Dispenser for web material

Abstract

A container for dispensing selected portions of a web material and a method of making such a container are disclosed. The container is arranged to contain the web material and having an opening through which the web material can be led out of the container. A slot is positioned such that web material led out of the container through the opening can be laid across the slot. A cutter is capable of sliding along the slot and of cutting web material laid across the slot. At least one cling strip, of a material that displays the phenomenon of cling with the web material, is applied to the surface of the container alongside the slot.

1 . A container for dispensing selected portions of a web material, the container arranged to contain the web material and having: 
 an opening through which the web material can be led out of the container;    a slot positioned such that web material led out of the container through the opening can be laid across the slot;    a cutter capable of sliding along the slot and of cutting web material laid across the slot; and    at least one cling strip of a material that displays the phenomenon of cling with at least some web materials, said cling strip applied to the surface of the container alongside the slot.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a supply of web material within the container.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the supply of web material comprises a roll of web material.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the web material comprises plastic film.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the web material comprises one or more of polyethylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, gift-wrap paper, freezer wrap paper, or foil.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the web material is a material that has an affinity to be attracted to and at least lightly held by the cling strips.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cutter is capable of moving along the length of the slot.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is captive within the slot.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter rides over a surface of the container through which the slot opens, and wherein the at least one cling strip is spaced from the slot sufficiently that the cutter does not ride over the at least one cling strip.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cling strip comprises at least two cling strips, one on each side of the slot.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cling strip comprises at least one cling strip between the opening and the slot.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cling strip is applied to the surface of the container by a method selected from printing and coating.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cling strip comprises a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, polyurethane acrylate copolymer, highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutter rail that defines the said slot, and wherein at least one said surface of the container alongside the slot to which said at least one cling strip is applied is a surface of said cutter rail.  
   
   
       15 . A method of forming a container for dispensing selected portions of a web material comprising, in any order: 
 cutting an elongate slot in a piece of sheet material;    mounting in the slot a cutter arranged to slide along the slot and capable of cutting web material;    applying at least one strip of cling material to the piece of sheet material alongside the location of the slot; and    forming said sheet material comprising said piece of sheet material into said container for said web material.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming said sheet material into said container comprises folding said piece of sheet material to form said container.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a supply of web material within the container.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the supply of web material comprises a roll of web material.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the web material comprises plastic film.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the web material comprises one or more of polyethylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, gift-wrap paper, freezer wrap paper, or foil.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the web material is a material that clings to the cling strips.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein mounting the cutter comprises making the cutter captive within the slot.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cutter rides over a surface of the container through which the slot opens, and wherein the at least one cling strip is applied at a sufficient spacing from the slot that the cutter does not ride over the at least one cling strip in use of the container.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein applying at least one cling strip comprises applying at least two cling strips, one on each side of the slot.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising providing said container with an opening through which web material can be led out of said container and laid across said slot.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein applying at least one cling strip comprises applying at least one cling strip between the opening and the slot.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one cling strip is applied to the surface of the container by a method selected from printing and coating.  
   
   
       28 . A container for dispensing selected portions of a plastic film material, the container arranged to contain the plastic film web material and having: 
 a roll of plastic film material within the container; 
 an opening through which the plastic film material can be led out of the container;  
 a slot positioned such that plastic film material led out of the container through the opening can be laid across the slot;  
 a cutter captive within the slot and capable of sliding along the slot and of cutting the plastic film material; and  
 at least two cling strips of a material that displays the phenomenon of cling with the plastic film material, said cling strips applied to the surface of the container alongside the slot and spaced from the slot sufficiently that the cutter does not ride over the cling strips, at least one said cling strip on each side of said slot.  
   
   
   
       29 . A method of forming a container for dispensing selected portions of plastic film comprising, in any order: 
 cutting an elongate slot in a piece of sheet material;    mounting captively in the slot a cutter arranged to slide along the slot and capable of cutting said plastic film;    applying strips of cling material to which said plastic film clings to the piece of sheet material alongside the location of the slot on both sides of said location;    forming said piece of sheet material into said container for said plastic film; and    providing a roll of said plastic film within the container.