Feeding And Cutting Unit For A Dispenser Of Paper Sheets Obtained From A Continuous Band

Abstract

A feeding and cutting unit for a dispenser of paper sheets obtained from a continuous band comprises a supporting structure ( 1, 2, 3 ) that rotatably supports a feeding roller ( 4 ) which in turn internally rotatably supports a shaft ( 5 ) parallel thereto which carries a blade ( 6 ) that during the rotation of the blade-carrying shaft ( 5 ) projects through a corresponding longitudinal slot formed in the feeding roller ( 4 ), the unit including a pair of constantly engaged end gearings formed by a first toothed wheel ( 7 ) integral with and coaxial to the blade-carrying shaft ( 5 ) and a second toothed wheel ( 8 ) formed on the supporting structure ( 1, 2, 3 ) at a position coaxial to the axis of rotation of the feeding roller ( 4 ). In this way, a simplification of the unit is achieved as well as a greater reliability and smoothness of operation guaranteed by the constant engagement whereby there are no problems of synchronized rotation of the blade-carrying shaft ( 5 ) and of the feeding roller ( 4 ) regardless of plays or wear that may rise over time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Feeding and cutting unit for a dispenser of paper sheets obtained from a continuous band wound up in a roll (R), comprising a supporting structure ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) that rotatably supports a feeding roller ( 4 ) which in turn internally rotatably supports a shaft ( 5 ) parallel thereto which carries at least one blade ( 6 ) that during the rotation of said blade-carrying shaft ( 5 ) projects through a corresponding longitudinal slot formed in said feeding roller ( 4 ), further comprising at least one constantly engaged end gearing formed by at least a first toothed wheel ( 7 ) integral with and coaxial to the blade-carrying shaft ( 5 ) and a second toothed wheel ( 8 ) formed on said supporting structure ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) at a position coaxial to an axis of rotation of the feeding roller ( 4 ). 
     
     
         2 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second constantly engaged end gearing identical with said first gearing ( 7 ,  8 ) and located at the opposite end. 
     
     
         3 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a transmission ratio of the first and second end gearing is 1:1. 
     
     
         4 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the end gearing includes a third toothed wheel interposed between the first two toothed wheels ( 7 ,  8 ) and also carried by the feeding roller ( 4 ). 
     
     
         5 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a counter-pressure shaft ( 9 ) rotatably supported by the supporting structure ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) and with an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the feeding roller ( 4 ) and at a position such to be in contact with a top portion of the feeding roller ( 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a front guard ( 12 ) mounted on the supporting structure ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) and provided, preferably at a central position, with a rib ( 12   a ) that enters a corresponding groove formed in the feeding roller ( 4 ) such that the continuous band is surely deviated outside the dispenser by said rib ( 12   a ) whenever the continuous band remains stuck on the feeding roller ( 4 ) even beyond an angular rotatory position corresponding to an outlet slot of the dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a ratchet ( 10 ) and a manual loading knob ( 11 ) that are integral with respective opposite supporting pins of the feeding roller ( 4 ). 
     
     
         8 . Feeding and cutting unit according to  claim 7 , further comprising a spring ( 13 ) arranged between a peg formed on the ratchet ( 10 ) and a peg formed on the supporting structure ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) and suitable to complete a rotation of the feeding roller ( 4 ) so as to guarantee that an end tip (L) of the continuous band projects from the dispenser for a next user.