WO2009050699A9

WO2009050699A9 - Rolled paper dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2009050699A9
Application number: PCT/IL2008/001341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Solly Katz
Original assignee: Solly Katz
Priority date: 2007-10-14
Filing date: 2008-10-12
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Also published as: IL186623A0; WO2009050699A1

Abstract

There is prpvided a dispenser (10) for rolls of paper(12), including a housing with two spaced-apart sides (16, 16') and a rigid member (18) connecting the spaced-apart sides and one axle (20) extending between the sides, the axle having a plurality of rollers (22, 24) strung therealong and rotatable thereabout and being positioned to engage a curved surface of a roll' of paper placed in the dispenser. A plurality of the rollers is arranged for at least partial non-circular rotation wherein a point on the outer surface of the rollers ascribes an elliptical path while engaging a surface of the roll of paper. The rollers are arranged for elliptical rotation, which will impart to the roll of paper a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between the surfaces of the roll of paper and the surfaces of the remaining rollers along the axis.

Description

ROLLED PAPER DISPENSER

The present invention relates to dispensing a paper strip from a roll.

More particularly, the invention provides a device for supporting a continuous paper roll, whether or not the roll has a hollow center, and allowing a user to pull out and cut off the length required in a horizontally or preferably vertical direction.

Dispensing devices have been in use for many decades, one reference (US Patent 390,084) being registered in 1888. Dispensers are used to supply a desired length of thin flexible materials, such as aluminum foil, textiles, adhesive tape, transparent cling plastic and absorbent paper for kitchen, nasal, facial, and toilet use. The housing of the dispenser may be designed to protect the contents from dust or from pilferage but must be openable from at least one side to allow replacement of a used roll. The housing is often used to also support a cut-off device having replaceable teeth.

A roll of thin flexible material may have a hollow core usually comprising a section of a glued tube of a twisted cardboard strip, to which the trailing edge of the thin flexible material is attached. The appropriate dispenser for rolls of this type has a rod of a smaller than the inside diameter of the tube to revolvably support the roll.

In contradistinction to this arrangement some dispensers are able to accept the coreless rolls or solid rolls which are on the market today. Coreless rolls allow the manufacturer to supply the same quantity of material in a smaller volume, and save the cost of the core cardboard tube, the tube and attachment of the trailing edge of the material thereto. In a highly competitive market such minor savings can make the difference between commercial success and failure. Coreless rolls are also less likely to be stolen because they are unsuitable for the common towel or toilet tissue holders in most homes.

The following review of relevant US patents provides a fair assessment of the prior art.

In US Patent No. 2,730,310, Shultz discloses a holder for a cored or coreless paper roll. The invention is aimed at catering to large variations of roll diameter and roll length. Today sheet material rolls are manufactured in custom as well as standard sizes and such adjustments are not practical or needed. Pinkham describes a dispenser for rolled tissue in US Patent No. 2,873,158 which is able to hold coreless rolls. The main feature of the disclosure is an attractively shaped outer cover, and a dispenser that fits partly into the wall. However the downward pull of a user grasping the protruding edge of the roll increases the pressure of the roll on the support rollers which raises the rolling resistance of the roll, and is likely to result in tearing of the tissue. Also, a solid roll will have a problem of unrolling all the way to the end as the gap between the rollers 18, 11 is too wide.

A dispenser for self-supported rolled plastic, which could possibly be used for paper, is described in US Patent No. 4,497,453 to Butcher. Two movable rollers support the roll, and springs urge the rollers to come nearer each other as the roll loses diameter and weight. There is likely to be considerable difficulty in exactly balancing the spring force to move the roller shafts inwards in accordance with the reduced weight of the partially used material.

Brozinsky in US Patent No. 6,056,235 discloses a refutable dispenser for replacing a standard roll of toilet tissue with a roll of pre-moistened wipes. The device is a hollow cylinder, openable on hinges at its mid-length. Coreless rolls cannot be used.

US Patents Nos. 6,092,759 and 6,439,502 to Gemmell et al. are concerned with methods of achieving rotary suspension of coreless rolls. The manufacturer of the roll is expected to form an indention at the center of each flat face of the roll. It appears that due to the short length of the spindles and the need to support at least one spindle on a bendable support wall, the endurance of the support is doubtful. Also the indention at the center of each flat face of the roll changes the standard production set-up and equipment.

Phelps et al. disclose a further dispenser apparatus in US Patent No. 6,267,323. The roll is loaded from the lower face of the enclosure through a pair of hinged doors which each support rollers. Due to the small diameter of the rollers and the downward direction of pull by the user, which increases friction between the roll and the rollers, the tension of the paper being withdrawn is high and the paper may tear. There is also the possibility that the fingers of the person refilling the dispenser will be trapped between the two hinged doors. Also, the weight of the large "mega" roll with high capacity on the two spaced rollers and the fact that the rollers and paper are in constant contact increases friction and makes it hard for the paper to flow easily.

In view of these shortcomings of prior art devices there is a need for a dispenser which allows easy revolution of the roll and reduces friction, so that paper is dispensed as a result of a light pull by the user, without any need to adjust the outlet opening to prevent the last 5mm diameter of a solid roll falling through the gap (outlet) even if the gap is wide.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art devices and to provide a dispenser which reduces frictional resistance when pulling the leading edge of the paper and can also be cut with a single-handed movement.

It is a further object of the present invention to retain the advantages of a dispenser using a traditional cored roll as well as being able to accept a solid coreless roll.

Yet a further object is to allow the use of coreless paper rolls which do not necessitate providing central impressions on the sides of the roll.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a dispenser for rolls of paper, both coreless (solid) and with a hollow core, comprising a housing having at least two spaced-apart sides and a rigid member connecting the spaced- apart sides, at least one axle extending between the sides, the axle having a plurality of separate rollers strung therealong and rotatable thereabout and positioned to engage a curved surface of a roll of paper placed in the dispenser, characterized in that at least a plurality of the rollers are arranged for at least partial non-circular rotation wherein a point on the outer surface of at least some of the rollers ascribes an elliptical path while engaging a surface of the roll of paper, the arrangement being such that the rollers arranged for elliptical rotation, will impart to the roll of paper a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between the surfaces of the roll of paper and the surfaces of the remaining rollers along the axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for rolls of paper wherein the axle is supported between a pair of spaced- apart apertures, each of the apertures being respectively positioned in one of the spaced-apart sides of the dispenser, and wherein the area of each of the apertures is sufficiently greater than the cross-sectional area of the axle so that the axle will wobble relative to the apertures, while rotating.

In one form of the invention the paper is withdrawn in a substantially horizontal direction over a row of eccentric ball-shaped rollers in a substantially horizontal direction, and when contacting the rollers is diverted into a substantially downward direction.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for rolls of paper wherein the axle is manufactured as an integral unit with the rollers positioned therealong, and wherein the axle passes off-center through at least some of the rollers.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for rolls of paper comprising a housing having at least two spaced-apart sides and a rigid member connecting the spaced-apart sides, at least three axles extending between the sides and positioned to support and engage the curved surface of a roll of paper placed thereon, the axles having a plurality of rollers strung therealong and freely rotatable thereabout, characterized in that at least one of the axles is provided with rollers arranged for eccentric rotation, wherein a point on the outer surface of at least some of the rollers ascribes an eccentric path around the axle on which it is mounted, the arrangement being such that a roll of paper placed on the rollers for dispensing will freely rotate along the surfaces of the rollers while the rollers arranged for eccentric rotation will impart to the roll of paper a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between the surfaces of the roll of paper and the surfaces of the remaining rollers.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser wherein a leading edge of the roll of paper is routed between a pair of adjacent axles for dispensing.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser wherein one of said adjacent axles is displaceable.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser with at least 4 axles. The minimum number of axles is one, as will be seen in FIG. 8. In yet a further preferred embodiment there is provided a dispenser wherein at least one axle of the axle pair is elastic. Alternatively, a large gap is provided to easily feed through the leading edge of the paper being dispensed.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser wherein at least one axle of the axle pair is provided with beads or discs eccentrically mounted thereon to facilitate the loading of the leading edge of paper therebetween by effectively increasing the distance between the surfaces of the mounted discs or beads on the axle pairs as a result of displacement of the eccentrically mounted beads or discs during the loading of the leading edge of paper between the axle pair.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a dispenser being sized and configured to dispense toilet paper.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a multi-roll dispenser wherein all the sections thereof are supported by a common housing.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided only one axle which is positioned proximate to the upper corner of a curved cradle holding the paper roll. The paper is withdrawn in a downward (vertical) direction. The rotating member has an eccentric axis.

Further preferred embodiments will be seen in the following drawings and description.

It will thus be realized that the novel device of the present invention can be used in combination with paper rolls whether or not the roll has a central core. Furthermore there is no need for an indention on each side of the roll. Even when heavy rolls are supported in the dispenser, paper can be drawn from the roll without undue effort by means of a support having bigger diameter separate rollers.

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention separate large diameter rollers support the paper roll. The small diameter rollers seen between the larger rollers act merely as spacers and do not contact the paper roll, and so further reduce friction and drag.

Many of the embodiments are directed particularly to toilet roll holders in public facilities. On the one hand it is important that paper always be available. Yet on the hand the rolls need some degree of protection in order to prevent theft and wastage. An example of such an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

With regard to rolls of line-perforated paper, the reduced effort needed in pulling the paper is helpful in eliminating unintended paper tearing, particularly of perforated rolls.

It will be noted that the dispenser is arranged to carry coreless rolls. The use of solid coreless paper rolls provides more than an economical advantage, since the manufacture and later disposal of the spiral carton rolls after the paper toilet roll has been exhausted, is also an ecological matter. Every tree saved on our planet is of importance.

It is also important to realize that with use of the present invention, even if the orderly solid coreless supply of rolls is interrupted, other rolls having a carton cylindrical paper roll can be used as long as is needed.

As public toilet stalls are becoming smaller, a widely projecting dispenser can form a significant obstruction. In view of this, in most embodiments of the present invention this projection does not exceed about 130 mm.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of an axle and rollers from the dispenser of FIG. 1a. FIG. 2a is a perspective view of an embodiment showing a four-axle construction;

FIG. 2b is an enlarged perspective view of the relationship between an axle and its supporting aperture arranged to create a wobble;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of an embodiment wherein one of the axles is displaceable;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment having a bendable axle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the axle carries several spherical rollers which are mounted eccentrically;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the multi-roll dispenser according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an axle manufactured as an integral unit with the rollers;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned side view of an embodiment wherein the axle is disposed proximate to the outer upper edge of the cradle;

FIG. 9 is a sectioned side view of an embodiment holding both a main supply roll of paper and a smaller reserve roll;

FIG. 10 is a sectioned side view of an embodiment wherein a large round outer casing supports a large diameter roll;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an embodiment having means to stop paper feed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment dispensing nasal / facial tissues;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of part of an embodiment wherein the axle revolvably supports large diameter eccentrically bored separate rollers;

FIG. 14 is a perspective drawing showing an embodiment in combination with a paper cutting device;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of two-roll vertical column dispenser;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an embodiment having three dispensers;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an embodiment having side-by-side dispensers;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of an embodiment 156 wherein the arrangement is two 2 side by side paper rolls 12 and one paper roll 12 above the midpoint of the two lower rolls; FIG. 19 is a plan view of a pair of side by side paper rollers disposed on a common axis;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a fabricated U bracket comprising 3 components.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a first rectangular array for four dispenser units;

FIG. 22 is a side view of an alternative array to that referred to in the previous figure;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of an embodiment 178 having an elongated U-bracket;

FIG. 24 is a sectioned side view of a paper dispenser which has an exceptionally effective arrangement to reduce drag, and

FIG. 25 is a sectioned side view of a paper dispenser provided with a dust cover which serves to prevent theft of the paper roll, in combination with an optional lock.

There is seen in FIGS. 1a and 1b a dispenser 10 for rolls of paper 12 which is either coreless or has a hollow core. The dispenser 10 comprises a housing 14 which can suitably be made of a plastic such as ABS, Polypropylene or Polycarbonate.

The dispenser has two spaced-apart sides 16 and 16^' and a rigid member 18 connecting the spaced-apart sides 16 and 16^'.

Four axles 20 are seen extending between the sides 16 and 16^'. The axle 20 has a plurality of rollers 22, 24 strung therealong and freely rotatable thereabout. The rollers are positioned so that the rollers 24 engage a curved surface of a roll of paper 12 placed in the dispenser. The rollers 24 are arranged so that a point on the outer surface of the rollers 24 ascribes an elliptical path while engaging a surface of the roll of paper 12. The rollers 24, arranged for elliptical rotation, will impart to the roll of paper 12 a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between the surfaces of the roll of paper 12 and the surfaces of the remaining rollers 22 along the axle 20. A dust cover 28 hinged at 30 and is attached to the rigid member 18.

A plurality of apertures 34 are provided for optional attachment of the paper dispenser to the wall by means of screws or glueing.

The dispenser 10 is sized and configured to dispense toilet paper. Turning now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a dispenser 40 is shown which is similar to the embodiment 10 seen in FIG. 1. An elongated aperture 26 provides passage for the leading edge 42 of the paper roll 12 which can be pulled downwards.

.Four axles 20 extend between the sides 16, and are positioned to support and engage the curved surface of a roll of paper 12 placed thereon.

The area of each of the apertures 21 is sufficiently greater than the cross- sectional area of the axle 20 so that the axle 20 will wobble while paper is being withdrawn from the dispenser.

The dispenser 40 allows for a leading edge 42 of the roll of paper 12 being routed between a pair of adjacent axles 20 for dispensing.

This and the other embodiments described may be optionally provided with a paper cutting device, which will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

Seen in FIG. 3 is a detail of an embodiment 46 where one of the axles 20b is displaceable relative to an adjacent axis 20. By gripping the spherical rollers 48 with the fingers and pulling the axle in a direction away from the axle 20 the distance between axels 20, 20b is increased making it easy to feed the leading edge of a paper roll through the increased gap between the rollers 24, 48. Tension springs 50 return the axle 20b to its original position when the user releases the spherical rollers 48.

Similarly in FIG. 4 there is seen a detail of a paper dispenser 54. An axle 20c is bendable for feeding the leading edge of a paper roll through the gap 55 between the rollers 24, 48.

One axle 20c of each axle pair is elastic. The most suitable material of which the axle 20c is made is nylon. The axle 20c shown has spherical rollers 48 eccentrically mounted thereon to facilitate the loading of the leading edge of paper therebetween. Increasing the distance between the surfaces of the eccentric rollers 24 or spherical rollers 48 on the axle pairs as a result of bending displacement of axle 20c makes it easy to load the leading edge 42 of paper 12, seen in FIG. 2 between the axle pair. Bending of the axle 20c results in stress therein which is substantially below the elastic limit of the material. Consequently on release the axle 20c returns to its initial position.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is seen a detail of an embodiment 56 wherein the axle 20^'caries several spherical rollers 58 which are mounted eccentrically. The small remaining rollers 59 are also of spherical concentric shape and act as spacer members. It will be noted that any contact between the rollers 58, 59 takes place only at a diameter slightly larger than the axle diameter. Any friction between the rollers is thus applied at a minimum radius, thereby minimizing the retarding moment and thus allowing the rollers to revolve in response to the paper roll 12 revolving thereon.

An embodiment of the present invention is also illustrated in FIG. 6 showing a multi-roll dispenser 60. Each section has a curved cradle 62 supporting closely- spaced roller axles 20. The close spacing is helpful in retaining the paper roll 12 even after the roll is nearly fully used, as is illustrated on the left side of the figure.

All sections of the dispenser 60 seen in FIG. 6 are mounted on a common housing 64. The roller axles 20 are supported on curved cradles 62. The paper rolls 12 being supported on the rollers 24 are seen in various states of use. All leading edge paper edges 42 are pulled downwards for use.

Seen in FIG. 7 is a plastic molding 66 manufactured as an integral unit. The molding 66 includes rollers 70 which are positioned along a center line 46. Both axels 68 are concentric to the line 46. The line 46 passes off-center through some of the rollers 72. An important advantage of the present embodiment is its low manufacturing cost.

The term "rollers" is used here for simplicity and consistency. It is obvious however that rotation of the rollers is effected only when the complete molding 66 revolves.

With reference now to FIG. 8 there is seen an embodiment 74 holding a coreless (solid) paper roll 12. The dispenser 74 is provided with only one axle 78 of eccentric rollers 58, the rollers 58 being in contact with the paper 76. The axle 78 is disposed proximate to the outer upper edge of the cradle 89. When the user applies a downward pull on the leading section 42 of the paper the rollers 58 convert the downward pull into an upward pull on the paper roll 12, thus in effect reducing the weight of the paper roll 12, and thus also reducing the frictional drag between the cradle 89 and the paper roll 12.

Turning now to FIG. 9 there is seen a dispenser 82 holding both a main supply roll of paper 84 and a smaller reserve roll 86. The reserve roll 86 is held in a compartment 88 above the main roll 84. The leading edge 90 of the reserve roll 86 is pulled downwards towards the aperture 92 used by the leading edge 94 of the main supply roll 84.

An internal curved guide channel 96 which is partially open to the inner part of the dispenser 82 is provided at the side of the main roll of paper 84, so that the leading portion 90 of the reserve roll 86 does not interfere with the main roll 84.

When the main roll 84 is exhausted paper from the reserve roll 86 is drawn down by manipulating the paper out of the curved guide channel 96 and into the main unit. After release from the channel 96 the reserve roll 86 unrolls and paper is withdrawn in a downward vertical direction.

Referring now to FIG. 10 there is seen a large round outer casing 100 supporting a large diameter roll 102. Typically the roll 102 has a diameter in the range 200 - 300 mm. The roll 102 is supported by a plurality of curved spaced- apart parallel axles 103. Each axle revolvably supports a plurality of spherical rollers 58 and spacers 59.

FIG. 11 shows a detail of a dispenser 104. A fastener 106 is inserted or threaded through the wall 16 of the dispenser 104. The fastener 106 is forced into the paper roll 12 to lock rotation thereof and thus to stop paper feed.

Partial retraction of the fastener 106 allows the continuation of paper dispensing. The figure shows the dispenser 104 in the locked position.

The purpose of this option is to allow dispensing of only one roll at any time.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a dispenser 108 wherein a continuous perforated roll 110 of nasal / facial tissues is dispensed.

The dispenser 108 rests above a table or shelf on legs 112.

A cutting or tearing face 114 is provided for the tissues being withdrawn by the user in a downward forward sloping direction.

A door catch 122 ensures that the hinged 120 dust cover 116 remains closed unless intentionally opened.

FIG. 13. Shows diagrammatically a support arrangement 126 for a paper roll 12, the axle 20 revolvably supporting large diameter eccentrically bored separate rollers 128. The smaller rollers 130, as seen more clearly in FIG. 5 are used as spacers. The result of this configuration is that there is minimum contact, minimum friction and minimum drag between the cradle 132 and the paper roll 12. When viewed lengthwise it is seen that contact between the rollers 130 and the paper roll 12 is only along about 30%. of the length.

The reduced contact area results from the fact that normally the smaller rollers 130 do not contact the paper roll 12 at all.

FIG. 14 shows a shaped liftable rear wall 134 hinged at 133 to a fixed backing plate 136.

The rear wall 134 is decoratedly shaped. The chosen shape is chosen depending on factors such as available space, the number of dispensers to be mounted and manufacturing costs. Shapes that are drop shaped or oval are often suitable.

A flat face of rear backing plate 136 is prepared to be adhesively bonded to a tiled wall surface 157.

A separate cutting unit 140 is also arranged to be glued to the same wall surface 157, adjacent and underneath the paper holder. The cutting unit 140 has internal teeth 142 to enhance user safety, and a flat rear surface 158 for glueing to wall surface 157.

The teeth 142 preferably are replaceable cutter teeth which are suitably made of a hard plastic such as ABS. The teeth 142 have two functions:

1. To cut the paper web when pulled there against; and

2. To detain the paper web after it is cut for a subsequent pull down and cutting action.

FIG. 15 illustrates a two-roll vertical column dispenser 144, each section of which is constructed to hold one paper roll 12, each dispenser being similar to 10 seen in FIG.1a. The axis of each paper roll 12 is parallel to a wall surface 157 seen in the following figure. Both sections are supported by a common housing 146.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment 148 having three dispensers 10, disposed in a triangular array. They are connected by a base plate 160. The arrangement is similar to that already seen in FIG. 6, although the vertical order is reversed.

In FIG. 17 there is seen a side-by-side embodiment 152 wherein two dispenser units 10 are disposed with paper rolls 12 each of said paper rolls having axes perpendicular to the wall surface 157. They are seen attached to a common back plate 154. Seen in FIG. 18 is an embodiment 156 wherein the arrangement is two side by side paper rolls 12 and one paper roll 12 above the midpoint of the two lower rolls. The axes of all three rolls 12 are perpendicular to the surface of the wall 157. Each support cradle 14 is attached to a common back plate 160.

FIG. 19 shows a pair of side by side paper rollers 12 lying on a common axis parallel to wall surface 157. A U-shaped bracket 162, suitably made of an acrylic resin (e.g. Perspex) has two 90° bends 164 and supports two dispenser units 10 such as are illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 20, there is seen a fabricated U bracket 166 comprising 3 components. The two side pieces 168 of the U-shaped bracket are clipped or glued to a base bar 170.

FIG. 21 represents a first rectangular array 172 for four dispenser units 10 all attached to a common back plate 174. An alternative array 176 is seen in FIG. 22 where the dispensers are mounted on a back plate 177.

Seen in FIG. 23 is an embodiment 178 having an elongated U-bracket 188 suitable for the support of a kitchen towel dispenser 179, and a facial wipes dispenser 189, using an optionally installable partition 187. Both of these dispensers are attached to a common back plate 174.

FIG. 24 illustrates a paper dispenser 192 which has an exceptionally effective arrangement to reduce drag, and is therefore suited to carry the large paper roll 12L (large). The roll 12L is supported on a plurality of rollers as seen in FIG. 1. Additionally the dispenser 192 is provided with an axle 78 of eccentric rollers 58, the rollers 58 being in contact with the paper 76. The axle 78 is disposed proximate to the outer upper edge of the cradle 194, similar to the arrangement 74 seen previously in FIG. 8.

Turning now to FIG. 25, there is seen a further embodiment 148 wherein the axis of the paper roll 12 is disposed parallel to a wall surface 157. A paper roll 12 is held in the enclosure cradle 14. An axle 20 carries rollers 22 and 24 similar to the axle seen in FIG. 1a so that the paper 76 of roll 12 can be pulled downwards. A gap 178, shown much wider than it is for illustrative clarity, is formed between the cradle plate 18 and the fixed rear plate 36 to allow passage for the paper 76. Bridging members 151 span the gap 178. The upper dust guard 150 of the dispenser 148 is preferably rounded and sloped as shown in the drawing to prevent a user resting a cigarette or any other article thereon. The dust cover 150 is hinged to the cradle 14 at 198.

A gap 178 between the cradle 14 and the outer face of the rear backing plate 36 is used to feed the paper strip therethrough. The rear backing plate 36 is arranged to be adhesively attached to a tiled wall surface.157.

The dust cover 150 serves to prevent theft of the paper roll in combination with an optional lock 138, which is seen mounted in the cradle 14 to prevent any unauthorized person from opening the dust cover 150. The lock 138 is needed for paper dispensers intended for public use.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dispenser for rolls of paper, both coreless and with a hollow core, comprising a housing having at least two spaced-apart sides and a rigid member connecting said spaced-apart sides, at least one axle extending between said sides, said axle having a plurality of rollers strung therealong and rotatable thereabout and positioned to engage a curved surface of a roll of paper placed in said dispenser, characterized in that at least a plurality of said rollers are arranged for at least partial non-circular rotation wherein a point on the outer surface of at least some of said rollers ascribes an elliptical path while engaging a surface of said roll of paper, the arrangement being such that said rollers arranged for elliptical rotation, will impart to said roll of paper a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between said surfaces of said roll of paper and the surfaces of the remaining rollers along said axis.

2. A dispenser for rolls of paper according to claim 1 , wherein said axle is supported between a pair of spaced-apart apertures, each of said apertures being respectively positioned in one of said spaced-apart sides of said dispenser, and wherein the area of each of said apertures is sufficiently greater than the cross-sectional area of said axle so that the axle will wobble relative to said apertures, while rotating.

3. A dispenser for rolls of paper according to claim 1 , wherein said axle is manufactured as an integral unit with the rollers positioned therealong, and wherein said axle passes off-center through at least some of said rollers.

4. A dispenser for rolls of paper, according to claim 1 , comprising a housing having at least two spaced-apart sides and a rigid member connecting said spaced-apart sides, at least three axles extending between said sides and positioned to support and engage the curved surface of a roll of paper placed thereon, said axles having a plurality of rollers strung therealong and freely rotatable thereabout, characterized in that at least one of said axles is provided with rollers arranged for eccentric rotation, wherein a point on the outer surface of at least some of said rollers ascribes an eccentric path around the axle on which it is mounted, the arrangement being such that said roll of paper placed on said rollers for dispensing will freely rotate along the surfaces of said rollers while said rollers arranged for eccentric rotation will impart to said roll of paper a rocking and wobbling motion, thereby reducing the contact, friction and drag between said surfaces of said roll of paper and the surfaces of the remaining rollers.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein a leading edge of said roll of paper is routed between a pair of adjacent axles for dispensing.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein one of said adjacent axles is displaceable.

7. A dispenser according to claim 4, provided with at least 4 axles.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7 wherein at least one axle of said axle pair is elastic.

9. A dispenser according to claim 7 wherein at least one axle of said axle pair is provided with beads or discs eccentrically mounted thereon to facilitate the loading of said leading edge of paper therebetween by effectively increasing the distance between the surfaces of the mounted discs or beads on said axle pairs as a result of displacement of said eccentrically mounted beads or discs during the loading of said leading edge of paper between said axle pair.

10. A dispenser according to claim 1 , being sized and configured to dispense toilet paper.

11. A dispenser according to claim 1 , being sized and configured to dispense nasal and facial tissue paper.

12. A multi-roll dispenser, each section of which is constructed according to claim 1 , all said sections being supported by a common housing.

13. A dispenser according to claim 1 , being made of a plastic selected from the group including ABS, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate.