Z-Fold Chart Paper Package

The instant invention relates to chart paper of the type used in chart recorders and the like and more particularly to a package for facilitating the loading and handling of chart paper of the type commonly referred to as Z-fold paper, i.e., paper which is folded in a zigzag configuration.

Many of the chart recording devices currently in use utilize Z-fold chart paper comprising an elongated strip of paper which has been folded in zigzag configuration to form a stack of paper wherein sequential fold lines of the paper define opposite first and second ends of the stack. In use, a stack of paper is received in a compartment in a recorder and one end of the paper is received in an advancing mechanism in the recorder, whereby the paper is gradually unfolded as it is dispensed from the stack and sequentially advanced to a stylus as needed. Z-fold paper of this type has been used in recorders to provide effective trouble free supplies of continuous paper therefor, and hence the use of Z-fold paper for chart recorders has become extensive.

While Z-fold chart paper of the above described type can be effectively used in chart recorders, it has been found that frequently stacks of Z-fold paper become inadvertently unfolded during the installation thereof in the proper compartments in recorders. In this regard, the inadvertent unfolding of a stack of Z-fold paper can represent a substantial inconvenience to an operator of the recorder who is attempting to effect the loading thereof because the paper must be manually refolded to the proper configuration before the attempted loading of the paper in the recorder can again be effected. Accordingly, heretofore the possiblity of the inadvertent unfolding of a stack of Z-fold paper during the attempted loading thereof in a recorder has represented a significant drawback to the use of such paper.

The instant invention provides a novel solution to the problems heretofore encountered in the loading of Z-fold paper into recorders by providing a Z-fold paper package which can be installed in a recorder without any risk of the paper being inadvertently unfolded. Specifically, the loading package of the instant invention comprises an elongated flexible wrapper of normally closed loop configuration which is snugly receivable on a stack of paper so that it extends along the upper and lower faces and ends thereof but which is separable to an open configuration to provide access to the paper subsequent to the loading of the package in a recorder. In the preferred embodiment of the package, the wrapper has first and second end portions which are detachably interconnected to define the separable closed wrapper loop. Further, the first and second end portions preferably terminate adjacent one end of the stack of folded paper and on the upper face thereof, and the first end portion terminates in a free tab portion so that the first end portions is separable from the second end portion upon movement of the tab portion towards the adjacent end of the stack. In addition, the Z-fold paper is preferably arranged so that the leading edge thereof is disposed adjacent the point where the first and second end portions of the wrapper are detachably interconnected. Accordingly, the loading package is receivable in the chart paper compartment of a recorder so that the interconnected end portions of the wrapper are adjacent the access opening of the compartment and thereafter the interconnected end portions can be separated by manipulation of the tab portion. The leading edge of the chart paper can then be fed into the advancing mechanism of the recorder and the paper may be dispensed from the stack as needed with the wrapper remaining in the paper compartment still surrounding the Z-folded paper. In the event that circumstances make it necessary to remove the unused portion of the paper stack from the paper compartment, the wrapper facilitates such removal without allowing the Z-folded paper to become inadvertently unfolded.

Devices representing the closest prior art to the instant invention of which the applicant is aware are disclosed in the U.S. patents to Weilby, U.S. Pat. No. 2,956,674, Lindenmuth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,093, Gendron et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,972, and Smolderen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,069. While these patents disclose various devices for the packaging of sheet materials they do not disclose or suggest a package comprising a flexible wrapper of the type hereinabove set forth which can be utilized to facilitate the loading of Z-fold paper in a chart recorder. Hence, the above references are believed to be of nothing more than general interest.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the instant invention to provide a package which can be utilized to facilitate the loading of Z-fold chart paper in the chart paper compartment of a recorder.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide means to minimize the risk of having Z-fold paper become inadvertently unfolded during the loading thereof in a chart recorder.

Another object of the instant invention is to provde a flexible wrapper for Z-folded chart paper which can be inserted with the paper into the chart paper compartment of a recorder.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawing which illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chart paper package of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one end of the package illustrating the interconnection of the end portions of the package wrapper;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package received in the chart paper compartment of a recorder illustrating the manipulation of the package to provide access to the chart paper thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package received in the chart paper compartment of a recorder.

Referring now to the drawing, the chart paper loading package of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-4. The package 10 comprises a stack of folded paper 12 and a flexible wrapper 14 which is snugly received on the stack 12, the wrapper 14 being of normally closed loop configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 but being separable to an open configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 to provide access to the stack 12.

The stack 12 comprises an elongated strip of paper 15 of the type commonly referred to as Z-fold paper having a leading edge 16 and a trailing edge (not shown), and folded in a zigzag configuration wherein sequential fold lines in the paper define opposite first and second ends 17 and 18, respectively, of the stack 12. The leading edge 16 lies adjacent an upper or first face of the stack 12, preferably adjacent the first end 17, and the trailing edge of the strip 15 lies adjacent the second or opposite face of the stack 12. Accordingly the paper strip 15 can be dispensed from the stack 12 in an orderly and sequential manner by advancing the leading edge 16 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The stack 12 is preferably dimensioned to be received in a tray 19 in a paper compartment 20 of a recorder 21 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The wrapper 14 comprises an elongated flexible member, which is preferably constructed of paper, having first and second end portions 22 and 24, respectively. The wrapper 14 is dimensioned so that it is receivable on the stack 12 with the wrapper extending completely around the stack, i.e., around the first and second faces thereof and around the first and second ends 17 and 18 thereof, respectively. The first and second end portions 22 and 24 are normally detachably interconnected with an adhesive 26 to maintain the wrapper 14 snugly around the stack 12. In this regard, the second end portion 24 preferably overlies the first end portion 22 so that the adhesive 26 is secured to the second end portion 24 in an area which is spaced from the terminal end thereof to define a free terminal flap 28 on the second end portion 24. Further, the first and second end portions 22 and 24 are preferably interconnected on the upper or first face of the stack 12 at a point adjacent the first end 17. Accordingly, the first and second end portions 22 and 24 may be separated by an outward pull of the flap 28 in the general direction of the first end 17 to provide access to the stack 12, in particular to the leading edge 16. A pair of arrows 30 are provided on the wrapper 14 to indicate the direction of movement of the flap 28 necessary for this operation.

In use and operation the package 10 is receivable in the tray 19 in the chart paper compartment 20 of the recorder 21 as illustrated in FIG. 4. After the package 10 has been positioned in the tray 19 as directed by an arrow 32 on the wrapper 14 so that the second end 18 is adjacent the inner end of the tray 19 and so that the first end 17 is proximal the access opening of the chart paper compartment 20, the second end portion 24 is separated from the first end portion 22 by moving the flap 28 generally outwardly as directed by the arrows 30 or in the general direction of the first end 17. Thereafter the portion of the strip 15 adjacent the leading edge 16 thereof can be withdrawn from the tray 19 and inserted into an advancing mechanism of the recorder 21. In this connection, as herein embodied, the recorder 21 includes an access door 34 on which an advancing assembly 36 is mounted and accordingly when the package 10 is used in combination with a recorder of the type herein illustrated, the leading edge 16 is fed to the advancing assembly 36 on the door 34. Obviously, however, the package 10 is usable in other types of recorders having other types of advancing assemblies.

It is seen, therefore, that the instant invention provides a novel and effective chart paper package which eliminates the disadvantages experienced when conventional unwrapped or unpackaged Z-fold paper is utilized in chart recorders. Specifically, the package 10 can be inserted in the chart paper compartment of a recorder 21 with minimal risk of having the stack 12 become inadvertently unfolded. After the package 10 has been inserted into the recorder 21, the ends 22 and 24 can be separated to provide access to the paper 15. Since the wrapper 14 is flexible, it can remain in the recorder 21 until all of the paper 15 has been dispensed without interferring with the operation of the recorder 21. In the event, however, that it becomes necessary to remove an unused portion of the stack 12 from the recorder 21, the wrapper 14 can be wrapped around the unused portion to facilitate this operation so that the unfolding of the paper 15 is avoided. Accordingly, it is seen that the package 10 provides a significant advancement in the art which, for the reasons hereinabove set forth, has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.