Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACKAGE COMPRISING STACK OF Z-FOLDED WEB MATERIAL
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a package of web material for hygiene
products, for use
in a dispenser, comprising web material being folded about transverse folding
lines,
thereby providing panels extending in a length direction along said folding
lines and in a
width direction, said panels being piled on top of each other in a height
direction of said
stack, and a wrapper extending at least along said height direction, so as to
maintain the
integrity of the stack during transport and storage thereof.
BACKGROUND
Dispensers with web material, such as paper towels, napkins and similar
hygiene
products are often used in public lavatories as a convenient way of providing
a supply of
towels in washrooms and other facilities. Similar dispensers with web material
are
provided for supplying hygiene products intended for object wiping, e.g. for
cleaning.
The web material may either be provided as a rolled web or as a stack of
folded web. The
rolls are often heavy and there is a friction and resistance for unrolling the
paper. In
addition, an arresting force is required in order to stop rotation once a
towel has been
dispensed. Consequently, there is a need for a strong paper in these rolls in
order to
withstand these forces. On the contrary, the web material arranged in folded
stacks does
not need to have great physical strength which usually is inconsistent with
the desired
characteristic of softness.
Dispensers in public lavatories are often designed with a lock, which in order
to prevent
pilferage and waste, only can be opened by an attendant. Thus, the products
may run out
before the next servicing and products may not always available to the user
when
needed. More frequent servicing means a higher labor cost which often is
undesirable.
The selection of dispensers is often limited and they are only found in a few
fixed sizes,
which thus limits the design of the hygienic products as well. As easily
understood, a
larger dispenser requires less frequent servicing than a smaller one.
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The dispenser is normally hanged on a wall or placed on the floor of the
lavatory. To allow
refill, the dispenser comprises an opening mechanism to provide access to a
storage
space of the dispenser for containment of a stack of web material.
It is preferred that the refilling of web material should not be heavy or
difficult for the
attendant to perform. Conventionally, refill packages are provided, each
refill package
comprising a stack of web material and a wrapping, which maintains the
integrity of the
stack during transport and storage thereof. For refill of the dispenser, the
wrapping is
removed from the stack, where after the stack is introduced into the storage
space of the
dispenser. Hence, each package is opened and fed to the dispenser by the
attendant.
Accordingly, conventional packages of web material are provided in sizes that
are not too
heavy and which easily can be gripped by the attendant, such that the
integrity of the
stack may be maintained manually while introducing the stack into the storage
space of
the dispenser.
In a dispenser, the web material will generally run from a storage space for
containing the
stack of folded material, to a dispensing opening. Hence, the dispenser will
define a web
path along which unfolded web material runs from said storage space to said
dispensing
opening.
In particular when it is desired to enable storing of a relatively large
amount of web
material in the dispenser, it has been proposed to arrange the storage space
and the web
path such that the web material is fed from the top of the stack.
Large-type dispensers may be provided with relatively large storage spaces,
which may
contain a number of such stacks of web material. Generally, in such
dispensers, adjacent
stacks are adhered to each other via their respective end panels, so that an
end panel of
each stack pulls along an end panel of the next stack. To this end, adhesive
tape or glue
is applied to the outer panel(s) of the stacks. Refill of a large dispenser
with the presently
available stacks of web material may hence involve the unwrapping,
introduction and
subsequent adhesion of several stacks of web material. Accordingly, the refill
of a large
dispenser may be rather time-consuming.
Thus, there is a continuing need for an improved product refill procedure.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a package of web material for hygiene
products, for use
in a dispenser, comprising: a stack of web material for hygiene products, for
use in a
dispenser, the stack comprising web material being folded about transverse
folding lines,
thereby providing panels having a length along said folding lines, and a width
perpendicular to said folding lines, said panels being piled on top of each
other to form a
height of said stack, and a wrapper extending at least over said height of the
stack, so as
to maintain the integrity of the stack during transport and storage thereof.
The wrapper comprises a wraparound strip encircling said stack, and forming a
joint
region, where a first end of the strip is adhered to a second end of the strip
using a
closure, and a gripper, being arranged adjacent said first end of the strip,
enabling
gripping of said wrapper for removal thereof from the stack. The closure is
openable while
leaving the second end of the strip material intact, thereby allowing the
strip to be opened
and removed from the integrity of the stack by positioning the package such
that the stack
rests on an outer surface over which the wraparound strip initially extends,
opening said
closure and pulling said gripper, thereby allowing said second end of the
strip to slide
underneath said outer surface of the stack.
By "web material being folded about transverse folding lines" is meant a
material which is
folded and which forms the hygiene products. The folded web material may be in
the form
of single folded towels or napkins, which are arranged one by one on top of
each other to
form said stack. The towels or napkins may be interfolded such that a free end
of the next
towel or napkin is presented upon withdrawal of a first napkin.
However, the web material may also be at least one continuous web material. A
continuous web material is a material which may be continuously fed for
example when
arranged in an appropriate dispenser. The web material may be integral, and
intended to
be severed into individual products upon actuation of a user, e.g. by a
cutting blade or
edge arranged in an appropriate dispenser. Alternatively, the continuous web
material
may be provided with weakening lines, such as perforation lines, along which
the web
material is to be separated to form individual products. Such separation can
take place
automatically inside a dispenser, or be performed manually.
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The stack will outline a rectangular parallelepiped having said length (L),
width (VV) and
height (H), and forming six outer surfaces, namely a top and a bottom surface
being
parallel to the panels of said stack, two side surfaces, comprising the
longitudinal edges of
the web material, and
a front and a back surface, comprising the folded edges of the web material.
The wraparound strip encircling the stack preferably runs over the front and
back surface,
and the top and bottom surface of the stack.
The wraparound strip may cover essentially the entire surfaces over which it
is arranged,
such that e.g. only the side surfaces of the stack are visible when the
wraparound strip is
arranged around the stack.
Alternatively, the wraparound strip may be a band of material being narrower
than the
stack surfaces. Such a band may preferably be centrally arranged over the
stack.
Advantageously, the closure is also openable by pulling said gripper. In this
case, pulling
said gripper will result in opening and subsequent removal of the wraparound
strip from
the stack.
The closure may be an openable welded closure, which may be welded with heat,
induction or ultrasound.. Such a closure will generally not leave any residues
on the
second end of the strip which might be hindering for removal of the strip by
slipping the
second end of the strip underneath the stack.
Alternatively, the closure may be an openable adhesive closure.
The openable adhesive closure may comprise a non-sticky adhesive. In this
case, any
residues of the adhesive remaining on the second end of the strip should not
hinder the
removal of the strip by slipping said second end underneath the stack.
Alternatively, the openable adhesive closure may comprise a sticky adhesive.
In this case,
the sticky adhesive may be arranged to have a stronger adhesion to said first
end of the
strip than to the second end of the strip.
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That the adhesive closure is arranged to have a stronger adhesion to said
first end of the
strip than to the second end of the strip implies that, upon breaking said
adhesive bond,
substantially all of the adhesive will remain on the first end of the strip,
and virtually none
on the second end of the strip.
5
If the package is resting on an outer surface thereof, including the wrap
around strip,
pulling the first end of the strip will eventually result in the second end of
the strip sliding
underneath said outer surface of the stack. When virtually no adhesive remains
on the
second end of the strip, this second end may pass underneath the stack without
being
hindered by the adhesive, and without risk that adhesive is smeared off onto
the
surroundings. Accordingly, opening of the package and complete removal of the
wrapper
is facilitated.
Alternatively, the adhesive closure comprises an adhesive tape.
The adhesive closure may advantageously comprise a peelable glue.
The gripper may comprise a flap. Said flap may consist of strip material,
arranged to form
said flap. Alternatively, the flap may comprise a separate piece of material
attached to
said strip material.
The closure may have many forms and shapes. For example, the closure may be
arranged to form at least one continuous line. In an embodiment, the closure
may form
two continuous lines, of which the outer is attached to said flap.
Alternatively, the closure is arranged to form intermittent closure areas, or
intermittent
closure lines.
The flap may be formed by an edge of strip material extending beyond an outer
glue line.
Alternatively, the flap may be formed by a portion of strip material breaking
a glue line ¨
such that this portion of strip material is grippable between adjacent, glued
portions of
strip material.
The flap may initially be fastened to the strip material, preferably using a
relatively weak
connection to the underlying strip material. The initial fastening should
break relatively
easily such that a user may grip and pull the flap.
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The first end and the second end of the strip may be arranged to overlap each
other in
said joint region. Preferably said overlap is over a length as measured along
the length of
the strip of 1-7 cm, preferably 2-5 cm.
Advantageously, the gripper may be provided with a visual indicia for
facilitating visual
perception thereof. The indicia could for example be a contrasting colour or
figure, being
clearly discernible from the reminder of the package.
Alternatively, or in addition to said indicia, the gripper and/or the wrapper
may be provided
with a visual indicia indicating the pulling direction for opening and
removing the
wraparound strip. Such an indicia could e.g. be an arrow or other symbol
indicating the
pulling direction for opening the strip.
Alternatively, or in addition to the other indicia, the wrapper may be
provided with a visual
indicia indicating a feeding direction for correct feeding of the package into
a designated
dispenser. Such an indicia is useful in particular when the stack is provided
with end
connectors, said end connectors being different on the top and bottom of the
stack. In this
case, the connectors will only serve to interconnect the stacks if properly
positioned.
Accordingly, the attendant may benefit from the aid of an indicia indicating
the proper
direction of the stack for interconnection to another, similar stack.
The stack may comprise a continuous web material. Advantageously, the
continuous web
material may be provided with weakening lines, preferably perforation lines,
dividing said
web material into individual sheets.
There is provided a stack in accordance with any one of the previous claims,
wherein said
stack comprises a first web material divided into individual sheets by means
of lines of
weakness, and a second web material divided into individual sheets by means of
lines of
weakness, said first and second webs being interfolded with one another so as
to form
said stack, and the first and the second webs are arranged such that the lines
of
weakness of the first web and the lines of weakness of the second web are
offset with
respect to each other along the webs.
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In a second embodiment, there is provided a package of web material for
hygiene
products, for use in a dispenser, comprising: a stack of web material for
hygiene products,
for use in a dispenser, comprising
web material being folded about transverse folding line, thereby providing
panels
extending over a length along said folding lines and along a width, said
panels being piled
on top of each other to form a height of said stack, and a wrapper extending
at least over
said height of the stack, so as to maintain the integrity of the stack during
transport and
storage thereof. The wrapper comprises a wraparound strip encircling said
stack, and
forming a joint portion where a first end of the strip is attached to a second
end of the strip
via a closure, and a gripper being arranged adjacent said closure enabling
gripping of
said strip for removal thereof from the stack. The strip is provided with a
predetermined
opening portion
which is arranged between a first portion of the strip comprising the closure
and the
gripper, and a second portion consisting essentially only of strip material,
thereby allowing
the strip to be opened and removed from the integrity of the stack by
positioning the
package such that the stack rests on an outer surface over which the
wraparound strip
initially extends, and pulling said gripper, thereby allowing said second
portion of the strip
to slide underneath said outer surface of the stack.
Also in this case, it is ensured that the second portion of the strip, which
is to slide
underneath the outer surface of the stack, is free from adhesive as well as
from joints etc,
which could hinder the second portion from sliding underneath the stack.
Advantageously, the gripper is arranged such that said predetermined opening
portion is
openable by pulling said gripper. In this case, the strip may be opened and
removed upon
pulling said gripper.
Advantageously, the predetermined opening portion may be a weakening portion,
preferably a perforated portion.
The weakening portion may be weaker than said closure such that, upon pulling
said
gripper, the weakening portion breaks and not the closure.
The closure may for example be an adhesive closure or a heat welded closure.
However,
in contrast to the first embodiment, in this second embodiment the closure is
not an
openable closure.
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This second embodiment of the invention may be combined with features and
advantages
as described in the above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
In another aspect there is provided a method for opening a package as
described in the
above, the method comprising: positioning the package such that the stack is
resting on
an outer surface thereof, opening said package and pulling the gripper, so as
to allow the
second end of the strip to slide underneath the outer surface of the stack.
Advantageously, the closure is openable by pulling the gripper, and the method
comprises
opening said closure by pulling said gripper. Hence, the wraparound strip may
be opened
and removed from the package by pulling the gripper.
Preferably, the method may be used for introduction of a stack into a storage
space of a
dispenser. In this case, the package is positioned so as to rest on a support
surface of the
dispenser, whereafter the wraparound strip is removed from the stack.
The present invention will now be further described using exemplary
embodiments as
depicted in the enclosed drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a stack of web material;
Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a package including a wrapper and a stack;
Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a package including a wrapper and a
stack;
Figs. 4a to 4c illustrate a method for opening a package including a wrapper
and a stack
as in Fig. 2;
Figs 6-7 illustrate embodiments of joint regions of a wrapper;
Figs 8a and 8b illustrate the opening of an embodiment of a wrapper;
Figs 9a and 9b illustrate the opening of another embodiment of a wrapper;
Figs 10a and 10b illustrate an embodiment of a stack of web material
comprising
connectors;
Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a stack of web material comprising a
connector;
and
Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a stack of web material;
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Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a dispenser;
Figs 14a to 14d illustrate an embodiment of a method for refilling a dispenser
Like reference numbers denote like feature in Figs. 1-12. In Fig. 13 and in
Fig. 14a to 14d,
however, other reference numbers are used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 together with Fig. 12 illustrate an embodiment of a stack 1 of web
material for
hygiene products, for use in a dispenser. The stack 1 comprises at least one
continuous
web material 2, 3 being Z-folded about transverse folding lines, thereby
providing panels
having a length L along said folding lines, and a width W perpendicular to
said folding
lines. The panels are piled on top of each other to form a stack, having a
height H.
Accordingly, said stack outlines a rectangular parallelepiped having said
length L, width W
and height H. The parallelepiped will have six outer surfaces:
- A top surface 5 and a bottom surface 6, both being parallel to the panels of
said
stack 1.
- Two side surfaces 7, 8, which are generally formed by the longitudinal
edges of
the Z-folded web material.
- A front surface 9 and a back surface 10, which are generally formed by
the folded
edges of the Z-folded web material.
As explained in the above, with "continuous web material" is meant a material
which may
be continuously fed for example when arranged in an appropriate dispenser.
Preferred
web materials are in particular such that are suitable for forming absorbent
tissues for
personal use, e.g. for wiping the hands of a user after wash, for napkins, or
for object
wiping purposes.
The term "web material" is herein to be understood to include tissue paper
materials,
nonwoven materials, and materials being a mixture of tissue paper and nonwoven
materials.
The term "tissue paper" is herein to be understood as a soft absorbent paper
having a
basis weight below 65 g/m2and typically between 10 and 50 g/ m2. Its density
is typically
below 0.60 g/cm3, preferably below 0.30 g/cm3and more preferably between 0.08
and
0.20 g/cm3. The tissue paper may be creped or non-creped. The creping may take
place
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in wet or dry condition. The tissue paper may be made by TAD or atmos-methods.
The
fibres contained in the tissue paper are mainly pulp fibres from chemical
pulp, mechanical
pulp, thermo mechanical pulp, chemo mechanical pulp and/or chemo thermo
mechanical
pulp (CTMP). The tissue paper may also contain other types of fibres enhancing
e.g.
5 strength, absorption or softness of the paper. These fibres may be made from
regenerated cellulose or synthetic material such as polyolefins, polyesters,
polyamides
etc.
The term "nonwoven" is applied to a wide range of products which in term of
their
10 properties are located between the groups of paper and cardboard on the one
hand and
textiles on the other hand. As regards nonwovens a large number of extremely
varied
production processes are used, such as airlaid, wetlaid, spunlaced, spunbond,
meltblown
techniques etc. The fibres may be in the form of endless fibres or fibres
prefabricated with
an endless length, as synthetic fibres produced in situ or in the form of
staple fibres.
Alternatively, they may be made from natural fibres or from blends of
synthetic fibres and
natural fibres.
The web material of the multi-ply web according to the invention may be
recycled flexible
material, newly-produced material or a combination thereof.
Similar stacks as the one described in Fig. 1 may be provided comprising one
single
continuous web material, or several interfolded continuous web materials.
Moreover, stacks as the one described in relation to Fig. 1 may be provided
including
folded web material, which is not continuous. Such stacks could comprise
separate
products being folded to form the desired panels. The products may be arranged
on top of
each other one by one in order to form said stack. Alternatively, the products
may be
interfolded.
When the web material is continuous, the continuous web material may be
integral, such
that it may be torn or cut into individual products at selected locations,
e.g. in a dispenser.
Alternatively, the web material may comprise weakening lines, along which the
web is
intended to be severed for formation of individual products.
Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment, where the stack comprises two webs 2, 3 of
material,
which are interfolded. In this embodiment, the first and the second web
material 2, 3, are
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each divided into individual sheets by lines of weakness 12. Moreover, the
first and the
second webs 2, 3 are arranged such that the lines of weakness of the first web
and the
lines of weakness of the second web are offset with respect to each other
along the webs.
A stack 1 in accordance with this embodiment has the advantage that the webs
2, 3 may
be automatically fed in a dispenser, requiring only the force from a user
pulling one of the
webs 2 to accomplish automatic feeding of the other web 3.
When the stack comprises weakening lines dividing the web into individual
products, a
separation strength of the weakening lines may advantageously be in the range
1-30 N,
preferably 3-20 N, most preferred 3-10 N. (The separation strength may be
determined in
accordance with a method as described below.)
Advantageously the weakening lines may be perforation lines. The geometry of
the
perforations may be selected to provide suitable strength in accordance with
the web
material and the dispenser to be used.
The perforation lines may be formed by alternating bonds and slots. It has
been found that
a remaining bonded length, being the total bond length/(total bond length +
total slot
length) is between 4% and 50%, preferably between 4% and 25%, most preferred
between 4% and 15%, is suitable for many relevant applications. The total bond
length/(total bond length + total slot length) may be used as an indication of
the strength
of the perforation line. It is desired to form perforation lines which are
strong enough to
enable feeding of the web material from the stack in a suitable dispenser, but
which are
also weak enough to enable separation of the sheets. In this context, it is
known that other
parameters will also influence the strength of the perforation line, such as
the web quality,
and the size, shape and distribution of the slots and tabs. The above-
mentioned measure
may therefore be useful for guiding the person skilled in the art when
selecting suitable
perforation lines.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the weakening lines 12 of each one
of the webs
2, 3, always appear at the same distance from the folded edges 4 of the stack
1.
Accordingly, the distance between two consecutive weakening lines 12 is evenly
divisible
with the distance between two consecutive folding lines 4 (=the width W of the
stack 1). In
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other words: (the distance between two consecutive weakening lines 12) / (the
distance
between two consecutive folding lines 4) = an integer greater than zero.
Alternatively, the distance between two consecutive weakening lines 12 could
be selected
so as not to be evenly divisible with the distance between two consecutive
folding lines 4.
In this case, the weakening lines 12 will appear at various distances from the
folding lines
4, as seen from the side surfaces 7, 8 of the stack 1. This might be
preferred, since such
a stack 1 may avoid experiencing problems due to irregularities in the panels
originating
from the presence of the weakening lines 12, and being multiplied over the
height of the
stack. In particular, such problems may become pronounced for stacks 1 having
relatively
great heights and/or including a relatively large number of panels. By
securing that the
weakening lines 12 will become distributed over the width of the stack 1, any
irregularities
are also distributed, and the stability of the stack 1 may be improved.
Moreover, the distance between consecutive weakening lines 12 being other than
evenly
divisible with the width W of the stack 1 enables the length of the products
to be selected
freely, without limitations involving considerations of the width W of the
stack. The width
W of the stack 1, as well as the length L must usually be selected in
accordance with the
size of a storage space in a housing of a dispenser from which the web
material 2,3 is to
dispensed.
In this context, it has also been found to be advantageous if the weakening
lines 12 are
distributed along the web such that essentially no weakening line 12 will
coincide with a
folding line 4 in the stack. This is because a weakening line, in particular a
perforation
line, being simultaneously a folding line might give rise to a crease in the
web material
which is not smoothed out as much as other folding lines when the web is
unfolded to be
fed through a dispenser. Hence, such a crease could give rise to unwanted
irregularities
when feeding the web material. In particular when two or more webs are used,
such a
crease in one web might result in that web becoming asynchronised with the
other web
(s).
The above descriptions regarding the weakening lines are equally applicable to
stacks 1
including one single, two, or more continuous material webs.
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Moreover, in the embodiment of Fig. 12, the first web material 2 and the
second web
material 3 are joined to each other at a plurality of joints 13 along said
webs 2,3.
Preferably, said joints 13 are regularly distributed along the webs 2,3.
Joints 13 between
the first and the second web 2,3 serve the purpose of hindering the webs from
becoming
asynchronous during feeding of the webs in a dispenser.
This may be of particular importance when stacks are used including relatively
long web
lengths, that is for stacks having a relatively great height and/or including
a relatively large
number of panels. Where long web lengths run uninterrupted, there might be an
increased
risk that the two webs 2, 3 in a stack 1 become asynchronised during feeding
thereof from
the stack. This is particularly the case when the web is fed from the top of
the stack, as
seen when the stack is arranged in the dispenser. With appropriately
distributed joints
between the two webs, any such risks may be avoided or diminished.
The joints 13 could connect the material surfaces, i.e. the panel surfaces, of
the webs 2, 3
to each other, or they could connect the longitudinal edges of the webs to
each other. The
joints 13 could be distributed in different numbers, sizes and patterns.
Preferably, the
joints 13 could be in the form of adhesive.
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a stack 1 having a height H greater than
what is
conventional in the art. Notably, the height H is greater than what is
conveniently
graspable by an attendant, using one hand only.
It is proposed that stacks may be provided having a height H greater than 17
cm. Also,
stacks having heights greater than 20 cm, greater than 22 cm, greater than 25
cm, or
greater than 30 cm may be preferred.
The height of a stack is to be measured at the maximum height thereof. In many
cases,
the stack may be regular, such that the same height is achieved wherever the
measurement is made. If however, the stack is irregular (perhaps due to
perforation lines
being arranged directly over each other), the height should be measured at the
maximum
height of the stack.
If the stack has been compressed, it should be allowed to recover before the
height is
measured. To this end, it is suggested that any wrapper is removed from the
stack, and
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the stack is allowed to rest for half an hour on its bottom surface before the
height
measurement is performed. If the stack is irregular, the maximum height should
be
considered.
If the stack risks becoming unstable when resting on its bottom surface, it
may be
supported so as to ensure that it stays in an upright position during the rest
period, and
during the subsequent height measurement. For example, the stack may be
positioned
such that its front and/or back surface leans against a wall.
The volume enclosed by said rectangular parallelepiped shape may
advantageously be at
least 2.6 dm3, preferably 3.7 dm3, most preferred 4.3 dm3. It will be
understood that larger
volumes are now available than with prior art stacks.
The total length of the web material in the stack may be at least 45m,
preferably at least
60m, most preferred at least 75m.
The stack may comprise at least 640, preferably at least 800, most preferred
at least 1000
panels.
A stack may advantageously comprise at least 160, preferably at least 200,
most
preferred at least 150 individual sheets.
Advantageously, the parallelepiped shape of the stack is such that the front
and back
surfaces 9,10 are the largest outer surfaces of the stack, as illustrated in
the embodiment
of Fig. 1. The front and back surfaces 9, 10 are the outer surfaces including
the folded
portions of the web material in the stack.
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment where the front and back surfaces 9, 10 may
each have
an area being at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times larger than the
maximum area
of any one of the top, bottom or side surfaces of the stack.
(N.B with the area of a surface of the stack is meant the area of the
corresponding surface
of the parallelepiped shape outlined by the stack. Also, the volume of the
stack is the
volume of the parallelepiped shape outlined by the stack.)
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Advantageously, the height (H) of the stack may be greater than 0.5 x the
length (L) of the
stack, preferably greater than 0.75 x the length (L) of the stack, most
preferred greater
than the entire length (L) of the stack.
5 Preferably, and as illustrated by the embodiments of the figures, the height
(H) is greater
than both the (L) and the width (VV) of the stack.
A stack as described in the above may naturally be intended to completely fill
a storage
space of a designated dispenser. However, for larger dispensers, intended for
use where
10 large quantities of products are used, the stack may be intended for
connection to other
stacks to form a combined stack filling the storage space of a larger
dispenser.
Connections between stacks may be accomplished e.g. by addition of adhesive to
the top
and/or bottom end of the stack, and attachment of another stack thereto.
However, manual attachment via adhesives is time consuming and therefore
generally not
preferred. Instead, the stack is advantageously provided with a connector on
the top
and/or bottom surface thereof.
The stack 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a connector 11 arranged on the top
surface 5 of
the stack.
Advantageously, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the stack may
be provided
with a connector for enabling connection of said stack to another, similar
stack. Such
connectors could be adhesive, e.g. in the form of an adhesive area, optionally
initially
covered by a release paper, a self-adhering adhesive (which would adhere only
to a
similar adhesive provided on an adjacent stack), an adhesive tape or similar.
Alternatively,
such connectors could be mechanical, such as in the form of hook-loop or hook-
hook
connections.
Mechanical connectors have the advantage of providing a secure connection
between
themselves, whilst not being prone to unwanted connection to other materials,
such as to
the material web itself. Hence, use of mechanical connectors facilitates the
general
handling of the stacks.
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Accordingly, it is suggested to provide stack of web material for hygiene
products, for use
in a dispenser, comprising at least one continuous web material being Z-folded
about
transverse folding lines, thereby providing panels having a length along said
folding lines,
and a width perpendicular to said folding lines, said panels being piled on
top of each
other to form a height of said stack. The stack comprises a first connector
for
mechanically connecting a first end surface of said stack to another, similar
stack, and a
second connector for mechanically connecting a second end surface of said
stack to
another, similar stack. Moreover, the first connector covers a panel area
smaller than the
panel area covered by said second connector.
With first and second connector is meant e.g. a portion of material which
potentially (if in
contact with another connector) may contribute to the interconnection of the
two stacks.
Hence, when discussing the panel area covered by the connector, it is the
panel area
over which connection properties are found which should be measured. Any
support
materials or the like, not displaying mechanical connection properties should
not be
included in "the panel area covered by the connector".
The connectors are to be connectors for mechanically interconnecting the end
surfaces of
the stacks to other, similar stacks, as is required when the stacks are to be
used in a
dispenser having a large storage space housing several stacks.
Preferred mechanical connectors may be openable and reclosable, which provides
the
possibility of correcting the position of the stack, if an attendant has
unintentionally
performed an unsuitable first interconnection between two stacks.
In many dispensers, particularly of the larger kind, the web material is to be
run along a
web path and through a number of devices before being fed to a user. Such
devices could
include various rollers, cutters, perforation cutters, and the like.
Mechanical connectors
may be designed such that they may pass these various devices without
hindering the
web, and without leaving residues on the devices themselves.
It is suggested herein to provide a stack having a first connector which
covers a smaller
panel area than the second connector. Generally, connectors covering larger
areas are
advantageous because with large connectors, the stacks may easily be
positioned so as
to abut each other, and to interconnect.
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However, connectors covering a smaller panel area are useful in that less
material will
result in decreased costs for the stack. Moreover, depending on the properties
of the
selected connector material, there is a risk that a user being served with a
product
including such a connector material will perceive the product as having a
lesser quality. A
reduced amount of material diminishes the risk that the user will experience
this problem.
A problem with small connectors is however that the positioning of the stacks
to be
interconnected might be difficult and time consuming for an attendant.
Having a first connector with a smaller panel area than the second connector
allows for
minimisation of said first connector. Easy interconnection between stacks may
still be
achieved since the larger second connector will provide for a large connection
surface.
The first and second connectors may be of the hook and hook type, or of the
hook and
loop type.
If the first and second connectors are different when it comes to properties
that might be
perceived as disturbing to a user, e.g. abrasiveness or stiffness, it is
preferred that the first
connector is formed of the most disturbing (e.g. abrasive or stiff) material,
so as to
minimise the presence thereof in the stack. Accordingly, when the first and
second
connectors are of the hook and loop type, it is generally preferred that the
first connector
is a hook material.
Figs. 10a and 10b illustrate an embodiment of a stack having a first and a
second
mechanical connector, where the area of the first connector lla is less than
the area of
the second connector 11 b. As illustrated in Fig. 10a, the first connector 11
a is in this case
arranged on the top surface 5 of the stack, and as illustrated in Fig. 10b,
the second
connector 11 b is arranged on the bottom surface 6 of the stack 1. However,
the opposite
arrangement is naturally also possible.
Advantageously, the first connector may cover a panel area being less than 50%
of the
panel area covered by the second connection means, preferably less than 30%
most
preferred less than 20%. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 10a and 10b,
the area of
the first connector 11 a is about 25% of the area of the second connector 11b.
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Each one the first and second connector may advantageously be symmetrically
arranged
in view of the width of the stack, preferably centrally arranged. When the
first and second
connectors are symmetrically arranged in view of the width of the stack, it is
possible to
turn the stacks in either way in this direction, and still achieve
interconnection between the
stacks.
In the illustrated embodiment of Figs 10a and 10b, the first and second
connectors 11 a
and llb are symmetrically arranged in view of the width of the stack.
Moreover, in this
case they are centrally arranged in view of the width of the stack.
For similar reasons, at least one of the first and second connectors is
preferably
symmetrically arranged in view of the length extension (L) of the stack,
preferably
centrally arranged.
For example, at least one, or both, of the first and second connectors 11a,
llb may be
diagonally arranged between two diagonally opposite corners of the top or
bottom surface
of the stack 1.
Advantageously, at least one of the first and second connectors, preferably
both, extends
along essentially the entire length (L) of the stack. This feature is
advantageous for
reasons of production, where a piece of material may conveniently be attached
all over
the length of the stack.
In the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 10a and 10b, both connectors 11a, lib
extend
along the entire length of the stack 1. Hence, they are naturally
symmetrically arranged in
view of the length extension L of the stack 1.
Fig. lla illustrates an alternative embodiment, where the first connector 11a,
in this case
arranged on the top side 5 of the stack 1, does not extend over the entire
length L of the
stack. Instead, the connector 11 a comprises a smaller piece of material,
being centrally
arranged as seen both in the length direction, and in the width direction of
the stack.
The embodiment of a first connector 11 a as illustrated in Fig. ha may for
example be
combined with a second connector as depicted in Fig. 10b. In this case, the
first connector
11a has an area being less than 20% of the area of the second connector 11b.
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In another variant, at least one of the first and second connectors,
preferably both,
extends along the majority of the length of the stack, leaving the side
portions of the web
free from connector. In this case, the connector may extend over more than 75%
of the
entire length, but less than 90 % of the entire length. This variant may be
advantageous in
particular if the stack is intended for a particular dispenser being sensitive
to added
material at the edges of the web, perhaps if a relatively thick connector
material is used.
At least one of the first and second connectors may consist of a continuous
piece of
connector material. In the illustrated embodiments, both connectors 11a, lib
consist of a
continuous piece of material.
Alternatively, at least one of the first and second connectors comprises a
plurality of
pieces of connector material, intermittently arranged to said stack. Numerous
arrangements are conceivable, with material pieces of different sizes and
shapes, and
arranged in various patterns.
Advantageously, at least one, preferably both, of said connectors comprises
connector
material being adhesively attached to said stack. The connector material may
be glued to
said stack during production thereof, or the connector material may be
provided as a
sticker material being attached to the stack.
For example, the first connector may have an extension in the width direction
of the stack
of less than 3 cm, preferably less than 1.5 cm, most preferred less than 0.5
cm.
The first connector may cover a panel area of less than 120 cm2, preferably
less than 60
cm2, most preferred less than 30 cm2.
The second connector may have an extension in the width direction of the stack
of less
than 8.5 cm, preferably less than 6 cm, most preferred less than 5 cm.
The second connector may cover a panel area of less than 120 cm2, preferably
less than
60 cm2, most preferred less than 30 cm2.
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When the stack 1 comprises at least two webs 2, 3, e.g. as depicted in Fig.
11, the
attachment of said connector 11 to the stack 1 may simultaneously accomplish
interconnection of the first and second webs 2,3 at said connector 11.
5 Alternatively, the two webs 2,3 could be interconnected adjacent said
connector 11 such
that both webs 2,3 of the stack will be fed when the web of the other,
interconnected stack
1 is pulled.
Interconnection of the first and second webs 2,3 at the connector 11 may be
10 accomplished in many different manners.
In accordance with the above, a stack is now available, which may contain more
web
material than previous stacks. Accordingly, fewer stacks are required to fill
e.g. an existing
storage space of a larger dispenser, than with previous stacks. This means
that the refill
15 procedure may be performed in fewer steps, and that fewer adhesions between
stacks
need to be created. This reduces the time required by an attendant to perform
the refill of
a dispenser.
When connectors as proposed herein is combined with stacks as described in the
above,
20 having relatively large heights, relatively many panels and/or relatively
long web lengths
therein, the refill procedure is facilitated not only in that the procedure of
connecting the
stacks to each other is easy to perform, but also because the number of
connections to be
performed for filling a designated storage space of a dispenser is diminished,
as
compared to the procedure when using prior art packages and stacks.
That fewer adhesions are necessary to perform the refill procedure also
implies that the
adhesions or connections between web material portions fed out from a
dispenser
including the present stacks will be distributed more scarcely. Accordingly,
the risk that a
user is disturbed by the presence of such an adhesion or connection between
webs is
diminished. Moreover, the required amount of adhesion material is reduced.
For example, connectors may be present scarcer than at every 640th panel,
preferably
every 800th panel, most preferred every 1000th panel. Besides from reducing
the number
of connection operations to be performed, this also reduces the likelihood
that a user shall
be supplied with a product including a connector.
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In an embodiment, there is provided a stack of web material for hygiene
products, for use
in a dispenser, comprisingat least one continuous web material being Z-folded
about
transverse folding lines, thereby providing panels having a length along said
folding lines,
and a width perpendicular to said folding lines, said panels being piled on
top of each
other to form a height of said stack
andsaid stack comprising a first connector for mechanically connecting a first
end surface
of said stack to another, similar stack, and
a second connector for mechanically connecting a second end surface of said
stack to
another, similar stack, wherein said first connector and second connector each
covers an
area of less than 120 cm2, preferably less than 60 cm2, most preferred less
than 30 cm2
It has been realised, that with mechanical connectors, relatively small areas
of connection
are needed to provide sufficient connection strength.
The shear force between the first connector and the second connector, when
interconnected, reflects the strength of the interconnection. The first and
second
connectors should, when connected, be able to resist the forces involved when
the web of
the interconnected stacks is pulled, such as when the interconnected web is
drawn
through a designated dispenser.
To ensure the proper feeding of the interconnected web, the interconnection of
the first
and second connectors should resist a shear force greater than the force
required to pull
a product of the web from the dispenser.
Moreover, if the web is provided with weakening lines, dividing the web into
individual
sheets, it is preferred that the interconnection between the first and second
connectors is
stronger than the force required to rupture the web along the weakening lines.
Accordingly, it is ensured that the web breaks at the weakening lines rather
than at the
interconnection between the connectors.
In yet another embodiment, there is provided a stack of web material for
hygiene
products, for use in a dispenser, comprising at least one continuous web
material being Z-
folded about transverse folding lines, thereby providing panels having a
length along said
folding lines, and a width perpendicular to said folding lines, said panels
being piled on top
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of each other to form a height (H) of said stack. Said first end surface is
provided with a
first mechanical connector, and said second end surface is provided with a
second
mechanical connector, said first and second connectors being adapted for
mechanical
interconnection of the first end surface of the stack to a second end surface
of another,
similar stack, and/or of the second and surface of the stack to a first end
surface of
another, similar stack via said connectors, wherein said first connector and
second
connector, each have a height of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.75 mm,
most
preferred 0.5 mm.
The height of the connector is to reflect the height added to the web material
at the
location of the connector. Accordingly, the height of the connector should
include e.g. the
thickness of any backing material and the hook/loop size, if a hook or loop
material is
used. It is generally desired to use relatively small heights, to ensure that
the presence of
the connectors is not perceived as disturbing to a user.
It is understood, that the various embodiments of stacks including connectors
may be
combined with each other and/or with features described in relation to any one
of the
embodiments.
Advantageously, a stack as described in relation to Fig. 1 (or Figs. 10a, 10b
or 11) may be
provided in a package for maintaining the integrity of the stack during
transport and
storage thereof. Such a wrapper should extend at least over said height (H),
so as to
maintain the integrity of the stack during transport and storage thereof.
The term "wrapper" is to include various types of packages which may have
different
shapes, be made out of different materials etc. Many types of wrappers are
known in the
art.
Advantageously, the wrapper may be made by polymer materials or starch based
materials. If desired, the wrapper may be made by recyclable material.
It is preferred that the wrapper is configured to be removable from the
integrity of the
stack.
Preferably, the wrapper is configured to be removable from the integrity of
the stack while
the stack is resting on an outer surface thereof, preferably the front or back
surface.
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Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a package comprising the stack of Fig. 1,
and a
wrapper 14. Hence, when referring to the sides of the stack in the description
of the
package of Fig. 2, reference may be made to Fig. 1. The wrapper 14 is
removable from
the stack while the package 1 is resting on one of its outer surfaces, in this
case the back
surface 10.
To this end, the wrapper could be a lid arranged over the front surface of the
stack, and
surrounding at least the top and bottom surface thereof. Such a lid could be
removed
while the stack is resting on its back surface. Another example of a wrapper
could be a
sticker or tape arranged over e.g. the front surface of the stack. Such a
sticker or tape
could be removed while the stack is resting on its back surface.
The above mentioned examples of wrappers could be included in packages
preferably
having also other parts. With a wrapper essentially covering only one side or
half of the
stack, there might be a need for an additional package portion, such as a
complementary
lid, to be provided on the other half of the stack during transport and
storage thereof. In
such cases, any such additional package portions may be removed before the
stack with
the wrapper is introduced in a housing of a dispenser.
Preferably however, the wrapper is encircling said stack. A wrapper encircling
the stack
may provide sufficient stability and protection for being the only packaging
part of the
complete package. In other words, the package may consist of the stack and the
wrapper.
Figs 2 and 3 both illustrate embodiments where the wrapper is encircling the
stack1.
Moreover, in these embodiments, the wrapper 14 extend over the bottom 5 and
top 6
surfaces, and the front 9 and back 10 surfaces of the stack. This is believed
to provide
good stability to the package, and may moreover be suitable from a
manufacturing point
of view.
In Fig. 2, the wrapper 14 extends over the complete bottom, top, front and
back 5, 6, 9, 10
surfaces of the stack 1. The end surfaces 7, 8 are not covered by the wrapper
14.
The embodiment of Fig. 3 differs from the one in Fig. 2 in that the wrapper 14
is narrower,
and extends only over a portion of the bottom, top, front and back surfaces 5,
6, 9, 10 of
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the stack 1. Accordingly, this embodiment provides an opportunity to save
wrapper
material.
In the illustrated embodiments, the wrapper 14 is free from connection to the
web material
of said stack 1. This ensures that the wrapper 14 may easily be removed from
the integrity
of the stack 1.
However, possibly, there could be an initial week connection between the
wrapper 14 and
the web material. Such a connection should however be easily breakable upon
removal
of the wrapper 14 from the stack, without risk of the integrity thereof being
destroyed in
that web material is pulled from the stack.
In the embodiments of Figs 2 and 3, the wrapper comprises an opening feature,
in this
case including a gripper 15. Hence, the package may be opened by pulling the
gripper 15
such that the wrapper 14 opens and may be removed from the stack. To this end,
a one
hand grip and pull is all that is necessary to remove the wrapper from the
stack.
In Figs 2 and 3, the wrapper 14 is formed by a wrap-around strip encircling
the stack 1 so
as to extend over the outer surface 10 on which the package is to rest during
removal of
the wrapper 14. Accordingly, a portion of the wraparound strip will be located
underneath
the stack 1 before the wrapper 14 is removed. As will be described in the
below, for
opening the package the wrap-around-strip is removed from the stack by
allowing a
portion of the strip to slip underneath said outer surface 10 while the stack
1 remains
resting on said outer surface 10.
Figs 4a-4c illustrate a method for removing the wrapper 14 of the package in
Fig. 2, or the
package in Fig. 3, from the stack 1.
Fig. 4a illustrates a first step of positioning the package such that it is
resting on an outer
surface thereof, in this case the back surface 10. Hence, the package is
resting on an
outer surface which corresponds to the folded edges of the stack. Moreover,
the package
is resting on an outer surface being one of the largest surfaces of the stack.
The front
surface 9, where the wrapper 14 is provided with an opening feature including
the gripper
15, is directed upwards. The gripper 15 may be gripped and pulled as indicated
by the
arrow in Fig. 4a, to open the package.
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Fig. 4b illustrates the situation when the gripper 15 has been pulled, causing
the wrapper
to open such that a portion of the front surface of the stack 1 is revealed.
Continued
pulling of the gripper 15 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4b will result
in removal of the
5 wrapper 14 from the stack 1.
Fig. 4c illustrates the situation during continued pulling of the gripper 14.
It is illustrated
how the portion of the wrapper opposite the gripper 15 has been drawn from its
initial
location covering a portion of the front surface 9 of the stack 1, over the
top/bottom
10 surface of the stack 1, and finally underneath the stack 1. Hence, a
portion of the wrapper
14 will slide between the back surface 10 of the stack and a support surface
on which the
package is resting. Continued pulling in the direction of the arrow will
result in the final
portion of the wrapper 14 sliding underneath the stack 1 such that the wrapper
14 is finally
completely removed from the stack 1.
As illustrated in Fig. 4a-4c, this procedure for removal of the wrapper 14
from the stack 1
may be performed in one single movement by pulling the gripper 15 with a
single hand.
In use, the procedure is to be performed when the package is resting on a
support surface
forming part of a storage space of a dispenser (or possibly on some surface
being
designed such that the stack may be pushed or slid into the storage space
without need
for manually maintaining its integrity).
Preferably, the outer surface on which the package is resting during removal
of the
wrapper is the front or the back surface of the package. The front and back
surfaces of
the package are the surfaces adjacent or generally formed by the folded edges
of the web
material of the stack. VVithout being bound by theory, it is believed that the
placement of
the package on one of these surfaces is favourable since the stability of the
stack seems
to be improved by this position. Hence, the risk that the stack tips over or
the like, and
becomes disintegrated during removal of the wrapper is diminished.
The method for opening a package as presented herein may advantageously be
used in a
method for loading a dispenser including a housing having a storage space for
storing
said stack. To this end, it is envisaged to
- Provide a package comprising a stack and a wrapper,
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- Position said package on a support surface of said storage space, such
that the package rests on the outer surface and abutting said support
surface, and
- Opening said package while the package is resting on said support
surface.
Hence, when the wrapper is removed from the stack, the stack is already
present in a
storage space of the dispenser, and there is no need for further handling
thereof which
necessitates manual maintaining of the stack's integrity. However, the stack
could be
further moved or fed inside the dispenser.
The method is particularly useful for dispensers having a storage space being
designed to
store more than one stack. That is for dispensers intended to hold relatively
large volumes
of material. In this case, the method may advantageously comprise connecting
said stack
to another, similar stack provided in said storage space.
This enables the package to be introduced, e.g. to a storage space of a
dispenser,
positioned on a support surface therein, and the wrapper to be removed while
the
package rests with one of its outer surfaces abutting said support surface.
Accordingly,
the need for manually maintaining the integrity of the stack during insertion
of the stack in
the dispenser is removed.
This in turn implies that it is possible to provide packages having other
dimensions than
previous packages, in particular packages having a height greater than what
may
conveniently be held by one hand of the attendant.
Advantageously, the wrapper may be of a polymer based material, or of a starch
based
material. PP, PE and PVA materials, and mixtures and/or combinations thereof,
are
examples of suitable polymer materials. Paper materials, advantageously coated
or
calendared to provide a smooth surface, may also be preferred. Generally, the
wrapper
material should have sufficient drapability and strength so as to conveniently
be wrapped
around the stack. Moreover, for use in a method for removal of the wrapper as
described
herein, it is advantageous to provide a wrapper with an outer surface being
sufficiently
smooth, such that the removal of the wrapper including the sliding of a
wrapper portion
underneath the stack, is not hindered by friction between the wrapper and the
stack
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and/or underlying support surface. Also, the wrapper material should be
sufficiently
strong to enable pulling thereof without risk of breaking the material.
A force required to pull the wrapper from the stack in this manner will depend
on several
parameters, including the properties of the web material and the wrapper
material, as well
as on the properties of the support surface on which the stack rests during
removal of the
wrapper. Also, the inclination of the support surface, the side upon which the
stack is
resting, and the weight of the stack might influence the force.
However, for a package being positioned on a smooth, horisontal support
surface, such
as in a dispenser, and resting on its front or back side, the maximum force
required during
pulling of the wrapper from the stack may advantageously be 6 ¨20 N,
preferably 8 -12 N.
As mentioned in the above, and as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the wrapper
may be formed
by a wraparound strip arranged to encircle said stack 1.
With "wraparound strip" is meant a strip of material which is arranged to
encircle the
stack. As will be described in the below, it is preferred that the wraparound
strip encircles
the entire stack, such that the end portions of the strip is joined in a
joining region,
advantageously in an overlapping relationship. However, one could imagine
embodiments
where a wraparound strip encircles the majority of the stack, but where a
separate joining
portion is arranged to connect the end portions of the strip and to span over
a portion of
the stack. For opening of the wrapper, the joining portion may then be removed
from the
wraparound strip.
Such strips may easily be designed to accomplish the tasks of maintaining and
optionally
also of protecting the stack during transport and storage thereof. Moreover,
they are
preferable from a manufacturing point of view, since they may be produced
relatively
easily, using standard equipment and requires relatively small amounts of
material.
The wraparound strip may be provided with a closure, such as an adhesive
closure,
closing the strip around said stack. Moreover, the wraparound strip may
comprise an
opening feature enabling predetermined opening of the strip.
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In a first embodiment, the predetermined opening is accomplished in that the
closure
closing the strip is openable. Accordingly, the opening said wrapper using the
opening
feature implies braking said closure.
Advantageously, a gripper may be arranged in or adjacent the closure, such
that initial
pulling of the gripper implies breaking of the bond, and continued pulling of
the gripper
results in complete removal of the wraparound strip from the stack.
Fig 2 illustrates an embodiment of a package where the wrapper 14 is designed
as a
wraparound strip forming a joint region 18, where a first end of the strip is
attached to a
second end of the strip using via a closure 19. A gripper 15 is arranged
adjacent the first
end of the strip enabling gripping of the wrapper 14 for removal thereof from
the stack.
In Fig. 2, the gripper 15 is formed by a separate piece of material, arranged
in connection
to the joint region 18.
In Fig. 3, the gripper 15 is formed by a free end of the wrapper material,
extending from
the joint region 18 so as to be graspable.
Figs. 5 to 7 describe embodiments for forming a joint region joining the two
ends of a
wraparound strip, e.g. a joint region 18 such as indicated in Fig. 2,
including a gripper 15.
Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment where the joint region 18 comprises a first
end 16 of strip
material overlapping a second end 17. The length 0 over which the first end 16
and the
second end 17 of strip material overlaps may advantageously be between 1 and 7
cm,
preferably between 2 and 5 cm.
In Fig. 5, the first end 16 and second end 17 are joined by an adhesive
closure 19 in the
form of intermittent glue dots in a linear shape. The adhesive closure 19 is
arranged at a
distance from the outermost border of the first end 16 of the strip, such that
an outermost
end of the first end 16 of the strip forms a flap 15 being graspable for
opening of the
wrapper 14. Hence, the flap 15 is formed by strip material.
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(For better visibility, in Figs 5 to 7, the closure 19 is shown as present
between the first
end 16 and the second end 17. In reality, the material of the wraparound strip
would
hinder the closure 19 from being viewed.)
Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment where the joint region comprises a first end
16 of strip
material overlapping a second end 17. The first end 16 and second end 17 are
joined by
an adhesive closure 19a, 19b in the form of two areas of intermittent glue
dots in linear
shapes. A first linear shape of intermittent glue dots is arranged at a
distance from the
outermost border of the first and 16 of the strip, similar to what is shown in
Fig. 5. A
second linear shape of intermittent glue dots is arranged to fasten the
outermost edge of
the first end 16 of the strip to the underlying second end of the strip 17.
However, an
portion of the outermost edge of the first end of the strip 16 is free from
adhesive, and
hence form a flap 15 under which a user may introduce a finger for gripping
the flap 15
and opening the package. In this embodiment, both glued areas 19a, 19b may be
accomplished using the same type of adhesive. Alternatively, the second glued
area 19b,
fastening the outermost edge of the first end 16 of the strip may comprise a
relatively
weak adhesive, whose function is mainly to initially fasten the flap 15 so
that it does not
protrude from the wrapper surface. In this case, the first area 19a may
provide the
necessarily strength to safely fasten the wraparound strip around the stack 1.
Hence, also
in this embodiment, the flap 15 is formed by strip material.
Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment, where a joint region comprises a first
end 16 of
strip material overlapping a second end 17. The first and second ends 16, 17
are again
joined by an adhesive closure 19, for example in the form of intermittent glue
dots
arranged in a linear shape. In this case, a separate piece of material is
introduced over
the first end 16 and attached thereto, so as to provide a flap 15 for opening
the
wraparound strip. Hence, in this embodiment, the flap 15 is formed by a
separate piece of
material.
It will be understood that numerous variants for forming said joint region 18
and flap 15
are possible. For example, the closure may have many forms and shapes.
Notably, it may
be arranged to form at least one continuous glue line, or two continuous glue
lines of
which the outer may be attached to said flap.
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An openable closure is a closure which may be opened without rupturing the
wrapper
material. In the above-mentioned examples, the openable closure is an openable
adhesive closure, comprising a peelable adhesive. Alternatively, an openable
adhesive
closure could be accomplished using a peelable adhesive tape.
5
Instead of using an openable adhesive closure, the closure could be e.g. an
openable
welded closure, being welded with heat, induction or ultrasound.
In all embodiments, the flap may initially be fastened to the second end of
the strip
10 material, preferably using a relatively weak connection to the underlying
strip material.
The initial fastening should break relatively easily such that a user may grip
and pull the
flap.
As is understood from the described embodiments, the first end and the second
end of
15 the strip may be arranged to overlap each other in said joint region.
Preferably said
overlap is over a length as measured along the length of the strip between 1
and 7 cm,
preferably between 2 and 5 cm.
The gripper 15 may have a free length as measured along the length of the
strip of about
20 1-5 cm, preferably about 2-4 cm.
It is proposed herein, that when a sticky adhesive closure is used, the
closure should be
arranged to have a stronger adhesion to said first end of the strip than to
the second end
of the strip, thereby allowing the strip to be removed from the stack by
pulling said gripper
25 while the package is resting on an outer surface thereof over which said
wrapper initially
extends, allowing said second end of the strip to slide underneath said outer
surface of
the stack.
That the adhesive closure is arranged to have a stronger adhesion to said
first end of the
30 strip than to the second end of the strip implies that, upon breaking said
adhesive bond,
substantially all of the adhesive will remain on the first end of the strip,
and virtually none
on the second end of the strip.
Figs. 8a and 8b illustrate an embodiment, where a joint region 18 comprises a
second end
17 of the strip underlying a first end 16 of the strip, and being joined by an
adhesive
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closure, in this case formed by two glue lines 19. A flap 15 formed by a
portion of the first
end 16 of the strip extends beyond the adhesive closure 19 so as to be
graspable by a
user. When the flap 15 is grasped and pulled in the direction of the arrow of
Fig. 8a, the
adhesive closure 19 will follow the first end of the strip 16, leaving the
second end 17
substantially free from adhesive, as illustrated in Fig. 8b.
Accordingly, when the strip is to be removed in accordance with a method such
as
described in relation to Figs. 4a to 4c, the second end 17 may slide
underneath the outer
surface 10 of the stack 1, without being hindered by or leaving residues of
adhesive
during the removal of the wrapper 14 from the stack 1.
In the above description, the adhesive closure comprises a glue joint.
However, it is also
contemplated to use an adhesive tape to provide said closure.
Advantageously, the adhesive closure may comprise a peelable glue. Such a
peelable
glue could advantageously be a hotmelt adhesive, for example Dispomelt 8638E
as
provided by Henkel.
In order to ensure that the adhesive stays on the first end 16 of the strip,
and is released
from the second end 17, the first and/or second end may be surface treated in
various
manners. For example, the second end may be surface treated to become
smoother, so
as to facilitate release of the adhesive from the smoothened surface. Material
surfaces
may be smoothened by various known measures, such as silicone application or
calendaring
If a non-sticky adhesive is used, the second end 17 of the strip might bear
some residues
of the non-sticky adhesive ¨ however, such residues should not be hindering
for the end
17 to slip underneath the stack.
In the above examples, the wraparound strip is closed by an adhesive closure
19, and the
gripper 15 is arranged such that adhesive closure 19 breaks upon pulling the
gripper 15,
resulting in opening of the package.
In another variant, the wraparound strip is closed by a closure 19, but the
wraparound
strip is also provided with a transverse weakening portion being arranged to
break upon
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pulling of the gripper 15. In such a variant, the weakening portion is weaker
than the
adhesive closure 19, such that the opening of the wrapper 14 will take place
at the
weakening portion. The breaking of the weakening portion hence accomplishes a
predetermined opening of the wrapper.
In such an arrangement, it is preferred that the weakening portion is arranged
between a
first portion of the strip comprising the closure and the gripper, and a
second portion
comprising only strip material. Accordingly, the strip is allowed to be
removed from the
stack by pulling said gripper while the package is resting on an outer surface
thereof, over
which said wrapper initially extends, allowing said second portion of the
strip to slide
underneath said outer surface of the stack.
Figs 9a and 9b illustrate such an embodiment. As in Figs. 8a and 8b, a joint
region 18
comprises a second end 17 of the strip underlying a first end 16 of the strip,
and being
joined by an adhesive closure, in this case formed by two glue lines 19. A
flap 15 formed
by a portion of the first end 16 of the strip extends beyond the adhesive
closure 19 so as
to be graspable by a user. In this embodiment however a weakening portion 20
is
arranged in said wraparound strip.
Advantageously, such a weakening portion may be a perforated portion.
The wraparound strip is hence divided into two portions, a first portion 21a
comprising the
joint region 18, including second end 17 of the strip, the adhesive closure
19, the first end
of the strip 16 and the gripper 16, and a second portion 21b including only
strip material.
Hence, when the gripper 15 is gripped and pulled, the weakening portion 20
breaks,
resulting in that the joint region 18 will follow the gripper 15 away from the
stack 1. The
second portion 21b of the strip remains, and will be pulled underneath the
stack 1 as
explained in relation to Figs. 4a to 4c above.
Also in this case, it is ensured that the portion of the strip, which is to
slide underneath the
outer surface of the stack, is free from adhesive as well as from joints etc,
which could
hinder the second portion from sliding underneath the stack.
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Advantageously, the gripper may be provided with a visual indicia for
facilitating visual
perception thereof. The indicia could for example be a contrasting colour or
figure, being
clearly discernible from the reminder of the package.
Alternatively, or in addition to said indicia, the gripper and/or the wrapper
may be provided
with a visual indicia indicating the pulling direction for opening and
removing the
wraparound strip. Such an indicia could e.g. be an arrow or other symbol
indicating the
pulling direction for opening the strip. In Fig. 2, an indicia 22 in the form
of an arrow is
provided on the wrapper 14.
Alternatively, or in addition to the other indicia, the wrapper may be
provided with a visual
indicia indicating a feeding direction for correct feeding of the package into
a designated
dispenser. Such an indicia is useful in particular when the stack is provided
with end
connectors, said end connectors being different on the top and bottom of the
stack. In this
case, the connectors will only serve to interconnect the stacks if properly
positioned.
Accordingly, the attendant may benefit from the aid of an indicia indicating
the proper
direction of the stack for interconnection to another, similar stack.
The stacks and packages as described in the above, enables efficient loading
of stacks
into a dispenser e.g. for replenishment thereof.
In a dispenser, the web material may be contained in a storage space, from
which the
material is drawn via a web path to a dispensing outlet of the dispenser.
Advantageously,
the storage space and path are arranged such that the web material is fed from
the top of
the stack contained in the storage space.
For initial set-up of such a dispenser, a leading end of a first stack of web
material must
usually be threaded through the dispenser, along the web path, and to the
dispensing
outlet. After initial threading, the web material may be drawn from the
dispenser.
It is desired to replenish the dispenser with additional web material before
the dispenser is
completely empty. This is because the replenishment may then be made by
interconnecting new web material to the web material remaining in the storage
space.
Hence, re-threading of the dispenser may be avoided.
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Accordingly, in a typical situation, a dispenser to be replenished with web
material
comprises a housing having a storage space, where at least a portion of an
initial, or
remaining stack is present.
With stacks as described in the above, it is suggested to load such stacks in
a dispenser
including a housing having a storage space for storing at least two stacks,
said storage
space comprising at least a portion of an initial stack by providing a stack
as described in
the above, positioning said stack on a support surface, such that the stack
rests on one of
its outer surfaces facing said support surface; and interconnecting said stack
with the
initial stack, while the stack remains resting on said support surface.
To this end, it is advantageous if a support surface of the dispenser may be
provided
which supports the stack at least in a vertical direction, and having an area
large enough
to support more than one stack at the time. On such a support surface, the
stack may be
arranged, preferably resting on a front or back surface thereof, and
conveniently
connected to the remaining stack. Several stacks may be arranged after one
another on
the support surface, and still the connection may easily be performed.
In order to provide a horizontally extending support surface having room for
more than
one stack, the dispenser may for example be provided with a pivotable storage
space
which may be swung from an initial, vertically extending position, to a
generally horizontal
loading position. A vertical wall of the storage space extending along the
height of the
dispenser in its use position, may thus form a horizontal support surface when
in its
swung out state.
After loading and interconnection of the stacks using the generally horizontal
support
surface, the storage space including the stacks may be swung back to a
vertical position,
where the previously horizontal support surface could form a vertical wall of
the storage
space. In this manner, a convenient horizontal support surface may be
accomplished and,
when in use, the dispenser will not need more space (area of the floor) than
other
dispensers.
A suitable dispenser could be a dispenser for dispensing a sheet of web
material from a
stack of folded web material. Such a dispenser may comprise: a housing
arranged to be
positioned along a vertical direction, a dispensing arrangement including a
dispensing
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opening for the web material in the housing, and a web material storage
section inside the
housing arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web material. The web
material
storage section comprises, seen along the vertical direction, an upper end
portion and
opposite thereto a lower end portion. The web material is arranged to be lead
to the
5 dispensing arrangement from the upper end portion and the stack of folded
web material
is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion. The web material storage
section
comprises a displaceable portion. The displaceable portion comprises the lower
end
portion, wherein the lower end portion, seen along the vertical direction, is
arranged
substantially underneath the upper end portion when the displaceable portion
is arranged
10 in a dispensing position. The displaceable portion is displaceable from the
dispensing
position to a tilted loading position, in which tilted loading position the
lower end portion is
positioned beside and below the upper end portion, seen along the vertical
direction.
Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a dispenser 2 capable of providing a
horizontally
15 extending support surface having room for more than one stack. The
dispenser 2
comprises a housing 4. The housing 4 is arranged to be positioned along a
vertical
direction 12. The housing 4 comprises a door 6. A dispensing opening 8 is
provided in the
housing 4 for dispensing the at least one sheet of web material. The dispenser
2 is
arranged for dispensing web material from a stack of folded web material. The
stack has
20 been omitted in Fig. 13 for clarity reasons. The door 6 is arranged to be
opened inter alia
for replenishing the dispenser 2 with stacks of folded web material. The
dispenser 2
comprises a dispensing arrangement 14 comprising the dispensing opening 8 and
a
serrated edge 80 for tearing off the at least one sheet from a tail of web
material. The tail
of web material extends from the stack of folded web material to the
dispensing opening
25 8. A web material storage section 16 is provided inside the housing 4. The
web material
storage section 16 is arranged to hold and support the stack of folded web
material.
The web material storage section 16 comprises, seen along the vertical
direction 12, an
upper end portion 18 and an opposite lower end portion 20. The web material is
arranged
30 to be lead to the dispensing arrangement 14 from the upper end portion 18
and the stack
of folded web material is arranged to be supported at the lower end portion
20. For
supporting the stack at the lower end portion 20, the web material storage
section 16
comprises at a bottom element 22. Side elements 24 are provided to support the
stack of
folded web material along the vertical direction 12.
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The web material storage section 16 comprises a displaceable portion 26. The
displaceable portion 26 is displaceable from a dispensing position to a tilted
loading
position. In Fig. 13 the displaceable portion 26 is illustrated in the tilted
loading position. In
this position, the displaceable portion 26 forms a support surface upon which
a stack may
be placed on its front and/or back surface for removal of a wrapper and/or for
connection
to a previous stack.
The displaceable portion 26 comprises the lower end portion 20 of the web
material
storage section 16. When the displaceable portion 26 is arranged in the
dispensing
position, the lower end portion 20, seen along the vertical direction 12, is
arranged
substantially underneath the upper end portion 18. In the dispensing position,
the
dispensing opening 8 is arranged above the lower end portion 20, seen along
the vertical
direction 12. In the tilted loading position of the displaceable portion 26,
the lower end
portion 20 of the web material storage section 16 is positioned beside and
below the
upper end portion 18 of the web material storage section 16, seen along the
vertical
direction 12.
Naturally, other options for forming support surfaces having room for more
than one stack
are possible,
However, the interconnection while the stack is resting on a support surface
might also be
performed using a support surface intended for only one stack at the time.
Advantageously, the stack may be provided in a package as described in the
above, and
the method comprises: removing the wrapper from the package while it rests on
said
support surface, prior to interconnecting said stacks.
Generally, a method for loading a stack in a dispenser including a housing
having a
storage space for storing said stack is proposed, comprising positioning said
package on
a support surface, such that the stack rests on one of its outer surfaces
facing said
support surface, and removing the wrapper of said package, while the package
is resting
on said support surface.
Advantageously, the outer surface upon which the stack is resting is a back,
front or side
surface of the stack, preferably the back or front surface of the stack.
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Preferably, the storage space is arranged in said dispenser such that the web
is to be fed
from the top side of the stack.
Preferably, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of each of said stacks
is provided
with a connector, and the interconnection is made via the connectors.
Figs. 14a ¨ 14e illustrate a method of replenishing another dispenser 2 with a
stack 96 of
folded web material as described in the above. Only the displaceable portion
26 of the
dispenser 2 in the tilted loading position has been shown for clarity reasons.
A stack 96 of
folded web material, which has been placed in the dispenser 2 to replenish the
same,
forms part of a compound stack of folded web material inside the dispenser 2.
Fig. 14a illustrates a stack 96 of folded web material held together by a
wraparound strip
98 ready to be placed in the displaceable portion 26 via the loading opening
62 to abut
against the support surface 61. The loading opening 62 is arranged in the
displaceable
portion 26 such that the stack 96 of folded web material is inserted in a
direction
transverse to a longitudinal extension of the displaceable portion 26. Fig.
14b illustrates
the stack 96 of folded web material placed in the displaceable portion 26
abutting with a
creased side of the package 96 against the support surface 61. The stack 96 is
thus
supported in the vertical direction 12 by the support surface 61. Figs. 14c-
14d illustrate
the wraparound strip 98 being removed from the stack 96. The wraparound strip
98 is
removed by pulling on the flap 99. The wraparound strip 98 is removed via the
recess 64
in the lower end portion 20. Fig. 14e illustrates the stack 96 being pushed
upwardly in the
displaceable portion 26. During pushing, the stack 96 slides along the support
surface 61.
The projection members 72 of the supporting arrangement 70 may prevent the
stack 96,
now part of a compound stack of folded web material in the dispenser 2, from
sliding back
towards the loading opening 62. The projection members 72 of the supporting
arrangement 70 hold a panel of web material at a lower end of the stack 96
against the
remainder of the stack 96. A further stack of folded web material may be
placed in the
dispenser 2 via the loading opening 62.
Panel end surfaces 102, 104 of the stack 96 and the further stack are provided
with a
connector 94 for attaching the web material of the two packages to each other.
Thus, a
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continuous web material may be provided between the two stacks, and thus also
in in the
compound stack in the dispenser 2.
In another aspect, there is proposed the use of a stack in accordance with the
above in a
dispenser including a housing having a storage space for said stack,
preferably said
storage space being arranged in the dispenser such that web material is fed
from the top
side of the stack.
In another aspect, there is proposed a compound stack comprising a plurality
of stacks as
described in the above, said stacks being interconnected via interconnections,
and said
compound stack comprising an interconnection at less than every 64e panel,
preferably
every 800th panel, most preferred every 1000th panel.
Preferably, said interconnections could be in the form of connectors as
described in the
above.
A compound stack is the result of interconnecting a plurality of stacks. In
particular, using
stacks as described in the above, compound stacks may be accomplished having
relatively scarcely distributed interconnections.
Moreover, there is provided a dispenser comprising a housing having a storage
space
including at least one stack as described in the above, preferably said
storage space
being arranged in the dispenser such that web material is fed from the top
side of the
stack.
Also, there is provided a dispenser comprising a housing having a storage
space
including a compound stack as described in the above, preferably said storage
space
being arranged in the dispenser such that web material is fed from the top
side of the
stack.
Numerous alternatives and variants are possible and may be envisaged by the
person
skilled in the art, in view of the above description.
Determination of separation strength of weakening lines
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Definitions:
Fmax(N) ¨ Maximum force recorded during testing
MD ¨ Machine Direction
Weakening line ¨ e.g. a perforation line
The maximum force separating the two individual sheets of a web, joined via a
weakening
line, is measured with a tensile strength tester.
Crosshead speed 50 mm/min
Clamp distance 100 mm
10N cell
Upper clamp with low weight
The width of the clamps may be selected to fit the samples.
Sample preparation:
- Cut samples to the length of 150 mm, with the weakening line in the
middle of the
length direction. (One sheet will extend approximately 75 mm upwards from the
weakening line, and the other sheet will extend approximately 75 mm downwards
from the weakening line.)
- The sample width shall be the entire product width, and hence include the
entire
weakening line. Measure 10 samples in the machine direction.
- The samples shall be conditioned for 4 h at 50 2% rh and 23 1 C, in
accordance
with ISO-187 standard.
Procedure
- Prepare the tensile testing apparatus according to the apparatus
instruction.
- Adjust the length between the clamps to 100 mm and zero the equipment in
the
starting position.
- Please the first web of the sample in the upper clamp and the second in the
lower
clamp.
- Start the tensile testing apparatus.
- Repeat the test procedure for the remaining samples.
NB! Disregard samples which break elsewhere than along the perforation.
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Calculation and expression of results
The software of the tensile strength tester records the highest peak force
detected during
5 a test run of a sample. This maximum force (N) is used as a measure of the
separation
strength of the weakening line of the sample. A mean value of the maximum
force (N) of
10 samples is regarded as a representative value of the separation strength of
the
weakening line of the samples.
10 N.B. The samples are to be similar. Hence, they comprise similar web
materials and
weakening lines. The resulting measure is to be representative of the selected
combination of web materials and weakening line.
