Paper Towel or Toilet Paper Dispenser

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll including first and second side walls. At least one roller is located between the first and second side walls. The apparatus for dispensing is adapted to receive the roll, and the roller is adapted to make contact with the roll so that the roll rotates freely on the roller while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/678,746 filed Aug. 2, 2012.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and paper towel dispensers. Rolled paper dispensers for paper towels and toilet paper normally include a housing or other support mechanism for containing or supporting the rolled paper. The housing or support mechanism often includes a means for attaching the dispenser to a wall. Normally, the paper is rolled on a hollow tube or core which supports the paper. Often the dispenser includes a spindle which may be in the form of a solid or two piece removable rod extending across the dispenser. The spindle receives the core of the rolled paper and the rolled paper rotates about the spindle as it is dispensed. In some cases, the dispenser includes a pair of dowel pins on opposing ends which are received within a portion of the core. The core rotates about these dowels while the paper is dispensed.

With these prior art type dispensers, it is often difficult to load the rolled paper into the dispenser. With a spindle type dispenser, the spindle must be removed and placed through the core of the rolled paper and the combination spindle and rolled paper Is then installed within the dispenser. In the case of a two piece spindle, which often includes a spring, the spring or one piece of the dispenser may be dropped during installation. In situations where the dispenser includes a pair of dowel pins, the dispenser must be flexed outwardly in order to fit the rolled paper within the dispenser and onto the dowel pins. In addition, once the rolled paper has been installed in a dispenser, there can be arguments among users as to whether the paper should come out of the top or bottom of the dispenser. This is particularly a problem in the case of toilet paper. Thus, there is a need for an improved dispenser for paper towels and toilet paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form of this invention, there is a provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. The apparatus includes first and second side walls. At least one roller is located between the first and second side walls. The apparatus for dispensing is adapted to receive the roll. The roller is adapted to make contact with the roll so that the roll may rotate freely on the roller as the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. The apparatus includes first and second side walls. A plurality of rollers are located between the first and second side walls. Each of the first and second side walls has an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one of the rollers is located between the upper portion of the first and second side walls and at least cine of the rollers is located between the lower portion of the first and second side walls. The rollers and the side walls form a space for receiving the roll. The rollers are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

In yet another form of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll. The apparatus includes first and second side walls. At least first, second and third rollers are located between the first and second side walls. Each side wall has a front area, a middle area and a rear area. The first roller is located between the front areas of the first and second side walls. The second roller is located between the middle areas of the first and second side walls and the third roller is located between the rear areas of the first and second side walls. The first roller located higher on the first and second side walls than the second and third rollers. The rollers and the side walls form a space for receiving the roll. The rollers are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 having a roll of paper towels received therein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 receiving a roll of toilet paper.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the roller mechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the roller mechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the roller mechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the roller mechanism of the subject invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a non-rotating rod located between the side walls of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention utilizing the roller mechanism shown in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is provided rolled paper dispenser 10 which is adapted to dispense household rolled paper such as paper towels and toilet paper. Dispenser 10 includes side walls 12 and 14 and rear wall 16. Side walls 12 and 14 are attached to rear wall 16. Rear wall 16 includes holes 18 and 20 for receiving screws so that the dispensers 10 may be attached to a wall. Rear wall 16 thus functions as a fastening bracket. A plurality of non-rotating rods 22 are connected between side walls 12 and 14, preferably by glue. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there are five rods 22. Hollow tubes or rollers 24 are received over rods 22. Preferably, all of the rollers 24 are free spinning. As shown in FIG. 6, the inside diameter of roller 24 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of rod 22 so that roller 24 may freely rotate about rod 22. The dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3 is sized to dispense paper towels and the dispenser shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is sized to dispense toilet paper. As can be seen in FIG. 3, paper towel roll 26 is received within space 28 created by side walls 12 and 14 and curved array 30 formed by rollers 24. Preferably, rear wall 16 helps define space 28.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, the rolled paper dispenser 10 and 10A enables the user to simply deposit a paper towel roll 26 or toilet paper roll 32 into space 28 or 28A in dispenser 10 or 10A without the need to remove a spindle for insertion into the winding core of the paper towel roll 26 or toilet paper roll 32. In addition, particularly in the case of paper towels, there is no need to flex the sides of the dispenser outwardly so that the towel roll is captured in the dispenser. Since the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 are in contact and since the rollers and the roll 26 or 32 both rotate, the dispensing of the paper towels and toilet paper is smooth and substantially effortless. Also, the paper towels from roll 26 or toilet paper from roll 32 can be paid out either from the top or the bottom of the roll. If a user does not like the fact that the toilet paper or paper towels are being dispensed from the top, he or she can simply remove the roll 26 or 32 from the dispenser 10 and flip it over. Likewise, if the user does not like the fact that the paper towels or toilet paper are being dispensed from the bottom, he or she can flip it over. In addition, it has been found that the paper towel roll and toilet paper rotates freely on rollers 24 so that payout requires very little effort.

The free end 33 of roll 26 or 32 may be dispensed over roller 24A or between rollers 24A and 24B. Preferably, the height of the side walls 12 and 14 from the lowest roller to the highest roller are at least one half the height of the paper towel roll 26 or the toilet paper roll 32 so that the rolls are captured in space 28.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in that the rod 22 has been eliminated and replaced by pivot pins or studs 34 and 36 which extend from each side wall and project toward the opposite side wall only part way between side walls 12 and 14. Hollow tube 24 includes first opening 25 at one end thereof and second opening 27 in the other end thereof. Stud 36 is received in opening 25 and stud 34 is received in opening 27. The inside diameter of roller 24 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of studs 34 and 36.

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in that both the rod 22 and hollow roller 24 have been replaced by a single roller 38. Side 12 includes recess 40 and side 14 includes recess 42. Dowel pin 44 extends outwardly from one side of roller 38 and is received in recess 40 and dowel pin 46 which extends outwardly from the other side of roller 38 is received in recess 42. The diameter of recesses 40 and 42 is slightly larger than the diameter of dowel pins 44 and 46.

FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in that hollow roller 24 has been replaced by plurality of hollow beads 43. The hollow beads may be oval or round in shape and are freely rotatable about rod 22.

FIG. 10 shows yet another alternative embodiment to that of FIG. 6 in that hollow roller 24 has been eliminated.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment to the previously described embodiments in that the rear all of the dispenser has been eliminated so that dispenser 10C is not designed to be connected to a wall. Dispenser 10C includes first end wall 12 and second end wall 14. Five fixed rods 22 connect end walls 12 and 14 together. Five hollow rollers 24 are received over the five rods 22. Leg 19 is attached to end wall 12 and leg 21 is attached to end wall 14. Legs 19 and 21 enable dispenser IOC to be placed on a kitchen counter without the need to attach the dispenser to the wall. The dispenser 10C of FIG. 11 is primarily only useful for dispensing paper towels, although it could be used to dispense toilet paper if it is sized properly.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment to that described in FIG. 11. Dispenser 10d includes first end wall 12 and second end wall 14. Five fixed rods 22 connect end walls 12 and 14 together. A plurality of hollow beads are received over the five rods 22. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, beads 43 are immediately adjacent to one another. Beads 43 individually rotate and there is a small amount of space between individual adjacent beads. In addition, there is a small amount of space between end walls 12 and 14 and the beads which are immediately adjacent to end walls 12 and 14. These spaces and the fact that the inside diameter of the hollow portion of each bead is slightly greater than the outside diameter of rod 22 permit each individual bead to freely rotate.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each side wall 12 and 14 includes an upper portion 45 and a lower portion 47. At least one of the rollers 24 is located between the upper portions 45 of the first and second side walls 12 and 14 and at least one of the rollers 49 Is located between the lower portions 47 of the first and second side walls 12 and 14. Each side wall 12 and 14 also includes a front area 51, a middle area 53, and a rear area 55. Roller 24 is located in the front area 51 of the side walls 12 and 14. Roller 49 is located in the middle area 53 of the first and second side walls 12 and 14 and roller 57 is located in the rear area 55 of sides walls 12 and 14. The first roller 24 is located higher on the side walls 12 and 14 than the second roller 49 and the third roller 57.

From the foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will be understood that these embodiments of the invention are exemplifications of the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll comprising

first and second side walls;

at least one roller located between the first and second side walls;

the apparatus for dispensing adapted to receive the roll;

the roller is adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll rotates freely on the roller as the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including at least one rod connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; the roller being a hollow roller: the roller received over the rod so that the roller is able to rotate about the rod.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including a plurality of rods configured to form a curved array between the first and second side walls; a plurality of rollers; a roller received over each rod.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a plurality of rollers located between the first side wall and the second side wall; the plurality of rollers forming a curved array; a space for receiving a roll formed by the first and second side walls and the curved array.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a first stud extending from the first side wall and projecting towards the second side wall; a second stud extending from the second side wall and projecting towards the first side wall; the roller being a hollow tube having a first opening at one end thereof and a second opening at the other end thereof; the first stud received in the first opening of the hollow tube and the second stud received in the second opening of the hollow tube.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a first recess in the first side wall; a second recess in the second side wall; the roller having first and second ends; a first dowel extending from the first end of the roller and a second dowel extending from the second end of the roller; the first dowel received in the first recess of the first side wall and the second dowel received in the second recess in the second side wall.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further including a rear wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall; the space for receiving the roll formed by the first side wall, the second side wall, the rear wall, and the curved array.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the rear wall includes first and second mounting holes for mounting the dispensing apparatus.

9. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll comprising:

first and second side walls;

a plurality of rollers located between the first and second side walls;

the first and second side walls having an upper portion and a lower portion;

at least one of the rollers located between the upper portions of the first and second side walls and at least one of the rollers located between the lower portions of the first and second side walls; the rollers and the side walls forming a space for receiving the roll;

the rollers are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely an the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a plurality of rods connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes; each hollow tube roller is received over a rod.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a plurality of first studs extending from the first side wall; a plurality of second studs extending from the second side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes each having a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end; the first studs received in the first openings and the second studs received in the second openings.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further including a plurality of first recesses in the first side wall and a plurality of second recesses in the second side wall; the rollers having first and second ends; a first dowel extending from the first end of each roller and a second dowel extending from the second end of each roller; the first dowels received in the first recesses in the first wall and the second dowel received in the second recesses in the second wall.

13. An apparatus for dispensing paper towels or toilet paper from a roll comprising:

a first side wall and a second side wall;

at least first, second and third rollers located between the first and second side walls;

each side wall having a front area, a middle area, and a rear area;

the first roller located between the front area of each side wall; the second roller located between the middle area of each side wall; and the third roller located between the rear area of each side wall; the first roller being located higher on the first and second side walls than the second and third rollers;

the rollers and the side walls forming a space for receiving the roll;

the rollers are adapted to make contact with the roll whereby the roll may rotate freely on the rollers while the paper towels or toilet paper is being dispensed.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the third roller is located higher on the first and second side walls than the second roller.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including a plurality of rods connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes; each hollow tube received over a rod.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including a plurality of first studs extending from the first side wall and a plurality of second studs extending from the second side wall; the rollers formed as hollow tubes each having a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end; the first studs received in the first openings and the second studs received in the second openings.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further including first recesses in the first wall and second recesses in the second wall; the rollers having first and second ends; a first dowel extending from the first end of each roller and a second dowel extending from the second end of each roller; the first dowel received in the first recesses in the first wall and the second dowel received in the second recesses of the second wall.