Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Tension control or brake – Supply controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-22
2001-10-16
Nguyen, John Q. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Tension control or brake
Supply controlled
C242S597700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302348
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a holder for paper towels. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved roll paper towel holder for counter-top use.
Rolls of perforated paper towels are a common item in many households. Such rolls typically include a cylindrical cardboard core surrounded by spiral wound paper towels, each separable along a line of perforation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core. Holders for such rolls are commonly mounted beneath cabinets or on vertical walls with the longitudinal axis extending horizontally. It is also known to provide a counter-top holder for such rolls.
The usual counter-top roll holder consists of a base mounting a vertical mounting rod. The core is received over the mounting rod and will rotate thereabout during dispensing. The base maintains the mounting rod, and thus the roll, upright during dispensing. To ensure this upright position, the user will often grasp the upper end of the mounting rod.
While this arrangement is acceptable, it does have disadvantages. To separate the towels from the roll, it is often necessary to grasp the roll to prevent its rotation. This may be achieved while grasping the upper end of the mounting rod, but can result in soiling of the upper end of the roll. Additionally, the initial tearing of towels along the perforation line is sometimes difficult, and is aided by applying pressure to the roll adjacent the perforation line. This requires that the user not only hold the upper end of the roll, but hold the upper end of the roll at a position to apply this pressure at the correct location. This further present a problem of soiling the roll adjacent the perforation line as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a paper towel holder which permits dispensing of paper towels.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a holder which is simple and easy to use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a holder which is stable, and which assists in the breaking of perforation lines.
These and other objects are achieved by a counter-top paper towel holder having a base, a mounting rod extending upward from the base, and a stabilizing extension extending upward from the base at a position radially spaced from the mounting rod. The stabilizing extension includes a handle portion and a presser arm spaced radially outward from the handle potion. The presser arm is resilient, and includes a free end for abutting the roll of paper towels mounted on the mounting rod. Grasping the handle with one hand provides support for the paper towel holder against gross movement as the free towels are pulled from the roll using the other hand. The thumb of the grasping hand may press against the presser arm to force the free end against the roll. The free end thus prevent further rotation of the roll, and assists in breaking the lines of perforation to dispense the towels.
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U.S. application No. 09/401,481, filed Sep. 22, 1999, Stig Lillelend—Paper Towel Dispenser; Attorney Docket # 130551-D200.
Heiberg Jakob
Lillelund Stig
Dart Industries Inc.
Nguyen John Q.
Ross Taylor J.
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