Dispenser with waste collection spool, and method of using
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJeffrey L. Hamer, Ken F. Teeters, Ravi Thomas, Andrew Linton, Tim Stern, Mark White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Herein are disclosed methods for liberating one or more packaged devices from a packaging web, and a dispenser for performing such methods. The packaging web is separated into first and second waste webs which are co-wound onto a common collection spool.
Claims28
A dispenser configured to liberate at least one packaged device from a packaging web that is separable into first and second waste webs and that contains a plurality of packaged devices, the dispenser comprising:
- a packaging web path along which the packaging web is conveyed to a web-separation point at which the packaging web is separated into first and second waste webs with at least one device being liberated from the packaging web by the act of separating the packaging web into first and second waste webs;
- a device receptacle configured to receive the liberated device;
- a first waste web path along which the first waste web is conveyed to a collection spool;
- and,
- a second waste web path along which the second waste web is conveyed to the collection spool;
- the collection spool being configured so that the first and second waste webs can be co-wound on the collection spool to form a co-wound waste roll,
- wherein the device receptacle comprises an opening comprising a lateral length and through which the liberated device can enter the device receptacle, wherein the web-separation point is a floating, traveling web-separation point that is located vertically above some portion of the lateral length of the opening of the device receptacle, and wherein in the course of continued or successive operation of the dispenser the web-separation point traverses at least a portion of the lateral length of the opening of the device receptacle.
A dispenser configured to liberate at least one packaged device from a packaging web that is separable into first and second waste webs and that contains a plurality of packaged devices, the dispenser comprising:
- a packaging web path along which the packaging web is conveyed to a web-separation point at which the packaging web is separated into first and second waste webs with at least one device being liberated from the packaging web by the act of separating the packaging web into first and second waste webs;
- a device receptacle configured to receive the liberated device;
- a first waste web path along which the first waste web is conveyed to a collection spool;
- and,
- a second waste web path along which the second waste web is conveyed to the collection spool;
- the collection spool being configured so that the first and second waste webs can be co-wound on the collection spool to form a co-wound waste roll;
- wherein the dispenser comprises a housing and wherein the packaging web is provided in a cartridge comprising a first opening through which the packaging web can exit the cartridge and enter the packaging web path, and a second opening through which the amount of packaging web remaining in the cartridge can be observed through a transparent portion of the dispenser housing that is aligned with the second opening of the cartridge, and
- wherein the device receptacle comprises an opening comprising a lateral length and through which the liberated device can enter the device receptacle, wherein the web-separation point is a floating, traveling web-separation point that is located vertically above some portion of the lateral length of the opening of the device receptacle, and wherein in the course of continued or successive operation of the dispenser the web-separation point traverses at least a portion of the lateral length of the opening of the device receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.