Patent Publication Number: US-2005124476-A1

Title: Multi-use film support apparatus

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS  
      Under 35 U.S.C. §119, this application claims benefit of Brazilian Patent Application serial number no. 8302153-1 filed in the Brazilian Patent Office on 25 Aug. 2003 entitled DISPOSITION INTRODUCED IN ROLL FOR MULTI-USE FILM.  
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a support for multi-use film. More particularly, the present invention relates a support which utilizes interconnecting cylinders for the storage, packaging and application of multi-use film.  
      2. Background  
      Multi-use film, such as plastic wrapping film, can be utilized in various manners and with various items, including the protecting and packaging food and other objects, used in mechanical repair shops, dental offices, kitchens, and flower shops. The prior art supports for rolls of multi-use film are of a simple configuration, which consists of a slim and long cylinder rolled up by the plastic film. This configuration makes the application and/or using of the multi-use film to be difficult and not very practical. This is due to the user having to unroll the film prior to use while at the same time involving the object and/or food. This causes the multi-use film to often be wasted, be applied with wrinkles or placing it in a wrong direction.  
      Clearly there is a need for a support for multi-use film that can improve upon the prior art dentures.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. The present invention is generally directed toward a support for multi-use film. More particularly, the present invention relates a support which utilizes interconnecting cylinders for the storage, packaging and application of multi-use film.  
      One aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus to support multi-use film. This apparatus includes two outer tubes, each having a diameter, first and second diameters, and a length and an inner cylinder having a third diameter and a third length. The third diameter of the inner cylinder is smaller than the diameters of the outer tubes, such that the inner cylinder can be slidably inserted into the outer tubes. This allows the outer tubes to independently rotate about the inner cylinder. The outer tubes are secured to the inner cylinder via end covers. The multi-use film is rolled up over the surface of one of the outer tubes. A user holds the other outer tube to apply the multi-use film, which allows the first outer tube to be able to spin freely about the inner cylinder.  
      Another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus to support multi-use film as set out above wherein the lengths of the first outer tube is either longer, shorter or equal to than the length of the second outer tube.  
      Another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus to support multi-use film as set out above wherein the length of the inner cylinder is longer than the length of the first outer tube and/or second outer tube.  
      Another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus to support multi-use film as set out above wherein first end cover is identical to the second end cover.  
      Still yet another aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus to support multi-use film as set out above wherein the first diameter of the first outer tube is equal to the second diameter of the second outer tube.  
      Upon reading the above description, various alternative embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention, which is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the embodiment of the present invention as set forth in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention as set forth in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the embodiment of the present invention as set forth in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention as set forth in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The attached drawings demonstrate an embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an embodiment  10  of the inventive apparatus to support multi-use film is illustrated. Embodiment  10  discloses a first outer tube  12 , a second outer tube  14  and an inner cylinder  16 . First outer tube  12  has a first diameter, D 1 , and a first length, L 1 . Second outer tube  14  has a second diameter, D 2 , and a second length, L 2 . Inner cylinder  16  has a diameter, D 3 , and a length, L 3 . The tubes  12  and  14  along with the inner cylinder  16  can be made from many different materials, including plastic and/or cardboard.  
      The diameter, D 3 , of the inner cylinder  16  is smaller than the diameters of the outer tubes, D 1  and D 2 , such that the inner cylinder  16  can be slidably inserted into the outer tubes,  12  and  14 . This allows the outer tubes  12  and  14  to independently rotate about the inner cylinder  16 . The outer tubes  12  and  14  are secured to the inner cylinder  16  via end covers  18  and  20 . The multi-use film  22  is rolled up over the surface of first outer tube  12 . A user holds the second outer tube  14  to apply the multi-use film  22 , which allows the first outer tube  12  to be able to spin freely about the inner cylinder  16 .  
      The length L 1  of first outer tube  12  can be equal to, larger or small than the length L 2  of second outer tube. Further, length L 3  of inner cylinder  16  can be longer than the length L 1 , L 2  of the first outer tube  12  and/or second outer tube  14 . Further, first diameter D 1  of first outer tube  12  may or may not be equal to the second diameter D 2  of second outer tube  14 . Regarding first end cover  18  and second end cover  20 , both can be identical and may or may not be slotted.  
      While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.