| JP06237846 | DISH RETRIEVAL DEVICE FOR EATING ESTABLISHMENT |
| WO/2008/049728 | CONVEYOR APPARATUS FOR A PRODUCT-DETECTION STATION |
| JP03246791 | POS TERMINAL COUNTER |
BAR-DAVID, Daniel (70 Baz St, Carmiel, 21721, IL)
| CLAIMS: 1. A sheet-material dispensing devise for automatic dispensing one sheet-material at a time out of a stack of sheet-material items, wherein a duty sheet-material is readily presented through a dispensing opening for collecting by an individual. 2. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 1, comprising a housing fitted with one or more service panels and accommodating a sheet-material support configured with an inverted U-shaped sheet-material tray; a sheet-material stack holding mechanism; a sheet-material pressure mechanism for retaining substantially constant pressure of the stack of sheet-material against a roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism and a control system for dispensing a duty sheet-material readily presented through a dispensing opening formed in the housing for collecting by an individual. 3. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein a batch-end of each sheet-material is detachably secured to the sheet-material stack holding mechanism at a dispensing side wall, and an opposite, free end of each sheet-material extends lose at another side wall. 4. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the sheet- material pressure mechanism and the roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism are configured with one or more step motors. 5. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the control system comprises a plurality of sensors generating position and situation signals to a controller processor which in turn generates operative signals to motors of the sheet- material pressure mechanism and to the roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism. 6. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism is configured with one or more motorized rollers configured for pulling the duty sheet-material such that its batch end remains attached to the sheet-material stack holding mechanism and the free end progresses, whereby a mid-portion of the duty sheet-material is displaced through the dispensing opening. 7. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism further comprises a tension mechanism for applying substantially constant pressure on the stack of sheet-material, despite change in thickness of the stack, e.g. upon dispensing of sheet-material items. 8. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the batch end of the duty sheet-material is detached from the sheet-material stack holding mechanism only upon removal from the dispensing opening. 9. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the duty sheet- material is an uppermost sheet-material of the stack of sheet-material items. 10. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing opening is configured on a side of the housing facing said sheet-material stack holding mechanism. 11. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein the sheet- material stack holding mechanism is displaceable along the dispensing side wall between a loading position for easy mounting of a fresh stack of sheet-material, and an operative position. 12. The number of consecutive sheet-material items dispensed through the dispensing opening may be controlled by the controller to dispatch a restricted number of sheet-material items; 13. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, comprising safety sensor at the dispensing opening where upon detection of an obstructing object a signal is generated responsive to which the controller halts operation of its motors and may further generate an alarm signal. 14. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 2, wherein a stack of sheet-material may be mounted directly over the sheet-material stack holding mechanism or via a detachably attachable stack-binder configured for easy loading/unloading over the sheet-material stack holding mechanism. 15. A sheet-material dispensing devise according to claim 14, wherein the stack- binder or the sheet-material stack holding mechanism are configured with a detaching aid to facilitate easy detaching of the duty sheet-member from the stack. 16. A stack-binder for stacking and binding a stack of sheet-material items, said stack-binder comprising a top clamp bar and a bottom clamp bar engageable with one another via projecting posts, said posts sized and spaced apart for retaining a stack of sheet-material thereabout. 17. A stack-binder according to claim 16, wherein the posts of the top clamp bar are snappingly engaged with the posts of the bottom clamp bar. 18. A stack-binder according to claim 16, wherein the posts are configured with a cutting edge facilitating tearing of a duty sheet-material, upon dispensing thereof. 19. A stack-binder according to claim 16, further comprising a stub retention member, arresting a stub of the sheets of stack of sheet-material. 20. A stack-binder according to claim 19, wherein the stub retention member is a cord extending between the top clamp bar and a bottom clamp bar. 21. A stack-binder according to claim 16, being a disposable article. 22. A stack-binder according to claim 16, further comprising a counterfeit preventing arrangement and manufacturer identification indications. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a sheet-material dispenser.
The term sheet-material is used herein the specification and claims in its broad sense and includes single or multi-layered sheets of material, integrated into uniform layer, or several at least partially overlapping layers. The sheet-material may be of any size, thickness and shape, and may be made of any homogeneous or non-form or non- homogeneous material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A dispenser according to the present disclosed subject matter may be suitable for dispensing sheet-material such shopping bags (often referred to also as 'plastic bags' or 'nylon bags'), wrapping sheets, towelettes, printed mater, etc.
US Patent application 2010025415 discloses a device for dispensing plastic bags from a stack of bags, one at a time, for use in stores and shopping areas. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes at least one conveyor belt mounted about at least two rollers and is adapted and configured to engage a plastic bag from the stack of bags, a pressure mechanism for pressing at least one bag against the belt so as to cause the belt to engage the bag, means for rotating one of the rollers so as to cause it to drag an engaged plastic bag upwards to a dispensing area, and means for automatically stopping rotation of said belt after a single bag has been dispensed. If desired, the rate at which the bags are dispensed can also be set and controlled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sheet-material dispensing devise for automatic dispensing one sheet-material at a time out of a stack of sheet-material items, wherein a duty sheet-material is readily presented through a dispensing opening of the devise for collecting by an individual. The arrangement is such that the duty sheet-material remains articulated to the stack, until removed by the individual.
The device comprises a housing fitted with one or more service panels and accommodating a sheet-material support configured with an inverted U-shaped sheet- material support with two side walls extending substantially downwards therefrom; a sheet-material stack holding mechanism associated with a dispensing side wall; a sheet- material pressure mechanism for retaining substantially constant pressure of the stack of sheet-material against a roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism and a control system for dispensing a duty sheet-material is readily presented through a dispensing opening formed in the housing of the devise, for collecting by an individual.
In use, a batch-end of each sheet-material is detachably secured to the sheet- material stack holding mechanism at said dispensing side wall, and an opposite, free end of each sheet-material extends lose at another side wall.
The present disclosed subject matter is also concerned with a stack-binder for stacking and binding a stack of sheet-material items, used in conjunction with the sheet- material dispensing devise.
Any one or more configurations and features may be associated with the sheet- material dispensing devise of the present disclosed subject matter:
· The sheet-material can be configured in any shape and size, and serve for different purposes. For example, the sheet-material can be shopping bags, wipes for different purposes, wrapping paper, etc,;
• The sheet-material pressure mechanism and the roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism are typically configured with one or more step motors;
• The control system comprises a plurality of sensors generating position and situation signals to a controller processor which in turn generates operative signals to motors of the sheet-material pressure mechanism and to the roller- type sheet-material dispensing mechanism;
· The roller-type type sheet-material dispensing mechanism is configured with one or more motorized rollers configured for pulling the duty sheet- material such that its batch end remains attached to the sheet-material stack holding mechanism and the free end progresses, whereby a mid-portion of the duty sheet-material is displaced through the dispensing opening;
The roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism further comprises a tension mechanism for applying substantially constant pressure on the stack of sheet-material, despite change in thickness of the stack, e.g. upon dispensing of sheet-material items;
The batch end of the duty sheet-material is detached from the sheet-material stack holding mechanism only upon removal from the dispensing opening; The duty sheet-material is an uppermost sheet-material of the stack of sheet- material items;
The dispensing opening is configured on a side of the housing facing said sheet-material stack holding mechanism;
The sheet-material stack holding mechanism is displaceable along the dispensing side wall between a loading position for easy mounting of a fresh stack of sheet-material, and an operative position;
The number of consecutive sheet-material items dispensed through the dispensing opening may be controlled by the controller to dispatch a restricted number of sheet-material items;
The sheet-material dispensing devise comprises safety features to prevent finger jamming and the like. For example, the devise comprises a sensor at the dispensing opening where upon detection of an obstructing object a signal is generated responsive to which the controller halts operation of its motors and may further generate an alarm signal. Also, the one or more service panels may require two hands operating and may further be fitted with sensors;
A stack of sheet-material may be mounted directly over the sheet-material stack holding mechanism or via a detachably attachable stack-binder configured for easy loading/unloading over the sheet-material stack holding mechanism;
The stack-binder or the sheet-material stack holding mechanism may be fitted with a detaching aid to facilitate easy detaching of the duty sheet- member from the stack; • The stack-binder may be a disposable article and may further be fitted with a counterfeit preventing arrangement and manufacturer identification means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet-material dispensing devise according to the disclosed subject matter;
Fig. 2 A is a top, front perspective view of the dispensing devise of Fig. 1, at its open/loading position;
Fig. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the dispensing device in the position of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2C is a rear, front perspective view of the dispensing device in the position of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A is a front, left perspective view of the dispensing device, with a left side wall removed, in its closed position and with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at an upper state thereof;
Fig. 3B is the same as fig. 3A, however with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at a lower state thereof;
Fig. 3C is a right side view of the dispensing device, with the right side wall removed, in the position of Fig. 3 A;
Fig. 3D is a right side view of the dispensing device, with the right side wall removed, in the position of Fig. 3B;
Fig. 3E is an enlarged isometric view corresponding with Fig. 3A and sectioned along line E-E in Fig. 3 A;
Fig. 3F is an enlarged isometric view corresponding with Fig. 3B and sectioned along line F-F in Fig. 3B;
Figs. 3G, 3H and 31 are sectioned views of the dispensing device, at its closed position, with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at a lower state thereof, taken along lines G-G, H-H and I-I, respectively, in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a sectioned view of the dispensing device, at its closed position, with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at a lower state thereof, taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5A is a right side view of the dispensing device, with its right side wall removed, at its loading state, fitted with a stack of sheet-material;
Fig. 5B is a right side view of the dispensing device, with its right side wall removed, at its closed state, fitted with a stack of sheet-material;
Fig. 5C is a right side view of the dispensing device, with its right side wall removed, at its closed state, fitted with a slim stack of sheet-material;
Figs. 6 A to 6C are right side views of the dispensing device, with its right side wall removed, illustrating three consecutive steps of dispensing and withdrawing a sheet-material item from the device;
Fig. 7A is an isometric view of a sheet-material stack-binder, used in conjunction with a dispensing device, according to the present disclosed subject matter;
Fig. 7B is a planer exploded view of the stack-binder of Fig. 7 A;
Fig. 7C illustrates the stack-binder at its assembled position with a stack of sheet-material items;
Fig. 8A is a top perspective view of the dispensing device according to a modification of the disclosure, at its open/loading position and with the right side panel removed for visualization;
Fig. 8B is a rear side perspective view of the dispensing device of Fig. 8A, with the rear and right side wall removed for visualization;
Fig. 8C is a front side perspective view of the dispensing device of Fig. 8 A, with the rear panel made transparent and right side wall removed for visualization;
Fig. 8D is an isometric view of only a cover fitted with a sheet separating mechanism;
Fig. 8E is a side view of the dispensing device, with several elements thereof removed for visualization, the device at its closed position, with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at a lower state thereof and loaded with a stack of sheet-material;
Fig. 8F is a side view of the dispensing device, with several elements thereof removed for visualization, the device at its closed position, with the sheet-material pressure mechanism at an upper state thereof and loaded with a smaller stack of sheet- material; Fig. 8Ga to 8Gc are directed to a shopping bag and illustrate a front view, a top view sectioned along line b-b in Fig. 8Ga and a side view sectioned along line c-c in Fig. 8Ga respectively.
5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Attention is first directed to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating a sheet-material dispensing device generally designated 20 comprising a box-like housing 24 configured with a front panel 26, a rear panel 28, a right side panel 30 and a left panel 32, wherein the front panel 26 and the rear panel 28 are pivotally secured to the base 40 about hinges
10 42. As can best be seen in Figs. 2A-2C, the rear panel 28 is configured with a top panel
46 integrated therewith through an inclined panel surface 48 and the front panel 26 comprises an inclined panel 50 which at the closed position of the device (Fig. 1) extends spaced apart from the top panel 46 giving rise to a dispensing opening 56 extending substantially the width of the device 20.
15 The dispensing device 20 is compact in size e.g. having a foot print of about 20 x 35 cm and a height of about 40 cm these dimensions being suitable for a dispenser for dispensing conventional shopping bags whilst the dimensions may vary depending on the size of the sheet-material to be dispensed and its nature.
As can further be seen in the drawings, the device is fitted with a control panel
20 60 fitted with a display 62 and a plurality of activation knobs 64 and illuminated indicators 66. Furthermore, the device comprises a control unit 70 secured within the housing at various possible positions (in this particular example secured behind the control panel 60 though may be just as well fitted at other locations e.g. at the top surface of the base panel 40, etc.). As will be discussed hereinafter in further detail, the
25 device is fitted with a plurality of sensors articulated (via suitable wiring or wireless connections) to the controller unit 70 and further to the control panel 60, there being a power supply arrangement e.g. AC coupling or an integrated power source (e.g. rechargeable battery) with suitable low charge hazard indication on the control panel 60.
Front panel 26 and the rear panel 28 close and open simultaneously to facilitate
30 easy access into the device for loading/unloading/maintenance thereof. For this purpose, the panels 26 and 28 are each articulated adjacent their top end with a pivot link 78 pivotally secured at 80 the respective front/rear panel, and at their opposite end are pivotally secured to a rider 84 axially displaceable along a screw rod 88 rotatable by means of electric motor 90, whereby rotation of motor 90 entails rotation of the screw rod 88 resulting in upward/downward displacement of rider 84 and consequent pivotal displacement of the links 78 so as to close/open the front and rear panels between their normally closed position (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5B, 5C and 6, and between a fully open position as depicted in Figs. 2 and 5A). It is noted that two motors 90 may be provided, each associated with a respective screw rod 88. Alternatively, there may be provided one motor only, whereby a timing belt 97 extends between pulleys 99 each articulated to a respective screw rod 88. Appropriate micro-switches are provided at the extreme positions of the rider 84 and/or at the motor 90 (in case of a step motor) thereby providing indication reflecting the state of the front panel 26 and rear panel 28.
For safety reasons it is advantageous that the opening and in particular closing command to the control panel 60 requires simultaneous activation of two switches so as to force a user to use both hands reducing the risk of injury upon closing of the panels.
As can further be seen in the drawings, the housing is configured with a centrally positioned frame 90 constituting a rigid support within the housing for bearing different components thereof, including supporting the screw rod 88 discussed hereinabove.
Frame 90 is configured with a front support wall 94 and a rear support wall 96 both extending upwards and covered by an inverted U-like shaped sheet-material support 100 vertically displaceable over the frame 92 in direction of arrow 101 between a retracted position (e.g. several of Figs. 4, 5 A and 5B) and a projecting position (Figs. 3B, 3D, 3F, 5C, 6A, 6B and 6C). The arrangement is such that the bottom edges 102 of the sheet-material support 100 are bent inwardly towards the respective front and rear support walls 94, 96 however smoothly sliding over the support wall surfaces though preventing ingress of any sheet-material or dirt into the confined space 108 extending under the inverted U-like shaped sheet-material support 100. Frame 92 together with the sheet-material support 100 constitute together a sheet-material tray defining a front sheet-material space a rear sheet-material space 114 communicating through a dispensing space 116 defined above the sheet-material support 100. The thickness of the sheet-material spaces and the dispensing space is sufficient to conveniently accommodate a large stack of sheet-material typically several hundreds and optionally 1000 or even more, depending on the particular design of the device, as will be discussed hereinafter.
Pivotally secured at the front support wall 94 there is provided a sheet-material stack holding mechanism designated 120 comprising a substantially flat tray member 122 fitted with two stack holding pins 124, said tray 122 being displaceable between an operative/dispensing position where it extends downwardly, substantially bearing flat against the front support wall 94 (Figs. 3C, 3D, 3G, 3H, 31, 5B, 5C and 6A, 6B and 6C) and a loading position, upon opening of the front panel 26 and the rear panel 28, (Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 5A).
It is appreciated that the stack holding mechanism 120, namely tray 122 spontaneously displaces into its loading position upon opening of the door, owing to activating arm 130 secured to the links 78 supporting the front panel 26 and rear panel 28 and by means of a slider element 132 slidingly displaceable about side edges of the tray 122. However, it is appreciated that instead of this arrangement, there may be provided an independent motor for actively displacing the stack holding mechanism 120 between its two respective positions upon opening/closing of the front and rear panels. It is further noticed that in accordance with a variation of the device, the stack loading mechanism, namely tray 122 is a simpler version wherein a pair of pins fixedly extend from the front support wall without having the ability of displacing into a loading position.
As already mentioned above the sheet-material support 100 is biased upwards by a spring mechanism comprising coiled springs 130 mounted over rods 132 to ensure substantially constant pressure of a stack of sheet-material mounted over said sheet- material support 100 against the rollers 150 of a roller-type sheet-material dispensing mechanism 152, as will be discussed hereinafter in further detail. However, the spring biasing system composed of the coiled springs 130 and the respective bearing rods 132 is sufficient for displacing the sheet-material support 100 to a limited extent only. Thus, when the number of sheet-material items received over the sheet-material pressure mechanism (namely over the sheet-material support 100) drops below a predetermined threshold, a motorized unit such as step motor 156 displaces the sheet-material support 100 so as to adjust the distance D (measured between an apex sheet-material support 100 and a lowermost point of the rollers 150) so as to maintain substantially constant pressure over the stack of sheet-material items, as will be discussed hereinafter. The pressure is sensed by means of a pressure sensor 160 mounted over the axle 164 supporting the rollers 150. A complementary sensor 162 is mounted over a displacing rod 164 of the step motor 156 wherein the pressure picked up by the sensors 160 and 162 is transmitted to the controller 70 which in turn emits a responsive signal to the step motor 156 if the distance D should be adjusted.
Mounted on axle 164 there is a cylindric motor 170 for rotation of the axle 164 and the rollers 150 articulated thereto. The axle 164 is secured within the housing i.e. is not vertically displaceable therewithin. The rollers 150 are designed for fnctionally bearing against the duty sheet-material item as will be discussed hereinafter, wherein friction may be carried out by providing rubber rollers or providing a suitable coating over the rollers or forming the surface of the rollers with kernelling etc.
Further seen in the drawings, adjacent the dispensing opening 56 there is provided a dispensing roller 174 secured over an axle 176 parallely extending with respect to axle 164 of rollers 150 and supported over a bracket 178 fitted with a slight degree of freedom and biased into position by a coiled spring 180 secured within the inclined panel 50 of the front panel 26.
For use in conjunction with the sheet-material dispensing device of the present invention and for convenience of use, there is provided a sheet-material stack-binder 200 as illustrated in Figs. 7A to 7C. The stack-binder 200 comprises a bottom clamp bar 202 and a top clamp bar 204 configured for snap engagement by a pair of projecting rods 208 fitted for snap engagement into support rods 210, distanced from one another respectively. Support rods 210 are hollow and are configured for easy mounting over the holding pins 124 of the tray 122. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the disclosed subject matter engagement between the bottom clamp bar 202 and the top clamp bar 204 is irreversible namely once engaged disengagement requires special tooling or rupturing of the device.
The distance M measured between the posts 210 corresponds with the distance between holes typically formed in each of the sheet-material items (a stack of sheet- material 220 is illustrated in Fig. 7C, in this particular case a stack of nylon shopping bags, wherein an appropriate aperture is formed in each of the handle segments 222A and 222B respectively.
As can further be seen, the bottom clamp bar 202 and the top clamp bar 204 are each fitted with an eye-type aperture 230 configured for receiving therethrough a flexible cord 234 fitted at its respective ends with arrowed anchors 236 wherein upon mounting the stack of sheet-material 220 and clamping it between the two clamp bars 202 and 204 respectively, the flexible cord 234 is then threaded through an appropriate aperture 240 in the stubs 241 (Fig. 7C) of the stack of material 220, and the arrowed ends of the flexible cord 234 are then inserted into the apertures 230 for securing therein. The cord 234 serves to retain the stubs 241 of the dispensed sheets of material.
Furthermore, the sheet-material stack-binder 200 is typically configured as a disposable article and may further be configured with an identification element such as a RF chip identified RF in the lower bar 202 and wherein an appropriate RF receiver RFR is provided on the tray member 122 of the sheet-material stack holding mechanism 120, wherein the system will operate only upon insertion of a genuine, authorized stack- binder 200 to be recognized by a radio signal transmitted by the RF transmitter and picked up by the radio frequency reader. It is however appreciated that authentication of the stack-binder 200 and its cooperation with the sheet-material device may be obtained by other means too, such as a magnetic switch, a geometrical operated switch and the like.
In addition, the support rods 210 and/or the holding pins 124 of the tray 122 may be configured with a sheet-material cutting edge, to thereby facilitate easy tearing the sheet-material as it is pulled by an individual upon dispensing thereof, as will be discussed herein after in further detail.
In use, a stack of sheet-material items is mounted over the stack holding mechanism tray 122 via a stack-binder 200 as discussed hereinabove. This takes place whilst the sheet-material dispensing device 20 is in its open position as illustrated in Figs. 2A and 5 A wherein the sheet-material items, binded at one end by the stack-binder 200 are placed over the sheet-material support 100 with the loose ends of the sheet- material items extending downwards at the rear sheet-material space 114 substantially parallel to the rear support wall 96.
Upon securing the stack-binder 200 in its respective place over the tray 122 of the stack holding mechanism 120, the front panel 26 and the rear panel 28 are closed by virtue of electric motors 90 simultaneously rotated wherein the front and rear panels displace into the closed position of Figs. 1 , 3B, etc. A reset signal is then generated by the controller 70 (said reset signal may either be automatic upon closing of the panels, or upon activating a control signal by an operator thereof), whereby the sheet-material support 100 is displaced upwardly/downwardly, depending on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensors 160 and 162 to a preset extent of pressure of the rollers 150 over the stack of sheet-material 220 (Fig. 5B).
Once the front panel 26 and the rear panel 28 arrive at their closed position, the pressure mechanism automatically adjusts the level of the sheet-material support 100 so as to apply the required pressure by the rollers 150 over the stack of sheet-material items 220. Fig. 5B illustrates the relative position of the rollers 150 and the sheet- material tray at their respective position when a fresh (thick) stack 220 of sheet-material is loaded into the device, whilst Fig. 5C illustrates the devise after dispensing a considerable amount of sheets , whereby the stack 220' is slim, however where the rollers 150 retain substantially same pressure over the stack, owing to displacement in an upwards direction (arrowed line 137) of the sheet-material support 100 (by means of the electric motor 156 and/or the biasing springs 130 assembly).
An uppermost sheet-material item is the first in line to be dispensed and is referred to as the duty sheet-material (represented in Figs. 6 A to 6C by a thick line and designated 250).
It is noted that the height of the dispensing device corresponds with about half the length of a sheet-material item, whereby compact dimensions of the device are obtained. However, the height of the spaces 112 and 114 define the maximum size of a sheet-material to be handled by the device, whereby the width of these sections determine the maximum number of items which may be mounted in a stack of sheet- material items. The vertical location (height) of the tray member 122 with respect to the front support wall 94 may be changed so as to confirm with sheet-material items of different length.
A sheet-material dispensing sequence is now illustrated with particular reference being made to Figures 6A to 6C. A dispensing signal may be generated by any one or more of several conditions. For example, an IR proximity sensor 253 mounted adjacent the dispensing opening 56 detecting an individual's hand approaching the opening, or a sensor 255 mounted within the device at the dispensing opening 56 indicating a sheet- material item has been removed, or a command signal generated by the controller 70 upon completing a preceding dispensing sequence, or upon a signal issued by a cash register associated with the dispensing device, etc. The sheet-material items of the stack 220 are secured at one end 263 to the stack-binder 200 which in turn is fixedly mounted over the two stack holding pins 124 of the tray 122, whilst the free ends 265 of the sheet-material items extend loose within the space 114.
At a first step (Fig. 6A), the rollers 150 are rotated in direction of arrow 257, resulting in friction-grabbing of the duty sheet-material item 250 and deforming it at 269 by attracting the sheet-material from its free end 265 (i.e. at this stage the fixed end 263 remains secured to the stack-binder 200). Next, (Fig. 6B) as the rollers continue rotation in the same sense of arrowed line 257, the duty sheet-material 250 continues to progress and withdraw material from its free end, whereby the folded leading portion 271 now projects through the dispensing opening 56 to an extent facilitating its manual grip by an individual. It is noted that at this stage the first end 263 of the duty sheet- material is still fixed within the stack-binder 200.
Once projecting from the dispensing opening 56, the leading portion is grabbed by the individual and pulled out indirection of arrow 275, resulting in detaching of the end 263 from the stack-binder 200 and allowing the removal of the sheet-material, whereby the dispensing unit is now ready for a new dispensing sequence.
Further attention is made to Figs. 8A to 8G illustrating a sheet-material dispensing device generally designated 300, according to a modification of the disclosed subject matter. The dispensing device 300 is very similar to that disclosed in connection with the previous figures, however with the addition of a sheet separating mechanism (a pre-pulling mechanism) generally designated 304 and configured for separating the duty sheet-material from the stack which may adhere to the following sheet-material e.g. owing to static electricity, adhering at welding lines, etc,
The sheet separating mechanism 304 serves further for early pulling of the duty sheet-material prior to its dispensing, so that the duty sheet-material is detached from the stack of sheet material. This is required so as to separate the duty sheet material from the stack of sheet-material which may adhere owing to static electricity, manufacture issues, etc.
The sheet separating mechanism 304 comprises three pairs of pulleys 308A,
308B and 308C, of which the top pulleys 308 A are secured over an axle 310 A coupled to a motor 309 fixed at the inside face of the rear panel 24. Pulleys 310B and 310C are mounted on a rectangle frame 311 whereby axle 315 of pulleys 310B is secured to the panel 24 by a pair of brackets 317, and the pulleys 310C are mounted on an axle 319, the arrangement being such that the frame 311 is pivotable about axle 315 in direction of arrowed lines 321B between a position substantially parallel to the panel 24 (Fig. 8D), and pivoted positions (Figs. 8E and 8F), depending on the thickness of the stack of sheet-material, as will be explained herein after.
Motor 309 (typically, but not necessary, an electric servo motor) is electrically connected to the control unit 70.
A pair of friction bands 326A and 326B (e.g. silicone or other resilient material, or any suitable martial applied with a friction enhancing agent or texture) are mounted over the pulleys 308 A, 308B and 308C, giving rise to a triangular pattern with a hypotenuse thereof extending remote from the panel 24, i.e. between pulleys 308A, and 308C. Pressure applied by the stack of sheet-material over the bands 326A and 326B results in that the third train of pulleys 308C pivotally displaces in direction of arrows 321, such that pulleys 308C bear against the stack of sheet-material, with the bands too bearing at a central portion of the stack of sheet-material 220. This is of significance in particular when considering sheet-material items of non-uniform thickness (e.g. owing to over folding as may be the case with shopping bags and the like). For example, as illustrated in Figs. 8Ga to 8Gc, there is illustrated a sheet-material item which is a so- called vest-like shopping bag 380, of the type comprising in-folds (designated by dashed lines 382). This fold gives rise to a central portion 388 of the bag 380 to comprise only two layers sheet-material, whilst the in-fold portions 382 in fact have four layers of sheet-material. Accordingly, the distance between the pulleys 308C and the bands 326A and 326B is such so as to extend at the central portion 388 of the bag. When a stack of sheet material 220 is mounted into the device, a central portion of the stack is engaged by the bands 326A and 326B, and further by the pulleys 308C, with substantially constant contact with the duty sheet.
In use, as a sheet-material dispensing signal is generated, a first signal is generated to the motor 316 at an instant prior to a signal issued to the dispensing motor 170, whereby the friction bands 326A and 326B bearing against the stack of sheet- material (not shown), perform a rapid reciprocal displacement (e.g. in the range of between about 0.5 to 7 cm in each direction; two or more reciprocations, the last one being shorter so as to first separate the duty sheet and then advance it), results in displacing the duty sheet-material and separation it from the stack of sheet-material. Only after this action the dispensing motor 170 comes to action as discussed hereinabove.
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