GB2259516A - A plastics sheet - Google Patents

A plastics sheet Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2259516A
GB2259516A GB9208027A GB9208027A GB2259516A GB 2259516 A GB2259516 A GB 2259516A GB 9208027 A GB9208027 A GB 9208027A GB 9208027 A GB9208027 A GB 9208027A GB 2259516 A GB2259516 A GB 2259516A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
sheet
plastics sheet
troughs
articles
plastics
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9208027A
Other versions
GB9208027D0 (en
GB2259516B (en
Inventor
Kenneth John Wisbey
Geoffrey Callcut
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
P M CRAFTS Ltd
Original Assignee
P M CRAFTS Ltd
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 Ltd filed Critical P M CRAFTS Ltd
Priority to GB9208027A priority Critical patent/GB2259516B/en
Publication of GB9208027D0 publication Critical patent/GB9208027D0/en
Publication of GB2259516A publication Critical patent/GB2259516A/en
Priority to PCT/GB1993/000756 priority patent/WO1993021089A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2259516B publication Critical patent/GB2259516B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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

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. The sheet is used especially as a shelf for a gravity feed dispenser. <IMAGE>

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 lOOpm and 150cm. The average length of the troughs is advantageously between lmm and 5mm. These dimensions have been shown to provide a substantial reduction in the coefficient 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 125cm.
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 1 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 o 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 (12)

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 claim 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 100m and 150cm.
5. A plastics sheet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the average depth of the troughs is substantially 125m.
6. A plastics sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the average length of the troughs is between lmm 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.
GB9208027A 1992-04-10 1992-04-10 A plastics sheet Expired - Fee Related GB2259516B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9208027A GB2259516B (en) 1992-04-10 1992-04-10 A plastics sheet
PCT/GB1993/000756 WO1993021089A1 (en) 1992-04-10 1993-04-08 A plastics sheet

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9208027D0 GB9208027D0 (en) 1992-05-27
GB2259516A true GB2259516A (en) 1993-03-17
GB2259516B GB2259516B (en) 1993-08-11

Family

ID=10713897

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9208027A Expired - Fee Related GB2259516B (en) 1992-04-10 1992-04-10 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
WO1993021089A1 (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-10-28 P.M. Crafts Limited A plastics sheet
EP0824397A1 (en) * 1995-04-27 1998-02-25 L &amp; P Property Management Company Co-extruded plastic slip surface

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1053636A (en) *
GB1255695A (en) * 1968-03-21 1971-12-01 Basf Ag Production of polyisobutylene-polyethylene sheeting and film
EP0237315A2 (en) * 1986-03-11 1987-09-16 SEIBU POLYMER KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA also trading as SEIBU POLYMER CHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED All-weather type pavement marking sheet material
JPH02107819A (en) * 1988-10-18 1990-04-19 Somar Corp Sliding member
EP0447356A1 (en) * 1990-03-02 1991-09-18 Ims Kunststoff Ag Process and use of plastic sheets for the production of a ski-sole coating and ski-sole coating obtained

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1100423A (en) * 1964-02-24 1968-01-24 American Can Co Method and device for treating a smooth plastic sheet surface to reduce its coefficient of friction with respect to a smooth body surface
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
GB2259516B (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-08-11 P M Crafts Limited A plastics sheet

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1053636A (en) *
GB1255695A (en) * 1968-03-21 1971-12-01 Basf Ag Production of polyisobutylene-polyethylene sheeting and film
EP0237315A2 (en) * 1986-03-11 1987-09-16 SEIBU POLYMER KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA also trading as SEIBU POLYMER CHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED All-weather type pavement marking sheet material
JPH02107819A (en) * 1988-10-18 1990-04-19 Somar Corp Sliding member
EP0447356A1 (en) * 1990-03-02 1991-09-18 Ims Kunststoff Ag Process and use of plastic sheets for the production of a ski-sole coating and ski-sole coating obtained

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993021089A1 (en) * 1992-04-10 1993-10-28 P.M. Crafts Limited A plastics sheet
EP0824397A1 (en) * 1995-04-27 1998-02-25 L &amp; P Property Management Company Co-extruded plastic slip surface
EP0824397A4 (en) * 1995-04-27 1998-08-12 L & P Property Management Co Co-extruded plastic slip surface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9208027D0 (en) 1992-05-27
WO1993021089A1 (en) 1993-10-28
GB2259516B (en) 1993-08-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19990410