Abstract: The present invention features a web feeding and transition system for exchanging a first, used, web roll for a second, fresh, web roll, so that web material is conveyed along a web-conveying feed path. Each web of the first and second web rolls includes a backing or a separate, interleaved web. The web assembly has a first work station having a mounting for allowing the first web roll to unwind and feed the first web to the feed path. A second work station has a mounting adjacent the first mounting for allowing the second web roll to unwind so that the second web may be spliced to the first web. A "bump splicing" vacuum roll disposed upon the first work station causes an adhesive section of the fresh web to contact an end portion of the exhausting web, as the web roll runs out.

Abstract: A reel change apparatus for supplying a webbing material to a downstream machine has two sliding platens that are substantially linearly slidable between a respective standby position and a respective splicing position. Two reel holding members each hold a reeled web in a respective material supply position and a respective wait position. The two sliding platens have clamps for retaining a leading end of a new web. A pivotable platen has a clamp for retaining the trailing end of a running web. Adhesive provided on the leading end is exposed and supported on the sliding platens. The leading end of the new web may be retained on one sliding platen in the respective standby position while a running web passes over the other sliding platen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically exchanging foil rolls, particularly in the manufacture of folding boxes with foil windows, wherein the end of one foil web is automatically connected to the beginning of the next following foil web. The method includes the steps of temporarily holding the end portion of the foil web which is about to run out, simultaneously connecting the end portion to the beginning of the next foil web, releasing the end portion after the connection has been effected, subsequently severing the end of the first foil web and, during these steps, further conveying without interruptions the foil web from a loop. The apparatus includes a connecting station arranged upstream of a folding box production plant in the sequence of operation, the connecting station including a turnstile on which the foil rolls with foil webs are arranged.

Abstract: In the sheet splicing apparatus 1, a sheet holding bar 28b (28a) is arranged along the width of the end potion of the sheet 26 from the secondary roll 24. The end portion of the sheet 26 is removably attached to the sheet holding bar 28b (28a), which moves between a position P for attaching the end portion of the sheet and a position Q for splicing it to the sheet 12 from the primary roll 10. On the sheet holding bar 28b (28a), a plurality of holding pins 58 are removably mounted spaced along the width of the sheet 26. These holding pins 58 hold the sheet by piercing through the sheet 26 in the thickness direction thereof and have a sheet stopping portion 70b for preventing the sheet 26 dropping off the holding pins 58.

Abstract: A positioning and splicing device for paper rolls having at least one carriage arranged to be movable along guides and having an upright on one side provided with slide members for guiding a second carriage that is axially movable along the upright. The second carriage is provided with a spindle for engaging a roll. The roll is raised by a movement of the spindle protruding from the roll and the carriage is moved into engagement in a rotary coupling element that is fixedly mounted, so that the spindle is supported at both ends when the sheet is un-wound from the roll.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the parallel displacement of a material web (1) are disclosed, in that the material web (1) is, between two driven bending rollers (6,8), caused to form a freely depending bight or loop (11) whose lower end is read-off by a sensing device (12). The sensing device (12) controls the speed of the first bending roller (6), while the second bending roller (8) is driven at constant speed.

Abstract: A tear tape changer, in which guide rollers positioned at downstream ends of two transfer paths are disposed displacedly from each other in the front and rear direction orthogonal to a tape feed direction to prevent mutual interference of tapes even when the tapes are stretched crosswise from the guide rollers toward two route changing rollers. After the tape stretched on the route changing roller which is standing by in a stand-by position has been fed to a backup roller with an approaching motion of a pressure roller to the backup roller, the route changing roller is moved to a feed position. At the same time, the route changing roller which is standing by in the feed position and which is in an empty state is moved in the rear direction by a relief means while moving it to the stand-by position.

Abstract: The present invention features a web feeding and transition assembly for exchanging a first, used, web roll for a second, fresh, web roll, so that web material will be continuously conveyed along a web-conveying feed path. Each web of the first and second web rolls includes a backing or a separate, interleaved web. The transition assembly has a first mounting for allowing the first web roll to unwind and feed the first web to the feed path. A second mounting adjacent the first mounting allows the second web roll to unwind so that the second web may be spliced to the first web. A "bump splicing" unit causes an adhesive section of the second web to contact an end portion of the first web, as the first web roll runs out. Thus, a continuous web feed is accomplished by splicing the first and second webs "on the fly"; the new, incoming roll is caused to match the speed of the expiring roll within one revolution.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed and tension of a web being unwound from a rotating roll and being run through an inertia-compensated festoon and then to a web-using production process which requires the web to run at a preselected relatively high speed and a preselected relatively low tension. Based on sensing the amount of web stored in the festoon, a brake applies a decreasing braking-force to the running roll as the diameter of the roll decreases. When the roll has decreased to an intermediate diameter, where the decreasing tension torque is inadequate to continue to accelerate the roll, a motor engages the roll and adds assisting web-unwinding torque to the roll as the diameter of the roll continues to decrease. The brake is also used to brake the roll to a stop before a subsequent zero-speed web-splice. The motor is also used to rotate the roll to line speed after splicing.

Abstract: A method and web splicing assembly for heat-seal splicing together a trailing end of running first, two-sided plastic material web and a leading end of a second, two-sided plastic material web, and then for heat-seal splicing together a leading end of third, two-side plastic material web and the trailing of the then running, second web so that after the webs have been spliced and are running, like surfaces of the webs face the same direction. The web splicing assembly includes first and second splicing sub-assemblies. The first sub-assembly has a first, relatively movable slide bar and a first, relatively fixed nip bar. The second sub-assembly has a second, relatively movable slide bar and a second, relatively fixed nip bar. The sub-assemblies are each movable between a first position and a second position. In their first positions, the sub-assemblies are disposed so that portions of the webs to be heat-seal spliced are clamped between the first slide bar and the second nip bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing the leading label in a roll of labels to one of the last labels in a second roll. The second roll, depleted because the labels are applied to articles in an assembly line, has photosensitive device that registers this depletion as the second roll is consumed. The device initiates splicing the leading label to a label in the depleted roll. A controller also responds to the device by moving the dancer arm to a predetermined position in order to control the registration of the leading label with the last labels in the second roll. The controller also responds to a count of the labels that are in the web between the production line and the splice in order to identify the article to which the splice has been applied to eject that article from the production line.

Abstract: In order to connect a new web (13), which is to be drawn off from a new bobbin (12), to a runoff web (10), drawn off from a runoff bobbin (11), of packaging material, a free end, namely an end piece (25), of the new web (13) is gripped by a drawing-off member (20) and drawn in one conveying cycle into the region of a connecting assembly (18). The runoff web (10) also runs through the connecting assembly (18). In the region of the connecting assembly (18), the two webs are laid against one another and are severed jointly by a cutter (41). After removing a web piece (45) of the runoff web (10), the web end (32), of the runoff web (10), and the web beginning (33) of the new web (13) are free. A connecting strip (47) can be brought to bear, from the free side, against the two webs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously supplying thermoplastic webbing to an application apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, first and second webs of thermoplastic material are held stationary and heat spliced together upstream in a line operation while a downstream segment of the thermoplastic webbing is continuously supplied to an application apparatus downstream in the operation. The heat splicing step is carried out by bringing together first and second opposable splicer clamps to form an overlapping area between the first and second webs and applying a heat impulse to the overlapping area to bond the webs together.

Abstract: A tape joining apparatus comprises a transport device for transporting a preceding tape via a joining station, a fixed holder disposed on one side of a path of transport of the tape at the joining station for releasably holding the leading end of a subsequent tape with an adhesive applied to the leading end so as to oppose the leading end to the preceding tape, a movable body disposed on the other side of the path and positionable at the joining station as a lower limit of stroke thereof, a movable holder supported by the movable body and movable in a direction orthogonal to the path for holding the rear end of the preceding tape at an upper limit of stroke of the body and releasing the preceding tape at the lower limit, and an assembly for pressing the movable holder against the fixed holder at the joining station. The transport device has a movable guide roller attached to the movable body for the preceding tape to be passed therearound.

Abstract: Continuous strip materials supplied in rolls are spliced automatically at the moment of use by a series of steps in which the leading end of the strip decoiled from a new roll is arranged first on the locating and striking face of a suction bar capable of movement between an at-rest position and a splicing position, whereupon the trailing end of the depleted strip decoiling from the roll still in use is restrained against a fixed reference surface coinciding with the splicing position, a transverse cut made through the trailing end of the depleted strip, and the leading end of the new strip brought into contact with the area of the trailing end of the depleted strip terminating in the cut, and the joined ends are then secured by heat-sealing or by applying an adhesive or a double-sided sticker.

Abstract: A method and device for splicing narrow strips, whereby a first portion of a first strip is superimposed on a second portion of a second strip; and an adhesive connecting element is folded in a U about the strip portions.

Abstract: A vertical uncoiling apparatus having a frame assembly for supporting a coil of strip material and an accumulator assembly for selectively removing and delivering the strip material to downstream processing equipment. The accumulator assembly is provided with an accumulation loop area defining a substantially S-shaped travel path for the strip material and a feed assembly for removing strip material from the coil of strip material and feed same into the accumulation loop area so that a steady state flow of substantially tension-free strip material can be delivered to downstream processing equipment.

Abstract: A paper web reservoir apparatus comprises a reservoir box, which has an inlet port through which a paper web paid out from a paper web supply section is introduced into the reservoir box, an outlet port through which the paper web delivered to a cigarette rod forming machine, and a number of vent holes bored through the wall of the reservoir box.

Abstract: A method and device for splicing narrow strips, whereby two portions of the two strips are superimposed and spliced by means of a pair of adhesive elements placed on either side of the superimposed strip portions, and each presenting a first portion connected to a respective strip, and at least one second portion connected to the other adhesive element.

Abstract: In order to make it possible the bobbin (11A) of heat-shrinkable plastic material film to be replaced without stopping the machine which uses it, the device (1) substantially comprises, listed in the direction of film (A-B) unwinding, one pair of parallel reels (2A, 2B), respectively supporting the bobbins (11A, 11B) on which the film (A-B) is wound, two sucking mouths (3A, 3B), two cutting devices (4A, 4B), a welding device (6) and an accumulation device (7).

Abstract: A splicing apparatus has a drum rotatable about a drum axis adjacent a web roll and having a generally cylindrical outer surface centered on the drum axis. A pair of suction bars on the drum defining thereon an axially extending and radially outwardly open slot each have an outer surface and are each pivotal about an axis generally parallel to the drum axis between a rest position with the bar surface forming a respective part or continuation of the outer surface of the drum and a holding position with its surface pressed angularly against the other bar so that in the holding position a web end can be clamped between the bars. Air is aspirated through the surfaces of the bars to adhere the web to the drum. The drum can be rotated about the drum axis and can be moved to displace the drum into engagement with the web.

Abstract: An anti-theft dispenser of material wound in a core-free roll. The dispenser includes a substantially planar support and a shaft to support the roll which is perpendicular to the support. The shaft is fitted at its free end with a stop and a compressible anti-extraction element which is axially rotatable on the shaft and is mounted perpendicularly to the support to prevent extraction of the roll in a direction away from the support. The dispenser is characterized in that the compressible anti-extraction element includes a plurality of flexible, compressible anti-extraction rings.

Abstract: A roll support system for supporting a roll of web material is provided which includes a mechanism for retaining and easily releasing a roll of web material wound around a core and having a telescoping core plug adapted to snugly fit in each end of the core. A core plug is provided with a telescoping spindle biased toward its extended position to support a roll in the support mechanism.

Abstract: A core for compressed core wound paper products such as toilet tissue and paper toweling is disclosed. The core is selectively cut and scored to form folding tab portions that fold radially inward when the core is in a generally flattened configuration. Upon rerounding of the core to a generally cylindrical configuration, the folding tab portions can be unfolded to form circular arcs conforming to the core inner and outer surfaces. The folding tab portions enable the core to reround to a generally cylindrical configuration that resists reflattening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for both rolled paper products and liquid fluid having scent therein. The dispenser allows an individual that is injured, handicapped, or otherwise unable to grasp and unroll the rolled product, to have the product unrolled automatically by depressing a single button. In addition, a fluid dispenser is incorporated within the rolled paper product dispenser so that the individual using the present invention may be provided with a convenient apparatus for freshening the air adjacent the dispenser when desired.

Abstract: A dispensing device for providing premoistened wipes from the conventional toilet-tissue roll holder so that dry and moist cleaning material is available from the same convenient location. The dispensing device comprising an upper container section with sidewalls and backwall extending underneath the container section. Lid exit provided in endwall of the container section for removal of premoistened wipes. Sufficient space provided underneath container section for placement of toilet-tissue roll between the lower sidewalls and backwall. Mounting holes provided in lower sidewalls for mounting the dispenser on the roll holder spindle. The dispensing device conveniently provides premoistened wipes in the space above the toilet-tissue roll.

Abstract: A storage unit and dispenser for paper product rolls is disclosed having a hollow, elongate body with an open head end and a closed base, adapted to stand upright on the base; an elongated insert adapted to support vertically a plurality of paper product rolls stacked in end-to-end relation, with the insert being receivable within the body in telescoping relationship therewith and having a top member and a bottom member, with the top member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the bottom member having a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension of the body and being adapted to support a plurality of rolls in vertically stacked relationship, and the insert being formed with an opening dimension to permit lateral removal of at least one of the vertically stacked rolls; and a holder for horizontally dispensing a paper product roll, which holder is affixed to the upper surface of the top member.

Abstract: A spring clip mounts a mounting tube thereon, wherein the mounting tube receives a tissue roller rotatably thereabout, and the mounting tube having a cap removably mounted therefrom, with the cap coaxially aligned with the mounting tube, including projections fixedly mounted to the cap to extend over the tissue roll to secure the tissue roll between the cap and the spring clip structure.

Abstract: A device for dispensing flexible sheet material, such as paper toweling, from a roll has a feed mechanism including a crank- or lever-operated roller having a drive section and a pressure element engageable with toweling extending around a portion of the roller. The pressure element is spring-biased toward the outer surface of the roller drive section and provides sufficient friction between the roller drive section and the toweling to cause it to be unwound from a roll and advanced for dispensing with out the need for an idler roller which can cause jamming. In one embodiment, a transfer assembly is provided for sequentially dispensing toweling from a primary roll and a reserve roll, after all the toweling has been dispensed from the primary roll.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a construction for exerting a force substantially along the longitudinal axis of a roll of paper towels supported between two side arms of a paper towel holder. The longitudinal force urges the side arms outwardly toward their maximum deflection point to increase the stability of the holder. Each end of the constructions includes a cylindrical portion that fits over each bearing member of the side arms. The longitudinal force is created by either a spring inserted within the core of a roll of paper towels, or a bellows portion of the construction. Each bellows portion is made of a thermoplastic material having sufficient elastic properties to create the longitudinal forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spindle for use with compressed core wound paper products such as toilet tissue and paper towels. One end of the spindle is generally circular and adapted to fit onto a conventional dispenser. The second end of the spindle also adapted to fit onto a conventional dispenser and is wedge-shaped for inserting into the core of a compressed core wound paper product and has an edge which is generally orthogonal the longitudinal axis of the spindle. The second end of the spindle may comprise another edge, which is not encountered until the spindle is partially inserted into the compressed core wound paper product. The second edge allows for expansion of the compressed core wound paper product to a generally circular cross section.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a main body case housing a printing head. A recording-paper insertion slot is formed in the upper surface of the case and a recording paper discharge slot is formed in the side surface of the case. A pair of stop levers are mounted on the upper surface so as to be pivotable between standing and horizontal positions. A part of the upper surface is used as a continuous-recording-paper receiving portion on which the recording paper is placed and is led to the insertion slot. The standing stop levers contact the insertion-slot-side end of the recording paper to hold it in its predetermined posture or position and restricts the movement of the recording paper toward the insertion opening.

Abstract: A rotation-retarded product roll which product roll includes, in its most preferred embodiment, a cylindrical core defining a core central passage for receipt of a dispenser spindle and including a core outer surface and a core inner surface, a roll of product coaxially wound around and attached to the core outer surface, and a rotation retardant attached to the core inner surface for retarding rotation of the product roll with respect to the dispenser spindle. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an alternately formed core inner surface retards rotation of the product roll with respect to the dispenser spindle.

Abstract: A toilet tissue dispenser having a frame with a central arm and spaced side arms, and spindles for rolls of tissue, with each of the spindles having opposed spindle pins for rotation in the frame between the central arm and a side arm, opposed slots in the central arm for slidingly receiving a spindle pin of each of the spindles, a locking member carried in the central arm and movable between a locked position blocking the slots and an unlocked position not blocking the slots, and a lock mechanism mounted in the central arm for actuating the locking member.

Abstract: Apparatus for paying out bisected insulation material includes a cradle for holding a supply roll of bisected insulation material, a rewind shaft for rerolling a second layer of the supply roll as a first layer of the supply roll is payed out, and mounting means for the rewind shaft adapted to enable the rewind shaft to move in a plane at an angle to the vertical as the relative sizes of the supply roll and the rewind roll change, where the angle is within the range of from about 25 to about 75 degrees from the vertical.

Abstract: A toilet paper holder assembly comprises a spindle to be attached to a bathroom fixture for rotatably supporting a roll of toilet paper surrounding the spindle, and an auxiliary toilet paper roll which snugly fits in between the spindle and the inner core of the main toilet paper roll. The auxiliary roll provides an extra supply of toilet paper and aids in firmly supporting the toilet paper roll on the spindle.

Abstract: A dispenser for holding sheet material in a roll such as toilet tissue having a tubular hollow center. The dispenser may be incorporated into or attachable to a support surface or provided as an insert connectably supportable within an existing conventional roll holder. The invention includes a U-shaped support member having spaced apart generally parallel legs within which the roll will fit. End pieces are pivotally connected to the inner surface of each leg and are pivotally spring biased transversely toward one another in a roll engaging position from which only inward pivotal movement is structurally permitted. By this arrangement, each tissue roll may be one-handedly supportively engaged between the end pieces by pressing the roll equally against each end piece thus pivotally deflecting each end piece inwardly until they snap back into engagement with the tubular center. Removal of the empty tubular center is effected with a similar motion.

Abstract: A device for rotatably supporting a roll of flexible sheet material having trunnions at the ends is provided with structure forming a friction brake to effectively control overspin of the roll during dispensing of the sheet material. The device involves an end support particularly configured to provide a bearing surface formed of resilient, high friction material effective to engage a portion of an end cap forming a roll trunnion, whereby the braking action provided by the bearing surface is directly proportional to the weight of the roll.

Abstract: A toilet paper appliance for keeping printed materials and other articles off of the floor. The appliance has a horizontal shelf and a newspaper rack, both joined to a vertical support member. The vertical support member can be placed between a pair of forwardly extending arm members of a toilet paper dispenser to combine the appliance with a dispenser. To mount the appliance to a wall, the vertical member has holes therein for screws to pass through. The appliance can include vertical hangers to support a roll of toilet paper and eliminate the need for a separate paper dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the holding of paper rolls in printing devices, e.g., facsimile machines, which includes a housing for accommodating the paper roll, the housing comprising parallel and substantially flat first and second housing endplates along a longitudinal axis; first and second paper roll supports adapted to fit first and second ends of the paper roll, respectively, the first and second paper roll supports flexibly coupled to the first and second housing endplates; and first and second springs for pressing the first and second paper roll supports against the first and second ends of the paper roll, respectively, to compressively hold the paper roll when the paper roll is inserted in the holder, the first spring coupled between the first housing endplate and the first paper roll support, and the second spring coupled between the second housing endplate and the second paper roll support.

Abstract: A rolled material holder comprising an improvement consisting of adapting a conventional rolled material holder, such as a toilet tissue roll holder, or any other type of similar rolled material holder which incorporates the same principles, to include a knob and a lanyard to release one end of the support assembly from a bore in one of the brackets. One end of the lanyard is securely attached to the knob through a hole in the knob. The other end of the lanyard is inserted through a hole in one of the bores in one of the brackets and extended through a hole in the nipple of the first tubular section. The lanyard is then extended through the center of the spring contained within the first tubular section and through another hole in the nipple of the second tubular section or plunger. The end is then sealed to prevent the lanyard from being pulled back through the second tubular section.

Abstract: A device including two plates fixed to a wall, a member fixed to each of the plates, a roller rotatably supported between the members, a helical groove formed in one of the members and having a channel communicated between the end portions of the helical groove, an oblong hole formed in one end of the roller, a guide slidably engaged in the oblong hole and having one end slidably engaged in the helical groove, the guide being caused to move along the helical groove when the toilet tissue is pulled by a user and being movable back to the initial position via the channel.

Abstract: A system for dispensing individual sheet material segments from a roll of sheet material. The sheet material is separated into individual segments by perforated tear lines which are shaped to incrementally pass through a nip formed by nip rollers due to a pulling force exerted on an end-most segment by a user. A drag force opposed to the pulling force is exerted on the sheet material by the nip rollers so that the tear line tears as it passes through the nip. Tearing along the perforated tear line is not completed until a portion of an adjacent segment is presented for pulling by a subsequent user.

Abstract: A method for substantially saving transportation costs and storage space n transporting and storing toilet rolls. The method comprises the steps of pressing the cylindrical toilet rolls, before transportation and storage, into a flattened shape which reduces the volume occupied by each roll and minimizes the space between adjacent rolls. The next step includes, before usage, inserting a threaded rod into the flattened core, mounting conical pieces on opposite ends of said rod, and screwing one of the conical pieces into the flattened core until the periphery of the core is recovered to the original cylindrical-shape.

Abstract: A toilet paper housing for covering a roll of toilet paper suspended from a wall mounted holder is provided. The toilet paper housing dispenses paper and protects the roll of paper from interference by children or household pets. The housing is adapted to fit over the roll of toilet paper and has a slot for dispensing the roll of toilet paper therethrough and means for removably securing the guard to the wall so that the roll of toilet paper can be replaced in the holder.

Abstract: A dispenser for rolled sheet material comprises a base, with a mandrel having a free end projecting from the base. The mandrel is receivable in the core to rotatably support the roll of material. A brake mechanism carried by the mandrel responds to longitudinally inwardly directed pressure on the free end of the mandrel by frictionally engaging the core to retard rotation of the roll.

Abstract: An animal waste plastic bag dispenser stores a cylindrical roll of bags in a rotatable manner. A central core receives the roll rotatably, and is fixed between top and bottom plates. A cutting blade is disposed between the top and bottom plates to facilitate the separation of bags from the roll seriatim. A device compresses the end of the roll of plastic bags thereagainst, to prevent or limit free rotation of the roll of plastic bags when the device is transported. After a bag is separated from its roll for use in retrieving and confining refuse, such as animal waste, the bag can be attached to the dispenser thereby establishing the user to transport a used bag to a place of disposal. In addition, the dispenser includes a device for restraining an animal during a cleanup operation so as to prevent the animal from interfering with the operation.

Abstract: A toilet paper holder includes a generally planar wall plate and a pair of side arms mounted to the wall plate in spaced relationship to one another. Each of the side arms includes a core engaging member for insertion into the center tube of a toilet paper roll. One of the side arms is fixedly secured to the wall plate. The opposite side arm is pivotally mounted so as to pivot about a substantially vertical axis. The pivotal side arm is mounted by one or more spring members having first and second ends and an axis extending perpendicular to the wall plate. The first end of the spring is secured to the side arm and the second end of the spring is secured to the wall plate. When the side arm is moved from its normal closed position to an open position, the spring member is elastically deformed. The spring member biases the pivotal side arm to the closed position.

Abstract: A holder for a roll of wall covering. There is a top portion and a bottom portion which are connected by a member. A spindle is connected to one portion and extends towards the other portion. There is at least one needle-like projection extending outwardly from the front of the top portion. In use, the front of the top portion is against a wall with the projection inserted into the wall. The front of the bottom portion is against a wall below the top portion. The spindle is vertical with the roll rotatably received on the spindle.

Abstract: The holder comprises a base attachable to a support surface, a sleeve/shaft assembly and structure interconnecting the base and sleeve/shaft assembly. In the sleeve/shaft assembly the sleeve is rotatable on the shaft and carries a roll of paper towels. The outer surface of the sleeve is contoured to prevent rotation of the core of the paper towel roll on the sleeve. The sleeve has a cylindrical inside surface. The shaft has a cylindrical portion and two diametrically opposed leaf springs are formed in the wall of the shaft and contoured such that the tapered portion of a plug threaded into the end of the shaft contacts the springs to adjust the forces of contact between the spring tips and the inside surface of the sleeve. Adjusting these forces adjusts the friction between the sleeve and shaft and thereby the tension required to roll towels off the roll by pulling on the end of the towels.