GB2054518A

GB2054518A - Dispenser for material in roll form

Info

Publication number: GB2054518A
Application number: GB7925200A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Allibert Exploitation SA
Current assignee: Allibert Exploitation SA
Priority date: 1979-07-19
Filing date: 1979-07-19
Publication date: 1981-02-18
Also published as: GB2054518B

Abstract

A dispenser for material in roll form 8 supported on a hollow tube 10, comprising a roll support 7 on which a roll may be mounted for free rotation, the support 7 being attached to an arm 5 which can pivot freely relative to a support member whereby the dispenser may be fixed to a supporting surface, the dispenser including a projecting means 12 extending parallel to the axis of a roll 8 mounted on the roll support 7 against which the roll 8 can rest under the influence of gravity to act as a brake against rotation of the roll, so that in operation a length of the material can be unwound by pulling it from the roll in such a direction that the roll is moved out of contact with the projecting means 12 and torn off the roll by pulling the unwound length in such a direction that it moves back into contact with the projecting means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispenser for material in roll form The invention concerns a dispenser for paper or other material in roll form and designed, so that after a length of the paper or other material has been unrolled, the unrolled length can be readily sepa rated from the remainder. One should understand by the term "paper in roll form" all types of rolled paper that the user might wish to separate into particular lengths at any time, and thus this expression encompasses particularly, although not exclusively, toilet paper and household paper.

There are many types of dispenser used for this purpose; for example certain dispensers which have, in comparison with the most widespread, the property of permitting, by simple traction, the unrolling of the desired length of paper and the separation of this length. This result is obtained by providing on the dispenser means via which the sheet or ribbon unrolls freely when traction is applied to it at a certain angle, but is prevented from unrolling further when traction is applied at a different angle.

These known means can be of various types, but in every case they complicate the dispenser, necessitating the addition of a mechanical system which increases the cost price and diminishes the reliability and the simplicity of its operation.

According to this invention there is provided a dispenser for material in roll form supported on a hollow tube, comprising a roll support on which a roll may be mounted for free rotation, the support being attached to an arm which can pivot freely relative to a support member whereby the dispenser may be fixed to a supporting surface, the dispenser including a projecting means extending parallel to the axis of a roll mounted on the roll support against which the roll can rest under the influence of gravity to act as a brake against rotation of the roll, so that in operation a length of the material can be unwound by pulling it from the roll in such a direction that the roll is moved out of contact with the projecting means, and torn off the roll by pulling the unwound length in such a direction that it moves back into contact with the projecting means.

Paper dispensers embodying the invention are described hereinafter by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 and 2 show a first embodiment, in perspective and in side elevation respectively, when not in use.

Figures 3.and 4 are side elevations showing the working of the dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2 during the traction phase for the unrolling of the paper, and during the traction phase for the separation of the unrolled length, respectively.

Figures 5 and 6 represent in perspective and in detail two variations of embodiment of this dispenser.

The dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a plate 1 acting as a support. This plate has holes permitting it to be fixed to a wall by screws 2. On its upper part this plate 1 has two projecting lugs 3 acting as supports for a rotatable spindle 4, and an angularly dispaceable cover 6. The spindle carries an arm 5 which is bent at right angles at its lower end to form a support 7 for a roll of paper 8. This support 7, has a projecting means in the form of a bent end portion 9 which helps to retain the roll 8 on the support 7. The roll can unroll freely owing to the large difference in the diameter of the support 7 and the tube 10 which forms a hollow supporting core for the roll 8.

The lower edge of the supporting plate 1 is provided with an upturned projecting edge 12. This edge 12 extends towards the roll 8 and is situated at a level lower than that of the roll support 7. Owing to this edge 12 is possible, by simply pulling on the end 13 of the roll 8 to obtain the unrolling of a certain length of the roll and then the separation of the unrolled length.

When the dispenser is in the position of non-use the roll of paper 8 rests on the roll support 7 and the projecting edge 12 ofthe plate 1.

To detach a certain length of roll, it is sufficient to pull on the end 13 of the paper. This pulling must be effected in two stages, as is described below. In the first stage, the pull on the end 13 of the paper must be exerted in the direction of the arrow 14 of figure 3; that is to say, in a horizontal direction. The effect of this is to lift the cover 6 and to disengage the roll 8 from the edge 12, by bringing about a slight angular displacement of the arm 5 around the spindle 4, and simultaneously slightly displacing the tube 10 on the roll support 7. As the roll 8 has been disengaged from the edge 12, as is shown in Figure 3, unrolling is easily acheived.

When the desired length of paper has been unrolled, the traction in the direction of arrow 14 is stopped, and it is then that the second traction stage is performed.

In the course of this second traction stage, which is illustrated in Figure 4, the paperwhich has been unrolled 13 is pulled vertically downwards in the direction of the arrow 15. From the instant that the horizontal traction in the direction of the arrow 14 stops, the arm 5 returns to its original position and the roll 8 once again rests against the upturned edge 12 of the fixed plate 1. The result is that a vertical downward traction in the direction of the arrow 15 on the unrolled portion of paper 13 tends to increase the pressure ofthe roll 8 against the edge 12, which brakes the roll, so that the traction in the direction of the arrow 15 causes the separation of the unrolled length of paper, which is of course facilitated if the paper is perforated at intervals.

The distribution of the paper is thus brought about under very simple conditions, since it is sufficient to exert upon the end of the roll of paper, first a horizontal traction then a vertical traction, these two tractions being effected in a very short time. The tractions exerted in the first and second stages may be in slightly different directions from those described above; thus in the first stage the traction may be exerted at an angle to the horizontal plane, and in the second stage the traction may be exerted at an angle to the vertical plane.

Figures 5 and 6 moreover represent two further examples embodying the invention. In the two cases the dispenser is entirely made from a moulded plastics material, with the exception of the roll support arm, and the edge 12a, 12b is moulded integral with the base plate, 1 a, 1 b. The overall assembly and the working of the dispenser are the same in all the cases, the differences affect only the shape of the various constituent elements, particularly that of the sides 16a, 16b and of the protective and decorative cover 6a, 6b.

It should also be noted that the dispenser may be equipped or not equipped with a decorative, protective cover, that the roll support may be supported by two arms rather than by a single arm, and that the upraised edge on the base plate may be integral with it, or not.

It should also be noted that in the case where the paper dispenser is fixed to a small piece of furniture in which it is combined with other accessories (e.g.

bathroom or kitchen accessories) the projecting means which brakes the roll of paper when traction is exerted in the required direction may be constituted by a rib or the like provided on the internal wall of the piece of furniture; and in the particular case where this piece of furniture is made of a moulded synthetic resin, this rib is moulded integrally with the wall of the piece of furniture.

Claims

1. A dispenser for material in roll form supported on a hollow tube, comprising a roll support on which a roll may be mounted for free rotation, the support being attached to an arm which can pivot freely relative to a support member whereby the dispenser may be fixed to a supporting surface, the dispenser including a projecting means extending parallel to the axis of a roll mounted on the roll support against which the roll can rest under the influence of gravity to act as a brake against rotation of the roll, so that in operation a length of the material can be unwound by pulling it from the roll in such a direction that the roll is moved out of contact with the projecting means and torn off the roll by pulling the unwound length in such a direction that it moves back into contact with the projecting means.

2. A dispenser according to Claim 1, wherein the projecting means is at such a level that in use it is between the upper and lower extremities of the tube on which the roll is supported.

3. A dispenser according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the support member comprises a wail plate and the arm is pivoted on an upper portion of this plate, and the projecting means is located on a lower portion of the plate.

4. A dispenser according to Claim 3, wherein the projecting means comprises the lower edge of the wall plate which has been bent over.

5. A dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member consists of an article of furniture, a wall or a partition, and the projecting edge is formed thereon.