Patent ID: 7648097
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: A47K

Abstract:
1. A dispenser for rolls of sanitary tissue comprising: a casing, first and second horizontal spindle means for holding a first roll of tissue and a second roll of tissue rotatably about each of said spindles, said spindles being adapted for placing said rolls side by side, said casing surrounding the spindles, a cover having a shape that complements that of the casing, at least one opening being defined in the lower part of the dispenser, a sliding access panel, slideable to at least partially close off said one opening, allowing access to a roll placed on said first spindle, and at the same time, preventing access to a roll placed on the second spindle, and restraining means for immobilizing the sliding access panel in vertical alignment with the second spindle in the presence of a roll on the first spindle and automatically releasing it in the absence of a roll on the first spindle, comprising: at least one lug operably connected to said sliding access panel, a pivotable roll detection element pivotable about a vertical axis and having at least one end stop formed therein, and a return element means positioned rearwardly within said casing for: urging said pivotable roll detection element into restraining engagement with said lug in the presence of an undepleted roll on said first spindle; and restraining sliding of said sliding access panel in the presence of an undepleted roll on said first spindle.