Patent Publication Number: US-2022225849-A1

Title: Dispenser for dispensing web material from a roll

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Dispenser for dispensing web material from a roll, the dispenser comprising a housing defining an interior of the dispenser and an arm hinged at a hinge point to a support member. The arm is adapted to pivot about the hinge point. The dispenser further comprises a spindle attached perpendicular to the arm. The spindle is adapted to rotatably support a roll during dispensing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of dispensers for dispensing tissue paper from rolls are known in the art. In public restrooms the roll dispensers commonly comprise a housing to protect the roll from contamination and the tissue paper is accessible through a dispensing opening in housing. Typically, a front cover is openable which allows the service personnel to access the interior of the dispenser for loading the roll of tissue paper. Dispensers intended for coreless roll dispensing comprise a spindle for holding the roll during dispensing. In one common type of dispenser the dispensing opening is arranged in the front cover of the dispenser, and the spindle is arranged parallel to the back wall of the dispenser such that the face of the tissue paper roll face the dispensing opening. Such dispensers are sometimes large and bulky in order to allow access to the spindle when the front cover is opened to allow loading of new refills. 
     Loading dispensers is an important part of the maintenance personnel&#39;s tasks but is sometimes cumbersome and requires many steps. In addition, correct loading of rolls of tissue paper in order to make sure tissue paper is readily available for the end-user is not always easily achieved. 
     SUMMARY 
     The dispenser disclosed herein aim to overcome the above mentioned issues with existing dispensers, and aims to fulfill the desires of a functional dispenser that is easy to load without being too bulky. The disclosure further provides a method of loading a roll onto such a dispenser. 
     Further advantages are achieved by implementing one or several of the features described herein. 
     The disclosure relates to a dispenser for dispensing web material from a roll, the dispenser comprising a housing defining an interior of the dispenser, an arm hinged at a hinge point to a support member, the arm being adapted to pivot about the hinge point and a spindle attached perpendicular to the arm, the spindle being adapted to rotatably support a roll during dispensing. The arm is pivotable between a first position, in which the spindle is arranged in a dispensing position within the housing of the dispenser, and a second position, in which the spindle is arranged in a loading position outside the housing of the dispenser in order to allow loading of a roll onto the spindle. The hinge point allows the arm to pivot between the first and second position, thereby moving the spindle between loading and dispensing position. 
     The roll may be a coreless roll. The spindle may be provided with a sleeve facilitating the coreless roll to rotate about the spindle. The web material may be tissue paper. In one example the tissue paper is toilet tissue paper. 
     The arm may be folded over the support member in first position, and folded away from the support member in second position. The arm may comprise one or more spindles. 
     Folding of the arm over the support member in first position and folding it out to a second position for loading saves space and the dispenser may be made more compact. 
     The arm may be pivotable from the first position within the interior of the dispenser into the second position allowing loading of a roll onto the spindle. The second position is placing the spindle in loading position outside of the interior of the dispenser such that the service personnel is able to load a new refill roll onto the spindle. The first end of the spindle, being the non-attached end, should thus be accessible for receiving a refill roll in loading position. 
     The housing may further comprise a back wall and at least two side walls. The back wall of the dispenser is adapted to be fastened to a wall during use of the dispenser. 
     Since the spindle is attached perpendicular to the arm it extends in horizontal direction parallel to the back wall of the dispenser. 
     The support member may be attached to the dispenser at a side wall of the dispenser. The support member and the arm extend in a direction perpendicular from the back wall of the dispenser, and the arm is configured to pivot in same direction. The arm thus pivots outwards from the interior of the housing providing access to a first end of the spindle from the side which facilitates loading of the dispenser. 
     The spindle in dispensing position is arranged closer to the back wall of the dispenser housing than the hinge point, i.e. the axis of rotation of the arm. This means that the arm is folded over the hinge point into its first position so that the spindle, when in dispensing position, is arranged closer to the back wall of the dispenser than the hinge point itself. The attraction of gravity of the arm in first position and spindle in dispensing position is located beyond the axis of rotation, towards the back of the dispenser, thereby allowing the spindle to rest in dispensing position. The spindle will only move towards loading position upon an action from the service personnel; i.e. folding the arm forward towards its second position. The hinge point is hence arranged closer to the back wall of the dispenser than the spindle in loading position with the arm folded outwards in its second position. 
     The angle between the spindle in loading position and the spindle in dispensing position may be at least 90 degrees, preferably at least 110 degrees and more preferably at least 130 degrees. 
     A deflecting member is arranged in the dispenser housing, the deflecting member being arranged to receive a first end of the spindle when the spindle is in dispensing position. The deflecting member may comprise a guiding groove adapted to receive the first end of the spindle and guide it into an engaged position when the arm is in dispensing position. The guiding groove thereby stabilizes the spindle in dispensing position during dispensing of web material from a roll disposed on the spindle. The deflecting member may be arranged closer to the back wall of the dispenser housing than the hinge point and axis of rotation of the arm. 
     The deflecting member may be movable between a protruding position in which the deflecting member is protruding towards the spindle in dispensing position and a retracted position in which the deflecting member is retracted into the housing away from the spindle in dispensing position. The deflecting member may be connected to a blocking member moving in response to the movement of the deflecting member. 
     The deflecting member may be movable between its two positions in response to a roll being loaded in the dispenser on the movable spindle. The deflecting member may move into retracted position when a force is applied to it and may be arranged such as to come into contact with a roll arranged on the spindle as the spindle moves between loading and dispensing position. The deflecting member may stay in retracted position as long as a roll arranged on the spindle in dispensing position exerts a force onto the deflecting member. 
     The deflecting member may interact with a resilient member arranged to allow the deflecting member to flex back into protruding position from retracted position. The resilient member is in relaxed state when the deflecting member is in its protruding position. The deflecting member moves into retracted position when a force is applied to it, thereby forcing the resilient member to tense state. Once the tension applied to the deflecting member is removed the resilient member relaxes and moves the deflecting member back into protruding position. The resilient member connects the deflecting member to the housing of the dispenser. 
     The blocking member may be movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the deflecting member. The movement is translated by means of a connection member translating a horizontal movement of the deflecting member into vertical movement of the blocking member. The connection member connects the blocking member to the deflecting member. The blocking member is arranged in a blocking position when the deflecting member is in its retracted position. The blocking member in blocking position hinders the dispenser from functioning as intended, i.e. it hinders proper loading and dispensing. 
     The deflecting member may have a shape adapted to fit in a complementary indentation in the side of a roll arranged on the spindle. The shape may be at least partly frustoconical. The deflecting member is adapted to be pushed into the retracted position in the dispenser housing when coming into contact with a side of a roll comprising an indentation complementary to the shape of the deflecting member as the spindle is moved into dispensing position, and the deflecting member being adapted to flex back into protruding position when the spindle reaches dispensing position in which the first end of the spindle is in engaged position. As a result, only rolls with an indentation having a shape which is complementary to the shape of the deflecting member allows the deflecting member to flex back into protruding position and subsequently moves the blocking member out of blocking position. If a roll which does not have an indentation of complementary shape is placed in dispensing position the deflecting member remains in retracted position, and the blocking member remains in blocking position. The front cover of the dispenser can not stay in closed state with such a roll in dispensing position. Hence, this allows the service personnel to detect that a roll is faulty loaded before walking away from the dispenser, and the issue can be corrected before it affects the end-user of the dispenser. 
     The dispenser may comprise a front cover and the front cover is hinged to the dispenser housing below the hinge point of the arm and movable between an opened and closed state, the front cover being adapted to be opened forward downwards when the dispenser is mounted on a wall and wherein the front cover, upon being moved from opened to closed state, is adapted to abut against the arm if the arm is in second position and push the arm towards the first position with the movement of the front cover. Hence, the arm is moved from second position to first position upon closing the front cover so that the user, after loading a new roll onto the spindle in dispensing position, does not have to first fold the arm and spindle and then close the front cover in two separate actions. The positioning of the spindle in dispensing position may be done by simply closing the front cover. 
     The arm may comprise an overload mechanism allowing the arm to snap out of second position and rotate further about the hinge point if a force above a predetermined release force is applied to the spindle when the arm is in second position. The release force is a vertical force measured at the second end of the spindle, where the spindle is attached to the arm. The release force is set such that the overload mechanism is triggered before the force needed to break the spindle from arm is reached, i.e. the overload mechanism allows the arm to snap out of second position, into a third position, instead of the spindle breaking off from the attachment to the arm when a force above a predetermined release force is applied to it. The overload mechanism thus minimizes the risk of the spindle being unusable if a force above the predetermined release force is applied to the arm or spindle, e.g. during movement of the arm between first and second position or during loading of the spindle. The arm is allowed to snap back into second position again once the force is removed, without any parts of the dispenser being damaged. 
     The arm may partly encompass part of the support member when the arm is in first position. This enables the arm to fold over the support member and overlap it in first position. The arm may comprise two bearing surfaces, the bearing surfaces bear against the outer side surfaces of the support member such that the bearing surfaces are allowed to slide against the outer side surfaces of the support member when the arm moves between first position and second position. The surfaces bearing against each other as the arm folds between its two positions provides stability during the fold movement, and also allows the arm to encompass part of the support member in its first, folded over, position. At least one outer side surface of the support member may be provided with a knob or recess and at least the corresponding bearing surfaces of the arm is provided with a complementary recess or knob, wherein the knob is allowed to slide along the recess as the arm moves between first position and second position. 
     This further stabilizes the movement between first and second position. The recess(es) may comprise closed end positions between which the knob(s) are allowed to move, the closed end points defining the first and second position of the arm. The knob(s) are intended to snap out of the recess(es) if a force above a predetermined release force is applied to the spindle when the arm is in second position. This overload mechanism hinders the arm in second position to break off from the support member, or the spindle to break off from the arm if heavy weight is placed on it. 
     The dispenser may be a dual dispenser comprising two support members, two arms and two spindles adapted to hold a roll respectively, and wherein the two arms are movable between first position and second position independent of each other. Each of the two spindles are attached to an arm respectively. Hence, the two spindles are movable between loading position and dispensing position independently from each other so that loading of a new roll on one spindle can be done irrespective of the other spindles position which allows for loading flexibility. 
     The two spindles of the dual dispenser may be arranged side-by-side in the dispenser. The dispensing opening in the front cover of the dispenser is arranged such that it provides access to both spindles in dispensing position, i.e. access to both rolls when arranged in the dispenser, and may be provided with a lid movable between two positions such as to cover either one of the rolls arranged on the spindles in dispensing position so that only one roll at the time is accessible for dispensing. 
     The housing of the dual dispenser may comprise a central side wall arranged between the two spindles, a deflecting member being arranged in the central side wall protruding from the central side wall towards one of the spindles in dispensing position in its protruding position and the deflecting member retracted into the housing away from the spindle in dispensing position in its retracted position. A first spindle is arranged to protrude from a first side wall, via an arm, such that the first end of the first spindle interacts with a deflecting member arranged in the central side wall. The second spindle is arranged to extend from the central side wall, via an arm, such that the first end of the second spindle interacts with a receiving part at the second side wall opposite the first side wall. The receiving part may or may not comprise a deflecting member. The receiving part may have the same shape as the deflecting member such that the receiving part fits in an indentation in a roll, the indentation being complementary to the shape of the deflecting member. 
     In another non-limiting example the dispenser may be a dual dispenser comprising a support member, an arm and two spindles adapted to hold a roll respectively; the two spindles being attached perpendicular to the same arm. The two spindles may either be arranged to extend in opposite direction in respect to each other from the outer non-hinged end of the arm, allowing side-by-side positioning of two rolls, or extend parallel in respect to each other along the extension of the arm. Hence, the two spindles are movable between loading position and dispensing position simultaneously. 
     The disclosure also discloses a method of loading a dispenser for dispensing web material from a roll, the dispenser comprising a housing, an arm hinged at a hinge point to a support member, the arm being allowed to pivot about the hinge point and the dispenser further comprising a spindle attached perpendicular to the arm, the spindle being adapted to rotatably support a roll during dispensing. The method of loading comprises the steps of pivoting the arm to a second position in which the spindle is arranged in a loading position outside the housing of the dispenser thereby allowing loading of a roll onto the spindle, placing a roll on the spindle, and pivoting the arm back into a first position in which the spindle is arranged in a dispensing position within the housing of the dispenser. 
     The arm may be folded away from the support member when pivoted to the second position, and the arm is folded back towards the support member when pivoted into the first position. 
     The method may further comprise moving the front cover to the opened state before pivoting the arm into a loading position, moving the front cover from the opened state to the closed state after a roll has been placed on the spindle, and pushing the front cover against the arm in second position, the arm thereby being urged to fold towards the first position with the movement of the front cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The disclosure herein presented is illustrated by way of examples and not limited to the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the dispenser disclosed herein, with both spindles in dispensing position; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the dispenser disclosed herein, with a first spindle in dispensing position and a second spindle in loading position; 
         FIGS. 2A-E  is a perspective view of the first arm in first, second and third position respectively; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the deflecting member in protruding position; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the deflecting member in retracted position: 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the central side wall; 
         FIGS. 5A-B  is a partly cross-sectional view of the central side wall with the deflecting member in protruding position and retracted position respectively; and 
         FIGS. 6A-B  is a perspective view of the deflecting member and resilient member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the following is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a dual dispenser  11  comprising a housing  12  defining an interior. The housing  12  comprises a back wall  37 , a top wall  21 , two outer side walls  221 ,  223  and a central side wall  222 . A first and a second arm  26   a ,  26   b  is hinged at a respective hinge point  27  to a respective support member  28   a ,  28   b , and the arms  26   a ,  26   b  are adapted to pivot about the hinge points  27 . The first arm  26   a  is hinged at a first support member  28   a  arranged close to the first side wall  221 , at the lower part of the back wall  37 . The second arm  26   b  is hinged to a second support member  28   b  arranged at the lower part of the central side wall  222 . The support members  28   a ,  28   b  and the arms  26   a ,  26   b  extend in a direction perpendicular from the back wall  37  of the dispenser  12 , and the arms  26   a ,  26   b  are adapted to pivot in same direction. Each arm  26   a ,  26   b  is provided with a spindle  13   a ,  13   b , the spindles  13   a ,  13   b  being attached perpendicular to respective arm  26   a ,  26   b , and the spindles  13   a ,  13   b  being adapted to rotatably support a roll during dispensing. Each spindle  13   a ,  13   b  is provided with a rotatable sleeve  32 . In  FIG. 1A , the rotatable sleeves  32  are intended to interact with rolls disposed on the spindles  13   a ,  13   b , allowing the rolls to rotate during dispensing of the web material from the roll. 
     The first spindle  13   a , being attached to the first arm  26   a , has a first end  17  directed towards the central side wall  222 , and a second end  33  attached to the first arm  26   a . The second spindle  13   b , being attached to the second arm  26   b , has a first end  17  directed towards the second side wall  223  and a second end  33  attached to the second arm  26   b.    
     The spindles  13   a ,  13   b  are movable between a dispensing position and a loading position respectively by means of the arms  26   a ,  26   b . Each respective arm  26   a ,  26   b  has a spindle dispensing position in which the spindle  13   a ,  13   b  is arranged within the housing  12  of the dispenser  11 , shown in  FIG. 1A , and a spindle loading position in which the spindle  13   a ,  13   b  is arranged outside the housing  12  of the dispenser  11  in order to allow loading of a roll onto the spindle  13   a ,  13   b , shown in  FIG. 1B  (second spindle  13   b ). The arms  26   a ,  26   b  are pivotable to place each respective spindle  13   a ,  13   b  in the two positions respectively, and the arms  26   a ,  26   b  are pivotable independently from each other, as shown in  FIG. 1B . Hence, the spindles  13   a ,  13   b  are movable between loading position and dispensing position independent from each other. 
     A front cover  23  is hinged at to the lower parts of the outer side walls  221 ,  223 , i.e. at the lower part of the dispenser  11 . The front cover  23  is movable between an opened state, shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and a closed state (not shown). An engagement member  24  in the shape of a locking hook is arranged at the top of the front cover  23  in a central position corresponding to the central side wall  222  when the front cover  23  is in closed state. The front cover  23  has a dispensing opening  46  and a slidable lid  47  covering one half of the dispensing opening  46  at the time. The slidable lid  47  is slidable between two positions so that one roll at the time, arranged on the spindles  13   a ,  13   b , are available for dispensing when the front cover  23  is in closed state. 
     If the front cover  23  is closed with the second arm  26   b  in loading position, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the front cover will abut the arm  26   b  and push it upwards and inwards such that it folds over the support member  28   b  from a first position into a second position; placing the spindle  13   b  in dispensing position within the interior of the housing  12 . 
       FIGS. 2A-C  and  2 E shows the first arm  26   a  attached to a first support member  28   a  at a pivot point. The pivot point  27  is arranged at a first end  44  of the first arm  26   a . In  FIG. 2A  the arm is folded at the pivot point  27  such that it partly encompasses the first support member  28   a , i.e. the first arm  26   a  is in its first position and the first spindle  13   a  is in dispensing position. The first arm  26   a  comprises two legs  43  with a respective inner bearing surface  39 . The two legs  43  are attached at the pivot point  27  to outer side surfaces  38  of the support member  28   a , such that the bearing surfaces  39  of the first arm  26   a  bear against the outer side surfaces  38  of the support member  28 . The first spindle  13   a  is attached at a second end  45  of the first arm  26   a  opposite the first end  44  comprising the legs  43  and pivot point  27 . When the arm  26   a  is in its first position the spindle  13   a  in its dispensing position is arranged closer to the back wall  37  of the dispenser  11  than the hinge point  27  of the first arm  26   a . In other words, the first arm  26   a  has been folded backwards over the first support member  28   a  and into the housing  12 . 
     The two outer side surfaces  38  of the support member  28   a  each comprises a recess  41  and the bearing surfaces  39  of the first arm  26   a  each comprises a knob  40 . The recess  41  is an area extending in a semi-circular manner from the top front to the lower back of the outer side surface. The bearing surfaces  39  bear against the outer side surfaces  38  as the arm  26   a  is moved between first and second position, and the knobs  40  slide in the complementary recesses  41  in order to guide the movement. In  FIG. 2B  the arm is in motion between its first and second position. Each recess  41  has an extension with closed end positions  42 , and the knobs  40  slide in the recesses  41  between the closed end positions  42 . The knobs  40  arranged in the closed end positions  42  of the recesses  41  corresponds to the first and second position of the first arm  26   a , thereby positioning the first spindle  13   a  in dispensing and loading position respectively. 
     In  FIG. 2C  the first arm  26   a  is in its second position, folded outwards from the dispenser  11  interior, and the first spindle  13   a  is arranged in loading position. 
     In  FIG. 2E  the first arm  26   a  is positioned in a third position hanging downwards. The third position is reached by an overload mechanism allowing the knobs  40  to snap out of the recesses  41  if a force above a predetermined release force is placed on the first spindle  13   a . The snap out is shown in  FIG. 2D , illustrating the legs  43  flexing outwards to allow the knobs  40  to pass the edge of the recesses  41 . In  FIG. 2E  the knobs  40  has completely snapped out of the recesses  41  such that the first arm  26   a  has left its second position and rotated further about the hinge point  27  into its third position. 
     The second arm  26   b  and second support member  28   b , not shown in  FIGS. 2A-E , comprises the same elements as the first arm  26   a  and first support member  28   a , and facilitate pivoting between first and second position in the same way. The overload mechanism may be present also between the second arm  26   b  and support member  28   b.    
     A deflecting member  14  is arranged in the central side wall  222  of the housing  12 . The deflecting member  14  is movable between a protruding position protruding towards the first spindle  13   a  in dispensing position, shown in  FIG. 3A , and a retracted position retracted into the central side wall  222  of the housing  12  away from the spindle  13   a  in dispensing position, shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     A receiving part  34  is arranged at the second side wall  223  and interacts with the first end  17  of the second spindle  13   b  in dispensing position. The receiving part  34  have the same frustoconical shape as the deflecting member  14 . 
     The deflecting member  14  is connected to a resilient arm  16  connecting the deflecting member  14  to the central side wall  222  of the housing  12 . In protruding position the deflecting member  14  is protruding from the side surface of the central side wall  222 , protruding into the interior of the housing  12 . In  FIG. 3A  a roll  30  having an indentation  29  at a first side  31  positioned at the first end  17  of the first spindle  13   a  is provided on the first spindle  13   a . The indentation  29  is complementary to the frustoconical shape of the deflecting member  14  thereby allowing the deflecting member  14  to protrude into the indentation  29 . No force is exerted on the deflecting member  14  and the resilient arm  16  is in relaxed state. The deflecting member  14  is in protruding position and the first spindle  13   a  is in the dispensing position. The first end  17  of the first spindle  13   a  is engaged in the deflecting member  14 . 
     If a force is applied to the deflecting member  14  the resilient arm  16  bends and the deflecting member  14  moves into its retracted position inside the central side wall  222 , shown in  FIG. 3B . This happens for example when the spindle  13   a  holding the roll  30  moves from loading to dispensing position and the side  31  of the roll  30  abuts the deflecting member  14 . Once the spindle  13   a  is in dispensing position the force is removed due to the indentation  29  arranged adjacent the through hole in the side  31  of the roll  30 , i.e. the tension on the resilient arm  16  is released and the deflecting member  14  flexes back into protruding position, shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     If the roll  30  does not have a complementary shape indentation  29 , or if the roll  30  is placed with the indentation  29  facing the second end  33  of the spindle  13   a , the deflecting member will stay in retracted position. 
     The receiving part  34  having the same shape as the deflecting member  14  fits in an indentation  29  in a roll  30  being complementary to the shape of the deflecting member  14 . It is movable between a protruding position and a retracted position. 
     The central side wall  222  of  FIGS. 1A-B  is shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . Shown in  FIG. 4 ; the deflecting member  14  is connected to a blocking member  15  by a rod  19  translating a horizontal movement of the deflecting member  14 , between protruding position and retracted position in the central side wall  222 , into vertical movement of the blocking member  15  moving it in and out of an engagement slot  20  in the central side wall  222  at the top wall  21 . 
     In  FIG. 5A  the deflecting member  14  is in protruding position, and the blocking member  15  is out of blocking position thereby not blocking the engagement slot  20  (seen in  FIG. 4 ). The engagement slot  20  is thus available for the locking hook  24  of the front cover  23  to engage with, and the front cover  23  can thus be maintained and locked in closed position. In  FIG. 5B  the deflecting member  14  is pushed into retracted position, the resilient member  16  is tensed, the blocking member  15  is pushed upwards into the engagement slot  20  by the rod  19  and the engagement slot  20  is thereby blocked. The front cover  23  is unable to stay in closed position since the locking hook  24  cannot engage with the blocked engagement slot  20 . 
     A color indication  36  is visible in an indication window  25 , shown in  FIGS. 1A-B , when the blocking member  15  is blocking the engagement slot  20 . The indication  36  moves in and out of the indication window  25  with the movement of the blocking member  15  in and out of blocking position in the engagement slot  20 . The indication  36  indicates to the service personnel if it is possible to lock the front cover  23  in closed state or not, thereby indicating if the roll  30  is correctly loaded or not. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a deflecting member  14  of truncated frustoconical shape comprising a guiding groove  18 . The guiding groove  18  is adapted to receive the first end  17  of the first spindle  13   a  and guide it into an engaged position in the deflecting member  14  when the first spindle  13   a  is in dispensing position. In  FIG. 6B  the frustoconical shape is chamfered at one side to facilitate the edge of the first side  31  of the roll arranged on the spindle  13   a  to pass the deflecting member  14  when moved to dispensing position. The chamfered surface  35  is facing outwards from the interior of the housing  12 , thereby facing the first end  17  of the first spindle  13   a  as it moves from loading position to dispensing position.