US 12,291,392 B2
Slit paper method of expansion, shipment and expansion devices
David Paul Goodrich, Sedona, AZ (US)
Assigned to HexcelPack, LLC, Sedona, AZ (US)
Filed by HexcelPack, LLC, Sedona, AZ (US)
Filed on Nov. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/386,361.
Application 18/386,361 is a continuation of application No. 18/093,087, filed on Jan. 4, 2023.
Application 18/093,087 is a continuation of application No. 15/428,144, filed on Feb. 8, 2017, granted, now 11,608,222, issued on Mar. 21, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/435,037, filed on Dec. 15, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/425,200, filed on Nov. 22, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/292,727, filed on Feb. 8, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0140688 A1, May 2, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65D 85/672 (2006.01); B65B 61/04 (2006.01); B65D 5/02 (2006.01); B65D 5/50 (2006.01); B65B 5/04 (2006.01); B65B 11/00 (2006.01); B65B 41/12 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 85/672 (2013.01) [B65B 61/04 (2013.01); B65D 5/02 (2013.01); B65D 5/5004 (2013.01); B65B 5/04 (2013.01); B65B 11/004 (2013.01); B65B 41/12 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An expander device for manually expanding slit sheet paper, comprising:
a) a roll of slit sheet paper having rows of straight slits extending parallel to an axis of the roll, said slit sheet paper being manually expandable across an entire width of the roll of slit sheet paper upon applying a manual pulling force to a distal end of said slit sheet paper in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the roll such that the entire width of the roll of slit sheet paper expands in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the roll;
b) a support that rotatably suspends the roll of slit sheet paper;
c) a pressure mechanism that inhibits rotation of said roll of slit sheet paper with respect to said support, including:
a first member connected to said roll of slit sheet paper that rotates with said roll of slit sheet paper;
a pressing member that exerts frictional pressure against said first member connected to said roll of slit sheet paper to inhibit rotation of said roll of slit sheet paper with respect to said support;
a spring formed from an elongated spiral member arranged to exert a spring force against said pressing member contributing to said frictional pressure against said first member connected to said roll of slit sheet paper; and
a movable member that is movable to exert a pressure against said spring and cause said elongated spiral member to bend to adjust the spring force exerted by the spring against said pressing member;
d) whereby the slit sheet paper can be manually pulled and expanded from the roll of slit sheet paper upon applying a manual pulling force, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the roll along a plain of the slit sheet paper to a periphery of the roll, to the distal end of said slit sheet paper sufficient to unwind the roll of slit sheet paper by moving said movable member to exert a pressure against said spring, such that said spring then exerts a spring force against said pressing member, such that said pressing member then exerts frictional pressure against said first member.