EP3698691A1

EP3698691A1 - A sheet dispenser comprising a housing and a mount for mounting a roll of sheet material

Info

Publication number: EP3698691A1
Application number: EP20155396.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kim Achton
Original assignee: Achton AS
Current assignee: Achton AS
Priority date: 2019-02-25
Filing date: 2020-02-04
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Also published as: GB201902518D0; GB2581534A; GB2581534B

Abstract

There is provided a sheet dispenser comprising a housing (5, 6) and a mount (40, 41) for mounting a roll of sheet material inside the housing. The mount comprises a base portion (40) having a central pin and a circular ridge extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel between them, wherein the central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to an end portion (20) of a roll of sheet material (10) when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin is for inserting into a central aperture of the end portion, the circular channel is for receiving a circular rib of the end portion, and the circular ridge is for inserting into a circular groove of the end portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sheet dispenser comprising a housing and a mount for mounting a roll of sheet material inside the housing. The sheet dispenser may for example be a paper towel dispenser, and the sheet material a continuous web of paper towelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of sheet dispenser are known for dispensing a sheet to a user from a continuous web of material. Typically, the dispenser houses a roll of the sheet material, and an end of the sheet is pulled from the housing by a user until a sufficient quantity of sheet has been dispensed. The dispensed sheet may be torn away manually, particularly if the sheet material has pre-formed lines of weakness across its width, and/or the sheet dispenser may incorporate a cutting mechanism to cut the dispensed sheet.
The known sheet dispensers typically hold the roll of sheet material on a mount inside the housing, so the roll can be replaced once the sheet material wound upon it has all been unwound and dispensed. The roll is typically mounted in a manner which allows the roll to rotate within the housing, so the sheet material can be withdrawn from it without becoming twisted.
The smooth rotation of the roll on the mount is important so that sheet material is dispensed at a predictable rate when pulled, and so the roll does not jam and cause the sheet material to break off from the roll inside the housing, nor overrun and cause an excessive amount of sheet material to be dispensed or to cause bunching up of the sheet material inside of the housing.
It is also important that the sheet dispenser is fitted with the correct type of roll, as incorrect rolls may not properly fit in the mount, causing jamming or overrunning, or may hold sheet materials that are not suitable for dispensing by the dispenser, for example by not being compatible with any cutting mechanism that may be present.
Known sheet dispensers are occasionally fitted with incompatible rolls, and the sheet dispenser blamed when the sheets do not dispense as intended.
The mounts of some known dispensers comprise a pin that extends inside the end of a cylinder of the roll, the sheet material being wound around the cylinder. The cylinder of the roll typically has a much larger diameter than the diameter of the pin, and so there is a lot of freedom of movement of the cylinder on the pin, which can interfere with the smooth and regular rotation of the cylinder on the pin when the sheet material is being dispensed, and/or cause jamming of the roll. It is also relatively easy to install incompatible rolls since almost any roll of substantially the correct width will fit.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved sheet dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet dispenser comprising a housing and a mount for mounting a roll of sheet material inside the housing. The mount comprises a base portion having a central pin and a circular ridge extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel between them. The central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to an end portion of a roll of sheet material when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin is for inserting into a central aperture of the end portion, the circular channel is for receiving a circular rib of the end portion, and the circular ridge is for inserting into a circular groove of the end portion.
Since the base portion of the mount comprises the central pin, the circular ridge, and the circular channel defined between those elements, a roll with a matching end portion can be fitted to the mount. For example, the circular rib of the end portion may be defined between the central aperture and the circular groove, with the circular groove extending around a circumference of the central aperture. The interface between the base portion and the end portion will restrict the roll to smoothly rotating about a single axis, so there is less risk of jamming, or of the roll overrunning out of control.
The base portion can be sized with a specific width of central pin, and/or a specific width of the circular ridge, and/or a specific width of the circular channel. Then, the base portion will only inter-operate with the correspondingly sized end portion, so that only compatible rolls can be mounted to the mount and fitted into the sheet dispenser.
Alternatively, the connecting parts of the base portion and the end portion are switched with one another, so that the base portion comprises the central aperture, the circular groove, and the circular rib, and the end portion comprises the central pin, the circular ridge, and the circular channel.
A second aspect of the invention provides a roll of sheet material with an end portion for fitting to the base portion of the first aspect of the invention, the end portion comprising the circular rib defined between the central aperture and the circular groove, with the circular groove extending around a circumference of the central aperture. Alternatively, in the case where the connecting parts of the base portion and the end portion are switched with one another, the end portion comprises the central pin, the circular ridge, and the circular channel.
According, either the central pin and circular ridge may be formed on the base portion with the corresponding central aperture and circular groove formed on the end portion, or the central pin and circular ridge may be formed on the end portion with the corresponding central aperture and circular groove formed on the base portion.
A third aspect of the invention provides a dispenser system comprising the sheet dispenser of the first aspect of the invention and the roll of material of the second aspect of the invention. A fourth aspect of the invention provides a dispenser system comprising a plurality of the sheet dispensers of the first aspect of the invention and a plurality of the rolls of material of the second aspect of the invention, with the base portions and end portions configured so that each sheet dispenser is only compatible with a corresponding one of the plurality of rolls of sheet material.
The central pin and the circular ridge, or the central aperture and the circular groove, may extend parallel to one another at the base portion, in a direction perpendicular to a base plate of the base portion, the base plate for abutting against the end portion of the roll of sheet material. The base plate further assists in keeping the end portion in the correct position, so that the roll rotates about the correct axis and does not shift onto other axes of rotation, which could cause jamming.
Preferably, the length of the central pin and/or the length of the central aperture is aligned along the axis of rotation of the roll of sheet material when mounted inside the housing. The circular ridge is preferably defined by a continuous ring of material to provide maximum support within the circular groove, but there could alternatively be breaks in the circular ridge at various points along the circular ridge. Equivalently, the circular rib is preferably defined by a continuous ring of material to provide maximum support within the circular channel, but there could alternatively be breaks in the circular rib at various points along the circular rib.
The central pin may have a width of at least three times a width of the circular ridge, so the central pin bears most of the force from the action of pulling the sheet material from the roll, and the circular ridge helps to keep the roll turning about the correct axis. Equivalently, the central aperture may have a width of at least three times a width of the circular groove.
The sheet dispenser may comprise a cutting mechanism for cutting sheets of material away from the roll of sheet material as the sheet material is drawn from the roll. The base portion may be mounted on the cutting mechanism, so the roll of material is held in the correct position relative to the cutting mechanism, and can work most effectively. The base portion is preferably moveably mounted on the cutting mechanism or is repeatedly removable and attachable to the cutting mechanism, so that it can easily be withdrawn from the end portion to allow the current roll to be removed, and a new roll installed in its place. Optionally, the base portion may comprise a hinge to allow the base plate to pivot away from the roll during removal of the roll.
The cutting mechanism may be fastened to the housing, for example using clips or screws. The housing may comprise front and rear housing portions which are fastened in contact with one another and which hold the cutting mechanism between them.
The mount may further comprises a further base portion for receiving a further end portion of the roll of sheet material, the further base portion being opposite the base portion, for fitting the roll sheet of material between the further base portion and the base portion. The further base portion may be the same as the base portion, or the further base portion may have a more conventional form, for example it may just comprise a central pin of wide diameter and no circular ridge.
The width of the circular rib is preferably substantially the same as the width of the circular channel, so that the circular rib fits closely within the circular channel, and so the roll is held in the correct axis of rotation. For the same reason, the width of the central aperture is preferably substantially the same as the width of the central pin, and/or the width of the circular groove is substantially the same as the width of the circular ridge.
The roll of sheet material may comprise a central spindle with the sheet material rolled around the spindle, and the end portion is fixed to an end of the central spindle. The end portion may comprise a cylindrical portion which extends inside of the spindle to attach the end portion to the spindle. The cylindrical portion may comprise splines which extend parallel to a central axis of the central spindle, and which form an interference fit with an internal cylindrical surface of the central spindle.
The central aperture and the circular groove of the end portion may extend inside of a cylindrical region defined by the sheet material on the spindle. This allows the rolls to be shorter along their axial direction than they would otherwise be, particularly compared to the case where the central pin and circular ridge are formed on the end portion instead of the central aperture and the circular groove. Shorter rolls are easier and cheaper to transport than longer ones. The sheet dispenser may be a paper towel dispenser, and the sheet material a continuous web of paper towelling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded diagram of a paper towel dispenser and a roll of paper towelling; according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged schematic diagram of a base portion of the paper towel dispenser and an end portion of the roll of paper towelling;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic side diagram of the end portion and base portion when fitted together with one another; and
Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the end portion and base portion of when fitted together with one another.

The figures are not to scale, and same or similar reference signs denote same or similar features.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. The schematic diagram of Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a paper towel dispenser and a roll of paper towelling 10. The paper towel dispenser comprises a housing formed of front and back housing shells, labelled 5 and 6 respectively. The front 5 and rear 6 shells are typically made of plastic and are configured to clip together, to house a cutting mechanism 30, a mount, and the roll of paper towelling 10.
The cutting mechanism comprises a central member 31 having two end plates 35 and 36 disposed either side of it. The central member 31 holds a series of cutting plates 33 that are connected to and abut a cutting blade 32, the cutting blade extending perpendicular the cutting plates, and the cutting blade also being held and abutting the end plates 36 and 36. The end plates 35 and 36 clip into the rear housing shell 6 to hold the cutting mechanism in position within the housing.
The mount comprises two base portions 40 and 41, which are clipped onto the two end plates 35 and 36, and hold the roll of paper towelling 10 just above the cutting plates 33 and cutting blade 32. The roll of paper towelling comprises a cylindrical spindle 11, about which a continuous web of paper towelling is wound. In use, an end of the paper towelling web can be pulled downward from the dispenser, to unwind the paper towelling from the roll 10, and to cut the paper towelling to the desired length using the cutting plates 33 and cutting blade 32.
The base portion 40 is shown with an end portion 20 fitted to the base portion 40. The end portion 20 is actually part of the roll 10, and is fixed inside the end of the spindle 11. In this embodiment, the base portion 41 is different to the base portion 40, and the base portion 41 comprises an integral end cup 42 for insertion into the opposite end of the spindle 11. In use the spindle 11 spins about the end cup 42, and the end portion 20 which is fixed to the spindle 11, spins about a base plate of the base portion 40, as described in more detail further below. Since only the end portion 20 is part of the roll 10, and not the end cup 42, replacement rolls 10 only need to include the end portion 20 and not the end cup 42, saving on materials.
The schematic diagram of Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of how the end portion 20 fits onto the base portion 40. The base portion 40 comprises a lower member 47 with clips for clipping onto the end plate 35 of the cutting mechanism 30, an upper member 49 having a base plate 42, and a hinge 48 that connects the upper and lower members 47 and 49 to one another and allows them to pivot with respect to one another, to aid replacement of the roll 10. The base plate 42 is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation 50 of the roll 10, and has a central pin 44 that extends perpendicularly from the base plate towards the roll 10. The central pin 44 extends in a direction aligned with the axis of rotation 50, and has a cross section in the shape of a circle.
Radially outward from the central pin 10, the base plate 10 has a circular ridge 46 that extends around the axis of rotation 50. The circular ridge 46 is a continuous annulus or cylinder, with its axis aligned with the rotation axis 50, and extending outward from the base plate towards the roll 10, parallel to the central pin 44. The circular ridge 46 is spaced apart from the central pin 50 by a circular channel 45 that is defined by a gap from the central pin to the circular ridge, and by the distance of extension of the central pin and the circular ridge from the base plate 10. The circular channel has a cylindrical shape, extending all the way around the circumference of the central pin 50.
The end portion 20 comprises a cylinder 22 which has splines 23 on its exterior, the splines aligned along its length, parallel to its axis. The spines 23 are ridges which press into an interior surface of the cylindrical spindle 11 when the end portion 20 is fixed to the spindle 11, during the manufacture of the roll 10. The end portion 20 also comprises a skirt 28 which extends radially outwardly of the cylinder 22 at one end of the cylinder 22. The skirt 28 abuts against the end of the spindle 11 when the end portion is fixed to the spindle, and the skirt 28 may also contact the base plate 42 when the roll is installed into the mount of the dispenser.
The base plate 42 of the base portion 40 presents a curved surface to the skirt 28, as best seen in the side view of Fig. 3. The curved surface of the base plate 42 may be flexed downward the page in the orientation shown in Fig. 3, along the axis of rotation 50 and in a direction away from the roll, to provide a desired contact force and friction between the base plate 42 and the skirt 28, thereby preventing the roll 10 from over-rotating when the paper towelling is pulled from the dispenser. The flex in the base plate 42 may also help accommodate slight manufacturing variations in the length of the roll 10 between the base portions 40 and 41.
The schematic diagram of Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through the base portion and roll 10, the cross section showing a y-z plane that includes the axis of rotation 50 extending along the plane, as shown in Fig.1. The roll 10 comprises the spindle 11, the end portion 20, and the paper towelling wound around external surface 11b of the spindle, however the paper towelling has been omitted from Fig. 4 for clarity. The splines 23 embed into the inside surface 11a of the spindle 11, and the splines 23 have barbs 23a to prevent the end portion 20 from being withdrawn from the spindle 11, as shown.
The end portion 20 comprises an end face 27, inwardly of the skirt 28, and covering over the end of the cylinder 22. The end face 27 and skirt 28 together bear against the surface of the base plate 42 of the base portion. The end face 27 comprises a central aperture 24, a circular groove 26, and a circular rib 25 defined between the central aperture 24 and circular groove 26. The central aperture 24 is aligned along the axis of rotation 50, and has a similar width to the width of the central pin 44, so that the central pin 44 just fits within the central aperture 24, as shown. The circular groove 26 extends continuously all around the axis of rotation 50, and is separated from the central aperture by a continuous circular wall of material, constituting the circular rib 25. Accordingly, the central rib is in the shape of a cylinder, with its axis aligned along the axis of rotation of the roll.
As shown, the central aperture 24 has a generally U shaped cross-section, the circular groove 26 has a generally U shaped cross-section, and the central rib 25 has a generally U shaped cross-section but with the bottom of the U pointing in an opposite direction to the bottoms of the U shapes of the central aperture 24 and circular groove 26. As shown, the central pin 44 has a generally U shaped cross-section, the circular ridge 46 has a generally U shaped cross-section, and the central channel 45 has a generally U shaped cross-section but with the bottom of the U pointing in an opposite direction to the bottoms of the U shapes of the central pin 44 and circular ridge 46.
The circular ridge 46 has a similar width to the circular groove 26, so that the circular ridge 46 just fits within the circular groove 26, as shown. The circular channel 45 has a similar width to the circular rib 25, so that the circular rib 25 just fits within the circular channel 45. It will be appreciated that the widths of the central pin 44, circular channel 45, and circular ridge 46 can be set so that the only roll 10 that will fit into the dispenser are rolls with an end portion 20 that have a correspondingly sized central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove. Accordingly, it is possible to provide multiple types or sizes of dispenser with a different sized central pin 44, circular channel 45, and/or circular ridge 46, so that only the correct types of rolls having the correspondingly sized central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove can be fitted into the dispenser.
In further embodiments, the base portion 40 may have further circular ridges concentric with the central pin and circular ridge, and the end portion 20 may have further circular grooves concentric with the central aperture and circular groove for receiving those further circular ridges.
In the illustrated embodiments, the circular rib 46 and circular rib 25 are each in the shape of an unbroken circle, extending 360 degrees all the way around the circle. Alternatively, the circular ridge 46 may only extend along a small arc portion of the circle defined by the circular groove, and/or the circular rib 25 may only extend along a small arc portion of the circle defined by the circular channel 45, to save material and weight. Or, the circular ridge and/or circular rib may each comprise a plurality of arc segments at regular intervals around the axis of rotation 50, to define a broken circle shape.
It will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the central pin and circular ridge could be formed on the end portion 20 instead of the base portion 40, and the central aperture and the circular groove formed on the base portion 40 instead of the end portion 20. But, since in the illustrated embodiment the end portion 20 comprises the central aperture and central groove, the paper towelling on the exterior surface 11b of the spindle can overlap the central aperture and central groove along the direction of the axis of rotation 50 of the roll, as shown. This allows the roll 10 to be made shorter in a direction along the axis 50 than would be the case if the end portion comprised the central pin and circular ridge, saving transport costs. Although the roll 10 of the illustrated embodiment holds a continuous web of paper towelling, the invention is equally applicable to rolls holding other types of sheet material.
Many other variations of the described embodiments falling within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are summarised in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. A sheet dispenser comprising a housing and a mount for mounting a roll of sheet material inside the housing, wherein the mount comprises a base portion having a central pin and a circular ridge extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel between them, wherein the central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to an end portion of a roll of sheet material when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin is for inserting into a central aperture of the end portion, the circular channel is for receiving a circular rib of the end portion, and the circular ridge is for inserting into a circular groove of the end portion.
Clause 2. The sheet dispenser of Clause 1, wherein the central pin and the circular ridge extend parallel to one another, in a direction perpendicular to a base plate of the base portion, the base plate for abutting against the end portion of the roll of sheet material.
Clause 3. The sheet dispenser of Clause 1 or 2, wherein a length of the central pin is aligned along an axis of rotation of the roll of sheet material when mounted inside the housing.
Clause 4. The sheet dispenser of Clause 1, 2, or 3, wherein the circular ridge is defined by a continuous ring of material.
Clause 5. The sheet dispenser of any preceding Clause, wherein the central pin has a width of at least three times a width of the circular ridge.
Clause 6. A sheet dispenser comprising a housing and a mount for mounting a roll of sheet material inside the housing, wherein the mount comprises a base portion having a central aperture and a circular groove extending around a circumference of the central aperture, wherein the central aperture and circular groove define a circular rib between them, wherein the central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove are for connecting to an end portion of a roll of sheet material when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central aperture is for receiving a central pin of the end portion, the circular rib is for inserting into a circular channel of the end portion, and the circular groove is for receiving a circular ridge of the end portion.
Clause 7. The sheet dispenser of Clause 6, wherein the central aperture and the circular groove extend parallel to one another, in a direction perpendicular to a base plate of the base portion, the base plate for abutting against the end portion of the roll of sheet material.
Clause 8. The sheet dispenser of Clause 6 or 7, wherein a length of the central aperture is aligned along an axis of rotation of the roll of sheet material when mounted inside the housing.
Clause 9. The sheet dispenser of Clause 6, 7, or 8, wherein the circular rib is defined by a continuous ring of material.
Clause 10. The sheet dispenser of any one of Clauses 6 to 9, wherein the central aperture has a width of at least three times a width of the circular groove.
Clause 11. The sheet dispenser of any preceding Clause, wherein the sheet dispenser comprises a cutting mechanism, and wherein the base portion is mounted on the cutting mechanism, the cutting mechanism for cutting sheets of material away from the roll of sheet material as the sheet material is drawn from the roll.
Clause 12. The sheet dispenser of Clause 11, wherein the cutting mechanism is fastened to the housing.
Clause 13. The sheet dispenser of Clause 11 or 12, wherein the base portion is moveably mounted on the cutting mechanism or is repeatedly removable and attachable to the cutting mechanism, to assist in mounting the roll of sheet material inside the housing.
Clause 14. The sheet dispenser of any one of Clauses 11, 12, or 13, wherein the housing comprises front and rear housing portions which are fastened in contact with one another and which hold the cutting mechanism between them.
Clause 15. The sheet dispenser of any preceding Clause, wherein the mount further comprises a further base portion for receiving a further end portion of the roll of sheet material, the further base portion being opposite the base portion, for fitting the roll sheet of material between the further base portion and the base portion.
Clause 16. A sheet dispenser system, comprising the sheet dispenser and the roll of sheet material of any preceding Clause.
Clause 17. The sheet dispenser system of Clause 16, wherein a width of the circular rib is substantially a same distance as a width of the circular channel.
Clause 18. The sheet dispenser system of Clause 16 or 17, wherein a width of the central aperture is substantially a same distance as a width of the central pin.
Clause 19. The sheet dispenser system of Clause 16, 17, or 18, wherein a width of the circular groove is substantially a same distance as a width of the circular ridge of the base portion.
Clause 20. The sheet dispenser system of any one of Clauses 16 to 19, wherein the roll of sheet material comprises a central spindle with the sheet material rolled around the spindle, and wherein the end portion is fixed to an end of the central spindle.
Clause 21. The sheet dispenser system of Clause 20, wherein the end portion comprises a cylindrical portion which extends inside of the spindle to attach the end portion to the spindle.
Clause 22. The sheet dispenser system of Clause 21, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises splines which extend parallel to a central axis of the central spindle, and which form an interference fit with an internal cylindrical surface of the central spindle.
Clause 23. The sheet dispenser system of any one of Clauses 16 to 22, when appended to at least claim 1, wherein the central aperture and the circular groove extend inside of a cylindrical region defined by the sheet material on the spindle.
Clause 24. The sheet dispenser system of any one of Clauses 16 to 23, wherein the sheet dispenser is a paper towel dispenser, and wherein the sheet material is a continuous web of paper towelling.
Clause 25. The sheet dispenser system of any one of Clauses 16 to 24, comprising a plurality of the sheet dispensers and a plurality of the rolls of sheet material, wherein the base portions and end portions of the sheet dispensers and the rolls of sheet material are configured so that each sheet dispenser is only compatible with a corresponding one of the plurality of rolls of sheet material, wherein:
- the central pins have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the central apertures,
- the circular ridges have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the circular grooves, and/or
- the circular ribs have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the circular channels.
Clause 26. A roll of sheet material, comprising a central spindle with the sheet material rolled around the spindle, and an end portion fixed to an end of the central spindle, wherein the end portion comprises a central pin and a circular ridge extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel between them, wherein the central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to a base portion of a sheet dispenser when the roll of sheet material is installed inside the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin is for inserting into a central aperture of the base portion, the circular channel is for receiving a circular rib of the base portion, and the circular ridge is for inserting into a circular groove of the base portion.
Clause 27. A roll of sheet material, comprising a central spindle with the sheet material rolled around the spindle, and an end portion fixed to an end of the central spindle, wherein the end portion comprises a central aperture and a circular groove extending around a circumference of the central aperture, wherein the central aperture and circular groove define a circular rib between them, wherein the central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove are for connecting to a base portion of a sheet dispenser when the roll of sheet material is installed inside the sheet dispenser, wherein the central aperture is for receiving a central pin of the base portion, the circular rib is for inserting into a circular channel of the base portion, and the circular groove is for receiving a circular ridge of the base portion.
Clause 28. The roll of sheet material of Clause 26 or 27, wherein the end portion comprises a cylindrical portion which extends inside of the spindle to attach the end portion to the spindle.
Clause 29. The roll of sheet material of Clause 28, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises splines which extend parallel to a central axis of the central spindle, and which form an interference fit with an internal cylindrical surface of the central spindle.
Clause 30. The roll of sheet material of Clause 29, wherein the splines comprise barbs to prevent withdrawal of the end portion from the spindle.

Claims

A sheet dispenser comprising a housing (5, 6) and a mount (40) for mounting a roll of sheet material (10) inside the housing, wherein:
the mount comprises a base portion (40) having a central pin (44) and a circular ridge (46) extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel (45) between them, wherein the central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to an end portion (20) of a roll of sheet material when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin (44) is for inserting into a central aperture (24) of the end portion, the circular channel (45) is for receiving a circular rib (25) of the end portion, and the circular ridge (46) is for inserting into a circular groove (26) of the end portion, or

the mount comprises a base portion having a central aperture and a circular groove extending around a circumference of the central aperture, wherein the central aperture and circular groove define a circular rib between them, wherein the central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove are for connecting to an end portion of a roll of sheet material when the roll of sheet material is installed into the sheet dispenser, wherein the central aperture is for receiving a central pin of the end portion, the circular rib is for inserting into a circular channel of the end portion, and the circular groove is for receiving a circular ridge of the end portion.
The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base portion (40) has the central pin (44), and wherein the central pin and the circular ridge (46) extend parallel to one another, in a direction perpendicular to a base plate (42) of the base portion, the base plate (42) for abutting against the end portion (20) of the roll of sheet material.
The sheet dispenser of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base portion has the central pin (44), and wherein the central pin has a width of at least three times a width of the circular ridge (46).
The sheet dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base portion has the central aperture, and wherein the central aperture and the circular groove extend parallel to one another, in a direction perpendicular to a base plate of the base portion, the base plate for abutting against the end portion of the roll of sheet material.
The sheet dispenser of claim 1 or 4, wherein the base portion has the central aperture, and wherein the central aperture has a width of at least three times a width of the circular groove.
The sheet dispenser of any preceding claim, wherein the sheet dispenser comprises a cutting mechanism (30) that is optionally fastened to the housing (5, 6), and wherein the base portion (40) is mounted on the cutting mechanism, the cutting mechanism (30) for cutting sheets of material away from the roll of sheet material (10) as the sheet material is drawn from the roll.
The sheet dispenser of claim 6, wherein the base portion (40) is moveably mounted on the cutting mechanism (30) or is repeatedly removable and attachable to the cutting mechanism, to assist in mounting the roll of sheet material (10) inside the housing.
The sheet dispenser of claim 6 or 7, wherein the housing comprises front (5) and rear (6) housing portions which are fastened in contact with one another and which hold the cutting mechanism (30) between them.
A sheet dispenser system, comprising the sheet dispenser and the roll of sheet material (10) of any preceding claim.
The sheet dispenser system of claim 9, wherein:
a width of the circular rib (25) is substantially a same distance as a width of the circular channel (45);

a width of the central aperture (24) is substantially a same distance as a width of the central pin (44); and/or

a width of the circular groove (26) is substantially a same distance as a width of the circular ridge (46) of the base portion.
The sheet dispenser system claim 9 or 10, wherein the roll of sheet material (10) comprises a central spindle (11) with the sheet material rolled around the central spindle, wherein the end portion (20) is fixed to an end of the central spindle, and the end portion (20) comprises a cylindrical portion (22) which optionally extends inside of the central spindle (11) to attach the end portion to the central spindle.
The sheet dispenser system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the sheet dispenser is a paper towel dispenser, and wherein the sheet material is a continuous web of paper towelling.
The sheet dispenser system of any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising a plurality of the sheet dispensers and a plurality of the rolls of sheet material, wherein the base portions (40) and end portions (20) of the sheet dispensers and the rolls of sheet material are configured so that each sheet dispenser is only compatible with a corresponding one of the plurality of rolls of sheet material, wherein:
the central pins (44) have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the central apertures (24),

the circular ridges (46) have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the circular grooves (26), and/or

the circular ribs (25) have different widths to one another for insertion into correspondingly sized ones of the circular channels (45).
A roll of sheet material (10), comprising a central spindle (11) with the sheet material rolled around the central spindle, and an end portion (20) fixed to an end of the central spindle, wherein:
the end portion comprises a central pin and a circular ridge extending around a circumference of the central pin, wherein the central pin and circular ridge define a circular channel between them, wherein the central pin, circular channel, and circular ridge are for connecting to a base portion of a sheet dispenser when the roll of sheet material is installed inside the sheet dispenser, wherein the central pin is for inserting into a central aperture of the base portion, the circular channel is for receiving a circular rib of the base portion, and the circular ridge is for inserting into a circular groove of the base portion, or

the end portion comprises a central aperture (24) and a circular groove (26) extending around a circumference of the central aperture, wherein the central aperture (24) and circular groove (26) define a circular rib (25) between them, wherein the central aperture, circular rib, and circular groove are for connecting to a base portion (40) of a sheet dispenser when the roll of sheet material (10) is installed inside the sheet dispenser, wherein the central aperture (24) is for receiving a central pin (44) of the base portion, the circular rib (25) is for inserting into a circular channel (45) of the base portion, and the circular groove (26) is for receiving a circular ridge (46) of the base portion.
The roll of sheet material of claim 14, wherein the end portion (20) comprises a cylindrical portion (22) which extends inside of the central spindle (11) to attach the end portion to the central spindle, wherein the cylindrical portion (22) comprises splines (23) which extend parallel to a central axis of the central spindle, and which form an interference fit with an internal cylindrical surface (11a) of the central spindle (11), and wherein the splines (23) optionally comprise barbs (23a) to prevent withdrawal of the end portion from the central spindle.