a dispenser with which the end plugs described herein may be used. This dispenser is merely used as an example to illustrate how a roll holder portion may cooperate with the end plug to mount a roll to a dispenser. It will be appreciated that other dispenser types may be used. The configuration of the roll holder portion of the dispenser, and its relationship to other dispenser parts e.g. the configuration of any dispenser arms, may vary from that shown. Furthermore, while the invention will be exemplified in relation to a roll holder portion which is not rotatable relative to the dispenser arm, in other embodiments, the end plug may, as previously described, fixedly mount the roll to a roll holder portion, which is rotatable relative to another part of the dispenser. For example, the roll holder portion may be in the form of a rotatable hub.

[0079] The dispenser illustrated is a wall mounted dispenser, as may be found, for example in a washroom or other hand washing facility. However, end plugs may be used with other types of dispenser. The dispenser may be an electronic hands-free dispenser, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0080] Returning now to the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 1, which is in accordance with WO 2012/073203A2, the dispenser 100 includes a pair of dispenser arms 102, each having a roll holder portion 104 at the distal end thereof. A roll receiving space 106 is defined between the arms 102. The dispenser arms 102 are able to resiliently deflect outwardly relative to one another during insertion or removal of a roll, being biased to return to their original, closer position.

[0081] The roll holder portions of a dispenser with which an end plug of the present invention is used may be of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, or indeed any of the configurations described in WO 2012/073203A2 above, or indeed, any other desired configuration.

[0082] In use the end plug (already inserted in the end of a roll) is pushed on to the front face of the roll holder portion to mount the end plug, and hence the roll thereto.

[0083] The general principles of providing a mounting between and end plug and roll holder portion using cooperating formations on the dispenser facing side of the end plug and the roll holder portion of the dispenser are described in WO 2012/073203A2.

[0084] One alternative example of a roll holder portion 50 which may be used with end plugs in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 2.

[0085] FIG. 2 is a front on view illustrating the front face of the roll holder portion which comprises formations which may cooperate with the formations of the dispenser facing side of an end plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention to mount the end plug to the dispenser. In this example, the formations cooperate with one another to rotatably mount the end plug to the roll holder portion. FIG. 3 is a side on view of the roll holder portion of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the roll holder portion.

[0086] The roll holder portion 50 includes a base 52, defining a front face of the roll holder portion. A cylindrical projection 54 extends from the base 52. A circumferentially extending structure 56 partially surrounds the projection 54 so as to define an annular space 58 therebetween. The structure 56 defines a circumferentially extending wall 60 which defines the outer edge of the annular space 58. A ramp structure 62 extends from the top of the wall 60 to the base 52.

[0087] In this example, the roll holder portion 50 includes a male formation, the cylindrical projection 54. The formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug may then comprise a female part for receiving the cylindrical projection. The cylindrical projection 54 and the female part of the dispenser facing side of the end plug are complimentary to one another. The formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug are configured such that they may cooperate with the formations of the roll holder portion to mount the end plug to the roll holder portion. For example, the formations of the dispenser facing side may be configured such that a female part thereof may cooperate with the formations of the roll holder portion to enable the female part to receive the male part e.g. cylindrical projection. Thus, the female part may be configured such that it fits into the annular space 58 to mount the end plug to the dispenser. The formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug should be such that they do not interfere with any of the formations of the roll holder portion i.e. the roll facing side thereof to prevent fitting together of the end plug and roll holder portion as required for providing a secure mounting, and, where applicable, to allow relative rotation between the end plug and roll holder portion.

[0088] Of course, the roll holder portion may differ from that shown, and the formations of the end plug should be configured as appropriate to enable the formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug to cooperate with the formations of a particular roll holder portion with which the end plug is intended to be used. For example, rather than a single formation defining a cylindrical projection 54 of the roll holder portion, such a projection may formed by a plurality of formations. The cylindrical projection is then defined by a set of formations of the roll holder portion. This set of formations and a set of one or more formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug (e.g. defining a cooperating female part thereof) may define ones of a pair of complimentary parts of the dispenser facing side of the end plug and the roll holder portion. The formations of the roll holder portion need not define a cylinder. For example, provided that an outer diameter corresponding to an outer circular boundary drawn around each of the formations defining the projection may snugly fit within the annular formation of the dispenser facing side of the end plug, the arrangement may operate in the same manner as the example of FIGS. 2-4. Likewise, an annular space may be defined surrounding the projection of the roll holder portion in a manner other than that shown e.g. by a plurality of formations surrounding the projection. The formations need not define a circumferentially extending structure. For example, a series of spoke-like formations extending radially on the face of the roll holder portion may be disposed with their proximal ends spaced from the outer edge of the projection to define an annular space. Similarly there may be more than one ramp portion.

[0089] An end plug may be used to ensure that a roll of sheet material is only used with a dispenser with which it is intended to be used e.g. to ensure optimum performance. For example, a dispenser, particularly although not necessarily an electronic dispenser, may be configured to operate most effectively with a particular type of sheet material (e.g. basis weight) and/or configuration of roll. This may ensure that the dispenser operates reliably without jamming, with greater energy efficiency if electronic, without risk of malfunction and/or safety risk etc. It will be seen from the above example, that the formations of the dispenser facing side of an end plug may be configured such that they will only allow the end plug to be mounted to a particular dispenser, having a roll holder portion with appropriate formations.

[0090] While the embodiment illustrated permits relative rotation between the end plug and roll holder portion, such that the end plug may rotate with a roll during dispensing, in alternative embodiments, the formations of the roll facing side of the end plug may cooperate to provide a keyed connection with the roll holder portion, such that the roll holder portion and end plug are maintained in a fixed rotational relationship. The roll holder portion may then be rotatably mounted to an adjacent portion of the dispenser to enable rotation of the roll and roll holder portion relative to another part of the dispenser during dispensing. The roll holder portion may be rotatably mounted to an arm of the dispenser, such as via a mounting portion e.g. hub fixed to the distal end of the arm.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates the way in which the roll facing side of an end plug may be used to mount an end plug to a roll 120. The Figure illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a roll with which the end plug may be used. This Figure, which is in accordance with WO 2012/073203A2, is merely exemplary in general of the way in which an end plug is used. The end plug 101 includes a roll facing side 105 having formations which are insertable into an opening in an end of a roll of sheet material to secure the end plug to the roll, and a dispenser facing side 103 having formations which cooperate with a roll holder portion of a dispenser to mount the end plug thereto. The formations associated with the roll facing and dispenser facing sides 105, 103 of an end plug in accordance with the invention, which is made from a moulded fibrous material, may differ from those shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates a plastic end plug 101. However, the principles of operation of the end plug will be the same. The roll is a roll of sheet material 108, such as paper towel. However, the sheet material may be of any other type of web material which is suitable for dispensing from a roll. For example, the roll may be a roll of paper material, e.g. for use in providing a hand towel, facial tissue, toilet tissue, or a nonwoven material, e.g. for use in providing a wiper etc. The sheet material may or may not include perforations. The roll dispenses sheet material from the periphery 109 thereof, and is rotatably mounted to a dispenser such that the roll may be rotated to allow the dispensing of material in use.

[0092] The roll has ends 121, 123. The roll 120 includes an central bore 126 extending from one end to the other along a central axis 110 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the bore 126 is defined by the central bore of a core 122 of the roll. The core 122 may be of any suitable material, such as cardboard, paperboard etc. For example, it may be spirally wound core. However, it will be appreciated that the end plugs described herein are not limited to use in the context of a cored roll, and may be used with any roll having an opening in an end thereof into which the formations of the roll facing side 105 may be inserted. For example, a coreless roll may include openings in the form of indentations extending only a small distance along the axis thereof at each end into which the formations of the roll facing side 105 can be inserted, or may similarly have a central bore, extending from one end to the other. Where the end plug is used with a cored roll, it may be referred to as a “core plug”.

[0093] The end plug 101 is inserted into the opening provided by the end of the bore 126 at the end 121 of the roll with the roll facing side 105 leading as schematically shown in FIG. 5. The formations of the roll facing side which extend from the base 107, are inserted into the end of the bore 126 at the end 121 of the roll. The formations include formations which cooperate with the periphery of the bore 126, provided by the radially inner surface of the core 122 in this case, to provide an interference fit between the end plug 101 and the roll 120.

[0094] The end plug 101 may be mounted into the roll by pushing the end plug into the end of the bore 126 after manufacture of the roll, as part of a manufacturing process to provide a refill product comprising the roll with the end plugs fitted, which can be supplied to the user. Thus, in such arrangements, the end plugs are inserted by machine. The roll may be packaged with end plugs inserted in both ends for supply to a user.

[0095] While the insertion of the end plug has been illustrated by reference to the end 121 of the roll, it will be appreciated that another end plug of identical construction will be inserted into the opposite end 123 of the roll, in this case cooperating with the opposite end of the central bore 126. While the invention has been illustrated by reference to the case in which a roll includes end plugs at both ends, depending upon the configuration of a dispenser with which it is intended to be used, it is envisaged that an end plug might only be inserted into an opening at one end of a roll to mount the roll to a dispenser.

[0096] The use of an end plug in accordance with the invention will now be described.

[0097] The end plug is inserted into an opening at one end of a roll of sheet material to be mounted to a dispenser, in the manner as described by reference to FIG. 5. Typically another such end plug is also inserted into an opening at the other end of the roll of sheet material. This may be performed during manufacture of a refill roll product. The formations of the roll facing side of the end plug provide a secure interference fit to the roll. The roll and its end plug(s) provides a single unit for (re)filling a dispenser. The user may remove any outer packaging from the roll refill product before fitting the roll to a dispenser.

[0098] In order to fit the roll to a dispenser, the user first removes any depleted roll along with its end plugs from the dispenser. The user then pushes the dispenser facing side of the end plug at one end of the roll onto the roll holder portion of a dispenser, such as described by reference to FIG. 1 or 2-4. In the case of dispenser as shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser arm 102 deflects outwardly to enable the roll to be pushed onto the roll holder portion. The formations associated with the dispenser facing side cooperate with the formations of the roll holder portion 104 to mount the end plug, and hence that end of the roll, to the dispenser arm. Where an end plug is associated with the other end of the roll, as may be the case for use with a dispenser of the type shown in FIG. 1 or 2-4, the formations of the dispenser facing side of the end plug at that end of the roll similarly cooperate with the formations of the roll holder portion of the other dispensing arm, to mount that end of the roll to the dispenser. The ends of the roll may be mounted sequentially or substantially simultaneously. In this way, the end plug(s) securely mount the ends of the roll to the dispenser, in the illustrated embodiment, to permit rotation between the roll and the roll holder portions of the dispenser.

[0099] In use, the end plugs remain securely in place in the ends of the roll during use of the dispenser, e.g. during rotation of the roll relative to the roll holder portion. Once the roll is depleted, the roll along with the end plugs may be removed from between the dispenser arms in a reverse of the initial installation procedure. Where the roll is cored roll, the remainder of the roll product will be the core with the end plugs inserted in its ends. The end plugs of the present invention are made of a fibrous moulded material, and may therefore be recycled along with the core in a paper recycling stream. This avoids problems associated with conventional plastic end plugs which would need to be removed from the core to enable appropriate recycling of the plastic end plugs and paper core in separate streams. Even if the roll is not a cored roll, the end plugs of the present invention may readily be recycled in a standard paper stream.

[0100] The end plugs of the present invention are advantageously biodegradable. This offers further sustainability advantages, whether or not the end plugs are recycled in a paper stream. For example, the end plugs may be composted, whether at home or industrially.

[0101] The present invention may provide a sustainable fibrous end plug which may function in the same manner as a plastic end plug.

[0102] The end plug of the present invention in any of its embodiments is a fibrous end plug.

[0103] The fibres used in making the end plug may be of any suitable type, and are preferably biodegradable fibers, such as cellulosic fibers. Advantageously the fibers are recycled fibers.

[0104] The end plug is obtained using a moulding process. The process may be an injection moulding process in which the material from which the end plug is to be formed is injected into an appropriately configured mould.

[0105] The mould may include two parts, having formations for producing the desired formations of the roll facing and dispenser facings sides of the end plug respectively. When closed, the mould may define a mould cavity corresponding the shape of the end plug to be produced.