Article dispensing – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-06
2001-02-20
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Processes
C221S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189726
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to towel dispensers and, more particularly, to an adapter for converting a folded paper towel dispenser to a center-pull towel dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of dispensers exist for dispensing paper toweling and the like. Some of these dispensers are of the folded type, wherein towels are pulled from the bottom of a stack through an elongated longitudinal slot in the dispenser. Other dispensers are of the “center-pull” type, wherein toweling or other sheet material may be pulled from the center of a coreless roll through a nozzle, a pair of rollers, or other restrictor element forming a restricted passageway. U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,137 to Schutz et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,634 to Morand, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose a center-pull roll product dispenser with nozzle inserts, and a paper towel dispenser for dispensing towelling from the inside diameter of a roll, respectively.
Several problems exist with the folded towel dispensers in regards to waste and sanitation. For example, many such dispensers have wide dispensing orifices that allow the user to pull out more paper towels than needed, thus leading to considerable waste, as well as unnecessary cost to the towel provider. In addition, there is more cleanup involved since many of the wasted paper towels are not properly discarded. Further, because a user may be able to reach and touch undispensed towels, which may be subsequently used by another, potential problems concerning cleanliness and hygiene exist.
Also, efficiency problems exist with the folded dispensers when compared to center-pull dispensers. First, with center-pull dispensers there is generally a capacity for more sheets to be placed into the dispenser. Also, with center-pull dispensers, refill becomes more efficient, both because of the increase in the number of sheets allowed per dispenser, as well as the ease of replacement of the rolls compared to stacks of individual sheets.
Often a towel provider will have installed folded towel dispensers and then come to realize some or all of these problems. However, once a towel provider has purchased folded towel dispensers and placed them into use, it is a costly process to install an entire new set of center-pull dispensers to alleviate the above-mentioned concerns.
Accordingly, a need exists for an adapter that allows center-pull towel dispensing heads to be used with existing folded towel dispensers, such that the entire existing towel dispenser does not have to be replaced.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter capable of converting a folded towel dispenser into a center-pull towel dispenser. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an adapter that accepts existing center-pull dispensing heads and that detachably mounts to the underside of an existing folded towel dispenser to convert the folded towel dispenser into a center-pull towel dispenser. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a towel dispenser adapter that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and is cost effective.
The adapter of the present invention provides the above-mentioned and many additional objects by providing a towel dispenser adapter that has at least one (usually two) generally circular apertures therethrough. The apertures each have L-shaped receiving slots that accept the corresponding feet of the center-pull dispenser head. Existing center-pull dispenser heads, such as the one marketed by SCA Hygiene Paper under the name M-Pro, typically have four locking feet, although other numbers may be used. The dispenser head feet are inserted into receiving slots in the adapter, and the dispenser head is rotated to lock the feet in place. The adapter is a mostly flat-shaped plate that is detachably mounted to an existing folded towel dispenser through the elongated longitudinal slot portion using a mounting bar. To install the adapter, the plate portion is placed against the underside of the existing folded towel dispenser. A bolt is inserted upward through a hole in the plate, through the elongated longitudinal slot portion of the dispenser, and through a mounting bar placed inside the towel cabinet of the existing towel dispenser over the bolt. A nut is then threaded onto the bolt to lock down the mounting bar transverse the elongated longitudinal slot portion to secure the adapter in place beneath the slot portion. When the adapter, with the heads attached, is in place, the existing folded towel dispenser can now be used to dispense center-pull towels.
While the present invention can be used to convert folded towel dispensers into center-pull towel dispensers, it should be noted that the present invention could be adapted for use in converting other types of dispensers to an alternative dispensing method, so as to effectuate the objective of not having to replace the entire existing dispenser.
In sum, the present invention represents a significant improvement over the prior art in many ways. The adapter in accordance with the present invention allows for quick and easy conversion of towel dispensers to an alternative method of towel dispensing, and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3433544 (1969-03-01), Monyette et al.
patent: 3597032 (1971-08-01), Harangozo
patent: 4289262 (1981-09-01), Finkelstein
patent: 4811878 (1989-03-01), Horinchi
patent: 4905686 (1990-03-01), Beane et al.
patent: 5074430 (1991-12-01), Roberts
patent: 5131561 (1992-07-01), Casperson et al.
patent: 5154496 (1992-10-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 5211308 (1993-05-01), Decker et al.
patent: 5246137 (1993-09-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 5322186 (1994-06-01), Frazier et al.
patent: 5577634 (1996-11-01), Morand
SCA Hygiene Paper Product Information.
Binkowsky, Inc.
Gilpin Brian G.
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Noland Kenneth W.
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