Hands-free towel dispenser

• US 20070010389A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kruger Products LP (Kruger Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Holdings Ltd. (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Cutrona, Paul, Jermyn, Brett, Evans, Stuart, Whitby, Michael, Dickinson, Graham
• Application Number:
  US11/173,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20070010389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 493/446
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/3643 by pulling the paper
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/365 Triggering mechanism for the blade
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4812 Compound movement of tool during tool cycle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/483 With cooperating rotary cutter or backup
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/896 Rotatable wound package supply

Abstract

A novel dispenser for a paper product is provided. The dispenser comprises a feed and cut module that is oriented 90° relative to the width of a roll of web material. The dispenser is essentially hands-free. A method of dispensing a length of web material and a longitudinally folded paper product are also provided.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing sheets from a roll of web material comprising a roll holder and a feed and cut module wherein the feed and cut module is oriented 90°

to the roll holder.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 further comprising folding means for folding the web transverse to the orientation of the roll.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the folding means is a tapered mandrel.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a tensioning module comprising a pair of rollers mounted on a frame.

5. A dispenser according to claim 2 further comprising a feed and cut module comprising a feed roller and a cutting cylinder aligned parallel to each other and 90°

to the roll holder.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising a tail guide oriented in the same plane as the feed and cut system.

7. A dispenser according to claim 5, comprising one roll holder.

8. A dispenser according to claim 5, comprising two roll holders.

9. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the roll holder comprises a bent metal rod having a cap at each end, said cap adapted to fit snugly into an end of a roll of web material.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the dispenser comprises a housing having a pair of braces to engage the metal rod and prevent axial movement of the roll.

11. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the tensioning system comprises a pair of rollers.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the pair of rollers are offset.

13. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the rollers are in line with each other.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the rollers have a friction promoting surface.

15. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the mandrel comprises a flattened cone shape.

16. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the mandrel comprises an essentially triangular plane.

17. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the mandrel comprises a triangular plane having a rectangular plane at the wide end.

18. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the mandrel includes filleted edges.

19. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the triangular plane includes a crease initiation raised spine.

20. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the rollers of the feed and cut module comprises a feed roller and a cutting roller each mounted on a frame.

21. A dispenser according to claim 20, wherein the feed roller and the cutting roller are mounted side by side.

22. A dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the cutting roller comprises a translating blade.

23. A dispenser according to claim 22, wherein the blade has a raised bearing that rides in a cam path.

24. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the tail guide comprises a pair of parallel plates.

25. A method of dispensing a length of web material, said method comprising:

i. inserting a roll of a web material on a roll holder;

ii. feeding a free end of said roll between two tensioning rollers;

iii. pulling the web over a tapered mandrel to fold the web wherein the fold line is transverse to the width of the roll; and

iv. cutting the folded web at a predetermined length.

26. A dispenser for dispensing sheets of web from a roll of web material, said dispenser comprising:

i. a housing having a dispensing slot;

ii. at least one roll holder disposed within the housing to hold a roll of web material;

iii. at least one tensioning system proximal to said roll holder;

iv. at least one tapered mandrel following the tensioning system; and

v. a feed and cut system at the tapered end of the mandrel, said feed and cut system comprising a pair of rollers oriented 90°

to the roll holder.

27. A paper product derived from a roll of web material, said paper product comprising a fold transverse to the width of the web material, whereby the product is folded essentially in half.

28. A paper product according to claim 27 selected from the group consisting of facial tissue, bathroom tissue, kitchen towel and hand drying towel.