Sheet dispensing system and a method for supplying and dispensing individual sheets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of dispensing individual sheets and a sheet dispensing system. The sheet dispensing system comprises a frame assembly (14), a reel loading station (20), a sheet dispenser station (40) and a delivery station (70) connected to the sheet dispenser station (40). The reel loading station (20) includes a supply reel (22) of a cellulose fiber based web and a support for supporting the supply reel. The sheet dispenser station includes a feeding mechanism (50) serving to receive the cellulose fiber based web from the reel loading station (20) and a cutting mechanism (60) having a reciprocating cutter assembly for cutting the cellulose fiber based web into individual sheets. The delivery station includes a delivery table (71) connected to the sheet dispenser station (40). The reel loading station (20) or the sheet dispenser station (40) or delivery station (70) further comprises a smoothing mechanism (100) to compensate for the curvature of the cellulose fiber based web and provide non-curved individual sheets (28).

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A sheet dispensing system for dispensing individual sheets, comprising:
 a reel loading station including a supply reel holding a cellulose fiber-based web, the supply reel being operable to dispense the cellulose fiber-based web, the dispensed cellulose fiber-based web having a curvature;   a sheet dispenser station including a feeding mechanism and a cutting mechanism, the feeding mechanism being configured to receive the cellulose fiber-based web from the reel loading station and having a tension roller and a feeding roller, wherein the cutting mechanism comprises a reciprocating cutter assembly configured for cutting the cellulose fiber-based web into individual sheets when moved transversally relative to the cellulose fiber-based web from a first position to a second position at opposite sides of the cellulose fiber-based web; and   a delivery station including a delivery table operatively connected to the sheet dispenser station so as to receive the individual dispensed sheets;   wherein one of the reel loading station, the sheet dispenser station, and the delivery station further comprises a smoothing mechanism having a first guide roller and a second guide roller, the first and second guide rollers being adjustable in relation to one another so as to alter a smoothing angle dependent on a diameter of the supply reel as the cellulose fiber-based web is dispensed in order to compensate for the curvature of the dispensed cellulose fiber-based web, thereby to provide non-curved individual sheets.   
     
     
         16 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the reciprocating cutter assembly is configured for cutting the cellulose fiber-based web only when moved from the first position to the second position, 
     
     
         17 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the reciprocating cutter assembly is further configured for cutting the cellulose fiber-based web when moved from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second guide rollers are adjustable in relation to one another by a mechanical suspension of at least one of the first guide roller and the second guide roller. 
     
     
         19 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second guide rollers are adjustable in relation to one another by a mechanical coupling between the first guide roller and the second guide roller. 
     
     
         20 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second guide rollers are adjustable in relation to one another by an electronic controller in response to an electrical signal generated by a sensor mounted on one of the loading station and the delivery station. 
     
     
         21 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the controller has an input channel and an output channel, wherein the controller is configured to receive an electrical signal generated by a reel sensor operably connected to the reel loading station, wherein the electrical signal is representative of the diameter of the supply reel as the cellulose fiber-based web is dispensed. 
     
     
         22 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the cellulose fiber-based web is movable continuously, and wherein the cutter assembly is movable so as to reciprocate in parallel with and in synchronism with the cellulose fiber-based web during the cutting of the cellulose fiber-based web into the individual sheets. 
     
     
         23 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the cellulose fiber-based web is movable intermittently, and wherein the cutter assembly is movable transversally relative to the cellulose fiber-based web during the cutting of the cellulose fiber-based web into the individual sheets. 
     
     
         24 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the cutter assembly includes one of a blade, a mechanical roller knife, and a laser cutter. 
     
     
         25 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the sheet dispenser station includes a housing, and wherein the first guide roller and the second guide roller are mounted on a guide plate that is pivotally connected to a mounting plate connected with a side wall of the sheet dispenser station housing. 
     
     
         26 . The sheet dispensing system according to  claim 25 , wherein the mounting plate has an arc portion with slots extending the width of the mounting plate, the slots being arranged near the circumference of the arc shape of the mounting plate, wherein a lever with biasing means is arranged perpendicular to the guide plate, wherein the lever is provided with a pin that is longer than the width of the guide plate, so as to allow the lever to provide an interlocking of the guide plate relative to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         27 . A method of dispensing individual sheets by means of a sheet dispensing system comprising a reel loading station, a sheet dispenser station, and a delivery station operatively connected to the sheet dispenser station, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing, in the reel loading station, a supply reel holding a cellulose fiber-based web;   providing, in the sheet dispenser station, a feeding mechanism and a cutting mechanism;   providing, in the feeding mechanism, a tension roller and a feeding roller;   providing, in the cutting mechanism, a reciprocating cutter assembly;   providing a smoothing mechanism having a first guide roller and a second guide roller at one of the reel loading station, the sheet dispenser station, and the delivery station;   dispensing a cellulose fiber-based web to the feeding mechanism from the supply reel;   cutting the cellulose fiber-based web by moving the reciprocating cutter assembly transversally relative to the cellulose fiber-based web from a first position to a second position at opposite sides of the cellulose fiber-based web;   adjusting the first and second guide rollers in relation to one another so as to alter a smoothing angle dependent on a diameter of the supply reel as the cellulose fiber-based web is dispensed so as to compensate for the curvature of the cellulose fiber-based web, thereby to provide non-curved individual sheets; and   dispensing the individual sheets onto a delivery table of the delivery station.