Poster or poster winder

Abstract

Title: Poster Winder The invention relates to a poster winder (1), comprising: - a housing (2) containing a cylindrical winding chamber (3) extending longitudinally along a central axis (30), and winding drive means (4) for a sheet in the winding chamber (3); - an infeed slot (5) opening into the winding chamber (3) and extending longitudinally parallel to the central axis (30) of the winding chamber (3), between two lateral edges (51), one of which forms a stop for positioning a sheet to be inserted into the winding chamber (3); - an extraction opening (6) provided on a lateral face (21) of the housing (2), the extraction opening (6) opening on both sides to the outside of the housing (2) and into the winding chamber (3). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Poster winder technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of devices designed to roll up sheets, such as posters or flyers.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a compact winder, designed for use by "general public" type users. State of the art

[0003] In the field of the invention, the technique described in the patent document published under number GB1322840A is known.

[0004] This document describes a sheet winding apparatus in which the sheets are guided through a slot, then wound around a rotating shaft, and finally ejected in the direction of the shaft. Mechanisms automatically perform the insertion and ejection of the sheet, and the insertion of the wound sheet into a packaging tube.

[0005] The technique described in the patent document published under number FR2338849A1 is also known.

[0006] This document describes an apparatus that winds sheets and wraps the roll in an additional wrapping sheet. The winding is carried out around an axis and the roll is ejected in the direction of the axis. The sheet is guided to the axis by passing between "flexible material sheets".

[0007] These devices allow for the rolling of sheets, such as posters and flyers, but are not intended for use by general public users. Furthermore, these devices have bulky and complex mechanisms, making them unsuitable for use in premises typically used by general public users, such as their homes, offices, or at public event booths.

[0008] Moreover, because of their intended use for "professional" purposes, these devices have mechanisms that could cause injury to "general public" users unfamiliar with the specific use of such devices.

[0009] Finally, these devices have designs that may be considered complex and therefore likely to require frequent and costly interventions to function correctly. Technical problem

[0010] The invention aims, in particular, to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a technique for rolling posters or signs that is simple and safe to use.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide such a technique which is suitable for “general public” type users.

[0013] The invention further aims to provide such a technique which features an economical and reliable design. Summary of the invention

[0014] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a winder for posters, comprising: - a housing containing a cylindrical winding chamber extending longitudinally along a central axis, and means for winding a sheet into the winding chamber, - an introduction slot opening into the winding chamber and extending longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the winding chamber, between two lateral edges, one of which forms a stop for positioning a sheet to be introduced into the winding chamber; characterized in that the winder comprises an extraction opening formed on a lateral face of the housing, the extraction opening leading on both sides to the outside of the housing and into the winding chamber, the extraction opening having: - a main opening located in a longitudinal extension of the winding chamber; - a finger insertion notch extending on the side face, from the main opening, beyond a projection along the central axis of the winding chamber on the side face.

[0015] The winder according to the invention has a simple, compact, inexpensive, and safe design, particularly thanks to the housing and the technical means for extracting a sheet of paper wound in the winding chamber. Therefore, the winder according to the invention is particularly suitable for use by the general public.

[0016] More specifically, the winder housing protects the internal mechanisms of the winder and prevents a user unfamiliar with the use of the winder from injuring themselves by contact with these mechanisms.

[0017] The technical means that allow a user to extract a sheet of paper rolled up in the roller chamber do not protrude from the housing, and are fundamentally simple and intuitive to use, require no maintenance, and are inexpensive or nearly so to manufacture.

[0018] When using the winder, the user must insert a sheet into the winding chamber through the feed slot. The sheet is then wound into the winding chamber by means of the winding drive means. Once the sheet is wound, the user extracts the formed roll by grasping it through the extraction opening, the shape of which, and more specifically its finger notch, allows the roll to be pinched and pulled out of the winding chamber.

[0019] According to a preferred feature, the extraction opening is provided on a first lateral face of the housing, on the side of the lateral rim forming a positioning stop.

[0020] In this way, regardless of the size of the sheet rolled up using the winder, its extraction through the extraction opening tends to be even easier.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the insertion notch extends in depth relative to the first lateral face beyond a plane in which the lateral rim forming a positioning stop is inscribed.

[0022] Extracting a roll from the winding chamber is thus easier, the edge of the roll can be easily pinched, directly within the winding chamber, because the fingers can be placed on either side of the wound layers of the sheet forming the roll, without this sheet having to be previously pulled or partially pushed into the extraction opening.

[0023] According to a preferred design, the housing has a longitudinal face extending from the first lateral face along the central axis of the winding chamber, the insertion notch extending from the first lateral face on the longitudinal face, along the central axis.

[0024] Gripping a roll is then even easier.

[0025] Advantageously, the insertion notch extends from the first lateral face on the longitudinal face beyond a plane in which the lateral rim forming a positioning stop is inscribed.

[0026] This further facilitates the extraction of a roll from the winder.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the winding drive means are located in the winding chamber outside of an area of ​​the winding chamber into which the extraction opening opens.

[0028] In this way, the use of the winder, and more specifically the extraction of a formed roll, is safer.

[0029] This design tends to prevent a user from positioning their fingers in contact with the winding drive means.

[0030] Preferably, the winding drive means comprise a winding cylinder housed in the winding chamber, and mounted to rotate freely around the central axis, the winding cylinder extending from a closed side of the winding chamber towards the extraction opening.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature, the winding cylinder extends from a closed side of the winding chamber towards the extraction opening, to a distal end, and the distal end of the winding cylinder provides, along the central axis, between itself and the area of ​​the winding chamber into which the extraction opening opens, a safety zone devoid of winding drive means.

[0032] In this way the safety design of the winder is reinforced.

[0033] Advantageously, the winding cylinder has means for gripping an edge of a sheet to be wound into the winding chamber.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the winder comprises: - a presence sensor in the winding chamber, in the immediate vicinity of the main opening; - an introduction sensor at the introduction slot; the winder being configured to stop the winding drive means in a situation where the presence sensor returns a presence signal and where the introduction sensor does not return a presence signal.

[0035] This avoids a situation in which the winding drive means would still be in motion while the user is removing a roll from the winding chamber. Brief description of the drawings

[0036] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: • [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic front perspective representation of the winder according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic rear perspective representation of the winder according to the invention, centered on an extraction opening of the winder; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view representation of the winder, illustrating the extraction opening made on a side face of a winder housing; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of the extraction opening and a winding chamber into which the extraction opening opens; • [Fig. 5] [Fig. 4] is a schematic representation seen from above of the winder, according to a cross-section passing through an infeed slot which opens into the winding chamber. Detailed description

[0037] As can be seen in [Fig.1], a winder 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0038] The winder 1 is designed to wind posters or posters, i.e. flexible sheets, in particular sheets of paper or materials having a flexibility comparable to that of paper.

[0039] With reference to figures 1, 3 and 5, the winder 1 comprises a housing 2.

[0040] This housing 2 accommodates at least in part and at least partially the components of the winder 1 as described below.

[0041] This housing 2 forms a protective cover for the components it contains.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, the housing 2 has a shape that essentially fits within a rectangular parallelepiped-type volume.

[0043] The housing 2 has, according to the present embodiment: - two lateral faces 21, of which a first lateral face 211 and a second lateral face 212; - longitudinal faces 22; - a background.

[0044] The longitudinal faces 22 extend from the lateral faces 21 and between these lateral faces 21.

[0045] These longitudinal faces 22 include in particular a front face 221, a top face 222, and a rear face 223.

[0046] It is conceivable that the housing 2 may have other shapes. For example, the housing 2 could have the shape of a part of a cylinder of revolution, and have only one longitudinal face 22 which would be curved so as to extend at the front, top and rear of the winder 1.

[0047] The base extends between the two lateral faces 21.

[0048] This background forms a mounting surface for the winder 1.

[0049] The base can be flat and / or incorporate feet to form the mounting surface.

[0050] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the winder 1 comprises: - a winding chamber 3; - means for winding a sheet in the winding chamber 3; - an introduction slot 5 for introducing a sheet into the winding chamber 3; - an extraction opening 6 for a sheet wound in the winding chamber 3.

[0051] The winding chamber 3 is housed in the casing 2. That is to say, when winding a sheet, the formed roll located in the winding chamber 3 is located in the volume delimited by the casing 2.

[0052] As can be seen in figures 3 to 5, the winding chamber 3 is cylindrical, and extends longitudinally along a central axis 30.

[0053] According to the present embodiment, the cylindrical winding chamber 3 has a hexagonal cross-section.

[0054] Such a winding chamber conformation 3 is simple to produce.

[0055] It is conceivable, for example, that the winding chamber 3 has a cylindrical section of revolution.

[0056] The winding drive means 4 of a sheet in the winding chamber 3 are also housed in the casing 2.

[0057] These winding drive means 4 comprise, according to the present embodiment, a winding cylinder 41 housed in the winding chamber 3.

[0058] A sheet inserted into the winding chamber 3 is intended to be wound around the 4L winding cylinder

[0059] The winding cylinder 4 is mounted to rotate freely relative to the winding chamber 3 around the central axis 30.

[0060] More specifically, the winding chamber 3 is opened on one side through the extraction opening 6, as detailed later, and closed on a second side.

[0061] The winding cylinder 41 is thus rotationally mounted on the closed side of the winding chamber 3, and extends from this closed side of the winding chamber 3 towards the extraction opening 6.

[0062] This winding cylinder 4 extends from the closed side of the winding chamber 3 to a distal end 411.

[0063] This winding cylinder 41 has gripping means 42 for an edge of a sheet to be wound into the winding chamber 3.

[0064] These gripping means 42 are designed to grasp, actively or passively, and maintain grasping the edge of the sheet to be rolled up in the winding chamber 3.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, the gripping means 42 are formed by a longitudinal groove formed along the winding cylinder 41.

[0066] The winding drive means 4 also include a motor 43 (illustrated in [Fig.5]) mounted in the housing 2, and coupled to the winding cylinder 41 so as to be able to drive it in rotation.

[0067] This motor 43 can be powered by electricity via a mains socket, or by an electric accumulator.

[0068] According to this embodiment, when inserting a sheet to be wound into the winding chamber, the free edge of the sheet entering the winding chamber 3 comes to rest in the longitudinal groove, then the winding cylinder 41 is set in rotation, which causes the sheet to be driven in rotation around the winding cylinder 41, the edge of the sheet being stuck in the longitudinal groove.

[0069] To facilitate this kinematic, the winder 1 is configured so that the feed slot 5 is oriented towards the winding cylinder 41.

[0070] More specifically, in a configuration waiting to receive a sheet, the winding cylinder 41 is oriented angularly so that the longitudinal groove is positioned opposite the feed slot 5. In this way, the insertion of the sheet through the feed slot 5 tends to naturally lead to the insertion of the edge of the sheet into the longitudinal groove.

[0071] According to the present embodiment, the longitudinal groove opens into a central cavity of the winding cylinder 41.

[0072] This longitudinal groove is bordered at least in part by salient angles tending to facilitate gripping the edge of the sheet.

[0073] According to other conceivable embodiments, the winding drive means 4 can take other forms, such as rollers distributed around the perimeter of the winding chamber 3 to tend to drive the winding of the sheet onto itself following its insertion into the winding chamber 3, or rollers pulling and pushing the sheet through the infeed slot 5, and using the cylindrical shape of the winding chamber 3 to drive the winding of the sheet.

[0074] With reference to figures 1 and 4, the introduction slot 5 is formed by two profiles 10 approaching each other in the direction of the winding chamber 3.

[0075] After forming the infeed slot 5, the two profiles move apart from each other to form the winding chamber 3.

[0076] The inlet slot 5 opens into the winding chamber 3 and extends longitudinally parallel to the central axis 30 of the winding chamber 3, between two lateral edges 51.

[0077] At least one of the lateral edges 51 forms a positioning stop for a sheet to be introduced into the winding chamber 3.

[0078] As illustrated in [Fig.1], one of the profiles 10 forms a lower inclined plane 11 extending in the direction of the introduction slot 5.

[0079] This lower inclined plane 11 allows a pile of sheets to be wedged on it, then the sheets to be pushed one by one towards the introduction slot 5 to insert them into the winding chamber 3.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the winder 1 also has a flush plane 12 intended to be essentially parallel to the mounting plane of the winder 1, and from which the lower inclined plane 11 extends in the direction of the feed slot 5.

[0081] This flush plane 12 is in this case formed by the profile 10 which also forms the lower inclined plane 11.

[0082] The leveling plane 12 is designed to extend as close as possible to the mounting plane of the winder 1.

[0083] A pile of leaves can be placed on this flush plane 12.

[0084] The other of the profiles 10 forms an upper inclined plane 13 which extends in the direction of the introduction slot 5.

[0085] The lower inclined plane 11 and the upper inclined plane 13 form guide means towards the insertion slot 5 of the sheets to be rolled.

[0086] With reference to figures 1 to 5, the extraction opening 6 is described in more detail below.

[0087] This extraction opening 6 is provided on a lateral face 21 of the housing 2, and more specifically on the first lateral face 211. The extraction opening 6 is thus provided on the side of the lateral rim 51 forming a positioning stop.

[0088] This extraction opening 6 opens on both sides to the outside of the housing 2 and into the winding chamber 3.

[0089] The extraction opening 6 is designed to allow and facilitate manual extraction of a rolled sheet.

[0090] This extraction opening 6 has a main opening 61.

[0091] The main opening 61 is located in the longitudinal extension of the winding chamber 3. In other words, the first lateral face 211 is crossed by a passage having the cross-section of the winding chamber 3, in the longitudinal continuity of this winding chamber 3.

[0092] This main opening 61 allows the passage of a rolled sheet into the winding chamber 3.

[0093] The extraction opening 6 also has a finger insertion notch 62. Of course, several fingers could be inserted into this notch depending on its dimensions.

[0094] This insertion notch 62 increases the dimensions of the extraction opening compared to the initial dimensions of the main opening 61. Indeed, the insertion notch 62 extends on the lateral face 21, from the main opening 61, beyond a projection along the central axis 30 of the winding chamber 3 onto the first lateral face 211.

[0095] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the insertion notch 62 extends along the first lateral face 211 from the main opening 61.

[0096] According to the present embodiment, the insertion notch 62 extends to the edge of the first lateral face 211.

[0097] However, an embodiment is conceivable in which the insertion notch 62 would remain recessed from the edge of the first lateral face 211.

[0098] With reference to figures 2, 3 and 5, the insertion notch 62 extends in depth relative to the first lateral face 211 beyond a plane in which the lateral rim 51 forms a positioning stop.

[0099] In other words, the insertion notch 62 thus has a bottom 621 which fits in a plane, along the central axis 30, within the winding chamber 3.

[0100] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 5, the insertion notch 62 also extends from the first lateral face 211 onto the longitudinal face 22, and more specifically onto the rear face 223, along the central axis 30.

[0101] Indeed, this longitudinal face 22, and more precisely the rear face 223 has a notch 623 allowing the insertion of a finger into the insertion notch 62, from the rear face 223.

[0102] This recess 623 extends from the first lateral face 211 over a distance identical to the depth of the bottom 621 relative to the first lateral face 211.

[0103] Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, the insertion notch 62 extends from the first lateral face 211 on the longitudinal face 22 beyond a plane in which the lateral rim 51 forming a positioning stop is inscribed.

[0104] As shown in [Fig.5], the winding drive means 4 are located in the winding chamber 3 outside of an area of ​​the winding chamber 3 into which the extraction opening 6 opens.

[0105] Furthermore, the distal end 411 of the winding cylinder 41 provides, along the central axis 30, between itself and the area of ​​the winding chamber 3 into which the extraction opening 6 opens, a safety zone ZS devoid of winding drive means 4. This safety zone ZS has a non-zero length along the central axis 30.

[0106] This aims to prevent a finger inserted inside a roller, to pinch the roller with another finger inserted in the insertion notch 62, from coming into contact with the winding drive means 4.

[0107] The relative positioning and shape of the insertion notch 62, and of the winding drive means 4 are detailed below with reference to three planes PI, P2, P3 which extend orthogonally to the central axis 30.

[0108] The PI plane corresponds to a plane in which the first lateral face 211 of the housing 2 is inscribed.

[0109] The plane P2 corresponds to a plane in which the lateral rim 51 forming a positioning stop is located, situated closest to the first lateral face 211. This plane P2 also corresponds to the plane in which the end of the winding chamber 3 located closest to the first lateral face 211 is located.

[0110] The plane P3 corresponds to a plane in which the bottom 621 of the insertion notch 62 is inscribed.

[0111] As can be seen, the plane P3 is secant with the volume of the winding chamber 3.

[0112] Consequently, a sheet wedged against the lateral edge 51 near the first lateral face, then wound into the winding chamber 3, will present a portion that can easily be pinched between the plane P2 and the plane P3.

[0113] Still referring to [Fig. 5], the winder 1 comprises: - a presence sensor 71 in the winding chamber 3, in the immediate vicinity of the main opening 61; - an introduction sensor 72 at the level of the introduction slot 5.

[0114] The presence sensor 71 and the introduction sensor are located behind the plane P3 in which the bottom 621 is inscribed.

[0115] The winder 1 being parameterized to stop the winding drive means 4 in a situation where the presence sensor 71 returns a presence signal and where the introduction sensor 72 does not return a presence signal.

[0116] With reference to [Fig.1], the winder 1 has a switch 81 for triggering the winding of a sheet, and in other words the winding drive means 4.

[0117] The winder 1 can be configured so that the switch 81 must be continuously operated in order for the winding drive means 4 to be actuated, or can be configured so that a single press of the switch 81 turns the winder 1 on or off, the winder 1 in its on configuration then actuating the winding drive means 4 only when the presence sensor 71 and the introduction sensor 72 return a presence signal.

[0118] The winder 1 described above forms a simple, secure solution, and its technical characteristics allow it to be compact, thus making the winder eligible for "general public" type use.

Claims

Demands

1. Poster winder (1), comprising: - a housing (2) containing a cylindrical winding chamber (3) extending longitudinally along a central axis (30), and winding drive means (4) for a sheet in the winding chamber (3), - an infeed slot (5) opening into the winding chamber (3) and extending longitudinally parallel to the central axis (30) of the winding chamber (3), between two lateral edges (51) one of which forms a stop for positioning a sheet to be introduced into the winding chamber (3);characterized in that the winder (1) comprises an extraction opening (6) provided on a lateral face (21) of the housing (2), the extraction opening (6) opening on both sides to the outside of the housing (2) and into the winding chamber (3), the extraction opening (6) having: - a main opening (61) located in a longitudinal extension of the winding chamber (3); - an insertion notch (62) for a finger extending on the lateral face (21), from the main opening (61), beyond a projection along the central axis (30) of the winding chamber (3) onto the lateral face (21).

2. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the extraction opening (6) is provided on a first lateral face (211) of the housing (2), on the side of the lateral rim (51) forming a positioning stop.

3. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insertion notch (62) extends in depth relative to the first lateral face (211) beyond a plane in which the lateral rim (51) forming a positioning stop is inscribed.

4. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (2) has a longitudinal face (22) extending from the first lateral face (211) along the central axis (30) of the winding chamber (3), the insertion notch (62) extending from the first lateral face (211) on the longitudinal face (22), along the central axis (30).

5. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insertion notch (62) extends from the first lateral face (211) on the longitudinal face (22) beyond a plane in which the lateral rim (51) forming a positioning stop is inscribed.

6. Winder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the winding drive means (4) are located in the winding chamber (3) outside of an area of ​​the winding chamber (3) into which the extraction opening (6) opens.

7. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the winding drive means (4) comprise a winding cylinder (41) housed in the winding chamber (3), and mounted movable in rotation about the central axis (30), the winding cylinder (41) extending from a closed side of the winding chamber (3) in the direction of the extraction opening (6).

8. Winder (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the winding cylinder (41) extends from a closed side of the winding chamber (3) in the direction of the extraction opening (6), to a distal end (411), and in that the distal end (411) of the winding cylinder (41) provides, along the central axis (30), between itself and the area of ​​the winding chamber (3) into which the extraction opening (6) opens, a safety zone devoid of winding drive means (4).

9. Winder (1) according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the winding cylinder (41) has gripping means (42) for an edge of a sheet to be wound into the winding chamber (3).

10. A winder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a presence sensor (71) in the winding chamber (3), in the immediate vicinity of the main opening (61); - an insertion sensor (72) at the insertion slot (5); the winder (1) being parameterized to stop the winding drive means (4) in a situation where the sensor presence sensor (71) returns a presence signal and where the introduction sensor (72) does not return a presence signal.

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