BUNG FOR A PAPER ROLL

Abstract

The invention consists of a bung for a paper roll, the bung comprised of a core and a plurality of flanges frangibly coupled to the core. Each flange has a number of ridges that serve to anchor the flange to the paper roll. When the bung is inserted into a paper roll, the flanges are decoupled from the core, and serve to hold the core within the paper roll.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to support elements for rolls of sheet material, specifically to a bung for insertion into the core of a paper roll.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In paper dispensers, the roll of paper within the dispenser is supported by a piece called a bung. The bung is inserted into the core of a paper roll and supports the roll within the dispenser while permitting rotation of the roll to dispenser paper.

[0003] Generally, a bung can be of various shapes and sizes as long as it fulfills the two-fold task of supporting the roll and allowing rotation. Dowels running the length of the paper roll, small stub-like extensions from the sides of the dispenser, and variations of these types have all been used in the past.

[0004] It is an object of this invention to provide a bung for a paper roll that is easily inserted into the roll and is meant for use only with a single roll.

[0005] It is a further object of this invention to provide a bung that is dimensioned to restrict the types of paper rolls that can be inserted into a dispenser.

SUMMARY

[0006] The invention consists of a bung for a paper roll, the bung comprised of a core and a plurality of flanges frangibly coupled to the core. Each flange has a number of ridges that serve to anchor the flange to the paper roll. When the bung is inserted into a paper roll, the flanges are decoupled from the core, and serve to hold the core within the paper roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention itself both as to organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a bung in an unfolded state;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a bung in a folded state; and

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a bung inserted in a paper roll.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] A bung 10 for mounting a roll of paper of a similar material is shown in FIG. 1 in its unfolded (open) state. The bung 10 consists of a core 12 with a number of flanges 14 attached by frangible tabs 16 to the core 12. Each flange 14 has ridges 20 for securing the flange 14 to a paper roll.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the bung 10 in its folded (closed) state, ready for insertion into a paper roll. On each flange 14, in addition to ridges 20, there is an outer plate 22 and an inner plate 24, designed to stop movement at the extremities of the flange as described below.

[0013] In operation, the bung 10 is inserted into a roll of paper. First, the flanges 14 are folded down from the open state (FIG. 1) to the closed state (FIG. 2). Once closed, the bung 10 is inserted into the roll of paper until the outer plates 22 of the respective flanges contact the surface of the roll. Then, the core 12 is pushed to break the frangible tabs 16. Inner plates 24 of the flanges prevent the core 12 from traveling too far into the roll of paper. FIG. 3 shows a bung 10 fully inserted into a roll of paper after frangible tabs 16 have been broken.

[0014] At this point, the bung 10 is fully inserted into the paper roll. If core 12 is removed, then the flanges 14 will no longer remain in the paper roll and will fall out. At that point, the bung 10 cannot be reassembled without significant time and effort. As a result, the bung 10 is a single-use item, and must be disposed of (preferably recycled) and a new bung is required for each paper roll.

[0015] It is most likely that the bung 10 will be inserted into the paper roll at the time of manufacture. If so, the manufacture can gain an additional advantage by shaping the core 12 of the bung 10 to fit only in a predetermined dispenser. Thus, by designing a dispenser to only accept a corresponding core 12, the manufacture can limit the types of paper rolls used in the dispenser, as the bung 10 will not fit into a non-compliant dispenser, nor will noncompliant bungs (and paper rolls) fit into dispenser which is configured for the bung 10.

[0016] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bung for a paper roll, comprising:

a) a cylindrical core; and

b) a plurality of flanges frangibly coupled to said cylindrical core, each flange in said plurality of flanges having anchor ridges for contacting said paper roll;

wherein, when said bung is inserted into said paper roll, said flanges decouple from said cylindrical core and act to hold said cylindrical core within said paper roll.

2. The bung according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical core has a protruding end shaped so as to be couplable only to a specific dispenser.