WO2022225510A1

WO2022225510A1 - Dispensing device for rolled sheet products

Info

Publication number: WO2022225510A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/028132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard P. Lewis
Original assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-04-20
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2022-10-27
Also published as: EP4326126A1; CN117412693A; KR20230171992A; CA3215203A1; AU2021441447A1

Abstract

Dispenser for dispensing sheet materials are provided. The dispenser includes a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing. The back frame assembly includes one or more mounting tracks disposed on an internal surface of the back frame assembly. The back frame assembly includes one or more roll support members. The roll support members have a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to engage the one or more mounting tracks to attach the one or more roll support members to the back frame assembly. The roll support members can be positioned at various locations in the one or more mounting tracks in order to accommodate rolls of sheet material having varying widths.

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR ROLLED SHEET PRODUCTS

BACKGROUND

Washrooms in commercial and residential buildings typically include products such as toilet tissue or paper towels. These products are typically housed by a dispenser and are dispensed as needed by the user. Indeed, there are a number of manual, semi-automatic, and automatic dispensers capable of dispensing said products. Rolled sheet materials can be dispensed from said dispensers. However, different rolled sheet materials can have varying widths or core diameters. While rolled products produced vary in terms of product width, systems and devices used to dispense these products generally only accommodate a single product width or product width within a certain or limited width range. Such limitations in dispensing systems and devices requires multiple product dispensers in order to accommodate the full range of product widths. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and dispensers for dispensing products of various widths that is functional and can be achieved at a reduced cost.

SUMMARY

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser for sheet materials. The dispenser includes a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing. The housing defines an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material having a width and a core diameter. The back frame assembly includes one or more mounting tracks and one or more roll support members. The one or more mounting tracks are disposed on an internal surface of the back frame assembly. The roll support members include a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to engage the one or more mounting tracks to attach the one or more roll support members to the back frame assembly. The one or more roll support members can be positioned at various locations in the one or more mounting tracks in order to accommodate rolls of sheet material having varying widths.

Also provided is a dispenser for dispensing rolled sheet materials including a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. The dispenser includes one or more roll support members disposed within the housing to retain the at least one roll of sheet material. The roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to securely attach to the back frame assembly. At least one of the one or more roll support members includes a connection hub having at least two diameters to facilitate supporting of rolls of sheet material having varying core diameters and/or widths. The disclosure is also directed to a dispenser for dispensing sheet materials including a back frame assembly and front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. A support panel secured having a first end is secured to the back frame assembly. One or more roll support members are also provided and include a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured with a spring loaded hinge secured to the back frame assembly such that the one or more roll support members is capable of pivoting about the hinge. A first side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the support panel and a second side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the one or more roll support members.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure with its front cover in an open position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a roll support member in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a roll support member in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiments of a back frame assembly and roll support member in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly and roll support member in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly and roll support member in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a connection hub in accordance with the present disclosure; Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of two roll support members and connection hubs in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of two roll support members and connection hubs in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connection hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of two roll support members and connection hubs in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a roll support member and connection hub in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 16 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a back frame assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 17 is a cross section view of one embodiments of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 18 is a cross section view of one embodiments of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure; and

Figure 19 is a cross section view of one embodiments of a dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the terms "first”, "second”, and "third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

The terms "coupled,” "fixed,” "attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.

The terms "communicate,” "communicating,” "communicative,” and the like refer to both direct communication as well as indirect communication such as through a memory system or another intermediary system. The singular forms "a”, "an”, and "the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as "about”, "approximately”, and "substantially”, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 1, 2, 4, 10, 15, or 20 percent margin. These approximating margins may apply to a single value, either or both endpoints defining numerical ranges, and/or the margin for ranges between endpoints.

The embodiments including dispenser and methods of the present disclosure, including components thereof, can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the embodiments described herein, as well as any additional or optional components or limitations described herein or otherwise useful.

As used herein, the terms "sheet material” and "paper” means a material that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth. Generally speaking, sheet materials should exhibit a relatively flat planar configuration and be flexible to permit folding, rolling, stacking, and the like. Exemplary sheet materials and papers include, but are not limited to, paper tissue, bath/toilet tissue, paper towels, wipes, label rolls, or other fibrous, film, polymer, or filamentary products. The terms "sheet material” and "paper” may be used interchangeably.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispenser for sheet materials and/or to a dispenser assembly. The dispensers of the present disclosure are capable of holding rolls of sheet materials having varying widths and/or core diameters. Accordingly, rolled products with different widths or core diameters can all be dispensed from the same dispenser. Advantageously, as product widths or core diameters change, the provided dispenser can be used to dispense the rolled products without the need to purchase additional dispensers to accommodate different products. Additionally, features of the dispensers provided herein can be easily manufactured, saving manufacturing time and costs.

In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a dispenser for sheet materials including a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. The back frame assembly includes the back frame assembly including one or more mounting tracks disposed on an internal surface of the back frame assembly. The dispenser also includes one or more roll support members. The roll support members have a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to engage the one or more mounting tracks to attach the one or more roll support members to the back frame assembly. The one or more roll support members can be positioned at various locations in the mounting tracks in order to accommodate rolls of sheet material having varying widths.

In other embodiments, provided is a dispenser for sheet materials including a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. The dispenser includes one or more roll support members disposed within the housing to retain the at least one roll of sheet material. The roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to securely attach to the back frame assembly. At least one of the one or more roll support members includes a connection hub having at least two diameters to facilitate supporting of rolls of sheet material having varying core diameters and/or widths.

In still another embodiment, provided is a dispenser for sheet materials having a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material. The dispenser includes a support panel having a first end secured to the back frame assembly. One or more connection hubs and/or nubs for supporting a roll of sheet material can be disposed on the support panel. The dispenser includes one or more roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured with a spring loaded hinge secured to the back frame assembly such that the one or more roll support members is capable of pivoting about the hinge. A first side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the support panel and a second side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the one or more roll support members.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a dispenser 10 made according to the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 includes a housing 16 that can have any desired overall shape. The dispenser 10 includes a back frame assembly 18 and a front cover 22. The back frame assembly 18 and the front cover 22 are capable of forming the housing 16 when the front cover 22 is in a closed position. The front cover 22 can be pivotally mounted to the housing 16 using any suitable means. For example, in one embodiment, hinges can be used to connect the front cover 22 with the back frame assembly 18. Alternatively, the front cover 22 can be completely separable from the back frame assembly 18. The front cover 22 is moveable from a closed position to an open position. The front cover 22 can define the front face and top of the dispenser 10, while the back frame assembly can define the bottom and the sidewalls of the dispenser 10. In certain other embodiments, however, the sidewalls can be formed via the front cover 22. The housing 16 defines an interior volume for housing the operational components of the dispenser 10, as well as the roll or rolls of sheet material 17 to be dispensed, including a main roll. In embodiments, the interior volume of the housing 16 may be suitable for holding more than one roll of material.

The operational components of the dispenser 10 may be mounted directly to the back frame member 18 or can be mounted and otherwise disposed within the housing 16. The operational components of the dispenser 10 can be part of a module or insert that is received within the housing 16. For example, the operational components can be part of a module that may be readily removable from the housing for servicing and/or replacing components without the necessity of having to remove the entire dispenser 10 from its support surface. The operational components can include a dispensing mechanism 40 configured within the housing 16 of the dispenser 10. The dispensing mechanism 40 includes driver rollers, gear mechanisms, control circuitry, etc. for advancing the roll of sheet material through an opening 40 in the dispenser 10, so that the sheet material 17 can be dispensed to a user.

As shown, the back frame assembly 18 includes one or more mounting tracks 24. The mounting tracks 24 are disposed on an internal surface 26 of the back frame assembly 18. The internal surface 26 refers to the surface of the back frame assembly 18 that generally faces the interior of the dispenser 10. One or more rolls of sheet material 17 are disposed within the housing 16. As shown, one or more roll support members 30 are used to secure the roll of sheet material 17 within the housing 16. As shown, a first end 32 of the support members 30 is configured to support the roll of sheet material 17, while second end 34 of the support members 30 is configured to engage the one or more mounting tracks 24 to secure the support members 30 to the back frame assembly 18.

Further embodiments of the back frame assembly 18 are shown in FIGS. 2-3. The back frame assembly 18 includes one or more connection apertures 40 disposed within the mounting tracks 24. As shown, the connection apertures 40 can include a plurality of spaced-apart holes. For example, as shown, the connection apertures 40 can be arranged in an offset pattern. That is, the connection apertures 40 can be disposed in linear patterns along the internal surface 26 of the back frame assembly 18. As shown, a first line 42 of connection apertures 40 is disposed on the internal surface 26 of the back frame assembly 18 and a second line 44 is disposed in an offset manner from the first line 42. Namely, the connection apertures 40 of the first line 42 and second line 44 are not linearly aligned along a y-direction. Additionally, a third line 46 and fourth line 48 of connection apertures 40 can also be provided. While offset linear patterns of connection apertures are shown, the disclosure is not so limited. In fact, the connection apertures 40 can be space in any desired pattern. As will be further discussed below, the connection apertures 40 should be spaced such that the roll support members can be spaced and secured in different locations within the mounting tracks 24 of the back frame assembly 18. FIGS. 4-5 illustrate various perspective views of a roll support member 30. As shown, the roll support member 30 includes a first end 32 that is generally configured to hold and/or support a roll of sheet material. For example, the first end 32 can include a nub or connection hub capable of engaging the diameter of the core of sheet material roll in order to securely hold the roll of sheet material. Additional embodiments of nubs and connection hubs will be further discussed herein. The roll support member 30 also includes a second end 34 that is configured to engage the mounting tracks on the back frame assembly in order to secure the support member 30 to the back frame assembly. As shown, the second end 34 can include one or more mounting holes 36. When the second end 34 of the support member 30 is disposed within the mounting tracks on the back frame assembly, the mounting holes 36 can be aligned with the one or more connection apertures 40, such that the support members 30 can be secured (e.g., fastened) to the back frame assembly 18. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, the second end 34 of the roll support member 30 can be slid-fit into engagement with the mounting tracks 24 on the back frame assembly 18. Once secured within the mounting tracks 24, the supporting member 30 can be placed in a variety of locations, for example, any location where the mounting holes 36 are in alignment with one or more of the connection apertures 40. A fastening member 49 can then be used to secure the support member 30 to the back frame assembly 18. Any suitable fastening member can be used. Suitable fastening members include, but are not limited to, anchors, bolts, nails, nuts, pins, clips, rivets, rods, screws, clamps, washers, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the fastening member includes a screw.

In other embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 8-9, instead of connection apertures 40, one or more protrusions 45, such as spring-loaded protrusions, can be disposed within the mounting tracks 24 on the back frame assembly 18. As the second end 34 of the roll support member 30 is slid into location within the mounting tracks 24, the protrusions 45 can pop into the mounting holes 36 in order to secure the roll support member 30 to the back frame assembly 18. Further, the protrusions 45 can be depressed such that the roll support member 30 can move to different positions and/or locations within the mounting tracks 24 in order to accommodate rolls of sheet materials having different widths.

As shown in the above-described Figures, the roll support members 30 can be adjusted within the mounting tracks 24 on the back frame assembly 18, such that the roll support members 30 can be placed in various locations. For example, the roll support members 30 can be moved towards the outer portion of the mounting tracks 24 in order to accommodate a roll of sheet material having a larger width. Likewise, in other embodiments, the roll support members 30 can be moved towards an interior position within the mounting tracks 24 in order to accommodate a roll of sheet material having a smaller width. The dispensers 10 including the roll support members 30 disclosed herein, are suitable for supporting a roll of sheet material having a width ranging from about 5 inches to about 12 inches.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the first end of the roll support member 30 can be configured with a roll engagement device 50. The roll engagement device 50 can include any suitable nub or connection hub. For example, in certain embodiments, the roll engagement device 50 includes a connection hub 52 having one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions 54,56. For example, the embodiment shown illustrates a connection hub having a first telescoping portion 54 having a first diameter D1 and a second telescoping portion 56 having a second telescoping diameter D2. As shown, D1 is generally less than D2. Both telescoping portions 56 and 54 are capable of being pushed outward via spring 60. Accordingly, either or both of the telescoping portions 56 and/or 54 are capable of being pushed into housing 58 upon engagement with a roll diameter. For example, in order to accommodate a larger width roll of sheet material, portions of either telescoping portion 56 and/or 54 can be pushed into housing 58 in order to allow for a wider roll of sheet material to be placed in the dispenser. Further, since the telescoping portions 56,54 each include a different diameter (e.g., D1 and D2) they are capable of accommodating rolls of sheet material that have different or varying core diameters. For example, if a roll of sheet material has a smaller core diameter, D1 may fit within the smaller core diameter of the roll in order to properly support the roll of material. Likewise, if the roll of sheet material has a larger core diameter, then D2 may fit within the larger core diameter of the roll in order to properly support the roll of material.

Also, it should be appreciated, that while the telescoping connection hubs as disclosed can be used on any roll support members 30, in certain embodiments, the telescoping connection hubs can be used in embodiments where the roll support member is not moveable with respect to the back frame assembly. For example, in certain embodiments, the roll support member 30 can be fixedly secured to the back frame member 18. In such embodiments, inclusion of the telescoping connection hub allows for the accommodation of varying widths of rolled sheet material products. In certain embodiments, at least two roll support members are used to support the roll of sheet material. In such embodiments, at least one of the roll support members includes the telescoping connection hub as disclosed, while the other roll support member can include any proprietary or conventional nub or connection hub known to those in the art. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, two roll support members 30 are shown. The first includes connection hub 52 with one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions 54, 56 and the second including a varying diameter connection hub 59. Additionally, FIG. 12, illustrates an embodiment including two roll support members 30 having different roll engagement devices 50. The first roll support member 30 includes a connection hub 52 with one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions 54,56 and the second roll support member 30 includes a fixed diameter connection hub 61. Furthermore, instead of the fixed diameter connection hub 61 as shown in FIG. 12, a fixed, two-diameter connection hub 60 as shown in FIG. 13 can be used. As shown, connection hub 60 has a first portion 62 including a first diameter D3 and a second portion 64 including a second diameter D4. The first diameter D3 is generally smaller than the second diameter D4. The connection hub 60 differs from connection hub 52, in that connection hub 52 is outfitted with a spring, such that portions 54 and 56 can be retracted into housing 58, while connection hub 60 does not include a spring. Accordingly, portions 62 and 64 are fixed, namely, in that they are not retractable and/or extendable. Connection hub 60 is just one option of a connection hub that can be used on an adjacent roll support member 30.

As shown in FIG. 14, a roll of sheet material 17 is disposed between two support members 30. One support member 30 includes connection hub 52. As shown, the core diameter of the roll of sheet material 17 generally corresponds to the diameter D2 of telescoping portion 56. As shown in FIG. 15, however, the width of the roll of sheet material 17 is such that at least a portion of telescoping portion 56 is retracted inside the housing 58 in order to accommodate the roll of sheet material 17, while telescoping portion 54 remains within the core diameter of the roll of sheet material 17.

Now referring to FIGS. 16-19, illustrated are embodiments of suitable back frame members 18 having a support panel 70 secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 16, the support panel 70 generally includes a first end 72 secured to the back frame assembly 18 extending to a second end 74 disposed outwardly therefrom. The support panel can be outfitted with one or more roll engagement devices 50 including connection nubs or connection hubs as disclosed herein. Disposed outward from the support panel 70 is one or more roll support members 30. As shown, the roll support members 30 include a first end 32 configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end 34 that is secured to the back frame assembly 18. As shown, the second end 34 of the roll support member 30 is secured to the back frame assembly 18 via a spring-loaded hinge 80. Accordingly, the roll support member 30 is capable of pivoting about the spring-loaded hinge 80 in order to accommodate rolls of sheet materials of varying widths. As shown, the first end 32 can include a connection hub 90 having at least one telescoping portion 92 and a supporting nub 94 disposed thereon. The telescoping portion 92 can include a spring such that it is a spring-loaded telescoping portion. As shown in FIG. 16, the top connection hub 90 is in an extended state, while the bottom connection hub 90 is shown in a compressed state. In addition to the roll support member 30 being able to pivot about the spring- loaded hinge 80 in order to accommodate rolls of varying sized, the telescoping portion 92 of the connection hub 90 can also be used to further accommodate rolls of various widths or rolls having varying core diameters.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate dispensers having at least four (4) rolls of sheet material 17 disposed therein. Such arrangements are known generally as a quad arrangement. While four rolls are shown, the disclosure is not so limited, indeed, the dispenser could be configured to hold more than four or less than four rolls of sheet material. As shown in FIG. 17, at least four connection members 30 are used to secure the outer sides of the rolls of sheet material 17, while the support panel 70 is used to secure the inner sides of the rolls of sheet material 17. FIGS. 18-19 illustrate dispensers without rolls of sheet material disposed therein. As shown, the support panel 70 can be outfitted with a variety of roll engagement devices 50. For example, in FIG. 18, the support panel 70 includes connection hubs 100, while in FIG. 19, the support panel 70 includes connection nubs 101. The roll engagement device 50 selected for the support panel 70 can vary depending on the type of roll material and/or the type of core. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed:

1. A dispenser for sheet materials comprising: a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material having a width and a core diameter, the back frame assembly including one or more mounting tracks disposed on an internal surface of the back frame assembly; and one or more roll support members, the roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to engage the one or more mounting tracks to attach the one or more roll support members to the back frame assembly, wherein one or more roll support members can be positioned at various locations in the one or more mounting tracks in order to accommodate rolls of sheet material having varying widths.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of connection apertures disposed within the mounting tracks on the internal surface of the back frame assembly, wherein one or more fastening members can be used to secure the second end of the one or more roll support members to internal surface of the back frame assembly via one or more of the connection apertures.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of mounting holes disposed on the second end of the support member and plurality of protrusions disposed within the mounting tracks on the internal surface of the back frame assembly, wherein one or more of the protrusions can engage one or more of the mounting holes to secure the support member to the back frame assembly.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the one or more support members can support the at least one roll of sheet material having a width ranging from about 5 inches to about 12 inches.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the one or more support members is configured with roll engagement device for securing the roll of sheet material to the support member.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the roll engagement device includes a connection hub having one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions with varying diameters.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the connection hub includes a housing, the housing configured to receive one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions of the connection hub.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 , comprising a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material.

9. The dispenser of claim 1 , comprising an opening configured to allow a user to access the sheet material.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the roll of sheet material comprises a roll of paper towels for dispensing paper towels from the dispenser.

11. A method of dispensing a sheet material using the dispenser of claim 1.

12. A dispenser for sheet materials comprising: a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material; one or more roll support members disposed within the housing to retain the at least one roll of sheet material, the roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured to securely attach to the back frame assembly, at least one of the one or more roll support members includes a connection hub having at least two diameters to facilitate supporting of rolls of sheet material having varying core diameters and/or widths.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the connection hub includes one or more spring- loaded telescoping portions, the housing configured to receive the one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions of the connection hub.

14. The dispenser of claim 12, comprising a dispensing mechanism contained within the housing for dispensing the sheet material.

15. The dispenser of claim 12, comprising an opening configured to allow a user to access the sheet material.

16. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the roll of sheet material comprises a roll of paper towels for dispensing paper towels from the dispenser.

17. A dispenser for dispensing sheet materials, comprising, a back frame assembly and a front cover assembly configured to form a housing having an interior volume so as to retain at least one roll of sheet material; a support panel secured having a first end secured to the back frame assembly one or more roll support members, the one or more roll support members including a first end configured to support a roll of sheet material and a second end configured with a spring loaded hinge secured to the back frame assembly such that the one or more roll support members is capable of pivoting about the hinge, wherein a first side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the support panel and a second side of the at least one roll of sheet material is supported by the one or more roll support members.

18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the first end of the one or more roll support members is configured with a connection hub, the connection hub including one or more spring-loaded telescoping portions.

19. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the support panel includes one or more supporting nubs and/or one or more connection hubs for supporting the at least one roll of sheet material.

20. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the dispenser is configured to support at least four rolls of sheet material.