Hand-held dispenser for wrapping material

Abstract

A hand-held dispenser for holding a roll of a wrapping material such as flexible and stretchable plastics film comprises a handle 1 having an arm 2, 3 extending from each end thereof connected to a mo

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a hand-held dispenser for wrapping material for use in wrapping bulk products for transport purposes. Background to the Invention It is usual to wrap pallet loads of products, for example, using flexible and stretchable plastics film to hold the products, typically in individual cartons, together during shipping. This wrapping operation is often carried out manually, using a roll of the plastics film carried on a hand-held dispenser. Known handheld dispensers, for example as disclosed in EP3100960A1, EP2135807A1, US2021 / 0171232A1, and GB GB2115783A, comprise a vertical mount for the roll of film, carried by a handle extending generally parallel to the axis of the roll. In some examples, an additional handle extends along the axis of the roll at one end thereof. In use, the dispenser is held with the axis of the roll vertical and the film is wound on to the stack of products (boxes) on the pallet as the user moves around the stack. This manoeuvre typically involves the user pulling the carrier behind them as they walk around the stack. Most users find this uncomfortable for prolonged use. Alternatively, the user will walk backwards around the pallet whilst unwinding and stretching the material on to the load. Both methods involve the predominant use of one hand / arm whilst securing the load. Because there is a need to control the tension on the reel, conventional hand-held dispensers have been provided with two handles, so that the dispenser can be held steady in one hand while the other hand performs the necessary adjustments to the tension, typically by means of an adjusting device on top of the dispenser. Our application No GB2400653.8 discloses and claims a two-handled device, which is adapted to permit the dispenser to be held in front of the user while walking around the article to be wrapped. Tension is adjusted by means of a twist-grip on one of the handles while the device is supported by the other handle. It has now surprisingly been found that a dispenser can be configured for one-handed operation which permits adjustment of the film tension by the hand holding the dispenser. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a hand-held dispenser for holding a roll of a wrapping material, the dispenser comprising a handle having an arm extending from each end thereof connected to a mount for receiving the roll extending parallel to the handle in use, the opposed ends of the arms being configured to mount the roll between them, and wherein the handle comprises two mutually movable parts with a screw adjuster between them whereby the spacing between the opposed free ends may be increased or decreased, the screw adjuster being operated by a twistable grip around the handle. Other preferred features of the invention are set out in the claims. The dispenser of the invention is suitable for use in front of the user as they walk around the stack of items to be wrapped, rather than pulled behind the user, greatly increasing the comfort and convenience of the wrapping procedure, while permitting adjustment of the tension in the wrapping material as required without the need for the use of both hands. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the dispenser; Figure 2 is a top plan view; Figure 3 is a sectional on line A-A in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the portion B of Figure 3. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the hand-held dispenser consists of a handle 1 having an arm 2, 3, extending generally normally thereto at each end. The arms at each end of the handle each have a roll support 4 and 5 mounted thereon. The roll supports 4 and 5 receive the opposed ends of the hollow core on which a roll of wrapping film is held, enabling the roll to rotate as the film is wound on to the articles being wrapped. The handle 1 is adjustable by twisting a grip member 8 extending over the two parts of the handle to screw the parts towards or away from each other, as explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to Figure 4. In use, the person carrying out the wrapping operation grasps the handle to hold the roll between the supports 4 and 5 in the upright or generally vertical position and walks around the stack of objects to be wrapped with the dispenser in front of them and the film unwinding to the side of the person on to the stack. This makes the wrapping operation easier to control and more comfortable for the user. Referring now to Figure 3 and to the enlarged view in Figure 4 of the central portion, the handle 1 is formed in two parts 1a and 1b, each of which is provided with a screw-threaded nut 9, 10 respectively, secured in the open end thereof. The nuts 9 and 10 have opposite-hand screw threads. The grip 8 extends over each part 1 a and 1 b and contains an adjustment element 11, secured centrally within the grip. The adjustment element 11 consists of a central body 11a, from which extend on opposed sides threaded studs 11b and 11c which are screwed into the corresponding nuts 9 and 10 so that, as the grip member 8 is twisted relative to the handle 1 the two parts 1a and 1b are drawn towards each other or urged away from each other, depending on the direction of twisting. The grip 8 is dimensioned so that the two parts 1a and 1 b can rotate and slide freely within it. In use, a roll of wrapping material (stretchable plastic film wound around a tubular hollow core, typically of cardboard) is installed by twisting the grip member 8 to move the two parts 1a and 1b apart, permitting the ends of the tubular core of the roll to be received over the supports 4 and 5. The grip member 8 is then twisted in the opposite direction to clamp the core between the supports, while still permitting rotation of the roll. The free end of the film from the roll is secured to the stack of objects to be wrapped and then the user walks around the stack, holding the dispenser in front of them, the film unreeling from the roll and winding on to the stack. Additionally, the twisting of the grip member 8 serves to increase or decrease the resistance to rotation of the roll and thus the tension of the wrapping material as it is applied. It has surprisingly been found that this can be achieved one-handed, that is, by the hand holding the dispenser; there is no need to use the other hand as well.

Claims

1. A hand-held dispenser for holding a roll of a wrapping material, the dispenser comprising a handle having an arm extending from each end thereof connected to a mount for receiving the roll extending parallel to the handle in use, the opposed ends of the arms being configured to mount the roll between them, and wherein the handle comprises two mutually movable parts with a screw adjuster between them whereby the spacing between the opposed free ends may be increased or decreased, the screw adjuster being operated by a twistable grip around the handle.

2. A hand-held dispenser according to Claim 1, wherein the screw adjuster comprises a screw-threaded socket in the respective end of each part, the threads being of opposite hand to one another, and an adjustment member having a screw-threaded stud projecting from opposed sides thereof engageable with a respective one of the sockets.

3. A hand-held dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the arms extend substantially normally to the handle.

4. A hand-held dispenser according to Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein each mount comprises a cylindrical formation for receiving an end of a hollow core of a roll.

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