DISPENSER FOR CORELESS TISSUE PAPER ROLLS OR THE LIKE

Abstract

The dispenser comprises an openable housing, inside which at least one seat is provided for a coreless roll. The first seat comprises a first central pin protruding from a first wall of the housing toward the inside of the housing, and a first guide extending around, and spaced from, the first pin, and adapted to guide the insertion of the roll into the first seat, keeping the roll centered relative to the first pin. An exit hole is provided in a second wall of the housing for dispensing the web material from the roll. When the housing is closed, the second wall is arranged opposite the first wall.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a) a dispenser comprising: an openable housing; in the housing, a first seat for a roll, wherein the first seat comprises a first central pin protruding from a first wall of the housing toward the inside of the housing, and a first guide extending around, and spaced from, the first pin, and adapted to guide the insertion of the roll into the first seat, keeping the roll centered relative to the first pin; a first exit hole in a second wall of the housing; wherein, when the housing is closed, the second wall is arranged opposite the first wall; and b) a roll of cellulose web material; wherein the cellulose web material comprises a plurality of perforation lines defining sheets separately detachable from the roll; wherein the roll comprises a solid central portion consisting of coils of web material; and wherein the first central pin is configured to be inserted into the roll of web material and to push the solid central portion of the roll out of the roll when the latter, guided along the first guide, is inserted in the dispenser.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall of the dispenser are connected to each other and define the openable housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first wall and the second wall of the dispenser are hinged together.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall comprises coupling members for coupling to a bearing structure.

5. The system of claim 1, in the housing, a second seat for a roll, wherein the second seat comprises a second central pin protruding from the first wall of the housing toward the inside of the housing, and a second guide extending around, and spaced from, the second pin, and adapted to guide the insertion of the roll into the second seat, keeping the roll centered relative to the second pin; and further comprising a second exit hole in the second wall of the housing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each guide comprises a concave surface facing the respective pin.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each guide comprises a plurality of concave surfaces facing the respective pin.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein each concave surface has a cylindrical portion arranged at constant distance from an axis of the respective pin.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each pin has a constant cross section.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each pin has a cross section in the shape of a cross.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a spacer is provided between each pin and the first wall, the spacer being adapted to keep the respective roll spaced from the first wall.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein each exit hole has a diameter comprised between 5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second wall has a transparent window for each seat, adapted to allow to check the quantity of web material wound in roll contained in each seat, the transparent window preferably having an elongated shape.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the solid central portion of the roll is formed by coils that are wound less tightly than the coils forming the outer part of the roll surrounding the solid central portion.

15. A method for loading a solid tissue paper roll into a dispenser, the dispenser comprising: an openable housing; in the housing, a seat for a roll, wherein the seat comprises a central pin protruding from a first wall of the housing toward the inside of the housing, and a guide extending around, and spaced from, the central pin, and adapted to guide the insertion of the roll into the seat, keeping the roll centered relative to the central pin; an exit hole in a second wall of the housing; wherein, when the housing is closed, the second wall is arranged opposite the first wall; wherein the method comprises the following steps: introducing a solid tissue paper roll in the housing by guiding the solid roll along the guide; pressing a central area of a first flat surface of the roll against the pin and causing the pin to penetrate a solid central portion of the roll and push the innermost coils of the roll out of a second flat surface of the roll, opposite the first flat surface, the innermost coils of the roll having a leading edge; introducing the leading edge into the exit hole; and closing the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The invention will be better understood by following the description below and the attached drawing, showing a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. More specifically, in the drawing:

[0018] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the open dispenser;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of the closed dispenser;

[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dispenser;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view of a roll usable in the dispenser of FIGS. 1 to 3; and

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of the roll of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 1 comprises a housing 3, in which two seats are provided for two rolls of tissue paper. The housing 3 comprises two portions 3A and 3B constrained to each other so as to allow opening and closing the housing 3. Here below, the portion 3A is also referred to as back portion, and the portion 3B is also referred to as front portion of the housing.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the portions 3A and 3B of the housing 3 are hinged together around a vertical axis of rotation. In other embodiments, the portions of the housing are hinged to each other around a horizontal axis.

[0025] In the present description and the attached claims, the term vertical refers to a direction parallel to the direction of the force of gravity, and the term horizontal refers to a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms vertical direction and horizontal direction refer to the position of the dispenser when in use. Unless otherwise indicated, also the terms front, back and the like refer to the position of the dispenser when in use.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical axis of rotation (indicated with A-A in FIG. 1) of the two portions 3A, 3B of the housing 3 is defined by hinges, for example, three hinges 4A, 4B, 4C.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the portion 3A of the housing 3 comprises a first wall, also referred to hereafter as back wall 5, through which the dispenser 1 is fastened to a bearing structure, for example a vertical wall. The back wall 5 comprises attaching members for attaching to the bearing structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching members comprise shaped holes 7 for screws or other fasteners for fastening to the bearing structure. In the illustrated embodiment, four pairs of holes 7 are provided, but the number of holes may be different and may depend, for example, on the overall weight of the dispenser 1 when filled with rolls.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 3A is approximately semi-cylindrical with upper and lower horizontal closing walls 9 and 11, and the back wall 5 is basically flat in order to rest on a vertical wall or other vertical bearing structure.

[0029] In the back portion 3, two seats 13A and 13B are provided for two rolls of tissue paper, for example rolls of toilet paper. In the illustrated embodiment, the two seats 13A, 13B are arranged over each other.

[0030] Each seat 13A, 13B is formed by the combination of a central pin and a guide arranged around the pin. Specifically, the central pin is indicated with reference number 15A for the seat 13A and with the reference number 15B for the seat 13B. Each pin is surrounded by a respective guide 17A, 17B. Each guide 17A, 17B is formed by portions, 19A, 19B respectively, of cylindrical walls. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 17A is formed by two portions 19A of cylindrical walls put over one another. Similarly, the guide 17B is formed by two portions 19B of cylindrical walls put over one another. The cylindrical wall portions define concave surfaces with circular cross section coaxial with the respective pins 15A, 15B.

[0031] The portions of concave cylindrical wall of each seat 13A, 13B substantially define cylindrical surfaces for guiding and supporting the roll inserted in each seat and centered on the respective pin 15A, 15B. The diameter of the concave cylindrical walls is essentially approximately equal to the outer diameter of the paper rolls that can be used in the dispenser 1.

[0032] The concave cylindrical surfaces defined by the cylindrical wall portions 19A, 19B are useful for centering the roll relative to the seat 13A, 13B when the roll is inserted into the dispenser 1, and to support and hold it peripherally. In fact, as it will be described in more detail below, each roll is unwound from the center, that is, the paper sheets are extracted from the center of the roll and not from the periphery thereof. Therefore, in use, the approximately cylindrical side surface of the roll remains essentially unchanged and the roll is held in the seat 13A, 13B by the contact between its outer surface and the concave cylindrical surface defined by the cylindrical wall portions 19A, 19B.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, each pin 15A, 15B has a cross section substantially constant along its longitudinal extension.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the cross section of each pin 15A, 15B is in the shape of a cross. This shape of the pin cross section is advantageous because it reduces the force required to insert a roll into the seat, an operation during which the pin must be inserted into the central portion of the coreless solid roll, pushing the central coils of the roll outward. This shape of the pin cross section ensures high mechanical strength and a reduced surface of contact with the paper material forming the roll, thus reducing the friction that acts against the pin entering into the roll when it is inserted into the dispenser.

[0035] Each pin 15A, 15B extends orthogonally from the back wall 5 toward the inside of the housing. In some embodiments, each pin 15A, 15B is spaced from the back wall 5 by means of an approximately cylindrical spacer 21A, 21B, so that the roll inserted into the seat does not touch the back wall 5 and is not damaged, for example, by the contact with the heads of the screws fastening the dispenser 1 to the bearing structure.

[0036] The front portion 3B of the housing 3 has a shape approximately symmetrical to the shape of the back portion 3A relative to a vertical plane, along which the two portions 3A, 3B couple together when the dispenser 1 is closed. In particular, the front portion 3B has a second wall 31, here below referred to as front wall, which faces the back wall 5 when the housing 3 is closed.

[0037] The front wall 31 has, for each seat 13A, 13B provided in the housing 3, a hole or nozzle, through which the web material, wound on each roll arranged in the respective seat 13A, 13B, is dispensed.

[0038] In FIG. 2, the holes or nozzles are indicated with the reference numbers 33A, 33B for the seat 13A and for the seat 13B, respectively. In advantageous embodiments, each hole 33A, 33B has, for example, a diameter comprised between 5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm, and is arranged in a position coaxial with the respective pin 15A, 15B when the housing 3 is closed.

[0039] In advantageous embodiments, each hole 33A, 33B is formed in an insert 34A, 34B (see FIG. 3), which is locked in an opening 36A, 36B provided in the front wall 31.

[0040] In advantageous embodiments, for each seat 13A, 13B the front wall 31 has a window 35A, 35B that preferably has an elongated shape, i.e. extends radially relative to the axis of the central pin 15A, 15B defining the center of the respective seat 13A, 13B. The windows 35A, 35B allow to check the quantity of web material wound in roll in each seat 13A, 13B, allowing the relevant personnel to refill the dispenser with new rolls when the paper material is finished.

[0041] In some embodiments, each window 35A, 35B is formed by an elongated opening 38A, 38B formed in the front wall 31 and closed by a plate 40A, 40B made of a transparent material, e.g., a polymer material, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3.

[0042] In some embodiments, the dispenser 1 is provided with a lock closure. This is especially useful if the dispenser shall be installed in public premises, workplaces, or other non-private places. In FIG. 3 a lock 42 is shown, that enters, from inside the housing 3, into a seat 44 formed, for example, in the front portion 3B of the housing. The lock 42 has teeth 42A that engage a gripping element, not shown, integral with the portion 3A of the housing 3.

[0043] The dispenser 1 is configured to accommodate, in the respective seats 13A, 13B, a coreless solid roll, i.e. a roll entirely consisting of wound web material, i.e., without a central hole. A coreless solid roll is shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, and indicated with the reference R. In FIG. 2, two rolls RA and RB are shown in dotted line, arranged in the two seats 13A, 13B.

[0044] Each roll R has an inner or central portion Rn that does not consist of a hole of a winding core or of the empty volume left by a winding mandrel removed after the roll has been wound, as is the case with conventional rolls.

[0045] In practice, the central portion Rn of the roll is formed starting from a leading edge of the web material that is coiled with neither winding core nor winding mandrel.

[0046] The roll R therefore comprises a central portion formed by coils of wound web material. In some embodiments, the central portion Rn is formed by coils that are wound less tightly than the coils forming the outer part of the roll, i.e. the part surrounding the central portion Rn. This can be done during roll winding, by appropriately adjusting the rewinder producing the roll R.

[0047] Each roll R is unwound from the center, by initially extracting the inner end of the web material forming the roll, that is, the portion consisting of the innermost coils, as schematically indicated with SI in FIG. 5.

[0048] Each roll RA, RB is inserted into the respective seat 13A, 13B of the housing 3 by guiding it along the respective concave cylindrical surface defined by the cylindrical wall portions 19A, 19B, which facilitates the centering of the roll relative to the pin 15A, 15B. The roll is pressed against the pin 15A, 15B, which penetrates the central portion Rn causing the innermost coils of the roll to be pushed out of the flat face of the roll opposite the face into which the pin 15A, 15B enters. In practice, when the roll RA, RB is put into the dispenser, the pin 15A, 15B is brought into contact with the flat face of the roll facing the inside of the dispenser, in correspondence of the central portion Rn of the roll. By pushing the roll RA, RB against the pin 15A, 15B, the latter penetrates the central part of the roll and pushes the innermost coils, causing them to be pushed out of the flat face of the roll RA, RB opposite the face into which the pin 15A, 15B has penetrated the roll.

[0049] The leading edge, formed by the initial coils extracted from the center of the roll RA, RB pushed by the pin 15A, 15B, is inserted into the respective hole 33A, 33B from the inward-facing side of the housing 3, so as to bring the leading edge Lt (FIG. 5) outside the housing. Then, the housing 3 is closed by rotating the front portion 3B around the A-A axis toward the back portion 3B. Now, the user can take the cellulose material contained in the dispenser 1 by pulling the free edge that comes out of either hole 33A, 33B.

[0050] The roll is unwound from the inside, by gradually extracting the coils from the center thereof, and is held properly centered in its seat 13A, 13B by the concave cylindrical surfaces 19A, 19B of the guide walls 17A, 17B.

[0051] The personnel in charge of replenishing the dispenser can check, through the windows 35A, 35B, whether the roll is exhausted and shall be replaced.

[0052] The dispenser configured in this way allows to dispense properly cellulose web material from solid rolls, i.e. rolls with neither central winding core nor axial cavities. The roll is properly held in its seat until it is completely exhausted. The use of two (or more) seats in the same dispenser allows to reduce the number of interventions by the relevant personnel thanks to the large quantity of cellulose material accumulated in the dispenser. It is also possible to realize a dispenser with only one seat for a single roll, still having the same advantages disclosed above in terms of correct positioning and holding of the roll during the unwinding thereof.