JUMBO ROLL OF TOILET TISSUE AND DISPENSER THEREFOR

Abstract: A jumbo roll (12) of toilet tissue wherein the initial section of the roll is perforated and the remainder is unperforated is dispensed from a dispenser having, in addition to a first spindle (11) for supporting the jumbo roll (12), a second spindle (13) for receiving the pre­ ceding roll of tissue after most of the tissue has been consumed. The spindles (11,13) are secured by means that discourage pilferage of the rolls (12) but permit access to them by an attendant when the rolls (12) are changed. The second spindle (13) is readily detachable and can be mounted on either side of the dispenser.

Description: Rolls of toilet tissue that are several times larger than normal size rolls are being sold for institutional use in special dispensers. Such rolls, which typically have a diameter between about 20 and 30 centimeters, are referred to as jumbo rolls. The disposition of the rolls when part of the tissue has been consumed is currently a problem. Discarding the partially spent roll, which is called a stub or remnant roll, is wasteful while leaving the roll in the dispenser incurs the risk that the tissue will be depleted without another source of tissue being available. To overcome these drawbacks there is already disclosed in US-A-3038677 a tissue holding and dispensing device according to the precharacterizing portion of both independent claim 1 and 5, for maintaining a large and a small roll of tissue in position so that they can be used at the same time. The known dispenser has a single spindle comprising three pivotably interconnected portions. One end of a first end portion of the spindle is fixedly secured to the base of the dispenser and one end of the other end portion of the spindle is adapted to be releasably connected to the base. With the other spindle end portions so connected to the base the spindle intermediate portion discourages pilferage of the rolls. The releasable connection is accessible by an attendant to change the rolls. In EP-A-0105165 there is disclosed a dispenser for tissue having a single spindle for supporting only a jumbo roll. The dispenser has a housing to enclose the jumbo roll of tissue. In accordance with one form of the invention there is provided a dispenser for roll tissue comprising a base adapted to be secured to a wall, spindle means extending from the base for receiving a jumbo roll of tissue and for receiving the roll after it has been partially spent, and means to discourage pilferage of the rolls but permit access to them by an attendant when the rolls are changed, characterized by said spindle means comprising a first spindle for receiving the jumbo roll of tissue and a second separate spindle for receiving the roll after it has been partially spent, a housing adapted to enclose the first spindle but not the second spindle, the housing being hinged to the base to permit access to the first spindle, said means to discourage pilferage of the rolls comprising means for securing the housing and means for securing the second spindle, the means for securing the second spindle being separate from the means for securing the housing and comprising a movable retaining element capable of extending from the end of the second spindle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second spindle to discourage pilferage of a stub roll borne by the second spindle, and being capable of being moved so that it does not extend substantially perpendicular from the axis of the second spindle to permit the stub roll to be removed and replaced. In accordance with another form of the invention there is provided a dispenser for roll tissue comprising a base adapted to be secured to a wall, spindle means extending from the base for receiving a jumbo roll of tissue and for receiving the jumbo roll after it has been partially spent, and means to discourage pilferage of the rolls but permit access to them when the rolls are changed, characterized by said spindle means comprising a first spindle for receiving the jumbo roll of tissue and a second spindle for receiving the roll after it has been partially spent, a housing adapted to enclose the first spindle but not the second spindle, the housing being hinged to the base to permit access to the first spindle, said means to discourage pilferage of the rolls comprising means securing the housing and the second spindle, said means including a bar on said housing and engageable with the second spindle to discourage pilferage of the rolls borne by the spindles and being capable of being disengaged from the second spindle and pivoted with the housing to permit the rolls to be removed and replaced. Advantageous features of the dispenser are claimed in the dependent claims 2 to 4 and 6 to 9. Embodiments of the dispenser will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser of this invention shown in the closed (locked) position. Figure 2 a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 1 shown in the open position. Figure 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the dispenser of this invention. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the dispenser of this invention. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the dispenser of this invention. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the second spindle of the dispenser shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of means for discouraging pilferage of a stub roll borne by the second spindle. Figure 8 is a sectional view of the second spindle taken along line 8-8 in Figure 5. Figures 9 and 11 are sectional views of the second spindle taken along line 9-9 in Figure 8. Figures 10 and 12 are sectional views of the second spindle taken along line 10-10 in Figure 8. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the dispenser comprises a base 10 adapted to be secured to a wall. A first spindle 11 extends from the base 10 for supporting a jumbo roll of tissue 12. A second spindle 13 is mounted on the base 10 for supporting a stub roll 14. A housing 15, which is adapted to enclose the first spindle 11 and the jumbo roll 12, but not the second spindle 13 or the stub roll 14, is hinged by means of a bar 16 to the base 10. The bar 16, which supports the housing 15 and extends from it, is adapted to engage the free end of the second spindle 13. A locking mechanism 17 mounted on the bar 16, or other lock means, is employed to secure the bar 16 to the second spindle 13. When the mechanism 17 is locked, as shown in Figure 1, the jumbo roll 12 and the stub roll 14 cannot readily be removed. When the mechanism 17 is unlocked, the bar 16 and the housing 15 can be swung open, as shown in Figure 2, to permit access to the first and second spindles for replacing the rolls. The housing 15 has a serrated edge 18, as is conventional, to facilitate tearing of the roll supported by the first spindle. A serrated edge is not necessary to facilitate tearing of the roll supported by the second spindle because, in accordance with this invention, the initial section of the jumbo roll of tissue is perforated. The length of the perforated section is about equal to the length of a normal size roll of tissue, i.e., a length corresponding to a roll diameter between about 10 and 15 centimeters, or between about 40 to 60 percent of the diameter of the jumbo roll. Initially, with the locking mechanism 17 unlocked, a restroom attendant swings open the housing 15, places a jumbo roll of toilet tissue on first spindle 11, and closes the housing 15, which locks the locking mechanism 17. After a period of time, depending on the frequency of use, the attendant checks the amount of toilet tissue remaining on the roll in the housing. If the roll is down to the perforated section, the attendant unlocks the locking mechanism 17 such as with a key (not shown), transfers the stub roll from the first spindle 11 to the second spindle 13, places a new jumbo roll of tissue on the first spindle 11, and closes the housing 15, which locks the locking mechanism 17. The steps of transferring the stub roll 14 to the second spindle 13 and placing the jumbo roll 12 on the first spindle 11 are indicated by arrows in Figure 2. The situation resulting after completion of the steps and closing of the housing 15 is shown in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a bar 16′ is slidably mounted on the housing 15 and engages the free end of the second spindle 13 by sliding into a groove at the end of the spindle. Sliding movement of the bar 16′ is controlled by a locking mechanism 17′, which is mounted at the center of the housing 15. When the mechanism 17′ is unlocked, such as by inserting a key and turning it clockwise, the bar 16′ slides in the direction shown by the arrow, thereby permitting the housing 15 to be swung open to enable the attendant to access the rolls. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the bar 16″ and a tongue 19 supporting the second spindle 13′ are readily detachable from the housing 15′ and the base 10′, respectively, and are adapted to engage the housing 15′ and base 10′ so that they can be mounted on either the left hand or the right hand side of the dispenser. The tongue 19 terminates in an aperture 20 that is adapted to slip over the first spindle 11′. Means are provided for detachably securing the tongue 19 to the base 10′. These means may be a pair of detents 21 and 22 on the base 10′ that are adapted to engage slots 23 and 24, respectively, in the tongue 19, and one or more detents 25 on the first spindle 11′ that are adapted to engage an arcuate tab 26 extending from the tongue 19 toward the center of the aperture 20. The housing 15′ has a slot 27, 28 on each side for receiving the bar 16″. Means are provided for detachably securing the bar 16″ to the housing 15′ such as detents 41, 42 on the inner surface of the housing 15′ that are adapted to engage a slot 29 in the bar 16″, and a slot 30, 31 on each side of the housing to engage a tab 32 extending from the bar 16″. To support the bar 16″, the second spindle 13′ has a recess 33 for receiving a male fitting 43 extending from the bar 16″. Extending from the first spindle 11′ is a first latch 34 adapted to engage the housing 15′ through hole 35 and thereby lock the dispenser. The dispenser may be unlocked by inserting a key (not shown) into keyholes 36, 37 in the housing 15′ and first spindle 11′, respectively. Extending from each side of the housing 15′ is a journal pin 38 that is supported by bearings 39, 40 formed in the base 10′. When the dispenser is unlocked, the housing 15′ can be tilted down to permit access to the first and second spindles. A particular advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is that the elements supporting the stub roll can readily be switched from one side of the dispenser to the other. Also, if desired, the elements can readily be removed to provide a dispenser supporting only the jumbo roll. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 4 in that there is no bar, the housing does not have slots and other features for receiving the bar, and the second spindle is different. The second spindle 13″ has a pivotable retaining element 44 that extends from the end of the spindle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spindle when the spindle bears the stub roll in order to discourage pilferage of the roll. To permit access to the stub roll, the retaining element 44 is pivoted so that it extends beyond the end of the spindle, as shown in Figure 6. The housing is secured to the first spindle by latch means similar to the latch 34 and hole 34 in Figure 4. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 5, the means to secure the housing are separate from the means to secure the second spindle 13″. As best seen in Figures 8, 10 and 12, the retaining element 44 is connected to a latch 46 that extends though the interior of the second spindle 13″. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the latch 46 engages a latch plate 47 when the retaining element 44 extends beyond the circumference of the spindle to secure the stub roll borne by the spindle. The latch plate 47 has an aperture 48 by which the latch plate is mounted to the base of the spindle for pivotal movement (as shown by arrow A in Figure 7). The latch plate 47 is normally out of view (hidden from potential pilferers) but is accessible to an attendant by a recess at the base of the spindle. When the stub roll is depleted, the attendant pushes up on the lower end of the latch plate 47 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 11) to release the latch 46. The released latch 46 retracts (as shown by arrow B in Figure 8) as the attendant pivots the retaining element 44, as shown by arrow C in Figure 7 and arrow D in Figure 8. This enables the attendant to remove the depleted stub roll and replace it with a new stub roll removed at the same time from the first spindle. When the new stub roll has been placed on the second spindle, the attendant pivots the retaining element 44 back into the position where it secures the roll as the latch 46 engages the latch plate 47. Because the second spindle 13″ is inverted when it is mounted on the other side of the dispenser, the latch plate 47 is adapted to engage the latch 46 in the inverted position as well. For example, the end of the latch 46 that engages the latch plate 47 preferably has the profile of an arrow head. Another movable retaining element, such as a push button, may be substituted for the pivotable retaining element 44. Similarly, means other than a latch may be employed for locking the retaining element in the extended position and for releasing the retaining element from the locked position.

Claims: 1. Dispenser for roll tissue comprising a base adapted to be secured to a wall, spindle means extending from the base for receiving a jumbo roll of tissue and for receiving the roll after it has been partially spent, and means to discourage pilferage of the rolls but permit access to them by an attendant when the rolls are changed, characterized by said spindle means comprising a first spindle for receiving the jumbo roll of tissue and a second separate spindle (13″) for receiving the roll after it has been partially spent, a housing adapted to enclose the first spindle but not the second spindle (13″), the housing being hinged to the base to permit access to the first spindle, said means to discourage pilferage of the rolls comprising means for securing the housing and means for securing the second spindle (13″), the means for securing the second spindle (13″) being separate from the means for securing the housing and comprising a movable retaining element (44) capable of extending from the end of the second spindle (13″) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second spindle (13″) to discourage pilferage of a stub roll borne by the second spindle (13″), and being capable of being moved so that it does not extend substantially perpendicularly from the axis of the second spindle (13″) to permit the stub roll to be removed and replaced. 2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized by means for locking the retaining element (44) in the extended position and for releasing the retaining element (44) from the locked position. 3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining element (44) is pivotally mounted at the end of the second spindle (13″) and is connected to a latch (46) which engages a latch plate (47) pivotally mounted at the base of the second spindle (13″). 4. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the second spindle (13″) is detachable from the base and adapted to engage the base so the second spindle (13″) can be mounted on either the left hand or the right hand side of the dispenser. 5. Dispenser for roll tissue comprising a base (10; 10′) adapted to be secured to a wall, spindle means extending from the base (10; 10′) for receiving a jumbo roll of tissue (12) and for receiving the roll (14) after it has been partially spent, and means to discourage pilferage of the rolls (12, 14) but permit access to them when the rolls (12, 14) are changed, characterized by said spindle means comprising a first spindle (11; 11′) for receiving the jumbo roll of tissue (12) and a second spindle (13; 13′) for receiving the roll (14) after it has been partially spent, a housing (15; 15′) adapted to enclose the first spindle (11; 11′) but not the second spindle (13; 13′), the housing being hinged to the base (10; 10′) to permit access to the first spindle, said means to discourage pilferage of the rolls comprising means securing the housing (15; 15′) and the second spindle (13; 13′), said means including a bar (16; 16′, 16″) on said housing (15; 15′) and engageable with the second spindle (13; 13′) to discourage pilferage of the rolls (12, 14) borne by the spindles (11; 11′ and 13; 13′) and being capable of being disengaged from the second spindle (13; 13′) and pivoted with the housing (15; 15′) to permit the rolls (12, 14) to be removed and replaced. 6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (15) and the bar (16) are fixedly secured together, there being provided a locking mechanism (17) for releasably securing the bar (16) to the second spindle (13). 7. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the bar (16′) is slidably mounted to the housing (15) and engageable with a groove at the free end of the second spindle (13), there being provided a locking mechanism (17′) to control movement of the bar (16′) with respect to the housing (15). 8. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the bar (16″) is secured to the housing (15′) and there being provided means (33, 43) to support the bar (16″) from said second spindle (13′) and a locking mechanism (34, 35) to secure the housing (15′) to the first spindle (11′). 9. Dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the second spindle (13′) is detachable from the base (10′) and adapted to engage the base (10′) so the second spindle (13′) can be mounted on either the left hand or the right hand side of the dispenser.

Inventors: SCHULTZ, WILLIAM, SCHUTZ, RUDOLPH W.
Applicants: JAMES RIVER II, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A47K10
IPC codes: A47K10