Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Coil holder or support – Mounted coil holder or spindle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-22
2001-02-13
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Coil holder or support
Mounted coil holder or spindle
C242S596400, C242S596700, C242S599300, C242S599400, C242S597800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186439
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rolled product dispensers for use with rolled product such as paper towels, toilet tissue, plastic sheet or the like, including the residential and commercial applications of: toilet tissue dispensing, paper towel dispensing and food preservation bag and wrap dispensing.
2. Background Art
A variety of devices are used to dispense material arranged in a roll. Product arranged in a roll typically includes rolled perforated sheet stock such as toilet tissue, paper towels, plastic produce bags and the like. The rolled product is typically wound into a cylinder and a hollow portion or core extends through the roll. Dispensers heretofore disclosed typically are of the two armed type which may be further classified into two types. A first type includes a biased spindle or collapsible member which spans the arms to support the roll thereon. The spindle extends through the core of the roll and supports the same by contacting and aligning with an interior wall which defines the core. The second type of dispenser lacks the biased spindle and, in contrast to the spindled type, each arm includes a cantilevered plunger generally extending inwardly and towards the roll. Plunger type dispensers support the roll by the interior of the core, proximate to each opposing end of the roll, being in contact with portions of the plungers penetrating the core. Typically, the plunger type of dispenser either includes a biased arm assembly or a biased plunger assembly to ease the task of installing and removing the roll.
A disadvantage encountered with conventional spindle type dispensers includes requiring two hands to collapse the biased spindle when installing and removing the roll. Moreover, each end of the spindle requires aligning with the respective arm to mount the spindle to the two arms. Handling the spindle to install or remove the roll results in cumbersome and inconvenient replacement of rolls. Also, the spindle may be mishandled resulting in the dispenser coming apart and thereafter being rendered unusable. A common problem with spindle type dispensers used in commercial settings is that loose dispenser parts, such as the spindle, are stolen. Another disadvantage often experienced with the spindle dispensers is that under sizing of the spindle generally causes a loose fit between the roll and the spindle leading to over-spin of the roll and an associated excess dispersing of product. Yet another disadvantage incident with spindle type dispensers is that children, elderly persons and handicapped persons do not possess the dexterity required to install the roll onto, or remove the roll therefrom, the spindle type dispenser. Furthermore, it is often difficult to seat the rolled product core over the plungers, and once seated, the rolled product is often easily displaced from the plungers.
Disadvantages associated with plunger type dispensers include roll installation often requires the user to place each roll end, consecutively, over each plunger while spreading the arms apart wide enough to initially receive the roll. Generally, a person wishing to install a roll onto the plunger dispenser must use a first hand to spread apart the arms and then use their remaining hand to mount the roll on the plungers. Moreover, many plunger type dispensers include plungers that substantially engage the core of the roll which provides excess friction on the roll resulting in defective dispensing of the rolled product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The dispenser of the invention provides a roller to facilitate the installation and removal of rolled product. The roll retaining structure allows the roll to revolve as product is dispensed, while the roller component operates as the rolled product is inserted or withdrawn.
The dispenser assembly embodiments, further described below, are generally U-shaped and have a pair of outwardly extending arms with rollers associated at each end thereof. Installing a roll requires a user to transport a roll, single handedly if desired, into contact with the rollers. The rollers react by moving to ease the roll onto the dispenser assembly. Removal of a spent roll requires the user to merely grasp the spent roll, also single handedly if desired, and transport it away from its mount. The rollers move to accommodate the departing roll and thereafter the dispenser stands prepared to accept a new roll. Movement of the rollers is incident with roll insertion and removal, also termed engagement and disengagement, respectively, however the rollers remain relatively stationary when the rolled product is being dispensed from the rolled product dispenser. This selective roller movement allows for expedient and relatively effortless roll engagement and disengagement while exacting and imparting a controlling tension or “drag” to the roll in preventing wobbly and otherwise excess dispensing of product.
The present invention provides a rolled product dispenser assembly for dispensing product arranged in a roll, the roll includes a cavity disposed at each end, including a base and a pair of arms. The arms have first ends attaching to the base and second ends extending outwardly from the base. At least one roller is associated with one of the second ends of the arms by having a roll engaging portion structured and arranged to extend from the second end into the cavity of the roll when the roll is inserted into the arms.
The present invention also provides a dispenser assembly including at least one connecting member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the connecting member is rotatably attached to the respective arm and the second end of the connecting member attaches to the respective roller, the connecting member rotatably attaches to the respective arm, whereby the connecting member is capable of rotating when the roll is urged against the roller.
The present invention also provides a dispenser assembly including at least one of the second ends of the arms forming an enclosure and the respective roller is disposed within the enclosure. A retainer retains the roller in the enclosure so that the roller contacts the retainer when the roll is generally engaged with the roll engaging portion of the roller.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 307844 (1990-05-01), Romeka
patent: D. 327193 (1992-06-01), Crook et al.
patent: D. 362773 (1995-10-01), Kartchner
patent: 1341484 (1920-05-01), Starratt
patent: 1398308 (1921-11-01), Weeks
patent: 1577451 (1926-03-01), Delerue
patent: 1625190 (1927-04-01), Boynton
patent: 1778282 (1930-10-01), Stewart
patent: 2072519 (1937-03-01), Carpenter et al.
patent: 2146038 (1939-02-01), West
patent: 2555885 (1951-06-01), Hope
patent: 2879012 (1959-03-01), Sarro
patent: 4452403 (1984-06-01), Arronte
patent: 4614312 (1986-09-01), Del Pino
patent: 5149003 (1992-09-01), Tharp
Baker & Daniels
Rivera William A.
Walsh Donald P.
LandOfFree
Rolled product dispenser assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rolled product dispenser assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rolled product dispenser assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2594738