Roller assembly with compliance mechanism

Abstract

A roller assembly for a dispenser includes an elongated guide body and a pair of pressure roller supports. A plurality of compliant support arms connect the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body. A plurality of compliant support spring members are configured to connect baffle rods to the elongated guide body.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Various dispensers for paper products are known in the prior art. Some dispensers include a pressure roller that engages paper from a paper roll within the dispenser. For example, the pressure roller may push the paper on the paper roll against an electric spindle. As the spindle rotates, it may translate the free end of the paper on the paper roll out of the dispenser, where a user can tear off the dispensed portion of the paper roll. The pressure roller ensures that the paper from the paper roll moves with the spindle as it rotates.

[0002] Known pressure rollers require a large number of components, such as torsion springs and helical springs. These components may require separate procurement processes and time-consuming assembly. Therefore, a dispenser with a reduced number of components would be useful. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Generally, this disclosure relates to a roller assembly for a dispenser. The roller assembly may include a compliant mechanism for a pressure roller support and a baffle rod. The compliant mechanism can push the pressure roller and the baffle rod in a desired direction, and the compliant mechanism can elastically deform to push the pressure roller and the baffle roller in the desired direction. The compliant mechanism may be integral with other parts of the roller assembly, for example, such that the compliant mechanism and other parts of the roller assembly are formed from a single seamless material.

[0004] In one example embodiment, a roller assembly for a dispenser includes an elongated guide body and a pair of pressure roller supports. Each of the pair of pressure roller supports is positioned near an opposite end portion of the elongated guide body. A plurality of compliant support arms connect the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body. A plurality of compliant support spring members are configured to connect baffle rods to the elongated guide body.

[0005] In the first example, the elongated guide body, a pair of pressure roller supports, multiple compliant support arms, and multiple compliant support spring components can be integrally formed from a single monolithic material part. This single monolithic material part can be a plastic body.

[0006] In a second example, each of the pair of pressure roller supports may include a bearing housing that defines a channel configured to receive a shaft of the pressure roller. The bearing housing on each of the pair of pressure roller supports may be positioned at the middle portion of each of the pair of pressure roller supports.

[0007] In the third example, each of the pair of pressure roller supports may include at least two spring arms.

[0008] In the fourth example, each of the plurality of compliant support spring members may include a triangular plastic spring.

[0009] In the fifth example, multiple compliant support spring members can be configured to properly position the baffle rod such that the baffle rod covers multiple cutting teeth.

[0010] In the sixth example, the roller assembly may not include a metal helical spring or a metal torsion spring.

[0011] In the seventh example, the roller assembly may be incorporated into a dispenser. The dispenser may include a housing. A roll carrier may be disposed within the housing. The roll carrier may be configured to rotatably support a roll of paper material for dispensing. The roller assembly may also be disposed within the housing. The roller assembly may be configured to engage the roll of paper material between the roll carrier and the free end of the roll of paper material. An elongated guide body may be mounted to the housing.

[0012] In some implementations, each of the above-described example aspects may be combined with one or more of the other example aspects described above. For example, in some implementations, all seven exemplary aspects described above may be combined with each other. As another example, any combination of two, three, four, five, or six of the seven exemplary aspects described above may be combined in other implementations. Thus, in some example implementations, the above-described example aspects may be used in combination with each other. Alternatively, the above-described example aspects may be implemented individually in other example implementations. Therefore, it will be understood that various exemplary implementations may be implemented using the above-described exemplary aspects.

[0013] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become more readily understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to illustrate the principles of the disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The complete and implementable disclosure (including its best mode) for those skilled in the art is set forth in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a dispenser with a roller assembly according to an example embodiment of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a partial perspective view of a roller assembly according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 A partial detail view of the roller assembly shown.

[0018] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 3 A partial perspective view of the first end portion of the roller assembly shown.

[0019] The repeated use of reference numerals in this specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or similar features or elements of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Those skilled in the art will understand that this discussion is merely a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of this disclosure.

[0021] As used herein, the term "includes / including" is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." Similarly, the term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or both"). As used herein throughout the specification and claims, approximate language is used to modify any quantitative representation that allows for variation without causing a change in the essential function associated with it. Therefore, a value modified by one or more terms such as "about," "approximate," and "substantially" is not limited to the specified precise value. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. For example, approximate language may refer to a limit of ten percent (10%).

[0022] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a dispenser 10 for dispensing dispensable products according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the dispenser 10 is configured for dispensing roll-type sheet products, such as roll-type tissues or toilet paper sheets. The dispenser 10 is particularly suitable for dispensing tissues, tissues, etc. Typically, the dispenser 10 is configured for dispensing multiple rolls of material. The dispenser is not limited to any particular type of roll material or any particular application. For illustrative purposes only, the dispenser is shown in the figure as a tissue roll dispenser.

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, dispenser 10 includes a housing 16 having an internal volume 17, configured to accommodate one or more sheet rolls. For example, housing 16 may be configured to accommodate a first sheet roll 18 (e.g., a master roll) and / or a second sheet roll (e.g., a residual roll). Housing 16 may be formed of any suitable material or one or more materials. Housing may take any shape or configuration. Typically, dispenser 10 may include a front cover assembly 20 and a back plate 30. Front cover assembly 20 is shown in an open position. In some example embodiments, front cover assembly 20 may define one or more sidewalls of dispenser 10. However, in other example embodiments, front cover assembly 20 may form at least a portion of the sidewalls of the dispenser. However, in other example embodiments, front cover assembly 20 does not form any portion of the sidewalls of the dispenser. Front cover assembly 20 may be pivotally coupled to back plate 30. For example, one or more hinges may pivotally couple front cover assembly 20 to back plate 30. In this respect, any conventional pivot attachment mechanism may be used. For example, in some example embodiments, a simple rotatable bar is provided and held by a bar holder. It should be understood that any number of conventional pivoting devices are known to those skilled in the art and can be used to pivotally mount the front cover assembly 20 to the back panel 30. In other example embodiments, the front cover assembly 20 can be completely removed or detached from the back panel 30.

[0024] Module 40 may be disposed within internal volume 17, and module 40 accommodates dispensing mechanism 50. Typically, dispensing mechanism 50 includes components configured to dispense sheet material from a roll. For example, dispensing mechanism 50 may be configured to dispense sheet material from a first roll and / or a second roll in a controlled manner. For example, dispensing mechanism 50 may include any type of feed roller and / or pressure roller arrangement for advancing sheet material from sheet roll 18 through dispensing openings. Such feed roller arrangements, typically including control circuitry for operating said rollers, are known to those skilled in the art. Any known dispensing component may be used to dispense sheet material from sheet roll 18.

[0025] Distributor 10 also includes a roll retainer 22 configured to hold sheet roll 18. While one roll retainer 22 is shown, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In fact, any number of roll retainers 22 can be used or incorporated into the distributor 10 disclosed herein. For example, in an example embodiment where the distributor 10 is configured to hold at least two sheet rolls 18, at least two roll retainers 22, such as a first roll retainer and a second roll retainer, can be used. In some example embodiments, the first roll retainer can be used to hold a first sheet roll (e.g., a master roll), while the second roll retainer can be used to hold a second sheet roll (e.g., a residual roll). Roll retainers 22 are well known in the art and are capable of supporting sheet rolls such that the sheet can be unrolled and dispensed via a dispensing opening in the distributor. For example, some roll retainers have arms with small pieces and / or hubs thereon that can be inserted into the core diameter of the roll, thereby allowing circumferential movement of the roll to dispense sheet from the roll. Any known configuration of roll retainer can be used herein.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the dispensing mechanism 50 may include a roller assembly 100. The roller assembly 100 is configured to facilitate the dispensing of sheet 18. For example, the roller assembly 100 may engage sheet 18 between the roll retainer 22 and the free end of sheet 18. Furthermore, the roller assembly 100 may facilitate pushing pressure roller 54 toward driven spindle 52. Figure 1 The driven spindle 52 may be coupled to a motor (not shown) so that the motor can be operated to rotate the driven spindle 52. The roller assembly 100 may help hold the sheet 18 against the driven spindle 52 so as to dispense the sheet 18 from the dispenser 10 during rotation of the driven spindle 52. As another example, the roller assembly 100 may help push the baffle rod 56 over the cutting teeth 58. The roller assembly 100 may help hold the baffle rod 56 in its normal position covering the cutting teeth 58 so as to prevent or limit the sheet 18 from sliding against the cutting teeth 58 during rotation of the driven spindle 52. However, when the user pulls the sheet 18 toward the cutting teeth 58, the baffle rod 56 may displace, and the sheet 18 may strike the cutting teeth 58 to separate the free end of the sheet 18 from the remaining sheet in the dispenser 10. As discussed in more detail below, the roller assembly 100 may include a compliance mechanism for pushing the pressure roller 54 toward the driven spindle 52, pushing the baffle rod 56 over the cutting teeth 58, and / or pushing other parts of the roller assembly 100 toward other parts of the distributor 10.

[0027] Now go to Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example aspect of the roller assembly 100 will be described in more detail below. As shown, the roller assembly 100 may extend longitudinally between a first end portion 102 and a second end portion 104. Figure 4Only the first end portion 102 of the roller assembly 100 is shown in the diagram. However, it should be understood that the second end portion 104 of the roller assembly 100 can be constructed in the same or similar manner. The length of the roller assembly 100 (e.g., the length between the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104) can be approximately equal to the width of the housing 16. Thus, for example, the roller assembly 100 can extend across the internal volume 17 between opposite sidewalls of the housing 16. Furthermore, for example, the first end portion 102 of the roller assembly 100 can be located at or near one sidewall of the housing 16, and the second end portion 104 of the roller assembly 100 can be located at or near an opposite sidewall of the housing 16.

[0028] Roller assembly 100 may include an elongated guide body 110, a pressure roller support 120, a compliant support arm 130, and a compliant support spring member 150. The elongated guide body 110 may be mounted to a housing 16. During dispensing, sheet 18 may slide on a guide surface 112 of the elongated guide body 110. Thus, for example, the elongated guide body 110 may form at least a portion of the dispensing path of sheet 18 through the dispensing mechanism 50. The elongated guide body 110 may also form a mounting structure for other components of roller assembly 100. Roller assembly 100 may also include an upper body portion 114 and a lower body portion 116. The upper body portion 114 may define the guide surface 112 and form a portion of the dispensing path of sheet 18 through the aforementioned dispensing mechanism 50. The lower body portion 116 may also form a mounting structure for components of roller assembly 100, such as cutting teeth 58. Thus, for example, a baffle rod 56 may be positioned on at least a portion of the lower body portion 116. Furthermore, pressure roller 54 and baffle rod 56 may be disposed between upper main body portion 114 and lower main body portion 116. Upper main body portion 114 and lower main body portion 116 may be integrally formed from a single material, such as injection molded plastic or additive molded plastic, as described in more detail below.

[0029] The roller assembly 100 may include, for example, two or more pressure roller supports 120 positioned at opposite end portions of the elongated guide body 110. The pressure roller supports 120 are configured to rotatably support the pressure roller 54. For example, the pressure roller support 120 may include a bearing housing 122 defining a channel 124. The channel 124 is configured to receive the shaft of the pressure roller 54. For example, the shaft of the pressure roller 54 may be received within the channel 124 and rotate on the bearing housing 122. The bearing housing 122 may be positioned at a middle portion of the pressure roller support 120.

[0030] The pressure roller 54 may be positioned generally parallel to the elongated guide body 110. A compliant support arm 130 may connect the elongated guide body 110 to the pressure roller support 120. The compliant support arm 130 may be a compliant mechanism for the pressure roller 54. Thus, for example, the compliant support arm 130 may elastically deform to push the pressure roller 54 toward the driven spindle 52. In some example embodiments, the compliant support arm 130 may include at least two spring arms 132. The spring arms 132 may extend from the upper body portion 114 to the pressure roller support 120, for example, and to the lower body portion 116. The spring arms 132 may be curved or arcuate, for example, concave or complementary to the guide surface 112 of the elongated guide body 110. A bearing seat 122 may be positioned at the middle portion of the spring arms 132 between the upper body portion 114 and the lower body portion 116.

[0031] The baffle rod 56 can be positioned generally parallel to the elongated guide body 110. As described above, the baffle rod 56 can be configured to cover the cutting teeth 58. Thus, for example, in order to separate the dispensed portion of the sheet 18 from the dispenser 10, the user can grasp the sheet 18 hanging below the housing 16 and pull the sheet 18 forward to displace the baffle rod 56 and expose the cutting teeth 58, thereby separating the free end of the sheet 18 from the remaining roll of sheet 18 within the dispenser 19.

[0032] A compliant support spring member 150 can connect the baffle rod 56 to the elongated guide body 110. The compliant support spring member 150 can be a compliant mechanism for the baffle rod 56. Thus, for example, the compliant support spring member 150 can elastically deform to push the baffle rod 56 to its normal position to cover the cutting teeth 58. In some example embodiments, the compliant support spring member 150 may include a triangular plastic spring 152. The triangular plastic spring 152 may include three spring legs 154. A first spring leg of the spring legs 154 of the triangular plastic spring 152 may extend from the upper body portion 114 to the triangular plastic spring 152, a second spring leg of the spring legs 154 of the triangular plastic spring 152 may extend from the lower body portion 116 to the triangular plastic spring 152, and a third spring leg of the spring legs 154 of the triangular plastic spring 152 may also extend from the lower body portion 116 to the triangular plastic spring 152. Opposite ends of the baffle rod 56 may be mounted to each triangular plastic spring 152.

[0033] The elongated guide body 110, pressure roller support 120, compliant support arm 130, and compliant support spring member 150 can be integrally formed from a single piece of material. For example, the elongated guide body 110, pressure roller support 120, compliant support arm 130, and compliant support spring member 150 can be injection molded, additively formed, etc., from a single seamless piece of material. In some example embodiments, the material can be plastic. As mentioned above, the compliant support arm 130 and compliant support spring member 150 can be compliant mechanisms for the roller assembly 100, for example, and elastically deformable during operation of the dispenser 10. By utilizing the compliant support arm 130 and compliant support spring member 150, the roller assembly 100 can advantageously avoid or omit metal helical springs and / or metal torsion springs. Thus, for example, the roller assembly 100 can be a single-piece structure, such that the dispensing mechanism 50 advantageously has far fewer parts than known dispensing mechanisms.

[0034] These and other modifications and variations of the invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as more specifically described in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged, in whole or in part. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention further described in the appended claims.

[0035] Attached icon number

[0036] 10 Distributor

[0037] 16-shell

[0038] 17 internal volume

[0039] 18 sheets

[0040] 20 front cover assembly

[0041] 22-roll retainer

[0042] 30 backplate

[0043] 40 modules

[0044] 50 distribution agencies

[0045] 52 driven spindle

[0046] 54 pressure rollers

[0047] 56 baffle rod

[0048] 58 cutting teeth

[0049] 100-roll assembly

[0050] 102 First end portion

[0051] 104 Second end portion

[0052] 110 Slender Guide Body

[0053] 112 guiding surface

[0054] 114 Main body

[0055] 116 Main body

[0056] 120 pressure roller support

[0057] 122 bearing housing

[0058] 124 channels

[0059] 130 Compliant Support Arm

[0060] 132 spring arm

[0061] 150 Compliant Support Spring Component

[0062] 152 triangular plastic spring

[0063] 154 Spring Legs

[0064] Example Implementation Plan

[0065] First example implementation: A roller assembly for a dispenser, comprising: an elongated guide body; a pair of pressure roller supports, each of the pair of pressure roller supports being positioned near an opposite end portion of the elongated guide body; a plurality of compliant support arms connecting the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body; and a plurality of compliant support spring members configured to connect a baffle rod to the elongated guide body.

[0066] Second example implementation: The roller assembly as described in the first example implementation, wherein the elongated guide body, the pair of pressure roller supports, the plurality of compliant support arms and the plurality of compliant support spring members are integrally formed from a single monolithic material.

[0067] Third example implementation: The roller assembly as described in the second example implementation, wherein the single integral material component is made of plastic.

[0068] Fourth example implementation: a roller assembly as described in any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports includes a bearing housing that defines a channel configured to receive a shaft of pressure roller.

[0069] Fifth example implementation: a roller assembly as described in any one of the first to fourth implementations, wherein the bearing seat on each of the pair of pressure roller supports is positioned at the middle portion of each of the pair of pressure roller supports.

[0070] Sixth example implementation: a roller assembly as described in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports includes at least two spring arms.

[0071] Seventh example implementation: a roller assembly as described in any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein each of the plurality of compliant support spring members comprises a triangular plastic spring.

[0072] Eighth example implementation: a roller assembly as described in any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the plurality of compliant support spring members are configured to properly position the baffle rod on the plurality of cutting teeth.

[0073] Ninth Example Implementation: A roller assembly as described in any one of the first to eighth embodiments, wherein the roller assembly does not include a metal helical spring or a metal torsion spring.

[0074] Tenth Example Embodiment: A dispenser comprising: a housing; a roll carrier disposed within the housing, the roll carrier being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper material for dispensing; and a roller assembly disposed within the housing, the roller assembly being configured to engage the roll of paper material between the roll carrier and a free end of the roll of paper material, the roller assembly comprising: an elongated guide body mounted to the housing; a pair of pressure roller supports, each of the pair of pressure roller supports being positioned near an opposite end portion of the elongated guide body; a plurality of compliant support arms connecting the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body; and a plurality of compliant support spring members configured to connect baffle rods to the elongated guide body.

[0075] Eleventh Example Implementation: The dispenser as described in the tenth embodiment, wherein the elongated guide body, the pair of pressure roller supports, the plurality of compliant support arms and the plurality of compliant support spring members are integrally formed from a single monolithic material piece.

[0076] Twelfth Example Implementation: A dispenser as described in the eleventh embodiment, wherein the single integral material component is made of plastic.

[0077] Thirteenth Example Implementation: The dispenser as described in any one of the tenth to twelfth embodiments further includes a pressure roller, each of the pair of pressure roller supports including a bearing housing that defines a channel for receiving the shaft of the pressure roller.

[0078] Fourteenth Example Implementation: The distributor as described in the thirteenth embodiment, wherein the bearing seat on each of the pair of pressure roller supports is positioned at the middle portion of each of the pair of pressure roller supports.

[0079] Fifteenth Example Implementation: A distributor as described in any one of the tenth to fourteenth embodiments, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports includes at least two spring arms.

[0080] Sixteenth Example Implementation: A dispenser as described in any one of the tenth to fifteenth embodiments, wherein each of the plurality of compliant support spring members comprises a triangular plastic spring.

[0081] Seventeenth Example Implementation: The dispenser as described in any one of the tenth to sixteenth embodiments further includes a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of compliant support spring members being configured to properly position the baffle rod to cover the plurality of cutting teeth.

[0082] Eighteenth Example Implementation: A dispenser as described in any one of the tenth to seventeenth embodiments, wherein the roller assembly does not include a metal helical spring or a metal torsion spring.

Claims

1. A roller assembly for a distributor, comprising: Slender guiding body; A pair of pressure roller supports, each of the pair of pressure roller supports being positioned close to the opposite end portions of the elongated guide body; Multiple compliant support arms connect the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body, wherein the multiple compliant support arms are configured to elastically deform to push the pressure rollers toward the driven spindle; as well as Multiple compliant support spring members are configured to connect a baffle rod to the elongated guide body, wherein the multiple compliant support spring members are configured to elastically deform to push the baffle rod to a normal position to cover the cutting teeth.

2. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated guide body, the pair of pressure roller supports, the plurality of compliant support arms, and the plurality of compliant support spring members are integrally formed from a single monolithic material.

3. The roller assembly of claim 2, wherein the single integral material component is made of plastic.

4. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports includes a bearing housing that defines a channel configured to receive a shaft of the pressure roller.

5. The roller assembly of claim 4, wherein the bearing seat on each of the pair of pressure roller supports is positioned at the middle portion of each of the pair of pressure roller supports.

6. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports comprises at least two spring arms.

7. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of compliant support spring members comprises a triangular plastic spring.

8. The roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the roller assembly does not include a metal helical spring or a metal torsion spring.

9. A dispenser, comprising: case; A roll carrier, disposed within the housing, is configured to rotatably support a roll of paper material for dispensing; as well as A roller assembly disposed within the housing, the roller assembly being configured to engage the roll of paper material between the roll carrier and the free end of the roll of paper material, the roller assembly comprising: An elongated guide body is mounted to the housing. A pair of pressure roller supports, each of which is positioned close to the opposite end portion of the elongated guide body. Multiple compliant support arms connect the pair of pressure roller supports to the elongated guide body, wherein the multiple compliant support arms are configured to elastically deform to push the pressure rollers toward the driven spindle, and Multiple compliant support spring members connect the baffle rod to the elongated guide body, wherein the multiple compliant support spring members are configured to elastically deform to push the baffle rod to a normal position to cover the cutting teeth.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the elongated guide body, the pair of pressure roller supports, the plurality of compliant support arms, and the plurality of compliant support spring members are integrally formed from a single monolithic material.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the single integral material component is made of plastic.

12. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a pressure roller, each of the pair of pressure roller supports including a bearing housing defining a channel for receiving a shaft of the pressure roller.

13. The distributor of claim 12, wherein the bearing seat on each of the pair of pressure roller supports is positioned at the middle portion of each of the pair of pressure roller supports.

14. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of pressure roller supports comprises at least two spring arms.

15. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of compliant support spring members comprises a triangular plastic spring.

16. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of cutting teeth, the plurality of compliant support spring members being configured to push the baffle rod to a normal position to cover the plurality of cutting teeth.

17. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the roller assembly does not include a metal helical spring or a metal torsion spring.

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