Dispenser for cleaning paper

Details Dispenser for cleaning paper Dispenser for cleaning paper

2000-03-24

2001-11-13

Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)

Cleaning and liquid contact with solids

Apparatus

Automatic controls

C134S12200P, C134S044000, C134S201000, C068S20500R

Reexamination Certificate

active

06314971

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a dispenser for cleaning sheets which can be removed from the dispenser in a dry or moist state as required. These cleaning sheets are constituted, in particular, by toilet paper, paper for cleaning the udder prior to milking or else kitchen towels or baby wipes and the like.
The problem with such sheets is that paper which is stored in a moist state dries out and can then only be used to inadequate effect, if at all.
A further disadvantage is that, for example if toilet paper is stored in boxes, the necessary level to which hygiene is maintained is not ensured when it is removed, in particular in public conveniences or hotels.
DE 34 12 069 A1 and DE 34 09 905 A1 thus propose dispensers in which paper sheets can be drawn off from a roll, and moistening by virtue of disinfecting and cleaning liquids being sprayed on is carried out immediately prior to the required paper web being torn off. The paper may be advanced in this case by a motor-driven roller (DE 34 12 069 A1). More prior art is also found in GB 1,370,633, U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,616 and DE-U 91 13 931.
However, in the case of devices according to the prior art, there is the difficulty that the sprayed-on liquid (commercially available emulsions which may also have bactericidal components) causes the sheets to bond adhesively to installation parts of the dispenser and to jam, with the result that the dispensers cannot operate reliably.
Since the moistened paper tears more easily than dry paper, it is also difficult for the jammed paper to be removed, with the result that the dispensers have to be opened for this purpose.
Furthermore, the paper web in the dispensers according to the prior art presented is deflected to a considerable extent, which, in the case of sensitive paper, may result in the web tearing even in the dry state. In addition, it is not possible for sheets to be removed when the motor is at a standstill, see, for example, DE 34 12 069 A1.
The present invention thus has the set object of further developing dispensers of the type outlined in the introduction to the effect that these dispensers can function to better effect, i.e. that the moistened sheets do not adhere to installation parts and jamming is thus avoided, that no tear-promoting deflection is necessary, and that the action of being drawn into the motor-driven conveying is made considerably easier. Furthermore, the spray device is intended to be straightforward in mechanical terms and to allow commercially available parts to be used. Moreover, it is also intended to be possible to remove sheets when the motor is at a standstill. This is important, in particular, when the motor is fed by a battery which, by its very nature, has only a limited capacity.
This object is achieved by a dispenser for cleaning sheets which has the features of the main claim. Advantageous configurations are found in the subclaims.
The advantage of the embodiment according to the invention is that there is no contact between installation parts and either the web which is to be conveyed or the web which is being conveyed, i.e. above and beneath the conveying means, and there is no need either for any tear-promoting deflection. Since the roller nip is located beneath the unwinding point of the new roll, all that is required, when the start of the web is introduced, is for the latter to be let down until it is gripped by the driven roller. The design as a foam-encased shaft basically allows introduction into the roller nip without a threading-in operation, since the rough surface of the foam means that the pliable, coarse-textured surface of the sheet can be gripped very easily.
The mating element may be a second roller; it is preferably designed as a convex smooth nose, is arranged on the cover, e.g. as a bead, and can be pivoted downwards with the cover, with the result that the entire path taken by the paper is exposed once the cover has been opened.
The spray nozzle is in connection with a refillable or exchangeable storage container and a pump.
Using an eccentric as a drive for the spray device makes it possible to use commercially available pumping spray heads which produce a spray cone when they are pressed and take in liquid from the storage container during the spring-induced upward movement.
The cleaning sheet is removed directly beneath the roller and the mating element, spraying with liquid taking place between the removal and the roller or rollers. The removal opening of the housing may, in a known manner, be or have a tear-off edge.
In order to prevent folds from being formed by follow-on of the paper roll, it is proposed for said paper roll to be braked (slightly). For this purpose, use may be made of a pivotable second lever, which has a movable braking roller, which can be positioned against the paper roll, or the bearing means of the roll runs counter to a slight resistance.
The eccentric can be driven by the same motor, e.g. via a gear mechanism with appropriate transmission, as is used for actuating the drive roller. This ensures a very straightforward construction, but means that the paper which is removed is always moistened. It is thus also proposed to assign a dedicated motor to the eccentric, with the result that it is possible to remove either dry or moist paper. For this purpose, the housing has two switches; one sets both motors in operation and the second merely operates the motor for the roller drive.
The eccentric preferably has a plurality of, in particular two, mutually opposite cams, which thus accordingly press down the pumping spray head twice upon rotation through 360°, with the result that the rotational speed and thus the noise development are low.
The eccentric drive is designed in this case such that the moistening takes place uniformly, i.e. the spray frequency is adapted to the distance of the head from the paper and the advancement speed of the latter.
Since the spraying operation brings about a circular application, the resulting circular surfaces are made to overlap.
The container is preferably a removable adjustment container which, once the contents have been used up, is exchanged together with the pumping spray head. This has the essential advantage that it prevents the formation of germs within the spray device. For this purpose, the container is fixed in a releasable manner within the dispenser, it being possible for the mount to have, at the same time, a metal press key which can be swung onto the pumping spray head and on which the eccentric acts. Wear to the pumping spray head, which consists of plastic, caused by the eccentric sliding thereon is thus ruled out.
In order to ensure a vector which acts constantly in the vertical direction on the pumping spray head, and thus to rule out jamming of the head as a result of tilting, it is proposed to provide a resiliently mounted plunger between the head and the eccentric.
The cam may have a hexagon or the like for adjustment purposes, via which it can be rotated for the purpose of removing the container with the pumping head.
Furthermore, the exchange of the container may be facilitated in that the cam position of the eccentric is determined by a follower or the like and said eccentric is always stopped in the position in which the head is not pressed down.
Furthermore, a means of sensing the sheet end may be provided in the dispenser. According to the invention, this is an optical sensor which detects light reflected by the sheet. The housing region concealed by the sheet (paper) is colored black, with the result that light striking it is not reflected and triggers a corresponding signal.
In order, with very narrow dimensions of the housing, to prevent the paper web from yielding under the impulse of the spray mist, even if the web end is not secured, it is proposed to produce a counter-impulse of approximately the same size on the rear side with the aid of one or more symmetrically aligned nozzles or blowers which act in the opposite direction and discharge air or even spray liquid. In addition to preventing deflection, moistening on both side

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Dispenser for cleaning paper does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Dispenser for cleaning paper, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispenser for cleaning paper will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2577546