[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

WO1993021089A1 - A plastics sheet - Google Patents

A plastics sheet Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993021089A1
WO1993021089A1 PCT/GB1993/000756 GB9300756W WO9321089A1 WO 1993021089 A1 WO1993021089 A1 WO 1993021089A1 GB 9300756 W GB9300756 W GB 9300756W WO 9321089 A1 WO9321089 A1 WO 9321089A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plastics sheet
sheet
troughs
articles
plastics
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1993/000756
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kenneth John Wisbey
Geoffrey Callcut
Original Assignee
P.M. Crafts Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by P.M. Crafts Limited filed Critical P.M. Crafts Limited
Publication of WO1993021089A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993021089A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F1/00—Racks for dispensing merchandise; Containers for dispensing merchandise
    • A47F1/04—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs
    • A47F1/12—Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles, e.g. by means of gravity or springs dispensing from the side of an approximately horizontal stack
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G11/00—Chutes
    • B65G11/16—Interior surfaces; Linings
    • B65G11/163—Interior surfaces; Linings for articles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/02—Sliding-contact bearings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/02—Parts of sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C33/04—Brasses; Bushes; Linings
    • F16C33/20—Sliding surface consisting mainly of plastics

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a plastics sheet, particularly but not exclusively for use in a gravity feed dispenser.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a plastics sheet suitable for use in a gravity feed dispenser, wherein the coefficient of friction between the sheet surface and articles to be supported thereon is reduced.
  • a further object is to produce such a sheet at reasonable cost.
  • the invention provides a plastics sheet having a surface upon which articles are intended to be supported and across which the articles are intended to slide, the surface comprising a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs and mounds spaced at irregular intervals over the surface such that the coefficient of friction between the sheet and the articles is reduced.
  • the irregular pattern of troughs and mounds has been found to greatly reduce the coefficient of friction between the sheet surface and virtually any article which is placed thereon.
  • the sheet does not rely on minimal contact surface to reduce the coefficient of friction; indeed the contact surface area is relatively large. It can be maufactured by a standard embossing roller widely used in the industry and therefore does not require special rollers to be made, thus keeping the cost of the sheet to a reasonable level.
  • the pattern of troughs and mounds extends continuously over the entire surface of the sheet, which is preferably planar but could be shaped to provide, for example, ⁇ separate channels for different products to be dispensed.
  • the average depth of the troughs is advantageously between lOO ⁇ and 150 ⁇ m.
  • the average length of the troughs is advantageously between 1mm and 5mm. These dimensions have been shown to provide a substantial reduction in the coefficient of friction.
  • the plastics sheet is suitably formed of a synthetic thermoplastic material such as high impact polystyrene.
  • a lubricant such as Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM), conveniently in an amount of 0.05 to 5% by weight. The larger the contact surface area, the greater the amount of lubrication of the surface.
  • the invention also provides a shelf for a gravity feed dispenser, comprising a plastics sheet as described above.
  • the shelf, or a sheet therefor can be thermo-formed (vacuum-formed) incorporating moulded features such as product divisions or steps if desired without any apparent increase in the coefficient of friction.
  • Figure 1 is an enlarged view of part of a plastics sheet according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a further enlarged side view of the sheet of Figure 1.
  • the figures show a sheet 1 formed from high impact polystyrene with a lubricating additive of Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM) on whose upper surface is arranged a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs 3 and mounds 2.
  • the * pattern extends over the entire upper surface of the sheet 1.
  • the troughs 3 are all of substantially the same depth 4 relative to the plane of the uppermost points of the mounds 2. This depth 4 is substantially 125 ⁇ t ⁇ .
  • the irregular pattern can be moulded into the upper surface of the sheet 1 during formation or can be introduced to the surface after the sheet " ! has been formed, for example by means of an embossing roll.
  • the sheet 1 can then be used to form a shelf for a gravity feed device.
  • the shelf can consist solely of a sheet 2 as described above or may comprise a supporting member having selected portions consisting of separate sheets 1. The selected portions could be separated by dividers if desired.
  • a gravity feed dispenser having such a shelf is highly efficient in that the coefficient of friction between the articles to be dispensed and the shelf upon which they are supported is very low. The articles are thus fed to the dispensing point with very little risk of becoming jammed or stuck due to friction. This means also that the range of products which can be dispensed by that dispenser is increased.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A plastics sheet (1) has a surface upon which articles are intended to be supported and across which the articles are intended to slide, the surface comprising a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs (3) and mounds (2) spaced at irregular intervals over the surface, such that the coefficient of friction between the sheet (1) and the articles is reduced. The irregular pattern of troughs (3) and mounds (2) has been found to greatly reduce the coefficient of friction between the sheet surface and virtually any article which is placed thereon.

Description

A PLASTICS SHEET
The invention relates to a plastics sheet, particularly but not exclusively for use in a gravity feed dispenser.
In gravity feed dispensers, articles to be dispensed are supported on a surface and encouraged to feed towards a dispensing point under the influence of gravity. Clearly the efficiency of such dispensers depends largely upon the coefficient of friction between the articles to be dispensed and the surface on which they are supported. The lower the coefficient of friction, the more reliable the dispenser. Known surfaces of this type have been specifically designed with regular grooves or ridges arranged in a triangular or corrugated configuration in an attempt to reduce the coefficient of friction by reducing the area of contact between the support surface and the articles. Production of sheets with such surfaces involve the use of special rollers which increase the costs involved and are not always particularly reliable.
An object of the invention is to provide a plastics sheet suitable for use in a gravity feed dispenser, wherein the coefficient of friction between the sheet surface and articles to be supported thereon is reduced. A further object is to produce such a sheet at reasonable cost.
The invention provides a plastics sheet having a surface upon which articles are intended to be supported and across which the articles are intended to slide, the surface comprising a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs and mounds spaced at irregular intervals over the surface such that the coefficient of friction between the sheet and the articles is reduced. The irregular pattern of troughs and mounds has been found to greatly reduce the coefficient of friction between the sheet surface and virtually any article which is placed thereon. The sheet does not rely on minimal contact surface to reduce the coefficient of friction; indeed the contact surface area is relatively large. It can be maufactured by a standard embossing roller widely used in the industry and therefore does not require special rollers to be made, thus keeping the cost of the sheet to a reasonable level.
Preferably, the pattern of troughs and mounds extends continuously over the entire surface of the sheet, which is preferably planar but could be shaped to provide, for example,^ separate channels for different products to be dispensed.
The average depth of the troughs is advantageously between lOOμ and 150μm. The average length of the troughs is advantageously between 1mm and 5mm. These dimensions have been shown to provide a substantial reduction in the coefficient of friction.
The plastics sheet is suitably formed of a synthetic thermoplastic material such as high impact polystyrene. In order to reduce the coefficient of friction of the plastics material itself, it may suitably contain a lubricant such as Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM), conveniently in an amount of 0.05 to 5% by weight. The larger the contact surface area, the greater the amount of lubrication of the surface.
The invention also provides a shelf for a gravity feed dispenser, comprising a plastics sheet as described above. The shelf, or a sheet therefor, can be thermo-formed (vacuum-formed) incorporating moulded features such as product divisions or steps if desired without any apparent increase in the coefficient of friction.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
Figure 1 is an enlarged view of part of a plastics sheet according to the invention; and
Figure 2 is a further enlarged side view of the sheet of Figure 1.
The figures show a sheet 1 formed from high impact polystyrene with a lubricating additive of Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM) on whose upper surface is arranged a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs 3 and mounds 2. The* pattern extends over the entire upper surface of the sheet 1. The troughs 3 are all of substantially the same depth 4 relative to the plane of the uppermost points of the mounds 2. This depth 4 is substantially 125μιtι.
The irregular pattern can be moulded into the upper surface of the sheet 1 during formation or can be introduced to the surface after the sheet"! has been formed, for example by means of an embossing roll. The sheet 1 can then be used to form a shelf for a gravity feed device. If required, the shelf can consist solely of a sheet 2 as described above or may comprise a supporting member having selected portions consisting of separate sheets 1. The selected portions could be separated by dividers if desired.
A gravity feed dispenser having such a shelf is highly efficient in that the coefficient of friction between the articles to be dispensed and the shelf upon which they are supported is very low. The articles are thus fed to the dispensing point with very little risk of becoming jammed or stuck due to friction. This means also that the range of products which can be dispensed by that dispenser is increased.

Claims

1. A plastics sheet having a surface upon which articles are intended to be supported and across which the articles are intended to slide, the surface comprising a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs and mounds spaced at irregular intervals over the surface such that the coefficient of friction between the sheet and the articles is reduced.
2. A plastics sheet as claimed in cl^im 1, wherein^the pattern of troughs and mounds extends continuously over the entire surface of the sheet.
3. A plastics sheet as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface is substantially planar.
4. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average depth of the troughs is between lOOμm and 150μm.
5. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the average depth of the troughs is substantially 125μm.
6. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average length of the troughs is between 1mm and 5mm. 7. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the average length of the troughs is substantially 2.5mm.
8. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed from high impact polystyrene with a lubricating additive.
9. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lubricating additive is Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM). __ '
10. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the amount of lubricating additive is 0.05 to 5% by weight.
11. A plastics sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A shelf for a gravity feed dispenser, comprising a plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. AMEMffiD CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 13 September 1993 (13.09.93); original claims 1 and 2 amended* other claims unchanged (2 pages)]
1. A plastics sheet for providing a support for articles in a gravity feed dispenser, the sheet having a surface upon which the articles are intended to be supported and across which the articles are intended to slide, the surface comprising a continuous pattern of irregularly shaped troughs spaced over the surface at irregular intervals between irregularly shaped lands upon which, in use, the articles are supported, such that the coefficient of friction between the sheet and the articles is reduced.
2. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pattern of troughs and lands extends continuously over the entire surface of the sheet.
3. A plastics sheet as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface is substantially planar.
4. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average depth of the troughs is between lOOμm and 150μm.
5. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the average depth of the troughs is substantially 125μm. 6. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the*average length of the troughs is between 1mm and 5mm.
7. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the average length of the troughs is substantially 2.5mm.
8. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed from high impact polystyrene with a lubricating additive.
9. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lubricating additive is Dow Corning 200 Silicone Fluid (TM).
10. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the amount of lubricating additive is 0.05 to 5% by weight.
11. A plastics sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A shelf for a gravity feed dispenser, comprising a plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
PCT/GB1993/000756 1992-04-10 1993-04-08 A plastics sheet WO1993021089A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9208027.4 1992-04-10
GB9208027A GB2259516B (en) 1992-04-10 1992-04-10 A plastics sheet

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993021089A1 true WO1993021089A1 (en) 1993-10-28

Family

ID=10713897

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/000756 WO1993021089A1 (en) 1992-04-10 1993-04-08 A plastics sheet

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2259516B (en)
WO (1) WO1993021089A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140216887A1 (en) * 2013-02-07 2014-08-07 LOTZ Industrial Printer Co Drop chute assembly for paper handling system
CN104495197A (en) * 2014-12-08 2015-04-08 重庆永健食品集团股份有限公司 Food conveying device and discharging chute thereof

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2259516B (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-08-11 P M Crafts Limited A plastics sheet
US5614288A (en) * 1995-04-27 1997-03-25 L&P Property Managemet Company Co-extruded plastic slip surface

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE660136A (en) * 1964-02-24 1965-06-16
US3981546A (en) * 1969-09-29 1976-09-21 Sperman Jacob H Air bearing construction
US4478663A (en) * 1982-03-22 1984-10-23 American Can Company Plastic sheet having high gloss and low coefficient of friction and method for producing the same
GB2259516A (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-03-17 P M Crafts Limited A plastics sheet

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1053636A (en) *
US3558762A (en) * 1968-03-21 1971-01-26 Basf Ag Production of sheeting and film
JPS62211403A (en) * 1986-03-11 1987-09-17 アトム化学塗料株式会社 All-weather type sheet material for marking road surface
JPH02107819A (en) * 1988-10-18 1990-04-19 Somar Corp Sliding member
DE59106835D1 (en) * 1990-03-02 1995-12-14 Ims Kunststoff Ag Process and use of plastic films for the production of a ski covering and ski covering.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE660136A (en) * 1964-02-24 1965-06-16
US3981546A (en) * 1969-09-29 1976-09-21 Sperman Jacob H Air bearing construction
US4478663A (en) * 1982-03-22 1984-10-23 American Can Company Plastic sheet having high gloss and low coefficient of friction and method for producing the same
GB2259516A (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-03-17 P M Crafts Limited A plastics sheet

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140216887A1 (en) * 2013-02-07 2014-08-07 LOTZ Industrial Printer Co Drop chute assembly for paper handling system
US9051123B2 (en) * 2013-02-07 2015-06-09 LOTZ Industrial Printer Co. Drop chute assembly for paper handling system
CN104495197A (en) * 2014-12-08 2015-04-08 重庆永健食品集团股份有限公司 Food conveying device and discharging chute thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2259516A (en) 1993-03-17
GB2259516B (en) 1993-08-11
GB9208027D0 (en) 1992-05-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1135220A (en) Shelf organizer
EP0031652B1 (en) Gravity feed shelf
US5413229A (en) Shelf allocation and management system
US4239099A (en) Automatic forward-feed shelf
MD970319A (en) Co-extruded plastic slip surface
GB2267271B (en) Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US6793217B2 (en) Stacker for die-cut products
ES8605431A1 (en) Automatic sheet product line.
EP0423774A3 (en) Installation for coating webs or for making carrierless webs
WO1993021089A1 (en) A plastics sheet
WO1992012085A3 (en) Paper sheet feeding apparatus
EP0095204B1 (en) A device for feeding sheets
EP0604396A3 (en) Anti-theft dispensing device for rolled-up sheet material.
CN1066409C (en) Container carrier with different coefficients of friction
EP0483676A3 (en) Flat product with at least one regularly structured surface
EP0616857A3 (en) Method and device for distributing objects, particularly having a flat shape.
WO1998009869A3 (en) Edge protector
WO2001064557A3 (en) Commissioning device with vertical product storage units and lower conveyor belt or similar
US5056677A (en) Small article holders
US3380580A (en) Rolled sheet material
ITTO910470A1 (en) UNIT FOR THE DISPENSING OF SHEET MATERIAL, FOR EXAMPLE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF CARDBOARD SHEETS OR CARDBOARD IN AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINES.
FR2698389B1 (en) Coated paper for sheet feed and friction feed.
EP1254855A3 (en) Device for disassambling a pile of flat and flexible objects, and supporting device
CA2150240A1 (en) Dough Cutting and Packing Apparatus
JPS5750220A (en) Continuous corrugated plate forming machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CA FI NO US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
EX32 Extension under rule 32 effected after completion of technical preparation for international publication

Ref country code: BY

LE32 Later election for international application filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date or according to rule 32.2 (b)

Ref country code: BY

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA