Abstract:
A device for dispensing a web of material wrapped around a hollow core, comprising a base having a support member and an arm. The support member is inserted into the hollow core and rotatably seated on the base in such a manner as to freely allow rotational movement.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/185,273 filed in Feb. 28, 2000. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not applicable.) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable device for dispensing products contained on a roll, such as paper towels, wrapping paper, material, toilet paper and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing device which holds the roll of product to be dispensed at one end, orients the roll in a vertical manner, and is portable. In this manner, the device may be placed on a horizontal surface for use. 
     Several products commonly used in the household are purchased wound in a roll on a core, typically a cardboard type of core. Products like this include paper towels, toilet paper, disposable plastic bags and other transversely perforated products, as well as some roll products which are not transversely perforated, such as wax paper and plastic, wrapping film. While these products are often placed in a dispenser or hung from a surface so that the axis of the central core is horizontally oriented, in some circumstances it is both functionally required and/or aesthetically pleasing to have the product available in a vertical orientation of the core axis, particularly with one end of the dispenser resting on a horizontal surface, such as a kitchen counter. Furthermore, it is functional and aesthetic improvement, among other things, to have a dispensing device that does not hold the product roll at both ends or require a shaft for the roll to rotate on yet still provides rotational movement of the roll. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient portable device for receiving a roll of product wound on a central core, retaining the product in a vertical orientation, allowing rotational motion and making the product readily dispensable to a user. The device comprises a base and an arm, with a support member seated rotatably on the base. Preferably, the support member has core engagement members, that is, notches, ribs, extensions, or similar attachments which further aid in tightly securing the core onto the support member. The arm extends from the base in a manner which does not inhibit the operation of the device. 
     One of the many advantages of this device is that it may be moved to any desired location and can stand on its own. However, the device may also be secured at a location in any position, temporarily or. permanently, using conventional mounting techniques, i.e., clamps, brackets, adhesives, etc. 
     A preferred embodiment further comprises a vertically protruding extension from the upper surface of the base. The support member is seated on the protruding extension, in a fashion similar to a bearing, thus enabling rotational motion of the support member. Preferably, the arm extends horizontally away from the base before reaching an elbow, thus changing the direction of the arm so that it extends vertically upward. The device may include a gripping or locking mechanism for holding, preventing unraveling or further securing the roll of product. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     One or more embodiments of the invention and of making and using the invention, as well as the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention, are described in detail below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive device; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodimentin FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inventive device; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the support member of the inventive device; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive device without the support member; 
     FIG. 8 is rear perspective view of the inventive device; and, 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a paper towel roll placed on the support member. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following more detailed description of the invention is intended to be read in the light of, or in context with, the preceding summary and background descriptions. Unless otherwise apparent, or stated, directional references, such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear”, are intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the invention as shown in the first numbered view of that embodiment. Also, a given reference numeral indicates the same or a similar structure when it appears in different figures. 
     Although the present invention is not limited to paper towel rolls, but extensible to many other rolls of product, paper towel rolls are utilized in practicing the invention in the illustrated embodiments. The alternative embodiment of the inventive device which uses paper towel rolls are also used herein as a convenient vehicle for illustrating aspects, features, and characteristics of the invention. Furthermore, the advantages of using the inventive device for marketing or advertising of a specific trademark or manufacturer are contemplated by the present invention herein. 
     FIGS. 1-9 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  10  comprises a base  12 , and an arm  14  extending from base  12 . Base  12  further comprises an upper surface  16  and a lower surface  18 . Arm  14  extends horizontally outward and then vertically upwardly, essentially normal to an upper surface  16  of base  12 . Both surfaces  16  and  18  are preferably substantially flat, round and parallel to each other. Preferably, base  12  has a diameter which increases generally from upper surface  16  to lower surface  18 . Preferably, lower surface  18  has a diameter larger than the maximum diameter of the product roll  19  to be dispensed thereupon. 
     Base  12  and arm  14  are preferably comprised of plastic, but other suitable materials including metals and polymeric materials may be utilized. 
     Despencer  10  may be molded in one mold, that is, making base  12  and arm  14  simultaneously in an injection mold. In the illustrated embodiment, base  12  and arm  14  are hollow, molded plastic. Therefore, base  12  is frustro-conical, and lower surface  18  is comparable to a ring, except that it breaks to form arm  14 . This formation is best viewed in FIG.  8 . 
     Support member  20  is rotatably fitted on upper surface  16  of base  12 . Preferably, support member  20  is snap-fit onto a vertical extension  30  from base  12  which is substantially normal to upper surface  16 . Upper surface  16  and vertical extension  30  are configured such that support member  20  may rotate freely once engaged. Preferably, vertical extension  30  does not extend far from upper surface  16 , only enough to accommodate support member  20 . With its hollow plastic design the present invention is smaller and uses less material than prior art dispensers which hold a roll of product at both ends. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 9, hollow core  21  roll of product  19  would be inserted onto support member  20 , which further comprises core engagement members  22  and  23 . Core engagement members  22  and  23  contact the inner surface of hollow core  21  and provide added support in securing the roll of product  19  onto support member  20 . Support member  20  is rotatably fitted so it would spin when a user pulls the end sheet of rolled product  19 . 
     Preferably, support member  20  is generally configured to come to a point  27 , having a top end  28  of smaller diameter than the portion below. Core engagement members  22  and  23  also extend along the outer surface of support member  20  up to top  28 . This design aids the user in fully inserting support member  20  into a partially or fully crushed roll, among other things. 
     Support member  20  preferably comprises six core engagement members  22  and  23  which extend from top end  28  to bottom end  32  of support member  20 . 
     In FIG. 5, the word “Trademark” is illustrated on sidewall  24  of base  12  as an example of an advantageous location for the placement of printed matter, such as promotional or product-identifying material. Preferably, there is a slight curvature in sidewall  24 , between lower surface  18  and upper surface  16 . 
     The elbow  31  in arm  14 , which provides added space for gripping arm  14  while also allowing the present invention to accommodate large rolls of product  19 , is further illustrated in this embodiment as having three indentations  26 . Indentations  26  provide the user with a comfortable location to grip arm  14 . 
     In FIG. 5, support member  20  is removed from dispenser  10 , thus revealing vertical extension  30  from the upper surface  16  of base  12 . Support member  20  is inserted on and preferably snap-fits onto extension  30  in a manner such that support member  20  freely rotates when a force is applied to roll  19 , i.e., when a user pulls the last sheet of roll of product  19  seated on support member  20 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Dispenser  110  further comprises gripping member  134 . In this embodiment, gripping member  134  comprises a bar with a slight curvature which extends in the direction of base  112  from an area near elbow  131  of arm  114 , thus applying pressure on a roll of product placed on support member  120 . Gripping member  134  pushes against the roll of product in a manner which further secures the roll and prevents unraveling without impeding the rotational motion associated with the typical exertion of force applied on the roll when its outermost piece is pulled. Also, in this embodiment, arm  114  is hollow but fully-rounded. 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Many such modifications are contemplated as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.