Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
COMPRESSED ROLL PAPER
2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TIIE INVENTION
This invention relates to compressed toilet roll
pnper an(l towel ro:Ll paper, i.e. compressed roll paper
recluce(l in volume.
In general, a roll of roll paper is formed into a
cylindrical shape by winding toilet paper or towel paper
on a hollow cylindrical core, so that a roll of roll paper
can be continuously taken out of a holder in use.
However, the cylindrical outer shape and the hollow
c~lindrical core lead to increased voids in the loading,
storage and the like of rolls of roll paper, thus result-
ing in bulkiness. Due to this bulkiness, with the rolls
of the conventional roll paper, freight charges, warehouse
charges and the like are rather high, which is not
neglectable in view of a sales cost of a roll oE roll
paper. Moreover, in the case of export, the freight
charges and warehouse charges are increased to a huge
amoullt, the reduction of which has been a great question
in view of a reduced unit cost of a roll of roll paper.
To obviate the drawback caused by the cylindrical
shape of roll paper as described above, there have been
proposed measures for deforming a roll of roll paper into
a f~Lat shape to decrease costs required for packing,
transporting and storing oE rolls oE roll paper.
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llowever, none of such measures has been put into
practice.
The reason is that, as for roll paper, even if it is
deformed into crooked shape during transportation for
example, its value as an article of trade is deemed to be
lowered. When a roll of roll paper is compression
deorme(l into a flat shape, the roll of roll paper is
bul~ed out in one direction and crapes formed thereon are
flattened, and folding wrinkles are left to lower elastic-
ity of the roll of roll paper. Although the flattened
roll of roll paper is restored to be a round shape for
use, the crooked shape of the roll of roll paper cannot
be easily obviated and le-ft as it is. Even if a roll of
roll paper is pressed and compression deformed into a flat
shnpe, the roll of roll paper is easily inflated again due
to its inherent elasticity when the pressing force is
removed. Thus, it is not easy to maintain the shape of
the roll of roll paper at the time of being compression
deorllled due to the pressing, and consequently, the effect
of reducing the volume due to the compression deformation
is not so much expected.
The inventors of the present invention have repeated
studies on the compression deformation of the roll of
compressed roll paper due to the pressing and the
characteristics of restoration to its initial shape.
Namely, the present invention resides in that a roll
of compressed roll paper characterized in that said roll
of roll paper is at least liquid-nonpermeably wrapped with
a film or films and has a flat shape in its side surface.
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In the present invention, compressed roll paper means
compressed roll of toilet paper and paper towel, which
need not necessarily be one roll of roll paper, but, may
be one including the length of a plurality of rolls of
roll paper with single perforated lines or the like
provided at every borders so as to be cut. The shape of
colllpresse(l roll paper is a shape of being flatter than a
circle in its side surface, including not only an
elliptical shape but also a rec-tangular shape, and
moreover, various shapes covering a variety between the
rectangular shape and the elliptical shape.
As for the shape of side surface of the roll of
compressed roll paper according to the present invention
in pnrticular, various shapes between the elliptical shape
and the rectangular shape may be adopted, however, it is
preferable from the viewpoint of use and forming to adopt
a substantially rectangular shape having a pair of opposed
mnjor surfaces compressed to each other to have a substan-
tial:ly flat face, a pair of opposed minor surfaces between
the opposed major surfaces and four rounded corners
because oE no folding wrinkles be:ing present at the
corners. Furthermore, as for the core, the core need not
necessarily have elasticity. However, the provision of
a hollow core with elasticity, which is even slight, makes
it possible to easily return from the flat shape to the
cylindrical shape. ~s a material of the hollow core
described above, it suffices to use one which can be
easily restored from the flat shape, particularly a thin
~Z~5~3~ Page 4
flat shape, to ~he circle, :i.e. the cylindrical shape.
The material of the hollow core may be formed of a rubber
or plastics rubber, which is easily returned to the
cylindrical shape by unpacking, for example, and further,
may be one which is easily deformably flexible, i.e. a
material having slight elasticity, such as a tubular paper
core. I~hen a roll of the conventional roll paper using
the tubular paper core is pressure formed into a flat
shape Eor example, wrinkles are formed at flexed side
pOI` tions of the tubular paper core. However, when a
slight force is applied to the flexed side portions to
expand the center portions for use, the tubular paper core
can be readily formed into a cylindrical shape, i.e. a
roll shape, thus raising no problem. The provision of the
core is preferable because paper or a thin paper board can
easily return from the flat shape to the cylindrical
shape, thus proving highly economical.
The dimensions and shape of the side surface of the
roll of compressed roll paper obtained according to the
present invention vary to some extent depending upon what
the pressure conditions are, what the magnitude of a crape
is and whether a double roll type or a single roll type
is adopte(l. Out of various types of roll-shaped roll
paper, a roll of toilet roll paper of a single roll type
having a winding length of 55m, an outer diameter of lOOmm
and a core diameter of 38mm is taken up for example. When
the rolls of toilet roll paper of this type are com-
pressed, rolls having various shapes in their side
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surfaces ~ithin a range of dimensions of an outer diameter
on the shorter diallleter's .side of 670lm or less and an
outer diameter on the longer diameter's side of 117mm or
more are obtainable. In this case, the core becomes 59mm
or more on the longer diameter's side. Among all of
these, particularly, it is preferable to adopt ones having
outer diameters on the shorter diameter's side of about
50mm or less, on the longer diameter's side of about 124mm
or more, cores on the longer diameter's side of about 60mm
or more and on the shorter diameter's side of about 50mm
or less from the viewpoint of the volume reduction,
easiness in the restoration and the like.
To state the characteristics of restoration of the
roll of compressed roll paper, in order to rely on the
elasticity of crapes or the like for example, the crapes
must be protected in compression deforming a roll of roll
paper. However, if merely a roll of roll paper is
compression deformed, then the roll bulges out in direc-
tions yerpendicular to the directions of compression,
crapes are flattened, whereby elasticity and softness of
the roll of roll paper are lost.
In consequence, according to the present invention,
a roll of compressed roll paper is formed and produced
under pressure, and, it is preferable to apply pressure
to the roll of roll paper simultaneously with film sealing
in order to suppress the flattening of crapes to the
UtlllOSt during production. In consequence, pressure may
be applied in the vertical direction for example.
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ilowever, the application of pressure not only in the
vertical direction but also the lateral direction makes
it possible to form the roll of roll paper having a
suitable shape in its side surface. Needless to say, it
is preferable that the application of pressure in the
bulging-out directions in addition to the lateral
direGtion, Thus, the suppression of bulge-out through the
application of pressure not only in the vertical direction
but also in the bulging-out directions makes it possible
to realize the compression of the outer diameter of 27mm
on the shorter diameter's side of the roll of roll paper
of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m.
With the above arrangement; for example, a roll
of 1atly compressed roll paper of a single roll type
having a windillg length of 55m can be industrially
manuEactured to have an outer diameter on the shorter
lli.nmeter's side of 50mm or less, particularly 45mm or
.i.~ss, an(l an outer diameter on the longer diameter's side
o~ 124mm or more.
However, if the outer diameter on the shorter
diallleter~s side of a roll of roll paper is compressed to
an extreme flatness, i.e. lOmm by one step for example,
then a perforated line or the like positioned at a
bulging-out portion may be broken off or corners bulge out
to an extreme extent where folding wrinkles become
ununiform, whereby the restoration to a circular shape for
use cannot be effected, and further, breakage may easily
occ~lr at end portions, i.e. selvedges. Hence, in
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such cases as clescribecl above, :it is des:irable that the
compression is confined to an outer diameter of about 30
- 20mm on the shorter diameter's side at the side surrace
of roll paper for example, the compressed article is
wrappecl with a heat-shrinkab:Le polymer film, and further,
sllrullk to predetermined dimensions by the operation of
shrillkage by the heated film.
I~ith the above arrangement, the compression may be
achieved with no perforated line broken off even when such
perforated line is positioned at the bulging-out portion
of roll paper and no selvedges broken in use.
Since the pressure formed roll of roll paper has a
restoring force after the formation to some extent as
describeci above, it is preferable to wrap roll paper with
a plastics film or the like simultaneously with the
formntion in order to maintain the shape of roll paper at
the time of formation.
To wrap the roll of compressed roll paper thus flatly
~ormed, any of wrap materials including a paper container,
n plastics container, a can and the like may be used in
addition to plastics film wrapping. Particularly, the
plastics film wrapping is easily mechanized, whereby film
seal, particularly individual film seal is easily
performed, and moreover, air-tight or liquid-nonpermeable
seal is practicable, so that the articles can be prevented
from deteriorating in quality due to rain, moisture and
the like during transportation and storage, thereby
proving very sanitary. Further, in the case where both
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the flat formation ullder pressure and the film wrapping
are simultaneously performed, if the sealing under
pressure is effected :in vacuo, then the compression can
be achieved to a volume half that of the conventional
roll-shaped roll paper, and moreover, the restoring force
is preferably large as compared with the small volume
thereof, It is preferable to use a heat~shrinkable
polymer film as the plastics film because the pressure
formation can be carried out simultaneously with the
wrapping.
According to the present invention, the compression
formation of a roll of roll-shaped roll paper under
pressure is carried out by pushing the roll of roll paper
by mealls of a push rod. In this case, the pushing stroke
by the push rod is such that, for example, when there is
a case where an outer diameter of the roll of compressed
roll paper is 50mm on the shorter diameter's side in
compressillg the roll oE roll paper of a single roll type
l1RV:ing a l~inding length of 55m, the pushing stroke is
83mm. In this case, the outer diameter of the roll of
roll paper of single roll type having a winding length of
55m can be compressed to 27mm on the shorter diameter's
side.
However, this compression of roll paper is performed
such that the pressing process by means of the push rod
is-not pushed at once, but gradually pushed. Moreover,
in the case of a roll of roll paper of a single roll type
having a winding length of 55m for example, the pressing
~ Pa~e 9
of the push rod is not stopped at a position where an
outer diameter reaches 20 to 30mm, e.g. 27mm on the
shorter diameter's side. On the contrary, the roll oE
roll paper must be maintained under the pressing force for
a predetermined period of time, e.g. 15sec or more, pref-
erably, 20sec or more. Such pressing force as described
above may be gradually released, or the compressed roll
paper may be held as :;t is under the final pressure for
n predeterminecl period of time. With the above arrange-
ment, even when the pressing force is removed, the outer
diameter of the roll of compressed roll paper remains at
about 50mm on the shorter diameter's side, so that flat
rolls of roll paper is stably produced. In consequence,
subse~uent works can be easily carried out.
Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention
have found that, in producing the roll of compressed roll
paper by the above-described method, a roll oE roll paper
of a single roll type having a winding length of 55m is
produce(l wlth its crapes not being protected, and, when
the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's side is lOmm
llpOIl the compression deformation, if roll paper is re-
stored, then the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's
side becomes 26mm, however, this roll of roll paper,
having folding lines, and cannot easily return to a
circular shape. Further, when the outer diameter on the
shorter diameter's side is 16mm upon the compression
deformation, the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's
side is 27mm after the restoration, which is substantially
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similar to the above case, it is necessary for securing
the characteristics of restoration of the compressed roll
paper that the outer diameter on the shorter diameter's
side becomes 45 - 50mm or more upon the restration after
the compression.
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Fig. 1 i9 a side v:iew o~ an embodiment of a roll of
flat toilet paper according to the invention of the
present application;
Fig. 2 is a flow sheet showing an embodiment of the
.metllocl of ancl the apparatus for proclucing a roll of flatly
compressed roll paper according to the invention of the
present application;
Fig. 3 is schematic diagram showing the pressure
formation process in another embodiment of the method of
and the apparatus for producing a roll of compressed roll
paper according to the invention of the present
application;
Fig~ 4 is a schematic diagram showing part of the
fi~m seal process of in another embodiment of the method
of and the apparatus for producing a roll of compressed
roll paper according to the invention of the present
application;
Fig. 5 is a sectional side view showing an embodiment
of the apparatus for producing a roll of compressed roll
paper according to the invention of the present applica-
tion; and
Fig. 6 is a partially sectional, enlarged view
sho~ing the roll paper feeding portion shown in Fig. 5.
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Detailed description will hereunder be given of the
present invention with reference to the drawings.
However, the present invention neecl not necessarily be
limited to this description.
Referring to Fig. 1, designated at 1 is a core, 3 a
hollow portion of the core, and 4 a plastics film
~rnpping. In this drawing, the hollow portion 3 of the
core is fairly exaggeratedly drawn, whereby an inner space
ls showll as being fairly large. However, in the case of
a tubular paper core, opposing inner wall surfaces of the
hollow portion of the core are almost in contact with each
other, whereby the inner space is very small even if it
e~ists. However, depending upon the material forming the
core ancl conditions of formation-seal process, the hollow
portions of the roll of flatly compressed roll paper
nccording to the invention of the present application may
vnry widely from a state where the inner space being left
as shown in the drawing to a state where the inner wall
surEnces of the core are almost in contact with each
other, wllereby, almost no inner space is left.
~ roll 9 of rol:L-shaped toilet roll paper thus
prodtlced is conveyed by a conveyor belt 8 from a roll
receiving process 5 to a cutter, e.g. a cutting process
6 having an auto~,atic circular cutter where the roll 9 is
cut to a suitable length. In the cutting process 6 having
the cutter, the roll 9 of roll-shaped roll paper nnay be
cut to a suitable length or provided thereon with
perforatecl lines to be cut. In Fig. 2, there are shown
~J~ ~5 ~ Page 13
only rolls 10 of roll-shaped roll paper, which have been
cut to a length of use, however, those rolls may otherwise
be rolls of roll-shaped roll paper each provided thereon
with perforated lines that may be suitable cut to a length
of use.
f~ roll of roll-shapedf roll paper cut during the
cutting process, in the prior art, is film-packed as i9,
then, packed in a case or the like and shipped, however,
according to the invention of the present application, the
roll is conveyed to a pressure-seal process 7, where the
roll is formed into a flat shape and sealed with film.
The roll 10 of roll-shaped paper roll, which has been
Cllt durillg tllc crlttillg process 6, :i.s conveyed to a
formation-seal process 7 by the conveyor belt 8. While,
in the formation-seal process 7, plastics films lf'~ and 15
for wrapping are delivered from delivery film rollers 12
and 13, passed through guide rolls 16, 17 and guide plates
18, 19 and conveyed to a formation-seal portion 22. The
cut roll 10 of roll-shaped roll paper together with a
lower film 15 are conveyed to the formation-seal portion
22. Furthermore, an upper film is passed through an upper
guide plate and covered around an upper portion of the cut
roll 10 of roll-shaped roll paper to cover the same in the
formation-seal portion 22 or in the front of the
formation-seal portion 22.
In the formation-seal portion 22, there are provided
presses 20 and 21 for pressure formation each having means
for sealing film. Limit frames, not shown, are opposed
5i3~7 Pag e l4
to each other in a direction traversing a path of the
formation-seal portion 22. The cut roll 1~ of roll-shaped
roll paper is conveyed to a space formed between the
opposing limit frames, pressed, in such conditions where
it is covered by the upper and lower films, by the presses
20 and 21 from above and below, and sealed with films
simull:aneously w:ith the Lormal:ion.
The limit frames may be fixedly provided. However,
it is preferable to provide the limit frames in such a
manner that the interval of opposition is suitably
adjustable. The provision of the limit frames at a
suitable interval makes it possible to adjust the pressing
in the lateral direction and form the rolls into various
types of Elatness.
The roll of compressed roll paper thus sealed
simultaneously with the formation is moved from the
formation-seal portion 22, transferred from a belt
eollveyor 23 to a chute 24, then, packed in corrugated case
ar the l:ike, and then shipped.
Fig. 2 shows a case of an example where a cut roll
o~ roll paper is sealed with film simultaneously with the
pressure formation thereof. However, a plurality of rolls
may be wrappingly sealed with film into a single pack
simultaneously with the pressure formation, and a long
roll of roll paper may be sealed in the same manner as
above. Needless to say, the formation process and the
seal process may be effected separately of each other.
In this case, one or a plurality of rolls of flatly
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compressed roll paper, which have undergone the pressure
formation only, are covered with film and sealed.
The provision of a hollow core with elasticity, which
is even slight, makes it possible to easily return from
the flat shape to the cylindrical shape. As a material
of the hollo~ core described above, it suffices to use one
W'iliCIl can be easi:Ly restored from the flat shape,
particularly a thin flat shape to the circle, i.e. the
cylindrical shape. The material of the hollow core may
be formed of a rubber or plastics rubber, which are easily
returned to the cylindrical shape by unpacking for
example, and further, may be formed of one which is easily
deformably flexible, i.e. a material having slight
elasticity, such as a tubular paper core. When the
conventional roll paper using the tubular paper core is
pressure formed into a flat shape for example, wrinkles
are formed at flexed side portions of the tubular paper
core. Ilowever, when a slight force is applied to the
flexed side portions to expand the center portions for
use, the tubular paper core can be readily formed into a
cy:lin(lr:ical shape, i.e. a roll shape, thus raising no
probleal .
A roll 25 of roll-shaped roll paper, which has been
given perforated lines and cut to a suitable length during
the cutting process, not shown, in Fig. 3, is covered a-t
its upper and lower portions with plastics films delivered
from a plastics film delivery roller 26 (a lower roller
not shown), conveyed by hold-down rollers 29, 32 and
.
Page 16
carrying rollers 30, 35, 37 and 39, and formed into a Elat
shape under pressure of pressure rollers 34, 36 and 38.
For e~ample, during the forming process shown in Fig.
3, a roll 31 of compressed roll paper, which has been
deformed, is sealed by jointing an upper and a lower films
in front and at the back thereof, and conveyed by carrying
rol:lers aEter a surp:Lus portion of the sealed film has
been cut away.
The feed speeds of a conveyor belt 47, a hold-down
roller 48 and a carrying roller 49 are made higher than
the feed speeds of hold-down rollers 41 and 42, whereby
an inte}val between the rolls of compressed roll paper is
increased and the films become stretched therebetween.
Then, the upper and the lower Eilms are clamped between
heatillg seal devices 44 and 45, to thereby seal the upper
and the lower films and cut the same off.
During the above sealing, vacuum sealing may be
effected by a vacuum device suitably provided.
~ roll 46 of compressed roll paper sealed therearound
by the films is conveyed by a belt conveyor 47 to be
case-pncked.
In pressure formillg the roll 25 of toilet roll paper
by use of pressure forming rollers 34, 36 and 38, the
forlned shape of the roll may be Slli tably adjusted by limit
plates provided at opposite sides of the roll 25 of
roll-shaped roll paper.
The roll 31 of toilet roll paper thus flatly formed
is conveyed by a carrying ro~Ller to a subsequent process.
; .. . .. ~ ,,
~5~3~ Page 17
Fig. 3 shows the rolls of roll-shaped roll paper,
which have been given perforated lines and have a length
corresponding to three rolls. However, needless to say,
one roll of roll-shaped toilet roll paper as well as a
long one such as a roll of roll-shaped roll paper may be
formed into a flat shape in its side surface.
Figs. 2 through 4 illustrate the processes in which
a roll of roll-shaped paper is cut, thereafter, formed and
sealed to produce intended flat rolls of compressed roll
paper. However, needless to say, cut and seal may be
effected after the formation. As the pressure formation
device in this case, the one shown in Fig. 3 for example
is preferable because the device may be continuously
operated.
~ roll paper pressing container 50 is continuously,
rotatably movable from a roll paper pressing position 51
to a roll paper pressing position 62. Each of the press-
ing containers 50 comprises side plate 63 and 64, a
lid member 65, an upper roller 66, a push plate 67, a push
rod 68, a push rod bearing 69 and a lower roller 70. The
side p:late 63 is affixed at opposite ends thereof to
a drum side plate 71. Thus, a pair of side plates
63 and 64 partition in the front and at the back of a
pressing container for roll paper, to thereby form the
pressing container. One 63 oE the pair of side plates
is provided thereon with a member for positioning a
roll of roll paper, e.g. a positioning block 72. This
member determines a position of a roll of roll paper,
5~3
Page 18
which has been supplied into the pressing container, prior
to the compresslon. A fulcrum 73 for opening or closing
the lid member is provided at one end of the side plate
63 provided in the rear, and said lid member 65 is
rotatably secured to this fulcrum. A lever 74 for closing
the lid member is provided on the lid member 65 on the
side of the fuLcrum 73 for opening or closing the lid
member, to function of closing the lid member, which has
opened. In the interior of the pressing container 50
defined by the push plate 67, side plates 63, 64 and
drum side plate 71, the push plate 67 moves within a
predetermined stroke, to thereby compress the roll of roll
paper in the pressing container 50. This moving stroke
is effected by the operation of the push rod 68 loosely
coupLingly supported by the rod bearing 69. The pushing
operation of this push rod 68 is performed by the contact-
ing ellgagement between the lower roller 70 and a guide cam
75 for pressing. The guide cam 75 for pressing is affixed
to a fixed shaft 76, whereby the pressing container 50 is
rotatable with the drum side plates 71. The upper roller
66 of the pressing container 50 moves in contact with the
inller surface of a frame 77 concentric with the fixed
shaft 76. A take-out position 57 is positioned at a posi-
tion past the tail end of the frame 77. A push rod
support rail 78 is formed along the outer periphery of the
guide cam 75 for pressing between this take-out position
57 to a pressing start pOSitiOII 62 where the starting end
of the frame 77 is disposed. A-t the take-out position 57,
~ 3~ Page 19
tlle pressing container 50 is supported by tlle support rail
78, however, the lid member 65 is automatically opened
downwardly because nothing supports the weight thereof,
and a take-out tool 80 for a roll 79 of compressed roll
paper and a conveyor 81 for carrying out the roll of
compressed roll paper are disposed directly beneath the
pressing container 50. A feed plate 82 and a roll paper
feed tool 83 are provided obliquely upwardly of a roll
paper Feeding position 60. This roll paper feed tool 83
is operated by a cylinder 84. A drum support roller 86
is provided in contact with a drum 85 supported by the
drum support roller 86.
The drum support roller 86 is rotatably driven by a
driving source, not shown, to thereby turn the drum 85.
A lid member open-close rail 87 is provided in contact
Wi th tlle end oL the lever 74 from a position past the
take-out position 57 for the roll of compressed roll paper
to a position past the roll paper feeding position 60.
The apparatus for producing a roll of compressed roll
paper according to the present invention is of such
arrangement as described above, whereby the roll of roll
paper is supplied into the pressing container 50 at the
roll paper feeding position from the feed plate 82 and the
roll paper feed tool 83. The pressing container moves
upwardly as the drum rotates (rotating in a forward direc-
tion from 51 to 62 in the drawing) due to the rotation of
the drum support roller 86. The end of the lever 74 moves
along the open-close rail 87 and the lid member 65 is
:~S~3~
Yage 20
closed at a position where the open-close rail 87 is bent
in the direction of liEting the end of the lever 74. The
roll 79 of roll paper in the pressing container is
positioned by the positioning block 72 whereby the
pressing container 50 moves within a pressing area in the
~rame 77 including 51 52, 53, 54 55, 56 and 57. As a
rotatable drum 85 rotates, the lower roller 70 of the push
rod 68 moves along the surface of the guide cam 75 for
pressing whereby the push rod 68 slowly pushes into the
pressing container 50 at a speed of 4.3mm/sec on a
average, to thereby push the roll 79 of roll paper. The
shape of the guide cam 75 for pressing is determined in
accordance with the magnitude of a pushing load and the
spce(l of insertion of the push rod 58. The movement of
the push rod 68 is stopped at a position where the push
plate 67 is 25mm apart from the lid member 65, and the
push rod 68 is held thereat for 17.5sec. On the other
han(l, the upper roller leaves the frame 77 after a lapse
oE 17.5 sec. The lid member 65 opens by its gravity, and
the roll 79 of compressed roll paper is pushed out by the
push rod 68. The roll of compressed roll paper is taken
out by the take-out tool 80 and carried out by the
conveyor 81 for carrying out.
The rotatable drum 85 is continuously turned by the
rotation of the drum support rollers 86 for driving.
The roll 79 of compressed roll paper thus conveyed
is covered by the heat-shrinkable plastics films each
having a thickness of about 0.02mm and compressingly
~ Page 21
sealed at a sealing te~ erature oE 200C for example.
In a case capabLe of containing therein 120 rolls of
the standard roll paper of a single roll type having an
outer diameter of about 50mm on the shorter diameter's
side, an outer diameter of about 124mm on the longer
diameter's side and a paper width of 114mm, there may be
contained 208 rolls of compressed roll paper thus sealed.
Ilence, iE the rolls of compressed roll paper are held in
the apparatus shown in the above embodiment for 20 sec or
more, tllen, the rolls of the standard roll paper are
deformed to have an outer diameter of about 45mm on the
shorter diameter's side and an outer dimeter of about
124mm on the longer diameter's side, and, in the above
case oE capable of containing therein 120 rolls, there may
be contained 212 rolls, so that the number of the deformed
rolls thus compressed which are contained in the same case
is increased by 76.7% as compared with the rolls of the
standard roll paper. Even if a ready made case is used
as described above, track load charges for example during
transportation, warehouse storage charges and the like are
saved by about 40%. ~ roll of roll-shaped toilet roll
paper of a single roll type having a winding length of 65m
has a diameter of 10.5cm and a length of 11.7cm. In con-
trast thereto, the roll of toilet roll paper according to
the invention of the present application has a width of
12cm, a length of 11.7cm and a thickness of 4cm, whereby
the volume is reduced to one half and the configuration
is not bulky, whereby the load per unit volume can be
3~
Page 22
increased, thus proving outstandingly advantageous from
the viewpoint of transportation and the like of toilet
roll paper. And cylindrical towel paper, for example,
having a winding length of 18m has a diameter of about
12cm and a length about 24cm is compressed to have a width
of about 16cm, a length of about 24cm and a thickness of
about 4.5CIll according to the present invention.
However, if the rolls of compressed toilet roll paper
are conta;ned in a case specially fitted thereto, then the
space in the case is more effectively used, so that the
number of rolls contained in the case is increased by
lO0~, so that the expenses for transportation can be
reduced to one half.
Moreover, the roll of compressed roll paper obtained
according to the present invention can maintain the flat
sllape even when the pressing force i9 released, so that
the volume reduction as described above can be
contelllplated. Hence, if a heat-shrinkable polymer film
is use(l, then the compression can be easily effected, the
wrnpping by use of a plastics film or the like can be
easily performed and the handling of articles thereafter
can be easily made. The roll of compressed roll paper as
being the products according to the present invention, in
the case of a single roll type having a winding length of
55m, can be strongly compressed to a thickness of 27mm
with crapes being protected for example. However, roll
is returned to a thickness of about 50mm due to a
restoring force of crapes, emboss formation or the like.
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Page 23
l~ence, for use, the center portions are pressed to be
inflated to easily restore to a circle, whereby no trouble
is caused in use.
Moreover, the roll oE comprPssed roll paper according
to the present invention can be maintained in a flat state
for a long period of time, so that the further handling
may be easily made. The wrapping by use of plastics films
or the like may be automatically carried out at any time
as well as during the production process. Particularly,
the rolls, which have been l:iquid-llonpermeably wrapped by
a plastic film or plastics films or have been air-tightly
wrapped by a plastic film or plastic films, can be
prevented from deteriorating in quality due to rain,
mo~sture and the like during transportation and storage,
thereby proving very sanitary.
As has been described hereinabove, the influence
brought about by the present invention is significant.
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Page 24
Designated at 1 i8 a core, 2 a roll of toilet roll
paper, 3 a hollow portion of the core, 4 a plastics film,
5 a roll receiving proce~s for roll-shaped toilet roll
paper, 6 a cutting process, and 7 a formation-seal
process. Denoted at 9 i9 a roll of roll-shaped toilet
roll paper, and lO a roll of roll-shaped toilet roll paper
obtainecl by CUttillg the roll 9. Indicated at 12 and 13
are plastics film rollers, and l9 and 20 form a 75 a guide
cam for pressing, 76 a fixed shaft, 77 a frame, 78 a
support rail, 79 a roll of roll paper, 80 a take-out tool,
81 a conveyor for carrying out, 82 a roll paper feed
plate, 84 a rotary drum, 85 a drum support conveyor, 86
a driving roller, 87 an open-close rail, and 88 a stopper.
