US3572600A - Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having structurally rigid internal supporting means - Google Patents

Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having structurally rigid internal supporting means Download PDF

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US3572600A
US3572600A US704320A US3572600DA US3572600A US 3572600 A US3572600 A US 3572600A US 704320 A US704320 A US 704320A US 3572600D A US3572600D A US 3572600DA US 3572600 A US3572600 A US 3572600A
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roll
supporting
supporting means
supporting members
framework
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US704320A
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Paul W Jespersen
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Georgia Pacific LLC
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Georgia Pacific LLC
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
    • A47K10/3631—The cutting devices being driven manually
    • A47K10/3643—The cutting devices being driven manually by pulling the paper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
    • A47K10/3687—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices with one or more reserve rolls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3253—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper with one or more reserve rolls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
    • A47K2010/3675—Braking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • A47K2010/3854—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge with devices for disposing of the empty core

Definitions

  • Dispensers for flexible sheet material rolls having. structurally rigid internal supporting means, such as conventional cardboard cores, are known in which the rolls gravitate from a dispensing position automatically after the sheet material comprising the rolls has been substantially consumed. Exemplary of such dispensers'are the devices shown in Britt et al.
  • such dispensers characteristically have comprised one of two struc tural types.
  • One type is characterized by the device shown in the Britt et al. patent, comprising a mechanical linkage system which positions and holds a' roll of toilet paper having a conventional cardboard core, in a dispensing position until the paper has been substantially consumed, and thereafter discharges the remaining portion of the roll and core into a compartment for subsequent withdrawal by a custodian.
  • the other type is characterized 'by the device shown in the Perrin patent, comprising a pair of stubshafts which rotatably engage the ends of a roll of paper toweling wound on a conventional cardboard core.
  • One of the shafts has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the core, and therefore engages the paper surrounding the core instead of the core itself.
  • part of the paper comprising that end and the adjacent portion of the core are cut away to form a shaft-receiving recess. After the paper defining the shaft receiving recess has been consumed, the shaft disengages the roll permitting the remaining portion thereof and core to fall from between the shafts.
  • the mechanical linkage system taught by Brittet al. and similar mechanisms are relatively complex, comprising several moving elements. Such mechanisms are not only expensive to manufacture because many of the elements require machine finishing, but also are susceptible to frequent breakdowns as a result of the abuse which toilet paper dispensers invariably receive in public washrooms.
  • the flexible sheet material rolls used in this device must be specially machined to provide'the shaft-receiving recess in one end thereof which is engaged by the enlarged stubshaft. Furthermore, when a roll is supported in the dispensing position, the end of the roll which is engaged by the enlarged shaft is supported only by the engagement of the shaft with the flexible sheet material comprising the roll, as opposed to engagement with the core. Consequently, as the material is progressively removed from the roll, the support provided by the remaining material becomes weak and unsteady. Frequently, before the material has been exhausted from about the enlarged shaft, the portion of the roll surrounding the shaft will collapse, causing the roll to jam in the dispensing position.
  • the device of the present invention offers an optimum solution to the problem of providing a dispenser for flexible sheet material rolls having structurally rigid internal supporting means, such as rolls of toilet paper or paper toweling, from which a roll automatically gravitates from a dispensing position after a predetermined amount of the material comprising the roll has been consumed.
  • the dispenser of the invention comprises a device for rotatably supporting, in a dispensing position, a roll of flexible sheet material having a structurally rigid supporting means positioned internally thereof which extends axially outwardly beyond the ends of the roll, wherein the device comprises; a framework including a pair of substantially horizontally opposed supporting members for rotatably engaging the ends of the supporting means to position the roll for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis between said members, said supporting members being disengageable from said ends of the supporting'meansupon movement of the roll and supporting means axially of the roll;and means associated with the framework for preventing axial movement of the roll and supporting means until a predetermined amount of the flexible sheet material has been removed from the roll so that when said predetermined amount of material has been removed from the roll, the remaining portion of the roll and supporting means may be moved axially of the roll until the supporting members disengage the ends of the supporting means, whereupon said remaining portion of the roll and supporting means gravitate from between the supporting members.
  • means are provided in association with the framework for urging the roll and supporting means axially of the roll so that when the desired predetermined amount of flexible sheet material has been removed from the roll, the remaining portion of the roll and supporting means will be moved axially-of the roll automatically and the ends of the supporting means thereby automatically disengaged from the supporting members.
  • the structurally rigid internal supporting means for each of the rolls adapted to be dispensed from the device of the invention comprises a cardboard core onto which the flexible sheet material is wound, with the ends of the core being conterminouswith the ends of the roll and a pair of trunnions fixedly inserted into the ends of the core which extend axially outwardly beyond the ends of the roll.
  • a roll including the structurally rigid internal supporting means therefor, is economical to manufacture and is easily packaged, as more fully described in my aforementioned copending application.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a paper towel dispenser constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a toilet paper dispenser constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the remaining portion of a toilet paper roll and the structurally rigid internal supporting means therefor gravitate from the dispenser shown in FIGS. 36.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising a paper towel dispenser l0.
  • Dispenser 10 is adapted to dispense paper toweling from a roll 12 which has a structurally rigid internal supporting means 14 comprising a unitary core 16 and a pair of trunnions l8 and 20 fixedly inserted into the ends of core 16.
  • dispenser 10 comprises, a framework 22 including a pair of supporting member 24 and 26 for rotatably engaging trunnions 18 and 20, respectively, means for urging roll 12 and supporting means 14 axially of the roll, such as camming surface 28 forming an integral part of supporting member 24, and means for preventing roll 12 and supporting means 14 from moving axially of the roll until a predetermined amount of the paper toweling has been consumed, such as vertically inclined, spaced flanges 30 and 32.
  • Framework 22 includes a lower portion 34 which defines a front compartment 36 and a rear compartment 38. Compartments 36 and 38 are separated by a plate 40 positioned internally of portion 34.
  • Means 42 Disposed in front compartment 36 is a means 42 for dividing the paper toweling withdrawn from roll 12 into individual sheets, as by severing or perforating.
  • Means 42 may comprise a pair of pinch rolls 44 and 46, a measuring roll 48 and a knife roll 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the web of paper toweling from roll 12 is threaded around pinch roll 44, between that roll and measuringroll 48, around the measuring roll, between the measuring roll and knife roll 50, around the knife roll, and between the knife roll and pinch roll 46. The web is then fed through an opening 52 in the base of portion 34 where it may be grasped and withdrawn from the dispenser by a user in the direction of arrow 54.
  • the details of dividing means 42 form no part of the present invention.
  • Rear compartment 38 is designed to receive a portion of a roll of paper toweling when such portion and the structurally rigid internal supporting means therefor gravitate from between supporting members 24 and 26, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
  • Framework 22 further includes an upper portion 58 comprising vertical supports 60 and 62 disposed at opposite ends of the framework.
  • Support 60 extends substantially above the horizontal axis about which roll 12 is adapted to rotate when the roll is in a dispensing position between supporting members 24 and 26.
  • supporting member 24 is integrally formed at the lower end of arm 66.
  • supporting member 24 comprises a substantially U-shaped bearing receptacle 68 having a pair of opposed sides which, at their bottoms, integrally join bottom camming surface 28.
  • Camming surface 28 is inclined inwardly and downwardly toward supporting member 26 so that when a roll is disposed between the supporting members, the camming surface will engage the outer extremity of trunnion 18 and, as a result of the gravitational force acting on the roll and supporting means, will cammingly urge the roll and supporting means axially of the roll toward supporting member 26.
  • Support 62 extends upwardly to approximately the level of the rotational axis of roll 12 when the roll is in a dispensing position between supporting members 24 and 26. lntegrally affixed to support 62, are supporting member 26 and vertically inclined, spaced flanges 30 and 32. Supporting member 26 comprises a substantially U-shaped bearing receptacle 70 having a substantially horizontally oriented bottom bearing surface for receiving and rotatably engaging the outer extremity of trunnion 20.
  • trunnions l8 and 20 each comprise, an annular inner portion 72 which extends axially outwardly beyond one end of the roll for engagement with one of the supporting members, an annular outer portion 74 which is fixedly secured to core 16, and an annular web 76 which joins portions 72 and 74 and defines therewith an annular recess 78.
  • flanges 30 and 32 engage the end of the roll adjacent supporting member 26 and prevent the roll and supporting means from moving axially far enough for trunnion 18 to become disengaged from supporting member 24 until the diameter of the roll is small enough to fit between the flanges, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1.
  • the roll and supporting means may be moved axially of the roll toward supporting member 26, between flanges 30 and 32, until trunnion 18 becomes disengaged from supporting member 24.
  • roll 12 will be of the size of the remaining roll portion shown in compartment 38, and will gravitate from the dispensing position between supporting members 24 and 26 to a second dispensing position in the rear compartment, as shown by arrow 80 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • receptacle 68 may be constructed similarly to receptacle 70 having a substantially horizontally oriented bottom-bearing surface instead of the inwardly and downwardly inclined bottom-camming surface 28. This construction would require that the roll and supporting means he moved toward supporting member 26 by hand for disengaging trunnion 18 from supporting member 24 as opposed to the above-described automatic disengagement sequence produced by camming surface 26. Therefore, receptacle 68 preferably includes an inclined bottom-camming surface instead of a substantially horizontally oriented bottom-bearing surface, although both modes of construction are within the purview of the invention.
  • This mode of operation is particularly adapted for commercial washroom installations where economic considerations dictate that a custodian replenish each dispenser once a day or at some other regular interval.
  • the custodian services dispenser l0 and positions a fresh roll therein he need not discard the remaining roll portion left over from'the previous days use. Rather, the service interval for the dispenser is adjusted so that during the interval the paper from the remaining roll portion in compartment 38 is completely consumed, and the new roll, which was disposed in the first dispensing position between supporting members 24 and 26 at the beginning of the interval, thereafter gravitates into compartment 3% preparatory to the insertion of another new what the end of the interval.
  • the automatic discharge feature of dispenser 10 thus provides an optimum compromise between (1) servicing the dispenser on an irregular basis whenever the paper toweling from a roll is exhausted, or (2) servicing the dispenser on a regular basis and discarding the unused portion of a roll remaining therein.
  • flanges 30 and 32 act as a braking means to prevent uncontrolled spinning and consequent wastage of the roll while it is disposed in the first dispensing position.
  • axial movement is imparted to roll. 12 and supporting means 14 not only by camming surface 28, but also by spring arm 66, the lower end of which abuts the outer end of trunnion 18.
  • the resultant axial movement of roll 12 and supporting means 14 toward supporting member 26 causes the end of the roll adjacent member 26 to engage flanges 30 and 32, as previously described.
  • Such engagement produces a frictional braking force which resists rotation of roll 12 about the axis defined by the horizontally opposed supporting members 24 and 26.
  • the braking force applied to'the roll by flanges 30 and 32 should be proportionally related to the rotational inertia of the roll. Such a proportional relationship is achieved as a result of the inclination of flanges 30 and 32.
  • the mass of the roll and consequently its rotational inertia are the greatest when the roll is of maximum size. As the size of the roll diminishes its mass and rotational inertia also diminish, and therefore progressively less braking force is required to prevent uncontrolled spinning of the roll as its size diminishes. From the foregoing it will be apparent that due to the inclination of flanges 30 and 32, the braking force applied to the roll diminishes as the size of the roll diminishes so that the braking force decreases as the rotational inertia of the roll decreases.
  • spring arm 66 The material and configuration of spring arm 66 are selected so that the lower end of the arm will not move toward supporting member 26 far enough to interfere with the automatic gravitation of the roll and supporting means from between supporting member 24 and 26. Such a limitation on the movement of spring arm 66 is necessary to insure that trunnion 18 will become disengaged from supporting member 24 in the desired manner when roll 12 slides between flanges 30 and 32.
  • the axial movement imparted to the roll and supporting means which causes trunnion 18 to become disengaged from supporting member 24 is principally applied by the camming action of surface 28.
  • a suitable cover (not shown) may be provided for enclosing framework 22 and the rolls of paper toweling disposed therein to provide the dispenser with a streamlined appearance and to prevent tampering with the toweling and internal dispenser structure.
  • FIGS. 3-7 A second embodiment of the dispenser of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3-7 comprising a toilet paper dispenser 90.
  • Dispenser is adapted to dispense rolls of toilet paper 92 each having a structurally rigid internal supporting means 94 comprising a unitary core 96 and a pair of trunnions96 and 100.
  • Core 96 and trunnions 98 and 100 of supporting means 94 are arranged similarly to the elements comprising supporting means 14.
  • the ends of core 96 are coterrninous with the ends of roll 92 and trunnions 98 and 100 are fixedly inserted into the ends of the core.
  • trunnions 98 and 100 include annular inner portions 102 which extend axially outwardly beyond the ends of roll 92, annular outer portions 104 which are fixedly secured to core 96, and annular webs 106 which join portions 102 and 104 and define therewith annular recesses 108.
  • dispenser 90 comprises, a framework 110 including a pair of supporting members 128 and 132 for rotatably engaging trunnions 98 and 100, respectively, a means for urging roll 92 and structurally rigid internal supporting means 94 axially of the roll toward supporting member 132, such as camming surface 134 forming an integral part of supporting member 128, and means for preventing axial movement of roll 92 and supporting means 94 toward supporting member 132 until substantially all of the toilet paper comprising roll 92 has been exhausted, such as flanges 142, 144 and 146.
  • Framework 110 includes a rear wall 112 having opposed forwardly extending flanges 114 and 116 at the sides thereof.
  • Wall 112 has a plurality of mounting holes 118 formed therein to facilitate attachment of dispenser 90 to a mounting wall.
  • a rib 120 is formed along the bottom of wall 112 to strengthen framework 110.
  • Afiixed to flanges 114 and 116 are sidewalls 122 and 124, respectively. lntegrally formed in sidewalls 122 and 124 are elongated guide channels 126 and 130, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 5, guide channel 126 has a widened open upper end, and communicates at its lower end with supporting member 128. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 4, guide channel has a widened open upper end, and communicates at its lower end with supporting member 132.
  • Supporting member 123 of dispenser 90 is formed similarly to supporting member 24 of dispenser 111.
  • Member 128 comprises a substantially U-shaped bearing receptacle which is defined by the lower end of guide channel126 and bottomcamming surface 134.
  • Surface 134 is integrally affixed to the lower end of the guide channel and is inclined inwardly and downwardly toward supporting member 132 for urging roll 92 and supporting means 94 axially of the roll toward member 132.
  • a substantially horizontally oriented bottom-bearing surface may be substituted for inclined bottomcarnming surface 134, if for some reason the automatic disengagement sequence produced by the latter is not desired.
  • Supporting member 132 comprises a substantially U-shaped bearing rib 136 which is integrally affixed to sidewall 124 by a pair of vertical support ribs 138. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the depth of rib 136 is slightly less than the width of the annular recess 166 of trunnion 100. As best seen in FIG. 4, a vertically elongated opening 140 is provided in guide channel 130 immediately above rib 136 which opening is of a slightly greater width than the outside diameter of the inner portion 192 of trunnion 100.
  • the dispensing position for a roll 92 is between horizontally opposed supporting members 128 and 132 with the outer ends of trunnions 98 and 100 being rotatably supported by camming surface 134 and rib 136, respectively, and with the outer end of trunnion 100 positioned axially inwardly of the plane defined by opening 140.
  • the roll and internal supporting means are urged axially of the roll toward supporting member 132, by the camming action of camming surface 134, in the same manner as a roll and the internal supporting means therefor are urged toward one of the supporting members of the previous embodiment by the action of a camming surface which forms an integral part of the other of the supporting members.
  • tapered flanges 142 and 144 are formed along the opposite lower edges of guide channel 130 for engaging the end of the roll adjacent member 132.
  • flange 146 which is integrally attached to sidewall 124 below supporting member 132, prevents axial movement of the roll and supporting means until substantially all of the paper comprising the roll has been consumed. Moreover, flange 146 deters a user from forcibly removing a roll from the dispenser until substantially all of the paper has been removed therefrom.
  • the supporting means and any slight amount of paper remaining thereabout are of a diameter which is small enough to slide between flanges 142, 144 and 146.
  • the remaining roll portion and supporting means are thereupon moved axially toward member 132 by the camming action of surface 134, as previously described, until trunnion 98 becomes disengaged from supporting member 128, and the remaining roll portion and supporting means automatically gravitate from between the supporting members, as shown by arrows 148 in FIG. 7.
  • Dispenser 10 also includes a braking means for minimizing uncontrolled spinning and consequent wastage of the toilet paper rolls dispensed therefrom.
  • the braking means comprises a biasing spring 150 having its upper end affixed to guide channel 126, as by a sheet metal screw 152. The lower end of spring 150 frictionally engages the end of roll 92 which is adjacent supporting member 128 when the roll is disposed in the dispensing position.
  • Spring 150 not only functions as a braking means but also as a unidirectional locking means to prevent removal of a roll after it has been disposed in the dispensing position.
  • Spring 150 will be positioned in guide channel 126 directly above such trunnion outer end to block upward movement thereof.
  • a brad 154 is affixed to the intermediate portion of spring 150 and extends through an opening 156 in the side of guide channel 126 to keep the spring centered in the guide channel.
  • Dispenser also includes a case 158 comprising an uppea portion 160, a lower portion 162 and a top portion 164.
  • Upper portion 160 and lower portion 162 are joined medially of the dispenser by an indented flanged seam 166.
  • Lower portion 162 is open at the bottom to permit a roll 92 to extend therethrough for withdrawal of the toilet paper by a user.
  • a substantially U-shaped brace 167 is affixed to the lower end of sidewalls 122 and 124 and extends forwardly from the sidewalls to the front of lower case portion 162 adjacent the opening at the bottom thereof to strengthen the case.
  • Case 160 is pivotally attached to sidewalls 122 and 124 by a pair of pivotal connections 168 and 169 located at the lower rear portion of lower case portion 162. This arrangement permits case 158 to be pivoted outwardly away from framework so that rolls 92 may be loaded into the dispenser, as hereinafter described.
  • Top portion 164 of the case is affixed to upper portion 160 thereof by a plurality of tabs 170. Attached to top portion 164 is a releasable locking means, such as lock 172 having a tongue 174, for releasably locking case 158 to framework 110.
  • a releasable locking means such as lock 172 having a tongue 174, for releasably locking case 158 to framework 110.
  • Means are provided on the framework for releasably engaging tongue 174, such as flange 176 which is integrally affixed to rear wall 112 of the framework.
  • Flange 176 has an opening 178 therein which is adapted to receive tongue 174.
  • lock 172 conveniently may be a key-operated device to prevent unauthorized tampering with the interior of dispenser 90.
  • dispenser 90 is designed to simultaneously accommodate a pair of rolls 92.
  • One roll is disposed in the dispensing position between supporting members 128 and 132, and a second roll is held thereabove in a reserve position with the periphery of the second roll abutting the periphery of the first roll.
  • case 158 is pivoted outwardly away from about framework 110, exposing the widened open upper ends of guide channels 126 and 130.
  • a pair of rolls are then inserted into the dispenser between the sidewalls, with outer ends of trunnions 98 and 100 being received in guide channels 126 and 130, respectively.
  • the inner portions 102 of trunnions 98 and 100 are cylindrically shaped and are of different diameters. Also, guide channels 126 and are of different widths which correspond to the different diameters of the inner trunnion portions. This construction insures that the rolls will be loaded between the guide channels in the proper orientation, with the outer end of trunnions 98 being received in channel 126 and the outer end of trunnion 100 being received in channel 130.
  • This orientation insures that the paper will be fed from the bottom of each roll when it is disposed in the dispensing position and that the paper on the upper reserve roll will not be unwound therefrom as that roll is rotated within the dispenser as a result of its frictional contact with the lower roll in the dispensing position.
  • the first roll falls downwardly between the guide channels, with trunnion 98 camming the lower end of spring outwardly to permit the trunnion to move th'erepast, until the trunnions for that roll are received by the supporting members.
  • the second roll falls downwardly between the guide channels until the periphery thereof abuts the periphery of the first roll.
  • Case 158 is then pivoted upwardly about framework 110 and releasably locked thereto by lock 172.
  • Toilet paper may then be removed from the lower roll until the paper comprising that roll is substantially exhausted. whereupon the slight amount of paper remaining about the structurally rigid internal supporting means for that roll and the supporting means are moved axially of the roll toward supof the roll by hand for disengaging trunnion 98 from support- 1 ing member 128.
  • the upper reserve roll falls downwardly between guide channels 126 and 130 until the trunnions for that roll engage the supporting members, whereupon the reserve roll is disposed in the dispensing position.
  • This arrangement facilitates servicing of the dispenser at regular intervals since a reserve roll immediately and automatically replenishes the roll which is initially disposed in the dispensing position whenever the latter roll becomes exhausted.
  • paper towel dispenser 10 and toilet paper dispenser 90 each of which embodies the salient principles of the present invention, are ideally suited for commercial washroom installations.
  • Each dispenser is ruggedly constructed having few moving parts and is particularly designed to be serviced at regular intervals. Thus, the dispensers are economical to maintain and operate.
  • a dispenser adapted to rotatably support, in a dispensing position, a roll of flexible sheet material having a structurally rigid supporting means positioned internally thereof which extends axially outwardly beyond the ends of said roll, said dispenser comprising:
  • a framework including a pair of substantially horizontally opposed supporting members adapted to rotatably engage the ends of said supporting means to position the roll for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis between said members, said supporting members being adapted to be disengaged from said ends of the supporting means upon movement of the roll and supporting means axially of the roll; and
  • axial movement-preventing means associated with the framework and separate from said supporting members adapted to prevent axial movement of the roll and supporting means, said preventing means defining an opening permitting axial movement of the roll and supporting means when a predetermined amount of flexible sheet material has been removed from the roll so that when said predetermined amount of material has been removed from the roll, the remaining portion of the roll and supporting means may be moved axially of the roll until the supporting members disengage the ends of the supporting means, whereupon the remaining portion of the roll and supporting means gravitate from between the supporting members.
  • At least one of said supporting members includes a substantially horizontally oriented bearing surface adapted to engage one of said ends of 5 a framework including a pair of substantially horizontally opposed supporting members adapted to rotatably engage the ends of said supporting means to position the roll for rotation-about a substantially horizontal axis between said members, said supporting members being adapted to be disengaged from said ends of the supporting means upon movement of the roll and supporting means axially of the roll;
  • v axial movement-preventing means associated with said framework adapted to prevent axial movement of the roll and supporting means, said preventing means defining an opening permitting axial movement of the roll and supporting means when a predetermined amount of flexible sheet material has been removed from the roll so that when said predetermined amount of material has been removed from the roll, said urging means will move the remaining portion of the roll and supporting means axially of the roll until one end of supporting means becomes disengaged from the associated supporting member and said remaining portion of the roll and supporting means will gravitate from between the supporting members.
  • said urging means comprises a camming surface forming an integral part of one of said supporting members, said camming surface being adapted to be engaged by said one end of the supporting means and being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the other of said supporting members.
  • one of said sup porting members includes a substantially horizontally oriented bearing surface adapted to be engaged by the other end of said supporting means.
  • said framework further includes a pair of opposed, elongated guide channels, one end of each of said channels being open and adapted to receive one end of said supporting means therein and the other end of each of said channels communicating with one of said supporting members, whereby said channels guide the ends of the supporting means from said open ends thereof to said supporting members with the roll disposed therebetween.
  • a device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a housing for enclosing said framework, said housing having an opening in the lower portion thereof through which the flexible sheet material may be withdrawn from the device by a user.
  • a device as recited in claim ll further comprising means for releasably locking said housing to said framework to prevent the housing from being pivoted outwardly from thereabout.
  • a device as recited in claim t further comprising a braking means attached to said framework adapted to engage one end of there" while it is positioned between the supporting members to prevent uncontrolled spinning of the roll and consequent wastage of the flexible sheet material.
  • said braking means comprises frictional force-applying means adapted to apply to one end of the rolls a frictional fonce which is proportionally related to the rotational inertia of the roll.
  • said framework further includes means defining a compartment positioned

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Unwinding Webs (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Replacement Of Web Rolls (AREA)
US704320A 1968-02-09 1968-02-09 Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having structurally rigid internal supporting means Expired - Lifetime US3572600A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US70432068A 1968-02-09 1968-02-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3572600A true US3572600A (en) 1971-03-30

Family

ID=24828984

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US704320A Expired - Lifetime US3572600A (en) 1968-02-09 1968-02-09 Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having structurally rigid internal supporting means

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3572600A (ja)
JP (1) JPS546950B1 (ja)
BR (1) BR6906204D0 (ja)
FR (1) FR2001607A1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1205734A (ja)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2402613A1 (fr) * 1977-09-08 1979-04-06 Georgia Pacific Corp Distributeur de materiau souple en feuille et procede de distribution au moyen de ce distributeur
US4307638A (en) * 1978-05-22 1981-12-29 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Method of dispersing flexible sheet material
US4362278A (en) * 1981-02-23 1982-12-07 Hopkinson Linn L Roll dispenser
US4522346A (en) * 1983-12-06 1985-06-11 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Method and apparatus for dispensing web material from split core rolls
US4671466A (en) * 1986-03-25 1987-06-09 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Core-buckling tissue dispenser and dispensing method
EP0535743A1 (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-04-07 Vendor B.V. A device for dispensing flat sheet material from a roll in a housing frame
US5249755A (en) * 1992-02-27 1993-10-05 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Brake-type sheet material-dispensing roll support
US5597133A (en) * 1995-03-23 1997-01-28 Teague; Michael Article dispensing apparatus and method
EP1938724A2 (en) * 2006-12-20 2008-07-02 Metsä Tissue Oyj Tissue dispenser
US20080237256A1 (en) * 2007-03-29 2008-10-02 Merchant Scott T Self loading toilet paper holder and dispenser
US11142419B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-12 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US11278167B2 (en) * 2016-12-30 2022-03-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Paper product dispenser

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1001373C2 (nl) * 1995-10-06 1997-04-08 Vendor Bv Rol baanvormig papiermateriaal gewikkeld om een holle, cilindrische kern.
CN112190166B (zh) * 2020-10-12 2022-05-10 北海智异电子科技有限公司 一种同步式零接触防止交叉感染的卷纸盒

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2767930A (en) * 1954-10-18 1956-10-23 Reserv A Roll Company Toilet tissue dispenser
US3069214A (en) * 1959-10-12 1962-12-18 Towlsaver Inc Dispensing mechanism for strip material
US3073541A (en) * 1960-04-01 1963-01-15 Towlsaver Inc Apparatus for dispensing and automatically dismounting rolls of material
US3382021A (en) * 1966-08-08 1968-05-07 Continental Mfg Co Dispenser for roll material
US3438589A (en) * 1967-03-08 1969-04-15 Georgia Pacific Corp Flexible sheet material rolls having internal supporting means adapted to fall out of a dispenser automatically

Family Cites Families (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2299301A (en) * 1940-10-29 1942-10-20 Thomas J Britt Automatic roll dispenser
US2930664A (en) * 1957-03-18 1960-03-29 American Linen Supply Company Towel dispensing apparatus and method

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2767930A (en) * 1954-10-18 1956-10-23 Reserv A Roll Company Toilet tissue dispenser
US3069214A (en) * 1959-10-12 1962-12-18 Towlsaver Inc Dispensing mechanism for strip material
US3073541A (en) * 1960-04-01 1963-01-15 Towlsaver Inc Apparatus for dispensing and automatically dismounting rolls of material
US3382021A (en) * 1966-08-08 1968-05-07 Continental Mfg Co Dispenser for roll material
US3438589A (en) * 1967-03-08 1969-04-15 Georgia Pacific Corp Flexible sheet material rolls having internal supporting means adapted to fall out of a dispenser automatically

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2402613A1 (fr) * 1977-09-08 1979-04-06 Georgia Pacific Corp Distributeur de materiau souple en feuille et procede de distribution au moyen de ce distributeur
US4203562A (en) * 1977-09-08 1980-05-20 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Flexible sheet material dispensing of rolls in succession
US4307638A (en) * 1978-05-22 1981-12-29 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Method of dispersing flexible sheet material
US4362278A (en) * 1981-02-23 1982-12-07 Hopkinson Linn L Roll dispenser
US4522346A (en) * 1983-12-06 1985-06-11 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Method and apparatus for dispensing web material from split core rolls
US4671466A (en) * 1986-03-25 1987-06-09 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Core-buckling tissue dispenser and dispensing method
EP0535743A1 (en) * 1991-10-04 1993-04-07 Vendor B.V. A device for dispensing flat sheet material from a roll in a housing frame
US5249755A (en) * 1992-02-27 1993-10-05 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Brake-type sheet material-dispensing roll support
US5597133A (en) * 1995-03-23 1997-01-28 Teague; Michael Article dispensing apparatus and method
EP1938724A2 (en) * 2006-12-20 2008-07-02 Metsä Tissue Oyj Tissue dispenser
EP1938724A3 (en) * 2006-12-20 2010-01-06 Metsä Tissue Oyj Tissue dispenser
US20080237256A1 (en) * 2007-03-29 2008-10-02 Merchant Scott T Self loading toilet paper holder and dispenser
US11278167B2 (en) * 2016-12-30 2022-03-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Paper product dispenser
US11142419B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-12 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US11655117B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2023-05-23 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US12024380B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2024-07-02 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1205734A (en) 1970-09-16
FR2001607A1 (ja) 1969-09-26
BR6906204D0 (pt) 1973-07-17
JPS546950B1 (ja) 1979-04-02

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