Dispenser for disposable paper bibs on a roll

Abstract

A dispenser for paper products is formed on a paper roll comprising a body defined by a substantially C-shape terminating at two ends. Each of the ends forms an anchor that suspendingly receiving a paper roll therebetween for free rotation. The body including at least one aperture formed therein for permitting insertion of a fastener therethrough for attachment of said dispenser to an object

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claim benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/528,753 filed on Dec. 12, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a dispenser for paper products discharged or retrieved from a housing and, more particularly, to a dispenser for disposable children's bibs discharged or retrieved from a housing such as a paper roll or an enclosed housing that permits the paper roll to freely rotate therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

Disposable bibs are commonly known in the art, and are provided in a variety of configurations, including on a cylindrical paper roll (similar in appearance to a paper towel or toilet tissue roll) or within a housing that permits the free rotation of the paper roll therein. As such, a dispenser for holding a disposable paper product roll is desirable, including a dispenser for disposable bibs. The dispenser provides means for neatly maintaining a well-ordered area about the dispenser, wherein an arm depending from a head of the dispenser is inwardly biased against the paper product of the paper roll, thereby preventing excessive sheets of the product from chaotically littering the area and further providing leverage against the roll for separating a desired sheet(s) from the roll.

Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method of dispensing disposable paper bib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispenser for paper products.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved a dispenser for disposable children's bibs discharged or retrieved from a housing such as a paper roll or an enclosed housing that permits the paper roll to freely rotate therein.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a dispenser for paper products formed on a paper roll comprising a body defined by a substantially C-shape terminating at two ends. Each of the ends forms an anchor that suspendingly receiving a paper roll therebetween for free rotation. The body including at least one aperture formed therein for permitting insertion of a fastener therethrough for attachment of said dispenser to an object

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser for disposable paper products;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser affixed to an upstanding object, such as a changing table or a wall;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the dispenser, wherein an inwardly biased arm with a restraint or anchor is provided;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the dispenser, wherein a hook or member is affixed to the rear of the dispenser to permit gravitational impingement to an object, such as a chair or rail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dispenser, wherein the embodiment includes the combination of the arm and restraint or anchor of FIG. 3 and the hook or member of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 is affixed to a chair, such as a children's high chair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispenser for disposable paper product rolls (hereinafter “dispenser”) 10 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser 10 comprises a substantially elongated C-shaped body 12 terminating at two ends 14 and 16, the ends comprising a restraint or anchor 14 and 16. Along a linearly elongated portion of the body 12, at least one aperture 18 (and depicted as two apertures 18) is/are provided for insertion of fasteners therethrough to affix the dispenser to an object, such as a wall or table 50 (as shown in FIG. 2). A cylindrically tubular paper roll 20 (and disposable paper product 22) is inserted between ends and restraints or anchors 14 and 16, permitting the roll 20 to freely rotate thereabout and dispense the paper product.

The body 12 is envisioned as having a sufficient size to suspend a roll 20 between restraints or anchors 14 and 16, while permitting the roll 20 to freely rotate thereabout. In one embodiment, it is envisioned that the body 12 comprises a linear height or length of approximately fourteen (14) inches as measured from a superior apex A1 to an inferior apex A2, although the linear height or length may vary in a range approximate to fourteen (14) inches without departing from the scope of the invention. The body 12 is further envisioned as having a linear width of approximately four (4) inches to provide the structural integrity and rigidity to ensure proper operation of the dispenser 10, although the linear width may vary in a range approximate to four (4) inches without departing from the scope of the invention. It is further envisioned that the body 12 is fabricated from a deformable, yet returnably resilient material, such as plastic, rubber or metal restraints or anchors 14 and 16 provides the advantage of maintaining a well-ordered and clean area about the dispenser 10, and discourages unnecessary excessive usage of the paper product 22. The restraints or anchors 14 and 16 may operate to provide leverage against the roll 20 and paper product 22 to facilitate separation of a desired sheet of the paper product 22 from the remaining paper product 22 quantity of roll 20. The restraint or anchor 16 and 18 are envisioned as having a variety of geometric configurations and comprising a variety of materials, including plastic, rubber and other similar materials. In the embodiment depicted in the FIGS. 1-6, the restraints or anchors 14 and 16 comprise a plastic or rubber surface. By providing a plastic, rubber or otherwise textured surface, the restraint or anchor 14 and 16 further facilitate the leverage provided against roll 20 and paper product 22. The plastic, rubber or textured surface must be sufficiently deformable or minimally obstructive to the rotation of the roll 22 and paper product 24 so that the dispenser 10 operates to dispense the paper product 22 with minimal effort while maintaining the well-ordered area desired.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the dispenser 10 is depicted, wherein an arm 24 depends from one of the restraints or anchors 14 or 16. The arm 24 includes a restraint or anchor 26 at a terminal end opposite an end affixed to the restraints or anchors 14 or 16. The arm 24 is inwardly biased toward the roll 20 so that when a roll 20 and paper product 22 combination are affixed between restraints or anchors 14 and 16, the arm 24 gently bears or presses the restraint or anchor 14 and 16 against the paper product 22, thereby preventing the paper product 22 from unintentionally rotating off of the roll 20. Therefore, the arm 24 and restraints or anchors 14 and 16 provide the advantage of maintaining a well-ordered and clean area about the dispenser 10, and discourages unnecessary excessive usage of the paper product 22. Furthermore, the arm 24 and restraints or anchors 14 and 16 may operate to provide leverage against the roll 20 and paper product 22 to facilitate separation of a desired sheet of the paper product 22 from the remaining paper product 22 quantity of roll 20. As was the case with restraints or anchors 14 and 16, the restraint or anchor 26 comprise a plastic or rubber surface.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another alternate embodiment of the dispenser 10 is depicted, wherein a hook or member 28 is affixed to a rear portion of body 12. The hook or member 28 includes a C or U-shape that permits the dispenser 10 to be gravitationally impinged to an object, such as a chair, a table, a rail or other similar object. It is envisioned that the hook or member 28 is fabricated from the same durable material as the body 12 of dispenser 10. It is also envisioned that hook or member 28 is sufficiently strong to properly hold the dispenser 10 in an operational arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the dispenser 10 is depicted, wherein the arm 24 and restraint or anchor 26 of FIG. 3 and the hook or member 28 of FIG. 4 are incorporated into a single embodiment. The features and advantages disclosed and described in reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively, are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten. The combination of the arm 24 and restraint or anchor 26 and the hook or member 28 permit the dispenser 10 to be gravitationally impinged from an object, while applying the leverage to the roll 20 via arm 24 as desired. FIG. 6 discloses the embodiment of FIG. 5 affixed to a children's high chair 100. The dispenser 10 is affixed so that the hook or member 28 is gravitationally impinged on the back of the chair 100, the dispenser 10 facing away from the rear of the chair 100. Other arrangements are envisioned without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It is further envisioned that the alternate embodiments depicted in FIG. 3 through FIG. 6 may include the apertures 18 for further securing the dispenser 10 to an object via fasteners inserted therethrough.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for paper products formed on a paper roll comprising a body defined by a substantially C-shape terminating at two ends, wherein each of said ends comprise an anchor, said ends suspendingly receiving said paper roll therebetween for free rotation of said paper roll, said body including at least one aperture formed therein for permitting insertion of a fastener therethrough for attachment of said dispenser to an object.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an arm terminating at a third anchor,

said arm inwardly biased toward said paper roll suspended between said ends, said arm gently pressing against said paper roll so as to prevent excess sheets of said paper product from unrolling from said paper roll, said arm further providing leverage against said paper roll to facilitate separation of one of said sheets from said paper roll.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a member affixed to a rear portion

of said body, said member for gravitationally impinging said dispenser to an object.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

an arm terminating at a third anchor,

said arm inwardly biased toward said paper roll suspended between said ends, said arm gently pressing against said paper roll so as to prevent excess sheets of said paper product from unrolling from said paper roll, said arm further providing leverage against said paper roll to facilitate separation of one of said sheets from said paper roll; and

a member affixed to a rear portion

of said body, said member for gravitationally impinging said dispenser to an object.