Apparatus And Method For Dispensing A Deformable Web

Abstract

An apparatus is described for dispensing a deformable web, comprising a transport element rotatable under the influence of a drive, and a web guide disposed opposite thereto. The transport element and the web guide are arranged to cooperate, for the purpose of transport and deformation of the web. Moreover, the drive is fully integrated into the transport element.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing a deformable web, comprising:
 a transport element rotatable under the influence of a drive, and   a web guide disposed opposite thereto, wherein the transport element and the web guide are arranged to cooperate to transport and deform the web, and wherein the drive is fully integrated into the transport element.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport element is a cylinder-shaped transport element. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive is a tube motor, and the transport element is a tube driven by the tube motor. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the web guide is a counter roller. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spring means arranged to push the web guide under spring force in a direction of the transport element. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the web guide is movable from a web guide position moved towards the transport element to a release position moved away from the transport element, and vice versa. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the web guide comprises a stationarily disposed guide element, wherein an outside of the transport element and an inside of the web guide extending opposite thereto bound a deformation zone having a circular segment-shaped cross section. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the outside of the transport element is manufactured from friction enhancing material. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the outside of the transport element is provided with a resilient material. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an outside of the transport element is provided with friction enhancing projections which meet one or more of the following set of features:
 (1) the projections are studs, having a diameter in the range of circa 0.5-5 cm;   (2) a thickness of each of the projections measured in radial direction is greater than 0.2 cm;   (3) a thickness of each of the projections measured in radial direction is at least equal to or greater than a radial distance measured between an outer surface of the rotatable element and the web guide;   (4) a neighbor distance between the studs is in the range of circa 1-10 cm; and   (5) the transport element is provided with more than 10 projections, and for instance fewer than 50.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing arranged to hold a web to be dispensed. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the housing is provided with an inner space that is capable of being substantially closed off from an environment and wherein the housing is configured to fully enclose a web to be dispensed. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the housing includes at least one transparent wall. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to any one of  claim 12 , wherein the housing includes: a front wall and a rear wall, and sidewalls extending between the front wall and the rear wall. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , including substantially obliquely tapering wall parts. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes an upper edge which surrounds a web passage, wherein the housing includes a cover structure which holds the transport element and the web guide at a level above said upper edge. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable transport element is disposed on or near an upper end of the housing, and wherein the rotatable transport element is connected via the drive and at least one rigid coupling piece to the housing. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , designed to draw a web from a stationary web roll and dispense it. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is provided with a support to support a side of the web roll such that a centerline of the web roll extends at right angles with respect to a centerline of the transport element, and wherein a roll supporting face defined by the support is larger than a web passage defined by the apparatus, situated opposite that support, near the transport element. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes only one transport element drivable by a drive to transport and deform the web. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus dispenses the web with a speed of more than 100 meters per minute. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , for dispensing a deformable web, and further comprising a cylinder-shaped transport element rotatable under the influence of a drive, and a web guide disposed opposite thereto, wherein the transport element and the web guide are arranged to cooperate to transport and deform the web. 
   
   
       23 . A method for dispensing a web wherein a rotating cylinder-shaped web transport element and a stationary web guide cooperate with each other to deform and further discharge the web passed therebetween.