GB2356187A

GB2356187A - Dispenser for sheet material

Info

Publication number: GB2356187A
Application number: GB9921105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ronald Godolphin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-08
Filing date: 1999-09-08
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Also published as: GB9921105D0

Abstract

A holder and dispenser for a toilet or like roll of web material comprises a back plate 1, a pair of arms 3,4, projecting in parallel from the back plate, and means for rotatably mounting a roll between the arms comprising two opposed spring-loaded spigots 5, 6, each having an arc of movement such that a roll of web material can be inserted between them in one direction but a tension loading in the opposite direction is resisted.

Description

1 2356187 WEB SHEET MATERUL DISPENSER The present invention relates to

dispensers for materials in the form of a rolled continuous web, and more specifically, to dispensers for rolls of toilet tissue, kitchen paper, wrapping material and the like.

Holders for rolled webs of paper and other web materials are many and various. Many roller holders incorporate a shaft upon which a roll of material is mounted and rotates to dispense lengths of the material. To io enable a used roll of material to be replaced by a new one, some mechanism to enable the shaft to be removed from the holder has to be provided. As an example of such mechanisms, the shaft ma be telescopic with spigots which fit into holes in the inner faces of two projecting arms which form part of the web sheet material dispenser. This arrangement is very common in toilet tissue roller holders, bit is quite awkward in use.

Specification EPO 137, 647, discloses an example of a different approach to the problem. In this case there is no central shaft as such, but there is provided two spring-loaded plungers which act as stub axles for a roll of material. The outer ends of the plungers have a shape somewhat like the end of a human finger and are positioned with the "nail" portion uppermost to provide a bearing surface for the central tube which usually is incorporated in rolls of toilet paper, kitchen towels and the like. The plungers are mounted in the ends of two supporting arms which project from a back plate by means of which the holder can be mounted on a vertical surface.

To change a roll of material, a new roll of material is pushed between the plungers in an upwards or inwards direction. The new roll of material 2 pushes initially against the central tube of the old roll, causing it to bear against the curved lower surfaces of the plungers, forcing them into housings in the projecting arms of the holder. Eventually, the plungers are retracted sufficiently to free the central tube of the old roll of material.

Continued movement of the new roll of material initially causes the central tube of the old roll to be ejected from the holder. When the central tube of the new roll of material is approximately w-axial with the plungers, they are released and enter into the central tube of the new roller, so locking it into place. The shape of the upper surfaces of the plungers is such that, in io normal use, insufficient wedging forces are generated to retract the plungers.

The task of changing a new roll of material for a used one is reduced to a simple pushing action.

The principle action of the device disclosed in Specification EPO 137 647 is sound, but there are a number of practical disadvantages to the arrangement shown in EPO 137 647. Among these are the relatively large area of contact between the plungers and their housings, which causes relatively high frictional loadings, which interfere with the movement of the plungers. If the plunger return spring strengths are kept low to alleviate the resistance to movement of the plungers, then they may not work effectively when a new roll of material is installed. Another problem is providing a working clearance between the plungers and their housings which is sufficient to allow free movement of one within the other, but which is small enough to prevent any tendency for lateral misalignment to lock the plungers in a partially retracted or extended position. Also, if the material is soft toilet tissue, the ends of the plungers may cause 3 indentations in the sides of the roll of toilet tissue as it is inserted into the holders, which some users might consider unsatisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rapid change holder/dispenser for web sheet materials.

According to the present invention, there is provided a holder/dispenser for a roll of web sheet material, comprising a back plate having two parallel arms projecting therefrom and means for rotatably mounting a roll of sheet io web material between the said arms, wherein the said means for rotatably mounting the roll of web sheet material between the said arms consists of two opposed spring-loaded deflectable spigots, the spigots having arcs of movement such that a roll of web sheet material can be inserted between them in one direction, but a tension loading in the opposite direction is resisted.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to te accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a toilet paper roll holder embodying the invention, and Figure 2 shows one form of spring mechanism suitable for use in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a toilet paper roller holder embodying the invention consists of a back plate 1 which includes holes 2 by means of which it can be attached to a walL Projecting from the back plate 1 are two arms 3 and 4 at the outer ends of which there are mounted two pivoted and opposed spring- 4 loaded spigots 5 and 6. The separation between and the arcs of movement of the pivoted spigots 5 and 6 are such that the spigots 5 and 6 will deflect to enable a standard sized roll 7, of toilet paper to pass between them in an upward direction, as shown in Figure 1 by an arrow, but will latch into a tube 8 which is at the centre of the roll 7 of toilet paper and then resist downward stresses arising when paper is pulled off the roll 7 of toilet paper.

All that has to be down when it is desired to change a roll of toilet paper is to push the new roll of toilet paper in an upward direction between the arms io 3 and 4 of the toilet roll holder. The new roll of toilet paper initially will press against the central tube 8 of the old roll, ejecting it from the holder, before taking its place.

Referring to Figure 2, a suitable spring device for use in the embodiment of Figure 1 consists of two pivoted leaves 21 and 22 and a 'hairpin" spring 23.

The invention has been described in relation to a holder for rolls of toilet paper, but it is applicable to other holders/dispensers for web sheet material such as kitchen rolls, disposable paper towels or the like, or even larger rolls of material or fabrics.

Claims

1. A Web Sheet Holder dispensing device affixed to a wall for securely holding a roll of Perforated Toilet Paper or Paper Towel Or Any such material that requires a Hollow Core cylinder or tube as a means of Storage for bulk Materials for convenience and ease of use.in Manufacturing and Domestic situations

2. A dispenser as Claimed in Claim I Includes two spigots to support the hollow core parallel affixed opposed to each other of a predetermined length to allow ejection smoothly and replacement in one easy action

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim I and Claim 2, has affixed into the Spigots spring devices to allow deflection in one direction only

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 is affixed into the side support arms by means of long pins to anchor the spring devices in an operating position

5. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claims allows in one movement the changing of a roll of Perforated Web sheet material in a single handed operation Thus enabling the old or infirm person particularly persons suffering from Arthritic and like infirmities by reducing the protracted methods of trying to release the current Telescopic Spindle devices that require dexterity of movement The use of the system can be extended to use in Manufacturing situations requiring the need to store/ rack any Bulk materials From Paper, plastic's, Cloth like materials, for laying onto Flat bed Tables for Cutting or preparation.

6. A dispenser as Claimed in any proceeding Claims can be produced in all manner of materials including Ceramic's. Metal. Plastic's. Wood. or any Synthetic compounds.

7. A dispenser herein as substantially described in embodiment can be manufactured to any design style shape or colour as illustrated in Drawings as submitted.