Dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus (1, Fig 1) for cutting sheets (S, Fig 9) from a length of towel. The dispensing apparatus (1, Fig 1) includes a supply roller 33 rotatable about a central axis X. At least one c

Description

03 09 24 TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a dispensing apparatus. Aspects of the invention relate to a 5 dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheets of towel. The dispensing apparatus comprises a mechanism for cutting the sheets from a length of towel, for example stored on a roll. BACKGROUND It is known to provide a towel dispensing apparatus for cutting and dispensing sheets of towel. 10 The towel dispensing apparatus typically comprises one or more blades for cutting the sheets from a length of towel, for example wound on a roll. The blades may, for example, comprise a series of triangular teeth for piercing and cutting the towel. A problem with known towel dispensing apparatus is that the blades may dull with repeated use resulting in a poorer cutting action. This may necessitate more frequent servicing and maintenance of the towel dispensing 15 apparatus. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a dispensing apparatus as claimed in the appended claims According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus 25 for cutting a sheet from a length of towel, the dispensing apparatus comprising: a supply roller rotatable about a central axis; and at least one cutting member mounted to the supply roller for rotation with the supply roller, the or each cutting member comprising a cutting edge for cutting the towel; the at least one cutting member comprising or consisting of two of the cutting 30 members inclined at an angle relative to each other to make two or more cuts which are inclined relative to each other to make a non-linear cut in the towel; and at least one fixed cutting member for cooperating with the at least one cutting member mounted to the supply roller to cut the towel; wherein a gap is provided between the cutting members mounted to the supply roller 35 to maintain a join between the sheet being dispensed and the remainder of the towel. 03 09 24 The at least one cutting member may be configured to make a non-linear cut in the towel. The non-linear cut may be curved, for example comprising or consisting of an elliptical cut, a partcircular cut, a U-shaped cut, a semi-circular cut, etc. Alternatively, the non-linear cut may be polygonal, for example comprising or consisting of a truncated V-shaped cut, or a W-shaped 5 cut. The dispensing apparatus comprises or consists of two of the cutting members. The cutting members are inclined at an angle relative to each other. At least in certain embodiments, the cutting members may be arranged to make two or more cuts which are inclined relative to 10 each other. The sheet cut by the at least one cutting member may be in the form of a chevron. As a result, the overall length of the sheet is increased compared to a rectangular sheet. The perceived size of the sheet is increased which may reduce consumption of the towel. 15 The or each cutting member may have a cutting edge comprising or consisting of a curved profile. The cutting edge of the or each cutting member may extend a radial distance from the central 20 axis. The radial distance may be substantially uniform along at least a portion of a length of the or each cutting member. The cutting edge of the or each cutting member may comprise or consist of a plane curve. 25 The cutting edge of the or each cutting member may comprise or consist of an ellipsoid section. The ellipsoid section may correspond to an intersection of a plane with an ellipsoid. Alternatively, the cutting edge of the or each cutting member may comprise or consist of a hyperboloid section. The hyperboloid section may correspond to an intersection of a plane with a hyperboloid (i.e. an intersection between a plane and an hourglass shape). 30 The cutting edge of the or each cutting member may comprise or consist of a cylindric section. The cylindric section may be an intersection of a plane with a right circular cylinder. The dispensing apparatus comprises at least one fixed cutting member for cooperating with 35 the at least one cutting member mounted to the supply roller to cut the towel. 03 09 24 OThe term curved profile is used herein to refer to a profile which is non-linear. The curved profile may, for example, be in the form of a substantially continuous curve. The substantially continuous curve may be formed without angles and / or without interruptions. 5 Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such 10 features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheets of towel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 20 Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dispensing mechanism of the dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the dispensing mechanism shown in Figure 2; Figure 4A shows a plan elevation of the front support member and the first cutting members; 25 Figure 4B shows plan and end elevations of the first cutting members shown in Figure 4A; Figure 5A shows a front elevation of the supply roller and the second cutting members; Figure 5B shows plan and end elevations of the second cutting members shown in 30 Figure 5A; Figure 6 shows a transverse sectional view of the dispensing mechanism shown in Figure 2; Figure 7A shows a longitudinal position of a first transverse section A1 through the dispensing mechanism; 35 Figure 7B shows the first transverse section A1 through the dispensing mechanism; Figure 8A shows a longitudinal position of a second transverse section A2 through the dispensing mechanism; 03 09 24 Figure 8B shows the second transverse section A2 through the dispensing mechanism; Figure 9 illustrates the towel being fed through the dispensing apparatus and cut into sheets having opposing V-shaped ends. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A towel dispensing apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures. The towel dispensing apparatus 1 is configured to dispense sheets S of a towel. The towel dispensing apparatus 1 may, for 10 example, be installed in a washroom or public convenience. As described herein, the towel dispensing apparatus 1 is configured to cut the sheets S from a length of towel on a roll 3 in the towel dispensing apparatus 1. The towel has a uniform width and may, for example, comprise a paper-based product. 15 With reference to Figure 1, the towel dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a body portion 5 and a cover 7. The cover 7 is pivotally mounted to the body portion 5 and can be raised to an open position (shown in Figure 1) for servicing or maintenance. The body portion 5 comprises a housing 9 and a compartment 11 for storing the roll 3 of towel. The roll 3 may comprise a central spindle, but in the present embodiment the roll 3 does not include a spindle (i.e. the 20 roll 3 is spindleless). A lock (not shown) is provided for retaining the cover 7. The body portion 5 comprises a back plate 13, first and second sidewalls 15A, 15B and a lower housing section 17. The back plate 13 is configured to be fastened to a vertical wall to mount the towel dispensing apparatus 1. The lower housing section 17 comprises a dispensing aperture 19 through which the sheets S of towel are dispensed. 25 First and second support arms 21 A, 21B are provided in the compartment 9 for supporting the roll 3. The first support arm 21A comprises a first roll engaging members 23A; and the second support arm 21B comprises a second roll engaging member 23B. The first and second roll engaging members 23A, 23B engage opposing ends of the roll 3. The first and second support 30 arms 21A, 21B are movably mounted on a transverse rail 25. The first and second support arms 21 A, 21B can translate along the transverse rail 25 to accommodate different widths of towel. In the present embodiment, the first and second support arms 21 A, 21B are resiliently deformable to facilitate mounting of the roll 3. The first and second support arms 21A, 21B may, for example, be formed from an elastomeric material which can be deformed to move 35 the first and second roll engaging members 23A, 23B apart to facilitate insertion and / or removal of the roll 3. 03 09 24 A cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 is removably mounted in a front region of the body portion 5. A perspective view of the cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 is shown in Figure 2; and an exploded view of the cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 is shown in Figure 3. The cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 comprises first and second side members 29A, 5 29B; a first guide roller 31, a supply roller 33, a second guide roller 35, a inner cover 37 and a front support member 39. The inner cover 37 is located over the supply roller 33. The inner cover 37 is pivotally mounted to facilitate feeding the towel from the roll 3 through the cutting and dispensing mechanism 27. The first guide roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the second guide roller 35 are rotatably mounted on the first and second side members 29A, 29B. The 10 first guide roller 31 and the second guide roller 33 are rotatable freely. The supply roller 33 is rotatable about a central axis X. The supply roller 33 could be drivingly rotated, for example by an electric motor or by a manual actuator, such as a rotary member or a lever. In the present embodiment, the supply roller 33 is rotated by a user pulling on the towel being dispensed from the towel dispensing apparatus 1. 15 The supply roller 33 is mounted between the first and second guide rollers 31, 35. The first guide roller 31 is configured to guide the towel from the roll 3 onto the supply roller 33. The towel is supplied from the roll 3 around a rear portion of the first guide roller 31 and over an upper portion of the supply roller 33 towards the front of the cutting and dispensing mechanism 20 27. The second guide roller 35 guides the towel off the supply roller 33 and through the dispensing aperture 19. The second guide roller 35 may help maintain the towel in contact with the supply roller 33. An engaging surface 41 of the supply roller 33 cooperates with the towel such that a user pulling on the towel causes the supply roller 33 to rotate. High-grip members 43, such as an elastomeric member or a rubber member, are provided on the 25 engaging surface 41 of the supply roller 33 to reduce or prevent the towel slipping in relation to the supply roller 33. The supply roller 33 is rotatable in only one direction (unidirectional) to maintain the towel in position. The cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 comprises a pair of first cutting members 45A, 45B 30 mounted to the front support member 39, as shown in Figure 4A. The first cutting members 45A, 45B extend along a first chord line of the supply roller 33, as shown in Figure 6. The first cutting members 45A, 45B each comprise a plate, for example a metal plate, having a substantially planar configuration. The first cutting members 45A, 45B have a rigid (nonyielding or inflexible) composition. The first cutting members 45A, 45B could be formed from 35 a single member. The first cutting members 45A, 45B each comprise a first end face 47A, 47B and a (upper) first engaging surface 49A, 49B. The first end faces 47A 47B and the first engaging surfaces 49A, 49B of each first cutting member 45A, 45B define a first cutting edge 03 09 24 51 A, 51B having a first profile. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first profile in the present embodiment comprises or consists of a linear profile, The first cutting edge 51 A, 51B has a first edge angle which, in the present embodiment, is approximately 90° (i.e. the first end faces 47A, 47B and the first engaging surfaces 49A, 49B are substantially orthogonal). As shown in 5 Figure 4B, the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B each have a substantially linear profile when viewed in planform. The first cutting members 45A, 45B are mounted to the front support member 39 such that the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B extend substantially parallel to the central axis X of the supply roller 33. The first cutting members 45A, 45B are mounted such that the first engaging surfaces 49A, 49B are inclined at a first angle a1 to a radius R of the 10 central axis X (in a reference plane extending perpendicular to the central axis X). The first angle cd in the present embodiment is approximately 65°. A gap or space is provided between the first cutting members 45A, 45B to maintain a central join between the sheet S being dispensed and the remainder of the towel. Similarly, the first cutting members 45A, 45B may not extend the full width of the towel to maintain one or more join at a side of the sheet S and 15 the remainder of the towel. By maintaining these joins, the rotation of the supply roller 33 continues as the user extracts the sheet S. It will be understood that the join(s) can readily be torn by the user to separate the sheet S. The first cutting members 45A, 45B are mounted such that the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B 20 extend substantially parallel to the central axis X of the supply roller 33. The first cutting members 45A, 45B in the present embodiment are fixedly mounted to the front support member 39. The first cutting members 45A, 45B are mounted to the front support member 39 using a suitable fastener (not shown), such as a mechanical fastener or an adhesive. The front support member 39 in the present embodiment is pivotally mounted on an axle 53 extending 25 substantially parallel to the central axis X of the supply roller 33. In the present embodiment the position of the first cutting members 45A, 45B is fixed relative to the front support member 39. A spring element 54 (shown in Figure 2) is provided to act on the front support member 39 to bias the first cutting members 45A, 45B towards the supply roller 33. Ina variant, the first cutting members 45A, 45B may be movably mounted on the front support member 39. 30 For example, the first cutting members 45A, 45B may be mounted on a resilient mount for accommodating relative movement. The first cutting members 45A, 45B may be spring biased towards the supply roller 33. For example, one or more spring members may be provided to bias the first cutting members 45A, 45B towards the supply roller 33. Alternatively, or in addition, the front support member 39 could be spring biased towards the supply roller 33. For 35 example, the front support member 39 could be spring biased towards the supply roller 33 by one or more spring members. 03 09 24 The cutting and dispensing mechanism 27 comprises a pair of second cutting members 55A, 55B mounted to the supply roller 33, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The second cutting members 55A, 55B extend along a second chord line of the supply roller 33, as shown in Figure 6. In the present embodiment the second cutting members 55A, 55B are fixedly 5 mounted to the supply roller 33. The second cutting members 55A, 55B are configured to rotate with the supply roller 33. The second cutting members 55A, 55B each comprise a plate, for example a metal plate, having a substantially planar configuration. The second cutting members 55A, 55B have a rigid (non-yielding or inflexible) composition. The second cutting members 55A, 55B each comprise a second end face 57A, 57B and a (lower) second 10 engaging surface 59A, 59B. The second end faces 57A, 57B and the second engaging surfaces 59A, 59B of each second cutting member 55A, 55B define a second cutting edge 61 A, 61B. The second cutting edge 61 A, 61B has a second edge angle which, in the present embodiment, is approximately 90° (i.e. the second end faces 57A, 57B and the second engaging surfaces 59A, 59B are substantially orthogonal). The second cutting members 55A, 15 55B are mounted such that the second engaging surfaces 59A, 59B are inclined at a second angle a2 to a radius R of the central axis X (in a reference plane extending perpendicular to the central axis X). The second angle a2 varies along the length of the second cutting members 55A, 55B. In the present embodiment, the second angle a2 is greater than 45° and less than 90° (45°> a2>90°). A gap or space is provided between the second cutting members 20 55A, 55B to maintain a join between the sheet S being dispensed and the remainder of the towel. As shown in Figure 3, the second cutting members 55A, 55B are inclined relative to each other in a V-shaped configuration. Each of the second cutting members 55A, 55B is inclined 25 at an angle of approximately 75° relative to a reference plane extending perpendicular to the central axis X of the supply roller 33, as shown in Figure 5A. Thus, an included angle of approximately 160° is defined between the second cutting members 55A, 55B. The inclined arrangement of the second cutting members 55A, 55B on the supply roller 33 results in a V-shaped cut in the towel. The opposing first and second ends of the dispensed sheets S 30 comprise V-shapes arranged parallel to each other, as shown in Figure 9. The sheets S may be described as having a chevron shape. This shape may create the impression of a larger surface area of each sheet S and may help to reduce consumption of the towel. The V-shaped configuration is oriented in opposition to a direction of travel of the towel on the supply roller 33. Thus, the apex formed by the second cutting members 55A, 55B points in the opposite 35 direction to the rotational direction of the supply roller 33 for supplying towel. This arrangement results causes each second cutting member 55A, 55B to initiate a cut at an outer portion of the towel. The cut progress inwardly towards a centre of the towel as the supply roller 33 03 09 24 continues to rotate. The outer edges of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may extend up to or beyond the edges of the towel. Alternatively, the outer edges of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may be inset from the edges of the towel. Alternatively, or in addition, the inner edges of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may be spaced apart from each other. This 5 arrangement may leave sections of the towel intact after the cutting action is complete. These intact sections may maintain integrity of the towel to facilitate continued rotation of the supply roller 33. The final separation of the sheet of the towel may be performed by a tearing or ripping action to separate the intact sections. The second cutting members 55A, 55B may each be profiled to perform a perforated cut leaving a plurality of intact sections. 10 As shown in Figure 4, the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B each have a second profile. The second profile comprises a curved profile when viewed in planform. The second cutting edges 61 A, 61B extend a substantially uniform radial distance from the central axis X along a length of the respective second cutting members 55A, 55B. In the present embodiment, the second 15 cutting edges 61 A, 61B each have a part-elliptical profile. The curved second profile of each of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B represents a cylindric section corresponding to the intersection of a cylindrical surface with a plane. The second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may comprise or consist of a profile having a (circular) arc when viewed along the central axis X. In the present embodiment, the cylindric section is defined by the intersection of a virtual right 20 cylinder having a diameter larger than the diameter of the supply roller 33 (thereby ensuring that the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B extend beyond the engaging surface 41 of the supply roller 22); and a plane corresponding to the plane of the respective second cutting members 55A, 55B. As outlined above, the second cutting members 55A, 55B in the present embodiment are planar and the curved profiles of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B consist 25 of a plane curve. In a variant, the second cutting members 55A, 55B may be non-planar, for example comprising one or more curve and / or one or more bend. The second cutting members 55A, 55B may be part-helical, for example. In these arrangements, the curved profiles of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may comprise or consist of a non-planar curve (i.e. a curve formed in three dimensions).In a variant, the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may 30 comprise or consist of an ellipsoid section or a conic section. The towel is fed over the supply roller 33 and passes between the first cutting members 45A, 45B and the second cutting members 55A, 55B. The first cutting members 45A, 45B and the second cutting members 55A, 55B are configured to cooperate with each other to cut the towel 35 to form the sheets S for dispensing. The rotation of the supply roller 33 causes the second cutting members 55A, 55B to rotate relative to the first cutting members 45A, 45B. The first cutting member 45A is configured to cooperate with the second cutting member 55A; and the 03 09 24 first cutting member 45B is configured to cooperate with the second cutting members 55B. The first cutting members 45A, 45B are configured such that the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B extend substantially parallel to the central axis X. The second cutting members 55A, 55B extend a substantially uniform radial distance from the central axis X along their length. Thus, 5 a radial extent of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B is substantially uniform along at least substantially the entire length of each of the second cutting members 55A, 55B. The second cutting edges 61 A, 61B may deviate slightly from this profile, for example at a first (inner) end and / or a second (outer) end of the second cutting edges 61 A, 61B to provide a run-in and / or a run-out cutting feature. 10 As a user pulls on the towel, the supply roller 33 is rotated causing the second cutting members 55A, 55B to move relative to the first cutting members 45A, 45B. The second cutting members 55A, 55B are thereby advanced as the supply roller 33 rotates. The continued rotation of the supply roller brings the second cutting members 55A, 55B into engagement with the first 15 cutting members 45A, 45B. Since the second cutting members 55A, 55B are angularly inclined relative to the first cutting members 45A, 45B, each first cutting member 45A, 45B engages with an associated second cutting member 55A, 55B at a discrete location. The towel is cut locally at this location (referred to herein as a point cut). In the present embodiment, the V-shaped configuration of the second cutting members 55A, 55B results in two (2) point cuts 20 being formed in the towel at the same time. The point cuts are initiated on opposing sides of the towel and progress inwardly towards a centreline of the towel as the supply roller 33 rotates (due to orientation of the V-shaped configuration of the second cutting members 55A, 55B in relation to the direction of travel of the towel). It will be understood that different arrangements of the or each first cutting members 45A, 45B and / or the second cutting members 55A, 55B 25 may result in a single point cut or more than two points cuts at any given time. The continued rotation of the supply roller 33 changes the location where the first cutting members 45A, 45B engages with the associated second cutting members 55A, 55B. This change in location advances the point cut such that the towel is cut progressively as the supply roller 33 rotates. The cutting action is complete when the supply roller 33 advances the second cutting 30 members 55A, 55B past the first cutting members 45A, 45B. The sheet S is dispensed through the dispensing aperture at the bottom of the towel dispensing apparatus 1. The cutting action performed by the first cutting members 45A, 45B and the second cutting members 55A, 55B will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The first engaging 35 surfaces 49A, 49B of the first cutting members 45A, 45B are inclined at a first angle a1 to a radius of the central axis X. The second engaging surfaces 59A, 59B of the second cutting members 55A, 55B are inclined at a second angle a2 to a radius of the central axis X. The 03 09 24 first angle a1 and the second angle a2 are offset relative to each other to define a cutting angle a3 (a3=a1-a2). The cutting angle a3 is non-zero (i.e. greater than 0°) and preferably less than 30°. It has been determined that, at least in certain embodiments, a cutting angle a3 in this range provides a reliable cutting action. In the present embodiment the cutting angle a3 is less 5 than or equal to 10°. The second angle a2 in the present embodiment changes along the length of the second cutting members 55A, 55B. As described herein, the second cutting members 55A, 55B are inclined relative to each other a V-shaped configuration. Since the second cutting members 55A, 55B are disposed on the 10 supply roller 33, the resulting cut in the towel is also V-shaped. The opposing ends of the sheet S comprise V-shaped cuts (arranged parallel to each other) such that the sheet S is a chevron shape. This shape gives the impression of an increased surface area of the sheet S. A sheet S cut from the roll 3 is illustrated in Figure 6. In a variant, the second cutting member(s) 55A, 55B can be configured to make a cut at least substantially across a width of the towel. The cut 15 may extend at an acute angle to a central longitudinal axis of the towel. For example, the cut may extend at an angle greater than or equal to 15°, 30°or 45° to a central longitudinal axis of the towel. The resulting sheet of towel cut by the at least one cutting member may be in the form of a parallelogram. 20 It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, the second cutting members 55A, 55B could be retractable, for example into an interior of the supply roller 33. A mechanism could be incorporated into the support roller 33 to retract the second cutting members 55A, 55B. 25 The second cutting members 55A, 55B in the above embodiment have been described as having second cutting edges 61 A, 61B comprising a curved profile. Alternatively, or in addition, the first cutting members 45A, 45B may have first cutting edges 51A, 51B comprising a curved profile. The curved profile of each first cutting member 45A, 45B may be concave. The first 30 cutting edges 51 A, 51B may comprise a plane curve, for example comprising a cylindric section. The first cutting edges 51 A, 51B may comprise or consist of a profile having a (circular) arc when viewed along the central axis X. The second cutting members 55A, 55B may comprise second cutting edges 61A, 61B comprising a linear profile. The first cutting members 45A, 45B may be inclined relative to each other, for example comprising or 35 consisting of a V-shape. The V-shape may converge or diverge in a direction of travel of the towel as it is dispensed from the towel dispensing apparatus 1. The orientation of the first cutting members 45A, 45B relative to the second cutting members 55A, 55B may correspond 03 09 24 to the arrangement described herein. For example, the cutting angle defined between the faces of the first cutting members 45A, 45B and the second cutting members 55A, 55B may be the same as the ranges described herein with respect to the earlier embodiment. It will be understood that the first cutting members 45A, 45B and / or the second cutting members 55A, 5 55B may each comprise a substantially planar plate. The second cutting members 55A, 55B have been described herein as comprising a cylindric section. In a variant, the second cutting members 55A, 55B may comprise an ellipsoid section. The ellipsoid section can be defined by an intersection of a plane and an ellipsoid. The first 10 cutting members 45A, 45B can be modified such that the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B are complementary. For example, the first cutting edges 51 A, 51B may have a concave profile. The first cutting members 45A, 45B have been described as comprising plates. In a variant, the first cutting members 45A, 45B may comprise an elongate member, such as a bar, a rod 15 or a tube. The elongate member may comprise or consist of a polygonal section. For example, the elongate member may comprise or consist of a square or rectangular section. In a variant, the elongate member may comprise a circular or elliptical section. The elongate member may comprise a radiused edge which is suitable for forming the first cutting members 45A, 45B. The radiused edge may have a radius of less than or equal to 3mm, for example 1 mm or 2mm. 20 The second profile may comprise or consist of an ellipsoid section. The ellipsoid section may correspond to an intersection of a plane with an ellipsoid. Alternatively, the second profile may comprise or consist of a hyperboloid section. The hyperboloid section may correspond to an intersection of a plane with a hyperboloid (i.e. an intersection between a plane and an 25 hourglass shape). Alternatively, the second profile may comprise or consist of a cylindric section. The cylindric section may correspond to an intersection of a plane with a right circular cylinder. It will be understood that more than two of the second cutting members 55A, 55B may be 30 provided. The second cutting members 55A, 55B could be formed from a single member, for example comprise one or more bends to form the non-linear cutting configuration.

Claims

03 09 241. A dispensing apparatus for cutting a sheet from a length of towel, the dispensing apparatus comprising:5 a supply roller rotatable about a central axis; andat least one cutting member mounted to the supply roller for rotation with the supply roller, the or each cutting member comprising a cutting edge for cutting the towel;the at least one cutting member comprising or consisting of two of the cutting members inclined at an angle relative to each other to make two or more cuts which are10 inclined relative to each other to make a non-linear cut in the towel; andat least one fixed cutting member for cooperating with the at least one cutting member mounted to the supply roller to cut the towel;wherein a gap is provided between the cutting members mounted to the supply roller to maintain a join between the sheet being dispensed and the remainder of the towel.

152. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-linear cut comprises or consists of a truncated V-shaped cut, or a W-shaped cut.

3. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 20 cutting edge of the or each cutting member comprises or consists of a curved profile.

4. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting edge of the or each cutting member extends a radial distance from the central axis, the radial distance being substantially uniform along at least a portion of a length of the or each25 cutting member.

5. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting edge of the or each cutting member comprises or consists of a plane curve.30 6. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein thecutting edge of the or each cutting member comprises or consists of a cylindric section.

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