Patent ID: 6543641
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A47K

Abstract:
A device for dispensing paper towels having opposed, longitudinally extending side portions and opposed end portions, said device comprising:a housing defining a chamber for holding a generally vertical stack of the paper towels and including a lower portion having a bottom wall having a front portion, a rear portion, opposed side portions, and opposed end portions; an opening through which individual towels can be dispensed, the opening having front, rear, and side edges; and a plurality of laterally spaced ribs located adjacent one of said front and rear edges of said opening, each of said ribs having an inclined surface extending at an angle upwardly from said opening and adapted to be engaged by and support one side portion of the stack of paper towels with the other side portion of the paper towels supported on the other of the front and rear portions of said bottom wall and thereby transfer a portion of the pressure applied by the stack on a bottommost towel of the stack from the side portion supported on said ribs toward the other side portion; wherein the end portions of the bottom wall are at least partially defined by pads angled downwardly toward said opening.