Paper roll dispenser

Abstract

A tissue roll mount is conformed for convenient assembly by providing internal pivot seats subjacent the lower interior edges of each one of two opposed openings formed in the roll supporting arms. Each one of the pivot seats forming a pair is spaced relative the other by a dimension that is smaller than the spacing between the pivots at the ends of cantilevered pivot arms aligned along the vertical edges of a set of opposed pivotal mounts to capture the ends of the arms therein. A block of open-celled resilient foam is then inserted in each arm for capture in compression against the corresponding pivot mount.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tissue roll mounts, and more particularly to improvements therein for rendering the fabrication and assembly thereof inexpensive and convenient while also reducing edge damage to the tissue rolls in the course of their replacement.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tissue roll mounts have been known in the past, most frequently taking the form of an axially compressed spring loaded roller captured between two arms on which rolls of tissue are mounted to be replaced as the tissue is used up. To accommodate mounting the tissue on each roll is typically wound around a central tube segment into which the spring loaded roller is inserted, then compressed to fit between the arms and thereafter released to extend for capture of its extending ends in opposed recesses in each arm. In a growing family household this rather cumbersome replacement process of the fresh tissue rolls is an event of some frequency and quite often the new roll is simply left loose and unmounted to clutter the various surfaces of a bathroom where they either unroll or get wet to become useless. As result various improvements have been devised in the past that in one way or another simplify the replacement process including the improvements that I described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,189,828 and 6,386,478 respectively issued on Feb. 20, 2001 and May 14, 2002.

In both the foregoing prior patents I have described opposed pivotal roll mounts each urged by a compressed spring to extend into the tube ends from the hollow interiors of the two opposed arms. The pivotal stroke of each mount also advances a shield against the interior periphery of each opening to close the gaps between the opening in each arm and the extended mount when fully engaged in the roll. Each mount, moreover, is defined by an inclined lower surface to present a smooth pivotally displaced surface as the roll is lifted from below with the opening gaps closed by the shields once the mounts spring back into the tube ends.

While the foregoing improvements have greatly simplified the roll replacement process and also the general cleanliness of the structure when deployed I have found that substantial further conveniences in fabrication and assembly can be realized in a structure that also reduces the roll replacement forces to further reduce all incidence of roll edge damage while it is installed. It is these improvements that I now describe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the general purpose and object of the present invention to provide an improved tissue roll mounting assembly in which the pivotal mounts are biased for capture in the tissue roll by resilient elements conformed to produce a generally even biasing force throughout the pivotal stroke.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an inventive tissue roll mounting assembly in which the pivotal roll mounts are urged for capture in the tissue roll centers by resiliently compressed open celled polymeric foam elements.

Yet additional objects of the invention are to provide a tissue roll mounting assembly in which the pivotal roll mounts are conveniently snapped into place while capturing a resilient polymeric biasing element in one portion of a clam shell mounting frame prior to the assembly thereof.

Briefly, these and other objects are accomplished within the present invention by providing a generally hollow tissue roll mounting frame defined by a mating upper and lower U-shaped shell which when mated form two opposed arms cantilevered from the ends of a common base piece. The opposed surfaces of the arm cavities of the upper shell each include generally rectangular cut-outs aligned with corresponding cut-outs in the lower shell having the lower corners thereof bracketed on each side by a semi-circular pivot seat within the cavity interior. Each of these seats is spaced from the other by a dimension that is just smaller than the spacing between a set of cantilevered extensions formed along each lateral edge of a generally rectangular shield plate dimensioned to span across and cover each upper and lower cut-out combination, each shield plate further including a raised dome-like projection forming the tissue roll mounts, each conformed to extend through the cut-outs for capture within the tube ends of the tissue roll. A resilient, open-celled polymeric foam block is then inserted in compression behind each of the mounts each block being further confined by restraining walls within each arm cavity.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing combination allows for an interlocked retention of the mounts in their seats in the lower cavity with the corresponding foam blocks also fixed by compression therein. In this manner all the components needed for assembly are fully located in the lower cavity shell to be then covered by the upper shell, rendering the completion of the assembly both simple and expedient. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that unlike a helical spring that varies exponentially with deflection in its compression forces, the resilience of an open-celled polymeric structure is generally flat, thus minimizing the forces on the edges of the tissue roll as it is pressed between the pivotally retracting mounts. The incidence of tissue damage and the convenience of removing the spent roll and replacement by a new one is thus greatly improved, particularly when the projecting mount edges are rounded further to reduce all concentrated points of contact. Of course, the foregoing assembly may be conveniently mounted onto a mounting bracket in a manner generally like that earlier described.

In this manner all the advantages and benefits of my prior tissue roll mounts are greatly enhanced in a structure that is conveniently fabricated and assembled into sanitary configuration characterized by a smooth and clean exterior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a prior art tissue roll mount depicting the general exterior configuration thereof;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective illustration of a tissue roll mount, in partial sections, illustrating the improvements therein in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lower portion of a mounting frame shell in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lower portion of a mounting frame shell shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the upper portion of a mounting frame shell conformed for peripheral mated engagement with the lower shell illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the upper frame shell illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of a pivotal mount useful with the invention herein;

FIG. 8 is perspective front view of the pivotal mount shown in FIG. 7 in a separated by parts illustration with the other parts cooperating therewith; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While I have earlier disclosed several inventive variants of a tissue roll mount assembly in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,189,828 and 6,386,478 respectively issued on Feb. 20, 2001, and May 14, 2002, and while the instant invention is useful with both the foregoing teachings its operative aspects are best explained in association with the illustrations in the '478 patent incorporated herein by reference and exemplified by the prior art illustration shown as FIG. 1. As shown in this illustration, a tissue roll mount assembly generally shown at MT comprises a generally U-shaped hollow frame FR formed by joining the peripheral edge of a hollow upper frame shell US to the periphery of a lower shell LS to cooperatively form a central structure CS conformed for attachment to a wall (not shown). A pair of hollow arm assemblies AA extending in cantilever from the ends of the central structure CS then form opposed face surfaces FS spaced to receive a tissue roll TR therebetween. Each of the faces FS includes an upper cut-out UC and a lower cut-out LC spanning to form rectangular openings RO across the juncture between the upper and lower shells US and LS through which opposedly spring loaded pivotal mounts PM project for capture within the hollow center in roll TS while concurrently bridging each of the openings RO by the pivotal advancement of rectangular shields RS extending therefrom.

By further reference to FIGS. 2-9 the foregoing structure may be rendered substantially more convenient in use and also in the assembly thereof by providing two laterally depending cantilevered extensions 501 and 502 along the opposed edges of each of the shields RS to terminate in corresponding pivots 511 and 512. A set of pivot recesses 503 and 504 is then formed in the lower shell LS adjacent the lateral edges of each lower cut-out LC for compression receipt of pivots 511 and 512 so that the corresponding shield RS is retained in position bridging across the lower cut-out LC. Once thus retained an open celled polymeric resilient block 520 is then compressed between a depression 521 formed in the rear surface of each pivotal mount PM and the opposed surface 522 in the lower shell LS, further confined between two partial walls 531 and 532 to both fix the mount in position for the further assembly of the upper shell US thereon and to oppose the inward pivotal motion of the pivotal mount PM during the removal or replacement of the tissue rolls TS thereon. In this manner the assembly sequence of the inventive mount structure is greatly simplified by a structural combination that also reduces the spring bias forces applied to the rolls in the course of their installation and removal.

One will appreciate that these assembly and use conveniences need be obtained without unduly complicating any molding process in which the respective mounts and shells are formed. For example, by particular reference to FIG. 8 the assembly process may be rendered further convenient by exterior chamfers 511c and 512c of the lower exterior edges of the respective pivots 511 and 512 which are then useful to provide an inward compression receipt thereof between distally spaced end plates 503e and 504e terminating the pivot recesses 511 and 512. In this manner an easily molded structure is formed in which simple assembly manipulations of the pivotal mounts PM along the lower cut-outs LC effects a retaining engagement of the end pivots in the corresponding pivot recesses within the lower shell so that the further step of compressing the resilient block can then be carried out.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the instant invention can be effected without departing from the spirit of the teachings herein. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be determined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. In a tissue roll mount assembly characterized by a generally hollow frame defined by an upper and a lower shell joined to each other at the peripheries thereof to form an elongate central portion connected at each end to an orthogonally aligned arm extending in cantilever, each said arm including a face surface aligned in opposition to each other and including opposed openings therein provided with pivotal mounts spaced relative each other for receipt in the interior of a tissue roll and including planar shields bridging across corresponding ones of said opposed openings, the improvement comprising:

said lower shell further including a pair of spaced apart pivot seats formed within each arm interior subjacent the lower edges of each said opening;

each said pivotal mount includes a pair of cantilevered pivot extensions aligned adjacent the lateral edges of said planar shields each terminating in a pivot spaced for compressive receipt within the corresponding ones of said pivot seats; and

a pair of blocks of resiliently compressible material compressed within said lower shell within each said arm and against the corresponding one of said pivot mounts.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a set of partial walls formed in each said arm interior of said lower shell to contain the corresponding one of said blocks therebetween.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

each said resilient block comprises an open celled polymeric material structure.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

each said seat includes a distally spaced end cap; and

each said pivot includes an exteriorly directed chamfered edge spaced for compressive receipt between said distally spaced end caps.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a set of partial walls formed in each said arm interior of said lower shell to contain the corresponding one of said blocks therebetween.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

each said resilient block comprises an open celled polymeric material structure.

7. In a tissue roll mount assembly characterized by a generally hollow frame defined by an upper and a lower shell conformed for joining each other to form a common interior including an elongate central portion connected at each end to an orthogonally aligned arm extending in cantilever on one side of said central portion, each said arm including a face surface aligned in opposition to each other and including a set of opposed openings therein provided with pivotal mounts spaced relative each other for receipt in the interior of a tissue roll and including planar shields bridging across corresponding ones of said opposed openings, the improvement comprising:

said lower shell further including a pair of spaced apart pivot seats formed within each arm interior subjacent the lower edges of each said opening and a set of spaced apart partial walls extending thereacross;

each said pivotal mount includes a pair of cantilevered pivot extensions aligned adjacent the lateral edges of said planar shields each terminating in a pivot spaced for compressive receipt within the corresponding ones of said pivot seats; and

a pair of blocks of resiliently compressible open celled polymeric material compressed within said lower shell within each said arm and against the corresponding one of said pivot mounts between said partial walls.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

each said seat includes a distally spaced end cap.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:

each said pivot includes an exteriorly directed chamfered edge spaced for compressive receipt between said distally spaced end caps.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

said pivotal mounts and said blocks are conformed for installation in said lower shell prior to the joining thereof to said upper shell.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

each said seat includes a distally spaced end cap.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:

each said pivot includes an exteriorly directed chamfered edge spaced for compressive receipt between said distally spaced end caps.