Dispenser and roll of flexible sheet material

Technical Field The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a flexible sheet material from a roll of material, in particular to dispensing tissue paper towels from a roll of material, and a roll of flexible sheet material.

Background Art [0002] In the field of dispensing flexible sheet material from a roll of material, in particular tissue paper towels or tissue toilet paper, various types of dispensers are known. In particular, manual dispensers are known in the art which are manually operated by a suitable user by pulling tissue paper towels or toilet paper from the dispenser. Electric dispensers are also known in the art that feed paper towels in response to a trigger signal that is used to control an electric motor for feeding paper. The trigger signal is usually provided by a sensor that detects the presence of the user's hand, or by a sensor that detects that the towel has just been removed from the dispenser.

[0003] Regardless of whether a manual or electric dispenser is used, one of the issues to consider when designing roller type dispensers arises when the current roller is almost depleted and needs to be replaced with a new full roller. Unlike paper dispensers, which feed folded tissue paper from stacks, and which can easily be refilled simply by placing additional paper on top of an almost exhausted stack of paper, such easy refilling is not available for rolls. In fact, when using rollers, the padding situation changes fundamentally because the rollers can only be replaced in full.

[0004] In particular, for a dispenser that is designed for a single roll of material, service personnel who supervise a given premises must be warned in time to replace an almost exhausted roll of material to ensure that users of a given toilet are always able to dry their hands or have sufficient toilet paper available.

[0005] For dispensers that are designed to hold two or more rolls of material, namely a continuously fed roll of material and a spare roll of material (spare roll of material), the spare roll must replace the exhausted roll at the right time. In particular, the triggering mechanism which is responsible for replacing the exhausted roller must be reliable so that the replacement of the rollers is carried out smoothly, efficiently and at an economically justifiable moment. In particular, for economic and ecological reasons, it is desirable for the roll of material to be fully used before the spare roll is placed for feeding. [0006] To achieve this and to determine when the roll is exhausted and needs to be replaced, US document

2003/0078691 A1 suggests counting the number of revolutions of the roll and calculating based on this the actual consumption of toilet paper. However, it can be seen immediately that in order to be able to correctly calculate a given amount based on revolutions and to determine based on this information the actual state of filling of the roller, the roller dimensions and material dimensions must be exactly known. In particular, the calculation is extremely sensitive to small deviations in material thickness, core diameter and actual paper length on this particular roll. Therefore, quite a large amount of data for each type of paper must be supplied to the layout suggested in this publication.

[0007] In US 4,901,663 and DE 200 13 470 U1, another solution is suggested according to which markings are printed on the end face of the towel roll. Based on these markings, the approaching end of the roll can be determined. However, the step of printing the markings on the end face of the roll requires additional equipment and one more step in the paper production process, since the markings can be printed on the end face only after the bale has been cut into individual rolls.

[0008] From DE 93 15 604 U1 it is known to detect the reaction of the outer diameter of the feed roller to indicate impending roll depletion.

[0009] The roll according to DE 94 16 976 U1 is provided with a colored mark on the inner end section of the web material. The photoelectric sensor detects the color mark and turns off the dispenser. Document DE 94 16 976 U1 is the closest prior art.

Summary of the Invention [0010] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for feeding flexible sheet material from a roll.

[0011] According to the solution of claim 1, a dispenser is provided for feeding a flexible sheet material from a roll of material, the roll having a core and one end portion of the flexible sheet material being glued to the core by means of a pickup glue. . The dispenser comprises a sensor for detecting collecting glue and a control unit for triggering at least one action of the dispenser in response to detection of the collecting glue.

[0012] The dispenser according to this concept has the advantage that by detecting the accumulating adhesive, appropriate dispenser operations such as, for example, replacing an exhausted roll with a fresh one, or alerting the operating personnel about the impending running-out of the current roll, can be reliably performed. In particular, by detecting the collecting adhesive on the roll of material, complicated mechanisms and calculations can be avoided and the feeding system, with respect to detecting the end of the roll, is fully independent of the paper quality, core diameter and length of paper on the fresh roll. Therefore, the end of the roll paper and therefore impending exhaustion can be reliably detected.

[0013] The collecting adhesive is used to attach one end portion of the sheet material to the core of the roll to allow reliable winding of the sheet material on the roll during its production. Therefore, the accumulating adhesive is always present in the rolls of material and becomes available when the roll of material is almost exhausted.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the detectable substance is contained in the accumulating adhesive and this detectable substance can be detected by the sensor. Because this collection adhesive is used to carry the substance to be detected, this system requires no additional steps in the roll production process except the use of a collection adhesive that contains the detectable substance.

[0015] In particular, the detectable substance must be added to the collecting adhesive so that it can be detected by a sensor in the dispenser. Because the collecting adhesive usually penetrates / diffuses through the last few turns of the wound roll, the sensor can detect a detectable substance in the collecting adhesive that has penetrated through the layers at the end of the flexible sheet material and on the core as such.

[0016] Since the accumulating adhesive is present in the last few rolls of flexible sheet material, detectable substance is also present in these last few rolls. This means that the last part of the flexible sheet material that is unwound from the roll carries the detectable substance.

[0017] Additional steps for applying this mark to the roll are not necessary. In addition, since the accumulating adhesive is not necessarily present in each roll, the system can be organized in an extremely reliable manner, without the need for additional information regarding the paper to be fed or the particular size of the roll. In other words, the detection of a detectable substance is completely independent of the dispenser geometry as well as the dimensions of the roll.

[0018] Various substances which are available for detection by the sensor are considered as detectable substances. In particular, the addition of a metallic substance to the collecting adhesive is contemplated so that a sensor can be used to detect the change in induction and / or conduction properties of the roller. In addition, a magnetic substance can be added to the collecting adhesive, so that a sensor that detects a change in the magnetic properties of the roll can be used. An electrically conductive substance can be added to the collecting adhesive so that a sensor that detects a change in the conductivity of the roller can be used. A coloring and / or fluorescent substance may be added to the collecting adhesive, so that a change in color or fluorescence can be detected by a sensor and / or a camera sensor. A radioactive substance may be added to the collecting adhesive so that the sensor can detect the appropriate radiation.

[0019] In addition, or as an alternative, a change in the sound emitted as the paper approaches its end can be determined and the paper with the accumulating adhesive applied is unwound from the roll and this change in sound can be used as a detection signal. Some signal processing may be necessary to eliminate ambient sounds.

[0020] A capacitive sensor that detects a change in the capacity of the roll can be used when the accumulating adhesive is present in the paper. To use this capacitive sensor, the presence of an additional detectable substance is not mandatory, but the presence of a simple collecting adhesive can change the electrical capacity, since the collecting adhesive serves as a dielectric, so that a change in capacity can be detected.

[0021] Preferably, the dispensing mechanism comprises drive rollers and the sensor is located in front of the drive rollers, i.e. between the roller to be dispensed and the drive rollers, so that the end portion of the flexible sheet material can be detected by the sensor before the end portion of the flexible sheet material slips. through the drive shafts. Thanks to this positioning of the sensor, it is possible to reliably detect when the roller is almost empty.

[0022] In addition, or as an alternative, the sensor may also be located near the roll core so that it can detect the case when only the core remains, detecting a detectable substance in the collecting adhesive that remains on the core.

adhesive glue be [0023] The sensor can also be located close to or on the dispensing opening itself, through which the flexible sheet material is dispensed.

Preferably, the sensor is sensitive to a color change and / or to a fluorescent material and / or to magnetic properties and / or to inductive properties and / or to capacitive properties and / or to resistance properties and / or to acoustic properties and / or on radiation and / or conduction properties of the assembler and / or detectable substance in the assembler. In particular, the sensor may be provided in the form of a photoelectric sensor and / or magnetic sensor and / or camera and / or capacitive sensor and / or sound sensor and / or resistance sensor and / or radiation sensor and / or conductivity sensor and / or light sensitive sensor UV so that the movement of the flexible sheet material along the sensor and the presence of a detectable substance on or in the flexible sheet material trigger the sensor. Other sensors and detectable substances are also contemplated provided that the detectable substance can be applied to the roll with the collecting glue and / or the collecting glue properties can be modified accordingly to achieve reliable sensor detection.

[0025] The control unit is preferably configured to trigger certain dispenser operations as soon as impending roll depletion is detected. These actions include, for example, replacing the roll of material with a spare roll or starting other dispenser systems that are only needed when the roll is depleted, such as an audio, visual or data system that alerts service personnel of an impending roll depletion. An appropriate signal may also be sent to another unit to alert operating personnel at a remote location, for example to a warehouse or personnel room.

Brief description of the figures [0026] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to figures in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the dispenser according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a roll of material according to the present invention in a condition disposed in the dispenser according to the present invention; and

Figures 3a to 3c are schematic views of exemplary systems according to which the accumulating adhesive may be applied to the core of the present invention in a condition disposed in the dispenser of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing tissue paper towels and embodiments of rolls of material according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same or similar features are marked with the same reference numbers and their identical descriptions may be omitted to avoid repetition.

[0028] Although the illustrated embodiment relates to a tissue paper towel dispenser, the invention is not limited to this type of dispenser, but is intended for all kinds of dispensers for feeding flexible sheet material, such as, for example, tissue paper towel dispensers, dispensers toilet paper or kitchen towel dispensers.

[0029] Figure 1 schematically shows a dispenser 1, which dispenser comprises a roll of material 2 and a dispensing mechanism 3. Various technical solutions, which are known in the prior art, are taken into account for the proper collecting mechanism for fixing the roller 2, which supports the paper 20 wound on core 22. Also various mechanisms that are known in the art are considered for the dispensing mechanism 3.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the dispensing mechanism 3 is provided in the form of two drive shafts 30 that can be driven by a motor (not shown). The dispensing operation is triggered, for example, by an external sensor 50 outside the dispenser housing. This external sensor may be an inductive sensor or a photoelectric sensor detecting the presence of the user's hand. In response to the trigger signal, the dispensing mechanism 3 dispenses a sheet of material from the roll 2 so that the user can dry his hands.

[0031] The sensor 4 for detecting the end of the paper is schematically represented in figure 1. The sensor 4 is located between the dispensing mechanism 3 and the roller

2. This sensor 4 is preferably provided in the form of a photoelectric sensor or inductive sensor, so that it can detect detectable substance present on or in the paper 20 of the roll 2, in particular in its end part. Of course, any type of sensor - or a combination of sensors - can be used in the form as described and discussed above. The detectable substance in which the paper 20 is provided on its end part is a detectable substance that has been added to the roller collecting adhesive 2.

[0032] Such a detectable substance may for example be a dye substance, fluorescent substance, magnetic substance or metallic substance which allows the use of a photodetector and / or inductive sensor as sensor 4. Of course, other combinations of detectable substances and sensors are contemplated and may be beneficial for further increasing reliability.

[0033] The location of the sensor 4 shown in figure 1, namely essentially in the middle between the two longitudinal sides of the paper 20, has the advantage that only detectable substance present on or in the paper 20 is detected and the operation of the sensor is not disturbed by any environmental influences. In other words, the sensor 4 in this position detects the "pure" signal of the detectable substance.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 4 can be located closer to the core 22 of the roll 2, so that it does not measure the presence of detectable substance on the dispensed paper 20, but rather on the core 22 itself. [0035] In yet another embodiment, the sensor 4 ' is provided in direct contact with the outer surface of the roller 2 by means of a rotatable arm 40. As soon as the sensor 4 contacts the detectable substance of the accumulating adhesive, be it on the last turns of the paper 20 of the roll 2 or on the core 22 itself, it detects the presence of detectable substance.

[0036] In one modification, more than one sensor 4 may be present along the width of the paper and / or along the length of the unwinding direction of the paper to increase detection accuracy and / or the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal provided by the sensors. Multiple sensors 4 can also be present on single or multiple rotatable arms.

[0037] Furthermore, the use of different types of sensors in one feeder is considered, for example an induction sensor and a light sensor for detecting colors. Of course, any combination of sensors can be used that increases the accuracy, efficiency and / or versatility of detection.

[0038] A control unit 5 is present which is connected to the sensor 4 and which triggers at least one dispenser activity in response to the detection of a detectable substance. This dispenser action could, for example, be to replace an almost or completely exhausted roll, so that the roll with leftover paper / empty core 22 is automatically removed and a new roll is automatically inserted in its place. This mechanism is typical of systems which, in addition to the roll being fed, contain at least one spare roll. Another action that could be triggered by the control unit 5 would be to alert the operating personnel of the impending depletion of the roller 2 by means of a lamp or LED 54 that is lit or the sound emitted from the speaker 52.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, the signal is sent to a remote unit that can be mounted in the personnel room or storage room, or to a portable unit such as a biper or cell phone to warn operating personnel of the impending roll depletion, even when not it is physically present at the dispenser in question.

[0040] Figure 2 schematically shows a roll of material 2 according to the present invention in a condition disposed in the dispenser according to the present invention in which the paper 20 is wound onto a core 22. In order to be able to efficiently produce such a roll, it is necessary that the end to be wound on core 22 was attached to core 22 in a reliable manner. A pickup glue 24 is used for this purpose, whereby the pick-up adhesive 24 is applied to the core 22 on its outside and then the paper 20 to be wound on the core 22 is fed onto the core 22. By means of the collection glue 24, the final paper portion 26 is removed and attached to the core 22. The collection glue 24 usually penetrates / diffuses through several of the innermost turns of paper 20 at the beginning of the winding process.

[0041] To achieve reliable attachment of the end of the paper to the core, a sufficient amount of collecting adhesive must be applied to the core. In this regard, an amount of the order of, for example, 4-5 g per meter of banding collecting glue could be used, the collecting glue usually being cellulose based or starch based and may be a combination of cellulose derivatives or starch polymers with poly (vinyl alcohol). The abovementioned amount of collecting adhesive could also be applied only to the final portion of the flexible sheet material or to the core as well as the final portion.

[0042] A detectable substance may be added to the collection adhesive 24 such that the detectable substance is present not only on the core 22, but also in the last few turns of the paper 20 of the roll 2, in particular approximately in the last 45cm of the paper. Such a detectable substance may for example be a dye substance and / or a fluorescent substance and / or a magnetic substance and / or a conductive substance and / or a metallic substance which allows the use of a photodetector and / or inductive sensor or any other suitable sensor as the relevant sensor 4. Of course their combinations are considered and they may be beneficial to increase the accuracy of paper end detection.

[0043] It is contemplated to use the amount of collection adhesive 24 that is sufficient to secure end portion 26 to core 22 and which is sufficient to ensure that collection adhesive 24 reliably penetrates through the first few turns during manufacture of roll 2. Alternatively the accumulating adhesive could only be applied to selected parts of the core.

[0044] It can be seen that the actual amount of collecting glue used depends on the characteristic properties of the paper to be wound on the roll, the properties of the collecting glue itself as well as the properties of the detectable substance. Not only the application of the adhesive to the core, but also the application of the collecting adhesive to the final part of the paper before it is attached is also contemplated. The collecting adhesive can be sprayed and / or applied by means of a roller, e.g. an anilox roller. The main goal is to provide enough accumulating adhesive to reliably penetrate the innermost rolls of paper so that it can be detected as soon as the last few rolls of paper are dispensed.

[0045] Schematically, the dispensing process is carried out by inserting a fresh roll into the dispenser 1 and dispensing the paper therefrom in the usual way. However, as soon as the roll is almost exhausted, the last few turns of paper 20 are dispensed. However, these last rolls of paper 20 also contain trace amounts of detectable substance that was present in the collecting adhesive, because the collecting adhesive has penetrated through the last few rolls of paper.

[0046] As the sensor 4 can detect a detectable substance on the paper, it will do so and the control unit triggers based on it appropriate dispenser operations, such as replacing the exhausted core for fresh or warning the operating personnel about the impending roll depletion.

[0047] Figure 3a shows an embodiment of a roll of material 2 according to the present invention in a condition disposed in the dispenser according to the present invention, with a core 22, on which are laid bands of collecting adhesive 24, which are applied around the core 22 and in the final part 26 of the sheet material. Therefore, the paper 20, which is wound on the core 22, is also provided with strips of collecting adhesive 24 which extend along the winding direction. The amount of accumulating glue to be used should be sufficient for it to penetrate through the first few turns of paper around the core 22 when the paper is wound onto the core during its production.

[0048] Figure 3b illustrates yet another possibility of applying the collecting adhesive 24 to the core 22. According to this embodiment, which is according to the present invention in the state disposed in the dispenser according to the present invention, the collecting adhesive 24 will be present in the last few rolls of the roll in the spreading line. along the width of the paper 20. This embodiment can be particularly effective when sensors are used that detect a change in certain characteristics, because two cases of sudden change can be detected for each line looking in the direction of winding, namely a change from paper without accumulating glue applied to paper with accumulated glue applied. and a change from paper with the accumulating adhesive applied back to the adhesive without the accumulating adhesive being applied.

[0049] Figure 3c shows an embodiment of the present invention in a condition disposed in the dispenser of the present invention in which the collecting adhesive 24 is applied to the core in a spiral, resulting in inclined lines on paper.

[0050] Of course, the collecting adhesive can also be applied to the entire surface of the core 22 and / or the surface of the sheet material on its end portion 26.

Sca Hygiene Products AB

Proxy:

72P37579PL00

EP 2 587 975 B1