Background of the Present Invention

This invention relates to a plastic film wrap dispensing arrangement. The invention relates in particular to an arrangement and apparatus for dispensing film and wrap such as for example plastic film or wrap, polyethylene cling wrap and the like.

Cling wraps and films are common household and commercial products, used for example in the packaging of a great diversity of products including foods, magazines, stationery and many other consumer goods. In many cases, such film or wrap is supplied as a cylindrical roll extending about a core (such as for example a cardboard core) . In use, only limited lengths of film or wrap are required from time to time for any particular use, and thus means must be provided in association with said rolls of film or wrap, for the effective cutting of film or wrap to a predetermined or desired length.

It is common to use boxes or packages (such as for example elongate cardboard boxes) for packaging such film or wrap. Such elongate cardboard boxes often include a serrated metallic blade on an exterior surface for the cutting of the film.

Other cardboard boxes and containers are also provided for such rolls of film or wrap.

The use of an elongate cardboard box with a serrated metallic blade has in many cases been found to be unsatisfactory, in that the film often folds up over itself (especially due to its inherent clinging nature). Further, such blades often

become blunt before the roll of film has been fully used. Further, being disposable, they are not environmentally acceptable to many people.

Alternative methods and arrangements have been proposed, whereby containers or housings are provided, which involve the utilisation of severing means in the form of a hot wire, operated by electrical power, battery or the like. This wire is used to quickly melt and cut through the film, causing an even cut across the width of the film. By way of example only, such an arrangement is disclosed in Australian patent specification No 544,232 and in US patent specification No 4,427,144. A further recent development has been disclosed in international patent specification No PCT/AU92/00677. While the above patent specifications disclose arrangements for use in dispensing plastic film and wrap, the present invention sets out to provide a straightforward and efficient arrangement for di-spensing film which is able to be used in a straightforward and efficient manner and which ia of a reasonable cost and of sufficient size as to be able to be used on a regular basis, such as for example in home kitchens, on work benches and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a straightforward and efficient arrangement for the dispensing of film and wrap, which incorporates means to allow for the efficient cutting and severing of film, either from a roll and/or from a container (such as an elongate cardboard container) located within a portion of the housing of said arrangement.

It is an object of a further aspect of this invention to provide a straightforward and efficient means of mounting electrically operated severing means so that said film or

wrap can be effectively and efficiently cut and severed on coming into contact with said severing means.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a straightforward and efficient arrangement for dispensing film.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

Brief Summary of the Present Invention

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a film wrap dispensing arrangement including a housing adapted to locate a roll/container of film; an elongate opening and a lower ledge portion being provided in a front of said housing? severing means extending across said opening from mountings at opposing sides of said housing; said severing means being located above said lower ledge portion; said housing including a pivotally mounted cover portion having a top and a downwardly extending front skirt; an elongate contact skirt extending downwardly from an underside of the top of said cover portion, wherein said contact skirt is spaced apart rearwardly from said front skirt and extends downwardly from the underside of said top of the cover portion, for a greater distance than said front skirt, such that a lower edge of said contact skirt is spaced apart from and below a lower edge of said front skirt.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a film wrap dispensing arrangement including a housing adapted to locate a roll and/or container of film; an elongate opening and a lower ledge portion being provided in a front of said housing; electrically operated, heat severing means extending across said opening frorr. mountings at

opposing sides thereof; said severing means being located and positioned above said lower ledge portion; said housing including a pivotally mounted cover portion having a top and a downwardly extending elongate front εkirt; an elongate contact skirt extending downwardly from an underside of said top portion of said cover, and being spaced apart rearwardly of said front skirt, so as to extend downwardly therefrom, such that a lower edge surface thereof is below a lower edge surface of εaid front skirt; the arrangement being such that in a first closed mode of said cover, εaid front skirt extendβ over so as to cover and shroud said severing means; said housing including means rearwardly of said lower ledge portion to house and locate said film, such that said film can be drawn from a roll/container and between said severing means and said lower edge portion to provide a predetermined or desired length of film; upward movement of said film causing contact with the lower edge of said contact βkirt, which causes said cover and said front skirt to pivot upwardly into a second open mode, so as to expose said severing means and so as to bring said film into contact with said severing means, such as to cut or sever through said film; the arrangement further being such that on said film being cut or severed, the cover will return to its first closed mode, said contact skirt thereby being brought downwardly and acting on remaining film therebelow, to move said film onto or adjacent said lower ledge portion and between said severing means and said lower ledge portion in the elongate opening in the front of said housing.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a film wrap dispensing arrangement including a housing adapted to locate a predetermined amount of film to be dispensed; an elongate opening and a lower ledge portion being provided in a front wall of said housing; elongate, electrically operated heat severing means extending across

said opening from spring metal mountings located at opposing sides of said housing; said mountings being so formed as to be normally spring biased substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal «xis of said severing means; said mountings being depressed inwardly against said normal bias, such as to allow for engagement with ends of said severing means and such as to maintain said severing means under tension therebetween; means being provided for the supply and actuation of power to said severing means, such as to cause said severing means to be heated to allow for severing of film that comes into contact therewith; the arrangement being such that the heating of said severing means reduces tension therein, such reduction in tension being at least partially compensated for by said mountings moving outwardly to their normally biased positions, in which they extend substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said severing means; said mountings thereby allowing for said severing means to be connected under tension therebetween and wherein said mountings compensate for reduction in said tension on said severing means being heated.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings

This invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig. 1: is a perspective view of a partially open housing of a dispensing arrangement according to one form of the present invention,

Fig. 2: is a side sectional view of a dispensing arrangement according to one form of the present invention,

Fig. 3» is a further side sectional view of a dispensing arrangement according to a further form of the invention,

Fig. 3A: is a partial view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Fig. J is a plan view of a front portion of a dispensing arrangement of the present invention, showing in particular the mounting of the severing means,

Fig. 4A: is a partial view of the arrangement shown in

Figure 4 of the drawings, and

Fig. 5ι iε a rear view of a film dispensing arrangement according to one aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the dispensing arrangement is in the form of an elongate housing 1 formed of an appropriate material, such as for example a plastics material. Other materials can be provided if desired. The housing includes a base 2 , sides 3, a top cover 4 and a front 5. The front 5 is provided with an elongate opening or recess 6 therein, leading into a rear portion 7 which is adapted to locate and house a roll of film, or alternatively a container of film material. Preferably the rear face 8 of the housing 1 is open, to allow for the easy location of film material. If desired however, a removable covering or back, or alternatively a pivotally opening back (not shown) can be provided. In the form of the invention shown however, the

rear or back face 8 is substantially open-faced= The base floor 2a of the rear portion 7 of the housing 1 is preferably angled downwardly from the rear opening so that material placed therein (particularly in roll form) will be inclined towards the rear 10 of the front ledge portion 11 (to be hereinafter described) and will be held in position. If desired, and if the base 2a of the rear portion 7 is substantially flat or horizontal, raised legs can be provided at the rear of the housing to raise the rear.

If film 15 is to be located within the rear portion 7 of the housing 1 in roll form (such as for example a roll of film mounted about a cardboard core) , then an elongate shaft or axle 15a can be provided for extension through the core and means 18 can be provided at each inner side of the rear portion 7 to rotatably mount ends of such an axle or shaft to rotatably mount and hold the roll of film in position. This is however by way of example only. In an alternative form of the invention the film 15 can be provided within an elongate box or container 19, and the elongate box or container can be placed and located within the rear portion 7 by being inserted through the open rear face 8 of the housing 1.

The front 5 of the housing 1 includes an elongate recess or opening 6 and a lower ledge portion 11 which has an upper substantially planar surface 12 together with scolloped indents or recesses 14, the arrangement being such that film 15 from the rear portion 7 will be pulled through the housing 1 and through the elongate opening 6 in the front thereof, so as to be placed on the upper substantially planar surface 12 of the front ledge. The scollops or indents 14 therein allow for a person to grip the film 15 so that the film material can be pulled outwardly to achieve or obtain film material of a predetermined or desired length.

The present invention further includes elongate severing means 16 extending across the opening 6 and being spaced apart from and above the front ledge portion 11. The elongate severing means 16 is preferably in the form of a length of electrically operable wire, which on having electrical power applied thereto (such as on actuation of an appropriate switch or the like) will be heated and become a hot wire, such that on the film coming into contact therewith, the hot wire will immediately sever, cut through, melt and cut across the film, so that a person can obtain film of a predetermined or desired length.

The elongate severing means 16 is mounted within the opening 6 and above the front lower ledge portion 11 by extending between outwardly extending mountings 17 which are engaged with and extend outwardly from upper front portions of opposing sides 2 of the elongate opening 6 of the housing 1. The mountings 17 are preferably metal mountings which extend outwardly from the front of sides 2 of the housing, on opposing sides of the opening 16 and are preferably formed of a spring metal material. Recesses are provided in the front sides 2 of the housing 1 and rear portions 17a of the metal mountings 17 are provided with raised portions, dimples and the like 17b so that they are securely held in position. The front or forward portions of the mountings 17 which extend outwardly, preferably are spring biased so as to be normally spring biased or urged into a position in which they extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the severing means 16, extending across the opening 6. Ends of the severing means 16 are secured to the mountings 17 which thereby hold the severing wire 16 under tension therebetween. In order to hold the severing means 16 under tension, the mountings 17 can for example be depressed inwardly (such as shown in the accompanying drawings) , against their normal bias, and the ends of the wire 16 engaged with the mountings

17. The mountings 17 will then hold the severing means 16 under tension. It has been found that when power is applied to the severing means 16 and the severing means is heated, the severing means 16 might slightly sag or loose tension, in which case the lack of tension will cause the mountings 17 to revert to their normally spring-biased position in which they extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the severing means 16 (and the longitudinal axis of the housing), this maintaining the severing means 16 under tension despite the action of the heat. It will be appreciated that this is important because as the plastic film 15 comes into contact with the severing means 16, it is important not only that the severing means be hot but that it be under tension in order to avoid messy operation and plastic sticking to the severing means. If the severing means is not under tension, then clearly a clean cut or sever will not be possible, or the efficiency thereof will be substantially reduced.

As will be appreciated from the accompanying drawings, wire connections 20 are connected to the rear portions of the mountings 17 which extend into the housing, and are then held within the housing leading to an appropriate jackpoint 21 which can be connected to a source of power, a transformer or a battery. Clearly such means will have actuating means or switches associated therewith to allow for the power to be switched on or off during operation. Alternatively, the arrangement can merely be plugged into a source of power when it is desired to operate it and then unplugged when operation has ceased. If desired, the housing can include a battery means to which the mountings are attached by appropriate wiring, the housing incorporating appropriate switching means to enable the arrangement to be switched on or off. This is however by way of example only.

Referring further to the accompanying drawings, the forward portion of the housing 1 is provided with a pivotally mounted upper front cover 25, having a top 26 and a downwardly extending elongate front skirt 27 together with sides 28. The cover portion 25 is pivotally connected to the housing so that it can pivot away from and towards the housing 1 as shown in the accompanying drawings. The underside of the top 26 of the cover portion 25 is provided with a downwardly extending contact skirt 29 which is positioned rearwardly of and extends downwardly to a greater extent than the front skirt 27. As will be appreciated from the accompanying drawings, the lower edge surface 30 of the contact skirt 29 extends downwardly to a greater extent than the lower edge surface 31 of the front skirt 27. The cover portion 25 and front and contact skirts 27, 29 are preferably integrally formed or moulded one with the other (for example of an appropriate plastics material) . In a first mode or position in which the cover portion 25 is in its down, closed and unextended position (as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings) , the front skirt 27 extends over so as to cover and shroud the severing means 16. This will protect and inhibit unnecessary contact with the severing means 16 when it is not in actual use. Especially this is the case if the dispensing arrangement has been connected to a source of power (and the severing means 16 is thus acting as a 'hot wire')/ n which state it could be dangerous for children and the like, or indeed dangerous for any contact.

When it is desired to cut or sever a predetermined or desired length of film 15, a person will grip film 15 from within the opening 6 and will pull it outwardly so that the film 15 moves outwardly through the front opening 6 and between the planar surface 12 of the lower front ledge 11 and the severing means 16. It should be appreciated that the dispensing arrangement will have been connected to a source

of power or the power or battery switched on so that the severing means 16 will have been heated or have become an essentially 'hot wire'. Once the film 15 of predetermined or desired length has been achieved, the film 15 is moved upwardly, this bringing the film 15 into contact with the lower edge 30 of the contact skirt 29, which will in turn cause the cover portion 25 to pivot upwardly, moving the front skirt 27 away from the severing means 16 and exposing the heated severing means. The plastic film 15 is then able to be brought into contact with the heated severing means 16 (as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings) which will cut through the film 15 and cut off the predetermined or desired length thereof. Removal of the film 15 (as previously held by the operator) will release the pressure on the lower edge 30 of the contact skirt 29 (which initially raised or pivoted the cover out of position to expose the severing means) and the cover portion 25 and skirts 27, 29 will then be cauβed to pivot downwardly to the position in which the cover 25 is closed, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, and in which the front skirt 27 will again cover and shroud the hot wire 16. During this 'pivoting down' movement, the lower edge 30 of the contact skirt 29 will act on the remaining film 15 and cause it to move down towards and preferably against or in juxtaposition with the planar surface 12 of the lower front ledge 11 (as shown in broken lines in Figure 3 of the drawings) , where it can again be ready to be pulled out to a desired length if a further length of film material is required.

It has been found that this manner of operating the arrangement, and in particular this method of moving the film upwardly to expose the severing means by using the contact skirt, is particularly efficient and straightforward. Further, on the pivoting return of the cover the contact skirt is able to be used to return the remaining film to a

position in which it can be readily accessed for further use.

The present invention provides substantial advantages over arrangements known and used up until this time and in particular provides an arrangement which is able to be used in a straightforward and efficient manner. It should be appreciated that the invention has been described by way of example only and that improvements and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.