Apparatus, system and method for dispensing paper from a paper roll

Abstract

A paper roll dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means for restraining inner windings of the paper roll from unrolling while simultaneously separating an outer winding of said paper roll from its inwardly-adjacent winding, and tension-supplying means for pressing a restraining edge of the outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means against an outside layer of the paper roll, both when the paper roll is substantially full and as the paper roll becomes depleted. Preferably, the paper roll also comprises tack adhesive means for adhering successive windings of the paper roll to one another when the outer winding is not pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding and simultaneously enabling the adhesion to be broken without substantial tearing of the paper when the outer winding is pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of writing implements such as pens and pencils combined with papers sources, and particularly to improving the mechanism by which paper is dispensed from the barrel of such a combined writing implement, or from a similar dispenser.

[0002] Devices combining a writing implement with a paper source have long been known in the art. One of the earliest such combined devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 640,543, which discloses a rolled strip of paper inside a tubular pencil case. Since then, a wide variety of combined writing implement and paper holding devices have sought to improve upon the basic ideas and mechanisms of U.S. Pat. No. 640,543. These include U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,359,725; 1,431,722; 2,005,110; 2,073,719; 2,076,035; 2,081,036; 2,224,470; 2,601,650; 3,963,358; 4,327,875; 4,872,775; 4,963,048; 5,024,547;

[0003] 5,158,384; 6,135,661; Des. 329,459; Des. 346,619; and Des. 338,036.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 1,322,966 varies the idea of combining paper and a writing implement by placing a paper roll outside the writing implement as a separate attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 2,111,362 adds a rolled calendar to the basic writing implement. U.S. Pat. No. 2,301,364 discloses a pencil with a booklet contained therein. U.S. Pat. No. 2,517,445 dispenses a rolled ticker tape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,869 dispenses rolled stamps. U.S. Pat. No. 2,287,618 dispenses rolled toilet tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,842 discloses a flexible sheet which is extended from and retracted into a writing implement for storing information.

[0005] Several of these patents, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,431,722 and 2,512,168 also disclose a ratcheting or similar one-way mechanism to prevent paper from being rolled back into the writing implement once it has been unrolled out of the writing implement, which is generally desirable unless one of the goals is to roll the paper back into the writing implement, as is the case when the paper roll is used to store information (e.g., for the calendar of U.S. Pat. No. 2,111,362).

[0006] Helpful summaries of much of this prior art are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,069; 4,963,048; and 6,135,661.

[0007] One of the most important operational aspects of a combined writing implement/paper dispenser is the mechanism for dispensing the paper out from the writing implement. It is important to simultaneously prevent the paper from unrolling inside of the writing implement, while also making it easy for the paper to unroll when it desired to dispense paper from the writing implement. Many of the patents noted above disclose mechanisms for dispensing paper which are prone to undesired jamming or tearing of the paper, are difficult to load or unload, require complex threading of the paper, do not enable easy dispensation of the paper, and/or are extremely complex from a mechanical and cost-of-production standpoint. Some of what appear to be the more complex dispensing mechanisms among the patents cited earlier include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,073,719 (see, e.g., FIG. 4); 2,224,470 (see, e.g., FIG. 4); 2,287,618 (see, e.g., FIG. 5); 2,601,650 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14-18); 3,963,358 (see, e.g., FIG. 13); and 4,812,069 (see, e.g., FIG. 6).

[0008] One of the problems is that in the above patents, the paper roll itself is unsecured at its ends, and thus tends to unravel inside the pen, especially as the paper supply is depleted and the paper has more room inside the pen barrel to unroll. This problem is partially resolved by U.S. Pat. No. 1,266,299 to Moore, which uses a roll that has scores proximate its edges (along the line 40) and is glued together along its edges (outside of the line 40). U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,168, also to Moore, uses a scoring similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 1,266,299, but wherein the scoring converges as one approaches the center of the roll.

[0009] While this does help to secure the edges of the paper to prevent unraveling, it does not address the issue of how to peel off the outer layer of paper from the inner layers when it is desired to dispense some paper from the writing implement.

[0010] Especially as the paper supply depletes, the outer surface winding of the rolls disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,266,299 and 2,512,168 (and indeed, of the rolls in all of these patents) resides further from the edge of the writing implement barrel and the slot through which the paper is pulled, and it becomes more and more difficult the get the paper edges to protrude through the dispensing slot. Indeed, the basic problem is that as the roll is depleted, it becomes more important to secure the roll in such a way that it will not unravel inside the writing implement, and yet, by securing the roll precisely when it is depleted and thus its outer surface is further from the slot, it then becomes harder to “leaf off” the outer edge of the paper, through the slot.

[0011] It would therefore be desirable to have a simple mechanism for dispensing rolled paper from the barrel of a writing implement (or from a paper roll dispenser generally) that simultaneously secures the paper roll from unrolling inside the barrel while “leafing” up the outermost layer of the paper roll through the barrel slot for easy dispensation, especially when the paper supply is largely depleted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0012] A paper roll dispensing apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means for restraining inner windings of the paper roll from unrolling while simultaneously separating an outer winding of said paper roll from its inwardly-adjacent winding, and tension-supplying means for pressing a restraining edge of the outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means against an outside layer of the paper roll, both when the paper roll is substantially full and as the paper roll becomes depleted.

[0013] Preferably, the paper roll also comprises tack adhesive means for adhering successive windings of the paper roll to one another when the outer winding is not pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding and simultaneously enabling the adhesion to be broken without substantial tearing of the paper when the outer winding is pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth in the appended claims. The invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a mixed perspective and schematic view of a paper roll barrel for use in connection with, e.g., writing implements, in a preferred embodiment of the invention using a paper roll with tack adhesion.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view if FIG. 1 taken along the line 22, when the paper roll is relatively full.

[0017] FIG. 3 is the same cross sectional view as is FIG. 2, but is taken when the paper roll is relatively depleted.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a mixed perspective and schematic view of a paper roll barrel for use in connection with, e.g., writing implements, in an embodiment of the invention using a paper roll with.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a mixed plan and exploded perspective view illustrating a non-limiting, mechanically-based exemplary implementation of a tension-supplying means that aids in both restraining and separating paper from the paper roll in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a paper roll dispenser 1 barrel in a preferred embodiment. Dashed lines are used to show visually-hidden elements. Dispenser case 102 comprises a paper roll dispensing aperture 104, similarly to the slots used in much of the prior art referenced above. Also similarly to the prior art, residing inside of dispenser case 102 is a paper roll 106. In a preferred embodiment, the successive paper windings of paper roll 106 are secured to one another preferably along their outer ends using a tack adhesive means 108 for providing sufficient adhesion between said successive windings when a leading edge 110 of paper roll 106 is not pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent windings and simultaneously enabling said adhesion to be broken without substantial tearing of the paper when leading edge 110 (i.e. the outermost winding) of paper roll 106 is pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent windings. (Please note that while tack adhesion along the outer ends is preferred, as will be discussed, the tack adhesive can in fact be used in other locations as well.) Quite suitable for tack adhesive means 108 is any adhesive means similar in character to the adhesive used in commonly-used Post-It®Notes, which allows successive sheets of paper to adhere to one another in a pad while awaiting use, and allows sheets to be removed from the pad without substantial tearing when said sheets are gently pulled away from the pad. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the paper ends are scored or similarly weakened for tearing along tearable lines 402, and are glued together along their outside edges using any suitable general adhesive means 404 for adhering said successive windings to one another, including adhesives stronger than tack adhesive means 108 which may thus not allow for separation from one winding to the next without tearing along tearable lines 402, similarly to the paper roll used in U.S. Pat. No. 1,266,299.

[0021] As in some of the prior art, paper roll 106 is dispensed through dispensing aperture 104 by rotating (112) paper roll 106 about its rotational axis 114 relative to dispenser case 102. Rotating 112 can be achieved by a variety of means known in the art including by rotating a spindle 116 running through rotational axis 114 of paper roll 106 using any suitable rotating means 118 such as the illustrated end cap with a spindle receptacle 120 mating with spindle 116. It is preferred, though not required, that rotating 112 be restricted to one direction only as schematically illustrated by the directional arrows on 112, using any of a variety of directional rotation restriction means known in the art for enforcing such one-way rotation. Even more preferably, rotating 112 should be fully unrestricted in one direction (the “unrolling” direction as illustrated), and restricted to a fractional part of a full rotation in the other (“rolling”) direction. This allows unrestricted unrolling, but allows a user to roll the paper back up through, for example, not limitation, a quarter or eighth or sixteenth of a rotation but not any further for fine adjustments as may be needed from time to time.

[0022] Now, as discussed earlier, one problem in the prior art is that if successive windings of paper roll 106 are not secured to one another, preferably at their ends, the paper tends to unravel inside the pen, especially as the paper supply is depleted and the paper has more room inside dispenser case 102 to unroll. That is why it is preferred to employ tack adhesive means 108 as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively tearable lines 402 in combination with general adhesive means 404 as shown in FIG. 4. But, as also discussed, this, by itself, does not address the issue of how to peel off the outer layer of paper from the inner layers when it is desired to dispense some paper from the writing implement, especially as the paper supply depletes and the outermost surface winding resides further from dispenser case 102 and dispensing aperture 104. That is, this addresses how to prevent the paper from unrolling when it is desired that the paper not unroll. But it does not address how to ensure that the leading edge 110 (i.e., the outermost winding) of the paper roll will unroll when it is desired to have this leading edge 110 unroll.

[0023] To resolve this problem, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 also discloses an outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 for simultaneously restraining the inner windings from unrolling while causing the outer winding to separate from its inwardly-adjacent winding, in combination with tension-supplying means 124 for causing said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 to flex inward toward the rotational axis 114 as the paper supply is depleted. As a result of this tension-supplying means 124, a restraining edge 126 of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 will always press against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106, both when paper roll 106 is full, and as paper roll 106 becomes depleted. At the same time, because leading edge 110 is threaded outside outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122, the placement of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 between leading edge 110 and outside layer l28 will always cause the outermost winding to separate from the rest of paper roll 106 as paper roll 106 is rotated in the unrolling direction. This is seen by contrasting FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, when paper roll 106 is substantially full, outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 is angled such that its restraining edge 126 is further from rotational axis 114, while in FIG. 3, when paper roll 106 is relatively depleted, outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 is angled such that its restraining edge 126 is closer to rotational axis 114. In all cases, outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 is angled such that its restraining edge 126 presses against outside layer 128 of paper roll 106. Note also the preferred (but not required) concave curvature of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 as viewed from rotational axis 114.

[0024] Finally, it is to be observed that once a desired length of paper has been dispensed, this desired length is severed from paper roll 106 by tearing against a cutting edge 130 of dispensing aperture 104, as is the case in much of the prior art discussed above. (Cutting edge 130 may contain a blade (with due consideration for safety), serrations, or any similar reasonable paper severing means known in the art for safely effecting such severing.)

[0025] After severing, leading edge 110 will reside proximate cutting edge 130 and will not protrude substantially out of dispensing aperture 104. It is important for leading edge 110 to remain proximate dispensing aperture 104 after severing so that it will be accessible next time it is desired to dispense more paper. It is thus to be observed from the cross-sectional FIG. 2 that there is an overlap region 202 through which outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 overlaps with a region of dispenser case 102 adjacent cutting edge 130. In FIG. 2, overlap region 202 circumscribes an approximately 30 degree overlap angle with a fairly full roll, but this overlap angle can be varied as desired to be any angle greater than 10 degrees and any angle less than 120 degrees for a full paper roll, recognizing that this angle will decrease slightly as the roll is depleted and outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 becomes more sharply angled relative to dispenser case 102. If the concave curvature of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 is suitably chosen, the overlap angle can be made a large as 180 degrees, so that outer winding separation and-inner winding restraint means 122 actually spirals around part of the paper roll. The preferred magnitude of this overlap angle is greater than 15 degrees, and less than 75 degrees, with an optimum minimum of 30 degrees and an optimum maximum of 60 degrees. So long as leading edge 110 remains within overlap region 202 after severing, it will in fact remain accessible for when it is next desired to dispense more paper.

[0026] In the event that rotating 112 is optionally restricted to a fractional part of a full rotation in the “rolling” direction as noted earlier, using suitable one-directional rotation restriction means known or obvious in the art for allowing free rotation in the unrolling direction while restricting the rotation in the rolling direction, the fractional rotation allowed in the restricted direction should be less than the angle of overlap region 202 for an empty paper roll 106. This ensures that once the paper is severed, the severed edge of the paper will always remain within overlap region 202 between outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 and dispenser case 102, and cannot be wound back into the roll past restraining edge 126. This in turn ensures that the leading edge 110 of paper roll 106 is always in optimum position for dispensing, the next time such dispensing is desired. Thus, if overlap angle 202 is, say, 45 degrees (i.e., one eighth of a full revolution) for a full paper roll (the state of affairs in FIG. 2), then any back-winding allowed in the restricted direction should be less than 45 degrees.

[0027] However, even if back-winding (turning in the winding direction) is completely unrestricted (which is allowable but less preferred), it will always be possible to bring leading edge 110 out through dispensing aperture 104 simply through forward winding (turning in the unwinding direction). In particular, even if leading edge 110 is wound all the way back, the fact that restraining edge 126 always presses against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106 no matter how full is paper roll 106 will cause restraining edge 126 to “leaf” under leading edge 110 as paper roll 106 is wound forward in the unwinding direction and peel it back off from the remainder of paper roll 106. Once this occurs, further forward winding through the angle of overlap region 202 will naturally cause leading edge 110 to emerge from dispensing aperture 104.

[0028] Because tension-supplying means 124 presses restraining edge 126 of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 against outside layer 128 of paper roll 106, both when paper roll 106 is substantially full as in FIG. 2 and as paper roll 106 becomes depleted as in FIG. 3, paper roll 106 is effectively restrained from unrolling inside of dispenser case 102, even in the absence of tack adhesive means 108 (FIG. 1) or general adhesive means 404 combined with tearable lines 402 (FIG. 4). However, when tack adhesive means 108 or general adhesive means 404 combined with tearable lines 402 are included as well, then the paper roll 106 itself inherently will not unroll unless it is actively encouraged to do so, and so one does not need to depend exclusively upon outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 to prevent this unrolling inside of dispenser case 102.

[0029] In FIG. 1, while tack adhesive means 108 is illustrated along the outer ends of paper roll 106, tack adhesive means 108 can in fact be located at other points too, including in the middle regions of paper roll 106. Indeed, tack adhesive means 108 can cover substantially the entirety of paper roll 106, since restraining edge 126 is designed to “leaf” under leading edge 110 as paper roll 106 is wound forward in the unwinding direction and peel leading edge 110 back off from the remainder of paper roll 106. The use of tack adhesive means 108 in regions other than, or in addition to, the outer ends of paper roll 106, provides additional assurance that paper roll 106 will not unroll inside of dispenser case 102, and that leading edge 110 will only leaf off when it is desired to leaf it off. Further, in the FIG. 1 embodiment, restraining edge 126 is preferably designed to press against the entire length of paper roll 106, including the tack adhesive 108 regions, since the paper will separate without substantial tearing along the tack regions as well as the non-tack regions.

[0030] This is one of the benefits of using the tack adhesive means 108 of FIG. 1 over the general adhesive means 404 combined with tearable lines 402 of FIG. 4. Particularly, in the FIG. 4 embodiment, where actual tearing takes place and there is no tack adhesive, one really is constrained to securing the paper from unwinding only along its edges. The use of general adhesive means 404 combined with tearable lines 402 in other regions of paper roll 106 would cause tearing along those other regions, which would not be desirable unless one wanted to tear the paper into two or more strips. Also note that in the FIG. 4 embodiment, restraining edge 126 must be designed to only press against and leaf under the non-adhered regions of paper roll 106, since the adhered regions do not separate and leafing under these regions would thus not be desirable. In other words, for the FIG. 4 embodiment, restraining edge 126 is located to press against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106 only in regions of paper roll 106 where successive windings are not adhered to one another. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, restraining edge 126 may be located to press against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106 in at least one region of paper roll 106 where successive windings are adhered to one another. While recognizing that the embodiment of FIG. 1 is thus preferred, the embodiment of FIG. 4 nevertheless remains an acceptable embodiment.

[0031] As a general rule, it is desirable to design paper roll dispenser 1 to accept either type of paper roll, i.e., either the FIG. 1 or the FIG. 4 type paper roll 106. Thus, of one sticks to using a tack or general adhesive along only the outer ends of paper roll 106, restraining edge 126 should be designed to only press against and leaf under the non-adhered regions of paper roll 106, so that either type of paper roll may be employed.

[0032] At this point, we turn to examine tension-supplying means 124 in some further detail. From a functional viewpoint, the key purpose of tension-supplying means 124 is to supply tension to press restraining edge 126 of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106, both when paper roll 106 is substantially full and as paper roll 106 becomes depleted. Any tension-supplying means 124 which achieves this functional objective is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims, and it is for this reason that tension-supplying means 124 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 with a “spring” coil next to a circular “hinge.”

[0033] FIG. 5 now illustrates a specific, non-limiting, exemplary implementation of tension-supplying means 124, which is mechanically-based. In this implementation, one uses an actual spring in which the spring tension is supplied, not by the stretching of the spring, but by the curling of the spring about its longitudinal axis. The mechanism operates similar to a door hinge that not only allows for the door to rotate thereabout, but also supplies a spring tension that causes the door to automatically close when the door is not being purposefully held open. Thus, outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 is attached to dispenser case 102 via a hinge proximate spring 124, and spring 124 itself pushes outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 toward the rotational axis 114 via outer spring armatures 501 which press against dispenser case 102 and outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 so as to exert a force in the direction of the unnumbered directional arrows in FIG. 5. While the spring shown in FIG. 5 “pushes” against dispenser case 102 and outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122, one could with equal ease within known art use the spring to “pull” dispenser case 102, and/or to “pull” outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122. Indeed, for a mechanical implementation of tension-supplying means 124, wherein tension-supplying means 124 comprises mechanical means for pressing restraining edge 126 against said outside layer 128 of paper roll 106, any form of spring-type hinge known in the art is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims, irrespective of the nature of the source of the spring tension, irrespective of where it is located along or with respect to the hinge, and irrespective of the precise nature of the hinge.

[0034] While the implementation of FIG. 5 is mechanically based, it is to be clearly understood that tension-supplying means 124 can also be materially based. Particularly, there are a broad range of flexible materials known in the materials arts which can be bent somewhat out of shape, and which will spring back to their original state when the force causing the bending is later removed. For example, not limitation, this includes a wide range of flexible plastics, spring-steels, rubberized materials, mylar, and similar materials. Thus, it is to be understood that outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 may be constructed, in whole, or in part (particularly proximate where outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 joins with dispenser case 102), out of a material that serves the functional objective of supplying tension to press restraining edge 126 of outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 against the outside layer 128 of paper roll 106, both when paper roll 106 is substantially full and as paper roll 106 becomes depleted. An outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 that is materially based can be fabricated in a unitary manner together with dispenser case 102, or can be fabricated as a separate component that is then attached to dispenser case 102. In either event, outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means 122 comprises tension-supplying means 124; and tension-supplying means 124 comprises materially-based means for pressing restraining edge 126 against outside layer 128 of paper roll 106. It is again to be understood that such a materially-based implementation, in addition to or alternatively to a mechanically-based implementation, is encompassed by the schematic illustration of tension-supplying means 124 in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0035] A writing means 132 for producing written markings (such as a pen head with ink, a pencil head with pencil lead, a marking head with any type marking dye, etc.), attachable to paper roll dispenser 1 is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, for context. But, it is understood that the use of paper roll dispenser 1 dispensing papers as heretofore described need not necessarily be restricted only to a combination with a writing head 132. Indeed, any tubular instrument from which one wishes to dispense rolled paper can utilize this disclosure to more effectively dispense said rolled paper, and all such combinations of the paper roll dispenser I disclosed herein with implements that serve purposes and objects other than writing and marking are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims. This includes, but is not limited to: pointers, flashlights, thermometers, measuring implements, and other implements. This also includes a simple paper dispenser 1 standing alone that is uncombined with any other implement.

[0036] While only certain preferred features of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A paper roll dispensing apparatus, comprising:

outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means for restraining inner windings of said paper roll from unrolling while simultaneously separating an outer winding of said paper roll from its inwardly-adjacent winding; and

tension-supplying means for pressing a restraining edge of said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means against an outside layer of said paper roll, both when said paper roll is substantially full and as said paper roll becomes depleted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said restraining edge is located to press against said outside layer of said paper roll only in regions of said paper roll where successive windings of said paper roll are not adhered to one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said restraining edge is located to press against said outside layer of said paper roll in at least one region of said paper roll where successive windings of said paper roll are adhered to one another.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising said paper roll, said paper roll comprising:

tack adhesive means for adhering successive windings of said paper roll to one another when said outer winding is not pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding and simultaneously enabling said adhesion to be broken without substantial tearing of the paper when said outer winding is pulled away from said inwardly-adjacent winding.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

said restraining edge is located to press against said outside layer of said paper roll in at least one region of said paper roll where said successive windings of said paper roll are adhered to one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising said paper roll, said paper roll comprising:

general adhesive means for adhering successive windings of said paper roll to one another along regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive; and

tearable lines bounding said regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive means from regions of said paper roll not comprising said general adhesive means; wherein:

when said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means causes said outer winding of said paper roll to separate from its inwardly-adjacent winding, said regions of said paper roll not comprising said general adhesive means separate by tearing along said tearable lines while said regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive means remain adhered to one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

said restraining edge is located to press against said outside layer of said paper roll only in said regions of said paper roll where said successive windings of said paper roll are not adhered to one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an overlap region circumscribing an angle through which said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means overlaps with a dispensing case of said paper roll dispensing apparatus adjacent a cutting edge of said dispensing case.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

directional rotation restriction means for restricting said paper roll from rotating in a rolling direction through an angle substantially greater than a predetermined angle, while allowing said paper roll to rotate in an unrolling direction without restriction.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

directional rotation restriction means for restricting said paper roll from rotating in a rolling direction through an angle substantially greater than the angle circumscribed by said overlap region, while allowing said paper roll to rotate in an unrolling direction without restriction.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the angle circumscribed by said overlap region is greater than approximately ten degrees; and

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is less than approximately one hundred eighty degrees.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the angle circumscribed by said overlap region is greater than approximately thirty degrees; and

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is less than approximately sixty degrees.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is greater than approximately ten degrees; and

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is less than approximately one hundred eighty degrees.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 0, wherein:

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is greater than approximately thirty degrees; and

said angle circumscribed by said overlap region is less than approximately sixty degrees.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with writing means for producing written markings, further comprising:

said writing means, attached to said paper roll dispensing apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1:

said tension-supplying means comprising mechanical means for pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll.

17. The apparatus of claim 1:

said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means comprising said tension-supplying means; and

said tension-supplying means comprising materially-based means for pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll.

18. A method for dispensing paper from a paper roll using a paper roll dispensing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

restraining inner windings of said paper roll from unrolling while simultaneously separating an outer winding of said paper roll from its inwardly-adjacent winding, using outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means therefor; and

pressing a restraining edge of said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means against an outside layer of said paper roll, both when said paper roll is substantially full and as said paper roll becomes depleted, using tension-supplying means therefor.

19. The method-of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll only in regions of said paper roll where successive windings of said paper roll are not adhered to one another.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll in at least one region of said paper roll where successive windings of said paper roll are adhered to one another.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

adhering successive windings of said paper roll to one another when said outer winding is not pulled away from its inwardly-adjacent winding and simultaneously enabling said adhesion to be broken without substantial tearing of the paper when said outer winding is pulled away from said inwardly adjacent winding, using a tack adhesive.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll in at least one region of said paper roll where said successive windings of said paper roll are adhered to one another.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

adhering successive windings of said paper roll to one another using a general adhesive along regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive;

bounding said regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive means from regions of said paper roll not comprising said general adhesive means using tearable lines;

separating said regions of said paper roll not comprising said general adhesive means by tearing along said tearable lines while regions of said paper roll comprising said general adhesive remain adhered to one another, when said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means causes said outer winding of said paper roll to separate from its inwardly-adjacent winding.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of:

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll only in said regions of said paper roll where said successive windings of said paper roll are not adhered to one another.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

circumscribing an angle through which said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means overlaps with a dispensing case of said paper roll dispensing apparatus adjacent a cutting edge of said dispensing case, thereby defining an overlap region.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

restricting said paper roll from rotating in a rolling direction through an angle substantially greater than a predetermined angle, while allowing said paper roll to rotate in an unrolling direction without restriction, using directional rotation restriction means therefor.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of:

restricting said paper roll from rotating in a rolling direction through an angle substantially greater than the angle circumscribed by said overlap region, while allowing said paper roll to rotate in an unrolling direction without restriction, using directional rotation restriction means therefor.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be greater than approximately ten degrees; and

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be less than approximately one hundred eighty degrees.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be greater than approximately thirty degrees; and

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be less than approximately sixty degrees.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be greater than approximately ten degrees; and

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be less than approximately one hundred eighty degrees.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be greater than approximately thirty degrees; and

circumscribing the angle of said overlap region to be less than approximately sixty degrees.

32. The method of claim 18, in combination a method for producing written markings using writing means therefor, further comprising the step of:

attaching said writing means to said paper roll dispensing apparatus.

33. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll, using said tension-supplying means comprising mechanical means therefor.

34. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

comprising said outer winding separation and inner winding restraint means of said tension-supplying means; and

pressing said restraining edge against said outside layer of said paper roll, using said tension-supplying means comprising materially-based means therefor.