Description

WET TOWEL MANUFACTURING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a wet towel manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to a wet towel manufacturing apparatus, which can supply a disposable wet towel offhand, which can be formed by cutting the dry non- woven fabric of a dry non- woven fabric roll into a given length, dampening the cut dry non-woven fabric with water, and rolling or folding into several layers while feeding the dry non-woven fabric. Background Art

[2] In this regard, along with the spread of the disposable wet towel which emphasizes sanitation, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus has been developed and supplied in various forms to use the wet towel conveniently in a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, an office and the like, so that the wet towel can be prepared and used offhand, if necessary.

[3] The present inventor has suggested a Korean Patent application No.

10-2005-0013478 entitled Wet towel feeder and belt for the same , a Korean Patent application No. 10-2005-0020532 entitled Water injection nozzle for water towel feeder and manufacturing method thereof , and a Korean Patent application No. 10-2005-0013799 entitled Wet towel feeder and the like, all of which can allow a user to conveniently use a wet towel, which can be formed by cutting a dry non- woven fabric wound in a roll shape into a given length, impregnating the cut dry non- woven fabric with water through water injection to form a wet towel into a predetermined shape, while feeding the dry non-woven fabric. Thus, technical features related to such wet towel manufacturing apparatuses, which the present inventor has previously suggested as described above, can improve function and performance of the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Meanwhile, referring to FlG. 1, a typical wet towel manufacturing apparatus generally uses a fabric (a dry non- woven fabric roll 1) wound in a roll shape. The dry non- woven fabric roll 1 is coupled to a bobbin 2 to be positioned inside of the manufacturing apparatus. Further, a dry non- woven fabric 1 of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 is conveyed by a dry non- woven fabric feeding unit 100 of the wet towel manufacturing apparatus. However, as for the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus, there occurs a problem that the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 needs to be

frequently inspected due to the feeding malfunction of the dry non-woven fabric 1 , when manufacturing the wet towel.

[5] The present inventor has found, through various experiments, the fact that the feeding malfunction of the dry non-woven fabric 1 is caused by the inertial force of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1, as shown in FlG. 1, and by a problem of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 itself, as shown in FlG. 2.

[6] FlG. 1 is a side view of a dry non- woven fabric roll for explaining a problem occurring in the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus.

[7] Referring to FlG. 1, the feeding of the dry non- woven fabric 1 of the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus is performed by pulling one end of the dry non- woven fabric 1 of the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 at the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit 100. At this time, the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 is freely rotated in a state where it is supported by the bobbin 2, so that the dry non-woven fabric 1 can be fed while being unwound from the dry non- woven fabric roll 1. However, since the feeding and suspension of the dry non- woven fabric 1 is momentarily performed, an unnecessary rotation of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 being freely rotated may occur by the inertial force of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1. Here, such a phenomenon may frequently occur, particularly in the case where a plurality of wet towels are successively manufactured. Thus, as for the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus, since the dry non-woven fabric 1 is wound on the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 A , or hang loose between the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 and the dry non- woven fabric feeding unit 100 B , as shown by a chain double-dashed line of FlG. 1, while the feeding and suspension of the dry non- woven fabric feeding unit 100 is repeated, the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 may be raised along with the bobbin 2, or the dry non- woven fabric 1 is jammed, which results in manufacturing defective wet towels or interrupting the operation of the apparatus at the time of the following rotation of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1.

[8] FlG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a wet towel manufacturing apparatus taken from a plane direction of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 in order to explain another problem occurring in the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus.

[9] Referring to FlG. 2, a typical wet towel manufacturing apparatus generally uses a dry non- woven fabric roll 1, which is made by winding a dry non-woven fabric 1 into a roll shape, the dry non- woven fabric 1 having a predetermined width and a length capable of forming a predetermined number of wet towels. However, the dry non- woven fabric 1 is formed such that a dry non-woven fabric having a standardized size is cut and rolled upon the manufacturing of the dry non-woven fabric roll 1. Thus, this

process makes it difficult for the dry non-woven fabric 1 to have its uniform width, or the dry non- woven fabric 1 is likely to be distorted at the time of being rolled. [10] In the consideration of the characteristics of such dry non- woven fabric roll 1, the typical wet towel manufacturing apparatus needs to have a space between a frame and both side surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 when the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 is coupled to the frame. As a result, the dry non- woven fabric 1 is likely to be deviated C from its original direction upon its feeding.

Technical Solution

[11] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the conventional art, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a new type of a wet towel manufacturing apparatus, which can effectively prevent the feeding malfunction of a dry non- woven fabric, which is caused by the inertial force of a dry non- woven fabric roll or by the problem of the dry non- woven fabric roll itself. Advantageous Effects

[12] According to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to solve a problem in which, since the dry non- woven fabric roll is unnecessarily rotated without being immediately stopped due to the inertial force of the dry non- woven fabric roll while the feeding and suspension of the dry non- woven fabric feeding unit is repeated, the dry non-woven fabric is wound in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the dry non- woven fabric roll, or hang loose between the dry non-woven fabric roll and the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit. Further, the dry non-woven fabric roll is supported at both side surfaces thereof by tension members, so that the dry non- woven fabric can be fed while keeping the dry non- woven fabric roll at its center toward the feeding direction of the dry non-woven fabric, although the width of the dry non- woven fabric is not uniform, thereby preventing a problem, which is caused in a space where the dry non-woven fabric roll is mounted, such as deviating from the feeding direction of the dry non- woven fabric. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[14] FIGs. 1 and 2 are views for explaining problems of the conventional wet towel manufacturing apparatus;

[15] FIGs. 3 and 4 are views for explaining technical features of a wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

[16] FIGs. 5 and 6 are views for explaining a tension member of a wet towel manu-

factoring apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[17] FlG. 7 is a view for explaining a wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[ 18] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings of FlGs. 5 through 7. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components through FlG. 3 to FlG. 7. Meanwhile, in the drawings, drawings and detailed description on technical features of the typical wet towel manufacturing apparatus will be omitted or simplified, since it is to be readily understood for those skilled in the art, and parts related to the present invention are illustrated in detail. Also, although the size and shape of assembly parts or connection parts in the drawings look a little bit different in comparison with them in other drawings, it is just different of dimensions in their illustration. So such difference of dimensions cannot limit or modify the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[19] FlG. 5 is an exploded view showing components of a tension member and their assembly configuration in the wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 6 is a view showing a state where the components of FlG. 5 are coupled to a frame, and FlG. 7 is a side view showing the main configuration of the wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to a preferred of the present invention.

[20] Referring to FlGs. 5 through 7, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a tension member 30 specially designed and its assembly configuration.

[21] The tension member 30 comprises a spring 50 and a sliding bar 40. Here, the sliding bar 40 has a streamlined shape at both longitudinal end portions thereof, as shown in a side section view and front view( VIEW ) of FlG. 5, so that it can be readily detachably mounted to a cavity 12 for receiving a dry non- woven fabric roll without any separate manipulation, when it is put in and separated out from the cavity 12. Further, a contact face 42 of the sliding bar 40, which is in close contact with a lateral surface of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1, is formed into a streamline shape so as to increase effective elastic force thereof. Such sliding bar 40 has a pair of sliding bar bosses 44 protrusively formed on a longitudinal lateral surface of the sliding bar 40, each of the sliding bar bosses 44 having a screw coupling-hole 46 inwardly formed at a free end thereof by a predetermined depth. In addition, the cylindrical spring 50 has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of a screw, so that the screw can be fit into the spring 50.

[22] Meanwhile, a frame 20 has a pair of frame bosses 22 protrusively formed outwardly from both inner side walls thereof, respectively, such that the tension member 30 can be coupled thereto.

[23] Each of the frame bosses 22 has a through-hole 24 penetratingly formed therein and a screw hole 26 formed therein in such a manner as to communicate with the through hole 24 and the outside, the screw hole 26 having a smaller diameter than that of the through-hole 24.

[24] In this regard, the spring 50 is fit into the through-hole 24 of the frame boss 22, and the sliding bar boss 44 of the sliding bar 40 is fit into the through-hole 24 of the frame boss 22 in such a manner as to be positioned onto the spring 50, and then the sliding bar 40 is engaged to the frame by the screw, which passes through the spring 50 via the screw hole 26. At this time, the screw is coupled with the screw hole 26 so as to be moved slidingly, the sliding bar boss 44 is coupled with the through-hole 24 so as to be moved slidingly in a state of being fixed to the screw. In such assembly configuration, the sliding bar 40 functions such that the elastic force of the spring 50 can be exerted to the lateral surface of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1.

[25] Referring to FIG. 7, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention, as in a typical wet towel manufacturing apparatus, basically comprises a dry non- woven fabric feeding unit 100 for feeding the dry non- woven fabric 1 of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1, a dry non- woven fabric cutting unit(not shown) cooperatively connected to the dry non- woven fabric feeding unit 100 and adapted for cutting the dry non- woven fabric 1 into a predetermined length, a unit for forming wet towel 110, by which the dry non-woven fabric 1 cut by the dry non-woven fabric cutting unit is impregnated with water and folded into several layers or rolled up, and a wet towel receiver 120, on which the completed wet towel is loaded.

[26] Further, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention has the cavity 12 formed therein for receiving the dry non- woven fabric roll 1, the cavity 12 having a jaw 14 formed thereon for supporting the bobbin 2, which is supported by the frame so as to allow the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 to be freely rotated. Accordingly, the tension member 30 of the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention is mounted onto the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 in such a manner as to be inclinedly with respect to the vertical central axis of the dry non- woven fabric roll while avoiding the interference with other components described above, which are typically applied to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus.

[27] While the wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in connection with the detailed description and the drawings, it is merely an illustrative example of the present invention. Further, it will be well understood by the people in the field of the relevant

art that the present invention can be changed and modified variously without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[28] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to the features of the present invention, there is provided a wet towel manufacturing apparatus, which can supply a disposable wet towel offhand, which can be formed by cutting the dry non- woven fabric of a dry non- woven fabric roll into a given length, dampening the cut dry non- woven fabric with water, and rolling or folding into several layers while feeding the dry non- woven fabric, wherein the improvement comprising: a frame having both inner side walls opposite to each other for allowing the dry non-woven fabric roll to be interposed therebetween in such a manner that both lateral surfaces of the dry non- wo ven fabric roll are positioned to be in parallel with both inner side walls of the frame; and a plurality of tension members each mounted between the both inner side walls of the frame and the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll, wherein the elastic forces of the plural tension members are simultaneously exerted to the both lateral surfaces of the dry non-woven fabric roll, so that the both lateral surfaces of the dry non-woven fabric roll and the both inner side walls of the frame can be kept spaced apart from one another at an uniform distance, and so that the inertia force caused by the rotation of the dry non-woven fabric roll can be reduced upon the suspension of the feeding of the dry non- woven fabric.

[29] Further, each of the tension members, according to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, comprise a spring supported by the both inner side walls of the frame, and a sliding bar placed between the spring and both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll in such a manner as to be elastically supported by the spring and mounted onto the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll in such a manner as to be inclinedly with respect to the vertical central axis of the dry non-woven fabric roll, so that it can be in close contact with the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll due to the elastic force of the spring.

[30] Meanwhile, the frame according to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of frame bosses protrusively formed outwardly from both inner side walls thereof, respectively, each of the frame bosses having a through- hole penetratingly formed therein, and a screw hole formed therein in such a manner as to communicate with the through-hole and the outside, the screw hole having a smaller diameter than that of the through-hole. In this instance, the spring is fit into the through-hole of the frame boss. Further, each sliding bar includes a pair of sliding bar bosses protrusively formed on a longitudinal side surface thereof, the sliding bar boss

having a screw coupling hole inwardly formed at a free end thereof by a predetermined depth, so that a spring passes through the spring fit into the through-hole of the frame boss via the screw hole, and then is coupled to the screw coupling hole of the spring bar boss to thereby achieve the engagement between the frame and the sliding bar.

[31] Further, a tension member, according to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, is featured where it is mounted to the both lateral surfaces of the dry non-woven fabric roll, so that the dry non-woven fabric roll is pressurized by the elastic force of the tension member, which is directed from the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll to the center thereof. As a result, the tension member in accordance with the wet towel manufacturing apparatus of the present invention enables solving a problem in which, since the dry non-woven fabric roll is rotated without being immediately stopped due to the inertial force thereof while the feeding and suspension of the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit is repeated, the dry non- woven fabric is wound in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the dry non- woven fabric roll, or hang loose between the dry non- woven fabric roll and the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit. Further, the dry non-woven fabric roll is supported at both lateral surfaces thereof by the tension members, so that the dry non-woven fabric can be fed while keeping the dry non- woven fabric roll at its center toward the feeding direction of the dry non- woven fabric, although the width of the dry non-woven fabric is not uniform, thereby eliminating a problem, which is caused in a space where the dry non-woven fabric roll is mounted, such as deviating from the feeding direction of the dry non-woven fabric.

[32] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional plane view for explaining technical features of a wet towel manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view showing the arrangement of main components of the wet towel manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

[33] Referring to FIGs. 3 through 4, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises a frame 20 having both inner side walls opposite to each other, in which the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 is interposed therebetween in such a manner that both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 are positioned to be in parallel with both inner side walls of the frame 20, and a plurality of tension members 30 each mounted between the both inner side walls of the frame 20 and the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1. In other words, the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention is featured that the elastic forces of the plural tension members are simultaneously exerted to the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1, so that the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll 1 and the both inner side walls of the frame are kept spaced apart from one another at an uniform distance, whereby the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 is im-

mediately suspended upon the suspension of the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit 100 for feeding the dry non-woven fabric 1 while keeping the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 at its center toward the feeding direction of the dry non- woven fabric 1 , as the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention basically has the technical features that it can supply a disposable wet towel offhand, which can be formed by cutting the dry non-woven fabric of a dry non- woven fabric roll into a given length, impregnating the cut dry non-woven fabric with water, and rolling or folding into several layers while feeding the dry non-woven fabric, similarly to the wet towel manufacturing apparatuses, which the present inventor has previously suggested.

[34] In this instance, each of the tension members 50, according to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, basically comprises a spring 50 and a sliding bar 40. The spring 50 is supported by both inner side walls of the frame 20. The sliding bar placed between the spring and both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll in such a manner as to be elastically supported by the spring and mounted onto the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll in such a manner as to be inclinedly with respect to the vertical central axis of the dry non-woven fabric roll, so that it can be in close contact with the both lateral surfaces of the dry non- woven fabric roll due to the elastic force of the spring.

[35] Meanwhile, the tension member 30 of the wet towel manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention may have another type of construction, so that the elastic force of the tension member is exerted to both lateral surfaces of the dry non-woven fabric roll 1 such as a plate spring, though it is not shown in drawing.

Industrial Applicability

[36] As described above, according to the wet towel manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to solve a problem in which, since the dry non-woven fabric roll is unnecessarily rotated without being immediately stopped due to the inertial force of the dry non-woven fabric roll while the feeding and suspension of the dry non-woven fabric feeding unit is repeated, the dry non- woven fabric is wound in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the dry non- woven fabric roll, or hang loose between the dry non- woven fabric roll and the dry non- woven fabric feeding unit. Further, the dry non- woven fabric roll is supported at both lateral surfaces thereof by tension members, so that the dry non-woven fabric can be fed while keeping the dry non- woven fabric roll at its center toward the feeding direction of the dry non- woven fabric, although the width of the dry non- woven fabric is not uniform, thereby preventing a problem, which is caused in a space where the dry non- woven fabric roll is mounted, such as deviating from the feeding direction of the dry non- woven fabric.

[37] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular il-

lustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.