Severing by tearing or breaking – Severing by manually forcing against fixed edge – With feed-out of predetermined length from work supply
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-01-09
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Severing by tearing or breaking
Severing by manually forcing against fixed edge
With feed-out of predetermined length from work supply
C225S023000, C225S077000, C225S096500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170726
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Materials of indeterminate length fall into two general categories: a) web-like shapes, such as paper, aluminum foil, and tape; and b) filament-like shapes, such as string, wire, and tubing. Web dispensers must be designed to overcome common problems such as handling and cutting across wide material. Filament dispensers may have common problems such as controlling twisting and backlash. However, every dispenser (regardless of type of material) must provide some kind of feeding action. The feeding action is that way of advancing new material and controlling the cut end (which remains after the previously dispensed segment has been removed.) The cut end must be “retained” so as not to become loose or hard to find. It is also preferable that the cut end be at a “convenient position,” having moved away from the cutter (or whose cutter has been moved away.) Finally, an ideal feeder would provide an extended end of material, ready to simply grasp and pull.
Using a common dispenser of prior art, where a material is cut manually by forcing it against a sharp edge, the user leaves with the segment. The user has no further involvement with the dispenser, so the cut end typically stays near the cutter.
Some inventions of prior art have included additional mechanisms to advance the material. Sometimes, this is done by pushing a button or pulling a lever. This is not desirable, since it requires an extra step, making an extra effort. Other prior art dispensers advance the material automatically, using a motor or air cylinder. Some dispensers also cut automatically. While convenient, these automatic dispensers are complicated and not as affordable as manual dispensers.
In a few prior art dispenser designs, the user first pulls the desired length of material, and then uses the lateral cutting movement to activate some mechanism. However, none of these has been entirely satisfactory, the proof of which is that they have not become popularly used. Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive manually powered dispenser with that provides an extended material end for easy grasping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which dispenses material of indeterminate length which presents to the user an extended material end (which is the remnant from a previously dispensed segment.) This objective is achieved by the present invention in two ways. First, by having a rotating roller which reverses rotation after the cut is made, leaving the end exposed in a cantilever manner. Secondly, by having a rotating roller and a movable cutter, both of which move after the cut, to positions which make the extended material end readily accessible.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser which is manually-powered. This objective is achieved by storing energy from the act of advancing the material while rotating the roller, and by using the act of cutting to release that energy to reverse the rotation of the roller.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a dispenser which is affordable for typical home and office use. This objective is achieved by a simple design, having few moving parts, most of which can be fabricated inexpensively using the plastic injection molding process.
The following illustrations and descriptions will disclose an entirely new dispensing action. Dispensers of prior art have actions where the user first pulls the material longitudinally to a desired length. Secondly, the user moves the material laterally (on the way to the cutter) against some “push away” or “triggering” device. By contrast, the present invention acts first to rotate and store energy in a roller during the longitudinal movement. Then, the material is allowed to slip, to advance a length of material as desired. After cutting, the roller reverses to provide an easily accessible extended material end. These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood with regard to the following drawings, description, and appended claims.
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Jensen Lars D.
Rachuba M.
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