Paper Roll Holder

Abstract

The invention relates to a paper roll support for use as a room air freshener, in particular for toilet paper rolls, with an internal space and a longitudinal axis (14) extending horizontally in the operating state. It is proposed according to the invention that a movable membrane element (54) extending along the longitudinal axis of the paper roll support (10) be arranged in the internal space (50), said membrane element subdividing the internal space into two chambers (72, 74), wherein the membrane element (54) is arranged in such a way that it moves about the longitudinal axis of the paper roll support (10) in the operating state on rotation of the latter in such a way that the volumes of the chambers defined by the membrane element (54) vary inversely, and wherein the chambers (72, 74) optionally have closable connection openings (82) for air exchange with the surrounding environment. The invention additionally relates to a system consisting of a paper roll support and a paper roll mounted thereon, a paper roll holder and use of a paper roll support.

Description

The invention relates to a paper roll support for use as a room air freshener, in particular for toilet paper rolls, with an internal space and a longitudinal axis extending horizontally in the operating state. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a paper roll holder. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a system consisting of a paper roll support and a paper roll mounted thereon. Finally, the invention relates to use of a paper roll support.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,218 discloses a cylindrical paper roll support for supporting a toilet paper roll and for dispensing fragrance from opposing ends of the paper roll support. A toilet paper roll is mounted on the paper roll support, which is fitted in a mount by pegs. By pressing on the toilet paper roll, the paper roll support made of resilient material is deformed, fragrance thus escaping from mutually opposed openings in the end walls. The fragrance, such as for example powder, is deposited inside the cylindrical body of the paper roll support.

European patent application 0 152 722 describes a paper roll holder comprising a mount and a substantially hollow-cylindrical paper roll support, which contains fragrance and carrier material for the fragrance. The carrier material consists of a plastics composition and at least some of the fragrance is distributed in virtually molecularly disperse manner in the plastics composition. The paper roll to be supported by the paper roll holder comprises a tube onto which the paper is wound. The paper roll support is inserted through the tube and thus supports the paper roll. If paper is removed, the paper roll rotates about its longitudinal axis, wherein the tube rubs against the outer wall of the paper roll support. In this way, fragrance is released and imparted to the surrounding air.

A toilet paper roll support is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,939 which comprises a cylindrical body, which is inserted into a tube onto which the toilet paper is wound. Inside the toilet paper roll support are located crystals, which release a fragrance. This fragrance escapes through openings provided in the end walls of the paper roll support, so freshening the room air.

A disadvantage of the paper roll supports according to the prior art is that, when paper is removed from the paper roll, which is mounted on the paper roll support, although an increased amount of fragrance is released by the paper roll support, the additional fragrance is concentrated in the vicinity of the paper roll support. The fragrance passes only by diffusion or convection from there into the surrounding room air, in order to reach users some distance away; actuation of the paper roll support itself does not contribute significantly to transport of the fragrance. The paper roll supports according to the prior art are additionally often complex to produce and therefore relatively expensive.

It is the object of the present invention to propose a paper roll support, a paper roll holder, a system and a use which overcome this disadvantage of the prior art.

The object is achieved by the invention for a paper roll support of the above-stated type in that a movable membrane element extending along the longitudinal axis of the paper roll support is arranged in the internal space, said membrane element subdividing the internal space into two chambers, wherein the membrane element is arranged in such a way that it moves about the longitudinal axis of the paper roll support in the operating state on rotation of the latter in such a way that the volumes of the chambers defined by the membrane element vary inversely, and wherein the chambers optionally have closable connection openings for air exchange with the environment.

The object is additionally achieved by the invention by the provision of a paper roll holder, which comprises a paper roll support according to the invention (preferably in a preferred embodiment, see below) and a bracket for the paper roll support for fastening it to a wall.

The object is additionally achieved by the invention by a system consisting of a paper roll support according to the invention (preferably in a preferred embodiment) and a paper roll mounted thereon.

Finally, the object is achieved by the invention by the use of a paper roll support according to the invention, a paper roll holder according to the invention or a system according to the invention as a dispensing means for fragrance-containing air.

The term membrane element should be taken to mean a flexible component whose air permeability is so low that, when an air pressure difference of 1 kPas is applied to the membrane element, the air flow through the membrane element is less than 10 l per square metre and per second. Inversely varying volumes in the two chambers should be understood to mean that the sum of the volumes of the two chambers is constant in operation, i.e. the volume of the one chamber reduces as the other increases, and vice versa. It is not necessary for the two chambers to be sealed off from one another.

An advantage of the invention (in its various aspects) is that fragrance may be delivered by an active pumping process. In this way, in comparison with the prior art solutions referred to above, this fragrance quickly passes from the area of the paper roll support into the surrounding room air. The pumping capacity, i.e. the volume dispensed per unit time, increases as the rotational speed of the paper roll support rises.

A further advantage is that the pumping action is achieved by structurally simple means. This allows simple and thus cheap production of the paper roll support according to the invention, such that it may be manufactured as a disposable item.

In a preferred embodiment, the paper roll support (or the main body thereof) takes the outer form of a right prism, whose base face is preferably a regular polygon or a circle. A right prism consists of two mutually parallel base faces and side faces extending perpendicularly to these base faces or an outer circumferential surface extending perpendicularly to these base faces, if the base face is a circle or an ellipse. Conventional paper rolls, in particular toilet paper rolls, are sold as a rule on a hollow-cylindrical tube. A paper roll support, the outer form of which is that of a right prism, is particularly easy to introduce into such a tube. In addition, such a tube rolls smoothly over such a paper roll support, if the external diameter of the paper roll support is smaller then the internal diameter of the tube. Prisms are particularly advantageous whose base faces are hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal or circular.

A paper roll support is preferred which comprises a main body which is made from (a) paperboard coated with thermoplastics and/or (b) solid thermoplastic film, which optionally comprises a welded-in paper layer, and/or (c) injection-moulded half-shells. According to a further alternative, the main body comprises paperboard with a thermoplastic coating on both sides or sheet metal. The stated materials are cheap to mass-produce. A paper roll support produced using these materials may also be used as a disposable item. The materials are, moreover, environmentally friendly and readily disposed of.

Preferably, the membrane element has two longitudinal sides, with which it extends in each case along mutually opposing portions of the wall of the internal space and rests thereagainst at least in places. By fitting the membrane element in this way in the internal space of the paper roll support, two chambers are defined. It is advantageous for the membrane element to rest with its longitudinal sides completely (i.e. without interruption) against the wall of the internal space and to be attached thereto. This may be effected for example by welding or adhesive bonding. In a further preferred embodiment, the main body of the paper roll support is constructed from half-shells, which rest against one another in the longitudinal direction of the paper roll support. The membrane element is clamped between the half-shells. In this case too, it may be said that the membrane element rests against the wall.

In one advantageous development, provision is made then in particular for the membrane element to have two longitudinal sides, to rest with these longitudinal sides at least partially against the wall of the internal space and to be attached to the wall at contact points in such a way that the contact points lie on two parallel straight lines, which are spaced maximally from one another. Contact points are understood to mean, for example, contact spots, contact tracks or contact lines. In this way it is ensured that the membrane element makes full use of the available width of the internal space of the paper roll support. If the internal space is bounded by a hollow cylinder, for example, the contact points extend in a plane with the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder. In this advantageous embodiment, the membrane element divides the internal space into two (at least approximately) equal-sized chambers when the plane in which the contact points lie extends vertically (cf. FIG. 7c below). This makes possible a particularly high pumping capacity.

Then in particular, it is preferable for the membrane element to be trapezoidal and the distance between the longitudinal sides of the trapezium to be between 1.2 times and 1.5 times, preferably 1.25 times and 1.41 times the maximum outer width of the main body of the paper roll support. Sides of the trapezium extending in parallel form the longitudinal sides of the membrane. If (a) the paper roll support takes the inner form of a hollow cylinder, (b) the membrane element is fastened by its longitudinal sides to the wall of the internal space in such a way that the contact points lie on two parallel straight lines maximally spaced from one another, and (c) the plane in which the contact points lie extends horizontally, a membrane element whose width is less than 1.41 times the maximum external width of the paper roll support just does not touch the wall of the internal space. A membrane element selected accordingly with regard to width results in a particularly elevated pumping capacity.

It is preferable for the membrane element to be rectangular and to be of a length which corresponds to 0.8-1 times the clear length of the internal space. In this case, the width of the gap which connects the two chambers and extends past the membrane element is at most 0.2 times the clear length of the internal space, provided that the membrane element extends with two longitudinal sides in each case along mutually opposing portions of the wall of the internal space of the main body and at least rests thereagainst. In this way, the leakage flow is minimised and it is ensured that, on rotation of the paper roll support about its longitudinal axis, a sufficiently high pressure builds up to blow a significant stream of fragrance-containing air out of the paper roll support into the surrounding environment.

In another preferred embodiment, the membrane element is hexagonal. The two longest sides are preferably parallel to one another and of equal length and display a length of between 0.9 and 1 times the clear length of the internal space. The other sides are preferably parallel to one another in pairs and the maximum diameter of the membrane element amounts to 0.9 times to 1.2 times the clear length of the internal space. In this development, the four narrow sides, i.e. the sides which are not the two longest sides, are preferably attached to the end faces of the paper roll support, such that air cannot pass out of the one chamber defined by the membrane element through between the membrane element and the inner surface of the internal space into the other chamber. In this way, leakage air flows are suppressed.

In a preferred embodiment, the membrane element comprises (a) a flexible plastics film and/or (b) a flexible textile and/or (c) paper and/or (d) paperboard.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the membrane element is made from individual segments connected together in articulated manner.

Preferably, the membrane element is so heavy or so weighted that it sags downwards when the paper roll support is in the operating state. The membrane element sags downwards in particular when the stroke corresponds to more than one fifth of the internal diameter of the internal space. The stroke is the maximum spatial distance between the positions of a point on the membrane element, which this on rotation of the paper roll support by 360° relative to a co-rotating reference system.

Particular preference is given to an embodiment of a paper roll support according to the invention in which the membrane element is weighted by a weight, in particular a rod, in particular a metal rod, which extends in the middle of the membrane element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the paper roll support. This measure results in a particularly effective pumping mechanism.

Preferably, the connection openings for air exchange are provided in end faces of the paper roll support, wherein each chamber has preferably precisely one connection opening and the respective connection openings of the two chambers are preferably provided in each case in opposing end faces of the paper roll support. If the volumes of the two chambers vary on rotation of the paper roll support about its longitudinal axis, in this case fragrance-containing air flows out of the connection opening in in each case one end face, while ambient air is sucked in through the connection opening on the in each case opposing end face. This prevents the air flowing out of the one chamber from being sucked directly into the second chamber, without reaching the surrounding environment.

It is particularly favourable to make the connection openings semicircular or annular. In this way, a particularly large cross-section is achieved for the connection openings. Irrespective of the arrangement of the connection openings, it is favourable for the connection openings to be covered for example by plastics films or papers when the paper roll support is not in use. In this way it is possible to store fragrance in the paper roll support for a long time, without said fragrance escaping.

It is favourable to line the connection openings with gauze or a fine-mesh net on the side which is on the inside during operation. This prevents people from gripping the paper roll support with their finger inside it. Furthermore, particles which may be located inside the paper roll support, such as for example particles of a dried-out fragrance-containing preparation, cannot get out.

In a preferred embodiment, the paper roll support comprises fragrance, wherein the fragrance is deposited preferably (a) in or on the membrane element, for example in the or as a weight, and/or (b) in or on the wall of the internal space and/or (c) in absorbent material arranged in the chambers and/or (d) in a cavity, preferably adjoining a chamber, which is in open connection with that chamber. To this end, the fragrance may for example be prepared in the form of a paste, a gel (preferably as a thin film), a granular product, a fragrance-containing paste or a film. In one embodiment this fragrance preparation is applied wholly or partially to walls of the internal space. Alternatively, the fragrance may be deposited in shallow tanks on the walls of the internal space. The fragrance flows out of these tanks via openings or wicks into the internal space. Alternatively, the fragrance is introduced directly into the chambers in one of the above-stated preparations, in particular as a thin gel film or as a granular product. If granular product is introduced directly into the chambers, it is ensured, for example by gauze or netting, that the granular product cannot fall out of the chamber.

Even when the paper roll support is not rotating, fragrance is constantly released into the air in the internal space of the paper roll support by diffusion. Provided that the connection openings are not closed, the fragrance-containing air passes through the connection openings into the surrounding environment. This partial release serves as background perfuming for general room air improvement. When the paper roll support rotates about its longitudinal axis, the air flow through the paper roll support increases as a result of the active pumping caused thereby, such that a markedly increased air flow and thus also a markedly increased flow of fragrance enters the surrounding environment.

According to the invention, fragrances which may preferably be used are selected from the group comprising isobornyl acetate, limonene, ylanate, eucalyptol, dihydromyrcenol, amyl salicylate, benzyl acetate, geranyl nitrile, nerol, 2-methylundecanal and phenylethyl alcohol.

Preferably, the fragrance is present in the form of a fragrance mixture (perfume oil) which comprises two, three or a plurality of fragrances from the stated group.

In a preferred embodiment, two fixedly connected or removable end caps are provided, which form the end faces. For reliable, preferably permanent connection of the end cap to the main body of the paper roll support, the end cap may (a) be positioned with a protruding rim on the for example hollow-cylindrical main body and/or (b) fastened with flanged rim in the for example hollow-cylindrical main body preferably by welding and/or adhesive bonding and/or (c) comprise tabs for fastening to the for example hollow-cylindrical main body. Such tabs preferably engage in corresponding openings in the main body. The end caps preferably comprise removable closing tabs, which close connection openings. By removing the closing tabs, a connection is produced between the internal space of the paper roll support and the surrounding environment.

The end cap may comprise for example plastics, coated paperboard or metal and is firmly connected to the main body, for example, in that the end cap is welded or adhesively bonded to the wall of the internal space preferably over the entire circumference.

According to a preferred embodiment, the paper roll support according to the invention comprises, optionally in addition to the optionally fixedly arranged end cap, two retaining elements which are fastened to the main body (optionally provided with end caps), in particular positioned over the main body. Each retaining element comprises a preferably circular base plate, from which tabs protrude. The tabs are preferably provided for engaging through slots which are provided in the end caps and/or the main body and/or for gripping round at least part of the main body on the outside thereof. A connection opening is preferably provided in each case in the retaining element and in the end cap. Both connection openings preferably take the same shape. The connection opening in the retaining element is then preferably so positioned that it lies opposite the connection opening in the end cap when the retaining element is positioned on the main body provided with end caps.

Preferably, a peg projects perpendicularly from the centre of the circle forming the base plate of the retaining element in the opposite direction from the tabs. The peg is preferably mounted in such a way in a spring housing by means of a compression spring that it may be pressed in in the direction of the centre of gravity of the paper roll support.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the end cap and the retaining element form a single component. The end cap then preferably has a circular base plate. Preferably, a peg projects perpendicularly from the base plate and is arranged at the centre of the circle forming the base plate. The peg is preferably mounted in such a way in a spring housing by means of a compression spring that it may be pressed in in the direction of the centre of gravity of the paper roll support. This ensures that the paper roll support according to the invention may be inserted both into fork-shaped brackets, such as two-point suspension devices, as well as into two-point clamping devices.

Preference is given to a system according to the invention in which the paper roll support provides a fit, preferably a clearance fit, with the paper roll mounted thereon. To this end, the external diameter of the paper roll support is selected to be the same size as or slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the paper roll mounted thereon. Providing a clearance fit ensures on the one hand that the paper roll support may be easily inserted into the paper roll to be mounted while on the other hand the friction between the paper roll support and the paper roll to be mounted is sufficient for a rotational movement of the paper roll to be transmitted to the paper roll support.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings, some of which are only schematic. In the Figures

FIG. 1 shows a paper roll support according to the invention and a paper roll to be supported thereby,

FIG. 2 shows a system according to the invention consisting of a paper roll support according to the invention and a paper roll mounted thereon, together with a bracket for the paper roll support,

FIG. 3 shows an alternative bracket for a system as in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a main body of the paper roll support according to the invention as in FIG. 1 with membrane element arranged therein,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a weighted membrane element for use in a paper roll support according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a main body of a paper roll support according to the invention with a weighted membrane arranged therein,

FIG. 7 shows five schematic cross sections through a main body according to FIG. 6, in each case in different rotational positions about the longitudinal axis of the main body,

FIG. 8 shows an end cap for use in a paper roll support according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the end caps relative to the main body,

FIG. 10 shows a main body provided with end caps (in partial view) and an associated closing tab,

FIG. 11a is a front view of a retaining element for positioning on a cylindrical main body,

FIG. 11b is a rear view of the retaining element shown in FIG. 11a,

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an arrangement of a peg in the retaining element of FIGS. 11a and 11b,

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an arrangement of retaining element, end cap and main body of a paper roll support according to the invention,

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of areas in which fragrance is deposited in the main body of a paper roll support according to the invention and

FIG. 15 shows an arrangement of cavities for fragrances (Front view and perspective view).

FIG. 1 shows a paper roll support 10 with a hollow-cylindrical main body 12 with a longitudinal axis 14 and with end faces 16a, 16b, wherein the end face 16b is not visible in this view. The paper roll support 10 additionally comprises two pegs 18a, 18b, which project perpendicularly from the end faces 16a, 16b and are arranged at the centres thereof. In the end face 16a there is provided an annular connection opening 20a which, in the view shown in FIG. 1, wholly extends above the horizontal plane through the longitudinal axis 14. Not visible in the view of FIG. 1 is a connection opening 20b in the end face 16b, which has the same shape as the connection opening 20b and extends below the horizontal plane through the longitudinal axis 14.

A paper roll 22 shown in FIG. 1 to the right of the paper roll support 10 comprises a reel 24 of toilet paper, which is wound onto a tube 26 of paperboard. The external diameter of the main body 12 is so selected that the paper roll support 10 may be inserted into the tube 26 and brings about a clearance fit with the tube 26. The diameter of the main body 12 is additionally so selected that a rotational movement of the paper roll is transmitted directly to the paper roll support 10 by frictional engagement. The paper roll support 10 and the paper roll 22 form a system 28 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 shows the system 28 which is mounted in a bracket 30. The bracket 30 comprises a base plate 32, by which the bracket 30 may be attached to a wall. The bracket 30 additionally comprises two supporting arms, wherein just one supporting arm 34a is visible in the view of FIG. 2; the second supporting arm is concealed by the system 28. The supporting arms project perpendicularly from the base plate 32 and in each case comprise a recess into which the respective peg 18a, 18b may be inserted; the recess in the supporting arm 34a is designated 36a. In this way, the system 28 is mounted rotatably in the bracket 30. If paper is taken from the paper roll 22 in the direction of arrow 38, the system 28 rotates in the direction of arrow 40 about its longitudinal axis 14.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative bracket 30 for a system 28. The bracket 30 consists of a bracket element 42, which substantially takes the form of half a hollow cylinder. On the inside of its end face 44a the bracket element 42 comprises an orifice 46a; the end face 44b accordingly comprises an orifice 46b. The orifices 46a, 46b are so designed as regards diameter and position that the two pegs 18a, 18b of the system 28 may engage therein when the system 28 is inserted into the bracket element 42 in the direction of arrow 48. The two pegs 18a, 18b are so attached to the paper roll support 10 that they may be displaced axially inwards by pressure in the direction of arrows 50a, 50b. When inserting the system 28, the pegs 18a, 18b are displaced radially inwards, then the system is inserted into the bracket element 42, wherein the pegs 18a, 18b snap outwards when they are in the area of the orifices 46a, 46b, so producing a firm connection between the system 28 and the bracket element 42.

FIG. 4 shows the cylindrical main body 12 of FIG. 1, which comprises an internal space 50. A membrane element 54 is arranged on a wall 52 surrounding the internal space 50. The membrane element 54 is rectangular and comprises two longitudinal sides 56a, 56b and two widthwise sides 58a, 58b (cf. FIG. 5).

The membrane element 54 rests with its longitudinal side 56a against the wall 52 of the internal space 50 (FIG. 4) and is attached to the wall 52 at the contact points 60a, 60b, 60c etc. With its second longitudinal side 56b the membrane element 54 likewise rests against the wall 52 of the internal space 50 and is attached thereto at the contact points 62a, 62b, 62c etc. The contact points 60a, 60b, 60c lie along a straight line 64 and the contact points 62a, 62b, 62c lie along a straight line 66. The straight lines 64 and 66 are spaced maximally from one another, such that the straight lines 64 and 66 and the longitudinal axis 14 extend parallel to one another and in coplanar manner. Due to its intrinsic weight, the membrane element 54 sags downwards.

FIG. 5 shows a membrane element 54, which consists of a thermoplastic and comprises a metal rod 68, which is attached by means of a welded-on film 70 forming a pocket. The metal rod consists of steel. Alternatively, other metals or non-metals may be used. As an alternative to attachment by means of a film, the metal rod 68 may also be attached by adhesive bonding, stitching or the like.

FIG. 6 shows the main body 12 with the membrane element 54 of FIG. 5. As a result of the force due to weight of the metal rod 68, the membrane element 54 sags downwards. The membrane element 54 divides the internal space 50 of the paper roll support into a first chamber 72 and a second chamber 74. The sum of the volumes of the first chamber 72 and the second chamber 74 is constant on rotation of the main body about its longitudinal axis, such that the volumes vary inversely (cf. FIG. 7). The clear length of the main body is in this case the distance between the two base faces.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the main body 12 of FIG. 6 at five different stages (a) to (e) of a half rotation about the longitudinal axis 14. Sub-figure (a) shows the situation corresponding to the situation in FIG. 6. The volume of the first chamber 72 is less than the volume of the second chamber 74. On rotation in the direction of arrow 76a about the longitudinal axis 14, the volumes of first chamber 72 and second 74 do not initially change substantially (sub-figure (b)). On further rotation in accordance with arrow 76b the situation is reached which is shown in sub-figure (c). Even here the membrane element 54 sags downwards but, in comparison with sub-figure (b), the volume of the second chamber 74 has reduced, while the volume of the first chamber 72 has increased. The two volumes are now equal. On further rotation in the direction of arrow 76c the volume of the first chamber 72 increases further, the volume of the second chamber 74 diminishing in each case by the same amount.

At a position as in FIG. 7, sub-figure (a), the bottom edge of the metal rod 68 constitutes the point which forms the lowest point of the membrane element. In comparison with the position shown in FIG. 7, sub-figure (a), after rotation of the paper roll support by 180° the paper roll support is located in a position shown by solid lines in FIG. 7, sub-figure (e). A non-flexible membrane element would be located in the position shown by dotted lines. Because the membrane element is flexible, the above-stated point is lower by a stroke X, however. The greater the stroke X, the better is the pumping capacity of the paper roll support.

If the membrane element 54, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is attached in such a way that the contact points with the wall of the internal space lie on two parallel straight lines, which are maximally spaced from one another, the membrane element divides the internal space into two equal-sized volumes when the paper roll support is in the position shown in sub-figure (c), in which the plane extends vertically through the two parallel straight lines. If the membrane element is attached accordingly, simple geometric considerations mean that the membrane element does not touch the wall of the internal space in the vicinity of the metal rod 68 if the width of the membrane element 54 does not exceed 1.41 times the internal diameter of the main body. In this advantageous case, the membrane element 54 does not rub against the wall 52 and has the greatest possible stroke X.

FIG. 8 shows an end cap 78, which consists of a circular base plate 80 and comprises a semicircular connection opening 82. The connection opening 82 is arranged in such a way that it does not include the central point 84 of the circular base plate 80. Two slots 86, 88 are provided in the base plate 80 adjacent to the outer edge thereof and extending along it. As is clear from FIG. 9, the end cap 78 additionally comprises a protruding rim 90. With this, the end cap 78 grips round the main body 12 when the end cap is positioned on the main body 12 for fitting as indicated by arrow 92. Alternatively, the end cap is inserted into the main body 12 with a flanged rim. The end cap 78 and the main body 12 are connected fixedly together for example by welding or adhesive bonding. The paper roll support 10 comprises two end caps 78 of identical construction, which are offset by 180° when attached to the main body 12.

FIG. 10 shows a closing tab 92 for closing the connection opening 82. The closing tab 92 prevents unwanted air exchange between the internal space 50 and the surrounding environment during storage of the paper roll support 10.

FIG. 11a shows a retaining element 94, which comprises a circular base plate 95, in which an annular connection opening 96 is provided. A cylindrical spring housing 98 projects concentrically from the base plate 95 (cf. FIG. 12). In the spring housing the peg 18 is mounted and so pretensioned by means of a spring 102 that it projects through a hole 100 beyond the end face of the spring housing 98. The spring 102 rests with its one end against the peg 18 and with its other end against a closing plate 104, which is fixedly connected to the base plate 95.

As shown in the schematic FIG. 13, which is not to scale, the retaining element 94 is positioned over the main body 12 provided with end caps 78, the connection openings 82 and 96 being substantially superimposed on one another. To this end, a tab 106 grips the main body 12 from the outside or penetrates through the connection opening 82 into the main body, whereas two tabs 108 and 110 penetrate through the slots 88 and 86 in the base plate 80. On the opposing end face, not shown, there is attached a corresponding retaining element.

In an alternative embodiment, the retaining element 94 is positioned directly on the main body, which is not provided with separate end caps. In this case, the retaining elements form the end caps on the two end faces.

FIG. 14 shows strands 112 of fragrance-containing paste, which are deposited on the wall 52 on the inside of the main body 12.

In an alternative embodiment, connection openings are provided in the outer circumferential surface of the main body and the fragrance is deposited on the inside of the tube of the paper roll.

FIG. 15 shows a main body with a cavity 114, which is connected to the first chamber 72 via openings 116a, 116b, 116c. A second cavity 118 is connected to the second chamber 74 via openings which are not shown here. Through the connections fragrance 120 deposited in the cavities 114, 118 diffuses into the respective chamber 72 or 74. Alternatively, for example, fragrance-containing flakes, fragrance-containing granular product or perforated containers with fragrance are introduced into the cavities. According to a further alternative, fragrance-containing gel is applied in the form of a thin film directly onto the wall of the internal space.

If the paper roll support 10 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis 14, the volumes of the chambers 72, 74 vary as shown in FIG. 6. If, for example, the volume of the chamber 74 decreases, fragrance-containing air contained therein flows outwards through the connection opening 82 in the end cap 78 (cf. FIG. 13) and the connection opening 96 in the retaining element 94. At the same time, air flows into the chamber 72 through the corresponding openings on the opposing side.

Claims

1. A room air freshener in the form of a paper roll support with an internal space and a longitudinal axis (14), which extends horizontally in the operating state, characterised in that a movable membrane element (54) extending along said longitudinal axis of he said paper roll support (10) is arranged in the internal space (50), said membrane element subdividing the internal space into two chambers (72, 74), wherein said membrane element (54) is arranged in such a way that it moves about said longitudinal axis of he said paper roll support (10) in the operating state on rotation of said paper roll support in such a way that the volumes of the chambers defined by the membrane element (54) vary inversely, and wherein said chambers (72, 74) optionally have closable connection openings (82) for air exchange with the environment.

2. A paper roll support according to claim 1, wherein said paper roll support (10) takes the outer form of a right prism, whose base face is a regular polygon or a circle.

3. A paper roll support according to claim 1 further comprising a main body (12), which comprises:

(a) paperboard coated with thermoplastics and/or

(b) solid thermoplastic film, which optionally comprises a welded-in paper layer, and/or

(c) injection-moulded half-shells.

4. A paper roll support according to claim 1 wherein said membrane element (54) has two longitudinal sides (56a, 56b) extending, along mutually opposing portions of the wall (52) of the internal space (50) and resting thereagainst.

5. A paper roll support according to claim 4, wherein said membrane element (54) has two longitudinal sides (56a, 56b), rests with these longitudinal sides (56a, 56b) at least partially against the wall (52) of the internal space (50) and is attached to the wall (52) at contact points (60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b, 62c) in such a way that the contact points (60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b, 62c) lie on two parallel straight lines (64, 66), which are spaced maximally from one another.

6. A paper roll support according to claim 4 wherein said membrane element (54) is trapezoidal and the distance between the longitudinal sides (56a, 56b) of the trapezium is between 1.2 times and 1.5 times, the maximum inner width of the main body (10).

7. A paper roll support according to claim 4 wherein said membrane element (54) is rectangular and is of a length which corresponds to 0.8-1 times the clear length of the internal space (50).

8. A paper roll support according to claim 4 wherein said membrane element (54) comprises

(a) a flexible plastics film and/or

(b) a flexible textile and/or

(c) paper and/or

(d) paperboard.

9. A paper roll support according to claim 4 wherein said membrane element (54) comprises from individual segments connected together in an articulated manner.

10. A paper roll support according to claim 4 wherein said membrane element is weighted that it sags downwards when said paper roll support (10) is in the operating state.

11. A paper roll support according to claim 10, wherein membrane element (54) is weighted by a rod (68), which extends in the middle of the membrane element (54) parallel to the longitudinal axis (14).

12. A paper roll support according to claim 1 wherein connection openings (82) for air exchange are provided in end faces of said paper roll support (10), wherein each chamber (72, 74) has one connection opening (82) and the respective connection openings (82) of the two chambers (72, 74) are in opposing end faces of said paper roll support (10).

13. A paper roll support according to claim 1 further comprises fragrance (120),

(a) in or on said membrane element (54) and/or

(b) in or on the wall (52) of the internal space (50) and/or

(c) in absorbent material arranged in the chambers (72, 74) and/or

(d) in a cavity (114, 118).

14. A paper roll support according to claim 1 comprising two end caps (78; 94).

15. A paper roll holder, comprising

a paper roll support (10) according to claim 1 and

a bracket (30) for said paper roll support (10) for attaching it to a wall.

16. A system comprising a paper roll support (10) according to claim 1 and a paper roll (22) mounted thereon.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said paper roll support (10) provides a fit, with said paper roll (22) mounted thereon.

18. (canceled)